You can fool the fans - but not the players.... John Cage

It is time for - guess what? Anthropologie displays!

It has become my habit, when visiting a city with an Anthropologie store, to make certain that I get by there to get a gander at the displays. This new habit, while so inspiring and providing so much fodder for blog posts, has not been kind to my pocketbook. Once there - once in the store - I am compelled to shop the entire space, all in the name of research, of course. Never know what hidden jewel of a display might be around that next space divider.

My sister and I visited the Fashion Valley Anthropologie last week which is conveniently located next to a Restoration Hardware store. Two luscious sources of eye-candy. I did score a "magalog" at RH - the fall source book which is filled with leather, linen, iron and wood in all sorts of fantastic renditions.

But, back to Anthro. Because I already posted a Tumblr full of RH photos. You can find that here.

 

What I find infinitely interesting about Anthropologie is the dedication to design and the freedom each store is given in exploring the materials for the displays. These are thick paper plates - dipped in dye? - and strung like beads. This is ordinary stuff, people! Not expensive, not hard to find, not out of anyone's ability to recreate. Planning a party, a temporary living space, a guest room, or a wedding? What is not to like about this idea? Or the strips of torn fabric a couple of months ago? or the cheerful plastic soda bottle flowers of a year ago?

Personally, I love it. It reeks of individuality, not off the rack. And of course, I've had a sip of the Kool-Aid.

 

These strings of paper plates are inside displays too - with more color. I might just pay a visit to my local Smart and Final during my wedding decor shopping and pick up a smaller version of these plates (I'm sure they have to be the paper kind) and dye them in shades of blue to gray. What a production that will be. I'm going to need a hot day and a lot of space for drying.

 

I know it isn't everyone's style but isn't that the great thing about going to events - you have a chance to experience someone's style. Sometimes it is home-grown and funky, sometimes it is polished and professional. And I like to figure out just what it is that I like or dislike about a certain "look" and then either let it go or recreate it in my own palette and venue.

 

Another area of the store will be completely different, and Anthro incorporates so many "found" materials into displays. Next time I'm wandering around an urban thrift store I'm going to be watching for the designer that must be shopping for the next season.

 

I have truly never thought of painting a non-functioning but vintage camera....but why not? I suppose some photographers would gasp in horror but here it works as a pop of color and an unexpected design element. And look at these shelves - these are just cheap pine nailed together. I saw a wall - or maybe it was RH - prepped for a new coat of paint but still with the spackle patches from filling the holes. It is a good lesson for me in change. It's just paint and it is just plaster.... hang it, fill it, paint it.

 

Alrighty, these aren't found objects, these are merchandise displays... but look at this great array of bedding. I could never do this with JC and the dogs and the cat... but I can dream!

 

Last, but not least, is this amazing use of multi-colored Post-its behind the register. Ruffled, textured, curvy, mountainous.... how do they do this? Anthro - will you please start blogging about process?

I did some wedding-decor shopping down south and that will be the next post... but I am inspired to buy less and make more out of ordinary materials. It will be finding the time that will be the challenge.

One great tomato

So far, from this year's tomato plants, I've plucked a few yellow grape tomatoes and eaten them straight from the bush, and one nice, big slicing tomato:

 

I waited a long time for this tomato to ripen and I picked off horn worms all around it, watched it sit there, green, for the longest time, impatiently held off while it turned pink and then, finally, red. I could've continued to wait - it could have gone a day or two more - but I was so ready for a home-grown tomato.

And it was very, very GOOD! I sliced it and made a tomato and cheese sandwich on whole wheat with wasabi mayonnaise. What a lunch. I wish I could say there were dozens more of these on the vine but alas.... the tomato harvest is looking a little skimpy.

I'm going to have to remember this tomato for awhile.

This chair just screams summer and 4th of July to me...

 

I've seen this chair for the past week and yesterday I pulled over and got out to take a closer look. It sits outside Cobwebs on Main Street and is a perfect draw. Unfortunately on closer look it is a little too rickety to sit in and actually use, and no doubt is too dear in price to be just a lawn ornament. But it is working to lure people like me in off the road.

The wood is old, old, old and all the screws are loose but the remnants of the layers of paint are just classic red, white and blue. One would be hard-pressed to duplicate this look.

