"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Last Emperor

I watched this movie again today and was just blown away by it. Bernardo Bertolucci's rendition of Pu Yi, the last emperor of China to the Dragon Throne, is just an incredible film. One of the best films of all time in my book. Ryuichi Sakamoto also wrote the score and won an Academy Award for best music. He also played a part in the movie. The following clip with the Chinese musicians is hauntingly beautiful.


Friday, August 27, 2010

Deep Friday Thoughts

Consider the daffodil. And, while you're doing that, I'll be over here, looking through your stuff.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Deep Friday Thoughts

Before criticizing someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then, when you do criticize them, you will be a mile away and have their shoes.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Mirror


Here is the aforementioned French mirror from the previous post. The palest of blue with white; the old mirror inside in pretty good condition. I walked away, but I still covet.
I am getting all new computer equipment installed today. Don't know if and when I'll be able to figure it all out. I am such a technophobe. So, I'll see ya if and when I do.

Wandering Around My Favorite Store

I went to my favorite store last week in Tulsa to find they had a sale going on. Only, it was the last day (had been going on the month of July). I found a mirror, but left without it and couldn't get it out of my head. More later. I found these French linen panels that had to be at least 14 feet long and loved them. Now, I live on a fifty acre hilltop farm wreathed in oak trees, and don't have one curtain in my house.

But, I am such a nature girl, I just loved these panels; the flora and fauna; the caterpillars and beetles, ferns and fronds.

I dunno.


There were many more things, like this old painted chest with the red japanning inside. But, I still want my mirror. It had been 40% off during the sale. She now would take 20% off. So I walked. It will be one of those things I'll remember.



Friday, August 6, 2010

wuthering heights-Ryuichi sakamoto

I am feeling somewhat guilty for that previous post, so here is a serendipitous find. I think you know I'm a huge fan of Ryuichi Sakamoto and I was happy to come across this score he did for one version of Wuthering Heights. Nevermind that one of my favorite actresses, Juliette Binoche, played Catherine. Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff wasn't too bad either. I can't wait to watch this version. Of course, the score by Sakamoto will make this movie and soundtrack a must have.

How some artists suffer for their work.

Flylashes from Jessica Harrison on Vimeo.

I know, it's ghastly, but I just couldn't look away. If she only knew where those flies have been walking.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

This Man Has the Best Job Ever

Keith Johnson does have the best job ever. He is the head buyer for Anthropologie and travels the world for iconic pieces of art, furniture, textiles and on and on. His show, MAN SHOPS GLOBE, is on Wednesday nights on the Sundance Channel at 9 central time. The things he finds are really incredible, but oftentimes, he shrugs them off (he says he's jaded) till he finds the thing that speaks to him. I love this show. If this clip won't play straight through, you can watch others at youtube. Meanwhile, don't miss tonight's show. It is that good. By the way, just heard Tulsa is getting a new Antropologie store at Utica Square. Yes!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Scent of Heaven

I'll admit it. I love perfume. I wear it everyday. I put in on my bedding (hoping for sweet dreams to come). I must have been a French woman in another life. Yes, I know some people don't like to smell perfume, so they can plug their noses and hurry by. That is, unless I smell a certain scent on someone else and then ugggggg! Nerve gas must smell the same. Nevertheless, I used to wear Chanel 5 in junior high school. Then Shalimar in high school and no, I'm not proud that I wore these, there just weren't very many options in my town. I have tried so many different kinds - read about different essences and perfumers. Alas, the same thing always happens. I shell out the money for a bottle, get home and gag. I can't even let my daughters have it because I don't ever want to smell it again. Then, so many years ago that I can't remember when, I read about Antonia's Flowers in a magazine. A few years passed and I found it in a Texas store. It is my all time favorite. It comes in absoluto, parfum, shower gel, lotion and the most beautiful soap I have ever seen. When I place my yearly order, I have to call the Hampton's store (factory?) and they always say, Oklahoma? Antonia Bellannca (I can't remember how to spell her last name) has been making it and selling it from the Hampton's for a long time. The top note is freesia. She also makes two or three other scents now. One, Tiempe Passatt, is a love song her grandfather wrote for her grandmother. She appears regularly on the Barefoot Contessa, with Ina Garten, on the Food Network. Ina has even showcased her products in her own home. I wish you could smell it. Perfume Nirvana. Oh, yes, the other scent I wear, is a lotion. Every time I wear it, men and women stop me and ask what fragrance I am wearing. It is Clinique's Aromatics lotion. The perfume is much too strong.