Laugh and the world laughs with you...

Do you ever have 1 of those times when you just have to sit back and laugh... at yourself? Everynow and then, I realize that I do things subconsiously and then when I do realize I am doing them, it is just funny! Why do we do them. These little things that seem insignificant at the time all kind of add up into 1 good laugh at ourselves.

It happened to me just this past week. I don't usually wear a watch because I am not on a regular schedule. I have watches mind you, I just don't bother to put 1 on. I needed a watch for a particular day this week and I knew I had 1 in a purse that I haven't been using lately. Well, I searched every purse I own and I didn't find any watches. The funny part is... What I did find in every purse is a rock, ( sometimes 2)! I have always been fascinated with rocks, however I didn't realize that I was stashing them. Living at the beach, I have always felt "rock deprived". We don't have real rocks, we have shells or dirt clods. So I guess unconsiously I have been stashing rocks.

I use them for different things too, I don't just carry them around. In my jewelry making, I sometimes wire wrap an unusual stone, or any and all beach pebbles just for the sheer joy of playing with a rock.

I am not sure what it is about them that I find so fascinating. Maybe it is just the variety, or the beauty that God has put in each 1. It may even be because they are unique, like us. No 2 will ever be identical. It is amazing when you think about it.

I really had to sit back and wonder at the evolution of this particular idiosyncracy. Then I just had a good laugh.

On a serious note now, I have to send out a big THANK YOU! to Mei from wireblissmei. She awarded me with a One Lovely Blog Award. It is my first blog award. Mei makes beautiful wire jewelry and she writes great tutorials too. I will soon be passing the award on, but in the meantime stop by her blog and check out her designs. You will glad you did.


Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused. ( Author Unknown)

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Boy Time sure flies....

Wow!
I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted. This summer brought many changes into my little world. My son became a vegan in June, so I feel as if I am failing cooking school. It is really not easy to adjust to cooking with no animal products whatsoever especially when you have never cooked without them. Most of the things I have made have been okay, but not wonderful, some not edible and very few that were requested more than once. I am spending lots of time searching the net for recipes and tips and tricks that will make things look and taste better and if they can be a little more convenient.... ( well I can dream right). I had planned to post some recipes and pictures of things we have made, but I just haven't gotten to it yet.Hopefully pictures and recipes will come soon.

Another thing that changed for me this summer, was I revisited an old craft. I took copper working classes in school and have fiddled with it on and off since then. I have a great friend who is a fine jewelry designer and who makes the most beautiful jewelry and she has shown me some methods of forging and soldering metals and so I have branched into silver as well as copper. You can follow this link to her website and see why I am so crazy about her designs. Barbara Umbel Jewelry Designs . I have made many earrings as well as a few bracelets and I will list them in my etsy shop soon.

I am hopelessly addicted to plants. Most people who know me, don't bother to question the fact that I have an extra refrigerator for seeds, but it is quite a pleasant addiction. I have heard it said that "Good things come to those who wait" and 2 nights ago good things did. I have amassed an extensive collection of Epiphyllum (orchid cactus) ( some started from refrigerated seeds) and 1 bloomed for the first time. These are nocturnal cacti and the blooms don't even begin opening until late in the evening. By morning, the blooms have finished and they only last for 1 showing. The variety that bloomed for me this week is Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Also known as Queen of the Night. She put on quite a show and although I was too tired to stay up all night watching, I was able to see bloom. Here she is in all her glory.


Thanks for stopping by and look for updates on a regular basis real soon.

My Soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 1: 4-6

Aww' He's so cute! NOT!!!!!

Well, I used to think racoons were some of the cutest creatures that God had created. I loved their little masks that gave the appearance of bandits. I also thought the rings on their tails were somehow just adorable. The way they seemed to wash their hands had always intrigued me and I never really minded that much when on a camping trip they raided the cooler and made off with the next day's meals. That was then....

Now, They are not cute, they are not adorable they are hunters as well as scavengers.

The racoon in question attempted and finally succeeding in capturing 1 of my birds. Precious a cute little blue and white budgie was living peacefully on the screened porch as close to nature as a caged bird can. His life was cut short by a masked bandit and his friends were traumatized as well. I know that it is in an animals nature to survive anyway it can, and it must have been extremely hungry because even after we bolted the door at 1:30 Am, the racoon returned and ripped the screens out. I don't believe the racoon was vicious although my birds might see it differently, I think that he was just opportunistic. He saw a food supply and was determined to extinguish it. By 5 AM, the remaining birds were moved into the safety of the house. They are so traumatized that one of my blue quaker parrots, who used to talk incessantly, hasn't spoken a word in days. The others although subdued are now responding to me, but not Geebee. Geebee remains silent I miss the sound of her voice asking "what doin?" even though she had a habit of repeating it until she got the answer she wanted.

Since the birds have been banished to the indoor world, the racoon as returned twice. I guess he is wondering what happened to his free lunch. There is a place in this world for all of God's creatures, and I don't begrudge the racoon his, but my screened in locked porch at 1, 3 or 5 AM is not it.

