An Open And Shut Case: Architecturally Inventive Windows And Doors

The windows of Room Space, a home in Tokyo designed by Takeshi Hosaka, enable its owners, a deaf couple, to sign to their youngsters by way of them – and give the constructing a feeling of permeability pictures Koji Fujii / Nacasa & Partners

Beyond their utilitarian function, windows and doors set up an emotional expectation on the component of visitors as to what they’ll encounter inside a constructing, whilst, at the same time, negotiating the relation that users inside have with the exterior world. Small wonder that so several architects are engaged in a perennial experimentation with these basic structural elements. (by Dominic Lutyens)

study this post in full on Architonic

Read more »

Just A Few Thoughts Today

Has anyone noticed that for the past several years that cakes are becoming a fashion statement? I see the most elaborate cakes all over the internet. Some look like they've taken days or even weeks to assemble. And the cost has got to be prohibitive for the average person. But they are gorgeous and works of art!
*

I'll never be beautiful. I've accepted that and it's really okay. I have a beautiful spirit though. I've been told I am but I'm definitely a realist. At most I'm attractive, meaning I attract attention. Even at 70 I get looks from men. But truly, I'm not gorgeous or beautiful. BUT I feel beautiful and that's a start. If you're so down on yourself that you have to have surgery then you don't have the confidence that you are beautiful. I truly believe everyone has a beautiful spirit and if you think you're beautiful, pretty or striking, you will be. And I've got a smile that can dazzle them. I'm always smiling. Maybe they wonder why I've always got a smile on my face. I don't know, but the moment someone starts talking to me I smile bigger. Always have.
*

The other night hubby came around the corner while I was in the kitchen and we hugged. I looked up at him, smooched him and asked him how he could love an old, fat, nagging, wrinkly woman. He said, "You're not wrinkly." I said, "Yes, I am." He repeated his statement. I felt better. :-)
*

Our house is rather open, meaning the kitchen, dining area and living room are in close proximity that smells cover all three areas. Our cathedral ceiling allows the cooking smells to waft over the wall in the kitchen, which doesn't go all the way to the ceiling. It's one thing I don't like about our house but this is our last house and I deal with it. But if I know someone might be coming over, I don't cook fish, beans, hot dogs or sauerkraut. Nothing smells as bad as those foods to me. If someone drops in, I quickly spray the house with Scentsy if I catch them coming up the walk. I love those foods...well, the sauerkraut not so much but hubby does... but they sure smell the house up horribly. If someone drops by when I've had fried potatoes with onions or a roast, I don't worry because I'm always greeted with "Gee, it smells so good in here" when cooking those 2 foods. And they're right!
*

This is another room I like, especially the curtains.

Another darling vignette with brightly colored tins, plates and cups.

Romantic flower vignette.

Wouldn't small matchboxes be cute covered in this paper?

Stepping through these doors could be a bit hazardous.

I love rain. I love hearing it, seeing it and feeling it.

Geraniums always remind me of California. We had many when we lived there.

This is a room I'd feel right at home in, but the walls would be pink.

Pretty linens are always nice to have.

Why not put netting around a table for a party?!

A little girl's room that a mummy decided to make froufrou and gorgeous.

Love this shade of lavender.

More pretty linens.

A pretty kitchen. I like the blue counter top, too.

A breakfast of croissants, fruit and juice in Paris.

*

Tidbits:
George Washington was the only president to have been unanimously elected.
John F. Kennedy was the first president born in the 20th century.
Jimmy Carter was the first president born in a hospital.
~*~

Read more »

This Is NOT A Food Blog

I do not like to cook often at all. I much prefer going out to eat but we only go out twice a week for dinner and at least once a week for lunch. But I am a terrific cook. I can say this with modesty because I'm not much good at anything else, except listening to friends problems and listening well and giving good advice.

Anyway, this is definitely not a food blog. But a recipe I've developed myself and recently taken in to friends in our ward who are sick and have absolutely raved about it. To me it's just a simple recipe for my favorite food pasta but I'm going to share the recipe.

I fly by the seat of my pants usually in creating a new recipe. I'm also picky, picky, picky about food. I use the best ingredients and do NOT economize on essentials. I believe this makes a world of difference in taste.

