Advent Day 6: Full Swing Holiday

Lacy Angel v.1, Q. Cassetti, 2010, sharpie from the second advent projectThe Studio sale was great. I picked up a bunch of drinking glasses and goblets on the dollar table and then went to the high priced, cooler stuff. I got a few lattecino patterned vases, a bracelet, and a few cool little bowls (for me). So, there is cool stuff to give to local friends, and a few great things for us. It was nice to see a bunch of old Corning friends and to see the Museum bursting with their holiday open house.

Then, it was off to Sams Club (I thought they might have swags and wreaths which they did). It has been years since I have been in a warehouse club, and it was great…particularly as Rob didn’t let me go full bore into the thises and thats. We got the swags and wreaths (making the wonderbus particularly fabulously deliciously scented), some new sharpie brand pens (ultra thin), some printable postcards and some cheese for pasta. I also got a huge box of oatmeal for granola making. Thinking of granola, I think that might be my version of the Christmas cookie this year. It looks good in the container; I have the wintery stickers; and folks tend to love it…and its a tad bit healthier than cookies. I think I will be doing some dog biscuits though. Really fun and the poochitas love them.

Collection of Holiday headwear from the web.A note: Going to Corning is a bit like going to another universe. People just do things a bit differently than we do here on our plateau. The general populace’s sense of public humor, their favorite restaurants and stores, what they do in their spare time, what they value is a bit different and to me, interesting. Where is she going with this one? Well, I was horrified and at the same time amused by the passigiata of people at the Studio sale (particularly) casually strolling about with their holiday Santa Hats. First it was a middle aged mom type with fuzzy boots on and a big, pink, fluffy santa hat with a big embroidered patch in the front saying “Princess”. After her was a little girl wearing the same pink hat with a crown sewn into the fluffy white band. It was also branded as “Princess”. Then a rather sloppy man, calmly sported a Vikings Santa hat (purple and white and big graphics just like the Eagles one above). Another nonchalant man had the traditional Santa hat with Mickey Mouse ears (a holiday classic). While we were prepping to exit Sams, I looked across to the car facing us in the lot, and there was a skinny, runty guy with his gold and black Steelers hat!. I think there is a market there. How about some really deviant ones? Like Masonic Santa Hats with an all seeing eye on the top? Krampus Santa hats? Or Santa hats with cool words like “Stupid” or the novel word, “Dank”? Need to work on that. Big money potential. Very funny to me.

There were holiday sweaters galore. Everyone had something with holly or candycanes printed on them from belts to shirts. It all was very “festive” and it frightened me to death. Need to do some more scary illustrations.

Onward to more Advent calendar images. I am vascillating between all sorts of things..and am getting charged up for a new body of work inspired by my friend Peter suggesting I work on a green man image. I am loving what I am learning. Could be the bees for the winter for me. I knew something would pop up if I just kept at it…yay.

Saturday wind down.

Hopi Doll from Gary Hsu, Rumble Seat Music, Ithaca, NYThere is a community build at the playground at the Elementary School today. We drove by and left Rob and Bruce off…to see the community had turned out for this, and it was miraculous. Looks like the littles will have a wonderful place to spend their free time without the prospect of splinters and other worries the old playground provided. However, Team Cassetti mourned the old playground and the marvels of a game they played called “no touch gravel tag”. Made the teens very wistful.

Rob got his lenses fixed in his glasses.  While he waited, Alex and I trolled the commons looking at the fancy card shop and then spending time at this totally over the top bong store with the bongs and smoking paraphenelia treated as it it was high art. I guess that is where the “Heads Together” aesthetic has gone 30 years later. “Heads Together” was this wild (and to me, slightly scary) store in Squirrel HIll (in Pittsburgh) that was in the bottom of a more mainstream retailler that sold bongs, smoking stuff, they did tattoos, they had records and tee shirts and the like. They may have sold jeans too. It was not the place a girl from a girls school would normally wander…but it was new and so I would go there and “check it out”. Now, this stuff is in the mainstream…how funny the world is. We bought some cool stuff for a friend who has just been diagnosed with mono from the cool toy store (we got a few books, some stickers, a make a bracelet kit and a little ugly doll to make her feel better. Made sense to me. I mean, what 18 yr old really wants flowers when they can have cool stuff? right?

