tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70475934695956239202024-03-05T18:13:41.193-08:00Our Grandmother's GardensCenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-65426688327604324752010-05-28T23:59:00.000-07:002010-05-29T00:01:19.426-07:00Cycle of LifeToday was one of those "Food for Thought" days. I went to a baby shower for a dear young friend.<br />
The shower was fun. Great people, great food, I won a bright red dahlia plant for being able to take my shoes off and on really fast with a balloon stuck under my shirt. Our name tags all bore funny baby-related names. I was "Fertile". My friend was "Poop" and the grandmother-to-be was "Nipples". Hilarious. <br />
But while I was there I found out that a dear older friend, Carol, had suffered a massive stroke and was in a nursing home. I was told that she was unable to communicate and probably wouldn't recognize me. I feared the worst. I stopped in on my way home from the shower and found a (somewhat) pleasant suprise. Carol was sitting up in a wheelchair. She couldn't speak, but her eyes talked for her. She recognized me and squeezed my hand. I told her about the jewelry I was making and promised to bring her a new bright red pin when I visited next week. She gave me a little upturn of her left lip. <br />
Carol is a two time cancer survivor and sent me many cards of encouragement when I was going through chemo and radiation. She is a collector of antiques and loves the color red. And she's incredibly generous. <br />
I told her how much her cards meant to me and talked about how my hair was growing back (it's about 3 inches now) , but didn't come back red and curly like I hoped - an ongoing joke since I was already pretty grey before I got cancer. Her eyes danced with the conversation and she gave me the little lip tip again. I could see her frustration at not being able to communicate, but I could tell that she understood everything I was saying. <br />
I don't know if Carol will make a full recovery, but I am certain she will recover as much as she possibly can and will show us her true grit. She's a tough cookie and a great model of determination.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-76269947096420153532010-04-27T12:51:00.000-07:002010-04-27T12:51:58.210-07:00Brand New MeOh Dear. It has been so long since I posted. I hope you all haven't forgotten me. I've been on a bit of a journey. Not literally, but spiritually and psychologically. <br />
<br />
I have always been a gardener. For the past 20 years or so I have gardened professionally doing design work for garden resorts. It was a wonderful career and I loved going to work every day. But almost a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I worked part time through my chemotherapy and radiation and thought I was doing just fine until one day, after my treatments were done, when I realized I didn't feel like the same person anymore. I didn't want to garden. I still love walking through the garden and looking at it, but I needed a break from working in it. Luckily, with the economy in the crapper, new design work in the gardens halted and I was laid off. I still do a little consultation work, but there isn't a lot of that either. <br />
So I am home and have found a new passion. Beading. I LOVE doing bead embroidery and have been collecting beads for years. Now I have the time to do something with them all. <br />
My grandmother (Ruth) taught me how to embroider when I was very small and I've always loved it. Doing it with beads adds a new dimension. I started out making beaded brooches for all my friends and family while I was going through Chemo. It was part of my therapy and I made over 125 of them and gave them all away. <br />
Then I started getting a little more elaborate and making necklaces as well. I set up a store on Etsy and started selling them. I joined a Beading Circle and it's the highlight of my week. <br />
I feel like I'm reinventing myself. I decided I'm sick of wearing t-shirts and jeans and went shopping for new clothes. I reorganized my studio. I changed my eating habits (for the better) and I'm starting to exercise. <br />
I even changed my name! All my life I have never liked the name Cindee. It sounded like a little girl and too plain. I wanted something unusual, exotic! So I was researching my family tree and was looking at the Russian side (Flora's side) and was told by a friend that Cynthia in Russian is Xenia (pronounced Sen-ya). I loved it and realized that this was who I am. I changed the spelling - didn't want to constantly explain to people how to pronounce it (and also didn't want to be confused with the Warrior Princess - Ha). And I wanted to keep my initials, So I now go by Cenya. <br />
I know I will return to the garden one day. I think I just need a break. But I know it's in my blood and in my soul. For now though, I'm a beader. <br />
Please check out my Etsy store <a href="http://www.emeraldwindow.etsy.com/">here</a>. <br />
I also have an art blog - mostly about beading, <a href="http://www.emeraldwindow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-64946462294637363932010-04-05T12:45:00.000-07:002010-04-05T12:52:31.477-07:00Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBjJ2nmc2wXqgP6U4n2331xI130JmrEFcDomTZXY5YK33k_NVbl6DLH6wiWtEjE89Oe4afmb-0kkm7ZR_ihfcCxzfb6FBN9m2hXjLxryCSgVtLnuDx1z2QKW4wwseFITiDOe8xRs3VGkb/s1600/File0539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBjJ2nmc2wXqgP6U4n2331xI130JmrEFcDomTZXY5YK33k_NVbl6DLH6wiWtEjE89Oe4afmb-0kkm7ZR_ihfcCxzfb6FBN9m2hXjLxryCSgVtLnuDx1z2QKW4wwseFITiDOe8xRs3VGkb/s320/File0539.jpg" /></a></div>I just spent Easter with my parents and brothers and extended family. My sister-in-law has been doing an online Family Tree and asked if I wanted to be involved with it. Of course! We sat for a couple of hours going through the relatives and arranging dates, but the best part was the pictures. She had many pictures that I didn't have and I have some that she doesn't have, so combining them has been great. We found pictures of my great, great grandparents from Russia. Recently I found this picture of my mother with her Swiss father and her siblings, when she was just a little girl. She is holding a china doll and looking a little sad. She's the oldest one, on the left. I don't think she had a very happy childhood. Her father was murdered not long after this picture was taken. <br />
How is it determined who has a happy childhood and who doesn't? My own childhood was idyllic. I wish I could have given some of that to her as a child.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-2402771553175755032010-03-18T16:18:00.000-07:002010-03-18T16:46:51.252-07:00Clean Windows, Hummingbirds and Beads<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-2pFGes2rf7tW1zIl1N0tQ_fgNnGXR0BGvVaGNf_cIHHH8zZJGlJmxu3_-HvYJj1fx3VgNhdew4Wu86YgbQxuFAtcWlZ9bhvWk1ER4E0jJqcXQsf6BloGZzIYzi36NFXS0CpeUAMRNis/s1600-h/window+resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-2pFGes2rf7tW1zIl1N0tQ_fgNnGXR0BGvVaGNf_cIHHH8zZJGlJmxu3_-HvYJj1fx3VgNhdew4Wu86YgbQxuFAtcWlZ9bhvWk1ER4E0jJqcXQsf6BloGZzIYzi36NFXS0CpeUAMRNis/s400/window+resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450120736315851202" /></a><br />Spring sits just outside my office window, but I can hardly see it because my windows are so dirty. There were hummingbirds at the feeders, but they weren't drinking. I went out to check and the feeders were filthy. So I washed and refilled them and was rewarded right away with a thirsty little chap with a ruby scarf. I remember grandma doing her spring cleaning. Does anyone do that anymore? Leave a comment if you do. Tomorrow I am washing windows!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb5L3WrOt0dp-I-JZjAC_KTAgGzete8rWNTjNmWgHmxCxIHis4jhlSoAGi4N-7q_7-DQtv-c9MhmXi8k3keblTXWoYqpcR9j-mBcKP0Fo_Addj55DT3l5FySLtTF4OA235vQ8SAk_uZ-m/s1600-h/Ribes+Resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb5L3WrOt0dp-I-JZjAC_KTAgGzete8rWNTjNmWgHmxCxIHis4jhlSoAGi4N-7q_7-DQtv-c9MhmXi8k3keblTXWoYqpcR9j-mBcKP0Fo_Addj55DT3l5FySLtTF4OA235vQ8SAk_uZ-m/s400/Ribes+Resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119760012195250" /></a><br />The Crabapples are beginning to bloom, along with many other spring flowers.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HCT_eGoDsaRqme-e4pXr2rHKKgU8mmVAChQsJBWTw1AVIELwz9oxTIHRfLfmFhEsYhqfYijlBuIhyphenhyphenb08XI1jwG8-Y4frDKZmZbu6VqfmmimLPMLwGx40zNlBIiL8jC5AZWYnLWB7DkYO/s1600-h/Hellebore+resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HCT_eGoDsaRqme-e4pXr2rHKKgU8mmVAChQsJBWTw1AVIELwz9oxTIHRfLfmFhEsYhqfYijlBuIhyphenhyphenb08XI1jwG8-Y4frDKZmZbu6VqfmmimLPMLwGx40zNlBIiL8jC5AZWYnLWB7DkYO/s400/Hellebore+resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119749746301810" /></a><br />Although the Hellebores were in their prime a couple of weeks ago, they still look luscious.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSMx2Qsy7ybqLpRKo4F7SYKlRI_9xmLPNbZ8E-fn2YF1X_zgpJOY5iopmHnLoTrWOV7feGwj_MIYpJszAXJOcHLOr2lAJtMMtGzFNw6Vt8zExyYOTM6WZh8JaPECPop2KDEZZLwukvaVF/s1600-h/Cornus+resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSMx2Qsy7ybqLpRKo4F7SYKlRI_9xmLPNbZ8E-fn2YF1X_zgpJOY5iopmHnLoTrWOV7feGwj_MIYpJszAXJOcHLOr2lAJtMMtGzFNw6Vt8zExyYOTM6WZh8JaPECPop2KDEZZLwukvaVF/s400/Cornus+resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119747196239426" /></a><br />This Cornus has beautiful foliage and it's leaves sit like little fairies on the branches.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k6RseqXvY64j4mIfEhfZPofr8-eheKVZXTdsRmzoSEZrd1Y1zK8pyMivQ2L3Atp7Fg87XjTlVuGBcY7wnxpgkycz3dNTEpVY0AXl8vuf5QhZqM8y8sXAjBQqrD15hIJ4RU7FwIq1peBm/s1600-h/RFC+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_k6RseqXvY64j4mIfEhfZPofr8-eheKVZXTdsRmzoSEZrd1Y1zK8pyMivQ2L3Atp7Fg87XjTlVuGBcY7wnxpgkycz3dNTEpVY0AXl8vuf5QhZqM8y8sXAjBQqrD15hIJ4RU7FwIq1peBm/s400/RFC+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119393873262210" /></a><br />I've been beading quite a bit. I go to a Beading Circle every Tuesday night. It's a great feeling to belong to a group of like-minded women. <br />This feathered and beaded hairclip is one of the projects I just finished.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9RJhP9zu7pBBX1dGbB0DixDG9GV5b4jIVFWV9ruxCHVqXcSj1qjNs5-orqCbkYR54br4u03SGiW6esUh5decNfzBmnlyvbAQY7M9gcX0Rs-3gBIfBrKcoCfyMvZPOH2i59AnZAccWuN9/s1600-h/Peacock+Knot+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9RJhP9zu7pBBX1dGbB0DixDG9GV5b4jIVFWV9ruxCHVqXcSj1qjNs5-orqCbkYR54br4u03SGiW6esUh5decNfzBmnlyvbAQY7M9gcX0Rs-3gBIfBrKcoCfyMvZPOH2i59AnZAccWuN9/s400/Peacock+Knot+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119388771102434" /></a><br />My daughter and I both love peacock colors and I've made a number of brooches in these colors for my Etsy shop. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1BwRbfrz5Y48h-YAZBAGNuke-J-CiKarjAsSwvV34d6nMKIjdRtNf7MnGFLETQg-_0NeoTYjYkw2lTz8OoEXblOOJHfOV3ouJUg9VTx6ICf_vAByy4hugjiCKBClAD_HZb1viaIFKCNt/s1600-h/RP8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1BwRbfrz5Y48h-YAZBAGNuke-J-CiKarjAsSwvV34d6nMKIjdRtNf7MnGFLETQg-_0NeoTYjYkw2lTz8OoEXblOOJHfOV3ouJUg9VTx6ICf_vAByy4hugjiCKBClAD_HZb1viaIFKCNt/s400/RP8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450119381328311362" /></a><br />Shalyhn, our belly dancing friend is my model for my beaded medallions. She dances so beautifully, but is shy. Why can't we see the creativity and beauty within us? Who came up with this habit of second-guessing ourselves? We need to find them and have a tar and feathering!Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-329504681397487452010-03-12T08:14:00.000-08:002010-03-12T09:22:46.143-08:00Art in the Gardener - Part 2More Artists that are also Gardeners!<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9l_aDYPcD-KjYl3mPm4_Ylut9ORgSmBk4UUg2sz6gfBj6vUd7ew_4GtIe_pJCc3TkFJ78tkVgu3EawiSv6_PomSY33DHy-b4PnTdCih6_C75dTaIulHVK_3L8uAwyCjIN7wZt_SxpPkp/s1600-h/strophanthus,+rachel+at+wisteria.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9l_aDYPcD-KjYl3mPm4_Ylut9ORgSmBk4UUg2sz6gfBj6vUd7ew_4GtIe_pJCc3TkFJ78tkVgu3EawiSv6_PomSY33DHy-b4PnTdCih6_C75dTaIulHVK_3L8uAwyCjIN7wZt_SxpPkp/s400/strophanthus,+rachel+at+wisteria.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782753167693394" /></a><br />This photo of strophanthus was taken by Rachel at the Blog <a href="http://talesfromtumbledownfarm.blogspot.com">Wisteria and Cow Parsley</a>. Rachel is a spectacular photographer and gardener.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEkaCjzbJHq7D-Zvod345h19ZUlLV4cM4aZnns4aoyi75GkhL9EzAmwNxqXOeHeqf6sF8oa4Oxg-EFnAPweJ8FXC_lIvrtjHINs5w7hx1ZkueQ-t5mwX6gIBBT8ktRooWEuTDPi2-G7M1/s1600-h/rachel+%40wisteria.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEkaCjzbJHq7D-Zvod345h19ZUlLV4cM4aZnns4aoyi75GkhL9EzAmwNxqXOeHeqf6sF8oa4Oxg-EFnAPweJ8FXC_lIvrtjHINs5w7hx1ZkueQ-t5mwX6gIBBT8ktRooWEuTDPi2-G7M1/s400/rachel+%40wisteria.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782748159467714" /></a><br />I especially love this photograph that Rachel took. I imagine myself living up there in the tree tops. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO0YK3ySxtSz0OsUyO6EIG-cHWM2Jt6aIxAgZdOFJEXtc58cOT6_yQKTMiI_oVXK9e9_nLyS5rW_HK8xbrxMNWBl2xlRkSRvJHFMidL4vChfG8IphwPp4ot8WODhX0zlAzviw7fUOk7yE/s1600-h/Flowerlady2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO0YK3ySxtSz0OsUyO6EIG-cHWM2Jt6aIxAgZdOFJEXtc58cOT6_yQKTMiI_oVXK9e9_nLyS5rW_HK8xbrxMNWBl2xlRkSRvJHFMidL4vChfG8IphwPp4ot8WODhX0zlAzviw7fUOk7yE/s400/Flowerlady2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782737593682642" /></a><br />Flowerlady, at <a href="http://flowerladysmusings.blogspot.com">Flower Lady's Musings</a>, is also a creative type. She embroiders and beads these magnificent pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kEbqxJ6Adp-BaZFYHRDznfcLhh3Ol_JGo8n8wjcXluxaUWePEIdtfoq2Cw4ZaLEdAQAhuGvyjocXCRx-3kLUsigyKSjo6vLzT0s9a_vwj2w_DHV9EySW1yRYb-sfD5ySzxbblTdwMUAE/s1600-h/Flowerlady.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 383px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kEbqxJ6Adp-BaZFYHRDznfcLhh3Ol_JGo8n8wjcXluxaUWePEIdtfoq2Cw4ZaLEdAQAhuGvyjocXCRx-3kLUsigyKSjo6vLzT0s9a_vwj2w_DHV9EySW1yRYb-sfD5ySzxbblTdwMUAE/s400/Flowerlady.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782735473285682" /></a><br />You can learn about gardening and art on Flower Lady's blog (above). She's also a pretty sharp photographer, as noted by the photos she takes for her blog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44U6IFZ4ULvPPIKRDJdTrB9RKNjmdg-a3G5OcmGWKc7-rSbHzDiCgHS7ydczje8jdQGAI5LsHhL6JE-WV4F9BuJURFLcNuPOxQ1GEC7tK-5iU2dJX6TgN0MQfuN3sOocXJjQPS-5huyBf/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44U6IFZ4ULvPPIKRDJdTrB9RKNjmdg-a3G5OcmGWKc7-rSbHzDiCgHS7ydczje8jdQGAI5LsHhL6JE-WV4F9BuJURFLcNuPOxQ1GEC7tK-5iU2dJX6TgN0MQfuN3sOocXJjQPS-5huyBf/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782725135563234" /></a><br />Lynn Galloway isn't a blogger, but she is definately an artist and a gardener. For several years she designed and implemented beautiful gardens around the Apple Tree Resort near Yosemite. Lately she has been gardening at Yosemite National Park during the summer and doing her artwork during the winter. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnQGC_LfVyO2twPn-65KT4PAJ9WHSOGD9zjev-68KFwO6avw_nAU_gnfyd2_KRFxuagEXsPfdYKSMleolbGw_7rrFcbcCvLsBISC4uugNwkMthtfWDZONVXPHIFXVodjGVmlnin7L8mcd/s1600-h/Lynn1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnQGC_LfVyO2twPn-65KT4PAJ9WHSOGD9zjev-68KFwO6avw_nAU_gnfyd2_KRFxuagEXsPfdYKSMleolbGw_7rrFcbcCvLsBISC4uugNwkMthtfWDZONVXPHIFXVodjGVmlnin7L8mcd/s400/Lynn1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447782938626574530" /></a> <br />Lynn is accomplished at many differant types of art - from painting to sculpting to metalwork.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv45OWFealFDqc_dJeseSqcwziEAUV2aXY117GuMK7SsvS33OUnf72wISZJ6aitk8y53t2MpIXx01czYRE8j_UWKSIfYnC_82BR63VbItIgHD-vm1AzfFed5DkAwN0nDGB7AesyAKMEWOX/s1600-h/IMG_0564-2009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv45OWFealFDqc_dJeseSqcwziEAUV2aXY117GuMK7SsvS33OUnf72wISZJ6aitk8y53t2MpIXx01czYRE8j_UWKSIfYnC_82BR63VbItIgHD-vm1AzfFed5DkAwN0nDGB7AesyAKMEWOX/s400/IMG_0564-2009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447794634985825842" /></a><br />Rowan, at <a href="http://circleoftheyear.blogspot.com">Circle Of The Year</a>, is good with needles - as in embroidery and knitting. Here is a baby sweater she knitted...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT5_2YX97-2vqWZAVvKWgd7YRk67asWulsabBJk7hZcUlfmUoXEioa0F-8X1Yet8CUrEBis1dctew9H9iDEk4oby9GgM0FdGgjhPcyPE2kB73_6rjOxJPzyVh9XVMbfHGA_WE5THgWYTL/s1600-h/P4160004-2007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT5_2YX97-2vqWZAVvKWgd7YRk67asWulsabBJk7hZcUlfmUoXEioa0F-8X1Yet8CUrEBis1dctew9H9iDEk4oby9GgM0FdGgjhPcyPE2kB73_6rjOxJPzyVh9XVMbfHGA_WE5THgWYTL/s400/P4160004-2007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447794615236232546" /></a><br />...and a sampler she cross-stitched.<br /><br />All photos are courtesy of the artists mentioned below them. <br />If you are an artist and a gardener, please leave a comment. We just might have to do a "Art in the Gardener 3!Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-54362183264258303782010-03-01T12:37:00.000-08:002010-03-01T13:02:34.624-08:00Art in the GardenerHave you ever noticed that most gardeners are creative in other ways as well? I know many gardeners that are quilters, painters, interior designers, etc. <br />Here in my own little world, it is true as well. I create altered books and beadwork. My friend and gardener at Village Green, Allie, is a fabulous painter. My other gardener, Yvonne, is a skilled mosaic artist. I don't have photos of Yvonne's work (look for them in future blogs) but following is some artwork from Me and Allie.<br /><br />"Luna Nymph" is a beaded brooch using a polymer clay face and czech glass beads.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydZrnlMDmlR_oeR-dNWcFk97FlVtLulotVoQjk1L0qEBhcLgnLqV0IpyqSJr3NUnR545lbR1YGFXJMiwXxp92Ml4OwLCOjgCdT7EiYO5IbZ3iNPINH180u0MVMZyAv6V6k25Cc9BoSjAY/s1600-h/Cin6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydZrnlMDmlR_oeR-dNWcFk97FlVtLulotVoQjk1L0qEBhcLgnLqV0IpyqSJr3NUnR545lbR1YGFXJMiwXxp92Ml4OwLCOjgCdT7EiYO5IbZ3iNPINH180u0MVMZyAv6V6k25Cc9BoSjAY/s400/Cin6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443770099401121666" /></a><br /><br />Green and Gold Cabochon is another brooch I created.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm8oPp9x46PfzpqaNM1qCuQvJOhnU9mkWHmoYPp9p8JtcbyXzXiBhmxCfOAWIQGh3lfZuIUvPWPPT_8n144rfDms8zILf0dokWGo-2RNORqcnLmoVsPdiVzce3LeOSnl-pAadGTJm_92z/s1600-h/Cin5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidm8oPp9x46PfzpqaNM1qCuQvJOhnU9mkWHmoYPp9p8JtcbyXzXiBhmxCfOAWIQGh3lfZuIUvPWPPT_8n144rfDms8zILf0dokWGo-2RNORqcnLmoVsPdiVzce3LeOSnl-pAadGTJm_92z/s400/Cin5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443770097720816402" /></a><br /><br />The Green Celtic Knot is a favorite among my friends.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k8Z5hHn9hBDgC3_u2MtDLQJ3hozWgaVbgWHIqRxaeo2EnrV8m3rwvhmb4N-gTHFDe7yH9AsNfDtCUykeYJd7MAzG08HiGnSSCHmGJj0cI7lfTEFM2EmkrkKdVU_fVUlt9PV45FjxKla_/s1600-h/Cin4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k8Z5hHn9hBDgC3_u2MtDLQJ3hozWgaVbgWHIqRxaeo2EnrV8m3rwvhmb4N-gTHFDe7yH9AsNfDtCUykeYJd7MAzG08HiGnSSCHmGJj0cI7lfTEFM2EmkrkKdVU_fVUlt9PV45FjxKla_/s400/Cin4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443770089986264194" /></a><br /><br />"Ransom Poem From the L. L. Bean Catalog" is from one of my altered books.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE4ih1UcUhBKBzBa656pWQWVOCRsEX4onH1s74GDyvmsDz88u8qGUe_3Mg6lQT88v9WaQlTV-HU3xg30rDBPpjigO3WoiLiex9_fAutWzoXjnNv8s8CtUdZQQhZXqAYFJrV-HuAG4B_Vc/s1600-h/Cin02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisE4ih1UcUhBKBzBa656pWQWVOCRsEX4onH1s74GDyvmsDz88u8qGUe_3Mg6lQT88v9WaQlTV-HU3xg30rDBPpjigO3WoiLiex9_fAutWzoXjnNv8s8CtUdZQQhZXqAYFJrV-HuAG4B_Vc/s400/Cin02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443769710258439554" /></a><br /><br />"Seasons" is another page from an altered book. The wheel at the bottom turns to display the differant seasons in the little window. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-dJIkIWtuRpTJij6DrakpRt1i9lvs1YJ5arRM3bVHWty6Hy5ZojwscIjnIljtgiK12iLbd5RYlr7RMyTWy4zBYf1u_vQXALbjGFyzEtisINGZ0TD80EvJ2wN21erMgadbASVB8DzxoRq/s1600-h/Cin01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-dJIkIWtuRpTJij6DrakpRt1i9lvs1YJ5arRM3bVHWty6Hy5ZojwscIjnIljtgiK12iLbd5RYlr7RMyTWy4zBYf1u_vQXALbjGFyzEtisINGZ0TD80EvJ2wN21erMgadbASVB8DzxoRq/s400/Cin01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443769705999457874" /></a><br /><br />Allie recently finished this painting of a client's childhood swimming hole.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDglS_DvKMEGl2UD9w1HuyYQLeS4yGCWL5Pkj5_wIj-8mn8kFYdFWoDXI18pQx8jD-EwTD05AAUJ3CUbYKT1iUVxuAfPFgAlvaWl9Skaf7dMnhFub1d_BPv8O0T9hCjT1s0Msjzowt7cCM/s1600-h/Allie003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDglS_DvKMEGl2UD9w1HuyYQLeS4yGCWL5Pkj5_wIj-8mn8kFYdFWoDXI18pQx8jD-EwTD05AAUJ3CUbYKT1iUVxuAfPFgAlvaWl9Skaf7dMnhFub1d_BPv8O0T9hCjT1s0Msjzowt7cCM/s400/Allie003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443769700895277554" /></a><br /><br />Allie painted this "Caffinated Butterfly" in one of the rooms of the resort we work at (The Village Green Garden Resort).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC7jbtp15D70jQ8DNJ91SVBXjo34kNC1ljB250_-OcaZYo4CQ6iVPYKv87UuCHQk37TK2V4lfG4BPcaGglb6tfNDZ92T9IYb3N0YhCmtU6Twvjmtvku29HEDnLb-gM1PwNfDX07NH2jpU/s1600-h/Allie02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQC7jbtp15D70jQ8DNJ91SVBXjo34kNC1ljB250_-OcaZYo4CQ6iVPYKv87UuCHQk37TK2V4lfG4BPcaGglb6tfNDZ92T9IYb3N0YhCmtU6Twvjmtvku29HEDnLb-gM1PwNfDX07NH2jpU/s400/Allie02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443769697975414690" /></a><br /><br />Allie gets jiggy with Santa at the Holiday Party.