4-21-15

I was going to do something different for today's post... but with the crazy storm last night, 

I thought I would share some photos from it instead.

They are not great, but I hope you can feel how impressive it all was.

The weather channels were giving all sorts of advisories... including hail, flooding, heavy winds and tornadoes.

But in the end, we were all safe and secure in our little house on the hill.

See you all tomorrow.

4-20-15

I love Lamb's Ear. 
When we lived in Albuquerque, I had a lovely patch of it in my front yard.
On a couple of trips back; I would bring small portions of it... and now my mom has some in her front yard too. On a walk the other day, I was excited to see some growing at an abandoned house nearby... so I took these photos of it early in the am with the dew on the leaves.
You can read more about this plant here.... and here.

So. Today is my day off.
But I wanted to thank you all for coming out to the Grand ReOpening of my friend's place on Saturday. It was great to see you all there... and to feel and hear of your support if you were too far to come. We have lots of interesting things planned for the coming months.... so "stay tuned."

And so I am off to enjoy the day... and I'll see you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

The coltsfoot is blooming... and it is lovely.
I've written about this fabulous "weed" before; but I thought that we could all use some of that sunshine yellow color in our day. These photos are ones I took yesterday afternoon... as I have some blooming in my yard.
You can read more about this plant HERE ......and HERE.

This weekend will probably be very busy... and so I wanted to get this post out a little early.
And hey! It's the weekend!!! So here are a bunch of links to things that might be of interest:

*17 surprisingly real animals
*artist Lora Zombie
*an incredible dessert to make
*want to live RENT FREE in a Ghost town?
*a very cool DIY project I may just try
*stationary porn
*music: the Stumblebum Brass Band! ... and they are coming here soon :)
*Tintype camera shots of modern stars
*I love this.... so much photographic potential.
*the world's largest flute
*this looks like an interesting read

And some of the blogs on my reading list
-BloomsandShrooms
-Hint Jewelry
-Adore by Nat
-MuddyFoot
-Alice Fox
-Arctic View

I hope you all have a great weekend; and I'll see you all on Monday.

4-17-15

cha-cha-changes.
Mother Earth is waking.... growth is sprouting up from the ground all around us...
and the hubby had a job interview... and we are hopeful.

Tomorrow is the Grand ReOpening at my friends'  shop over in Germania...
and I will be giving a short jewelry making demonstration.
So tonight I am getting things ready; and resting a bit before the "big day."

Things in general, are looking up... and that is awesome.
See you all tomorrow.

4-16-15

Tonight is stormy -- windy.... with rain coming any minute.
Birds are all aflutter... and clouds are brewing overhead.
And I am late writing my post for today; and I am sorry for the delay.

The photos for today's post; are of one of my favorite buildings here in town.
I love the colors on the wood... I love the wear and weather and the staining of the barn boards.
I love the peeling paint.
I love everything about it.
And so... I thought I would feature a few photos of it and share them all with you tonight.

I hope you all have a great remainder of your evening; and I will see you all tomorrow.

4-15-15

Well... it looks like the world is definitely waking up from it's winter sleep...
(and I know I've said that before). And I've so much to do.
So much in fact, that I am going to not write a lot today.... but am including several photos instead.

The first photo is by my daughter, Kristin (I've cropped and edited it). She was cleaning up some debris from the creek area.... and saw this little guy. Fortunately, she (like her mother) almost always has the camera with her ... and was able to catch him while he was sunbathing.

The bottom 2 shots were by me; and were taken as I walked about the neighborhood.
Sometimes you just need a little "proof of life"... to keep you motivated and on track.

See you all tomorrow.

4-14-15

Lots going on today... and even more tomorrow.
Such is the life >>wink<<

So I will leave you with a photo I took yesterday when I was out and about.
See you all tomorrow.

4-13-15

This week I am concentrating on getting some projects finished up... and getting inventory ready for a friend's shop. They are having a "Grand Re-Opening" event this coming Saturday... and I've been invited to participate.
I am teaching a little workshop... and will have some of my work there, as will my daughter Kristin.
It's been sort of frantic. I'm afraid that I've been having a hard time emotionally coping with anxiety...
Probably because I haven't been "up to par" to begin with... and partly because of events I had no control over... which turned things all topsy-turvy -- and even more so these past few days. It's been strange, and awful, and scary... and sad... and I am trying really hard to believe it will all work out OK.
Some days are like that.

