The Haunting

I have always liked Halloween. In elementary school there was a day when we could wear our costumes to class and parade through the rooms collecting treats as we went. Mom made some pretty great costumes. I remember the baby-blue satin and tulle tutu. Not the most flattering on a chubby 10 year old, and not the most practical for a chilly October day. Still I loved it. Starting about 10 years ago I sort of regressed to my child-like enjoyment of Halloween, especially for decorations from the 1930's to 1950's. This was fueled by the antique stores in Soquel, CA, and by eBay, where one can find hard to come by items with a few keystrokes. I began to display my growing collection starting a month before Halloween. Nowadays, I limit this display to 2 shelves in Mom Smothers' secretary in our foyer. In the photo above I have originals from Wendy Addison, Nicol Sayer and Donna O'Brien, plus some fun reproductions from BayBerry Cove.com .

My only true vintage piece, and probably the most valuable, is the pumpkin pictured above. This was an eBay purchase from around 8 years ago. Nowadays the reproductions of these look just as authentic. Again more originals from Wendy and Donna on the bottom shelf.

Because I am limiting the size of my display, and because I already have an adequate collection, I rarely buy Halloween decor anymore, and if I do they are originals. This year I added two of Laura's original paintings; the vampire fangs and the eyeball. I love these because they are such fun images and they are so realistically painted. Thank you, Laura. So I had to set-up a new display area. And so the collection creeps...

Again with the Cooking

Wednesday was another day in the kitchen. I was hosting Schelley, the kids, her fiance and her dad for dinner. I decided to cook two recipes that were new to me: Chicken & Dumplings from Tyler's Ultimate on FoodTV and a No-Bake White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie from the Parade section of Sunday's newspaper. Number 1 discovery; no bake does not mean no prep. See above picture for some of the dishes used to prepare the pie.

First was the graham cracker crust. I did everything in the pie plate. Melted the butter and mixed in the crumbs and sugar. The crumbs I made by tossing the crackers in a plastic bag and crushing with hands then a rolling pin. Then there was melting the white chocolate over simmering water; whipping the cream cheese mixture with my hand-held mixer; beating the whipping cream separately; slicing and tossing the bananas with lime juice. Gheesh. The result was good, but I don't think it was as flavorful as my Key Lime Pie, and certainly not as easy. Key Lime mixture is a can of condensed milk combined with 1/3 C fresh lime juice, pinch of salt, poured into a pie shell, spread whipped cream over top, done. Very Good and Very Easy.

On to the main course. I watched Tyler make this dish on his TV show. Then I read the reviews on the FoodTV website. Everyone gushed. I thought it would be a relatively easy one-dish meal. With all the veges in the stew, who needed a salad or side dish, right? As the chicken was poaching and I was into my 2nd hour in the kitchen I abandoned the dumplings in favor of serving the stew over rice. So far, so good. I did the last minute finishing touches after company arrived. Schelley helped me serve and placed each plate on the table. As we are sitting down, her father looks at his plate, looks at me and says "Have you got just vegetables? I'm a vegetarian". To which Schelley issued the coupe de grace "I told you so".

Tartan & Toile

I am drawn to two patterns, Tartan and Toile. But before I even get started, my queen, Donna has produced the masterwork on combining Tartan with Halloween. Go there NOW. OK, back to moi. My renewed affair with Tartan did actually spring from viewing the photo spread of Donna's home and art, either from her blog or a magazine article (yes, she is maddeningly fawned over by all). Last year I used a Scottish theme for my Christmas tree. In keeping with my objective of minimizing expenses, I crafted most of my decor from eBay purchases. I plan to stay with the theme this year, hopefully bigger and better.

I don't suppose Tartan has ever gone out of fashion, though for the most part it is relegated to staid traditional pieces. This fall/winter the designers have come out in a big way for plaid. As I've poked around the internet/blogland I have seen some really luscious clothing, like this pretty party dress. Hmmm, perhaps with a turtleneck underneath and boots I could pull it off? All right, you don't have to get rude.

Tartan blankets have never gone out of style or certainly out of usefulness. I have a couple of my own, but it is so much easier to cadge a photo from elsewhere. One of the catalogs I enjoy perusing, (again, just window shopping), is the Pendleton Home collection.

On to Toile. There seem to be endless patterns that are called toile, but for me a toile features some sort of pastoral scene. In particular I like scenes that feature animals or chinoiserie motifs. Ten yards of this beauty above, Souvenir D'Afrique, can be had for $400 on eBay.