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Dq4s8yYhBg5NMsDNzqbI1EM7W3Yw0iC62q3l3nMz2JNf4hNnwRpWTZ3dWiH9HCVnQRbND5qkYcFGWi2xBkccSA-mmHuC2n0TpAFnKliewmCa-YZgH598PTwRjqaf6t6HGVe-fdHTCj3L/s1600-h/Allie+01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Dq4s8yYhBg5NMsDNzqbI1EM7W3Yw0iC62q3l3nMz2JNf4hNnwRpWTZ3dWiH9HCVnQRbND5qkYcFGWi2xBkccSA-mmHuC2n0TpAFnKliewmCa-YZgH598PTwRjqaf6t6HGVe-fdHTCj3L/s400/Allie+01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443769692247035266" /></a><br /><br />Are you an artist and gardener? Leave a comment and let me know what your talents are.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-40678436839259771642010-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:002010-02-18T15:45:41.283-08:00The Dream Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEf50muY3XORxtMRSRCzZ4QhRs2EisCEiG56k7lI6-BCi4XDbqA-O7W8hXjWVQ6VBZfFAvGl7tzUkbS5XV2sKdOSyV8CdUgnJBeTQMv_llXW-2tatSfFzWnvZWbbaNy5ksg41_5jlv-Yc/s1600-h/DG4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEf50muY3XORxtMRSRCzZ4QhRs2EisCEiG56k7lI6-BCi4XDbqA-O7W8hXjWVQ6VBZfFAvGl7tzUkbS5XV2sKdOSyV8CdUgnJBeTQMv_llXW-2tatSfFzWnvZWbbaNy5ksg41_5jlv-Yc/s400/DG4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439724451588213394" /></a><br />A Dream Garden... Ah, yes...You never know what you're going to get when you type a word into Google. I typed "Garden,Philadelphia" because I was going there with my daughter and wanted to see if I could find a nice garden or two to visit. What I got was a fantasy garden created by two of my favorite men - Maxfield Parrish and Loius Comfort Tiffany. <br />The Dream Garden is a huge mural created of Favrile Glass.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj8yGrciSOudFBk1emS8Y6RcQypdmvvF9XUXlhdlxW3pMr02MllXafAOs_X2pH6v1poqHFMRHacEh1G4w0-_C7j_h0ae9E2IDvjssihOweQlxF1MDUWugyovXMaxESXcaRZh7E7lY6E53/s1600-h/DG1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj8yGrciSOudFBk1emS8Y6RcQypdmvvF9XUXlhdlxW3pMr02MllXafAOs_X2pH6v1poqHFMRHacEh1G4w0-_C7j_h0ae9E2IDvjssihOweQlxF1MDUWugyovXMaxESXcaRZh7E7lY6E53/s400/DG1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732451656840786" /></a><br />The design for the mural was painted on the wall by Parrish and the glass for it was made by Tiffany. Then workers from Tiffany's studio went to work installing thousands of the hand-made glass pieces to Parrish's painting.<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmA7xk6Qb9ETggIz8j0-TAYEHZTr8tIQkFbXQ1oLCQrlVZyrt95t-wnvad5wdDhUNn62dJDqTxnsm8rQh8hit31YXXxyVtvC6QR7YleYnQUbWYWuUSryip06EKXcioAMBPZGdNBf7NZ8D/s1600-h/DG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmA7xk6Qb9ETggIz8j0-TAYEHZTr8tIQkFbXQ1oLCQrlVZyrt95t-wnvad5wdDhUNn62dJDqTxnsm8rQh8hit31YXXxyVtvC6QR7YleYnQUbWYWuUSryip06EKXcioAMBPZGdNBf7NZ8D/s400/DG2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732460057226418" /></a><br />The Mural was finished in 1915. It measures 15 feet x 49 feet and weighs nearly 4 tons. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_e1y0qucxC5p6pP02cio1E2iQS51ttHBcfx22BNg3d60vDtE2SvLWfWEGJekxuPYQKnerirG-RTZrQSTNwu2h9p0lwpedmnt78lju1zM8y25fN9Zc_Boi5SFRRlp6sfG0JxP6z1OOtL5/s1600-h/DG3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_e1y0qucxC5p6pP02cio1E2iQS51ttHBcfx22BNg3d60vDtE2SvLWfWEGJekxuPYQKnerirG-RTZrQSTNwu2h9p0lwpedmnt78lju1zM8y25fN9Zc_Boi5SFRRlp6sfG0JxP6z1OOtL5/s400/DG3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439732466421348370" /></a><br />You can see this masterpiece in the Curtis Publishing Company Building, right across the street from Independance Hall in Philadelphia.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-29574654951511099672010-02-08T17:18:00.000-08:002010-02-08T17:27:18.041-08:00Before and After - The CourtyardBack angain with more Before and After Pictures. This time we're in the courtyard at the Village Green.<br /><br /><br />June 2003<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2cZo7oL8ILkIz-U0Pr5zmUuMFuiRC_1XhlD0_mw-PYRr2tHnMEF1_op8TlXoKO4JUm5J6gUrlQzj3eMwkSwMXstYEoUdu_xHavr3MePSwPAKzOo3Qr5tUfNtniIbAU6Pqzv9KGd2QOm2/s1600-h/BG1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2cZo7oL8ILkIz-U0Pr5zmUuMFuiRC_1XhlD0_mw-PYRr2tHnMEF1_op8TlXoKO4JUm5J6gUrlQzj3eMwkSwMXstYEoUdu_xHavr3MePSwPAKzOo3Qr5tUfNtniIbAU6Pqzv9KGd2QOm2/s400/BG1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436048255186467586" /></a><br /><br /><br />August 2003<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbgTChgyL6HUm7OzGETZxslICQxF3QqHmhz78sJmvDVvPdyui3Uo7rpctm0jlRWjjFPDspDuWdAFwX9GtagJO99KoXqgVqGsyanLj8aumHIL9B24Dfur0DiYEOh3ViC6UgK-dOXUx3vxN/s1600-h/BG2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbgTChgyL6HUm7OzGETZxslICQxF3QqHmhz78sJmvDVvPdyui3Uo7rpctm0jlRWjjFPDspDuWdAFwX9GtagJO99KoXqgVqGsyanLj8aumHIL9B24Dfur0DiYEOh3ViC6UgK-dOXUx3vxN/s400/BG2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436048245720666242" /></a><br /><br /><br />August 2007<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAegg67OX7wyskCy_l0zYzvmVpDOeAhS85ncV2llFaxa-W7NoGaHnS6dEk-m8_5CB2TjhsXD54ScdDOxlRT_1sloLT9q4zNfB3gZsRLQVSCZaBnK7p45DREg8lk6JhNvjJ9csO9rccvxU/s1600-h/BG4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAegg67OX7wyskCy_l0zYzvmVpDOeAhS85ncV2llFaxa-W7NoGaHnS6dEk-m8_5CB2TjhsXD54ScdDOxlRT_1sloLT9q4zNfB3gZsRLQVSCZaBnK7p45DREg8lk6JhNvjJ9csO9rccvxU/s400/BG4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436048237010644034" /></a><br /><br /><br />June 2009<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bQAzG_5YuZLcZu_OKKn6WLeJxPuDEqtUvNbydOI8qPpURqUEDrvRg13nImLvl5PlY0RfPk3ym8Pz8t8St8swqHoEmC0suZ_S7N-1hzMdxV8WGoHZsbv_3og1kppaje5S_ZVjpyfdn_DR/s1600-h/BG3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bQAzG_5YuZLcZu_OKKn6WLeJxPuDEqtUvNbydOI8qPpURqUEDrvRg13nImLvl5PlY0RfPk3ym8Pz8t8St8swqHoEmC0suZ_S7N-1hzMdxV8WGoHZsbv_3og1kppaje5S_ZVjpyfdn_DR/s400/BG3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436048230703070274" /></a>Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-28649754671883315072010-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:002010-02-04T11:03:29.843-08:00Lawn Gone?I hate lawn. There! I've said it and I have no guilt whatsoever. The only fond memory I have of lawn is rolling down a grassy hill in a barrel, over and over again. Oh, and I do love the smell of fresh mowed grass. <br />That said, I hate everything else about a lawn. The upkeep is agonizing, and they are boring. Every year we dump enough chemicals on them to pickle a nation. And they are not ecologically sound. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwES0s919iHo5GT5NBjn72STc4T08Fy_2BW0qPm5nEuv6kftacVJmDqE_rAfsLJcVmGsxMRPWl_b4hhIECOr_mMRWTuhNU44ywX-oKgTk7VxgGAOVAqhQ_hDKwReEOKqv_3q0KQtqzKiqe/s1600-h/Lawns5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwES0s919iHo5GT5NBjn72STc4T08Fy_2BW0qPm5nEuv6kftacVJmDqE_rAfsLJcVmGsxMRPWl_b4hhIECOr_mMRWTuhNU44ywX-oKgTk7VxgGAOVAqhQ_hDKwReEOKqv_3q0KQtqzKiqe/s400/Lawns5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434452519033719522" /></a><br />The Green at the Oregon Garden is a huge expanse for weddings and other functions. It is a gardener's nightmare to keep it green and weed free.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7bYlxdSOZQ8knoIPNPaUddnMg9xDORf3GKOQ-fEVzxPkkbyLo89ycYMn9GnKx1qT7-NFNMr1YkqHnr84JV_Y1qvEm7V-vg5AazVQbG1x6D1k58ql0g-rAf0gt9FBQzgNRfV0vg1fPbwc/s1600-h/Lawns2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7bYlxdSOZQ8knoIPNPaUddnMg9xDORf3GKOQ-fEVzxPkkbyLo89ycYMn9GnKx1qT7-NFNMr1YkqHnr84JV_Y1qvEm7V-vg5AazVQbG1x6D1k58ql0g-rAf0gt9FBQzgNRfV0vg1fPbwc/s400/Lawns2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434452507763198322" /></a><br />The Bridal Garden at the Village Green is another lawn that is a major headache to keep looking good.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScTfzcjQj8r5SKVGyz3pnpoOz9DeddPrr9o8aWXQOk1mtxGYeY1NHgmrZrjn10K2cXbmeZ9_h3j1IsBn8-Rz4osDHpOZ7wyFeamuhG37s8_tRKZ4ygpF2eprHj_KEIo8MIlPyJudgiBb7/s1600-h/Lawns3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScTfzcjQj8r5SKVGyz3pnpoOz9DeddPrr9o8aWXQOk1mtxGYeY1NHgmrZrjn10K2cXbmeZ9_h3j1IsBn8-Rz4osDHpOZ7wyFeamuhG37s8_tRKZ4ygpF2eprHj_KEIo8MIlPyJudgiBb7/s400/Lawns3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434452502741020226" /></a><br />This is the best this lawn ever looks. It is a small lawn, just big enough for a small wedding, but it's a pain in the tush to keep looking good.<br /><br /><br />I don't have a problem with grass. You may ask what the differance is, and I'll tell you. Grasses come in all differant sizes and flavors. We have annual grasses and perennials grasses, bluegrass, rye, fescue, etc. There are tall grasses for gardens and invasive grasses for cussing at. I like a little plot of flat vegetation where I can sit comfortably and where the grandkids (if I ever get any) can roll around on.<br />But I don't want a steroid green lawn of one or two specific grass types with no other "bad" grasses or broadleafed weeds growing in it. The only way to get this kind of lawn is to <br />a) Be a slave to it. <br />b) Dump mass quantities of chemicals on it. <br />No Thank You.<br />How can I feel good about letting my grandkids play on a toxic wasteland? Do I want to sit in a chemical dump? Do I want the run-off from my over-fertilized lawn to pollute the stream that runs nearby? All so I can have a lush green lawn? <br />I hearby invite everyone who is reading this to convert their lawn to a miniature meadow. Let the native grasses sow themselves in it, sprinkle seeds of english daisies and violets in the grass, revel in the lush mosses that come in over winter. Mow it if you want to - or not. As we said in the '60's, "Go with the Flow, Baby".<br /> The most delightful lawn I ever saw was at Haceta Head on the Oregon Coast at the Lighthouse Keepers house. It was a beautiful tapestry of tiny potentillas, yarrows, wild strawberries and native grasses. You could roll on it, play on it, run on it and be quite happy. Or you could lay on your belly and marvel at the magical little world beneath you. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitslPMMJRgDoROk2w1x5h6Y5np9Ynj5-V8x7EjpZTgY3WBs-2R8cVjUM3SuqOEpZoffR3xH0uK8OYyLFSb2nXcvLf-Nk6Qh-_SHuNmGU0Sj9HIxHAjsDCABp2j-fY5yaAfnzdmj56hLaLf/s1600-h/Lab1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitslPMMJRgDoROk2w1x5h6Y5np9Ynj5-V8x7EjpZTgY3WBs-2R8cVjUM3SuqOEpZoffR3xH0uK8OYyLFSb2nXcvLf-Nk6Qh-_SHuNmGU0Sj9HIxHAjsDCABp2j-fY5yaAfnzdmj56hLaLf/s400/Lab1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434453741383070002" /></a><br />We mowed this labyrinth into our field. A fun way to enjoy grass without chemicals.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlifewQObD_Pt_AZiFPH1VO_h7F9R01UGBaLkVhyphenhyphenyIg6MbhEhqGnbvzpHTNQQ-6IRrKYVxWF-JiM90sn3sICs_RNy21RtgyHub3uIHvARY863B6rGUw_OK1mFEqmZeisf-i5BhyV8rZco/s1600-h/Grass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlifewQObD_Pt_AZiFPH1VO_h7F9R01UGBaLkVhyphenhyphenyIg6MbhEhqGnbvzpHTNQQ-6IRrKYVxWF-JiM90sn3sICs_RNy21RtgyHub3uIHvARY863B6rGUw_OK1mFEqmZeisf-i5BhyV8rZco/s400/Grass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434460959933223378" /></a><br />This "lawn" at Chanticleer has many lovely little wildflowers and crocuses growing in it. They mow some of it short and leave some tall. Very Charming.<br /><br />Much of my life has been spent ripping out lawns and putting in gardens. I figure I've sent a couple of acres of sod to the compost. Not a bad thing to look back on.