in the white room

We've been rehabbing our 1920's house in what seems like forever in the 2 years we've owned it. The upstairs floor of our house I have dubbed "Man's Land" cos that's where all of Rob's guy stuff is, his studio/ office/ workshop/ storage. Man's Land is also where I keep my bulky craft supplies, like that 20 lb bag of polyfil! It's all very utilitarian with the exception of the tiny oasis known as the bathroom. We set up this temporary bedroom for my mom's recent visit, in what was and will return to be, a painting studio. We painted everything primer white, including the floor which was really gross and tacky after we pulled up the old shag carpeting.

The 'white room' has taken on a nice vibe, and our cat Rosa must agree 'cos she has adopted this space as her personal 2nd bedroom. What a life, eh?

* a taste of summer *

This be my first attempt at making Cherry-Berry Pie from The Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen, author of Moosewood Cookbook. Moosewood cookbooks I use pretty much on a daily basis. The pie turned out delish and the recipe was vegan to boot - I used soy milk and soy butter instead. I prefer baked things not overly sweet, so I tend to reduce the sugar content and always add a good dose of Bob's Red Mill Ground Flax Seeds (it's great sprinkled on toast, yogurt, cereal, almost anything). Just about every bowl, spoon, and inch of counter space was used, but how nice when it's fragrantly baking in the oven (during the huge clean-up process, lol). Here's to summer, and lets make it à la mode!

Don't try this at home!

The story of "Mr. Squirrel" (yes that's *her on my leg!)

Many years ago I rented an apartment in a big house which had a mini-woods as a backyard. I made friends with a backyard resident, an extroverted fluffly red squirrel I came to call simply "Mr. Squirrel", *even after I discovered that he was really a she. I delighted in the sight of my little friend and started to bring home bags of mixed nuts to toss beneath the pine tree as a special treat. Quickly, the squirrel began to equate me with a handful of nuts, and apparently I wasn't the only one on the block feeding her (who could resist her?) so she really was gettin' spoiled.

Mr. Squirrel was not shy of humans, she was practically domestic! We had our little trick, where she'd leap up my leg and fetch a nut out of my hand. Yes, it was crazy, considering what if I got bit, rabies, etc.

Our "relationship" quickly spiraled out of control. One day, I went out the yard gate to take a walk, and she followed me around an entire city block, to the amazment of onlookers ("hey, you know you got a squirrel following you?"). When we got back to the house, Mr. Squirrel was exhausted, laying belly down on the cool sidewalk. That was the last time I gave her nuts. It was time to let her forage her own food and regain some instincts!


A few months later, the property lot was sold. The 70 year old pine trees in the yard were to be leveled and the house demoed for new construction. It was sad to see it all go, and I wondered if Mr. Squirrel (and the other animals) would be okay and find new homes, since mature trees were scarce in that area. My consolation was that I would plant trees somewhere else. And that's what we are doing here at our house, minus feeding wild (or semi-wild) animals ;o)

11 Minutes

It's that kind of hot summer day... you just want to take a cat nap on cool white cotton sheets by the shade of the window. Like my feline friend Rosa is doing (and does every day for many hours). A power nap does wonders to rejuvenate mind and energy mid-day. Personally I favor the "11 minute nap", that's about all I really need.

Plus it's a good excuse to spend some quality time with miss pinky toes :)

New June Cuties at Abracadabra Teddies UK!

Here they are, the new gang I made for Abracadabra Teddies UK shop! Featuring 2 plump 'Buddha Bears'~ the lovable Mr. Blueberry Ice and happy Little Samuel Sunshine, 2 ellies~ Lucille the silly red head, and the teeniest ellie I've made yet...Blue Chiku. And who's that one in the front? That would be a singleton wee bear, the adorable Tiny Tamu. All are One-of-a-Kinds, available for adoption now at Abracadabra.

morning walk

Today's morning walk took me to the ol' abandoned railroad tracks by the woods.

The air was sweet with summer, the sky wide and blue with a soft dapple of clouds (and well, a 747 jet flying close overhead but we won't dwell on that). The gravel path is weedy, with some pretty white and yellow wildflowers sprouting here and there.


Plant life creeps through the weathered wood railroad ties and a little snake slithers under the steel rails. It is a testament to the power of nature; at some point everything returns to the earth. And in a way, that is very reassuring.