A Closer Look at Ottoman

And Candlesticks

Whilst reading Poe over the weekend, my good friend Owl here looked rather menacing. However, he did provide the proper atmosphere.

And, those candlesticks are ones I've been picking up cheaply as I find them. I'd like at least one or two more because candles seem happy in groups. The best part of buying used and inexpensive is the low-commitment; if I like something better later, I recycle the old back into the non-new goods economy. (which is one of the reasons why our current economic structure needs to change, but that's another story.)

Terrarium Trick

I discovered (out of desperation) that inverted terra cotta saucers make good bases paired with glass domes for a makeshift terrarium. I received this wee plant from Boo, bit it didn't have a saucer. And since it's a fern, I thought it would do well in a terrarium environment. I had a dome, but I didn't want the wood base to get wet, so I grabbed a larger saucer, turned it upside down et voila! Bonus: since the saucers are graduated, the dome doesn't have to be the exact size to fit!

Antique Silk Floss

I found this antique silk embroidery floss over a year ago when the remnants of a collectables sale were half off. It looks too delicate and messy/fuzzy to actually use and I think it's beautiful the way it is in the wee cardboard box I got it in. However, I'd love some ideas...what would you do with it?

Why did the Turkeys Cross the Road?

Whilst driving home today, a couple of mama turkeys and their babies were crossing the road. It was pretty darling.

Kombucha

Kombucha has become pretty mainstream in the last few years. I remember when I first heard about it in the mid to late 90s when Jeff had an acquaintance that had a vat fermenting in his backyard. I was a little unsure at the time.

But when we moved to Oregon over ten years ago, I started seeing it in grocery stores and started drinking it. Wonder is my favorite brand, but it's often difficult to find the original, as I usually see the fruit juice flavored varieties; I'm sure they're good, but maybe I'm a purist. I recently tried another brand and found it to be watered down in taste...and frankly not tasty at all.

If you haven't tried kombucha, it's a mixture of tea and sugar left to ferment. Like vinegar, it needs what is called a "mother" for the fermenting process to work...and like vinegar, it tastes a bit vinegary. And it sparkles. I find kombucha to be great with foods that are fried (fish and chips, perhaps) because it cuts right through the grease and even seems to aid digestion (no, I'm not getting paid to say this!).

Anyway, give kombucha a shot if you haven't and I'd love to hear about your favorite brand or any tricks to making it at home!

Happy weekend!