Long Tails + Long Tales

Another week flew by as life whirls and twirls and spins into the future.  Is life on fast forward, or is it just me?  Luckily, there are some things reminding me that time is ticking along just as it should be. 

      

 

As two sunflowers opened up and began the adventures of nature, beckoning bees in to feast.

      

 

While day after day, another sunflower decidedly took its time in showing its face to strangers…

      

Mister Lovee went out of town, on a trip I was going to join in, but with puppy and a busy schedule I opted to stay behind…

  

 

We missed our Mister, and couldn't wait for him to come back home, so he could silence us out with his headphones ;)  and run around the yard playing (this man listens to NPR 24/7, even while he sleeps).  But that's okay, because his pups have no clue, and are happy just to be by his side, no matter what…

      

 

In the meantime, we had a lovely week.  Packaging orders and running around happily, but best of all, Mammie came to visit.  It was so delightful and wonderful having her here.  So much so in fact, that not one photo was taken while she was here, I totally forgot.  Imagine that?  I know, bizarre 😉

And when she left, my pre-school self wanted to chase after her car screaming, "Mommmmmie, pleeeeease don't leave me heeeeeeere!!!"  I love that lady. She is super duper wonderful, like a fairy godmother and a hip chick all wrapped into one Mombie package, with extra ribbons… Sigh.  How I wish that when I was a kid I had appreciated those heart and star sandwiches she used to pack in my lunch more.

Sometimes, you just don't realize how wonderful your Mom is until you're all growed up…

Anyhow, while Mammie was not here, this is what went down –

It snowed –

 

 

No, not real snow.  Arizona snow.  Shrub fluff, of sorts 😉

  

 

Oops, my outdoor sofa thingie lost a cushion.

I lined up stepping stones and then moved them again so I could dig up the ground a few inches and started putting the stones down.  I also took out 12 giant aloe that you can kind of see on the right.  This is what you see when you stand at my office door and look out.  The little metal building on the right is the gallery.  So I think a little path between the office and the gallery would be cute with all the stones I hauled here from the city house, don't you think?

       

 

Of course, that is not the order I am putting them down in.  They will look a bit better when completed.

While that was going on, there were daily checks to see if the giant sunflower had shown its face…

       

 

And, I hung out with my little piggies…

  

 

Who both love water and -

  

 

MUD.  Maybe a bit too much?

  

 

When I was a little girl, my Mom used to do my hair do's real tight and put me in clothes that I wasn't supposed to get dirty.  She used to scold me about not getting food on my white turtleneck and such, but I did anyway (and I always ripped my jeans and tights at the knee).  So once, after getting spaghetti on a white blouse (2nd grade) she made me wear the same clothes the next day to school, after threatening this for ages.  I was mortified.  The kids made fun of me.  I am not sure that changed things, I can't remember – Anyhow…

In retaliation (tee hee), I told her that when I grew up, if I had kids I was going to let them be dirty and grubby and that they were going to run around barefoot, and I would let them.

Well, my babies, being of the furry variety fulfilled my words perfectly, didn't they?  I know, I should be so proud 😉

Mwuah mwuah mwuah…

  

 

"Give me a wet sloppy kiss Baby, pleeeeeeeeazzzz."

Matty is quite the character.  He will love you over the moon some days, and others, doesn't want you to even consider petting him.

  

 

Oh and, hold my hand.  He is out growing my lap.  Sniffle sniffle…

       

 

So, I am soaking the puppy on my lap love up…

       

 

I didn't really grow up with pets, I am mostly allergic to everything (I had 4 allergy shots twice a week my whole life until I was 19).  But not my pups.  I never thought I would be a furry creature Mammie, but I can't imagine a day without these characters.  Funny how that happens.

       

 

So, I was happy to have them with me while Mister was gone.  Baby is an amazing guard dog, and Mister agreed to my desire for a second dog so she could groom him to be like her, and he actually is doing pretty good.  He even found his bark.

Okay okay, I promise not to bore you with pup talk anymore, for today that is.

Now, what were we saying about cactus?

 

 

I just wanted a reason to put this silly shot up ;)  Don't try this at home or in the desert if you ever find yourself in one. 

To continue last week's tale –

On Thursday I decided to go on a major grocery shopping excursion and make a beautiful meal for Mister's return the next evening.  Then I decided I would attempt to look less like a garden patch girl as well, even if only for a day. 

