Close-up perspective

Still on the same day........... More to come tomorrow.
About the Rowers!!!!!!

Hi Renotta and other BB friends

Still getting used to the unstructured nature of Blogger where I can't seem to place photos where I want them to be. Hopefully I will get better at it, but technology, wonderful though it is by allowing us Babyboomer women to connect, actually brings me out in a rash.

I adore these unfurling ferns, and the lichen on our native sandstone. If I was still weaving, these photos would provide a fabulous starting point. (I still have my loom - that is the good news - the bad news is that because of the necessity to downsize, it is in storage- perhaps the body corp will allow us to go 'UP').

'Unfurling' is a good starting point or 'emerging' . "Clara is an emerging blogger. She will 'evolve more structure over time." In the meantime, my 'inner dragonfly' is in full flight - changing direction at will.

Babyboomer women, I believe, deserve to indulge this creative part of themselves and to use our time exactly as we feel like, rather than what we feel we 'should' be doing. If we can't do this now, I question when we ever will. I am now 'jealous', not quite the right word; 'protective' of my creative time, is better. Women, have traditionally give away their time, freely, with love, and have received love and satisfaction for this as we are hardwired to nuture our young, just as men are hardwired to propagate the species. We are happy about putting others first. But not quite. Now is our time, my fellow COGS - (Crazy ole Gals)!

Love Clara

"One women's success can only help another women's success"

Turquoise Trail

February 21st

Loom Knit Shrug with Scarf

Hi Renotta and other Babyboomer friends

It is so amazing to be able to communicate and share our lives in this way. Women thrive on connections and are lost without them.
Wisdom of the day (from my desk calendar), "I've always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success."..... Gloria Vanderbilt

I actually feel sad for some men / women who believe that 'winning' is the most important aspect of an exercise.

Turquoise is a colour which in its various hues, suits most women. However, as we get older (and better), I/we tend to soften the hue. In summer, I take the lighter tint, and love the combination with white.

I look at my wardrobe with a half closed eye (G would say that is the only way to view it!) and the colours and hues that I have chosen, reflect the colour range of a 'Summer'. I haven't consciously chosen those, even though I had my colours 'done' a few decades ago. I just seem to know now when I feel and look good. There are mistakes but thanks to Vinies (do you have a recycle charity shop such as this - called St Vincent De Pauls?) I can discard without guilt, knowing that I am helping others.

Love Clara

A walk around Sydney

Hi Renotta and other friends
Still luring you to this part of the world. I am going to send you a heap of photos today - the reason being that, even they are probably not my best photos of the area, but were all taken yesterday which will demonstrate the incredible beauty of the area. Just as I am amazed at how you can come up with such beautiful, creative pieces every day, I want to amaze you.

These are the big picture photos, the closeups will follow tomorrow.

Thanks for saving the photos next to yours - that is very special.

Love C

Cremorne Point Walk pathway.

Cremorne Reserve stretches around the entire shoreline of Cremorne Point in a mix of bush and formal gardens, providing unrivalled public access to the harbour shores. It is a special reserve with a fascinating history in a spectacular environment

In one direction, Mosman Rowers Club - a great spot for a meal or a casual counter lunch/dinner and drink. Either return along the same path or take a 10 minute ferry trip from Mosman Bay back to Cremorne Point. (more to come about 'The Rowers'! We did have a drink there yesterday but I will save those photos for another day when I tell you why I didn't take G there when I first met him.)

If you choose to walk right along the path you follow Sydney Harbour foreshore to the lighthouse on the tip of The Point. You can then follow the path along the western side of The Point which offers superb views of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and city skyline. During the day and at night it's a wonderful sight - don't forget your camera!

Discovery and appreciation are the key elements of this wonderful loop walk. The interpretative signs will help you to discover something of its original Aboriginal inhabitants, the early Cremorne Gardens, the fine architectural heritage, the impact of development on the Reserve's flora and fauna and the work being done to bring back the bMosmanush.

A Walk Around the Block in Mosman - Sirius Cove

Sirius Cove

A dog's paradise shared with the occasional human
- the perfect place to leap through tiny waves, chase fellow canines and return the inevitable sticks to owners.

Early morning walkers turn their heads, still keeping up the pace, to breathe in the everchanging beauty of the safe harbour haven. Dancing ripples reflect from moored vessels in the foreground, and beyond larger ships and ferries glide across the bay.

