I found these dolls at my sister-in-law's this weekend. They were made by her piano teacher, Margherita Menaboni who was the sister of Athos Menaboni, a bird artist. J. is 50 years old, so these dolls were probably made in the 1960's.

They are made of felt with a wire armature. There is a tiny bandana in the boatman's pocket; the fingers on the hands are defined. The faces are embroidered.

As you can see, they are pretty dirty. If you have any ideas on how to clean them, I'd love to hear them. Not sure if the felt is wool or synthetic. J. doesn't know.

At the end of the day.....

(a post after -- as in, in the tradition of, -- Althouse)

Let's have some wine...

And consider the detritus of the feast...

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At the High Museum

Not Worthy?

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I signed up for and began attending classes in various Jewish subjects - spirituality, history, Torah - for the purpose of becoming more informed and more knowledgeable. Wednesday we were told it was "not appropriate" for us to continue attending these classes since our conversion had been with a Reform rabbi. We could continue if we were interested in going through an Orthodox conversion - something that, at this point in my life is not possible. The upheaval would land me in the poorhouse. I knew the Orthodox did not accept Reform conversions. I did not know that extended to sitting in a classroom for the purpose of learning more about Judaism and studying Torah.

We's been attending for about six weeks. Our name is a dead giveaway that something is going on - it's not one that you would typically associate as being Jewish. But neither are Gordon, Stewart, Smith, Grant - any number of "typical goyim" surnames -- and I know "real" Jews with those names. But the question was never raised (for all they knew, I was married to a non-Jew but a "real" Jew myself). My daughter, however, was questioned about 2 weeks ago and of course, she was honest about our conversion. I guess that's what initiated this expulsion.

Talk about wandering in the desert.

I liken it to how some people might freak out upon discovering someone they've liked for a long time is gay. When they didn't know, it didn't matter.

It's not the first time a door has been slammed in my face and probably won't be the last. I respect their beliefs, and if this is the way it is, so be it. It's kind of hurtful that we sat there for all this time believing we were welcome, only to be politely shown the door.

It's been hard in recent years for us to find a congregation we felt comfortable in for many reasons. So I guess it's back to wandering until we get to the Promised Land!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving - we did! Too much food, including banana pudding and faux Tiramisu!

Is this what Dog Heaven is like?

Fall Inspired Quilt Swap

In progress....



Inspired by a crazy quilt pumpkin in an old quilt magazine, I have come up with this:

Silver Comet Trail

View of Nickajack Creek from the bridge on the Silver Comet Trail...


Look into your soul.....


The remains of the old mill run by my great-great grandfather during the War Between the States.....

Transition

Fabulousness Found on the Internet While Unable to Sleep

Morna Crites-Moore's recycled sweater art. How wonderful is this! (via Art for Housewives.

Here's another place to waste time spend productive inspiration-gathering hours looking a wonderful images and photographs(again from Art for Housewives.) What if you spent a day with your camera just recording images you see that somehow resonate with you, that set off a spark inside? I love the patched aprons and the old photographs.

Lamenting the demise of Home Ec. Did you take Home Ec in high school? I did. Every girl did (before it became politically incorrect to do so). That's where I learned to sew. Although my mother and all my aunts could sew, it was a very prissy, but wonderful, home ec teacher who taught me how to put in a zipper and also the phrase, "It'll all come out in the wash" - referring to the sash on my apron. But i took her literally. What'll come out in the wash? I believe my response was "Huh?"

Nobody mends any more. We just go buy something new. When was the last time you had a pair of shoes resoled? Darned a sock? resewed a button? Thus the proliferation and success of the thrift store! And for those of us who love a bargain and get excited over a $2.00 sweater, keep it coming. (i have a blazer I've worn for about 5 years that i bought at a thrift store for $3.00).

A few months ago I made a shower curtain and matching window curtains out of a discarded sheet set my SIL gave me. Also in the pile were dozens of old mismatched pillow cases which I see as place mats and maybe napkins. They won't match but isn't that chic these days? Thrifting is chic! I ripped one seam in a flannel moose-print pillow case and made a pad for the dog's crate with it - that and a $3.00 fleece blanket from Ikea.

And how about this fabulous felted scarf - I feel a trip to the thrift store coming on.

Not to mention my favorite, this totally charming stuffed Scottie!

Great thrifting/crafting/sewing ideas. Lots to keep us insomniacs occupied in the wee hours.

Hamilton Hikes Heritage Park

Hamilton. How can you not love that face?


We took a walk in Heritage Park last weekend. Hamilton loved getting out doors and went nuts every time he saw another dog. here he gazes longingly at Nickajack Creek. (No way, Buddy. That creek mud stinks. )

This is what's left of an enormous tree that fell. The bottom part of the trunk is what's left. The picture gives you no point of reference so it's impossible to appreciate how big this thing is.
Heritage Park is close to the house. It consists of a wetland near Nickajack Creek. You get to see some wonderful flora and fauna throughout the year, and it's quite wonderful to observe the changes to the area throughout the year.