Stone Upon Stone

The stone work that we have seen in Ireland is so interesting and varied. Some of the walls/fences are surely built recently but many are very old, even ancient. Seeing the bounty of stone is one of the pleasures of driving the countryside in Ireland. It provided inspiration for this wall built in our backyard.

Newly constructed: A modest dry stacked stone wall (my husband's handy work)

A closer look

After the May Snow (2 days of it)

This Sporadic Spring

Spring has been cyclical - rain and cool/cold weather, a gradual warm up, a few days of 80 degrees, and back to cold rain again. Today, though, we are back to snow! We probably got about an inch before it turned to cold, cold drizzle. The weather has been good for morels, though. We have found an excess of 60 over the past weeks. Yesterday, I noticed many wildflowers had finally bloomed. Hopefully they are hardier than my tomatoes planted too early.

Shooting Star (smells like grape)

Shining Blue Star

The heftiest of my Morel finds

The Great Morel

After our third spring here in our woods, I finally found them: those elusive Morel mushrooms. I found one by accident and then began hunting in earnest. I harvested about twelve yesterday and plan to hunt again in the coming days. It was so exciting and rewarding when I sauteed some in butter and fried a couple after tossing them in flour. I hope I find many more to experiment with different recipes. I also hope to find and try many Missouri edibles this spring and summer.

 

Dos a Dos Journal: a Gift for Twins

This was a gift for a friend expecting twins. Each side is monongrammed for each little girl. Great to record firsts - step, word, tooth, etc. Or footprints, first scribbles, photos. I thought the double sided journal was a great solution for twin journaling, good for giving each little one her own attention because their personalities are sure to deserve such. Made with handmade papers, waxed linen thread, ivory laid paper, vintage buttons.

Spanish Streets Journal

for a springtime ramble through back streets or down a hidden alley...

@ Traveling Chariot Etsy Shop

Springing up on Etsy

New journals now in my Traveling Chariot Etsy Shop.

The other gift giving season is on its way soon - Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Summer Weddings. I have something for everyone in my shop. And, of course, I do custom journals if you have something special in mind. Please visit and browse.

 

Once upon a time...

To brighten your Monday listen to this enthralling interview with Maria Tatar, fairytale and folklore scholar. It is delightful...

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Thanks to all the customers and fellow writers at the Drury Literary Symposium. If you saw something you liked (and it didn't sell) it should be for sale here in my shop very soon. I also do custom journals as well if you want something special or different. Feel free to contact me with any questions or requests. Thanks again!

 

Winter Skies

Image from http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/featured-shop-the-wheatfield/
Vistit the Wheatfield shop here

 

 

 

National Handwriting Month

It is National Handwriting Month, believe it or not. I did not know such a thing existed, but I am glad it does. So, write a letter, a note, write a story on post-it notes. For a little inspiration, check out this link to a stellar video - done with handwriting. (So sorry, I'm not tech-savvy enough to embed this video. I tried).

 

http://www.leandrosenna.com/72810/766869/work/bob-dylans-hand-lettering-experience

Turning a Leaf

For a friend. I hope she fills it with wild and whirling words.

Yule Log

"Peasants used to burn a yule log on the Winter Solstice in December. The Winter Solstice is the day of the year with the shortest amount of daylight. The peasants hoped to keep evil spirits away by burning the Yule log, which they presumed might come because of the prolonged darkness of the Winter Solstice." - from christmaslore.com

 

The Yule Log Dessert came later and substituted for the much older tradition of burning an actual log. I chose to make a pumpkin roll with cream cheese icing rather than a chocolate one. I used baking marzipan to create the leaves and mushrooms and lightly coated them in some leftover icing.

 

Gingerbread Cottage

My first attempt at a gingerbread house from scratch, complete with candy glass windows.

 

Faux Stained Glass

Commissioned for Community of Christ Church in Aurora, MO.

 

The Perfect Cup

New in my Etsy Shop here.

Winter Wood

Winter Windows

Some of my recent work around town....