All Things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
( From and old Anglican hymn)

Oh Man, You caught me....

I have been Tagged! I guess I am it... I have been tagged by Folkartbycampbelljane. I have mentioned her work before and she is one of my favorite artists of all time. Anyway since she tagged me, I am supposed to tell you 6 things that make me happy and then I am to tag 6 others to do the same.

Here Goes, 6 things that make me happy are:
1)Spending time with my family and friends,
2) Hearing children laugh, there's just something about that sound.
3)Seeing my son and husband smile.
4)Traveling to places with strange names (i.e Whynot, NC, Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia, or the best yet, Kingdom Come State park in Kentucky.) I really have been to KINGDOM COME! hahaha "I love far away places with strange sounding names." Ok, really just traveling anywhere.
5) Flowers, lots and lots of flowers in bloom. Especially planting seeds for flowers.
6)Pretty Pictures. Whether painted or photographed, there is something about a picture I just love. They have the gift of teleportation and I guess that fascinates me.

These are just a few of the things that make me happy, there are plenty more and this list isn't really in any particular order either. So now you'd better look out, you just might be it next.

cha cha cha changes.....

Have you taken a walk down memory lane lately? Have you thought about just how many changes you have endured, or watched in your children or family seemingly without noticing at the time? This week, my teenager will graduate from middle school and every year they produce a video of each child in the graduating class basically from birth until graduation. You only use about 10 or 15 photos to show the changes the children have gone through and it really is something. This was our year. As we went through the photo albums and then picture cds, and finally flash drives, I began to realize all of the changes we have all been through. It was an amazing journey down that memory lane that encompasses the past 14 years. Who would have thought all those years ago that so many things would change without our even realizing it was taking place. Try it soon, I'd be willing to bet you will remember things you didn't before. Amid the laughter and the tears there are treasures. It makes me want to say, " Thank you God, life is good."


Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," Declares the Lord,"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Happy Memorial Day!

I wish for everyone to have a happy and safe Memorial Day. Thank you to all of our Soldiers who give up everything so that we can remain safe and free. Thanks for the time spent away from your families, friends, homes and all things that are precious to you so that we and our friends, families, homes and freedoms so precious to us are protected. Thank you for choosing to be our Heros. You will be on our minds and in our prayers.

Feeling Creative?

This seems to be one of those weeks that I just want to make something. Usually it doesn't turn out as pretty as the idea I had when I started, but sometimes I get lucky.This week it was a pair of earrings with a royal blue lampworked bead, mixed with white freshwater pearls and gold beads. They dangle just the right length and are pretty comfortable. I have never been one to wear much jewelry but for some reason a few months ago, I decided I would learn to make it. It seems to have a steep learning curve for me, but I don't give up easily.
I have fed this artsy mood ( really kind of unusual for me) by searching out artists and paintings, Jewelry designers and designs and performances that I really just enjoy. One such artist is Campbell Jane. She paints the prettiest angels and mermaid angels and the most magical trees I have seen in a long time. You can see her work at www.campbelljane.etsy.com and she has a great blog too. www.folkartbycampbelljane.blogspot.com Check it out and you will see what I am talking about. I haven't seen one of her paintings that I didn't like. Campbell Jane's paintings touch your heart in unexpected ways. It is something I didn't notice at first, but later I can't quit thinking about. They just make you feel happy when you look at them.Some are whimsical and some are not. All seem to have their own special quality. It may be different for everyone.
As for performances, My son's school put on their spring musical program tonight. Don't you know the kind of programs that mom's love and dad's get dragged to kicking and screaming. LOL My son didn't have a part, but I went to watch my friends children perform. It was such a treat. You can tell immediately which children God designed to be entertainers.

When I get a little braver, I will list some of my jewelry in my etsy shop. Until then you just need a little imagination.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Suburned in a thunderstorm?

I am about to tell you a story that is absolutely true and incredibly unbelievable.
I have lived at the beach most of my life and yet I have never had this happen before. We, (my husband and I) went to the beach other day for about 2 hours. We walked, picked up shells, and marveled at the color of the water , the smell of the ocean, the feel of the salty air and the sky. The weather was cloudy and thundering and we had to dodge raindrops, but only for about 47 seconds.
The water was the prettiest green color. I love greens and this shade was like a cross between a beautiful emerald and bright spring green peridot. It was perfectly gorgeous. The sky looked like steel. All around us, there was a dark silvery blue almost the color of lead sky except for a small patch of bright light blue. At one point it looked as though the storm was circling us in. All around us,was steely gray, but we were standing in the only spot of light. It was really kind of eerie and yet comfortable at the same time. The thunder roared in the distance, but there was no lightning. The breeze was cool and the waves crashing on the shore were so relaxing.
The part of the story that is unbelievable is I got sunburned. LOL. I know that it is much easier to get burned when it is cloudy than when it is sunny, but man this burn was a surprise! It was actually storming. LOL Of all the things you would never expect, getting sunburned during a thunderstorm has to top the list.
Next time I get a burn, I would love it if it were sunny.