We then visited Rumble Seat Music, which, I must admit, blew my mind. From the outside, its pretty nondescript…but when you enter the store, Rumble Seat accurately depicts themselves this way:

“Rumble Seat Music stands for authenticity in the origination of design. It’s seen in our inventory that we only stock the highest quality instruments that we have offered to our customers. In our pursuit of excellence we have expanded our mission to include premium Native American Art, Jewelry, Textiles and Vintage Cowboy boots. Also Check Out our New Line of the Highest Quality Leather products from Haus Leather.”

Custom Made Rodeo Style. 12” Long. 4 1/8” Wide. 13 3/8” Tall. $295 Rumble Seat Music 607-277-9236They are absolutely accurate. Upon walking through a fairly nondescript foyer, you enter a double story space that graciously welcomes you (like high end retail) causing me to reflect on the old Paul Smith stores, Ralph Lauren’s showroom in NYC or Bergdorf Goodman. Everything is lovely, beautifully displayed and the guitars are curated on the walls and in these grand display cases where groupings according to type or color are shown together. It is a treasurebox of musical instruments (with side rooms for amps, and a humidity controlled room for acoustic guitars), nestled in with native american rugs, jewelry, and lyrical Hopic Kachina dolls. There is a group of western or western inspired chairs and sofa in the center of the space, adorned with Native American Rugs, and Native American/Western patterns. Boots, such as the one to the right, are neatly lined up on shelves interspersed among the guitars. There is a competency among the people that staff the place that exceeds the normal money taking and showing folks around the store, but showcases the excellence that the owner prides him/herself in.

Who would know such a treasure existed here in our little hamlet? Well worth the visit.

121 W. State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850

340 Read St, Santa Fe, NM 87501

sales@rumbleseatmusic.com
P: 607-277-9236
F: 607-277-4593

As an aside, Rob Cassetti has been appointed to the Village Board of Trustees. He is to complete a term of a member who is leaving his seat. He has been additionally appointed Fire Commissioner. We are very proud of Mr. Boy and feel that this adventure will be positive for him and hopefully for the village at large. Congratulations Rob!

Must go soon. More later.

Almost Scammed!

Okay, okay. So, I love shopping online. I am an ebayer from way back and have had my moments with them. But, given the casual bump in the road, I am pretty good with this sort of thing. I have bought inexpensive things through to some fairly pricey things without any issues. Good transactions, good auctions, good buy it nows, etc. I have been though it. 

I have also been hounded by scammers who claimed I owed money on some credit card or the like and tracked it down to the scam, the lying about checque numbers and the discovery through Google that this institution had a track record of doing this sort of thing and I made it stop. This sort of party has happened at least twice.

So, as you know, I cook on a 1940's stove that looks like a car. Electric. And it has been doing some fairly scary things recently like making a loud and visual pop, blowing the breaker in the basement. More than a few times. So, it feels like the stove that is a car is on it's last legs for this cook. I have been cruising Craig's List for a stove, looking and hoping something really good would pop  up. And it did>> A 48" Dual Fuel Viking for $2600. with delivery thrown in. Oh my, I gasped. This has got to be mine! So, I wrote this note saying "Tell me more" and a note from an individual, "Chesty Restiva" came back. And this is what she said:

"This is a perfect viking range no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects period, it's in immaculate condition, never used, source: GAS, Dual Fuel.
Dual Fuel, Stainless Steel, 4 Sealed Burners.
Oven Capacity:
Right: 4.1 Cubic Ft
Left: 2.5 Cubic ft
Overall dimensions: 47-7/8"W x 27-1/8"D x 33-1/2".
The price i asked for is $2.600.00 with shipping inclided. The stove is already packed and ready for ship from Houston. The transaction will be completed by ebay. If you are still interested, please email me back and i will send you more info about the transaction. "

Wow! "Tell me more" was my next note.  I started googling the model number to find out that this very same stove was being offered on ebay for $7600.--confirming my expectation that yes, albeit a discontinued model, a very good price. Chesty returned my email saying:

Here is the steps:
To complete payment i´ll like to use eBay Purchase Protection program, you will pay the range at eBay agent assigned for our transaction.this way we are both protected.
 
