tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78026800427571288132024-02-07T20:19:53.348-08:00La PommeApolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-76490208963729657852011-05-20T02:11:00.000-07:002011-05-20T02:15:53.943-07:00Spring and We're MovingWe announced it a few months back, and we're doing it now: <a href="http://www.lapommehome.com/">La Pomme Home</a>, it's our new blog with a spanking new address, <a href="http://www.lapommehome.com/">www.lapommehome.com</a>. Follow us there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0GoeY26kwiQH973W9F7k6ez2xbwhYZr_HwvJCgZmCAcR1bwEQtR5QhU4dQ4U-nsLio3RMGnwYbPWZlOTUwIm_-A4WoXuzHeYVPxSI0ER48IJuOItz1CUhfYorlW5Bhja4poEm9L66w/s1600/suitcaseblog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0GoeY26kwiQH973W9F7k6ez2xbwhYZr_HwvJCgZmCAcR1bwEQtR5QhU4dQ4U-nsLio3RMGnwYbPWZlOTUwIm_-A4WoXuzHeYVPxSI0ER48IJuOItz1CUhfYorlW5Bhja4poEm9L66w/s400/suitcaseblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608724318488395986" border="0" /></a>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-50196466591515648282011-04-08T15:29:00.000-07:002011-04-08T15:35:13.401-07:0010 Percent Off Everything!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-GBt3VUFaqU62jo3zHs_fnajR7N3q3ztc-9JxpDmEGx6KcIwoCfOYEuUqLgUOoqWdS9_I7FiEnyuSvRT1Uf98GsaDf2wHdh4GyJFT83e0-HmCx0Y5I7bbD1gZYNwVyZQ0pjmn6uYA/s1600/trot1%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23-GBt3VUFaqU62jo3zHs_fnajR7N3q3ztc-9JxpDmEGx6KcIwoCfOYEuUqLgUOoqWdS9_I7FiEnyuSvRT1Uf98GsaDf2wHdh4GyJFT83e0-HmCx0Y5I7bbD1gZYNwVyZQ0pjmn6uYA/s400/trot1%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593344179390285314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I am off and away.<br /><br /></span></span></div>Say yey! As announced, I'm off for a break to Africa from 9 April to 4 May, but La Pomme will remain open. Shipping will be delayed (your orders will begin shipping on the first week of May), but it will be your chance to get <span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(139, 69, 19);"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">10 percent off anything you buy at the shop.</span></strong></span></span> So both you and I get to have fun :)<br /> <br /> Just type in the coupon code "vacationhey" when you checkout your purchases at <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com">the online shop</a> and your discount will be automatically applied.<br /> <br /> If you have any questions, send me a message through the shop. It may take me some time to respond, as I won't have access to the Internet all the time, but I will get back to you.<br /> <br /> See you soon!Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-64371878649738758982011-03-29T14:51:00.000-07:002011-03-29T15:07:55.427-07:00MovingMovement seems to be the word to describe life these days. For one thing, my sister and I are working on La Pomme's new blog home, and should be launching that real soon. I promise - no, I swear! - that when that is launched I will be blogging so much more regularly that I am doing at the moment.<br /><br />For another, husband, baby, and I are going to Africa for a few weeks to take a break from our normal hustle and bustle. We plan to do some serious chilling out, stay in places where there's no TV and no Internet connection, and just listen to the silence. Well, that, and wailing of the baby who, advanced as she was in walking and in growing teeth, has continued in her precocious ways and has hit her terrible twos many many months too early :)<br /><br />Anyway. Let me make an announcement and say that if you've been wanting to get anything at <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com">the shop</a>, please do so by 7 April so that I can ship your purchases off to you right away. Purchases made after this date will begin shipping in the first week of May.<br /><br />Here are some new things we've stocked at the shop:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCHFcfSQF8POk3yxE2Z4yoaIlrrmzcRKzrI4q86CSjnwTDaXuncZMc89cVMrmySZ45Jm3LS7n2m3p4ztJIcvM5ka_rzIeWcGgJ3BTB_nN2pgQm78zxAQ3bJzEsa9B5vhxYasGyRzWQ/s1600/horn1%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCHFcfSQF8POk3yxE2Z4yoaIlrrmzcRKzrI4q86CSjnwTDaXuncZMc89cVMrmySZ45Jm3LS7n2m3p4ztJIcvM5ka_rzIeWcGgJ3BTB_nN2pgQm78zxAQ3bJzEsa9B5vhxYasGyRzWQ/s400/horn1%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589625992167422866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Vintage horn instruments</span>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVZ37GEAkjlyAWody_EHfXxbtFXWYKr2Tyio-qgrxGHRbgeeeJjmmX0zcDUlN3-0NDC7HwP_goJs7CW57M-7InLgjvYGJ1HKpgSEvZHeQUYR5csR6rp9ukpgT0DJ2A3IcV2BqX3CDCQ/s1600/bottlesA5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVZ37GEAkjlyAWody_EHfXxbtFXWYKr2Tyio-qgrxGHRbgeeeJjmmX0zcDUlN3-0NDC7HwP_goJs7CW57M-7InLgjvYGJ1HKpgSEvZHeQUYR5csR6rp9ukpgT0DJ2A3IcV2BqX3CDCQ/s400/bottlesA5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589626203751219522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beer and lemonade bottles</span></span>.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXSIKPZLPIZFkUhrz_09yObeJbmtwQS8bSh2j3DH_SCTnUoW07Kqq3TcCKcpWfN8nQBHqmpW8mbx699LmR70Iwsnb7nUFditU04MEyfkv6tWHiBDX6FvWILB_WDtgLImNycjAzL4hAA/s1600/bkcases%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXSIKPZLPIZFkUhrz_09yObeJbmtwQS8bSh2j3DH_SCTnUoW07Kqq3TcCKcpWfN8nQBHqmpW8mbx699LmR70Iwsnb7nUFditU04MEyfkv6tWHiBDX6FvWILB_WDtgLImNycjAzL4hAA/s400/bkcases%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589625845097961970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Carpenter's wooden vise to use as bookcases.</span></span><br /></div>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-70413342212078808782011-03-16T06:01:00.000-07:002011-03-16T06:05:31.454-07:00Reclaimed Postal BagsHere are new photos of the vintage postal bags I made for my Reclaimed line. Two of them are still available at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?section_id=7916841">the shop</a>.