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-76865614847421611002010-01-27T13:44:00.000-08:002010-01-27T13:45:44.694-08:00Ahh, Hellebores!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sRNuS0MWFxtm2HYYx_6Wdv0N_C6JQbRHOrEeM3J6CbeAwFSeOu-9a6ehk1YsAjVNgqgwesQk_iBLdvOGFx2sbHIOOedDIuB7tq71xGZgvc3WSADLOSeIc6Mew1pi5FVUn2c-m9Nriym_/s1600-h/Hellebores.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sRNuS0MWFxtm2HYYx_6Wdv0N_C6JQbRHOrEeM3J6CbeAwFSeOu-9a6ehk1YsAjVNgqgwesQk_iBLdvOGFx2sbHIOOedDIuB7tq71xGZgvc3WSADLOSeIc6Mew1pi5FVUn2c-m9Nriym_/s400/Hellebores.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431538859416373266" /></a><br />A little glimpse of Spring to all of you in the Winter doldrums. Don't fret. She's just around the corner...Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-49173147034046380712010-01-14T12:25:00.000-08:002010-01-14T12:53:40.288-08:00January JewelsWitchhazels are a marvelous staple of the winter garden and many garden blogs have lately touted their virtues. Some of the most popular are 'Diana', 'Arnold Promise', and 'Jelena'. But there are many others out there that are equally dazzling (if not more so). Here are a few:<br /><br />My all time favorite is Hamamelis 'Ruby Glow'. An early bloomer and fragrant too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlTClO7sDKdJnRyK_xdaNFuD1ufRWN52-y7A2CXWrTcEKc5FUkrCD198szDxwcQ9t1S5AL3NmDERpZa-AITV-seTWXq6uBAoEDklEDrtaQotGH67Krgq58AVu21ov_Ls7C4LvdOay8lsN/s1600-h/Hamamelis+Ruby+Glow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlTClO7sDKdJnRyK_xdaNFuD1ufRWN52-y7A2CXWrTcEKc5FUkrCD198szDxwcQ9t1S5AL3NmDERpZa-AITV-seTWXq6uBAoEDklEDrtaQotGH67Krgq58AVu21ov_Ls7C4LvdOay8lsN/s400/Hamamelis+Ruby+Glow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426694677304961154" /></a><br /><br />H. 'Sunburst' is a blaze of florescent yellow. Also an early bloomer.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWfJq0Vn_L5jdBYgbDL3Fpmkl98MRNthir2vqF_SeHIECAtPw16TH-3X1GEkhaaeqo07EEfnd5fxZp1BuWzWC5Y7-inIuAs5-Bso-h7zzZWHl5XEt8YJOHuBKm5hsEO3M4CV8-AZpzIX5/s1600-h/Hamamelis+Sunburst.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWfJq0Vn_L5jdBYgbDL3Fpmkl98MRNthir2vqF_SeHIECAtPw16TH-3X1GEkhaaeqo07EEfnd5fxZp1BuWzWC5Y7-inIuAs5-Bso-h7zzZWHl5XEt8YJOHuBKm5hsEO3M4CV8-AZpzIX5/s400/Hamamelis+Sunburst.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426694673284082034" /></a><br /><br />H. 'Firecharm' is similar to 'Ruby Glow, but not fragrant and it's a lower shrub.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN-SUNHDvORLFr1zrdlxqAlZ6sd_IAEkOCgcoknUShdqYY8RBemg9bZx_iVrJfcHQZK3FqSt3w3vEIfJEUnyFBMyGDFrmvrEuNBMEro0E0p8326CeupBYDeSFvA-FTCqq-ka3Nuy-vmna/s1600-h/Hamamelis+Fire+Charm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyN-SUNHDvORLFr1zrdlxqAlZ6sd_IAEkOCgcoknUShdqYY8RBemg9bZx_iVrJfcHQZK3FqSt3w3vEIfJEUnyFBMyGDFrmvrEuNBMEro0E0p8326CeupBYDeSFvA-FTCqq-ka3Nuy-vmna/s400/Hamamelis+Fire+Charm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426694669603087106" /></a><br /><br />H. japonica 'Zuccariniana' is one of the very latest blooming witchhazels. It has yellow scented flowers, but I like it best for it's buds that hang like little droplets from the branches.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivieedLIwKNHfhNEg5tDaUmUUwwIjisT8i9w2Wv8RBRRgoDrrRDT4mZ2NaAvhrATXMF0Wh6L6Zp-jtv7huBG_IAhTXtADSBFa_UIgNrQw51HsynjulRUIicGgWfUVzrQtzbob9XjVzVIuJ/s1600-h/Hamamelis+Zuc.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivieedLIwKNHfhNEg5tDaUmUUwwIjisT8i9w2Wv8RBRRgoDrrRDT4mZ2NaAvhrATXMF0Wh6L6Zp-jtv7huBG_IAhTXtADSBFa_UIgNrQw51HsynjulRUIicGgWfUVzrQtzbob9XjVzVIuJ/s400/Hamamelis+Zuc.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426694431755829506" /></a><br />If you can't find unusual witchhazels at your nursery, Please check these wonderful nurseries in the links list in my sidebar:<br />Gossler farm Nursery<br />Forestfarm NurseryCenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-21194190714874845342010-01-11T13:29:00.000-08:002010-01-11T13:50:40.156-08:00Tapestries in the Natural WorldGrapes and Elderberries at the Village Green Resort - Fall<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1arpXDf54B_t1Wo_mddN1XyU5GFgg487uaHj7CjqVyDpq7xbGc4ou3rK_ByLK1tZ-6p9v0Drs63m1ctW9T4OgudPXwlcXJWZrFhsuLRm89NItvWqNiwipaTuSYhbwzm8Fmp9BQ2NgySUx/s1600-h/Copy+(1)+of+IMG_3100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1arpXDf54B_t1Wo_mddN1XyU5GFgg487uaHj7CjqVyDpq7xbGc4ou3rK_ByLK1tZ-6p9v0Drs63m1ctW9T4OgudPXwlcXJWZrFhsuLRm89NItvWqNiwipaTuSYhbwzm8Fmp9BQ2NgySUx/s400/Copy+(1)+of+IMG_3100.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425599784319946418" /></a><br />I've always been fascinated with little "Tapestries" that are created in nature. I envision these wonderful little vignettes woven into a blanket that I can crawl under to hibernate. Here are a few tapestries that Mother Nature has woven.<br /><br />Boston Ivy on Marble Wall - The Getty Garden - Winter<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3xQP0bG4-IA0wxzHOzzaC-BnRfHFKjxXtkIQdSDhG_vTEgOPkzS99G8tMHBH_JaBee4UPsO2eThshNCRPi-3KRiVhM7MaVrJNNKkl15idu7WDoZX5CpEKZsLQOxA4vIv_jw1pCFZIOKQ/s1600-h/IMG_2515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3xQP0bG4-IA0wxzHOzzaC-BnRfHFKjxXtkIQdSDhG_vTEgOPkzS99G8tMHBH_JaBee4UPsO2eThshNCRPi-3KRiVhM7MaVrJNNKkl15idu7WDoZX5CpEKZsLQOxA4vIv_jw1pCFZIOKQ/s400/IMG_2515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425598554040420242" /></a><br /><br />Rock Wall at Great Dixter - Summer<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9y8v_o2mSocvapeg3CNqWo1c8jtCtIESORuNi8QlVQSsYC-WCRM3eZptSECow92oElXLn2xn_TjmOoF3SW2eUtKq644lLO5ZOf5KecPwIQtVefLbEnDa0xaj2XesPADVX29_lNopCFmy/s1600-h/gd011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9y8v_o2mSocvapeg3CNqWo1c8jtCtIESORuNi8QlVQSsYC-WCRM3eZptSECow92oElXLn2xn_TjmOoF3SW2eUtKq644lLO5ZOf5KecPwIQtVefLbEnDa0xaj2XesPADVX29_lNopCFmy/s400/gd011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425599803468947842" /></a><br /><br />Ajuga and Bellis - The Village Green Resort - Spring<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijeAnkgHEEA9yFFK-3WW5TWBCwaIsOXwPw2XDA9km4U_CzER0cn1rUIHDNBKvt8bGDZ_NgiXPKnpsohbksW2fDXstw_ag3aMmjVookt7qQcf2o6IMjr4KsJSn8FvHzkowSHmRu4RMJdup/s1600-h/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijeAnkgHEEA9yFFK-3WW5TWBCwaIsOXwPw2XDA9km4U_CzER0cn1rUIHDNBKvt8bGDZ_NgiXPKnpsohbksW2fDXstw_ag3aMmjVookt7qQcf2o6IMjr4KsJSn8FvHzkowSHmRu4RMJdup/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425599795656351890" /></a><br /><br />Gravestone at Stourhead - Summer<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFRIFYA7D_PZCJbNWDB1lV2amAgBSJAthzbF0rkmmDKzBvg2kcOF2OiyJPaBI3nV8gG0RsMRruPM0rxJyBD4leWbKzyuSQ1nkY8ZidEdJvLplW0pmQdpVilAP9hjl9HwuKvfwciVnBRFK/s1600-h/st134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFRIFYA7D_PZCJbNWDB1lV2amAgBSJAthzbF0rkmmDKzBvg2kcOF2OiyJPaBI3nV8gG0RsMRruPM0rxJyBD4leWbKzyuSQ1nkY8ZidEdJvLplW0pmQdpVilAP9hjl9HwuKvfwciVnBRFK/s400/st134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425598561516350290" /></a><br /><br />Violas and Sempervivums at The Village Green Resort - Spring <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_orKSVWZOwzv_7_jRksFgMj1WcR1AkeWsraK0AiH6dVMYU-l_ge9wf2c0TEyEFlABkyquvKDZrRzXxZLd-0xtz6wlSirvQIQQyt6OK94_UtBz2UUEls0n7pT5-iVLRjJy7BgH_zFZG4w-/s1600-h/IMG_0106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_orKSVWZOwzv_7_jRksFgMj1WcR1AkeWsraK0AiH6dVMYU-l_ge9wf2c0TEyEFlABkyquvKDZrRzXxZLd-0xtz6wlSirvQIQQyt6OK94_UtBz2UUEls0n7pT5-iVLRjJy7BgH_zFZG4w-/s400/IMG_0106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425600394932589954" /></a>Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-71595261187723809062010-01-05T11:03:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:51:40.232-08:00Muse Hunting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFS7joT7FbgNhj5XQ4WmPqkTduVLmgs3zE1gD5AKAEhvixboquUpb8Wm2h76hgUOttaKPQqe8p1g_6FVV6Ydd8rgsqA8PKJuhHAZ0Me3QKpUwSRGco4gn4ftxrSf0TER3Ut_e-fGFyO6t/s1600-h/poppy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFS7joT7FbgNhj5XQ4WmPqkTduVLmgs3zE1gD5AKAEhvixboquUpb8Wm2h76hgUOttaKPQqe8p1g_6FVV6Ydd8rgsqA8PKJuhHAZ0Me3QKpUwSRGco4gn4ftxrSf0TER3Ut_e-fGFyO6t/s400/poppy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423345195835449858" /></a><br />It's January and rather icky outside most of the time, so I've been cleaning up my studio where a twenty something stray kid had camped out for a few weeks. Now he's gone and I can reclaim my creative space. So what do I do in there? I make altered books, I create beaded brooches, I paint, I cut, I sew, I glitter. Whatever catches my fancy.<br />Two years ago a friend was diagnosed with cancer. I decided to make an altered book for her; making a few pages each week and sending them to her to insert in a customized binder I had made. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZs7xaLRh7usjGl5gPaLv23sku5zWCYITVhwNMHX6ay3P608-VItZH6xwKnUCROtpR0By2Jj23nMXzD14qenh8qLKU2qp_ReC0CgMK-reQ7wwTE5ZFvazFu7eJaD1snbjAq153gyUpdnf/s1600-h/File0085.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZs7xaLRh7usjGl5gPaLv23sku5zWCYITVhwNMHX6ay3P608-VItZH6xwKnUCROtpR0By2Jj23nMXzD14qenh8qLKU2qp_ReC0CgMK-reQ7wwTE5ZFvazFu7eJaD1snbjAq153gyUpdnf/s400/File0085.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423337810846583138" /></a><br />These pictures show a page that has a wheel in the center that displays the different seasons<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Pvx-pDg6WKMYk73BUEErC9cXZpPuA0X3MsQwpvFKJ-4qxGbgeKVE7OS9UewtNEDMjB3TCrBThcvpCi-qtfyAio_46DqxRermdgGe1ojaTm0r0Y6o5KTyGDiTOMqhr9_lN29GcwZ_U0I/s1600-h/File0086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0Pvx-pDg6WKMYk73BUEErC9cXZpPuA0X3MsQwpvFKJ-4qxGbgeKVE7OS9UewtNEDMjB3TCrBThcvpCi-qtfyAio_46DqxRermdgGe1ojaTm0r0Y6o5KTyGDiTOMqhr9_lN29GcwZ_U0I/s400/File0086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423337801686527218" /></a><br /><br />The text on this page reads: "Ever notice how you can tell a lot about a person by what they have in their handbag? Is it schedules and parking stubs or fairy dust and theater tickets? I believe that our handbags manifest themselves in us- A really scary theory not yet substantiated by any well-known university. But a theory nonetheless.<br />What's in YOUR handbag? Here's a little one that you can write healing, happy thoughts in - so we can test our Theory of Handbag Manifestation."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvGRA5Znc7CcjlgW5Z_SLYdAN2vAUcgAHDbak1fnhyphenhyphen71-FktLzVnSZIluy5GjVxd3GEUD3-qEM-vyyIP6X5rtl5FW32bA11Bp5X14I-XlBfjOjpFRbVCnpRDFkXmdgkzggHOH9hK1ZXGO/s1600-h/File0080.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvGRA5Znc7CcjlgW5Z_SLYdAN2vAUcgAHDbak1fnhyphenhyphen71-FktLzVnSZIluy5GjVxd3GEUD3-qEM-vyyIP6X5rtl5FW32bA11Bp5X14I-XlBfjOjpFRbVCnpRDFkXmdgkzggHOH9hK1ZXGO/s400/File0080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423337549764140882" /></a><br /><br />I would always encourage my friend to be strong - Be a Woman Warrior.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RLniiyg1Vpa6pVGOat9uPnzYcOEGd-rQjrzzFuASlrJ9NyufgU-bpYSsd4Vh9BkxwsaGK5Qd3q54VkEWSoNFQ-eMkhHMOEnjzd9jsD5ihN2bN3PB5g2irAr4GsEhI6aZLzFXdpa33ueh/s1600-h/weapons.