In Which We Celebrate Caroline's Birthday, And Maybe Teacups

Caroline's Birthday was earlier this month, and since we haven't seen much of each other since my birthday we tried to organize a meet-up.  It was difficult, and even though it happened a week and a half after, we did it!  This is the reason why I'm doing this post today and not Friday.

We met yesterday morning, downtown in our hometown.  It's been a little dead in that area in the past few years, but there are still some good little treasures down there.  We went in a consignment shop and a "high-end antique store." (This is what I'm calling it, because it just looked expensive.)  My favorite place we visited, though, was Rowand's.  It's an antique mall that's been around for many years, and I've always enjoyed visiting it.

We dressed Mori Girl for the day.  The theme was Woodland Creatures, but we only followed it loosely because neither of us really have anything animal-like.  We both ended up in dark Mori, coincidentally.  Caroline wore a fox pin for the theme and I dressed in black and grey and called myself a wolf.

 

My Camera was making everything blue before I fixed it.  Skirt from Old Navy.  Black sweater from JC Penney.  Belt from Kohl's.  Necklace made by me.  Everything else is thrifted.

I love her velvet skirt! VELVET!

The ladies at Rowand's were preparing for the upcoming Olustee Festival, which is the biggest event of the year for Lake City.  It's a festival commemorating the Battle of Olustee, the biggest Civil War battle in Florida.  There will be tons of vendors selling things, battle reenactments, people wearing Civil War costumes, a beauty pageant, and a fun run.  People come from all over the country to be in the reenactment.  At Rowand's they were decorating the big front display windows with props and clothing.  There was a beautiful crinoline period dress in the display, and Caroline and I both agreed that we would totally wear it.  I just wish the glare on the glass hadn't made the pictures so awful.

Isn't it lovely?

We spent a while perusing the place.  There were teacups galore, and I wanted every single one of them.  I nearly bought one, but I restrained myself.  Instead I just took pictures of every one I saw.  There were so many that I think I'll just show you some of my favorites.

I love the design on this one. 

I almost bought this one because it was only $9. 

This was one of the most beautiful teacups I saw. 

I really loved the one on the bottom left. 

 

This was probably the most unique one in the store. 

I almost missed this one hiding in a case. 

Loving the dogwood print. 

These were so cute and tiny! 

See, look how tiny it is compared to my hand!

There were plenty of other things to see there too.  There was a collection of Civil war clothing upstairs that I totally forgot to photograph.  Special me.

There were a lot of little figurines of children doing strange things.

I think this child is feeding a squirrel. And her friend is practicing his karate chop.

I don't know what they're picking. 

Or what's going on here. 

That girl on the right looks like she's about to fall asleep. But her outfit is cute.

The girl on the right has such big eyes it's creepy.  And the other girl has tied grapes to the gift she's carrying.

Downstairs there was a section that had glass cases filled and topped with jewelry and other smallish things.

 

There was a whole section of pipes. 

And this cool horn. 

 

I loved this bowl of old photos.  We found some Mori Girls in there. 

I also loved this collection of cameos.  I need more brooches. 

The one in the center with the three girls was my favorite. 

 

 

I also want a pocket watch. 

 

 

I really liked this scarf clip, which I first thought was a brooch.  I ended up buying it later on.

Caroline loved this doll, but I thought she was creepy.

Along with this wall of masks. 

And this clown.

 The creepy clown was guarding this beautiful lace bonnet.

And these curtains. 

And this awesome antique sewing machine.

There were a couple of old baby carriages.  Caroline really wanted to buy the dolls in this one. 

This one ad a funny little umbrella on it. 

I wanted these teapots that I almost missed.

 

 

Apparently this place is for all your Rococo needs. (For your inner Lolita)

This mirror was so ornate. 

I really want a silver tea set. 

I think this was supposed to be a fox. 

I'm pretty sure this was a bell.  I just wanted it because it's pretty and there's German on it.

A picture of a Shirley Temple doll printed on a plate.  I don't know who would buy this. 

 

I would put these prints in my Mori Girl house. 

A view as we were going upstairs. 

I wanted to buy this collar but it didn't have a closure and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get it over my head.