 

I used to covet Adirondak chairs - they seemed like such an icon of American summers. I remember only seeing them for sale in LL Bean catalogs and the like - and they were made of teak and quite expensive. Built to last for generations. Now, of course, you can find them in less expensive woods and even colorful plastics. Like everything. I'd like to have a pair in front of the cabin but I want a pair that look like this - without the splinters.

 

And this pillow is close, but not just right. It is right enough to pull me in off the street, but not quite right. Ah summer, where did you go? The kids are walking to the school bus with their enormous backpacks, the mornings are cooler, and summer is winding its way to a close. Already.

If I had a chair like this I'd think of the 4th of July each time I looked at it... it'd be summer all year. Funny what a few peeling coats of paint can do!

Prelude to a weekend (and still working on the "other" thing)

Not taking too long to get that "other" thing rolling has been on my mind - so as I continue to work and take care of daily life stuff, I'm conscious of not wasting time and transitioning into whatever that turns out to be. Yesterday was a fine example of juggling the many demands of a day that felt productive and satisfying.

Sitting at the computer for 4 hours instead of 8 is easier on my shoulders and hands (and I am SURE just healthier in general) and I am able to be more productive, focused. Never in my life have I had a job that required so much sedentary time and despite the timer, despite the ball chair, despite all the efforts to mitigate the effects of sitting for 8 or more hours - I could feel my arteries hardening, my body degenerating. People need to MOVE!

It was a very domestic, wonderful morning. I even squeezed in a trip to the thrift store after our vet appointment.

 

This is part of my haul - Bausche pottery and a couple of nice, large, heavy beer or ice tea glasses. I've never seen Bausche pottery but bought what was there because these are great platters in perfect condition, and I like the robin's egg blue of the cups and saucers.

 

Once home I did a litle research on them and found out that Bauer and Bausche are almost synonomous in mid-century California pottery.

 

This speckled glaze is the "Al Fresca" line and I like the spots on the bottom where the pieces rested on the kiln supports... I like it all, really. I'd have a whole set of this if I could find it. Especially the blue.

 

It always makes me wonder when just a few pieces show up - what happened to the rest? Most likely this was someone's set at one time - did it break piece by piece? Is there another box in the back of the thrift store with the rest? Usually I have to be content with just the few random pieces that I find. And somehow integrate them into the rest of my mis-matched china / pottery collection.

And finally, in the heat of the day, I got into the studio for awhile.

 

Found images for the most recent charms and now they are ready for resin...

 

Made this beautiful pendant out of sterling wire and pearls....

 

And worked on my scrapbook of jewelry inspiration... when I'm in the studio and I just don't know what to make it'll be something I can turn to for a spark.

All in all, a very promising start to the weekend.

Cha-Cha-Cha Changes and Photoshop

Recently I took a big step towards cutting back on the workload I've managed over the last year or so and although I'm happy about it I've been thinking about what to do to replace the income that work generated. I have some ideas, of course, and the thing to do is just dive in and see what pans out.

One of the things I love to do is Photoshop. I teach Photoshop, I use Photoshop, I find Photoshop to be so versatile, flexible, remarkable and fun. I've been using PS since the early '90s and while I don't claim to have mastered it I do have a good understanding of what it can do and how to do it.

PS can take a photo like this:

and turn it into this:

 

With a little repair work to make that extension cord disappear and then adding a frame overlay for fun.

There are many PS tutorials out there on the web - and great sources for learning like lynda.com and our own Digital Media Arts department at Cerro Coso. But maybe, just maybe, there's a niche for bloggers like me. Who just want to learn fun things to do with their photos.

Just bump it up a little. From this:

 

to this:

 

Or maybe I'll just go lay on that hammock again, nibble on a few bon bons and keep thinking....

Goin' home

It has been a good, if exhausting, 3 weeks of surrogate parenthood to a teenage girl. A lot happened in those three weeks and I am now sitting back home a bit shell-shocked. My teenage niece has gone to visit with grandma and another auntie in southern California, the last leg of her solo trip out west. I am home with the two girl-dogs. One needs a little TLC for swimmer's ear, the other is glued to my side in full puppyhood. We are a household of female energy and the first thing Feather did was to chase the neighborhood cats out of the back yard. Yay, Feather! Clearing the path for our cat to return to a peaceful home turf. It is good to have her here and she will teach the puppy a lot as well as enjoy a well-deserved period of R & R.

