Most Important Man in My Life

I've said for many years the most important man in my life is my car mechanic, Marco. I know nothing about cars other than how to drive. I use my car everyday or at least like the idea I can. Because of my lack of knowledge and mistrust of local oil changing places, I'm very bad about getting my car serviced. Plus having to find someone to pick me up when I drop off my car. 

Earlier this week my car AC was making my whole car shake. Which was scary. It was way passed needing an oil change too. So I made the call to Marco to set up an appointment. He knew it was the AC fan that was the problem when I dropped off  my car. I get a call later in the afternoon and Marco said to replace the fan box unit, the part alone was $3,000! He knew I wouldn't be happy about that so he took the whole thing apart. He found what he thinks was a lizard stuck on the fan blades causing an imbalance, which was causing the whole car to shake. I'm sure if I had taken it anywhere else I would have gotten huge repair bill. I'm still without a car today as one more part is still on order but it's not mission critical.  I elected to keep my car there and hopefully it will get replaced today. 

While stuck at home I made a very long to do list. One thing I wanted to do was trim back the lemon grass and rosemary plants I planted last year.  Also to make cuttings as I slowly turn the old lawn area (Posey potty area) into a more drought tolerant landscape. Took some mint cuttings just because I could, they don't really need help spreading. :)

Last of my death pile.

Used up the last of the tomato sauce I made last week. I added what I had in my refrigerator (zucchini and spinach) and I think that helped. The plan is to make it again today with hot Italian sausage. My car has to go into the shop for a long over due check up. So getting stuck at home, I have a mile long to do list. 

I'm going thorough my death pile in the garage (things that didn't sell) and packing it all up. I'm donating it all to another reseller who sells at the local flea market. I think it's good stuff  but for some reason didn't sell.  Sam doesn't have to think about his profit margin because it's all profit for him.  I'm down to the last box! Yes, I could donate to the store but we get so much that I would rather help out another reseller. I also drop at the local Salvation Army truck that's behind Cottage Crafts. Again I could take it to the store but I would have to handle it again so it's much easier for me to drop it off at the truck . The Salvation Army for all it's faults does have programs that really help those in need. It's sometimes is the last safety net for those on the streets or dealing addiction.

Craftcation 2027 Anyone?

 

When you're practicing sun printing or watercoloring you should use the best paper you have. It's really important in sun printing because everything gets dunked in water multiple times. I have all these samples stacked up on my table. I just hate throwing them out so there they sit. 

After watching "The Stitchery" you tube about her review on "Craftcation" in Ventura, I checked it out. Sounded interesting and her positive reviews made me sign up. Well after another friend said she would go with me sealed the deal. Right after that Sandy Allnock (another online artist I follow) talked about handing out mini zine books with her business cards at a watercolor conference she attended in Italy for Daniel Smith watercolors. I thought why don't I try and make those little books with my watercolor papers. I knew it would be too thick but I gave it a try anyways. It didn't work but the folded pages are the size of business cards. So maybe I'll cut them up and embellish them a little more for ATC / business cards. 

Anyone else interesting in going to Craftcation in 2027? We can plan an informal get together and trade ATC cards!

Fig Tree 2026

One of the few things I miss about my studio in Cupertino (there aren't many things) was the little fig tree. It was tiny and should have died years ago. It was my first time having one and I didn't know how easy they are to grow. That little tree produced a dozen figs on it's tiny little branch. Yes it only had one branch. This past weekend a volunteer brought in some fig saplings. I was so thrilled to finally be able to plant one in my yard! Prepping the spot in the yard and trying to figure out how to keep Posey from digging it up. 

My potato plants are doing great. A few months ago they started to sprout so I planted them. I just like having green things in my garden so even if the potatoes don't turn out well, they look lushy green!

 

Amazing Gold Cigarette Case

On Friday I met the gold and silver guys at the store. We had a shoebox of broken silver that we were willing to sell for scrap. Long story of drama about being able to to that. 

These guys pay 85% of whatever spot price is that day. That is the highest amount of anyone who's willing to come to you will pay. I set up an appointment because there are a few other volunteers who want to sell off silver and feel safer doing it at the store. That morning the guys got a call  from an estate clean out person that they had a lot of gold. This vintage cigarette case (it was tested via a scanning machine) is gold. About $18k worth of gold! Best guess it's Russian. It's was pandemonium at the store. The guys wanting to keep our appointment but also having to go to the bank to make the wire transfer and dealing with all the random questions the ladies kept asking them.  A lot of wheels spinning for everyone involved! Still very cool find for the guys!

