Sunday, July 31, 2011

Three Hundred Thoughts



A milestone - 3 years, 300 blog posts.



I often wonder why I do this. Even more I wonder why some of you have persevered and read it.



I do get pleasure talking to you, sharing my clothes, ranting occasionally, showing off my family. Hopefully you get an occaisional chuckle, a bit of empathy for a common problem or an idea.



Have you taken the time to meet some of the bloggers I enjoy? They are an interesting lot. They make me laugh, cry and think.


Maybe I'll do another 300.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Annarella Girl Moves




I'm so happy to let all my fans know that Annarella Girl can now be found in a new shop in downtown Georgetown - Diva Chicks Artful Boutique at 109 7th Street, one door from the corner of Main and 7th. Check out the facebook page and like it.



The back story - the coop gallery. Good Water - lost its space and will close at end of August. The manager, Kay Briggs, took this opportunity to follw a dream and open her own retail space. So Diva Chicks Artful Boutique was born. She and partner, Edda, have gathered together clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry into a bright, welcoming space. And she has invited Mama Ds to have some space. Yeah!









When you are in Georgetown visit us there. You'll love the women's clothes - so sophisticated yet comfortable. Perfect for Texas weather! The jewelry makes a fun statement as a great accessorie. And of course, Mama D has colorful handbags and diaper bags. Last but not least, Annarella Girl will have lovely handmade skirts, dresses and onesies for all ages from babies to 8 year olds.






Diva Chicks Artful Boutique is open now and full of goodies so stop in. There will be a grand opening August 5 which is First Friday in downtown if you want some food and drink to go along with your purchases!


PS Mama Ds and Annarella Girl will have products at Good Water Gallery until they close. Support the artists there.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wednesday, a Day Late

Lately I've had a good reason to look forward to Wednesday. A family friend living in London has started a food oriented blog. On Wednesday he takes his readers on a random trip through the internet to spots that intrigue him. And I'm finding they intrigue me also. For instance this week was about chocolate covered potato chips, Mexican street food, Tim Horton coffee and donuts in London, and a great site (beautiful pics) where you can submit an ingredient and they will give you a recipe using it. Such fun!! Search out http://www.thebrokenspork.com/ and see what Greg is doing next. I don't sign up for many email notifications on new blogs, but this one is fun and interesting. So do it.

Greg, also, writes for an emagazine called the other side. Its mostly about the UK. Another fun read. Follow his quest for the perfect hamburger in the UK. Next time I get to London, I have lots of restaurants to try.

I love reading about food almost as much as I enjoy eating it! Happy Wednesday a day late.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Let Your Voice Be Heard

(Skip this if you are uncomfortable with my continuing political rant. I promise someday I will be done.)

Today I wrote a note to my senators and congressman. With the internet it s easy to find them and email them. I urge all of you to take a few minutes and let them know how you feel they are doing their job, especially in the current political climate. Even if you think they are doing a good job, they need to know what the citizens are thinking. After all they are hearing regularly from the lobbyists and special interest groups. Really they need to hear from you directly.

I've told them of my anger at their lack of leadership: their poor behavior towards each other and, most importantly, us: and most distressing their emphasis on winning as if running the government is a huge game of king of the mountain instead of an emphasis on making good common sense decisions and hard choices.

Let them know what you are thinking. Are you concerned enough. I was.
Next I'm writing to the president. I hope my voice is part of a growing chorus asking, no demanding, a stop to the foolishness.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Compromises

My dog and I have just gone throuh a bit of a power struggle. But with some give and take we've settled our problems. Now we are both satisfied.

(Alert! The following is a political rant. Read on at your own risk.)

If Butler and I can compromise for the good of the household and to promote family peace, I expect the leaders of this country to do the same. I'm angry that they seem unable to leave the bully behavior on a long gone playground and work toward a compromise. They are playing with our country's future, the citizens' furture and I don't appreciate that.

We have a congress acting like little kids - pointing fingers, pushing, name-calling, yelling - if I were the referee I'd be handing out red cards. Such behavior is not moving anyone forward, and it is wasting time.

My solution....Lock them in a room and don't let them out until they come up with a plan that makes sense and begins to solve the problem. Take the cost of meals, drinks, cots and linens consumed out of their salaries. After all they are asking us to make sacrifices. Lets see how much they can sacrifice.

And when they finally emerge with a plan, they are not allowed to acknowledge that anyone wins except the citizenz. Again this is not a game with winners and losers - or shouldn't be. Right now the only losers are us, the American people. We should be the only ones that our leaders are concerned with, not their political parties or their political futures. Come on ladies and gentlemen (read with a great deal of sarcasm.) you have a chance to be heroes, true heroes. Where is your courage? Where is your common sense? Where is your love of your country?

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Last night I saw a sunset that looked like it was right off a cartoonist's drawing board. Here in Texas we get many terrific sunsets. Perhaps it is Mother Nature's way for compensating for the hot weather.

Such beauty is really appreciated after the end of an unsettling day. The tragedy in Oslo, the political wrangling over the debt, taxes and social program cuts, the wacky quality of the current possible candidates for president all sadden me. Its difficult to be optimistic about the future. Then a spectacular color display in the sky reminds me that tomorrow might be a better day.

Enjoy a very hot weekend. Watch a good movie. Read a good book. Call a friend or family member. All things that can be done from a cool place.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

What to Do during a Heat Wave

Flop down an a tile floor. Feels cool on the tummy.


Jump into a soft leather chair.
Try left side.


Try right side.



Curl up and hope she gets the camera out of my face.



Get in as much sleep in the air-conditioned inside.


Butler hopes you all find his hints to beat the heat helpful.


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Where I've Been

Been in hot, hot, hot Central Texas. These are truly the dog days of summer. Butler says, "Please, can't we spend all our time in the air conditioned house." He likes keeping me company in my sewing room where I've been making, making, making.



Blue skies and sunshine.




One of the most popular color and fabric combinations. What girl doesn't like pink and black?




Black skirt on top with pink underskirt.





An apron dress in blacks and white. Apron has beautiful butterflies on a field of pink.




Pinks and yellows make me smile. I think the colors look great on blondes, brunettes and redheads.




Shades of purple.




More pinks.





Another rift on blue and yellow.







Ryann and her family visited. She did some modelling for me. Isn't she cute in this apron dress which combines the warm Fall colors - greens, rusts, and golds?




Green flowers on a onesie show off a faux patchwork with blues.





More pink but with green this time. Edging into Fall. Although I call these sundresses, they can be worn in every season by adding a shirt and leggings.




So that's where I've been and what I've been doing. How have you been coping with the heat?