My Pet Bagworm

Yeah. Who buys this crap anyway? There is space to write, "Try to". so perhaps that's the idea? There's something hostile (or at best, passive aggressive) sounding about it. I'm probably not the target audience for this sort of consumer good. The older I get, the more I feel like I'm probably not the target audience for life in a general way. That's fine-get the hell off my lawn.

Here's two more trial-run sourdough breads. The poppy seed loaf has wheat bran and wheat germ for extra interest, and the boule on the left is plain white. Both took a total of three days from sponge to baking but that's how sourdough is (slow). Our starters are all doing well (we have three) but Nationwide is the strongest. Yeah, I named this starter, Nationwide. Loooong story. Anyway, we've been giving the starters extra feedings (instead of neglecting them at the back of the fridge) so they will be in peak condition for fair baking. I served tomato sandwiches on the whole grain loaf and the boys were both happy with the results-the bread anyway. I have a tomato-hating son. So much for the theory that children will eat vegetables they grow themselves. Mr. ETB is happy to eat all the tomatoes. Good thing, as we have a bumper crop this year.

To maintain a nice work/play balance in my life, Mr. ETB dragged me off to a few thrift shops we don't visit often. At the first, he found me a lovely Stratton compact from the 60's still in the original box that will now join my two others. As per Eat the Blog guidelines, two is a coincidence, three is a collection-I now have a collection of Stratton compacts. I do use them, so it isn't a complete waste of space. The same shop also yielded a 1930's taffeta-type evening gown with a million buttons up the back and side snaps. It was hanging with the nighties. That's the second time I've found vintage slip-type gowns in the nightclothes, so I now regularly check the rail. I can see where it might be confusing if you didn't know what you were looking at.

The second shop we visited was a lucky stop for brooches, a handbag, and some bracelets. A piece of California Pottery also came home with me. Photos soon-I just haven't had a chance to steam the dress.

Inspired by Radostin, I dug out some black clothing to wear in summer. She makes it look effortless...I don't. Sigh. It was a good opportunity to wear this vintage tunic (yeah, another one) that always seems too much for summer, and not enough once it is cool outside.

The jacket is a sheer, rayon crepe. The collar is annoyingly cute, but I do find it useful with 50's/60's style outfits. I believe it is from the early 90's.

Those massive, carved Bakelite earrings don't get worn much, but since they were being dragged out, it only seemed right to give the Bakelite ring a wear as well.

I love the way it is carved. Here's a look from another angle...

Since I was wearing old plastics, the vintage hair-comb had a day out too.

Er...the messy look is, "In".  That comb could be spectacular on someone with nice hair.

Outfit Particulars:

Skirt-bought online from a very crappy company I won't recommend

Tunic-Hand-Me-Ups

Jacket-Goodwill

Shoes-Goodwill

Hair comb-Etsy

Bakelite ring-Hand-Me-Ups

Bakelite earrings-Sequels

Brooch-Etsy seller, Maisonette de Madness (Thanks, Beth for mentioning them to me)

Belt-Shop-Ko

Cha-Cha bracelet-Hand-Me-Ups

Onyx and silver ring-Mum's

Vintage handbag-Antique mall

On our walk last evening, Danny spotted a cocoon hanging from a cobweb under a tree. Upon closer inspection, it began wriggling and a small (probably pissed off) worm stuck out a head, gave us a, WTF look, and then retreated back inside. The tree was covered with what we later figured out were Evergreen Bagworm cocoons. We brought it home, put it in a jar with some grass and straw where it promptly dragged itself, cocoon and all to the top of the jar to re-hang. It is now chilling on ,my desk. We'll know in a few weeks if it is male or female. The male emerges as a moth, but the female does not. At that point, we'll release it, but far, far away from my rosemary plants! They're terrible pests, but fascinating to watch. I suppose it might be worth mentioning to someone at the college next door that there's a bagworm infested tree outside the dorms. 

 I'll leave you with this view from Papillion, Nebraska which is rapidly being developed. I have a feeling that field won't be empty a year from now as the space across the street is filling with new shops (and a Goodwill!) and homes. When we moved to Nebraska 16 years ago. this really was, "Out in the country." I feel like I'm supposed to shrug and say something about, "Progress."

I'm off to obsessively check the bagworm. Who knew my life would be this exciting?