Will early spring blooms survive?

Early Spring in Wisconsin

R wrote

Hello from sunny Wisconsin. It's mid March and 70 degrees. I have trees in bloom and perennials popping up everywhere. The grass is green and Roberto will no doubt want to cut it soon. Only problem is, this can't last. Not here. We are due for a deep freeze yet to come. So who knows what will happen to my garden. I actually have the air conditioner running because without the shade of all our trees, this place is a hot house.

Clara - 70 degrees in March!!! The groundhog must have seen his shadow (or whatever he does). Poor little plants though - hope they survive. I remember how you shrouded your early spring garden one year when a big freeze was forecast.  You saved it!   I have searched for the post but couldn't find it.  Had lots of fun going back over the years  - brought back great memories, your amazing year of design.   Perhaps you can find the photo I was looking for.
I'm doing a 'Make your own book' course for two Saturdays - maybe you should publish highlights from a year of design. 

We are into Autumn and finally having sunny weather instead of deluges of rain with floods in many states.  Today we went to the fish markets -  a glorious day on the water so we had a little lunch there.

Early Autumn in Sydney

  

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I'm excited too re winning the battle of the bulge

Battle of the Bulge by
Lynee Follow That Girl who could write a book about jeans; styles, length, what shoes and tops to wear.
She says about me (generously) "My boss has this friend from Australia, Clara -who coincidentally writes a blog called "Fit in Your Jeans Cuisine". How perfect.
The photo's of the finished recipes are gorgeous and mouth watering."
Thanks Lynee, for your kind words. Can't wait to hear how you went and what you were wearing when you cooked your meal.
Clara

It's getting to that time of year. You know, THAT time of year. It's when my husband watches in disgust as I jump, lay on the floor, do a dance routine, lunges or cry to get on my skinny jeans. After I painstakingly inch the zipper up and nearly lose a nail buttoning them, I promise myself that "Today, I'm only eating water." The next thing I know I'm eyeing up something that looks like this...

I am announcing today that I will wear my skinny jeans with comfort all year around. And no, I cannot survive only eating water.

So what am I going to do? I'm going to actually follow Clara's recipes, and make sure I only eat my small portion! I'm excited, and so is my husband. You see, I'm not a very good cook. I screw up scrambled eggs, burn the toast, overcook the noodles and dry out the chicken. So, I plan to write about my "Fit in your Jeans Cuisine" diet once a month, my wins, my failures... my poor husbands love while he eats it even when it's awful (of course I'll throw in what awesome outfit I'm wearing from Next Door while I slave away in the kitchen). Are you excited? I'm excited!

Lynee

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The Rules - JEAN SCENE - BECAUSE WE THINK YOU SHOULD - FIT IN YOUR JEANS

Hi R
I know you are enjoying  http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com fresh and healthy, tasty;  and  thought it would be good to share your expertise re how to wear your jeans so you look absolutely fabulous.

There's nothing like a great fitting pair of jeans and yet they can be hard to find unless you know the rules.   With the expert help of Renotta, www.shopatnextdoor.com who could write a book about styles, length, what shoes and tops to wear with what  etc........ and Lynee Follow That Girl , here is the answer.  "We have over 1300 pairs of jeans in our store and an all-consuming passion to find the perfect pair for everyone who walks through our door." We all look forward to answering your questions about jeans or healthy tasty food, because that is our passion.
Clara

JEAN SCENE BECAUSE WE THINK YOU SHOULD FIT IN YOUR JEANS

To What Length Should You Go? Adapted from 'Jean Scene' www.shopatnextdoor.com
and Follow That Girl the latest from Lynee

We could write a book about the length of jeans. Suffice it to say most jeans are too long and need to be shortened. If you're a jeanophile, you know that the original hem needs to be reattached. There's nothing worse than jeans looking like your mom chopped them off for you or shrunk them in the dryer. At 'Shop at Nextdoor', Milwaukee USA, we have perfected the art of reattaching the original hem so when you purchase your jeans, we'll shorten them for a small fee. But since you may not live here, here are a few hints you can apply.    

Firstly, you need someone in the know re the 'New York' method of shortening jeans so your best bet would be your specialist jeans store or boutique.

