1. These new shoes — thrifted, if you can believe it. You certainly can’t tell from their condition. Serendipitously found (and immediately pounced upon) when I had fifteen minutes to kill before my ferry and decided to check out a great little consignment shop here in Nanaimo, Indigo.
I was very impressed that Une Femme guessed correctly, when I included a photo of these as part of an OOTD yesterday, that they were by the German shoemaker, Think! As indeed they are, and I was thrilled to nab them for $75, knowing they retail for 3 or 4 times that. Note the contrasting leather lining — they’re such a joy to wear.
2. Watch William Hurt and Isabella Rosellini in Late Bloomers if you haven’t already seen it. And perhaps you can spot my favourite moment in the film. . . (okay, there might be two favourites, possibly three. . . )
3. Why they call it a Strawberry tree (that is, when “they” are not being sticklers for Latin and calling it Arbutus unedo). . . .
I suspect I’ve posted a photo of this tree’s fruit every time they’re ripe — I can’t help it and see little reason to apologize — it’s always a delightful combination: verdant leaves, creamy bell-flowers, and rosy textured “strawberries”
4. When I was a teen, trying to stretch my budget in a family in which some younger sibling had a birthday almost every month (I had eleven younger siblings!), I discovered that a brand new pack of crayons, paired with a fresh new crayoning book or thick pad of drawing paper, could hold its own on the gift table. Even today, my inner child responds to Crayola’s lively and nuanced rainbow, the cheery promise of that pencil-yellow cardboard box, its emerald-green graphic contrasts transcending the school-list associations, egging me on to believe I, too, can tell a story or capture a scene. Just looking at that simple, stolid, compact package of colour, my fingers remember their curl, my fingertips whisper the texture of the crayon’s wrapping paper, an ever-so-slightly grainy traction, especially in contrast to the wax’s pointy tip. I remember the efforts to keep that tip sharp, grudgingly peeling the paper down to reveal more wax, gently working the dulled end into a sharpener. . . and, above all, guarding against breakage. The pack seemed to lose its magic after the first crayon broke. Did yours, as well?
All of which is to say that when I spotted 24-packs of Crayola crayons on sale a few weeks ago at the drugstore, I couldn’t resist scooping a few boxes. Nola arrives tomorrow for the weekend, and we’ll see if these colour sticks have retained their appeal across the generations. . . .
5. And, finally, since we’re talking about rainbow palettes, my latest (and seemingly interminable) knitting project: rainbow pants for Nola.
You might remember that I have previously made both granddaughters “rainbow dresses” (Item # 4 in last Friday’s Five Things. Well, Nola and I were chatting about these garments one day, and she suggested that I should knit her a pair of rainbow pants. And you know that Nana loves to knit for an appreciative audience.
So. . . .
I think the “leg” on the left is almost the right length, and I’m just crossing my fingers that little girl will stop growing just long enough to let me catch that second one up and build a gusset and a tummy. . . . Why, oh why, did I use fingering yarn and 2mm needles?
So there you have it! Five Things, and it’s late enough on Friday that we’re almost kicking back with our glasses of wine, right? (I’ve just made a cup of tea, honestly, and will be settling in by the fire for an energizing run-up to another marking session. But there’s wine waiting for me.)
I wish you a lovely weekend, and, as you well know, I’d love your comments about whatever you’re up to.
Oh those rainbow pants will make her the envy of the neighborhood! Crayolas…they never seem to lose their magic do they? My grandmother kept one of those jumbo boxes at her apartment, and it was such a treat when we visited to have seemingly unlimited hues to work with.
You're going to love those Think shoes!!
I'm a wee bit nervous, and she's been looking more stylish lately, growing up a bit, especially with starting kindergarten. But she claims she'll still wear the rainbow pants. We 'll see . . .
You have a pair of Thinks as well, don't you? I bought a red pair in Paris about 7 or 8 years ago, but they were a bit too folklorish and got culled. These are much better!
OMG – those pants are hilarious! They're going to be so cute on Nola. But honestly, what were you thinking with the fingering yarn?!?! And those shoes, at 75 bucks, are the story of the week. Good times.
I know! And surely I could have found a "rainbow" yarn in worsted weight — or Bulky!!
We spent many a rainy day with colouring books and Crayola crayons…good times, Nola will look adorable in those cute pants,she's lucky to have such a clever Grandmother.
They bring back memories, the Crayolas, don't they!
Rainbow pants! Absolutely adorable.
We should all have a pair, no?! (well, maybe no!)
Great thrifting shoe find! I'm not ashamed to admit that I love crayons. Occasionally, I will indulge in some coloring fun in my Fluevog coloring book, but more regularly we use a special kind for our kitchen white board to make grocery lists and write reminders.
So you can indulge in some domestic Doodle Art! Fun!
What happy rainbow pants! A post filled with color. And a great shoe find as well.
I'm trying to knit happiness into every stitch, Mardel — Superpowers for the win!!
I still love the smell of a fresh box of crayons! I love the rainbow pants!!
Oh yes! I forgot about the smell!
Rainbow pants! Oh ma, I think you could have a whole other career! And I just know there will be a pic. But does the adorable Nola know about… legwarmers? I am thinking, they could last much longer than pants.
Rainbow legwarmers: who would not want a pair?
PS Your shoes are cool!
I know! I should have suggested legwarmers right at the start — although I can easily imagine one of those getting lost. . . .I might have to make some next year, to keep the tradition going forward!
A fun Five Things again. Crayons – I just looked at some this week, remembering coloring as a child. A new box was full of possibility.
Nola's style sense is charming – she'll look great in those rainbow pants!
They could have Possibilities right on the label, couldn't they? That seems to go with the newness of the box . . .
I have a "strawberry" glowing in the sunlight atop the bust of George Washington (long story) in the window above my sink. But I never knew the name of their tree until now, even though I have adored them since very early childhood. Thank you.
I discovered them as part of our landscaping on campus, and a horticulturally aware colleague told me their name and that they belonged to the arbutus family. When we then found them growing wild in rural Portugal a few years later I was even more enamoured and came back to our own backyard planting with renewed appreciation. They do just glow in the sunlight, don't they?!
Mom, I keep forgetting to tell you that Jesse has requested a knit toque. Any chance you can make that happen for Christmas?
That would make me very happy, I have to admit. I'll send you links to possible patterns to make sure I get the style okay. And he's not overly sensitive about wool, is he?
I don't think so, no. I know the socks don't bother him.
Okay, then, I got this!