***BOGO FOR HALF SALE TILL SEPTEMBER 15TH!***

This is a super-secret offering for my blog visitors only! Heeheehee!! From today thru September 15th, I'm happy to offer a BOGO FOR HALF sale from my Etsy boutique. Buy any pair of earrings from my shop and get the second pair of equal or lesser value for 50% off! Just mention my blog in the "Comments from Buyer" section during checkout, and I'll promptly issue your refund via Paypal. Or, if you prefer, you can wait and I'll send you an adjusted invoice. You choose!

And as an extra bonus, use this in conjunction with the Free Shipping sale I have going now too! Your order ships for FREE!

Just my little way of saying "Thanks!" for dropping by!

Click HERE to start shopping!

***Offer not valid with any other discounts or promotions. Wholesale purchases do not qualify BOGO FOR HALF offer***

Springtime Is Here!

Well, what a difference a month can make! Just a few short weeks ago, we were huddled next to the fireplace watching the snow cover the ground. This morning, coffee on the deck, watching our bird friends return from their winter vacations. A sure sign of springtime in the south is the explosion of color from the Dogwoods and Azaleas. Even as the weatherman threatens us with more cold weather to come, we are forever comforted by the promise of shorts weather brought by the early spring blossoms.

Scott and I were so excited by the first day of warm sunshine that we rushed down to our local Lowe's and filled a cart with Petunias and Marigolds! We spent the afternoon digging in the dirt, anxious for our first splash of color. And this year, we're trying our hand at a veggie garden. Started from seed, we now have zucchini, tomato, radish, carrot, bell pepper, and an assortment of herbs! We're like proud parents checking them every morning to see if any new leaves have emerged!

Last year, Georgia was held tight in the grips of an extreme drought. Water restrictions made gardening nearly impossible. In an effort to maintain our landscape, Scott explored the option of water collection...rain barrels. What a difference they made! And what a change to our appreciation for water! Suddenly, the water coming thru the downspout and into the barrel was nearly as precious as gold. As he started telling people about what a difference they made in our gardening efforts, he began to get requests for them. And a new business was born! If you're in the Athens, GA area and find yourself with cracked earth this summer, click the rain barrel photo for more information aboutBest Home Services and Athens Rain Collection.

Summer is right around the corner. We may well encounter the dreaded drought again this year. But for now, the temperatures are near perfect, the spring flowers are smiling, our gold finches have returned, and Scott and I are watching our garden grow. Aaaah!! Springtime is indeed here!

Georgia SnowJam 2009

1 to 2 inches, they said. Gone by the next morning, they said. Ha! Father Winter had something entirely different in mind...and aren't we glad!?! This happens about once every three or four years here, and sometimes it's mostly ice. So you can imagine our excitement!

When it started snowing Sunday afternoon at about noon, I grabbed my camera as soon as there was a dusting on the ground and ran out to take a few photos to share, afraid it would be gone before I could record it for the scrapbook. Wanting a better view of the spectacle, Scott and I jumped in our Subaru Outback and went exploring. By then, the roads were white and the flakes had become huge...I mean HUGE! They looked like shredded Kleenex floating thru the air. By the time we returned home our neighborhood streets were covered with about 4 inches of snow!

Not having a sled didn't at all dampen our desire to play in the snow. Scott strapped on his snowboard and me, my skis and away we went. We live at the top of the highest point in our neighborhood. Very convenient when you want to ski downhill! After taking several runs down the street we began to eye the line from our front yard. Turns out the best run of the day started in our front yard, down the hill, across the street, and into our neighbor's front yard, thru to their gate to their back yard. Yeah!! Fun!! Crazy I know, but you take it when and where you can get it!

On our last hike back up the hill we learned that the power had gone out. It was 4pm, temperatures were falling, we were wet and hungry. But, thanks to our fantastic woodburning fireplace, collection of backpacking equipment and natural gas grill, we managed quite comfortably. Toasty warm by the fire, candlelight and warm dinner from the grill. We pulled chairs in front of the fire and spent hours just talking. And still the snow fell.

When we awoke this morning, the snow had stopped but the power was still out. Coffee and tea are a MUST, so thanks to the handy-dandy camp stove we were sipping in style in front of the warm fire. It's a little hard to explain, but when the power company truck came thru this morning we were less than excited that our little adventure was coming to an end. It's always nice when the winter weather comes and the power goes out. There's something magical about those times.