I have briefly described the eBay transaction steps below:
1. Buyer, seller reach an agreement (price and delivery conditions)
2. Buyer sends money to eBay.
3. eBay confirms to seller that the amount has been received.
4. Seller performs the required services (shipping, insurance).
5. Buyer accepts delivery and informs eBay about the acceptance.
6. eBay releases the money to seller.
As you can see, you will receive the range BEFORE any money is released to me from eBay's account.
You will get the chance to inspect it, test it and everything you like while your money is still safely held in eBay's account.
ONLY after you confirm to eBay that you agree with the range, they will release the money to me.
If, for some reason, you disagree with the range(I assure you that is NOT going to happen
since my range is in immaculate condition) it will be shipped back to me on my expense
and you will receive your money back.
 
If you wish to proceed further, do not forget to email me
YOUR FULL NAME, SHIPPING ADDRESS  and a CONTACT NUMBER,
so I can start the transaction with eBay's Purchase Protection program.
Thank you 

Hmmm. Ebay makes it right. This agent thing protects me....I can use paypal...this totally protects me. Or at least that was thinking. The IS in the first sentence should have been the give away. But hey, this person is named Chesty, right? So, I sent her my name and phone (office) and said, "I'm on" and this is the stuff I got back with a false ebay (you could tell by the wrong typography and the Moneygram focus): 
Congratulations, You have been approved to buy this Item - Please pay now!

                                                          Transaction ID: 00116866722

...the seller Chesty Randiva started the transaction with eBay protection program.

In order to complete this transaction you have to submit the payment Via Money Gram to an eBay Agent. Payment must be submitted by Money Gram Wire Transfer directly from your local Money Gram office. Submit payment using eBay Representative's details from the Invoice we have sent you. You can find a MoneyGram near you here: 500 S MEADOW ST, ITHACA, NY 14850-5317, Mon-Sun 07:00-21:00 You can also send the money online (www.moneygram.com) using your credit card. If you choose to send the payment online you have to send 3 transfers: A. 899.00 USD, B. 899.00 USD, C. 802USD => 899+899+802 =$2600.00. As long as the transaction is made through eBay and not directly with the seller everything is safe and VERY WELL PROTECTED.

- The Seller has 5 business days to send to the Buyer and eBay Customer Support the tracking number of the shipment. If no tracking number is provided, a full refund is immediately sent to the Buyer. The Buyer receives the Item and has 5 business days to inspect it. If it is complete and as described, the Buyer should accept the Item. If he refuses the Item, the Buyer must ship it back to the Seller within 5 business days. After the inspection period is over, the Buyer must contact eBay Customer Support with the result of the inspection. If the Buyer refuses the item, the refund will be sent to the Buyer after the tracking number for the returned shipment is verified. If the Item is accepted, eBay Financial Department submits the payment directly to the Seller within 3 business days.

  All the transaction, payment and personal information is considered confidential and will not be released under any circumstances.

 Our main and constant priority is the safety of our customers..

 Next you can observe exactly the eBay Representative's details and customers:

 Contact Seller at: chestyrand@hotmail.com to confirm you got the payment invoice.

Congratulations, You have been approved to buy this Item - Please pay now!

Full Name:   Jonathan Anthon

Address: 3640 Gardendale

City/State: Houston / Texas

** Most of the Money Gram office's are not aware of our eBay privacy and policy so to achieve a smooth and pleasant transaction we suggest you to send the money for a personal business ( a friend, relative etc ).

