Early morning light on Patrick and Marla’s first morning here. We went off to walk the river and have lattes at RareBird. It has been quite awhile since I walked along the river and it never disappoints. See what I mean.
It was too cold even for ducks and geese on the river….wonder where they go….
The lattes were wonderful to warm up to….not to mention all the jolly Christmas decorations filling the shop.
Before they arrived I worked hard to get all the butterflies and moths finished. Now I am a bit sad they filled every page of that section. Now what to do next? I think it will be birds by themselves…maybe an egg or two. Then save the nests for one of the two larger-paged sections. Anyway, here are the last of the butterflies/moths.
I tested out some new recipes for Thanksgiving dinner. Roasted carrots with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, pistachios and chopped dates. Smashed potatoes with leeks, rosemary, garlic, cream cheese, sour cream and parmesan cheese. And a different dressing using brioche, sage, shallots, rosemary, etc…all sitting under halved Cornish game hens. It was delicious. Only failure, flaming failure, was a cranberry ricotta tart. Inedible with its sourness. The conversation was typical Thanksgiving conversation….politics. And all with a fine wine.
The following day was putting the brown twiggy masking tape branched/LED lighted trees. Placing the glass pears, handmade birds, stars and balls made from old book pages. The cats found it all quite fascinating. Then we placed a small lit up fake tree on the bench by the front door and finally a set of three iron reindeer grouped beside.
Patrick decided that someday he may want to try to do more printmaking and loaded up my etching press with its stand and accessories. That freed up the front windows in the studio room so we moved over the shelves from the window in the den. And then before they left early this morning I had the two of them help me pick out a seating bench for under the window in the den. They laughed and suggested that whatever they pick out should also fit in their own homes after a couple years in mine. Marla hung my last framed artwork and help straighten slightly tilted ones. Patrick fixed the handle on a kitchen drawer and decided he could fit in the screen door I bought well over a year ago and then decided not to use it. He has two possible places it could go at his house.
I may have run out of things to pawn off on them.
They also agreed with me that it would be a good idea to close in my little screen porch. It is only 8′ x 10′ but gets way too much sun and wind…so the shades do little but flap away at will. I will follow up on that idea after the first of the year.
Both Patrick and Marla said their three short days here was extremely relaxing and restful. All that is left is their towels drying in the dryer. Everything else washed and put away. They even took the leftovers with them. When they return in three weeks for Christmas, they will go to the house I rented for them just around the corner.
I have one new poem written this morning and plan on writing more later before meeting friends for dinner out.
I will check the mailbox and address cards while listening to an English murder mystery. Maybe a wine to celebrate a successful holiday.
Til later…