On My Mind on Friday Morning

Now that the weather is colder, I'm dreaming about being bundled up at home. I can just picture quilting and feeling snug in these, these, or these.  
I've been drinking a lot of Dona Chai with almond milk and house-made vanilla syrup. 
In other food news, I got a ton of radishes and beets in my CSA this week and was thinking about pickling them... Anyone have any good recipes?
My new lamp!:

Recently I'm researching: Porcelain Berries. 
I discovered these crazy colored berries in our back yard the other day. Bright teal, purple, pink, green! So weird and cool. Apperatently they are an invasive species, tho, so that's kinda sad. 

Right now I'm asking you:
Have you discovered anything cool in your yard recently?

September in Review

Another month closer to the end of the year, can you believe it?

September was a great month! Maybe not the wild ride I was expecting, but it was certainly a wild ride!

We spent a lot of time Down the Shore at the new house, friends came to visit for the beginning of the month, we visited new places, participated in happy events, and had some quality time with old friends. 

1) Nola #watchercat! 2) An old friend on 8th St. 3) Sneaky, teeny, watcher in Prospect Heights. 4) Keeping an eye on things on 10th Street. 

This is the second year in about the last 20 that I've been in Brooklyn for September and it's always a little strange to me. The weather is amazing; one minute Summer, than the next Snap! Fall. The watcher cats were not as prevolant as I would have thought, though. 

1) Neighbor goose. 2) Alabama style mushrooms. 3) Orange cats are almost everywhere in Park Slope. 4) An impressive Post Office.  

1) Porcelain berries in the backyard. 2) Hilltops in Red Level, AL. 3) Yellow beasts in Asbury Park. Cuties wrapped in Pink. 

We got a lot done in September, but we got to relax a little, too. Some quilting got done, but not as much as would feel healthy. We went on some dinners with friends and it was nice to hear what they've been up to and forget our own adventures for a spell.

In the middle of the month, we traveled down to Alabama for a family wedding. It was lovely to see family and see a new state. We even spent a few days in NOLA after. 

1) The cutest chapel. 2) Staten Island looking majectic. 3) The brightest jelly. 4) Nola looking magical. 

1) Jersey bee. 2) After the storm. 3) Bird on a wire. 4) Brooklyn bee. 

The end of the month it was back to the grind. 

September went fast and although it had it's relaxing moments, it was all about work and it was all about anticipation. There's a lot to get done in October, so let's get started. 

Rest In Peace, Tiger

I read yesterday that a creature I would consider a friend passed away. It hit me pretty hard. 

Tiger was a constant on 6th Avenue, where I passed walking to work every day. I had seen him for many years, even before I moved to the neighborhood. It did not go unnoticed that we would move so close to him. We were pretty excited about it.

He was almost always around, guarding his turf, or snoozing in the sun, sometimes chasing down baby birds fallen from the nest, or eyeing down a terrier.  He had a regal apartment, decked out with beds, hammocks, toys, and food. He had an "upstairs neighbor who sometimes hung out in the window above him. He didn't seem to mind the occasional pigeon sharing his meal.  Tiger had his own bench. When he wasn't in front of his opulent abode, he was winding his way to greet you or any passerby (he really liked kids),  surveying local construction, or hiding out at one of his other stomping grounds near by. 

I would often look for him, and be delighted to turn the corner and see him, perched at eye level, on a trash can cover near some potted flowers. Sometimes I would spy him further up the block in yard with a red Japanese maple, red stones, and a red fence. It was always just like greeting a neighbor you've seen for years. You are happy and surprised at their presence, cheerful to say hello! Tiger, you could tell, felt the same. He'd come out to get a scratch, perhaps trailing behind you for a few houses. 

I didn't know Tiger well. I did, in fact, think he was a she for our entire acquaintance. (I also always pictures her name being spelled "Tyger" in a sort of grrrl power way).  But he was a staple of my day, my week. He had a distinctively handsome face and a particular white triangle on his nose that you couldn't mistake. He was a fixture in the neighborhood and I am not the only one who will dearly miss him. 