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RLniiyg1Vpa6pVGOat9uPnzYcOEGd-rQjrzzFuASlrJ9NyufgU-bpYSsd4Vh9BkxwsaGK5Qd3q54VkEWSoNFQ-eMkhHMOEnjzd9jsD5ihN2bN3PB5g2irAr4GsEhI6aZLzFXdpa33ueh/s400/weapons.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423337546939373266" /></a><br /><br />Making a "ransom note" poem from the L. L. Bean catalog was great fun.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IsH3FvRrVjFVw2MDCBhfYZ5f7EPPPvAEqTY7X0j0WJDp5QiQ26UYCRn_Hwgb-_7iJqlf_sy7xSMYkAuOib3rwZj-t7DbiYcTrQQRapUVW7v8g0yw36vo9mixBCV0sICG0y49zUaGqGl8/s1600-h/File0020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IsH3FvRrVjFVw2MDCBhfYZ5f7EPPPvAEqTY7X0j0WJDp5QiQ26UYCRn_Hwgb-_7iJqlf_sy7xSMYkAuOib3rwZj-t7DbiYcTrQQRapUVW7v8g0yw36vo9mixBCV0sICG0y49zUaGqGl8/s400/File0020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423334137446343314" /></a><br /><br />We both love Day of the Dead and I had to include this happy little dog skeleton<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5lzZ_BhpptunwgVrpZH-DNNYrecPRD0fZZtH-koIT-EAuGHhIl11hMHfhHknD1XQXO3GyvwqRBlGaAP2f1vH1U1-Fam6qedASlq-Vfg2A6ZTsSY8dDtRvrswx6TccC7fCSLSua9aKHh4/s1600-h/File0003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5lzZ_BhpptunwgVrpZH-DNNYrecPRD0fZZtH-koIT-EAuGHhIl11hMHfhHknD1XQXO3GyvwqRBlGaAP2f1vH1U1-Fam6qedASlq-Vfg2A6ZTsSY8dDtRvrswx6TccC7fCSLSua9aKHh4/s400/File0003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423334121633856162" /></a><br />I don't remember how many pages I ended up making. But I had a great time doing it and she had a great time using it to keep her mind off her fear. <br />Do you have a space where you can get creative? Let me know what you have made.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-72978302336367391052009-12-29T13:07:00.000-08:002009-12-29T14:05:01.240-08:00Favorite Garden Art - The Big StuffI was looking through my pictures this morning and was inspired by some of the garden art I've seen in recent years. I thought I'd show you some of the "grander" pieces today and some of the fun, quirky, more affordable stuff in a week or so.<br /><br />This is my favorite piece that we have at the Village Green. It's little metal dragonflies welded together into the torso of a woman. The dragonfly wings add a finishing touch. This was made by a 16 year old kid who also made female torsos out of leaves, bats, butterflies and Koi. Very talented.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPq7q27ca2rIk8RtwBUcsXgN7Av_wAUtpFH-S3o3o0UGd4dzRyHQTBfUKbglkqppQduiNEmsZ-QnC__jqjesmDwv_CEEkuFIS3d3kWDh25iP63gS76Blqj_80QP2fSkMxq6A71b28MARo/s1600-h/IMG_2246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPq7q27ca2rIk8RtwBUcsXgN7Av_wAUtpFH-S3o3o0UGd4dzRyHQTBfUKbglkqppQduiNEmsZ-QnC__jqjesmDwv_CEEkuFIS3d3kWDh25iP63gS76Blqj_80QP2fSkMxq6A71b28MARo/s400/IMG_2246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420774895434425570" /></a><br />At the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, there is a fabulous giant Minotaur sharing a secret with a bunny. The whole sculpture is made out of wire. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNC7KHakUIOlUKPFfvUDRnuMsW6afYBCsB-9fMF0aYmupVe1MVkPwd6g8eC7ONgKeysODF3vU113L8g_crFvn1yq2M0FTPr54DTBLuz9eXR1VvErkrQjb_C3SkHmT6wzYcsYCn8MhLuPY/s1600-h/IMG_1461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNC7KHakUIOlUKPFfvUDRnuMsW6afYBCsB-9fMF0aYmupVe1MVkPwd6g8eC7ONgKeysODF3vU113L8g_crFvn1yq2M0FTPr54DTBLuz9eXR1VvErkrQjb_C3SkHmT6wzYcsYCn8MhLuPY/s400/IMG_1461.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420772467260702290" /></a><br />This summer house, woven from various branches, is at Morris Arboretum in Pennsylvania. The birds loved it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD25vKFKOb3RZs9tjHGzNzH7xxBAOBdpC6jKNy04I73Ok1AWLScABXWQ8b9TdmGMGpvLfi7Jbp9cOVW3YspSb_c1vabC9vE9sVPu91SGBlA_WKPPmME4XwOESpVnr-aXEZQ0WEm2JDtiqw/s1600-h/IMG_0147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD25vKFKOb3RZs9tjHGzNzH7xxBAOBdpC6jKNy04I73Ok1AWLScABXWQ8b9TdmGMGpvLfi7Jbp9cOVW3YspSb_c1vabC9vE9sVPu91SGBlA_WKPPmME4XwOESpVnr-aXEZQ0WEm2JDtiqw/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420771618985507650" /></a><br />This sculpture isn't big, grand or expensive. What makes it special is that every morning the gardeners place a perfect bloom in it's hands. You can find it in Lotusland near Santa Barbara, California.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAiIa3xf8Xfg27z1ENvTTtErGJTmxTPl60GQ6kdAGQY0dr9ilJnIqdYArXbphhWZMuCZTlKoJ3jE_3HR9NKjpcsvd93HcJQTO0zjduTIoy04APlpGP_pw5VzhfYNb_gzHkH9YXbPosMyF/s1600-h/100-0027_img_8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAiIa3xf8Xfg27z1ENvTTtErGJTmxTPl60GQ6kdAGQY0dr9ilJnIqdYArXbphhWZMuCZTlKoJ3jE_3HR9NKjpcsvd93HcJQTO0zjduTIoy04APlpGP_pw5VzhfYNb_gzHkH9YXbPosMyF/s400/100-0027_img_8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420770979101274578" /></a><br />This outrageous pergola was found at an art gallery on the McKenzie River in Oregon. When I asked how much it was, the art dealer sniffed "If you have to ask, you can't afford it". What a rude putz. I loved the pergola though because the shadows from it were just as lovely as the original.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpLLEc6rtexnqs8gGW4AZpSs8SFx-9nTBghgZqQDyuTxhd6Bze8jQwX9P3W_i-uvLMSZbLsBPqUOujjJwfIzYP-4NoJESC5iIRzlZsiv2KusV3sg5T04pEFWJqwfXVkaSBZXwUp4z1k6h/s1600-h/IMG_2162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpLLEc6rtexnqs8gGW4AZpSs8SFx-9nTBghgZqQDyuTxhd6Bze8jQwX9P3W_i-uvLMSZbLsBPqUOujjJwfIzYP-4NoJESC5iIRzlZsiv2KusV3sg5T04pEFWJqwfXVkaSBZXwUp4z1k6h/s400/IMG_2162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420769634065114386" /></a><br />The sleeping "Mud Maid" at Heligan is made from mud and cement. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QDYFrVw5c1LuDBO2f4vib9faK84ZkRn3Yfm7AjGch95WYcCRUu6xedAxlciIpXkdeKleW31rD3tQE7pusUbIoxjtxzqY6ogw3jmTZfWaTh9npVbJWiHkVfIcbLEb6y3KiQ5Q8M6dxSss/s1600-h/Heligan023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QDYFrVw5c1LuDBO2f4vib9faK84ZkRn3Yfm7AjGch95WYcCRUu6xedAxlciIpXkdeKleW31rD3tQE7pusUbIoxjtxzqY6ogw3jmTZfWaTh9npVbJWiHkVfIcbLEb6y3KiQ5Q8M6dxSss/s400/Heligan023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420769621167744754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k-HjihiK2CHHYnVSUT1ArLIdzm5VqdzvCNK-XHjXDCTcOWY43A6kXSARuBWfx80RlUkv_O7KzKtutxpewtDU2qHwfTCxKr7c-4ofNqxPTHZ-YXfGpxMHt1is4hkXPyX9fSu3LqEDa_aU/s1600-h/Heligan003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k-HjihiK2CHHYnVSUT1ArLIdzm5VqdzvCNK-XHjXDCTcOWY43A6kXSARuBWfx80RlUkv_O7KzKtutxpewtDU2qHwfTCxKr7c-4ofNqxPTHZ-YXfGpxMHt1is4hkXPyX9fSu3LqEDa_aU/s400/Heligan003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420781880093045698" /></a><br />Another mud sculpture from Heligan (in Cornwall) is "The Giant's Head". The base for this was the root wad of an uprooted tree.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn209JrR3695uWzpPE-gbsxWzF9vVMJAOHcHNCwYROk40oakHzGZEl3HNGHhpDvk_VaTyvTcZvHAfBM07LrkOktOKolVf3y_DU1IG8EB300CpXCugEpOiKkAuA1zWaj8sJSYP2Q_8ST_y8/s1600-h/Heligan001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn209JrR3695uWzpPE-gbsxWzF9vVMJAOHcHNCwYROk40oakHzGZEl3HNGHhpDvk_VaTyvTcZvHAfBM07LrkOktOKolVf3y_DU1IG8EB300CpXCugEpOiKkAuA1zWaj8sJSYP2Q_8ST_y8/s400/Heligan001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420769612371195570" /></a>Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-7876756684978800512009-12-24T09:46:00.000-08:002009-12-24T10:37:15.909-08:00Sassy new computer from a Sassier AuntieTrouble looking for a place to happen. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_T229VwgZ46Tsp0rsu4_dIzPJJnIurSN_G2u7PP8MJVlKftFUGQjAA8LPiARfPGH99mIh-3w8rPF6IzMT7itH0ZV6xXQ3gdyBbdl56_JBzC8FkSmgygoR-RzZZXQs5LJvUXC-t9D4T3F/s1600-h/File0505.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_T229VwgZ46Tsp0rsu4_dIzPJJnIurSN_G2u7PP8MJVlKftFUGQjAA8LPiARfPGH99mIh-3w8rPF6IzMT7itH0ZV6xXQ3gdyBbdl56_JBzC8FkSmgygoR-RzZZXQs5LJvUXC-t9D4T3F/s400/File0505.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418871188577102498" /></a><br />This is my first blog post written from "Sassy", my new HP laptop with Windows 7 and lots of bells and whistles and SPEED. I love it. No more waiting waiting waiting for the computer to respond. <br />So how did po' little me (emphasis on the po') afford such a thing? It's a post humus gift from my Aunt Shirley who passed away a year ago August. Shirley was SASSY! She was a smoker and took pride in that (I NEVER gave her grief about her cigarettes, I valued life too much). My daughter (who bought Shirley's house) still has a letter on her fridge that Shirley wrote to Bill Clinton when he was President. It goes something like this...<br />"Dear Mr. President, I was watching your speech on TV tonight until you started blabbing about more taxes on cigarettes. You've taxed us smokers enough! But it did remind me that I'm almost out of smokes, so I turned your yakking off and I'm going to the store for more cigs."<br /><br />You can see the attitude in this pre-teen shot (Shirley is the one with dark hair)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pVAZ8F0Diaph5LOYa0z19Orovj-x9Y3nGOuZRa6CyefoTIuNVLCvjRPjFH3MjnuUvQX9csynaLRfHRgBDYDNDtCRM7SPcdKZb8ZwZ5INrquaaZJ_F0ryynG66FKJ5UdFHg13ng3jmvUf/s1600-h/File0512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pVAZ8F0Diaph5LOYa0z19Orovj-x9Y3nGOuZRa6CyefoTIuNVLCvjRPjFH3MjnuUvQX9csynaLRfHRgBDYDNDtCRM7SPcdKZb8ZwZ5INrquaaZJ_F0ryynG66FKJ5UdFHg13ng3jmvUf/s400/File0512.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418871195088581874" /></a><br />Shirley had emphysema and she knew she was dying so she had gotten all of her affairs in order. She wrote her will, paid off all of her credit cards and died 2 weeks later. She named me executor and split her estate between me and her neighbor who looked in on her every night. As we were going through the house after her death, we found that she had been so afraid of someone stealing her identity, she hadn't thrown any of her mail away for the past 8 years, And in that mail were copies of HUNDREDS of letters she had written to politicians. All of them acerbic, sassy and irreverant. God love her.<br />So with my inheritance from Shirley, I bought the laptop and I'm also buying a macro lens for my camera and the rest will be invested in making improvements on Shirley's house (Which is now Bryn's house). A nice little investment.<br />So Thank You Shirley, wherever you are. You were the first person in our family to ever own a computer and you were kind enough to let me play with it when I came over to visit. I'll be thinking of you often as I play on this one.<br /><br />In more innocent days - My Mom, Shirley, Brother Paul and their Dad<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JznLGXsopb8OVWvh16lAayC9REB_Jt_G2OJpoO2qU2K6uRzJE-CcW9IXOGAsygwH-NhMLFoJIoGQosgFN9B-dnkxJHst2d-rg0-ZmV6clr-A9KMp_ndMvKNdF7cu7fFGpTZVTptGlLVa/s1600-h/File0539.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JznLGXsopb8OVWvh16lAayC9REB_Jt_G2OJpoO2qU2K6uRzJE-CcW9IXOGAsygwH-NhMLFoJIoGQosgFN9B-dnkxJHst2d-rg0-ZmV6clr-A9KMp_ndMvKNdF7cu7fFGpTZVTptGlLVa/s400/File0539.