We both wanted this pretty chair. 

I loved this bag.  It was in such good condition.  I did need a brown purse.  I bought it.

While I ended up buying the purse and the scarf clip Caroline bought a beautiful dickey that had a pretty collar.  Later we went to lunch at Applebee's and had frozen yogurt at Mochi.  Some people there stared at us, but the Rowand's ladies had been so nice to us that we didn't care.  After that we perused the many thrift stores that Lake City has.  Caroline didn't buy anything but I found a couple of patterns that I can't wait to sew on.  They were vintage and only a quarter each.  It was a really great day and I can't wait to do it again.  Caroline is going to try to come back for the Olustee Festival and we might try to be Lolitas!  In the mean time I'll dream about all those teacups at Rowand's.

The Short Story of It

In the not-so-distant past I wasn't really into short stories, but I think that's because I was forced to read really awful, boring ones in school.  In my creative writing classes I came to know short stories very differently, because writing them myself (or with friends) meant controlling how awesome they were.  And then I began to come across collections of short stories that I actually liked.  They tended to be unique and sometimes very fairytale-like.  Now I own several short story collections.

My favorite short story authors right now are Shaun Tan and Emily Carroll.  Shaun Tan is the author of Tales From Outer Suburbia.  I first borrowed the book from the library, and then immediately put it on my Christmas list.  The stories remind me of the things Caroline and I write, and they are all very read-aloud worthy.  That's one of the ways I know a story is really good.  Tan also illustrates his stories, which makes them even better.


Cover


Illustration from "Eric"


Illustration from "The Water Buffalo"


Illustration from "Wake"


The most recent author I've come to like is Emily Carroll.  Caroline introduced me to her work last summer during one of our late-night internet parties.  Like Shaun Tan, she also illustrates her work, but Carroll's technique of storytelling is far different.  She employs a more graphic-novel-like approach, which I hope to try with one of my stories very soon.  Caroline gave me her book, Through the Woods, as a graduation present, and I was too excited about it.  While it only contains five stories it's more than twice as thick as my Shaun Tan book, which contains fifteen stories.  Carroll's stories are far darker than Tan's as well.  I noticed that as the book progressed they seemed to get darker.  They make my mind really think: every time I reread I imagine a different reason for the events.


Cover


Illustrations from "Our Neighbor's House"


"Illustrations from "A Lady's Hands are Cold"


Illustrations from "My Friend Janna"

Emily Carroll has many more stories on her website, emcarroll.com.  My favorite story of hers is called "His Face All Red," which can be found in her book and on her website.  You can click here to go directly to that story.

I really hope to work on a story inspired by Emily Carroll's technique this year, even if it's just in my spare time.  I'm really excited about my writing, art, and book-making all coming together.  Big things are coming this year, I can feel it.

Rising from the Dead

My first "resolution" of the year is to claw my way out of the darkness and back onto this blog.  I haven't written anything in months (since I graduated, actually), mostly because there hasn't been that much to write about, but also because I've been a little busy.  I'm going to try to write way more often, even if it's just about dumb things, or a silly poem.  I miss writing for my handful of peoples.

My second "resolution" is to get rid of one piece of clothing for every one I buy or receive as a gift.  So far it's working out judging by the yard sale stack beside my door.

This week I can't think of anything philosophical to write, so I'll just talk about what I've been doing.  In September I started babysitting my nephew a few days a week.  I didn't have a job and my sister needed to get things done, so, you know.  I still haven't found a job and I'm still sitting him, but it's fun.  Since he's starting to talk he says all sorts of entertaining things, like butt, rama(llama), wat(water), and doggy.  He calls me Keet.

Since I haven't been working I've been a maid/sous chef/gardener/happily-endentured servant to my mother.  She gives me a list of things she needs done during the day and I do them.  She has to make a list because I'm notorious for forgetting things.  I am my mother's daughter, after all.  She's never made me do anything too bad, at least not compared to changing a mushy poopy diaper with curds in it.

I've also been crafting and arting and sewing, all kinds of creative things!  I turned a skirt into a dress, sewed a whole entire dress, and even made books for Christmas presents.  Currently I'm crocheting a ridiculously huge scarf.  I have so many things on my list that I need to do.  It's ridiculous.

This is the dress I made.  My mom helped me because I'm no master sewer, but I'm trying to get better.  I made it for my birthday "party," which consisted of Caroline and I drinking tea and watching movies.  We also made cookies and and read our tea leaves, which is never boring.  The dress is supposed to be regency style, and we made it by altering a pattern for a 90's dress.  The pictures of the dress and the tea were taken by Caroline.

We used my mom's glass teapot and drank our vanilla rose tea out of teacups from my collection.

Speaking of my teacup collection, do you remember this?

Since the post where I announced my plans to collect teacups, my collection has exploded!  Not too long ago I passed the 50 mark, and my grand total as of today is 61!

Some with saucers.

Some more with saucers, and me photobombing.

These are above my TV.

And these flank it.

They also fill the shelves above my desk.

This one lives with the miscellaneous things atop my bookshelf.  Yes, that is an Alpaca with ear-warmers on.

And this one keeps the books company.

This mini cup lives on my night stand with the scentsy.  I sometimes put hair ties and bobby pins in it.

I even have them below the TV.

These guys don't have a home yet.  I'm still in the process of putting up more shelving.  The one in the middle I've had for a while, and the one to the right I got for Christmas from my cousin and her husband.  The ones in the back came from my aunt's free yard sale.

This is my current everyday cup.  I'll use it for my morning tea, or any tea, until I feel like switching it up.  It lives in the kitchen with my mom's rooster paraphernalia.

I got these two today from some thrift shops.  The one on the right makes my fourth wheat themed cup.

My mom gave me these for Christmas.  Today.  I still love her.

As always, Christmas was one get together after another.  My favorite is always when we go to Panama City and have Christmas at my grandma's house.  We play this never-ending game where people steal gifts from each other.  I came away with a gingerbread house cookie jar that I'll use one day when I have my own home.  We also gorge ourselves on finger food and home-made cookies.  I ate so much, and I don't care what you think of me for it...he he!  We stayed for a week, and partied till out pants didn't fit.

I stayed with my Auntie Jewel, who shares my love of tea and pretty things.  Her spare room was finally finished and it was beautiful!  The window had frilly white curtains and was flanked by two ceiling-high bookshelves stuffed with books!  AHHHH!  There was even a little cushy chair and table beneath the window to sit and read!  There's only one sentence in this paragraph that isn't excited!

We shopped and played games, of course.  And ate.  My favorite game was Quelf.  It's the most ridiculous game I've ever played.  At one point I had to spending most of the game talking like a pirate, much to the enjoyment of all.  I called everyone lass, threatened to run people through, and started every sentence with "Aye!"  My mom said I sounded Scottish.

For New Years my parents and I spent the night creeping around the house because my nephew was sleeping over.  I drew all evening and then went to bed when my computer rang in the new year, amidst all the rednecks shooting their guns outside.

This has been my post-college life so far.  I don't know how it could get better than this.

Magnanimous Coolata

I write this on the eve of battle.

Tomorrow I end an old season of my life and start a new one.  I'm so scared that I probably won't be able to sleep much tonight.  Six years ago I was in this same situation, but I felt like I could see so much farther into what my life could be.  Of course, I never believed it would bring me through some of the things it has.  Even though I'm so much more scared than I was then, the future looks more promising than I could have ever hoped.  I can't help but have faith in that.

But I know that it's also going to be hard.  The field of work I want to go into isn't an easy mountain to climb and comes with a landslide of rejection, something that I've never taken well.  I guess it's because I love my work and I want other people to love it too.  It's strange, and something I've never understood, that God would give this kind of gift and this kind of dream to a sensitive and introverted person like me.

After 18 years of nothing but school I'm standing in a strange place.  I've heard advice to go to grad school immediately and I've heard advice to wait a bit, but for now I have no desire to go back to school and I don't feel any pull from God to keep going right now.  And yet, even though I'm pretty tired of classes day after day, such an abrupt end to something so familiar is frightening.  But most unknowns are.  So if you'll excuse me, I need to go buff up my armor.