A Fanciful Twist: The Mad Tea Party

Tonight, I will be making cupcakes and treats in preparation for A Fanciful Twist's Mad Tea Party this Saturday. I'm a little sad, because most of my little tea sets, garlands, fabric, trims, decorations, dresses and such have been packed in storage, but my lovely mother in law has a couple cute things I can use instead. I did squirrel away a few little treasures to use for this event, so we'll see how it all turns out (and if I can find them). It's funny, because I went to my favorite antique mall today to find a teacup and saucer to use, and saw so many Alice in Wonderland related treasures there. How peculiar!

Are you joining in on the Mad Tea Party? If not, do be sure to visit it Saturday, June 26th. Here is 2009's and 2008's. (photos are from A Fanciful Twist's 2009 party).

 

Homefront: The Story of the Perfectly Blue Broken Urn

I found this gorgeous robin's egg blue urn several weeks ago at a garage sale for $2. It was so lovely and I thought it would make a beautiful home for one of my succulents. I had it on our fireplace next to the afghan draped white chair for about two days, before this happened. My 4 yr old thought it would be a perfect holder for his toy cars, so he picked it up to collect them, swinging it a bit, then dropped it when he realized how large and heavy it was.

I loved the details, the deep, milky aqua color, the way the glaze showcased each distressed placement, the iron handles and their handles and the large, raised fleur di lis. The square base of the urn had an elegantly curved taper. Not to mention, it looked so pretty in that perfect spot, next to the white chair by the fireplace.

Sure I was upset, for about 5 minutes. While sweeping up the pieces, it occurred to me I could probably crazy glue it together, and it would be just fine. But, I decided to let it go. I really had other important things to attend to and knew that I could not be angry, or spend too much energy over this. I needed to conserve that energy and do a brain dump. 

All unimportant matters needed to flow out to make room for everything else going on in my life. Also, I did not want to spend this time upset at my oldest son for breaking something. He's broken a lot, and I'm sure will do so again, but holding on to every one of them is not healthy for me, for his self-esteem, or for my relationship with him.

parker fitzgerald

The truth is, things break. Kids do it, I've done it, and I'm pretty sure you've done it too. We have to learn to move on from that broken thing, and more importantly to forgive the breaker of that thing. Whether the thing was broken out of malice, accident... or if you have multiple kids, a mystery.... you need to let it go.

That thing may have been a family heirloom, it may have been a piece of junk you were going to donate anyways... it may have been of great value or it may have been made of flesh and bone, that required stitches and a cast. Maybe it can quickly be repaired, or replaced, maybe it can only live on in our memories.

Whether you decide to glue it together, or throw it out, or keep a shard, be sure to mend that break in your heart over that broken thing.

Sweet Treats: Fruity Puff Pancake

This puff pancake family favorite recipe comes from my mother in law. She is an excellent cook and this dessert can be enhanced any number of ways. It is a family tradition to eat this treat during family get togethers, though it's especially perfect during the summer time. Keep in mind, the recipe is temperamental based upon altitude and humidity, so some experimentation may be needed. If you prefer something baking and hassle free, try my graham cracker with fruit and icing treat.

You bake your dessert base, which is a mix between a pan cake and a custard. The sides will brown, expand and curl over the pan edge and the cake will rise all puffy like while baking.

 When you pull it out of the oven, the cake will fall a little, so serve immediately while still warm. Cut the cake into slices and place on individual plates.

This is the part where each person experiments. Top the cake with a dollop of sour cream, (or plain yogurt which is healthier), then any freshly washed, cut up fruit you like. Here, we used strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and bananas. Then, sprinkle the fruit with brown sugar. If you like whipped cream or chopped fresh mint, those are good as well. Kiwi, blackberries, peaches and even chopped apple are good too. It seems the one fruit we always use is strawberries though, then whatever else we have, we chop up and add it on top.

* linked to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday linky

Family Time: Impromptu Couples Photo Shoot

It was my mother's birthday, and we gathered with all six grandson's for a nice 'ole time at my sister's. Boys, taking a break from the trampoline to devour some cake, us ladies, sitting around chatting, and the one lone male adult was nowhere to be found.

I wondered outside, and here he was, sitting on this roof, reflecting, looking at a cut on his hand from climbing a fence. But, man was not meant to be alone... so I moseyed on over to that swing set behind this adorable shed and heft myself up, all clumsily ninja like. I've lost my stealth.

