Wildflowers and Canopies

For a big city like Chicago, I'm thankful for the many natural areas like the river walks, prairies, savannas, woodlands. I drive by this scenic area a few times a week on the way to the gym, so finally yesterday evening Rob and I did some exploring.

This is a section of Legion Park, behind North Park University. We decided to go this route since it was quieter and non-recreational (no noisy BBQ's or groups of people). The only folks we encountered was a couple paddling silently by on a canoe. Rob wants to get kayaks, but I say canoe-it's more romantic. Besides, how else can I bring sandwiches and other provisions? Soggy backpack is not for me (been there, done that). But I digress. We strolled through native prairie/ meadow abundant with towering grasses, echinacea, wild flowers and daisies.

And said hello to this cute line up of ducks. I kinda like this blurry shot of them too:

Our nature stroll concluded beneath the cool shade of the canopy :)

Hope you had a fun weekend with some outdoorsy delights!
Even though summer just started, doesn't it seem to be flying by? Enjoy every minute of it!

xoxo

DESTASH Delights!

Come One, Come All! Gather to my Etsy shop for fabulous fabric finds! I'm destashing lots of excellent vintage sewing goods: cotton feedsacks, cotton prints, pom poms and tassel trims, whatever I have in abundance that I can share with you, my special friends. I'm talking yard sale prices folks!

I'll be listing more today and the coming days. So check back daily to see what fresh scores await you!

Have a super Saturday :) xoxo

Bundle Mumble Jumble

Expecting a(nother) severe rain storm. The garden, animals and trees could use the water after this incredible heat wave. The last storm we had knocked out my tallest blue Delphinium (there was only 3 of them), so I've got bamboo sticks supporting the taller plants, just in case. Our bitty Maple tree-whose trunk is the width of my finger- survived, miraculously!

Feeling a bit scattered, perhaps it's the stifling heat. One thing's for sure, my studio needs a total cleaning out. I've got a jumble of materials all over the place, and some jumble has crept to a second room upstairs that used to just be for my industrial sized bags of polyfil.

While I was fishing around upstairs (and nearly crying when I found my beloved 3 cats baby medical records), it reminded me that I've been meaning to make neat little Pengy destash bundles for the shop. I've amassed a TON of fabric & vintage notions that I can't possibly use all of it. So now that I've said it, I guess I'll have to actually do it! :D

Have a Happy Thursday! Stay cool and in the shade :)

A three pipe problem

Around this time last year, I posted about my visit to Gillette's Castle and my deep affection for the Granada Sherlock Holmes series (the DVD complete box set is worth every penny). But it's more than just the weather that's got me thinking about my favorite eccentric detective. We've got the steampunk trend embracing Holmesian fashion and the Sherlock Holmes movie to be released this Christmas. When I heard about the forthcoming movie, I thought "why must they tamper with greatness?"

Guy Ritchie's film stars Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock and Jude Law as Holmes. Oy vey. My brother, who has been a devoted Sherlock fan since childhood (coincidentally he bears a resemblance to Robert Downey Jr) commented "while Downey will put on a quality performance, the screenplay and overall production will only be adequate for the popcorn population, but not for those like us." Judging by the official movie preview I must concur. More James Bond than Arthur Conan Doyle. And what about the trademark aqualine features? Apparently the casting was more concerned with a tight six pack.

Now compare to the brilliant Jeremy Brett, the definitive Sherlock. He deserves a lifetime achievement award for his stunning, complex portrayal- but sadly he died at age 59. My all-time favorite scene from the Granada series:

Brett regarded the detective as "a black-and-white figure moving through a world of color" (sigh). He truly became Sherlock - as his bio outlines, the role became entangled with his real life, however tragically. I hope that the new audiences discover the Granada series starring Brett and the other remarkable cast members. Granada's adaptation captured every detail and mannerisms of the original stories, and in some ways surpassed them. Not an easy task.

Trends may come and go, but there is comfort in knowing that greatness is timeless. Long Live JB.

Father Sun, Mother Moon

Early dawn. Late sunset. Long day. Short night.
Happy Papa's day on this Summer Solstice!
xoxo

P.S. Don't forget, my eBay auctions for 2 sweet bears are ending tonight! My seller id: pengpengbears

Laws of Nature

Earth 74% covered in water, human body 60% water... Chicago 110% water. The floods have arrived folks. I pray our little Maple tree baby survives. We just planted it 2 days ago. This morning I found a new born bird laying on our patio table. Sadly, she didn't survive. I gently picked her up with a tissue I had in my pocket, and teary eyed I held it's tiny, featherless, fragile body. A short-lived miracle who never saw flight. I returned her to the Earth, and laid a flower over the spot. That is the way of nature. Some make it, some don't. It is just sad to see the ones that don't.

Every evening I do as much landscaping/ gardening as possible, as light + weather permits. Around 9pm the mosquitoes are having a feast of me, so I have to pack it up then. The wheel barrel is nearly full of rain water just from this afternoon. During a heavy rain, the soil compacted / low areas of the yard becomes very obvious. That dark soil square is a new planting experiment, I will discuss later if all goes well!

And who may this be? The mischievous bugger roaming our block. Mystery Cat has been freely using our yard as a litter box. No collar, of course (argh!). No one in the neighborhood has laid claim to this feline. But he appears quite healthy and well fed (and hopefully neutered). I've tried many nontoxic natural cat repellents like citrus peel, coffee grinds, planted lavender. Yet the poo keeps moving from place to place. I turn my back for a minute, and there's a fresh "deposit" in the center of the yard. And I never can catch him in the act! How ironic, after 15 years of taking care of my own cats, that I'd be picking up after this assailant? Such is the way of a nature, I suppose!

Have fun this Father's Day weekend! xoxo