a word from Plantress

Mondays make me mean

2011-05-09T21:40:00.000-04:00

This time of year I hate going in on Mondays. Pretty soon though it will be summer and time for home and jewelry making frenzies. If I can only hang in there for a few more weeks...

more later,
xo
Plantress

garden work

2011-05-08T17:04:00.000-04:00

or how I spent my mother's day

my dog bisby has dug holes all over our property. This bed was a sandbox when my kids were little but has been a flower bed for years now. After bisby was through here is what it looked like:

filled with holes and an ugly mess So I dug it up, saving the couple of plants that were left and replanted the whole thing. I have in here flag iris, nepeta 6 hills giant, trailing verbena homestead purple, asters, geranium johnson's blue and some japanese iris. It will look better in a week or two.

I also rounded up some poison ivy, planted impatiens and did some weeding. Gotta love these beautiful days. Tonight we will have monster steaks on the grill and salad and taters. Super day!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T09:26:00.000-04:00

I sure do miss my mom today. She is with me in the garden. My choice of activites today and I chose:

Plant Nursery shopping!

Heading out in the car to try and find a very good nursery that I visited years ago with my old friend Frances. Hope I can recreate the road to the place. Can't find it online...should be a good day for it anyway. Remember that it is the journey not the destination. Then home to get dirty.

Happy Mother's day to you all.

More Later!
xo
Plantress

Lurking

2011-05-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

I'm here, I'm just lurking about in the background.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

Spring Break, and the living is easy

2011-03-15T18:45:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends,

Do you want to know what I've been doing so far over my spring break? I don't really care if you want to know, I NEED to tell you. Because it's all about me. My blog, my project, my spring break! So obnoxious. Anyway, I've been trying to transform the old summer kitchen/mudroom/computer room into a work space for my little jewelry hobby. The dining room just looks horrible with ~~crap~~ supplies everywhere.

So this room was the most junked up in the whole house. All the bookcases were double stacked with books. I painted the room this yellow, cleaned the whole thing out, rearranged the space, hung curtains-(too high I might add) and started bringing the stuff in from the other room. I've been singing along to Marvin Gaye there's nothing wrong with me loving you! And, giving yourself to me, can never be wrong, if the love is true....

I hope you approve. Kudos to daughter Emily and big Richard for all their help and stick-to- it -edness

More Later!

xo

Plantress

the key to a happy spring

2011-03-11T17:12:00.000-05:00

For me the key to a happy spring is to get out there in the dirt! There are plants to cover, plants to uncover, soil to amend and edges to dig. I'm thinking spring break is here and it's time to get some work done!

I say make me a dress out of this last one. 3/4 length sleeve, fitted bodice and a mid calf flared skirt with some taffeta underneath to make it stand out!

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2011-03-10T20:31:00.002-05:00

sPRING IS jUsT aROUnD THE cORnER

2011-03-10T19:35:00.000-05:00

Hi loyal followers. I guess it's time for me to come out of my winter den and reengage with the larger world. What a doo doo of a winter it has been. Nothing compared to some of you out there with your illnesses and compulsive disorders but we did have leaks and trees down and cold, cold nights here in the house of the stingy person who won't turn up/on the heat. By gum that heating oil is expensive. Tonight, through the sounds of a flood of water running down my driveway and gushing over our little retaining wall, I heard the melodious croaking of the spring peepers. They are sick of waiting as am I. My first thought was to blog about spring but I am shy, nervous to find the voice that has been silent for 2 months. Are you still out there? Does it matter?

I don't know about you, but somehow this winter I really began to see that I'm middle aged now. Before I was just pretending-kind of like telling people you are 60 when you are 45 so they will tell you how young you look. But enough about me. Let's discuss YOU. How did you fare? Is it spring yet in your neck of the woods? Are some of you out there making your first spring tonic out of weeds and thistles? I'd love to hear.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

Winter Rolls

2011-01-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

Do you gain weight in the winter? I find that I am inside and on the couch far more often in the winter season. I love to bake on a cold and snowy day and the goods that are the result are hardly low fat or heart healthy. Think sour cream chocolate chip pound cake. Think gingersnaps and chocolate chunk cookies. Ham and oyster casserole, turkey tetrazinni, homemade soups and chili. With corn bread.

Right now I am feeling a little bit roly poly. The weight will come off once the garden begins but I am always a substantial size.

I want to hear from you “women of substance”. Do you gain in the winter? Do you care? If I had my way I would go into hibernation until the spring.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

spotlight on the Fish Fanatic's Gallery by Barry Singer

2011-01-09T11:26:00.000-05:00

I want to get back to some of my spot light posts. I will often come across a noteworthy shop on etsy or elsewhere that I would like to share with you. This shop is fascinating. The artist, uses an ancient form of image transfer called GYOTAKU to create beautiful, one of a kind, "fish rubbings". This art form was practiced by the Japanese which is not surprising since so many art forms are evolved from Asian culture. Each rubbing is unique as each fish is unique. This is nature art in it's purest form. Or purist form. Two meanings but both are accurate.

http://www.etsy.com/people/fishfanatic?ref=ls_profile

You can't get more authentic than this!

beautiful http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishfanatic

and the rainbow trout. http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishfanatic

I'm adding this shop to my favorites. One of these great pieces would make a great gift for the fisherperson in your life. I think it really fits with the the whole vintage industrial country look that I soooo love. I found this shop while looking for trout ACEO to add to my small but growing collection. Here is the one I want;

http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishfanatic

What are your Self Sufficiency Plans for the New Year?

2011-01-04T11:05:00.002-05:00

Ok team, here we are in 2011. What in heavens name are we going to do to rely less on outside sources and more on ourselves? When I searched self sufficiency forums on the web the topics ranged from isolated living with survivalist skills to buying a self mulching lawn mower and price comparisons at home depot. It is a wide ranging topic.

Does one pursue self sufficiency for the sake of the planet and future generations? Are we working on reducing our carbon footprint? Saving money? Getting away from government control?

Maybe the way to approach this large topic is subject by subject. My work friend Sadie sometimes talks about moving to Montana but she doesn’t strike me as a survivalist. I think she is motivated by money; getting the most bang for her buck. Sadie, correct me if I am wrong but I believe you want self sufficiency in order to stretch your dollar. Nothing wrong with that. Would you still want to live that way if you won the lottery?

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

bACK TO wORK!

2011-01-03T17:38:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. Are all of your Christmas decorations put away? Did you brave the cold to go take down those outside greens and throw them in the burn pile? I did most of this. I can tell you it was very soothing to come home from work today and find the living room clean and back to normal. I started a fire and here I am on the red couch despite our gift of wireless that daughter Caroline gave. Richard calls this my safe space. HA

Here is my question; did you feel sad putting decorations away until next year or do you feel satisfied and relieved?.

I am interested!

So anyway, today was the first day back and it went very quickly. I prefer to start back on a Wednesday rather than a Monday though as it eases the transition. Everyone was in good spirits. It was exciting to see who had gotten their hair cut etc. Lots of Christmas swag being worn today. New boots and sweaters abounded. Can one use abound like that? Methinks nay.
More Later!
xo
Plantress

2011

2011-01-01T19:54:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

2010-12-26T15:33:00.000-05:00

Here is the ornament for Lauren

2010-12-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

Sadie made it to the tree!

2010-12-21T17:25:00.000-05:00

Sadie's face has really made the rounds at our house and the ornament has been much admired by all! First I took her to visit the baby Jesus but she looked like she was trying to hog the show;

She has visited each little tree and arrangement in the house...

Now she has come to rest in the top center of our tree!

More Later!
xo
Plantress

2010-12-19T18:04:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my newest follower; old geezer. Love the name!

Yay Christmas!

