Taking the time to enjoy the simple sights of nature

Recently I have tried, weather or schedule permitting, to walk around my neighborhood. On a good day I try to make two trips totaling over 2 miles. Usually I am so focused on finishing my walk and returning home that I hardly take time to pay mind to my surroundings. Yesterday though I found I had time to take my walk at a more leisured pace so I decided to take my camera along. As I walked I noticed many wild flowers and what would be considered more weed like flowers beginning to blossom. I began to walk around taking pictures of wildflowers and fields of mixed weeds earning me quite a few strange looks from neighbors driving by but I really did not care. Just taking time to stop and smell the flowers as cliche as that sounds made me realize how rushed our lives are. Sadly, I think this propensity towards rushing is getting worse with every generation. Everything has to be instantaneous now and it has been deemed quicker to text someone than to call them and speak to them directly. Maybe years from now people will miss the simple joy of getting a letter in the mail or being able to communicate with someone without butchering the English language to save time. Many other things have come back in favor even if only briefly as fad. Perhaps learning to slow down and reconnect with our surroundings will come back in favor but I am afraid it will be short lived fad at best.

I thought to share some of the sights I enjoyed yesterday so that others might take a moment to slow down and enjoy the simplicity of nature. Mother nature will never be instantaneous but it makes her beauty all the more enjoyable for the wait.

From Bad Apples to Apple Goodie

I noticed today I had a few apples that would go bad before I would find the time to eat them, so I decided to put them to good use. This is a great recipe for anyone who likes apple treats and it is very easy to make.

I used 4 medium sized apples

Apple Goodie

Ingredients

1 stick of softened margarine          3/4 cup oatmeal -uncooked

3/4 cup brown sugar- packed          1tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda                              dash of salt

(Flour, baking powder, and baking soda can be substituted by 3/4 cup All purpose baking mix -Bisquick being an example-)

Slice unpeeled cooking apples and layer thickly in buttered or sprayed baking dish.(butter/spray bottom and sides of the dish). Put a dash of salt over the apples and if they are tart sprinkle sugar over them. Mix together the above remaining ingredients until crumbly. Pat the mixture down over the apples and bake in 350 °F oven for 45 minutes or until browned. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Cut apples with dash of salt and lightly sugared

All the remaining ingredients mixed up. I used the All purpose baking mix alternative

Mixture over the top of the apples

After 45 minutes viola!

Finished product with a dash of cool whip on top!

This is a recipe, that has been passed down in my family, I got from my 95 year old grandmother. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

The Orb still reigns strong!

Since I first became aware of the Vivienne Westwood brand I was entranced with the brands signature Orb symbol. Unlike Louis Vuitton or Coach, the Westwood brand is more subtle. It is a fact that the Westwood brand is a well established fashion line just like the aforementioned, but it is not as commonly known as Coach and Louis Vuitton. In my opinion that makes the brand more attractive. It is unique and has a respected reputation but at the same time you are not likely to see six housewives wearing a purse or a bit of their jewelry in the local supermarket. The Westwood brand, like most fashion brands, changes with each fashion season, but thankfully the brand still continues to make the  beautiful orb pieces which I feel in love with from the start. Having recently reviewed her latest collection I wanted to share a few of my favorites from her jewelry collection. They range from classically beautiful pieces to more punk and dark styles highlighting the brands broad versatility.

Pearly Queen Mini Bas Relief Pendant

Feather 3D Orb Bird Pendant

Pearly Queen Choker

Pearly Queen Earrings

Antler Ring

Armour Ring Silver (note the signature orb subtly placed at the first knuckle)

New sewing project started. ~The bonnie lass skirt~

I will be the first to admit I am not the craftiest person in the world. I especially find sewing frustrating and without the guidance of my mother I am positive that every attempt I have ever made at sewing would have turned into a disaster. Despite all of this, I am a firm believer that practice makes perfect. My latest sewing goal will be a ruffle skirt.

A link to the McCall's ruffle skirt pattern

I am still debating if I want to make the third or the second skirt shown in the pattern. Hopefully once I have more time to look at the pattern I will come to a decision. The material I decided to use is a very fun madras pattern. A skirt using a similar print was featured in the fabric stores flyer and once I saw it the sewing bug bit me.

The madras material I purchased. It is a bit bright but I think it will turn out to be very beautiful and versatile.It makes me think of something a bonnie lass would wear.

I will update my progress and post the final result when I complete it. Look forward to it!

The Path to the Fairy Queen

Last summer I traveled with my family all the way up to Abingdon, Virgina to attend the Virgina Highlands Festival. Sadly it seemed at first that our decision to go north forgoing a trip to the beach was a great mistake. The turn out of vendors seemed paltry and the local antique stores had prices much higher than to what we were accustomed. In fairness I think the economy at the time was greatly to blame for this situation. Thankfully, by the end of the vacation we managed to acquire one piece which made the entire trip worth while.

The prize we took home from this trip was a a glass piece created by artist Jonathan McKee. The piece is called The Path to the Fairy Queen and is a clear muted green glass with two Celtic images in the middle. The bottom image is a knotted maze like image while the upper image is a tree with a crescent moon. There was something enchanting about the simple understated colored glass adorned with such beautiful imagery. We debated for some time on whether to purchase it but we kept finding ourselves drawn back to it. So one trip of sore shoulders and arms later we were proud owners of this marvelous piece.

The blue color was accomplished with the aid of a carefully placed LED light above the piece.

 

 

A close up of the maze part of the piece.

Presently the piece has gained a place of honor on the top shelf of our bookcase. We have owned it for nearly a year now and it has become one of my favorite pieces.

Dedication to a good dog

Earlier this week my dog Godfrey had to be put to sleep. Godfrey had a long and happy life with my family and will be sorely missed. He gave us many joys and gifts in the time we had with him. It is always sad to loose a pet because when they are gone it seems then is when you realize how much you expect them to be there. That urge to call their name when you walk in the room, expecting them to be there to greet you at the door when you come home, be at your feet in the kitchen hoping for a sneaked snack, or even simply having that urge to give them a pet and remembering they are no longer there to receive them.


A year or so ago I came across this song on YouTube and even though it is not in English the tone itself of the song and the visuals were moving enough without the translation. With the translations though this song is truly moving to anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet and I wanted to share it.


For all those who have a pet be it furry, feathery, scaly or otherwise remember to treasure them dearly because each pet is like a snowflake and you will never have another like them.


Remember too this month in the United States is national pet month so find sometime to show your appreciation to your pet for all the unconditional love they give.