Care for a refreshment?

Yes...refreshment! 
That's what this blog needs!
 An entirely new, fresh look.
 Maybe new subject matter, also. 

And I'm thinkin' 2017 may be just the year for it! 
I'll let you know, eventually, where to find the "new blog", if it's not here.

Meanwhile...

Have a nice day, and be of good cheer,
and may God bless you richly until the New Year.

Happy December! - Liz

Reunion Ruminations

Ahhhh...summer's here, and with it, the many gatherings of family and friends, both loved and feared by all. Yes....I'm writing about reunions today. My nine hour drive from my most recent reunion, provided plenty of time to reminisce, and compelled me to write my rambling thoughts. If only I can remember them, now, amidst the competing "songs of the 80's" earworm. Presently, Rappers Delight. (Cracks me up at the same time it makes me want to dance!)


It's always important to have a place to reunite, and as it's been SOOOOO long since I've written, I have come to CasaTini to reunite with my Grandpa's recliner. Thoughts seem to spill out here. And, as I look at the most recent picture I've taken of my little cabin, my first thought is: "Wouldn't THIS be a great place for a reunion?!" Hmmm...plumbing might be a good addition.

A bit of personal history: I went to high school for two months, at a school I'd been anxious to attend, with friends I'd known since I was eight years old. In the early part of my Freshman year of high school, my family moved away. Out of state. Out of the world of northern accents, relatives, lakes, snow, and..."my people". I was devastated, and chose to go back every summer. But I kept in touch, by writing hundreds of letters. God has blessed me with friendships that have lasted all these years, and my "two-months-of-high-school" classmates kindly include me in their reunions. I can't wait - because that reunion comes up in August.

I dreaded that move. Mom said I'd make new friends. I didn't want new friends I liked my "old" ones. But God is good....and had great things in store for me....

...and this is where my happy, bubbly feeling comes from THIS week. Because when I went to register for classes at my new school, (I, the girl with the funny accent, who did NOT grow up with these kids who were well into their "cliques" already), I met a girl, who called her friends, who called me to welcome me, and met me at school my first day....and are STILL some of the most wonderful people I know. I'm teary just writing about them.

So...the reunion. Not everyone loves reunions. They can be intimidating, for many reasons. I love them, because I know I'll see my "core" group of trusted comrades, and anyone else I see is just frosting. Not everyone feels that way. Some people don't like to be seen, or don't enjoy small talk. Many people fear judgment, or judge others...literal "class" differences seem to be magnified as we age. Reputations established long ago, which may not even apply anymore, are often assumed to be "the same"...when, in fact, so many aspects of life have changed for everyone. And sometimes, changed back, again. The scary part of a reunion...is taking that first step through the door.
(This is the door to CasaTini. Custom made by my husband, who built this 10x10 cabin.)

Truly...after getting through the "what am I going to wear" preparation, and the apprehension of entering alone, or making sure friends arrive at the exact moment I do, the fun begins. Because everyone who shows at these reunions, is there because they figure it's worth getting past the "junk". They just want a connection to a less-complicated time of life, because, doggoneit....life has it's ups and downs for us all. (Especially the flight attendants among us, but that's another blog.) It seemed to me, there was a LOT of laughter, and the smiles were contagious. The unfortunate part, was that I left feeling as though I had many unfinished conversations, that I'd like to have continued. The fortunate part, was I left with more friends from high school than I actually had when I was there. The reunion ended a day later, where many folks had their pictures taken on this beautiful butterfly bench:(...bench custom made by my high school friend, who made it for his wife, another high school friend!)

If there were a point to this blog, I guess it would be this: Take the joy you can get, when you can get it. Show up...to the reunions of life, be they large or small, with family or friends. Call the people you find to be a pleasure, and be a joyful pleasure to those who may need it. Pray for your friends, old and new. Thank God for your acquaintances...their value may be greater than you think. (Can you tell I'm a preacher's kid?)

To steal a quote from my niece, that is a good rule of thumb for any reunion: "Life is short. Talk fast." My next reunion is "up north"...where talking fast is no problem. Keeping the mosquitoes out of the mouth while talking....now that's a problem.

