A Closer Look at Ottoman

Christmas will be here soon...

and here are a few new-to-me items that I've found on Etsy that I am smitten with; I think they would make lovely gifts if you need any ideas!

First off is M8N4's "Riviere de Diamands" necklace in black:

One side of this necklace is shiny, the other is matte, so you can change it up! This would be a lovely necklace for a holiday party!

Next is "peppermint" by thePhotoZoo. I love the pepperminty swirls:

It's such a visually simple photo (I LOVE visual simplicity), and the choice of background is so stunning and unusual! I'm in love with this photo!

Okay, one more...this lovely photograph "deep in the dark, dark forest" by enchantedpond is, well, enchanting!:

Have I mentioned that I've always wanted a cuckoo clock? Probably more than once!

As far as craftiness goes, I've been working on a new project...and if all goes well, I will introduce it soon!

Happy Tuesday!

Modern Play Shed

We've been thinking about a play shed for Boo and we'd really like to build one that's modern rather than cutesy (we were even thinking about using this DIY project as one). But, I thought I'd share this fantastic Modern Play Shed, from Modern Shed, because it totally rocks (unfortunately, it's not in my budget)!:

According to Inhabitots, the shed comes unfinished, but add-ons are available. Check out the cute dutch doors and clerestory windows (I LOVE clerestory windows and when I get a chance I'm going to change the roof-line on my house to be sloped like this with clerestory windows). The "green" one appears to have FLOR carpet tiles and I love the racetrack idea! So many options here! I actually like the idea that it comes unfinished so that the child(ren) can create a personal space.

A little walk outside. (part 2) (or...A fungus among us.)

Also while on our walk, I spotted a variety of fungus. I'm sure that many are poisonous, but we just keep our distance.

I had to move some leaves and needles away from these little guys to see them.

Also notice the lichen in the upper left-hand corner; there's lots of it on the trees.

Some more itty bitty ones that were difficult to spot.

These guys are quite large and there are many in the backyard.

Wow! I was surprised to see two of these red ones with the frilly white edges. Also notice the two tiny ones below it.

A fine little grouping of tiny ones.

A few groups of these are under an oak tree.

Here are a couple pictures of what I believe are fungi that grow on the underside (from what I can tell) of oak leaves. I need to (at some point) find out more about them and if they will kill the trees:

They are spotted, fuzzy and hollow; and when you walk under the oak trees, they pop, pop, pop like large bubbles on bubble wrap. Here's another look:

As you can see, we have a lot of oak and pine trees. In the backyard are mostly deciduous trees that are not oaks (mostly, because there is one).

Happy Thursday!

A little walk outside. (part 1)

We got some sun in the afternoon Monday, and I try to get Boo and myself outside for a bit when this happens. So, on our walk around the property (and the neighbors' property...they're friends, so we have access), I took some pictures so you can get a feel for the place (especially since it will be awhile until I share before and afters of the remodel).

Three deer were grazing and Boo and I actually got within 30 feet of them; they aren't very afraid of us which is both good and bad (I'm glad they are comfortable, but it will be tricky to keep them out of any future garden). They sleep in the foresty area of our neighbors' property and graze where there are less trees. This gal was peeking at me. We usually see moms and babies, but I did see a buck last week.

This tree is right in our backyard. I have been pulling lots of nailed-on things off the trees (the guy who was renting the place is a bit off his rocker and he had all kinds of things nailed to the trees), but this is a rather charming; the "steps" don't go to a tree house or anything, but I think it was used as a lookout or somesuch. Notice all the dreaded blackberry bushes...a spring project of large proportion is ahead of us; I think we'll use them as a natural fence around the property (even though they are invasive) and just keep them back.

I've noticed this plant a few places around and I'd like to keep them when we do the blackberry clean-up; however, we may only be able to keep the trees in order to get rid of the blackberries (and these plants will be much harder to spot without the berries in the spring)...we'll do the best we can.

An extension cord in the form of a treble clef! I noticed this last week and couldn't believe it when I saw it!

Happy Wednesday!

Vaeda

You may have noticed that honeybees are on the decline and you may have even found out about it here. Well, I got very own photograph from Vaeda and it's a lovely reminder of these "sweet" pollinators; it's entitled "Stained Glass Visionaries" and here's a look (yes, it was included in another post as well):

It's printed on metallic paper and it looks as though it's lit from within; simply beautiful!

Of course, this isn't the only photograph available in Vaeda's shop...here's a couple more:

Synapse - clever and beautiful! This photograph is also perfect if you are more into black and white.

Hallowed - This is perfect if you do seasonal/holiday change-outs and it's much more sophisticated than the wrap-up-all-the-framed-pieces-in-the-house look.

Happy Tuesday!

