Good Day, Landlocked, Sea Folk

My dear friends,

I won't bore you to tears, but I have been away because I have felt under the weather. I think it may be pollen. The pollen here in Florida can be ghastly. I know it perpetuates the notion and is a true testament of the law of attraction. When we notice and speak of things, even if we do not want it, the universe gives us more of it. Besides, I think I am a bit hard-headed at times, and refuse to slow down, so the only way is to become afflicted. Do you ever feel this way?


I have been drinking lemon balm, peppermint, rosemary and oregano tea by the jug full. I am happy that I have those herbs in the garden so I can heal myself holistically.

"3 Ladies of Clover" $20

We must leave documentation for us to be teachers, or in the words of Austin Kleon, "Show your work."

I was all dolled up in my finery last Sunday for my mermaid author reading at the tea room and said to my boy wonder that, "I say I dislike acting with a passion, but that's essentially what I am doing every time I do a reading for little children." I was also a Mermaid at Weeki Wachee Springs, so I was continually playing dress-up and pretend while working as a mermaid performer. So I think I'll have to reword that and say I dislike certain forms of acting. {smile}

I have been curiously pondering a few particulars as I have been practice painting in my treasure room. Firstly, let me share this quote with you that I simply love.

"You must have a room or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don't know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe anybody, you don't know what anybody owes you." This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first, you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen." ~Joseph Campbell

I plan to hang that quote in my treasure room so I can remind myself daily. Isn't it a delightful quote? I just love it so.

This Sunday, on St. Patricks Day, I have another mermaid author reading, and I will be wearing what I like to call my St. Patty's Day dress. I love the colours, and I am part Irish, so I love when the day comes, and I can celebrate all things green. Clovers abound in the cottage, green and gold decor, and as you can tell from my latest sketches, Irish is on my brain. Jeffrey will be making some corned beef, cabbage and I will be making some Irish soda bread. I am also going to try the recipe Irish Soda Scones below from Martha Stewart. Perhaps you may like to try it too. The comments seem to speak much of light and fluffiness. I love that when describing a scone.

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart.com

Irish Soda Scones
Ingredients
2 cups unbleached all~purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup dried currants
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup cold buttermilk
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and salt.
2. Cut butter into small pieces; work into flour mixture with your fingers or a pastry cutter until dough resembles coarse meal. Add currants, caraway seeds, and buttermilk; stir until just combined.
3. Scoop 1/3 cup~size mounds of dough onto a parchment~lined baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Bake until bottoms are golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool entirely on sheet.
4. Meanwhile, combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and orange zest. Drizzle over scones; serve.

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart.com

 I was going through an old container of my children's artwork from when my children were little and came across a rolled up silhouette of Zoë Kennedy when she was 6. I had to use it. It's quite large, but I think when I am in my forever home, all the silhouettes will look dandy strung among the staircase wall.  The frame which is double-matted was found at a charity shop for 3 dollars. It was a lovely frame even though it had a hideous photo in it, I could see the potential.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx