Aunt Betty and I, June 1951

Aunt Betty and I, June 1951, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been doing some serious genealogical research this week and have been in correspondence with my cousin Diana, whose mother is seen in this vintage photo along with me as a baby.

We're putting our heads together to solve a few family mysteries and are making some progress. I feel like I'm part Hercule Poirot and part Miss Jane Marple as I put the puzzle pieces together.

My grandparents' old wicker chair seen here lasted many decades and may still be in use somewhere on the planet....

Cottage in Little Italy, San Diego, California

Cottage in Little Italy, San Diego, California, originally uploaded by confections.

I parked in front of this sweet cottage in the heart of Little Italy in San Diego the other day. It was a Friday afternoon, people were gathering for dinner at the many enticing restaurants. I indulged in some pistachio gelato at Cafe Zucchero and had a passagiato through the neighborhood. A little bit of Roma right in my own hometown....

My Brother at the Muncie, Indiana, Municipal Pool, Mid-1960's

My Brother at the Muncie, Indiana, Municipal Pool, Mid-1960's, originally uploaded by confections.

Last night I discovered that I can scan slides with my funky scanner--not at very high resolution (300 dpi for now), but they will be in digital format if I decide to undertake this massive project. I'm researching the additional hardware that I will need to scan them at 4,000 dpi.

This motion shot of my brother jumping off the diving board in the mid-1960's is a bit blurry, but I like it nonetheless. It captures the essence of the sweltering midwest summer and the relief of jumping into that swimming pool.

Who knows what I'll find as I unearth the carousels of time....

Julie and Julia

My sister and I saw this delightful film on opening night. Grab a friend who loves a good meal and go!



And if you want to read the blog that resulted in Julie Powell's book of the same name, the archives are still online.

"She Wore the Star-Dress, which Sparkled at Every Step", by Arthur Rackham

"She Wore the Star-Dress, which Sparkled at Every Step", by Arthur Rackham, originally uploaded by confections.

This is one of my all-time favorite images by Arthur Rackham that was reproduced by the legendary Green Tiger Press.

The illustration was made for the Grimm's fairy tale "Little Brother and Little Sister" (1917).

This image inspires me--the voluminous sparkly gown, the woman with her long golden hair, the dancing slippers on the lower right--she could well be Cinderella getting ready for the ball.

Home is in My Mother's Eyes by Jessie Willcox Smith

Home is in My Mother's Eyes by Jessie Willcox Smith, originally uploaded by confections.

One of my favorites by Jessie Willcox Smith from my Green Tiger Press archives.

Mader Fabric, Karlstad Couch, IKEA

Mader Fabric, Karlstad Couch, IKEA, originally uploaded by confections.

Lovely slipcover fabric being discontinued by IKEA in their Karlstad range. A shame, because I had just fallen in love with it....