Photos of the Day: Out on a Limb

The last time I was in the City, back in June, my friends and I were strolling down the streets of the Upper West Side - with their very nice brownstones. I love wandering the side streets, looking at how "the other half" lives.

I can't remember WHERE we were, but I had to play tourist when I came to this dwelling. First I spotted this stoop staircase artfully entangled in the roots of a climbing vine:

THEN I looked up and spotted Ragged Annie up out on a limb.

Further study of this scene on my computer revealed that Annie wasn't alone, but hostessing an entire party.

Can you spy everyone who got an invitation?

This charmed me more than I can say.

~ photos by iTouch.
Taken June 22, 2015

(Secret) Toy Society Drop: Summer 2014

Once upon a time, Auntie Nettie made a bunch of toys to give away to those who needed a special treat. I stashed a few at Grandmary's UT house so she could teach the grandkids about the fun of leaving surprises for other people. This summer, when the family came down from Idaho, there was a perfect opportunity for Christina and the kids to their first drops for The (Secret Toy Society).

Unfortunately, it appears The (Secret) Toy Society blog seems to be inactive again. But I'm still going to do this.

Dropped: Summer 2014 by Christina and the kiddos near the St. George, Utah (USA) library
Number of Toys: 3
Made by: Auntie Nettie
When: Sometime in Summer 2014
Comments: Got a message from Christina at the end of August. She and the kids dropped these three little presents around the area by the St. George, UT library when they were down from Idaho visiting Grandmary and GrumpaMax. She said that when they left, two had already been claimed.

To see my previous (Secret) Toy Society posts, please see here.

Happy 9th Birthday DREW!

 Hey Drew!

Can I interrupt you for a minute?

 Seriously. Can you look up from your present for a minute?

 

 Oh, excuse me. Do you have your mouth full now?

I can wait.

Oh, now it's time for breakfast?

You are nine today. Why was Grandmary cutting up your waffles?

Sigh.

Anyway!

I want to wish you a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 Just sit there in the crazy moving movie lounge chair and enjoy it.

I JUST wanted to say what fun it was exploring the stuffed animal Wildlife Museum with you.

I could "bear"ly stand how cute you were!

 Thanks for playing around with me that whole day - 

from the museum, lunch, birthday book shopping, and then Frozen. 

 You are two-thumbs-up cool!

 You are growing up too fast on me. 
I mean look at this.

 

I can only hope that your little sister grows up to adore you and understand your protectiveness

 and that your little brother can appreciate how much you love him, 

waited for him, and want to play with him.

I know you don't see all your Idaho cousins a lot in person, but I know they like to visit via the computer.

Soon you'll be able to talk to them without all us grownups hogging the screens.

 (I mean, I know I love it when you call me on the phone.

EVEN WHEN YOU MOCK ME!

Stop it, mister!)

 

I know it's hard to have the littles around sometimes.

But know this; We all love you - for being YOU. 

Even if we are making silly faces with you first. 

You can always, always, ALWAYS, be assured of a big bear hug and a snuggle.

 No matter what. No matter if you are now 9 ... or even if you are 18, 27, or even 90!

Happy Birthday, my Drewbie, Drewbug, Mr. Drew The Dude!

Much love,

Auntie Nettie

Taken via iTouch and Nikon camera

winter visit, December 2013

Toy Society Drop #1915

Dropped: Playground near Mayo Beach, Wellfleet, MA
Number of toys: 1
Made by: Auntie Nettie
Dropped by: Auntie Nettie
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Comments: There were lots of kids enjoying the beautiful fall day. I barely had time to tuck this little package up onto the playscape and get away before we both were discovered. I walked around later and I"m pretty sure someone picked it up that very day. Hope the monster mutant bear/bunny found a good home.

Please see The (Secret) Toy Society page to see if this is ever found.

Retroblogging: Falling for Crafts in Chelsea

Now that spring has sprung, the proliferation of street and craft fairs has blossomed. I'd like to keep exploring the various festivities, but time gets away from me. (Plus I am being careful with the budget for future fun - so if I don't go to "window shop" and "idea browse," then I won't accidentally end up purchasing anything.)

What I really like are the little crafty homegrown events, where you can really get close to the vendors and makers. Fairs like the one Jane and I went to in October in support of P.S. 11 partially sponsored by Etsy.

Crafts in Chelsea, Fall Festival 2012

We picked up buttons, brochures, and stickers, oh my.

It was a beautiful fall day, a warm, delightful, perfect Indian Summer day. It was almost perfect weather for sandals. Isn't this display adorable?

Since the funds being raised were for P.S. 11's arts curricula and other vital education programs, I just loved this vendor - who re-purposes old musical instruments and cases into a variety of lights and shelves.

I know of at least one saxophone and trumpet that could be put to good use. If my brothers even still have them.

The light was just so great in spotlighting the various jewelry displays. I had to walk away from some gemstones, minerals, and glass art pieces  - like these.

These little critters kept calling our names. Displayed adorably in old vintage suitcases and trunks, these stuffies are made from old cashmere sweaters - and considering the materials and hand-crafted-ness, were pretty affordable. Jane almost rescued a few friends. I had to stiffen my spine and walk away. My attic is already filled with a flock of stuffed friends.

There were other adorable re-purposed sweaters on display from other vendors at the market. The dress on the left was super cute, with a frilly lightweight skirt added to the top. A very similar scarf to the one one the right made its way home with Jane. The fleece leaves were warm and a season accent to otherwise boring fall coats.

As fun is it to look at the wares, remember to look at the "set decor" too.

Fun buntings

Bestowed with buttons

Finally, we almost missed this display with a vintage sewing machine, bobbins, and sewing table.

It was a really a great day, including a bout of dress up ... with fripperies ... and fascinators.

Toy Society Drop: Orient Beach State Park, NY

It's been a while since I did a Toy Society drop, although I have a bag of these free toys ready to go and I've taken then with me to various destinations. (There's also a stash at Grandmary's house in Utah.) For one reason or another, leaving them behind has been overlooked or reconsidered due to potential weirdness with the security threats.

This weekend, when I packed an over night bag for my beach day with Christine, I did remember to grab a toy to drop .. and more importantly, felt comfortable enough to leave one behind near the beach.

Again, my apologies to the Toy Society ladies in Australia who had instructed us to leave the information via Flickr or Facebook. Ain't going to happen - though, if you check their site, it hasn't been updated in a while either.

Who: Made and released by me, Auntie Nettie
What: A slightly grumpy kitty
When: Saturday, April 27, 2013 around 6 p.m.
Where: Orient Beach State Park, the north fork of Long Island, in one of the play centers

 

Hopefully Mr. Kitty found a new home very soon.

Check out some of my earlier Toy Society toys submissions here.