Author: Clare at CatsEatDogs

Practise practise practise.

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  Practice or practise? Just as I figure out the difference, I read that practice can be used for the verb and the noun here in the States. I think I will play my British card here and still use the different spellings or the next thing I know I will be calling yams – sweet potatoes and tortoises -turtles. Language is a funny thing isn’t it, how it gets changed even when we are speaking the ‘same’ language. Anyway, I was thinking about practising some drawing and how much I should practise and how long for and then the question which holds me back more than any popped up – Why? I have a strange relationship with practising something, anything. I am happy to do it, but look at it as a waste of time, maybe not so much a waste but I unconsciously limit the amount of time I allow myself to draw or crochet or learn Photoshop (the last one is on my to do list…). It took me literally two years …

One+Four=Life. Weekly Photos 20/52

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1. We had a 14th birthday this week, yikes a proper teenager in the house now! I made a Strawberry Shortcake Ice cream cake for the occasion. 2. Some of my lavender is catching up with some growing, but this end of the lavender bed is doing so well, I can’t wait to harvest some this year for lavender bags. 3. We went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens this weekend and saw some more lanterns, I love these dandelion clocks (I am not sure that is what they are supposed to be, but that is what they look like to me!). They were super sparkly in the sunshine. 4. While at the gardens we went to visit the koi carp in the Japanese garden where you can buy 25 cents worth of food to throw in. Some of them are giants and look at those mouths all ready for food! I am joining with Meet Me at Mikes for this week’s One+Four=Life post, pop over there to see more snapshots of weeks around the world.

Six Word Saturday

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There was a garage sale at a local church this morning, so off we went at 7am (yawn). My youngest found some very fabulous cine and regular vintage cameras from around the 1940’s. I wonder if they would still work and if you can get film for them? I picked up a 1930’s ‘Lavender Bath Powder’ tin and some lovely grey pearl buttons for a couple of dollars. It has rained lots here today, but it is still warm so the plants are all growing nicely. I hope you have had a marvellous Saturday and are looking forward to Sunday.

Through The Lens Thursday #20. Round.

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I didn’t realize how many round things are in my ‘I like this’ department.  I like my wood rings from Philomena and Ruth, my silver rings made by Kate McKinnon, the two charms on leather which I made yesterday and the string of beads which I will most likely fashion into a bracelet for the summer.  Lots of things to like. I find that I tend to wear the same things for a while, then move onto something else.  At the minute I am definitely into my wood rings and I love a casual leather cord with something gorgeous on it, simply tied at the back. What is your ‘go to’ wearable at the minute?  A favorite scarf or shoes, rings or lipstick!  I am trying to be a big girl and wear lipstick and make up more.  When I say lipstick, I mean tinted lip balm, baby steps. Happy Thursday! Through the Lens Thursday details are here and next week is ‘negative space’ which I assume doesn’t mean the naughty corner….!

How my Garden is Growing.

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I thought I would share my little garden today, everything has just started to grow really well.  It is all green green green with a extra touch of green. The sunflowers are growing fast, followed by the tomatoes and rocket.  The kale and chili plants are coming along nicely, chilies always seem to grow so slowly, I am happy I have any leaves at all! My lavender bed didn’t all survive the freezing St Louis winter, but I have a couple of tough plants and I have put some more in the bed to fill it up again.  Hopefully I will get a bumper harvest again this year and make some lavender bags and maybe some lavender infused oil to use in balms and perfumes.  Then it’s fingers crossed for the winter months. The rhubarb is looking good, but I think I need to leave it this year and wait to harvest next year.  Seems a little too long to wait for rhubarb crumble, maybe I will buy some this year and let my little …

One+Four=Life. Weekly Photos 19/52

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For this week’s four photos, it was a hard choice and it made a nice change to have choice! Don’t you find that a week will pass and you have taken hardly any photos, yet another week, you have been a clicking demon and have no end of snaps to choose from! I have had a week of field trips, on Tuesday I went to southern Illinois to Waterloo and my friend’s new shop Philomela and Ruth. On Wednesday I went out with some friends to the Missouri Botanical Gardens and saw the blooming irises which were all amazing. They were also setting up the Lantern Festival ready for the event to start at the end of May. I think the lantern display is as impressive during the day as it would be all lit up at night. So much work goes into it all, we will be visiting again once all the lanterns are up and running later this month. Photos – 1. Wall art at ‘Philomena and Ruth’. 2. One of a gaggle …

Six Word Saturday

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It is serious growing weather here at the minute, rain and warm, I am virtually watching my seedlings grow before my eyes. The arugula/rocket is going bananas which means I will be eating a nice salad with every meal! As I walked to Barre class this morning I stopped to snap the blanket of flowers on the green bridge. Happy Saturday and Happy Mother’s Day for tomorrow to all you Mums!

Taking Stock, May

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Time to follow the fine example of Pip at Meet me at Mikes and Take Stock I think, so let’s see what I am up to today. I have put a blank list at the end for you to Take Stock too. Making : Granny squares!  I have 11 so far, I hope I manage enough for a blanket. Cooking : Banana, peanut butter, chocolate chip bread for breakfast treats! Drinking : A slightly cold cup of tea, I need an insulated mug. Reading: Flow magazine and Art of Everyday Photography by Susan Tuttle, I am inbetween novels, looking for one I like. Any ideas? Wanting: My copy of ‘Craft for the Soul’ to arrive, I am so excited to see Pip’s new book Looking: Outside at the rain. Playing: The soundtrack from St Vincent on Spotify. Deciding: Which clothes to take on holiday next month. Wishing: For a pause in the rain so we can get home from school and stay dry. Enjoying: The cooler weather, even if it is raining. Waiting: For the …