A new home for a new season?

Well, I'ts been quite the summer, but I must say I am very happy to welcome in Fall . Any day now we are going to sign on our very first home. Not exactly a "new" home, as it was built in 1896, But just what we have been dreaming of. I have a renewed sense for crafting and creating,for welcoming in the season, and working on Christmas crafts, however I can't exactly whip out the glue, scissors and such until we are moved in, which may not be for weeks.

Happy Summer.

Wow its been over 2 months since any post! I do have to admit I often get a little guilty feeling when I think of all the things I would like to post here on the blog. I suppose I feel this way

because according to my standards, I don't get anything of significant importance accomplished in any given day to grant me the joy of guilt free pondering, hour upon hour here on the blog.

I've always told myself that when in fact I have a home of my own, It will be as simple

as capturing and narrating my everyday, joyful life. But perhaps that's a little naive.

A new project online, my social network group

I have started a social network called "La Dolce Vita" on Ning.

I hope that if anyone is interested they will stop by, join in,

and add some comments and ideas! take a peek here

La Dolce Vita Social Network

A network to connect lovers of crafting, baking, gardening

knitting, sewing, living a simpler life, natural health and living.

Peter, My very first attempt at needle felting.

I've had the wool for years now, the needles were cheap, the time finally came!

My first needle felted anything, I must say it was very satisfying to make something

from loose wool roving. Now on to many more, happy little things :)

Curry,calendulas and clematis Oh My!

Outside the world is in bloom, and draped in electric green foliage. I uncovered my plants that I attempted to winter over in a protected spot in my mothers yard. So far the only thing peeking is the various mints. Last season was the first time I had my own plants, all in containers. Due to the fact that I do not yet have my own residence, I covered them in straw and a plastic tablecloth outside and hoped for the best. We will see!

I have already added to my large collection, I can't help it. I bought yet another lemon verbena, and was ecstatic to find a curry and a scented geranium. yippee! Two items which I had never found previously. The curry smells of maple syrup, and the geranium, citronella. I would love to find a rose or peach scented geranium this year. I bough two flats of Calendulas and may try my hand at planting some lettuce in containers this year as well.

Sean bought me a small Clematis, so I fashioned a rather (too) large trellis and planted her today. I just know I will get some comments on the ridiculousness of the trellis size, but at least It made me feel thrifty.

Ever heard of Fishs Eddy? I think I love them.

Ok, so I never thought I would post a commercial about a product that I liked, so sorry ahead of time, but these vintage looking bowls are calling my name. I found this company through a website through another website, you know how that happens. I thought I was the queen of nifty homegoods stores but apparently I missed one. The kicker here is that their stuff is WICKED cheap! I'm near Boston so yea, wicked awesome. Take a peek here, I'm trying to save money but I think I could spare a few bucks!?? right?
FISHS EDDY

Im ready to Guerrilla Garden!!

Ever hear of this thing called "Guerrilla Gardening"? What an idea! You find and pick a random, lifeless parcel of land, in need of some tender loving care and you either scatter some seeds or dig it up and put in some plants. Whether alone or with a couple of determined soldiers by your side, the selfless act of spreading some seeds in much needed areas will bring smiles to more than just your face.
Go ahead and take a look at this book by Richard Reynolds on AMAZON.

• Guerrillagardening.org

Here is a forum where countries and states are divided up so you can find a group near you.

• Guerrilla forums

Practice Random acts of kindness. What do you do?

Surprisingly I found it a little difficult to find sites that had a good setup for any information on organizations that work towards the goal of inspiring others to perform random acts of kindness.

I did happen to come across a site were someone has shared a whole bunch of fun ideas for others to do and share. Take a look at it HERE . It does seem to make it a little easier just to have it suggested to you. If anyone knows of good sites, links, lists or has any ideas of their own please let me know!!!

tweet tweet, I'm twittering now.

