jaunty plume

 I had the pleasure of creating these illustrations for a fine lady with a jaunty plume.

Please welcome Pound Ridge Plume.

In the early evening, she carefully crafted and hosted readings from her salon with raspberry red walls.

The next day she took a moment to admire her secretary and personal affects.

The window was open and the birds were chirping quite a cacophony which she found one part pleasant and the other annoying.

She closed the window to listen to her own thoughts and rearranged the objects while she tidied up.

She knew that it was time to write and to work.

 

The words poured out from her fingers onto the screen.

Then she decided after several hours had lapsed from staring at the screen of her lap top to call it a day.

She knew that it was time to prepare a meal for her family and to give thanks for another splendid day.

Her jaunty plume would anxiously await her return.

artful lunch

 The only stipulation was that my artfully prepared lunch be vegetarian.  No meat, however cheese would be welcomed so with that in mind, a roasted napoleon of beets, sweet potatoes, goat cheese was on the menu.

The anticipation of their arrival brought me right on time to the train station to fetch these fine women.
Our plans had been arranged months in advance to let me know that they would be traveling to New York from their respective homes, Carol from Toronto and Michelle from Vancouver.  It is always nice to have special treats to look forward to.  Special visitors deserve special cuisine.  They came bearing the most lovely flowers, bubbly and house gifts which deserve an entire post.

 I believe in letting your guests work for their lunch so they assembled these sweet stacks and then I topped with sauteed beet greens and roasted pine nuts,  drizzled with truffle oil.  Accompanied with a flute of bubbly and enjoyed with my wedding sterling.  This was followed by a fresh green salad and then some fresh berries with kefir.  I do believe in living and enjoying an artful life.  Dining at home is so much more relaxing and intimate.

Go here if you would like to see Carol's post.  I am so delighted they took the time to make the trip and sharing The Historic Home, "Sunnyside" of Washington Irving was a treat.  Thank-you to Carol and to Michelle for coming to visit and for your down-to-earth friendship.  I think I need to visit Canada next.

desire joy

Dedar from Bergdorf Goodman, NY

Did you know that if you desire joy in your life and you postpone that joy it can actually have serious side-affects? Desire can be a tremendous motivator, like a beautiful bright glow that pulls you in.

Jesu, joy of man's desiring

Holy wisdom, love most bright

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned

With the fire of life impassioned

Striving still to truth unknown

Soaring, dying round Thy throne

*goosebumps*

Think about this and really dwell on your deepest desires and resolve to set up a plan in order to achieve joy. It might be a "thing" or a "switch" in your life to bring about -- "goosebumps" or some sort of fire within, waiting to be released.

Last night I had the "joy" of meeting not one but two wonderfully creative women for dinner in New York City. We shared a lovely pot of Fondue! We agreed that our creativity is everything to do with desiring joy.

Desire Joy today~

knock on wood

"knock on wood"

"Wooden" you like to win one of these lovely wood bead necklaces?

Well hop on over here and leave a comment.

Let Kayce know what your favorite dress is on her line of lovely clothing. I love knowing that you can just buy yourself one strand or two if you want. I love wooden accessories. Wood can be worn all year long. Knock yourself out and leave Kayce a comment on her blog.

little acorns (giveaway)

"From Mighty Oaks do little acorns grow."

Thanks to this lovely lady for dropping by with this Fall giveaway.

A charming acorn necklace.

Your choice of stone.

From small beginnings do good things grow.

Tell us which stone you would choose, pearl, mahogany obsidian or the one above.

Leave a little comment to enter.

Winner will be posted on Monday, October 4th.

Thank-you Janna from Jac Jewelry!

giddy

vintage image of reader enjoying a book, pg wodehouse - circa cigarette smoking too!

Several times this week, I have opened an e-mail or a comment left for me and I am positively delighted to know and meet so many fans of my artwork and my blog.

Here are a few quotes;

"love reading your blog at the end of the day, it calms me after a day with 17 pre-schoolers"

"your witty artwork makes me want longer legs"

"lunch with pve (blog visits) is the one normal part of my day"

"you inspired me to draw again, I had not drawn since kindergarten"

"I always have afternoon tea with pve"

"your artwork is even better in person."

"He was gazing at the waitress with the look of a dog that's just remembered where its bone was buried." From The Inimitable Jeeves, P.G. Wodehouse

Did you know that your capricious comments make my tail wag, my heart beat a bit faster and any sort of frown turn upside down? Thank-you.

