88 on the 28th

Today, February 28, is my step-father's 88th birthday. And he is in Kona, Hawaii along with my mom, my sis and her grandson Danny. He is there to visit with his younger daughter, his only granddaughter, and his two great-granddaughters. Whoo-Hoo. The celebration was a little shaky yesterday when they were rousted by the tsunami sirens at 6 a.m. Fortunately for everyone the waves were mild...and it was back to the high life on a beachfront in Kona. Even though he wasn't here, we celebrated along with him. I invited my nephew, his wife and his son Garrett to join me and Bob for dinner.

Dinner was the always delicious Black Bean Chili (with orange zest and chipotle) and my always popular Slow Cooked Pork with Low Country B-B-Q Sauce (pork shoulder dry rubbed, then roasted at 300 degrees for 6 hours). Mom called me a couple days ago from Hawaii for the recipe because she was going to cook this same pork for their party at Kona. Mid-day today I decided I had to make a cake, after all it's a birthday! Yes, yes, any excuse. I made a 1 layer devil's food cake from a mix, slathered on most of a jar of cherry preserves, then served with a dollop of whipped cream. Oh, yeah. I was too tired to photo my own cake so I snagged this one off Flickr. Just substitute cherries for the raspberries in the picture and you'll get the idea. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Herm. We were thinking of you all day.

Indulgence - Nope

I am over myself and the indulgence thing. Thanks for keeping your sigh of relief to yourself! What I am doing is reading. And for that I need a bookmark. Or two. I can combine my love of papercrafting with my love of reading by making a new bookmark for each book I pick-up. Done.

The longer bookmark is for hardcovers. I am 2/3's of the way through Barbara Kingsolver's latest novel. And I got B-O-G-G-E-D down. So I picked up a sure winner with Stephen Coonts. Bob and I have read all of Mr. Coonts' macho-military-spy books. Imagine my glee to discover a series of 8 books we hadn't read! All in paperback format, so for these, I need a shorter bookmark. Double the fun.

Indulgences - #4

Today's indulgence is CHOCOLATE CANDY! And I'm not talking candy bars. Though there are some good ones. I find when I am traveling out of the USA that I start to miss good ol' Hershey bars, with almonds. I like my candy with nuts. My day-in, day-out favorite is See's candy. This is a West Coast brand available only in their stores and at some airports. But there is always mail order. See's candy has been a tradition in my family for decades. When we were kids my dad used to send Sis and I each a box for Valentines and Easter. He continued this every year no matter our age. For Christmas he would bring us each a 2 lb box. However, he would buy the assortment that was his preference, Nuts & Chews...not our preference! This became a family joke but Dad never varied, until we started to beg him to buy Assorted Chocolates, for me, and Soft Centers for everyone else.

For pure extravagance, I don't think Teuscher's of Switzerland can be beat. They are famous for their champagne truffles, each two bites of heaven. When in Manhattan a couple of years ago I stopped in their shop on 5th Ave and tried a chocolate covered orange slice. OMG. The orange slice is candied Seville orange. Somehow preserved but juicy at the same time. Then enrobed with superb chocolate. Would you believe that just a couple of pieces cost over $12? Heck, it could have been a lot over. I know that 12 pieces is over $50. And how would I know? Don't ask; don't tell.

Indulgences - #3

Coming upon something nice that is on sale, steeply discounted, is a thrill. TJ Maxx is my friend. For my 30 year-long career my work clothing was almost always bought on sale. These were the years when women wore pantyhose and skirts to work. At least until "casual Friday" came on the scene. It has only been recently that I buy what I like; what is in season and not on-sale from last season. I don't do this often. Don't need to since my ranch staples are straight off the Target runway.

There was the approaching Holiday season of 2007 when I fell for these Chico's black, decorated jeans. Along with a white, thick-thin wool, shawl collar cardigan. I have worn these pieces SO often. The only other pair of "good" jeans were purchased at Simply Santa Fe, for $140! A shocking price for jeans (for me) but I have worn these again and again.