In a way, it feels like the universe telling me it's ok to go now. The things I love in Brooklyn are dying and I'm ready to move and move on. 

Art and Nature at New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden

While we were in New Orleans we went to the New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden.  The museum itself was closed as it was a Monday. But the Garden is open 7 days a week. 

There were quite a few nice pieces, including a Magritte right was we walked in!

The Labors of Alexander

There were several other notable sculptures, as well, all nestled among winding pathways. Water features prominently in the sculpture garden, along with the large Spanish moss covered trees, this makes the garden cool and breezy to walk thru. 

We encountered many lizards darting on the paths but try as we might, we couldn't catch any. 

We also crossed paths with a surprisingly aggressive duck. We had a puzzle of trying to get him to let us get around him as we wound our way through the garden. We soon realized that his aggressive nature was merely a food seeking ploy and we followed him on his begging route until he landed us at a perfect spot for a cool break. 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

I am considering a new back pack... I like this, this, this.  
House portraits.
Beignets
I've been drinking a lot of black coffee lately. Yum. 
Lake swimming:

Gantt Lake satisfied my Summer lake craving. Somewhat. 

Right now I'm learning about:
The Autumnal Equinox was on Wednesday 9/23. Meaning "equal night", the equinox is when the day and night time are the same length (pretty much) which happens twice a year. It's opposite is the solstice, which is either the longest or shortest day of the year (the Winter solstice is December 22nd, 2015). The Autumnal Equinox is often associated with harvest celebrations, and a connection with the underworld and dead (Persephone was said to return to Hades on the equinox). This year, it comes about 5 days before a rare celestial event, a Super Moon Eclipse. 

Right Now I'm Asking YOU:
Will you be watching the Super Moon Eclipse? Do you follow the celestial days through out the year? If so, how do you observe or celebrate them?

2 Days in Alabama

Over the weekend, we attended my Brother-in-Law's wedding in Andalusia, Alabama. 

Having never been to Alabama, I wasn't sure what to expect. And honestly, spending only 2 days there did not give me the full picture, I don't think. 

We flew into New Orleans and drove the 4 hours to Andalusia with just enough time to check into the hotel, get dressed and head back out to the wedding. 
We stayed in the Best Western Andalusia where my in-laws also stayed. We chose this hotel bc it was the only one in the area with a pool. Very important, of course!!
The hotel is also very centrally located in the small city. It's in a busy, commercial area, but only minutes from the town center and square. 

The wedding was held at the Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast, which was about a 20 minute drive from the hotel. It was a very quaint and lovely spot! In addition to the B&B, it also housed a small, simple chapel, and a small reception hall. One stop shopping for your wedding local in Andalusia. 
The wedding ceremony was lovely and brief with the bridal party wearing white and cream, and the groomsmen in light grey. A dear friend of the couple officiated and the groom's brother and father stood by his side. White flowers and babies breath decorated the hall. 

The reception was held next door and catered with traditional Southern cooking; black eyed peas, bitter greens, and rutabagas (all drowned deliciously in butter and bacon!) as well as fall off the fork, melt in your mouth, stuffed pork chops and beef brisket both with their own gravy. Mashed potatoes, a veggie mix and fresh rolls were used to sop up every bite. There was enough sweet tea to satisfy any trip to the South. 
The wedding cake was simple and super tasty and apparently procured from a cake baker who works out of a gas station. Alabama seems to love combining businesses where ever possible. We passed a shop proclaiming "New Fashions" on one side and "Used Autos" on the other. 

After the reception, the party moved to the couple's home on Gantt Lake, in Gantt, Alabama. Although some partied into the night, we headed home early. 

