the ice is clinging to power lines and trees.
i slept about 3 hours total because i had visions of dying all night long.
at this point we are basically sitting around waiting for the power to go out or a tree to fall on our house and crush us to death.
i would like to kill with a stab the person who thought it was cool to close up our fireplaces.
what do you do when you have no power during an ice storm?
help northern friends.
guide me.
hey ding dongs! let me get this recap done before the icicles start destroying our city.
this week had me on a ferris wheel of stupid delight. from mary's scrambled eggs to edith's pro choice choice.
poor lord grantham. does he have a say in anything? everyone pretends to care what he thinks but in the end, no one does.
the only good thing about this story line is the impending screen presence of paul giamatti and thomas barrow getting a taste of american boys. here's to hoping there's a little more gay and a lot less rose in the last few episodes.
where did my mary go? she's certainly well over her mourning in this episode. apart from her purply presence, she's downright goofy.
from her sassy "all those handsome stewards strutting down the boat deck" to her barnyard shenanigans. WHO IS THIS MARY?!
she also has quite a few suitors. i managed to track down her suitors' cover letters.
suitor cover letter #1:
dear mary,
i would like to audition for the position of "mary's suitor".
here are my top qualities:
i like pigs. i hope you like pigs too.
i am sometimes super condescending about everything. i hope you can find that endearing and are still able to cook me eggs with pig pewp on your face.
i like eggs. a lot.
i also like women comprised of mostly just bones and i like it EVEN MORE when those bones are covered in varying shades of mulberry. or pig-blood colored if you're from the moors or are a pig man.
i also like to choke bitches during sex. i promise you'll love it.
also look at my butt-cut. it brings all the ladies to the moors.
i am good at everything. i can eat whatever i want. but i especially eat bacon. and pussy. just kidding. i am funny a lot of times.
i once took a pig's virginity. see? FUNNY! because WHO HASN'T?!!
yours,
mr. blake
suitor cover letter #2:
dear mary,
i would like to audition for the role of "mary's suitor".
here are my top qualities:
i like boys.
don't pick me because i like boys.
sincerely,
evelyn napier (the one who likes boys)
suitor cover letter #3:
dear mary,
i would like to PLEASE MARRY ME I LOVE YOU!
try not to get scared by this look on my face.
it is with the greatest sincerity that i say to you mable died of natural causes and not by suffocation of the mouth and nose while she was sleeping.
loveLOVELOVE,
lord gillingham
alfred the exotic ginger comes back from cookery schoolery because his dad's sick.
this causes patmore and hughes to literally get diarrhea.
baxter is giving me shades of mrs. danvers which is good because that's what o'brien used to give me and this show is nothing if not a story/character regurgitator.
tom goes to see a political rally and for one second when he asks mary to join him i choked back bile in excitement. but sadly he sits down next to what is probably his future wife. really JF? this is how this is going to play out? you're just going to write tom off as living happily ever after with some like-minded girl? UGH!
edith is gonna keep her baby. who knows what will happen here. will she go to term? will she miscarry? will gregson come back with a curious looking mustache and swastikas all over his clothes?
is it me or can you cut the sexual tension between mrs hughes and mr carson with mrs. patmore's knife?
the dowager didn't die. that's a relief. best scene was "goody goody". i rewound it 3 times.
cousin isobel is my favorite. with brochitis, diarrhea and pregnancy season in full swing she will be of great use to us all.
mrs. hughes while not pining for carson's gigantic eyebrows is threatening mr. green. and bates has finally put two and two together and figured out that mr. green is definitely anna's ruffian. here's to hoping he makes a skin suit out of mr. green.
anyone else find it odd that mrs. hughes was like...hey mr. green.. i know you're the one...so...ummm..see ya' around the halls!
thoughts please.
i've got cabin fever already and it's not even snowing yet. let's discuss.
have you seen patrick dempsey's house in the latest architectural digest?
22 x 30 paper.
this one has shiny gold in it-
i've been playing around with quieter composition but still using strong color.
a bit like helen frankenthaler.