Then, my sister came out to see what we crazy kids were up to and started snapping pictures.

It turned out to be a good day for an impromptu photo op.

When was the last time you had a little unplanned photo time with your sweetheart? Something you could frame? Anytime is a good time to do it. Seriously, just go grab a friend who can take a semi decent photo, act natural and kind of half hug and stuff for twenty minutes in a semi attractive background. Then upload your photos to Picasa or some other user friendly photo editing program like Picnik, and crop out unsightly background things (like a pooping dog in the corner, telephone line, dead patch of grass or a garbage can), brighten photos or whatever you need for a semi decent shot. It'll be a nice change to have something casual and impromptu.

 And free. Never forget the free part. Have fun with angles and don't be afraid to be yourself. I Heart Faces has lots of good ideas on styling and photo editing. A few more good photography and styling resources here, and here. I will probably go in a add some warmth and haze to some of the photos for a dreamy effect. You can do whatever you want. Making the photos black and white or sepia toned is a nice choice if you question the color or photographer's skills, or if your outfits don't match. Maybe the photos won't be the highest of quality, or won't be blow up poster size, but that isn't what matters.

Feet pictures are safe and trendy. No shiny foreheads, muffin tops, weird hump back shots, windy hair, goofy smiles, half blinks, bra straps, food in teeth, inappropriate giggling, balding spots or gobble necks to hide here.

Perspective shots are fun. And to think I cut almost six inches off of my hair yesterday. I can't believe it was that long, and I, a woman who has sported a shaved head... already miss it.

So un-ninja like, he helped me down. It's nice getting older, and losing our swiftness and agility together. One day, we plan on going grocery shopping in bath robes, slippers and canes, [mildly] swearing up a storm and being rude elderly people to those cursed teens, just for the fun of it.

But for now, we will start [next week] working on getting back in shape together and trimming down those gobble necks and love handles.

The Magic of Pothole Gardens

Have you ever seen such ingenuity? Pete Dungey created a spectacular little wolrd by planting little " guerrellia" gardens in Britain's neglected potholes.

One such passerby remarked, "f we planted one of those in every hole, it would be like a forest in the road".

It makes me think, if we attack a problem with a negative attitude, how much change can we really bring, how much credibility do we bring to ourselves?

I would rather bring attention and change to a problem, through a spectacular and simple way. One that warms hearts and forces people to look. Also, it makes one wonder if those speeding through those roads will drive more safely, and slow down to observe the little colorful wonders in the road.

Another artist, Steve Wheen, showcases his pothole gardens in London, on his blog, The Pothole Garden. His interview is simple and insightful. It's wonderful when little cultural ideas take off like that.

More interesting gardens can be seen here.

The Influence of Color

shana rae {florabella}~ yellow ranunculas blooms

Today's color combination is quite, obviously, turquoise and hues of yellow.  I had a discussion with a friend years ago, about using colors as verbs in our writing. Aside from "feeling blue" as a form of sadness, I couldn't really justify using color as a verb, or even a noun. I know cliches exist, red=rage, green=envy and the like, but wanted more proof than that.

objet petita~ 1980's nike sneaker roller skates

Then, he wrote a lovely prose that ended with something along the lines of, "he reached out to the sky, and he could feel blue." It made perfect sense and changed my mind about the use of color as more than just imagery, but as a way we wrap ourselves up in something greater then needing to name or objectify it outright.

prim originals art~ redhead and birds print

My husband once pointed out to me, that when ever we go shopping, I always pick up something that perfectly coordinates with my current outfit. If I am wearing my muted orange sweater, everything will be orange or caramels. If I am wearing a pale pink blouse, then all I pick up will be pinks. If I'm wearing gray (which is the usual choice), then everything will be... you get the idea.

spiro creations~ tinkerbell mustard flats

I found that interesting how I was magnetized to the same color I had been attracted to in the mornings. How, I can look perfectly fine in one thing, but change it because the color isn't suiting me that day and makes me feel "too bright", "too down", "too noticable"...

jeweled ambrosia ~ turquoise, mustard rhinestone earrings

It is amazing to realize how deeply influencing color can be. If you could feel a color today, what would it be? What color do you surround yourself with when you are feeling sad, happy, confused, energized?

*This is a repost from last year. Our computer isn't set up at or new place, so no access to my photos yet.