In the morning, after a quick dip at the hotel pool, we checked out and went to the town square. A tiny old town, Andalusia boasts one of the oldest existing Dairy Queens. The town must once have been a really lovely place to live, the remnants of business, commerce and industry can still be seen. But everything there now is only the leftover hollow shell. Very few small, unique businesses now exist in town centers but chains, discount shops, and big corporations abound by the highways. Alabama was very sad in this respect, depressing. We drove through many such towns, which once must have been thriving communities but we had long since missed them and were left only with their ghosts. Andalusia was at least still trying, painting murals and advertising attractions such as the gas station where Hank Williams got married (falsely married, however). 

After our brief tour, we headed back to the lake. More swimming!

Like most places I have visited in America, I was interested to see how Alabamian's live, and I would love to see more. Driving thru only gave me a small glimpse of what life there must be like. I was very happy to be in a place I've never been (albeit a downtrodden, depressing one), and see things Ive never seen before (an armadillo! Albeit a dead one).

What struck me most about AL, was the changes and diversity in landscape. From the piney stretches, to wide open fields filled with hay rolls or cotton (beautiful!!!), to the cheesy chain lined highways, and near abandoned brick towns, to the shimmering lake and waterways, I was never sure what I was going to see next. And Alabama is full of butterflies!

Bc we now have a brother and sister who live there, hopefully we will be back to do more exploring of life in Alabama. Even though it was a depressed and depressing place, one that time seems to have either forgotten or sped over, Alabama seemed to be brimming with potential. Andalusia seemed to me to be just waiting for the next thing to restart it's dying culture and community.
Potential is always intriguing.

WIP 9/16/15

Slowly but surely. 

This year has not been great for meeting deadlines. I think making, meeting, or exceeding deadline will be a goal for 2016. 

I'm working on some other new goals for next year, as well. How about you?

New Block: Cat Head

I made one of these blocks earlier in the year, but can't seem to find it! So we will still call this cat head block a New Block.

I like how these come out hand stitched-- A little wonky! It doesn't help that I don't iron.... 
I see more of these in my future, for sure!

Linking Up with Kathy for Slow Stitching Sunday. 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

This basket shelf. I don't know what I'd do with it but I can't stop thinking about it. 
I can't wait to try this veggie ramen recipe. 
September swims.
Cayuga ducks.
Poor Pit; he's under the weather:

Right now I'm learning about:
Someone asked me the other day why we cant wear white after Labor Day. Personally I love Winter white. But personally, I barely ever wear white anyway.
But it did get me thinking what the history and origins of that odd tradition might be.
Seems like the main reasons are very practical. Wearing white and light colors keeps you cooler In the summer than wearing dark colors. Also it seems that white is easier to maintain in the summertime. You can easily keep your whites white while flitting thru fields of wild flowers and lounging by mountain streams. But it's hard to maintain that hue while shlepping in the snow and rain. 
There also seems to be a class issue at work. Before white was widely popular only the richies could afford to maintain such garments. It was even used to distinguish old money from new. 

Right now I'm asking YOU:
Do you wear white after Labor Day? What are your favorite fall colors? 

August in Review

Summer is the greatest, don't you think?

1) Brooklyn street balloons never disappoint. 2) My favorite flavor at Blue Marble is now gone. 3) I would live in you forever. 4) Workers working in the Summer sun. 

Well, my blog doesn't think so. This was another stinker month for blog posts. But Fall is almost upon us and that means back to school, and back to work. 

August was great. Packed with work and work and some fun things, too. 

1) A swell in South Slope. 2) A party on Sackett Street. 3) A spider sits in the sky. 4) Rink in Brick. 

Although blogging suffered quilting saw an uptick from July, which still means you would need a microscope to really tell. 

Travel was minimal with one constant destination: Down the Shore. 

1) Prospect Park Zoo busy bee. 2) Peach and white blooms on my commute. 3) Sagging for good vibes. 4) A Home Depot bee hard at work. 

We got to see friends for leisurely living room visits, work related parties, and Summer time beach BBQs. We even managed to squeeze a family visit or two in there. 

Work at work was slow, but steady, and work at home switched gears to packing, painting and preparing -- Big changes are in the works. 

