a morning fence, magnificent Sarah, banana bread brick

Early  morning , young men in the garden, building a fence in between our yard and the yard that wants to keep the deer out. Much pounding , and scraping, and hauling- minimal swearing.

The deer fence will make her happy, we paid for half because we are nice that way, but we like having the deer in our garden- we do not cultivate precious plants, as she does.

The post man came to the door with a parcel. Poor guy through rain and sleet- I do appreciate him very much. Inside the parcel were two sections- the top being the birthday section, the lower, the Christmas section. I was so excited that I can't remember which was which because , as usual, I opened them all right then and there and squealed and ohhhhed and ahhhed. Oh my STARS!!!!

Sarah made this book, of water colour paper stitched together in a  canvas  board cover-   painted , as only Sarah can do. She made the mask that wraps round to close the book. The most clever , wonderful object in the universe!  The thoughtful book/girl  did not pass or catch any viruses on her way here. 

Another covid journal to fill, though I am intimidated and do not want to mar the perfection of this book.

You can understand I am sure!

I don't even know how she managed to knit these gorgeous sox, tiny knitting- perfect heel and toe, I am mystified and amazed. They feel like whipped cream , exquisitely soft. Oh, Miss Wallis, thou hast overwhelmed me with  thine goodness!

Years ago I found a Peking Opera puppet in a little antique shop where I used to get fairy surprises for Erik, as he was six years old- loosing teeth. It is magnificently no nonsense, keeps a steady eye on things , no body dares to cross him. He lives with Sarah now , this is a painting from Sarah of the very serious opera man. Brilliant!

Above the painting,  for the photo,  hangs the ornament that Sarah made out of her pipe stem findings from the Thames.  Genius, wouldn't you say! Oh yes indeed! Happy Birthday and merry Christmas from the most creative , generous friend in all of the kingdom,  our Sarah. 

To celebrate further, I made banana bread, new recipe that uses sour cream- , interesting texture , moist and dense. Next time my bananas are on the verge of liquid, I will make more but add a bit more baking soda. That might lighten it up a little. What do I know, I am not great in the kitchen, I need some Mary Juju. I learned to bake when I was in fifth grade 4-H. Wyoming , high altitude and dry as a bone . Everything is different here at sea level under  wet heavy skies. Water boils quickly, cakes sink, cookies bake/burn licketty split. It is different. Sarah also makes a mean boiled orange cake which I have  tried  to duplicate-but pretty much failed, not as good as hers by any measure. 

So that was this day- made out like a bandit, made stodgy bread, time for a nap.  It is so dark my body clock is off completely. It is time for nap all day, every day.