Square Foot Garden – Week 1

box 1 north 2013 04 10

This picture is good to show you the present status of our square foot garden after the initial planting on April 6th. I planted potatoes today in a faux terra cotta pot on the end of this row of boxes. The carrots are planted in the other faux terra cotta pot.

There are three boxes of plants on the north side of the garden. In the row of squares closest to the poles and fencing, I’ve planted climbing things, such as tomato plants, cucumbers, and green bell peppers. As they grow, I’ll attempt to thread them into the fencing. Most of these plants are planted 1 to a square. The two exceptions to this are the cucumbers (2 to a square) and the onions (16 to a square.)

box 4 south

This box is representative of the planting in the southern row of three boxes. This box has several squares that look empty. They’re actually planted with different types of seeds in each square.

north side boxes 2013 04 10

This picture shows the three boxes on the north side, closest to the fencing for climbing plants.

south side boxes 2013 04 10

This shows the three boxes on the south side of the garden.  My plan is to take pictures of the progress of the garden once per week to show what’s happening and to document good and bad stuff in our gardening adventure.

I’m still relieved that we didn’t have the predicted severe weather last night. We still have a chance today, so I’ll be holding my breath until tomorrow…

 

 

 

Square Foot Garden – It’s Planted – Now What?

 

Okay. I have six 4×4 boxes filled with a glorious mixture of peat moss, vermiculite and 4 kinds of compost. The boxes are divided into sixteen ‘squares’ each and different plants have been planted in each square and/or deeper pot.

I have to tell you that I don’t have the first idea what I’m doing. I’m reading the Square Foot Garden by Mel Bartholomew like a fiend, taking notes, following directions the best way I can and have now finished planting. I was careful not to plant anything the same in two squares, and tried to spread things out as much as possible. Except for the asparagus. I devoted a whole 4×4 box to asparagus, plus two other squares. (These won’t be ready to cut for 2 years, and won’t be moving around.)

I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, 2 kinds of cabbage, red onions, Georgia sweet onions, carrots, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and 3 kinds of leaf lettuce. We set up an automatic drip irrigation system so that the garden is watered each evening for 5 minutes. We can adjust both the time and the strength of the flow of the water as the weather gets drier and hotter.

So now what? I haven’t the foggiest idea of what I’m supposed to expect, what matures when, if anything needs special care, what I should plant in the square when something matures, etc.

This morning I spent creating a spread sheet that is a ‘map’ of the garden so I would know what was where (in case the popsicle stick markers run or get lost).

 

I gave all the veggies abbreviations, and it’s easy to see the “A” (asparagus) takes up the whole 4×4 planter on the lower right, for example. (I also wrote down all the abbreviations because I’m old and tend to forget. :0) I listed how many are planted in the squares (for example, broccoli plants are planted 1 per square. Radishes are planted 16/square.)

What you plant NEXT ensures crop rotation, so I’ve got to figure out what’s what.  A lot of reading to do!

I also made notes from the seed packets and/or plant markers I saved. I tried to keep track of when I planted, when it’s supposed to mature, when you plant it during the year, etc.

EX

I then wrote the maturity dates on the calendar, then listed them in order.

EX

This at least gives me SOME idea of what to expect. I’ll be reading the book on each thing I’ve planted and adding to my notes, as well as keeping track of what actually happens with my plants in the garden.

Tonight and tomorrow, though, I’m a little worried. We’re due for some bad storms and possible severe weather tonight through tomorrow. My poor little plants will have to weather things the best way they can.

I was worried about the watering issue, since I really don’t know how much to water. Mr. Bartholomew reassures me that the plants can’t be watered TOO MUCH because the soil mix will take what it wants and let the rest run out. I hope he’s right. I need all the help I can get!

creativepro.com

 

 

 

What to wear?

thatschic.net

This morning, my husband and I were wearing jackets and scarves to do our errands. Right now, the temperature is 57 degrees with a nice, warm sun!

Tomorrow, the forecast is for

cold in the morning

high of  49, then a front coming through with high wind and rain and falling temps

activekidsclub.com

“sharply colder air on Thursday with a chance of light rain and drizzle. As temps fall on Thursday night some of the precip could switch to light freezing drizzle or freezing rain.”

ehow.com

then back to the 50′s and 60′s as we go toward the end of the week and the weekend.

Do we wonder why so many people are getting sick?

How should one dress for everything except a tornado or hurricane predicted in one day in Arkansas?

