Sweatery Mood

Wool neck cowl from LuluCaswell of Etsy.com

Sweaters are something to think about on October 1. Not to mention, it's 20 degrees outside my house this morning. My sweaters from last winter are looking a little worn. I did a bit of on-line cruising over coffee, and here's what I've found. This season's knits seem to be a bit more streamlined, smooth and simple in construction. Look for a classic design in a beautiful, luxurious yarn.

Sleeveless wrap sweater from Vince

Knit boyfriend jacket from Vince

Cashmere scarf from Amanda Sainsbury of Etsy.com

Coming next: Boots!

Snow on Bald Mt.-September 30

Park City, Utah, looking south toward Bald Mountain at Deer Valley

Seasons Change...And So Do I

Although I love the change of seasons, I can't help but mourn the end of summer. Here where I live, as with a lot of the rest of the US, summertime was too short. I'm going to miss it. But, the consolation is that autumn is here, and it's starting to get a bit stormy and cold weather is on its way.

Cascade Falls from AnnWilkinson Photography

An Apple A Day letterpress poster from Vik Design

Here's a reason to eat something healthy every day. Just because you might not be a kid any longer, it's still a lot of fun to put stickers on things. Find a great apple, peel off the sticker, eat the apple and stick that little apple sticker onto this poster. You are not only creating your own art, you are doing something healthy for yourself.

Blue Gloves by afra...all the way from Istanbul

Mornings will still be chilly enough to warrant something to cover your hands. Why not have some freedom to find your keys, change or a tissue for your cold nose?

Autumn Dreams

Monte Rio Poster by Warren Percell

I started thinking about what it feels like to break the smooth, glassy surface of a lake with your canoe paddle on a chilly autumn morning while the birds' chirping echoes all around. You sit back and watch the ripples in the water lap away and the water smooths once again. The next thing I knew I found all these canoe dreams on Etsy.com.

Canoe-already tested by clairelc6

Take this beautiful hand-made canoe out on your nearby lake.

Blue & White Wooden Toy Boat by FriendlyFairies

This wooden toy boat will also probably do very well in your bathtub.

The Nature Writer's Desk by Robert Crum

Is this a dream or what? I love this photograph! It makes me smile.

Baby Boat Cradle by BeaverBoatworks

The ultimate gift for a special little person. Plus, it's versatile -- a cradle, a place to play, a way to see the world. I wonder how well it floats.

Harvest, Hazy Autumn, and Desires

This summer was supposed to be relaxing. It wasn't. Things just kept heating up and life got really busy. I admit, I love being busy and I freak out a little when things slow down. Now, it's fall. The air is hazy and changes throughout the day -- crispy in the morning and gradually heating up to a toasty haze in the late afternoon. The crickets are singing a sustained, one-note song. I'm just relishing the last precious days of full-on color.

I acquired a wonderful client who makes incredibly beautiful and intricate off-loon hand-beaded & chainmaille jewelry. Here are a couple of photos of her work.

DJKing Studios

I also spent a few wonderful days in California, photographing a lovely wedding and a vineyard's first pick of their cabernet sauvignon grapes.

AnnWilkinson Photography

Finally, here's a necklace I'm really wanting. My friend, Jennifer Taranto of BellaLuceDesigns on Etsy.com, has a talent for finding the most amazing vintage beads, crystals and chain, and what she puts together is absolutely stunning.

French Kiss from Bellaluce

As I write this blogpost from outside on my deck, there are five young deer prancing around right below me. I don't dare get up to get a closer look; they'll be spooked for sure. They are so lovely.

Happy Indian Summer!

A Night Under the Stars

Jackson Browne

Last night was a magical night. First, I got to help a good friend celebrate her birthday, and secondly, I got to treat my husband to an early birthday gift of his own -- a night hearing one of our favorite singer/songwriters, Jackson Browne. We took blankets, wine, cupcakes, cheeses, olives, bread and sat with about 2,200 others in Park City's Deer Valley Resort Ampitheater. Jackson ambled onstage and said a quiet hello without any fanfare and proceeded to play for the next two and a half hours without a break.

Deer Valley Resort Ampitheater






one of at least 4 guitars Jackson uses on stage

It occurred to me that concerts from my younger days would have been even more fun if we'd had the wherewithal to take a picnic and nice wines instead of warm beers and, well, not much else. Olives? Hardly.

A great night...

I'm still humming For A Dancer today.

Tweak Cooking - Summertime!

Watermelon Lemonade on the deck works for me!

Meyer lemons, juiced and muddled with sugar and fresh mint

Watermelon Lemonade on the Deck!

Just the thing for a hot afternoon -- the right amount of sweetness, a bit of tart, and even the rich anti-oxidants found in watermelon. I found this recipe on Martha Stewart's blog and had to give it a try. Here's the recipe, tweaked a bit to add a bit more nutrition:


1-1/2 mini seedless watermelons
2 Meyer lemons
large handful of fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Watermelon ready to blend 'til smooth

Slice open the watermelon and cut the flesh into chunks. Blend in a high-speed blender (like a Vita-Mix) in batches until it's blended smoothly. Quarter the lemons and squeeze the juice into a large pitcher. Throw the lemon rinds into the pitcher, add the mint leaves and the sugar and muddle them until the sugar dissolves into the lemon juice and the mint leaves are bruised. Stir in the blended watermelon. Serve over crushed ice.


Optional: Add 1.5 ounces of premium vodka to the glass with your crushed ice before pouring in the lemonade. Stir well.

see all my Tweak Cooking posts for more recipes



enjoy!