Divinity & Creativity Gone Wild

New Business Card

It is TRULY my belief that one of the most sacred places to find God ...

is in the sharing between two SOULS.

Iggy's New Machine

I am so excited for my little sister!

Pants fer Boone

So, proud of ya sis!

This was her first attempt at sewing.

Her hubby was going to toss this old shirt of his away, but she LOVED it & had another vision.

No pattern either...

Yee Haaa!

Can't wait to see the finished product... with waistband and red knee pads.

Way to go Ginny!

I LOVE THEM

Evolution

So my workspace is evolving.

It is getting a lived in look while things are still finding a permanent place.
I am still trying to find functional homes for all my tools & toys.

A Newish Favorite Book

I love this book. Her sense of humor is right up my alley!
But her simplistic and economic solutions for a more intentional life is what really has me.

I have leaned toward the more simple & sustainable approach to living for the greater part of my life now. But, I have not always found it feasible or economical to make a lot of the choices I would like to.
I am guilty of falling prey in this mad world of capitalism and propaganda.

WOW!

I gotta say, most people who know me know this to be truth...

as well as anyone who has been to my home...

Cleaning is NOT my favorite thing in the world to do.

Ok, I know that this isn't too many folks favorite pass time but some people are really just better at it than others.

Like many people I am sensitive to the toxic chemicals in most cleaning products. And after one of my serious cleaning sprees I get from time to time, I typically end up with a nasty chemical cold.

So, if cleaning it self wasn't reason enough not to tidy up... the cold really was.

I have tried many "all natural" products over the years but found none of them to really do a great job cleaning.

Until NOW...

This summer has been filled with many adventures.

But the greatest adventure has been trying to make some permanent lifestyle changes in our family.

Yep...

Behavior Modification

it isn't like popping a pill for a quick fix to life's problems.

And it isn't even really anything new to our family

or

me personally.

And because I am rich in the abundance of friends and family I have been able to share openly many of my thoughts and actions.

And they have reciprocated... with their own.

One of the similar themes has been in the removal of artificial preservatives and additives from our children's consumption and use...

real food, whole foods.

I wish this was as simple in action as it is in theory...

So...

Baby Steps.

On this journey I am revisiting my younger years... and reclaiming some of the less toxic ideals and weaving them into my always evolving life.

An Old Friend

Mixed with ...

New Friends

Dr. Bonner's & Tea Tree Essential Oil

Last week I had a MAJOR epiphany.

I wish the battery in my camera had not been dead that day.

I decided to put into action one little nibblet from Raleigh's book.

My sister had shared with me earlier how she had used most of the ingredients suggested in a blog of a

good friend who happens to be related to us by marriage...

How blessed are we to call her family.

She couldn't believe what a GREAT job it had done on a really gross bathroom they never used.

http://www.feyacblurk.com/

Now, I read this blog religiously... and I must say I was not inspired to try this concoction for lack of faith.

Sorry Tay

I just assumed she was one of those gurus that was incredibly gifted at the art of keeping a clean home and she didn't need anything with serious deep cleaning ability like I did... you know cuz I such a unique and all.

Anyway... the ideas and seeds began to germinate and I asked myself why did I have the information at my finger tips (the book) and even the supplies if I wasn't willing to use them.

Good question!

So, I grabbed my book... and found her suggestions for a " Soft Scrub"

I rolled up my sleeves, hiked up my skirt and headed for the bathtub.

1 c baking soda 1/4 c liquid castile soap

3-5 drops tea tree oil 2 aspirins, powdered

Mix all ingredients together & add enough water to make a paste. Keep in a shampoo bottle. To use, apply with a sponge, scrub and rinse thoroughly.

Now because I am not very good a following instructions (more will than ability)...

and because I didn't have any powdered aspirin, I decided to wing it.

I threw baking soda all over the bathtub, sprinkled Dr. Bonner's and added a few drops of tea tree oil... pulled out my wash cloth and started cleaning.

I was first amazed by the pleasant smell...

then the lack of elbow grease it took to clean the tub.

It wasn't until that point that I had my epiphany...

how wasteful was I?

The amount of baking soda and other ingredients was enough to have cleaned that tub MANY times over.

And why in the world had I been so reluctant to even try something else?

Baking Soda...

really...

I bet that makes corporate earnings go up...

Most of those "all natural" cleaners were made by the same folks that made the toxic stuff... why would they want me to find out the "truth"?

I was filled with mixed emotions.

I was so excited...

but at the same time I was sad and angry that I had been duped for so long.

This is very non earth-friendly of me to admit...

I threw those other toxic bathroom items in the trash..

nope I didn't even try to recycle them...

my emotion got the best of me.

Shampoo, conditioner, foot scrub... you name it ...it was history.

The only bathroom items I held on to were, my husbands items...

he might be a harder nut to crack.

My daughter followed easily and quietly.

Outdoor Shower

I personally like to just use the good dr. for my hair and everything else.

What's in Your Laundry Room?

I haven't used it in a while. That dag on tomato blight...

Laundry Soap

Yeah, notice how the shout... has collected dust... don't use that too much...

actually we don't used it at all since we re-routed the water flow for grey water use.

For Now

This is what I have been using for a while now...

I am considering making my own laundry soap... we'll see.

Baby Steps!

Keeping Busy

I started to work on these while some of Mary and her friends were busy painting some gourds of their own.

The Final Days of Summer

The countdown has begun...

Next week, back to the grind... so we had an impromptu camp-out with 4 of her friends...

Wow...

No More Pink Boots

I can not say that I am sorry to see Mary's "people pleasing" pink phase go.

