New on the Gypsy!

Just a quick head's up, in case you haven't noticed it already!

On my black menu bar underneath my blog banner, I have added a link to Cork Poppers posts. For those new to the Gypsy, Cork Poppers is the wine group I happily attend every couple of months.We taste a variety of wines from all over the world and eat well, too! And the table decorations aren't so bad either!

In the Cork Popper posts you'll find our regular cast of characters (and some really are characters!). We aren't wine experts -- we just want to learn a little more about wine and enjoy tasting and finding new favorites. We taste six or seven wines each session -- usually with a regional theme but occasionally it will be something like "Wines for Thanksgiving" or "Wine for a Summer Night."

I decided to put the page up, partly because I was having trouble finding my own posts and I wanted to refer back to them when heading to the store! I thought maybe it would help others new to the Gypsy or who, like me, just wanted to remember something from long ago

Posts are listed by category (French, German, Italian, etc.) with links to the original post. Each post includes a photo of the wine bottle and the price at the time of the post. Bear in mind that a great 2010 vintage from one winery, for example, might not be as great in 2014! And it may be more expensive as economies fluctuate.

But they can give you an idea of what our wacky group thinks and if you're ever short of wine ideas, it's a spot to start!

Check it out if you enjoy wine! And cheers!

Easter Week

Before we get too far away from the holiday I thought I'd do a quick recap of Easter Week, which was filled with music, eggs, flowers, food and family!

 

We started with a trip to Detroit to hear the Detroit Symphony -- a wonderful concert of Schumann, Mozart and a couple others I can't remember without looking them up. Being in this magnificent space never ceases to make me smile and admire the beautiful restoration of Max Fisher Hall.

 

A few days later it was off to Southern Exposure for my forsythia wreath workshop -- more on that in another post!.

The next day, Good Friday, was Macaron Day! A year ago, my friend Kate and I made French macarons shortly before Easter (see this post) so we decided on an encore! It went much smoother this year and lots faster. I piped a few minis in raspberry but the greenish ones with lemon filling were full sized and perfect!



A few hours later, Rick was making pizza and friends Mark and Jan came for our annual egg dying and "Life of Brian" viewing.



This year I took a few notes from Rick's book and dyed some raw ones too. I learned (as I was making deviled eggs on Sunday) that next year I need to put them in two separate and well marked cartons, as I ended up with a couple of raw eggs sitting in a container in the fridge waiting for an omelet!

Easter Saturday means go Horrock's, our wonderful market with great veggies and flowers. They have things I have no idea how to cook -- a "Chopped" episode waiting to happen!



But the flowers were fabulous! I bought a hydrangea with eight blooms that I hope to keep alive till planting time and all sorts of lovelies for the house.



Easter Day started with the perfect breakfast -- French toast from Rick's challah bread.

A bit later, I got to enjoy the fun as my neighbors had the annual garden egg hunt for their grandchildren.



There were a lot of eggs hidden out there, even in the trees!

 

With all these so brightly placed, I'm surprised Bushy the Squirrel didn't decide to go for the eggs instead of the bird food. He was caught in the act!

Easter dinner brought the tribe home. Kevin and Molly have just made an offer on a house. Greg finally sold his super-sized chalk Faberge eggs and is nearly finished with a new restaurant mural in the Detroit suburb of Birmingham and has a summer job and all is right with the world.



There is a great joy in sitting around the table long after dessert is done discussing grown up subjects with grown up kids. They have opinions -- they always have. But now they know how to talk about those opinions. To make a case. You may or may not agree with it, yet the discussion is lively and fun.

 

Some weeks just are the way you want them to be.

This was one of them.

Shopping at Southern Exposure

I can't resist the gift shop at Southern Exposure. I just can't. Don't need a thing -- doesn't matter!

On my first visit I ended up with some pretty silk hydrangeas and small painted bushel-style baskets that went together like a dream. And, I admired that cotton wreath. Maybe someday.

The lavender was lovely. I fear my Garden Warrior did a number on my own lavender last year. I may have a cleaner garden look but I lost a lot of blooms. So this dried lavender display was a gentle reminder to get new plants this year!

And if I had the right setting, I'd hang up a bicycle in a minute!

I'm a sucker for bird cages. I have a few so I passed these up. Reluctantly!

And these lamps I also showed in my previous post have such a warm feeling!

Of course, who could not admire this mannequin -- and her Scarlett O'Hara-sized waist. (Maybe in this contemporary period, I should refer to Lily James' Cinderella waist and all its recent press!)

Everywhere you look, the view dazzles! Yes, one takes a little extra time here!

What didn't I buy? (Yet.) Well, these sunshine-on-a-stick garden pieces have been in my mind for the past week or so.

And after all, I'm headed back there at least twice more this spring! Stay tuned!

Easter on the Art Table

I finally finished some Easter cards to take to Creative Wellness, so I share them with you with my Happy Easter Greetings!

 
Some of you may recognize some of the shared art over time. Other bits are from my postcard collection.

And, I also finished a special order of butterflies and made a few extras to take to CW.

 

Linda, your package is on the way! (Or perhaps even arrived!)

Our cancer screening was a big success and I'm wrapping on that one and working on another screening for mid-April. I have to say I'll be relieved when all is done. A spring cold has been nagging at me, meaning bumpy nights and late lay-ins to make up for lost sleep. I'm longing for time at the art table, time to cook, time to play and yes, more at Southern Exposure.

By the time this posts, I will have been to a second workshop and another mid-April. They energize me.

I will share our "Shopping at Southern Exposure" adventure soon! You'll love this spot!

Meanwhile, a Happy Easter to those who celebrate that holiday; Passover wishes to my Jewish friends and to those who just love spring, a happy spring goes without saying!