Payment Instructions: You must complete the payment in 2 working days after the invoice with our Agent details was sent to you. The Item will be delivered after the payment was cleared.

 1. Make the payment in cash using our eBay agent details.

 2. Fax us a scanned copy of the transfer receipt at:

- Fax Number: +1 (251) 252-3537

-  Send us the payment information at:

- Email:  aw-confirm@reply6-myebay.com

 If you use MoneyGram Online transfer, you have to send us the 8 Digits reference numbers (3).

*Please do not make any marks on the transfer copy.

*The following information must be readable.

*Pay Via Money Gram Wire Transfer -

*Is the fast, easy and secure way to pay on eBay.

So, the tip off was MoneyGram (not Paypal), the myebay.com address (not real) and an ebay transaction number that when typed into Ebay manifested nothing. So, I called ebay, and while waiting wrote Chesty one more note saying I preferred PayPal to Moneygram and she responeded immediately saying "The transaction is now set for paypal. Let me know after you have sent the money." Oh, and send it to the reply6@ myebay.com . I was on the phone to Ebay to confirm my suspicions. Turns out, I was right. The MoneyGram was the tip off, but this sort of phishing goes on all the time....and I was right to scratch my head and do some research before moving on doing business with this individual. So, new plans around Craigs List. If we cannot drive down and pick something up and hand the check over, we do not even think about this sort of thing.

So, the moral of this story is, 

If something seems too good to be true, it's likely that it is.

Glorious Day!

Liberty of London at Target NOW!I gave myself a hugeamongus treat today. I went to Target to breath the fresh spring air that Liberty of London has brought to their store. Not only was it prints galore and prints that are kicking this booty to get going, but patterns on top of patterns that makes the decorative illustrator (remember, we like to decorate) repress a shout and scream of joy in the exhuberance of color and riot of illustration decorating all manner of things from clothes to boxes, to lovely papergoods, to cachepots and garden gloves. My favorite of all are the patterned bicycles (for less than $175.) with Liberty prints. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Plus, the patterns that Target is showing are very "Liberty" but very American in the strong colorways, and bold patterning together. I love the English palette, in it's genteel and watercolory calmness but here in the land of the big bam boom, it would be misunderstood and passed over. So, good for Target for marrying the two.

From the SF Gate/SF Chronicle on a story "And Liberty (not for all) at Target:

Although Liberty of London may not enjoy the name recognition of other Target collaborators, it nonetheless managed to draw enough interest to result in near-empty endcaps by 9 a.m. Sunday, the day the collection went on sale. A pop-up shop in Manhattan last week had closed up early after 6,000 people cleaned it out in record time

I managed to find the mens stuff they had sold out of, a sundress for Kitty, some pillows (for me) and some nice covered boxes all on the endcaps. The children's clothes were lovely in all cotton...with matching hairbands, bathing suits, the whole shot. Lots of the china was snapped up, albeit, it was much cuter in the photographs but for the price ( $16. for a ceramic cannister) it made my inner William Morris thrill to the possibility to take it home.

More later. Work awaits from my bad hookie playing this morning. Wow, Welcome SPRING!

A break in the clouds

There was a bit of flurry this morning. I got out and about to the Regional Access to pick up the mini bagels and pesto for the home team. I love that place. Lots of choices...and their little bottega of goodies (today there was Ganache from Sharffen Berger, Chestnuts, big elegant cans of extra virgin olive oil). The whole charm of buying these treats in this off the beaten track place is terrific. I am thrilling to non mainstream shopping with a delight in Green Star, the Amish and of course, the regional. We are so lucky to have these choices. Bruce has gone home after a week of working at the Museum of Glass on a project. We have others coming in this weekend--so we will keep the flow of friends, family and others to keep the spare bed warm and clean. I am off to Rochester tomorrow for a pressrun and am on my hands and knees praying that it will not snow for my journey. Rob is out for the evening...so I will rouse the littles before going off early--to see a sheet early. The pressrun is small (6M pieces). So, I may be able to see a form or two before hopping home in the p.m. Kitty is having a friend or two for the party and party prep...dipping pretzels, decorating the space etc. Should be very holiday. Big concert tonight from 7-9:30 with the entire High School and Middle School bands and choral groups singing. I would like to listen to A. and not go...but I think he is just making noise. More later>

