Since I began this blog as a means of sharing and inspiring creative efforts – be they art, writing, crafting, sewing, cooking, cooking, or cooking – I though a little update on that front would be in order. I must confess that in the wake of Mark Bittman Month, I’ve been pretty uneven on the cooking front – sticking pretty much with the old and new familiars. (But I’m discovering from casual conversation with those around me that just cooking is more adventurous than average.) I did bake a banana cake with white chocolate buttercream icing from The Cake Bible for my friend Ann’s birthday. It was my first attempt at buttercream, and it did turn out well. And, incidentally, it goes straight to the top of the Beyond Decadent food list.
Since my daughter Rachel is getting married in June, I turned my efforts to a sewing project. I made dresses for her soon-to-be daughters, who will be flower girls in the wedding. (I thought it was interesting that they chose this designation over junior bridesmaid.) Frannie and Lucy are fraternal twins and are six years old – and adorable. It was great fun making their princess dresses. Because I wanted the dresses to have it all, it was a challenging project, but it helped that I had the consultation services of my friend Sarah, an excellent and well-equipped seamstress. Here’s a picture of the dresses. I’ll share another filled with little girls at a later date.
I just recently completed a gardening project that was long in the planning. It’s a flower bed around the edges of my screened-in porch. Now I can gaze upon beautiful flowers while sitting in my favorite room.
Well, I’m hoping that this justified my creative existence for now.
Apropos of nothing, I’m headed off to see a matinee of The Avengers this afternoon. I love superheroes – and Robert Downey, Jr. Fun!!
Wow, I didn’t see that episode of HHI – i was just making a general comment. And yes we did live for 6 months at Jolly Harbor before moving closer to the university. We now live in the Crosbies area and are up a hill but have a great view of the ocean.
I did see the House Hunters International in Antigue. Thought of you…one of the houses they looked at was in Jolly Harbor, and I remember you talking about the area. Is that where you live now?
The dress is amazing, the cooking decadent, the gardening wonderful – loved the peonies, and yes The Avengers was a surprisingly entertaining movie (went with Sean and took John when back in Antigue). Too bad I can’t sew, haven’t cooked since John has needed something to do (about 13 years now), and can’t garden due to my new bionic knees which both have nerve damage on the endings. I can read when I have time but it looks like my retirement will be less Martha Stewart and more Attention K-mart shoppers. I dream of rocking newborns as a volunteer in the hospital or working for a bookstore so I get a double discount – especially since the last person to “help” me at a Barnes and Noble didn’t know what the National Book Award was….as always, you are my role model for how to enjoy life – and we haven’t even mentioned your photography skills (I don’t own a digital camera either since they have gotten so tiny).
Love from The Island (don’t believe what you see on House Hunters International)
PV
Dear Martha Stewart~
I am so impressed with EVERYTHING on this blog that I cannot believe you ever taught at community college–and you were a perfectionist (and I mean that in a good way) at teaching as well! Those dresses for Rachel’s upcoming wedding are amazing! Your creative versatility truly inspires and this blog rivals most I have ever visited. Bravo!
~ Constance