Fair Week and Some Challenges Ahead

It's that time again....

The largest street fair in Pennsylvania began yesterday, with the midway just about a block away from our house. Seriously, I could just about throw a rock and hit it. Not that I'd want to.......

Most days anyway. ;)

Looks like fun, yes?

It can be. I mean, what's not to love about a street fair? Games, rides, music, quilt exhibits, pie contests, bright lights and brilliant colors....and *fair food*! Back in my carnivorous days, I remember the Italian sausage sandwiches smothered in peppers and onions...These days I'm partial to the funnel cakes. Soooooooooo good. ;)

The downside is the parking situation and littering. Large objects have to placed in front of the house every time we move the car, so as to save ourselves a parking space when we return. Which is technically illegal, but the local police look the other way, understanding the frustration of downtown residents. And the littering is also very frustrating. No fun waking up every morning to empty french fry cups and snow cone wrappers tossed all over our tiny front yard.

So yes, much as I enjoy the fair in theory, by the second day, I'm usually a bit of a grinch about it. ;)

In other news, we finally have a surgery date for John, who some of you may remember had heart surgery last February to repair his damaged mitral valve. Well, he's since developed something called mitral valve stenosis, and needs another heart surgery, this time to replace the valve with an artificial one. This is what it looks like:

Pretty amazing, yes? Anyway, after some pre-op testing this month, he'll go in to a Philadelphia hospital for open heart surgery on November 5th (Guy Fawkes Day, which he says makes it easy for a British guy to remember).

His surgeon is considered one of the best in the greater Philadelphia area, which is comforting, and John is actually doing amazingly well with all this, deeming the whole situation "a giant pain in the ass", but determined to get it over so he can feel better.

For my part, I'm staying positive and trying not to let worry creep in, and I'm keeping super busy with painting for the upcoming show. I'm also incredibly thankful that we live in a time when this type of heart surgery is possible. It's just amazing to me that they can stop a beating heart and replace the faulty tissue valve with a mechanical one. It's like something out of Star Trek, isn't it? :)

And speaking of painting, I must get back to it! LOTS of goodies in the works, but they won't paint themselves....

As always, your prayers and positive thoughts are appreciated! And I hope to see some of you in just ten days. :)

♥ Carolee

Recipes, Spells and Potions....

I'm not sure what's up with my kitchen obsession these days - maybe a longing for autumn? It is, after all, the season of comfort foods, the season of the harvest...

Whatever it is, it's certainly making it's way into the work this week...

This is the most recent offering, listed on eBay now - an old fashioned recipe box. I love the little place on top to set the recipe card while you're working. Even in the age of internet recipes, where everything can be found with a click or two, and printed out, I have to admit I still love my hand written cards. Nothing beats recipes passed on from friends, or handed down through generations.

In fact, I should really share a couple of them here, perhaps as we get a little closer to autumn? I have an amazing pumpkin pie from scratch recipe. Once you try it, you'll never use canned pumpkin again.... Oh - and cider-baked butternut squash soup - sooooooooo good! (Note to self - must share favorite autumn recipes!)

Speaking of which, the latest work in progress is for recipes of a different sort, hehe - a new "Spells and Potions" chest. There's still quite a bit to be done on this one - painting, decoupage and the addition of some antique hardware. Here's a sneak peek...

I'd like to say it will be finished tomorrow, but I'm afraid tomorrow will find me down in Bryn Mawr with John, for a visit to the cardiac surgeon. Some major challenges ahead on that front, but I know we'll make it through.

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes and kind words, for the thoughts and prayers - they're much appreciated! I'll keep you posted as much as I'm able these next weeks and months, but between this latest challenge, all the works in progress, the commission schedule and the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering, I'm likely to be working every minute God sends. ;)

That's about it for now...I'm off to the Land of Nod now, determined to get more than four hours sleep for the first time in days. I can go along like that for ages, then just hit a wall and absolutely crave a good eight hours!

Until next time,
~ Carolee