A Place for A Picture and Every Picture In Its Place

One thing on my list of ways to improve my treehouse is to put all my special pictures and posters in frames. I had a good start but ran into the annoying snag of having quite a few pieces that aren't exactly standard frame size. That means I'll have to go and get them framed, which, to be perfectly honest is not a chore I'm not hopping up to do. I don't know why. It would be easy enough. It's just such a hassle. You have to take your pictures into the store, let someone else look at them, pick out the frame style, wait while it's framed and then you can finally take them home.

I know I shouldn't complain. At least I don't have to cut wood and frame them myself. Ha! That would be a laugh. When shop class projects go bad!

Anywho, I found these nice classic style frames at Marshall's which I was very happy with. If you don't look too close they look antiquy.



And ok, I couldn't help posting this particular shot. When the flash went off it made it look like I caught a ghost on my camera. So there you go. Guess the treehouse is haunted. Leftovers from last year's Halloween party no doubt. :)

Welp, that's all I got for today. Frames. Pictures. On the to do list. No reason not to, except for having a touch of the lazy bones.

Rene's Recommendation: Tiff's Treats

I'm not kidding. If you have never had cookies from Tiff's Treats, run, don't walk to the nearest location if you are fortunate enough to live in either Austin or Dallas (because those are the only two cities I'm aware they've opened up stores in.) Hands down these are the best cookies I've ever eaten. There I said it. Sorry to all you cookie bakers who have let me enjoy your baked goods over the years. Tiff's Treats are like the the crack cocaine of the cookie world. I don't know why they're so good. They must sprinkle real live magic into them or something. Oh Tiff's Treats...how long has it been? Too long. Too long...

Beautiful Goths

Generally I think Goths get a bad rap. I think that's unfortunate. It all boils down to books and their covers and all that jazz. I've been blessed to know some very nice Goths in my time. But I'm not here to write a social commentary on those who favor our modern day Gothic style of dress, I only want to draw attention to the style itself.

Personally I love the combination of sharp contrasts. For example, my glass apothecary jar that holds nature-born quail eggs. Or when flowery Victorian style meets brass and iron machines to create the coolness of Steampunk. And so, here too, with Goths you have what could be called contrasting art in motion. It begins with the natural hue of humans. Their subdued earthy tones of beige, brown, peach, olive skin, etc., coming together with stark contrasting colors, clothes and accessories that clearly weren't there when they were born.

If I had the courage I'd love to seek Goths out and take pictures of them and put them in a book. But some people don't like people taking pictures of them. It freaks them out. So that probably won't happen unless I get some street cred for being a good photographer, an unlikely possibility at this time. Oh well. I wanted to post a few pictures of the beautiful Goths I found while surfing.







“It's beauty that captures your attention;
personality which captures your heart.”
-Anonymous


Rene's Recommendation: Galaxy Quest


Opening weekend this film didn't do well at the box office. But since that time the film has gone on to be a smashing success. It was my mom who brought it home for us to watch. It's funny because the movie is funny the first time you watch it but as it grows on you it gets reeeally funny.

It's especially fun for all you Trekkies out there because it plays off a lot of Star Trek show episodes. Besides that--for the screenwriter buffs--it has a good story arc and I happen to know first hand it's a favorite of the renowned script doctor David Trotter (the author of the The Screenwriter's Bible). Anyway, if you're looking for a good PG rated comedy I would definitely suggest you see this movie if you never have. And if you have seen it, well...you should see it again!!

A Rose Above Any Other Sheet...

I am quite smitten with bed headboards. I think a bed without a headboard is like a boat without a sail. Yes you may look nice sitting in sleep harbour with your fancy duvet but how will you move through the ocean of your dreams without a sail? That's what a headboard is for. Ahhh. Yes. (And preferably a footboard as well.) :)

I found a really excellent article about headboards that I had to post:
http://www.articlesbase.com/history-articles/headboards-through-the-ages-773182.html

It kind of gives the history of headboards, and highlights that their function is not only practical but can define the aesthetics of a room based on what kind of headboard it is.

My current head and footboard have been in my possession for a number of years now. I like them a lot but at some point I'd love to get something a bit more intricate in detail. But until I have the money for that I decided to spruce up what I had with a garland of (very Victorian) roses.



Yes, I'm aware that it's achingly girly. But I made sure the roses were dark, almost a maroon color and for some reason they really do go so well with the wrought iron. It was also exciting to find that it was a perfect length as well. I suppose it was meant to be. I love bringing the essence of outdoors indoors, even if I do find it at Hobby Lobby.

Rene's Recommendation: Baby Name Books

Ok, today's recommendation is for all you fiction writers out there. I can't tell you what a dread it is to read the same names in book after book after book when there are so many amazing names to use. If you need ideas I would suggest going to your nearest book store and picking out a baby name book. Yes, you could probably find names online but there is something about skimming through pages in your hand before hitting upon the perfect name. I'd also like to suggest that as a writer, when naming your characters, that you find the balance between weird and unoriginal.