Who could not love this face? Bella continues to settle in and learn the basics of being a good puppy - getting better at the housebreaking rules and slowly learning what to chew and what not to chew. Shoes, she still likes. I rescued my Sanuks from her sharp baby teeth just in time. She's had plenty of time on the road and knows to just settle in for a nice long nap in the truck. She absolutely loved the VVR, as any self-respecting dog would, and was reluctant to leave, but she is my shadow right now and goes where I go.

 

Even when that going takes us through some hella-hot desert. Yesterday's marathon of driving took us west out of the Sierra, then south through the central valley, east into the high desert and finally, after "delivering the package" (as my sister hilariously put it) north to home sweet home. The temperature actually climbed to 106 but my phone refused to take a clear photo of that - ignorance is bliss. I wanted to kiss the Dodge for flawlessly performing through the heat of the day, ferrying us safely to our destinations.

Niece and I did make one shopping stop in Fresno at Anthropologie - as there are multiple birthdays and a wedding this month requiring gifts. The catch was that one of us had to stay in the truck at all times, with it running and the AC on for the dogs... so time was of the essence and it was a quick, efficient shop. I did snap a couple of shots of some new display inspiration...

 

Great use of color and contrast.... and these little hanging fans are made of fabric.

 

Thank you once again, Anthropologie, for continuing to inspire and make new uses for ordinary materials.

Home for a week, then off to southern California for a wedding. I'm hoping to get some ripe tomatoes off our plants, get some jewelry-making accomplished, and enjoy being here for the next seven days. I'll miss my niece, but relish my temporary solitude and time with my canine girls.

Click, click, click.

There's no place like home.

Two labs and a heeler

New dog met established dogs over the last few days and she is squirming her way past their reluctance and into their pack.

 

After some initial posturing and growling to put her in her place, Feather gradually consented to playing with Bella - although the playing mainly consisted of Feather keeping the toy away from Bella and Bella running fruitlessly in circles. Still, it was a start.

 

Bella played it like an expert puppy - keeping her distance, avoiding eye contact and just generally being subservient. She didn't fare as well with the cat - the slightest sign of interest was enough the elicit arching of the back, violent hissing and the quick swap of extended claws. OUCH!

 

But the older dogs are gradually mellowing towards Bella and providing her with excellent role models. Our oldest just sighs and looks away most of the time, but Feather is still young enough to enjoy the opportunity to torment a younger, more easily bedazzled canine relative. "Look at me, look at me - I'm the princess of the VVR!"

 

And only when Bella was busy with something else would Feather give her the whole body check-over as dogs will do.

 

She's very interested in making friends with her new big brother and sister. She knows they are labs and not so interested in the finer points of heeling, so she keeps it light and couches her conversation in terms they can relate to - "food, water, kids, BFFs, cat-chasing".

 

Meanwhile she parlays her puppy cuteness into scoring a nap on the hammock while the labs are still laying in the dirt and pine needles.

 

"Who, me?"

 

By nightfall she has managed to worm her way in between two warm lab bodies and is as content as a pig in mud. Feather is awake, wondering how it ever happened, and so quickly.

 

Heeler: 1

Labs: 0

How's this going to work out?

A walk in the Bodie Hills

Work day in Bridgeport yesterday.... work and fun. We went up for a geotourism BBQ and our quarterly Board meeting (held once a year on the east side) and enjoyed a beautiful day in the historic town of Bridgeport and a brief walk out in the Bodie Hills.

 

Since there are two seasons in Mono County - winter and road work - we chose to avoid the construction delays on US 395 and the road into Bodie and took the back road up Aurora Canyon instead.

 

It isn't a bad road although there are some places where high clearance comes in handy.

 

You start out driving through chaparral and sage -but you soon find these lovely places where springs encourage aspen groves and other lush growth... and right now the flowers are everywhere. It might be a little past prime flower viewing but there is still enough to make a trip and a walk worthwhile.

 

Great views of the Sierra crest to the west and layers of color in the Bodie Hills themselves.

