Green efforts

Going green is not a new topic, but wow! It's a very hot topic in the media these days. I couldn't be happier. I love reading about all the green efforts and seeing what others post on their blogs to help save the planet. I have been a diligent recycler for years and have recently discovered the world of thrifting and repurposing... well, come to think of it maybe I was on to something at age 8 when I would use cardboard boxes to build barbie houses then decorate using toothpaste and mouthwash caps for lamp shades and deconstructing milk cartons into couches, chairs and beds... I found this book in a thrift spree many months back, writing this post reminded me. Wish I'd had this book way back when. Alas, I digress.

I was really going for showing off my beautiful cherry tomato plant! I ate the first ripe one yesterday and it was delicious. Best of all it was grown right here, on my very own porch (*sigh* and wishes for a real backyard)! I can hardly wait for the 18 or so new little green balls to turn red. Don't laugh. I've never considered myself much of a green-thumb but a friend has turned me on to the wonderful world of hydroponics and aquaponics. Neither of which are new concepts, but with going green and organic topics being all the rage they have been popping up as well, and I am fascinated. The porch really isn't conducive to hydroponic growing... or any kind of growing. I am doing well to have the tomato plant in it's sad pot. So for now I'll keep reading up on hydroponic gardening and continue to visit the local farmers market. This week we scored with some beautiful kale, fennel, sugar snap peas and scallions.

I'll have to check into the local CSA's as well. Here is a great link with list of CSA's and other food sharing programs around the country listed by state.

BLISS!

My Disneyland vacation packet arrived today! Park passes, check. Bus vouchers, check. Magic Extras vouchers, check. Dream Coin, check. Luggage tags, check. Woohoo! We visited the Disney Character Warehouse Outlet tonight and picked up a few new wardrobe pieces among other fun stuff.

For the first time in my many visits to the Land I'll be staying on property... well on-off property, at a Good Neighbor resort. Helps stretch the budget a little further and still gets us close. We have special dining reservations planned already. I just need to confirm opening times etc. to plan Magic Morning and Toontown Morning!

Z and I are both very excited. He'll be tall enough to ride a majority of rides this time too which should be a super-blast. Looking forward to more Disney memories with the Z-bert.

20 days and counting. M-I-C... see ya real soon!

He's ready for this... I am not

Z starts his first day of pre-school tomorrow. We've all been looking forward to this day and Z is very excited. The extra commotion of the day (my car broke down) detracted from the excitement and build-up a bit, though I did manage to hit the library and pick up "Curious George's First Day of School" which we read before bed. Poor George always gets into some kind of trouble, but he means well. Z enjoys George stories.

For Z, the lunch is planned, backpack is almost ready to go and clothes have been laid out.

For Mom, camera will be charged and a pack of tissues will be in the purse.

Here's to a fun new adventure!

A Fun Blast to the Past

I love the Renaissance Festival. Last year Z and I went and dressed as pirates. He actually seemed to remember and when I told him we were going this year he squealed with delight and asked right away if he could wear his pirate costume! Luckily it still fit. I made it with a few thrift store finds and altered to suit. Snipped the black stretch pants to look "well-worn", altered the sleeves on a fun, somewhat frilly dress shirt, and turned a pair of red leather pants into a vest. Add a pirate hat, belt with sword, treasure bag and some pirate "bling" and you've got the cutest pirate ever! Even Green Green Monkey got in on the action in full pirate regalia =) Guess I'll have to scour the thrift stores again to make sure we'll have one that fits next year. Maybe we'll go for full-on, fancy, Capt. Jack style!

Wedding Cards

Wedding gift cards made with Stampin' Up! "Doodle This" set, Shimmery White, Whisper white and Bashful Blue paper, Corner rounder punch and glitter and ribbons. (non SU! sentiments) I plan to add pearly details, but didn't have any for the photos. I love the way the flourish stamp turns into the skirt of the dress. The bodice and dress "lace" was made by using the corner rounder punch. So sweet and simple. The hardest part has been deciding how to layout the cards. I've done about 5 different styles and these two are my favorites... so far! =)

Early Father's Day

We aren't very big about Father's Day (or Mother's Day) at our house. Typically the day goes by much as any other, with the possible exception of eating out and calling it "X"-day meal. But this year, thanks to a post from www.designmom.com, I couldn't resist getting this book for M.

I thought it would be a great, practical gift combing two of his favorite subjects as of late. He has really been enjoying experimenting with the camera and taking picture of everything imaginable. He has a very keen eye and even makes chipped paint look good. Once he masters all the settings and variables watch out Leibovitz! =) Z presented the book to him tonight. (I couldn't resist, and wasn't sure if Z would keep it a secret anyway.) I think he appreciated it, even though it is analog ;)

Almost

Working on an illustration for a beer label... the direction went something like this: "we are thinking of a "chubby, happy, brewer in a robe type getup with a couple mugs in his hands..." so this is what I started. Keep in mind I didn't fill out all the detail because I wanted to make sure I was going in the right direction. Well, doing a 180 now. The end result will look nothing like the original concept rough. Oh well, ya win some... and sometimes you end up with a few entertaining illustrations. =)

Summer Color

Everything seems a little brighter in the Summer. We've added some beautiful red to our front porch. After driving through a parking lot overflowing with flowers yesterday Z decided that we needed to have a few of our own. We spent time meandering through the aisles, sniffing the potpourri of scents and oohing and ahhing over all the pretty petals. Most off the ones Z picked require full sun, and our front porch faces north... so we are hoping the geraniums will be happy there. I may have to move them from time to time to make sure they do get some sun. At any rate we had fun looking and planting. Hope your summer is colorful too!

Creative!

I have always been creative. I can't remember a time when I wasn't dreaming up some project to color, cut, sew, sculpt, paint, craft, etc. And it just so happens that the greatest creation I have ever made, aka "Z", seems to exude artistic talent as well.

He received a Kid-Tough™ Digital Camera for Christmas and has been snapping away ever since. We just hadn't taken the time to download the photos. Daddy has become interested in photography lately and Z likes to follow and take pictures too. We finally got the pics downloaded and WOW!!! He has some really great photos!! The camera is pretty limiting with a 640x480 resolution, a flash that blows everything out and no "settings" to speak of. But it's durable, lets him practice taking pictures and allows him to explore this creative outlet. His paintings blow me away, I can't wait to see where he takes this!

I'll have to post more on his own site soon, so be sure to check out www.zionmichaeldenali.com

Shoe Box Swap

Stamping has become my therapy. I look forward to Shoe Box night because there are so many talented gals who love to do this too. It's so fun to see what everyone comes up with, make all the cards and come home with a new stack of little lovelies. This months challenge was using Stampin' Up! punches. Thanks girls! I feel much better now.