1) I see this fellow all the time now on 6th Ave. 2) Two cats live in this house on 7th Street, but I could only capture one of them. 3) New neighborhood new watcher poodles in Asbury Park, NJ. 4) Boardwalk kitty observes your beach going on the AP strip.

We saw piggies, watchercats, and bees galore this month.

Pit Star looking regal. 

August lead us in some new and exciting directions; now we are getting on board for September's wild ride...  

WIP 9/6/15

Working in clean spaces on clean lines and simple designs:

I'm hoping to get a lot more work done on this in a very short amount of time. Fingers crossed! (But I've said that before.)

Linking up with Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday (for real this week). 

On My Mind on Friday Morning

A few month ago I tried to come up with a semi regular series about what I was learning about that week. I still really like the idea of that, but it didn't quite translate the way I was hoping. It was too long, too boring, and too time consuming to write. 
So instead, I'm just going to let you know what's On My Mind on Friday Mornings. 

Couches, couches, and more couches.  
This cute bralette.
A book I can really sink my teeth into. 
This view:

It doesn't look like much but it's pretty special.

Right now I'm asking YOU:
We're headed out to NOLA for a few days this month and suggestions are wanted! Any thoughts on where to eat, where to play, what to see? Ideas are much appreciated. 

WIP 8/23/15

In an effort to post more and to sew more, I plan to start making weekly WIP posts. 

This is a quilt blog, after all!

As usual, my work is all pieced and quilted by hand. 

I found inspiration for this block here. Finishing this cushion is on my Q3 for 2015 Finish Along list here. I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow stitching Sunday. 

What are you working on this week?

Ash in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes

One of my goals for 2015 is to read more.  Check out the other books I've read this year here, here, and here. 

The fourth book I've read this year is Ashes in My Mouth, Sand in My Shoes by Per Petterson. I borrowed this book from the Brooklyn Public Library.  

I found this Ashes in My Mouth... using my favorite book finding method in the library (or book stores)  which is just wondering around the stacks until I see something that looks interesting. The little format and color scheme of this book cover got my attention. Per Petterson is a Norwegian novelist and this short book of ten stories that all string together was his first work. 

Arvid Jansen is a boy who moved out of the city and he's not sure he likes it. He is disillusioned with his father's new job, his own nightmares, and the idea of growing old. Although only seven, he feels he knows as much as adults and should be treated as such. But death and sex are still a mystery to him. 

This book reads like someone remembering what they think childhood was like. Arvid's thoughts are too complex for a seven year old, but exactly how we remember being seven was. Although these stories read as if a memoir, Petterson uses this character in several of his later novels, so it is unclear how autobiographical it is. I liked this book, it was moody and disjointed in an appealing way. I would be interested in trying some of Petterson's longer novels. I would recommend this book to people who like coming of age stories, have daddy issues, or like short books.  

Have you read anything by Per Petterson?

July in Review

July was certainly bright. And fast, and busy. 
After several years of having this blog, I think I see that Summer months are my slow months here. Good to know, July. 

Blogging in July might have lagged, but only bc life moved by at whirlwind pace. Next year, I plan to take July and August off from blogging altogether. 

We had some big adventures and some big changes, but mostly we just moved along and let Summer take us for a ride. We saw family and friends and went Down The Shore as much as possible. 

We worked hard, trying to stay on task at work and at home. Quilting was minimal, but hopefully will pick up. There are quilts waiting!

Bc July was so busy, and August is almost over, and it's time to move on, I'll let my instagram pics take center stage. 

1) Bright blues in Prospect Heights. 2) A bird with bug in Asbury Park. 3) tent time in Ocean Grove.  4) Watchers and brick in South Slope. 

1) Hip...  2)  Hip...  3) Hooray...  4) ...for Asbury Park!

1) Happy fourth on Olin St. 2) Sneaking a peak in Prospect Heights. 3)Just chilling in South Slope. 4) Copy cat on 7th Ave. 

1) Bippi. 2) Dragon. 3) Beach street cat. 4) Tyger. 

Even when blogging and quilting and taking a moment to breath gets hard, I still post on instagram. 

