the flower show

what a treat it is to be within such proximity to both new york and philadelphia and have access to these inspirational vibrant cities. that said, 'bella italia' of this year was a little tame, but none the less wonderful to visit. these floral fashion displays are from the runways of Milan exhibit.

http://picasaweb.google.com/tgindilis/TheFlowerShowPhilly2009# - more pictures of the show

spring is in the vase

These two recent arrangements had to be rather large because of were they were displayed, but whether the vase is large or small... curly willow, roses, delphinium, Dutch tulips and dendrobium orchids - all in peach, lavender hues - one cannot go wrong.

the cooking fairy

recycling has been very important to me personally and a significant part of daily life. i believe in re-using things, finding purpose for things useless at first glance... because ultimately those things take place of potential new arrivals. i like to eliminate the need to acquire. the cooking fairy now occupies a nail in the kitchen which would otherwise call out for a painting, photo frame or some such thing currently on a shelf in some store. the fairy plum is a tutti frutti, a holiday ornament from Gramercy Park flower shop from many years ago. he holds a bowl, stirring batter. a glass dragonfly covers a missing foot and a glued back together ceramic half-plate serves as backdrop. the cooking fairy now oversees the kitchen and watches over the stove and all its pots. i love to see the glue in the broken edges - it emphasizes the second/third generation of purpose for the same thing. i don't want to let go and discard these witnesses of years past who have been intimate participants of our everyday.

the crown

ever since the concept of the crest for the rooster costume manifested itself in a crocheted pattern which i would not be able to reproduce, i have been thinking about other ways to use up some of the yarn for play clothes which i in turn would also not be able to repeat....

snowmen family

it's all in the pictures. the snow was excellent in quebec that day.

stockings

much belated christmas stocking pattern: cut boot shape (i prefer small size) in red, white or green basic fleece. embellish with desired design on one side, snowman (2 white circles of varying sizes), pine tree (green, the more rustic the cut the better), lettering, a combination of the above, etc. i used blanket stitch on the those as well as all around. with some left over gems and beeds it is easy to make decorations: snowflakes, tree deco, etc. put on a loop at the top to hang - done. to make two of these in an evening is quite possible, i think. the hooks ended up having to be made as well. a damaged but favorite plate with some other ceramic bits and pieces, holiday deco balls, beeds, etc and basic hanging hooks.

Magog

It is not a crazy idea to take a 4 year old and a 2 year old cross country skiing for a week. You just need a lot of adults to tend to all the little details. Just dressing and undressing can be a major challenge and take up to 40 min, especially if there is an unwilling party. Though once outside, very little grown-up participation is required. Snow and child are completely mutually fulfilling. I could never have guessed (although i might have remembered) that a 4 year old could spend 2-4 hours outside utterly pleased just falling through snow and trying to get out.
More to say, but i will leave it for tomorrow. Must finish Balzac, begin Wilde and read 3 tomes of Bell.