Bushland, dotted with fortunate residences, fringes the bay while in the distance, city highrise and smog remind the viewer of the world of commerce.

Behind the nestling cove are the 'steps from hell' to return the walker to suburbia and reality.

Clara 1990's

Hi Renotta and other friends,

This is where I went the other day, with my trusty camera, when I decided to skip the gym. I'm showing you these for several reasons - the main one being to lure you over here in 2012. We are going to France next year but in 2012 it would be great to visit you, catch up, have a glass or two of wine in your studio, get to know your dogs, visit the lake cabin, then send you two off to stay in our place in Mosman, while we look after the dogs. Good plan?

The other reason is that I am in the beginning stages of writing a book about Mosman - probably will be an E Book or at least will start out that way. I am taking photos of this beautiful historic area - not quite sure how it will be arranged but as with our cogging, the process will evolve from the beginning the action.

Must go - my poor husband says I lose myself on my computer - (a bit like he does in his Sydney Morning Herald which is a huge paper both in size and volume, which he reads from cover to cover). We are going to go for a walk around Cremorne Point, then to stop for a drink at my old haunt 'The Rowers'.

Love Clara

'Best in Snow' but 'Fine in Sydney'

http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/

Best in Snow February 20th

Loom Knit Continuous Scarf

Necklace of quartz and glass

Hi Renotta and other friends

Who's your friend? Divine scarf - this design would be ideal for Sydney in summer when the weather can be hot but can be cool down at night so a little 'shrug' is great. It also covers the dreaded upper arms while still allowing some decotalage to show. The neck piece would be very flattering as well.

It looks as though some of the snow has melted. A few memories came flooding back - tulips pushing their way through the snow in spring. No wonder they are such a revered flower, not only for their colour but because they herald the onset of spring and bring hope that the long winter will be over soon. What about ' renaissance' for a starting point.

January and February are the months of high humidity here and most people are happy when their energy returns with cooler weather.

Keep warm and be careful around the creek.
Love Clara


Have your say - click on comments to see what others are saying, add your own comment.
Join us and become a 'COG' - (crazy old gal).
clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au

Everything Old is New Again - I love collars

Every day I am going to make something and post it on my blog.....Renotta

The Fool's Gold piece was actually under water in our creek. I creeked down to the creek to photograph it. I could just picture myself and my camera going into the water. Tomorrow I plan to stay high and dry.
Fool's Gold Feb 19
Pearls, stones, chains & pyrite (Fool's Gold).



Hi R and other friends

I love the combining of different elements in this piece.

We have been designing and embracing eclectic combinations with great success - an interesting piece can make a real statement, especially when the outfit is simple in design.

Actually when you look back at women's fashion, other decades have done this eg the 1920's. I went to a fabulous Great Gatsby 60th recently - loved the jewelry and beautiful fashion. We all looked wonderful.

'Everything old is new again' is a fine motto for Cogs (Crazy Old Gals) with the creative spirit renewing our engagement in life, now that we have time to ourselves.



Is this the jacket?
Sample Jacket with collar (1978) on Rosemary Bush (He He!)

Created at the Niddy Noddy, your weaving studio, where I learnt how to weave and create loom shaped garments. Life got in the way for me on that path where single parenting left little time for creativity. I needed to support myself and the children so went back teaching. I did however, have a little cottage silkscreening business called Gumnut Prints. More later.


Getting back to collars - I love them! They flatter the Babyboomer woman with their camouflage / framing features. Carla Zampati has done some lovely collars of late as has Country Road where pleating and gathering add extra interest.

Join us and become a COG. It would be great to hear your ideas.


Love Clara







Have your say - click on 'comment' below and just write.

Creative Retirement - Be Like Water and Flow

http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/

Investigate Feb 18
Loom Knit Vest with Scarf

Hi Renotta.
Thanks for the photos of your studio - it's wonderful to have a "room of your own" - to create your beautiful pieces. Can I post them?
I reread my cog from yesterday - I have decided to just 'Be like water and flow' and see where it leads me. The great thing is that there are no real rules for cogging unless we make them so perhaps this could be the first non-rule.

