On Being Dated

Today, I looked up from my crafting for dogs, training dogs, and all about dogs books to find that a lot of people didn't even read books anymore. That one wasn't all that new to me. I know about all those 'e-readers'. They aren't for me, though. I need the smell, feel and sight of the printed word on real paper. My grandfather may have lost his home in the great depression of the late 30s to mid 40s, but he did not lose his printing business. I guess the real paper thing is something in my genes. 

I did learn a lot by straying from my normal obsession with dogs into the advertisements and articles of this 2012 Christmas season. There was and is still happening a winter storm this week in the midwest, wreaking havoc with Christmas shopping both in brick and mortar stores and online. Winter storms aren't that unusual at this time of year. Once upon a time, brick and mortar stores would report record sales because they got people in the Christmas giving spirit. What I learned this year, though, was that this storm may delay gifts ordered online or being mailed from homes. Really? I thought the busiest shipping day of the year was December 10th, give or take a day accounting for weekends. Apparently when I wasn't looking, the busiest shipping day has moved from December 10th to December 20th. Who knew?

Scanning the electronics sale items in my hardcopy newspaper...there are a few of them left...I saw laptop computers had plummeted from the $3,000.00 to starting at $299.00. Not only that, but we are supposed to buy gifts for our electronics. What once was a tool for communication and research now has a gift deserving essence of its own. They want wall mounts, flash drives, memory kits and mini adapters. And then there were helmet cameras. Talk about looking geeky! And on the front page of the newspaper was a picture of a six year old showing her red lipsticked face to Santa. Lipstick on a six year old? I thought it was scandalous when my 12 year old granddaughter wore eye shadow (and if you are reading this, granddaughter, you know which one you are!).

Being an eternal optimist, I am looking forward to the new year. I ordered a book this past week called Welcoming Kitchen by Kim Lutz. It is for those needing delicious allergen and gluten free vegan recipes. I am in need of none of those except maybe the vegan part. Going totally vegan is on my list of must do accomplishments for this lifetime. To go along with the book, I bought myself a vegetable slicer/dicer/shredder. If you are imagining one of those big and noisy food processors, nope, that's not it. If you are reading this, have looked at the picture of my new cherished gadget and are thinking 'that's about her speed', I'll take that as a compliment.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Power

A very long time ago, I was very active in various organizations. Hence, I participated in a lot of pot luck dinners. I always took the same thing to them...a marvelous homemade dessert. Invariably, there were always lots of requests for the recipe. I did not honor those requests, instead telling people that if I gave out the recipe it would no longer be special. 

Here I am 20odd years later and I have no idea what that recipe is. I don't even know where it is or even exactly what it was. I must have come across to others as a 'pompous jack' though, I'm sure. 
I don't think there is even one person who remembers my dessert. I did not go down in the world of 'potluckdom' as the person who made the best dessert ever. What I do know is that if I had to do it all again, I'd share the recipe. To have power, we must share power...even if it is only at a pot luck dinner.

What A Mix!

I have enjoyed a steady stream of Dahlias for my table but never did I think I would get so many variations! I'm sure if I had bought my tubors from a house that specialized in Dahlias, they would have been consistent in size and color. However, I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the contrasts that have popped up this growing season.

I Have Dahlias!

Finally, after a long wait, I finally have a steady supply of fresh Dahlias for my kitchen table. As you can see, our dog Astrid is very proud of them. I think she feels that she had something to do with their success, as we made checking on them part of our morning ritual. Every morning it was turn off the alarm, go out and get the newspaper, start the coffee and finally, along with Astrid, go out to the backyard and check on the Dahlias.

I originally started with three pots of Dahlia tubor plantings but after one failed to show any signs of life, I discarded it. Now, with two healthy pots I feel I was a bit hasty about the third one. Being new to growing flowers from tubers, the hardest part was not knowing what to expect of them. My Dahlia growing experience was a lot like training Astrid. Patience and nurture yields beautiful results.

