A November Walk at Candler Park

Another Book!

And finally here is the other book I bought online from my uncles gift card. It was one of my favorite childhood stories but I never owned the book until now. I already read it since it got here, because I find Bradbury reads like butter. If that makes any descriptive and/or logical sense. Yay! Books!

Vegetarian Chili, and a good book.

After the temperature dropped so low last night everyone in Atlanta had chili and soup on their minds all day, I met my sweet loving meat-eating boyfriend on the way home from work and we walked to the nearest co-op and got some cheese because he was making us vegetarian chili!

This was the result of three hours of chopping veggies, low heat, and stirring.There are a lot of red pepper and poblano chunks along with onion and other various yummy garden things, but I was cautious at first since I haven't ever had chili that I absolutely loved before. But he has changed all that in 3 hours.

 Add a few kettle cooked potato chips from the fridge, MM-MMMM!

I bought this book along with one other with the gift card my uncle Will sent me online! Yay! Thanks, you'll see the other book when it gets here!

So there are tons of healthy vegetables in that chili but no meat and not even much salt!
It was apparently a secret recipe he is going to try to improve on. I am all for his efforts. I can't stop thinking about how yummy that was!

Journey Into The Microphone, Atlanta, June 2012

You might call it a Come-Back

For several months I have been without internet at home. But I am proud to announce my return to the internet, and not just the world of infinite webs, but mostly to my blog. Blogging keeps me writing, even when I don't have pen and paper- or time to edit. And It lets my readers and friends free-read my writing, without me forcing it upon them in a five part text message, or having to send emailed attachments out to everyone individually.

So, hello blog!  Hello internet!  I am back!

Incidentally, I had time and a pen earlier, and I recorded a moment of real life that I thought, if properly worded, could launch me back into writing.
So here you go, the mostly un-edited moment of my day that made me stop and think, and then stop and write.

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"You finished your Mother's day shoppin' yet?" A woman draped in a purple linen scarf entered my store. I noticed the black turban style hat she had so naturally wrapped around her hair.

 "Mmm." I replied with a closed smile, reminding myself to call my Mom later.

"Well, just give that a read, you may want to add it to y.." I wasn't sure if she trailed off or if I missed the last few words. She gently handed me a poem, printed on stationary and stretched between two wooden rods reminiscent of an ancient scroll.

 The mind criticizes, the eyes dash, and I grin.
The letters "MOTHER" fall singularly along the left side, beginning each line. Familiar words, speaking of the love and power of a mother, something I know well enough not to need another hallmark-card to tell me.

"Did you write that?," I delicately ask, she nods, "It's wonderful!" I add, in compliment. 

I passed the scroll-poem back to her.

She moved, with a grace that given only to wise women, saying, "I'm introducing her to the world."
She looked me in the eye. I felt her deep, in that part of us which sisterhood lives, and my smile warmed to show teeth.

"I think it's about time." She stated, firing up the part of me where feminism grows.

Quickly, I reply, "I think the world is ready for it."

Looking at me, she softly nodded in what felt mysteriously and mutually understood.
She continued down the side walk with poem in hand, moving strong against the slow and steady breeze.

Starting a Line (And the journey that is fashion.)

This photo was taken by a local fashion blogger/photographer, Cameron Adams, known for the blog Atlanta Street Fashion.

These are taken by myself.

All of the hats are made from felt bases, hand sewn into shape and covered with fabric and embellished. And all of the fabrics I use are recycled scraps, and many of them match our garments in the store! I love that...

I would normally start a success story with "When I started out...", but that is the thing, I'm writing as I am starting out. Having the chance to show the world what I  can sew through a busy display window is awesome!
It doesn't end here, I'm moving. Moving up and on with my life but also literally moving to a new apartment a few streets down. There I will resume sewing. And creating. And writing about it.

Vintage Fashion Photos

I am expanding my vintage collection...

 I found these scarves at goodwill! Only like two dollars I think... awesome!
The gloves below were also a goodwill find.

This hat is a real vintage "doeskin" hat, I bought for 20 bucks in Illinois at a store in my hometown that I discovered was full of vintage hats and clothing. What's weird is that when I was at goodwill leaving I saw a hat that was nearly exactly like mine but white. Faded from time but still fabulous.
I'm working on posting some hair clips I made out of vintage bow ties on my etsy, so check those out and show your friends!

Garden Spider

 We have three small tomato plants in a large pot on our doorstep and there aren't any more tomatoes growing on the plant right now but we did find a new addition to our garden today.

Eat those bugs, Spidey! This same kind of spider makes an appearance around our door every year, but the first year one was in our door frame! Too close for comfort--so we moved it with a stick. Then there was a large web the next year under some decking. But I feel honored to have grown a plant worthy of hosting a small growing spider.  I hope it sticks around and eats lots of mosquitoes! And I was wondering if what appears to be a ball at the base of the spider (which is actually at the top in the pic cause its hanging upside-down), is an egg sack... If so, will it get bigger? Will I be able to see babies?
Questions without answers.