Charm & Whimsy

Do you want a lovely book to read this fall?

I'm really enjoying Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. The movie was well done and I've seen it a couple of times but the book is a wonderful pleasure. His writing is vivid and depicts a simple life albeit a hard one. I love the role nature plays in the book, it's an important character.

I've been pleasantly surprised by his writing style because he doesn't use punctuation for dialogue. Although it took a little getting used to I realize now that I've enjoyed reading without the distraction of so many quotation marks.

When I'm done with the book I'll netflix the movie again. One of the few movies where I like Jude Law...

What are you reading and would you recommend anything? Do share, thanks!

I spent all morning in Annie's attic.

For you crafty peeps out there - you MUST check it out. I think I've looked through every single page on the site and although some are silly old-fashioned things there are some really neat patterns mixed in.

Like this cutie stealing a pie from the knit pattern, Little Dumpling Ladies. Soooo cute! I don't know that I would take on this type of a project these days but it's fun to look at and I bought my fair share of other patterns like these below:

• Old Fashioned Quilt Afghans (crochet) - I've been searching for a crochet pattern for a wedding ring quilt for years. I saw one in a store eons ago, didn't buy it and have been wanting it ever since. Yay - I found one!
• Goldilocks & the Three Bears (crochet) - I'm thinking this will be a good starting point to dream up other cute handpuppets, building off their base pattern.
• Honey Bee Kitchen Set (crochet) - I just like the tea cozy and it's on sale. Score!
• Flower Bouquet Doily (crochet w/thread) - This would look beautiful framed.

Also - I found this artist on Etsy (Beads In The Bellfry) and her designs are charming and whimsical, no wonder I liked them.

 

Check out her beautiful jewelry; Easter and Mother's Day are coming...support independent crafters!

It's been a lovely first day of my 34th year.

I let the wind take me where it might today and it was a great ride. First, I played hookey from work - always fun!

I had an early doctor's appointment where my podiatrist claimed my toe was making a miraculous recovery in one short week. This was a great start to the day. I decide to go to the La Jolla cove for breakfast (the Brockton Villa).

A towering bagle/lox/tomato/caper/onion contraption and a cafe au lait. Tasty! It was a bit chilly but the sun warmed my back and the ocean provided a soothing soundtrack.

Then I took a walk along the cove,

found a flower to tuck behind my ear -

and found a place to finish my book club selection this month, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik which was predictable but still pretty good and has helped reignite my interest in reading. 

Then I took a walk up Girard to Warwick's, one of my favorite stores. Along the way, a woman asked if I would buy her a sandwich, so I did.

She ended up getting a cucumber and tomato salad and orange soda (which looked good)

and I got an iced sugar cookie (my favorite).

The woman sitting at the next table overheard me say it was my birthday and suggested I go to a gallery around the corner where I would be given a present... so mysterious!! I didn't know who she was but I was going where the wind took me - so I walked a few blocks away and found a lovely gallery,

the Sally Huss Gallery, and received a greeting card and a pen. The card says "When I go to bed at night and count my blessings - I count you in". The pen reads "Dream big, plan well, work hard, smile always and good things will happen". So uplifting!

She happened to walk back in the gallery at that point and we introduced ourselves. It turns out she is Sally Huss! I enjoyed our conversation very much - we cross paths with  people in our lives for a reason. Sally brightened my day with her surprise gifts, her art and her "happy musings". Thanks Sally :)

It was time to get back to my original plan, Warwick's. Along the way, I spied this neat design on a shutter

which reminded me of the hinges I put on my little houses.

I finally made it to Warwick's where I can easily spend too much time and too much money. As I walked out, I came upon

this beautiful cala lily growing in a plater. It was gorgeous. It was time to go home

(I love La Jolla Blvd with it's archway of Torrey Pines) and get ready for a wonderful dinner with Sweetboy.

Mr. A's for drinks and a sunset and then

Toshi Sushi for dinner.

I am blessed, and so very thankful.