My Neighbor Blasts Her Tunes

Living in a 'cookie cutter' neighborhood of little houses (which I prefer to think of as a neighborhood of perfect little cottages), we have enough room to landscape the sides of our houses, leaving a little strip for the mowing guys to just fit the mower on the little strip of grass in between. I say this to give some idea of the proximity of the houses...um, cottages. My neighbor to the right has taken to blasting her tunes on a daily basis! If she had any idea of how that music floats into the windows of my bathroom and permeates the walls of my bedroom, she would be mortified, I'm sure. She's that type. But it isn't that loud and often offensive music that blasts from car windows or boom boxes on the beach. It is the sweet melodies of classical and often piano music. This muffled sound is not annoying. Rather, I find it rather calming, bringing back the sounds that came from the kitchen radio my mother often had on. While mom's choice of radio station was not as high brow by any stretch of the imagination, the activity of mom in the kitchen doing her 'mom stuff' while listening to WJTN 1340AM broadcasting Jim Roselle live over a half century ago were untroubled times...and my neighbor's tunes remind me of those days and return that placid feeling. May my neighbor never realize that I enjoy her daily broadcasts. 

To Grow Some Dahlias ... Maybe

It has been sometime since updating our blog on growing Dahlias. Following directions, I have placed them in a spot that receives sun up to 6 hours a day and after the greenery appears I have kept them well watered. There are two that fulfilled their promise on the package of 'guaranteed to grow'. The third just refused, even though it received the very same care, to show any signs of life whatsoever. Unfortunately, I am at a standstill when it comes to knowing what to do with them next. Observing the Dahlia sites that one of our kind readers recommended, I was lost for words at the beauty of the Dahlias...mostly growing in well manicured gardens or started by knowledgeable growers. One thing I have observed with gardening, craft and do it yourself project sites is that they assume you have some knowledge of the subject before beginning. With Dahlias, I do not. I have brought them onto the porch for their photoshoot....now I will return them to the center of the back yard where they will receive their daily dose of full sun. I hope I am a little more knowledgeable on their next update. Knowing what to expect next from them remains a mystery.

Today We Planted Our Dahlias

We'd first like to say 'thank you so much' to Mary St George. Her comment left on our first post about planting Dahlias and  the fabulous link to the Facebook page devoted to Dahlias is an amazing resource! We planted them today in our pots using the suggestions found in these links and the advice from The American Dahlia Society's website.

Our first question was 'there seems so many tubers for each plant'. We found the answer to be yes, it is okay and we can think about dividing them in the coming years. Our next question was 'they have already sprouted in the bag! Is this a good thing?' The answer to that question was that can happen, just plant them accordingly. Don't bury the sprouts when potting them. After planting them, we took them outdoors where we will move them from back of the house to the front each day, making sure they get their 8 hours of required sunshine. To water thoroughly, we followed the suggestion of using a misting bottle. This doesn't wash to the sides the soil that covers each tuber.

To Grow Some Dahlias

We love the name Dahlia. We love the name so much that we've named one of our Etsy shops The Dreamy Dahlia. We also love the flower Dahlia but have never grown any. Documenting our progress along the way, we have taken the all important first step and bought a package of three Dahlia tubers. 

January White Sales

I remember when I was a little girl, the phrase 'winter white sales' was used a lot in the latter part of December around our house. My mom did her home inventory at that time, deciding how many sheet sets and towels she needed. With me in tow, each January she always headed to the extra nice department store in downtown Jamestown, NY...Bigelow's. I can still remember looking over the white sheets and towels. Surely by then colors were plentiful and couldn't have cost that much more. Not until today did I ever realize there is a story behind this January white sale stuff. Quoting an article in the Charlotte Observer, "Ever since Philadelphia retailer John Wanamaker first discounted sheets and other white products early in 1878 to keep textile workers employed during a slow season, January has been the traditional time for sales on bath and bed linens". Hence, January White Sales. Who knew. 