Well Im officially Twittering now. I dont know if this is a good thing. I had this sudden rush of excitment that I will have a place to write all the odd, and strange things that float through my mind at any moment. The kind of stuff that, if posted on my blog, would seem odd and random.
I have this romantic thought of myself out and about, in a store or library, reading a great quote or observing a funny scene and texting it to my twitter site. hah. With my recent computer usage up like 100% this could be another means to the end of my outdoor life. very sad isn't it?
Why have we grown so interested in any random persons thoughts? maybe it helps us feel less alone in a world that can be cold. It can take years to establish true, lifelong friendships. But online simply type in a searchbox who or what you are looking for and it instatly pops up. Instant gratification without the work or pain.
Anyhoot, the twitter site is sorta messed up at the moment so I can't navigate it, or learn exactly how to use it yet, but yes, I've joined the movement.

"fall on your knees" a fiction book that I loved!

So I've never really been a fiction reading type of gal. I really don't know why. I guess I always thought that I would rather get something out of the reading, so I am stocked with crafting, baking, gardening and many, many "self help" and spiritual books. Oh sure there have been the various required reading for school along the way, with some pretty enjoyable books, however I enjoy more of a complex and racy plot. I think that is all about to change. With the exception of "Memoirs of a Geisha" a while back, I just finished one of my FIRST fiction books. The title is "Fall on your knees" and I absolutely loved it. I picked it up for about .50 cents at the library. It had a half peeled off sticker that read "Oprah's book club." I assure you the sticker is not what sold it to me. Here is the Amazon review. I am very suprised to find that it does not have a higher rating from readers, But I suppose that just keeps me in a league (sorta) of my own.

I am going to promise myself that I am going to continue my fiction reading...

Any suggestions??? I'm thinking Revolutionary road, or even the twilight books

Moving on.

Oh, what sadness. Our plans to purchase a home have fallen through :(
Our dissapointment has motivated our next home search however,

so we are moving on lets say, to BIGGER and BETTER things!

Spring has Sprung

Happy (second) day of spring! Yesterday our dream of owning a home (our first place!)

came true. Well, the start of the process began. I am truly floating on cloud nine. We have already gone to lowes, picked out paint chips, drew sketches, priced appliances, and all that fun stuff. If all goes well about a month and a half is when we can move in!... Anyhoot, with Easter on its way, I tried my hand at designing some templates and I ended up with, what I call, Cupcake picks. Cut them out, paste them together with a toothpick between and stick 'em into treats to add some festive color to your goodies. The quality is a little low at the moment, I had

some trouble converting the file into a printable one. But if anyone is interested Here you go!

Bunny Picks

Happy St. Paddy's!

The thought of St. Patrick's day instantly conjures up images of

a boiled dinner,with steaming wafts of vinegar and mustard.

So I thought it would be quite appropriate

to share a few Irish proverbs I found,

"I'ts no use boiling your cabbage twice."

"Never bolt your your door with a boiled carrot"

"You must take the little potato with the big potato"

Also, if you're feeling the need to toss a few Clover seeds in a garden or path,

(or to sprout and eat) take a peek at these sellers: EcoOasis~ for sprouting

LoveLambie ~ genuine irish clover seeds ,

SmokymistGardens ~ crimson clover seeds

Fungifantasy ~ red clover seeds

First Five

Well, I am very new to blogging, as this simple little place can tell you. However I learn more tricks everyday, and perhaps someday I will have taught myself enough to have a nifty site that others will bookmark? ha ha but until that day comes I'll keep on enjoying the feeling that writing brings. BUT for anyone who happens to take a glance this way, I am having a little fun with a game called ~* FIRST FIVE *~. Here's How it goes:

1. The first five people to stop by and comment on this post will receive a

special little gift made by me. I get to choose what it is, so I hope that you enjoy it :) .

2. You Will have no idea what it will be, and what I create will be made just for you.

3. It will be made and sent to you sometime this year, so by Dec. 31 2009.

4. Now here's the "game" part, You must re-post this on YOUR blog, and make the

same offer to your first five responders.

5. Sound like fun? then leave me a comment and get ready to get a happy little surprise!

Spring?...anyone?

Only 8 days until official spring! and my seed packets are continuously growing in numbers. Last spring, all of the seeds I started indoors (and there were many) sadly died off when I attempted to introduce them to the real outdoors. So this year I am just going to toss a few in various pots when the weather outside is ideal. Or even better, perhaps I'll have my own home and yard to introduce them to? (::wink wink:: my fingers are tightly crossed).
The free seeds I sent away for arrived and nothing in life is more exciting then receiving free things! The envelope that arrived from Wintersown.org was packed with delightful little baggies of various seeds. I received: mexican hat-(ratabida columnifera), Sweet william-(dianthus barbatus), Lacy phacelia-(phacelia tanacetifolia), May queen-(a lettuce?), Rudbeckia triloba, Coreopsis, Ace 55 tomato, Broccoli Rabe-(rapa centroventina), Blue boy-(centaurea cyanus),and some Scarlet O'Hara morning glory seeds! Oh what fun! I also received a packet of carrot seeds from Ed Hume seeds to help the organization "Plant a row for the hungry." Ed Hume seeds will send you some veggie seeds in return for you donating your extra produce to neighboring food distributors Take a look at the form HERE. And I can't forget the Four-O'clock seeds from Symbolofhope.com.

Chewy, Gooey, Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Chewy, Chocolaty goodness!

Here is my absolute favorite Chocolate chip cookie recipe. I am a fan of extra soft, chewy cookies, that just melt in your mouth, so if you are not a fan, just cook longer! start by letting your butter and eggs come to room temperature. The ingredients will fluff up beautifully if you take this sometimes lengthy step.

~~ INGREDIENTS: ~~ 1 Cup of softened unsalted butter ( 2 sticks)
1 Cup of packed dark brown sugar
1/2 Cup of white granulated sugar
1/2 Cup of packed light brown sugar
2 Eggs
2 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 Cups of all-purpose flour (try to use unbleached)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
16 oz. semisweet chocolate chips ( usually one and a half bags)

Ok! lets start

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream together the butter, the sugars, eggs and vanilla. work it well, getting it nice and fluffy.

3. In a seperate Bowl sift together all of the dry ingredients except for the Chips.

4. Combine the dry and wet ingredients. then stir in the chips.

(Note: I like to now chill the dough for a hour or so to firm it up, but you can start right away.)

I usually use a 2 Tablespoon scoop (a coffee scoop) to form my dough,

this size seems to work great.

Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or very lightly greased.

Bake for 9-11 minutes. Everyones oven varies! so check often.

If you want those extra gooey under-baked types ( I know theres some out there!)

take the cookies out after about 9 minutes. they will continue to bake a bit.

This recipe makes 25-30 cookies.

Looking to sell online?

Here is a great line-up of online selling venues for all you crafty entrepreneurs. Check out the article by Craftster.com HERE

Saving your seeds

I can't get my mind off of seeds! Every store I go into, I run for the freshly erected seed displays. I stand and turn the swivle display soaking up the candy colors. So here is a cute site I found that explains how to SAVE your seeds at the end of the season to be shared and re-planted next season.

THE SEED SITE

Also check out seed savers. A huge online community of seed savers and sharers.

SEED SAVERS EXCHANGE

Information about Winter sowing and Free Seeds!

Here is a great little site I found where you can send a Self-addressed, (2) stamped,# 10 Envelope and they will send you a mix of free various seeds. Please also take a moment to check out all the wonderful information they have on winter sowing. They also have some wonderful clipart of seed packets for you to print out and put your own seeds into to share with others. I love seeds around this time. They remind me that Spring is around the corner and that within a few months the tiny little gems will become amazing blooms, fruits and veggies. Here is the website, and here is the address:

WinterSown.org Six Pack

1989 School Street

East Meadow, NY. 11554

Heres another! Free Four-o'clocks seeds

Also send a double stamped envelope

Four O-clocks around the world

P.O. Box 8931

Metairie , Louisiana 70011-8931

Antiques!

If someone were to ask me "Do you collect anything?" I would probably turn bright red as I listed the many, MANY various items that I have been stashing away for years.( stashing because I do not yet have a home of my own) Not because I am ashamed, but rather because I fear sounding like a lunatic. There's Milk glass, Jadite, Antique teacups, Christmas ornaments, Fiestaware (even though I only own ONE piece!) any kind of aluminum bake ware, and my recent favorite, antique tablecloths. I absolutely cannot get enough! The first thing I look for upon entering a thrift or antique shop is cheap linens. I don’t know how many tables I expect to have some day but I apparently will be having a lot of tea parties. I am going to get some together and take a photo (for my own satisfaction) and post it here so that I can look at my happy collection all together whenever I feel the need to smile.