 

 

 

 

How do I love you?

funny-pics-fun.com

“I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach…” –Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“You’re nothing short of my everything.” –Ralph Block

“There is a place you can touch a woman that will drive her crazy. Her heart.” - Melanie Griffith

“An archaeologist is the best husband any woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her.” – Agatha Christie

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mother Teresa

 

 

New Creative Artworks Blog Header – Dec. 10, 2012

Our Creative Artworks blog header for the week displays the work on Michael Bridges, Debbie Garrett, and Martha Dollar Efurd.

 

This wonderful painting is by Michael Bridges. I love it!  It’s called “Catmas-Tree.”

“Catmas Tree” is an original oil on canvas by Michael Bridges.

The dimensions are 8″ x 10″ on a canvas sheet mounted on foam board.

The piece will be shipped ready for you to frame.

Please allow one week for delivery.

 

See all of Michael Bridges’ work on Creative Artworks HERE

This sweet ornament is handmade by Debbie Garrett. It’s called,

“Victorian Bear Ornament” . 

This sweet, old-fashioned bear is perfect for Victorian decorating.

She comes holding a “hankie” with initials on it.

Please specify the two initials you want in the special comments section of the shopping cart.

Bear is 3″ tall in standing position, can be either white or tan.

Can also be done in other colors if you prefer.

THIS IS A DECORATION ONLY AND NOT A TOY. NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13.

Please allow approximately 1 week for delivery.

See all of Debbie Garrett’s work on Creative Artworks HERE

“Mr.-and-Mrs.-Santa-Mini-Painting” – ID # 13449 by Martha Dollar Efurd

 

Such a sweet painting! It would look great on a tabletop, a window sill, on in a whole Christmas display!

“Mr. & Mrs. Santa Mini-Painting” is an original acrylic by Martha Dollar Efurd.

The painting is done on a 5″x5″ wooden painting area plus easel back, all crafted in one piece.

The painting on the wood is much brighter than we’re able to show in the picture here.

This mini-painting is perfect to sit on a side table, coffee table, night stand – anywhere!

It would also be a really great gift for someone special.

See all of Martha Dollar Efurd’s work on Creative Artworks HERE

 

And there you have it. Another festive header for the blog provided by Creative Artworks artists!

Come visit Creative Artworks today to find something wonderful for someone on your list!

Three Simple Rules in Life!

Reblogged from Lynn Sweeney Art & Soul:

So very true!

Nuff said!

How do you carve your pumpkin 5

I’m having such a good time finding more out-of-the-ordinary pumpkins for us. I hope you’re enjoying each new group.

 

This is more ‘traditional,’ but I love the sweetness of this one!

“I’ll bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween.”  ~Author Unknown

 

 

This one is truly over-the-top elegant, don’t you think? I wish there were some way to preserve this. I think it’s simply stunning.

“A grandmother pretends she doesn’t know who you are on Halloween.”  ~Erma Bombeck

 

 

I have no idea how these were done, but I’m in awe of the painstaking talent to cut these out. Maybe they were done by machine, but I’m still amazed that the pumpkins stayed intact.

“Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night.”  ~Steve Almond

 

These really make me smile. What happy looking pigs! And SO creative!

“From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!”
~Scottish Saying

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

10-Pack Note Cards – “Serengeti”

Sherry Dell’aria McGrath gives us the “Featured Piece of the Day” on

Creative Artworks!

10-Pack Note Cards – “Serengeti” – ID # 15629 by Sherry Dell’aria-McGrath

This design is enough to get even the most reticent writer going!

Sherry has created beautiful original paintings in a variety of techniques and media. These are offered on Creative Artworks, as well as matted prints of her originals, plus some packages of printed note cards!

Treat yourself and take a few minutes to look at Sherry Dell-aria McGrath‘s work on Creative Artworks. You’ll find wonderful artwork for yourself and others you’ll be proud to give as gifts.

See all of her work HERE

falling leaves

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly
~John Bailey

Leather Mini-Notebook Cover – “Autumn Willow” ID # 15658 by Ray Anthony

 

“Autumn mornings: sunshine and crisp air, birds and calmness, year’s end and day’s  beginnings.” ~Terri Guillemets

 

“Autumn-Trees”-Glasses-Set-of-4 – ID # 12109 by Rebecca Kelman

 

“A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least, but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart.” ~Hal Borland

 

Basket-Hand-Painted “Fall”  - ID # 8869 by Linda Lewis

 

“For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.” ~Edwin Way Teale

 

“Autumn-in-the-North-Country”-Original-Pastel-Painting – ID # 14373 by Nora Ruth

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” ~Stanley Horowitz

 

Chrysanthemums-or-Chrysanthemums-Watercolor-Print – ID # 13843 by Derek McCrea

 

“The one red leaf, the last of its clan,
That dances as often as dance it can,
Hanging so light, and hanging so high,
On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.”
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

 

“Elegant-Table” Handmade Card – ID # 13195 by Charlene Bodero

 

“By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer’s best of weather And autumn’s best of cheer.”  Helen Hunt Jackson’

 

Tile – Ceramic – “Fruit-Harvest” – ID # 14517 by Martha Dollar Efurd 

See all the “Fall” offerings at Creative Artworks!