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418871199431674882" /></a>Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-39133641842447409482009-12-21T13:06:00.000-08:002009-12-21T15:10:33.006-08:00What's Important and What Isn'tThis year, due to recovering from cancer treatment, I decided to simplify the Holidays and it taught me what's really important and what isn't.<br /><strong>What I LOVE about Christmas-</strong><br />Making special gifts<br />Candles in the window<br />Christmas Trees<br />Frost or snow<br />Baking<br />Visiting friends and family<br />Old fashioned ornaments<br />Sharing customs and beliefs with friends of differant faiths<br />Making a wreath<br />Paying attention to the Season<br />Giving<br />As Julie Andrews would sing, these are my favorite things...La La La...But....Some of them were set aside to simplify things this year. <br />The Christmas Tree - We aren't putting up a Christmas Tree, even though I dearly love them, because I don't have the energy to clean my studio so I can fit my recliner in there, so I can put the tree where the recliner was. My daughter just bought her first house and has her first Christmas tree and wants us to spend Christmas day with her. So no tree. And I'm OK with that.<br />Snow and Frost - It doesn't look like it's gonna snow here this year. That's OK too.<br />Baking - I'm only baking and fudge making for close friends and family and a few neighbors. <br />I'm not doing too much visiting this year because I don't have the energy. I went to see my brother (about and hour and a half away) but I'm not making the yearly trip to my parents because we just saw them at Thanksgiving and I don't think my mom should feel like she has to host everyone again. <br />Making a Wreath - Didn't do that this year either. But I put some lights on a timer up front. <br />Paying Attention to the Season - Yes, I've done this. I have listened to the Christmas music that I like (not the traditional stuff) and I've stayed out of the malls and made an effort to buy from local mom and pop stores. I decorated my mantle and I light a fire in the fireplace now and then. My daughter and I bake together and we vary our baking so we do cookies one day and fudge the next, etc, instead of doing an assembly line to crank out 30 batches of fudge that weren't necessary or appreciated. And best of all, We now have a DVR where we record all of the shows we want to watch, so we aren't subjected to endless Christmas consumerism in the form of commercials.<br />Give more - Instead of giving gifts, in my husband's family, we all make donations in each others names. Our family gives to an organization called Senior Santas, which gives gifts (usually necessities like gift cards to grocery stores) to elderly people who are low income. Christmas isn't just for kids.<br />I like to get a little extra cash this time of year for the bell ringers. When my kids were young, all of the neighbor kids would get together to bake cookies for the Mission. We like to donate cash, blankets and pet food to the local shelter. And we make sure that the birds outside are fed. <br />This Year I sat down and wrote a list of Christmas resolutions in my Holiday Journal. They are:<br />I will try to use recyclable gift wrapping in the form of home-made fabric gift bags, tins, and reusable boxes.<br />I will attempt to make most of my gifts or buy from local small businesses. <br />I will jettison anything I deem stressful. <br />I will be cheerful and relaxed.<br />I will cherish my friends. <br />I will give to people who need it but will not spend more than I can afford for the Holiday. The people who matter don't expect me to go into debt to buy them "Stuff".<br />I will light a candle in the window for my Grandmothers, my Aunt Shirley and my friend Lauren. <br />I will be present for my family. <br />I am sure that I will find more to add to my resolutions - at least I hope I do. And I hope that you all can de-stress a bit and realize that this season is all about love and family and friends and not about spending money, excessive partying or impressing others. Give yourself the gift of really enjoying this special time.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-2613219244193137342009-12-21T12:59:00.000-08:002009-12-21T14:20:43.771-08:00Non-Seasonal Eye CandyI know I should be posting pictures of Christmas Trees, Santas and such, but I thought that with the gloom outside, it might be a nice respite to see some eye candy from past seasons to remind us that the sun is shining somewhere up above the clouds. <br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR-WhSaM1Sc7OU-Ftbu-zZV7rghy1b90Jta2k3Q7bOh_rHPCLf1vNM-q3idYwz1YCD11ty0787dbY9xeGintLrqOmzyUs9KF-K9RP1hukn54EuZ-23KgZSpvtN4Ql9i0gH9HVhbg_NksV/s1600-h/101-0184_img.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijR-WhSaM1Sc7OU-Ftbu-zZV7rghy1b90Jta2k3Q7bOh_rHPCLf1vNM-q3idYwz1YCD11ty0787dbY9xeGintLrqOmzyUs9KF-K9RP1hukn54EuZ-23KgZSpvtN4Ql9i0gH9HVhbg_NksV/s400/101-0184_img.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417815709611422194" /></a><br />Echinacea in the Bird Habitat at the Village Green Resort<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYwg3zBWVKKFCTEAsdQ_e4hGcXg9Lolaqu_mJpHLkCyqz-Yq_P1fitVTCzZ_7ebXvLB3DJHg1OrZe3MgWq7M3vKjCOrS1dhalnzAqDmFeBjLB3az7p6IAaSpDOUpmq_QT-hYnsemeGS7R/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYwg3zBWVKKFCTEAsdQ_e4hGcXg9Lolaqu_mJpHLkCyqz-Yq_P1fitVTCzZ_7ebXvLB3DJHg1OrZe3MgWq7M3vKjCOrS1dhalnzAqDmFeBjLB3az7p6IAaSpDOUpmq_QT-hYnsemeGS7R/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417815704354744754" /></a><br />The Sitting Garden at the Village Green<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt4cI7M650DrJD8OXEVst1O0HXIHbyQAtATv1P99zmGiCdklez7353lDy7M202C6y8N2wTWBa7v82Zh0FfyTviM3tZrhNR4Z4EK6m_chCzYa3Bd2mKx85nMBqAMq2Af2ySduohU5fReX0/s1600-h/st152.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHt4cI7M650DrJD8OXEVst1O0HXIHbyQAtATv1P99zmGiCdklez7353lDy7M202C6y8N2wTWBa7v82Zh0FfyTviM3tZrhNR4Z4EK6m_chCzYa3Bd2mKx85nMBqAMq2Af2ySduohU5fReX0/s400/st152.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417815695974919442" /></a><br />Stourhead Garden, England<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iN4J8gFmDQcweo9net-uMDG8DLwMStgt0E3tZ2Zjbge7V1iZODtVu5kS-ORWKOkEYbV7UAB6b-iJzt1ph1tNzi51xh12spxCUOaHsc0XIcMEjfCEcfFSxCdVdSmtvvqeclPMSP2GL30Y/s1600-h/siss171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iN4J8gFmDQcweo9net-uMDG8DLwMStgt0E3tZ2Zjbge7V1iZODtVu5kS-ORWKOkEYbV7UAB6b-iJzt1ph1tNzi51xh12spxCUOaHsc0XIcMEjfCEcfFSxCdVdSmtvvqeclPMSP2GL30Y/s400/siss171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417814587617093938" /></a><br />The White Garden at Sissinghurst, England<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj3a711eTBxWzvhqOmDwzq_bR-7dFaXXSu7OkiW4ayFKfVUWXv8ePwfQHEKrN44nJRWqcmxR2_XZFspSYKtjgZxPt-e0D23x07TV-H58H_IkPlcwJ1dK7XHd8twTkFmV3Okkaq4qN9gD4/s1600-h/IMG_0400.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj3a711eTBxWzvhqOmDwzq_bR-7dFaXXSu7OkiW4ayFKfVUWXv8ePwfQHEKrN44nJRWqcmxR2_XZFspSYKtjgZxPt-e0D23x07TV-H58H_IkPlcwJ1dK7XHd8twTkFmV3Okkaq4qN9gD4/s400/IMG_0400.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417814576829563458" /></a><br />The Italian Garden at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-2Y-1GzmWCNWgENp70Kmyqo1aV3nqAFopZ_jl5Vv_SZCOvMlKuYD2BMQ7VPfuf4ENssFV8cb5vcMTiOz6ur2EHdJK5JIrwByLCY-2OWW0Fj8CunyIlWbOz95TZJlurKC7eICYZ9o6EPa/s1600-h/Copy+(1)+of+strybing5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-2Y-1GzmWCNWgENp70Kmyqo1aV3nqAFopZ_jl5Vv_SZCOvMlKuYD2BMQ7VPfuf4ENssFV8cb5vcMTiOz6ur2EHdJK5JIrwByLCY-2OWW0Fj8CunyIlWbOz95TZJlurKC7eICYZ9o6EPa/s400/Copy+(1)+of+strybing5.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417814569964635458" /></a><br />Victoria Waterlilies at Strybing Arboretum, San FranciscoCenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-34428198263974560162009-12-10T14:09:00.000-08:002009-12-10T14:19:06.210-08:00Delights of a Cold Winter Week<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOEm5S4hVA1bH2A5s4q1sml5KEPc1ba4YRPN_RFEz8e8lbGJWV1oAEBytMgOsw97A2EGnj0FSXGMA19o9cMFsfmgCWwpFjau4N3j9HwwmjvdaZgxaUR4GBMRBFQSVZqr_FyZAhyphenhyphenad7Oo6/s1600-h/IMG_0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOEm5S4hVA1bH2A5s4q1sml5KEPc1ba4YRPN_RFEz8e8lbGJWV1oAEBytMgOsw97A2EGnj0FSXGMA19o9cMFsfmgCWwpFjau4N3j9HwwmjvdaZgxaUR4GBMRBFQSVZqr_FyZAhyphenhyphenad7Oo6/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413733927711046258" /></a><br />We have had temperatures down to 10 degrees at night this past week, with the days never getting above freezing. I've been bringing the pets indoors and thawing out bird baths for the birds and squirrels and putting out lots of food for the wildlife. But there is always something lovely to be found in nature, no matter what. Our fountain turned into a lovely ice sculpture. Many of the employees have been havng their pictures taken in front of it for their christmas cards.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK34bvhG38KsVygym0SVQ5FKppWRTcC1TWQjrs6aQimDKyQInJmkZgzAC-qOpjxe_6395zh3FjH1AGJjvBbypd_x_D5QXdiOSumb-nLcjF8_2fe7XMuJralZpxTfjZZDA2ZAwJqsthRq1K/s1600-h/IMG_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK34bvhG38KsVygym0SVQ5FKppWRTcC1TWQjrs6aQimDKyQInJmkZgzAC-qOpjxe_6395zh3FjH1AGJjvBbypd_x_D5QXdiOSumb-nLcjF8_2fe7XMuJralZpxTfjZZDA2ZAwJqsthRq1K/s400/IMG_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413733918796810626" /></a><br />Here's anothe view of the whole fountain. Isn't she magnificent?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA64z8rBD8j-8S766SgnGW7AoYVmQCpOO3fYOii1YEBHBigWriMpvSS1Z5lHIqZWkgpMHJYIP8-yaxIWHbXZrp8kJHmXocDeHFsRcW8sgxluvUEPQPCh4DbUVQV_MKlSGO11a47TeHRL7/s1600-h/IMG_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA64z8rBD8j-8S766SgnGW7AoYVmQCpOO3fYOii1YEBHBigWriMpvSS1Z5lHIqZWkgpMHJYIP8-yaxIWHbXZrp8kJHmXocDeHFsRcW8sgxluvUEPQPCh4DbUVQV_MKlSGO11a47TeHRL7/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413733906751648514" /></a><br />I loved this little garden of frost ferns that formed on the side of my car.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-7783138336437624662009-12-02T11:54:00.000-08:002009-12-02T13:00:56.355-08:00Ghosts in the Garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS8fYHxncbSCwdAzLgUcdIRNqhDZ6L34CPtFY3KAOOFiL6thfP_lb53yhxlC9Jj_8tWXQWcGi8H3mmzcbeK3QE9GzNJtBRqBziglmQ1BELZfq-Nbcr87Kok6qikP5kJkosppCLGz7X79D/s1600-h/Labyrinth+60.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnS8fYHxncbSCwdAzLgUcdIRNqhDZ6L34CPtFY3KAOOFiL6thfP_lb53yhxlC9Jj_8tWXQWcGi8H3mmzcbeK3QE9GzNJtBRqBziglmQ1BELZfq-Nbcr87Kok6qikP5kJkosppCLGz7X79D/s400/Labyrinth+60.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410730924170683922" /></a><br />Magical mist wraps around the labyrinth on an early winter walk.