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584662793687874690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-R8j_1-vrWR7vK5hjshwdroQzNSVJUwDKfmWQP3ajkf9wVclOOkURVa5i-kxbbR5b733B1Aga27RzF2tFrj_Y3Ac1j1Qh3bJmhyphenhyphenuBnizxjSeFwY9PdaHc2MGrdC0C37JmFom6BpVxQ/s400/sacC1.jpg" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584662535356586738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBr2WmlhU7y1BRcA7jUuv83WdCRQoqtdaSOIFiA-XiNaTE3ds39_K3HpEyCFZhz1gJQxjZIRlJHNWqXBVlLAPgAIDPhCKVAMg1VdoZh6kVImc3L9Q1qT5UzXXXjuUhnuUUE40g_Gz8mw/s400/sacA1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584662612466264690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD_Vl70t__Z8Mf0pgeSYby1n27bhRxNoS8u6P1Kz3az9PB7jM-B8gjvyH42xQd7017m8jeDlHtXNPIAKadTZN916mzV5yseebQkMeKqcmSNZFEs0Jgqe8CXCZVkdpjq33HpAdFkN4BQ/s400/sacB1.jpg" /> </div></div>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-5500210721943294042011-03-13T03:39:00.000-07:002011-03-13T11:23:49.093-07:00Reclaimed Pillowcases<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583512494101753346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6YSZxZMpu1qO3WEXqOlgvy5TZ5jKhiAFoPtq_R4_eSlI9EiKYc62CaElfi7lzLsi8xefL0QS8ZORDm1E3pTjc3VbhoWJme1pR_sEQzVnejONJNVkOiQIgpFyaKPfbHziVoreWtv3Rw/s400/blogpilo2.jpg" /> These pillowcases are recycled from vintage French ticking fabric. This kind of sturdy cotton was in the past used extensively in France to make mattresses. I found these pieces at various flea markets here in the south.<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583512678076392194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy2rg5zXYrfkLKJa4WkLzO4IJbKsARTGrajmEt89_M15ZVdWX8fjJZlNvqW6ySC9OG3xQEBG5FtWiDGAidw2Xo56Lh-6OOdwHjd6SZ_91egS7CjHrOkREEeX8O_wVONaCxImL101Grg/s400/blogpilo6.jpg" />The idea for Reclaimed pillowcases came from seeing how my mother-in-law meticulously mended her children's clothes. Jeans were patched and re-patched at the knees. Holes in shirts were camouflaged with fabric of similar print. It spoke to me of love, frugality, and a natural environmental awareness.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583512535273361458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCiRrjgeb2lVYFYJL08zY0ZuSQotSGryotHGm6V_Dwk_sC3TXx0qigbHkyJOEANhAcgTuMGBKYzKlYeeYBMph9mhOkG0OVYjJhvrW0DrxYxDVpuV86CybkaWSFYtpuqZV1Af6cooC-w/s400/blogpilo3.jpg" /></div><div>Vintage "toile à matelas," or ticking fabric is quite popular in France now. Many crafters use them to make bags and scented sachets. Most, however, look for fabric in almost-pristine condition. Lengths that have too many holes or that are stained are ignored. And yet these pieces to me are somehow more interesting than their fresher counterparts. They have lived - if we can apply the term to inanimate objects - and are not afraid to show it. </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583512579083573138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxyBk7wXkJiCp7CHUt67cqnR_egN2W7yn2CXepjRuyK9gWoY1p7UOoSDY8RYJIQLOD6hnfnOohjQNF_-QcHIxyRR0OUhu1tJD5YkaJ2B3UBh3AIWcoYOmIrwac6Nyn6mMAQqm4B5ciQ/s400/blogpilo4.jpg" /></div><div>I have taken the tattered and stained vintage ticking I have collected, and mended them, repairing holes and patching over major stains. The original mending I found on them, those made by previous owners, I have left intact. Some stains I left alone - proud marks of the fabric's history.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>You can find these pillowcases at the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?section_id=7916841">Reclaimed section </a>of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?ref=si_shop">the shop</a>. </div></div></div>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-45212816093200356002011-03-11T07:04:00.000-08:002011-03-11T07:06:43.666-08:00Reclaimed PincushionsThe first pieces of my spring collection, these are now at <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com/">the shop</a>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582838675244225970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiaEdsrD7jPMnpzSnRPzgIdGFsZ2uQMyBAprl_GfrGmdpQKuhcWop0fvYLiX40jzQKeVlVAp_XIJ-Wo8QRTmrUGvqXDJ7U7luE05iLGSYo7LEXX-fkMKYeUKDDvD27yw_nJLtkvvXBA/s400/pin-all.jpg" />Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-18808874406067693202011-03-06T04:58:00.000-08:002011-03-06T06:26:45.653-08:00Recycled Vintage Postal Bags<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWAeInE-H_X5Y1Ps4Rc9wLrGTpIghdvLVgZ0ROPCZnFrPYHwjgjBog-EjIRhEV3KOQHQaI3qgozTYEHQpwGRtDjvthO2JKNasZhSWukzJYFm0aMWMoU8AvHAxa6J_SsCUuOIPleuqaw/s1600/sacA2%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWAeInE-H_X5Y1Ps4Rc9wLrGTpIghdvLVgZ0ROPCZnFrPYHwjgjBog-EjIRhEV3KOQHQaI3qgozTYEHQpwGRtDjvthO2JKNasZhSWukzJYFm0aMWMoU8AvHAxa6J_SsCUuOIPleuqaw/s400/sacA2%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580973238039696370" border="0" /></a>From my new collection, Reclaimed. Soon at <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com/">the shop</a>.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-18288019507476952022011-02-19T10:20:00.000-08:002011-02-19T10:21:55.106-08:00Boat on a Linen River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6FNOk0jO_JmjUQzc9XFFDzmzuaLLKi4HcdzyLYwcwn8unUlion6rqxuQJP5Wo6G5us2ewr-Ld9eN0uP8TXHqD9W91l6b1jDFImizDYVRa8ZkDWFkqtLXgqFTCenaRCjJMbgMqjRA5w/s1600/boat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6FNOk0jO_JmjUQzc9XFFDzmzuaLLKi4HcdzyLYwcwn8unUlion6rqxuQJP5Wo6G5us2ewr-Ld9eN0uP8TXHqD9W91l6b1jDFImizDYVRa8ZkDWFkqtLXgqFTCenaRCjJMbgMqjRA5w/s400/boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575467398176731218" border="0" /></a>Today I'm wishing to escape to somewhere far away...Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-59416201877243008652011-02-16T10:10:00.001-08:002011-02-28T03:35:11.697-08:00A Bientot, Apples, Pears, and Angels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ORo8c975it3tBmQAY_qPbq99xYWKaZyE3HRE6JEJktfw2Hnj2QoVNFaeEtDC0WD5KLntlkmO8DNqvkW3c4Y5MdDkGZ8e6A6zg-yFVWmkaK-vAnqdbE4zN-bKPhOUzdCss1vcDjFteQ/s1600/lovepears.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ORo8c975it3tBmQAY_qPbq99xYWKaZyE3HRE6JEJktfw2Hnj2QoVNFaeEtDC0WD5KLntlkmO8DNqvkW3c4Y5MdDkGZ8e6A6zg-yFVWmkaK-vAnqdbE4zN-bKPhOUzdCss1vcDjFteQ/s400/lovepears.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574357456228567938" border="0" /></a>I'm also a writer. It's not something I talk a lot about here on this blog, but I write speculative fiction, some of which have gotten published in magazines and book anthologies; and in 2009 I published a book of essays. To continue calling myself a writer, however, I have got to write. In 2010, all that I had published were stuff that I had written in the years before. I am disappointed with myself.<br /><br />I have decided to make time for words, and that means having to give up a bit of my sewing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZah1fkR0hm39_hsZiZ1V7QoUAfL4V3qzPYnAHtvjuvKDtg-c2Xtz7WkkjaOm0IApwHiNckMSN6HhEyxJwlRhvpPzUK66njJ4jezJpCEtcV7Zh364CI_S0WrDNRfdpB5eyqswz5ujaQ/s1600/inspirationapples.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZah1fkR0hm39_hsZiZ1V7QoUAfL4V3qzPYnAHtvjuvKDtg-c2Xtz7WkkjaOm0IApwHiNckMSN6HhEyxJwlRhvpPzUK66njJ4jezJpCEtcV7Zh364CI_S0WrDNRfdpB5eyqswz5ujaQ/s400/inspirationapples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574357521112821762" border="0" /></a><br />My much-loved <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?section_id=6675697">plush apples and pears</a>, as well as my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66350992/life-mantras-organic-lavender-bags-set">lavender sachets</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67444596/bonne-nuit-sleep-angel-personalized">scented angels,</a> will be available at the shop only until <strike>27 February</strike> 5 March. After the 5th, I will only be accepting orders for them for weddings. Individuals who want to order them for their homes should do so before 27 February, or wait until September when they will be put back in stock, in time for the holidays.<br /><br />Something to look forward to: End of February, I will begin putting up online pieces from Reclaimed, my new collection of functional home accessories made 100-percent from recycled fabric. Think mended and tattered made hip :) The bags, cushion covers, tea towels, and scented sachets in this collection will be all ready to ship.<br /><br />March I'll be hunkering down in front of the computer, and I swear I'm going to be writing or else cut my fingers off! Wish me luck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqeJR4nl0rUBETNiuHgUl7FmxZlqdZA78XCGrCkBElIY0rYSSv5B_gCnMdexZh2BD0uMxF1ua_nsAE1wIizLojtWQNL-Edz1WUouHMO8tULBiw0Q7mCXBWRWhVURTFwY8Gkt_hUu27Q/s1600/bonnenuitdoll.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqeJR4nl0rUBETNiuHgUl7FmxZlqdZA78XCGrCkBElIY0rYSSv5B_gCnMdexZh2BD0uMxF1ua_nsAE1wIizLojtWQNL-Edz1WUouHMO8tULBiw0Q7mCXBWRWhVURTFwY8Gkt_hUu27Q/s400/bonnenuitdoll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574357589093229250" border="0" /></a><br />As a way to say "A bientot, see you soon," to my plush fruits and angels, here I am dedicating to them one of my stories. It's called "The Sewing Project," and you can find it <a href="http://bestphilippinesf.com/2010/03/the-sewing-project/">by clicking here</a>.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-63172643831777435732011-02-14T12:43:00.000-08:002011-02-14T12:50:20.850-08:00Valentine Night SewingCelebrating Valentine's day is just not our thing, so tonight, while the husband watches a film, I plan to finish sewing up the pincushions made from scraps of fabric that I stamped for past projects. They're for my new collection, coming soon at <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com">the shop</a>. As you can see from the photo, the collection is called Reclaimed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bOPycQ6qduhB8e6EVYiInsZlFzi9GB8opMLOVCSVtwyVwapC6myTVIUNtTtvUCz5CpG9CDpHrc7HBm3anZEEB1eQ0U3qfICeb1aBslGA25pWuCqC7U0vo_eMOmBEEwsOkq4wvJ_XXA/s1600/stuffingres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bOPycQ6qduhB8e6EVYiInsZlFzi9GB8opMLOVCSVtwyVwapC6myTVIUNtTtvUCz5CpG9CDpHrc7HBm3anZEEB1eQ0U3qfICeb1aBslGA25pWuCqC7U0vo_eMOmBEEwsOkq4wvJ_XXA/s400/stuffingres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573649922401735474" border="0" /></a>To all those who are celebrating V-day, enjoy and be sure to exchange plenty of kisses!Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-52394620240232879972011-02-14T03:11:00.000-08:002011-02-14T03:39:26.418-08:00Uhmmm, Excuse Me....... but I've realized - thanks to people much smarter than I am - that changing blogs right now, to the Wordpress address I mentioned in my previous post, would be a foolish thing to do because I had already bought a domain name, and this domain name can very well be the address of my new blog. So my sister is working on that (because I really am a techie-idiot), and we'll be launching the new blog under my very own domain name really soon. Meanwhile I am staying put and blogging right here. Really sorry for the confusion; I can be a real flake sometimes.<br /><br />Everything else I said holds true, however. Starting now I'll be blogging mainly about my sewing and vintage-hunting, with the occasional "oh-look-what-inspired-me-recently" post. Things more personal you can find in my personal Facebook page. Fans of <span style="font-style: italic;">Provenciana</span>, the book published in 2009 from the blog I wrote of the same name, should go to Facebook too. I'll be posting wacky new essays there soon. (I'm flaky, but trying oh-so-hard to organize my online life now!