This Is The Face That Launched A Thousand Ships

Lovely Luke

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown

Luke of Toronto (formerly Ohio)
Hadley's dog
Steve's back up dog
The newest addition to The Family

Happy Birthday, Hadley

She walks with Lucas in the night
Where Toronto smog hides starry skies
And Honest Ed's bright, blinking lights
Reflect the city in her eyes.
Bestowed by the Muse with Writing Might
That jeans and tshirt doth disguise.

Summer of 2007

Lots of fog, drizzle, and rain.

The woodland part of the garden is flourishing and sometimes has to be beaten back from the surrounding garden beds.

Gardening, knitting, and enjoying the lush green and fresh air.

Missing Baby Lucy but best not to dwell upon that.

My Sister Is A Sock Pusher

Rosie Beaucoup Says:

My sister is a sock pusher. I was back at knitting after an absence of 20 years and happily making baby clothes until she sent me a sock pattern for circular needles. "Go on", she said, "try it. You'll like it. The needles don't hurt and it's not addictive - you can quit at any time."

I can't urge the innocents out there enough to run, run, run like the wind when a pusher appears on their horizon.

My monthly expenditure on sock yarn has soared. I'd rather purchase superwash sock wool than buy groceries and eat. I can't stop thinking about heel flaps and gussets. I need a knit fix at least twice a day. I spend most of my computer time browsing websites selling handpainted sock yarn. I even tried selling my firstborn to increase my yarn stash but she's getting a little long in the tooth and I couldn't wait long enough to complete a sale.

Oh, my sister has a lot to answer for.

Note: Socks in photo done in Lucy Neatby's Celestial Merino.

Dear Rosie Beaucoup: What kind of church architecture do you find most inspiring?

Rosie Beaucoup Replies:

Though there are many great cathedrals throughout the world that are awesome in their architectural design, I find a church like the one in Talmont, France, anchored as it is on the edge of a cliff overlooking a sometimes raging sea, offers a great sense of solid refuge from exterior elements and interior turmoil.

Dear Rosie Beaucoup:

Why does Lucy have hair that is longer, more abundant, and more likely to go madly off in all directions than other babies?

Rosie Beaucoup Replies:

One only has to look at a photograph of the genius, Einstein, to realize the answer to that question. This baby is brilliant and destined for great things.

Back from France

A stay at a house on the beach, collecting seashells, visits to small villages in the countryside on the west coast of the country, meals out in small creperies, meals in with plenty of good food and wine, experiencing the kindness and hospitality of Isabelle's wonderful parents, watching mussels set alight with pine needles and eating the delectable morsels afterwards, meeting a gracious, retired French doctor and having a classic, beautiful French meal prepared by Sophie, beating Adam at most games, and, of course, being with the sweetest and brightest baby in the entire world.

Jean Paul and Isabelle

Adam and Sophie

Artists' Retreat is pleased to announce the appointment of the Director of the Kayaking Program that is offered as part of the Artists' Retreat 2007. Miss Movita, an experienced kayaker, and Fun Coordinator Absolute, will organize the kayaking sessions each week. Her qualifications are extensive. She has been kayaking once and did not fall out. Her clothes are always really, really cute - even during this type of activity. She always wears sunglasses and sunscreen. She hardly ever takes a drink so is guaranteed to stay sober during all excursions.

Artists' Retreat

This summer, 2007, we are hosting an artists' retreat in our woodland garden for writers, artists, and comic book illustrators who would like to have a break from the bustle and smog of city living and perfect their craft at tables or hammocks set under the trees. Spaces limited to those who know Hadley, work with Hadley, are friends with Hadley, or are Hadley. To make arrangements for the working retreat, please contact Hadley.

Guess Who's Birthday Is Today !!

Anonymous writes: Rosie Beaucoup, is it anybody's birthday today??
Rosie Beaucoup Replies: Of course it is. It's Auntie Rach's (aka The Diva). Prior to Good Friday this year, she was known as just plain Rach. But her stature this year is enhanced not only by advanced age but by the new responsibilities she carries as a role model to Lucy Darling. Rachael is the child we have loved the longest.

I'll Protect You From the Jungle Beasts

Dear Rosie Beaucoup,
Sometimes? At night? My doll scares me. Do you think I'm afraid of the dark?
Signed,
Anonymous Little Girl

Rosie Beaucoup replies:

Be afraid. Be very afraid. It is not the darkness you need fear. It's the things that go bump in the night. And, by the way, why does Movita call him Grasshopper?? Anyone can see that this is the Wolf Man!

The Global Family

How diverse in background are your family members, Rosie Beaucoup??

Rosie Beaucoup replies:

Besides France and Ireland, we have strong connections to South America. The beauties on the left are Iliana, Isabella and baby Madeline. The gorgeous elves on the right are Olivia and Joshua. All my great nieces and nephew via my sister Heather's branch of the family.

Does Age Matter, Rosie Beaucoup?

Shirley, Rosie Beaucoup, Heather Dianne

Rosie Beaucoup Replies:

Absolutely not! Here is a photo taken of us gals back in the 'hood. Today, you can scarcely notice the passage of time.

Dear Rosie Beaucoup,

Did you know that Chip Zdarsky's mother let him, nay, encouraged him to watch soap operas for hours every day from the time he was three years old?

Best wishes,
Anonymous

P.S. Love your blog!