The next decision is how long should they be? That's where we come in. Having shortened over ten thousand pairs, we feel we have something to say about it. For starters we're just going to deal with bootcut, flare, and trouser jeans. We'll leave the skinnies and leggings for next time. We all know we want to look fabulously tall and lean in our jeans even if we're not. So here's our rule of thumb: if your shoes show, your jeans are too short. You want your jeans to just skim the ground, about 1/4" short of dragging. It gives you that long continuous line even if it's an illusion for most of us.

The next thing you need to deal with is what shoes you will be wearing. Unfortunately, you can't wear one pair of jeans with flats, comfy heels, and killer spikes. We're good, but we're not magicians. You have to pick one height shoe and go with it. And yes, it means you have to have more than one pair of designer jeans. We'll say it again, there's nothing like a great fitting pair of jeans. And there's nothing worse than a pair of jeans that are too short!

Renotta (jeanophile)
Renee (fashion blogger)

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Dior exhibition - ongoing inspiration

Hi R

OTT - Inspiration for your special fashion parade coming up in October..

I know it will be fabulous, featuring denim and knitwear, with you having fun knitting up lots of 70's looking outer wear, to mix in with ready to wear.
And of course there will be your inspiration designs and pieces, of which you have many just as Christian has.


Looking forward to seeing it all vicariously, even though I would love to be there.  Hopefully next year.  Australia is sooo faraway!
Clara xxx
ps - can you photoshop me in one of these gowns please.


Extract taken from 'Inspiration Dior'

Exhibitions at the Pushkin Museum - Moscow


The showcase, opening to the public April 28 and running through July 24, is to feature about 120 couture dresses along with some 60 blue-chip artworks, including paintings from the Pushkin’s bulging collection and others on loan from top museums and private collections.


"February 12th, 1947: Christian Dior presents his first collection at Avenue Montaigne.
The revolution is underway and the new look is born. With it, the house of Dior enters the world of legend.

New and highly innovative, this exhibition demonstrates how inspiration has nourished the heart of Dior for decades with its links to history, nature, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and film. It reveals how an idea, a feeling, an era, a garden, a perception or even a smell can instil an idea in the heart and mind, giving rise to a unique creation.


In this major exhibition, the Pushkin Museum showcases Dior magic and luxury whilst emphasising the outstanding house’s links with art. The key themes of the Dior legend - past and present - are presented on a grand scale in original fashion, set against unique works of art.

As Monsieur Dior said: "finally everything that has been part of my life - whether I wanted it to or not - has expressed itself in my dresses.”

email  - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Miracle mouse method for ironing jeans

   Hi R
I thought that you may have a comment re this important psychological research. 
'A Bigger and Better Mouse for Women.'
After years of research, scientists have discovered that women do not like the standard mouse supplied with PCs.  There is no physical reason for their aversion; it is more of a psychological problem.


Some women reported that their mouse 'just didn't feel right' in their hands. Based on the research, a new mouse has been designed especially for women. Various field tests have been carried out on the new design:

Chantelle from Roodepoort said:-

'It feels so much better. More comfortable, more like how it's supposed to be.'
Wendy from Discovery added:-
'I think mice were originally designed just for men, but this new type
is definitely made for women. It fits right in with my lifestyle.'




A bigger and better mouse for women

 Susan from Pretoria said:-

'I took to it like a duck to water, every woman should have one!'

Tanya from Lindhaven said:
"It feels so natural."









Clara -  ps - G sends out his ironing - would you believe to a guy - weell, we don't know who actually does the ironing but I don't.


pps - Clara's Smoothing Method - Clara does her ironing by hanging up the washing well in the first place, going 'Pat Pat and smoothing, doing up collar buttons etc" then, when it is dry, and ready to be 'ironed' ........the secret is to give it a quick hot spin in the dryer. 
Don't put too much in at a time or it won't work for two reasons.  Firstly, there needs to be a lot of hot air around to do the trick.  Secondly, you can't fold everything at once so you only heat up what you can actually fold. 


So -  what to do now that a few garments have had about:-

• 5 minutes on high  (works best with t shirts and jeans (but what else does anyone wear?)  
• Take out a few at a time - ie as many as you can fold in a minute or two - we need to have the heat going in order for this to work.  If you let the garment settle in a crumpled state this is how it will remain. The others can still be spinning around, in waiting. I am going to tell you how to do it one by one, but being experienced at this miracle I can place one garment on top of the other and 'iron' about 6 at a time. 
• T- shirt - tops etc - Spread out the hot shirt upsidedown - using your hand as an iron, smooth the hot fabric, which will do exactly what an iron will do. Pull and fold to present as you wish.  I prefer to place the garment on it's back and fold in the sleeves - then fold in half. 
• Take the next one - do the same and place it on top of the first and press down - the heat and pressure will do all the work for you.  
• So for jeans - much the same - take one pair at a time - place on a table, pat and smoooooth  really firmly.  Pretend your hands are a firm iron.  Fold in half and lay flat, one pair on top of the other, then give an extra firm pat.