Yes, you can give your alien a name with no vowels but how is a reader supposed to pronounce that in their head? Or worse, when you read the name out loud to a group of people, will you want to say a name over and over that has three, four or five syllables in it? Try to make it at least somewhat relatable. On the other end of the spectrum, please name your characters something other then the top ten baby names from at least the last five years. For fear of insulting anyone with a particular name, I won't give examples but you can easily find out what they are. Unless you consciously make the decision to pick one of those names please put some thought into it. Go get a baby name book, write down a list of your favorite names for a character, and think about how that character makes you feel. Would it define his/her personality? What's in a name you say? Worlds. World's are in a name.

The World As it Stands

At some point I'd love to get an armillary sphere for my tree house. The armillary (though not invented in Victorian times) still has a solid presence in our modern day world.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the armillary sphere is an:

early astronomical device for representing the great circles of the heavens, [often] including...the horizon, meridian, Equator, tropics, polar circles, and an ecliptic hoop. The sphere is a skeleton celestial globe, with circles divided into degrees for angular measurement.

In the 17th and 18th centuries such models—either suspended, rested on a stand, or affixed to a handle—were used to show the difference between the Ptolemaic theory of a central Earth and the Copernican theory of a central Sun.

You might have seen cruder versions of this device as you were walking around in furniture stores. For some reason that's where I've often seen them sold.

Either way I'd love to get one for myself. A nice one though. I really like this one from Overstock.com and the price is decent to boot.



In my opinion, it would be a really nice addition to any steampunk collector's decor. Maybe I'll get one some day if I wish upon a falling star. :)

Rene's Recommendation: Elliptical Trainer

About a year ago I joined a gym. I had to quit my gym membership because I was moving, but before I did I discovered the magical wonder of the elliptical trainer. Now, granted, gym equipment has always frightened me. I feel stupid on it, don't know if I'm using it right and dread someone coming over and having to "correct" me on how it's done. But after a few weeks of using the treadmill at the gym, for some crazy reason, I'd thought I'd give the elliptical a try. It was a little scary at first but easy to figure out.

And let me say, it was thrilling once I realized how much fun it was. For one thing the elliptical is easier on your joints. So you can go faster with less work. It's like running in mid-air. I'd always like to watch and see how fast I could get my heart rate up. If I put on the right music it really was like flying. I probably looked ridiculous acting like I was running through a battlefield even though I wasn't going anywhere. Point being, if you're at the gym and want to try something easy and new, hop on the elliptical. It's a blast!

A Tip of My Hat To You Mr. Robinson

Tonight's post will be short because I'll be off adventuring tomorrow and I need to get ready. But I wanted to highlight one of my favorite poems. It was written by the Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry, Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Arlington_Robinson). Like so many other brilliant writers, Mr. Robinson lived through some pretty difficult experiences. But I guess, often, the best writing seeps from the pen of a person who's experienced some amount of deep personal angst.

Anyway, here is probably his best known poem, and of course one of my favorites. I'd often thought about writing a story around this Richard Cory character, in some form or fashion. The irony of this poem is brilliant and it reminds me of all the ridiculously successful celebrities who seem to have everything and yet can't enjoy life enough to take good care of themselves.

Richard Cory
(Published: 1897)

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich, richer than a king,
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

~Edwin Arlington Robinson

Rene's Recommendation: Drink More Water

I prefer filtered water myself. I'm very picky about the taste. I know some people say they can't taste it but it all tastes pretty different to me. I like my water out of my Brita pitcher, ice cold, straight from the fridge. It's like my coffee in the morning. Some people find it hard to wake up to a bracing cup of cold water but it works for me. Doctor's say you should drink at least eight cups a water a day. I probably get closer to five but I should drink more. The only reason I'm posting such an obvious recommendation is because sometimes even I forget how important just drinking plain old water is. Not guava juice or chocolate milk or an espresso, just good old life giving water. Drink up! It's good for you my dear blog readers!

Atlantis Box

For a long time I kept trying to make all my home decorations myself. I admit, I'm still attached to some of them. But I had one piece in particular that, although it began with good intentions, it should never have been put on display.

I had an old Pepperidge Farm Pirouette cookie can that I'd stuck inspirational words all over in a sort of collage. Like I said, good idea, bad execution. So I decided it needed to go and be replaced by something much cooler. I found this priceless artifact as I was scuba diving off the coast of Greece hunting the Mediterranean for remains of the lost city of Atlantis...Ha! No I'm just kidding. I found it at Marshalls Clothing Store. But it looks like I could have dug it up out of the sand right?




Now as cool as the box is, in retrospect, it's not the most convenient container for pens, pencils and the like. For one thing the top is kind of heavy. With the open cookie can I was able to pull a pen out at will but with this new box I kind of have to commit to whatever writing implement I decide I need. Because once that top goes down it's going to be an effort to lift it again.

But I decided that I like it nonetheless. And worse case scenario I just use it for something else later. And as I've mentioned before, the world moves too fast. The opening and closing of the box not only makes me slow down but makes me consider carefully the pen, pencil or high lighter I will be using for the next few minutes. Yep, take that modern 21st century. I'm making it hard on myself, and going old school! ;D

Rene's Recommendation: Life of Pi by by Yann Martel

Every time someone asks me to recommend a book, this is the one that comes to mind. Not sure why, it just stuck out as a really fantastic book. It's funny because it's a fiction story and half way through I kept trying to figure it out if it really happened. You know an author did it right when they can almost convince you a piece of fiction is real.

