One Warm Winter Night...

A week ago yesterday was our neighborhood's annual luminary lighting. Though it didn't feel much like the holidays as it was somewhere around 50 degrees out.

We took a little walk around and enjoyed the candlelight and the modern equivalents.

We had both going inside as well.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas or your holiday of choice this season!

O, Cwistmas Twee

As for the title, I am watching The Princess Bride as I type, so really, what choice did I have? We got a nice little twee three weeks ago (nearly) already (!) from the local lot, stuck it on a bucket so that we could see it from the sofa, used burlap for a skirt, transferred lights that were strung up around our screened porch...

tinsel or bead garland? Greg fought for the beads and won...

+ some ribbon...

+ some more ribbon + vintage baubles I found at a thrift store last year.

and then this came in the mail last weekend, a pre-x-mas gift from some great friends, a Cwistmas pickle, the finishing touch! 

Meet the Kids

Formal introductions here on the blog. Piper, the black lab and Elphie, the siamese x american shorthair, or something like that. I love it when they pose themselves. 

Exploration: Near Before Far

Last Friday, husband kind of took the day off (there were a couple of lengthy work phone calls in there) and we did a little culinary exploration/revisitation. As it turns out, we will indeed be moving in the spring, out west. Right now it's between Seattle, Portland, and Denver. He will be working in sales and the only constraint on our location is that it must be near a hub, so the final decision rests on my job prospects. I am looking for work related to my archaeology degree, and if I have a specific offer in hand, that's where we'll go. If the time comes and I haven't gotten a particular position, I think Seattle will be the winner. For several reasons including lifestyle, amenities, and potential prospects for me on both ends of my employment spectrum, the opposite of archaeology being flower-related. And Seattle is a hotbed for local flower love.

We paid a first-time visit to Commonwealth Sandwich Bar for lunch. Delicious. Will definitely miss the Columbus food scene, for it is top notch.

I had the Urban Cowboy involving pork shoulder, bacon and gorgonzola and Greg had the Chicken Club. We had slaw and fries on the side and a Mexican Coke. Mmmmmm cane sugar.

Next we drove down to German Village and peeped at Christmas decorations, then stopped into Pistacia Vera for macaroons and coffee to go. The classic pistachio is hard to beat. Good thing this place is safely at the other end of town.

It was rainy, so we decided to just come back to the cozy home until it was time to go out for a drink at House Wine and dinner (another first-time visit) at Pies and Pints here in Worthington, where on the whole, we were pleased with both the quality of pizza and beer. 

So not a let's-be-skinny day, but there was exercise had over the course of the weekend at least. 

More on the move as it becomes available.

Growing Seasons

Some of the lettuce and arugula I sowed way back when. Still going strong, thus far untouched by frosts and freezes, bunnies and deers, despite being completely unprotected due to my never getting around to doing anything to protect it. 50 and even 60 degree November and December days have aided in it's longevity too. We're having a little cold snap right now, but it looks like the warm temps will be back. Last winter was creepily mild, and so far this one's shaping up the same way.

This came in the mail the other day, featuring super-lovely Pink Senorita Zinnias on the cover of which I grew a nice little crop this summer. They were the stars of whatever arrangement they went into.

Not sure where the garden will be next year, nor if it will be a whole plot of flowers, herbs and veg or a few pots on a patio. But that doesn't make all of the possibilities a seed catalog in the mail (especially Baker Creek) holds any less exciting. I will continue to be and grow as a gardener, if not a flower farmer. More details soon.

On the Coffee Table...

I got out of the habit of reading regularly early this year. Struggling to get through magazines, let alone books. Though I never ceased to be good at collecting both. And I mean the real, bound, print-on-paper deal. No electronic reading devices here. 
There are a couple of books that I started and then put down that I really want to get back to, but I always struggle to revisit books that I've abandoned. Do I start over, or just skim to refresh then pick up where I left off? And what to do in the case of a series left off in the middle of?  So for months I would just surf the interwebs instead of facing my "to read" pile. I take comfort in doubting that I'm the only one that grapples with such debilitating problems related to reading for pleasure. :)
I decided to start this week with a couple of virgin-to-me titles to get past my reader's block. In the meantime I instituted a moratorium on printed word purchases. That calls for a sigh. 

Bye, Fall

The little pile o' pumpkins centerpiece is hitting the compost pile today. Going to start in on the winter holiday decorating. 

We had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday back in Illinois with family and friends. Feeling pretty overstuffed after, I resolved to eat better and get back to regular exercise. Ummmm, that's going ok so far, except for the croissant, bacon, and rum cake-in-a-jar  (first go at the recipe and a baking triumph, so I especially don't regret that one) yesterday. But they were had sort of in moderation and paired with some redeemingly healthy things. 

I've also been looking to do something healthy for what's upstairs, which I do believe trickles down to everything else, so I've decided to give the whole mindfulness/meditation thing a try. I got this app and did day one Monday and really enjoyed it. I missed yesterday, boo, but I think I might restart today and try to get the husband on board.


Last week was a very good week for Unknown Blackbird on Etsy. Adding more things leading up to the holidays.


Our (eight year old) puppy had surgery on Monday to have a couple of lumps removed. She is resting comfortably as is our agoraphobic cat who had her annual trip to the vet also on Monday followed by a very traumatic bath (for she and I) after she wee-ed in her crate on the way home.