And so I've been trying to step back emotionally from it... and trying to focus on what needs done.
One of the things I've been working on, is adding plain white cards (like a postcard) to go with most all of my larger size envelope sets in the Etsy shop. This means, that the sets will now include 6 envelopes.... all made from recycled magazine pages or calendar pages... AND 6 plain white, light-weight cardstock paper cards to go with them... for $5 a set. And then, repackaging them... and photographing them... and making new listings.

And well... the sun is shining.... and the birds are singing... and things are blooming!
See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

The sun is shining!
And there are a ton of things I need to be doing... and so I'll get on about it.
But... it's the weekend... and I've some links to share with you all:

*photographer Randy Scott Slavin
*unexpected snapshots of the 20th Century
*the concept behind work uniforms
*artist Anastassia Elias
*disowned by birth family... with a hopeful ending
*this is interesting
*culture: Native Americans and long hair
*for the book lover
*ok. This is cool.
*artist Rie Munoz
*a neat DIY project
*some cool PA links: restaurants to go to, sites to visit, great waterfalls,  awesome castles!, and hiking spots
*some blogs from my reading list:
-Late Start Studio
-Geninne's Art Blog
-Galia Alena
-Golly Bard
-FrouFrou


I hope you all have a great weekend; and I'll see you back here on Monday.

*the photo at the top of today's post; is by my daughter Kristin Russell. 

I have cropped it and edited it. The bottom photo is mine.

4-10-15

Ever have one of those days when you know you are working... but can't seem to get anything done?
When you have to force yourself out of bed?
When the world seems to be turning round at a frantic pace... and you're still stuck in the bathroom?

That is my week. (or month, as it were).

Days when everything seems to be a struggle... I feel behind on so very many different tasks...
overwhelmed by what I need to get done... and no energy to do any of it.
And I feel as though I have let everyone down.

but hey... I am trying to get out of this funk.
So... all the doors and windows are open... I've made some (more) coffee...
and I am going to work very hard at getting something accomplished tonight.

Last night; I noticed I was sorely lacking in guitar picks for the shop...
So I cut abut 250 of them... and got about half of them sanded.
And while my hand is bruised, it is a start.

See you all tomorrow.

4-9-15

rose hip hearts

prickled from hurts to deep

thorns sharpened from life

and experiences too cold

forcing the tender shoots inward

up the worn old steps

to the empty house

where no one lives anymore

4-8-15

It's looking a bit dreary out there... at least, I think... for most people.
But I love the rain ('we've got a light misting of rain going on right now).
I'm sure it has something to do with living in a desert for so many years... and yes, that is probably part of it... but I've always loved the rain... even as a child.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with me being born on a Wednesday... like in the poem
"Monday's Child."...
I was curious, and found this on the poem... which speculates the astrology aspects of the poem.
In this application, a Wednesday's child would have been named after Woden; stated here as a messenger of God... perhaps bringing woeful tidings and news. hmmmmmmmmmm.
So... what day were you born on?
"Curious, and curiouser"... as Alice would say. (see this link).

But alas, for today. Work must be done. And so it shall.

I've been using up the last bits of remnant scraps of yarns ... finishing up 2 more youth sized scarves these last couple of nights. It looks like I've managed to make 9 scarves in total so far (one called Lady Who was gifted... and 8 are in this photo). I've also got one big ball of yarn that I've been adding to for a year or so... tied bits of yarn all wound onto a single ball to make one large mis-matchy scarf.
I may have one more scarf's worth of new (and expensive) yarn... and then I have completely used up all the yarn I have in the house. Which is perfect, as the season is mostly (hopefully) done for scarf-wearing weather.
>>giggle<< .... it is Potter County after all... and one never knows.

---see you all tomorrow.

4-7-15

It's raining.... and things are thawing up here on the hill.
Little snowdrops are peaking out of the grasses next door... and they are lovely.
And things are quiet.

This next week or so seems to be "the calm before the storm"... as I have several events I am preparing for that are coming up later on this month. And it's good... but it's also a little nerve wracking. Thinking about what needs done; where my priorities lie... and what I can potentially do in time. And I've been in a funk... which tends to happen this time of year. It's that whole "what have I accomplished" and "what purpose am I serving"... thing... days you just feel unworthy to breathe the air. And so I've been trying to concentrate on other things... doing things for other people.... and catching up on some projects.