I love to shop when I travel to Los Gatos, CA. How can I explain why I never shop in Seattle yet I will travel 800 miles to CA and shop till I drop? I found this Ralph Lauren suede jacket, knit top and a coordinating silk chiffon skirt before our 19th anniversary. I don't wear the skirt often, but the jacket is with me for most months of the year, going on 4 years now. So while TJ Maxx and Target have great stuff, sometimes I just don't care about the price. ps the price tag in the first picture was hacked off the internet...not actually mine.

Indulgences - #2

I love to be surrounded by good smells. Good is subjective, of course. To me, if it isn't the scent of something baking, then it is probably a citrus. In my home I use potpourri, fragrance diffusers and candles.

I wore Annick Goutal's "Eau d'Hadrien" cologne for years. Then a salesman at Neiman-Marcus spent a fun 30 minutes introducing me to the variety available from Jo Malone. I knew pretty much immediately that "Lime Basil Mandarin" was IT for me, but how could I say no to experiencing many of the other combinations? Now I spritz myself at least once a day and before bed.

Agraria has a delicious line of products for the home. I have been buying their Bitter Orange Potpourri and refresher oil for many years. Nowadays I look for it on eBay for discounts. I recently found 4 bars of their Bitter Orange soap for just a couple of $'s per bar.

Votivo makes my "everyday" candles. My favorite scent is Sumatra Lemongrass, but I recently bought Pondicherry and Joie d' Noel on sale and really like both of these scents, too. I found these at 50% markdown at Watson-Kennedy in Seattle. A reason to return, via the ferry. I usually order my Votivo's from an eBay seller; she has good prices and always includes a nice bonus item.

For true indulgence, Cire Trudon candles are at the top of my list. These are expensive, and discounts, when found, are usually minimal. Still, the unique fragrances and long-burn time make for a special experience. Ahh, all this talk of good smells means I need to go spritz and light the candles.

Indulgences - #1

As I was doing something indulgent today, it just popped into my head that perhaps I could recount those things that for me aren't essential, but make for living the best life possible. And to reveal one a day for the next week. Gee, will I have so many as 7? Will I be able to stop at 7? Numero uno indulgence is my horses. These creatures are expensive, and dangerous, and just take my breath away. My love affair with horses started when I was a girl with no access to them beyond watching Roy Rogers and Hop Along Cassidy on TV. I never dreamed that by the age of 40 I would own one, on the way to owning three. Above is my Pony. He is Shetland Pony, tolerant, joyful, spunky.

Above is Promise, with my friend Ellen on board. Promise is an Arabian. She was my competitive trail ride horse when I thought it was fun to ride for 8 hours a day. She is cranky, but also an obedient mount, if you ask her correctly. And if you don't, well, let's just leave her alone, shall we?

This is my Buffalo Boy, my first horse. We've been together for over 20 years. He is a Quarter Horse. This pic was taken about 8 years ago while he gave a ride to my granddaughter Peyton, with Bob and Indiana Jones spotting. If you know me even a little bit you know of my love for Buffy. We have spent so many hours together, traveling so many miles of beautiful trails. We know each other well. So, there it is. My number one, most important to my happiness, indulgence.

You Can't Always Go Back

This photo, in the latest Elle Decor magazine, got me thinking. Housewerks, in Baltimore, looks like it is worth traveling to, just to gawk around at these fabulous old things. I love old oddities, BIG old oddities. However, the typical traditional home doesn't lend itself to displaying and/or using such whimsical pieces. Well, not without significant decorating compromises. I sometimes think of my next home. Yes, yes, it should be smaller but what fun to have large rooms and to decorate around, say an old opium bed, or a Gypsy caravan.

