Summer 2008 Archived - Life on St. Martin's Hill Looking for Life on St. Martin's Hill?  Click on St. Martin's Hill ~ September (just to the left on this screen).     28 August 2008   End of August       I look out the window and sigh quietly at this point.         Knowing that it's almost over, and yet there is still much to do. A personal reflection of all that I've experienced, and all that is still yet to come. Fall does that to me. I don't know why.       The onset of a new season brings out the greatest beauty of the current season,         while designer clouds fill the skies.       And I try to preserve all my sweetest favorites.       But for these, I cannot bring myself to cut them.  Yet.  They are as blue as those that grow along the banks of Inverness, and each blossom is as big as your head.   How I miss that place!  The fish, the Guiness, the chill in the misty air, the smell of damp wool.  And everyone around me smoking and chattering with the Scottish accent that we all grew up with, but never recognized it as an 'accent'.  Here in the states, people would stop my dad and say, 'Oh, I just love your accent', and us kids would just roll our eyes and walk away. What the heck were they talking about?          But it really didn't matter anyway.         Everyone has their own sense of *home*. Their own favorite season.      And each season has it's own *accent*, too.       Rich.       Golden.       Glowing.       Glorious.   * * * * * *         25 August 2008   Collide-A-Scopes           As I enjoy these final days of August, I always remember this time of year with fondness.  We kids always went camping 'one more time' just before school started.  Every other family, it seemed, was doing this, too.  Even as a kid, you always knew that summer was almost over when the days became shorter, the crickets and frogs got louder at night, and the port-a-john was near its limits.          But oh, would we ever have fun together!  We'd hunt for flowers and chipmunks in the woods, or dare each other to jump into the slimy lake.  We'd scare each other to death by brandishing a fallen birch branch, and we'd swear to each other that it was a snake.  A real snake! The victim (and it was usually me) would run around like a maniac all over the campground screaming bloody murder, and chasing my own head with my hands.              Most of the time, it seemed, I was fetching water from the well.  Carrying it back to camp in my plastic beach pails, one of my siblings would jump out at me with the *snake*.  Running down the hill, catching my foot on an exposed tree root, and *BLAM* I'd hit the dirt and spill all the water.   (I won't even tell you about the time that they convinced me to do a wheelie off the roof of our carport).  (On a banana-seat bike). Yeh.           But then I'd dry off and forget about the *joke*, and we'd be playing at the water's edge of Mudd Lake.  There'd be dead catfish along the shore, half in and half out of the dingy grey water, and my brothers would poke at them with sticks.   Not me.   I had no fondness for things that died with their mouths and eyes wide open.           After a supper of Dinty Moore Beef Stew, hot dogs, and some S'mores or burnt Jiffy Pop, we'd all head back down to the lake to skip stones.  Skipping stones, no, I could never learn to do that.    I'd throw my stone, and *PLUNK*, it would instantly sink to the bottom.   'Throw it like this,' coached one of my brothers as their rock bounced five, six, seven times along the surface with just a whisper of splashes.  My rocks never did cooperate.  *THOUP*, and down they'd go.     (Sigh).          I never understood the fascination, their fascination, the point of making a *repeated event* that radiated from just one object, and just one movement.        Old memories of all those camping trips reasonate now in my mind, each one successive of the next.  All of them seeming to be the same.  The same tent, the same site, the same trails, the same tricks.         The same green Suburban with the fake wood paneling down the sides, the same campstove, even the same foods.  All like clockwork.  And yet now, remembering these trips as single events is impossible.  They have been woven together as ripples in my mind, as if there was only one giant trip. Only one.     (all photos completely unretouched, and au natural, aided only by a homemade lens).  (yes, it's true). (By Yours Truely).   * * * * *           18 August 2008   Trinkettes & Teacups       A quiet, unassuming weekend spent napping on the couch in the Red Room, perusing art magazines and reading until I fell asleep.         It was just too hot to do anything else.          I took two naps on Saturday.  Andrew napped, too.  Strange.         Went on a three hour boat ride around Grand Island.  Watched the sun set for over an hour. The cliffs were basked in firey shades of terra cotta, and molten gold.  Breathtaking.       Returned home after dusk had long pulled the covers over its head.           