5-14-15

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is Pennsylvania's state flower, and it is a glorious site in late spring and summer here. Not knowing much about the plant; I did a little bit of research (here and here)... and discovered that it is a native American plant and is widely without predator; being poisonous to deer, cattle, horses, etc (including humans)... and so it has been "free" to take over so to speak. It is a member of the heath family... and is related to rhododendron plants.
It is a lovely plant for sure...

I took the photos (for today's post) of these plants about a week ago... and am just getting to the editing of them.
My hands have not been horribly co-operative this whole week... in allowing me to do most anything with them... which happens.
I am not complaining. Sometimes "the powers that be" put obstacles in our way; such as this.... and we just need to take the time to rest; whether we want to or not. And so it goes.

See you all tomorrow...

*I've corrected the text of this original post; after a botanist friend corrected me on a few points.

5-13-15

Cool and green and shady...
The photo above; is one I took the other day when we drove to State College.
One of the roads we take to get there, winds and twists through and around state land... and we stopped at a particularly gorgeous spot with a small waterfall and creek area... and I took this photo.
Being a lover of ferns and such.... it hits all my happy points.

Today I am planting some leeks in the yard; or I guess I should say.... replanting.
A small task... but one that requires more "spoons" than I have today.
So it will be a quick planting... and a large hoping... that they will be ok...
which I think they will; as the ones from last year are doing well in their new spot.

It's an odd thing having a thing like lupus; because you can never really plan things well.
It's more of a ... see how much energy I have today... and what I can potentially do in that amount of time.... sort of thing.
You have to "choose wisely"... what you spend your time doing; as it may be the only thing you can get done.
And so it goes.
It has taught me though... the importance of prioritizing.

And so.... the house is mostly clean... and the laundry is mostly done...
and yesterday I took care of Brina.... gave her a bath and haircut and such.
Lots of days... it's a matter of tackling one main project... or a grouping of little projects... in order to have enough energy to get something accomplished.

And for today; I am planting leeks..... and making tacos for a late lunch/dinner.
(the shredded pork and refried beans are on the stove; and didn't get in the photo below)
... and hopefully, something fun in the studio later if I can muster it up.

Catch you all tomorrow!

5-12-15

Bringer of light.... giver of gifts.
The sun is shining; and has been for the last week.
Blazing hot... "unseasonably warm" ... as most have said... and today... ((finally)) ... rain.
A break from the heat... and a refreshing drink for all that is growing.
And growing it is.

It's like... someone turned on the mythical switch... and things have been bursting forth since.

And so it is with us here, as well.
Today Jim starts his new job... and I (sorta) start mine as well.
That is to say... I am going to try to free my mind from endless worry and that feeling of treading water financially... and try to concentrate on things here at home. Cleaning the studio, organizing... working on the yard and house... things that are very important to me... but have been put on the "back burner" so to speak... while I was trying to concentrate on making ends meet.

