"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Monday, February 27, 2012

This 'n That


Well, we survived our weekend storm! Apparently, we received more snow in one day (Saturday) than we had all season; 15 centimetres by nightfall. So here's a bit of colour to cheer us up :) JJ Hubby surprised me about a week before Valentine's with this pretty plant (Christmas Kalanchoe). I used to have loads of houseplants years ago (20 some odd just in my kitchen alone, yikes) but tastes change and right now this is my only one. I have yet to transfer it to soil.


Since we were housebound for a few days, I was able to devote myself to catching up on some of my reading. I'm now about 1/3 of the way into The Mists of Avalon - I'm really enjoying it and may have even made it to the halfway point, had I not picked up this book at my Goodwill last week!


I purchased Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell at my daughter's recommendation - she was with me and read it a few years ago herself. I merely cracked the cover open... now I fear I am under it's spell! All other books have been cast aside for the time being, lol. Dark and mysterious, it's set at the beginning of the nineteenth century and chronicles the news of the return of magic to England. Susanna Clarke's style of writing has been compared to that of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. So far, it's a delicious read. (Am I a fickle reader? Sometimes, but I do eventually finish every book I start - unless it's a stinker like Fried Green Tomatoes.)


When I made Peter Pan a few months ago, I was also commissioned to fashion a TinkerBell for my niece's birthday in April. The above book, which I also picked up on Wednesday is obviously dated, but is still a fantastic resource and I know I'll draw from it for this project. (I couldn't begin to express to you the number of treasures I find on a regular basis at Goodwill.) I'll post pics of TB when I'm done. 

As well, Peter Pan now has his own dog! 


I didn't post the pics at the time, but when I sent Peter Pan off to his new home, I also
sent along a little kitten for my niece. 


Before I go, did you know today is No Brainer Day; a whole day devoted to obvious choices...

I think I'll have cinnamon buns for breakfast and stay in my pj's all day!
How about you?

37 comments:

  1. I always have around 5 books on the go at any one time. Sometimes you need to be in the right mood to read a certain book. How cute are the little dog and kitten?! I LOVE them. Cinnamon buns and pyjamas - perfect combo.

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    1. I totally agree and occasionally I find one will trump all others for a while - it's fun to get really excited about a book - I haven't had this feeling since I read the Harry Potter books this past fall. As for cinnamon buns and pj's all day... it's a nice dream anyways, lol!

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  2. We are on the same page and I didn't realize it was No Brainer Day! I thought about lounging all day, I never do that. Do you sew lots of characters? I like the inquisitive face on these, the look of ( who me). You sure are talented.
    Have a great day,
    Lisa

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    1. Hi Lisa, Unfortunately I won't be lounging all day - it was a fun thought while it lasted though!! I have recently gotten back into sewing and am really enjoying it.

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  3. Love that little Kalanchoe; so cute. Now you're put another book to consider in my head, which is already overloaded with things to read! One day it's going to explode. LOL...

    That dog and kitten are so cute! I can't wait to see TinkerBell when she's done. You must be like a favourite aunt!

    Mmmmm....cinnamon buns...I can smell them all the way here :) Today I'm planning to clean up around here, so instead of pyjamas it's going to be wear-grunge-clothes day as I do battle with the dust bunnies taking over our lives. LOL...

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    1. Hi Martha, I know what you mean about 'the list' - it's always growing...

      I am actually doing exactly what you're up to - moving furniture etc and doing a good thorough cleaning! The dust bunnies have taken over here as well :)

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  4. I read "The Mists of Avalon" about 30 years ago when it was first published and immediately wanted to run away and become a Druid. Haven't read "JSMN" but it's on my "to read some day" list -- maybe 30 years from now, given how many books are already on that list, LOL.

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    1. Hi Debra, I don't know about you, but I am starting to feel old now that I can refer to something that happened 30 years ago... !! Sometimes I find it a challenge to carve out some time to read - a lot of other things (blogging for one, hehe) compete for my attention. This genre of books make me want to run away too.

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  5. Tastes in decorating do change. When my boys were growing up, my house was country...now it's totally southwest. But...I have always had a couple of violets around. My plants used to be more tropical, now I mostly have cactus. But the violets are still in my east window.

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    1. I used to be all victorian!! I like cactus a lot, but I find I don't have the right exposure to grow them properly. They are very attractive and low-maintenance.