Praying for Rain

I think in reality the weathermen mean well. They really do, but somehow they aren't making good on their promises. The past 2 weeks we have been promised rain and thunderstorms daily and yet we have not seed a drop of the wet stuff until tonight. It actually rained for about 30 minutes. No thunder or lightning just desperately needed rain.

I have to say I have taken advantage of the days without rain and planted new flower beds in the front yard. I have put in beds of iris, daylilies, brugmansia, hibiscus, hostas and a few new guinea impatiens just for color spots.
Today, I saw my first daylily bloom of the season and I was gone most of the day so I didn't get to photograph it. I sure hope another bud will be open tomorrow.

I have ignored the guilt of not having my "chores" done so that I could plant, but I am at the point that things really shouldn't be put off any longer. When you start dreaming about the housework you need to do it is time to let the garden wait and get caught up inside. I can always find an excuse to get my hands dirty though and so I will use it as a reward for getting my chores done first tomorrow.
I have heard that God created rainy days so that gardeners can get their housework done, well, maybe I should pray for rain.



Blooming this week are:Deep purple Iris, Chocolate Vine ( Akebia Quinata), Snowball Viburnum, and Clematis Nellie Moser, Bottlebrush and coreopsis grandiflora.

Isiah 35:1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

To Yard Sale or Not?

Today was like yard sale heaven! Several of the churches in our area were having their huge annual sales and the weather is glorious ( there is nothing in the world like April at the beach). There were also a lot of individual sales today.
Late last night though as I was laying in bed, I thought to myself...
"Self you have enough of your own junk, you sure don't need to go and buy somebody else's junk!" LOL So, in a flash of willpower of an unbelievable strength, I resisted the urge to get up and go searching for things I don't need and have no place for. I decided I would stay home and plant instead.

I have been redesigning my front yard for several years. Each time I get it planted, somehow we decide to change something. This time though it is staying! My husband and I built 4 new flower beds in the front yard and I filled them with seedlings that I had grown last year.
We planted Brugmansia, Hibiscus, Tall bearded iris and more daylilies that I thought possible. I cannot wait to see it all bloom. I am still new at blogging, so as soon as I figure out how to post pictures, I will add some.
Till then, you just have to imagine....



A Kiss of the sun for pardon
A song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on the earth.
Author Unknown.

Grocery Store Orchard?

I have a passion for growing anything that has a seed. I know that fruits you buy in the grocery stores are mainly ( ok 99%) hybrids and will not come true from seed, but somehow I just can't help myself. I have to plant seeds from any kind of fruit that I buy.
I decided to experiment last season and continue it this season too. So far from fruits purchased in my local produce department, I have grown, oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, starfruit, grapefruit, pomello, pomegranates, scuppernong grapes, pineapples ( from the crown)papaya and guava. There are times that I will buy a fruit just for the seeds. I told you this was an obsession. LOL
The diversity is amazing. I cannot wait to see the results. My newest addition is the Moro Blood Orange. It germinated in about 2 weeks just under flourescent lights without the advantage of bottom heat. I am planning to try some kiwi vines soon.
Are you growing grocery store orchards too? Am I alone in my universe?
I am trying to keep notes on techniques and germination rates. Hopefully at the end of this growing season, I will be able to publish my results.
In the meantime, try it and see what you can grow.
I dare you.....


Genesis 1:12
The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to it's own kind. And God saw that it was good.

Church signs....

I love to ride through the country on the back roads. I love the old towns and the new little places on the outskirts. I am always fascinated by the inspirational saying you sometimes find on the signs for these old churches.


One that I have never really forgotten is one that I saw somewhere in the mountains on a road I can't remember going on a trip just for the fun of it. You know the c'mon let's go for a ride kind of trip.

This particular sign caught my attention for two reasons.

1. Being a photographer the saying immediately caught my attention.

2. It is so true.

What was on the sign you ask?

"Worry is a dark room where negatives develop."

There is nothing positive about worrying, it can accomplish nothing, and everything happens for the best anyway.

When it comes to worry, don't waste your time.

Somehow anytime I start to worry now about anything, I just remember that sign.

Welcome to my world

Welcome to my world. I live in Pawley's Island, SC a tiny little barrier island known as the oldest seaside resort in America. I'll try to keep it full of fun things. I am usually always in the garden which has been a work in progress for about 18 years. One of these days I will quit re-designing the whole thing and actually let it grow. I love to grow anything I can find and I am always experimenting with different propagation methods, ways to germinate seeds and feed plants. If there is a new plant, I've gotta have one and if I can grow it from seed, that is just icing on the cake. I have recently accepted thatPlants are like POKEMON! Ya gotta have them all! ( and I am getting close) .
If I am not in the garden, my aviary is my other "happy place" I raise Quaker parrots, Cockatiels and Budgies. There are about 50 or so birds in the aviary and most of them talk and all of them provide lots of entertainment.
I love to make jewelry with wire and beads. My husband makes copper sculpted flowers which we will be selling in my etsy shop. I also love to travel and photograph everything, especially flowers and landscapes. You never know what you might find here, so stop by often and be sure to say Hi.