“Autumn is the hush before winter.” French Proverb

“High Tide Scituate Light”

 

11×14-”High-Tide-Scituate-Light”-Pixel-Painting  by Joe Parskey

 

11×14 Open Edition ‘Pixel Painting’ by Joe Parskey.

Joe gives us our “Featured Piece of the Day” on Creative Artworks!

“Pixel Paintings” are digitally enhanced photographic artworks of coastal New England and beyond.

Starting with a 35mm or digital photograph, artist Joe Parskey adds painterly effects, dramatic skies, and other enhancements, transforming a simple photo into a work of art.

All sizes refer to mat size with the print one size smaller.

Please allow 7 to 10 days for delivery.

Email us for prices for other sizes!

Ah, how I love lighthouses! I wish I could visit every one in the world. (Of course, that would mean I’d spend a lot of time in the ocean, and I’d see my favorite birds, the sandpipers, skittering around lots of beaches!

Since I can’t do the traveling, at least I can dream with the beautiful pixel paintings by Joe Parskey. He has several photographs of lighthouses. I would love to buy one of each and display them all in one glorious room!

See all of Joe Parskey‘s pixel paintings on Creative Artworks HERE

“Life is like a roller coaster.”

“Life is like a roller coaster. It goes up and down, makes you scream and costs a lot.” - Hannah, age 6

It seems like many of us are having to deal with ‘DOWN’ on the roller coaster ‘stuff’ right now, whether it is a health issue, money problems, loss of a loved one, fear of losing a job and more. When you get an ‘UP.’ you might worry that something challenging is right around the corner!

How CAN you deal with the ups and downs of life?

 

Most of what I worry about I can’t control, anyway. KNOWING that, and actually FEELING or ACTING differently, are two very different things.  The ‘Serenity Prayer’ comes to mind -

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”

I would very much LIKE to live by this, but actually have trouble ‘accepting what I cannot change.’ I WANT to keep my family, friends, and co-workers free from pain, and do ‘something’ so they’re doing well.  I HATE it when bad things happen, feeling helpless to do anything but CARE.

In some ways, a little bit of ‘bad’ makes you appreciate the ‘good’ a lot more. You learn not to take the good things for granted. Maybe the bad teaches us to live in the moment more, rather than always dreaming of tomorrow, or yesterday. Maybe the bad also helps us to treasure those we love, enjoying all we can of the sharing.

The wisdom of children is awesome. “Out of the mouths of babes” rings true over and over again. Hannah, at 6 years of age, describes life in a nutshell.

I hope that she – and we – have MANY more UPs than DOWNs ; that we scream with JOY and LAUGHTER, too, rather than too many times in agony or fear; and that we have enough money, strength, and stamina to pay whatever it costs.

May YOUR roller coaster bring you all the good things.

 

 

Stephanie Plum’s Hamster, Rex?

 

“The Hungry Hamster” 2-Pack Card Set by Darlene Fletcher

If you’re into the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, you know that she has a hamster named Rex.

She looks at his beady eyes and twitching whiskers, attributing all sorts of thoughts, motivations, and goals to her sweet pet. He gives her what she needs – ‘a heartbeat’ in her apartment, companionship without a lot of care, appreciation for whatever Stephanie feeds him, and no need to be entertained.

He lives in a Campbell’s soup can in an aquarium, and if Stephanie needs to be somewhere else for more than a day, she carts him and the aquarium to wherever she’s going.

It’s obvious how much she cares about Rex. Looking at the sweet hungry hamster Darlene Fletcher has created for us above, I don’t blame Stephanie a bit!

See all of Darlene Fletcher’s wonderful greeting card designs on Creative Artworks HERE

Singin’ in the Rain…”

“I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain; What a wonderful feeling, I’m happy again”.  Arthur Freed

As I type, we’re getting waves of wind gusts and the sky is dark. I’ve been checking my windows, and going outside every few minutes to see if we actually have rain, and FINALLY we have a very soft rain! Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!