Sunday 08.23.09

Spent the morning chatting with David, our guest...with him painting a landscape and me fiddling around with my pens. We looked at the work of third generation puppeteer and performance artist, Basil Twist (on youtube>>). Twist is imaginative with his use of screens, film, projection, curtains (the stagemanship) along with his puppets and aspect of his work that might fit into performance (active costumes that help the artist to go to another place. The first film is of his performance, Dogugaeshi,commissioned by the Japan Society and is beautifully described (in the link) by the New York Times.

Twist joined another performance artist who David has been following for years since David claims to have seen in a window of the New York Fiorucci store, Joey Arias.

Arias and Twist presented "Arias with a Twist" off Broadway to David's delight...with this collaboration moving to Los Angeles soon. Arias is an artist who can span gender, age and go from nice to naughty in a blink of an eye. Marvelously funny, poignant and quite a presence, Arias was a featured performer with the Cirque du Soleil presentation, Zoomanity. David made the pilgrimage to Los Vegas for his fiftieth bday to see this Cirque show and take in the LV sights. We looked at YouTube clips on both Twist and Arias which was fun and very inspiring as well.

We visited Petrune, a great vintage clothing store on the Ithaca Commons as well as my new favorite antiques store next to the State Theatre, Blue Bird Antiques. Jenny MacGuire, the owner and buyer has similar interests to mine and always captures the imagination from Odd Fellow and Mason stuff, to circus posters, religious stuff, primitive ephemera to taxidermy. Doesnt get much better. Jenny mentioned that we may have a monthly antiques auction in little ole Tburg at the VFW. This would be a real
ly good add...and what with the activities around the old/new Rongo, things are looking up! (not that they ever looked down, but more in the case of T burg is better).

We attended the Ithaca Sufferjets Bout with Wilmington and left at halftime as we were tired and hungry. Shady got a little walk in Cass Park discovering the dog drinking fountain. We had a late dinner and then to sleep. This morning I used up the two soft bunches of bananas making banana bread (double order) and a banana cake from Joy of Cooking. I chopped up all the left over chicken from this week and made a rather lavish chicken salad (with new and left over ingredients and the pepper bacon we had at breakfast). So, cooking is done and we are planning a later afternoon showing of Ponyo at Cinemopolis. We will see what happens from there.

Flaxinated!

Phew! I just got back from the congregation of Flaxnation. They were all there--all shapes and sizes, in clothing and in bathing suits and camisoles, tossing shirts from bin to bin, trying things on and commenting to their neighbors about how they look and how things fit. Human mirrors with edit buttons.

Highlights include:

> cool linen and silk plaid shirts (colorway being pear and a blueberry and ivory plaid, or a purple, rust and ivory, or a lemon yellow, cool red and one with red/turquoise and yellow). This material is beautiful and has a nice hand and drape. There are sleeveless and sleeved tees to go with them.
> coats. Not wonderful wool like the Eileen Fisher ones--but coats in about 4 different shapes. Ivory, tan, black, navy. The basics.
> if you like florals, there is this box of huge, single colored floral print shirts, tees, pants in turquoise, pink, grey colors (turquoise with turquoise flowers). Big print. I thought is was a bit overwhelming, but the ladies that were draped in it looked good.
> lightweight linen sleepwear: pants, shirts, nightgowns. Pear, white, or a bluish grey.
> Neesh stuff in general. I bought K a forties style dress in black, transparent material and a layered black lace skirt.
> Really nice boyfriend shirts in a puckery cotton in white, washed orange, washed grey, washed denim color and my favorite, a thin blue stripe on white--kind of mattress ticking type of pattern. Same material had pants, capris, wrap jackets and these long tunics with a placket and buttons down the first 6" from the top.
>Flax basics. All linen, all the time. Ivory, brown, black. Perfection.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by. Its worth it. They give everyone a free, linen bag made of their material to stuff your finds into. The $5. bins are terrific. Prices range from $35. and down. Nothing goes much beyond that. And, they have a ton of merchandise that they are constantly opening up boxes and putting out. So, Friday is different from Saturday and Saturday from Sunday as it is all dependent on what gets moved onto the floor. Plus, a new add is there is a Bierkenstock shoe truckload sale that is happening in the parking lot so you can work the entire LOI (look of Ithaca) if you so desire. Merrill shoes are an option along with Teva sandals. It is the uniform of the Flaxnation. Once a year. We should make it a holiday! Why not?