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">In the meanwhile, go take a look at some of this weekend's vintage finds which I'll be listing in the <a href="http://www.lapomme.etsy.com/"> shop</a> soon:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI5O3m0eoGwFIz4-ajZyhfSjh4un3HvOGn-tJn2xlKzrMkI3K6c_3xzD1xQgeDx0tjiO4qP1T-vgBTPQtHCoOUnJrN1PM_3F4svh9aGa-0d-jpvYlucVYFJn5HVgCUWGMaM-1yHbF7w/s1600/bottles4res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI5O3m0eoGwFIz4-ajZyhfSjh4un3HvOGn-tJn2xlKzrMkI3K6c_3xzD1xQgeDx0tjiO4qP1T-vgBTPQtHCoOUnJrN1PM_3F4svh9aGa-0d-jpvYlucVYFJn5HVgCUWGMaM-1yHbF7w/s400/bottles4res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573503692879841074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Antique pharmacy bottles<br />(Hey, these sold as I was writing this post-yippee!)<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IgndhjOfp7qVYy9AYtr_dCQLT5rtMu4zoibX8K5jkpRvtaQ0bE7ukJGziqphVi-OnYGW1ftZaAn2x3dBEu_vjeyx8fjjF1pNxDJHT1eZX1BMGkHAzB7GSw3B3bGvnir8a8rzIDhBoA/s1600/boxcambres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IgndhjOfp7qVYy9AYtr_dCQLT5rtMu4zoibX8K5jkpRvtaQ0bE7ukJGziqphVi-OnYGW1ftZaAn2x3dBEu_vjeyx8fjjF1pNxDJHT1eZX1BMGkHAzB7GSw3B3bGvnir8a8rzIDhBoA/s400/boxcambres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573503759279673586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Old tin boxes</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50VV8H-wtwXz1167sAc2jrmDM4Y75xWXxKnY24wMBAvp1Vu7YeRziLQYyc_7wggDmH1ehkQFi_XYLeHXtB4-awa9xjkL1Cqh6i3ctZQrtcGF8nTk1Z8iSfKVqfJpE853KuwaoApclSA/s1600/vinaigreres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50VV8H-wtwXz1167sAc2jrmDM4Y75xWXxKnY24wMBAvp1Vu7YeRziLQYyc_7wggDmH1ehkQFi_XYLeHXtB4-awa9xjkL1Cqh6i3ctZQrtcGF8nTk1Z8iSfKVqfJpE853KuwaoApclSA/s400/vinaigreres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573503804535249010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A dame-jeanne</span><br /></span></div>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-31948223146112092852011-01-27T01:39:00.000-08:002011-02-13T01:27:49.113-08:00We're Moving!<strike>Reorganizing things, and because I've been wanting a change, I am now blogging over at <a href="http://frenchobjects.wordpress.com/">French Objects</a>. This new blog will be more about stories about and photos of vintage finds and my sewn creations. I'm writing it together with the hubby. Personal life stuff (for those not yet sick and tired of my never-ending photos of Lilou and Pierre, for example :D) will now be posted at my Facebook account (my personal account, and not the sad, neglected fan page). See you over at <a href="http://frenchobjects.wordpress.com/">French Objects</a> then! It is still very new, I'm still building it, but you can already read a first post, which is about this:</strike><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI70UUt68b5D28s3eO1DjOznI9HP1cFCMJ7t-fdm6XDblE0iYrVMGDA7Sva7arFKyqG7Kxr9DpdpULUDCOFiUJSkHh931A27tQx7UDkPgvJYQVGF-hXEzxcUu6__96ExwGFe3ziMyuUg/s1600/postxmas2011%252C2%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI70UUt68b5D28s3eO1DjOznI9HP1cFCMJ7t-fdm6XDblE0iYrVMGDA7Sva7arFKyqG7Kxr9DpdpULUDCOFiUJSkHh931A27tQx7UDkPgvJYQVGF-hXEzxcUu6__96ExwGFe3ziMyuUg/s400/postxmas2011%252C2%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566799921374493490" border="0" /></a>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-58970760020774832682011-01-17T02:43:00.000-08:002011-01-17T02:54:54.796-08:00Vintage Finds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUNkB44rTkLH67SSl6OxxKKm4BqzoRlgrlTSx-4UDXuZLF2wE2q2N1McLzS1ieJ5IQgzIuL6Na5RG32uhrh-2u3NrEqWChxUlaC96BWNpKRXXFjTn0HIeQEwqbgtZyskp19Lm3vBtLA/s1600/vintagetrumpet%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUNkB44rTkLH67SSl6OxxKKm4BqzoRlgrlTSx-4UDXuZLF2wE2q2N1McLzS1ieJ5IQgzIuL6Na5RG32uhrh-2u3NrEqWChxUlaC96BWNpKRXXFjTn0HIeQEwqbgtZyskp19Lm3vBtLA/s400/vintagetrumpet%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563104991847374546" border="0" /></a>It's grey Monday here in the south of France, but the weekend was all bright sun and blue skies, perfect weather for going to the <span style="font-style: italic;">puces</span> and<span style="font-style: italic;"> brocantes</span>, where we found a lot of the battered, decayed, and falling-apart-but-strangely-beautiful objects that I love. Some of them will be put up for sale at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme">the shop</a> this week, but some I'm keeping, like a box of old natural twine and a rusty old cup:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsSxHqKi0aW2lp6L_GB4uJo6XLaICRnsUuak97jUf_5Qes2GsMiHvxW9auu8mwXy1GMrU6_n17LewuO1f1CxtZI0kK8TiiRZ0XlM_3X-nQMEhUdbYa1BZR6LWG555g5EYqYv8VJp9xA/s1600/vintagestring%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsSxHqKi0aW2lp6L_GB4uJo6XLaICRnsUuak97jUf_5Qes2GsMiHvxW9auu8mwXy1GMrU6_n17LewuO1f1CxtZI0kK8TiiRZ0XlM_3X-nQMEhUdbYa1BZR6LWG555g5EYqYv8VJp9xA/s400/vintagestring%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563105915119005474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBibce-DrqYk5eH_FYrku-btmwyRErPp3az9aHhSrsh-MS7FJkjnGrcp6LvK-vAlgCe0LZzh4YMbKS4b9N-c3c6ncBinpR-tIqs1mK_BRWF_b8oP_VPtXAXzr_rDCJVTYbswCvbynHjA/s1600/vintagecup%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBibce-DrqYk5eH_FYrku-btmwyRErPp3az9aHhSrsh-MS7FJkjnGrcp6LvK-vAlgCe0LZzh4YMbKS4b9N-c3c6ncBinpR-tIqs1mK_BRWF_b8oP_VPtXAXzr_rDCJVTYbswCvbynHjA/s400/vintagecup%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563106213873075058" border="0" /></a>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-401594999742101392011-01-14T05:35:00.000-08:002011-01-14T05:59:05.096-08:00Work and PlayI'm sewing new things, and it feels very good! In the mornings when my husband takes care of Lilou for a couple of hours, I almost run to the mobile home that we have transformed into my work space so I can get at it, that's how excited I am.