Out of My Gourd - Homely Hubbard

The hubbard squash has an extremely hard outer shell and can be stored for long periods of time.  This misfit of the pumpkin patch may have a tough shell, but hides a sweet, delicious flesh that is great for baking, boiling, roasting, and purees.  The squash can grow up to 50 pounds!  Originally named in the 1840's when Elizabeth Hubbard gave seeds to a friend in a kind, neighborly gesture...  looking back, who in their right mind would gift such homely squash seeds to a friend?  I call shenanigans!

Poker Face

The French bulldog Pierre has a poker face of wrinkled steel, however his nub tail is quite a different matter.  When dealt a winning hand, this Frenchie's tail begins to twitch, then rapidly escalates into an uncontrollable wag.  A steady "clomp clomp clomp" drums across the chair's wooden spindles.  Apparently this is a common tell in the competitive world of K-9 poker. 

 

Bird Watching

No need to worry, the binoculars are not for viewing the eclipse. Thanks for your concern safety police. In fact, Sylvester gives the term "Wingman" a new meaning. With his trusty field guide and high power binoculars, he spies cute little chickadees for his shy pal Fritocandito. 

Fresh Squeezed!

Need a little more zest in your life? Well if you aren't into the latest album by Beyonce, try the old school version of lemonade. Pucker-up buttercup!

Pucker Up!

Silvester "Smooches" Valentine is the Guinea's World Record holder for the most kisses given in 1 hour.  He plans to top his current record of 6,714 kisses and make a little extra spending cash on the side.  Wish him luck and pucker up!  Just a side note, lip balm isn't included with the purchase.  The line starts to the right and is single file.  No pushing, cutting, or lingering.

Sauerkraut in December? Heck yeah!

Oktoberfest has past, however the Piggy Polka never goes out of style. 

So pull on a pair of lederhosen, fill your stein with ginger ale, and let out a yodel-lay-hee-hoo:

Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun.
Roll out the barrel, we've got the blues on the run!
((insert festive accordion accompaniment here))

Terri's Mushroom House

The World is your Oyster

I have been working on sketches of sea life for an upcoming workshop titled "Day at the Beach".  I kicked around some thoughts on sea shells and taking them to another level of fun.  Our last trip to San Diego, while chasing miniature crabs, the kids found a slew of oyster shells in the sand.  The two seemed like a fun combination. 

After 6 sketches, ranging from silly to life like, I settled on something in between.  The exterior is a silvered ivory so to shimmer in the light, yet dark enough to cast a gray hue.  The oyster's open half is filled with one of my Double Helix favorites, Kronos.  The crab was formed from 1mm, bright red stringers.  Small doesn't begin to accurately describe the little guy.  Leg to leg, he measures 14mm x 15mm.  Total time to torch: 1.5 hours. 
The finished focal would look fabulous paired with a strand of shimmery pearls.  I could imagine him on display, surrounded by sand, beach glass and shells.  Or how cute would it be to incorporate the focal on the handle of an oyster knife!?  No idea where he will end up, but I love the thought of someone flipping over the shell to find the silly little guy!