One last thing, I changed my user name on Pinterest and something went wrong and now I can't get at my stuff. But they're telling me all is safe and sound and not to worry, they're working on it. So my P button is temporarily (hopefully) broken. Maybe meditation day two now for a little perspective. Back soon.

November Sky

On the way to the gym Monday evening, I happened upon this. Waiting on some answers re. the future at the moment and they are not forthcoming. Related to the husband's career, suddenly a move may be in store, perhaps far afield. Not something I am completely against by any means, but it does have implications for planning for a business that involves growing things. But I am planting those bulbs anyway, hopefully they will be enjoyed regardless.

Last Shot

Final bouquet of dahlias before the were done in by frost a couple of days ago. I'm about to go dig up the tubers for their winter hibernation. And plant a load of spring bulbs.

Gah, I really think dahlias might be my favorite of them all. So perfectly gorgeous.

Vignettes

Here are a couple of little scenes from the week before last that I meant to share sometime before now. The weekend before this past one we were back in Illinois for a Halloween party, and this one just past we had a good friend visiting. And I've otherwise been doing a bunch of running around, and feeling rather like I'm not getting anywhere in any respect. Anywho, above is the neighbor's clothesline looking particularly colorful and below is a little slice of our office.

Peeping at Leaves

Or so they say up the New England way. And as I've heard Granville, OH described as a little slice of New England in the midwest, I suppose that's an appropriate thing to call our activity over there. 

Granville is actually where the better half works, it's about a half hour east of Columbus. My dad is in town, and he's been helping with work on our house, specifically the basement refinish I mentioned awhile back. On Tuesday we took some time off and went over and had lunch with the husband and walked around and took some photos as he has a fancy camera he is learning to use as well.

This is the light post, I guess you'd call it, in front of the Buxton Inn. A cat is involved in their logo, so this is an extension of the theme. A few leaves to see in the upper left corner, but really this one is just for the love of the meows.

It's really been a beautiful fall here in O-hi-o. Will report again soon.

The Older the Better, With an Exception

I've been obsessed with old things for as long as I can remember. Drawn to falling down, chipped tarnished, tattered. This is what led me to get a masters degree in archaeology and also why much of the furniture and accessories that fill my home, some of the places I've called home themselves, and more and more bits of my wardrobe have lived previous lives and have the patina to show for it. One way or the other, I will save ALL the old things.

And so in an effort to do just that, I am opening up a shop on Etsy. It will be primarily vintage for home and to wear, but also some handmade and growing things as well. 

The shop will be called Unknown Blackbird. Surprise! I plan to open my virtual doors in the next day or so and will post a link as soon as I do.

These are my tag/garage sale finds from a week ago Friday. Two coal scuttles overflowing with hens and chicks; a box of pans and moulds to be involved with the aforementioned growing things, perhaps even specifically with some of those hens and chicks, plus bonus potato masher; a photo album with beautiful, perfectly worn green velvet masquerading as moss; and The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe in Five Volumes, Centenary Edition from 1903.

I'll share my finds from this past Friday soon.

One last recent acquisition, not of the vintage variety. Finally after a year and a half or so of exercising patience and restraint, a dslr to call my very own! I'm so excited to stop leaning on Instagram (I do love it, I do, but...) and to get more serious about photography. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm trying to do so as I go and just get as comfortable as possible with the camera as quickly as possible.

So that's that! 

Exceptions

Well, most of the annuals are out or are well on their way, but not the dahlias, of course. They are going strong, coming into their own. I got them planted later than I would have liked, so many of the plants are still covered in buds, just ready to break into full bloom. And the globe amaranth are still looking pretty lovely too. 

I think this might be my favorite bouquet of the whole season. Totally in love with the orange and brick red with the lavender-pink. So in love that I think this specific combination along with some similarly hued friends will be seen together in the garden next year.

I've got to get the dahlias labeled now so that I'll know who's who when I dig up the tubers to store for the winter. I made the mistake of throwing them all in a bucket last year, then added a couple new varieties this spring and planted them all in one bed, and some of the colors are definitely fighting each other in their current proximity. They're also too tall for the locale and I didn't stake them soon enough, so they're looking kind of unruly. So based on color, they'll be making their way to different spots in the garden next year and will be joined by some analogous and complimentary companions of different species. 
In case it's not obvious, I spent part of the day with my nose in a really good garden design book. Finally getting to that much needed planning, and learning a lot in the process. Optimistic next year's garden is going to be my best effort ever. 
But there's a couple seasons in the interim and I've been making some exciting plans for the indoor months. Stay tuned, details coming!

Last Hoorah

It's been a bit dreary, chilly, and fall-like the last couple of days and I'm rather loving it. We had a fantastic weekend, this one just past, that included great friends, great food and drink, and an amazing exhibition opening. 

I cut some blooms to have around over the weekend, some of the last of the summer crop. The golden rod and the unsuccessfully identified other yellow wildflower were foraged from the edge of the woods bordering the community garden. 

In the Meantime...

Almost done with garden clean-up. Lettuce, arugula and cabbage seeds are sown. Contemplating next moves. 

But on with the title. Probably eaten this most perfect of all brunches more times than is really bueno lately, but don't care. Also in perhaps the best physical condition ever in terms of strength and stamina. So there.

10¢ each, set of four at a garage sale. Sweet old fruit crate $1 at same sale (picture sometime in the future, perhaps).

A.M. kitty

Unwieldy dahlias, but how can you argue with those faces?

Bookcase top gilting. 

Imperfection...

...

embraced.

And speaking of, a toast to nine years. Because that's the only way two people can ever even get half as far.