What's good fer the gourd is good for the giddy-up.

I think they turned out nicely.

Thank You!

The seed is divine...

now I must choose what to do with it...

Art

Gourd Bowls

Let's Go

I just couldn't help myself. I "should" have finished the prep on these bowls.

The inside of the bowls still need to be cleaned more.

But, I was dyeing to get started!







New Dye





I found an awesome online shop out of North Carolina, that caters to the gourd enthusiast.



Woo hoo!



All kinds of cool products.



I couldn't wait to get them at the NC gourd festival or the VA gourd festival. I was ready to play!



So, I purchased some new dyes and applicators from them a while back and I have been letting them collect dust in my newly renovated studio.


I could stand it NO longer. I had to break them out... new packaging HAD to go!









So, I PLAYED!





This was really a first for me.

Typically I paint my gourds with acrylic paint and then give them a clear coat.



I tried dying some a while back with some left over fiber dye.



It didn't work out the way I had hoped. I had to use a LOT of dye and still got a very muted tint.







Koi





I really like how this koi turned out.





Lily





This bowl will get a few background touch ups and of course the inside...



but for the most part this one is ready to be waxed.









Sunflower





This one will need a little more work.



The background needs a second dose of dye and then I need to do some detail work.



Not Bad

Of course, I am not completely satisfied.

However, I am pleased with the way this dye reacted to the gourd shell.

It's the human

behind the dye that needs a little more work.

All in all

not bad for a first go round.

Morning Glory or is it Glorious Morning?

Good Morning

Even though I am feeling a little run down today, it is still a Beautiful Morning!

Breakfast

At least one of these will be for breakfast. Now that they are really starting to come on...
it might be time to bust out the jelly jars.



Packed & Ready to Go


So, even though yesterday didn't feel super productive. I actually did get quite a bit accomplished. Or at least tied up some loose ends. I really like that feeling.

It sure is nice to have a printer back up and running.

Dusted Off

This is something I started 6 years ago. WOW!!!

I don't remember how long I worked on it before I set it down & didn't pick it back up till now.

I worked on it for a little while before bed, last night.

My eyesight MUST have been better six years ago!

Summer Fun

And she asked...

"Why are you laughing?"

Mary and a friend worked on gourd birdhouses and each did a canvas painting one afternoon.

Her canvas is already hanging on her wall.

I love it!

Eeeek!

Hey Fly Guy

I bet this guy will leave a mark.




Butterfly Bush

Bringing in some of the more welcomed winged creatures into the garden.




Slow & Steady, Wins the Race

I planted this gourd the same time as all the other gourds.

Last year it was the plant just like this one... late bloomer, that produced the majority of my kettle gourds (aka martin house).






Another Apple Gourd

This is growing on the very top of my "raised bed" trellis.





More Hopefuls








Not Sure ?


I think this is another Martin House, but I can't be sure.





Lonely Bean




When we got back from the mountains...

This was the only bean standing.

Bill thought that maybe this was one of "Jack's" beans.

I told him...

"This is a bush bean... I think Jack's beans were pole beans"


After the hognose incident, we opted to put down this wire and fore-go the netting.

I want no more snake blood on my hands.






Going to Seed




I actually don't want anymore fennel.

However, these flower heads bring in a multitude of pollinators and and keep the parasitic wasps happy.




Asparagus




I have lived in this house, longer than I have lived anywhere my entire life.

Every year I say I want asparagus, and every year I tell myself...

We won't be here long enough to reap the benefits of planting asparagus. It takes up to 7 years for asparagus to fully mature.

So, after 13 years I guess it is about time to plant some asparagus.

Now...

Watch us move, now that I have put it in the ground.






Beets

I planted 3 different types of beets.

I LOVE beets!

I really like the Golds & Bull's Eye...

But, I didn't have anymore seeds, so I just planted what I had.

Early Wonders, Detroit's & Cylinders


Again... notice the snake safe wire!






Pole Beans

Maybe these are some of Jack's beans?

I planted these beans a couple weeks back and I then I planted more the other day.

Back from the Mountains

Sunflowers

From sand and sun to mountain top and sunflowers.

Burning off the Mourning Fog

Aint' Nothin But A Hound-dog!

Cooling Off

I believe the benefit was a big success.

Now it is time for some serious family fun!

While We Were In the Neighborhood

Hummmmmm...

"Hey ... Boo-Boo!"

Gotta give Yogi some love before we head back to the homestead.

After we rested from our vacation ...

I got busy tending to the the poor neglected veggie patch. I gave the summer stuff that was still hanging on... some fish luv and some much needed water.

Then I proceeded to get things ready for our fall and winter garden.

I think it is still a bit HOT fer my leafy lettuce and spinach but ...

I did get the beans, beets, carrots, broccoli, radishes and brussel sprouts planted.

Maybe in the next few days I will get the collards and other "greens" in.

We'll see!

Merry Christmas

Why not celebrate all year long!

I finished this pocket-book this morning.

The liner is from some left-over fabric from when I made my daughters,

Wonder Woman costume a couple years ago.

The silver button was a hand-me-down from my Meema.

Another Green Gourd Creation

This Green Gourd, already has a home!

Hmmmm... I wonder where?

Stylin' & Profilin'

No, it isn't for Miss Mary.

But, it did inspire me to make some messenger bags for the school year.


Let's Hit the Beach

Before I left for the hills, I tie-dyed the yoke and trim.

Then finished this cover-up yesterday.



New fer Me


Again, I have found a way to reuse some old fabric.

An old sheet

and the eyelet lace from an old thrift-store curtain.