by Lynaea
on January 19, 2013
Refashion a Shirt Adventure
I posted a teaser on this project a few Saturdays ago, and almost forgot to share “the rest of the story”.
Or more of the story, anyway.
Most of my wardrobe is thrifted. While I love to find things that fit perfectly in the perfect color and perfect cut, it’s rare. And for some reason, not quite as exciting to me as discovering diamonds in the rough…clothes that seem irrelevant but have untapped potential (like a dress that could be a skirt, or a blouse that would look great as the bodice of a dress). Or clothes that are way too big. Sometimes, the bigger the better. Bigger means more fabric to play with (think yardage), more wiggle room. Which was the original state of this shirt (“AND YOU! Friendless, Brainless, Helpless, Hopeless. Do you want me to send you back to where you were, unemployed in Greenland?”—Vizzini to Fezzik, The Princess Bride). [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 17, 2013
I am about to share Nana’s Swiss Porridge recipe.
This is not a Secret Recipe, nor even Deliberately Exclusive, but a recipe til now enjoyed by just a few. The “few” being a remote, obscure clan of hillbillies , plus a smattering of their friends and relatives and random passers-by. Julia Child missed this one. I’m pretty sure.
Aside: This clan, an intelligent, caring, mostly responsible bunch, reluctantly conceded to our sister Mara Lee’s assertion that we are hillbillies. None of us are typically willing to file into any category at all without a struggle, and most of us dismiss the notion of stereotyping altogether (personally, I think it’s abominable). Nevertheless. After my sister enumerated a long list of qualities universally accepted in our culture as Hillbilly, and showed us all with her usual savoir faire how we moved in that groove, we (the clan), were disinclined to further argument (especially after relishing a generous helping of Nana’s Swiss Porridge). Agreed. Yes. We are hillbillies. What is more, we aren’t (not one of us) Swiss. Further proof. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 16, 2013
Painting Nostalgia: Sister, Sister
I was feeling nostalgic today, missing my sisters…feeling grateful for them in a kind of homesick way. So, I’m posting paintings of one them. Andrea Jane. Here is a short series of studies I painted with oil on canvas, using Andie’s wedding photos and my amazing memory (= as references. Photos taken in bright sun; Andie is either glancing down or squinting (I call it gazing pensively).
[continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 15, 2013
Refashion Clothes From Big Sister’s Closet
Nora spilled through the front door in a frosty gust yesterday. Snow had found its way into her boots and was clinging to her leggings; her mittened hands were cold-nipped and her cheeks apple-red. We warmed her up by the fire. She calmed down and mellowed out…and was so darn cute (albeit a little soggy) that I had to capture the moment while her cheeks still glowed. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 12, 2013
I’m getting better. I think. I spent some time outside today (sincerely layered) shoveling snow and mucking out the goat pen. Sneezes were down significantly, ears only slightly plugged, head pressure possibly clearing.
Which tenuous upturn makes me an authority on remedies for the common cold.
*This authorized dubiousness comprises tonight’s Saturday Special (I’m going for historical here).
**These are all homely remedies, by the way. Truly indubitable? You decide.
1) Lemon & Honey.
Growing up, when we had sore throats, my mom used to warm up a little bit of lemon juice concentrate mixed with honey (Realemon…the spelling vexed my little girl brain), and give us the concoction a teaspoon at a time. The ultra sour/sweet combination distracted us (our senses reeling) into feeling better…at least for a little while. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 11, 2013
Needing Some Bright Spots. Brrr.
Twenty two degrees outside, still snowing. Beautiful…But. I have a full-blown cold (there’s an obscure pun in there), possibly even the flu; playing in the snow wasn’t optional today. Fire in the fireplace, pizza for a late dinner, my kids are watching Phineas and Ferb on Netflix (I actually really like this), and I’m feeling ambitious enough (tissue close by) that I think I’d like to post some random bright spots before I succumb to Alka Seltzer and an electric blanket (tonight, I don’t care if electric blankets wreck my chi). [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 10, 2013
And in Flew Enza
Noting the Cold Outside,
and inspired by Steph’s refashioning, I focused today on making skirts out of wool sweaters. Success! I have two wool skirts now (and a pair of leggings). But it was way too blizzardy today for photos (picture above was taken a week ago Saturday). Visibility is bad, the roads are terrible, and the goats—who I’d hoped to bring with me on the photo shoot— are hiding in their barn, munching hay. None of us want to leave the snug warmth of our shelters (they have a heat lamp; I have a fire).
Besides, my throat is sore and I’m snuffly. I’ve got some sort of bug. What is the rest of that nursery rhyme, the one that ends with ” and in flew Enza”? It is on the tip of my fuzzy brain. I should look it up. It’s a little morbid (at least its origins are), like “ashes, ashes, we all fall down”. [continue reading…]
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by Lynaea
on January 9, 2013
Make a Simple Skirt from a Sweater
My friend Stephanie shared pictures of a recent Refashioning—or Snowshoeing—Adventure.
(Stephanie’s essay appeared in a recent post, “Pink Means What?…”). Steph is a long distance friend; once upon a time we both lived in the same tiny town in Washington, but neither of us live there anymore. Good memories. We stay connected through emails and facebook messages and the very occasional visit (which I cherish). I miss her, and am so grateful that we have been able to maintain a vibrant friendship. But back to skirts. [continue reading…]
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