Signs

The plum tree is shouting out that it is spring.......
and it's a great time of year to be a dog!! Are the hummingbirds here yet??

Is It Spring Yet?

The rosemary bush has popped out with blooms as never before.......
The table is set. Guess who's coming for dinner soon?

New Shop; New Blog

Please check out my new Etsy shop, It's A Crate Idea, at www.itsacrateidea.etsy.com and my new blog, It's A Crate Idea: A Crate Full of Educational Ideas for Parents and Teachers, at www.itsacrateidea.blogspot.com

My new shop features educational materials for parents and teachers including student recognition incentives (see photo above) and math and reading teaching tools.

My new blog is educational in nature and addresses the many issues that often arise when working with children either in the home or school setting. I hope you will pass along my new blog address to any of your friends and/or family who may have an interest in this topic.

Just A Baby's Prayer

Latest art piece, "Just A Baby's Prayer" : very vintage photograph of a mother and child, very vintage seam binding bow and lace, Spanish Madonna and child stamp, and the words from the title of a very old song. All of these ephemera on a yellowed, crazed, plate from the 1900's. Love it.

Fascinating Reading

I am reading a fascinating book by Barbara Kingsolver who usually writes great fiction. She and her family spent one year on their farm in Virginia growing their own food, buying locally, and living on what they were able to produce. I tell you, once you read this, you will look at food differently. For example, I have learned that large corporations such as Monsanto create genetically modified seeds so that the seeds will not be able to reproduce thereby forcing farmers to buy more seeds year after year. Monsanto also speaks out against heirloom seeds because, of course, you can re-use seeds from these plants year after year.

In addition, beef that is fattened in grassy pastures is much healthier for us than beef that is grain fattened in a feed lot. Also, chickens that are raised in uncrowded pens lay much healthier eggs than hens that are raised in a space too small to turn around. I knew some of this but I didn't really KNOW it. I know that I am shopping differently. I am buying local produce and meat that is organically raised. I wish I could eat all of my vegetables from my own garden but my crops have not done well lately. I probably need to be sure my seeds are not from Monsanto although almost all seeds are these days.

I urge you to read this book. It will change the way you think about food and eating.

On An Artistic Roll

As a tribute to sisters everywhere, My Little Sister, is my latest assemblage art piece on vintage china. I am on an artistic roll this week after a very long dry spell. My problem is that when I really like an art piece, very few others do. And so, I will continue to satisfy myself and derive pleasure from my own creative force.

I am just in love with these two little girls. They look so innocent, yet a bit sad I think. Very shy and dependent on each other for companionship and affection and, maybe, a little mischief.