These past few days; and I expect... a few more.... will be ones of healing and rest.
De-stressing... releasing.... and being thankful.
What are you thankful for today?

~~~ see you all tomorrow.

5-11-15

Well, today is my day off... so I hope to rest (my arthritis has been really bad this week).
And, because I was so excited to find red trillium the other day, here are some more photos.

See you all tomorrow.

for the weekend

WOW! 

So today we were able to take a short ride on some back roads.... on a quest to get some items for me to upcycle... when HAZAA! we found these gorgeous red trillium peeking up alongside some of the edges of the banks. So I thought I would include some of the photos I took for this weekend's post. I hope you like them. 

And of course, because it's my weekend post.... I have a bunch of links for you all:

*all about trillium plant... and here... and here.

*16 ways to eat dandelions

*one of the best songs I've heard in a very long time
*what?!?
*great photos of Frida.... and more here too
*some awesome vintage photographs
*how to be an everyday creative genius
*incredible grilled cheese sandwiche
*the radical vision of Toni Morrison
*best business advice

And some of the blogs on my reading list:
-About New York
-Alabama Chanin
-Alex Sattler-photographer
-Antique Store Still Life (I think this blog is no longer being updated, but the photos are awesome)
-Artsy Forager

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

5-8-15

Wild Ramps/ Leeks/Allium Tricoccum are a HUGE local delicacy here.
And no wonder. They grow with wild abandon on most hillsides (if you know where to look >>wink<<).
Both last year, and this year... I was gifted with a small shopping bag size bundle of these onion-like goodies.
And like last year, I have divided my haul essentially in half.

I will clean one half and freeze them for use in soups, dinners, dips and more...
and will replant the other half here near the creek on our small bit of land;
in the hopes that in a few years... I will have my own stash of these delicious little buggers.

Here are some awesome links on this wondrous plant:
-grubStreet (really cool)
-The Forager Press
-and Wild Edible


Carry on... and I'll see you back here tomorrow for my weekend post.

5-6-15

I love Marsh Marigold.
It is bright and cheery... and full of sunshine and happiness.... just one of those plants that make you feel good to just see it.
We came across a whole wetland area of them on the way to State College the other day; and it was awesome.
You can read more on the plant here:
-wiki
-Modern Herbal
-International Water Garden Society

The marigold family is rife with symbolism.
Known as the "flower of the sun," is represents passion, warmth and creativity.
It is also said to be a symbol of contentment with simplicity.

One of the lessons I have had reinforced to me since moving back to PA; is to learn to be content with a simpler lifestyle. Not hanging on to things you don't need... making do with what you've got... and making new from the old. It's all been good... and I an excited about some projects I have coming up in the next few months.
Paring down... fixing up... moving on.

What are your goals for this summer?

5-6-15

This past weekend, I had a booth at the local Maple Festival.
On the Courthouse square, right in town.... folks gathered from far and near to attend the 49th Annual Potter-Tioga Maple Festival.
I think everyone had a great time.

Food... fun!... games...  and live music.
A pet parade, and the town parade... both of which were awesome...
and of course, lots of things to see and do... and get... in the many booths.

If you are a friend of mine on Facebook; be sure to check out the photo albums.
There is one for the vendors/booths.... and one for all the fun,food and games...
and today I hope to finish editing photos and list an album of photos from the parade.

It's events like these that are one of the things that make living in a small town such a treasure.
And I am thankful.
See you all tomorrow.

5-5-15

Yesterday was spent going on a small road trip to State College, PA (see more HERE as well).
We had a glorious full day at Barnes & Noble book store... tons of awesome books to look at and narrow down for our purchases.... great coffee... lots of fun! I can't tell you how much I have longer for a book and coffee date... and it did not disappoint.
---and then we had a late dinner at the India Pavilion; which was incredible.
The food was excellent... samosas, Mango lassi, shrimp biryani... and more.
I highly recommend it.

On the way home; we saw 51 deer! a young bear, a porcupine, and a raccoon... which was amazing.
I don't think I've ever seen that much wildlife out and about... so that was great.
And all along the way down... (of course)... I took the occasional photo.
The photos for today's post are of skunk cabbage (symplocarpus foetidus);  which we saw off an on along the creeks while we were driving. I think they are beautiful... so green!
