Repurposed Library Book Shelf

I (meaning I wanted it and my husband carried it) brought this library book shelf home after finding it left on the curb during one of our morning walks. 

A great thing around our neighborhood, and neighborhoods all over I'm sure, is that if you no longer want a piece of furniture just put it on the curb and someone will come along and take it. We've picked up a whole bunch of cool stuff on our morning walks. And since we're out at dawn we get a good head start on the rest of the scavengers. 

We don't always know what we're going to do with the pieces we pick up, and they usually sit wherever they fit for some time before a place is found where they have a purpose. In this case the shelf sat in a corner of the landing room. Just sat there with nothing going on, no purpose, not being used. Then Will rearranged a few things and found a new home and a purpose for my birthday dresser as our telephone station. Then I started looking at the library book shelf and thought I'd see if it fit in the kitchen. I had an idea that it might make an interesting produce bin.

We typically have several bowls holding grapefruit, oranges, bananas, apples, lemons, limes, potatoes, and onions sitting on various surfaces from the dinging room table, the island, and on top of the microwave. So I pulled the library book shelf into the kitchen and what a wonderful produce bin it now makes topped with a couple of recipe boxes and a jug of fresh cut flowers from the yard and a juicer (also a found item).

An American Classic

I discovered Ivan Doig's Dancing at the Rascal Fair at a local independent book store in Echo Park.

I've been drawn to early American literature for some time. I think the seed was planted during my trips to Montana over the past several years. The first of which was a 2006 road trip through 7 states (plus a short hop up into Canada) geared around being at my Grandma and Uncle Jim's in Troy, MT for the 4th of July.

That's some beauteeful country, that is. My pioneer spirit was awakened and my longing has been fulfilled by immersion into these books.

Dancing at the Rascal Fair is the middle book in Ivan Doig's Montana Trilogy. I will be searching for the other two as well as the rest of his literary collection.

All Tied Up In a Bow

Ranger dressed for the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving

All my life I traveled to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Thanksgiving. Whether I lived in the same town, a neighboring state, or at opposite ends of the state, I made my way to their hearth and home. When I flew the coop as a young adult and moved to Los Angeles, my Mom would pay for my airfare. Those trips home where a wonderful time for me. My family gathered around me like a warm blanket.

Of course we eventually moved and settled further apart and those of us still on this earth now have thousands of miles between us. I believe 2004 was the last pilgrimage I ever made to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving.

So it wasn't until then that I got to cook a turkey. This year I think I finally got it right.  I watched several YouTube videos for tips and settled on one that seemed right for me. A 14lb Butterball, sitting on a bed of chopped fruit, vegetables and herbs.Herbs and apples in it's cavity, and rubbed with butter and herbs all over. Pop it in the oven and leave it alone. I didn't use a thermometer though. I trusted the timing and when It came out of the oven at about 3 hours I pierced the thigh and the juices ran clear and I called it done.

 And so it is with my husband and my mother-in-law beside me, I think of my family and Thanksgivings past and present, and give thanks to all. I love you all.

Rejuvination is Spelled I-d-y-l-l-w-i-l-d

Spending a weekend in Idyllwild will rejuvenate the tired and weary soul. It's just the perfect escape from the grind. A mountain hamlet to while away the time. Breathe deeply, the air is infused with the scent of pine, the summer sun, rain.  Walkable, dog-friendly, and super laid-back. And only a couple of hours from home. Who knew relief was that close.

Photos here
And here

My Husband's Heart in an Anvil - 7th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was our 7th wedding anniversary.

There's been a small box sitting on the floor next to my desk for about a week. It was a heavy little box. So when my husband and I began to open our gifts to each other, I've got the box open and whatever is inside is wound up in bubble wrap, and I'm unwinding it, and it's heavy, and he begins to tell me a little about his search for my gift that ended with him being outbid on ebay. But the next find was a 'buy it now' transaction, and I'm still unwinding my gift from the bubble wrap, so he found this anvil, and before I can even see it, I realize what he's said and that the weight in my hands, right there in my hands, is an anvil, and the tears just come and I'm laughing and crying and laughing. I found out after my Uncle died that my Grandpa's anvil didn't make the last move with my Grandma. Which I understand, it weighed a ton. But I loved that anvil, I wanted that anvil. My Grandpa's anvil. And now may husband, who knew how much it meant, has given that to me, and it's my husband's heart bound in an anvil wrapped with my Grandpa's memory. Thank you sweetie. I love it. I love you.

Memorial Day Weekend

The Plan. Spend Saturday morning volunteering for the Silver Lake Jubilee.

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Take a day trip to San Juan Capistrano on Sunday and explore the historic Mission and the area surrounding it.

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Chill and grill on Monday with cold Corona's and Rib Eye steaks.