Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Oxalis, Hooked Rugs and Tomatoes






Thank you all for the comments on my previous post.
They were wonderfully kind and supportive.

The sun is bright this morning and the cicadas still roar.
I harvested five cherry tomatoes this morning, not bad for a windowsill plant.

Hope your day is lovely!

Monday, August 27, 2012

Morning Drops





There was rain early this morning.
It's so hard to get out of bed when it rains!

A brief shower followed by intermittent blasts of sun,
the drops on the window screen sparkling like stars.

A busy week ahead.
Coco, this is one of my favorite mugs.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

New Book







Here is a peek at the book I sweated over this weekend.
(My fan broke and I just couldn't bring myself to turn the air conditioner back on!)

Hidden in the woods are a deer, fox, rabbit and turtle.
Still working out the cover and searching for a title.

Annoying color variations and shadows but you get the general idea.
Forgive my recent absence...sometimes I just need to disappear for a while.
Have a great week.
xo, j

Friday, August 24, 2012

Evening Walk






After work I went grocery shopping and then home.
My plan was to devour the rest of Wild and have a bit of dinner.

So there I am, reading about a woman out in the woods...
why am I not a woman out in the woods?!?

About an hour of sun remained 
so I pulled on my boots and headed outside.

Now I'm tired, but in a good way.
Back to the book!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Campsite 34








I finished assembling my accordion cut out book last night.
The front panel is attached to the background with a small folded hinge.
This allows you to move the scene around as shown in the first photo.
Sorry about the annoying yellow patches, I'm not much of a photographer.
Probably should shoot it in actual daylight, but you get the idea.
Thanks for looking in!
j

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Reading in Bed





I stayed up too late last night reading Cheryl Strayed's new book Wild.
It's just one of those books that is difficult to put down.
The first chapter is frank and grounds you with a jolt.
Then the book begins to soar...her style of writing is so easily devoured
 if not careful you could read it in one sitting,
but I don't want to hurry through.

So out come the magazines.
Rowan, Selvedge and Kinfolk.
Some visual stimulation before work.

My new hiking boots wait by the door...



Sunday, August 19, 2012

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary




Wild Carrot fist

With my hand knit red socks in my new boots I went into the woods today.
The season is noticeably changing as wildflowers begin to fade.
There were six lean to's scattered along the trail, a Summer Nature Camp project, I think.
Thanks to Carrie's amazing posts for getting me outside this weekend.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Copernican Box





This was a box that I made years ago based on a child's marble game.
I love to make boxes, this one is about 12" square and covered in
a faux orange snake skin paper with a glass over lay.
I had a great time digging through a bin of old marbles to find
just one right ones to represent the planets!

Congratulations to the team of the Mars Rover Curiosity
for a successful landing!

Can't wait to get back to work.
Time is not something I have much of lately,
but I'll try to squeak some out to make something this weekend.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Pearl S. Buck House


small library

Camellia greenhouse


I went for a ride today and ended up at Green Hills Farm,
Pearl Buck is best known for her book The Good Earth.
A large restoration project was just completed on the home earlier this year.

I didn't have time to tour the inside of the house but was
able to sneak a photo of the small library through a side door window.
(I'm rather smitten with that rose colored chair.)

The grounds were immaculate.
I doubt a squirrel or rabbit would dare to brave that green lawn!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Wild Carrots, Acorns and Bears








My fascination with Queen Ann's Lace this year has been apparent.
But what of the lovely root that gives it the common name, wild carrot.
Definatley my summer plant this year.

The acorns are growing and the squirrels have begun to feast.
The branches they fell reveal the tiny nuts.
Although it's still quite hot, summer has begun to turn.

I spent the afternoon cutting a new accordion book.
It was difficult for me to photograph, so this is just a preview.

A thoughtful bear watches over a campsite.
I'm really quite fond of bears.
Missing the smell of a campfire tonight...


Tuesday, August 07, 2012

Delaware Water Gap



Stone for my brother

Tree hugging rock



On our last day together I took my brother for a short walk 
up Dunnfield Falls at the Delaware Water Gap, New Jersey side.

Young boys with swimming trunks and towels thrown over their shoulders
make the short climb to the big pool to cool off.

During the Spring, this seemingly gentle creek can tear
through the gorge.

Quite a contrast from New York the day before.
Yes, I'm quite fortunate to have both city and mountain within 
a short drive from my home.

That's all for the vacation photos.
Now back to work!

Monday, August 06, 2012

New York in the Rain

Chelsea Food Market

Purl Soho (sorry, no flash)

Union Square Market
Empire State Building 
Uptown
Downtown
My beautiful city...

Every year my brother and I make a trip into the city.
It rained or drizzled most of the day but we still had a great time.

Chelsea, Soho, Little Italy (for lunch!) and the Empire State Building.
I know it's cliche, but I do love New York.