In my mind’s eye, I visualize how a particular… sight and feeling will appear on a print. If it excites me, there is a good chance it will make a good photograph. It is an intuitive sense, an ability that comes from a lot of practice. – Ansel Adams
Thank you, Mr. Adams, for reminding me that the absence of color is sometimes the best thing possible – that and lots of practice is necessary!
Sometimes a closer inspection reveals beautiful detail like my feeble macro attempts with the big camera this weekend, although there was a small Cabbage White butterfly that kindly volunteered for me!
And, sometimes a closer inspection reveals nothing new, just the same old, same old. But, sometimes that same old is just the thing you need, amirite? That was my weekend…same old perfected!
I did manage to drag Steve outside for an al fresco happy hour with Toronto cocktails to celebrate Canada as they hosted the G7 err G6. The changes I made to this most excellent cocktail were as follows: I substituted Amaro for the Fernet Branca and I used orange bitters since I did not have an orange. Oh, and I used Crown Royal! It was excellent!
The cooler temperatures of the week gave way to heat and humidity on the weekend, so weeding a bit on Saturday proved to be a very good workout! Sadly, I have no pictures, but trust me when I say that the garden is growing well!
Sunday was a day of a whole lotta nothin’, which was just perfect, and I managed to fill the time with a good bit of knitting! I have about 6 inches to go on my Eavesdrop and it feels like the end is near!
I hope your weekend was full of good things too!
City living has its perks, but it also has its drawbacks. One of those drawbacks is ambient light at night, which makes seeing stars a challenge!
When I read this poem by Derek Walcott, I was carried back to my childhood and memories of seeing that last star boldly shining as the sun begins to tint the sky, or that first star to show itself as the sunlight faded. I hope it stirs equally pleasant memories for you.
Star
If, in the light of things, you fade
real, yet wanly withdrawn
to our determined and appropriate
distance, like the moon left on
all night among the leaves, may
you invisibly delight this house,
O star, doubly compassionate, who came
too soon for twilight, too late
for dawn, may your faint flame
strive with the worst in us
through chaos
with the passion of plain day
I am not sure one could pack more into a regular weekend than I did this weekend!
I re-purposed 2 skirts into Esme tops. This was surprisingly super quick, and I am feeling most accomplished for reusing unworn garments into something I will wear. The pile of unworn items is shrinking as they are re-purposed, which makes me feel so very good!
The farmers market had an explosion of good things which prompted some monumental tasks that included making Judy’s Famous and Oh So Delicious Oven-Roasted Strawberry Jam, pickling radishes, making Bourbon Soaked Cherries, and making stuffed peppers to freeze.
And, much of this happened during a sudden water outage Saturday afternoon thanks to a water main break in the neighborhood. How this can happen with the temperatures in the 80’s is beyond me! But, no water in the midst of all.the.things caused me to put off peeling and cutting up about 4 lbs of apples for apple crisp until today.
We also enjoyed a delicious Friday Happy Hour, had some steamed mussels on Saturday of which there were leftovers which made an incredible pasta on Sunday.
All this took place with the ‘normal’ weekend things going on as well and I feel like I lived the Make Hay While the Sun Shines motto to the fullest (even though the sun shone very little over the weekend!)
Obviously, there was little to no knitting time so my Eavesdrop is about the same as when you last saw it. However, all that time in the kitchen helped me make good progress on an audio book, which helps my Summer Book Bingo card tremendously!
I almost feel like it should be a “no list” Monday, and outside of those apples – maybe it will!
How was your weekend?
Dew covered blossom
At last after a slow start
More buds wait for June
After a very slow start, May is ending with a riot of color and growth. The best thing was the roses blooming over the weekend. The perfect way to welcome June!
It makes for a very happy way to start a Tuesday (that does not feel very Tuesday-like at all) and I hope your day eases you gently in to this short week!
At its core, the nobility and majesty of Memorial Day can be found in the story of ordinary Americans who become extraordinary for the most simple of reasons: They loved their country so deeply, so profoundly, that they were willing to give their lives to keep it safe and free. ~ Barack Obama
Today is not just the “unofficial start of summer” nor is it just a long weekend or a day off from work. It’s not just ‘backyard barbecue with family and friends day.’ And while these all are awesome things to enjoy; today is really about those incredible men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.
I hope that your day will include some time reflecting their extraordinary sacrifice and I hope you have a very Happy Memorial Day!