This is a more traditional toile and would make lovely pillows, curtains, etc.

This is stretching the definition of Toile, but is gloriously exuberant with great colors. This would add a lot of energy to a room.

This last example is the toile on my duvet cover. I think it is lovely, obviously, but for the past year I've turned it over to the oatmeal linen reverse side. Hmmm, curious to love something yet choose to not look at it daily. One of those too much of a good thing, things?

Some Go...Some Remain

I just was notified that one of my favorite magazines has stopped publication: Southern Accents. &*%# it! And I've come to learn that one is never informed in advance, only after the last issue has been long read and recycled. And after one has renewed the subscription for multiple years. Really, this is a fraud.

Southern Accents was unique; high-style without being high-brow. I got out one of my saved issues from December 2005 and captured a few of the images that prompted me to keep the issue.

As you can see from some of these photos, often times the layouts would have a watered-down-colour, silvery sheen about them. This was especially true for homes from New Orleans which seem to have such a special light. Many times I puzzled about the wall paint used to achieve these subtle colors. Southern Accents unfailingly featured Southern homes...no L.A. shabby chic here.

I looked forward to their Holiday issues. The use of elegant natural materiel was often emphasized.

Good-Bye, Southern Accents. I shall miss you.

ANOTHER of my favorites ceased publication earlier this year: Mary Englebreit's Home Companion. This magazine was unique in that it showcased home-spun artists and a funky vibe. I saved many of their issues over the years. Love this pink and blue, vintagey Holiday table scape.

And how is this for inspiring one to organize and decorate the studio for the holidays?? Home Companion is surely missed, as is Cottage Living. Sniff.

I TRY to be upbeat, so as I mourned the passing of something that brought me pleasure I looked outside to note that little gifts can still be found in the yard.

It has turned cold here, so it can't be long before everything goes dormant, then burns from frost. But today this little rose sent out a fragrant bloom.

I am blessed with lots of hydrangea, and it thrives. I relish it since in CA this was a rarity. My white lace caps behind the house are turning greenish/pink.

This beauty is outside the mudroom, which is the route I usually take to/from the house and barn or yard several times each day. EVERY TIME I stop to enjoy it. Some things go and some remain.

Meal on Wheels

Sunday was Schelley's 33rd birthday. Schelley is Garrett's and Jacey's mom, my niece-in-law. We held a family dinner at Mom's. Usually these are a collective effort, but Mom is leaving in a couple of days on a long cruise, and my sister has been down with the flu all week. Sooooo, I prepared the meal and "wheeled" it over. I know my family likes my pulled pork and low-country b-b-q sauce recipe. All I had to do was rub spices on the two pork shoulders and bake them for 6 hours at 300 degrees. Meanwhile, I threw all the ingredients for the sauce in a pot, and whipped up some smashed potatoes. A pretty easy meal (but my sink still contains pots and pans to scrub). Mom tossed a salad and warmed the rolls.

I started the meal prep the day before, doing as much as possible in advance. My cake was spice with orange marmalade filling and cream cheese frosting. I can't improve over a packaged cake mix (I've tried!), which means Betty Crocker gets the credit for the cake. I always make frosting from scratch, though. I often will use orange or raspberry jam as filling between the layers.

We were greeted by Mom with a big smile and a lovely decorated table. My sister rallyed and rinsed all of the dishes and the few serving pieces. Sis was so happy to have a meal after living for many days on the big pot of beef & vege soup Mom made. Mom said this was the easiest dinner party she's ever hosted. Gee, I wonder why?

In My Head

A couple of nights ago, late, I was TV surfing and came upon a "Sound Stage - Fleetwood Mac" show. It was a concert from Boston, around 2004, I think. I was captivated with the music, but especially with Stevie Nicks.

As I listened to the concert I was transported back in time to the mid-70's when Fleetwood Mac was everywhere and part of the rather drug-saturated lifestyle. I can remember vividly the songs that I especially liked, for example "Warm Ways", and even earlier songs that came from the band before Buckingham-Nicks, with Danny Kirwan and Bob Welch on guitar. Ah. Good times.

But it was with Stevie and Lindsey that the band soared. Since watching the TV show this week I have burned up my keyboard (PC-style) listening to and reading everything by Stevie and the band. (youtube is a real gift) My life was somewhat music-less for my career decades and somehow I am just now getting back to appreciate performers who were long-ago favorites.

Watching several interviews with Stevie I learned that she battled large with drugs. She won that hard fought campaign. There is something in her affect, rather dead-pan, that is a little disconcerting. Her eyes hold you, unblinking. She comes across as authentic and honest about the good and bad. And the stories she has to tell, plus the ones she isn't telling...yet. Though you can listen to her lyrics and feel the love and loss.

Last night I watched the concert again. I cannot get these songs out of my heard. I was awakened again and again by snippets from "Gypsy", "Landslide", "Get Back", "Gold Dust Woman". I want to DO something to transfer this energy from my head to my hands. For now, it's this journal.

So here she is, 60 years old, singing as beautifully as ever. Really beautifully; looking peaceful; playing with her band mates of 35 years. Thanking the audience for still being there. What a life it has been.

Today's Production

All I've produced today is cards for my granddaughters. Guess I better get into the kitchen and produce dinner. SNAP!

And So It Begins

And so begins the postwoman's worst nightmare; Christmas catalog season. It is not necessary to GO shopping because the shopping COMES to one's home. Most of these catalogs are carried straight to the recycle pile. Some, however, get dog-eared and drool-marked.

My nominee for most fun and nostalgic catalog is The Vermont Country Store. Page after page I am transported back to my youth in the 50's. Item after item I comment to myself, "That would be the perfect gift for ____________ "(each of my adult family members). And, for me, the liquor-filled candy comes in handy. I recall wearing "Woodhue", and "Jungle Gardenia" and "Emeraude". Would they smell good to me now?

My nominee for most luscious jewelry and clothing is The Crow's Nest Trading Co. Yum. The outfits they put together with sassy jackets, skinny jeans, tall boots, and models dripping with turquoise & sterling jewelry make me sigh wistfully. However, I do have to consider what sort of looks I would get at my local grocery store should I venture out in such a bold ensemble.

But for pure over-the-top luxury nothing beats Gorsuch. Oh my. I have swooned over these catalogs each fall for years. Right now they have an Etro summer duster on sale for just under $700. It is gorgeous and would cover you splendidly for many springs and summers.

These stag crystal wine glasses are $470 EACH! Can you even imagine a household that would set the table with these? Now it's time for me to drive to the nearest TJMaxx to find my dream $300, tall, flat-heeled boots for $60. Dream-on!

Putting It Out There

Like so many others, I was shaken by Michael Jackson's death. So young; so sad. This morning while listening to 1 of my favorite songs I had the impulse to give props to another great showman of our time: Sir Elton John. Controversial, troubled by scandal and his own excesses, but immensely talented.

If you have speakers on your PC, and enjoy music, turn them on and up and listen to two of my favorite Elton songs. And let's be sure to give love, YES, just send it out there, to all those who add pleasure to our lives. We don't know them, but they give it all up.

SHE'S A WITCH, I TELL YOU!!!

OK, let me just finish that last placecard...

Hi. Sea Horse Ranch Gal here. Sorry to be out of breath. I am so excited about my All Hallow's Eve Party. All the best people will be here.

The table is ready for my guests. Gee, I hope I have enough food for everyone?

Jack and Diane! Did you walk over from next door? Sure, it's close, but tonight is kinda spooky, being Halloween. (Sadly they're going through a bit of a rough patch now. You know, finding out that marriage isn't always so cool. Maybe they'll have a few laughs tonight). Ha! Ha!

Terrific. Waylon and Willy rode over in the moonlight. I love a moonlit ride. These cowboys can p-a-r-t-y.

Oh, it's Vanessa She's the reason I throw these parties, you know. Isn't she lovely? Look at that skin.

Laura, at last you're here. I know it's fashionable to be a bit late, but really.

Come on in. Luna's already here. She's helping me because I get a bit anxious in a large group.

EVERYONE! Come and have a sweet! Oh, I hear the doorbell. It's midnight. Who would show up this late?

Uh, you must be Aura, Laura's evil twin...I mean sister. Gee, it's kinda late. And I hope you don't mind that the sweets are all gone. Wait. STOP.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Help! Luna, find some candy! Luna! Laura! Vanessa! Anyone! HELP! HELP! Help!

Return to the earth now, if your mind is troubled and your heart is uncertain.

For it is by returning to the beginning that we can clearly see the path.

THE END