River Bend Ranch - Patty Van Dorin

a few shades of white

  still finding it hard to get the time to work in the visual journal
  a page started.  Not a very good picture as it is mostly in shades of white and cream.

so what is keeping me away from the journal
  it could be this yummy stack of vintage Japanese fabric that required refolding and fondling of their rough nubby weaves.
it could be the stack of UFO's (unfinished objects).  I have only this stack of quilt tops that still need to be finished. Considering the count of unfinished quilt tops was over 30 just 4 years ago, I think I am doing good.
maybe it's the fence guy who I hired to put up a barrier between me and the deer who are determined to under mind any attempts at a garden. A six foot fence should put a crimp on the destruction of the fuzzy butt bandits. Although I have been told that they can still out maneuver a 6 foot fence...we will see.
the real reason is that I have been enjoying the days as they unfold.

Today, studying the simple beauty of a white flower.

not just an ordinary jelly bean

I love composition journals. Maybe it's a nostalgic thing or maybe because they are just so dang cheap. They are used for everyday journaling. I have one for songs and movies that catch my attention to check out further. One is kept in the car for random ideas that pop in my head while driving. There is one for to-do lists and one by the phone for scribbling. The ones that I will be hanging onto get a collage cover to dress it up a bit. This one I worked on this weekend will be a garden journal. A place to make plans, capture ideas, show progress, record weather and what is currently blooming. 
In my part of the "hills", the Texas Mountain Laurel is just starting to bloom. One small cluster will fill the kitchen with it's heady grape scent.
  and for those of you outside of Texas who received jelly beans in your Easter basket, I find it my duty to provide this proof that indeed everything is bigger (and better) in Texas.
 

Jambalaya

I don't care what your taste in music is, this little boy will certainly make you smile.
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter Holiday.

stone angel

  Today's play in photoshop.
Using the old porch railing digitally. (see March 12 post)
  Objects are finding new places to rest in the new for me/old house. Orchids are blooming in lace filtered sun.
  Dishes become less of a chore with a large corner window over the sink for distraction.
  Flowers of another type are blooming in the dining room window, impatiently waiting the arrival of their lace.
  Not everything weathered the move unscathed. This very old Japanese sake box lost a chunk out of it's side along with a smashed lid. Last night it was given a second life with a bit of a French twist.
The outside of the box was covered with vintage wallpaper and the interior lined with old French dictionary pages. It will be a good addition to the work table.
  a small view of the studio table.
If only it would come together as easily as the house did.

tiller fodder

   "flying home" is today's play in Photoshop. It seems like a very long time since I have been able to make any digital compositions.
The straw nest like center came from my garden tiller.  I was attempting to clean the cutting bed this past weekend and needed to stop frequently to clean between the tines of the garden tiller. The twiggy piece in this composition is from what I called "tiller fodder".  I scanned a few of the neat clumps and now it is "Photoshop fodder".
**this image is available as a collage sheet on the Tuscan Rose web site** (copyright watermark is only on web pictures)
  and a new apron made for working in the studio.

Hachinohe Bart

"Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell."

Edna St. Vincent Millay
  This weekend, I had to say a final goodbye to my companion of 18 years.
The places we have seen, the countries we have traveled and all the good and bad times

  "Black Bart" was always willing to take on the ninja hamster.

  The ring leader and chief instigator of the "Jolly Roger Gang"

  Bart was the life of any party.

  and quiet times too.

I will miss you Hachinohe Bart

Cherry Blossoms and a new door

Cherry blossoms spilling over the back yard fence
   Thoughts of working in the journal are starting to come to surface despite all the projects that moving into an new to me-old house.
  Vintage drapes to be hung.
I purchased these gorgeous old drapes many years ago and finally have the perfect windows to hang them in. A bit of tweaking, a bit of steaming and these drapes will be ready for daily enjoyment. I love the tropical flowers and the colors are stunning.

The next picture is for Julie.  There has been a recent sighting of the "yellow truck".   And a photo to prove to Peggy that even though I live in the middle of nowhere now, I still exist.
As evidence, I submit this photo of the CNN Express stopping to do interviews at the "Let 'er Buck Coffeehouse". No, there is no Starbucks or Wal-Mart where I live.

And as if getting settled into my little house wasn't enough work, I decided to start a big demo project.
There is a small room that joins the main house to my studio. In this room there was a large old window that looked out onto an enclosed porch that had never been finished. The whole area was rather nasty. 
   I thought a door in place of the window would really be nice. 
  So out came the old window and in with a new door. With visions of a finished porch that in the future will lead out to an herb garden and just a bit further a cutting garden...and....

Lookin' better already
  That afternoon, the new door was in place. I have never tackled this type of project and starting was a bit sickening. It's one of those projects that has a no turning back factor. All the information for doing this was found with a simple Google search.  Later insulation was added and the finish part of this project was started. As more progress is made, I will share more pictures.
  and I did find some time for a journal page.