The Shoe Cobbler

I took a visit to the local shoe cobbler recently...my first time since we moved to this town. His shop is tiny, but full. He is also tiny, and old.

Which made me wonder: who takes over when he's gone? I actually looked up "shoe cobbler schools" online, only to find a a gross shortage of them. Our western society has become very fond of disposable riches, and many people would rather donate, or throw away, what could be easily repaired. There are those of us who believe that talented craftspeople often repair to a standard of "better than new", and that quality items are worth keeping.

I would think that this would be a recession-proof career opportunity for anyone with the business sense to start it up. Apprenticeship possibilities abound, and, I suspect, many "old cobblers" would love to hand over their business, if only they were assured that their community would be serviced by another caring cobbler.

The one in my town has been at it for most of his adult life. He probably knows everyone in town, their parents and their kids.

Just wanted to pay him a little tribute for his skills.

Every Little Bit

Haven't blogged in ages....though I've finally texted HAITI at 90999...which feels like such a small contribution in the great scheme of things. There are so many worthwhile organizations to which we can contribute, but I do believe that the Red Cross is one of the best places to start.

I found another neato keen site to check out for their crafty and charitable way of helping here. Etsy is a wonderful place...and crafters quite generous.

Meanwhile....I debate how my blog will differ this year from last. Maybe I'll actually write again!
Might be a month away....I've got pictures to take in places I'm going...so I'll pack the camera and hope for visual inspiration. Somewhere near this scene: (but with a better camera.)



Maybe I'll even get out of the hotel room from which I took this! Wish me luck...I'm heading there now!

Best to you all in the New Year!

Mind the Gap

Oh, for crying out loud! (Now you know why that's my Google name.) Did you think I fell off the face of the earth AGAIN? I keep doing that, doggone it. It's summer. Fall off the earth time. I'm back, for a moment, and decided that no matter how nonsensical, I would write SOMETHING today. In sunny orange...not quite the same shade as my old Wheaties sweatshirt. Yet, a summer color.

In England, where I spend a day or two each week, there's a familiar phrase, used to warn people of the space between the train and the platform. "Mind the Gap". Please excuse the space of time between my blogs - one would hope it would provide me with interesting material to report. (Keep hoping!)

Today, full of all this creative motivation, I finally submit a couple of pictures to a photo competition. Had I been serious about this, I might have given my photos some forethought. I might have paid attention to the submission requirements...I'm not entirely sure that they're the right size. They ARE in vertical format, as requested, and I took them myself, as is required. Hopefully, I'll take some pictures this summer that will warrant submission to something.

Okay. That's it. Just checking in. Thanks for showing up!

My Hatbox of Happiness

"Always organizing - never organized." My day is running off in all directions, once again. All I did was go upstairs with a cup of coffee. That did it. I saw things. Things that needed to be moved, or opened, or "organized", or put into a pile for a yard sale. Six hatboxes were waiting to be emptied. Most contained hats. One, however, is my "Happy" box. And it hadn't been opened in a long, long time.

Maybe you can tell what it contains...if not, here's a brief list: favorite cartoons that make me laugh, a list of "30 Tips To Trigger Happiness", ripped out of a magazine, and many years-worth of the MOST hilarious, sentimental, meaningful and or touching cards I've received from dear friends over the years. I mean, they have to be REALLY good to be included in the Happy Box.
For example, one of many funny cards from my friend, Julie, whose greeting is: "Hi, you voluptuous, sultry, she-devil of the skies!" (None of which I am....but that just makes me laugh!)



As you can see, I really do have too many hats. (...the background portrait is the first object I ever purchased at an auction. I still love it. I'd love my amazing and talented art-wise friend, Lisa, to dig up more on the artist - Goddard. I can't find much. )

"Is that a PITH helmet?", you may ask. Indeed it is, and it's fabulous when mowing three acres, so don't mock it! But here's my favorite: a Panama...love, love, LOVE this hat! Anyway, these are just my SUMMER hats...so, as you can imagine, since I rarely don any of them, I needed to go through them.



Ironically, the little Demdaco girl with bluebirds, is called: "Happiness", and was given to me by a dear friend, who also makes me happy.