tidbit for now

K is back. Energized, excited, enlightened, peppering her speech with french phrases--effusive about her trip. She tumbled off the plane in new clothes--tight fitting hot pink pants with a black dress--draped in a white and pink scarf. I think this french thing might be rubbing off. She made grunge (or her version of it) chic. Indeed! She is sleeping as it was a long trip back. Today will be a segue from the dream to the reality.

We got what we needed for A--shorts, shirts, golf shoes (Calloway no less to his delight) and blue jeans. Limited mall time so we had some relaxing time chez Luckystone prior to the trip to Syracuse for the 10 p.m. pick up. We googled Italian restaurants with ratings and found a slew on North Salina Avenue. We had a great dinner at Antonios (700 N Salina) to the delight of our big boy who delivered a small handcart's portion of tortellini with a loaf of bread in silence. Fork to plate to mouth to plate to mouth to plate until the fork was laid across an empty plate. Seems there are more restaurants and stores on North Salina Street we will need to discover.

More later>>

shopping at Del Amo

We shopped at Del Amo:

> Metropark: a hipster place for the suburban hip. DJ in residence (not today) but the gear was there. Tons of skate and surf lifestyle stuff more oriented towards lifestyle and not really being the hip real time surfer that Huntington Beach promised. More Obey stuff (will do an entry on Obey as it is fascinating), jewels and pocketbooks, magazine selection and limited mens. Was part of a mall thing, so felt edgy in context.

> Forever XXI:  H&M concept overlaid on an interior that smacks of pre-rennovated small department stores of the late 80s (ie Bergdorfs) with every item being under $24. Wonderful and fun. We stocked up on jewelly bangle bracelets for valentines day for all our gal pals at $6.80 a grouping. Really cute empire waisted short coats in a greyed out chartreuse, beige, white or black. Lots of sweaters, basic tees, and the New Years collection of spangled goodies. It was all tremendous fun...accessable and very now. Worth spending lots of time there digging through the baskets and racks.

> Loved Free People just for their illustrative facade. Another venue for illustrators. Take note>>

> Had lunch at the showstopper, In and Out Burger (menu above). Simple and to the point. About 5 things they offer. The biggest choice you will need to make is what to drink. Everything stacked into small , but tall, red plastic " buckets" to share the deliciousness out of. A must try. Everyone and their brother were eating post Christmas burgers and fries. We had to, too.

> Went to Aunty Baby's barn to check on the perfect "Just in Time" (Justin or Jay). Took a few pix of him to generate some horse images of him. I have never,ever seen an animal able to "strike a pose" quite the way this equine can do it. Impressive. And, images promise to come out of the shoot. There is one where he is bending this neck perpendicular to his body--and the way the light describes the plains is almost sublime.

It was a cool, SCal day. Perfect. Perfect sun, lots of breeze but nowhere near the blusteriness of our beloved plateau. Off to San Diego tomorrow.

Brush-hoggin'

Back behind the back 40, they are brush hoggin' old Mrs. Dean's seven acres. Shady Grove and I crept back to the property line to check out the happenings. They are making that lot look like a suburban heaven. Peonies are blowing out.

