Mila's Daydreams

This is one of the most clever photo blogs I've seen.  So cute, and so creative.

Enjoy.

A Summary of Summer

Busy.  That's what it was.

But since that's not a very satisfying summery, I'll tell you more.

It was a very productive summer for me, all things considered.  I started my first "official" job, sewed often, gardened, painted and spent time with family and good friends.  As for my blog... it fell to the side, but I'm ok with that - summer isn't for sitting on the computer all day.  In the winter things will pick up again, when there isn't as much to do, and I will write more often.  But right now, it's gorgeous outside, and only getting prettier while it cools down for the fall.  So go outside.  As soon as you're finished reading this post.  Or before (that would probably be better for you).  Don't you love unsolicited advice?

I also read a good deal this summer.  Here's what happened:

• And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 
• A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup (founder of the Institute for Unsolicited Advice) 
• About eight essays by Wendell Berry, from The Art of the Commonplace 
• Art for God's Sake by Philip Ryken 
• Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
• Most of Comforts from the Cross by Elise Fitzpatrick
• The Homesteader's Handbook by James E. Churchill 

These were some good books.  A Whole Nother Story was silly, witty and hilarious.  It had me in stitches!  Comforts from the Cross is a wonderful reminder and clarifier of the Gospel, and the chapters are in short chapters, perfect for coupling with your Bible reading.  Wendell Berry's essays make me want to live on a farm more than I do now - they're very inspiring.   I have the rest of my original list to look to this fall!

What did you do this summer?  I'd love to hear about it!

Molly Gibson's Apron

Earlier this summer, we watched Wives and Daughters again, and I fell in love with Molly Gibson's simple brown apron.  I couldn't find a pattern, but it was easy enough to make - it's a very simple design.  I decided to make it for Kate, who loves to cook and bake, and also likes that era.

Here's the original, though it's darker in this picture than it looks in the actual movie.

Kate wearing it.  I wanted a more modern look that the original, so I skipped the pleats where the "skirt" joins the waistband.  I think I like it better this way.

And the back (a bit askew).  Kate chose the grey fabric for the pocket trim and button.  It looks nice with the linen.

The waistband was the most tricky part - if I make another I'll use way more pins as I'm sewing.

I'm so glad Kate likes it!  Chrissy was a very patient model.  She was wearing a hoodie that evening and whenever she'd put it on I'd need her to take it off again to try on the apron - it must have happened at least three times!

Orchids (Again)

Near Dr. Wonderful's office there's a jewelry store.  The owners are very unique people, and I like them.  They scuba dive all over the world, have a decidedly German last name, enjoy underwater photography and make beautiful jewelry based on the things they see (like anemones).  Their store's atmosphere is mainly based on fountains and orchids, and the tropical music always playing in the background.

The other day, I was picking up a package for the office that had been dropped off there, and mentioned how their orchids always look beautiful.  Mr. Jeweler casually mentioned that they propigate their own, so they can bring in the ones that are in bloom at the moment.

Yes, they propagate their. own. orchids.

I don't know about you, but when I think of orchid propagation, I think of greenhouses in the 1930's, lined with rows upon rows of benches of delicate plants that won't survive even slight changes in humidity, and can only be obtained at the highest costs.  Not a very accurate view, but it's what I think of.  Perhaps you don't think of orchid propagation often.  Ever.  You lead a normal life.  But bear with me here.

When I recovered from my initial incomprehension ("you what?") I got to step over the bamboo fencing into the much-revered garden area and smell the Oncidium Sharry Baby.  It smelled like chocolate.  And they propigate orchids.

Of course it did.  Of course they do.

Life is full of interesting, unpredictably-predictable people isn't it?