Free Take Me

Donna and I had just pulled out of the parking lot after our breakfast. I said to her “I wonder if we will see any furniture discards today.” A few years ago, (2015)we saw a pink chair on the sidewalk when we were together at the Dormont Eat ‘n Park.

We couldn’t believe it when there was a couch in the way back to her house last Friday. Of course, I pulled over and photographed it. it’s not like I go out and look for these abandoned furniture finds. They just show up!

Felted Soap

My friend Joanne gave me this colorful bar of felted soap that came on the wooden soap stand.

“Benefits of felted soap Felting the soap helps with longevity, lather and exfoliation. Felted soap dries out faster after each use, preventing the natural glycerin from dissolving as quickly. This makes the bar of soap last longer for you to enjoy. The felting also helps with the grip on the soap.”

Directions to make your own felted soap are on Twig and Tale Blog.

Or step-by-step tutorial on Fiberartsy

Lathers up quickly as is a pleasure to use to wash and scrub

A Sweet Gift

From a sweet friend who always buys local-she’s practically neighbors with Betsy Ann Chocolates. Lucky me. Such a lovely assortment of flavors and textures. A real treat. Thank you

I ate one before taking the photo. Sweet

One Hundred Years Ago, Dorothy H. Holley was Born

Tribute to a Friend. Poem below by Liane Norman

Dorothy’s Iris planted by poet Liane Norman

Dorothy H. Holley. May 15, 1923 – June 6, 2010

I Dug Up the Iris

in Dorothy’s garden
to plant in the soaked

soil of mine, memorial
to her each spring

when they’ll open
complicated ruffles

and flourishes, purple
or blue with speckled

throats. They’ll rise
out of rhizomes

sprawling at soil’s
surface like the joints

of my old  hands
anchoring the tall

stalks and frilly petals.
This morning

in the brief breath
of cool I dug shallow

trenches for this legacy,
this pantry of pollens

the bees prospect,
insects with lives

beyond what the mere
gardener knows.

Liane Ellison Norman, a Madwoman in the Attic, has published two books of poetry, The Duration of Grief andKeep (www.smokeandmirrorspress.com). She has published poems in 5AM, Kestrel, North American Review, Grasslimb, Rune, Voices from the Attic anthologies and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Her poem “What There’d Been” won the Wisteria Prize in 2006 from Paper Journey Press.

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http://rutheh.com/tag/dorothy-holley-poet/

DOROTHY H. HOLLEY – POET, FRIEND.

May 15, 1923 – June 6, 2010

(Click link to see slideshow)

A slideshow, remembering Dorothy. Blackberries on Greek yogurt. Roses, iris and tulips from her garden. The back porch where we’d sit, have tea, watch birds feed and bathe. She wrote poems after viewing the photos of the Mill at Night and The Cider Press. She baked fresh bread and gave me some to take home for Steve. She’d slice tomatoes and make summer sandwiches to share. She contributed many comments on the blog. She showed us how to live life with courage, grace and love. for Pittsburgh Post Gazette obituary click here

At Lunch With Friends

Three decades of knowing one another, these two neighbors lived in the next block. One still does. We reunited today to share stories of past times remembered.

Fresh berries, grilled peach, on mixed greens with Gorgonzola, light balsamic dressing
Flourless Chocolate Mousse cake (Shared)

Eye on the Time

My teacher friend Jen S. stopped by for tea snd conversation after school, Thursday afternoon. Towards the end of our visit, she checked the time on her watch

Wow, I said. Now those are big and bold numerals.

Jen said she often looks at her watch and it’s 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55

We’ve got to “Spring forward” for Daylight Savings Time tonight. We will miss the lost hour for a few days.

Annual Fruitcake Reveal

Thank you for the gift of a delicious homemade fruitcake like none other!

I’m loving that darling Tea Cozy too. No matches allowed near that muslin cloth wrapping it!

My sister Mary and I indulged today, now we are back in the Burgh.

A great way to start the new year.

Do you like fruitcake? I especially like this homemade one, chock full of wonderful ingredients.