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

My granddaughter is wondering (out loud) on her Facebook page today why people go back to their ex(s). I have an answer. Because it is hard to make changes...it's easier to just hold on sometimes. We don't want to make mistakes. Saying good bye is hard. We say good bye all day long. Not everything we say good bye to needs to be permanent, though.  Good bye cup of coffee, good bye favorite TV show (until next time)....lots of little good byes. No matter how much we practice good byes, they never make the really big good byes easier.

Purple

Deep violet, plum...whatever your favorite shade of purple, it is a color of richness. At one time, this 'richness' was literal as only the very wealthy could afford garments with the hue of the once difficult to obtain and expensive to produce dye. Have you noticed how your attention is drawn to a deep purple garment on an individual? One might conclude that even today, purple carries the subtle tones of wealth, royalty and even power. 


As a child, I was driven into town to exchange purple sweaters given as gifts by my apparently more broad minded cousins. Then, I had no idea why. I liked them and would have been delighted to wear them. Now, I know it was my mother's attempt to not have me appear 'uppity'.  Luckily, times have changed and so has purple's reputation. Purples are everywhere with it's smorgasbord of shades to choose from...indigo, plum, grape. 


Our online Etsy shop The Dreamy Dahlia carries several items in purple and it's various shades. If you are a veritable purple enthusiast that won't be satisfied with a purple hat and scarf, you may want to visit The Purple Store.

Get It In Writing

We all have things that we may have done differently over the years. I would have treasured things that were handwritten more. I have lots of samples, but I let slip from my grasp hand written recipe books by my mother, the childish scrawl from my son's second grade school projects, letters exchanged with my now husband of almost 42 years from when he was in the Navy. One's handwriting is like a snowflake...so many are close in appearance, but no two are identical. While we savor for the day a hasty 'r u ok' text message from a loved one, we will treasure their personal handwriting for a lifetime.

Yes, we're OPEN!

Getting There Is Half The Fun

We've heard that expression probably all our lives. Some of us can identify with it saying "the trip is ALL the fun'! Other's might say the whole object is the destination itself. Relative to crafting, some of us enjoy the process while others enjoy the product. I'm a process person. I'll happily rip out twenty five rows of crochet just because I've spotted a stitch a ways back that I think is a little too loose. Identifying whether we are a process or product person can actually be a guiding force in our lives, helping us decide what makes us happiest.

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

This line from 14th century literature which was used extensively in Home Economics classes in the mid-1960s to teach us manners. Or mannerisms. What brought this to mind is feelings I have over reading that my grandchildren, at least a couple of them anyway, are looking for 'relationships' in life, not just one night stands.  Or one week stands...whatever is the norm for 'stands' these days. I'm not sure they could define what is meant by a relationship. The definition of 'relationship' sure has changed over the last few decades. I think what they mean is that they are looking for validation. Someone to see that yet undiscovered by another human being specialness they have. Their wow factor. Remember The Partridge Family with Florence Henderson and Robert Reed? My son watched reruns of that show over and over in the early 80s. It's popularity along with other similiar shows was probably partly because the interpersonal relationships and the validation they gave one another. They talked out loud instead of sending each other typed messages. Each one was unique with their own voice, their own mannerisms, their own strengths and weaknesses. They each had their own wow factor. Texting, profane music, hooking up...how can my granddaughter's quirky sense of humor shine through this? Or my grandson's sensitivity in one on one situations?  As a politician said "never let a crisis go to waste". This inability for the unique personality to shine through in today environment is definitely a crisis I think. Younger people are feeling it. I hope they don't let it go to waste and that they find a solution. I hope they realize that "pretty is as pretty does" and everyone is still looking for it even if they don't know it. Wow.

Learning New Stuff

Today I was on a crochet site reading how much the addition of diagrams has helped those who crochet and have dyslexia. Dyslexia is defined as a learning disability. This first got me thinking about how lucky those with dyslexia are to have the addition of diagrams to work from. Then, I started to think about if crochet was first presented in ONLY diagrams. I would not be a crocheter! I don't get diagrams, I get the printed pattern. From my understanding, diagrams look to me how the printed word looks to those with dyslexia. So, is my understanding of the printed pattern right and the addition of the stitch diagram, which appears to be added as an after thought, wrong? Actually, I think right and wrong depends on which foot the shoe is on. Or which way we first experience things in life. Maybe the old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" has more meaning than on the surface. If at first we don't succeed, try try another method. Diagrams, maybe...

