Keeping up appearances....or not.

Photo this morning....feeling tired and unfocused.....and my hair (which I am trying to allow to return to it's now gray state.. never seen as I have colored it for many years)...

was looking pretty moth-eaten, flea-bitten etc. Still I didn't want to go to permanent color and face the continuing agony of roots growing out.....could there be something that would help???

I went to a beauty supply shop and asked for help. Several thought I should just do permanent color....but they helped me at least get a better look. (below)

The grays are still there, but blend better and I think I can keep doing this until it is all just gray. [Then I'll decide what to do next...but I want to see where nature has me now!]

There is something about even small improvements perking up our spirits....I like this and feel better! Below is the information of what I used....my color (to take out all that brassiness) is "TRUE STEEL". It is hair color...but it is temporary, not permanent!

Roux Fanci-Full Rinse temporary hair color. Keeps hair color looking its best between color treatments. Evens tones and removes brassiness. Blends away gray. Color is instantaneous and non-damaging. Added styling lotion allows for coloring and styling in one easy step. 15oz container.

Shampoo hair. Rinse well. Towel dry. Using rubber gloves, raise applicator tip of bottle and apply close to hair. Work color through hair with fingers, then comb through to ensure even distribution and saturation of every hair strand. Blowdry and style as desired. When washing face, if soap removes hair color at hairline, dab on a little Roux Fanci-Full Rinse with cotton. For longer lasting hair color, style with Roux Fanci-Full Color Styling Mousse.

Finishing up and working together!
This quilt top has been around our family home for some time. My sister pieced it while in high school in the 1960's....slowly, by hand in quiet time in her room.
Mom handquilted it more recently. Now it will be ready to go home with my sister, (who is due to visit this weekend) after the binding is put on with the help of our friend, Paula. It is full of memories of the clothes we wore in high school, and some family "scraps" which go back even earlier!

I love the colors and orange is so "IN" again now!

Below, another colorful family effort. Mom is crocheting the next round on my granny squares, destined to be a cozy afghan soon! I see lots of orange here too!

Labor day has been windy and warm here. I wanted a photo of two zinnias who are doing well in spite of a hot summer. Even holding them, the photo is still a bit on the shaky side.

I spent time in the studio....maybe I WILL paint those zinnias yet.... first though I wanted to organize my acrylic paints.

I am less "at home" with acrylics than watercolors, have struggled to find the brand I like best. Now, I think I am settling on GOLDEN acrylics. They have great quality paints and the lids don't break as easily as others. Here, the project was to put a dab of paint from the tube on top of the lid, so I can tell at a glance what color it will be.

In addition to zinnias, I have plans to paint a dish of strawberries....I have the inspiration and the photo ready. A small 5x5 canvas will be large enough.

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What's for dinner???? Grilled chicken and a side dish of herbed spagetti squash from Emeril Lagasse.

My spirits have been lifted several times this summer by things which come in the post!
----First the wonderful Round Robin canvas book project initiated by Carmen. This week, I was working on the last of the 9 art journals to come my way.
Below is my page for Ileana, in progress. It is a recycled watercolor which I have cut with an exacto knife to make an arched "door", tied shut with red and gold trim. The word, "BELIEVE" is added to the floral painting.....

Opening the doors reveals the collage inside under a couple of misty layers of golden chiffon. The text now reads, "art saves our dreams". Now, I am off to "antique" and glitter (with more sparkly gold) the inside of the doors which are too stark at the moment. The finished page will be posted on my ARTY COLLAGES and DOLLS blog.

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More cheerful mail from a friend this summer! Lizzy, sending a collage that commemorates all the "coffee visits" we have had over the years....often with other dear friends in attendance...(not that you other friends are the old woman in the window....but perhaps she represents wisdom, wise counsel?!) I know I must be represented by the pear in the chair!

Connecting with friends is SO important to me....whether you are fellow bloggers or "buddies" who live nearby. I hope to be visiting more now that my busy summer is winding down!

Finally, last Saturday, we were able to wind up the work on Mom's house. Steve and I drove down and "hit it" for one last time!

After lots of cleaning, we loaded our two cars, as best we could, to get the last of things that needed to be removed. Other things went out to the curb-side recycle and "free cycle". A project that took my summer has been rewarding.

The Little Rock property went on the market today, here on the MLS . We are praying for a sale before the end of the year.
Mom is doing well with us here. I can now channel my "project" energy into working on this home, where the 3 of us now live! First up, a yard sale! Time to de-clutter! Seeing the open space in the house for sale makes me want to live with less....

Our county fair starts tomorrow!
Today, I helped award ribbons to the junior needlework and household items.



This piece of indigo tie-dye was very nicely done! [Using a purchased pillow case.]

The junior building had several categories. Here, home canning is winning ribbons.

Junior baked goods being judged....with the hot afternoon sunshine coming in the door!

An area near us with any type of creative item....lots of tie-dye T-shirts and decorated bird houses.

There were a few entrants in traditional needlework. This is a piece of Swedish embroidery done by a 12 year-old. VERY NICE!

Most things were more basic, lots of simple throw pillows made in 4-H clubs.

And my least favorite "needlework"....the ubiquitous double sided fleece throws which are fringed and tied together. Still, they are cuddly and warm!