2010-12-19T17:51:00.000-05:00

Yay. Daughter Emily is on her way home. Chili awaits. Fire in the fireplace, big red couch :), smelly dogs-all anticipate her imminent arrival.
Wednesday we are going with our very good friends to Longwood Gardens and, hopefully, to the Brandywine River museum. Ah, bliss.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

Sadie's face on an ornament!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-16T08:28:00.000-05:00

Some people just can’t wait for their presents. I just happened to see this as I came in today! It’s my portrait of Sadie to go on my Christmas tree forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WARNING FOR THE SQUEAMISH

2010-12-15T09:35:00.000-05:00

Ok this is my last "look what is for sale on Etsy" post for this week. Alert reader Caroline sent me this link. I don't even know what to say. I can only say "wow" and "that is an expensive joke". Perhaps this could be a gift for the girl who has everything! I'll let you be the judge

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52231945/yes-its-bedazzled-finger-puppet

More Later!
xo
Plantress

adult diapers!

2010-12-14T13:35:00.000-05:00

Miss Artsy-Fartsy got me thinking about snuggies with pee in them; which naturally led to a search on etsy for adult diapers. Dang if they don't have them. I want these pirate ones for when the time comes. argghhh matey!

holy hilarious

2010-12-13T19:12:00.000-05:00

guess what?! They DO have them. Heh, heh

Who says fleece is just for kids? And with engery costs only going up, what's not to like about it? :) So soft & warm!!

Snuggle up in our fleece lounge sack, with stretchy knit arms and leg openings. Large pocket on front to keep your favorite book or TV remote close.

Available XS, S, M, L, & XL

Many colors available: Camel (shown), Hunter Green, Charcoal, Ivory, Chocolate, Sunshine, Lemon, Mint, Pink, Snowflake, Chocolate Damask, Cow over the Moon, Dogs, Sea Life, and more...

But just in case you want one for the kids...

Children's Sizes available: SM (7), MED (8/10), LG (12/14)

Custom Order Only: $65.00 each

And the link http://www.etsy.com/people/hbmamma?ref=ls_profile

who knew? Call me naive, I just get such a kick out of these things. Sometimes I think the whole world is for sale on Etsy. And that is a good thing!

off to shop snuggies-or just to look for more stuff

More Later!
xo
Plantress

whoo hooo!

2010-12-13T19:05:00.000-05:00

OMG I LOVE this unionsuit!
http://www.etsy.com/people/psychedelictara?ref=ls_profile

windy and cold...brrrrrrrrrrrrr

2010-12-13T19:00:00.000-05:00

I am very glad right now that I don't live in the heartland. How can they live there year after year with the kind of weathers that they have! Yikes. And now in Fla they are trying to save acres and acres of strawberries from being frozen out before they are ripe. They are going to water them down. That really does work. It's the layer between the plant and the ice that protects the plant.

I'm pretty sure that all my "elaborate" festive greens, (see previous post about greens or lights) have blown away by now. Who cares? Not I!

Honestly I am wondering if there is an etsy shop that makes handsewn snuggies. If there is I will post again and we'll check out the shop.
More Later....

recent work

2010-12-11T18:26:00.000-05:00

Here are a very few pieces I've been working on. I like the wood but don't know that these pictures make the work seem desirable!

2010-12-09T14:11:00.001-05:00

I work with a native Japanese person. She also teaches Japanese. She has yet to master the copier in 4 years. She doesn’t understand that if it is in use it will not accept another copy job until the current run is over. She is to be seen trying to push her papers into the top feeder while the lower feeder is churning out copies. She also asks me where my boss is. A lot.

I find her endearing. Sadie and I sometimes send each other haikus about this teacher.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

School News

2010-12-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

One of the good things about working in a school is the total acceptance of crazy garb such as the famous teacher’s Christmas sweater. Teachers know that the sweaters are over the top, they know that it might not be figure flattering but who cares? We are our own little society here and this society is all about love and fun. We don our reindeer ears with the balls on top, our sparkly homemade pins that were past presents from former students. We decorate with paper chains. Santa hats worn on a daily basis do not cause comment nor do our extensive collection of holiday socks. Admiration only. Feel free to dress as an elf and dance around the dining hall. There may be some snide comments but there will be an equal number of young girls saying “I liked your elf dance, Mrs. Plantress” and smiling upon you with their full understanding and approval. YAY Now, off to dig out some flashing Christmas bulb necklaces and tinsel for my hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

Ps-did I mention the gifts of stinky hand lotion which are sure to follow? Double yay

a gift from Sadie

2010-12-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

I am so excited that I am going to blog about this ahead of the fact! My friend Sadie at work is getting me a very special gift for Christmas this year. She is getting her face painted on an ornament for me to hang on my tree for all eternity. I promised. We have an art teacher here where I work who often paints peoples pets on ornaments and then sells them to the owner. I’m not really sure if she has done faces before but I find it tres amusing that I will have Sadies face on my tree. This topic will warrant 2 blog posts. One for now, one with pictures when I get it.

In the meantime, SOMEONE has left Santa in a precarious position near the paper cutter…

football.

2010-12-06T12:54:00.002-05:00

What is wrong?

When God made me he left out the football chromosome. I just don’t care. I can’t believe I wrote that down-said it out loud so to speak. There you have it; I don’t give a rat’s ass about the Ravens. I don’t want to pretend that I do. I don’t know the player’s names or their positions, I don’t want to stay up and watch the game, and I don’t want to wear a jersey in Raven’s colors or go to a game, or especially, watch a game on TV. I don’t really understand football and I don’t want it explained to me. Sports on TV are stupid as far as I’m concerned (ducks down behind desk). EXCEPT division III men’s college lacrosse which is thrilling beyond belief.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

who doesn't love vintage?

2010-12-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

I have been stalking a certain etsy shop. I love vintage jewelry and find it a great way to add to my collection. I think the history of someone else's piece just adds to my cherishing each new treasure. Today so many people are selling their old jewelry to be melted down-what a crime. The workmanship counts for so much more. Why not get the clasp repaired? Why not reset the stones into something new? Just saying!

Here is the shop that I have been looking at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/slapmefabulous?ref=seller_info

I love this runway necklace which would look stunning against a black shell with a black shawl collared sweater on top.

I also think this vintage leaf bracelet is a classic anyone could love.

The shop name is pretty funny too!

BUT here is what I really want. Will you buy it for me? xoxoxoxoxo (did that convince you?) :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7495637

I am waiting for the price to go down a smidge before I take the leap. I think this bracelet should be my Christmas gift from me, to me. Do you like it?

More Later,
xo
Plantress

advertising the semi colon

2010-12-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

Instead of posting today I spent time reading all your blogs-to get a good catch-up. I have a complaint; like this is new! (Perhaps that semi colon is misplaced, I have found that my casual writing is deteriorating at a rapid pace) Anyway, back to the important topic; YOU. (That one seems ok though). I was scrolling through all the blogs that I follow and I sadly found that I have no interest in reading most of them. So many of the bloggers have turned to straight advertising; their blogs have turned into promotion machines.

At one time all of the blogs that I followed were personal. The author posted about herself and her life with an occasional product mention or promo/giveaway thrown in. It seems that now these people are caught up in churning out promotions to get $ and more readers. I can watch tv if I want to be inundated with advertising. It doesn't even seem "handmade" or "grassroots" anymore. I only want to read about people's lives and their small business! Just tell me something about yourself and maybe it will make me laugh or I will learn something from you. The end.

BTW what do you call a boomerand that doesn't come back?

A: A stick! hahahahahahahahaha

love that.
more later,
xo
Plantress

2010-11-30T11:58:00.002-05:00

Do you make your own cards? Are you channeling Martha out there? You know, are you the kind of person who has ramekins, spring form pans in the shape of Christmas trees, parchment paper, nut crackers that are used regularly, dedicated plastic bins stored lovingly in pristine attics with no dead mouse (we HOPE) smell in them? Are you pleased with yourself when you get down those labeled and individually wrapped decorations? Did you remember to buy new colored tree bulbs?

