SpringTime in the SouthLand

Lily of the Valley:


BirdHouse waiting for occupants:


Columbine:


Baby Carolina Wren:

Roses:

Until next time.....

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Morning

We've had so much rain this spring that our spring garden rotted and/or floated away. That's OK though. I surely can't do anything about the weather. And when we pulled up to Crystal Lake this weekend, I couldn't have been happier. The lake was so full that it was running over the spillway. And that is a good thing! When we bought the land a few years ago, we soon learned that the dam had a leak in it. We've had someone in to do a few repairs, but still have a slow leak. This summer, the official dam man's coming to work on it and hopefully it will be repaired, once and for all.

So, where was I? Oh yeah, the lake was so full...........It was gorgeous! Crystal clear, ice cold and spring fed. Our fish were happy to see us. They're happy to see anyone that shows up with bread. The frogs and toads were singing from dusk til dawn. And our bluebird box had a nest with what looked like 3-4 babies in it. Dogwoods and Wild Azaleas were in full bloom. The sky was the brightest of blues and the weather was perfect for swimming.

But, it's Monday morning and I'm down from the mountain. Time to head outside and till the garden. I think that it's actually dry enough. Have a great week~

Until next time.....

Pick A Bouquet

With Mother's Day just around the corner, it's time to start looking for the perfect gift for mom. My shop is bursting with colorful blossoms in my Cottage Garden Collection. Here's a sample of what's in bloom.

Until next time.....

~ Earth Day ~ Every Day ~

Until next time.....

'Round Here

The landscape is alive once again with color and texture, thanks to abundant sunshine and plenty of good ole rain. I love Tennessee in the springtime~

Until next time.....

Lucy-less

Well, it's been a few days since I've seen Lucy. I can only hope that she went home or took off with the wild turkeys. The Guinea hens that she showed up with are still around though, loud as ever!

You are not going to believe this. The other day I went to Nashville and was standing on the deck at my MIL's house and what do you think I saw in the yard????? A turkey! And NOT a wild one, but a light colored one, like Lucy. No, it wasn't her. Granted, my MIL's yard is an acre or so and there is a creek below and there are deer in town and coyotes, but what are the odds that I'd see another domestic turkey? Maybe I'm the turkey whisperer.

Until next time.....

Interview With An Etsian ~ OhFaro~

There are people that we come across throughout our lives that we immediately take a liking to. Faro is one of those people that showed up on my radar. I love browsing through her shop. That photography style is unmistakably OhFaro's.

1. Your name, shop and craft(s).

My name is Faro, my shop name is OhFaro and I make hair accessories for special occasions with a focus on weddings.

2. How long have you been at your craft(s)?

This craft, for about a year. I've moved from 8 years of strictly mosaic art (which I still enjoy) to hair jewelry; it’s a lot less messy, my hands don’t get cut from the china and stained glass shards and I can create my pieces in the house with my family near by.

3. One thing no one knows about you that influences your craft.

As a young girl, I was quite taken with Fred Astaire, he was SO romantic and the ladies he danced with were stunningly beautiful. They were always so sparkly. I love it so much that whenever I’m watching his dance scenes my toes actually point! HA! It’s so weird; my husband sees it and laughs. Something about the dancing, and the costumes and the beautiful women have always enchanted me and so I express my love of old Hollywood glamour in my creations, especially in my product photography. BALLROOM! What a delight! Somewhere inside of this skin I’m in is a true diva, even though I live jeans and Birkenstocks, and in a house full of men.(Here is a YouTube video of Fred with Ginger, check out the sparkle in her hair!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOBdQykKQY&feature=related)

4. Favorite color? Does it affect your work? Why/why not?

I actually have quite a few favorite colors, but I do adore pink and offer several pieces in all shades of pink. However, when it comes to vintage rhinestone jewelry I can see the beauty in all colors. I acquire large jewelry lots for my craft and the variety of color in my collection is so broad that I simply can’t stay all pink all the time. Which is good.

5. Learn anything new lately that's related to your craft? If yes, what is it? If no, what would you like to learn?

Yes- Feathers are FUN and they look marvelous with rhinestones.

6. Best piece of advice that someone gave you that benefited your shop?

In my early twenties a very old (and very beautiful) woman cautioned me to always strive to be unpredictable and unique. She said “make sure and keep them coming back for more.” At the time we were discussing relationships and men, but I think it is great advice for almost any facet of life.