And had no difficulty falling asleep.  Where did this exhaustion come from?           My mind was strangely blank.  Quiet.  Calm.           Sunday arrived.  Another languid afternoon flipping glossy pages. Not thinking about all the weeds in the gardens.  Or getting a *head start* on the week's chores.       Not answering the doorbell, either.   * * * * *           14 August 2008    City of Angels         A back road, lined with pines,         is home to residents,           without Predjudice,         of age,       of belief,       of thought and reason,     reflect the atmosphere,         of peace       regardless of storm,       or Season.   * * * * *             8 August 2008   When I am old, I shall be French             Quand je suis vieux,             I est francais.             I est de nouveau vivre a l'etranger,         au millieu du vert,           et bleu.   * * * * *           5 August 2008 Change of Perspective         The ability to change one's ordinary world. . .         may be as simple as. . .       seeing it with the Soul. . .         . . .or through Imagination. . .         . . .and a pinch of Fantasy. . .           . . .and doing away with one's own rules, as it were. . .         . . .will allow for a more brilliant Palette. . .       . . .and that may make all the difference.   * * * * *       1 August 2008   Home Tour         Welcome!  Would you like to tour this little cottage that just recently came on the market?   Well, come on then!       Would you just look at those red roses?  The previous owners said that they needed very little care! Wow! Let's go inside this lovely little dwelling, built in 1928!             Here we are, the most important room in the house!  This kitchen  has all the modern day appliances, and while it may be lacking in counter space, the spice cupboard and shabby farmhouse sink more than make up for it! Ah!  And that *fabulous* tile, set on the diagonal (the latest home decorating trend!)!               And for all the latest gossip, check out the telephone conviently located just above the sink!         Here's where you'll be eating those home-cooked meals!  This dining room comes complete with fireplace and furnishings!  And don't you just love the Pink & Green color scheme?     Now we head upstairs to view the second floor via the Grand Staircase. . .     . . .to view this cozy den!  No detail or expense was overlooked in this room!  Note the lovely draperies, the floral arrangement gracing the fireplace, and the stunning French doors.       I can see someone doing lots of crafts at this table.      And when you're exhausted, you'll retire to this room, complete with Art Deco furnishings, and a stunning, imported rug. . .     . . . and the lovely wall fixtures.  All in all, this little home boasts 10" x 9" x 2" of living space.  Features lovely landscaping, original paint and furnishings, and a cozy atmosphere.  This non-smoking home has one-bedroom with one outdoor bathroom.  The current owners plan on an upgrade real soon.   Listed well below market value!   Want the keys?   * * * * *                 25 July 2008   Nature's Jewelry. . .             . . .as stars grown on earth. . .         . . .to grace a vase. . .           . . .to marry in splendor. . .               . . .to fill our world. . .           . . .to fragarance the soul. . .         . . .to sigh quietly to oneself. . .         . . .and enjoy simple Abundance. . .         . . .in details of life. . .           . . .that will watch over us, even in Blissful Rest. . .     * * * * *         22 July 2008   More Things to do with Glass:  Terrariums       I found these clear dessert glasses at a recent yard sale, and having no idea what to do with them, I justified buying them to my friend '. . .because of the shape!'  How dorky does that sound?  Cost:  $2.00 for all.   So I cleaned them up, added some silky sand from our famous beach and some 'beachy' images-turned-tags with fibers to add flair.  Then further inspired, I went and fired up a batch of these colorful shell flowers and nestled them down into the sands.       My, my, my. . .do I love how light is transmitted thru transparent colors of glass (but oh, how I struggle with photographing large areas of clear glass. . .confounded glare)!   Uh.     This was my favorite shell flower of the batch.  Lovely shades of sage-green, ruby, periwinkle, capri, and amber.           Here's my second favorite shell flower.  This terriarium got an extra special, Tiffany-Blue crystal, and a tiny glass bottle.         A lovely and inexpensive project to make!  Of course, you may add any little trinkets that you desire, along with images that work with your scheme.    I do have five shell flowers available for sale here on the site.  Just click on the category 'Art Glass Buttons & Clasps'.      * * * * *           15 July 2008   Madeline At Our Shores         Our town was all a-buzz this past weekend, as the 1845 Schooner, The Madeline had docked Friday evening.         