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  6. HI JANE -I love that - a "No brainer day....."
    I am wondering about my comments that don't seem to be appearing on your blog :-(
    let me know if u get this, k?
    Love Gail
    peace....

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    1. Hi Gail, I think we could all appreciate a no brainer day once in a while! I will be getting dressed today though... eventually :)

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  7. I've read Mists of Avalon and all the Avalon books that came after. I like MZB very much. I haven't read Jonathon Strange yet. Started to several times, but not yet.

    I loved Fried Green Tomatoes. Loved, loved. I think it's because it's so rare that a mainstream book has anything to do with my real life, but that one did. I knew those people. :)

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    1. Hi Em, I just couldn't get into this book and the characters for some reason. I know of other people, like yourself, who really enjoyed it.

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  8. U na śnieg się topi, a u Was nasypało :-(.Dobrze, że masz takiego ślicznego kwiatka i możesz patrzeć na niego, a nie na biel za oknem. Pozdrawiam. *** In the snow melts, and you fell from. It's good that you're such a pretty flower, and you can look at him, not the white outside the window. Yours.

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    1. Thanks Giga - This little plant does have a cheering effect on me - especially now that it's all white outside again :)

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  9. Hi again - clearly, my comment(s) are being posted. Yesterday it took a long time but I see that my comment on your earlier post also was posted. phew.

    love to you
    Gail
    peace.....

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    1. Hi Gail, Sorry to hear you're having issues leaving comments... I always really appreciate your comments, so thanks for persevering :)

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  10. Sometimes it is so much fun to not have to leave the house...

    I love the white kitten...she looks just like Lucy!!!

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    1. Haha to both your comments! I guess it does look like Lucy, now that you mention it :)

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  12. Catching up on posts from my vacation. Love the pink blooms. Checking out yourr post on the snow. We are supposed to get more this week too! I thought winter was over!

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    1. We've had such a mild winter, that it feels like winter just got here - it was pretty for about a day and now it can go - please!!

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  13. I ABSOLUTELY have to get a hold of a copy of Jonathon Strange and Mr. N.!!! It sounds wonderful!! And i just love those little critters at the end of your blog! Enjoy your snow days!

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    1. Francie, From what I've read so far, I would hearily recommend it to anyone. She is an amazing writer and this was only her first book (2004) - I'm looking forward to reading more of her works.

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  14. Oh man... if I had known it was No Brainer day I would have stayed home instead of going to work! I found stashed in my bookcase, way up on the top shelf, a hard back copy of The Sword of Shannara. That beauty, my wife picked up at Amazon for $3.00 in the used books. And it was the orginal 1977 print!

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    1. Gee, if only you'd gotten that memo..! I had to check out your book, hadn't heard about this one before. This is what I love about blogging - I am constantly discovering new things. Btw, I haven't finished The Crystal Shard yet, but I'm getting there, it's the only book I have on my Kindle (that I actually paid for) and so it comes along with me wherever I go,

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  15. That is a sweet little plant, just what you need to cheer you up from the winter blahs.

    Peter Pan's dog is so cute, the little boy that will get him is going to be very happy. You did a great job making it.

    I was visiting this past week in Kingston, Ont. so I'm playing catch up with my computer etc.

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    1. Thanks Lorene :) I'm really enjoying sewing now that I've gotten back into it.

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  16. I thought every day was no brainer day....uh oh that must just be me. lol I've been wanting to read The Mists of Avalon series and the Jonathon Strange book sounds good too. Right now I'm doing my annual winter ritual of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Cool kitties!

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    1. Hi Laurie, Lol, I hear you, somedays... !! I love Stephen King, but have yet to read this series - it must be good if you read it each winter. I find all his early stuff is his best work.

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  17. I just finished reading "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides, I must blog a review of it. Another one crossed off 'the list'!

    Love your little dog and pussy cat, I'm sure they will be much loved :)

    Love the cheery kalanchoe too - what a gorgeous shade!

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    1. Thanks Annie :) So many books - so little time! I'd get a lot more reading done if I got off the computer more often...

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  18. Wow Jane..your creations are simply adorable..what little charmers they are...such talent!! beautiful photos..and fab books! Enjoy!
    Wishing you a magical week...yum I love cinnamon!
    Victoria

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    1. Awww, Thanks Victoria :) I wish the same for you!

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  19. Never read anything by Susanna Clarke, but maybe now I will.
    Love the dog and cat!

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