Warmer days are coming, and temperatures here will be in the high 60s all week this week. I know there will be a freeze before the real spring is here, but for now it is great weather for hiking and being outside. For a lighter meal perfect for warmer days, I have a new salad …
Omiyage
Gift giving is something I really enjoy. Seeing someone's face as they receive a little remembrance as a surprise is fun. In the Japanese tradition of Omiyage, in past times, gifts were given to the lords of the lands for protection with many rules on the gift itself down to how it was wrapped and …
Bonsai Society Show and Garden update
Last fall, the NC Arboretum hosted a gathering of fifteen Bonsai Societies in a marvelous exhibition of this ancient art. Entries for judging came primarily from associations in North Carolina, along with Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. The bonsai trees ranged from the amazingly tiny to huge. I took almost 100 photographs of these interesting …
Stamping February
Stamping in this Valentine month naturally centers on hearts and love, and I am so lucky to still have my sweetheart. But, for many, Valentine's day isn't a day to celebrate, particularly those who have been betrayed by one they loved. Perhaps, though, if I could make something small and inspirational, the day might be …
Shumai
Now that you have a lovely Asian Inspired Table, you need some food for it. I have been working on Asian inspired recipes and I have three new ones for you. Today, my take on a Chinese shumai, a steamed dumpling open at the top instead of completely encased in the wrapper. I thought this was …
Sakura Tsuki Art Quilt
Japanese and Asian inspired fabrics are more easily found in stores now as well as online, or maybe I am just paying more attention to them more than I used to. Beautiful prints with metallic accents are so appealing to me. I have several pieces that I received from a friend before she passed, and …
Aka Kuroguro Table for Two
This month I am sharing posts that are Oriental inspired, on a variety of subjects. Although I like a full table, and I don't mind a bit of clutter during certain times of the year, this Japanese inspired table for two begins with simplicity. Aka Kuroguro means Red and Black, so it is the name …
Karesansui teien
I have been planning for some time to do a series of posts inspired by Japanese influence. I hope you'll enjoy these posts, with interesting facts, fun projects, and even a couple of giveaways later this month. These posts will be sprinkled around other post subjects over the next month or so, with gardens, sewing …
California Fire Quilts Update
Picking up on the fire quilts, I have made quite a bit of progress since the last update. Here is where I left off, after the stitch-rip fiasco. The first quilt was finally quilted, and I took it off the frame. I had a wide-width remnant left over from a previous quilt that I thought …
Catching up on Books and Movies with a giveaway
It has been a while since I talked about the books I'm reading and movies to recommend. For those getting my posts via email, you might not know that I link my Goodreads reviews on the sidebar so you can see my latest reviews. I like to read a variety of books, lately becoming bored …
Continue reading Catching up on Books and Movies with a giveaway
From My Carolina Home 