Logline: While traveling to America via a freighter, a sixteen year old Indian boy becomes shipwrecked in the Pacific. Left to fend for himself on a twenty six foot life raft with a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra and a Bengal tiger, Pi survives for a year through faith and strength.

The character's are magnetic. The imagery is stunning. It feels like real life and a fairy tale all wrapped up in one. Anyway, if you're in the book store and hankering for a well written adventure I wouldn't pass this one up.

Where Are All the Dragons?

To go off on a bit of a tangent today I wanted to discuss something that I think about off and on.

Ok, I am very happy to live in the United States, and Texas definitely has it's positive points but one of the things I wish we had more of here is an appreciation for fantasy/fairy tale things.

It seems like mostly everyone around here is into football and Longhorns and having a beer out by the lake and I'm like, uh?

Instead of football why can't we all be into jousting? Or why can't we decorate our sidewalks with with pretend giant foot prints or have iron fairy decorations hanging from our lamp posts (sorry street lights, because when was the last time anyone put up a decent lamp post around here.)

I don't mean to be ungrateful and I know it's not exactly in our heritage to celebrate these sorts of things. But it bugs me that this stuff is generally thought of as uncool around here.

People who are medieval "geeks" or who like fantasy comic books or who would rather where a shirt with a dragon on it instead of the standard "Don't Mess With Texas" t-shirt are put in a little corner and told by the rest of Texas to go play there by themselves. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating. We did just have a Sherwood Forest Faire happen not that long ago in McDade, Texas. But still...I know I'm just living in the wrong state.

That was one of the things I loved when I went to Ireland. I went there a few summers ago and they knew how to celebrate the mystery of the fairy tale in their every day life. I miss that. So to show how it's done I am putting up links to a few of my favorite Bank of Ireland commercials that you should watch. They're really cute and the graphics are great. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.



Bank of Ireland Dragon-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeylhqfmOgo&feature=PlayList&p=A3BD490D3821566C&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=9

Bank of Ireland Elf-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axJWo527xQ4

Bank of Ireland Boogey Man-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1fsk2FBd7E&feature=related

Rene's Recommendation: Get Rid of Things You Aren't Crazy About

Now this recommendation is not only a little hypocritical but also kind of vague. But I thought I'd write it because when I finally realized what my true sense of style was I started getting rid of things that didn't fit that style. I'm not saying throw out everything and buy everything new. (This isn't a reality tv show where they give you $5000 to redecorate) but you can start replacing little things. Maybe one thing a week and soon all the things you use in your house will be your favorite instead of just tolerable.

Hey Shower Curtain, Where Have You Been All My Life?

I will try to make tonights post a little shorter because this writer is Tired with a capital T!

The real problem is this is the time of day when my brain wakes up. But I pay for it later with a vengeance. Getting enough sleep is super important though and I haven't been putting a priority on it lately.

Anywho, just thought I'd post my fabulous shower curtain that I changed out from my old clear plastic one with woody flowers on it. That shower curtain was very nice and was kind of see through so that if an ax murderer was hiding in my shower I could spot him before he jumped out at me.

But I decided that my personal safety was worth this gorgeous piece of work:



A Croscill Royal Paisley Jacquard Shower Curtain.



I don't believe they are making this style anymore and I found this one on ebay. It gives my bathroom a very rich look and I think it's good because it shouldn't be too girly for my future Mr. Right. If you're out there sweetie, I'm just telling you ahead of time I'm not giving up this shower curtain! ;)

Everyone who's ever taken a shower has an idea.
It's the person who gets out of the shower,
dries off and does something about it
who makes a difference.
~Nolan Bushnell

Rene's Recommendation: deviantART.com (http://browse.deviantart.com/#)

Umm, I can't really explain the awesomeness of this website. I love looking at art, especially other people's. And although any Tom, Dick or Sally can post their work here, there are some incredible works to be seen. Type in any word into the site's search engine and I'm telling you, the visual posibilities are endless. It will suck you in for hours and you won't be able to get away. Not only that, but more are added every minute. So many so that you could probably sit there for an eternity and never run out of art to look at. There's all kind of mediums of course. Photography, graphic, traditional, pencil drawings, paintings...I mean, it's art. Freedom of expression are the key words here. So as a human being with eyes there is probably something on DeviantART you will like looking at. Check it out. You never know who's art will move or inspire you.

A What Jar?

According to dictionary.reference.com the definition of an apothecary jar is as follows:

apothecary jar 
–noun
a small, covered jar, formerly used by druggists to hold pharmaceuticals, now chiefly in household use to hold spices, candies, cosmetics, etc., and sometimes decorated, as a lamp base or flower vase.

Sometimes the coolest pieces of decor are the most useless and I love my useless (though aesthetically pleasing) apothecary jars. But I can't tell you the funny looks I got in Sears when I asked them to help me find this set of three apothecary jars they were advertising on their own website.



Well let me back up. A number of weeks ago I was on a mission to find all kinds of antique stores in Austin. I found this one cool place way down on South Congress called Uncommon Objects (http://www.uncommonobjects.com/). The place was packed and for good reason. There were a lot of really awesome things in there to look at. But I felt like I was in a museum. Like we were all the tourists admiring the objects but not really buying anything.

