After many hours of brutal labor (eight hours digging up the summer annuals that were so very established and another eight for the planting of the winter annuals) all done over the last three weekends, I am almost done. What’s left is to sprinkle the fertilizer, slug bate, root stimulator, and to add more compost around the pansies. Next weekend, I will need to transport my summer container plants to the greenhouse and create my traditional winter container annuals.
The Reading Room. I just received an email from Karen Weiner about her next happening this next coming Monday, November 8. The incredible local produce purveyor Tom Spicer of Spiceman’s 1410 will give an exotic mushroom demonstration–lobster, hedgehog, maitake, matsuke, clamshell, crab, black trumpet. He will provide information about their qualities and uses. Hopefully you remember my last post about The Reading Room and what a unique experience it was for me. I’m looking forward to this one. So come join us. The Reading Room is located at 3715 Parry Avenue. The doors open at 6, and the demonstration begins at 7 pm.
Also for your viewing pleasure…
My little design became a reality. After purchasing the crystal stars online, I took them and my design drawing to a local jeweler hoping they could create the nickel plated components. At first they were confident about pulling it off, but after three weeks, they called saying it wasn’t possible. That’s when my designer, Charley McKenney, offered to take my design to the metal artist who had previously created metal backs for two of my antique sconces. This guy, with no fuss, was able to make my vision a reality. Not only was the price reasonable, but they were more beautiful than I had ever hoped for. The brass stars were cut into shape before they were nickel plated along with the balls that would eventually be soldered to the screw posts. My idea was to have all the components separate. That way I could thoroughly clean the parts and avoid dirt and dust from collecting, thus mucking up all the sparkle. And because I can be such a spaz when cleaning, I have extra crystal stars to replace the ones I might break in the future.
Anna and Steve ready Gabe for action. This little fellow was one of my last, but not least, trick-or-treaters. Custom designed and made by Anna, this attire is definitely not your run-of-the-mill variety. I could not stop laughing. Especially when he kept trying to escape from his mask. Years from now, when he is a fully grown young man, he won’t remember the outfit. But fortunately there will be plenty of digital proof to show him that he actually wore silver lamé in public.