The weather was perfect for an outing, so I donned my Titanic hat with all it's frippery and Andrew donned his Detroit Tigers hat.  And just like Rose, from the movie, I looked up at the schooner and thought, "I don't know what all the fuss is about".       It seemed small by comparison with the schooner that we had all imagined in our minds.  No matter, we each paid two dollars and went to investigate.  Since Lake Superior is also known as the 'Graveyard of Shipwrecks', we who live here, are always curious about what sails thru here.  And what lays forever at the bottom of our vast waters.   The Madeline was built to haul barrels of fish.       The wood of choice in this vessel?  White oak.      Seven thousand years ago, Lake Superior barely existed.  There are massive white oak trees now 50 or more feet under the water, that have been carbon dated from over 7,000 years ago.  Imagine.         So there she is.  Though she hauled a modest cargo, Madeline has lived and traveled thru the ages. And she may never pass this way again.   * * * * *         11 July 2008   Playing With     I've been. . .   . . .arranging flowers. . .           . . .mixing homemade dried lavender, peppermint leaves, and camomile. . .           . . .and buying yet another tablecloth. . .           . . .and brought out these gorgeous silk slippers with flowers (1930's). . .           . . .and making tags. . .         . . .and tags. . .           . . .and more tags. . .         . . .and trimming my Italian straw. . . (sigh)   * * * * *       4 July 2008 One Fourth              As the day lengthens, and the shadows become longer, we the People of this little town retire to our andirondack chairs and watch the blueness of the bay.  It is quiet here, but the smell of charcoal is still profuse in the air, and the day's activities are reflected upon.             It all began with the Flag.         And those who believed in all that it stood for.       And to those who have celebrated many a 4th of July, like Ms. 'Queen' Oas.  She's the lady in this photo who is sitting on the Corvette and waving the flag.  She is 104.5 years old.       And these two survivors are not far behind her in age.       Appreciation and celebration knows no age.  These events are timeless and nostalgic by their very nature.  It is bred into us.   Now, as the day enjoys the calm before the Big Fireworks Show, little ones are tucked into blankets under shaded picnic tables, their little cheeks rosy with sun, their fingers sticky with cotton candy. . .     . . .and we reflect on these precious times that we come together as a family, as a town, as a nation. . .as a generation.   Now where are my 3-D Fireworks Glasses?                24 June 2008 Flower-strewn Pathways         Quite literally. . .these garlands were so much fun to make!  I could have draped the entire house in them.  Except that my husband doesn't share the same fondness for glittery*pink*things*that*sparkle*and*fly, so I had to exercise some self control.     You can make these out of anything; I used some clear, faceted garland leftover from Christmas, but you can use ribbon, or lace.  I also dipped into my thrift-store stash of silk flowers.  Twenty-six of these pink/yellow/white roses cost 1.99.     The silk peonies on this short garland were .19 cents.  That was for all five!  And they're HUGE!   Next, add some tags with lots of glitter on them.     Add some ribbons or Dresden foil, or whatever suits your fancies.         Add some old jewels, if you'd like.     Further embellish your tags with stickers, and text.  And glitter.  Make sure that you get lots of glitter all over the carpet, too.  Your husband will appreciate it when he walks across the room and ends up with Fairy Nice Feet.         Then glue it all together, and drape it anywhere you'd like:  chandeliers, fireplace mantles, around lampshades, the stair railings.   Then sit back, Smile Forever, and Make A Wish.   * * * * *           18 June  2008 The Month of Decadence       Time to reflect, yet again, on my favorite confection:  W*E*D*D*I*N*G*S   What is it, this 'thing' that keeps me captivated?  Is it the yards & yards of sheer tulle?  The abundance of lace?  The scent, real or imagined, of fresh flowers from the noblest hierarchy?  Searching every single shop within a two hundred mile radius for one hundred spools of the 'precise lavender' color?  The flourished font of an engraved invitation?  The cakes, the napkins, the barrels of  'Princess Pink' glitter?     Maybe it's the nostalgia of 'Something Old'.         Or 'Something New'.         Maybe it's the 'regal poses' and the 'I am flawless' smiles. . .       Perhaps it's the notion of history; that one day, our grandchildren will look upon our special day as a testament to romantic perfection.         That strangers will, one day, find our wedding photos in a cardboard box at some distant flea market.  And they will see something in us that captivates them, and makes them smile.        