All This Beauty

One of my favorite quotes is by George Santayana: "Interest in the changing seasons is a much happier state of mind than being hopelessly in love with spring." But let's be honest. Spring kind of steals the show when it comes to seasons.

All the flowers blooming and trees budding in our yard has made me one chipper gal, so I thought I'd share the eye candy.

Antiquing as Sport

I've always said antiquing and thrifting are the equivalent of hunting for me. I'd really rather not shoot furry, doe-eyed creatures, but I do enjoy the challenge and thrill of seeking out a game of sorts.

The chase is addicting: eyes dashing around the store, finding mostly junk but then––oh, the moment is so glorious––there it is.

That's the feeling I got when this wreath caught my eye. I found it in an antique store in Tipp City. It's handmade and has a variety of vintage fabric yo-yos with vintage buttons in the center, and it even had a nest with a couple of faux eggs. The nest was missing a bird but I quickly filled that void with one from the craft store.

After a recent conversation with a friend, it occured to me that the antiquing/thrifting habit might also derive from a desire to salvage. I always think about how that knick-knack might have been a favorite in its past life. When buying second hand, you're giving that knick-knack another chance. It's beautiful, isn't it?

Recycled Art

Our bedroom needed a bit more color, so I decided to make a vibrant collage painting to brighten it up. I started with a base of my favorite color, turquoise. Next, I painted and stamped with different layers of yellow and gold.

Then came hodgepodge time! A couple years back, I had bought an old dictionary at a garage sale that was falling apart to assist me in craft projects. A couple carefully torn excerpts provided a black and white contrast to the color. There are also closely cut pictures of yellow and red roses from an old gardening book I had found in a give away pile. I had a calendar of vintage bird illustrations that I couldn't bear to throw away, so they nested on my painting. Lastly, I had dried some peach poppy petals from my garden and they also found their place amongst the fodder.

I love how every piece of the collage has a story.

Ephemera becomes eternized!

Highly evolved

I wonder if the next generation will develop special muscles or bones in their hands to accomodate texting. And perhaps several hundred years from now anthropolgists will dig them up and wonder what brought about the adaptation.

Dayton is delicious!

So Dayton isn't a bustling Metropolitan city, but it does have its fair share of fine cuisine. I think some are reluctant to try independent restaurants because they are unfamiliar; people know what to expect with chains. However, the majority of the time it's worth the risk to discover a great new place. Here are some of my tried-and-true favorites. Please share some of your favorite independent restaurants and coffee shops around the area, as well!

• Figlio (on Stroop Road in Kettering) Italian


• Thai 9 (on Fifth Street in the Oregon District) Thai


• Tanks (on Wayne Avenue in Dayton) Bar food


• El Meson (East Dixie Drive in West Carrollton)


• Press (on Wayne in the Oregon District) By far the best coffee shop in Dayton––try the home-brewed chai

These are little gems located somewhat outside of the Gem City. Nonetheless, they're worth the drive.

La Piazza (Market Street in downtown Troy) Great calamari
Greenfire Bistro (Main Street past downtown Tipp City)
Tavernette Inn (Main Street in Medway)

Heartless Bastards

Heartless Bastards: the name is very deceiving. Though their music isn't easy-listening, it also isn't hardcore. Their lead singer, Erica Wennerstrom, has a rare combination of a powerful voice and evocative lyrics.

Even better, they are proof that good things come from Dayton! After seeing them at Canal Street about a year ago, I became an even more devoted listener. Good news! They are coming back to Canal Street this December 27th.

Here is a link to their website:
www.theheartlessbastards.com

Here are the album covers so you know what to look for next time you're at the record store:

Handmade owl doorstop

What's better than a plaid doorstop? You got it- a plaid doorstop with owl features. I found the base (see first picture) at a local antique store. I thought it was the perfect shape for an owl body. Add some felt and buttons that were begging to be used, and ::hoot!hoot!:: I had a charming little owl.

I realize owls are kind of trendy now, but I have always had a fondness for the feathery creatures. Perhaps it is due to the wisdom they symbolize or their iconic features.

Please post your own owl adaptations and keep crafting alive!