Claude helped me cut out the pattern for my medieval dress. Unfortunately, this project has stalled. The silk fabric I used is quite sheer, so I am having to sew French seams, which I have never done before. Before I got too frustrated, I decided to just do some sewing with some normal cottons in the meantime as I get used to my machine. I don’t want to ruin the silk.
I discovered these in a Bourbon French fragrances set I got last year. Unfortunately, since I had removed the stoppers for the other four fragrances, they had all evaporated. I have been wearing these two quite a bit in the last two weeks, and Evermore has become a new favorite of mine. It has a stephanotis flower topnote, which I have never encountered before in a fragrance and seems to be relatively rare. Kus Kus is a fragrance I have had in vial form before. I could not pass it up several years ago when we visited the shop, when I learned it was first formulated in 1843.Wei and I took an impromptu Sunday adventure to a coffee shop and a park. This park is named for the former mayor of Benbrook, who was our first veterinarian in Arlington many years ago. He was an unforgettable veterinarian, and it was quite an event when he retired to become mayor.
I had always wanted to see this park since it’s the only park named after someone I have met, so I took Wei. That seemed fitting, since the park is named after someone who took great care of our beloved pets for many years.
The park was a relatively small lot, but the sense of quiet and isolation of Benbrook swept me away and made me realize that even though I live in the “country,” my surroundings are, for the most part, much more urbanized than a true suburb. I loved the sight of the Korean church across from the park. I think it’s so interesting how a church can really help people come together when they are new to a place. I love to see these places and think of the connection and community happening in them.
The community where I lived as a young adult had a historic church called St. Joseph’s that had served as a touchstone for the Polish community in the area. I felt the church had a fascinating history and presence.
I love to visit the hill country of Texas, which has many historic German settlements. Earlier this year, when we took a trip to Nacogdoches, I was able to see a historic Lutheran church, and there is one in Fredericksburg whose community cookbook I have cooked from for many years after traveling there. Even though I’m not a descendant from the Adelsverein community at all, I savor the familiarity of Lutheran churches since I grew up in one. Next week, I will see another historic Lutheran church, actually, and I can’t wait.
I wasn’t sure if matcha and pumpkin spice would go together, but they ended up melding beautifully. My go-to drink has been 8 oz. of oatmilk, heated to near boiling, 1 teaspoon matcha powder, 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice syrup blended in with my small electric mixer, then topped with 8 oz. hot water, whipped cream, and pumpkin spice. I’m also proud (or ashamed?) to say I made two pumpkin pies this past month. There’s no more pumpkin now that it’s time for Thanksgiving, but that is okay. I have a feeling someone will have pumpkin pie for a couple of wayfarers next week.
Sunlight-Colored Roses 