 

 

I ironed and re-found a beloved jewel piece.  Don't worry, I don't have a pointy thumb, I was moving my hand to straighten up my necklace when I took this, eeeks!

       

 

I was so excited to be playing dress-up and making an elaborate dinner (I was almost tempted to make a turkey, but decided to wait for Thanksgiving). 

 

 

I decided I would start making dinner on Friday evening when Mister Lovee called to say he he was boarding the airplane.  Just then, guess what happened?

The phone rang, only it wasn't to say he was on his way…

      

 

Yes, it was like being stood up for a date ;)  His plane was delayed and he wouldn't be home until midnight, annnnd he had eaten.  "Bbbbbut, ummmm, okay, hope you get here safe and sound…"

Not to veer but this is funny – whenever I am perplexed annoyed, or just busy, I raise one eyebrow.  Now, the funny part is, for many years, like when I was in junior high, I could feel my forehead doing something strange when I was perplexed, annoyed etc – but I didn't know what it was.  One day, I did it and ran to the mirror, to see what exactly I was doing with my face.  That is how I found out about the scary raising eyebrow thing I do. 

So, that was my brow as I hung up the phone.  Phooey… 

I know, it is a bit witchy like, but I promise I am not a meanie ;) 

        

With that I decided on plan B (for me).  So, I put on sweats and went to the store to buy the magical ingredients –

      

 

That made the house smell like absolute heaven!  A moist unreal Pumpkin Cake Recipe with butter cream-cheese honey frosting, that a lovely gal shared with me last week.

Pumpkin and cinnamon and ground cloves, oh my!

  

 

OH YAH!!!!  It is beyond delicious and the scent, oh the scent I longed for!! 

Hello Baking Season…

 

 

Perfect Timing for a fall/winter weather pattern that came to visit.  A 6 a.m. take the puppy outside trip turned into a dance with sheer dreamscape magic.

Can you spot the sliver of the moon?

       

 

Unreal.  Moist air.  Dances with clouds…

  

 

  

 

Oh moon…

  

 

Getting up to go outside in the cold when you have only slept a few hours never looked or felt so wonderful…

Well worth it, I say.

And so, I made the dinner I planned for last night today, for a late lunch.  Salmon, which I season, then sear for 3 minutes face down in an oven safe pan with 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil that has been heated.  Then flip it over on to the bottom side of the fish - bottom being the side that once had or still has the skin attached.  Drain the olive oil that you seared the fish in, into a bowl, and re-pour it over the tops of the fish pieces that are seared, and pop the whole pan (uncovered) in a preheated at 400'F oven, for 8 minutes or until flaky.  Mine takes 8 minutes exactly, and then I pull the pan out and cover the fish with the pan lid while I finish up loose ends…  I am telling you - 

Yumm! (if you like salmon and don't already cook it that way, give it a whirl, won't you?)

      

 

I served it with homemade creamed spinach with almond slivers, avec delicious mashed potatoes, and well – indulge I say…

       

 

You can drizzle lemon on your fish, but what I do is that I bring balsamic vinegar to a boil and then I simmer it for about 5 minutes.  Much of the acidity cooks out and you are left with a perfect sweet and sour syrup to drizzle over your fish and around your plate…  Voila. 

Oh and, someone finally peeked out - 

      

 

To bring you a huge smile, just as bright and as cheerful as can be.

 

So there you have it.  That is where I went off to for a couple of days.  And now, I have all my paint lined up and I am going to create all night, as Mister is out playing a folksy gig.  Perfect timing for me to visit you and babble your eyeballs off. 

I will be back very soon.  Sooner than soon in fact.

🖤,V

ps:  I have seen so many movies since I last shared a list – but as of late I have seen a few that I really loved.  They are mostly documentary, and I watch them (when available) instantly on Netflix while I work… 

Beyond the Gates of Splendor

A Touch of Greatness

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

Tony Bennett – The Music Never Ends (I enjoyed it much more than I expected to)

Glass: Portrait of Philip in Twelve parts

New York Doll

The Men who Killed Kennedy (there are many discs to this one, all at Netflix)

I Capture the Castle

The Brother's Bloom

Away We Go

In a Dream (the artwork/mosaic-work this man did/does was mind-blowing.  There is a bit of adult subject matter)

Chuck Close: A Portrait in Progress

Julia Child – America's Favorite Chef

And, I watch the Two Fat Ladies entire series over and over.  Even though the show is no more and Jennifer has passed away, I love them…