“I love the rain. I want the feeling of it on my face.”  Katherine Mansfield

“Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.” Langston Hughes

Before the rain started, it was 105. Now it’s 78, according to my computer! :0)

“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.”  Langston Hughes

I’d stay and type longer, but I really want to get out in the rain, with or without an umbrella. I hope it lasts a LOOOOOONG time….

AHHHHHH!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” ~Rajneesh

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone! :0)

Thank You!

I just wanted to say ‘Thank You!’ to the people who are reading my blog. It means a lot to me. Thanks, also, to those of you who take the time to “Like” or make a comment. :0)

Wavy Knit Afghan

Nancy Hearne creates dreams and memories with thread and yarn.  I’m delighted to show you today’s Featured Piece on Creative Artworks -

Wavy-Knit-Afghan by Nancy Hearne

I simply drool when I see this design and all the luscious color combinations! I’m a purple person, so I love the “Grapevine,” but my husband would love the “Ocean Waves,”….

This afghan is made by hand, of course, so you need to allow approximately 6 weeks for creation and delivery.

Just let us know the color combination that speaks to you, and Nancy will get her needles hot!

Nancy also makes

• hand crocheted doilies to die for,
• adds lace to ladies hankies,
• makes hat and muffler combinations that will keep you cozy when you appreciate that the most,
• embroidered towels,
• a ‘spider’s web,’ and
• a ‘shoulderette,’ – a wonderful lightweight lacy piece that has arms. PERFECT for taking to restaurants or movie theaters that are a little – or a LOT – too generous with the air conditioning this summer!

You can see all of Nancy Hearne’s beautiful work on Creative Artworks HERE!

Get her started on something YUMMY for YOU today!

Creative Artworks Blog Header – April 30, 2012

A brand new Creative Artworks blog header for a brand new week! This week’s header features work by Ludmila Penouchkina, Cath Ruggiero, and Joe Parskey.

“Cat-on-Gold”-Acrylic-on-Canvas-Painting by Ludmila Penouchkina 

Mila’s work makes me smile. Isn’t it amazing that just looking at a piece of artwork can lift your spirits? Mila knows the secret to that, and I love it!

 She paints angels, cats,  bears,  fish, horses, deer, donkies, unicorns, zebras and more.

Mila paints her wonderful designs on canvas, on pillows, and on wall hangings

Take a well-earned break and treat yourself to the work of Ludmilla Penouchkina.

You can see all of her work HERE.

Cath Ruggiero loves mysteries. She also specializes in creating small, exquisite things. So it’s no surprise that when she creates paintings, she would choose the ACEO format.

ACEO-Mystery-Book-Cover “Murder-at-35,000″ by Cath Ruggiero

What IS an ACEO, you ask?  ACEOs –  (Art Card Editions and Originals) – are 2.5″ x 3.5″ limited edition artwork created to collect and/or trade. They’re an affordable way to have artwork you love without breaking the bank. These are collected much like baseball cards, with people taking great pride in their collections, and sometimes swapping for other ACEOs to make their collection even better.

This one is part of a series of 9 limited edition ACEO Mystery Book Covers by Cath Ruggiero.

Collect all nine! You can see them HERE.

Joe Parskey takes beautiful photographs of New England and the surrounding area and then makes them gorgeous works of art through an enhancement process he calls, “pixel painting.”

11×14-”After-The-Storm”-Pixel-Painting by Joe Parskey

To say I love his work would be a huge understatement. Every time I look through his work on Creative Artworks, I change my ‘favorite.’ Like this one – I can almost hear the birds ‘ cries and the waves crashing!

Joe photographs ships, lighthouses, the ocean, shops, flowers, woods, and more – bringing each photograph to an art form.

I think buying 3 or 4 pixel paintings on a theme and displaying them together on one wall would be a beautiful way to give focus to something you love in a room in your home, or in your office.

See all of Joe’s pixel paintings HERE

Three more of the wonderful artists whose work I’m proud to display on Creative Artworks!

Have a great week, everyone!

A Lovely Gift!

I received a beautiful gift this morning from one of my Creative Artworks artists, DiVoran Lites. 

As you can see, DiVoran paints beautiful watercolors. I particularly love this one. She sent it as a ‘thank you’ for my ‘encouragement and stick-to-it-ive-ness,’ but really just because she’s NICE and extremely generous.

I loved her note for the kind words, but also because it was written on a note card printed with another original painting!

To say I’m thrilled doesn’t begin to cover it!

I get the joy of displaying DiVoran’s work on Creative Artworks AND two wonderful ‘thank yous!’