Phydeaux

I usually don't miss summer at all (even though that is my name), but it's difficult to do remodeling (especially when the floor is cut up for some repairs) in the cold, damp weather. So, to remind me of warmer days, I can wear this lovely Ripe Raspberries Scarf/Neckbow that I received from my friend Phydeaux last week, and I adore it; Brenda is a peach and she also has a lovely blog. Here's what I opened in the mail:

I love how feminine this piece is when it's tied in a bow!

Now here's a couple other works by Phydeaux that are currently available:

Soft Snow Scarflette - This is a lovely (not-so-Christmasy) winter piece.

Forest Floor Scarf - Well, I don't think this needs explanation from and moss and lichen lover!

Also, check out Phydeaux's blog for info on the Sonoma Artisan Holiday Faire she will be at this weekend!

Happy Monday!

Three New Items Listed in the Shop!

I've just listed three items in the shop (of the original moss variety):

Moss Brooch 2

Moss for your Wall 3 (5 inch)

Moss Lavender Pincushion 8 (If you are wondering wherever 7 went...it was added to a wholesale order by request.)

Oh, and I've been thinking about the sweetness of the pumpkin dump cake; another way to remedy that could be to use just rolled oats and butter instead of the cake mix/butter combo...but then it wouldn't be a dump cake!

Hot Process Soap with PamelaSusan

My dear friend Pamela is moving several hours away this weekend, so last night (in the middle of the chaos that is packing), we got together with Pamela's friend Yumi and made hot process soap. Much fun was had by all and I made a pumpkin dump cake (recipe follows) before the oven was needed for the soap.

Pamela has been making soap since she was a kid with her mom and siblings, so she's very knowledgeable; I've watched her make soap before, but I wanted to get the details this time because I'd like to try my hand at it (Yumi and I may try to get together to make it happen).

These pictures are of the soap...not the cake! :)

A check and good stir about half-way through the "baking" step.

Soap!

So, now I need an excuse to visit Portland so that we can meet up and make soap (or Pamela will teach me how to spin wool - another one of her MANY talents!).

Pumpkin Dump Cake:

First, a little story....My brother-in-law learned to make dump cakes while camping and makes them in a dutch oven on the BBQ during the summer (we had one while visiting in September). So, now my family thinks they are such fun and are making them indoors in the oven. My sister made this Pumpkin Dump Cake the other night, but thought it was a bit dry...so I added a can of evaporated milk at my shot at it and it was a bit wet, so I would use 1/2 can for it to be "just right." :)

- 1 large can of pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 can evaporated milk
- 1 box cake mix (I used an organic cake mix after looking at the ingredients in the big brand name boxes)
- 1 - 1 1/2 sticks butter

In a largish casserole dish (9 x 13 or so), dump the can of pumpkin pie filling and the evaporated milk and mix.

Top, evenly, with cake mix (don't mix in...it will have a crumbly topping).

Evenly distribute pats of butter atop the cake mix.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes.

The "cake" is rather sweet, so I might use pureed pumpkin and add my own spices etc. next time, but(as you already may know) I don't like things super sweet.

This cake is great with vanilla ice cream (actually helps tame the sweetness a bit) and would be great with whipped cream (especially if it's hand whipped with only vanilla added).

Happy Wednesday!

Boo and Cake Wrecks

This post is about things that make me laugh. With all this chaos of remodeling (our sofa, loveseat and a bunch of boxes are tarped up outside because we need work space...which stresses me out with this rain...even though they are tarped well. However, things are indeed looking better all the time and I am so thankful that I am able to do this!) So, I thought I would share a couple of things that have made me giggle, because I need that right now. First, is this picture I took of Boo (I'll use that name for my son...it's awkward to write "my son" all the time, but I don't want to use his name, so Boo is one of my many nicknames I use for him):

I took this picture while we were still in the apartment and he was hiding under a basket that usually holds miscillaneous toys.

Next is Cake Wrecks; I found this blog recently from a post on the Etsy forums and had to check it out.

It's nice to have something to giggle and snort at/with! The Cake Wrecks subtitle is "When professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong." I've always wondered why the cakes at the bakery counter often look like barfed up shortening and food coloring! I mean, aren't these guys supposed to be professionals? I don't like to poke fun, but these aren't amateur cakes, these are ones made to be sold...whoa! Make sure to check this blog out!

Happy Monday!

I decided to keep it for myself....

I love my Moss Ottoman Slipcover and it was the inspiration for my entire moss collection; so, I decided to keep it for myself:

 

It was such a labor of love and a lot of work...I just wouldn't be able to see it go! So, now I get to wait a few years until my son is older in order to put it out in my home! Oh well, it will be worth it!

I hope your weekend is going well!