Pasta Primavera, which translates to Pasta Spring, meaning fresh vegetables. I love pasta. I use rigate penne for this dish.

For two people:

If you want chicken in it, take one chicken breast, sprinkle it with black pepper and Mrs. Dash seasoning and roast it in the oven just until it starts to darken in its juices. That will be the best time to pull it out. It will have a sweet roasted flavor. I may sometimes spread a tiny bit of butter over it but there's no need. Let it cool before cutting it into small bite-size pieces. Then set it aside while preparing the other stuff. I have never, ever boiled a chicken. I can't imagine doing it because of the gross smell. I've always roasted chicken breasts in the oven with Mrs. Dash, which makes all the difference in the world for a piece of chicken breast.

2 cups of penne pasta, salted lightly in pan. Cook until al dente. Set aside for a few minutes.

Topping:
Sliced red onion
Sliced yellow bell pepper
I toss in some California veggies—broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, just one or two handfuls
Chicken you've set aside
Fresh cut up tomato, one roma does it for 2 or 4 people
Peas, a handful of frozen

I throw all the stuff for the topping in a sautè pan with 1/2 stick of butter or more if needed.

This is what the vegetables will look like sautèing in butter.

Closer view. See how some are browning a bit. Just be careful not to burn. Keep tossing until the vegetables carmalize in the butter. This makes a tremendous difference.

And what they look like when ready to serve. Now you'll take the penne pasta and drain it, put it in a pan adding one whole cube of butter, some heavy whipping cream and Parmesan cheese. I don't measure anything because as you start adding the whipping cream and stir it in you'll see how it looks. Just enough to cover the pasta but enough to not let it be dry. Put some on plates and then spoon the sauteed vegetables/chicken, if you want chicken, over each plate of pasta and serve. It's a wonderful meal and so incredibly simple. I can throw it together in 15-20 minutes. Friends and family will love it and it quite impressive to see on a plate. French bread if you want also. Just remember to saute in the butter to carmalize the vegetables and they just start turning brown. The sweeter they'll be, I promise.

*

Isn't this a beautiful shot of the sky through a beautiful umbrella?

This is gorgeous! I really do like stripes.

A pretty bracelet.

Squeeeeal!!! How tiny can things get? Adorable!

A caravan or camper with all the accoutrements needed. Well, except for maybe a chef to cook all the meals. ;-)

Loved this photo of the table setting.

I have no idea where this is or even WHAT it is but it looks like some sort of living quarters.

Adorable entry. This is one I'd like to have.

We took some old windows out of a storage shed we had once and I saved them. Imagine my surprise when Love Bunny burned them in a wood pile! I was NOT happy, trust me.

A beautiful shot of a sky, castle and private beach.

Gorgeous vine/climbing roses.

One of my top favorite flowers.

*

Useless Information:
First year sales of famous products, proving you shouldn't give up if you've come up with an idea:
VW Beetle: 330
Wite-Out: 1,200 bottles
Cuisinart food processor: 8
Remington typewriter: 8
Scrabble: 532
Coca-Cola: 25 bottles
~*~

Read more »

Beyond The Pale

I was perusing the news on the internet the other day. We all know that one story can lead to another and that's what happened this day.

I clicked over to a UK site to read a story and saw another story on the site, with photos—uuugghhh. The story was about a nudist man opening a spa for nudists. That wasn't the disgusting part. The disgusting part was the news show had him and 3 others, another man and 2 women, on the television show. Nude. All of them. The women had a "paper daisy" pasted on the tip of the breast and they all had their hands in their laps, blocking view of the most private area, which didn't do much disguising.

Now, I have no problem with people who want to run around naked in their own homes or at designated camps, which are out of the sight of others, especially children, but to put them on television for any kid or adult to see goes beyond the pale in my book. Why would a program want to air something so disgusting? Don't dare tell me the human body isn't disgusting! I don't think it is. Displaying it for all to see certainly is though.

I have told friends for years things are going to get worse and they just did. How low can we go? I'm afraid it's not going to get better, but much, much worse. I hope they gave them towels to sit on while on the sofa because I doubt many would want to sit on it after they've been there.
*

When I saw these rings I thought they were beautiful. Now we can have colors in our wedding rings.

