rainy day woman

Tags

"Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet", Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Musicals, butcherblock, Camelot, Classical musical recordings, home projects, Julie Andrews, key lime pies, King and I, LP's, musical tunes, Oklahoma, richard burton, rogers and hammerstein

rainy day

Following two days of grueling garden projects, I am happy to report much-needed rain. I will soon see if the new berms, mulch, and rock placement deter further erosion on the property.
Key Lime pies are cooling in the fridge awaiting their restaurant delivery later today, yet, in the meantime, I must continue winter project momentum—as well I know, spring will be here too soon and my energies will be forced outdoors.
For reasons unknown recently, classic musical tunes from my mother’s LP collection surfaced to my consciousness, prompting me to find the reproduction turntable and her actual record collection.
As a captive indoors—with butcher block counter-top refurbishing looming—I clicked on the dial of the turntable and began a sing-along with the likes of Al Goodman, Irving Berlin, Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Rogers and Hammerstein. Blimey, what genius heralds from the days of High Fidelity!
Mother always took great care of her vinyl collections and these disks remain virtually pristine—the sound incredible—only superseded by the engaging lyrics! While growing, I often sang in the family room cedar closet in order to hear my voice. Hmm, a closet singer? Who knew! And what back up I had!
Furthermore, I dare any man to top Richard Burton’s rendition of How to Handle a Woman. This is romance personified folks!

fine lyrics from the past

LP’s are a fine way to visit former musical giants

Therefore, with a song in my heart and a tune on my lips— despite rain and chore—I flew through my assignment and filled the house with lively chorus.

sing and sand

tools for the task

gleaming restoration

I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night...and now I must get off my sing-song horse, fire up the van, and transport KL PIES to the hungry mortals who await yet another slice of The Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet.

Do you have favorite tunes from your childhood? How often do you sing them? I strongly recommend this. I cannot remember being so uplifted as I trudged through deep puddles and navigated busy afternoon traffic.

Post Script: Still singing when I arrived to town, I quickly found out that neither the chef nor bank teller knew what an LP was. Oh, what that generation is missing!

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

a fine tradition ~ how to wash a sweater

Tags

clothing, home keeping, how to wash a sweater, thoughts on mothballs, water

Amazed by how many folks do not know the art of hand washing garments, I decided to photograph the process this morning and share with my followers. This home-keeping is really simple, good for you, and the environment. Dry cleaning, in most cases, leaves residual odors and chemicals, as the process is petroleum-based and utilizes toxic gas.

What you will need to wash garments at home:
A washing pan that is at least 8DX12WX15L (I found mine at Big Lots)
A quality washing liquid designed for hand washing (I use Woolite)
A deep sink
A plush terry towel
A drying rack (I bought mine years ago at Bed, Bath, & Beyond)
Cold water
Guidelines:
Begin by filling your washing pan with cold water while adding 1T of washing liquid (using a washing pan instead of the sink saves water)
Add your garment and completely submerse
Soak for at least ten minutes, then return and slosh, massage your garment while still in water
Pour off soaking water and squeeze the water out of the garment
Fill washing pan again to cover garment with clean, cold water, slosh, squeeze
Repeat this process until water runs clear
Squeeze out most of the water in your garment then place on terry towel which is spread on a water safe table top
Roll the garment up in the towel and then press (kindly do not twist) the rolled towel to remove most the water
Unroll and shape garment on the drying rack and leave to rest until completely dry
Touch up with a low steam iron if necessary

Since a teen, I wash all my sweaters this way and any other delicate natural fiber article that needs cleaning—silk, leather and wool gloves, hats, unlined dresses, blouses, and scarves. Many clothes labeled ‘Dry Clean Only’ can be hand washed at home. Wool jackets and pants should be dry-cleaned, yet any unstructured garment of cotton, silk, linen, or wool can be cared for at home.
Even those handy lens wipes given to us by our opticians benefit from a slosh in cool, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.

Garment soaking in cold water bath

Place wet garment on terry towel on water proof surface

Roll garment in towel

Garment rolled and pressed in terry towel

Clean sweater shaped and drying naturally on frame

THOUGHTS ON MOTHBALLS AND MOTH CRYSTALS

• These items are pesticides and can be harmful to humans, unborn children, and pets. I have never used these products and do not have a moth problem. However, I do use dried lavender or southernwood in my blanket box and bureau.

When your garment is dry, I promise you will love the sweet, fresh scent of this naturally cleaned garment. This is also a good time to check for any loose buttons or seams that need mending. Enjoy and let me know if you have questions.

Copyright © 2013 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

Christmas…time for downsizing

Tags

Buy Fresh Buy Local, Christmas, downsizing, Garden Home Cottage, Holiday decor, holiday maddness, home, lifestyle, nature, P Allen Smith, the meaning of home

simple holiday décor on the cottage

My dear cousin inspired today’s blog. Describing how she struggled with the artificial Christmas tree assembly (sans husband), the frustration of which dead bulb affected the entire string, and how this process was no longer a joy, I wondered why bother; after all she and hubby are now empty nesters.

I relate to this tale, as last year I cut a small stray cedar at a nearby farm, hauled it home, dragged out all the accoutrements, and as I hung the decades old ornaments, realized that I no longer connected with this ritual. Three days later, I deconstructed the tree, wound all the lights into tidy bundles, bagged the ornaments that no longer held meaning, and donated the lot to the animal shelter in time for their holiday sale.

Christmas can be a time for renewal as well as a time for rebirth. Out with dated habits and in with new inspired traditions is my mantra. The suggestion to my cousin— make a list of current rituals that no longer hold meaning—the volunteering that no longer sparks passion—the chores that are dull—and make a new list—one that inspires good will and creative exploration—a direction intended to spread one’s light on the world.

Therefore this season, with fresh eyes and heart, I erected a small everlasting iron tree form in my bay window where I hung the remaining ornaments that hold meaning. Simple yet eternal—not the extravagant decorations of magazines, yet tiny snippets of my past that inspire moments of contentment.

everlasting tree with ornaments that hold meaning and a handmade felt tree skirt repurposed in the bay window

Here in the United States, I am annually horrified by the manic holiday season which is driven by the retail monster. Long before Thanksgiving, our senses are dulled by a push to spend, spend, spend. Most Americans do not have much to spend, yet are herded by traditions that perhaps are long past obsolete.

I opted out of this madness decades ago and choose instead to create a few tokens of affection and appreciation of my making. No outsourcing here.

Homemade, homegrown, home.

May your season be blessed with true meaning.

Copyright © 2012 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved