Today...

First Day of Spring Annual Ritual

One Thousand Gifts

"...thanksgiving always precedes the miracle."

"Expectations kill relationships - especially with God."

"If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable:  think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad."
(C.S. Lewis)

- One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Glimpses of Spring

First Day...

... of rabbit hunting season!

The 2012 rabbit relocation project has officially begun!
(I certainly hope it's a more successful season than last year's score of ZERO-ZIP-NADA catches!!)

Growing....

Parsley

Worth Contemplating

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap,

but by the seeds that you plant."

- Robert Louis Stevenson,

 as quoted in Country Living magazine

Philadelphia Flower Show

Today...

Kusudama Origami Flowers

I had so much fun making these adorable Kusudama origami flowers!   They're part of a belated set of  "All-Things-Harry-Potter" Christmas gifts for my sister since she's a HUGE fan (I have yet to read the books!).  I'm in the process of finishing a purse made from the cover of her favorite book in the series (I'll post pictures when I'm finished; it's taking me a lot longer than I expected!), but I hated to throw away the innards.  So, I was thrilled to discover directions for these flowers on Pinterest (a much better way to waste time than facebook, I've decided!!).

I love the idea of repurposing text paper...

She should especially enjoy these since she'll recognize the text as being from chapter 1.

:)

Today's Thrift Shop Find

I such a sucker for these vintage glasses - they remind me of meals at my Great Aunt Ruth's house when I was a little girl.  I've decided to start collecting them, but only when I can find them at a bargain.  These were a bargain indeed, especially since it was Friday night at my local thrift shop when everything is 50% off.  :)  I was thrilled to find the orange juice canister as well.

I really like how the oranges on the outside of the glass are a pale orange,

but viewed from the inside, they're a bright, cheery orange.

Yea for vintage glassware!

It's Planting Time...

... at least for starting seeds indoors!

Thanks, George Weigel, for inspiring me this year!

Pennsylvania Garden Expo

I had a great time at the Pennsylvania Garden Expo in Harrisburg this afternoon.  It was a last minute whim, and I'm so glad I went.  The highlight for me was Matthew Benson's presentation on how to photograph your garden.  He was fabulous!  I had no idea he was so well-known, or I would have made sure I had gotten my picture taken with him; there were very few people present, so it would have been an option!  :{ 

I did, however, get an autographed book plate from him to insert in my copy of his new book The Photographic Garden when it comes out in a few weeks.  :)  It wasn't until I got home and looked up his work online that I realized that I have admired his photos in numerous publications (Organic Gardening, Better Homes & Gardens, Martha Stewart Living magazines, etc.) for years.  He has a wonderful eye and sense for lighting.  Since he's a gardener himself (he actually owns and operates a CSA farm), he has a great love and respect for his subject material.  And, he has wonderful pictures of his chickens.  :)

I also attended a lecture on seed-starting by George Weigel, garden columnist for the Patriot News.  I wasn't going to start any seeds indoors this year - figured it wasn't realistic since my time is limited now that I'm working full time again.  But, George's lecture inspired me, and I promptly got my butt in gear and planted my early veggies.  I wish I had heard his lecture last year before my first attempts at seed-starting - would have saved me from making a few mistakes!  I appreciated his no-nonsense, economical approach.  He has a nice little write up on his website that is very helpful.

Happy gardening!

Today's Thrift Shop Find

Love these vintage trays...



... especially when they're a steal at the local thrift shop!

:)

In Defense of Food

"Just eat food."

- Joan Gussow, as quoted by Michael Pollan

Valentine's Day Crafting

Martha Stewart 3-D Valentine's Day Cards

Morning Glimpses

Crazy Love

"How we live our days is...

... how we live our lives."

- Annie Dillard, as quoted by Francis Chan

Auditioning...

Sewing Projects

Afternoon Delight

Breakfast....

Roasted Beet Sandwich

Moloka'i

"There is beauty in the least beautiful of things."

"Fear is good. In the right degree it prevents us from making fools of ourselves. But in the wrong measure it prevents us from fully living. Fear is our boon companion but never our master."

 "...how we choose to live with pain, or injustice, or death...is the true measure of the Divine within us."

New Beginnings

Today's Thrift Shop Find

Love these vintage Christmas ornaments,

especially when I can find them for a bargain!  Since it was Friday night at my local thrift shop, they were 50% off, bringing my total to a whopping $.93!  :)

Love, love, love the colors - they'll be fabulous for all kinds of possibilities...

:)

Today...

A trip to Miller's Natural Foods,

where they have a large assortment of organic grains and beans.
The store is located right in the heart of Amish country, so there were lots of fun sights to take in.
:)