Tell me - love to know what gives your day more "giddy-up?"

hot vamp

It is another hot one today, in fact it is predicted to be a scorcher of a day. On this hot day we look forward to welcoming one hot vamp to our home for a cool day of lunch and perhaps a swim at our local pool club. Touche, to fighting the heat with Val and Alberto. We may even persuade them to do a little tango for us.

Ever since Visual Vamp has been painting the town with a wash of "greige"- I thought this pump was very fitting and as stylish as she. I am off to fold fans to beat the heat. En guard, Mr.Hot Day, we have every intention of foiling you in style.

artwork from here.

latte love

Emily (faithful blog reader) sent me this wonderful photo of a latte that her dear husband made for her. I would love this right now as we had a 2 hour delay due to some nasty weather, snow, icy and rain. I drove my husband to the train, took in a neighbor's daughter to bring her to school and had 3 shifts of breakfast, french toast topped with powdered sugar, hot cocoa, fresh fruit and juice. Making lunches, delivering to school and respective buses.

Now, my day begins.

Hope your day begins with lots of latte love!

secret journey

The Queen of Dance - "Opal Light" photo by Eizabeth Belliveau

Please welcome my dear friend Elizabeth to the blog world. You will find her here. I am delighted she has joined us on our journey. Take a minute to dance over, leave a comment and see her site with her wonderful fine art photography.

make new friends

Emerson Tray from number 411

Have you ever thought of your friends as "ornaments" ...or... "characters"

Helen Keller - Quote on a tray from here.

to create the story of your life.

Well think again.

I do think friends make our life sparkle like ornaments and provide for stories full of plots and twists and turns.

I am thankful for each of my friends.

I may not show it often enough.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed."

"Make new friends"

This week I encourage each of you to help a friend in need or make a new friend!

I dedicate this week to old and new friends!

Thanks to this new friend "moderne mama" for a fab lunch with a bevy of lovely bloggers!

(Chic trays can be found an purchased here!)

netiquette

pve with jessLC ( I snagged this photo of Jess and I)

Dining here with fellow blogger and entrepreneur Jess LC was indeed a highlight of my weekend in Chicago.  Jess is one of the most efficient bloggers who shares resources for designing a life with intention.  

Jess designs jewelry as well as provides small business advice, giveaway tips, scrumptious recipes all with the intent to design your best life.  Jess began her blog only in January as a way to journal her intentions.  I truly believe that Jess is working toward a book which will influence the expectations for a new type of social behavior.  Our actions can improve ones life through addition by subtraction.  I encourage you to email Jess with something that you would like to get rid of in order to make under your life.  Jess loves email and is the tops in netiquette.  I anticipate hearing great accomplishments about Jess in the future, she is not afraid to share nor to ask questions in order to design a life with powerful intentions. Intentional behavior can also be just thoughtful and deliberate goal-directedness.  Design a life of intention....and then tell Jess about your make under.  Trust me, it works!

by design

the dynamic duo -pve design and Architect Design

I never imagined that as a keeper of a blog, that I would have the fortune to meet and build friendships along the way.  Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting Stefan from Architect Design in New York City for a delightful day.  We both felt as though we were not meeting for the first time, there was a design connectivity and an appreciation for art, design and beauty. Truly, destiny, "by design" for a delightful day.

Atelier du viele Apt - an Earthenware cream pitcher $365 at Charlotte Moss

First we met at the Charlotte Moss Shop where I eyed this earthenware pitcher.  I have a penchant for "green" and there was something about this marbleized  finish that is so attractive.   There is a sale going on, as the shop shall be closing so that Charlotte can devote her time to design.  The pitcher did not come home with me as I am in a "saving mode."

Afterwards we had a leisurely stroll through Central Park en route for a bite to E.A.T -

I learned that we both love chocolate chip cookies.

Images from the "House Proud" Interior watercolor collection exhibit

Arriving at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum to view an exhibit - "House Proud" a collection of interior watercolors and other fine objects.   The attention to detail as well as the amount of patience was impressive.  I need to brush up on trying my hand at some of these sorts of works.

Firstly, I will need some brushes with fine tips in order to get the amount of detail.

Then upstairs for some more eye feasting.

a motif from a vintage wallpaper, from the exhibit

a modern fine line "frame" wallpaper, perfect for today - of course I would want to illustrate in each frame a work of art!  I loved this paper.

On the 2nd floor there are two other exhibits to view, a model for chinese affordable architecture 

 and a children's wallpaper exhibit with vintage designs, "Wall Stories"

a wallpaper sample from the collection, animal motifs are still charming today.

The finale was the Fifth Avenue promenade leading us to "Bergdorf Goodman" - for a little window shopping and a mad dash to Grand Central for my train, otherwise, I may have turned into a pumpkin!

By design, a super Saturday to blog about.