Amateur oils.

What's this...?

Good question.

Definitely an eye.

A possible signature.

Obvious sea creature.

Cuttlefish.

Christine loves cuttlefish, so I painted her one for Christmas. I didn't name it, but she probably should.

Splendid spiders

Consider yourself warned.

Yes, I realize I have been posting quite a bit about spiders lately. At least, I feel like I have. And there are several things about spiders I have not posted (you're welcome?). But it's fall, and the arachnids are out in force and must be documented.

At the top of the Sisters in California to-do list was a trip to the Natural History Museum of LA County.

Of course Monika and I wanted to see the dinosaurs and the natural history dioramas featuring long deceased animals, but I was also waaaay excited to check out their Spider Pavilion.

It's possible that Monika was less excited, but the spiders quickly won her over.

Especially, this little lovely: the Nephila clavipes, commonly known as the Golden Silk Orbweaver.

Just look how excited Monika is!

Isn't nephila a beautiful name? 

We think so.

If you listen closely around 29 seconds, you can hear me voice some concern. I mean, I really wasn't that concerned. These spiders aren't poisonous, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't have squealed and fallen over backwards if one happened to touch me. Just saying...

Hooray for spiders!

Spider sense

Here's a little spidey just hanging out. 

Jeepers creepers, look at those peepers. 

snake box

Yup. Exactly what it sounds like.

A box containing a snake. 

Don't panic! 

It's actually a snake skin. 

Or, to use the proper terminology, a shed. 

And I found it in the bushes in front of Mom's. 

We have a whole family of garter snakes living at Mom's. 

They come back every year because they like us so much.

We like them too...well, Mom only sort of likes them.

But don't tell the snakes that...it would break their tiny hearts. 

quiet as a...

If you haven't seen the blog, Mouses Houses, you need to hightail it on over there right now. Maggie Rudy is the Portland-based artist behind all these stunning mouse creations, and she is a lady of phenomenal skill, imagination, and, I'm guessing, patience. All of her mice, scenes, and accessories are handcrafted from felt and other found materials. The time and care put into each charming scene absolutely floors me. Here are some of my favorites...

"Tightrope" via Mouseland

"Rain" via Mouseland

"Portrait of a Gentleman" via Mouseland

"Grace Darling" via Mouseland

If you're interested in getting a glimpse of Maggie's process, here's a link to a short film of Maggie in her studio. I'm so impressed by the depth of her creativity. Also, check out Maggie's book: The House That Mouse Built.  The exquisite detail makes me giddy. She's truly able to inhabit the world of her little mouse characters. Love it! 

spider sense

I've always considered August spider season. As soon as we enter August, there are spiders everywhere.  Everywhere. Here are a couple of my recent spider visitors. Look out!

Showed up on my shower curtain. 

Made her home in my doorjamb.  

Popped up in the sink overflow at Mom's. 

Yup, the spiders are out in force.

This just in!

I had some decent luck at estate sales recently. Several things must remain secret for a time, but here are the new treasures I can reveal...

Tiny teacup: 50 cents

Vintage cotton coverlet: $3.50

Vintage red leather purse: $3.50

2 vintage handkerchiefs: $2.00

And I found a little something at the Museum this weekend...something that didn't cost a penny. And just what might that be?

It's a sleepy little bee! Sleeping the big sleep, but looking rather sweet with its tiny head tucked. Do you remember my bee collection? It's documented here, and here, and also a mention here.

Here are a few of my bees in a jar. They are found bees, DOA. 

Not the bees! Ahhhhhhhh! Yup, love those bees.

Squirrel World II

The squirrel has been up to no good in my recently planted plants. He (or she--I actually don't know) keeps digging little holes looking for the peanuts he thinks he's buried. Little does he know, when I was planting my plants I removed all the winter peanuts and tossed them in the yard. I think another squirrel picked them up. I know this because the other squirrel isn't as friendly as the first squirrel...the friendly squirrel that I, delightedly, coaxed onto my porch with peanuts.

Other squirrel

The friendly squirrel

OK, so this whole thing might be my fault. I tempted nature and now I'm getting my comeuppance. And that comeuppance is taking the form of exploratory peanut holes in my lettuce and lavender pots.

I am now withholding peanuts. Here's what that looks like.

I feel super guilty.

That's why it's hotter under the water

Today one of the curators at the museum told me that he considers the world to be "a dark and complex place." Emphasis on dark. It put me in a mini-doom and gloom mindset, so I'm happy to counteract that with more wonders from the Ty Warner Sea Center.

Sand dollars need no introduction.

Brittle stars



Spanish Shawl Nudibranches

Sunflower Starfish

Snail

Starfish