You can see all of DiVoran’s beautiful work

HERE

Give yourself – or some other lucky person – a wonderful day, too! :0)

Cat Got Your Tongue?

“Sapphire”-Pastel-Painting by Nora Ruth

“As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat.”  Ellen Perry Berkeley

“Cat-and-Fish”-Acrylic-on-Canvas-Painting by Ludmila Penouchkina

“Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this. ” Anonymous

“Fancy Kitty” – Metal Sculpture by Linda Lewis

“Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” Mary Bly

“Harvest-Moon-Cat”-Embroidered-Hand-Towel by Nancy Hearne 

“People that hate cats, will come back as mice in their next life.” Faith Resnick 

Hand-Painted-Glass-Halloween-Black-Cat by Rebecca Kelman

“In a cat’s eye, all things belong to cats.” English Proverb

“A Happy Cat” 2-Pack Card Set by Darlene Fletcher

“Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.” Joseph Wood Krutch 

10 Handmade Cards Package for Cat Lovers! by Linda Lewis

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow. ” Jeff Valdez

“Miseries”-Handmade-Paper-Poster by Lisa Richey

“There are two remedies for the miseries of life – music and cats.” Albert Schweitzer

“Cat-in-the-Window”-Print by Michael Bridges

“I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” Hippolyte Taine 

“Retro-Black-Kitty”-Print by Ines Miller

“Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well.” Missy Dizick  

Come see all the cat lovers at Creative Artworks!

“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.”

“An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest.” — Spanish proverb

Mother’s Day – “Grown-Up”-Box-of-8-Cards by Christy and Cindy

Also see “custom box of 8 cards” offer!

“My mother loved children – she would have given anything if I had been one.” – Groucho Marx

Mother’s Day – “Lovely-in-Lavender” by Charlene Bodero

See all of Charlene’s cards HERE

“I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford. Then I want to move in with them.” – Phyllis Diller

Mother’s Day – “Spa”-Bath-Gift-Box by Vivian Dee

“My mother’s menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it.” – Buddy Hackett

Mother’s Day -”Personalized-Mother-and-Daughter-Bears” by Debbie Garrett

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” – Mark Twain

“Mommy’s Sippy Cup” – Hand Painted Glass by Rebecca Kelman

“The phrase “working mother” is redundant.” — Jane Sellman

Mother’s Day – Basket- Hand-Painted by Linda Lewis

“It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.” – Erma Bombeck

“My-Grandma”-Calligraphy by Buz Williams

“Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials.” Meryl Streep

“Hanging-Aviary”-Hand-Painted by Martha Dollar Efurd

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. Sophia Loren

Note-Cards-”Wet-on-Wet”-Personalized-Set-of-5 by Linda Lewis

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? Milton Berle

Handmade-Wreath by Nora Ruth

“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.” — Chinese Proverbs

Flowers-Heath-Aster-or-Hybrid-Orchid-Watercolor-Print by Derek McCrea

“A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car for ever after.”
— Peter De Vries

Cutting Board – Placemat – Glass – Rectangular by Mindy Sommers

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

Beer-Bottle-Cozy-with-Ruffle-Bright Blue by Sandi Myers

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

Bread Cloth – Cross Stitch by Angela Kiefer 

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

Fridge Magnet – Set-of-3 – “Colorful-Abstract”- Series by Jane Loedding

MOTHER’S DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER – MAY 13TH!

MAKE IT A FUN ONE!

New Blog Header – April 2 – 8, 2012

Another wonderful Monday and a brand new Creative Artworks blog header!

Since it’s almost Easter, I chose work from three artists who inspire me to enjoy every special day to the fullest.

Charlene Bodero makes handmade cards, one at a time, when you order.

“Easter-Bunny-Hop” by Charlene Bodero

Isn’t this the cutest card! It makes me feel like a kid again, waiting for the fun of an Easter egg hunt, with the added humor of Easter bunnies here. :0)

Charlene makes cards for all occasions, plus ones you can use any time of the year as note cards when you want to reach out and touch a friend or family member.

See all of Charlene’s GREAT card designs HERE

DiVoran Lites paints watercolors like I wish I could.  I’ve bought several of her paintings and I love every one of them.

“A-New-Day”-Original-Matted-Watercolor by DiVoran Lites

This means to me a fresh start, renewal, inspiration,!  DiVoran offers matted watercolors, plus what she calls, “Bling Blots” at very affordable prices. I hung mine in a group on one wall and never fail to get wonderful compliments!

