“Cheers” From Indonesia and More

Hello Friends,

I received a lovely postcard in the mail from a dear blogger friend, Susan (Miss Tea).  She has been visiting her family in Indonesia and is having a wonderful time.  I miss her blog, Tea Diary, and pray that she will be able to join her friends and journal once again very soon.  Miss Deb, from Bee Happy, also received a lovely postcard, so stop by her site, too, and see her lovely card.

(click to enlarge to see the glitter)

I might as well show you some things I’ve been up to.  Nothing to write home about, but enough to keep me out of trouble…col..

I made the above card for a co-worker friend who helps make being ‘there’ a little more bearable.  It’s her birthday, and I accompanied the card with some homemade body dusting powder.  I put it in a very pretty ceramic container but forgot to take a photo. ( The muffins are a combination flour carrot muffin with NO SUGAR added…I’ve been off of processed sugar for 14 days!!!  I’m so proud of myself.  Any future goodies with sugar will be eaten on occasion, but I’ve committed to adjusting to a healthier lifestyle.)

On the other hand, I did remember to take a photo of the powder in this pretty glass container, which I gave to a neighbor who’s been so sweet to share her garden delights with us.

I would love to have the real fluffy, old-fashioned powder puffs, but I think I’ll have to order online for that.  They are almost impossible to find in a store now-a-days.

This body powder was very easy to make, and is so natural that you could eat it, though I wouldn’t recommend it …  Equal parts cornstarch and tapioca starch (flour), and half the amount of baking soda (the baking soda adds a nice deodorant aspect).  Add enough essential oil drops to suit your desired aroma strength (I used Lavender for this powder), and mix.  Sift it through a sifter or mesh strainer, and put it into any pretty container with a lid.  Decorate it as desired.

Or you can funnel it into a shaker.  I used this widowed pepper shaker.  I bought it years ago because I liked the cheery colors and design, but never put anything in it.  Now, with new purpose, it can sprinkle dust instead of collect it.

These dusting powders make perfect gifts, and you can use any essential oils you like.  I prefer the oils because they don’t give me the itchy nose or sneezy felling that store bought  fragrances do…especially the toiletry items.  Or you can leave out the fragrance for a refreshing unscented powder, which I did for my co-worker, as she is sometimes bothered by scents.

You can also add the oils to purified water with a touch of witch hazel or alcohol, and add to a spray bottle for a lovely, refreshing body spray anytime.  I made some with Jasmine essential oil, and it’s divine.

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Dusting Body Powder

1 cup cornstarch
1 cup tapioca starch (flour)
1/2 cup baking soda
approx. 10-15 drops of essential oil
mix ingredients and sift.  The fragrance will enhance as it sits.

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Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.   Until next time may happy days abound!

Marianne

A Little Something Extra

Once in a “blue moon”

We’re having a second full moon this month, which is called a ‘blue moon’.  I took these shots out of the kitchen window.

The Elissa…Part 2

As promised, friends, here is another poem of the grand ship “Elissa”.  For those of you who might have missed my original post on “Elissa”, and more information please see The Elissa…Part 1.

The Tall And Staunch Elissa

When south winds blow and clouds drift by,
And blue as lapis is the sky,
The memory of a ship comes nigh;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

 Her life began back many years
When sailors drank their rum with cheers,
And toasted her through salty tears;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

 She never left a port they say,
Without puffed sails in great display,
Inspiring tales told to this day;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

 Twice under British flag she sailed
From Galveston, and never failed
To leave men waving as they hailed;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

For many years she did her best,
Until at last she laid to rest,
Rusting in a briny nest;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

Then, before a sure demise,
She was found to great surprise.
Now restored – her greatest prize;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

There’s rare alike her; not a mate
Who’s been blessed with such a fate
To once again set sail to date;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.

(If you decide to ever roam
To Galveston where she is home
You’ll see her sailing sea-green foam;
The Tall and Staunch Elissa.)

 

copyright©2008 Marianne Coyne

I hope you enjoyed the poem, and your visit to Leisure Lane.  I hope the Elissa is an inspiration to restoration in your life.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

The above photo is from the Galveston Historical Foundation website.

The Elissa…Part 1

Hello friends,

In 2008 I read an article in a local magazine about an amazing 1877 ship, called the Elissa.  I had heard of the Elissa for quite some time, but when I read the article and saw the gorgeous photo of her accompanying it, something clicked within me, and for the first time, I saw these magnificent ships from the viewpoint of the crew who sailed them, and how easy it was to fall in love with them.

I was inspired to write a poem about her, but there was so much inspiration flowing through me that I had to write two poems to express it all.  I am posting one of the poems here, and will post the other in a few days or so.  Her story is amazing, and after a full restoration, she is now the proud resident of Galveston, Texas.

The Elissa still sails to this day, and brings joy to many.

The Jewel of Galveston

 

Hail to the Elissa!
To her our hats we tip.
Of all the vessels in her class,
A glory of a ship.

She served her crew and countries,
Wherever she did roam,
With loyal mien and hopeful gain
Upon the brackish foam.

Hail to the Elissa!
She sailed the salty seas.
Under British flag she came
To Galveston with ease.

