Gossamer Leaves

Skeleton leaves are ones that have had all the softer parts worn away by frost and only the delicate framework is left. I love that- such a beautiful fragile seeming thing that is marked by survival. There is a collection of these at my house, dried in a flower press and kept in a book, and gracing my mantle. One also found a place in this pendant, a simple, secondhand glass locket that has turned out to be one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. I'd love to fill it with dragonfly or butterfly wings too... from deceased specimens, of course!

The Auctioneer

 For the past several weekends, my boyfriend and I have been haunting the car auction a few hours away. Its a long trip, but its also nice time together and and excuse to get really good food that can't be found at home! We've also been stopping at an enormous Korean grocery store, which is a real treat on a weekly basis.

Squid, frog legs, periwinkles,cactus fruit, longans, seaweed and salmon lovely enough for sashimi have all made their way home with us recently. The little bit of the fun and exotic go a long way to brighten the last few days before glorious spring.

 The auction itself was awesome to be a spectator for. Several hours before it starts, people begin showing up, wandering amongst what looks like a graveyard of cars. Soon they begin to hum back to life one at a time as they are started up. A long, smooth stretch of hoods bursts open like flower petals and the chill air wobbles with the heat of warming engines.

 Most of the cars were donated, and I wish I knew the stories of their owners... Volkswagen vans, and sporty red Hondas butt up against slick cars that aught to hold Mob bosses, sporting the same peace sign stickers. The buyers are just as diverse, laughing and debating intensely in varying languages. I miss this when back home- its seems like English and Spanish are all that is represented there.

When the auction starts, everyone piles into beat up metal chairs and hunches forward as the cars are pulled to the front. Interested buyers surge forward, then prowl intently round the vehicle, poking beneath, smelling, asking the all important, "Stick or automatic?"

The Auctioneer steps forward and after a humorous, rue full and lenghly discourse of the effect of the economy on car prices, begins selling. He weedles, charms, flirts with the customers, groaning at the low bids, goading competition between interested parties. When a car ceases working and has to be pushed off to the side, which happens several times, he shakes his head as if we are all in this together, "Oh cars!".

This weekend we finally found one, a little black truck of the useful, and not decorative variety that I still like the looks of very much. I'm hoping its a great one (: 

The Easter Quail

These little quail eggs make me happy! They and the brown ones have lain abandoned in my fridge, saved from being eaten by my cries of "Wait, I still need to take pictures of those!" for the length of time necessary to go through two cartons of the plain white ones.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

But it did seem almost perfect that after all the days the light was too dim when I returned from work, one day it was lovely, bright and warm, and time to photograph these. A real spring day for a picture of something with promise. And speckles I could look at for ages.

A New Nest

 The new year finds me in a new home! My boyfriend and I have been living somewhat out of town for a few months, and getting used to neighbors is interesting. If you clean out your car in your robe, and then teeter up the stairs with enormous piles of books, precarious coffee cups and (don't ask) a snakeskin, there are witnesses. But I like the view of the sun rising over their roofs.

 I made up a few magnets from Sculpy clay imprinted with stamps and favorite jewelry, sticking with a nature theme. A little gold paint, and magnet tape from the hardware store, and viola!

 The nature theme has spread through most of the house, less on purpose than because thats what we enjoy, and the little treasures we collect reflect that. Its also nice and peaceful!

There may be a little "supernatural" mixed in too... I'm excited to fill this Kraken bottle with green sea glass and graceful spirals of driftwood.

Made Lately

 Here are a couple of things I've thrown together recently! A bag of scrap leather bits has proved especially entertaining.

 It would be amazing to take a silver smithing class!

On the bright side

 Today is a little drippy and dreary, so I'm going to stay inside and knock some things off my million item stuff to make list!.

And pretend its the lovely summer a few years ago when these pictures were taken. 

 Its interesting to see how your perspective has changed with photography as time goes by, the particular things that catch your attention.

 And at the bottom, an awesome Matt and Kim song to brighten your day. They seem like so much fun to be around!

Uneasy Beauty

Circling in my head all this week- a cover of Bon Iver. Sad but lovely. I, and maybe most people,  have known people determined to self destruct no matter how they are loved. You can support someone, but you can never really carry them somewhere they don't wish to go.