As an aside, the folks at The Believer are having a sale because they have hit some rough times. From their note:

As you may know, it's been tough going for many independent publishers, McSweeney's included, since our distributor filed for bankruptcy last December 29. We lost about $130,000 -- actual earnings that were simply erased. Due to the intricacies of the settlement, the real hurt didn't hit right away, but it's hitting now. Like most small publishers, our business is basically a break-even proposition in the best of times, so there's really no way to absorb a loss that big.

We are committed to getting through and past this difficult time, and we're hoping you, the readers who have from the start made McSweeney's possible, will help us.

Over the next week or so, we'll be holding an inventory sell-off and rare-item auction, which we hope will make a dent in the losses we sustained. A few years ago, the indispensible comics publisher Fantagraphics, in similarly dire straits, held a similar sale, and it helped them greatly. We're hoping to do the same.

So if you've had your eye on anything we've produced, now would be a great time to take the plunge. For the next week or so, subscriptions are $5 off, new books are 30 percent off, and all backlist is 50 percent off. Please check out the store and enjoy the astounding savings, while knowing every purchase will help dig us out of a big hole.

So check them out. Help them out. The teeshirts are cool and the back issues fun for the summer.

tooling around

Trip to the Ithaca Farmers Market was a nice way intro to summer. Tons of plants for sale, lilac bushes, basil and herbs and all sorts of perennials and annuals. Big tubs of hosta and tiny containers of exotic mints. Art galore. Samosas and our new fave, the woodfired pizza and foccacia. Lovely baked goods. Macro Mama with the beaming Amy Glicklich serving up trays of peanut lime noodles to those waiting in line for that wonderfulness. Silk Oak was there with a new line of cute stuff for the summer including an inspired "Ithaca" graphic of a cabbage and ear of corn.They have a nice and inspiring crow on shirts etc. Makes a certain illustrator you all know think about doing a 3 color crow for shirts or whatever to be screenprinted. Or something else along that line. Gimme! is there. And the big news is that the Ithaca Trail now has a trailhead with benches and brick etc all polished and finished to integrate the Farmer's Market in with all the other fun that comprises the trail.

Then, off of Greenstar to see if we could get the missing ingredients for the promised whoopie pies as a form of treasure hunt and a way to avoid Wegmans during a busy Cornell graduation weekend. And yes, we did find Marshmallow Fluff*!(albeit made from a rice based sugar) along with other delicious things such as fiddlehead ferns (for dinner tonight) and leeks, and cocoa powder and nice salad dressing. Another off the beaten track shopping spree. As R. says, definitely all line of sight...and tons of local groceries which we all must support. Less carbon and feeing funds back into the local community. Its all good.

Whoopie pies in the oven. Enormous gauging by the recipe. Lilacs and wisteria out. Did some remedial weed pulling and small tree cutting this morning to make room for the plants I actually want..not the ones that have decided to take over. The hosta are gorgous...and there were some splits and replants too.

Gotta go.

*Director's note: The rice fluff isnt the same. Runnier and beige (imagine!)--so the icing was runny...but nothing that a half a block of cream cheese didn't remedy. Not all fluff is the same...no matter how vegan it is. However, the fiddleheads sauteed in olive oil and garlic transports one to the gates of paradise. A taste of spring like asparagus and strawberries.

Quarter to Flaxination

We partook one more time with markdowns. More stuff. More boxes. Plenty for everyone. K found some $5. gems which with a perfect size 6 body represents my perfect "little matchgirl" garbed Barbie. These togs are dead on for our next jaunt to the land of surfers and surfer lifestyle...LA...and on her mind and planning schedule. Ran into a friend who was working the sale who, when asked, why she volunteered---" why? Well, because we all Love Flax. Always have. And there is no place to buy it around here even though it is headquartered nearby". Did I tell you that they gave everyone a wonderful heavy linen bag to fill during the sale and take home filled with more stuff>? We have glorious dark grey and white wove ones. Fifteen minutes until we have to wait for next year.