OK, even I didn't buy anything, but I did circle the store a number of times and was really close to picking out about a dozen things. One of the goods that caught my eye was a glass apothecary jar filled with quail eggs! I thought that was so cool. I looked at the price and it was $40! Well I wasn't going to pay $40 for a glass jar with eggs that I could construct myself. So that's what I set out to do.

Now in retrospect I'm realizing why the price was what it was. Talk about the cost of labor. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get something like this all together. First, I had to get a jar. Like I was saying earlier, when I went to Sears to buy this set of three jars, the store workers looked at me like I asking where they kept their three headed dogs. Seriously people, I know working in retail is hard but can't you make a little more effort to help a customer find something they want so they can give you their money? Yeah.

Anyway, I finally found my three amazing apothecary jars (they were quite a steal for the price) and brought them home. Then I had to find the quail eggs. A long long time ago (like a year and half at least) I had gone on an inspection of the Chinatown grocery store in Austin up on North Lamar. And somewhere far back in the recesses of my mind I remembered them selling quail eggs there. Weird that's what stuck with me. So I went, found them in the back of the store with all the regular eggs, grabbed a few mung bean cakes for good measure, and brought the whole lot home.

Here's where things got interesting. If you've ever tried to blow yolk from an egg you know it can be an arduous process. Now imagine that on a scale three times smaller and with a far more fragile shell and maybe you can begin to fathom the nearly impossible challenge I faced. It was HARD people! I had at least eight quail eggs and blew enough air out of my lungs to make me dizzy. I ended up using two different sized nails, a pin and a thirty minute show of My Name is Earl per egg to get the stupid yolks out. Gah! So hard.

And here's the real miracle. I didn't break a single egg!!! Amazing. I really thought I would. Unfortunately I have one more batch of eggs to do before my project is complete but I should whip all those eggs into shape too. (*Crosses fingers*).

Finally the last bit I did was go on a nature walk to find something to cushion the eggs with. I found one of those creepy tufts of moss that grow on trees lying on the ground. Not sure what they're called but they made a great nest for my eggs. Here is what I have so far:



Yes, I think even the most common Victorian can appreciate this little jewel. I can't wait till it's all the way done. :)

I have plans to fill the other two jars as well. One, I'd like to fill with ocean paraphernalia-shells, starfish, and the like. But I can't decide on the other one. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. Feel free to post your comments down below to give me some inspiration!

Rene's Recommendation: Half Price Books (http://www.halfpricebooks.com/)

I love Half Price Books! This store is great for bumming around on a Saturday. Kick back, browse, let the smell of used, inexpensive books usher you into lands of dreams and possibilities. If you live in a big city you've probably visited Half Price at least once. But if you've never been you should go. Now I should warn you, don't go expecting to find a particular book. You might get lucky, but usually because they have such a high circulation of merchandise it's impossible to keep an accurate record of it all. But hunting for story treasures is half the fun right? (No pun intended of course. ;) ) Alse I've found that the people who work there are nice and quirky and though you don't get much, you can sell your old books back to them no hassle. It's a painless process, I promise. So book, music and magazine lovers go and visit this great store. It's fun for the whole family!

I'm Baaack!

Hello friendly blog readers. I missed you while I was away. But I am back and better then ever! (Well sort of...) But while I was away I got a new toy to play with that I will henceforth be incorporating into Treehouse of Wonders. A new digital camera!

Yep, I finally broke down and bought one. It's my first one so I'm kind of a digital camera virgin. I don't know why I was so adamant about not letting go of my old camera that uses real film which I almost never used. I guess I thought the pictures wouldn't be as good, but I tell you what, they have gone and built some fancy picture snapping doodads these days. I am not disappointed. I don't think there's anything wrong with using new technology to appreciate old technology. Also I won't have to worry quite so much about infringement rights when I post a picture I took myself. Yay for avoiding lawsuits!

Anywho, today I wanted to talk about my rug buying adventures. I had decided early on that square rugs were not what I wanted to adorn my tree house with. So my focus was entirely on round rugs.

The first rug I bought was from Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com/). Now Overstock has some pretty cool stuff and a lot of it too I might add. And I can't tell you how long I took to pick out this rug. Comparing prices, checking with a tape measure to see if it would fit, reading reviews, wondering what people meant by 'the colors being more muted than they had seen on the computer', trying to decide if I really wanted to look at a rug with roses or swirlies or whatever for the next some odd years...and so on and so forth. Rug craziness.

At last I found this rug: the Hand-tufted Classic Juliette Ivory/Green Wool Rug (3'6)



It wasn't too expensive. I really liked the design and it had gotten some good reviews. But when it was delivered, to my dismay, I discovered that it was too small for my living room in spite of the careful measurements I had taken. Where was the sign-WARNING: RUGS IN PICTURES ARE SMALLER THEN THEY APPEAR.

Ok, yes, this should have been obvious. But hey, I was new at this whole rug buying thing. I'd only ever bought one other rug in my life and that had been at Wal-Mart for pete's sake.