You can read more about the plant here... and here... and here.

But for today... I hope to rest up a it... and maybe read a bit... and I'll see you all tomorrow.

5-4-15

Happy Monday!

Today is my day off... 

so I will simply hope that your day is awesome; and I will see you tomorrow.

5 sites that talk about good ways to start your day...

one

two

three

four

five

for the weekend

I apologize for the lateness of my weekend post... in addition to there being much going on with the Maple Festival this weekend; there have been other family matters... difficult and awful... and sad.
None of which I can go into. But, suffice it to say that these past few weeks have been rough on many levels.... and more so these past couple of days.

Life is hard. More so for some... and tragically so.
I am still trying to process it all... but when you think about the idea that all we really have to do in this life is love and support each other.... and take good stewardship of the things we are given... it all seems so pointless and unnecessary.    

But, it's the weekend; or what's left to it.... so I've got some links to share with you all:

*the flowers featured in the photos for today's post are called chinodoxa; or Glory-in-the-Snow. It is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring; alongside snowdrops and crocus and such. You can read about it here .... and here.
*a great idea to buy
*how to make kombucha tea (I wrote about this awhile ago, but found this video as well).
*problems in the forests of England 
*words from Thich Nhat Hahn
*cool photography & history stuff
*some thoughts on art
*wow. Just wow.
*a cool site
*some links to blogs on my reading list
-Gardening and Gardens  
-Steph Parke 
-April Pizana
-Mud Puddle Madonna
-Amanda Thomas
-Deborah Gwinn
-Eduardo Cervantes

5-1-15

Today and tomorrow, I will be here! at the 49th Annual Potter-Tioga Maple Festival.

Stop by my booth and say 'hi"... and see all the cool stuff around the Coudersport Courthouse Square.

There are lots of activities in & around town today... my wish is that you all go out and have some fun.

See you all tomorrow for my weekend post.

(Click on that photo collage to see it bigger)

4-30-15

Well, today looks like it will be another busy day (which is good).

I've got so many ideas and things I want to do...

and sometimes there is just not enough energy, or hours in the day/night.

And so I think, I will simply post some photos of things turning green up here on the hill...

and be about it.

See you all tomorrow.

4-29-15

Ok!

Botany lesson for the day >>wink<<

When I was out at Firestone Forge over the weekend; I had the grand opportunity to walk around with Chris Firestone -- who is a botanist.

I have always loved biology and plants... and in another life.... would probably have leaned more that way than into the medical field.  Anyway, I digress.

As we strolled around, I noticed (couldn't help but ... they were everywhere)... 

these gorgeous small blue flowers. 

Apparently, they are called Scilla sibirica (or Siberian squill).

Some view it as an invasive plant... and this post talks about that.

According to most sources online; it is very easy to grow... and quite hardy.

Here is another post that talks about using it in flower beds.

I think that THIS is the best post I've seen on it; and it describes the plant as being potentially linked to the Greek Goddess Scyllla, 

a great beauty who was turned into a horrible sea monster.

Superstitious folk regarded it as a "flower of the witches"... 

and therefor, would bring extreme bad luck to any who stepped on it.

Wow. That's cool.... but as you can see in the last photo...

Hunter (the cat) knows know fear of such things   >>wink<<

See you all tomorrow.

4-28-15

Well, the sun is trying to shine today... and I've lots to do in order to get ready for a show this Friday and Saturday. As many of you (who follow my facebook pages know) ... I made a flyer/poster (including my photos from last year's event) of the upcoming Maple Festival here in Coudersport. 

This will be the 49th Annual Maple Festival, and it will feature all kinds of goodies on the square... 

including lots of maple syrup products from our local maple syrup producers. 

And then there is a parade.... and food ... and FUN!

But I need to get things ready for my booth.

It's been a whirlwind of sorts these past few weeks...

Getting ready for the Grand ReOpening of my friend's shop Firestone Forge... where the daughter and I have some of our handmade goodies. And then it was off to the PA Wilds Annual Awards Dinner; where we were amongst select artisans featured around the perimeter of the banquet hall.

Then... it was off to Firestone Forge (yes, it's hoppin')... for a fantastic day of Mushroom making...

which is detailed in an album of photos on my facebook page.