Clara 
 

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Priorities and Confessions of a gym dropout

Hi R

Clara is now a gym dropout and prefers
other exercise regimes

Oh no - not the great unveiling!  I was beginning to feel 'let off the hook' but then thought  my planned trip to Italy and France in May, means I face the same challenges but more so because all will be revealed on the deck of the canal boat.  So I am with you all the way but will limit  exposure of arms and the legs to the end half of both, due to vanity and realism.  

Now a self-confessed  'Gym Dropout' since last year, I adopted the idea of 'Exercise with a Purpose' - the concept being that if you have places you need to go, then walk there, or spend time in the garden sweeping my paths and others' paths  in the complex to satisfy my aesthetic needs.  Cutting the hedge, for example, is a great way to exercise the dreaded upper arms and working in the garden definitely helps to restore positive mental equilibrium. I recall one of Jane Fonda's tapes which you introduced me to in the 70s, had one exercise called "PULL WEEDS !  PULL WEEDS!  - She was always so urgent in her requests so I did as I was told.

I am currently writing a book about walks in my area so this also provides many opportunities to get out there and exercise / walk with a purpose along with regular morning walks. Then the 10 minutes of additional exercise  such as some pelvic floor / abdomen stuff, some resistance activities using a stretchy car octopus, and a few basic moves using 2kg / 4lb weights. 

All that is good.  But - while I am in confession mode - I do get up early, yes R, at 6-15 which is early for me, to walk with G.  I really really really want to, but sometimes I really really really really want just a few more precious lifesaving minutes in foggy sleep.  Fortunately for me, G heaps disappointment upon me so being an approval seeker, I do my best.  However, with daylight saving ending soon, it is going to be darker, colder, harder.    Follow my progress! 
Re the 10 minutes exercise - you know what - it doesn't always happen.  One exercise I do religiously, however, redeems  me slightly - ie in waiting for the shower to heat up - with hands behind you grasping the edge of the bath, fingers pointing forward, 20 strong knee bends with pelvic awareness, exercises many essential muscles all at the one time, including the dreaded upper arms I keep referring to.  This is my naked truth!  And the good part is I am still asleep. 

R - I love your new decision -  "I've decided one thing, I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit. I've also decided to approach this spring's training in realistic moderation. I plan to feel a "little burn" rather than a big burn out."  The only way I would adjust it to work for me, would be to make it into a mantra - ie "I'm going to walk before I talk, jog before I blog and stretch before I sit and knit,"  because for me, it's all about routine and priorities. 

Clara
ps - rather than the 'naked truth', I love the exercise shirts you showed in the last blog. 



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The seasons they are achanging

Hi there R
For a year I followed your fabulous 'One a Day' blog where you photographed designs you had created.  One of the great aspects around this was, because you photographed them outdoors in your garden and around your property, that day by day the seasons were achanging.

Day by day I watch the changing canvas 
Witness early frost brushstrokes
Falling Autumn leaves create
Bare grey branch horizon
Before fresh new snow transformation
Paints in the long long cold.

Stroke by stroke a gradual lightening
Patches of melting snow
Reveal earth's new promise
Of softer warmer times to come.
Renaissance of early spring
Heralds bright new summer.

I am wondering what the new season's fashion will be over there.  Today I browsed in one of my favourite boutiques   When I walked into the store the general hue resembled the bare grey branch horizon, with taupe and grey prevailing (our new winter stock). I actually love these rich neutrals especially when you break them up with accessories and as the sales girl said "You can treat them as black, but they are softer." 
Clara

Long live the Poncho and the Packers

Soooo cute AJ

Hi there R and Roberto
You all look fabulous!  AJ looks verrrrrrry cute in his Packer's outfit.  It is no wonder they won  - given they have such supporters!!!! .......Clara


 'If the Green Bay Packers aren't the most deserving champions of the Super Bowl era, they're not far from it. At the moment of truth Sunday night in Super Bowl XLV, the Packers overcame the first-half departures of Charles Woodson and Donald Driver to vanquish the Steelers, 31-25, at Cowboys Stadium. Fans started counting down the clock, braved the icy roads on long journeys from the Midwest, transferred through crowded airports and spent hundreds and perhaps even thousands of dollars just to get a seat inside Cowboys Stadium. It was a night to remember.'