See ALL of DiVoran’s paintings HERE

Cindy Smith and Christy Aguirre  have a partnership to create truly wonderful greeting cards. They work together on the ideas, and then Christy does the initial drawings. Cindy then paints each one and comes up with heartfelt wording that is PERFECT for each card. These are unique and wonderful cards you’ll be proud to send for any occasion.

“Easter-Bonnets”-Box-of-8-Cards by Christy and Cindy

These are offered in boxes of eight cards, or you can build your own box, choosing any combination of eight cards!

They also offer a greeting card with a corresponding fridge magnet! This way the person enjoys the card, and then has a magnet they can post on the fridge or on a metal surface at their office, school, or anywhere they like. It’s a lasting reminder that you think they’re special!

Don’t miss their enclosure cards for gift giving at Christmas, or other special reasons, such as  ”Babies – Children,” “Greeting Cards,” or “Wedding – Anniversaries.”

See ALL of Cindy and Christy’s work HERE

I’m so proud to have Charlene, DiVoran, Cindy, and Christy on Creative Artworks!  I couldn’t be happier giving you a taste of their talent here.

Come and see us at Creative Artworks!

Help a Creative Artworks Artist!

Jane Daniell’s daughter Laura is in a contest to win FREE photography on her wedding day! Please go to Love My Dressand vote for Laura and Jonny. Voting closes tomorrow, so please do this today! Thank you!

Ah, Wisteria!

Spring has sprung – actually about three weeks ago in West Central Arkansas, and I couldn’t be happier.

Right now, though, we’re having a series of storms that are supposed to last through tomorrow night that could result in up to 10″ of rain, and, of course, flash flooding! High winds, thunder storms, hail, and flying hairballs…

I’m back on now, after an interruption of about 30 minutes, while another storm went through, causing my satellite internet to falter.  It looks fairly benign outside now, so maybe I can finish my thoughts. :0)

This is a picture I took this morning of our wisteria that we planted two years ago. The first year we had a couple of blooms, about which we ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed.’ Last year the wisteria was beaten down very quickly by hard rains. I’m hoping that the storms moving through here today through Wednesday won’t completely beat down these gorgeous blooms.

I’ve always dreamed of having something blooming all through the year. I’ve never achieved that, but now I’ve changed my dream into planting more and more perennials each year so that I don’t have to start over each year.

We now have the wisteria, some nice Rio Samba rose bushes, the yellow forsythia, some snapdragons in yellow and a bright burgundy. We have our favorite deeply purple iris that I’ve been relocating all over the yard each year.  I’ve ordered begonias in all colors, some carpet border lilies, and some cone flowers in lots of colors. We also have dianthus in a couple of colors that have come up again.  A couple of days ago we planted a tulip tree and three richly colored azaleas!

I hope that you’re able to welcome spring with open arms this year.  Compare notes with me about what you’re planting and how things are going!

Preventing Alzheimer’s?

I’ve read various articles about Alzheimer’s since some of the relatives on my mother’s side suffered from it. I would like to avoid it, if possible. I’ve read that challenging yourself, keeping your mind active, going outside your comfort zone is one big way you can prevent it, or at least slow it down.

We’ve changed a BUNCH of things around our house lately!

1) We changed from DirecTV to DISH – We discovered we could get all the channels we got on DirecTV for HALF the price per month for the first year of a two-year contract, and then 2/3 of the price for the second year. That saves us a LOT of money, so we were eager to do it.

The installation guy was NICE, but the job wasn’t near as sturdy as the DirecTV stuff. So my husband decided we would use the DirecTV stuff that was left over and mount the DISH satellite on it. MANY HOURS later, the job was done. We were completely exhausted, but we have a good, sturdy installation now.

The TV looks the same, but the remote is completely different and the channels are all different. Everything we were used to on the old system is completely different. Since we have a nice speaker system, we have the added problem of having to remember to hit ‘SAT’ first if we want to do anything involving the TV, and ‘AUX’ if it has anything to do with the sound. It’s quite funny to watch us trying to change the channel and then mute. :0)  I know – your heart is bleeding for us.  It IS a challenge, though, to NOT remember what you’ve been doing for several years and then REMEMBER how to do it on the NEW system…

2) We gave back our smart phone. We found we weren’t using our phone for anything other than emergency or very rare calls and occasionally taking a picture. We had bought the phone and were under contract, but we decided we would save enough on NOT having the phone and not paying the monthly costs to be okay with having to pay a penalty for breaking the contract.

We sold the smart phone on the net. Now we have a dumb cell phone that’s still smarter than we are. It takes pics, but has no driver support so we can move the pics from the phone to our computer. We’ll upgrade to a smarter dumb phone in September….