In attempting to share the list of happiness "triggers" with you, I scanned the article, but it's not displaying well....so I'll reference it by informing you that it was written by Helen D. Wright, Ph.D., and is from "Relief From Depression" ...and I'm hoping the feds don't come after me for copying it. I encourage you to Google away.



Yeah, I know...I probably shouldn't have even put that photo up.

Like my ol' fave clock advises (in another less-than-great-photo): Have a Happy Day!

Pretty face: Part 2

Same dog, different coif'.
Sophia Lucia.
Mostly Cocker Spaniel...part..Dalmation?

I'm just a sucker for a pretty face.

Meet Sophia Lucia.
Soon to be groomed...but came to us, stinky, blind, somewhat deaf, hairy, and cute as a button.We're doing what we can with all this information. She's been bathed, scissor cut (until she can afford a professional, she's stuck with "Hair by Liz".), and attempts at potty training, which apparantly isn't done when dogs are USED for breeding purposes...poor little thing. She's following me everywhere....bumping into the other dogs....but gradually learning her way around the house. Now, if she would only learn to go outside to take care of business....
So....can't show favoritism, or the other pups get jealous, so here's her new brother, Luigi...who's only half blind, and doesn't quite love Sophia yet, but has been tolerant. Luigi's been in our family for several years now....


...and here's her "cousin" Mina....who she has yet to meet, but I just happened to have this picture of her.


Someday, she'll get to meet her other "cousin", Charlie, who's pictured here:
(My nephew took this, while teaching me to use my cell phone camera).


Here's a picture of Luigi, being "tolerant":


And, finally, here's Sophia's new big sister, Bailey, who's been a very good big sister to the new girl.

Presently, the three doggies at my house are all sleeping. This is good. The snoring's a bit much.

Signs of Spring

Wandering around Holland Park, in London recently, I came across these beautiful gardens. My cell phone camera, however was not on a setting that did any justice to the gorgeous flowers. This got me wondering if, and when things would start popping up in my own yard....lo, and behold! It's "busting out all over", as the song goes!

Granted, the "outbuildings" are different...you can catch a glimpse of Casatini in the background of my yard!

I've been waiting for it! I suspect you have, too! So, I've wandered around my yard, looking for signs of it.......and here's what I found: Forget-Me-Nots, Jonquils, Tulips, and...SPRING!!!

The Lilac that mom gave me is thriving! Maybe I'll actually plant it this year!

The Dandelions are popping up too fast...and golf balls are sprouting!

(Bet the gardeners at Holland Park didn't plant any of THOSE!)
So what if I don't have a Japanese garden...

I have Grape Hyacinths that are showing off their groovy blooms!
I may not have a cool arrangement of primrose and tulips like this:

But they don't have a big glob of phlox like THIS!:

In any case, wherever you may wander, I hope you find beautiful signs of spring, too!

Pray for the Italians.

I've only been to Italy once. I'll never forget that trip, not only because of all the beautiful things I saw and delectible food I ate, but also and primarily, because of the wonderful Italian people. That is why my heart is just breaking for the people there, who've been so greatly affected by the earthquakes this week. They've not only lost friends, but they've lost history.

The buildings in Italy ARE art and craft, in every detail...buildings that lean, in most countries, would be torn down. Not so, in Italy! How about the angel wings that flap in the wind, on the top of this building in Lucca? (note: these cities were not affected by the earthquake, to my knowledge.)

Callalilies, freshly cut with a scythe, by local ladies, heading to the cemetery. Roadside poppies.

Cemetery statuary that would put most "public artwork" to shame!

"I beseech thee........ ...........pray for the Italians!"

(Lord, comfort them in their grief.)

China Patterns

Oh, for crying out loud. Where have I BEEN? I suspect you've all been sitting at your computers for weeks, just WAITING for me to write again! Oh, the PRESSURE! Oh, you didn't notice?
Well...thanks for checking back in! I've not yet given up on this blog.