So, by the time it stopped snowing, 9 inches had fallen! 9 inches! It's 42 degrees today, so it's beginning to melt. But BOY, did we have fun yesterday!!

*****BOGO FOR HALF SALE TILL MARCH 7TH*****

This is a super-secret offering for my blog visitors only! Heeheehee!! From today thru March 7th I'm happy to offer a BOGO FOR HALF sale from my Etsy boutique. Buy any pair of earrings from my shop and get the second pair of equal or lesser value for 50% off! Just mention my blog in the "Comments from Buyer" section during checkout, and I'll promptly issue your refund via Paypal. Or, if you prefer, you can wait and I'll send you an adjusted invoice. You choose!

Just my little way of saying "Thanks!" for dropping by!

Click HERE to start shopping!

***Offer not valid with any other discounts or promotions. Wholesale purchases do not qualify BOGO FOR HALF offer***

Strolling

There is nothing more relaxing than a nice long walk. It settles my spirit and allows my mind to wander effortlessly thru time, unlocking both memories and dreams. There is something cleansing about it. Refreshing.

Being a Louisiana girl, I have a special affection for old cemeteries. Some of the most beautiful art can be found hidden behind the ornate iron gates, hidden away like treasures to be rediscovered for centuries. These long walks easily become a treasure hunt, collecting visions of the beautiful, weather-worn gaurdians of their sleeping charges. Their faces bear the emotions of the loved ones left behind. The strength of their marble souls forever standing, watching, protecting. It's really quite an inspiring site.

Recently, while spending a relaxing Sunday on the sofa with my laptop, shopping Etsy, I came across a beautiful image of a cemetery monument. An old memory was stirred, and the inspiration for a Treaury was born. In my research, I found that there are others who enjoy the same appreciation for the beauty of an old cemetery. I took a virtual "walk" thru an old cemetery again. And again, I was inspired...and I hope you will be, too, when you take a long stroll thru these beautiful cemeteries thru the eyes of these talented artists.
"Hollywood Cemetery" by ArtByJasonAndAmanda
"Eternal Mourner" by wickedworld
"Sorrow" by chicalookate
"Rutledge 1873 - 1937" by Scooyou Photography
"Cemetery Sunrise" by DarrylGlade
"Sepia Praying Angel" by OliveRue
"Contemplation" by Aztek721
"Enduring Love" by irenesuchocki
"Acceptance" by kcwgallery
"Cemetery Urn" by bbieder
"NOLA" by poofny
"The Dark Patina Lady" by archaicmementos

Colorful Cranberries...Signs of the Holidays!

The holidays are quickly approaching and with them comes the hustle and bustle of shopping, wrapping, decorating and cooking. The most special occassions of the holidays are those spent with the ones we love. Fires in the fireplaces, lights on the trees, hot cider, old stories retold, and the sweater that Aunt Lindsey gave you last year...you know, the one with the snow flakes!

No holiday feast would be complete without an appearance by it's mascot fruit. The cranberry. They are such a colorful addition, whether in the centerpiece, next to the turkey, or in a fabulous dessert.

A few years ago, my Mom introduced a new addition to our holiday feast. Cranberry Date Bars. It is to DIE for!! Quick, easy, and delicious! Perfect for those busy days of holiday prep. Here's the skinny:

Cranberry Date Bars

1 Bag (12oz) fresh cranberries
1 Pkg (8 oz) chopped dates
2 Tbs water
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter or margarine, melted

In a covered saucepan, over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water for 15 minutes, stirring occassionally until the cranberries have popped. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla, set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in butter until well blended.

Put half of the oat mixture into an ungreased 13x9x2 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Spoon the cranberry mix evenly over this crust and sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. Pat gently. Return to the oven and bake for25-30 minutes or until browned. Cool before serving to allow to set.

Mmmmmmmm!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy the recipe...and all of your holiday bustling! See you next week!

Isn't She Lovely?!

Just testing out my new "skills"! I'd like you to meet my sweet doodle-bug, Lexi. She's quite a character, can't you tell? What a hoot! But snuggly sweet.

And here's my sweet husband, Scott, and our little doodle-bug. Aren't they cute?!?! Snuggling on our sofa in front of a blazing, warm fire. Ahhhhh!