Map Postcard {a tiny story}

While shopping at my newly found favorite antique shop down in the Cities last week, I came across a neat old postcard with cute little illustrations of a hunter, pheasant, deer, fisherman, etc... Of course I was drawn to it because it's a map of the region where we live. Plus it was in great condition and I thought it would be fun to frame and hang up in our guest room. And an added bonus is what's written on the back...postmarked in 1947 the writer starts out...

Dear Ethel,

You never said you liked map cards but I thought this one would be interesting...

She goes on to say...

Yes, I think Minnesota is pretty country but oh so cold in winter! Too bad we aren't all rich so we could go south with the birds!
I found it funny because who ever says they like "map cards"? Maybe in 1947 they did? But her statement about Minnesota winters and flying south couldn't be more true!

Yes, I know...I'm easily amused. ;)

happy father's day...

I couldn't help but post this cute old snapshot of my dad with his fancy Corvette...

Was this your very first one?

Thanks for all you do and have done for me!

~xoxo~

cabin sweet cabin...

Long weekend. Gentle breezes. Warm sun. Water softly lapping against the rocky shore. Rocky dock. Lazy fish. Cabin clothes. Toes dangling into chilly water. Carefree laughter. Early firecrackers snapping nearby. Piles of firewood. Dinner beside a smoky bonfire. Stunning sunsets. Tall trees. Overabundance of spider webs. Wildflowers. Old fishing boat. Sunburned shoulders. Walks down the dirt road lined with old cabins and random gardens. Painted turtles, Bald Eagles, baby ducklings. Ant hills. Dogs barking. Simple meals. Grilling. No phones, computer, or TV (or very, very little). Coffee on the dock in the morning. Sweet, peaceful days.

Little Reasons Why...

...my Hub is the best...

1. He leaves me sweet little surprises for no apparent reason...accompanied by sweet little handmade cards.

2. He knows me so well that he knows just what kind of music I'd probably like...even before I do.

3. He always updates my iPod for me.

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{By the way, the CD is amazing...}

PaperWork {the good kind}

PaperWork {the good kind}

...

A new LillyBonBon line coming to the shop ALL through the week! Gift tags...featuring original LBB papercut designs, entirely handcut... lovely ribbons, twine, and other sweet little details...

Go take a gander if you're so inclined... Merci!

Baby Birds

While out in my little garden in the woods in the late afternoon sun, pondering where to place some more rocks I had found, I heard the tiniest of tweets. Not quite a tweet really but more a series of small squeaks or chirps. I looked up and just overhead was a tiny, fluffy bird clinging to the side of a tree. I thought it was a baby White-Breasted Nuthatch and as I drew closer, my suspicions were confirmed when I saw its soft newborn feathers and pale coloring...along with its unsuspecting, almost curious manner. Moments later more little baby Nuthatches were squeaking about me, while Mama Nuthatch flew busily about, poking and searching for food in the tree crevices for them.

Now I may have been mistaken but it almost seemed as though these babies were intentionally coming closer to me. Because as I walked through the woods, another little bird would fly towards me and land on a branch just inches away, looking at me in an almost quizzical manner, as if to say, do you have some food for me? I could be wrong, but that's how it appeared!

New Papercutting Things...

Just a few photos to share a couple of new things:

Above, "take me to the woods"...original layered papercutting in shadowbox frame (8" x 8")

Below, a close up...(I had some difficulty photographing this since its under glass...glares and reflections and whatnot so the photos aren't the best.) Below, a new votive..."honey honey mod papercut votive" (3" x 3.25")
The open honeycomb pattern is cut from one continuous piece of paper that almost wraps around the entire votive.Sweet when lit.
Oh, and just noticed it on the Storque (Etsy's blog) today too. Go take a look here. Don't you love Etsy's blog articles?
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P.S. Listening to her while working today...

Hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday!

More Soon!

Weekend Journal {Wild Loveliness}

This time of year, when Spring is just waiting on the doorstep of Summer, is so beautiful here. Although the weather hasn't been too exceptionally warm yet, and we've had to cover plants and bring in planters due to cold nights more than I'd like...I still find myself outside most every chance I get.

Last weekend was no exception. Friday found us at the driving range, practicing my swing. And then an impromptu hike afterwards in search of morels...again, no luck...but perhaps its been too chilly. We did find some wild asparagus and fiddlehead ferns though, a nice compromise. And I will admit that I "cheated" earlier in the week and bought dried morels. So a wild spring dinner was born. Hub invented something new...baked chicken breasts stuffed with blue cheese, walnuts, and some herbs...drizzled with fresh lemon juice and more herbs on top. I had the easy job (but what I always do) of making my roasted garlic mash (see below for recipe).

Mum & Dad were here visiting for the rest of the weekend and we took plenty of walks and more hikes through the woods. Mum & I discovered lovely Wild Sarsaparilla and some odd but pretty pink pinecones. We planted flowers together in my garden and enjoyed sitting on the front porch, basking in the landscaping loveliness...(tired of hearing about that yet?). ;)

Sunday ended rainy and stormy with Hub and I snuggled on the couch together watching an old Hitchcock movie (The 39 Steps...love it!). So creating and making and working on projects has been put to the wayside, as I'd rather be outside most often. I do have a few new things to share though...hopefully soon. Oh, and do be sure to try that garlic mash below...so, so seriously good!
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Roasted Garlic Mash

Cut off the top of a whole garlic bulb, just to expose all the cloves. Set in a dish lined with tinfoil and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Wrap foil up around garlic and pop in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour. Let cool and then squeeze the cloves up and out of the bulb. Put cloves on a cutting board, season a bit more, add some herbs if you like (thyme is good) and mash with a fork. Scrape up and put in a little dish. Drizzle with more good olive oil and a hint of truffle oil if you’ve got it…then spread onto good, crusty baguette slices.