<br /><br />I've been making pillow cases, table napkins, pincushions, lavender bags (of course!), and even tote bags. All from recycled vintage fabric, washed and mended, and given new life. This is a peek at what it all kind of looks like:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAgEyxAO71Ts-wH5w3Q1pB6EEih12S6IWARXboUPoVfQZRUKwR-W3pin6M8IP5BadUzIeaCo0dhitmgOF46Q_NUO2MHb_xsg06Lx8vS8kkt03t4ebSBdpHmTaqBpkKLyP0BNKrlikaw/s1600/mended%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAgEyxAO71Ts-wH5w3Q1pB6EEih12S6IWARXboUPoVfQZRUKwR-W3pin6M8IP5BadUzIeaCo0dhitmgOF46Q_NUO2MHb_xsg06Lx8vS8kkt03t4ebSBdpHmTaqBpkKLyP0BNKrlikaw/s400/mended%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562036538293741602" border="0" /></a><br />I can remember when the seed for this new collection was planted in my head; it was about seven years ago when my husband unearthed a few of his old jeans from when he was still a teenager. The jeans had been patched and mended all over by my mother-in-law, a French country housewife. I was struck by how it spoke of frugality and of a great respect for the continued usefulness of objects, so different from the throwaway culture that I had been immersed in. Also: I kept thinking that the sewing and patching looked so artistic somehow. I know I kept a piece of one of those old jeans somewhere... I will post a photo as soon as I find it.<br /><br />When I'm not working, I'm forcing myself to go out and go for walks with the little one, despite the often -bad weather. Being cooped up indoors for too long makes me cranky, I find. Here is a photo I took two days ago. In the distance you can see my mobile home work space.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWhhnBRg38jDKu5Q1bHZSmuTZvMBCZr0zaDJ3Qp8HZY-v21bcjUYGSmDVG7FD4gmCyltjcLWXRT6kkH7g0AG5s7mwNJjOcMugqQsK80eP7NGPjKn94NRO_NyF4lunpOe5WeVwR91DpQ/s1600/ons%2527enva%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWhhnBRg38jDKu5Q1bHZSmuTZvMBCZr0zaDJ3Qp8HZY-v21bcjUYGSmDVG7FD4gmCyltjcLWXRT6kkH7g0AG5s7mwNJjOcMugqQsK80eP7NGPjKn94NRO_NyF4lunpOe5WeVwR91DpQ/s400/ons%2527enva%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562038980636094498" border="0" /></a>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-83522505988220610042011-01-07T13:50:00.000-08:002011-01-07T14:08:54.555-08:00Had My Cake and Ate It Too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i_Dsw2FRLlzmb9onPyzQAA4K6fD4KvH7MczpsWw3e2FSTiI-jU_3ES303JEhd4eFY1KGIdcfyjV3tlWDskYtplSnPjTe7nI35MuegkHdGU8S9rmGAUMYTRRC2FJB1xohIiFOe1nFtQ/s1600/bdaycake%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i_Dsw2FRLlzmb9onPyzQAA4K6fD4KvH7MczpsWw3e2FSTiI-jU_3ES303JEhd4eFY1KGIdcfyjV3tlWDskYtplSnPjTe7nI35MuegkHdGU8S9rmGAUMYTRRC2FJB1xohIiFOe1nFtQ/s400/bdaycake%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559567679942235714" border="0" /></a>Yesterday was my birthday. My husband took me out to dinner at a restaurant we've been wanting to try for the longest time while mom-in-law looked after the baby. There were flowers, champagne, a great cake, and gifts to open. I have this thing about my birthdays, you know, something I carry over from childhood, that they never get celebrated because everybody is all celebrated out just after the holidays; so when that beautiful chocolate cake came out of the kitchen complete with those sparkly little candle thingies, I was a very happy girl.<br /><br />Afterwards, I thought about sitting down to write some resolutions, but life is just too intense at the moment. I don't have much quiet time for the kind of thinking resolutions-making demand. So I'll let those go for now, and just live life as it comes.<br /><br />P.S. As I write this, I am working into that cake so that it has gotten much smaller than how it looks in the picture. Burp.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-32159352087437931282011-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:002011-01-05T12:42:42.581-08:00On My Work Table<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo9JW7V0aJAMuEnuM-pAw0ce-wJvpBXCCu24w8GVC4pA4KUGDuRpoGkRrYzwhzQB0nTbOD5Qmc69RgXVK6FqFCpi1CCPPEhnTUSZI2fntfbrfZiLYWRVIXnSNWHteG8Jcacq_Ec80Ug/s1600/ragged%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo9JW7V0aJAMuEnuM-pAw0ce-wJvpBXCCu24w8GVC4pA4KUGDuRpoGkRrYzwhzQB0nTbOD5Qmc69RgXVK6FqFCpi1CCPPEhnTUSZI2fntfbrfZiLYWRVIXnSNWHteG8Jcacq_Ec80Ug/s400/ragged%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558803601214575954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRXOak9_Iwr7ORlNMX2rCze5TgEwOcfNFOyn7vKf91FxGrf62RvLdrairApcUZz5bMcHOU_5a5PyxjtpjbD0tsp5_n9ybUpRAZvkHEZu1HXQtrla591ucHycJLCHnW_FagK3g_kf7Bw/s1600/ragged2%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRXOak9_Iwr7ORlNMX2rCze5TgEwOcfNFOyn7vKf91FxGrf62RvLdrairApcUZz5bMcHOU_5a5PyxjtpjbD0tsp5_n9ybUpRAZvkHEZu1HXQtrla591ucHycJLCHnW_FagK3g_kf7Bw/s400/ragged2%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558805009764345842" border="0" /></a>Ragged edges, vintage white cotton, winter light, a found skeleton key - a peek at what I'm currently up to.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-16414215558730472272011-01-04T06:01:00.000-08:002011-01-04T06:39:18.548-08:00Gardening in WinterI am working on a new collection, which will be ready in February. I am concentrating on making functional pieces, and on using materials found and reclaimed. My goal is to not use anything new in the making of these objects, except for thread. The process is a lot more organic than usual; I have always been drawn to the imperfections and particularities that I find in vintage fabric, a hole or a stain maybe, so I am letting these holes and stains be, leaving them in as part of the finished object.