Super Bowl 45!...February 6th -
Two days to go to complete the year of one a day design. It was a year to remember!






Getting ready for the big game!

  The Green and the Gold...February 5th

Long live the poncho and the Packers

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Are you saving the best vests till last?

R wrote - "Now that I have help with the scarves, I am able to do some new pieces."

Clara - I love these new pieces - just keep getting better. The colours are soft and flattering as are the designs.  Are you saving the best till last?


Some Strings Attached...January 15th

Vest Bet...January 13th

Shrug a Lug..January 12th

The Vest of the Day...January 10th

Vest in Snow...January 5th

Vestiblue...January 4th

 This vest is part of Project Knitway.







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If the Shoe fits......... or the Shoe fits/defines the person

R wrote - Interesting, these polar opposites. I just packed all my sweaters, jackets and boots away, and you're looking forward to wearing yours. The old rule of thumb here is that you don't wear white till after Memorial Day, May 31st, but that doesn't seem to mean much anymore. The first warm day here and everyone was running around in sandals and flip flops. Time to think about the toes again. It seems like my poor feet just got used to wearing all those socks and shoes, and now I have to reshape them once again. Oh well, if the shoe fits wear it. Or on with the shoe, out with the bandaids.

Toes - feet - pedicure -

Snow Day...Wish You Were Here

Woodland Friends

Dear C,

Your flowers are beautiful. I'd love to know more about your four seasons in Sydney. You know what it's like here! Actually we are having a very early spring. Plants that we don't normally see for another month have sent shoots up. We're all worried as every night there is a frost , so far not a damaging one. I am reassured by Mr. Google that the plants will bounce back after a late frost but some may not bloom this season. Nothing blooms in my garden like your photos as it is mostly shade. It's a challenge to find plantings that my good friends, the deer and rabbits won't devour. They view my garden as their domain, even though they have thousands of acres to roam as we border a large nature preserve. I thought you might enjoy my photos of some other woodland creatures I found on our walk.  I plan to revisit them with adornments for future photos. The lovely lady above needs a necklace or perhaps a pair of vintage earrings. Her friend, the octopus, could wear several pewter cuffs.   Love..R  PS..blue spruce to follow

Granny Glam

R wrote

Since I'm not there to actually see these earrings in person, I decided it was time for a photo shopping trip. I declaire that the earrings are perfect for the MOB. You are still my glamorous role model. I need an overdo!

Love,
R

Polar Opposites - Sunrise, Sunset - Renewal of Energy and Fresh Possibilities.

R wrote - I can never capture the beauty of a sunset or sunrise, but I keep trying. Yesterday's sunset was caught just before it disappeared behind the ridge. The light was filtering through the new leafy greens. This morning's sunrise was softer with a promise of a gray, balmy day with nice soft light for the gals on top of the world. If you look carefully, you can see the old bench that I shot today's piece on. It's high up on the hill with a lovely view, a wonderful place to sit especially with the promise of spring. I think a lot about our polar opposites...I'm having my first cup of coffee and you're ending your day. You have Tuesday to look forward to and I'm just heading into Monday. You just put your summer things away and I  packed winter away. Up, down, yin, yang.


R
keep those leafy green recipes  coming

Clara - how can I return to my beloved leafy greens when you challenge me with Polar Opposites? And I have YET to deal with Life Cycles.
Your sunrise and sunset photos have captured the very essence of this magical metamorphasis (blog spellcheck - where are you? Sorry Big G - who needs strikeout?) from one state to another; the important aspect involving the fading and renewal of light on the horizon and the juxtaposition of the landscape from that perspective. It symbolises that every day is a new day with renewal of energy and fresh possibilities.
I have enrolled in a Photography course with the local community college - very excited about your creative photography. Love the concept of the landscape and how it is interpreted as being something we 'create' each day, rather than it having to be something put together.  Nature provides the most amazing creative palate. 
ps - would love to sit on the seat looking out over your horizons.  I will attempt to do same - daylight saving will make it easier for this reluctant early riser.
Love Clara