City Fresh, Cleveland

A table full of treasure! I am just delighted to have learned about CSAs and to have found a program in Cleveland. We pick up our weekly share about 7 miles away, in the Coventry neighborhood. It takes a while to get there, but what a treat! I've signed up for the next four weeks. (photo includes cabbage, kale, beets, potatoes, dill, pickling cukes, romaine, zucchini, and onions. We've already eaten the zucchini, some of the cabbage, and some of the dill.

Monday Photo - Self Portrait

Around the house and yard

Not much to say...lots to show.

A cuckoo more to my liking.

Solstice Eve
Tree down!
Flowers - life requires flowers.



The potato sprouted in the bag under the sink. I planted it. Good filler!
Cosmo loves the sun.

Photo of the Week - Father

This theme hung me up a bit. I posted a photo of my father not too long ago, and I didn't want to use that again. And I've been trying to use photos I've taken whenever possible.

My husband is not my father, BUT - he is a father to one, a step-father to three, a grandfather of two, a step-grandfather of almost three, and "daddy" to two dogs and a cat. I guess that works.

Here he is in a rare quiet moment on the deck - reading Dean Koontz, keeping the mosquitoes away with his pipe and a citronella candle. Looks pretty relaxed, doesn't he? Don't let him fool you.

Outside Looking In

Last night was lovely - except for the mosquitoes. The community center a few miles away was having a concert, and I could hear it from the rocker on my front porch. It was lovely till the mosquitoes drown it out - I realized I was looking inside, wistfully.
No bugs in there - just light and flowers.
Beats live music any day...

Photo of the Week - Black & White

On time, and multiple. I can hardly stand it, myself. As soon as JudiA announced the theme for this week, I knew which photos I wanted to edit - a trip to the playground and shops of Little Italy, when Bekah & Olivia visited in March. Truly, the weather was lovely, but because nothing had leafed out yet, many of the photos were almost black and white in appearance.

I couldn't stop - here they are. Two urban skyline shots, and one of shadows on the playground.

Photo of the Week - Heirloom

Last Monday's theme was "Heirloom." This is one of the few pieces I have that came from my dad's side of the family. My grandmother called it a "dough bin," although during our stint in NC, we were told it's called a "biscuit table."

I'm not sure what the wood is, very close grained and light. My dad was upset when my mother hauled it home - he wanted nothing of that old stuff from his youth - only new and shiny for him.

It's a handy thing to have; for us, it finished off this cabinet perfectly. There's storage in the two drawers, more in the pull out bin, and the perfect place to stash small stuff...

...under the hinged lid!

Lookee, lookee!

Somebody found the hummingbird feeder!

New Hummingbird Feeder

It's an aqua, chandelier style feeder. Isn't it pretty?

Claira the Pig

The finished product! Unfortunately, I didn't get a good photo of Claira before she left home...

This is the pig I made for Paige's first birthday. I used Heather Bailey's pattern - an incredibly detailed pattern; probably one of the most difficult I've ever used!

Paige seems to love her - I'm so glad!

Monday Photo - Things with Wings

I turn into such a goof when spring arrives. I seem to photo the same flowers, leaves, and scenes repeatedly. Spring, the epitome of hope. Thank you, butterflies, for re-appearing!

Monday Photo - Signs

One of my favorite parts of Cleveland - Little Italy. Look at all the signs on just this one tiny corner! I love the crowded buildings, uneven sidewalks, store banners, sandwich boards, all dominated by the church spires and statues. Of course, it is almost impossible to get a photo of any of these, without the ever-present electric wires draped across the sky.

Monday Photo - My Workspace

The theme for this week's photo is My Workspace. Since I spent the entire weekend in the yard and garden, I really thought about posting that as my current workspace. However, the "treehouse" still has my heart.

The room is long and narrow, and runs across the back of the old part of our house. It truly is only about 6 feet wide, and doesn't seem that wide, due to the shelves, built ins, and sewing tables. While at work in this room, I tend to take off my shoes, and never wear a bulky sweater (even in the winter) because I feel as though I take up too much space!

Below you see my primary work surface, which is atop a long antique library table. It butts up agains an old school desk. The surface of the school desk is covered with things I can't store just yet, and things keep creeping onto the surface of the library table. Though I've cleaned it off recently, I have two projects going right now, so the entire surface is pretty well covered - but not too deeply! My sewing machine and serger are on small tables on the wall opposite the window.

The bulletin board on the end wall has print-outs of faces and projects I find inspiring.
Here's a peek at the primary work "hole" and the view out my lone window. Obviously, I'm auditioning fabrics!
I'm fairly adjusted to the cramped space - at least I have a space of my own - and am grateful to have such a beautiful view outside the window. The only thing I really dislike about the room is the 1980s era dark brown SHAG carpeting. Not only is the color dreary, it shows every bit of lint and thread!

Molly

In motion:

In watch mode:

Observations

Spring. Joy. Contentment.