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JeEwEr1c948MuqWGmbYcE07y2O-Dru9cVE9gvq-GZaMUnVDgbgBO2s_imhCsls2nr2onAih2UW8fXYoWE7MVT9sAOgYetfJzBzZ2JCHn7Fs5JdMgzU0l_Nzfz0B9M9xtXkztvylxI8OJ/s1600-h/IMG_0051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JeEwEr1c948MuqWGmbYcE07y2O-Dru9cVE9gvq-GZaMUnVDgbgBO2s_imhCsls2nr2onAih2UW8fXYoWE7MVT9sAOgYetfJzBzZ2JCHn7Fs5JdMgzU0l_Nzfz0B9M9xtXkztvylxI8OJ/s400/IMG_0051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410730909691383266" /></a><br />This spruce, enshrouded in spider webs, shimmers in the mist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsYTNg8cLVA2z1_jZMHXWSDR_Be_2LjIgTmsPNCbzwRT9hkaQQSAUuBRi99QGtKvXNvPAmcB6caDEI4MaUF9Gf9xjBK58OlWeUkyKGj6Fba-gApGxj32R9qEhRQwRJOgrVzZgOsYAyYTL/s1600-h/IMG_0052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsYTNg8cLVA2z1_jZMHXWSDR_Be_2LjIgTmsPNCbzwRT9hkaQQSAUuBRi99QGtKvXNvPAmcB6caDEI4MaUF9Gf9xjBK58OlWeUkyKGj6Fba-gApGxj32R9qEhRQwRJOgrVzZgOsYAyYTL/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410730902108805826" /></a><br />When you wake up to a misty, moisty morning, I highly recommend wrapping up snug (for nothing penetrates your bones like a cold fog) and take a walk outside, intermingling with the ghosts of the garden.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-59941551312719588432009-12-01T16:37:00.000-08:002009-12-01T17:18:57.125-08:00Song Of The Rabbits Outside The TavernWe who play under the pines,<br />We who dance in the snow<br />That shines blue in the light of the moon<br />Sometimes we halt as we go,<br />Stand with our ears erect,<br />Our noses testing the air,<br />To gaze at the golden world<br />Behind the window there.<br /><br />Suns they have in a cave<br />And stars each on a tall white stem,<br />And the thought of a fox or night owl<br />Seems never to trouble them.<br />They laugh and eat and are warm,<br />Their food seems ready at hand,<br />While hungry out in the cold<br />We little rabbits stand.<br /><br />But they never dance as we dance,<br />They have not the speed or the grace.<br />We scorn both the cat and the dog<br />Who lie by the fireplace.<br />We scorn them licking their paws,<br />Their eyes on an upraised spoon,<br />We who dance hungry and wild<br />Under the winter's moon.<br /><br />Elizabeth Coatsworth.<br />Garden Blogger Muse Day<br />Check out Sweet Home And Garden Chicago in the Blog ListCenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-75945876818422269472009-11-24T09:56:00.000-08:002009-11-30T15:52:51.672-08:00Giving Thanks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYx5NYVeryf3GApIUFUsqZUtF3U9lJoZeJL6o5b3MyvW9yWyY28vK6pXTqgdAoViDrlJoTfUNet84b8g1og6ssXn0q97WIyKBcRtlJl6L0PQks_J6UUCpufdTPiFlsj-Am_ToRWSzzPTn/s1600/100-0014_img.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYx5NYVeryf3GApIUFUsqZUtF3U9lJoZeJL6o5b3MyvW9yWyY28vK6pXTqgdAoViDrlJoTfUNet84b8g1og6ssXn0q97WIyKBcRtlJl6L0PQks_J6UUCpufdTPiFlsj-Am_ToRWSzzPTn/s400/100-0014_img.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407737807346507650" /></a><br />Well, It's almost Thanksgiving and I'm thinking about what my Grandmothers would have been thankful for and what I should be as well. It's fairly easy to pull up all of the old standbys - family, friends, a big, fat turkey on the table. And I am definately thankful for all of them. But how about fine-tuning it a little bit.<br />My grandma Flora moved around a lot. My father said that she could make a home in a packing crate if she needed to. I'm sure she was thankful for every Thanksgiving that found a solid roof over her head. She would have been thankful for all of her grandchildren who she loved dearly. She would have been thankful for the fragrance of the autumn oaks outside and the M&Ms she had stashed under the towels in the linen closet (she was diabetic and hid her candy). <br />My grandma Ruth would have been thankful for the farm we lived on and the abundance that came from it. That farm fed her and my grandfather, my whole family, and assorted aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. I'm sure she was thankful for her son, her only child, and the 4 grandchildren he gave her. She would have been thankful that the lilacs bloomed every spring just outside the back bedroom window and she would be thankful that on a cold February morning, perhaps on her birthday (February 9th) she would be able to find the first violet blooming under the maple tree that sheltered her house. She would be thankful for Saturday Popcorn Night and Sunday Pancake Breakfast with the grandkids. <br />So what am I thankful for? I'm thankful that although my home isn't big by anyone's standards, it's big enough for my son and two of his friends to live here as they get their feet under them in this horrible economy. I'm thankful that my daughter was finally able get her own home. I'm thankful that I only have one chemo session left and then I can get on with my life again. I'm thankful that I can be a shoulder for friends who are going through a rough road with elderly parents who are dying, and I'm thankful that I can make a tiny differance for the better in anyone's life if I just stay positive and give more than I take. And finally, I'm thankful for the stormy Winter outside, because without it, I wouldn't enjoy the Spring nearly as much.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-32802859148774251112009-11-19T09:56:00.001-08:002009-11-19T10:15:18.592-08:00MentoringTwo years ago I went to visit my Sister-in-Law in Los Angeles and also had the privilege of spending time with her grand kids (my niece's children). I instantly fell in love with both of these kids. Drew was around 8 at the time and Sasha was 5 or 6. I wanted to connect with them and be a great auntie, but as I talked to them, I couldn't find a lot in common. They both liked sports. Sasha played soccer, Drew was into basketball. I knew nothing about either. But I had brought along a birdhouse kit for each of them and I helped them build them and then they painted them. And they really enjoyed it. I heard later that they had hung the birdhouses and had families raised in them. What a gratifying project. While I was there I also helped them build a skateboard ramp. I think they were a little amazed that I knew how to use a screwdriver. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K25BAjCzllk5Q_RVeIsRbykziCGbhXHIR2ru_JuzjCsKxRoVTizWWEYO8b0YgBq-PKLkD9u-P_5mwS-QVM2KkRlpvTwYRlFBU4xG5P_pN8TOuI7uYzpDu4_Hht2nHM-Rf8ZTl_hycy0O/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K25BAjCzllk5Q_RVeIsRbykziCGbhXHIR2ru_JuzjCsKxRoVTizWWEYO8b0YgBq-PKLkD9u-P_5mwS-QVM2KkRlpvTwYRlFBU4xG5P_pN8TOuI7uYzpDu4_Hht2nHM-Rf8ZTl_hycy0O/s400/IMG_2576.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405875840488225874" /></a><br />Drew with his birdhouse.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf___IqJLIko09FjZ3aqMPo9cKCdt2EXrZQJBPxoOt2EdChEcNIQaHA8Hk8wIzBxxcNFn-RZC2gpFTdv44ZDGqAWt36I0d0RBCqRO_2jTXun1ng4asVrHlkcRtNqnnl16ckyRu0lamoKCA/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf___IqJLIko09FjZ3aqMPo9cKCdt2EXrZQJBPxoOt2EdChEcNIQaHA8Hk8wIzBxxcNFn-RZC2gpFTdv44ZDGqAWt36I0d0RBCqRO_2jTXun1ng4asVrHlkcRtNqnnl16ckyRu0lamoKCA/s400/IMG_2575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405875830228900882" /></a><br />Sasha had to really scrape the bottle of her paint jar to get enough green paint for her birdhouse. <br /><br />So I had connected with them on the subject of birds. (That Christmas, I sent them an Audubon book on Bird Identification). <br />But I still wanted to connect on a deeper level. I found a way to do that on my last day there. We were taking a walk and Drew found a piece of quartz on the side of the road. We got to talking about rocks and I found that he was very interested in them. I am also a rock and gem collector and so when I got home, I sent him a nice assortment of stones and sent Sasha some color and activity books. This went on for a while - sending care packages of stones and books, until one day I got a terse e-mail from Sasha saying simply "I like rocks too!". So now they both get stones and I've sent them some stone identification books. I'm always picking their brains to see what else we have in common that I can build on. I like to think that I have made an impact of sorts in their lives. I am very nature oriented and I wanted to give them a little bit of that side of me. And I feel like I have. <br />I encourage all of you to find some young people and do what you can to impart your grandmother wisdom to them. In this day and age, it's a very important commodity.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-16712210191432196802009-11-17T09:33:00.000-08:002009-11-17T10:40:14.264-08:00Decorating From The Dollar Store'Tis the season to be pinching pennies and with the economy in the toilet, we need to be frugal more than ever. Our Grandmothers were always clever about saving a dime here and there and I know they would have loved the dollar store. There are a number of them out there. Some are better than others. We have one here (in Oregon) called "The Dollar Tree", and it's wonderful. Check yours out and don't forget the thrift stores. Look for components that can be taken apart and reassembled into something new and wonderful. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyYVaHAel_JeFJspj7UKsStHz08CAGi4dELgnXOqHX9NpsER5NPml2mV7ZDXwUILnRh-C8Y7UeKOthyphenhyphen7g8Wq59mItOT1WBYQlxFLJ3LJFjtVPUWXuW96YE1AAOI-r-m7RqA14SynXbRX5/s1600/IMG_3203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyYVaHAel_JeFJspj7UKsStHz08CAGi4dELgnXOqHX9NpsER5NPml2mV7ZDXwUILnRh-C8Y7UeKOthyphenhyphen7g8Wq59mItOT1WBYQlxFLJ3LJFjtVPUWXuW96YE1AAOI-r-m7RqA14SynXbRX5/s400/IMG_3203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135691260049234" /></a><br />The ribbon for this basket, and the basket itself were the only expense. The cones were found on a hiking trip, the greens were cut from the garden. The basket was from an import store ($5) and the ribbon was from the Dollar Store.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQUxrdJbjwDu97IGpL3-iIQI1pp2ReKs2MBIaxq_4osc5avpnkT3QAJjbnUO4CUPGhTh0kl76oRKNJA8JBiHSjkcGkdkWfowe7wwc8_Tsu3tAAaePVMnQtLvw7lBRgJg4AYwsdHKd_yjh/s1600/IMG_3201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQUxrdJbjwDu97IGpL3-iIQI1pp2ReKs2MBIaxq_4osc5avpnkT3QAJjbnUO4CUPGhTh0kl76oRKNJA8JBiHSjkcGkdkWfowe7wwc8_Tsu3tAAaePVMnQtLvw7lBRgJg4AYwsdHKd_yjh/s400/IMG_3201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135690269022290" /></a><br />The candycanes, the poppies, the red sparkly are all from the dollar store. The bucket was from a craft store ($7).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxHrKPvMHlS7xY4RWq1_D5KkrxtMbV_AnqH8wTQdsjpJ3jBC21FBP_rlKgf0Iv6s8MKpR0yxrZaw40uBTwOhbG1jUcqKK5upKkbQY7IC-29qtq6q18320Uj3d4W4yzxjRg6qsxhZBKSbX/s1600/IMG_3191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxHrKPvMHlS7xY4RWq1_D5KkrxtMbV_AnqH8wTQdsjpJ3jBC21FBP_rlKgf0Iv6s8MKpR0yxrZaw40uBTwOhbG1jUcqKK5upKkbQY7IC-29qtq6q18320Uj3d4W4yzxjRg6qsxhZBKSbX/s400/IMG_3191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135676563293970" /></a><br />The poppies are a great find. Most flowers from dollar stores are a bit cheesy, but you can find some keepers if you dig. I bought all the poppies they had because they looked so cool and the color was definately Christmas. You can get ribbon at the Dollar Store, but often there isn't much on a spool. You may be better off buying it at a craft store or try to get it from a floral distributor. Always check how much ribbon is on a spool before buying. