Under a Blue Moon

If you click on the picture you can taste the tomatoes.  They are still warm from the sun.

I did not grow these tomatoes or the onions – my oldest son Eric did.  Have you ever known anyone to grow backyard onions?  I haven't.  I am so impressed.  He started with a hard packed backyard at his girlfriend's rental.  He rototilled, amended, watered, nurtured and now he is harvesting.

The onions are actually crisp.  Has anyone else noticed the decline in grocery store onions?  They are kind of flabby or rubbery.  Not firm and crunchy like they should be.  I diced some of these up for a meatloaf and I wanted to just eat them raw they smelled so good. 

I think I shall carmelized the onions, roast the tomatoes and make some fabulous sauce with this harvest.  I wonder if I can talk him into making me some fresh pasta…..
 

This was a bit of an impulse purchase.  It is a 1920's/1930's tea apron.  It is a pretty, non-functional (I'd argue that because pretty serves a purpose in my book) apron worn when entertaining.  

Pieces like this just intrigue me so much.  I want to know who made it, when did she wear it, what was her life like.  Was this one of many or was this her one, special apron?  What was her home like?  Was she married?  Have children?  Was she happy? 

I have her life all imagined in my head.  I don't know what your beliefs are but I like to believe that somewhere – out in the cosmos – she knows that someone has this pretty little apron of hers and cherishes and appreciates it.

 

I watched The Edge Of Love the other night.  It is the story of the poet Dylan Thomas and the two women he loved.

I loved the sets and costumes.  I think my favorite period for clothing is the late 1930's to the early 1940's when this film takes place.  

The setting is London during the blitz and then later in the Welsh countryside.  I wanted to find a better picture of Keira Knightley's apartment in the film because it was all draped with gorgeous lace panels and opulent fabrics. 

You know I only watch movies for the sets – the story and acting are secondary.

Keira Knightley, who plays Vera Killick, Dylan Thomas' first love, actually did all the singing in the movie.  She did a fabulous job.  Amazing, actually.  She also has the sharpest jawline I have ever seen. 

Sienna Miller, who plays Dylan's Thomas' wife Caitlin, did a fabulous job too.  I'm not really familiar with her, other than the shenanigans reported in the tabloids that she and Jude Law get into, but I was pleasantly surprised.  She is a very talented actress.  There are scenes where she doesn't say a word and yet her anguish is just palpable.

Originally her part was to be played by Lindsay Lohan which is about 87 shades of wrong.  I would never have even watched it if that had been the case. 

The above scene was beautifully done.  It's the first time we see Caitlin and it gives the viewer an insight to her character.  Very colorful and irreverant.   That bright red coat in a sea of drab uniforms in a war ravaged London.

The movie made me want to reread Dylan Thomas' poetry and visit Wales.  Just to stay in a little cottage overlooking the ocean. 

Great movie, good story line, great acting and beautiful period costumes and sets.  Thumbs up from me!

(photos and screencaps from IMDB and Screenmusings)
 
 
  

On hot Summer days when we notice we haven't seen Belle around for a while we can generally find her in the guest bathroom sink.  It's the coolest spot in the house. 

Of course just a wee bit inconvenient for guests that might actually want to use the sink for its intended purpose. 

She wants to know why we call it the "dog" days of Summer anyway.

 
 

I remember reading somewhere that the months of Summer are like the weekend.  With June being Friday, July is Saturday and August is Sunday.

It has that same kind of bittersweet feel to it as Sunday does.  Where you have the day to relax but you know that it has to come to an end and you'll have to face going back to work or to school. 

We celebrated my niece's graduation from High School yesterday.  She graduated back in June but the beginning of the Summer is so packed with birthdays and the 4th of July that we postponed it so she would get the attention she deserves and not have it just blend with the blur of other activities going on. 

We decorated my Dad's backyard and I'm thinking I might leave the lanterns up for the rest of the Summer.  Might as well enjoy them as the Summer winds to a close.