July was bright, alright, perhaps blinding. I'm just letting August lead me where it wants me to go...

New Block: Big O Block

I recently saw a whole quilt made out of these "o" blocks and I really liked it! I thought it might be simple and good for a new (secret) project I was thinking of. 

I used some shot cotton and fat quarters I recently picked up at Brooklyn General as well as some other fabric I had on hand. I really like the way these blocks came out. I think this project will go swimmingly. 

Have you made this block? If so, I'd love to see how you incorporated it into your work!

2015 Finish Along: Q2 Finishes and Q3 Goals

I did terribly with my Q2 goals, only finishing 1 out of 6. Here's a recap:
1. Finish the Nest Black jacket
I'm never gonna finish this, I've decided and am taking it off my lists for the year. 
2. Finish piecing, baste, quilt, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris.
I did make quilt a bit of progress with this one, so it will continue to my Q3 list. 
3. Quilt, bind, and label the Scrappy Heart Quilt. 
Done! The only project I finished. Find the blog entry here.  
4. Finish quilting the Fat Little Cross block and make it into a pillow cover. 
Another project I didn't touch. This one goes to the UFO pile possibly never to be seen again. 
5. Finish piecing, baste, bind, quilt and label a quilt to trade for a tattoo.  
I worked on this a tiny bit in the beginning of Q2, but not since. Too much going on for a tattoo, so it's on hold. I think I'll put it on Q3.
6. Finish piecing, baste, bind, quilt and label a Beach Blanket.  
Another one I didn't even touch. This one I will put on Q3, but I'm not holding my breath. 

OK. On to the Q3 List: I put six things on this list, like last list. Although that didn't work out well last quarter, I hope to do better! I rolled over three projects this quarter. 

1. Finish quilting, bind, and label Quilt for Grandma Doris. 

I have this one started, but I am quilting it pretty heavily, and it is July and hot now, so it might take a little while. I plan to have this one ready to gift in Nov as that is her Bday. If not then, there's always xmas....

2. Finish quilting and making, stuff and use, PIllow #1 for a New Secret Project. 

This one is a wee part of a larger project. Bits and pieces of this project might show up for a while. But for Q3, I just want to finishing the start, if you know what I mean! I have the top of the pillow pieced and basted and I started quilting. Need to finish and build the rest in order to stuff. This is a new goal for Q3.

3. Piece, baste, quilt, bind, and label Beach Blanket Quilt.

I haven't even touched this quilt since I put it on Q2, so this is pretty ambitious. But I'd be happy to just work on it a little. A more apt goal might just be to get the top done. I do hope to have this one ready for next Summer, tho. This is rolled over from Q2.

4. Finish piecing, baste, quilt, and bind and gift Tattoo Trade Quilt.  

This is another project that has a Nov giveaway deadline in my mind. But there's a lot of work before we get there. I have quite a bit more fiddly piecing to do, must decide on a final size, and how I want to quilt it. Also ambitious. This goal is rolled over from Q2. 

5. Piece, baste, bind, and label Bright Triangles Quilt. 

This is another new goal. A fresh project that has been my go to work when I'm taking the train (which I had been doing a lot in June). The beginnings came together pretty quickly, so I hope this one moves right along. It also occurred to me who might like this quilt as I typed this, so that might be good motivation!!

6.  Start, piece, baste, quilt, bind and label OC/GC Baby Quilt. 

This one is just an idea and a fabric pull and not due (no pun intended) to be gifted until next year, so I have some time.... But if the mood strikes me, it might happen in Q3. It would also make a really good travel project if #5 gets pieced in a timely manner.  

I love lists!

It's so fun to see these goals written down each quarter! I have a lot of big projects in the next three months, but I really hope to see some of these quilting goals completed by the start of Q4. And I'm already thinking of Q5 aka Q1 2016!

Famous Potatoes

One of my goals for 2015 is to read more.  Check out the first book I read this year here and the second here. 