<br /><br />With my head up there in the air, in a creative cloud somewhere, I thought I'd share with you my recent discovery for greening up my interiors these winter months - aerial plants. At a Christmas market, I happened upon a vendor from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montpellier">Montpellier</a> selling them. They're not exactly cheap, from 4€ to 12€ a piece, so I got just three. Then I installed them on dry branches, and hung them up on a white wall. Here is how they look:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkZJ3uI8FfP4OyjiKdzX-Sf0EJTQaQPv3rjIjPKvcgliiDTx361a3Zwmy2AZ6DiOOfGcJYeW_Tu___DtBQL3JpQ5xfqhE-X0S-5NN8mB9LPTLQZXpzLZNZB0xeBMxlRk_2FiLYnj0Kw/s1600/aerialplants1%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkZJ3uI8FfP4OyjiKdzX-Sf0EJTQaQPv3rjIjPKvcgliiDTx361a3Zwmy2AZ6DiOOfGcJYeW_Tu___DtBQL3JpQ5xfqhE-X0S-5NN8mB9LPTLQZXpzLZNZB0xeBMxlRk_2FiLYnj0Kw/s400/aerialplants1%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558336087799043810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ7He_xVkXWKAgG0jNG1Lv9fgq4qeOZgXO7_L6WXVAAPS18MVt30ombilt81cbL-J4xq0LDtiEzW9z4nEZr8SgUQn7MxoeqOgCvkPC9DrZfTkJJ1QKggyDq1ogASWmpFLRwrrFSkeIQ/s1600/aerialplants2%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQ7He_xVkXWKAgG0jNG1Lv9fgq4qeOZgXO7_L6WXVAAPS18MVt30ombilt81cbL-J4xq0LDtiEzW9z4nEZr8SgUQn7MxoeqOgCvkPC9DrZfTkJJ1QKggyDq1ogASWmpFLRwrrFSkeIQ/s400/aerialplants2%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558336027079404914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GYMHnZSEdJRLPpjZXXyGyDsPp41PJYcNOzhMV_vnFEo0UGV4I7avtT9_9UBEc7FCNEriPEVkt0Kl-YkI_sx7PpbXD1fT5dZqI3RhmxssCGolAxsvD50kee7WW8wLAOBp-vkyM8KP6A/s1600/aerialplants3%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GYMHnZSEdJRLPpjZXXyGyDsPp41PJYcNOzhMV_vnFEo0UGV4I7avtT9_9UBEc7FCNEriPEVkt0Kl-YkI_sx7PpbXD1fT5dZqI3RhmxssCGolAxsvD50kee7WW8wLAOBp-vkyM8KP6A/s400/aerialplants3%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558335952309698386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqpwLVJesRmr22BVsNZWBnJlBISv3zryD75RBG4YQC1f87rZdVT_9YELnsJYqwjymjyw5kVODeyYDStR_NRK2b1ksynWOaD6fMEUrjgejNorIFv22IXLpgevrLN7CCazSzPQnjIggEw/s1600/aerialplants%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqpwLVJesRmr22BVsNZWBnJlBISv3zryD75RBG4YQC1f87rZdVT_9YELnsJYqwjymjyw5kVODeyYDStR_NRK2b1ksynWOaD6fMEUrjgejNorIFv22IXLpgevrLN7CCazSzPQnjIggEw/s400/aerialplants%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558340050682376370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLXhqgk-b-8_OnYlTBDTQDVM0gg1zaBBDLybSUiu7UguyM1AgKnd8sfMSw-6EoP9IgcxUX_I0VDAjwzMO7_VmRZbHWqohy1Gp-qvbwgcvp1HQQIP6g4KjSNhNDCYAX2gJ8pCZoElZnQ/s1600/aerialplants5%252Cres.jpg"><br /></a>Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-7587803035727381452010-12-31T17:01:00.000-08:002010-12-31T17:37:42.004-08:00ThankfulThe husband has a very bad cold, the baby has a stomach flu, and I have a fever, not a very good way to end 2010 and start 2011, but still I remind myself to be thankful.<br /><br />Thankful, first of all, for that it is very rare for any of us to get sick -- so this is just us paying our dues to the universe, I tell myself -- and most of all for that 2010 was, all in all, a good year, the year when we concretized certain plans and when we had interesting projects begin.<br /><br />I also tell myself to remember to be thankful simply for that we are together, the three of us; that my husband and I, by happy accident or divine destiny, call it what you will, found each other, and that Lilou, our shared "<span style="font-style: italic;">grand amour</span>" then found us.<br /><br />To welcome the new year in, we had planned to cook up a storm. To fill up shells with cut-up oysters, salmon, and apples; mini glasses with crabs and grapefruit; Asian soup spoons with scallops and litchis, but we didn't have the energy. We then thought abut booking at a restaurant, but it only took us two minutes to decide that that was a very very bad idea. So to celebrate while having to stay cooped up at home away from the partying crowd of healthy people, I cooked us some spicy soup filled with shrimps, clams, and coconut milk, and spiked with lime juice. Nothing can beat it for declogging plugged-up nostrils, I tell you! And after you finish your bowl, you're just <span style="font-style: italic;">thankful</span> that the fire in your throat has ceased and that your eyes have stopped tearing up :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg94FKTO6D3dE2lMAum0PqH_MOBkMFA5Sf4Mh1fJxf5AfqCnPIIeNBSWhEq9q5Kjmo_5TdzZzGh26zcTIX3nyymsd9AQengNQ94oObe0Ebx2QZx7D7HTH87r5KL5eYu0L9Aspv0oOQlQ/s1600/nyevesoup2011%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg94FKTO6D3dE2lMAum0PqH_MOBkMFA5Sf4Mh1fJxf5AfqCnPIIeNBSWhEq9q5Kjmo_5TdzZzGh26zcTIX3nyymsd9AQengNQ94oObe0Ebx2QZx7D7HTH87r5KL5eYu0L9Aspv0oOQlQ/s400/nyevesoup2011%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557020546180130946" border="0" /></a>Happy brand-new year, readers and friends! Remember to hug those you hold near and dear.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-35443207803997396662010-12-27T12:38:00.001-08:002010-12-30T08:58:36.331-08:00Photos of Lilou in a Tutu, on Christmas Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkwPl68-u_oXL_q1fhQLBvFOn9qFy-ukTUcq4d0lkrzC2TGmnGJd53OhKGspWECHAzPpIpqbf5VKydr9xFCKb7NFkCoBd1cG8QnKZaISW7dZMvXutx37jsv_7pkZ8aQ8-K37pP_ixAw/s1600/bluetutu10%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkwPl68-u_oXL_q1fhQLBvFOn9qFy-ukTUcq4d0lkrzC2TGmnGJd53OhKGspWECHAzPpIpqbf5VKydr9xFCKb7NFkCoBd1cG8QnKZaISW7dZMvXutx37jsv_7pkZ8aQ8-K37pP_ixAw/s400/bluetutu10%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555465359679545394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qXLTP0jp4ZjEu_EE9qMy7kX5D580dTaO3ZpFu60o3TzXZkkGIdYLco4-6Urat7Vm98k-_FeJElWup-piiLa27bQI5LquyXZLV1IzaQxZpwbeIFvxV3n9jOhW5W7IlHoAMU18PtHidA/s1600/bluetutu8%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qXLTP0jp4ZjEu_EE9qMy7kX5D580dTaO3ZpFu60o3TzXZkkGIdYLco4-6Urat7Vm98k-_FeJElWup-piiLa27bQI5LquyXZLV1IzaQxZpwbeIFvxV3n9jOhW5W7IlHoAMU18PtHidA/s400/bluetutu8%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555465297214100690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzRM2eA9VVaofowSna0ahi4RRgI2adQ5ZIs_zuYjHD25BFSwzT5dT56Zz6bVZPhWTHCk8dQkMUtBxVcntX9gxDJgmH9Pxu9PSSazDpEDFn_nbORQOhNNmNI9uGj9T15XXm-_OAbAt7Q/s1600/bluetutu2%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzRM2eA9VVaofowSna0ahi4RRgI2adQ5ZIs_zuYjHD25BFSwzT5dT56Zz6bVZPhWTHCk8dQkMUtBxVcntX9gxDJgmH9Pxu9PSSazDpEDFn_nbORQOhNNmNI9uGj9T15XXm-_OAbAt7Q/s400/bluetutu2%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555464392549745554" border="0" /></a><br />And one with Mama who, amidst all the gift-wrapping and Christmas-lunch-entrée-making, dressed all in black because she didn't have time to think of what else to wear!