Cool foods for hot days!
I love quinoa, a little grain with a lot of protein!

It makes a lovely summer salad when cooked, cooled and combined with tasty ingredients!

Like Annie's Roasted Garlic Vinagrette Dressing. Organic of course! We found this quinoa salad in the deli department of Whole Foods and have enjoyed making our own variation....
Directions: Bring 11/4 c. water to boil. Add 1 cup quinoa (rinsed). Cover. Simmer 12-14 minutes until done. Fluff with a fork. Cool quinoa.

Add about 1/3 cup of dressing, bits of sun-dried tomato, and/or fresh tomato, bell pepper (red or green or yellow or orange), red onion, baby spinach leaves. Toss. Refridgerate until chilled, allowing flavors to blend.

Sometimes, I leave the baby spinach out and serve the quinoa on a bed of baby spinach which has been dressed with extra Annie's dressing.....yummm!

Now to find the roasted garlic vinegrette secret recipe...and save more $$$$.

I've been at Mom's house this week while the painters are sprucing it up. Nice. Except for the paint fumes!.... SO, I spent the afternoon at a bookstore. I found this wonderful gardening book.

It is full of watercolor illustrations and good instructions. Be sure to watch the video below for a look in her book and to hear Katherine Whiteside!

OH, and did I tell you that I now have 2 sets of bamboo wind chimes???!!! Yes! I can hardly wait to get them home and hang them in the Ozark breezes. [ wind chimes are on sale now...look around!]

More photos from Tracie's garden, where the breeze was playing wonderful sounds on the bamboo wind chimes!

French drain...

friendly ornamental owl

water feature

Wonderful patio

herringbone bricks

chiminea for lovely evenings out of doors!

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I was inspired to do more in my yard...still very hot outside though!

I like to stack elements...and camouflage a "Pop out" from the sewer line....lots of help from Mr. P on this one!!!!!

a stacked bird bath.

Glazed pot holding a terracotta pot with succulents.

More seashells and succulents.

A large blue pot made by my brother and a turquoise/ taupe glazed coffee cup [unfortunately chipped :-( ]
I love the blues!!!!!

It has been so hot that inspite of watering, the cucumbers are "cooking" on the vine instead of growing!

How is your garden this August???

I spent some time under this roof today.....(nice and shady with a breeze coming down the mountain!)

I was joined by this little fast moving fuzzy black and brown caterpillar.....

and my friends, Tracie and Paula, gardeners, both!

It has been a hot (100 degree +), dry, dusty week. We were visiting in Tracie's garden.

The breezes would sound the bamboo wind chime! I love the deep soothing soulful sound. I think I may need one soon!

Note: due to lots to show you, I am dividing this post. The next post (above) will have the rest of the scene!

A new author and series of books for these hot summer days!

My friend Paula told me about this series, which our library carries. I was not disappointed!

I think of it as a kind of "Nancy Drew" for grown ups. Like Nancy, Maisie is close to her father and is following clues and solving mysteries. The time period is a good decade after WWI, in Great Britain. Her journey is intellectual and spiritual as well as psychological. Above the first in the series, "Maisie Dobbs" and the last, just published, "The Mapping of Love and Death".

So far, I have only read the first one. But I am printing out this list, of the books in order, and heading to the library. Some are also available on Audio Books.

Winspear, Jacqueline. Maisie Dobbs. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2003.
Winspear, Jacqueline. Birds of a Feather. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2004.
Winspear, Jacqueline. Pardonable Lies. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2005.
Winspear, Jacqueline. Messenger of Truth. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2006.
Winspear, Jacqueline. An Incomplete Revenge. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.
Winspear, Jacqueline. Among the Mad. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2009.
Winspear, Jacqueline. The Mapping of Love and Death. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010.

Not only is it too hot these days to do very much, I have been taking Mom to various appointments. Having a book along is not a bad idea!

What books are you loving at the moment?

The new bed and different bedroom call for a new quilt!


This one with 8" blocks, turning horizontal and then vertical, has a peaceful, almost Zen-like feeling. Restful. I love the soft/bright pastels with the honeydew colored walls in the room.

Now, to make 30 more blocks and then get it quilted!

My friend Tracie has invited me to visit her fabric stash and see if I can find some that will work in this scrappy pastel quilt...so Friday I will be visiting and take a look. [May take my camera too....Tracie is and artist with an interesting home and garden!]

While at Mom's house, I've been painting as if I were in Italy or Provence...

Having the clean, cool (thanks to AC!) space and no one around, has given me time to do the small 5X5 canvases for a local art center benefit. I, personally, like the one with the figs...the lavender fields are amazing too!

Now, back at our home, we are expecting Mom to arrive today!

Bedrooms are being shifted around, and it is fun to see our furniture come into a new setting. I think "upsetting the apple cart" every couple of years is refreshing! Things get to be in such a rut. Change can be good.

I was blessed to have 2 wonderful friends, Lorene and Tracie, come over yesterday and help me move all these things around. It was quite a surprise for Mr. P when he came home from work, thinking he would have to do most of it. It was already done!

Now I am off to decide which of my quilts will be best on our new queen size bed.
I may come back with some photos of my decision later...