3) We changed from DSL through our phone company to satellite Internet. This is a change we only made a few days ago, but it’s wonderful. We had to work out a few problems, though. We have a LAN network in the house with several computers connected to each other.  A lady at tech support told my husband that the new system could only be connected to one computer. That was almost a deal breaker. We called tech support again the next morning and were told of COURSE we could connect our LAN to the system. We didn’t want to lose our DSL until we tested the satellite, so it was a good thing we had an extra router that could be set back to ‘factory settings’ and then hooked up.

The new system is MUCH faster than the DSL, with very little ‘lag time’ or ‘latency’ issues. I can now finally watch a YouTube video the FIRST time, rather than playing it through, with it stopping to load more every few seconds, and then hitting REPLAY to be able to watch it! Hooray!

4) My husband and son got me a new computer (the first one NOT a hand-me-down from my husband) with all new software and a new, ergonomic keyboard. This one is HIGH at the front where you wrists are and slopes down to the counter. So your hands are pointing down and you can’t see the keyboard well while you’re using it. I’m finally getting used to it, but my husband gets really upset when he tries to help me do something on my computer. So we’ve agreed that he’ll tell me what to type on it if I need help in the future. :0)

These are a LOT of changes for one old broad to deal with in a short period of time, so I’m hoping that all the THINKING and ADAPTING I’m having to do will stave off any threat of Alzheimer’s – at least until NEXT week…

HAPPY ST. PADDY’S DAY!

“There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.” Irish Saying

“May you die in bed at ninety-five years, shot by a jealous husband (or wife).” Irish Toast

Have a happy day! :0)

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

“Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!”

March 17th is the day each year I wish I were Irish.  For years I’ve devoured Nora Roberts’ books about the Irish culture, including the wonderful family pubs where everyone can ‘hang out’ and unwind with less danger than anyplace I’ve ever seen in the United States.

“May you live all the days of your life.”  Jonathan Swift

I LOVE the idea of large families.  Ones with normal family squabbles, but who, when the chips are down, support each other wholeheartedly with a deep base of love. The TV show, “Blue Bloods” has a family like this, having Sunday mid-day dinners together every week.

“There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.”  Irish Saying

I love the wonderful insults included in Irish toasts! I realize I’m probably looking at a lot of stereotypical characteristics, but what a WONDERFUL way to live.

“May the dust of your carriage wheels blind the eyes of your foes.
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.
May your fire never go out.
May your well never run dry.”

My mother was lucky enough to take a world cruise several years ago, where she was on the gorgeous ship for three months, seeing places all over the world. One place that stood out for her was Ireland. She enthused about how gorgeous the country was. She bought a cashmere sweater from the lady who made it, right on her GREEN, GREEN luxurious looking farm.

“May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.”

So, officially on March 17th, but actually many times during each year, I doff my hat and lift a glass to the Irish. May you have the happiest of St. Paddy’s Days!

“May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you’re going, and the insight to know when you’ve gone too far.”

“Walls for the wind,
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks beside the fire –
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire!”

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Old age is fifteen years older than I am.

“Old age is fifteen years older than I am.”  Oliver Wendell Holmes

Tomorrow, March 9th, I celebrate my birthday. My 65th birthday. In a previous life, I would have been really appalled – depressed – about reaching such an ‘old’ age. In my current life, I’m celebrating!

“Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough.” Groucho Marx

I’ve had a few health scares the past 3 years – ones that I thought meant the end of my existence. There is nothing that gets your attention and makes you rethink what’s important faster or more effectively than that.

“We don’t grow older, we grow riper.”  Pablo Picasso

As I dealt with, and survived each of these, my attitude about EVERYTHING changed. I quit worrying about MANY things that used to really give me grief.  I stopped doing things I didn’t like as much as possible.

“The older I get the better I used to be!” Lee Trevino

I started reaching out more and telling people how much they meant to me. I made a promise that I would treat every member of my family better than ever – doing everything I could to make every day a wonderful one for them.

“Older people shouldn’t eat health food, they need all the preservatives they can get.”  Robert Orben

When my husband had HIS health scare in January of this year, we decided to get serious about doing whatever we could to make whatever years we had left as wonderful as we could make them. That meant seriously working to get the lard off and MOVING more – getting stronger and more fit. So far, my husband has lost almost 27 pounds and I’ve lost 20, plus almost 8 inches.

“As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.” Norman Wisdom

We’re walking at the local park every day we can. I started out really pathetically, after more than 30 years of sedentary living and overeating. I’m getting stronger every day, though! We also just joined the local Athletic Club – free for geezers! The plan is to start going 2 or 3 times per week to get strength help.

