Under a Blue Moon

9.1.2010

Isn't it delicious that it is September 1st? I love Fall. Even though we are still expected to get 100+ temperatures this week the promise of Fall is definitely in the air. Cooler nights and that lovely cool breeze in the morning.

AND! We can start talking about Halloween! I almost squealed out loud when I saw Martha's annual Halloween publication on the new-stand this week. This year's edition is a little different. It's more book like than magazine like in previous years.

I haven't even cracked it open yet because I'm waiting until I can have a couple of uninterrupted hours to savor it.

I'm in the planning stages of the annual Halloween Party invitation. I feel like I need to top myself year after year.

Earlier this year I was in my local stamp shop and they had an example of a card that I am going to use as the inspiration for our invitations. I asked the owner of the shop if I could take a picture of it and she told me to take all the pictures I wanted and to trace the shape of the card so I would have a template of it.

Not sure of all the design elements of it yet but I liked the general idea.

8.31.2010

I did it! I blogged every single day during the month of August!

Let's see – how did I spend the month….

Was given a haunted nightgown, had a luau, ate garden fresh vegetables grown by my very own son, wondered about the previous wearer of a vintage apron, was on the receiving end of a lovely, unexpected gift, dreamt about my dream garden, had a furry houseguest, was duped, ate glamorous cupcakes, made not so glamorous cupcakes, went through a white phase, got scared by scorpions, joined Weight Watchers, fiddled with pictures, almost was haunted by shortbread, wrapped presents….

And a bunch of other stuff. Was it entertaining? Dull? Self-indulgent? I don't know that I could sustain a post a day but I think I can handle posting more often if I don't sweat each post being Pulitzer material.

September is going to be an interesting month. We have a wedding, I have a week off, we need to start thinking about the Halloween party, Fall and Apple Hill season are fast approaching. I think there will be enough to blog about.

8.30.2010

Someone's wedding present.

I have a love/hate relationship with wrapping presents. I love the creative aspect of it but I hate tape. Plus I never know the exact moment I need to put down the bedazzler and just let it be.

Can you tell it's going to be a beach wedding?

I think the perfect end to the Summer is to have a major shindig. Nothing is more major than a wedding. My niece Lizz and her fiance Joe are getting married in less than two weeks.

Times like this the entire family has to band together in order to make it happen. Tonight, in fact, I was called into service test-tasting various champagnes for the reception. You have no idea the pressure and stress that puts on a person. I might need another glass just to to make sure…

8.29.2010

Finally. A cool enough day to bake. Last Tuesday when I was driving down the road to our house my car temp was reading 109 degrees. This morning it is cool, breezy and only 62 degrees.

That's more like it.

My coworker and neighbor (and friend) Keith (I made him sound like three people there, didn't I?) gave me his Grandpa Harrower's 1881 Scotch Shortbread recipe. There is a secret ingredient that I can't tell you because it's not my recipe to share. But let me tell you they turned out great.

I also tweaked the recipe – even after Keith warned me he didn't want any middle of the night visits from his dead relatives for daring to toy with a family legacy. He was afraid of a midnight apparition of a large, disgruntled Scot wearing a kilt at his bedside.

I just added a little bit of candied ginger to the dough and then dusted them with fine sugar. I think Grandpa Harrower would approve.

I think the bars turned out the best. They are easier to do and they dunk better.

8.28.2010

I received this incredibly funny email that has been going around and it's too good not to share.

Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a lost poster. This is their email correspondence…

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster

Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not too busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.

This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks, Shan.

From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster

yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in color please. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster

look, can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww

Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but only after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww

That is not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww

I know, but this one is cuter. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Please just use the photo I gave you.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

I didnt say there was a reward! I don't have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it!

From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww

Asshole.

Friday’s Favorites

Friday's Favorites

Did I already post this? I'm too lazy to go back and check. Adorable little DIY drink parasols.
Never Let Me Go by Kazua Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day) is an amazingly haunting book. Now they are making a movie out of it.
Love these Save the Date cards.
Right now when I muck out the chicken palais I wear flip flops that I just hose off. When the weather gets a little more foul (yay for bad pun!) I'm so wanting these.
Simply beautiful bubbles.

Happy Friday Everyone! My young traveler comes home tomorrow! I can't wait to hear how his trip was and to see his pictures. And if he wore any of the socks I made him pack.

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