A special guest post for tea cup Tuesday

Hello everybody, this is Chloe, C, Clover...whatever my mom calls me. She's been out for the majority of the day working so she offered me the opportunity to take this Tuesday post as my own and set up a little tea cup Tuesday for you all.I don't know about you but fall is my favourite season. I absolutely love the colours of the leaves around here at this time of year and holy smokes, I couldn't believe the sun today! Taking the season as inspiration, I searched and searched through my mom's treasure trove of tea cups (which is hard to do without making a lot of noise) to find two that perfectly suited my autumnal theme. The two cups I chose are both Aynsley tea cups.I missed mom today not only because our tea cup Tuesdays are always spent together but because I have no idea how she gets me organized, manages to pick a set of tea cups, sets up a beautiful spot for tea with perfect lighting, and displays some delicious goodies to eat, all just in time for the kettle to finish boiling. Now that is a talent! Today my tea was cold...While finding some leaves for my photo-shoot I realized how beautiful our garden is. My mom always makes our gardens feel like magical little getaways, especially on a day like today.I'm sure a lot of you know me and I know most of you because I always read mom's posts and your comments. I really appreciate having someone as creative and artistic as my mom in my life because it helps me see the beauty in even the most stressful of situations. Best travel kettles are lightweight, which allows you to bring your favorite tea blend wherever you go.Although it wasn't the same without mom today it made me realize exactly how much effort she puts into these posts. I couldn't help but try to think like a photographer, "Hey, maybe I should go change into a cozy fall-like sweater to match this photo-shoot", "Ok, one more red leaf here, a yellow one there and that greenish-orange one there", "Damn selfies are hard to take with such a huge camera." and "Oh my god! I'm blocking the light again!"I'm pretty proud of myself for pulling everything together to make a post. This was great and now I have more confidence to blog on my own website but man, I'll be glad for the help next Tuesday.Hope you're having a beautiful day, see you soon!- CLinking with Terri and Sandi and Martha and Bernideen. Mom will come visit everybody as soon as she gets home.:) Winner of the baby robin painting is number 18, Rara. Congratulations Rara. :)

Making the most of the weekend

For some bizarre weather reason, known only by the trade winds, this weekend was sunny and warm and Tshirt at the beach weather.I know! Not your typical Vancouver October.The flowers are still going strong in the garden and everyone is feeling a little lazy, nicely warm and in a bit of a domestic cocooning mode.Truth be told, Milo has a bit of a cat cold and was sneezing all night, and he's my little energy bunny, so when he's lazing around the house, we all feel a little lazy too.But it would be a shame to waste this beautiful sunshine, so out we go.Down to the beach for a walk, where it seems that most everyone has had the same idea.So while we enjoyed watching the children playing and walking by families picnicking, we also had one eye on the cerulean sky and those mare's tails which always signal an approaching front.Monday morning, back to rain.Sharing with Mary on this mosaic Monday, and Carissa at lowercase letters, and Sami for shenanigans.  :)

Sunday night whirl

Lovely Sunday Whirl words.When I read them, I got a glimpse of falling stars and so went with the feeling.A little fantasy/nonsense/whimsy then.chance, nest, secret, clever, swept, ripe,blinked, stars, basket, flesh, saw, handWe grab blankets to steel ourselves against the icy bite of the night air.We tiptoe across the lawn to sit on the swinging chair under the trees as stars fall down like ripe plums around us.We pluck them from their grassy nest to cart them home when we have found our fill.I lay them out across my open hand to feel their weight before I place each one in our basket, then bend to gently sweep another free; for pull too hard and break their backs.I hold each of the stars up in the glare of the moon hoping she’ll tell me which one holds a secret, or at least a clever clue, in the chance hint of moon beams, the magical, deceitful light.You fear the ancient superstitions.You say we shouldn't let fallen stars see the moon or they will forever long to join her floating far above, forever calling, forever whispering her name in your ear.You don't realise that lying there in my hand they can't call the moon, only feel her aching pull.Each time I hold a star in my hand I long to see its light, feel its weight, let it warm my flesh.But you are right. Each star that saw the moon blinked forever out of reach.And the moon is distant, smiling, lost in her own perfect world, impervious to our anguish, calling us to where she knows we can never go.My hands are cold. Cherry burning, huckleberry bright and cold.

Happiness from Saturday night.

