Happy Halloween!

Here is my cat, Lucy Fur, who is always in a bad mood.  Especially at Halloween, the only time she's allowed out of the closet.

I never got around to getting out the Halloween decorations this year, just the crabby cat and the big bowl for candy.

Homage to Constance Contraire

Sis made these:

This is in response to Constance Contraire's poem "Why don't you leave?" found on page 56 of Trenton Lee Stewart's wonderful book "The Mysterious Benedict Society : Mr. Benedict's book of perplexing puzzles, elusive enigmas, and curious conundrums," published by Little, Brown and Company, 2011.

Wien, nur Wien!

Caryatids everywhere you turn.

Goethe, in the courtyard of the Hofburg.

Beautiful gold art nouveau building near the Naschmarkt.

Cafe and gift shop at the Naturhistorisches Museum.

Art nouveau shop front off Kärntnerstrasse.

Peterskirche , where we heard Mozart concert.

Homemade sauerkraut at the Naschmarkt.

Stephansdom.

Venus of Willensdorf in her temple at the Naturhistorisches Museum.

Sis's Venus of Willensdorf story (she was in kindergarten):

"It was clay day (my favorite day!) and all the other kids were making clay snakes and blobs. So unimaginative! I had seen Venus in your (or someone's) art history book and wanted to re-create her. Mrs. Myers was outraged. I remember trying to explain to her that the Venus was a significant Neanderthal fertility artifact but she wouldn't listen! I was sent home in ignominy."

This is what happens if you're a superbright child with several superbright older siblings.

Homemade vinegars at the Naschmarkt.

Venice

Beautiful water taxi, waiting to whisk an unsuspecting customer on a wild ride.

Gorgeous breakfast room at the Hotel al Ponte Antico. Bruno will beg you to allow him to make you a crespelle.

Gondoliere really do sing!

A view from the Piazza San Marco.

Looking back across the Grand Canal at the hotel (red awnings).

Enjoying a spritz (Prosecco and Aperol) on the balcony before departing for a leisurely dinner.

An unexpected present!

My friend Pam embroidered ant napkins for me!  And gave me 4 ant plates to go with them.  Thanks, Sweetie!  I can hardly wait to picnic.  What fun to get a totally unexpected present.

See the line of ants on the plate?

Just a picture of Jack the Cat

Lovely "new" old books on sewing, cooking and housewifery

I've added some really charming books to my lists (see above) of old sewing, cooking and housewifery books.  If you enjoy looking at old books, or if you are looking for ideas for titles to add to your own collection, you might enjoy taking a look.

I included one oddball, an old gardening book for children that is so precious I had to share it.