Happy Halloween!

Boo!

Grab a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.....

and don some fall finery ...

or even a costume

then get your groove on and

have a 

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Ahhh .... the Smell of Books

I just returned from a "delicious" autumn vacation and as we know, all good things must come to an end.  However, chores do not.  They seem to multiply especially when neglected.  One task on my list today is to return some books to the library.  I must confess, I love the smell of the library ... the scent of books is intoxicating to me. Does anyone else have that same olfactory glee?  I found, in this very quote, one person who agrees with me.  

Thank You, Restore

I have been on the hunt for an armoire to put in my bedroom which sadly lacks closet space.  I wanted something to store jeans and sweaters, clothing I don't often wear here in Hawaii but definitely need when I travel.  Finding the armoire I had envisioned - something French Provencal - seemed like an impossibility as most people in this island chain I reside, love tropical or Indonesian decor.  What a delightful surprise when I walked through the spacious warehouse door belonging to Habitat for Humanities - rightfully named, "Restore" - and before my eyes, my armoire hunt had ended.  There she boldly stood in all of her 90's glory begging to be bought.

Look at the dovetailing in the drawers!

It took some convincing but with lots of oohs and ahhs, I was able to win my husband over (and his wallet) to purchase this solid wood beauty at only $125!

 After three coats of chalk paint (look for recipe in past postings) my French Provencal style armoire is almost complete.  I need to find pulls for the cabinet doors and line the drawers, then fini .....

Once we paint the bedroom walls .... still trying to decide on a subtle gold or grey/blue paint .... this beauty will pop!

I loved the original hardware and decided not to replace it. Unfortunately, one of the pulls for the doors was missing.  Hopefully on one of our excursions or travels, we will find the perfect "pull".  

Hope this inspires you to keep looking for your perfect treasure!

and .... hello, Fall (even though it's still really Summer)

Good to Know....

http://blog.justinablakeney.com/2013/02/dealing-with-a-bad-day.html

A Lazy Summer Morning

      It's a bright yellow morning here on Maui and yay!  I have a free day with no obligations with the exception of a "fit and tone" class late this afternoon.  So, I have started this day off with a strong cup of coffee and Jane Austen.  Doesn't seem to go hand n' hand.  Maybe I should have opted for a "spot of tea". Well, with book and coffee - outside I went to sit in the cool shade of my grapevine covered pergola.  The birds are chirping and butterflies are perusing the flowers as I am being transported back to 19th century England.

I want to read "the classics" in the next three years .... before I turn 60!

This beauty sits at my feet.  I love this geranium - tiny ruffled leaves with a firework display of purple flowers.  I bought it at Kula Nursery, upcountry Maui.  

     Back to reality! I have a watercolor class tomorrow and I am really behind on my painting.  I need to get going on this project or the teacher may scold me.  This is just a wash, the beginnings of what will hopefully be a nice painting of a Hawaiian church in Hana surrounded by Ti Leave plants.

I love to listen to French or French-like tunes (Pink Martini anyone?) on Pandora while I create.

I found some of my old drawings while sorting through my work.  I thought these were amusing because everyone seems to be sleeping.  Actually, the only one sleeping was my yellow lab, dearly departed Spencer.  The woman is looking down as she is reading and the Italian looking gentleman is being reflective.

     Next week, I plan on working on my Etsy shop Gilded Palm.  I am going to mark down some items that need to be sold and add some new things.  I'm planning on a whole new look and feel to the shop.  Maybe even a new shop banner.  Fingers crossed.....



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Happy Birthday, Julia Child!

(I wrote this blog piece several years ago on what would have been Julia's 99th birthday)

It is so quiet this bright Monday morning. All I can hear are the birds greeting a brand new day and my old chocolate lab, Caleb, out on the back porch snoring. Unlike my husband's nocturnal symphonies, I find comfort in the sallow, raspy breathing of my canine companion, my four-legged buddy, my child in a fur coat. I decided to grab a cup of joe (that would be Kona Joe) and get caught up in my blog reading. Yes, I am a blog follower focusing mainly on those that inspire me spiritually, physically and emotionally. This morning I zeroed in on domestic goddess and artist extrodinair, Susan Branch. She reminded her readers that today was Julia Child's birthday, she would have been ninety-nine.

I love Julia Child but it didn't come easy. Back in the day I preferred culinary advice from Naturalist, Euell Gibbons over the zany and somewhat deranged behemoth throwing pans and wielding knives (scary knives) on PBS every Saturday afternoon - the ever so flamboyant, Julie Child.

For you youngin's, this is Euell Gibbons with a box of Grape Nuts cereal which was suppose to be "good" for you ..... it was SO course and gravely, it scrapped every inch of your insides clean - even your mouth.

I digress ..... back to the Birthday Girl, Julia. I fell for Julia when I fell even harder for Paris on our first visit in 1992. Take a trip to Paris or any region of France, and experience palate nirvana. Fall in love with France and everything about it, you have to include Julia Child in the mix. She moved to Paris in 1948 with her husband, Paul, studied cooking at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, met Simone Beck and le rest est l' histoire, culinary history, that is.

But what I loved the most about Julia Child was not only her cooking but her spirit of adventure and risk. Several years ago, after decades of speculation, it was revealed she was actually a spy during WWII. A SPY! With all of her accomplishments, her zeal for life and food set in cook books and aired on television, she added "spy" to her resume and kept it secret until after her death. Soooo, Julia!

I read "My Life in France" by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme several years before Julie and Julia was released on film, furthering Julia's legacy and popularity. Once I opened my hard back copy, I was smitten. Occasionally, I will pull this book off the shelf and thumb though the pages looking for the black and white snapshots of her life, pulling myself into her past, imaging the life she led. My favorite is the photo of her and Paul in a tub full of bubbles. This was one of her annual Valentine cards, sent each year to family and friends in lieu of the Christmas cards she couldn't find time to send out. So Julia!

Happy Birthday, Julia Child. I can only imagine you have rallied up the heavenly hosts to help you prepare your birthday dinner of say ..... Agio Bouido, Jambon Farci et Braise with Choux de Bruxelles Etuves au Beurre followed by Tarte aux Peches or Crepes Suzette (listed not off the top of my head but actual recipes from my 1961 printing of Mastering the Art of French Cooking). I will don my pearl necklace in honor of you today.
Bon Appetit!