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Hi I hope you will all be able to find each other tomorrow. July 1st is the day google reader is shutting down..... I know! How crazy.

Well I understand we can find each other on Bloglovin.  It takes only a few minutes to sign up and import all the blogs you are already following. bloglovin  Give it a click and sign up. See you there. You can also follow me by clicking the bloglovin button over on the top right. 

While I ponder the mystery of Google Reader closing and switching to bloglover I have decided it is time to work in my garden. Maybe actually plant something or weed a little.  Next week I hope to have a new and improved picture for you.

Anne

Body Armour

Invasion

I don't know what this is, but I know it doesn't belong roaming around in my neighborhood. 

SW Gulf Coast of FL isn't supposed to look like this.

Dad

 My Dad.

Dad you always took the pictures. The man behind the camera. The photographer. Your hands smelled like the chemicals in the dark room. How I loved to go in there with you and stand in the dark watching you while you picked the papers up with tongs and slid them from one bath to the next. The craziness of watching an image appear out of water and paper. Seeing them one after the other line up on the drying line above the trays. Like mom's laundry hanging on a dark misty day. 

I thought you knew and could do anything and everything. You could act and sing and you made the best pancakes and fudge in the world. 
I don't think I have ever known another soul that loved on this green earth as much as you. You were kindness and compassion, love and trust. 

My dearest Daddy.
I miss you.  If I hadn't known how badly you wanted to live and yet how ready you were to die I would miss you with an inconsolable loss. Yet I do know that your time here was not easy and that now in heavens arms you are at peace with the angels. I will see you again. 
Lambie xxoo

Mama's Blueberry Cake.

My mother's ancient wooden recipe file is so stuffed with recipes and her handwriting just tears at my heart when I see it.
I went searching through it tonight because I had a sink full of these.

Beautiful big plump blueberries.
I wanted to make Mama's Blueberry cake.

I don't know how I am going to get all the cards back down inside the box. The penciled writing was so faded that I had to find a pencil and go over it.  I couldn't read if it was 3/8 C milk or 3/4 C.  I used 3/8 C although that seemed a funny amount.  Mom's recipes are like that.

The batter was really thick, but somewhat like I remembered.

I think I got it right.  There is another recipe somewhere and on the top of the recipe card it says "Mama's Blueberry Cake".  This was not that card.  I think it was basically the same. If you want to try it and take your chances with the milk here it is.
~ Mama's Blueberry Cake ~
1/2 C margarine            
1 C sugar
1 1/2 C flour
2 eggs
3/8 C milk (best guess)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 C or more blueberries ( I used the whole pint)
Cream marg. and sugar add eggs and blend, add vanilla and milk, stir in all dry ingredients. Fold in blueberries.
Bake 350 deg. 45 min
8 x 8" greased pan.
We always served it with a pat of butter melted on the top.
~Anne~

Painting Journals

I was digging through some old rusty, rustic metal boxes today. They are listings in my etsy shop and I really wanted new pictures of them.  
New pictures require new props. I went in search of my old art journals and some supplies.

I am glad I saved my journals.

I don't paint any more. 

If I ever get to travel I will make a travel/art journal and sketch in it.

I love the bright colors on the rusty patina of this card file.

The work I do on Etsy prepping photos for publishing is a lot like painting. Taking into consideration the colors, blocking, layout, negative space.  I think I like it better than I ever did painting. When I was painting I never felt like I had one original idea in my head.  Styling for photos is a little more forgiving in that department. 
I like the way this turned out.

Chippy rusty and colorful. A great storage area for a studio. It's in my shop here 
This little metal caddy makes a great tray to carry art suppies.

I just may decide to keep it and have some supplies ready should the mood to paint strike again. Til then it is in my shop here.
I have my knitting and knitting is just paint with tangles and knots.
Anne