Friday, November 27, 2009

Sweetgum Trees in Early November, California

A hint of fall is visible in San Diego, California, on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University--sweetgum trees display their splendor on an early November day.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Vermont Countryside in Winter


Vermont Countryside in Winter, originally uploaded by confections.

Near Wordless Wednesday....

A vintage photo taken by a great-uncle, George Thomas Galbraith (born 23 October 1877), in Barnet, Caledonia County, Vermont. This is on the land where my Scottish ancestor, John Galbraith, settled in 1774.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Vintage Green Tiger Press Card, "He Claimed for His Bride"

 


Vintage Green Tiger Press Notecard with Poem Insert and Envelope, "He Claimed for His Bride", illustration by Florence Harrison.

A princely figure greets his love at a gate in the springtime. Fruit trees and tulips are in bloom, and bluebirds of happiness fly about the couple.

Here is a classic image by Florence Harrison, who was commissioned to produce illustrations for a sumptuous edition of Christina Rossetti's poems published by Blackie and Son in 1910.

This full-color image has been printed and tipped (glued) onto high-quality laid paper stock. The interior of the card is blank. The back of the card contains descriptive text giving details about the illustration in the lower left-hand corner. A matching envelope is included, as well as a poem insert page with a translation of a German medieval lyric. The poem is reproduced from hand-calligraphy.

You can find this and many other Green Tiger Press items in my Etsy shop.
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Friday, November 6, 2009

Preparing to Weave (Wrapped Yarns)

A group of yarns--some handpainted, a number handspun--wrapped and up on my inspiration board. I'm about to warp one of my looms for a late fall project.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Wading in Walden Pond


Wading in Walden Pond, originally uploaded by confections.

From an autumn in the past, my sister wading in Walden Pond....

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My Great-Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary


In my post yesterday, I mentioned a great-great-grandmother who had emigrated from France in 1848, Catherine Decker. Her son John P. Mayer (whose father was Casper Mayer) is seen in this photo on the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary circa 1932, along with my great-grandmother, Christina. I never knew these great-grandparents (Christina died two years before I was born, John about six years after this anniversary), but I have heard many stories about them. I'm trying to gather as many as I can from the old-timers who still remember them.
Transcript of Newspaper Article about My Great-Grandparents' 50th Wedding Anniversary
My Paternal Grandmother with Her Siblings & Parents, circa 1910

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Sister of My Paternal 3rd Great Grandmother

Christine Bichler (wife of Christophe Decker) 1794 - 1888

She emigrated with a group of family members, including my second great-grandmother (her niece Catherine Decker) from Hottviller, Moselle, France, to the United States (ultimately settling in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania). They left from Le Havre, France, aboard the bark "Camille" and landed in New York on the 20th of May 1848.

Hottviller, Moselle, France
Hottviller, Moselle, France (3)
Hottviller, Moselle, France (2)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Just Another Day in Paradise


Just Another Day in Paradise, originally uploaded by confections.

Surf at Ladera Street, San Diego, California

I am emphatically not a morning person, but sometimes my late nights turn into early mornings and I treat myself to a take-out breakfast from my local co-op deli.

On such occasions, I will drive to one of my favorite spots along the Pacific and have my breakfast picnic-style and then take a walk next to the ocean.

Here is an early morning shot of surfers at Sunset Cliffs at a surf spot called "Garbage" near Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Ladera Street in San Diego, California.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

NaNoWriMo 2009 Has Begun!


NaNoWriMo 2009 Has Begun!, originally uploaded by confections.

National Novel Writing Month is off and running for the month of November 2009. I'll be participating again this year. Join in the fun at http://www.nanowrimo.org.