“Inside every older person is a younger person – wondering what the hell happened.”  - Unknown

“The older I get, the more I embrace my own idiosyncrasies.” Brittany Murphy

In the meantime, I’m having a three-day celebration of living to be another glorious year older!  Actually, my celebration started a couple of weeks ago when I ordered a framed tile from one of my artists on Creative Artworks as my present to me.  (I started this new tradition of buying something I really wanted for myself on my birthday when I weathered the FIRST health scare.) :0)

“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”  Lucille Ball

“The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”  Madeleine L’Engle

Last night we went bowling with our good friends, the Taylors.  Our tradition there is to commiserate with each other, or celebrate, our bowling scores with a scoop of ice cream from Braum’s afterwards.  I, of course, had chocolate.

“I’m so old they’ve cancelled my blood type.”  Bob Hope

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping  yourself, the other for helping others.”  Audrey Hepburn

Tonight my husband and I are going to our favorite local Chinese restaurant. We haven’t been since we started our new way of eating mid January, so this will be a huge treat!

“I’m just getting older and better.” Neal Schon

Tomorrow, when we meet our good friends for “Lunch Bunch” as we do each Friday, I’ll have a piece of chocolate cake as the final piece of my celebration. :0)

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?”   Satchel Paige

“There is still no cure for the common birthday.”  John Glenn

So, far from feeling sad or anxious about this significant birthday, I’m feeling jubilant! I now qualify for Medicare – if our government doesn’t allow it to go under.  As I said before, I qualified for FREE membership at the local athletic club.  I’ve survived THREE health scares and am healthier than I’ve been in years.

“Birthdays are nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake.”  - Unknown

“Old age is no place for sissies.”  Bette Davis

I’m enjoying wearing larger and flashier dangling earrings. I’m enjoying buying many things in my favorite color – PURPLE. I’m enjoying the best jobs in the world – running my website and writing my blog.

“I didn’t get old on purpose, it just happened. If you’re lucky, it could happen to you.” Andy Rooney

I’m enjoying each day – as it whizzes past my head. I’m taking the time to plant the flowers I want in my planters, spend as much time on the computer as my husband will allow, spend a lot more time trying to create things in my artroom, as well as create ‘critters’ in the shop with my husband.

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and wlll preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand – strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, ‘WOO HOO – What a Ride!’”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEE!

The Power of Words

A friend of mine shared this YouTube video this morning. It’s simply done and profound. I hope you enjoy it, too.

http://bit.ly/ezTw1E

Are you a purple person?

Purple is my favorite color. I simply can’t get enough of it. Whenever I see a group of things in different colors, I’m always drawn to the purple one. Even my husband, who hardly ever notices detail, knows to choose the purple one if he’s trying to get me something I’ll love.

Frame- Iron – With 12″ Tile – “Art-Nouveau” by Mindy Sommers

“Purple is the color of good judgment. It is the color of people seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is said if you surround yourself with purple you will have peace of mind. Purple is a good color to use in meditation.”

Cabled-Hat-and-Scarf-Hand-Knit-Grape by Nancy Hearne

“Purple has been used to symbolize magic and mystery, as well as royalty. Being the combination of red and blue, the warmest and coolest colors, purple is believed to be the ideal color. Most children love the color purple. Purple is the color most favored by artists. Thursday’s color is purple.”

“Yesterday”-Original-Oil by Martha Dollar Efurd

“I never saw a Purple Cow; I never hope to See One; But I can Tell you, Anyhow, I’d rather See than Be One” Frank Gelett Burgess

“Basset Hound and Butterfly” 2-Pack Card Set Darlene Fletcher

“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, With a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me, And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves, And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter” Jenny Joseph

All Occasion – “Purple-Flowerpot” Handmade Card by Charlene Bodero

“I won’t eat any cereal that doesn’t turn the milk purple.” Bill Watterson

Bracelet – “Grapes of Wrath Russian Spiral Cuff” by Cynthia Barnes

“It’s all or nothing with my makeup. If I get dressed up, I’ll go to an extreme. I’ll wear foundation, bright blue or bright red lipstick with one of my weird purple wigs.” Angelina Jolie

 

“Bling-Blot- Moulin-Rouge” by DiVoran Lites 

“Ah, yes! I wrote the ‘Purple Cow’
I’m sorry, now, I wrote it!
But I can tell you anyhow,
I’ll kill you if you quote it!”
Frank Gelett Burgess

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ENJOY!