And then there are the deer.
All winter, I could see footprints in the snow; but was never able to get a glimpse of them.
The past few nights; they've been coming around... 2 larger females... and they are gorgeous.
In native traditions, deer (particularly the females) symbolize gentleness and wisdom.
They teach us to be vigilant... and steadfast... and to move through life's obstacles with grace.
They are about trusting your instincts, being sensitive and intuitive.
Their teachings are all about grace and unconditional love... even to oneself.
And so this week; I am trying to take these lessons to heart.

....much love to you all... see you tomorrow.

4-6-15

Today is my day off ... and so I went in search of something spring...

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

I am so very proud of my daughter, who along with a couple friends of mine... were just juried in as members of the PA Wilds. She received notification yesterday, and today was featured on their facebook page as the Daily Artisan! We are very excited over here.
((that's some of her recent artwork... above))

And hey... it's the weekend!
So here are some links I've gathered for you this week:

*52 great travel destinations
*Catalyst magazine! What a wonderful idea.
*horoscope for tonight full Blood Moon 
*Forest bathing
*some awesome Pennsylvania museums to see
*more PA places to see!
*this would be a great road trip idea too
*Picasso's postcards
*yum
*a handy chart for your kitchen
*remember this song? .... well.... the band is still going strong!
*this is super cute
*can you imagine living here?
*something cool for Easter

*** and links to some blogs on my reading list
-Hens Teeth
-Homemade Spaceship
-Honey & Jam

(that is from Taste of Home magazine. I thought it was super cute; and wanted to share it with you)

~Hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll see you all back here on Monday~

4-3-15

I'll be honest. It's been a rough week.
There are days when I just feel like such a colossal loser... that it's a wonder I can breathe safely.
Fortunately, the weekend is coming... and a full moon.... and I have faith that it will all get better.
In the meantime; I've been laying low... and working on a few things for the Etsy shop.
Making things always make me feel a bit better.
And so... here on some photos of things I made this week...

...and hope that it will all get better soon.
See you all tomorrow.

4-2-15

Last night we had a visit from a smaller sized bear... I think a boy.

And a short stroll around the yard today reveals lots of deer poop, bear plugs, and bunny droppings.

We will have a well fertilized yard this year.

It's a bit foggy and grey up here on the hill today.

A perfect day to read, and figure out what I am going to be working on next.

The problem being; that there are too many things I want to do... "next"...

I've been trying to finish up the last of some remnant balls of yarn gifted to me by a friend...

and I've only a little bit left. Probably enough for a couple child sized scarves.

This is one I finished last night.

The photos for today's post; were all taken today.... in fact, just a few minutes ago.

See you all tomorrow.

4-1-15

And it's a whole new day... and a  whole new month.

~Welcome April~

Yesterday's abrupt snowstorm is already starting to melt a little...

and it's giving all my partially dead trees a bit of shimmer and shine.

The songbirds are all out in force... and are serenading me.

And today... (bright and early)... we had a new dryer delivered; 

as our old one was beyond fixing.

I dreaded the expense..... but some things warrant it.

And today... I've lots of things on my "to-do" list.

But first... coffee.

Last year at this time; I was really busy helping to get the local artisan center up and running.... and ready for the Grande Opening. 

This year... I am helping a friend get his own business ready for a grand re-opening.... 

and just 2yrs ago... we were still in Albuquerque with no thoughts of moving or of what was to come.

And who knows what next year will be like.

How quickly things change... how quickly things pass.

But for now... we have birds singing...

snow melting...

and coffee brewing.

See you all tomorrow.

3-31-15

Snowdrops!
I love them... and they always encourage me... as if to say... Spring is on the way!
I took these photos yesterday... and today it is madly snowing... and there are about 3 inches of snow on the ground everywhere.
I am sure the flowers are OK... but...it's always amazing to me how weather can change so quickly.
>>sigh<<

Today I was planning on running a bunch of errands; but perhaps I will stay in and do work here instead.
See you all tomorrow.
*check out this  link

3-30-15

In spite of the impression that winter would never end.... and in spite of the flurries of snow going on outside my window right now...
this is what I saw today.
This is Winter Aconite; and I wrote about it last year on my blog HERE...
which means it actually arrived a couple of days earlier than last year.
I love it.... see you all tomorrow.

"This woodland member of the buttercup family will swiftly multiply to form a glowing carpet of golden yellow flowers each spring. The cup shaped blooms of the winter aconite attract pollinating insects to your spring garden, and associate beautifully with snowdrops and bluebells for a spectacular woodland display. Easy to establish and virtually maintenance free, are ideal for planting in the dappled shade of deciduous trees, or naturalized in informal areas of grass. "