 

To sell or not to sell - cast iron 101

I had one of those reseller moments of indecision with some Wagner cast iron pans I picked up at the auction house. I actually got a high end kitchen lot for the $$$$ metal Atlas pepper grinder. I just wanted to see what the hype was all about and why someone would pay $200 for pepper grinder. The pans just happen to be in that lot. The plan was always to sell them to cover the $65 auction bid. I don't think there's a lot difference in vintage cast iron pans so long as they were taken care of. Now with the new imports, the surface does make a difference.

I sold the #8 pan (10" surface) for $40, which is at the low end for a Wagner. I debated for awhile if I should hold out or just take the offer. It was marked as the other ones in the lot aren't but I know are Wagner. The pan didn't pass the spin test so it wasn't perfect. I should have tested it at the auction house but I was more interested in the pepper grinder. 

Spin Test - A cast iron pan should not spin, wiggle or move when on a flat surface. If it does, it's warped and will cause hot spots. Even the smallest movement it would get rejected to those serious about their pans. 
 

Tea Leaf Salad

My tea leaf salad recipe is coming along very well. I'm tweaking it to fit my taste pallet so it's still a work in progress. Taking the best parts of several recipes and seeing if they work together. 

It is something you have to plan ahead as the dressing has to ferment for two days. I know that sounds weird but it does mellow out all the strong tasting ingredients. 

I didn't have any tomatoes this time but I did add some chicken just because. The tomatoes do add to the salad but vine ripe is the only way to go. 

I'll be eating this salad for the next few days which is fine with me!

 

Mod Podge Fail

Not all my creative projects turn out the way I think they will. I picked up this home made flower press for the boys. At some point another child had scribbled on it and not in a cute way. So in my mind I thought I would Mod Podge this napkin over the top of it. I've not used Mod Podge before but how hard could it be? 

About 5 seconds into the project I knew it wasn't going to turn out well. So now do I sand it all down, leave it as is or keep adding to it hoping to make it more artistic. :)
 

Tomat Sauce with Butter & Onion by Marcella Hazan

Finally made the famous Marcella Hazan recipe"Tomato Sauce with Butter & Onion" in the Food52 cookbook "Genius Recipes". 

 The onion is suppose to be thrown out but I just couldn't do that. Not really sure what the onion did for the sauce but with the first go around I follow the recipe. I put it over rice because I was to lazy to make the gluten free pasta. Working with limited number of burners, things have to be done in stages. Long gone are the days I had massive six burner Wolf range. The recipe is a good base to add the other things. I know next time I'll add sausage and garlic to the finish sauce. The next day I made fried rice with the leftover onion and rice. 

Staffordshire Spill Holders

I'm a night owl by nature so my most productive time is when most people are asleep. I've been cat sitting for the last two weeks and still have one more week to go. Haven't gotten a whole lot done around the house and things are starting to pile up! Had to force myself to clean off my desk and get it organized. 

I picked up these Staffordshire "spill holder" on MaxSold this weekend. Back in the day these would be on your fireplace mantel holding scraps of rolled up paper to help start your fire. I thought they were interesting enough to place a low bid. Was a little surprised I got them for $7.00. Getting tagged today and boxed up to go to the Cottage Crafts. 

Santa in May 2026

This Santa plant holder was in the lot of metal fish sculptures I picked up at the auction house last week. Being a Santa fan, this just had my name all over it! Now I have to decide do I go with poinsettias or green pine. Real (yes, I have real ones) or fake?

It will go on sale during the holiday season but for now he's out in my garden.
 

Mochi Pancakes for Posey

Gluten Free Pancake Mix

Today is Posey's 10th birthday so I made her very favorite snack - mochi pancakes. 

This mix is from Costco and I've had it for awhile now. It calls for milk which I don't normally have in the house. In my failed attempt to use almond milk in my coffee, I still have a whole carton in my refrigerator. Not wanting to waste it and thinking Posey wouldn't really care, I gave it a try. Turned out pretty good and so much better than the breadfruit one. Posey beelined it to my door when she came home from her morning walk. Didn't even say good-bye to her dog walker. :)