I always wonder about people like this as I fight my way up the attic steps. You know how much I like that show “hoarders” (BTW there were several back to back episodes over Thanksgiving weekend, did anyone catch those?), well my attic is like a hoarders dream come true. I def know I will need those empty computer boxes with Styrofoam some day along with the 8 or so mattresses piled up next to the broken down bunk beds. Stuffed animals? check! Dry rotted baby clothes? Check! Boxes of crap from college? Check! My husband’s old scuba diving suit which was custom made for him when he was a young man with a 38 waist? Check! I could go on and on and enjoy saying “check” but will stop here. Let’s pretend that stuff is not even there as we negotiate the other side of the attic, you know the side with Richard’s beer can collection in black garbage bags (welcome to marriage!) and the collapsed chimney that was filled with straw-prob in 1890 or something. Do you see all those unmarked shopping bags with stuff sticking out the top? Grab some of those and lets head downstairs to see what is salvageable this year!

By the time the Holidays are over I have just enough respect for the decorations to stuff them higgelty-piggelty into bags and wrestle them up the attic stairs. OR I make the kids do it and then can’t ever find the stuff again. Maybe someday we will “lose” the clay lumps with toothpicks and yarn that were made 20 years ago in daisy girl scouts. I have to pretend to like it. Is there a law about these things? When can they disappear? Maybe when my kids get married I can give them back as tradition starters! Yay! Here is the lumpy clay pot you made for me in kindergarten! And the wreath of dried grasses with your pictures elmers glued into the center. Childhood luck for your new home!

I’m getting off the subject. All I really wanted to say was that I hope to get organized someday. I plan to get organized in my retirement. Maybe.

More later!

Xo

Plantress

2010-11-29T14:33:00.001-05:00

I hope that you had a nice Thanksgiving! Mine was the best one ever and I don’t even know why. There is something about getting older, I think that one becomes more content. We had the altered menu and had lots of fun with the recipes. My fav was probably the corn casserole with homemade cornbread crust. Yum. I put out all the good silver and crystal even though it was just the 5 of us. It takes me 6 hours to make it and about 10 minutes to eat it…that is what we say in the Plantress family. Emily had her girlfriends over and I had fires in the fireplace. We went shopping. I bought Em a Tri Delt formal at Loehmanns and it looks fantastic! And high heeled black shoes that will last forever. (forever, ever?)

We watched movies, snuggled with girls and dogs, shopped with Caroline, ate brownies and pie, bought new dog beds, vacuumed up leaves in the house, chopped leaves outside the house, split wood-Rich does that-, walked the gunpowder trails, and started decorating for the holidays. Lest you think that I am too perfect let me share with you that my house smells faintly of rotting flesh as the mice (I HOPE) that I poisoned decompose slowly in the walls and attics, crawlspaces and subfloors of our dusty old farmhouse. Can’t you just smell it? I love Holiday scented febreeze!

grandparents

2010-11-23T14:06:00.001-05:00

Today is grandparent’s day at our school, and, as always, I am fascinated by the differences in the grandparents. Some seem really old and confused-losing their granddaughters between classes and needing bathroom breaks every 20 minutes or so. Some can’t even walk the full length of the hallway between the front door and the classrooms. Then there are the anorexic looking grandparents, ladies who think they need to maintain a svelte figure. Some are wearing giant hats. Some are quite alert and fit and go barreling down the halls like a regular parent. As my husband says; ‘shut up plantress, those grandparents are starting to look just like us!” except he didn’t say shut up because we don’t use that word in our house. I got a nose full of moth balls last time I stuck my head out into the hall!

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

your decorations

2010-11-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

“Some people decorate with lights, some people decorate with greens” I remember saying that a million times when my kids were small. We would tour the neighborhood lights only to go by our own house, with the porch light on, shining down on swags of berries and ropes of greens hung from the front porch columns. The children always thought our house was boring without the outside lights but it is just the way I was brought up.

I love driving by one of those houses so bedazzled with lights and blow up Santas that you have to slow down the car to take it all in. My heart leaps up when I can see the far away glow of someone’s electric wonderland in the distance. Is your house like that?

The only way I can express it is to say I love to see it but it isn’t the way I decorate the outside of our house for Christmas.

What are your traditions? Are you someone who decorates a tree for the birds? Is your electric output sky high from all of your neighborhood bling? Do you live next door to someone who decorates in the extreme or someone who completely ignores the whole thing? Just wondering.

More Later,

Xo

plantress

Monday, don't trust that day

2010-11-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

I'm at work but not for long! Today and tomorrow baby and then it's 5 days off. yip yip

Dear Almost Precious

2010-11-19T20:39:00.000-05:00

I can't tell you how much it means to me to open my blog and always, always find a nice long comment from you! I know what you mean about the consumerism. My own story with that kind of thing is that my mom felt the same way about me. She had a very sad upbringing in some ways-she was an orphan pretty young and was passed around through her relatives a good bit. I didn't think I was extravagant with our kids, we bought them things like a doorframe folding puppet theatre and bikes and easybake ovens. I still fight the budget thing. What you said about the lending sounds right to me. I haven't been approached for more than a deposit for rent so we'll see.

xo
your friend,
Plantress

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

the shopping begins

2010-11-19T13:36:00.002-05:00

Hi follower friends! Today at lunch I went to Old Navy-a department store from New York that sprung up in Bmore about 5 years ago. I very quickly got gifts for my son; 3 dress shirts and a sweater, a few odds and ends for the girls and some great bargain henleys. The henleys were $5 and I got 3 until I realized (thanks Sheri!) that the designer had decided to put 3 extra buttons along the placket to make the Henley look unbuttoned-but did not bother with the expense of putting button holes on the other side. Grr. I returned them. It kind of proves that there is no such thing as a true deal.

Speaking of deals, are any of you doing the whole black Friday thing? I know my Emily will want to go but I’m not sure that I can face all those mobs of people. I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you do go, what items are you after? Electronics? Clothes? I’d like to see what is most popular. Looks like most of the door busters at Target will be electronics.

GET REAL!

2010-11-18T11:04:00.001-05:00

When to “get real” with it.

It is part laziness and part fear. I have a full time job and a house to run and a little, tiny jewelry making business on the side. A hobby really. A hobby that is always in my thoughts. My question is when is it time to put more time into it? I don’t think it has really turned much of a profit. I am comfortable with just a little bit of sales, and a lot of supplies! People keep asking me questions that make me feel like it should be bigger.

On a lighter note-how about corn pudding for Thanksgiving along w/those fried oysters? And a cran tangerine dressing?

More Later,

XO

Plantress

rediscovering fondue

2010-11-17T09:36:00.001-05:00

Hello Loyal Followers! Yesterday was an ugly rainy day here in the Baltimore Metro area. Correction: it would have been a beautiful day had one been home making necklaces and tending the woodstove in weather/house appropriate attire vs. schlepping to work all fancied up in a gross drizzle and stupor inspiring day.

As always we managed to slog along and get things done. The people I work with and the sweet children always lift my spirits. As the day drew to a close I emailed the hubmeister to suggest a fire and some homemade soup for dinner. His response was “Fondue and Cider”. ?????????

I think the last time I made fondue was when we were newlywed and I wanted to use the wedding gift fondue pot with those cool long forks. God knows where that is! Anyhoo, I looked up some recipes online and realized I had all the ingredients at home already-just had to pick up some fresh French baguettes.

Super easy fondue

Use a double boiler to heat up a pot

Pour in 2 cups of chicken stock

A couple of heaping tablespoons of super grainy Dijon-you know, that peasanty mustard

I cheated and used one can of campbells cheddar chs soup

At least 2 cups of sharp cheddar grated

Some swiss cheese grated

Sherry! Whoo hoo

That’s it. Stir it up. I added some cornstarch near the end as I was getting impatient.

Cut up that bread and dip.

It was super duper. I’m thinking choc fondue during the Thanksgiving weekend, with strawberries and some pretzels and whatever else I can think of. Maybe use our new fry daddy and make greasy dough balls to dip in. That sounds so unappetizing but the batter deep fired is like being in new Orleans or the state fair. That Sh** is GOOD. Heart attack in a fondue pot n’est pas?