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcR7DMOO5Tfb0JRF9EB099r9KAV2Bf6M87GMutcAq2VV8eBfRwMlfk2VclDNA_Fu6XI1Gg8OEKZMk-sNN8FB2G6hV1aV3bJ_KaR9KoFrVKXFNnZk87mfSE71duQqCNh5evV_b3tXuwolk/s1600/IMG_3172.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcR7DMOO5Tfb0JRF9EB099r9KAV2Bf6M87GMutcAq2VV8eBfRwMlfk2VclDNA_Fu6XI1Gg8OEKZMk-sNN8FB2G6hV1aV3bJ_KaR9KoFrVKXFNnZk87mfSE71duQqCNh5evV_b3tXuwolk/s400/IMG_3172.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135139248192850" /></a><br />This is one of my favorite finds. The baby stockings were in a pack of 3 for a dollar. I also found the tiny closepins there. A bit of ribbon brought it all together. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGuEZGAthgW7wSuUt-4a4UTSG9h4WSJc5D_YNtJLjLNAL0QST8iDBoWtP-RxfEBePtMV0VT5X5P1xlC-AmssBSFa5Pqw_r80jpOxDJBKoZX0sAgpOfSCFW3U3WluAdkoR3bfAEsDkx5tI/s1600/IMG_3178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGuEZGAthgW7wSuUt-4a4UTSG9h4WSJc5D_YNtJLjLNAL0QST8iDBoWtP-RxfEBePtMV0VT5X5P1xlC-AmssBSFa5Pqw_r80jpOxDJBKoZX0sAgpOfSCFW3U3WluAdkoR3bfAEsDkx5tI/s400/IMG_3178.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135129962475474" /></a><br />Poofy tulle bows with oversized jingle bells give the tree some sparkle. All elements were from the dollar store and then wired together. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN89K52IvcCBfrDlSrPRNaI5QlhM166ClST8VAeUyV1VfWkbnNGPvKJ00So5zSAR8YK2y_3CBcuzWArDmLG7GnEskO4SgB650cC_h4JyxJgersy3DU_mm0Sx67EI4sbZr2LgPr39nI0dVh/s1600/IMG_2428.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN89K52IvcCBfrDlSrPRNaI5QlhM166ClST8VAeUyV1VfWkbnNGPvKJ00So5zSAR8YK2y_3CBcuzWArDmLG7GnEskO4SgB650cC_h4JyxJgersy3DU_mm0Sx67EI4sbZr2LgPr39nI0dVh/s400/IMG_2428.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405135121255980706" /></a><br />This tree topper is an Allium schubertii that we dried from the garden, painted white and sprayed with glass glitter. Bulbs for this wonderful allium can be bought at garden centers in the fall. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI07tcSkqL7k9iVLXNe-VpF2H3xD8VJ2PkZ-vadiIVYsZolyxMVyE7xucZOuysCunRJ4jliPgzgeCm5vSEUau_pCs6I2vqT2BonnFbvJRltoiKRfnaCCoiBQXWGIr7aaZm-6F6XW9f1E2k/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI07tcSkqL7k9iVLXNe-VpF2H3xD8VJ2PkZ-vadiIVYsZolyxMVyE7xucZOuysCunRJ4jliPgzgeCm5vSEUau_pCs6I2vqT2BonnFbvJRltoiKRfnaCCoiBQXWGIr7aaZm-6F6XW9f1E2k/s400/IMG_1765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405134446194524786" /></a><br />These snowflakes are Dollar Store finds. They usually have lots of them in differant sizes. The smaller ones are usually 3 or more to a package. Hang them around your tree from the ceiling, or in a window.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhZqHWGTjQX020VzGl28SntkaRpwYRYVVjm89qXjIEacqzwRYJVK7Y00cFdnYs88l8-NZmGxpGsXxHbNluGhhcT60jBv-J4I4W6iJKZGwU_5l4V_BjuDTXa-74wK53tZQPDIspIigrltP/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhZqHWGTjQX020VzGl28SntkaRpwYRYVVjm89qXjIEacqzwRYJVK7Y00cFdnYs88l8-NZmGxpGsXxHbNluGhhcT60jBv-J4I4W6iJKZGwU_5l4V_BjuDTXa-74wK53tZQPDIspIigrltP/s400/IMG_1761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405134438457841906" /></a><br />This simple little tree was decorated with red balls from the dollar store and ribbon from the craft store. Don't throw the ribbon away after the holidays. It can be ironed and reused each year. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7zblJnhYdx-EPX8phJv1HGBgrf2cCQoMZS23h2CuANB3_Qs7FyF5pqv-x1kl007L9uDRnjUzcYmWQO0AmD8httKhe_whQNigkb7t7zimTzx_91CRFmhPHE-5PFWEjF5aZ5nsJB9JK1x7/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7zblJnhYdx-EPX8phJv1HGBgrf2cCQoMZS23h2CuANB3_Qs7FyF5pqv-x1kl007L9uDRnjUzcYmWQO0AmD8httKhe_whQNigkb7t7zimTzx_91CRFmhPHE-5PFWEjF5aZ5nsJB9JK1x7/s400/IMG_1753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405134429508719170" /></a><br />A friend found these sugar cones when she was camping. A little ribbon and we had instant window decorations. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKM106eJXqabFis5iFTyKLiALm5fQ4rcP85gfBckqikM7Dqjfrt0w6UhE4Igx1PXCsZ_6Og1LA9zicdg7ev_TwwhfVXThnoVXyWfWbMxc5rIu7JV_YB3jhrIcNsMjSk9xWwcZVOJYa4Lg/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKM106eJXqabFis5iFTyKLiALm5fQ4rcP85gfBckqikM7Dqjfrt0w6UhE4Igx1PXCsZ_6Og1LA9zicdg7ev_TwwhfVXThnoVXyWfWbMxc5rIu7JV_YB3jhrIcNsMjSk9xWwcZVOJYa4Lg/s400/IMG_1731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405133326029075650" /></a><br />These red vases and the silver garland inside of them are dollar store finds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbHQXeZ6aIeE4kzKr2_8d1HBYEG9uiWiYhlnbqEmAe8rYF3LwotFxsIQJrVXUBdUnKkbwaQKGgLbeJZ50GrBTs8ML8yrEO0_wIYn8xTTxNKhK0bidJo1focDzE9tdNyUAXYI5JQcQ-q_l/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbHQXeZ6aIeE4kzKr2_8d1HBYEG9uiWiYhlnbqEmAe8rYF3LwotFxsIQJrVXUBdUnKkbwaQKGgLbeJZ50GrBTs8ML8yrEO0_wIYn8xTTxNKhK0bidJo1focDzE9tdNyUAXYI5JQcQ-q_l/s400/IMG_3167.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405132747243831122" /></a><br />Little pinecones found under a tree in the garden were spray painted gold and wired onto tulle. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkAnWUcP2kTjTzJXSgA_S8xVN8uoC54P5tEkyR9r5NQAneJUoY2fb8fAxxtRdEtBvE0fA_tWYXLCtpBD9CP2mxJvJb6_xkA3i-RiBBOFDlW8VwUskzvl-qp2IvBq38nWd5I9Xobkl7dzc/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkAnWUcP2kTjTzJXSgA_S8xVN8uoC54P5tEkyR9r5NQAneJUoY2fb8fAxxtRdEtBvE0fA_tWYXLCtpBD9CP2mxJvJb6_xkA3i-RiBBOFDlW8VwUskzvl-qp2IvBq38nWd5I9Xobkl7dzc/s400/IMG_1697.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405131259271988386" /></a><br />The Teddybear Tree is decorated almost entirely from the dollar store. The Teddy Bears, the Candy Canes (big and small, the red balls...all from the dollar store. The red stars and the little chair were thrift shop finds and the ribbon was bought at a surplus sale.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-43575178510653414552009-11-12T09:28:00.000-08:002009-11-12T12:44:34.018-08:00How to Appreciate a Gloomy DayQuail tracks in the snow <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzW9OwfPXxsL-ezNYWnWcQWxgicL7eEhP6d-El_yCOgxEEFd6FDsghdFz2Qa-mEN6XQAQSRYr1GGNUkls1L59jPpQwCe4ids7fPvArSseF5al_XJbWjiEP4espq8tzpWqPK3Xlpowllryx/s1600-h/IMG_0103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzW9OwfPXxsL-ezNYWnWcQWxgicL7eEhP6d-El_yCOgxEEFd6FDsghdFz2Qa-mEN6XQAQSRYr1GGNUkls1L59jPpQwCe4ids7fPvArSseF5al_XJbWjiEP4espq8tzpWqPK3Xlpowllryx/s400/IMG_0103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403277331720602594" /></a><br />Rime on Roses - photo by Greg Smith<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F4kNBaJti3rpxer40ECZonKY3vBw5Juo3oq7R0yd63A08zBqwYKURZ8dWRJ50rekWsacFQXhfrAwMiXjvyDSzTD3UEba3N3WoRYpaFKWjMr1mP0sGaOW2ZFKZzex0-6mPkJKJP7p9tse/s1600-h/PB270022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F4kNBaJti3rpxer40ECZonKY3vBw5Juo3oq7R0yd63A08zBqwYKURZ8dWRJ50rekWsacFQXhfrAwMiXjvyDSzTD3UEba3N3WoRYpaFKWjMr1mP0sGaOW2ZFKZzex0-6mPkJKJP7p9tse/s400/PB270022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403276901909950898" /></a><br /><br /><br />My Father's Mother was named Viola Ruth. She went by her middle name, but I always loved the fact that she was named after a flower. Ruth was an optimist and taught me to look on the bright side of things. However, here in the Pacific Northwest, winter can be pretty gloomy and depressing. I dreaded winter each year until I decided to make the best of it and look at it in another light, just as Grandma would have. In my every day world, I have several ways of coping. <br />*Gray skies remind me of a gray velvet dress that my sister bought me when I was in high school (I had my senior picture taken in that dress). I LOVED that dress. <br />*Fog is now mist, which carries a magical quality with it. <br />*I never appreciate a fire in the fireplace so much as when I am cold and wet from a foray outside. <br />*Rainy days are baking days. <br />*In the summer, I feel like I should be outdoors as much as possible. In the winter, I can stay inside and do arts and crafts without guilt. <br />* Most of the really fun holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day) happen in the winter. <br /><br />In the Garden, there are many ways of enjoying winter as well. <br />*Plants with colored bark are brilliant in the winter sun. <br />*Mosses are green velvet.<br />*You can see the structure of the garden without distraction.<br />*Every winter blossom is a gift.<br />*Rime (heavy frost) on plants is pure magic.<br /><br />Some ways to enjoy the winter garden more are:<br />*Feed the birds and get to know the different varieties you have at your feeder.<br />*Go for a walk in the garden with a magnifying glass and look at all the different mosses and lichens.<br />*Plant winter-fragrant plants like sarcococca and daphne so you can enjoy their intense perfume on a cold day.<br />*Plant winter-blooming plants like witch hazels, snowdrops and early narcissus.<br />Winter is now one of my favorite seasons, simply because I listened to my grandmother and looked on the bright side.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047593469595623920.post-80454842988375689472009-11-12T09:11:00.001-08:002009-11-12T09:27:38.785-08:00The VeilPaul and Flora Zurfluh<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemG__DMmo4KqAgScRuhnz-0rKKYpeuZkQ_82xQACxBncF6Cg3Rue5gRr8BpfIE32_owwK2f49R1TdoCV_JjzdboCOdOE-4JnheN-KlEjlnhEESwzdUTStOVOwFgwdr9-CiepzxI_MHTcl/s1600-h/File0486.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemG__DMmo4KqAgScRuhnz-0rKKYpeuZkQ_82xQACxBncF6Cg3Rue5gRr8BpfIE32_owwK2f49R1TdoCV_JjzdboCOdOE-4JnheN-KlEjlnhEESwzdUTStOVOwFgwdr9-CiepzxI_MHTcl/s400/File0486.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403268834081423890" /></a><br />Martin and Katherine Magelky<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GHP7-ZRIRYShYsL5UsMxFrHjRqNh71LcStBIJB881AqsDoBy17qk_8zFT_ccaXsfaDMGXoSKpeSxgW-Wucv2dt3q05w1OoR_FvaivsPO1mc0WXEfGTDdDEOjTFzS5y9AdNdOyV3bul9e/s1600-h/File0485.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GHP7-ZRIRYShYsL5UsMxFrHjRqNh71LcStBIJB881AqsDoBy17qk_8zFT_ccaXsfaDMGXoSKpeSxgW-Wucv2dt3q05w1OoR_FvaivsPO1mc0WXEfGTDdDEOjTFzS5y9AdNdOyV3bul9e/s400/File0485.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403268606139094146" /></a><br /><br />I was going through some of my old family photos last week and came across the wedding photos of my Grandma Flora and her mother, Katherine. I had never noticed before, but they are both wearing the same veil. Neither had a traditional wedding dress. Katherine's was a rather severe black dress. Flora's was a flapper number with crocheted pockets. But they both had the veil that reached to the floor. <br />I wonder where that veil is now. There were many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that it could have gone to. Those that live in the Midwest are strangers to me. I guess I will have to make do with the photos and wear the floor length veil in my dreams.Cenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14995723033134976164noreply@blogger.com0