-- Busy - BUSY - Busy --

So. Off to make some coffee... and see what I can get done.

See you all tomorrow.

4-27-15

So.... we are sort of in an in-between time here on the hill.
Not really winter... and certainly not sprouting much green yet.
I've seen other folks with all kinds of glorious spring flower photos.... but we're a bit behind up here.
Which is OK with me.
It gives me a little extra time to think about plans for the gardens, what we hope to do this year... what can potentially be accomplished.
And at the same time... reflect on what we did do... what we did accomplish... and rest a bit.
You can't have new without the passing of the old.

Yesterday was spent out at my friend's place; Firestone Forge.
We had a great time (along with many others) ... enjoying the sunshine, fresh air... and spent the afternoon drilling and priming logs, and inoculating them (and lightly sealing them) with shiitake spores. This fall; we hope to have a small harvest of some gorgeous mushrooms... isn't that cool?
see more on it here

This afternoon, I will be editing photos from the event... and I will put them on my Facebook page.
So if you happen to stroll by, take a look.
See you all tomorrow...

for the weekend

WOW!
What an interesting week...
Temps in the 70's ... then snowing for a day or two.
Going from the Grand ReOpening at my friend's place.... to the annual PA Wilds Dinner and Awards Banquet the other night.
And desperately worrying about our financial situation... to finding out Jim was hired for a fantastic job yesterday.
It's amazing how things change from day to day.....

Tonight I am going to the Opening Reception of an art show; a friend of a friend.... and a fellow photographer.
But first... here are some links for your weekend perusal:

*some cool art I came across
*and some more
*awesome NASA stuff
*life lessons
*this is interesting
*travel ideas ... and ones here in PA
*science is cool
*cute bats
*be a rebel... take out one of these books
*here's some interesting advise
*everything is awesome!
*why it's illegal to have milk crates, and where to buy them
*Mother's Day gift ideas

---and some blogs on my reading list:
Why Not Coline
Manuela Thames
Dinae Lawad

I hope you have an awesome weekend... and I'll see you all back here on Monday.

4-24-15

Last night was the PA Wilds Annual Dinner and  Awards Banquet.

I have never been, and it was a real treat.

(you can read all about it here .. and more on the programs and resources here)

It was hosted by the stunning Red Fern in Kersey, PA

"A small group of business owners, citizens and organizations from across the 12.5-county Pennsylvania Wilds region have earned awards for their contributions in sustainable tourism development and will be honored at an awards dinner and regional tourism briefing April 23. Americans spend more than $640 billion a year on outdoor gear and trips and travel to get outdoors, and communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds are in great position to grow this industry given the region’s natural landscape and entrepreneurial background. For the last decade, dozens of local, state and federal partners from the public and private sectors have worked together to do just that in order to create jobs, diversify local economies, improve quality of life and inspire stewardship in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Each year, the PA Wilds Team, a guiding partnership in this effort, gives out a small number of “Champion of the Pennsylvania Wilds” awards to recognize outstanding efforts by local partners in this work.  Keynote speaker was Michael DiBerardinas, former Pennsylvania Secretary for DCNR." 

Kristin and I went; and as we were both new artisan on the PA Wilds Artisan Trail we had the opportunity even able to display a portion of our work... which seemed well received.

We had an awesome time, and look forward to many more years of participation in the PA Wilds.

4-23-15

And yesterday... it snowed.
Off and on all day.. .and into the dark of the night... big, fluffy flakes came softly down.
It's as if Mother Earth is gently enforcing the idea... that in spite of our best efforts, we are not in charge.
It appears to be a time of rest, of re-grouping... of thinking about what you value the most... and following through.

It's been an odd couple of weeks... and very hard in many ways.
Lots of hardship and struggle within the family... and personal struggles with finances and fatigue... but there has been good too.
The past few days we've been enjoying kombucha tea... and quick pickled goods...things my daughter worked on over the weekend.

Today, we are off on a little day trip to a PA Wilds Event where we hope to kibitz with some of the other PA Wilds Artisans.
See you all tomorrow.

4-22-15

Happy Earth Day!
Wishing you all a fantastic Earth day...

And I'm about to go enjoy it myself; see you all tomorrow.