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

from rural to suburbia

2010-11-15T11:57:00.001-05:00

My area of Baltimore County has finally changed from rural to suburban and here is how I know:

Saturday was a beautiful, windless day, just perfect for burning our pile of garden mess and sticks. We take large limbs to the dump and I also have a compost pile but there are many clean up items that we burn. We always have. All of our neighbors do too.

The pile has been getting huge as I have trimmed back the cypress mops, lilacs and cut down the St. John’s wort bushes and tall liatris. All kinds of sticks and branches not suitable for composting have made a gigantic pile out in our field. I suggested to Rich that it was time to light it up and he did. He was on the tractor chopping leaves when TWO FIRE COMPANIES CAME TO OUR HOUSE! Someone had called the fire company to report our fire. I can only hope that it was out of concern for our wellbeing rather than a deliberate anonymous statement about our burning! We don’t burn trash or plastic or anything like that, just branch blow down and such. We compost and chop our leaves and weeds. We are good stewards of our land.

So both fire companies were nice about it as was the fire chief. We didn’t get a ticket. I never knew that we needed a permit to burn. As we told them, we have burned our little pile for 27 years without a single problem. Everyone had a good laugh. The fire company said that now that cells make it so easy to call 911 there was probably someone just driving along and decided to call it in. There was a definite feeling that the call had been a nuisance for everyone. Still, it was a beautiful day and we got lots done.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

on the other hand

2010-11-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

On the other hand

To be fair to men, what we generally like about them is their very inability to be over-complicated. I like that my husband is a man of simple habits. I am aware that he loves the dogs more than he loves me. I smile to hear him knead his toes in bed or at the special noise he makes with his mouth when he is happy-kind of a sighing, clicking sound. He enjoys the same things I do and just tunes me out when I babble on about the world. He understands and supports my efforts to improve myself however halfhearted or juvenile they may be.

My husband is a person who appreciates a leaf pile. He listens to me talk about plants and tends to love them as individuals as I do. We have silly conversations about the asparagus fern becoming buddies with the ficus tree. He understands and shares my attraction to water and the ever changing activities of the lake if only one just sits still and watches.

This same man still does not know when my birthday is or when our anniversary is. He got a particular date stuck in his head 27 years ago and that is that. He doesn’t notice haircuts, even highlights go unremarked. He will eat almost anything that I prepare and call it good. He has never cleaned the toilet. He puts off the tax returns until it’s almost time to file again. He procrastinates and sometimes tells an untruth so as to avoid the heat of a wife’s rage.

He is still my best friend and a very comfortable bedmate on a cold night.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

men are from Mars, Women are from Heaven

2010-11-12T09:59:00.001-05:00

Men and women are completely different. Men say we are too emotional and they just can’t understand us. I don’t think we are that hard to understand. Women learn to love sports. Women learn not to ask “what’s wrong?” Women adjust and tone down their own intuitive need to deconstruct and discuss and analyze all kinds of data from “have a nice day” to “that dress looks FINE, now let’s go!”.

Women understand love and hurt and healing. We will comfort and rejoice with our men and our children. Women who are mothers know the pain and pleasure of child rearing in a way men never do.

Part of being intuitive is noticing these things and fine tuning our attitudes. Men don’t have this radar built in so they call women “fussy, emotional, over reacting”. It’s sad that men don’t have the sense to make a few adjustments of their own. I know that it isn’t important to men to be very affectionate without a good grope. I say just do it. Hold my hand, rub my back, play with my hair-with no pay off and you are golden. On my birthday, I want to be told in great detail how much you love me and why. Heck, I want to be told EVERY day but one day a year will suffice. I want a gift. I want it wrapped. I want to be dazzled. YOU have 364 days to plan. Just do it because it is important to me it does not matter whether you find it ridiculous or stupid. Say to yourself; “I love her and I will make this day/event/celebration/eternity what she wishes it to be as a gesture of love for her”. You can do it. The rewards are great!

FYI my friend’s husband forgot her b day and then was rude to her for caring. I saw the tears in her eyes and the hurt behind her smile.

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

head Lice: the horror!

2010-11-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

Today’s topic will be the exciting and persistent drama of head lice! If you have children it may be possible that you have encountered these little menaces in your parenting days. They are the fleas of the human world in that they are hard to get rid of unless great care is given to their eradication.

At some point in elementary school, when children’s interaction has about the same amount of physical contact as a squirming litter of puppies in a box, along with the shared colds and strep throat will come a call from the school nurse regarding a “head check”. At the local public school where my four children learned their multiplication tables and developed their social skills, head checks were as regular as back to school night. Each year the Brownie troops went on a platform tent camping trip, and when they returned Miss Kitty the nurse would begin her checks. I have 3 girls, all with long blond to light brown hair and I would ALWAYS get called. The horror! How embarrassing to be called from class. Everyone knew where you were going. There was no way to keep the knowledge of who had the lice from the other classmates or their mothers. For a third grade girl, struggling to be popular, head lice could be the kiss of death.

As a parent you can reassure your little darlings that the bugs do not mean that you are unclean. Try convincing the parents! First there is the special shampoo with a leave on conditioner that is meant to kill the tiny lice and, most importantly, the eggs, or nits, that they leave behind on the hair shaft. These eggs are very hard to see and cling to the individual shafts of hair. Then hours with the special nit comb with teeth so fine they will snag and pull out the eggs. Back to school for inspection. Back home for more combing.

By the end of it all I had a metal, professional grade nit comb. All of this has been dredged up from the memory bank because the teacher next to the office where I sit got the dreaded call 2 days ago. His preschooler has it. Ever since I have to admit my scalp has been itching. Just a little!

Please comment and share your own experience. Maybe this never happened to you. Maybe you find it beyond disgusting. Maybe you see it as part of childhood along with mud pies and scabby knees. I await your reactions.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

Ps-don’t forget to spray the car after you wash the bedding and clothes. Spray the couch too…

2010-11-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon! I thought I’d report in about my weekend and the Johns Hopkins Toddler Co-op Holiday Bazaar. Let’s see, the space wasn’t as big as I expected. There were about 30 vendors there and 7 of them were jewelry. I met a couple of really nice people. There was an older couple next to me selling doll clothes that didn’t look at or speak to me the entire time. On the other side of me was a wonderful and kind person named Roxanne who rubbed my hand with dead sea salt oil. She was fab and I ended up buying from her. In all I spent $40 at the fair; 2 lip gloss/stains from Roxanne and a scout pop up storage box from a very nice bag person. Reusable bags were very well represented.

I made some sales. My goal had been to make back my table ($60) but I did way better. Considering the size of the venue I thought that I did very well. The Silpada rep behind me got a few sales that I would have liked to have but overall I did well. The great thing is that I sold 2 of those wired necklaces!!!! I love making them and people compliment them but no one had actually bought them off the table. I have special orders for them but this time I sold 2 from my exisiting inventory and that made me happy as they are the most expensive item on the table. I took some pictures but they look very sad. Not a very good display….here you go!

more Later!
xo
Plantress

2010-11-04T19:49:00.000-04:00

oh hi, it's me plantress. Just wanted you to know I've been working on my Christmas wish list. Just in case you need to know...

So let's get right on this, shall we?

More Later,
xo
Plantress

ps I need the above things because there was a dead mouse in my sink. It died in the soapy dish water.
boo hoo.

