Buttons, duck, and succulents!!

I had asked for suggestions for new things to paint on buttons and two I received were a panda and raggedy ann and andy... so I gave them a try.. Another reader asked if I could fit a cat, a mouse and some cheese on a 1" button,  It took a few tries but I managed.  I also added a new woodpecker to my collection... a pileated woodpecker with its red bonnet.  They are all now loaded up on the Etsy site. https://www.etsy.com/shop/olderrose   Getting all the buttons organized is a top priority.

And in the kitchen I made duck wellington for a company on Sunday.  Not having done them before I was a bit nervous but as it turned out there was an excellent YouTube video on how to assemble them.  You spread pate on a layer of prosciutto  and added the duck , rolled it up and then encased it in puff pastry... This is a show stopper main course that could be assembled the day ahead.  Before I have done duck crepes but making the crepes at the last minute is hectic.  The puff pastry was perfect.  Instead of the recommended blackberry sauce I used our local huckleberries as a sauce.  Yummy all the way around.

I snagged this cool picture  off of facebook because I thought it was a great idea for a balcony.  It won't be long now before we have to make a decision about selling the farm and moving to town... I will require at least a balcony if I can't get a bit of actual ground and succulents would be just the ticket and I'm thinking I need to get a head start.  My dear friend Susie Wolfe has a fabulous collection of succulents on her patio and I'm thinking she may be coaxed into sending me some starts....hint/hint/hint,

Walking a LOT and we joined the Y so I am stronger than I've been for years and all the heart drama is a thing of the past. My goal is 6000 steps each day and mostly make it and if I hesitate DH gives me a nudge and encouragement.  I have a small patch in front that is free if snow and I am out there tomorrow rain or shine...

A button snob for sure!!!

When I joined the Idaho Historical Button Society last fall I somehow missed getting on the mailing list for their bulletins so Simone kindly sent me five back issues which are packed with fascinating information.  I read two issues last night and confirmed that I know next to nothing about any buttons unless they are mother of pearl.....and then mostly if they are paintable or not.....

 

Over the years I occasionally buy a mixed lot of buttons such as this ebay purchase in 2012 but I am mostly again looking for extra large paintable buttons.  Did find quite a few in this batch but somehow could not get motivated to paint on "plastic."  What a MOP snob I am...  Now and forever I will look at buttons differently...  Some of these I used in CQ workshops and they are scattered in bags here and there in the house and in the barn.  They definitely deserve another look.  I am hoping to get back to painting this week and even though I still tire easily I am eager to do something productive.

 

I am handling pampering rather well though.  Here DIL has my hair in curlers and I am soaking my hands in preparation for a manicure.. But no matter what is going on Morris is right in the middle of everything.  Up until today someone has taken me every day to the mall to walk and I manage a mile now and getting stronger and breathing easier every day.  But today we are expecting a big winter storm and I would rather be home and warm and safe because I know how quickly our road can drift shut.  It is one thing to walk in a warm mall and an entirely another thing to struggle up a country lane that has drifted over...

 

I am worried about big dog that showed up yesterday near our neighbor's farm.  He has never had a dog and shouldn't.  This dog is St. Bernard size and has obviously recently had a litter of pups.  She's covered in burrs from weeds in the forest and very wary.  DH is trying to find out if we need to call someone to help her. Over the years we have had so many issues with this neighbor over how he abuses animals that I shutter to think that here we go again... I am concerned she has had a litter and hidden them somewhere.