Vintage Chicks

Walter Is A Foodie

As many of you know I have two cats.  Walter and Tater.  I never thought I would have a cat named Tater, but that is for another post.  This wonderful image is of Walter.  He takes after me, he is a foodie.  He will not stay out of the kitchen.  As soon as he figured out he could jump on the kitchen counter and walk through my pass thru window he has been impossible to keep off the counter.  I don't generally tolerate this kind of behavior but he does it with such panache and face it, I find it adorable. Last night I decided to steam some broccoli.  I cleaned it, put it in the steamer on the stove and walked away to do some other chore before turning it on.  About five minutes later I notice that the two cats are fighting over one of their toys (they have about fifty) when I realize it is not a toy but a broccoli floret.  I was dumb-founded.  I could not believe what I was seeing.  Then it dawned on me......Walter.  I know a more prudent woman would have rushed to the kitchen to examine the broccoli but I was so shocked and kinda proud of my cat's prowess I made a phone call to brag instead.  While I was on the phone Walter decided he was never getting the floret back from Tater so he would just help himself again.  It was at this moment I came to my senses and realized a cat on the stove was probably not only gross but unsafe as well.  I don't want to scare you off,especially any of you who may find themselves dining with me, I keep a very clean house.  But there are just some moments in life where what is happening is more fun than the required and desired activity of cleaning.  I can assure you that the counters have been sanitized and if you ever do come to dinner I will shut the cats in the office.  For now, I am brain storming a way to market a broccoli shaped cat toy.

I Love Carmen Miranda

I have always had a fondest for Carmen Miranda.  She always seemed so exotic and cheerful.  I dressed up as her for Halloween and my fruit hat was a big hit.  After Christmas I was checking out one of my favorite thrifts and found these darling little honeycomb fruits.  They have hangers but I have chosen to pile them up in a bowl in my kitchen.  There is a pear, several apples, two kumquats and some persimmons.  I just love their cheerful colors and diminutive size.  In fact they were the impetus I needed to start blogging again.  I thought they were just so wonderful and I had no one to share them with.  It's funny how life works.  Don't you think?

Back To School

Today was back to school day and it went off without a hitch.  If you don't count the nose bleed, the crying, the skinned knee and the over all lethargy of my students.  I do think they are glad to be back but it takes some adjusting.  They are use to sleeping in and running wild and the confines of the classroom seem a little overwhelming. I know I am glad to be back.  The Winter break was lovely........but enough already. 

Living Green

My sister and I have been collecting Jade-ite even before Martha Stewart.  Needless to say...it has been a long time.  For Christmas my sister surprised me with this little set of children's dishes.  They are just wonderful and the gift was made even more special because they were pieces from her "private stock".  They will live with the rest of my collection in my kitchen.  They will however, be given front row seating so that I can enjoy looking at them everyday.

Happy New Year

There is a wonderful old poem by Robert Herrick called To The Virgins.  It says "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a flying:  And this same flower that smiles to-day To-morrow will be dying."    I was reminded of it tonight while watching one of my favorite old movies.  It is a bittersweet thought but one that is fitting for the new year.  We are all so busy making resolutions and looking forward that we sometimes forget that while full speed ahead is good, looking back is good too.  I truly believe that life is short and "keep calm and carry on" is the slogan that keeps me marching but this time of year I also like to reflect on what has gotten me here so far.  So instead of writing down what I would like to change in the new year I would like to take a moment and reflect on those things that won't.  1.  The air always smells sweetest after a Summer thunderstorm when the air is still wet and your nose is pressed up against an old screen door.  2.  My heart will automatically begin to beat just a little bit faster (sometimes much faster) when I spot a wonderful hidden treasure across a dusty old junk store.  3.  Nothing is more comforting that a cozy blanket and a couple of cats sleeping next to you in the middle of a lazy weekend afternoon.  4.You are your own North star and as fast as the universe spins your internal compass will lead you home if you just listen.  5.  There are no certainties in life, just when you think you've got it figured out the rules of the game will change.  My wish is that this new year will bring me Peace.  I think I wish for that every year.  I want to laugh more and breathe more and listen to my own song a little more.  I want to gather my rosebuds and maybe a few daisies too along the way.