2010-11-04T12:56:00.001-04:00

Fall is hastening into yucky weather here in Maryland. Cold rain brings down the lovely leaves to form a wet mass underfoot-just starting to smell of leaf mould. I am ready to stay at home all day long and make necklaces out of sterling and copper wire. The 25 feet of copper I got the other day is quickly going as I twist my way through necklaces with focals. Necklaces with beads. Copper “chains”. Copper clasps. It’s nice to use a less expensive material than sterling-it makes you less afraid to take risks. The hard thing about using gemstones and sterling is that each move must be considered. Every mistake is a giant waste of money. Less expensive materials clear the mind of such clutter leaving room to just try. Try and try until something resonates. I’m glad it’s fall so that I can work with amber chips and garnets again. I love all the fall colors.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

2010-11-02T11:18:00.002-04:00

2010-11-02T11:02:00.002-04:00

The Holidays will soon be upon us. I realized this on Saturday when my new crate and barrel catalogue came as well as this month’s Wegman’s menu ideas “magazine”. The coming of Thanksgiving means it’s time for my annual email to my children asking for their gift wish lists. The rule is that if you don’t tell me what you would like then you will get socks and underwear for Christmas. Do you have a tradition? I would rather submit a long list with a wide range of choices and prices than have a completely unguided “surprise”. That’s just me though. My list starts with things like crest white strips-something I would like to try but am too frugal to buy for myself.

I think it would be fun to push the envelope this Thanksgiving by changing our traditional menu a little. I suggested we get duck from the local Chinese restaurant. This idea was not well thought of. Turkey it will be. How about some fried oysters? Maybe some artichoke flan? NO mashed potatoes, no sauerkraut no rice pilaf-I want something a little different…what are you making? I’ll concede on the turkey but the rest is going to be different…

More later!

Xo

Plantress

2010-11-01T13:28:00.001-04:00

Hello blog followers! Just wanted to give you an update on my life. This past weekend the hubmeister was out of town with his man group. They were in Alder Creek-cruising the bars, brewery touring and generally being local visiting celebrities.

I used this time to begin the garden fall cleanup. Plants need cutting back, trees need pruning as do the golden mop cypress, fill the tarp and drag to the compost pile or burn pile as the case may be.

I also visited the American Visionary Arts Museum in downtown Baltimore. I find outsider art very mind stretching and thought provoking. When a display of work of the criminally insane shows an incredible grasp of technique, color and textures it questions the very core of the question “is this art?” What defines a mental illness? How can someone show no interest in art until they are in their 70s and then, for the first time, produce a piece so intricate that collectors all over the world take notice.

Does training make the artist? Is it nature or nurture? You tell me!

2010-10-27T11:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatieDydDesigns

Today I would like to share a delightful shop with you: KatieDydDesigns. There are many paper goods stores on etsy and they all have their charms. Some shops are noted for their prices, others are known for their whimsical style. Owls, baby birds, kittens…it’s all out there. I have chosen this store to recommend based on superior customer service. I have now ordered several times from Miss Schwarz and have found her to be dependable and quick. I asked her to create a product for me not found in her shop and she graciously complied as well as offered an alternative should I decide to use another provider.

One would think that micro business owners would put customer service first in every instance but we are not always all that organized. Some people offer hundreds of items but are hard to get in touch with. Others overcharge for shipping. Sometimes you can’t depend on the quality of the merchandise. My own experience with KatieDydDesigns makes it possible for me to say that the product is very good, the service and communication is superior and the pricing is fair. I hope you take a peek at her shop and offer your comments here! Long live small business!

PS- I got nada, nothing, zilch in return for writing this. My idea, my thoughts, my own need to give credit where credit is due.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

some new work for Alder Creek Designs

2010-10-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

2010-10-21T13:55:00.002-04:00

Hello Blog Friends!

We are having wonderful fall weather here in sunny Maryland. I have been busy creating more necklaces and bracelets for my next excursion into the world of craft fairs on November 6th. This one is sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Toddler’s Co-op and I have no idea if it will be my type of venue. I DO know that they have no restrictions on the number of jewelry vendors selling at the fair so I imagine the entire 30 vendors will be jewelry and sock puppets. I just want to recoup my $60 table fee and get more feedback. Ok, I’m lying, I want to make 2 thousand dollars in 3.5 hours and be broadcast on local tv. I want to be young and thin on tv and win at least one million dollars. Is that so much to ask?

2010-10-19T20:59:00.002-04:00

Today ended my first week of weight watchers. I lost 2.4 pounds. Wish it was more!

More Later!

2010-10-17T10:50:00.000-04:00

H i Friends,

Yesterday was the big craft fair. It went pretty well despite a strong wind which threatened the displays. I did not reach my private goal but I came home determined to present a more professional front at the next show. I definitely need some good mirrors, better display racks, a plan for the table that I can use over and over, some printed bags and a banner. I had a competitor there who admittedly was part of a franchise. The company had really nice packaging-really cool product boxes and bags and a very professional display. The actual products weren't "real" (as in not real gold or silver) but it was faultlessly presented which is about half of the buying experience for a certain segment of the fair population as far as I can tell.

On the plus side, my sales were very good for the turnout, I liked my table and I got ALOT of positive feedback on my wares. It was very encouraging. Now I am determined to move ahead one little centimeter at a time. I get very frustrated at my lack of organization. It's time to get real. This is now a hobby for me as I have a full time job which prevents me from putting a full effort into it, but I think there might be something to build on. There is income to be had, a base to build, learning to be done, technique and record keeping to learn. Why not? It is only for my own pleasure and to offer something to the world that I made.

Someday it would be nice to support my retirement with this hobby. Thank you for reading dear followers. I appreciate your loyalty more than words can express.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-10-14T19:39:00.000-04:00

Dear Bloggy McBlogerton-I think fall is finally here! Now I can wear sweaters in the house and complain about how cold I am because I am too cheap to turn up the thermostat. Whoot!
I promised Emily that I would mention how glad I am that she is now home with her Tri Delt status and her winning ways. She rocks my world. xo to you Miss Emily!

Question of the day: Are we in love w/Frye Boots and didn't SOME of us do this before? Totally depends on your age but lately all my groovy teen looks are back with a bullet.

Pictures follow of the black River in the fall light when the water is up.....beautiful.

It's weird how the water looks like snow here.

Also, my husband went for his last dip of the summer and I want to share the one photo that I kept of this event

looking good old man!

More Later,

Plantress

2010-10-11T10:58:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,

I had a lovely weekend-the last one for this year-up in the Alder Creek, NY area. Later today I will post some pictures. It was beautiful weather, my husband took his last swim of the year, we did lots of walking and hosted a birthday dinner party on Saturday night.

This weekend is my biggest craft fair yet. I have been busy polishing and pricing and trying to envision the set up. I bought a couple of yards of black velvet last year (cha ching) whick will be my backdrop. I need to go buy a mini plantation shutter…I have 2 helpers so we’ll see how it goes. I am sooo excited!

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

2010-10-06T08:15:00.000-04:00

Good Morning party people! It’s another overcast and gloomy day outside so I am grateful to have shelter and warmth today. Over there in the house of Plantress we have a new leak in the family room. Yay. It appears to be originating from the frame of the upstairs balcony door. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.

Did anyone participate in the race for the cure? In hunt Valley MD it is a BIG thing. Such a beautiful sight to see these women all there for each other. United in a cause. Save the TA-TAs (I want that bumper sticker.)

Some people love bumper stickers and some people really hate the public display of beliefs, humor, opinion, whathaveyou. I LOVE them. If a car is covered I am amused while driving by reading all their groovy stickers. Note to self: people with many stickers tend to be crazy liberals. Conservative republicans tend to have only one sticker, some kind of political endorsement usually. Guess I err on the side of crazy liberal unlike my friend Sadie who is a conservative political sheep with NO idea of the issues behind her mindless parroting. Guess we’ll see if she reads this one, huh?

So, craft fair coming up. I’m signing up for propay so I can take credit cards. I’m soooo excited.

Dear readers, I hope you have a wonderful day and that all of your dreams come true!

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

2010-10-04T13:42:00.001-04:00

Today is a rainy day. Suddenly, fall has arrived, and with it, my urge to “put by”. Do you have this urge as winter approaches? I want to can, gather, hoard, make stews, buy bulk, get my wood on the porch, hunker down, get ready for the hardships of winter. What the heck is this urge? This isn’t frontiersville! It isn’t as though I am living in the rural wilderness out here in the burbs of Baltimore. I go through this every year. It must be genetic like the whole paper towel thing.