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPtxkVQCwVw5UNWtaTF7ae7Iavl57k8puNRGW7fkV95-umwCODCrCKr6AtR7kRcVc2rsSXtL0RzqA2FKViW72vWqhgVVVC3bHGcsssZfG2dtZueaBEvm4LNLdPf0rA2JRiU0rsrbf9A/s1600/xmas2010%252C22res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPtxkVQCwVw5UNWtaTF7ae7Iavl57k8puNRGW7fkV95-umwCODCrCKr6AtR7kRcVc2rsSXtL0RzqA2FKViW72vWqhgVVVC3bHGcsssZfG2dtZueaBEvm4LNLdPf0rA2JRiU0rsrbf9A/s400/xmas2010%252C22res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556520708202632338" border="0" /></a>I hope that the holidays are treating you nice! Mine is going along just fine.<br /><br />P.S. Lilou's strange haircut courtesy of her Papa who, saying that Lilou looked like a Playmobile toy with her bangs cut straight across, decided that Lilou would look so much better with her ears showing. So he took a pair of scissors... and transformed her from Playmobile character to monk from the Middle Ages. Sigh.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-44877511255200398502010-12-23T16:50:00.000-08:002010-12-23T16:56:59.385-08:00Holiday Sale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTh_WsoBWAQ3FOLfM86yR9IOmJpQbjECTXnFIMDU78R5Y16ideWg6e8dmnPCh3IOXi9Ti8SLBXZbjD8Z4l44KrogdMCo8uNkPbEbLbe-rHESN-A0mwSNa3FC-ntoxVYingBLxOvaV1g/s1600/pjbapples.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTh_WsoBWAQ3FOLfM86yR9IOmJpQbjECTXnFIMDU78R5Y16ideWg6e8dmnPCh3IOXi9Ti8SLBXZbjD8Z4l44KrogdMCo8uNkPbEbLbe-rHESN-A0mwSNa3FC-ntoxVYingBLxOvaV1g/s400/pjbapples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554045946489014866" border="0" /></a>Hi there! I thought you'd like to know that I'm having a little sale over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme">the shop</a> of some vintage goods and overstock of some apples and pears, including a couple of sets of these Peace, Joy, and Bounty Apples from my Autumn-Winter 2010 collection. All holiday-themed pieces will be removed from the shop at year's end, so if you've been eyeing these, it's the time to get them! The sale <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?section_id=6945683">is happening here</a>.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-90913118646248051462010-12-21T13:22:00.001-08:002010-12-21T13:44:24.069-08:00Feels Like Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMVvH_qm4Rh8JBdTv9vxALw-xsx1kC8NzndTup-inIHFu_r6v5G_X2IAGgtu-2ukeTp9cHXCYaQ-bEBYVBHHm32ZhsBbAgu-LExaE3XuM0fXUJJAga3gZR6nxCSImHgmN6uXIKDnblQ/s1600/xmas2010%252C1%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMVvH_qm4Rh8JBdTv9vxALw-xsx1kC8NzndTup-inIHFu_r6v5G_X2IAGgtu-2ukeTp9cHXCYaQ-bEBYVBHHm32ZhsBbAgu-LExaE3XuM0fXUJJAga3gZR6nxCSImHgmN6uXIKDnblQ/s400/xmas2010%252C1%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553252256295999506" border="0" /></a><br />I finally had time to do some Christmas decorating - say yey! After my 16-month-old spring roll made the Christmas tree in one of the village cafés come crashing down (yes, she is that kind of toddler), I decided to skip the tree in the house, and concentrate on decorating in areas high enough that she can't reach.<br /><br />Here's a shot of the fireplace, which we dressed up with the branches I saved from the weeping willow that was felled by a storm this autumn; a bird by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/whileshenaps">Abby Glassenberg</a>, some of my own plush fruits, and cute little animal ornaments made from polymer clay by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartshapedCreations?ref=pr_shop_more">Heartshaped Creations</a>. There are also vintage objects - my collection of vintage white ceramic horses; keys, a pocketwatch, and two miniature copper cups. I'm quite pleased with how it all turned out.<br /><br />I'm excited for Christmas day to come, because then my husband and I get to give out the presents we chose, most of which were made by local artists and artisans. That which I am most excited about is the wooden rocking horse we got spring roll Lilou, who loves riding horses on carousels. The horse she'll be getting is painted white, and looks really pretty. And the box it comes in is bigger than she is! I'll post pictures when the wrapping paper has been cleared away.<br /><br />I hope you're all swinging into the Christmas spirit. It took me time, but I definitely am in a holiday mood now!Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-3491208759065462712010-12-19T11:56:00.000-08:002010-12-19T12:23:39.090-08:00Hello ThereOne of the commandments I live by is "Thou shalt not whine," but I shall have to break it this time to explain why I disappeared so long here on the blog, and permit myself to scream, "November was horrible!!!"<br /><br />The horrible-ness involved the loss of a babysitter, the loss of Internet connection at home for almost three weeks (long story), the loss of electricity for a couple of days (we had our new old house rewired), the loss of hot water for the same number of days (due to the electrician making a mistake in his rewiring), and the crashing of my computer just as November was about to end. All these led to me almost losing my marbles, because it had to happen just when Christmas orders were due, and also when suddenly the vintage goods sections of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme">the shop</a> started doing really really well.