7. Favorite Etsy category to browse and why?

It’s a toss. I love hand painted silk scarves/shawls and seriously covet them on occasion. But I suppose my most favorite category would have to be Purses; I have several favorite sellers in that category, one in particular is daphnenen (www. daphnenen.etsy.com) - her purses are beautiful, she uses the most beautiful fabrics and her crafting is top notch. I’ve given one of her hobo bags away as a gift and hope to be able to get one for myself one day soon. The silly part is that I don’t even carry a purse most of the time.

8. What one thing on Etsy can't you live without?

My shop. It feeds my soul and keeps me moving forward. I love moving forward.

Thanks for doing the interview Faro. After reading this, I now know why our bridesmaid dresses were pink! :)

Until next time.....

Wordless Wednesday

I Love Lucy

That's right. The Easter turkey has a name. Everyone needs a name, don't they? According to three people, Lucy is a domestic female Narragansett Turkey. She spent the entire morning with me yesterday, while I worked outside in the gardens. She followed me around like a shadow.

Althea was very interested in Big Bird, so I let her out for a little while. They seemed fairly comfortable around each other.

A storm was rolling in around 1:30 PM. Lucy must have sensed it, crossed the road and disappeared over the horizon.

What a lovely surprise to have this bird walk into our lives; for however long or short the time may be. I love Lucy.

Until next time.....

The Easter Turkey

Don't worry, the turkey in the photos was not part of Easter dinner! We were outside on Sunday, getting some yard work done, while dinner was in the oven. I came out the front door, looked up and was surprised to see a turkey in our front yard. She was the strangest looking turkey that I've ever seen. If you don't know what wild turkeys look like, they are primarily reddish brown and black with a splash of white. Look how light she is!

And she wasn't afraid of us. It was almost like she was raised by humans. I ran inside to grab my camera. Then I ran into the garage to get some sunflower seeds. She didn't like them. So I went inside and got a piece of bread. Bingo! She ate the bread out of our hands. She hung around for a while, then crossed the road and disappeared into the woods , with the rest of the turkeys. One of the many, many reasons that I love living in rural Tennessee.

Until next time.....

Monday morning update: I'm beginning to wonder if this is a domestic turkey. This morning she showed up with two Guinea hens. I'm going to have to post pictures on flickr. No one, and I mean no one, around here has chickens or turkeys. Hmmmmmmmmm~

FREE WorldWide SHIPPING

In honor of the tax deadline coming up, April 15th, I'm offering free worldwide shipping in my jewelry shop on Etsy. This promo BEGINS Friday, April 10 and ENDS on Friday, April 17th at midnight EST.

Let me tell you how it will be
There's one for you, nineteen for me
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah,
I'm the taxman
Should five per cent appear too small
Be thankful I don't take it all
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah
I'm the taxman
If you drive a car,
I'll tax the street,
If you try to sit,
I'll tax your seat.
If you get too cold
I'll tax the heat,
If you take a walk,
I'll tax your feet.
Don't ask me what
I want it for
If you don't want to pay some more
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah,
I'm the taxman
Now my advice for those who die
Declare the pennies on your eyes
'Cause I'm the taxman, yeah, I'm the taxman
And you're working for no one but me.
~'Taxman' written by the Beatles

Until next time.....

Shadow Shot Sunday

For more shadows, go here:

Until next time.....

Who'll Stop The Rain?

It's been raining on and off for a week now. I fear that the seeds that I planted for our Spring garden have washed away. If I try to go out to the garden, I sink up past my ankles in mud. Gotta love Mother Nature~

Long as I remember the rain been comin down

Clouds of mystery pourin confusion on the ground

Good men through the ages, tryin to find the sun

And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the rain

I went down virginia, seekin shelter from the storm

Caught up in the fable, I watched the tower grow

Five year plans and new deals, wrapped in golden chains

And I wonder, still I wonder who'll stop the rain

Heard the singers playin, how we cheered for more

The crowd had rushed together, tryin to keep warm

Still the rain kept pourin, fallin on my ears

And I wonder, still I wonder who'll stop the rain

'Who'll Stop The Rain' by Creedence Clearwater Revival

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIPan-rEQJA

Until next time.....

Wordless Wednesday