What do you do to get ready for winter? If you live in a mild climate do you still feel the need to prepare? Enquiring minds need to know!

2010-10-01T12:05:00.000-04:00

wah I'm sick. Yesterday it felt like there was glass in my throat. I am going out of town so went to the doctor. Not strep. Just allergies. Even though I had a fever (not high though) viral. allergies. There is a glue factory in my head. I'm going to just keep sleeping in the car. Taking my pillow. Thermos of hot tea w/honey. On the bright side, maybe I'll lose weight. Daughter Liz came to see me last night and she now weighs only one pound more than me. And she is about 6 feet tall. I had better take some drastic reduction measures.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-09-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

Driving to work this morning the sky was streaked with pink clouds. I came out of the canopy of trees along falls rd and there was an amazing sunrise. It made me want to be in upstate New York, pulling on my shabby bean boots and jeans with a man’s quilted flannel shirt instead of bejeweled and suited up for work. There is something about going inside for 8 hours on a beautiful fall day that really brings me down. I’d rather have lots less money and be out there hunting and gathering for winter. Canning and freezing, getting my firewood ready. Storing up books for reading later.

Sigh

2010-09-28T20:03:00.000-04:00

I want to share with you some pictures that I particularly like. I like to think of these as Biker chick BoHo. Hope you like them!

Love these looks. Love the hippy/leather/rockabilly feel.

More Later!
xo
Plantress

2010-09-25T12:34:00.000-04:00

Just back from a walk in to direct buy. We weren't allowed past the gates so to speak. I signed up for an open house tomorrow morning then came home and read a consumer report article that says it cost just under 5k to join. Also the review wasn't all that fantastic. Looks like we won't be joining direct buy!

If you have had good luck with them please let me know.

More Later,

xo

Plantress

the cracker conundrum

2010-09-24T14:36:00.001-04:00

The other night I went to a fancy retirement community for dinner with my friend’s mom. Gated. Sirloin in the dining room. Coat and tie at dinner. Very b more.

The phenomenon that I wish to discuss is the value older people attach to CRACKERS and the reuse of said crackers.

We went to the free standing unit that this wonderful woman had paid top dollar for. All her old oriental rugs and family antiques blended tastefully into her home. Such a nice size kitchen with gleaming countertops. Then I saw it. The familiar, dreaded cracker canister-a canister just like the one I had become familiar with in my mother in law’s kitchen. I knew what was inside.

Bourbon was poured. I had flat ginger ale (a topic for another time) and we went into the gracious and spacious living room for the cocktail hour. And here were the crackers. So stale they were rubbery. So old they had mold on them. Crackers graced with our host’s special blend of peanut butter and baco bits. Yum. Also old nuts. Salad dressing with withered celery stalks.

You get the picture. The point is that somewhere along the path to ancientness, one develops a dislike of cracker wastefulness. Suddenly, nothing will do but an aluminum tin in which to store said crackers. After dinner, when the guests have left, hours later, the crackers are returned to their home. Ready for the next time crackers are needed. Forever and ever, Amen!

Is it the same with potato chips?

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

look what came today! thanks Lilly Pulitzer

2010-09-22T14:29:00.001-04:00

2010-09-22T13:40:00.001-04:00

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long. It may be better understood to mean that latitudes +L and -L north and south of the Equator experience nights of equal length.

At an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: classically, the vernal point and the autumnal point. By extension, the term equinox may denote an equinoctial point.

An equinox happens each year at two specific moments in time (rather than two whole days), when there is a location on the Earth's equator where the center of the Sun can be observed to be vertically overhead (in astronomical terms, the subsolar point), occurring around March 20/21 and September 22/23 each year.

So tonight is the night! And we are almost at the full moon! I assume that the moon counts as full after midnight. Could be some strange happenings tonight!

2010-09-21T09:41:00.002-04:00

The last day of summer is here. That means that tomorrow will be the first day of fall. I really think the school year should start on the first day of fall and end Memorial Day. Don’t you think that’s enough for a calendar year? Here in Maryland we don’t have any fall color yet. Just brown die back and green leaves hanging on for dear life.

It was a good summer. I enjoyed being by the water and I started working with thicker gauges of sterling wire which I am enjoying very much. I would like to know what your fondest summer memories are, what you accomplished this summer or what really stands out for you (good or bad).

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

2010-09-20T20:48:00.000-04:00

I want to show you a twisted WIRED necklace I've been working on. Because I've taken the pics at night and indoors you will see that they are yellow and you can't truly see the colors as they are-but here it is none the less. This is a ravens necklace. Hope you approve. I'd love to hear your thoughts, good or bad!

Sterling wire, Hematite, freshwater pearls, sterling beads, swarovski crystals, natural amythest

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-09-17T21:18:00.000-04:00

I just want to say that hoarding is really a very serious problem and I didn't mean to make light of it. My dad is a little that way with his financial newspapers. It makes him feel safe. I am very much a pack rat but my house isn't full yet. I love yard sales and auctions and buys and beads and sterling wire and canning jars and gardening tools and books.
Anyway AP, I didn't mean to be flip

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-09-16T14:03:00.002-04:00

I’m not sure what my reader’s impressions will be when I follow that sorority posting with a Lilly Pulitzer story but rest assured I am not a true prep.

Story: I bought a super cute “Later Gator” travel mug at the St Lawrence book store (which has to be the most excellent college bookstore on the face of the planet!) last May. I had to clean the pink lid and it broke. I am spatially challenged so I asked various colleagues to fix it but no one could. The good news? I just called Lilly and their reps are sending me a NEW lid! I am super psyched!

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

2010-09-15T11:24:00.001-04:00

youngest daughter Emily has finished rush. Did you rush in college? I did and remember it as an emotional rollercoaster of an experience. I ended up going DG, which at the time, at Roanoke, was the “party girl” sorority. Shocker, huh? The DGs went out with the Sigma Chis. Sig was the lacrosse fraternity. Pledging was fun and hellish at the same time.

It seems that little has changed-maybe with the exception of the indignation that the new pledges feel at being told what to do by the sisterhood. Em was very lucky and got her #1 choice. But, by day 2 was complaining about greek life. The time commitment was too much. The hazing was stupid.

I explained to her that every sorority works with the pledges on the assumption that they need to be “broken down” before they are built back up. There will be endless drills, memorization of the greek alphabet, their founders, etc. as well as all the rituals and rules of their new organization.

Bottom line, this one does not like to be humble. It will be interesting to see if my baby girl makes it through pledgeship. At the other end you have bonded with your pledge class and can laugh at the memories, that is, IF you can make it through to that point. I would point out that this is a time to sacrifice pride for the good of the group. You will cherish the memories later. I know I do.

Good times. I look forward to hearing your own experiences-except I don’t need to hear from you SADIE about how the greek system is stupid.

More later,

Xo

Plantress

Ps-sorry it’s not funny this time…….

2010-09-13T08:01:00.002-04:00

I just have a quick comment about a phenomenon I’ve been noticing. As the years go by, I have become a paper towel hoarder and tissue saver. What is up with this? If you are under 30 you probably would see a damp, used paper towel by someone’s sink and assume that it needed to be thrown away. The difference between 30 and fifty is that somewhere along the way, these damp paper towels become essential tools for cleaning and wiping counters, spilled coffee, spills and crumbs. They should be shaken out gently into the trash and put aside to reuse! I must have driven my mother in law crazy, though never a word was said, as I whipped through her kitchen throwing out every wad of paper towels that I saw by the sink.

The tissue thing is mainly a work habit. Perhaps they are the paper towels of work! I wipe my mouth and put the tissue aside. Droplets of water on my desk? Another tissue and soon I notice a couple of tissues wadded up on the corner of my desk. Throw them out for goodness sake! I want to know if anyone else is having this happen to them? Also, does this mean that soon I will find wadded up tissue up my sleeve? In my cleavage? Mom, are you chuckling up there in heaven?