Remember I told you on Wednesday that my friend turned 100yrs old? Well, tonight was his birthday party. What a wonderful age, what a remarkable life!Chloe and I dressed in evening dress, drove to mom's house and waited for her to get ready......and we all three walked up the lane to Norman's birthday party.He was looking dapper as ever, with a huge commemorative button...lol. He was wearing his trademark bolo tie and I told him it looked very good. He told me it's sterling and that his daughter Jane gave it to him. Then he said he can't be bothered with ties. I said I didn't blame him.The party was in full swing when we got there and, isn't it funny that, no matter where you are, the party always migrates to the kitchen.Around the rooms were letters of congratulations from HRM Queen Elizabeth, The Prime Minister of Canada, the Governor General, the head of the Ontario Dental Association, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the Premier of British Columbia, and other notable people.About 8pm it was time for the cake. Jane brought her father into the dining room and said, "Dad, don't forget to make a wish as you blow out the candles. " Norman said, "Can I wish for a bigger cake?" ;)Then he blew out the candles and three more cakes were brought in.Too soon it was time to go, but what a wonderful evening.I wish you all a long and remarkable life with your children and friends around you always.And remember how they say it in Ireland: A toast to your coffin: May it be made of 100 year old oak, and may we plant that oak tomorrow.

Some of the best things I've discovered this week.

Since the weather's turned, indoor gardening is the best kind of gardening. :)The best cup of tea/coffee/hot chocolate is always found in an unexpected coffee shop; especially when it's raining outside and that coffee shop is warm and rustic and full of interesting people.Now is the best time to start seeing the winter flocks returning to Vancouver.  The sea birds are such a wonderful treat all winter long. These are Barrow's Goldeneye.The absolute best cat toy is a paper bag. Trust me on this. :)The best plants for an autumn pergola are Virginia creepers. Is there anything as spectacular as these red curtains hanging down? (Note to self: Must build a pergola.)Sharing with Nancy for Random Friday and don't forget, giveaway draw for next Tuesday. :)

Taking a little time

Oh lovely day!This was what my morning looked like. Very cool outside and still very wet, but the sun is out! :) So happy. And so determined to find a little time for myself even on this busy day.It's busy out there, isn't it? But I'm not the only one. Right?I know you're like me.I know that there may be a full day ahead of work or school and chores and errands and gym, but there's also this hope of being able to set aside a little time to sit in the sun and read. Maybe have a cup of tea.So here's what to do.1. Take your book with you.Take it with you to work, to school, or take it out of your bedroom and put it on a table in a lovely spot where ever you are.2. Find your time. You know you have a lunch break, a break between classes, Now get yourself to a lovely, warm, sunny coffee shop, or go make that cup of tea and then sit down and stay for a while.Try not to allow yourself to be distracted too much.The world will still be there in an hour. The work, the chores, they probably won't lessen any, but your heart will be lighter, sunnier, happier. Does this resonate as much with you as it does with me?There, don't you feel better? :)(“Her imagination was by habit ridiculously active; when the door was not open it jumped out the window.” Henry James)PS: Giveaway

How golden is life?

Today is my friend's birthday. It's an ordinary, rainy October day here in Vancouver and, at first sight, there's nothing remarkable about it.Except that it's Norman's birthday.Being Her Majesty's subjects here in Canada, his family has applied to the Queen's office some weeks back, and she has sent him a birthday card.You see, Norman turned 100 years old today. What a magnificent age! Huge party on Saturday.He is a retired dentist. Maybe that's the key to having a long and happy life, do you think?Maybe it's magic.I love this quote by Roald Dahl. I love this quote because it suggests that maybe all we need is to open our eyes and let more golden, more magic into our lives. How do we do this?I made this little piece years ago. It is a thick piece of wood, (a piece of leftover tread from an old stair), a decoupaged picture from a calendar page, and some bronze leaf applied probably with something like acrylic medium because I'm sure I didn't have the money for gold sizing, brushes etc.Years ago. Maybe 20+ years ago.It's not made with the kinds of materials people tell you you must use in order for it to last, to not disintegrate or explode or be eaten by moths or something, which will certainly be the case unless you use archival, acid free, sterile correct materials...etc. You know the people I mean?I did my own thing. And 20+ years on it's still shining and looking lovely. It stands on my desk behind photos of my daughters and makes me happy each time I see it.Today I photographed these leaves to show you. Earlier, I pressed them flat and dry between some books, applied some acrylic medium and lay a small sheet of gold leaf on top.They are just dried leaves. Gilded for no reason at all except that I like looking at them.They are brittle and fragile and the more I have them around the more they will crack and break, and the more the gold will probably rub off. Maybe it will maybe not, but the point is I want to have them around, not framed behind glass or stuck in a book to preserve them. I want to handle them, walk past my desk and see them, pin them up on the postcard board in the kitchen if I want to.Enjoy them.That's the key for me; being surrounded by beautiful handmade things I love. Right now gilded maple leaves bring magic into my life.Your task, golden hearts, is to find, surround yourselves with, and concentrate on the things which bring magic into your life. :)Or you could always become dentists. :)Super quick reminder about my giveaway and  linking back with Sandi for what delights me at home.

