The prompt this week is close up…
So this week, get up close and personal with your subject — whether it’s the pollen on a newly bloomed flower, rust on an old fence, or water droplets left by a storm — and capture those tiny, fascinating details that might go unnoticed.
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my close up choices…
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/close-up/
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Tagged dogs, flowers, Pets, Photographs, postaweek/postaday, weekly prompt
The Tivoli building… Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard (circa 1920)
The two story, full block Tivoli Dance Hall stood from 1901 until 1964 where the Oak Bluffs Town Hall is today. The bottom floor housed shops and an ice cream parlor. My godmother worked in the ice cream parlor and I always enjoyed visiting her there… one time in particular jumps to mind.
I was 3 years old and had newly mastered winking and was anxious to put it to use. Sitting at a table behind my mother and facing me was a sailor. Being that I was wearing a sailor dress I figured we had something in common and so I began winking at him… it did not take long for my mother to notice. She turned around and as she did the young sailor headed for our table. He smiled and said he was alone on the Vineyard for the day and wanted to tell my mother how charming he thought I was (blushing here). Not only did my mother invite him to join us at the table but she invited him home for dinner (this was mid 1940’s). I was amazed at how powerful this winking thing was. I don’t think we kept in touch with him but obviously I’ve never forgotten him… I do however keep the winking thing to a minimum.
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The entire second floor of the Tivoli Dance Hall was just that, the dance hall. It was huge, at least in the eyes of a 4 year old being dragged there against her will for a dance lesson. I did like all the windows and how far you could see out of them, I liked the clicking sound my shoes made on the floor, I loved the brand new sundress I had on …
… but, I did NOT like the group dancing part. I remember reluctantly getting in line with the other victims children, but my feet did not move, they planted themselves firmly in one spot and stayed there. Everyone danced around me but I did not care to join in, not only didn’t I dance I wouldn’t talk to anyone either. My mother was not happy with me… we did not stop for promised ice cream at the Frosty Cottage on Circuit Ave for ice cream and we didn’t come home with a sailor for dinner either.
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Tagged architecture, Family, Martha's Vineyard, Memories, Oak Bluffs, Photographs, summer
So … will you be reading Go Set a Watchman: A Novel? Why? Why not? What do you think of this whole deal? Harper Lee, after all, is famous for insisting she wouldn’t publish another book, and now this … and the controversy about Atticus? Discuss!
Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!
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Tagged Wordpress
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Tagged Color, damask, design, illustration, surface patterns
Comments Off on Summer School Illustrations
Tagged Color, damask, design, illustration, surface patterns
When we were in Europe one thing I really enjoyed was all the green space. There were public parks full of trees, herbs, and blooming flowers, even in chilly Scotland. The open air markets all sold fresh-cut flowers and herbs and it was a delight to the senses. Maddie and I noticed especially in France that it seemed as though everyone was walking around with a fresh baguette and an armful of flowers.
When we got to Germany, my friend Diana’s deck was full of fresh herbs growing in pots, and it inspired me to bring some of that feeling back to the states with me.
Community herb garden in Greyfriar’s cemetery in Edinburgh
Flowers at Holyrood gardens in Edinburgh
At Stratford-Upon-Avon
At Borough Market in London. I’d love to grow lavender on that scale!
In Wiesbaden, Germany
Rose Garden in Eltville, Germany
Once I was home I realized that though I have herbs and flowers growing here, they are off in the vegetable gardens to attract the bees to pollinate the tomatoes and squash plants. I decided I needed more herbs on the back deck, closer to the kitchen, and flowers wouldn’t hurt, either. The roses in Germany seriously make me want to plant rose bushes everywhere; I’m not sure how that’ll work out, but I’m going to slowly add more of them all around. If nothing else, the bees will be happy!
I also wanted to put some smaller potted herbs in the kitchen on the windowsill, but unfortunately I can’t because of this:
This:
And to a lesser extent, this:
At any rate, I bought some oregano, thyme, and rosemary to start, along with some flowers.
It’s a start, anyway. I’m going to add lavender, cilantro, and basil this weekend. Then I’m going to spend time pulling out the Virginia Creeper that has once again taken over everything out front so that I can start planning fall planting.
Yep, I said it. It’s just about that time again.
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Tagged Farm, garden, Trips, Uncategorized
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Tagged clouds, New York, Photographs, sky, sunset
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Tagged beverages, drinks, fruit, Photographs, posterize
First, the facts:
Title: Warm Days, Cool Knits
Author: Corrina Ferguson
Published by: Interweave Press, 2015
Pages: 143
Type: Patterns
Chapters:
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
The In-Depth Look:
The author writes: “If, like me, you live in the South, or other places where snow is a novelty, and the air conditioning runs most of the year [knitting] is a bit trickier. When you tell people you’re a knitter they look at you funny. The local yarn shops are few and far between. There are only a handful of days of sweater weather each year, and those sweaters are usually worn as coats. But even in the South we love to knit. And we want to knit pretty wearable things, not just accessories and household decorations. That’s why I created this collection of patterns to showcase the knitted seasons of the South, with projects that are fitting for any climate.”
Well, I don’t live in the South, but I can affirm that it is hot outside, and the last thing I want to do right now is bundle up in anything, much less a cozy, bulky sweater … but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to knit. That makes this the perfect time of year for this book. (You know, for those of us who live where it does actually get cold and snowy.)
The book is sorted into seasons, but don’t be fooled–the “Winter” knits are not the kind you wear to bundle up to shovel snow. They are the sort of thing you put on when the temperature dips into the 60s and it’s suddenly chilly at night. But that’s okay–they’re also good for wearing around your centrally-heated house when you just need an extra layer.
The styles are mostly light sweaters, wraps, and tank tops, ranging from extremely light- to medium-weight. There are several things in here I’d be happy to knit and have in my wardrobe, which I always consider a plus for a pattern book. Nothing bulky, nothing heavy, just light and breezy. Perfect for the South. Perfect for the summer.
This book can be found at your local shops or at Amazon.com.
Want to see bigger pictures? Click here.
This review copy was kindly donated by Interweave Press. Thank you!
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Tagged corrina ferguson, Pattern Books