Now, why, in heaven's name, I'm writing about dishes today, I cannot say. I never understood what the big deal was about china patterns. Mom had a few sets, which never made sense to me as a kid, as we only got to eat off the melamine ones, unless we had company. As it was my job to set the table, I'll never forget the wheat pattern on those plates. I always made sure the wheat was growing in the right direction. Unless I was mad at one of my siblings, in which case, I'd turn theirs sideways - and they would get the odd fork that didn't match. Early passive-aggressive behavior.

If we had company, we'd use the Metlox Rose-A-Day pottery dishes. These were "special" - they were gifts for my parents wedding. They're STILL special, as I now use them daily! Love that mid-century modern design.

For SUPER special occasions, or holidays, Mom brought out the REAL china....along with special silverware. In later years, Mom added the blue and white ironstone to her collection, and some very special china called "Arcadia". I LOVE that.

At some point in my early thirties, it became apparent that if one doesn't marry, but one has company deserving of fancy holiday dinners, one should probably buy one's own china. Then began my "random china with purple flowers" collection. I'd post pictures of it, but that would require an hour of unwrapping, as I've not unpacked them since my most recent move!

My dearly departed aunt, Marlys, and her husband, Mitch, chose Harkerware's Russel Wright "White Clover" (in charcoal) as "their pattern", when they were married in the 1950's. Again, a really cool retro pattern, in my opinion.

I did eventually marry, at the ripe old age of 38...so I'm glad I had that purple flower collection, but "Our" pattern, seen below, is Mikasa's "Royal Glimmer". It reminds me of one of my favorite artist's work - "The Kiss", by Gustav Klimt. Presumably, it reminds my husband of dinner.

Something about that "china pattern hunt", though....got me intrigued....I love art and design, and all things pretty. Hence, my next collection: Wedgwood Patrician Argyle. Apparantly, Wedgwood Patrician is the design of the plate itself...Argyle is the design painted upon it. I've since discovered "Morning Glory", and about twenty others, but "Argyle" is still my fave.




Isn't it pretty? I rarely find pieces of it, when I'm hunting through antique stores, which makes it all the more valuable to me. However, I did find a whole set of this lovely old Noritake in an antique store somewhere:
I'm by no means a china snob...frankly, I'm finding paper plates with some darn nice designs. I just PREFER something a bit heftier. Like pottery! I love pasta bowls! (Uh-oh...another collection?) Well....I'm combining my love of pottery and pasta bowls, with my desire to have some "Christmas" dishes, and here's how it's played out, thus far:



My Portmeirion Mistletoe with a bit of added Italian decor. Oooohhh! Italy! France! Gien (France) has a WONDERFUL pattern called "Toscana" (Italy).....

...and so it goes!

I'm not quitting!

...but maybe February just isn't my prime blogging month. I promise to write again...meanwhile, if you've got any topics that need my extemporaneous written opinion, by all means, leave your ideas in the comment section. I'll consider your ideas a gift!

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a quote, supposedly by C.S.Lewis...(I say supposedly, because this was on a sign in front of a local church, and I admit that I'm not checking references.)

You do not have a soul. You have a body. You ARE a soul.

I like that.

Life Lines

I know, I know. It's been so long since my last entry, you probably thought I'd given up. There's just not much happening at CasaTini in the winter months. It's so darn cold out, warming up the logs at Camp Liz could take all day. It's a tiny place, and a tiny electric fireplace that heats it up.

So, today, I write from the warmth of my home, in full pajama regalia. Down slippers, to boot!

I'm thinking about "lines" I've heard through life - sentences that someone said to me long ago, that still resonate strongly in my memory. Some are important, some touching, some completely absurd...and most are nothing that the person who said them would expect me to remember.

Of course we remember the cute lines of those children we love: "You touldn't wun awound a pool cuz Mommy PANK you!", a niece once said. When I called a young nephew for his third birthday, his response was: "I don't Be-mem-bo you!" Heartbreaking!

I was once given a note from a little freckle-faced red-headed boy passenger on one of the worst flights I'd ever worked as a flight attendant. On it, he'd drawn a picture of me, with stars all around, and the exclamation: "You are happy!" It was so untrue that night, you can bet I still have THAT drawing!(2-24-09: I just found it! Of course, I had to post it!)

