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.