Creative Retirement could be just that - to throw away the need to follow any particular direction and do what makes you happy. So instead of going to the gym, I think I will go for a walk around the block and take photos - it is a sparkling day - and besides there is a council cleanup and you never know what you will find. I may have something interesting to show you tomorrow.

Love C

ps Be like water and flow could be a good starting point.

If you would like to have your say, click on comments

Hi Renotta
How do you do it? I am in total awe.

We have similar trees in the high country - Mt Kosciosko - which is not so high - paperbark gums.

.
Loom Knit Sweater and Scarf Feb 17

I spent my day attempting to sort out all the stuff I collect from the paper editorials.
The energy around my creativity at the moment, is in ideas, writing and photography. I understand that my blog lacks direction and structure - however I need to just blog in order to find direction.

I would love to see a photo of your studio - where you create these amazing pieces.
Love C

Lovely Hubby Meal - Welcome to the Bible of Italian Brides/Husbands

Hi there BB foodies
The Bible of Authentic Italian Cooking - titled "The Silver Spoon" is my darling's bible. It has been published in Italian by Editoriale Domus as Il Cucchiaio d'argento 1950 - then first published in English in 2005. It has transformed him (along with inspiring years of his loving wife's cooking) from a good breakfast cook, pre marriage ie great stuffed mushrooms following last night's Hot Tub, as well as being an experienced Microwave Master, to someone who cooked a meal tonight to die for. Like most recipes from the bible it has fabulous taste, due to the old Italian way of cooking simple food with ultimate flavour.
Here it is -
Roast Pork with Apples
Arrosto con le mele
1-kg loin of pork
2 tbsp olive oil
12 fl oz (good slurp) red wine
6 fl oz vegetable stock
4 cloves - this is what made the difference
1/2 tbsp mustard
2 tbsp sugar
Ground pepper/ salt
2 green apples cored and cubed

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Lightly salt meat with S & P, roll and tie with kitchen string.
Heat oil in pan and sear meat until browned. Meanwhile, pour wine and stock into another pan, add cloves, mustard, sugar and peppercorns/salt and bring to the boil.

Transfer pork to an ovenproof dish, surround with apples and pour over wine mixture - cover with foil - lower temperature to 180C or 360F, and cook in oven for 45 mins.
pork
Remove apples and press down with a spoon - cook over high heat until caramelized.
Serve over carved pork.


Very flavoursome - Lovely to come home to - Thanks Darling

Investing in Talent and Energy

"Every day I am going to make something and post it on my blog....." Renotta

If you think this is too amazing, it is,....... but it's true! ...Clara




"In Vest" February 16
Loom Knit Vest with Lace Flower

Hi Renotta
You invest so much talent and energy, it needs to be out there on the ' Big Exhibition in Cyberspace'.

Must go as my valentine is cooking dinner tonight - don't know what but it smells goooood.

Love C
ps - Love the description - check yesterday's comments

http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/

Hi Renotta

I'm doing some "cogging" - our term, derived from Co-blogging - I love it.
I can be a cog in your wheel and you in mine. Win/win, with the amazing ability to catch up on those 30 years we missed.
COG - Part of a gear that puts things in motion - moves forward.
The Next Step - We'll stir up the future" COGGING!

"I'm going to make something every day for a year and post it on my blog"..... Renotta






"Take Flight" Feb 14





"On the Rocks" Feb 15










I love the contrast of your natural creations which are soft and warm, with the frigid, hard background (as only Wisconsin can do it). The creative spirit transcends the harsh reality.

As you say, "It's turning into an interesting exercise with the photo and caption taking over from the work sometimes" - Perhaps there doesn't have to be a new creation every day but a creative photo relating your work to the harsh environment. This is what I love about the creative process - it keeps changing.


How about "Forever Young", "Creative Spirit", "Cogging", "Photorealism" for starting points.
Love Clara

The Creative Spirit is Forever Young

Tree Line / Snow Angel / My Valentine Flowers

"The heart is what matters most of all."
Kris Kristofferson

Hi Renotta
You are amazing! These pieces are beautiful as is the photography. I'm worried that you will wear yourself out. Perhaps you should stop for the weekends.

I would love to see a short description of the works ie process, material etc.