Only twice she blessed its port.
With cotton in her hold
And longing heart it watched her part;
Noble, true, and bold.

Hail to the Elissa!
Tried-and-true was she
To all who knew her countenance,
And loved her tenderly.

Her precious cargo carried she
Never with a fault,
Until a modern age appeared
And caused her life to halt.

Hail to the Elissa!
With tall and stately main,
Where after years of service
Alone in Greece she’d lain;

Until one day they found her;
Men who knew her worth.
They brought her back to Galveston
Where she could have new birth.

Hail to the Elissa!
With masts that reach the sky,
Now proudly waves the Texas flag
Unfurled and flying high.

Among her mates upon the waves
Which crossed horizon’s veil,
Fate has granted her a wish
To once again set sail.

Hail to the Elissa!
The jewel of Galveston.
Our hearts are sailing with thee
Into the setting sun.

 

 copyright©2008 Marianne Coyne

I hope you enjoyed the poem, and your visit to Leisure Lane.  I hope the Elissa is an inspiration to restoration in your life.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

The above photo is from the Galveston Historical Foundation website.

A Friendship Garden

Hello Friends,

I’d like to share a card I made for my dear friend, Karen, in San Antonio, Texas.  I haven’t seen her for quite some years now since she moved.  We talk at least once a week, not as often as we used to, and I miss her very much.  I decided to make her a special card.

The yellow ‘daffodils’ are from a painting sketch I did a while back, and I built up from there.  I wanted it to resemble a garden…she loves gardens.

The tiny bit of left over lace reminded me of a pretty fence.  And I added some three dimensional flowers to give it more texture and dimension.  The little blue butterfly’s wings are actually away from the paper in flight and the flight “tail wind” is made with left over slivers of paper I had trimmed away from another piece of paper.

I liked making the wings flutter with my fingers…It’s the child in me.

Another angle to see the flowers better.  I now wish I had added a bit of glitter to it to add a little sparkle.

The inside.  Oops, I might have forgotten to erase the pencil lines…☺…

“From Seeds of Love…a friendship garden grows”

I hope you enjoyed your visit here at Leisure Lane, and I hope it gave you a chance to relax and breathe in a bit of love and friendship.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

copyright©2012 Marianne Coyne

Inspired by Horton Hatches the Egg

At my job I stand all day…ALL day…and the other day I thought my little feet and legs couldn’t go one more minute.  The story of Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss came to mind, and the following words just started coming out of me.  I quickly jotted them down.

I hope they give you a chuckle and brighten your day.

Marianne Hatches Success…Col

Inspired by Horton hatches an egg…

 

…And she stood, and she stood
‘Till her stand bones were sore.
Then she stood, and she stood
Just a little bit more.

 Then all of a sudden,
Unknowing heaven had plotted,
She got paid lots of money
For the things she had jotted.

 She jumped up for joy.
She danced with a sway.
Quite happy she was,
Quite happy and gay.

 For now she can be
All that heaven had meant her.
For now she had freedom,
And balance to quench her.

 Now she can paint,
And now she can write.
And now she can paint and write just right.

 She can eat when she needs to,
And drink all she can.
She has balance and harmony
In her life once again.

 So never give up.
No, don’t worry or fret.
For heaven’s not nearly done
With you yet.

 And you never know when,
Maybe even tomorrow,
That God will turn you
Happy from sorrow.

And you, too, will be filled
With balance and joy.
Doing the work you were meant to enjoy!

copyright©2012 Marianne Coyne

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  May your new week be bright and prosperous.  And until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

above photo from public domain

Penelope Pumperschnook and Beyond!

Good day, friends…
Welcome to Leisure Lane, where at anytime something exciting can pop up.   I’m delighted to say that I’ve begun to format the first story in my Penelope Pumperschnook series (I just love saying her name).  That is, the size, font, etc. for the book.

Here’s a sample run of the first inside page.

There’s a lot to decide, for example, where I want the illustrations, how many, etc.  Oh, I’d just love for someone who knew what they were doing to handle the publishing part for me, you know, the layout, the format, etc., so I could continue finishing stories and working on illustrations.  But I don’t mind for now.  It’s a way for me to get what I create out to others to enjoy, and THAT’S what it’s all about.

Now for the illustrations.  I sketched out some ideas a while back, and the main idea for the paper doll sheet at the back of the book.  I think it would be so much fun to play with the paper dolls after reading the book.   Each story will have its own set of paper dolls at the end.  Paper Penelope’s wardrobe will match that particular story.  How Fun!!!

Penelope Pumperschnook’s paper doll form sketch

A prototype of the paper doll.

More sketches

Exasperated Penelope figuring out what to do with her extra pile of pink pajamas!

Well, this is what I’ve been up to lately.

I wish I could just finish one thing to completion at a time, but that’s not how inspiration works.  You get an idea about something and you have to go with it when you can.  I haven’t given up on my second novella, so don’t dismay.

Well I’ve got a lot to do, so I better get going.  I’ll keep you posted on it all.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  I always enjoy seeing you.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Penelope Pumperschnook is a copyrighted series by Marianne Coyne 2011

Joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound