Easter,Thanksgiving or Christmas?

~Close-up of flower and leaf~

This cactus has given us the most beautiful flowers- the first blooms arriving during the holidays. They made such a nice addition to our other holiday decorations. I kept it on the dry side and really didn't pay too much attention to it. This plant was a gift from a very dear friend and each time I tell her that we have flowers, we go back and forth on which cactus it is. Is it an Easter,Thanksgiving or Christmas cactus? Now, mind you I was a gardener for several years and after that I worked at a gorgeous destination garden center for 14 years...I should know what cactus this is.

I'm looking for help from you, all of my very faithful visitors. Do you know what cactus this is?
I hope I have captured the leaves and flowers so you get a good idea of just what this little beauty looks like. She is lovely isn't she?

Do you have a plant that someone special gave you- a constant reminder of friendship, of things shared, gifts that have been passed on? I would love to hear her story.

"Come Clean"

~Time to 'come clean'- even this feels like too much!!!~

I'm not one that likes to be miss out on the fun. So, I have decided to follow the lead and join Joyce at A Perfect Beginning and Patricia at PVE showing you my purse and it's contents.

Right now I am using a Longchamp LePlige tote. Inside is my very worn, very loved Coach day timer/journal/sketchbook, a business card holder {special gift from a friend}, tissues {I did remove a couple of loose tissues...}, cell phone, glasses, wallet, loose coins, and today it was Scott Barnes lip gloss~ but that changes daily, some pens for when inspiration strikes and a CD that I bring from the car-inside and then back out to the car. Not very interesting. I do try to keep it pared down, it's very frustrating when the phone is ringing and you can't locate it!

Why not come clean and show your purse and it's contents... now, where are my keys?

P.S.- That day timer can hold a lot of clutter...

Letterpress~

~LETTERPRESS~
Vertallee Letterpress, Austin, Texas

I have long been an admirer of the art of letterpress. I love the texture of the stock, the indentation where the ink lays and the old art of the process. Lovely, well crafted, raised letters and patterns pressed into thick paper.

In the February~March issue of Victoria magazine there is an article about The Austin Press in San Francisco. The owner, Kimberly explains the process, gives us a short tour of the press room and there are many examples of her exquisite work.

I can get lost in a stationery shop. One that has a fine selection of fountain pens, inks, journals,

wax sealers, cards and catalogs where I can dream up color combinations for notes, calling cards,

and stationery. If you are fortunate to be near a Mrs. John Strong Boutique or one of the many retailers that carry this line ~ take the time to visit~ you will most certainly walk away with a divine wish list.

Who doesn't love going to the mailbox and finding something special, addressed just for them?

Just recently I received a lovely note from Patricia at PVE Design~ beautiful letterpress, hefty card stock, enveloped in her signature twin bird motif.

I hope you visit a special stationery shop in your area ~ spend some time to really look, feel, smell the offering it holds. The visit alone is enough to get your creative juices flowing.

The following is a short list of stationers or Letterpress shops that you may find interesting.

~ Papier Gourmet- Portland, Maine

~ Real Card Studio- Check website for a location near you. Heather also has a blog~Here!

~The Black Pearl Press- Boston, MA

~ Bella Figura- Syracuse, NY

Do you enjoy perusing a fine stationery shop?
What are a few of the things on your wish list?

Hey Sugar~

Lookie here what Mr. Postman delivered right to my door today! Joyce at A Perfect Beginning had a celebratory birthday give-away and I was one of the lucky winners. This sassy, little lime valise filled with iced sugar cookies was my winning gift. It was Joyce's birthday and she handed out candy and treats all week and finished the festivities with a give-away... This is a woman that knows how to celebrate a birthday- but then every day is a golden day when you have a Perfect Beginning.



Thank you Joyce~

Inspiration~

One of the advantages of working from home is that you are able to listen to your creative forces at any time, day or night. There have many nights that I have crawled into bed after a busy day, looking forward to a full night's sleep~ only to wake up at two a.m. and have a burst of creativity.