Lovely lavender cup and saucer.

Yes, I truly love these old vintage sinks.

Lovely decorated cage.

Another gorgeous bottle.

Sweet brooch.

One of my favorite things: laundry drying on a line in the sun.

Darling center piece of bird nests with blue eggs.

Suitcase full of flowers.

Another cottage in the woods.

Romantic soaps.

Colorful window display of old pots with flowers in them.

Just what our roses look like this morning. We had snow last night.

A sweet pink restaurant along a quaint street somewhere in Europe.

Cuter than a button...pink button. ;-)

*


Tidbit:In 1954, Brownie Wise was the first woman to appear on the cover of Businessweek. Who was Brownie Wise? A housewife who made Tupperware what it is today. She didn't invent it, just came up with the idea of home parties.
~*~

Read more »

Random Thoughts 9/1/2012

Here is the floral bucket I finished recently. Read about it here.

There was a mother nursing her 4 year-old little boy on the cover of a magazine recently. I only saw it in the news but there was a big flap over her nursing and/or doing it on the cover of a magazine. I didn't read the article of course so I have no idea what the story was about but I do think the nudity on the cover of a magazine was inappropriate. Why would someone even think to "pose" for that kind of article? I believe our bodies are sacred and wouldn't want mine splashed over the world like that. I have absolutely NO problem if a breast-feeding mom would like to nurse at my home, even without a cover over her, but most women I know cover up. But, personally, I love watching babies suckle. It's sweet to watch their little cheeks trying to get their nourishment. My granddaughter would cover up when nursing here because of her grandpa but if he wasn't here, I didn't mind it. After all, I powdered, kissed and changed that little behind many, many times. I still love patting her 32-year old bottom!

I'm supposing it's just a sign of the times when nothing is sacred. Modesty is laughed upon and I know it's going to get worse. What some people do for notoriety just astounds me sometimes.
*

When hubby saw the feather boa on the refurbished lamp, he said it looked like it was going to take flight. Actually, when we turned the ceiling fan on it did blow feathers all over the living room for a while.
*

Pink has always been around. It's a color for men also. I've dressed my hubby in it for many years and he's gotten so many compliments on his wardrobe. Just lately it's been held in high esteem and we've become adventurous in displaying it. It's always been my favorite color, but I'm seeing it more and more in decorating than ever. I always look for pink shirt, ties, etc. for him. He loves standing out!
*

It is one of my goals to never desire a knowledge of other people's business. When I know too much, I'll start judging. And who am I to judge? I'm an imperfect human being who doesn't like being judged. Just stop it.
*

Today is the birthday of one of my grandsons. He's the youngest grandchild. He's so funny. He's a teenager now but when he was primary age, he said to me, "Nana, isn't it funny that I was born on Labor Day? Labor Day? Get It?" He was such a young age I didn't even think he knew about labor in connection with childbirth. He laughed himself silly over that one. Squirt! :-)

*

My favorite wall decoration—pink and white stripes, though this one does look more pink and darker pink.

Sweet window in an old stone house with white sheer curtains to let in light and bright pansies in the window for color.

An absolutely stunning display of ribbon work.

Sweet slipcovered chair. Almost looks like a doll house.

Another thatched cottage in a field of yellow daffodils.

I have a friend with chickens and a chicken coop. This isn't it, but she's going to photograph it for me to show you...real soon. Right, Stacey?!

A beautiful pink and white room. Love this one.

Simply a place to stroll I thought you'd like to see.

A neat little room with fanciful wall cubbies for displaying trinkets.

It doesn't get much better than laundry drying on the line for me. Reminds me of my kids' diapers billowing on the line while the sun bleached them white in the California sun while we mums sat in the cool shade of the grass watching the munchkins play on the jungle jims in military housing. Wistful memories.

I saw this dress and thought it was too beautiful to not show you.

Gorgeous display of crystal and beautiful deep pink roses.

A very neat way to store fabrics and art supplies. Mine will never look this great!

I swoon over this darling entrance to someone's home.

I just had cake and ice cream while creating this blog post. I think, however, you'd all like this cupcake above chocolate ones. ;-)

~*~

Read more »