But where the photo of Housewerks lead me is to the fact that you can't always go back: Back to shops or warehouses where you discovered the most wonderful things, unique things that made your heart soar. Because they may not be there when you return. In Paris, in 1999, I came upon a small shop full of original vintage travel posters. Oh, how I love the images of the Pan Am Clipper, or the big old steamships. This shop was loaded with these pristine images, and the prices were good. We were back in Paris the next year. I made a bee-line for the poster shop. Gone. Many years ago in the Santa Cruz, CA. area, my home turf, I visited a large warehouse full of old stained glass. I mean a big warehouse, and I mean full. It was owned by a work associate and his brother. The colors! The designs! The artistry! I didn't NEED, and couldn't afford, a window at that time. And before long the warehouse was gone. Businesses don't last forever, especially the ones that are burned into my memory, it seems. Go now! Before your heart's desire is gone.

Re-Purpose

Does one ever have enough storage in the studio? I was feeling the need to purchase shelves, or maybe a cabinet. Then I remembered I was storing a glass front cupboard in my tack room, saving it to use in my mud room remodel (which is not even on radar at this time). Hmmm, I think it will fit.

So I did a little rearranging of supplies I don't keep at my fingertips while crafting. Too many of my storage containers are plastic, but I'll save that upgrade for another day.

Ah, this spot needs to be refreshed. When I painted the 3rd floor deep orange I ran out of paint when I reached this area. Well, that was only 4 years ago! Another upgrade to leave to another day. Why do today what can be put off 'till tomorrow? Maybe a shade of pink? I have always liked the combo of pink and orange.

Cookin'

I had an ambitious Valentine's Day dinner planned. But first, breakfast. Which lately has been waffles and bacon, per Garrett's request. And that works just fine for Bob, too. After the breakfast dishes were done, and the horses tended to, I got to work on the Chocolate Souffle cake.

Years ago I took a cooking demonstration class at Sur La Table. David Lebovitz was the featured pastry chef. He made a Chocolate Souffle Cake, with Tangerine Sorbet that was heaven on a spoon. I have made the cake several times since then, but not for a while now. The cake calls for 12 oz of good chocolate (he specifically ordered us to NOT use chocolate morsels because they are designed to not melt). Well, I only had 7 oz of "good" chocolate on hand. I soldiered on.

The rest of the meal was very good; my signature special occasion dinner of pan roasted lobster tail and twice-baked potatoes, with my secret ingredient; chipotle pepper. The cake? Well, it was OK, and the Hagan-Daaz Vanilla ice cream helped. Frankly, I think it would have tasted a little sweeter and lighter WITH chocolate morsels.

V-Day Fun

Yesterday I cobbled together a little Valentine's Day token for Peyton, and Tristan, my granddaughters.

And a cone for Bob, to fill with licorice treats. It is such fun discovering the materials needed for a project, all on hand. Well, I should hope so, since I spend about as much time purchasing and organizing as I do crafting.

Did You Remember...

Did you remember that Valentine's Day is coming?

What I Learned Today

A week ago we took a leap of faith and adopted a stray dog. My friend Cathleen had done everything to find the owner, as there was no identification on "Freckles". After 2 weeks of searching for his owner and pampering him, she began to look for a home for the dog. Husband and I had vowed that we would not bring a new dog into our family until our "Indiana Jones" passed on, because he was elderly and had never been friendly to other dogs. But here was "Freckles" needing a forever home and Cathleen NOT needing a 3rd dog. "Freckles" was polite and mannerly, house trained, and didn't make any motions to menace Indy or our cat. We made a bed for him in front of our wood stove, and remembered to walk him many times a day.

Here it is a week later and husband and I both have given our hearts to "Duke". Husband has always wanted to name a pet, but I dominated that privilege. Finally, here was a worthy animal to carry-on the tradition of John "Duke" Wayne. What I learned today is that an older dog is most suitable for an older human. There is no potty, anti-chew or leash training; our energy level is a good match and Duke enjoys an afternoon nap as much as I do. A very good lesson learned.