Puzzling Puzzle Rings of the Past

Another blast from the past hit me by total accident today while innocently (!) browsing eBay. How is it possible that I completely forgot about this ubiquitous accessory of the early 1970's among the middle school and high school set, the Puzzle Ring? You just had to have one, if only to have something to do to pass the time while waiting for attendance to be called in P.E. As I recall, there were only a limited number of different designs, so once you figured out the puzzle of your own ring, you could pretty much do any of them. I guess these were the natural progression for those of us obsessed with Cat's Cradle in the third grade. At least we never had our rings confiscated!

On a more thoughtful note, it strikes me that this item from my youth, and the happy reminiscence that it evokes, should be revealed to me today, a day of poignant and painful memories. A message, perhaps? But from whom?

Completed

Wishing you blessings and peace, today and always.

In Memory of a Dear Friend

1971:  Andrea at age 15, painted by my mother, Vivian Morse, on Snowden Lane

Five days ago, I learned the devastating news that my friend Andrea had  passed away while on vacation in Mexico.  She was swimming in the ocean, a pastime that she loved, when, inexplicably, she drowned. I've been thinking quite a bit about Andrea this week; about friendships lost and gained, the power of internet social networks,and how fragile life is.

If it hadn't been for Facebook, I most likely never would have had Andrea "back" in my life.  We grew up on the same street, in a vibrant little college town not far from New York. Her older sister used to baby-sit me, an only child, when I was in elementary school, and Andrea took up the reins when her sister left for college, sitting with me occasionally when my parents went out at night.

In the '60's and '70's, my mother belonged to a painting group that met weekly, and for one of the classes, Andrea was enlisted to "sit" or rather, stand against a tree, as a portrait subject. Two years ago, when Andrea and I first became Facebook friends, I reminded her of this portrait sitting, and she was amazed and heartened to see this painting, so many years later.  She remembered how difficult it was for her, a vivacious girl, soccer and tennis player, aspiring actress, to pose, without moving, for the several hours that the class took to paint her. Even though she was being paid her "going rate" for baby sitting, she said it was one of the most tiresome things that she had ever had to do!  At the end of the sitting, she also said that seeing the many different interpretations of her image was an eye-opener, and in most instances, quite shocking for her 15-year-old self, but that now as an adult she had a much greater appreciation for the quality of artistic expression.

Today is her memorial service, in a city many miles away.  The snow is falling here, for the first time this year, gentle snowflakes swirling above a white blanketed ground. The landscape could not possibly contrast more to that vibrantly colored painting. My heart is heavy. I will miss interacting with  Andrea on Facebook, playing our word games, and reading her comments and posts. While it seems unimaginable that she will never "speak" to me again,  I feel grateful for her memory, and for this portrait.

Bungalow Magic in Miami

Isn't this fantastic?  I just had to share this piece that I read this morning in the New York Times "Home" section.  I could live there. Honestly, if I had to live alone, this is how I would like to do it! I don't think I could persuade my husband to live in a jewel-box like this, but maybe?  I don't know if he would go for the 350 pound pig, either, but I could make an argument for the manatee. In any case, enjoy reading about this Bungalow With A Worldview, and the interesting woman who has made a life for herself there.

Thanksgiving: Floral Inspiration

It seems as if people are taking it easier this year, letting Thanksgiving happen without pre-empting it for Christmas.  I think this is wonderful, personally, and if we have the sour economy to 'thank' for it, so be it.  Getting away from the crass commercialism of the 'holiday season' can only be a GREAT thing, in my opinion.  So, in that vein, in putting together the 'look' for my Thanksgiving dining table (and, let's face it:  Thanksgiving is ALL about the dining table!), I started searching around the internet for some inspiration for a seasonal floral arrangement.  At first, I was captivated by the little bouquets in square, chunky glass vases:

These are nice for oblong tables, as you can place several of them along the center, interspersed with candles. My dining room table is round, however, so I kept looking and found this at epicurious:

The link provides instructions on how to create this look.  I don't have a short compote around the house, but I managed to find, after rummaging in the cupboard, a round brass footed planter that had long ago held a silk floral arrangment. Bonus from the same cupboard: Floral foam! My usual trip to the grocery store gleaned some nice seasonal blooms in interesting colors that I found pleasing and complementary to my dining room color scheme. I then added some dried grasses from my own garden, and the arrangement, as I interpreted it (for under $20) turned out like this:

I think it looks like a combination of the two styles. If I have time, I might cut down the stems a bit (again!) because it really should be a bit shorter if it is going to stay on the table during the meal. I'm pretty pleased with it in general, though!

Have a wonderful, safe, and comforting Thanksgiving!

Anthropology Gift-Card Giveaway from European Paint Finishes!

I'm sharing this awesome, just in time for the holidays, give-away for a $50 Anthropology gift card which is redeemable in person or on-line.  Go to European Paint Finishes to enter!

Music, Past and Present

Credits, left to right: DGW Auctioneers, Harp Gallery, Antiques Atlas

An Art Nouveau Music Cabinet renovation posted by Peeling Paint got me to thinking about this particular type of furnishing, something that was probably much more common in the Victorian home and those of the early 20th century than the average modern-day house.  I certainly never had one growing up, even though we owned a piano (and never had anywhere to keep the music, except on top of the piano itself!).  Yes, a spinet piano was usually sold with a bench that doubled as music storage, but this quickly proved inadequate, especially if someone was taking lessons.

Still wondering what the purpose of the mirror was...?

I'm not usually a fan of red, but I think this little music cabinet looks delightful done up in Annie Sloan Emperor's Silk Chalk Paint.  I wouldn't mind having it in my "music room" (aka the living room).  Speaking of which, I've gone back to my texts on Victorian life to do some research on the importance of music in the household, and found some interesting little bits and pieces, such as this website, victoriana.com.  As noted, it was the inevitable coal dust and grit associated with homes of nineteenth and early twentieth century England which necessitated a place in which to store music where it could be kept relatively clean. Having lived in a vintage 1865 London terrace house, I can only imagine that the dust levels in homes of this era must have been all but suffocating when coal was the main source of fuel.  The grit accumulation in the window sills, long after the banning of coal burning at the turn of the millennium, was alarming. 

Thanks to modern awareness, the air we breathe is clearer, but....wouldn't a beautiful cabinet to store all that sheet music be just as functional today?

A pair of more pedestrian, most likely mass-produced early 20th Century examples:
 right, Denhams Auctioneers; left,  Vintiques

A gorgeous example of Art Nouveau from  Tole Treasures

If Edwardian is more your style, there's this beauty from Wilson Antiques

Keep making music!

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To Pinch or Not To Pinch...

It's that time of year again, when the last warm days of Summer are finally giving way to cooler nights and chilly mornings, and we have to come to terms with what to do with the potted annuals that have graced our patio for the past few months.  I've read up on overwintering New Guinea Impatiens, and it seems that it can be done successfully if you pinch back at least a third (or is back to a third?) of its current size.  I just don't know if I can bear to do it!

Look at all those sweet little buds...

Well, I guess it's time to bite the bullet, and go buy some Mums...trying to avoid the inevitable never proves wise!

Enjoying this beautiful day of sunshine,