So what was I do to? I decided to move the Juliet rug into my bedroom and what do you know? It fit like a glove. It gave the room a comfy full feel that I quite liked. So that was good but that still left my living room with a square rug from Wal-Mart that, although nice, was not going with my Victorian/Steampunk decorating motif.

Now I came by my second rug with no less fanfare. I had spotted a large, rug tent sale that was going on in a shopping center not five minutes from my apartment. I stopped by to check the place out. They did have some very nice rugs but I thought I could get a better deal on Overstock. So back to Overstock I went. But I couldn't find a five foot round rug that I liked all that much. And so I made the mistake of buying a rug that was descent. Let me make this clear. DON'T DO THIS! Don't settle for a piece of home decor that is mediocre. You will be disappointed as was I. This was the rug I picked out: the Lyndhurst Tabriz Cream/Red Rug (5')



No, not a bad rug. Good price for it's size but I hated the color. It was too yellow and the design reminded me of weeds. Yep, it was going back. And I want to let you in on something. Overstock didn't charge me shipping for the rugs I bought which is awesome however they did deduct the return shipping amount when I sent the second rug back. Just letting anyone know who is thinking of buying a rug from them. Also, do not cut the plastic bag the rug came in with scissors because later you will read the warning that said to just open it from the top so if you don't like it you can ship it back in the same bag. Overstock will not ship you another bag.

But I want to send a shout out to you awesome UPS guys who somehow fixed that mistake buy rolling it up as much as you could and wrapping a random piece of plastic and tape around the part we couldn't stick in the bag. God bless the UPS.

Ok, so once I had sent that hideous rug back to the depths of hell where it belonged (no I'm just kidding it was very nice) I went back to the tent rug sale and found this very nice round rug I was on the fence about: a red, ivory and heather grey Kashmir rug (5'3)



And the super sweet rug merchants there actually let me take it home before I bought it just to test it out. Seriously, this is the nicest, (though probably not the smartest of things) they could have done. They just asked for my phone number and address as a safe guard. Maybe they took a pic of my licence plate as I drove away or something. But once I got it home I realized I loved it and went ahead and drove back to pay for it. I also want to add that I haggled for it. Yes, I did. Brought the price down $35 bucks! And for the cost, it's a super awesome rug. Fantastic tight weave. Gorgeous colors, feels like your walking on melted butter. Definitely worth every penny I paid for it (and worth the ones I didn't pay for it too ;). So now I am happy with my two classic style rugs. Yes, they don't make a lot of practical sense because I have carpet but I love rugs and I don't care who knows it!

Rene's Recommendation: Whole Food's Spicy Mixed Nut Bark

Ok, I know I've been posting a lot of food items but here's the truth. Ever since I posted that recommendation on marzipan I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. So I had to go to Whole Foods today to pick up some face moisturizer and went ahead and bought some marzipan and my other favorite candy at Whole Foods, spicy mixed nut bark. I'm usually not into dark chocolate but this stuff is different. It's dark chocolate with jalapeno and habanero pepper seeds. You get the super sweet with a bit of spicy. Reminds me of that movie Chocolat. So if you're at Whole Foods and get a hankering for something delicious, I'd try out this smokin' confectionery.

This post is dedicated to Phoenix the goldfish. Rest in peace Phoenix. Your vivacious love for fish food and life will be sorely and deeply missed. God bless your little goldfish heart.

Pause

Apologies to anyone who has been enjoying my daily thoughts and musings.

Sadly, I must take a five day break from posting on my blog because I am trying to complete the first full draft of my novel. It's supposed to be read for the first time this Saturday and I have quite a bit of work to do on it.

And though I would love to valiantly spend time every night getting a blog post together that wouldn't be fair to me or the tale.

So until we meet again I send my fondest wishes and hope your week is filled with magic and wonder! Until we meet again...

Gnomes

Well it's Sunday night and I thought I'd write about the illusive and often annoying creatures that have, from time to time, plagued me with their persistent presence. Granted I have never seen one with my own eyes but I have certainly suffered from their exploits.



According to Dictionary.com:
Gnome
–noun
1. (in folklore) one of a species of diminutive beings, usually described as shriveled little old men, that inhabit the interior of the earth and act as guardians of its treasures; troll.

I don't know about this guarding treasure business and I'm not writing about the popular and heroic David the Gnome. I am talking about the gnomes that cause things to mysteriously disappear. Let me run down a list of the gnomes that I personally have had problems with.

Dryer Gnomes-Somewhere in between the time when I put my socks into the washer and take them out of the dryer these gnomes come along and steal one sock. Only one mind you. I can't imagine what they're doing with them. Making little gnome sleeping bags or something? You'd think they would take them both to save a trip but no, they usually only take one and I am left with the remaining mismatched sock.

Drop and Run Gnomes-These are the gnomes that inevitably run by as I drop something precious to the ground. In a blink of an eye they grab whatever is falling and run away so that I am unable to find it when I look for it. I have lost numerous rings this way. I specifically remember a time when I was on a beach and this happened and another time when I was on a bus. I dropped the rings and could not for the life of me find them. Drop and run gnomes.