Sensitivity, Tuesday tea, new giveaway and a choice

When is an egg shell not an egg shell?When it's a tea cup. A fragile, transparent, possibly sad little tea cup. These two cups have the mark "made in occupied Japan" on the bottom dating them between 1947 and 1955.I say sad because all aspects of war are sad to me but especially an occupied country. Even if this country is occupied by "benevolent" allied forces. This feeling is very ingrained in my subconscious awareness and comes form my childhood of first believing communist forces were heroes to be venerated, and later, experiencing great fear and uncertainty at escaping those same forces which, overnight, to a child, turned threatening.And now, when I have the best chance to make a difference as an adult, I think my biggest contribution to the world are my three amazing children who are sensitive to the world around them.Beautiful, sad, little, precious jewels, like people, like dominoes. One false move and we can fall down, we can crack. But we must be strong and not fragile. We may not be so easily broken if we stand firm. The Tshirt C is wearing today says "make art not war". A good idea. The world could always use more art...and more tea.And so we will not hide away from the world...We will not be a transparent, fragile thing or fall down like dominoes...We will do what we can and send our good out into the world.This little owl (on the left) is being sent off to my friend in Louisiana, but this little baby robin is not spoken for yet. Perhaps the random generator will find someone from the comments on this post for the little robin to make his fledgling flight to next Tuesday. (Please leave a comment if you'd like to win him and he'll be on his way to you next week with a moleskin journal and some other little lovely surprises)And, if we all do our best and send our best out into the world, without strings attached, with love, we can all openly bask in the sunshine, even if we may still view the world with a skeptical eye. :)The winner of last week's giveaway is Number 16 Carol Early Cooney. Congratulations Carol, some sweet little violets will be on their way to you tomorrow. :)Linking with Terri and Martha and Sandi and Bernideen.Also, I can't stand not commenting, so I'll just factor out my comments from the random generator for next week. :)

31 days of common magic

I'm trying something new for October, and, with a trip in to San Francisco right in the middle, this is going to be challenging, but it sill seems like a fun try. This challenge is being hosted by The Nester. The basic idea is to pick a topic and write a post/day about that topic. Since I'm all over the place, doing all sorts of things, the only cohesive thing I could think of is capturing the common magic of everyday. Also, I'm fitting myself into the "Too Awesome to Categorise" category.Now you know me, I'm about the most obstinate person when it comes to keeping within the lines and I don't follow rules too well either, (although I usually have the best intentions), and usually just jump in thinking, "how hard can this be?", so we'll see how I do. :)Taking a deep breath and jumping right in.Day 1 Sensitivity, Tuesday tea, new giveaway and a choice Day 2 How golden is life?Day 3 Taking a little timeDay 4 Some of the best things I've discovered this weekDay 5 Happiness from Saturday nightDay 6 Sunday night whirlDay 7 Making the most of the weekendDay 8 A special guest post for Tea Cup TuesdayDay 9 The wine cellar from NarniaDay 10 Leaving tomorrow for a mini breakDay 11 Round here, randomness for the weekDay 12 Hello from San FranciscoDay 13 California dreamingDay 14 Introspection and sea lions

Rainy Sundays make for great whirl writing

I try to make a habit of the Sunday whirl and believe me when I say I always have the intention to write and, most Saturdays, even begin the poem at some point. Then get half way and run out of time and, before I know it, it's Thursday! And then I read thru my fellow whordlers and they all have brilliant whirls up on their blogs.Must try harder!Started this whirl yesterday and, while I know it's not quite October yet, we have been fighting off the sniffles with mega-doses of vitamin C and quite a few of our friends are down with something nasty. It's the season, isn't it?So here is my Sunday whirl for this week and hooray for restful, lazy, rainy Sundays. :)ghosts, exact, patches, gathered, worship, spillunbidden, hillside, where, swarm, edges, sharpYou may worship the romance of early evening walks wrapped up in softest wool sweaters, glancing in windows lit by the golden light of open fires, crunchy leaves gathered in backyard piles, and crisp autumn air, but let me tell you the hardest truths from the softest wools, oh foolish friend.October has returned. An unwelcomed guest. It’s always wise to count the silver after October visits.This light-fingered month has a sunny smile that lifts your spirits and makes you think you’re just lightly chilled when you take to your bike one last time and happily coast down the hillside, sends a sizzling slap to your cheeks, and ends with nights that leave you wondering why you bothered to try to sleep in the first place.The inside of your head swims like the patchy ribbons of an oil spill, where you shiver into your pillow with the low grade fever and scratchy throat that lasts for eternal short, sharp, grey days, punctuating restless ghost-filled, nightmare-plagued darkness as you pile on the blankets.And if ghosts are made of particles and if they blow like shadows thru the centuries, then so does this dreadful month, that assumes a personality and exacts its toll just to disappear again till next season, when it swarms back into your home, unbidden.To push you to the edges, like a gaggle of bored housewives complaining about bad manicures in French accents.:)(Art: Mixed media collage with acrylic, paper cut-outs, and various pieces from an old computer.)