Thursday, February 08, 2018

This Week



From the kitchen window I see the snowdrops, white and green against the brown dirt. I pick a bunch from behind the porch where they are barely visible. In the warmth of the house, white petals fly upwards like nun's headdresses caught by the wind. Green circles and upside down hearts on the inner petals make me laugh. They seem incongruous with the snowdrops quiet elegance. 


I recently finished this book, won in a giveaway from Golden Hours. I was eager to read it, from a number of reviews I'd read, and did finish it quickly. I kept hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I found the setting idyllic, the premise enchanting, but the characters sadly lacking. The "Man in the Wing Chair" seemed arrogant, and the tone of the book didactic. 

I did like the concept of an ideal marriage including marrying someone "better" than yourself, in the sense that one's ideal mate has different and admirable qualities than oneself, hence the attraction. 

If you've read it, I'd be interested to hear what you think. 



I've been sewing this week. Clothes. For myself. I'm having a lot of fun. I belong to a site called Pattern Review. It's a great site for checking out others' experiences with sewing patterns, and reading articles about sewing. They host a variety of contests throughout the year, and I've joined a few in the past. The goal, for me, isn't so much to win, but to push myself to finish a number of garments within a set time period. This one goes from February 1 - March 15, with the goal of sewing six garments: 2 bottoms, 3 tops, one topper (jacket/vest/cardigan). I've got two complete at this point, one top and one pair of pants. We'll see if I can keep up the pace and finish. 


This week, we've had sunshine. Oh, it is so wonderful to see. Today, the late afternoon sun illuminated the spring bulb pot on the front porch. Golden daffodils made even prettier by the sun. 


Are they not the cheeriest sight? 

If you want to watch poetry in motion, watch this young woman, Li Ziqi, design, dye fabric, and create a flowing dress. I went down a bit of a rabbit hole when I discovered her other videos depicting traditional Chinese ways of making paper, foods, cosmetics, and more. Fascinating. There is no narration, only music, but it's beautiful. 


27 comments:

  1. Will pop over to watch the video shortly. The sewing machine is out here but for household goodies, curtains runners and such. I am not brave enough to make clothes for myself.

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  2. Everytime I make a comment here it strangely vanishes. I wondered what variety your beautiful snowdrop is as it is not the common Galanthus nivalis.
    I have looked at some of the varieties and think that it might be 'heffalump'which is not common at all. It is lovely with those charming upsidedown hearts.
    http://www.judyssnowdrops.co.uk/Plant_Profiles/Hybrids_Double/heffalump/heffalump.htm

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    1. Both of your comments appeared, Rosemary. I took a look at the wonderful site you included. This snowdrop is not double; there are just three inner petals and the three outer ones. Elizabeth, who commented below, suggested it might be of the elwesii species of galanthus. I've emailed Judy's Snowdrops to see if they might help with identification.

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    2. Do let me know the outcome Lorrie - I think that it looks very unusual - may be you have a new variety!

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  4. I think it might be a snowdrop known as 'Grumpy'!
    http://www.lakelandsnowdrops.co.uk/galanthus-grumpy-elwesii-snowdrop/

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    1. I'm not sure that it is, because the "eye" markings on "Grumpy" are separated - on mine the top green mark is a solid single shape. I'm still investigating!

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  5. Sounds like the contest is motivating you to get some projects done quickly. I hope you show us the finished additions to your wardrobe!

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  6. What a nice climate you have to already have snowdrops up. I love your description of them being like nun's headdresses!

    I probably would have been tempted by this book, wonder if I would have come to the same conclusion? If I had I might not have finished it. I'm at the age now where life is too short to keep reading a book I don't like--except for The Portrait of A Lady. Someday I'm going to finish both volumes, don't know why I'm having trouble sticking to it as the prose is beautiful.

    I do so admire your persistence in garment making goals!

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  7. Lovely post and beautiful YouTube videos though having tried natural dyeing I cannot imagine trying it wearing a spotless white flowing dress! And sewing the fabric out of doors on that lovely treadle sewing machine so beautiful.

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  8. Glad you are having great success with sewing! I admire you!

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  9. How lovely to see the Golden daffodils as I look out my window at a snowfall.I absolutely loved the video you link us to. The content, music and filming where wonderful. Thank you for posting it. Happy sewing to you, Lorrie.

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  10. Lovely post. Snowdrops and daffodils!

    And I dropped into that same rabbit hole. Thanks so much for sharing the YouTube video... it's its own work of art, isn't it? Beautiful.

    Happy weekend and happy sewing...
    Brenda xox

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  11. Lorrie- I didn't read that book but I probably won't now either...lol
    It is easy to get sucked down into that rabbit hole when you find something you love..

    Good luck with the sewing project. xo Diana

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  12. Your bright yellow daffodils are just what I needed to see on this snowy day. TGIF!!!

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  13. I admire anyone who can make their own clothes ... my Mom and older sisters did - I think it was a matter of money - much cheaper then to sew your own than go to JC Penney! Our high today was only 20 F - no sign of daffodils around here!!!

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  14. I think you’ll finish on time! Please show us what you’ve made when you’re done.

    I’ve watched that young woman make shoes before, her videos are so interesting!

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  15. Oh wasn't our sunshine wonderful today? And more tomorrow - what shall we do? I plant to empty all the planters on my deck and give them a fresh fill of potting soil - finally found some for sale at a small Ace Hardware - who knew that potting soil was so hard to find this time of the year - now to find some pansies to dress up my newly filled planters. Love your flower pictures and the descriptions - oh the sweet daffodil - mine are not that far along just yet. Happy weekend my dear, and good luck on your sewing project - you can do it!

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  16. Oh my Lorrie, the snowdrops are certainly a delight to my eyes, and the cheery daffodils, too. I haven't read the book that you mentioned, but thanks for your honest review. Best of luck with your sewing projects, and happy weekend!

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  17. Your snowdrops are beautiful. I so wish I could sew. I don't seem to have the patience for it and frankly I get it all wrong all the time. Good luck with your projects.

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  18. Your flowers have cheered me up no end. How unusual the snow drops are with their little green spots. I too must dig out my sewing machine. I would like to make some summer weight crop trousers and a couple of tops. Time I got busy!

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  19. loved seeing the pretty flowers / I'll check out the link :)

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  20. Oh those daffodils! I thought I had a few weeks before my spring envy began to kick in! but yesterday our daughter messaged that she had uncovered violets under her winter mulch pile when she raked it up -- and today you show those beautiful yellow daffys in full sunshine! Next year, I swear I am going to fly home to Oregon in March for a short spring fix! We count our blessings here in Florida most of the time ... but (Eugene's Spring hay fever season doesn't bother me the way it does the person I live with ;>) ....

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  21. I always wanted the talent to sew clothes for myself. I had a friend years ago who could take aVogue pattern and make it look like it came from Saks
    I want to watch the video
    Glad I happened upon your blog

    Janice

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  22. Daffodils are so cheerful and such a sweet reminder that Spring is close! Sewing for yourself,you have some great talents, Lorrie.

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  23. Wonderful flowers, Lorrie, but I admire especially your adorable pin cushion... and your skills in sewing.
    There seem to be clear signs of spring where you live. We still have lots of snow.
    Have a lovely week ahead... and a happy Valentine's Day!

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  24. Those daffodils are just about perfect! That's incredible that you can sew that many articles of clothing in that period of time and love them. I gave up on clothing a long time ago.

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