Wednesday, July 13, 2011

An Austen Afternoon

Photo processing issues have not yet been resolved, so I beg your indulgence a while longer.

Today The Sprout and I are feeling much better. After lunch we go to visit Sw4nkyL4c3r to deliver a Christmas-in-July gift. The ladies have planned an Austen afternoon of tatting. The Sprout will show off his Hot Wheels and no doubt play games on my iPad.

Which Jane Austen film to choose? Persuasion, Miss Austen's final novel? Sense and Sensibility? (a personal favorite) Northanger Abbey? Pride and Prejudice?

Since I appear to be the last test tatter to complete it, I will be working on Heart's Honor by Wanda Salmans. So sorry to keep you waiting Wanda!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

St. Basil's Turns 450

Today's Google logo celebrates the 450th anniversary of St. Basil's cathedral.


Since my PhotoShop is on the fritz and my hand isn't steady enough for sharp, clear cell phone close-ups, I offer up Onion Dome. It was inspired by St. Basil's cathedral.

It is my first design effort. If you want the pattern, it's here in .pdf format.

(Thanks to CrazyMom for suggesting Keep and Share and holding my hand through the account set-up and file upload process.)

Tatting Tea Tuesday
No tatting has happened this week.

Today both The Sprout and I are under the weather with sinus pain and pressure. (Actually the 2 hounds are medicated too.) A heat advisory and a code orange air quality alert are in effect for a wide swath of my state, so we're staying indoors.

While Schoolhouse Rock plays for The Sprout, I peruse a lovely book that arrived today via post from amazon.com - Tea with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson.

The dust jacket sums up my first impressions of this book concisely. "Who would not want to sit down with Jane Austen and join her in a cup of tea?"

As for tea, I am sipping iced Jack Frost - a caffeine-free herbal blend of African red bush, vanilla, peppermint and spearmint. Hoping it will help dispel the hateful heat.

Stay cool in your corner(s) of Tat Land. Wishing you all blissful me time to create something beautiful. See you next Tuesday for more communi-tea!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Bastille Day Macarons

Bien sûr, Bastille Day is Thursday, July 14.

Call me crazy (I'm not even French), but I get into the spirit of the day. Typically Silly Hat Central celebrates Bastille Day with a French-style meal, a Bastille Day cocktail and a few impromptu exclamations of "Storm the Bastille!"

Not quite the fever of joviality that descends upon Paris, but il est bon, oui?

This year there will be macarons. Yes! There will be be macarons!

What? You want to get in on the mac action?

Bastille Day Macarons Near You
Lucky Australian tatters who wish to try these lighter-than-air confections can visit Baroque Bistro in Sydney for limited edition Bastille Day macarons.

Tatters who live in or around Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand can avail themselves of a FREE macaron at The Department Store.

Mount Holly, Vermont tatters and their neighbors can drop by A Dozen Eggs Bake Shoppe for Bastille Day sweet treats.

Pasadena, California, tatters who wish to try a tasty mac can go to 'Lette Macarons on South Fair Oaks Avenue. The PasadenaNow.com Living Section (Food and Wine column) had this to day: Let them eat macarons!

I will be making my own and nibbling them with tea on a picnic blanket, but however you celebrate your inner monsieur or mademoiselle...

Vive la France! Vive le macaron! Vive la frivolité!