The Williamson Ranch report

Pearl photographs well. I wonder how much like Lindsay Lohan she'd be if she were a person? Personally I think Pearl has more dignity. She never gets caught in compromising photos. You might be able to make the argument that if there were any roosters in the run she'd be a whole different creature. I don't know, she could be a lesbian. There's no way to know these things.

A few days ago I was the poultry paparazzi and caught Flower Bud in the act of laying an egg. This is a rarely seen activity as they prefer to do their laying away from prying eyes. If she had hands, she would have taken my camera and smashed it like Tom Cruise. You can tell by that angry glare in her eye. Isn't she cute?

There are over six hundred daffodils and other Narcissus out there beginning to pop up in my garden. I love that, the first hint of a spring in our future. I'm in no hurry to shuffle out of winter though, especially since it might snow tomorrow. Still, one of my favorite flowers is the narcissus.

I realize that I am boring you stiff with all these photos of the boxes. But, whatever. I got lots of work done yesterday. Working on more variations. Future Girl had some interesting suggestions, most of which I will probably stubbornly ignore. However, I think she mentioned something that I agree with.

There are three sizes of boxes. I've decided to come up with prices for them empty, and then do a few gift sets in them where you get a big price break on the boxes. I think they're pretty enough that I would buy one just to put lovely things in. Like a hat box. What do hand decorated hat boxes adorned with silk roses cost out there? I have to do a lot of work for these, but I can't make them prohibitively priced.

This one only has one strap because it's all that would fit. No star because it's too small. This box is only seven inches across. The smallest one.

I've thought about this and I think I may offer two wrapping options at Dustpan Alley: the standard (free) wrapping with the fabric rosette on kraft paper, and then offer one that costs five dollars that is the one with the newsprint over the kraft paper with the band of red fabric, and the poppies. I really love wrapping presents fancy, but I couldn't do that poppies and vintage newsprint one for free because of the cost of the materials. I think I'll show an example on the wall so people can choose.

Things are picking up around the website. We got another order yesterday. Yay! I can't even tell you how exciting it is to us. Also: I sold a Bitter Betty Industries decoupaged box yesterday. It was something the girl who bought it had seen in our store and come back to buy after thinking about it.

I still don't have my Valentine window complete, and I have my mom here now. Somehow I will have to spend some time in the store this week to complete the sewing for it. I'm already trying to plan out my spring windows. Naturally my mom has lots of ideas. She's an amazing artist and has a good eye for composition and a wonderful way of putting colors together. However, I told her that I have to do it my way, I have to be cautious as I learn this new window dressing art which isn't quite the same as painting a still life. I need to apply the things I've learned from Bitter Betty first. I can't just jump in and do some elaborate theme. I need simplicity first.

Well, I suppose I had better be off now. I have to go study some Oregon maps to see how far away Astoria is. Max is not at all thrilled at the idea of a road trip. So that will make it extra fun. There's nothing like a reluctant traveller strapped to the back seat. In fact he has informed me that he plans to lock himself in his room so we can't make him come with us.


*We chickened out. We decided to go to Pacific City because it takes half the time. Which means that if Max is going to be difficult, we'll only have to be in the car with a super grump for half the time.