Moving Gnomes-Now these gnomes can be a bit more forgiving. Sometimes during the moving process they don't take your things, only borrow them. And months and months later they return whatever they took, while you are left to wonder where the object has been all this time. However, these gnomes do often take what they want too. There's so much craziness in a move that they are running around behind your back grabbing stuff from boxes or bags and stealing off with them. That is why people lose things when they move.

And last...

The Late Gnomes-Close cousins to the moving gnomes, these gnomes don't normally take things for good but they do like to move stuff around and cause you to be late. They like to mess with your head because they think it's funny. They move your keys or cell phone when you're trying to leave the house so that you waste time looking for them. Turned off alarm clocks can be contributed to these gnomes. And they'll also move money into and out of random places so that when it comes time to pay for something you are searching around for that twenty you were sure you had in your wallet only the day before. It's pretty annoying but true happiness is finding something you thought you lost. (If you find it at all.)

I imagine these little beings wreck all sorts of other havoc but these are the few specific classifications of gnomes I know about. So my advice is keep an eye out. They are sneaky little buggers and are always at work to make life a little more complicated.

Rene's Recommendation: Marzipan Fruit

Oh marzipan...you are my sweet little joy. With you whimsical fruity shapes and your shamelessly delicious almondy goodness. If you like almond flavor, then you must at some point in your life eat marzipan fruit. Basically it is confection made of sugar and almond meal. Now it's hard to come up with an idea better then that, I tell you what! The only convenient place I've found them is at Whole Foods under the glass counter where you can also find the fancy truffles, caramel apples and chocolate bark, among other goodies. I believe I happened upon the marzipan fruits by accident, not really sure I'd like them. Oh happy accident! You have not lived till you've tried marzipan fruit.

How Is a Raven Like a Writing Desk?

Ever since Tim Burton came out with his new version of Alice in Wonderland there's been a small surge of semi-Victorian fashion items that have come out with it. I found a number of nice pieces of jewelry at Target but decided not to buy any of them. It would be nice if this Victorian trend continues after the Wonderland fad fades but I don't expect it will. On the other hand that will leave me to purchase my own unique antique accessories that are not so much mass produced.

But I did not want to write about Target and accessories. Every Victorian lover's blog would be remiss without a tip of the hat to good old Lewis Carroll (1832-1898). This is his commonly known pseudonym but his real name was actually Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. In my opinion he led quite an interesting life and apparently ran in the Pre-Raphaelite artist's (who I adore and will post on later) social circle and was encouraged by the famous fairy tale author George McDonald, who wrote such stories as The Princess and the Goblin and The Day Boy and The Night Girl, along with many other tales that inspired a plethora of other fantasy authors in his wake.

Now I have to admit, some people are Mad Hatter crazy about Mr. Carroll. And although I am fond of his work it leaves me a bit off kilter. Personally I like having a solid story structure and the grandness of epic adventure. Whereas Mr. Carroll is more into literary nonsense. But darn if some of that nonsense doesn't get stuck inside your head and stays there! For example:

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

"She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it)."

"'The time has come,' the walrus said, 'to talk of many things: of shoes and ships - and sealing wax - of cabbages and kings.'

"Twinkle, twinkle little bat How I wonder what you're at! Up above the world you fly, Like a tea-tray in the sky."

And because it's so fabulous I'm posting the entire poem of Lewis Carroll's The Jabberwocky from Through the Looking-Glass (1871)

The Jabberwocky

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought--
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One two! One two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
~Lewis Carroll


Now I have a confession. I realized after seeing the new Tim Burton movie that I had never read the whole story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or read Through the Looking Glass for that matter. I did finally read them and come to find out it was a combination of these two stories that was used to create the well known Walt Disney's version of Alice in Wonderland (1951). I had always been under the impression that it was solely based on Alice's Adventures.

As for my opinion about the original written versions they are just as crazy and even more nonsensical then any of the film versions I've seen. I'm happy to have read them but they make me glad to live in a world where there isn't quite so much nonsense! (Though it is fun to dabble now and then.) ;)

Rene's Recommendation: Librivox.org
http://librivox.org/


If you are ever in a situation where you want to listen to older stories that you don't want to buy or you're bored, or for any other reason you can think of that would keep you at a computer and ready to listen to stories online I would suggest Librivox.org. There are loads (and I mean loads) of stories that are in the public domain that you can listen to for free. Volunteers help Librivox stay up and running as they help read stories out loud for you to listen to. Now I have to warn you some of the readers are baaaad. Some are really annoying or hard to hear. But on the other end of the spectrum there are some readers you will want to pull out of the computer and put them inside your head to use as your own inner dialogue because they are so amazing. I found a great version of Kenneth Grahame's Wind In The Willows that was read wonderfully. So if you're interested go check it out. You might have to fiddle a bit to find what you can listen to but I've listened to a lot of stories on Librivox I never would have otherwise if someone hadn't been reading them to me.

What Dreams May Come

It is with much sighing and faraway looks that I write this post. Alas I have found the absolute, most perfect centerpiece for my table. Here it is:



What do you call perfect you ask? You call it: a Bronze Finish Hurricane Branch Candle Holder. That's what.