Lately I have been working on a series of miniature illustrations for Rachel at Two Dog Pond. This is one talented lady. If you haven't visited Rachel's blog - you'll want to. We are working on a project together and will announce it as we finalize the details.

There is no rhyme or reason to when creative energy might take hold. I might be at the gym and notice someone doing a series of stretches, or at the local market watching a woman choosing a bunch of asparagus in the produce section.

Inspiration is different for all of us- what one may see as insignificant, another may notice an innocence or it might conjure up a memory from the past. One does not need to sketch or paint to be inspired by something meaningful or particularly lovely. Picking out a greeting card for a friend may inspire you to write a note about an experience that you once shared. Shopping for fabric can bring back all sorts of memories - perhaps that of an apron worn by your grandmother, or the scent of a candle may instantly bring you back to the weekend several years ago when you were without power due to a storm.

I am inspired to sketch by the things all around me, every day. A bunch of fresh asparagus can instantly take me back to the smooth, thick soup that my Mother made in the early spring. What inspires you to paint, sketch, write in your journal, bake, or maybe bring out your sewing machine? Do you find yourself awake at the wee hours ready to start a new project, waiting for daylight so you can begin ~ anxious to see what the new day will bring?

Easy Rider~

At first I thought it was just a snowmobile riding down the side road next to our home. Imagine my surprise when I looked out and saw a gentleman tightly wrapped in winter garb taking a leisurely ride on his motorcycle. With another eight inches of fresh snow ~ he must have been thinking...if you can't beat 'em...join 'em!!! Around here, people sometimes push the seasons a little, especially with as much snow as we've had this winter. I've seen men swinging a golf club on the frozen lake, ladies with hair pulled back riding around in an open convertible, my neighbor leaves for work each morning in shorts, and I admit to dreaming of when I may be able to trade in my Uggs for sandals.

But this brave soul... do they make chains for motorcycle tires?

Millie's Challenge~ My kitchen

In the kitchen~ looking into the den



The gorgeous Millie of The Laurel Hedge has challenged me to take you on a little tour of my kitchen~ and to tell you what I love ... and may not love about it.

My little hutch- filled with ironstone- note the gate, to keep pups out of the den...

~Cooking Central~

Coffee station~ The most important part of the kitchen!

~Breakfast area~

Our kitchen is small but fairly efficient. In a perfect world I would have a lovely, functional, chef's kitchen. I do love to cook. Since moving to this much smaller home I have had to keep only the things that I use regularly and make the most of my limited space.

My kitchen is bright with the morning and late afternoon sun and even though I wish it were larger, it suits our needs and is easy to maintain. As this challenge came in we had just said "Good Night" to dinner guests- so the timing was there...

1~ What color is your kitchen? Black and white

2~ Describe your kitchen. Small but cozy and calming

3~ Describe your dream kitchen. BIG

4~ Fave activity in kitchen. Cooking and making cupcakes with Erin

5~ Name one thing it is lacking/missing. Space and refrigerator (it's in the entryway as you enter the kitchen- we chose to have the wine keeper in the kitchen...priorities you know!

6~ Do you cook or bake a lot? Cook~ alot!

7~ What don't you like and what would you change? Not enough counter space and I would love

another window.

8~ What do you love about your kitchen? That my Mom once prepared wonderful family

dinners here.

9~ Worst kitchen activity? Cleaning up

10~ Tea or coffee? Hands down- coffee! Tea in the afternoon.

11~ Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate~ dark, please.

12~ Do you like to prepare food- or eat it? Both

13~ Do you prefer to serve meals in the kitchen or dining room? Dining room~ I love my

dining room~ but that's another post!

Now I challenge~

1~ Lecia~ at A Day That Is Dessert~ because she had such a way with a camera and I suspect

she loves to cook.

2~ Joyce~ at A Perfect Beginning~ because she has photographed some amazing dishes.

3~ Seleta~ at Simply Seleta~ because this gal has style and sass!

~I would love to hear about your kitchen and what makes it the heart of your home.~