22 x 30 paper.
there are a few other new pieces in the shop.
we are gearing up for snowpocalypse this week.
so everything in atlanta will be closed.
which for you means a downton recap possibly thursday.
or sooner if i can get fiona locked up in a my little pony marathon.
for my bedroom fireplace mantel i like the idea of some stuff on it...
or a little bit of stuff on it..
or, like, one thing...
nothing to see here.
that fabric covers tile that's not ideal.
and that fireplace is bigger than it looks.
so, there is a lot of mantel space to decorate.
which is why i struggle with what to put on it.
what you see isn't intentional or really even thought out.
i just moved some shit from some other places.
the painting is going and was just up there to dry.
so...
not sure what i'm gonna do up top..
but i DO know what i am going to use to replace that fabric.
this is a wallpaper and a fabric and it's available by domesticate at spoonflower.
andrea and i are email friends and one day i was like...you need to do an affordable version of de gournay's famous, hand painted wallpapers.
and she fucking BLEW IT UP!!!!!
it's called the jenny collection and it's better than i could have imagined.
trust me when i say i asked her to name it de jennay.
i was only half kidding.
there are 3 different "panels" and they come in 5 colorways..
cream, mint, lavender, light blue and blush
lest you think i had anything to do with it, all i did was plant the seed and help her pick colors.
and even then all i requested was the cream and mint.
she would send me early drafts and i would say things like.."FUCK YES!" and "YOU'RE AMAZING!"
so really i was just an enthusiastic cheerleader.
so...go buy some of it.
it's affordable and beautiful.
you're welcome everyone.
a couple of things...
1. a real, honest-to-goodness professional photographer is coming over today to take pictures for the charleston magazine, four. they are doing a little feature on me and my art.
cool.
and
2. this seems like info we could all use:
How to Store Vegetables without Plastic
Artichokes‐ place in an airtight container sealed, with light moisture.
Asparagus‐ place them loosely in a glass or bowl upright with water at room temperature. (Will keep for a week outside the fridge)
Avocados‐ place in a paper bag at room temp. To speed up their ripening‐ place an apple in the bag with them.
Arugula‐ arugula, like lettuce, should not stay wet! Dunk in cold water and spin or lay flat to dry. Place dry arugula in an open container, wrapped with a dry towel to absorb any extra moisture.
Basil‐ is difficult to store well. Basil does not like the cold, or to be wet for that matter. The best method here is an airtight container/jar loosely packed with a small damp piece of paper inside‐left out on a cool counter.
Beans, shelling‐ open container in the fridge, eat ASAP. Some recommend freezing them if not going to eat right away
Beets‐ cut the tops off to keep beets firm, (be sure to keep the greens!)by leaving any top on root vegetables draws moisture from the root, making them loose flavor and firmness. Beets should be washed and kept in and open container with a wet towel on top.
Beet greens‐ place in an airtight container with a little moisture.
Broccoli‐ place in an open container in the fridge or wrap in a damp towel before placing in the fridge.
Broccoli Rabe‐ left in an open container in the crisper, but best used as soon as possible.
Brussels Sprouts‐ If bought on the stalk leave them on that stalk. Put the stalk in the fridge or leave it on a cold place. If they’re bought loose store them in an open container with a damp towel on top.
Cabbage‐ left out on a cool counter is fine up to a week, in the crisper otherwise. Peel off outer leaves if they start to wilt. Cabbage might begin to loose its moisture after a week , so, best used as soon as possible.
Carrots‐ cut the tops off to keep them fresh longer. Place them in closed container with plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp towel or dunk them in cold water every couple of days if they’re stored that long.
Cauliflower‐ will last a while in a closed container in the fridge, but they say cauliflower has the best flavor the day it’s bought.
Celery‐ does best when simply places in a cup or bowl of shallow water on the counter.
Celery root/Celeriac‐ wrap the root in a damp towel and place in the crisper.
Corn‐ leave unhusked in an open container if you must, but corn really is best eaten sooner then later for maximum flavor.
Cucumber‐ wrapped in a moist towel in the fridge. If you’re planning on eating them within a day or two after buying them they should be fine left out in a cool room.
Eggplant‐ does fine left out in a cool room. Don’t wash it, eggplant doesn’t like any extra moisture around its leaves. For longer storage‐ place loose, in the crisper.
