A memoir in glass

It's been over five months since we lost my dear grandma.  I still think of her all the time.  Any time I see a banana muffin, or a hummingbird, I think of her.

We were especially close in her last year of life.  We (my mom and I) had moved her here so that we could keep a closer watch.  She had been living over eight hours away, and it was time for her to be closer to family.

Grandpa (left) and Grandma, when they first met.

Over the months, we've been trying to manage her massive collection of things.  Collectibles, dishes, stuffed animals, books, many things that are very old, and very dear to me.  I have kept as many things as my house (and Matt) will allow me to have.  Which is a lot, quite frankly.  Much of it is sentimental value, things I remember seeing in her room when I was growing up.

I've been photographing things for my vintage website, Aunt Jean's Vintage.  It has been a wonderful project for me, both to help me remember my grandma, and also to learn more about her life.  I turn things over in my hands, wondering when she got it.  A birthday gift?  A find at the Discovery Shop where she volunteered?

I wish I knew more about each piece.  And I wish I had a museum where I could store it all, and go in every day to look at the glittering perfume bottles.  But there's something wonderfully special about packing something in bubble wrap, wrapping it carefully for the journey.  Adding a splash of colorful tissue paper, a ribbon, a card.

I hope that she would be proud.  I think she would.  My clearest memories of her as a child involved a big flea market we used to go to.  There were Avon bottles lined up on the shelves, a pipe organ in the back that I would practice my Phantom of the Opera score on.  I wish sometimes I could visit that time again.  A sugar topped orange muffin sounds pretty good right now.

 xoxo
S.R.W.

Garden of Eden

I have been really loving my garden lately.  The flowers are all starting to come out, and we've even eaten a few strawberries.

They're slightly bitter though, and after a search for "why are my strawberries bitter?" on Google ("why do my strawberries suck?" didn't bring up many results), I see that the soil could be more acidic, and they could be in a raised bed instead of a container.  See what the Weekend Gardener says about strawberries.

I may have to rework them for next year... this year they're going in the freezer to turn into some sugary strawberry sauce... but that's another post.

And then there are the flowers... the rose plant is very old, and very big.  We really enjoy the flowers, they smell simply divine.

And the poppy-like one I have is just spectacular.  Every time it blooms I gasp at it's bright red color.  It's produced a lot of flowers so far, seems to be fairly happy in our cloudy cool environment.  More about poppies here.

And a few more lovelies...

The other thing I completely love about the garden is growing food that we're going to eat.  The spinach is doing pretty good, the lettuce is incredible.  I love to have greens that are fresher than fresh just a few steps outside the back door.

Fantastic garden, fantastic life!

xoxo
S.R.W.

Franny Stamps

Suddenly, I was totally in love with a new craft... hand-stamped greeting cards!

I have spent quite a bit of time (not to mention $$) on stamping in the last few days.  It's like a stamping fever has taken over me.  It's a good thing I have the Humboldt Made Fair to look forward to, so I can debut my new item!

 After picking out the rubber stamps at the store, I started combining the colors and greetings and images and couldn't get enough.  I think it will be a great addition to the current Franny East inventory.

I love the bronze and gold inks.  But they are all pretty fun to work with.

It has been a while since I've posted, so I think I'll keep it short and sweet.  I'm excited to see where the card thing goes!  For now, it sure is a lot of fun!

xoxo
S.R.W.

Birthday Fun!

So my 30th birthday was on Friday, and it was quite a special one thanks to my family, friends, and Matt.

The festivities began Thursday night with appetizers, drinks, and dinner at the Looking Glass House.  We started with the baked brie.

Delicious! A favorite element was the roasted garlic.

Mom treated me to a really delicious birthday cake from Ramone's Bakery.  It's one of my favorite flavors, Pink Champagne.

Super! The candles have also been a tradition.  :)

Mom also treated me to a lovely bouquet of flowers.  She had them delivered to work.  It was very cute.  She loves to spoil her kids!

Matt spoiled me with some wonderful surprises.  It's hard to decide what the favorite is, but the farmer's market basket was definitely a highlight.  I can't wait to use it!  I'm going to have to start taking advantage of the local Farmer's Market scene.  It looks like the Arcata market opens next week!

So exciting!  I am totally going to go to Farmer's Market, and also stop by Cafe Brio, because I love it there!  I specifically planned a Brio trip on Friday for my birthday so that I could enjoy my favorite treats. I had a ham sandwich on a baguette, ordered two ham and cheese croissants to go, and enjoyed two lovely french macaroons with some iced tea.

A perfect treat!

It was really a wonderful day filled with some of my favorite things, and my favorite people!  The night included a delicious and romantic dinner for two at Brick and Fire bistro, and meeting up with my friends at the new wine bar, 2 Doors Down.

New favorites!  Excited to plan a party for Matt's April birthday next.  Celebrations are what make life fun!

xoxo
S.R.W.

Red Stella

I have been having a lovely vacation here in Gualala, CA.  It's quite a treat, even if today was a bit chilly and foggy.  Over the past few days we've gone into town for various shopping adventures.  One of my favorite stops was Red Stella, a super cute shop with all kinds of goodies, clothes, and shoes.  I actually think I'll go in tomorrow to get a shirt I found.

It looks really cute on too!

 

The displays were rustic looking and cool.

Sweet little shoes!

I finished a scarf with the same color palate this weekend.

These were in a gallery near the store.  Pretty neat!

So Gualala has been fun!  I've got lots of other pictures from my visit here.  It's off for a couple of days in San Francisco next!  And perhaps another Franny's Favorite to discover!

xoxo
S.R.W.

Farm Girl

I have been sort of obsessing over the farm lifestyle lately.  I have decided that I will become, along with my sweet handsome boyfriend, an urban farmer.  We have our three chickens, which I love.  Love love love.  They're going to start laying eggs any day now.  And we started a little veggie garden on my porch, which will turn into a raised bed garden next summer.  I'm going to be a farm girl.

I'm really good at catching chickens.

So along with this new farm girl persona, I've become obsessed with chickens and chicken related paraphernalia.  I bought this little egg basket for when our hens start laying eggs.  It's hanging out on my fella's dining room table for now.

 I found a few chicken related items here in Gualala (where I'm on vacation for the week) and some online.  Enjoy!

The Posh Farm Girl rooster necklace

Chicken print on a book page from Etsy.

We walked around town and found some chicken art.  Unfortunately I can't recall the name of the gallery, let alone the name of the artist!  But you can find these in Gualala!

More to follow soon!  Happy farming!

xoxo
S.R.W.

Preservation Society

Canning is making a comeback.  Everywhere you look, new enthusiasm in pop culture and advertising focusing on the home-canned lifestyle.  I love it.  So I did a little search on one of my favorite sites... Etsy!! 

Canning Jar Chandelier by CoveyleeLighting

Blazing Hearts by BootsNGus

Hand Stamped Ball Jar Love Cards by Donda Lee's

I'm determined to learn how to can.  Matt has an enormous blackberry bush in his back yard and we've been picking the berries and collecting them.  I think we'll have to can some, and then bake with the others.

I think the Ball Canning and Preservation site is going to be helpful.  I'll have to take pictures when I begin the canning process.  I have a feeling it's going to be lovely!  And pickles are next.  I love pickles!

xoxo

S.R.W.