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

2010-09-10T17:27:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends! I hope the 3 people who actually read this blog are not offended-well 4 if I count old Sadie the anon commenter. You may not like the pictures I can't wait to show you. If you have a fear of clowns, for example, you might find the doll involved a little creepy. But that is what makes it funny; to me.

Sooooo, OMG here's the back story on the DL cuz it's work shenanigans if you get what I mean. Ralph Lauren had her wisdom teeth pulled and missed several days because she is a sorry wimp. ( I offered to make them into a necklace for her but she did not respond to my offer oddly enough) While she was gone her stepdad thought it would be amusing to bring in a REAL gator head that he happened to have lying around. He left a note saying "I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled too". Well I thought it was tres cool and amusing but RL's boss found the head very disconcerting and odd. Sadie and I thought we'd bring the creepy oddness up another tork-warp speed- so Sadie commented that it might be fun to put a baby doll in it's jaws....just to freak RL and her boss out even more. It just so happened that I had the perfect doll!

Remember Homer's Auction? Well I got this doll there about 20 years ago as a fun item and It has been making the rounds of Janneys and my houses ever since. I like to think of her as "talking teena" from the old twilight zone episode, but my work friend little Debbie, named her "baby Jane" as in "what's the matter with".

So, long story short, I positioned the props this morning and they had the expected, very gratifying, effect on Ralph that I had so hoped for to wish her a speedy, further recovery. Let me show you the pictures now....

Sadie wants to make this her profile picture. Hope you enjoyed the show. If you ask me nicely I will take a picture of the other porcelain dolls heads that I got that night so long ago.
Pack Rat? Or Visionary? You decide!

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-09-09T13:53:00.002-04:00

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Why do people say that? Is that addict-speak or what? It’s as if they are saying; everything up until now doesn’t count. Ready, set, go!
Ok so if today is the first day of the rest of my life, I feel ripped off. Where are my tumultuous teen years? Where are my childhood memories? Where are the “in” jokes and the damaging family dynamics that I can blame everything on?!
On the other hand, you don’t remember that time I made a huge ass of myself by drinking a pitcher of shooters and then standing on top of the bar to sing with the band. Sing bad and whiny neill young. Old man, look at my life. Never happened.
Also, I never alienated my husband’s ENTIRE family for real or imagined actions. Never sucked my pet parrot up the vacuum in a cleaning error. Never mistakenly thought I knew how to drive a snowmobile and rammed it into a submerged picnic table in the dark outside a bar in Alaska. Wiped clean, my slate is pure.
Hmm. Maybe I will make today the first day of the rest of my life. Lots of empty pages to fill. I know I can make a better go of it from now on.
More Later,
Xo
Plantress

2010-09-08T14:49:00.002-04:00

The Labor day weekend wedding of my niece was beautiful and awesome! It was at the Lake Placid Club and the ceremony was out on a stone porch with a breathtaking backdrop of whiteface mountain and the high peaks. The reception was very nice with a sit down dinner (I had the duck!)
Some people danced the night away. I did dance one slow dance with my husband but that was it. I really did want to shimmy around but it just didn’t work out that way. It was probably the lack of alcohol on my part. Makes it hard to “let go”.
Back at work. Looking forward to the craft show in October. I have so many supplies due in! Hope today’s mail brings purple pearls and more silver.
More Later,
Xo
Plantress

2010-09-03T08:54:00.002-04:00

Wedding Bells are Ringing for my niece! I am leaving work early today to make the trek up to Lake Placid for the wedding of my husband’s niece. It should be both beautiful and fun. I am hoping to dance-unfortunately, I dance like Elaine on Seinfeld…you know, the kind of dancing where in your head you think you are suavey-bolla but in reality you look like a fat old fool just jiggling away off beat, herky jerky. You get the picture. I will bring my laptop to update you on all things Adirondack while we are there. OMG we will get to go to the Donut place on the way up. Sugar!

2010-09-02T13:14:00.002-04:00

Today was the first day back for the girls, and, as always happens even after all these years, I find myself immediately turning into Mrs Grundy, the mean old woman in the office.

I’m not sure how or why it happens. I am full of good intentions. I am organized and ready for their return. I think it must be that the same “thing” inside me that makes me good at the paperwork makes me become the Grinch when it comes to spontaneous changes. The paperwork is complete! The order is set! Don’t change anything-that’s my motto. Got to work on that.

On a bright note, the girls look fabu.

More Later,

Plantress

2010-09-01T18:44:00.002-04:00

So, do you think gold is on the way back in or what? I have been seeing some gold where before I saw only gemstones and silver. Hmm. Gold is sooo expensive, even at wholesale cost-then you have to mark it up for retail and, believe me, where I live there is a limited market as to who will buy the end product at retail. The problem is, I don't like to deal in faux. Wooden beads, crystal and glass are ok as they are "honest" but I don't particularly want to use gold plate. Maybe just throw in some sterling with brass?

Opinions please!

More Later,

xo
Plantress

2010-08-31T09:38:00.000-04:00

Once Upon a time, I had a tidy house and garden. Once upon a time, I stayed home with my young children and taught them how to appreciate the finer things in life such as mud pies, catching crayfish, jumping in leaf piles and climbing trees. My kids had bruises, bumps and the occasional tick. Thank God that they were little before the onset of all the technology that exists today. Tech is great, don’t get me wrong, but they had nothing to do like there is today, and so they were outside.

My mom MADE us stay outside when we were little. It was more like we weren’t allowed in the house. Even if it was raining. Even if you were bleeding slightly-say you picked a bug bite…

I’m ready to go back to those days. Rediscover the outdoors. Fix up the house. Make chow-chow from scratch. But now I can have wifi and a cordless too while I’m doing it!

Is there anything you would like to recapture? I miss “clubs” like we had when I was little. Especially clubs where we spied on people. Covert operations 

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

2010-08-29T17:38:00.000-04:00

and the winner is......................................................................................................................

ARTSY FARTSY ME!

Congrats on your new earrings!

send me your name and address via comment and I will get these right out to you!

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-08-29T09:36:00.002-04:00

Hi there loyal followers. Today I will be plugging these new follower names into a random drawing site and I will let you know later who wins! I'll ship them out tomorrow!
Saw Switch last night and it was a cute movie. Today there is yard work and cleaning to be done. Husband has been in Alder Creek with his old college buddy Chudy so I imagine he will come home feeling a little "frosty".

More Later!
xo
Plantress

2010-08-27T17:32:00.000-04:00

Yay it's Friday! It was the day before my bosse's b day so I got her a cold water creek certificate and a slab of a geode that has "Love" carved into it. I think she liked it. Now I am so psyched for the weekend and my blog giveaway. I finally got some good light on them so you could see the blushy pink tinge...

so don't forget to follow me and leave a comment! Contest ends Sunday
More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-08-26T21:30:00.001-04:00

2010-08-26T14:49:00.001-04:00

I think Sadie got her feelings hurt when I said she was a creepy stalker. Sadie is a woman that I work with who is basically young enough to be my daughter. This point was driven home to me by a woman in the loemann’s dressing room who thought it was so cute to see me out with my preggie daughter. I had gone with Sadie to give her moral support as she tried to find some “in between” wear during the time between finding out you are in a family way and the time you actually NEED maternity clothes.

Needless to say I wanted to hurt this woman. Sadie is fricking 30 years old for God’s sake which means I must look 80 or something. I told the woman that the pants she was trying on made her look fat. Just kidding! Maybe…

Sadie is creepily nice. You think you are her best friend but you can never be sure. She is very popular. And secretive. Once, I was riding in her car and she made me put my head down near the floor when she saw people she knows. She has a cute nickname for me too; she calls me “taint”. She says it’s a combo of Aunt and Saint but sometimes people laugh when she calls me that.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

oh yeah, I forgot to mention

2010-08-25T20:54:00.000-04:00

Did I forget to tell you that we laid our old buick century wagon to rest at Petry's junk yard? Remember that I gave daughter Liz a new car (well, new to us anyway) and I had gotten a new rim and a new 3rd brake light switch at the junk yard...well they were so cool I went back with the old car and junked it for cash. It was an exciting, illegal ride over, back roads with no plate on the car but I got there w/out hassle. Thought I'd show you some pics:

this is the guy who drives around

and finds you the part you are looking for while you wait in the office.

wagon on the scale

Mr Petry in his "cage"

No Plantress, you can't take anything home

I'll bet when I am old and grey I will be a spectacular hoarder!

