Suzani, which means needlework in Persian, are embroidered textiles from Central Asia; Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.

Lurid embroidery on silk or cotton grounds suzanis are bold.  Under Soviet rule, chemical dyes made their way to the hinterland provinces and found a home in these durable textiles. Turquoise, magenta, canary yellow, jet black, colors not found in nature, but in the dye vat.  All of these found their way into the suzani.  Which makes for a very bold, graphic statement.

So one evening while I was perusing suzanis online,  I found myself shopping for suzanis from the ‘stans.  I found two. Here they are.

Here are some pics of our Blackforest tabletop collection.  The morning light was particularly spectacular as it streamed through the dining room windows.  

I especially liked the stark contrast between the white of the napkins and placemats against the aged, dark table.

Moody morning light

Close-up of Blackforest table linens

Blackforest placemats

Blackforest napkins

Edge detail on the napkins

Getty Center courtyard

Travertine detailing at the museum tram stop

Oh, and there was a wedding in between.

Our dear friends, Randy and Todd were nuptialized on September 7: at 3:33pm (special number to Todd!)

Those who are familiar with our Christmas Market will recognize Randy as the smiling face of our dining room.

The shining, happy bride!

The ceremony was held at the Adamson House in Malibu;  on the beach, very California, very nice.  Well it more than nice, it was absolutely fabulous!  The Adamson House is filled with Malibu tile, they owned the factory.  It only stands to reason.

The entry and walled motorcourt

Exotic plantings at the fountain court

Malibu tile details

The fountain courtyard

It was hot (90 something) even at the beach and there were tuxedos involved (Thank heaven there was a breeze).

I was a huppah or chuppah holder. For the uninitiated, a huppah is the tent-like covering over the marrying couple.  I was at post #3.  And unbeknownst to our nuptializing friends I was also an uncover paparazzo.

My fellow hupper holders — Jay, Brian, and Lidia

Huppah in one hand, camera in the other.  Here are the pics.  Here’s to our favourite married couple.  Here’s to Randy and Todd!

Bridal preparations!

Grooming!

The kiss!

Then I remembered, we don’t have a yard light!  It was the moon, the harvest moon.  I don’t recall seeing it ever this bright. 

1:00 am moonlight

It is the unexpected that becomes the most exciting.  Sitting there on a table awaiting pricing was a set of dishes for 12.

Simple and elegant, I find that white china showcases food at its very best.  I was hooked and had to have them.

So I am now the proud owner of my first set of Wedgwood bone china.  Today, I have to find room in the cupboards!

Preparation for watermelon pickles - Russian Style.

In an effort to capture the mouth-watering taste of summer, I found a tantalizing recipe for Solyoniy Arbuz otherwise known as Russian pickled watermelon in the September issue of Saveur. 

Slicing, dicing, pickles and brine.

So off I went to find a watermelon, dill and pickling spices.  What I returned with was a black, seedless watermelon.  Its green-black rind was shiny and unblemished.  For its size, it was very heavy.  The flesh was not as dark as I expected, but a deep ruby red.

A pot of premature pickles awaiting refrigeration.

Watermelon, celery, salt, sugar, dill, pickling spices, vinegar, a touch of cayenne for kick, water and a week’s worth of waiting.  A basic refigerator pickle. 

Prize winning vegetables

Blue ribbon breads from around the county.

Let them eat cake, carrot cake that is!

It had been years since I had been to the county fair, so it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to it.

I donned my gear, cowboy gear, pink cowboy gear no less (more about that later!) and headed to the fairgrounds. 

Queen of the Coop.  Founder of Chicks n Chaps,  Shannone Hart.

I had been invited to attend Chicks n Chaps.  I guess I was an honorary wingman!  My dear friend Shannone Hart founded this charity event to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. 

The Chicks n Chaps rodeo clinic was in conjunction with the Montana Stampede Rodeo where Tough Enough to Wear Pink cowboys were competing.  So as is the custom, everyone was sporting pink in honor of those battling breast cancer.

The day long clinic pitted enthusiastic women against the members of the University of Montana Rodeo team.  The cowboys had their hands full!

A couple of the “hands full!”

Pink prevails!

Head chick Shannone & me.

Texas chix

Upon hearing about the rodeo clinic in February, these four gals loaded a travel trailer and headed up from Texas to participate.

More chix and a wingman.

No one cried fowl when the beefcake went to auction!

Board member chick, Suzanne with Dustin Jenkins, newly crowned collegiate national champion bull rider.

Fried chix in the coop. 

Cold beers and smiles were served up in the food tent dubbed the Eight Second Saloon!

One day out, and word is out.  This event may go national.  Is it true the National Rodeo Finals is looking to incorporate Chicks n Chaps?  Kudos to Shannone and her crew for such a successful event.

When it did finally burst forth fully formed the calendar was already August.

Spring fawn awaiting its mother’s return.

Lavender abuzz with bees.  A welcome sound of summer.

A window box painted with primary colors.

Garden views of the Schoolhouse in bloom.

The apple orchard in its finest.

Truckload of tannenbaums and nativities

Designed to shape and restructure candle light, our candle holders will surely cast a warm glow onto any table or mantle — hopefully yours!

Uncrated for Christmas

Friday I was greeted by the UPS man with boxes upon boxes of the new Christmas items I had designed.  They filled the front porch.  I had my weekend’s worth of work.  All 15 boxes needed to be unpacked and inventoried.

 
Unpacking and sorting snow flakes

With over 5000 items, I am pleased to announce that only 10 items were damaged.  The time has now arrived to begin assembling the snow strings, painting the ornaments, and getting ready for the Christmas Market on November 28-30.

I hope to see you there!

Snow drifts in the corners of the Schoolhouse