Summoned

If any of you happen to have siblings,older sisters in particular, you'll totally get what I am about to say. I get this call from my older sister about a month ago, asking, er, more like demanding that I come visit her in Cali. But in reverence for her Highness, I'll say summoned.

She gave me and hour (that's right,1. single. hour.) to make up my mind. Because, as she firmly stated, she is at her computer, with the Southwest Airlines schedule before her very eyes, ready to press "book". No pressure there right? Well, for 55minutes I blustered and bristled at her Majesty's request. And then 5 minutes later, I answered her summons with this:

You may think me a wiener buckling under such dubious pressure, but if you do indeed have an older sister, I know I have your complete and utter sympathy. And lest anyone think that the actual years of separation in age make a difference. I reply with not one whit! In fact, when I arrived at her majesty's door we were the same age. And remained so for 4 days. Believe me, I tried my fools best to dethrone her highness, she would have none of it. But spending our birthdays together, clinking our bottles of Coke in honor of our Mother's fortitude and sense of humor, was worth every moment. And did I mention Lady Laughs-a-lot bought my airline ticket, so there, check-mate.

Her majesty loves purple. I'm thinking a subliminal message alluding to her royalty, or so I like to imagine. But her husband, being a mere peasant as I, seeing all things equal bought me a purple bouquet too. Checkmate;) In case you're wondering, Her majesty would be the 361 days older woman in this picture, but I'm not telling. Checkmate :0

For four lovely days we walked, danced, sang, cooked, ate, drank and maybe just a teensy bit fought, but that much is to be expected from sisters. Most of all we encouraged each other's creativity, shared our newest projects and plans. I love that the most about our visits.

I love the way my sister gets her creative daily fix by playing around in this ginormous brandy snifter. Her little china man with no hands exists in a tranquil garden of sand, moving about only at his mistress' will. I feel your pain little china guy (just saying).

I think these pods are very cool, from a Magnolia I'm guessing. We picked a passel of them on one of our walks. A few trips to Lowe's for paint chips and new pendant lighting for her highness's boudoir rounded out my trip.

Remember the Narcissus I have been dousing liberally with Gin.

I came home to find that she can't hold her liquor.

~cheers~

This just in....SNOW!

Yesterday morning we awoke to this!

Everything in black and white! What I love about the new fallen snow is the way it reflects daylight brilliantly through our cottage windows, shining a glorious light on these dim and gray winter days. It's a short lived experience here in Oregon's Pacific Northwest, so it's cherished all the more for as long as it lasts.

I'm excited to share my results from the natural dyeing I did recently.

I experimented with Black Walnut, Rose hips & Hawthorn berries and dyed a wool skein, muslin, vintage lace and hankies. Also some cotton and linen thread. What to make with it I do not know. But I feel inspired just looking at the complimentary pieces.

Anyone out there ever force bulbs? This was my first time and I totally get why folks do this. With snow on the ground it feels so Springy and hopeful to see bulging bulbs throwing out spikes of green.

Narcissus I have learned can become quite tall and gangly. I've also learned that if you water your bulbs with 1part Gin (or your favorite) with 8 parts water you can stunt their growth habit by half and avoid the tipsy. No fun for you Narcissus!

This is where I've been.

And where have you been lately?