Just Have A Cupcake

I should have known something like this would happen. For months, all those potted plants have been cluttering up the enclosed front porch, getting parched when I forgot to water them, leaking onto the floor when I remembered, sheltering puffs of dust and dog hair, gasping for a bit of filtered wintry light to creep in through the magnolia branches outside the slightly grimy windows. Last week it seemed beyond time to set them outside again, at last, for some real fresh air and sunshine. I hauled them out, one by one and in pairs - the lemon verbena, the prostrate rosemary, the lavender, the somewhat sad bougainvillea that may or may not ever flower again, the endless aloes, the two heavy, sloshing, watery buckets that, when disturbed, smell like a stagnant pond, containing papyrus reeds - they've all been situation in their ideal outdoor spots, and the front porch is a little less claustrophobic now. Yay. So it should come as no surprise to me that there's suddenly a freeze, a snow, and maybe even a blizzard in the weekend forecast. That's just charming. Guess I'll gather a supply of sheets, blankets, towels, and boxes to throw over the most tender of the growing things, all the while hoping the weather guys have, as they often do, gone off the deep end with a wishful, dramatic forecast.

I will be very very glad that this weekend isn't next weekend, as I'm not in the mood to brave a late winter snowstorm whilst cheerfully hawking my wares and body painting skills with cold, numb fingers.It's looking like a weekend for cupcakes, don't you think? Meanwhile, I discovered these teeny catnip seedlings that are, fortunately, tough enough to handle a little inclement weather. I hope.

It's down to the wire with Medieval Faire creating; the collaged mirrors are coming along, and may be at the photogenic stage later today. Keep an eye out, 'cos I'll share when they're ready.

Welcome to Spring

The most recent flurry of art events is behind me now, until Medieval Fair in a couple weeks. Last Friday's "Money Talks Art Walks" was a lot of fun, and (I hear from those in the know) quite successful. One of my pieces, the anti Valentine's heart, went during the $75 round, which made me happy. The other was still on the wall at the end of the $50 round, but organizers announced a last-minute $25 ticket sale, which made a lot of atendees happy. Whether someone snatched up my white flapper collage, I don't know, as Tony was still feeling queasy from commuting in his car with no suspension, and we'd been there over two hours already, so it seemed like time to come home.

Since then, I've been trying to create; got more text pendants on the go, and a few collage-under-glass mirrors to work on. Unfortunately, Buster has developed an all day fondness for

the chair at my desk, and I'm such a pushover I can't bring myself to shove him out.

Anyway, the weather's been so gorgeous it's been a real chore to remain indoors for any length of time. I hear storms may be brewing for the first part of the week, which is just what I need to a. spur on the gardens and b. make me buckle down and finish some pieces for the Fair before it's too late.

As for this blogging stuff, it's getting frustrating, not being able to arrange my text and photos how I want. Clearly it can be done, as everyone else seems to have mastered it, but with me, it's all so random, and unpleasing. Not to mention with just a couple of 'backspace' clicks, I seem to have made one of my photos disappear altogether. Why must this nonsense be so complicated?

Rosemary.
That little, brighter green thing in front is a fennel that returns year after year. It gets majestically tall, and is a treat for the swallowtail caterpillars.

A daff, of course, creeping through the rotted wood.

Eeyore, feeling almost safe in her bamboo jungle. (Actually, keeping an eye on The Sidler, who gets a thrill from stalking her.)

The Sidler, pretending he isn't after the catnip under the cage. I wonder if catnip will cross-pollinate with lemon balm? Because I think mine has. That larger one you see has a very lemony scent, but looks much more catnipy than balmy. Never had that happen before.