Fava beans‐ place in an air tight container.
Fennel‐ if used within a couple days after it’s bought fennel can be left out on the counter, upright in a cup or bowl of water (like celery). If wanting to keep longer than a few days place in the fridge in a closed container with a little water.
Garlic‐ store in a cool, dark, place.
Green garlic‐an airtight container in the fridge or left out for a day or two is fine, best before dried out.
Greens‐ remove any bands, twist ties, etc. most greens must be kept in an air‐tight container with a damp cloth‐ to keep them from drying out. Kale, collards, and chard even do well in a cup of water on the counter or fridge.
Green beans‐ they like humidity, but not wetness. A damp cloth draped over an open or loosely closed container.
Green Tomatoes‐ store in a cool room away from the sun to keep them green and use quickly or they will begin to color.
Herbs- a closed container in the fridge to kept up to a week. Any longer might encourage mold.
Lettuce‐ keep damp in an airtight container in the fridge.
Leeks‐leave in an open container in the crisper wrapped in a damp cloth or in a shallow cup of water on the counter (just so the very bottom of the stem has water).
Okra‐ doesn’t like humidity. So a dry towel in an airtight container. Doesn’t store that well, best eaten quickly after purchase
Onion‐ store in a cool, dark and dry, place‐ good air circulation is best, so don’t stack them.
Parsnips‐an open container in the crisper, or, like a carrot, wrapped in a damp cloth in the fridge.
Potatoes‐ (like garlic and onions) store in cool, dark and dry place, such as, a box in a dark corner of the pantry; a paper bag also works well.
Radicchio‐ place in the fridge in an open container with a damp cloth on top.
Radishes‐ remove the greens (store separately) so they don’t draw out excess moisture from the roots and place them in a open container in the fridge with a wet towel placed on top.
Rhubarb‐wrap in a damp towel and place in an open container in the refrigerator.
Rutabagas‐ in an ideal situation a cool, dark, humid root cellar or a closed container in the crisper to keep their moisture in.
Snap peas‐ refrigerate in an open container
Spinach‐ store loose in an open container in the crisper, cool as soon as possible. Spinach loves to stay cold.
Spring onions‐ Remove any band or tie and place in the crisper.
Summer Squash‐ does fine for a few days if left out on a cool counter, even after cut.
Sweet peppers‐ Only wash them right before you plan on eating them as wetness decreases storage time. Store in a cool room to use in a couple a days, place in the crisper if longer storage needed.
Sweet Potatoes‐ Store in a cool, dark, well‐ventilated place. Never refrigerate‐‐sweet potatoes don’t like the cold.
Tomatoes‐ Never refrigerate. Depending on ripeness, tomatoes can stay for up to two weeks on the counter. To hasten ripeness place in a paper bag with an apple.
Turnips‐ remove the greens (store separately) same as radishes and beets, store them in an open container with a moist cloth.
Winter squash‐store in a cool, dark, well ventilated place. Many growers say winter squashes get sweeter if they’re stored for a week or so before eaten.
Zucchini‐ does fine for a few days if left out on a cool counter, even after cut. Wrap in a cloth and refrigerate for longer storage.
see ya later.
lately i have been reading a fair bit about mermaid folklore.
rusalka
18 x 24 paper.
rusalka is from russian folklore:
According to most traditions, the rusalki were fish-women, who lived at the bottom of rivers. In the middle of the night, they would walk out to the bank and dance in meadows. If they saw handsome men, they would fascinate them with songs and dancing, mesmerize them, then lead them away to the river floor to their death.
lorelei
18 x 24 paper.
lorelei is from german folklore:
It describes the eponymous female as a sort of siren who, sitting on the cliff above the Rhine and combing her golden hair, unwittingly distracted shipmen with her beauty and song, causing them to crash on the rocks.
ondine
18 x 24 paper.
Ondine was breathtakingly beautiful and possessed of a streak of independence, truly what we call a 'free spirit'.
Like all nymphs and mermaids, she was leery of men. If a nymph ever falls in love with a man and bears his child, she will begin to age like a mortal woman, losing her eternal youthfulness and everlasting life.
water spirit
18 x 24 paper.
mer
18 x 24 paper.