 

Bella had a big day - lots of walking, lots of people, lots of crate time and driving time. She was an excellent puppy.

 

We found this old grove of aspens with a spring nearby - would make a fabulous camping spot.

 

Some of the carvings are very old and I like wandering around the trees checking them out.

 

It was hot, hot, hot up there... so the shade was welcome and Bella loved the cool grass.

 

If you get to Bridgeport (and everyone should try to get to Bridgeport sometime) a trip into the Bodie Hills and to the ghost town of Bodie is highly recommended.

 

Don't be afraid to pick up a topo map and do some exploring off the beaten track. You'll find some treasures.

 

And don't forget to end your day at the Bridgeport Ranch - site of many a concert, wedding, BBQ, and wine tasting....

A girl and a horse (or two or three)

My niece has been here visiting me for awhile and we've been getting a good amount of horse time. Lessons, evening rides, feeding and lunging and all kinds of good things. It has gotten me out more and it has been satisfying for her.

 

I'm surprised at how mannerly my mustang has been towards her. Oh, maybe I shouldn't say surprised, since I wouldn't have put her on him had I not trusted him, but I'm pleased with how he has come through. He's been infinitely patient and willing as she works through all the dos and don't of catching, saddling, and riding.

 

She took a couple of lessons with Janet and has had a little trail riding, a little arena work, and a little groundwork - the pupu platter of horsewomanship.

 

You won't catch this modern girl in Wranglers (well, not yet - I'll work on that) - no, she likes to ride in her leggings or her jeggings and a flannel shirt. 'Course, mid-day, in Bishop, in the height of summer we've had her strip down to a t-shirt and leggings so that she doesn't suffer from heat stroke!

 

Smokin' knows his job pretty darn well and that makes it nice to learn - he'll test, but he doesn't get flustered or annoyed. He's my steady boy and I know I can count on him.

 

Last night was, sadly, the last evening my niece will have to ride here - today we are off to Bridgeport for a work thing (me) and she'll be busy taking care of Bella.... then tomorrow we head to the resort for the final leg of her visit with me.

 

She's the only other horsey person in our family -so it has been particularly fun for me to see her riding. I personally think there is nothing better for a teenage girl than having a horse. A horse takes up a LOT of time and requires being outside, in shape, and devoted to the care of another being.

 

A horse is a good mirror and can teach a person a lot about herself. A horse can also easily turn a bad day into a good day - just by being a horse. And smelling so darn good.

 

This horse will be remembered long after he's gone (and I hope he's not gone for a long long time) as a horse I can absolutely trust. He has taken care of numerous riders and he's got the stamina and patience to do anything. He makes the rider work to do the right thing, but is so responsive when he gets the right cue and he tolerates the learning process.

I love you, Smokin' Joe!

 

Hopefully my niece will continue to ride and maybe even get a horse of her own one of these days. I'd love to know there's another one of "us" in the clan... horse crazy and proud of it.

I'll treasure this time with her and I hope she looks back on it fondly as she continues to navigate the rocky road of teenhood. And I'll miss her when she leaves for home.

Meet Bella

I wouldn't describe myself as the most spontaneous person - I like to plan and know and organize - but sometimes I surprise myself. As in the last couple of days. I met a puppy, went to see her sisters, and came home with a Queensland Heeler.

 

Meet Bella. 4 months old, pure-bred Queensland, cute as all get-out.

 

Why you ask? Cause the labs are gone - over at their summer life at the resort, cause a part of me has wanted a cow dog for a long time, cause she came along, and cause she can be a hiking / riding companion.

 

Right now she is busy checking out her new digs - which are ALL new. Most of her life has been in a newpaper-lined little cage at a pet store with her siblings. I wouldn't have ever thought to buy a puppy from a pet store but she needed a home - she was getting too old to be the most desirable.

 

We hated to leave her sister there... and I've been telling everyone about her. I hope she finds a good home too - they are both so cute but I ended up going with Bella's half and half face and her one ear that stands up and one that flops over.

 

She'll meet her new older siblings next week - and she'll get some socialization at the resort - but we get a couple of days alone to bond and settle in.

 

She's got a whole new world to explore right now.

 

Welcome home, Bella.