The next morning...

hardpacked

Cool Kitty

No heating

icy hill

2" of snow in  the pot

The power  of life

let's hope

Kitty's first snow, he  keeps shaking his feet. Doesn't know what's up!

I loved this ice pattern on the umbrella

Now that's an icy bath!

the beauty of  nature

more snow

Snow in So. Cal.

We were watching a movie when Guy looks out the window and says "IT'S SNOWING".

OMG, I ran in the bedroom, got my jacket boots scrounged for a hat and scarf, and ran outside. I took tons of pictures and  threw a snowball at Guy.  I can't believe it!  I know lots of you live in snow country, so  you're probably tired of it, but it's so exciting to me.

The Secret Sisters "The One I Love is Gone" Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2010

The Guy playing the Dobro is Jerry Douglas. He is the most awesome guitar player, and the nicest guy around. He's been on tour with Elvis Costello.  Check out his playing, too.

The darling "Secret Sisters"

If you love  Bluegrass, and  women's voices like angels, you will love the  "Secret Sisters".
They are 20 somethings who are the cutest, nicest, and funniest new duo around.  Their claim to fame is their harmony. They've been likened to the Everly Brothers. We saw them, for the first time, last Oct. at the Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass Festival, in San Francisco. It is a 3 day free music festival in Golden Gate Park, the first week of Oct. every year.  The biggest names in  Blugrass, Country, and even R & B. play there. It's like Woodstock, only  it smells better. All the old hippies, now, use deodorant. Anyway, after seeing the girls there, we saw them at McCabe"s Music store, in Santa Monica, Ca. , and fell in love with them again. Please check out their music, I think you will too!

Dirty Crystals...

I bought two chandeliers at a sale. I brought them home, and  couldn't believe how dirty the crystals were. So, I took off every crystal 500 on each, and washed them. Then put them all back. What a daunting chore. It took me hours, and thanks to my husband, Guy, who devised a hanging system for drying, they are now  dry, bright and sparkling. I can't wait to get them rewired, and hanging in my booth!

Stuck in the 80's

I went to an estate sale, on  Friday, in a ritzy part of town. This was in a large 3 storied house.

Every room was overly decorated. I don't know if I love or hate this room. It's sunny, but maybe too busy for a bedroom.

it was a rainy night...

When twirled, the candlelight moves on the ceiling  like the Aurora Borealis.

It was raining Friday night. My husband, Guy, and I turned off the lights  and lit the candle inside this wire and crystal bird house holder. We hung it from the ceiling.  It was so romantic. Guy played his guitar, and I sat in the big chair with our kitty on my lap.    I love our life!

Picture of Kitty on wall.

The Reason Why Our Plum Tree is Confused...

the Verdugo hills

Right behind our house. Today I feel like we live in snow country. 

I went outside, this afternoon, because it was sunny. I looked up and saw snow on our local mountains. They are about 3000'. I guess that's why our plum tree  is confused!

Our Plum Tree is Confused

too early to bloom

I'm afraid  we will get a freeze, and the blooms will fall

It's still really cold, about 50 degrees

We will have storms all week

Last year was a record year for our plums. I made about 2 dozen jars of jelly, and gave away tons of plums. I'm afraid with the early heat , then cold and rain, this year, the tree will freak out and do  nothing.

I  love to watch, from my living room window, the daily changes happening, but this year they are happening too early. Oh well, we'll see.

Have A Rosy Valentine's Day

Bottle Cap Man

Lately, I've been seeing things made with bottle caps. I  got this one  at a thrift store.  Another dealer , at the mart has  basket/purses made of wire and  bottle caps. They are really cute. I'll take  a picture of them. I like offbeat stuff, especially, handmade.

Colorful pincushions!

I found these fabric pincushions. They come in two sizes; Large is $36, small is $18. They are filled with lavender and crushed  walnut shells.  I take PayPal, and no shipping cost to you!

Today, a clothing boutique

I love having a booth. I can turn it, at anytime, into a living room, bedroom  or clothing boutique. I lay awake at night picturing what it's going to look like. I go to sales looking for just the right pieces to make a story. I've always liked telling stories in my work. I want vignettes to be accurately detailed. 

The fun of designing windows, in an antique mart, with many dealers, is that we can take from most booths, things that pertain to our design plan.  Of course, in my booth, I can't use other dealer's things, so I'm always looking out for "new" old.

linen torso with cluster of faux pearls and long crystal ropes.

I bought, at an estate sale, a custom measured  torso dress form, which I covered with vintage silk scarves and costume jewelry. I also attached a vintage apron with pockets, which I put in handkerchiefs.

I love this tole lamp. I made the shade, and hung more beads on the flowers.