Thanks so much for your cogging - most of my friends think I'm a little crazy!
I looked up cognition - good word - "the process or act of knowing - perception" - it has an anagram - "incognito". Can you use it in a sentence? I haven't been able to yet. It has relevance to the creative process, which is what I believe keeps us young in spirit. The body may age but the spirit is forever young when you are creating.


Happy Valentines Day - my lovely husband gave me these beautiful Lizzies this morning.
A little philosophy, for the occasion, from Chuck Close, known for his photorealism technique of breaking photographs into a grid and enlarging the contents by hand. I would rather like to have a go at that sometime. Like you, I love my camera - I dabble in photoshop, and have also been known to use that lil ol' healin' tool.


Chuck says " A person's face is a kind of road map of the life they have led" Not so sure I like that part (Photoshop) but his perceptions on marriage are interesting - "Damned if I know what makes a marriage work. I have been married for forty years, and it's not one marriage. By then you've had four or five totally different marriages. You hope you evolve in similar ways, have compatible ways, and that you now have a new reason to be with somebody. But they're going to be different from the previous reasons to be with them."


I admire people who have been married for that long and who have evolved together. Nothing wrong with his creative spirit either. He is wheelchair bound now but still paints with a paintbrush strapped to his hand.

Happy creating.

Love Clara

Couscous Salad with Olives and Toasted Almonds

Hi There
Still on the Moroccan theme - last night's dinner party was delicious. I still have some left overs which will be great for lunch.

Couscous with Almonds and Olives
My authentic Moroccan book tells me that couscous is the most typical national Moroccan dish where the skilfully rolled semolina is the basis of several spicy dishes as well as hot and sweet ones.

Do you know that it is actually rolled semolina which in Morocco, is often done by hand? The grains are rolled literally in the palm of the cook's hand. The cooking process is complicated and time consuming so it is best to stick with the packet variety which is actually precooked.
It should be fine, regular, separate and never sticky. After you have poured the boiling stock over the grain (one cup for one cup of grain) stir once or twice, then set aside for 10 mins so the couscous can absorb the liquid, then fluff up with a fork.

Anything goes with this versatile dish - in a tasty tagine of fish, meat, poultry or vegetables or as a side dish such as the following Couscous Salad with Olives and Almonds. Once you get the idea, you will find your own unique combination but when in doubt throw in some olives, almonds or cashew nuts, preserved lemon and coriander. Pumpkin is another favourite, as are chickpeas, and raisins or sultanas add a touch of sweetness. Saffron is often added for colour and subtle aroma


Couscous Salad with Olives and Toasted Almonds
1 2/3 couscous
Same amount of boiling stock
About 15 black pitted olives
1/4 c flaked almonds, toasted
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley and coriander
Good pinch cumin and cayenne pepper

Prepare couscous as above, blend olive oil and lemon juice, add rest of ingredients.
Serve warm or cold.

Happy rolling! Must be time for the leftovers.
Cheers Clara

How to cook easy healthy Moroccan food

Hi there

The rest of the Moroccan meal follows.

The following dish is a perfect for my style of cooking since it includes wonderful fresh produce, piquant spices and heaps of herbs. I always overdo the herbs - like seriously overdo them, usually adding extra at serving so they are not cooked. The same with the cherry tomatoes - adding them at the end preserves their colour and texture.

Oven cooking is my favourite as you can do other things while the oven performs its magic task of bringing out all the flavours.

Roast Vegetable Salad

2-3 courgettes (zucchini)

1 Spanish onion

2 red peppers

16 cherry tomatoes

2 garlic cloves - chopped

1 tsp cumin ground or seed

10ml or 2 tsp fresh thyme or 10 torn basil leaves

4 tbsp olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1-2 tsp harissa or Tabasco sauce

Fresh thyme leaves to garnish

Preheat oven tp 220 C or 425 F.

Top and tail courgettes and cut into long strips, cut peppers into chunks, and cut onions into thin wedges.

Place vegetables in roasting tin, add garlic, cumin seeds and thyme or basil. Sprinkle with olive oil and toss to coat . Cook in oven until veges are slightly charred at the edges. Add the tomatoes just at the end so they are warmed but not cooked.

Blend lemon juice with harissa and stir into vegetables before serving.

Garnish with thyme or basil.

Tomorrow - Couscous With Almonds and Olives

I'll let you know how the meal turned out - I wonder if our hosts will be happy with the results of their day at the races.

Cheers Clara