It's a wonderful combination of steampunk and Victorian. Delicate, stately. A candle base crafted after nature, meets a man made world that contains the power of flame. And why do I accompany this post with so much sighing and moaning? Because this beautiful masterpiece is $400!! $400. The lowest I've been able to find it for is $350. Seriously though. I simply can't justify buying a $400 centerpiece for my table. Yes, I would love it and keep it forever but I just can't! There's so many other practical things I could buy for that amount of money. The problem is I don't want to spend money on any other center pieces that are just mediocre. Although I have found a few that might would make good substitutes, like this one:

$95

or, my second favorite, after the hurricane lamp:



$50 (on sale from $80)

Although, it's obvious that the two substitutes combined make up the the form of the hurricane lamp.

Gah! Why are my tastes so expensive? Why can't I just be happy with a stupid vase or something. But that is not the way God made me so I will not force myself to be someone who settles for anything less then what I value.

And actually, now that I'm looking at that vine candle holder I like it an awful lot and it's not $400. How about this? I will buy my beautiful brass hurricane lantern when I sell my first book. It will be something to look forward to. But in the mean time, if I get the vine candle holder in the near future I will still have something lovely to look at on my table that I will enjoy for years to come. Sometimes it's worth it not to torture yourself. :)

Rene's Recommendation: Who's On First

If you've never heard the Abbott and Costello shtick Who's On First you are missing out. I'm sure many people have but I'm recommending it because it's sooooo funny. I'm not usually into old radio shows. I mean I like them, but I don't seek them out or anything. But I'm posting a link to the Who's On First script and audio because it's really funny and I think it will make you laugh even if you've heard it before.

Audio: http://www.phoenix5.org/humor/WhosOnFirstAudio.mp3
Script: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml

How I Killed My Cable

Actually it was quite easy. I've moved once since I hung my hat in Austin, Texas. In my previous apartment I was getting cable for free. But when I moved to my treehouse I had to buy my own. At the time I was this close to getting a $100 package with phone, internet and cable with Time Warner. But luckily I was talked out of it at the last minute. (Not by Time Warner of course, they've tried to change my mind several times since I told them I didn't want all that.)

It was hard though. I wasn't sure how I would survive without tv. The hardest part was the beginning because I felt so deprived, like I wasn't connected to anything. But now that I've been cable free for over a year it's been amazing!

I still watch shows on Hulu and Netflix. I found a whole bunch of cool shows through those sites that I never would have found otherwise. But I can't tell you how awesome it's been not having it be a constant 24/7 distraction, which I can totally turn it into. I also save a lot of money and don't have a million bad commercial jingles running through my head. I dare you to try to get that stupid "five dollar foot long" song out of your head. Doh! Shouldn't have said that.

Anyway, even though not having cable isn't directly related to anything Victorian I do believe it played a part in taking that distraction away so I could focus on finding out what I really love and not just what the media pushes at me. I think everyone should do this. Even if it's just for a little while. Cut off that cable! Go to the library. Go outside. It's so cliche but it really does work. I know and I'm the biggest tv junkie of all!



Rene's Recommendation: Primetime in No Time and Daytime in No Time

I wanted to pair my recommendation with my post today. I watch these: Primetime in No Time (http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/) and Daytime in No Time (http://tv.yahoo.com/daytime) , every day during my lunch hour. They are great because they are short little videos of the previous day's television highlights. From scandalous talk shows to who got kicked off American Idol, it's great because you can still have water cooler chats with your friends about what they are watching on tv without watching twelve solid hours of it yourself!

My Button Box

I will spare the long history lesson about the birth and life of Art Nouveau except to say that it was an art movement that reached it's peak in popularity from 1890 to 1905. And I think Wikipedia says it best when it describes it as:

A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life.



I am fully amenable to this 'adding art into every day life' idea. I love it when people take the time to turn an ordinary space, public or private, and give it a personality.

For example, there is this pet store that I used to drive by to go to work (I go a different route now) but every day I watched as a huge mural of an iguana and snake and other reptiles were painted on one side of this building. It is a truly respectable piece of art that was fascinating to watch from start to finish.

But I digress. Having loved Art Nouveau for a long time now (I'm very much into flowing curvilinear forms you know) I wanted to bring more of that into my treehouse. I was currently using a box I painted at camp to hold all my buttons. I think I did a good job except that it looks like something a kid would use. (Also the designs I painted on it look a little like sperm. And once I got that idea in my head I couldn't get it out. Yikes!) So to replace it I found the most beautiful Art Nouveau box off a website called Fantastic Figurines (http://www.fantasticfigurines.com/)



Now I not only have a perfect place to store all my buttons but it also adds an elegant artistic touch to my room.

Rene's Recommendation: Energy Efficient Light Bulbs



I'm one of those people that is usually last to get on board when it comes to new technology. I don't know why. I guess I just don't see anything wrong with the stuff we were already using so I can't understand how anything could be better. That can end up being a good and bad way of thinking. I save money on malfunctioning new technology but I'm usually way behind on the next best thing (and by the time I get in on them they are off to the next new thing! Go figure).

So I know that energy efficient light bulbs are nothing new, but if you're like me I had to force myself to buy a bulb that wasn't incandescent. Once I did though, I ended up liking the energy saving light bulbs a lot! Just so you know they are bright enough. When you first turn them on they take a minute to get up to their maximum brightness but once they do the lighting is great. And they do last loads longer then regular round bulbs do. I can speak from experience there. So even though they cost a little more, go ahead and spring for the energy efficient bulbs. I think you'll be glad you did.

