I believe

(image courtesy kelly rae roberts)

it's been a bit of a trying day. not stressful. but cause for self-control. self-respect. faith.

so I will.

'there's a crack in everything. that's how the light gets in.'

up

this is such a cool idea. I've been thinking about the possibilities of vertical gardening. there is a wide variety of interpretations. and an equal variety of materials repurposed. gutters. cattle panels. ladders.

I've been seeing pallets used for a variety of purposes. tables. wall art. chandeliers. charming. rustic. and ever so environmentally friendly. I've considered tackling one or more of these diy projects (as I think about quite a few diy projects). but in the garden. in my garden. well delightful.

my yard is fairly small. with limited sunny spots. let's just say I'm pretty excited about the possibilities. and probably one of the best things about the pallet idea? it would give the squirrels more exercise as they eat and dig the fruits of my labor. share and share alike.

(photo and plan courtesy of innovativegardening)

'half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination.'

list-ening

I will have a few days this week. all alone. just me and the furry boy. now I miss the hubs terribly when he is away. but me oh my how I love my quiet time.

and, as usual, I am making a 'to-do' list for my days of solitude. I always have great plans. schemes. dreams. a multitude of things to accomplish. and rarely do I check many off the list. but listen up self, I say today. this time it's going to be different. do you hear me? yes dear. I can do it. she says. humbly. hopefully.

maybe if I write it down. for the world (or the two of you reading this) I will prevail.

my to-do (tah-dah! cue trumpets please) list

~ get re-started on a neighborhood project.
~ finalize plans for a speaker.
~ notify our local garden group of the meeting this month.
~ paint my hallway wall (see here).
~ go out with my girlfriends for happy hour (this has already been arranged this morning. I do have my priorities).
~ determine how I want my new flower beds (my jack-of-many-trades is coming this weekend to dig. so. very. excited!).
~ continue my job search.
~ google for family reunion ideas.
~ call a friend or two or three.
~ loll away the time on facebook. pinterest. assorted delightful blogs.
~ read.
~ lounge.
~ write belated thank you notes.
~ walk.
~ clean (listed only as a last resort).
~ do other things already scheduled. meeting. meeting. bunco.

a lot to do (or at the very least, get a healthy start on) in four days. but I am in a determined state. anxious. eager. willing. able. wish me luck. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

'all the windows of my heart I open to the day.'

yesterday

the bright sunshine and a Craigslist ad beckoned. so the furry boy and I went on a little expedition. to Lytton Springs (a new destination for me as well) to do a little shopping. what did we find? nirvana.














now one of my friends described this as a scene from Deliverance. but to me it was a treasure trove of wonderfulness. eye candy. and oh so much inspiration around every corner. a garden of delight. artistic expression.

and the artist we met was equally delightful. she graciously toured me through her garden. her studio. her amazing creative world.

and if that wasn't enough. her posting offered some additions to my restaurant ware collection. and my search for red transferware has now expanded to a more eclectic array.














so come for supper. the food will be comforting. a mismatched table set. but the best part of the meal? the company gathered.

'pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.'

thank you

hey there. I started out feeling a bit apprehensive about what the day would bring. what with being back to a 'normal' schedule and expectations of a new year. but turns out normal is a very good thing indeed.

a sunny day. several unexpected run-intos with friends. eating leftover holiday candy. and the posting of this sign by my wbbf (wanna-be-blogging-friend) has left me quite chipper.


















(image courtesy Kelly Rae Roberts)

you see my rlf (real-life-friend) E has a wonderful project in the making. and Kelly Rae's posting makes a joyful noise in that direction.

'it's not what we give, but what we share.'

one fine day

in my stocking I found this handy gadget. it's a stopper for a champagne bottle. santa left it because I was a very good girl. and because he knows how much I love champagne. and how sometimes I just want one glass and well, it's kind of hard to save the bubbly goodness. but voila! three cheers for science. this could, very possibly, be the solution to world peace if let into the right hands.

tomorrow I will start on the new year. happily running wild in a somewhat organized fashion.

today is for being lazy. sitting at my favorite spot on my pretty sofa in my little back room with the furry boy in his sunbeam. and a book.

cheers.

'the night they invented champagne it's plain as it can be they thought of you and me.'

the sequel

(image courtesy christina marie onto EXTRA MUSINGS on pinterest)

'a good book should leave you ... slightly exhausted at the end.'