Not My Cup Of Tea

Maybe the title of this blog is misleading. It isn't about tea at all. It is about what is being called 'interactive dining'.  It goes like this...you go in this new restaurant, get a bowl and go down the line. While in this line we pick out our vegetable, our starch, our protein, and even our sauce. After that I don't know what we do with our bowl because they completely lost me at 'sauce'. When I go out to eat, I want things peaceful, relaxing with no challenges. I know things need to change and we need to keep them fresh and new! I'm all for it. I remember the first motel...yes, they called them motels back in the middle of the 20th century...that put a swimming pool out front. It was called 'The Colony Motel'.  I just thought that was the coolest thing. I also remember the first McDonald's ever where I grew up. My dad drove us there.  I was elected to stand in the long line of this fresh new idea of a restaurant with a list of what they wanted on their hamburgers. Hamburgers were 15c, cheeseburgers were 20c...no condiment choices. You get what you get and like it or go somewhere else. Unfortunately, there was no 'someplace else' to go to. I don't remember ever having to stand in line at McDonald's ever again. I guess my parents didn't like this new challenge of a restaurant. I wonder where I get that attitude.  

Big and Little

I read an article in the news the other day that ONLY 30% of 10th graders can put the following in order according to size: United States, North America, California, Los Angeles. I think this is more a commentary on the times then it is on a teacher's ability these days. At least I think they still teach geography.


Back in the middle of the 20th century, they had these big pull down maps that took up almost the entire blackboard space. Anyone who was around at that time and in school might remember how they would suddenly snap and roll up on their own volition scaring the begeebers out of the teacher and kids in class. At that time, we were totally reliant on paper products. Paper maps, paper bound books, paper to figure out our math...you name it,  if we used it in school it involved paper. This led us who came from that day and age the marvelous ability to recognize states, countries, etc. simply by their outline!


The kids of today....which include my own 40 year old kid...don't know what they are missing. They find their way around with 'turn by turn' directions on their smart phones, or someone urging them over their GPS to 'slow down for a left hand turn in exactly 100 feet'. On the other hand, they can find their way around and I can't. If it isn't written on a 8x11" piece of paper, I just don't get it. 

Christmas In July

While we are smack dab in the center of a strong heat wave, it is hard to think of the cooler (cold?) weather that comes with Christmas. Many of us entertain ourselves with the sales, decorations and fun of Christmas in July, though! The one sure thing, just like death and taxes, is that the earth will keep spinning with it's axis leaning further and further away from the sun bringing us (eventually) cooler weather. Christmas brings a more charitable nature upon us humans and a reason to do good. Here's a guy named Ernie with cause. He was able to put himself in the emotional shoes of the homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan with some hats. With tags with various messages on them like 'take me, I'm free' Ernie had one simple goal...to help someone keep warm no matter who they are. What a reasonable expectation.

This hot July (and August, September, Oct....) I'm working on some hats and scarves. I'm going to take the train to downtown Charlotte, North Carolina and without fanfare or expectations...and hopefully without arrest...I'm going to put them in very reachable places. Without political bias, without religious overtones, and with just the reason being that I can, I'm going to try to take myself out of the center of my own universe, join with others doing the same thing, and show some compassion by helping someone keep warm. 

New Colors Rock!

I received my new order of yarn colors yesterday. I'm going bold this coming season with deep violets, bright sunny citrine gemstone yellows and pretty blues. Pictured here are the only 'neutrals' I had ordered. It's the beginnings of a 'going to market' bag. These taupe and lace colors are very pretty indeed and a delight to work with. I've discovered a new brand of yarn that is super soft and works up beautifully.