Some "lines from life" are voices from the past, or advice from our elders. "Just go to sleep, and everything will look better in the morning". Dad was usually right on that one. "Maybe you should get a job that doesn't wear you out so much." (Thanks, Grandma! I periodically wish I'd listened!) A lady I respected gave me peace, when she said "Those schools have been around a lot longer than you have, and they're not going anywhere just because you take a year off!"

When I land in Chicago at night, I still think it looks "like a glistening tiara!", which is a line that my friend and I thought was so hilarious for some reason over twenty years ago. Soon to be followed by the words of a catering man - words so succint, they're etched in my memory, too. "It comes wif da turf, Baaaa-by! It comes wif da turf!"

We all joke about the "lines" we've heard during the days of dating. So I won't even go there. But I did have one unforgettable line (from a passenger who was NOT trying to pick me up), which was the most unforgettable compliment ever: "Your eyes are like two spoonsful of the Mediterranean!" I've never been to the Mediterranean to check that out, but it WAS quite nice to hear!

Speaking of passengers, I'll never forget the two most distinctive answers I've gotten in response to the question, "How do you take your coffee?" (because, oddly, most people don't seem to know!) One man said, "The color of a buff cocker spaniel." Perfect! But not as funny as the man who responded, simply, "Orally."

Does anyone else hear lyrics, and wish that some of the lines of those songs had been said to them? Boy, some of those songwriters have great lines. Wish I could think of one. Feel free to comment with your own memorable lyric.

It humors me to think of the "important" things we'd like our younger generations to remember. We give them sage advice, only to have them remember nothing, except the "lines" you said to them about something else. One must be careful of the things one says!

Admittedly, I'll never forget the words, "I will", nor the look on his face when my husband said them. Wow. Talk about a powerful line. (...and, he has!)

I look forward to hearing your favorite "Life Lines"...and to having plenty more of my own in the coming years!

Jet Lagged

Ever been so tired that you can't even type straight?  That's how I'm feeling right now...in the middle of a couple of international trips, presently in Miami.  Too tired to get out of my room...but I'll need coffee very soon.  

So...I'll get back to blogging when I'm back at "Camp Liz"...where, my husband reports, there is a LOT of snow right now! 

Meanwhile, for your pictoral entertainment, I'll now alert you to the little "Georgia O'Keefe daily changing picture thingy" at the bottom of this blog.  (You'll have to scroll, scroll, scroll to get there, but her paintings are worth it!) Hope you like it!

Until next time.....let's all get some sleep!

Aprons

Call me crazy, but I love aprons. Not the ugly, navy, polyester one, which I'm obligated to wear at work. I can't even bear to publish the picture of that one in full length...only a glimpse of its loveliness here for you...





I love "little old aprons"....with cute floral prints, and a homemade look. The type that June Cleaver might have worn...or, June's mom. Like this one:



Or this one:



I like creative aprons, too...this one is made out of a handkerchief, added to handkerchief linen. I thought I was being pretty handy, myself, when I used the apron to disguise an old lampshade.
Even Great Aunt Mabel's clothespin bag, or "peg bag", wears a little apron. I'm so glad she gave me this...maybe one day, I'll make one of these for my own great-grand-nieces. If I have any! ...and, if I start sewing more often! The very first thing my mom taught me to sew, was a clothespin apron. Naturally, it's the one I can't find right now, to take a picture of! It was out of really cute blue printed fabric (with cars on it...my other love!), and had humongous red pockets, presumably to put clothespins in. I wonder if mom still has the pattern? I bet she does!


Speaking of Mom...she made this one for me...probably twenty years ago, but it's still the one I wear most of all! That's why it's hanging on the kitchen door...always "at the ready". I was smaller when she made it....so, maybe if she reads this, she'll get the notion to make me another...(a little bigger this time!)...or, maybe I'll bake less, and get smaller. There's an idea!


Here's what really prompted me to write about aprons today- my Christmas tree apron. (Every Christmas tree farmer's wife should have one, don't you think?) I'm finally going to put it away...until next Christmas!
I sure hope you're having a great new year...and have occasion to thrown on YOUR favorite apron sometime soon. If you can't get enough of aprons, here's another blog that might interest you, by the lady who literally "wrote the book" on aprons! The Apronista!