"Ker-Chog," "Whoo," and "Bubble Bubble"

Twenty Froggies

Twenty froggies went to school,
Down beside a rushy pool.
Twenty little coats of green,
Twenty vests all white and clean.

"We must be in time," said they,
"First we study, then we play;
That is how we keep the rule,
When we froggies go to school."

Master bull-frog, brave and stern,
Called his classes in their turn.
Taught them how to nobly strive,
Also how to leap and dive.

From his seat upon a log,
Taught them how to say, "Ker-Chog!"
Taught them how to dodge a blow,
From the sticks that bad boys throw.

Twenty froggies grew up fast,
Bull-frogs they became at last.
Not one dunce among the lot,
Not one lesson they forgot.

Polished in a high degree,
As each froggie ought to be.
Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching other little frogs.

~GEORGE COOPER (1820 - 1876)

My dad sent me this delightful poem and I think it's a good segue into this post.

This is the beginning of a list of animals that I'd like to incorporate into my Victorian/steampunk weird and wonderful surroundings. The list is as follows (in no particular order.)

1. Octopus
2. Owl
3. Frog/Toad
4. Moth
5. Cat
6. Bee
7. Extinct Animals
8. Raven
9. Mouse
10. Dragonfly
11. Some Exotic Animals (but only in art/picture form) (i.e. Crocodile, Elephant)

This is just the beginning of the list and it does not include plants that I like (I will post those later) but I think all these creatures have a relatable side as well as mysterious side.

Now most of them of course would not be good to have living inside my treehouse. Although I did play with the idea of getting an octopus. (Glad I didn't follow through on that thought though.)



One of my favorite things is seeing animal art where the animals are dressed up in clothes. I don't think it's good to do this in real life but you put a little top hat on a mouse, or give a raven some cuffs, or a frog a pair of spectacles then you got yourself something downright adorable. There are a million pictures I'd love to post to illustrate this but obviously I wouldn't have room for so many. So for now just picture your favorite animal and put a piece of clothing on them. They will then transform into something quite delightful.

Rene's Recommendation: Do Not Skimp on Good Tickets

Today I wanted to give more of a piece of advice then a recommendation. When an awesome show comes into town like a Broadway play, an epic concert, a big annual conference, etc. my advice is to get the most expensive tickets you can possibly purchase. I say this because I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I have decided to skimp and save a little money and I have gone all out and bought the most costly ticket I could buy. I have never regretted buying the more expensive one.

Now if what you want to see is not that important to you then go ahead and save but if you've waited your whole life to see Phantom of the Opera, Cirque Du Soleil or attend the Austin Film Festival my advice is to splurge. No one can steal memories from you (except in the case of a head injury). And the experience will be worth it!

Come Josephine In My Flying Machine

Art By: Mike Amend

One of the perfect steampunk (Neo-Victorian) additions I'd love to add to my treehouse are flying ships/flying machine models. To be honest they're a lot harder to find then regular sailing ships. (That's on my list of things to find too-the sailing ship-I just have to find the right one.) But the flying machines are different. I want to have lots of them. All kinds. From Da Vinci's flying machines to dirigibles to, what's that in the sky? Is it a bird? A plane? No! It's a crazy flying ship that looks really cool but probably isn't all that aerodynamic or safe! :D Where do I get in line?




I'd love to have them hanging from my ceiling reminding me that though people were not given wings, we were meant to soar. I firmly believe that. And I'm not just talking about metaphors. I once had a dream about flying around on a writing pen. I'm not quite sure how I accomplished this but it was quite an experience.

There are so many awesome stories and movies with flying machines (not 747 jets mind you). I think Hollywood should incorporate more into their work. A few movies I can think of off the top of my head that have some are Stardust (with their air ship pirates), the Mummy Returns, Little Nemo: Adventures in Wonderland, a number of the Hayao Miyazaki movies, Waterworld...and that's all I can think of off the top, but they are many more.












Don't get me wrong, I love our modern airplanes. They get you from A to Z but can you feel the wind on your face in them? Can you get lost in a cloud? Can you have long intimate conversations with a fascinating character as you rest your elbows on the railing while you both watch the sun set on the horizon? Answer: no. Try it and you'll get sucked out of the plane into a jet turbine. Just saying.

I wouldn't even mind the extra time it would take to get where I was going if I could travel that way. The world moves too fast these days anyway. I'd rather just float a while.

Hmm, this post ended up being a lot more wistful then I'd meant it to be. Either way, when I find some awesome airship models to put up in my treehouse, I'll post them.

Rene's Recommendation: San Antonio Farms Salsa

Ok, again I have not done exhaustive testing on who makes the best salsa in the history of salsa making. But hands down this is the best store bought salsa I've ever had. It's organic and not that expensive. I don't know how far they ship it but the next time you need to buy salsa see if they carry San Antonio Farms Salsa and give it a try. Muy excelente!

(Note: this is not a great picture. You don't have to buy it in such large quantities but it was the only pic I could find where you can kind of see the label.)