The third book I've read this year is Famous Potatoes by Joe Cottonwood. I picked this book up off a stoop, a lovely and common occurrence in Brooklyn.  

 I had Famous Potatoes for a while before I actually started reading it. As well as trying to read more this year, I'm also trying to read books that I already have in the house. Since I get books from stoops and book sales pretty often, I now have a large collection at home to choose from! Everyone loves a good book stash. When I saw this book on a stoop in South Slope, I was immediately drawn to it's clearly 1970s jacket design. And when I saw it had an author's recommendation from Tom Robbins, I was hooked. 

Follow Willy Carusoe's (nee Middlebrook) misadventures around our sometimes glorious, sometimes sad and dangerous, sometimes downright sexy, wide open country as he mingles with the locals, gets in with gangs and gamblers, and tries to do right by the love of his life. Famous Potatoes is a love story at heart, but you're not sure if the love interest is Willy's wife, women in general, or America it's self.

This novel has a great seventies vibe, and a meandering style, part prose, part stream of consciousness. I really enjoyed being transported back in time, but also seeing the themes and issues that are still common today. Willy is s bumbling but endearing character and you find yourself wishing him the best (but not sure that's what he'll end up getting). 
I'd recommend this book to fans of 70s authors, beat culture, road trip or hitch-hiking stories, and good sexy fun. 

Have you read this book? Or can you recommend other 1970s novels? Found anything good on a stoop or at a Little Free Library? Leave a comment below!

June in Review

The year is half over. Can you believe it? June went by so fast. 
For about half of June I felt like I was saying "hang on, wait up!" and for the rest of it, I felt like I was just hanging on, myself. 
There were certain events happening that I felt like speeding up, but I would never have wanted to skip all the great weather, beautiful days, visits with friends, festivities, and temperate Summer-ness that June had to offer. 

Love note from Brooklyn. 

Although work was a little crazy this month, I tried to take some time for family, friends, travel and projects. 

1) North Side, Asbury Park, on a foggy day. 2) Sitting in the park waiting for music and Fireworks. 3) Lacey evening walks. 4) Grand openings and grey skies. 

In June, I participated in Jersey Collective, an artist take over of their instagram feed. It was a wonderful experience (read my interview here) and I can't wait until my next go in Dec 2016. It meant that we had to spend the better part of a week in NJ and we combined that with Father's Day, and my mom's student's graduation. 

At home, we tried to see friends for concerts in the park and pride among other things. We saw art in the city, and stumbled on it at home, too. 

1) Lazy Summer creatures. 2) Lake side walks. 3) Fun times and fast cars (and action figures, of course). 4) Spotting of a different kind. 

Watcher spotting was at an all time high in June, and a favorite past time for my commute. 

Sewing, on the other hand, was on the downswing, but picked up towards the end of the month. I'm hoping the coming months see more productivity. 

Blogging, too, took a down turn. It's such a time consuming effort! But worth it in the end, so I plan to rally!

1) All perfect symmetry. 2) All wide eyes. 3) All high and mighty. 4) All no nose. 

June certainly wasn't slow, but it was delicious in all it's candy colored Summer glory. Put on your sunglasses, I think July is gonna be bright! 

Another Serra in Chelsea

Things have been hectic here, to say the least. June has been non stop work and little play, and even less quilting. It will all weigh out in the end, I'm sure. But for now it feels like a whirlwind. So, the other day, it was nice to take a break and walk around the Chelsea area of Manhattan in the blustery drizzle. 

We knew there were some Richard Serra's up at the David Zwirner Gallery, so we headed there first. 

We try to see Serra's work when ever we can. More posts to read more and see more here and here. We also saw his work in Dia:Beacon. The pieces there are monumental,  so I would suggest going!

This piece was not like anything I'd seen from him before. 

We walked around and found some other interesting works, but as usual, I didn't write down the names of any of the artists or galleries. 

It was a treat to see some interesting art, people watch, eat good food, and spend the whole day together. 

Have you seen any interesting art lately? Recommend a museum or gallery if you have!