<br /><br />Picture me elbow-deep in cardboard boxes packing vintage orders in the mornings, when the husband takes care of the baby, and then sewing up apples, pears, and lavender bags at night, when the house was quiet and everybody was asleep, sometimes until three in the morning!<br /><br />To say that it has been hectic would be an understatement.<br /><br />But now - big sigh of relief here - life is back in order, and we even had time to take a small break last weekend. We stole off for an unplanned little getaway in Marseille, where we happened upon a carousel near the old port, and I snapped this photo of my two loves:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sfLyWqa7DNeCATwQwoXTJKRRK7XSK0xlp504sGg6EB6aEwr7UNvAKZzsTovXhIWaMEFQQ7jMUHmVhy158abvRxmqn-Kj3vdn2A_dRsbcKkiNJ5VzVD8oLL8R6YZg1AaYFYeo8Jm95w/s1600/marseillecarny1%252Cres.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sfLyWqa7DNeCATwQwoXTJKRRK7XSK0xlp504sGg6EB6aEwr7UNvAKZzsTovXhIWaMEFQQ7jMUHmVhy158abvRxmqn-Kj3vdn2A_dRsbcKkiNJ5VzVD8oLL8R6YZg1AaYFYeo8Jm95w/s400/marseillecarny1%252Cres.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552488706618495378" border="0" /></a>I'm back blogging, for real now.<br /><br />Merry Christmas, everyone!Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-8180325960633922010-11-14T01:32:00.000-08:002010-11-14T01:35:44.608-08:00I DisappearedAnd I'm still not here! I am currently stuck in the Middle Ages, with no Internet connection at home (long story). It will be at least a week before things get fixed, so until then, this blog will be sleeping...<br /><br />P.S. To those who joined the giveaway in the post below, I promise to pick a winner as soon as I'm back in modern days and have the Internet humming.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-192659647564403412010-10-25T09:51:00.000-07:002010-10-25T10:01:24.941-07:00Guessing Game Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUll_QYq5SqrSYnTvv_GiM8f01Df_oRi3qz73OPZKopd74lpv1FUAqZpfthsLGLGkuAe-Cp5r52RxIZi3g5uMF8RiQ5YXnJv3YvTyPCWs-uUCLfYK-otdR0aifw0C_s-iqZYI8yA3RA/s1600/perfecscope1res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUll_QYq5SqrSYnTvv_GiM8f01Df_oRi3qz73OPZKopd74lpv1FUAqZpfthsLGLGkuAe-Cp5r52RxIZi3g5uMF8RiQ5YXnJv3YvTyPCWs-uUCLfYK-otdR0aifw0C_s-iqZYI8yA3RA/s400/perfecscope1res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532028971424608962" border="0" /></a>What is this thing I have in my hand?<br /><br />One of the things I absolutely love about vintage-hunting is happening upon some quirky piece of history, which is what happened the other weekend, when I found this old device in the market in Carnon. What do you think it is? And no, this is not yet listed in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme?section_id=7065659">vintage section</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lapomme">the shop</a>, so there are no clues there :D<br /><br />Get researching on Google, or invent an answer, but tell me what you think this machine is and do it quick! I'll pick a random winner by Friday. The winner gets one of my Golden Apples.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGqcRFEuDIxBG69plYU1mABqMzPJ8bg3U4yMxHkJrT734y_mY_PFVVmJnaVo2ljtRNl3I5aBGlixZQTNmoqHIWQ7IgSo-2DJmvLUo4vQyYdyMAeQlvgis1ZV90PbKahthlOZd1v1bmA/s1600/goldtrio1,res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGqcRFEuDIxBG69plYU1mABqMzPJ8bg3U4yMxHkJrT734y_mY_PFVVmJnaVo2ljtRNl3I5aBGlixZQTNmoqHIWQ7IgSo-2DJmvLUo4vQyYdyMAeQlvgis1ZV90PbKahthlOZd1v1bmA/s400/goldtrio1,res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532029148554999330" border="0" /></a> And, you must know by now that I love to laugh, so whoever manages to make me laugh out loud with an invented answer will get a consolation prize. If you can pass the word around about this giveaway, I'll be happy. Thanks!Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7802680042757128813.post-34625766443172048192010-10-21T02:47:00.000-07:002010-10-21T03:23:39.980-07:00Morning Rant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pq5_66d6ouk9t0__uMe4R_qKvqWEEVFwfpzV-ZOhLwF1a2HvS5U4QU5lw7kJ8IdFAQtRcOi5sI6cyvGvQccJj_1mthIJEmtbFBwfAqZsdS7LOm8DxjLQ4Gp1zXzR_LwYP62h4UkGUA/s1600/greenapple1,res.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Pq5_66d6ouk9t0__uMe4R_qKvqWEEVFwfpzV-ZOhLwF1a2HvS5U4QU5lw7kJ8IdFAQtRcOi5sI6cyvGvQccJj_1mthIJEmtbFBwfAqZsdS7LOm8DxjLQ4Gp1zXzR_LwYP62h4UkGUA/s400/greenapple1,res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530437174202501682" border="0" /></a><br />Part of breakfast today was an apple. An apple that I peeled because apples appeared somewhere on a list of "dangerous foods" because apparently they're now sprayed with so much pesticide that we're advised to peel the skin off to reduce the risk of all those horrible things pesticides can do to us. This is a sorry state we're in, isn't it? For doesn't half the joy of eating an apple lie in biting right down on the skin and hearing that <span style="font-style: italic;">ka-rruuunch</span> in your ears as you tear off a piece of the fruit and then chew it (more <span style="font-style: italic;">ka-rruunch</span> here), skin, meat, and all?<br /><br />"Then buy organic," I hear some of you saying. Yes, I do, but this yellow apple variety that I particularly like does not appear in the organic section of my supermarket, only the Granny Apples do, and they are just too tart for me in the mornings (sorry,Granny). I am not going to go ranting and raving here at the food industry and the surreality of the way we humans now nourish ourselves, I am just whining about how I can't have a decent apple in the morning, how I can't eat my apple the way it should be eaten, skin and all.Apolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11523171136455980870noreply@blogger.com1