To Dance With The White.....

Cat.
Part 3. Last of the cat trilogy.
It’s dedicated to #1. On this day, several years ago, she left us to cross over the Rainbow Bridge~
xoxo Click on the photo to take you to the treasury.

Until next time.....

Dreaming of Autumn

We've been wanting to head up to Crystal Lake, but it is just too hot! This weekend they're predicting high 90's. Even with our two battery powered fans, it would be miserable trying to sleep in the tent.

I really don't like rushing summer, but part of me is ready for fall. Camping in the cool, crisp air. Campfires. Brightly colored leaves.

But alas, we have yet to meet the dog days of summer.

Until next time.....

Free Shipping Today

Today is the last day of the Christmas in July sale in my Etsy shop. It expires tonight at midnight, EST. I've decided to offer FREE shipping on top of the original sale. Click on the banner to take you to my shop.

Have a great week!

Until next time.....

Wordless Wednesday

Farmer's Market

I've only been to a farmer's market two times in my life. We grow and put up most of our own food or buy it locally from neighboring farms. But, I did like the market atmosphere. I've considered selling my jewelry at the one in our county, but I can't see tying myself down every weekend until October. I am not a creature of habit.

I may have to wake up early next Saturday morning and head out to the Franklin Farmers market. And maybe stop at the flea market on my way home to look for rusty bits.
Until next time.....

New Flickr Garden Group for Etsy Folks

Deja vu? For those of you that have been around a while, you know that I used to have an Etsy garden group on flickr that I started several years ago. Note the keywords used to. For those of you that don't know, here's the short of it. The group was fab, but as it grew, it became harder to monitor, only because some folks weren't abiding by the few rules we had. Members were joining and posting links to their Etsy shops and/or blogs or posting items from their shop. All of these things were against the very clearly written out rules.

I sent out emails letting those who did this know why I was removing their photos, but the problem didn't go away. So, I started removing members.

This was supposed to be a FUN group and it was for a couple of years. One day, I got an abusive convo ON Etsy from one of the members that I booted. On that day, I left the group behind.

But, I miss the group and there isn't another one on flickr like it. We had fun there. We were able to leave our shops behind and share pieces of our lives off of Etsy. So, today I decided to start a new group.
Feel free to join: http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsygardeners/

I'd love to have y'all join!

Until next time.....

White Christmas in July sale

A little sampling of some of the jewelry on sale in my Etsy shop during the Christmas in July sale. Sale ends July 25th. Hope to see you there~

Until next time.....

Christmas in July Sale

My Christmas in July sale is going on now in my Etsy jewelry shop. I reduced the price of my earrings by 25% and necklaces by 20%. Prices have already been edited. No need to wait a for Paypal invoice or refund. The sale ends July 25 at midnight EST. Click on the banner to get to the shop. Hope to see you there~

Until next time.....

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Cilantro/coriander flowering and getting ready to go to seed.

Young leeks.

The round pepper bed, with the main vegetable garden in the background. It's hard to believe that a few months ago it was washed away!

Rose of Sharon. To the right is a sculpture that my MIL started years ago. She didn't like it and threw it on the woodpile; as in firewood. I don't think so! I brought the lady home. She's very happy living in the garden.

So, how does your garden grow?

Until next time.....

Sunday's Peace

Summer's Heat

Summer's heat is upon us, here in mid TN. Looks like much of the US is feeling it too. I set the sprinkler system up a couple of days ago because there wasn't any rain in the forecast. The peppers loved their time under the sprinkler. Look how brown the grass is.

Then we got lucky. Yesterday it rained 1"! Happy garden. Happy gardener. Stay cool~

Until next time.....

Teams Spotlight: Etsy Project Embrace

Today we waited patiently (mostly) for the Storque (Etsy's blog) to post an article about our team - Etsy Project Embrace. I was online when word came that the post was up. I rushed over to the blog to read it.

What a treat to read all about our team. I wasn't there in the beginning, so it's nice to sit back and hear all about it. And to see those lovely smiling faces! I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as I read through the article. Click on the banner above to meet some of the amazing women behind our team.

I feel very fortunate to have found such a loving, caring group of individuals. Thank you all for having me.

Until next time.....

Free World Wide Shipping This Weekend

FREE World Wide Shipping this weekend in my Etsy jewelry shop.
From July 2 ~ July 5!
For those of you in the US, have a fun and safe holiday!

Until next time.....

Harvesting Basil

Growing basil? Well, if you are, then you too are probably knee deep in the fresh herb right about now. It's an easy herb to put up. Here's a few of the ways that I preserve basil.

Pretty much everyone I know makes pesto. (note to self: buy pine nuts). I spoon fresh pesto into ice cube trays, freeze and store in freezer containers or freezer bags. Freeze. Take them out and thaw as needed.

I'm not a fan of dried basil, so I freeze ours fresh. I chop the leaves and pack them in freezer containers. When I need some for a recipe, I throw it in while it's still frozen.

Basil garlic vinegar is my favorite thing to make with our basil and garlic. It's so easy to prepare and makes lovely gifts!

Here's how I make ours.

I head out to the garden with a clean bottle, snips and a chopstick. I snip basil leaves and pack the whole leaves into the bottle . This is where the chopstick comes in. Push the leaves through the bottleneck and pack lightly.

Add one clove of garlic to the bottle and top with vinegar. I use white, but you could use any flavor. Store in a cool dark place. You may need to add more vinegar because the leaves will absorb some. I let ours sit a few months. I don't take the basil leaves out, but you can if you wish.

Until next time.....