That regardless of time, whether it be ten, twenty, fifty or a hundred years, we will always know that many have walked this rite of passage. That it is sacred.  And always worth dreaming about.   *****          13 June 2008 Counting the Days of Summer           Just when it seems that winter will never end. . .here come the heat and humidity!  Lucky for us there always seems to be a lovely breeze from the bay to keep things bearable.  Oh, that and a fresh bouquet of fleurs.         I love the color orange, especially in roses.  Lovely, yes?       If I were feeling more ambitious, I'd learn how to crochet just so I could use these gorgeous colors of cotton!         Since I cannot crochet, I'll suffice myself with photography.  For now.         But here is something that I  *can*  make!  Inspired by the latest issue of Somerset Life, I made a huge batch of these whimsical clothespins.  Using paint, rubberstamps, bits, and bits of bits. And a lot of glue.           And this antique glass ball?  I took it to a new  *level*. . .         Using a gorgeous flea market candlestick (and real crystal, at that) and glue, you can elevate anything.  The light transmits all around and underneath the object making it look proud!     Here's a tiny tea cup dancer perched high on glass!  I also gathered up my paperweight collection and mounted them upon candlesticks.  And speaking of high. . .whew, I used a lot of glue.       So I'll move to the next project using these Shabby Chic tags and stickers.  I'll show you more next time!   Happy Friday! ***     11 June 2008 All in the Family       We have acquired, somehow, the knack for finding collections of items all belonging to the same family.  Check out these exquisite foreign postcards from early 1900.             The card above was addressed to 'Syster Augusta Corneliusson', and it's a beauty with its raised gold foil accents.           Card above was addressed to 'Mr. Carl W. Corneliusson at the US of Amerika'         To 'Mrs. Stanley Corneliusson'         To 'Miss Lille Corneliusson'       To 'Miss Ligne Corneliusson at MichAgain in the US of Amerika'               Lovely, aren't they?  There's more, but I'll share those another time. Happy Tuesday!       6 June 2008 Excursion for Vintage Stuff     Nearly a week has gone by and it's been silent on the site.  No worries, the week was spent shopping for vintage finds, and all I can say is, Oh, How Lovely!     How 'bout this turquoise tablecloth in Minty-Crisp condition?  It matches my kitchen perfectly. . .       And speaking of kitchen items, this still-in-the-package shopping list, complete with pegs!     And this primitive garden box with original green paint. . .charming!       A frothy confection of limes, turquoise and pale blue flowers!  I won't wear it, but imagine the possibilities!     Vintage equestrian-style barkcloth, framed and ready-to-hang.  I think this is new art for the kitchen.       A vingette of old objects:  lace, embossed leather photo album, antique door-knob, Art Deco door-plate.       Fine French embroidered lace, salvage piece.  Stunning. . .         A fine set of linen napkins. . .         And two sets of Minty-Crisp pillowcases. . .dreaming of languid summer nights with the soothing feel of lemon & lavender-scented cotton to rest by. . .         29 May 2008 The Month of White     June is fast approaching, and those who know me well know that I adore weddings.  And all eras of weddings.  It's fascinating to see the changes when viewing old photographs; my, how trends come and go.         And the blue filter on this photo is mesmerizing.         Lovely couple, eh?  The house behind them?  It still looks exactly the same today.       Ohhh. . .I love that the bride is wearing dark lipstick. . .and that all the girls are wearing headpieces.            This gorgeous photo was taken after the cornonation of Queen Elizabeth.  I know this because that event influenced women's wear for months afterwards.  Even the 'fancy-pants' dolls began wearing 'all things Queen'. Ahhhh. . . .     Well then, stay calm and CARRY ON! Cheerio!       23 May 2008 Old Memories Imagined     (from left to right) Phoebe, Winifred, Irene     I wanted to share a sampling of my collection of old photographs.  This batch, in particulair, is newly acquired from an auction that we attended last weekend.  Everyone in town showed up on the lawn to view the treasures that had been stored in the home for over one hundred years, a home that had stayed in the family since 1904.  There were many, many great pieces of ephemera, and I'll share those over the coming weeks!   (from left to right) Anna, Nile, & Clara Dahlgren   Aren't these fascinating? Selma Swanson Brenner (a sister to Dahlgren)   Anna Evelyn (Dahlgren) Anderson Tyson       Karolina Noren (Dahlgren) Anderson     Margaret Anderson (Karolina's Mother)     I have many, many more photos that I'll share over the Summer!  The photos have been unaltered, all embellishments are digital.  This particulair batch is going to be made into gift tags! ~Happy Friday!~