Happy Tuesday

Being away from the computer for almost two full days is apparently quite good for restoring a good dash of inspiration and motivation to one's life.  I really ought to plan one day each week where the laptop gets turned off and I pay some more attention to concrete things and nearby people.  I can't do this, of course, since I'll be using my laptop for schoolwork most days, but I'll set aside a little time, just enough, because I really live in a pretty place with some pretty great people.

Oh, and that wedding I went to?  It was seriously beautiful.  They were married at sunset and the rain cleared up just an hour before the ceremony started.

Happy Weekend

My dad just got back from a business trip to Scotland last night and brought my mom, sister, and me different pieces from the most adorable accessories set he found in between a day in Dublin, golfing at St. Andrews (a dream he's had for awhile, as it's considered the birthplace of the sport), and working.

I'm a little bit in love with the paper it came wrapped in, too.

My dad has pretty good taste, I must say--or at least an idea of what I actually like!  I was looking for a little keychain sized purse like this a few days ago.  I always keep my driver's license and school ID on my keychain so I'm ready with them at any time.  It's one of those little things that simplifies your life!

This week really got away from me.  I spent the last four days baby-sitting for a family in my old neighborhood, and after spending each day with three (good) kids, with a few hours in the three-digit heat, I was a little exhausted.  So this weekend, I'm embracing the beauty of the air conditioner and staying inside as much as possible.  I have a good amount of stuff to get done and I think my lazy summer days are coming to a close.  They were nice, though!

Janeites, Again

The festival was bigger and even more fun this year.  I learned a bit about bobbin lace from an incredibly skilled craftswoman, a little about regency hairstyling from a wigmaker from Actor's Theater, and a touch about Regency garments.  The tea, though, was perhaps the best part of the day.  I chose Marianne's Wild Abandon, a green and black tea blend with a floral infusion, along with an irish tea cake with fresh cream and berries.

I'll let the pictures tell you the rest.

{birthday gift for my aunt} 

{an early edition of Godey's Lady's Book--I've looked at scans of its pages, but this was the first time I held one in person.  This is where many American female writers were first published.}

{sugar dish}

{tea from the Jane Austen Tea Series}

{Irish tea cake with fresh berries and cream}

{the Shops of Meryton}

{in a shop}

{on the grounds of Locust Grove}

{Regency reproductions by Gayle Simmons}

{that bow, about two by three inches in size, took eighty hours to create}

{the materials for making bobbin lace}

have a delightful weekend

Today was sweet.  Few things are as endearing as a six-year-old who wants to know if you can come play tomorrow even if you're not babysitting.  It's good to be able to help your grandparents with all sorts of little things when they are extending the kindness of a home in their basement apartment.  It is fulfilling to be both wanted and needed and be capable of meeting both, is it not?

I'm off to watch a movie with the family, then get some rest and reading in during the next two days.  I helped Oma clean off the patio on Monday so we can sit in the shade and hope for enough coolness to enjoy a book outside.  Doesn't that sound perfect?

Have a lovely weekend, won't you?

Some time in the sun with a book sounds lovely.  If only it was not so terribly hot!  This image seems to be from here.

a day at the races

It's derby weekend back home and I know the whole city is crazy and decked out.  I know it's sort of the cool thing among my college/grad-school aged crowd to be all "meh" about derby, and I'll admit that I'm kind of with them.  But at the same time, I can't quite get over my girlhood fascination with horses--I guess living in the dairy state for awhile made me prefer the equine to the bovine in farm animals--and riders.  I remember, at age ten, two years after moving to Kentucky, I wanted to be a jockey.  Between my above-average height and my soon-realized allergies to just about everything in a barn, my dream was quickly dashed.  And of course, I now know all about the unpleasant goings-on of the racing industry (who in this state doesn't?) and I have a firm opinion on gambling (I've heard of and even seen a few too many disasters), and so a little of the dramatic magic is lost.  

Yet still, each year, for two minutes, watching beautiful, strong, athletic creatures test the limits endurance, hurtling forward amongst the roar of a crowd and announcers speaking a thousand words a second, and wondering who will be a surprise or no surprise at all in the winner's circle under the garland of roses, it's hard not to enjoy at least a little bit of festivity.

Naturally, if I were going to the race (rather than packing to move back to the city it's in), I would have to be decked out fabulously, so take a look above or visit me on polyvore (for item info) here.  Do you want to play Friday's Fancies, too?  Visit long distance loving and join in!

Hello, Saturday Morning (and weekend links)

It's a rainy Saturday around here!  In the evening yesterday, a tornado was spotted less than three miles from us but thankfully did little damage and never came our (more thoroughly populated) way, and last night, it thundered and hailed for hours.  The next few days will be full of the same, so I'm looking at a lot of time indoors and wishing I'd brought my rain boots with me.  I hope the weather in your area is being a little nicer!

{by Thompson Chan on Flickr}

This week, I bookmarked this post on how to stock your pantry and plan to apply it when, you know, I have a pantry.  Another blogger linked to this article from Whole Living on the wabi sabi aesthetic/ethic.  I particularly like the method of applying wabi sabi principles in relationships; it would probably have a very positive impact in my life.  I discovered Pia Jane Bijkerk's blog just yesterday and I'm already in love with its style and feel--can you describe a webpage as feeling a certain way?  If you can, then hers has that same feeling you get when you walk in a historic building and everything is beautiful with age, classic style, and a little hint of glamor.
Easter is tomorrow and I don't know what we'll be doing, but I might have to decorate a few eggs, and I think I could make up dyes from stuff around my in-law's house if I follow the instructions here on naturally dyeing eggs.

{by sushicam on Flickr}

Have a happy weekend and enjoy reading!

My husband's aunt is in the hospital this weekend and is still really sick, so would you keep her in your thoughts and prayers?  Hopefully she'll be home in a few days, but right now, the doctors don't know what's wrong.  

hello, Saturday Morning (and weekend links)

{I'm hoping to see the sun today.}

I was meandering around Jill Bliss' blog and found this article that's gotten me thinking about how environmental ethics intersect with social ethics (conclusion: they intersect constantly).  Apparently, I was on a bit of a sociological studying kick last week, because I bookmarked this article about feminism and domesticity which, in spite of being written almost seven years ago, is still enormously relevant to the arts and crafts movement that I'm always reading and writing about.  As someone who lives in a small town and not far from a semi-abandoned building, I was drawn to this article filled with images of buildings "from a different era" that are on the edge of decay. The words and images on this blog are both beautiful and inspirational.  Take a look.  You'll like them.

happy saturday

{image by Maja Maljković, found on WeHeartIt}

You should read this post on The Storque, then venture over to Yes, Honey Chyle and follow her link to this incredible and beautiful and ridiculous time-lapse film, take a look at these pictures of New York on Honestly...WTF, then venture on over to Dottie Angel where you will see, on this post, that I actually WON something.  No joke!  ME!  I laughed out loud (yes, C., that's why I laughed), went to work (till late), then went to browse the shop for which I now have a gift certificate, and oh-my-indeed it's full of fun vintage.  I'll be sharing a few things I love tomorrow.  For now, have a happy Saturday!