Could've Been

My eyes dance to light on the floor of our hall

There in the shadows a silver key ring shines

Stooping to retrieve

Sliding on my ring finger

Just a fit!

Thoughts speed on my mind's race track

You and me - two twain in one flesh

Cuddling the ring to my chest

My eyes shut

Dreaming of what could've been.

Renewed

Out of chaos

Random pain

Meaningless repetitions

Comes a flood of meaning

Fresh wind enters

Welcome refreshing breeze

Life's renewed

Fire's Out

Ignite.

 Emblazon.

 Passion flames. 

Combust.

Sparks stoke grief.

 Waning embers dissipate.

Cooled.

 Dazed.

 The fire's out.

Holly Alternative

How do you adorn your mantle? In Newtonia, I have donned my Mother's mantle with Nandina. It is the perfect alternative to holly berries and they look just as festive.

Sweet Potatoes, the Only Way

The rich and nutty flavors are not laden with gooey marshmallow and brown sugar in this simple recipe (though nice occasionally at Thanksgiving). Here's to a beautiful fall and healthy cooking!

Skillet Fried Sweet Potatoes

(a cast iron skillet is best)

- Slice sweet potatoes in desired chunks

- Drizzle olive oil and toss until well covered.

- Sprinkle cinnamon and seasoned salt.

- Toss several more times. The potatoes may need more olive oil.

- Cover the skillet with foil. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

- Remove from the oven and remove foil.

- Toss several more times and place back in the oven.

- Bake for 15 to 20 more minutes or until the potatoes are soft when forking.

Happy Canisters

After years of searching high and low for perfect canisters, I discovered these. It seems we limit ourselves and the creativeness in the kitchen when we box our kitchen in by labeling with unimaginative labels such as "Sugar" and the like. What are your thoughts?

2, October 2010

My Heart ---
sings in volumes
in deepest notes
and harmonies not written

Some day
these volumes
these notes
these harmonies
will be played with dedication,
"My Love".

The Frost - 11, November 2012

Glitters on my windows.
The day is before me.
The engines roar.
The hum of cars - all are hurrying.
We bustle on our way to make the day into what we've planned.
The Frost, like an envelope to open - the wrappings of the gift - the day.

-

Alone - 5 May 2011

Tears fill our eyes.

What do all these emotions mean?

What joy or sadness encourages a swelling of ever ready springs? 

We cannot comprehend all sadness deeper than a desert well.

Sadness plunges us down.

Down.

Alone.

Calm.

Sad.

Alone.

14, October 2012

I lay here

on my bed

earbuds snug in my ears

Coldplay's, "The Hardest Part" streaming

It's quiet outside

nearly eleven

the week is before me

stretched out

like a white canvas

ready for color

borders, definition.

A Very Useful Prayer Guide

A friend sent me a useful prayer guide that I simply must share with my friends and family here on my blog. If you are married, this will hopefully be of help to you or if you have a desire to be married. It's not to early to start praying for your future spouse.

Catching My Eye This Fall

http://www.amazon.com/Tartan-Scotland-Muffler-Womens-Cashmere/dp/B009TGUL7S/ref=sr_1_85?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1352578396&sr=1-85&keywords=plaid+scarf+green

Garnier Thiebaut Linens

Where have I been? These are truly the most beautiful linens. The colors are vibrant. The designs are diverse. The method of linen weaving is state of the art. I researched the company to discover they are made in France. Can you imagine how great it would be to take a field trip to the factory?

Happiness is returning...

Classy Shoes

For a long while I have wanted a pair of spectator shoes. Mum recently handed me a catalog of womens' shoes. "There's some really cute shoes in here!" I was pessimistic and dubious as I flipped through the catalog. And then! I happened on the page with these advertised. Spectator meets oxford shoe. Perfect. Stylish. Classy.  

"Saddle Lane - 25 October 2012"

Leaves dance down the dark street.
Is it beginning to rain?
Is that mist?
Is that the rustle of leaves?
Quiet.
Listen.
Listen - to still, ever so faint whisper of  leaves as they take center stage.
Quiet.
Ssh...
Did you hear the wind?
Did you hear the rustle-bustle-tussle of their crisp-layered-organza-paper-thin-sheath like dresses?
Oh no!
Is that a thunderstorm?
Is that rain?
Could it be the refreshing breeze of an autumn evening?

The Bookmark

New use for sightseeing tickets...

Rattling, a poem

Stained Glass Quilt

A view from the underside.

Hello, Beautiful Chair!

Roadside treasure hunting pays off when a chair with good lines just needs a bit of reinforcement and fresh coat of paint. The things people throw away.

Catching My Eye

Etsy's selection of silk screen towels and hand built pottery dishes are catching my eye. They, to me fall in a category with etchings, calligraphy and watercolor. The medium is simple. The venue is limitless.

And if you haven't heard of Celadon green, Dictionary.com describes it as "any of several Chinese porcelains having a translucent, palegreen glaze". What a soothing green! Just can't get enough.

Liquidating a Few Things: Edmund Blair Leighton Prints

"The Accolade" 1901

"God Speed" 1900

Fossil Investment

Yes, I did it at last - my first Fossil bag which I purchased on eBay for half of it's original price. New with tags. Bingo!

Morning Sunshine Quilt

Halfway there. This quilt is inspired by vintage fabrics from BettyGram. Which little one will receive this?    We shall see.

British Shop

Hunting has paid off! John Lewis is the web-site of the week for simple home furnishings.

Painting with Kids

This was our inspiration.

Pancakes!

Turtle 

Flower or Sun

Intriguing Books

Best Web-site of the Week

Bar none, Dash and Albert is the pick of the week! Amazing.

Summer Flowers

My adopted grandmother, BettyGram gave me a bundle of vintage flour sack fabrics several years ago. They are ending up in a quilt, a wanna-be vintage quilt. This time, it's all about the azure sky, sunshine and summer flowers.

Sunshine Baby Quilt

Somethings just look great in the sunshine, like quilts.

Color Inspiration Galore

This blog is amazing. Tweak your favorite color and select "Go get it" to be shown a selection of color palettes based on that color. Fantastic! I'm going to be using this for years to come.

Soup's On

Stillwater Trip: A Reoccurring Theme

Tea Towel Yardages

Murphy's Kitchen Shop - Stillwater Trip

Fiestaware in a rainbow of colors.

Howabout an English teapot in your favorite color?

These remind me of the famous English crockery, Cornishware

Quilts from Stillwater Trip

The subtle colors of these unfinished quilt tops are similar to the color combinations that have been brewing in my own imagination recently. I like the designs as they are simple but have impact.

Current Quilting Project

Newtonia Guest Bedroom

A few things left over from moving my sister's stuff to her added with a few sheers, revitalized chair and several pillows - The guest room is ready. Amy Style.

New on the Nightstand

Frances Mayes is known for Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. I'm excited to read her book on discovering poetry. English Pleasure Gardens was written 100 years ago and has been recently republished with all the same fantastic line drawings by the author. Writing Tools introduces useful knowledge every writer should know. 

Added to those three are two others: a book on Benjamin Franklin and a collection of Twentieth Century American poetry. It's difficult to put any of these books down.

Cherokee Street: Ruth's Vintage Clothing

St. Louis vintage shop.

Impressive collection of silk scarves. They always catch my eye.

 A few hats of unique form.

How about a vintage beaded clutch?

Ooh, there are hat boxes. 

Individual Teapot - St. Louis Estate Sale

Staffordshire - England. Stackable. $4.25. Can't wait to share it with overnight guests. Keeper.