I got $210

Just thought you'd like to see!

2010-08-25T20:11:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway! I am giving away a beautiful pair of earrings to one new follower who follows before Sunday. Follow me and leave me a comment to enter. These earrings are magical!

More Later!

Plantress

2010-08-25T13:43:00.002-04:00

My place of work is so full of personalities. I have to say; at times it’s like a soap opera unfolding. We have bright young people just starting out into the working world, we have cranky old crones who are sick of being here, we have administrators seeking constant flow-change is good, we have those who should retire but don’t know.

Guess which I am.

I want to say that I really pretty much love everyone. Or should I say that everyone has something to bring to the mix. A fresh perspective or years of experience-it makes a good blend. Yes, we have a few creepy folks like my friend Sadie, but she has good hair and doesn’t wear too much crazy makeup which makes up for her creepy stalkishness.

Hi Sadie! Sorry to call you on your ackward-ish (ackish) behavior but we all know you are secretly in love w/Ralph Lauren.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

Don't forget I'm having a giveaway for New followers

2010-08-24T18:59:00.000-04:00

I'm giving away, that is right ladies, it is free, this pair of fat, Baroque pearl earrings. Sterling Silver too!

All you have to do is follow me and leave a comment

sweet!

More Later!

Plantress

2010-08-24T18:52:00.002-04:00

PS do you recognize this woman? It is from a scene in that funny old movie; "blazing saddles"

2010-08-24T18:51:00.000-04:00

Hey thanks for commenting Busy Bee. When the kids were little I was home and economizing. Boy did I can and grow things and made everything from scratch. Homemade bread, etc. It was so much fun and I do love our rural life in the summer. Even though I live in the country here, I can still drive to starbucks or Ann Taylor Loft if I need a fix. I couldn't do that if I became the crazy old pioneer woman of my dreams. I'm so conflicted!

Dreaming of Change

2010-08-24T14:17:00.002-04:00

Dreaming of Change

Most people dream of more. More money, more things, more vacations, more power…

I dream of less. I want to downsize, sell all my clutter, move into a house with a wood stove and let the creepy rural living begin. I want to collect bottles, haul scrap metal, blog and fish. I want to hang out in the woods and learn how to use my professional sling shot that my friend Pete gave me. I want to live off of my veggie garden…who is this homesteader? Why now?

I would also like a new car. So, there’s that. Hmm maybe we are all made of many schitzy personalities. What are YOUR dreams?

More Later,

Xo

Plantress

more pics

2010-08-23T21:20:00.000-04:00

Here are some more earring pictures. The pearls themselves have more of a faint blush pink hue than shown here

Just follow me and leave a comment like Kendra did!

GIVEAWAY PICTURES

2010-08-23T20:03:00.000-04:00

Hi party people! Here are some pics of the earrings I am giving away! You have until Sunday to enter. Follow me and leave a comment-that's all that is required to enter. Good Luck......

These fat freshwater baroque pearls are cream colored with a great lustre. They are shown off by lilac heishi rondelles and a sterling bead. Romantic earrings are attached to long, curved, sterling ear wires. All handmade!

GIVEAWAY FOR NEW FOLOWERS

2010-08-23T15:32:00.000-04:00

Giveaway for new followers!

If you already follow my blog I am grateful to you for your patience and sense of humor.

I would like to gain more followers as a way to promote small businesses I find out there in the world. To do so I would like to offer a GIVEAWAY FOR NEW FOLLOWERS.

To enter, simply follow my blog and leave a comment telling me that you wish to enter. I will be offering some free earrings from my etsy shop to one lucky participant.

More Later!

Xo

Plantress

Ps-today is Monday…the contest will be open until Sunday, August 29th. Good Luck! Pictures to be posted later

2010-08-19T15:46:00.000-04:00

Here comes the weekend my friends! What are you doing? I think I might blanche and freeze a boatload of sweet corn. Never can get enough of that over the fall and winter. I might also make a vat of chili.

More Later!
xo
Plantress

bACK TO wORK!

2010-08-16T21:16:00.000-04:00

Well, it is that time again. Time to give up those lake days and concentrate on locker lists. Today was my first day back and it was a very pleasant easing in. There is much to be done. I was happy to see my friend Ralph, Sadie was very dear and little D was a delight. I felt welcomed.

When I got home there was a check for me in the mail for just over 4k. I know, right? Sigh and double sigh it was just a scam from some company in Ontario. I won a prize. I was to use the $ sent for taxes and redeemption fees. Ha ha ha. I am such a sad sucker. The check was perfect. I couldn't find the company but I found the prize manager Joe Malone online under scams. BOO

In other matters; I think that I will be doing a fair in early October. Time for more pearls. And sterling!

Please feel free to make me feel better by donating 4k to my blog. Honestly, after I saw the check I felt like they were taking away MY money by the time I did the scam research. How quickly (and fleetingly) I posessed it.

No one is home but Richard and me. Hmmmm. That's a first.

More Later,
xo
Plantress

2010-08-12T17:14:00.000-04:00

Finally we are getting some rain! I went to an auto salvage yard today in Westminster, MD and they were soo nice! I needed a switch for the 3rd brake light on a 98 ford escort. Found it, paid $2, passed inspection!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go team me. I am so proud of myself for pushing through and getting it done. Now it can become daughter Liz's new car!

Who doesn't love a good old car? We like to ride them til they die.

More Later!
xo
Plantress

2010-08-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

so, so hot. Posting new listings to my etsy shop in an effort to stay inside!

Love these beads!

More Later!

Plantress

Joey Toler; An extrordinary Advocate for the Arts

2010-08-09T09:22:00.000-04:00

I was visiting North Carolina to investigate the countryside for blog material, when I ran across Joey Toler, Executive Director of the Beaufort County Arts Council in Washington, NC.

The Arts Council is located in an historic train depot in the middle of this charming town! I took a picture from the back of the building to give you an idea of what the train depot looked like.

I had heard of Joey as a committed advocate for the Arts in Beaufort County-and this turned out to be more than true! I was very impressed with the width and span of his program. While Little Washington is a fabulous and beautiful town, it has become, under Joey's leadership, a veritable HUB of arts activities.

In a time in our society when arts programs of all kinds are suffering massive cuts and our children are being taught only sports and sciences are important, Joey's devotion to diversity in the medium, his openness and goodwill to all expressions of art, make his council an oasis for Artists in the desert of our times.

Annual events include Fine Art Shows, Traditional Music Festivals, Juried Photography Shows, Holiday Artisan Craft Events, a Member's Exhibition and Student Art Shows.

This photo is from the gift shop, where local potters, painters, metalworkers, silkscreeners and more may sell their work. Proceeds from the sales in this shop funded a high school senior's scholarship to art school this past year!

The current show is a juried photography event. I was very impressed with the gallery space.

It shows what one dedicated person can achieve. Please post a link to this blog on your facebook page so others will see this man's dedication to his town and the arts!

Here is a link to the organization.

http://www.beaufortartscouncil.org

We all need to recognize the heroes of the arts community and thank them for all that they do!

More Later,

Plantress

guess what's for dinner?

2010-08-04T17:34:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had a BLT wrap? You chop lettuce and tomatoes, fry up some bacon and wrap it all up in a tortilla. Very good change of pace. Add some cole slaw and some fresh fruit and you're done!

As a proud member of team bacon, I offer this humble menu for tonight's dinner.

More Later,
xo
Plantress