Washed Ashore

I've often hinted on my blog about how much time I spend thinking about plastic.  There are so many things I DO NOT LIKE about plastic.  From a purely practical standpoint, I despise how the plastic kitchenware is never dry when my dishwasher finishes its cycle and I don't like how the #6 plastics aren't recyclable in our area.  Then there are the much bigger issues ~ so many of them ~ too many to get into here (or maybe I'm just too tired).  Anyway, I was thrilled recently when I heard about the Washed Ashore Project.  This group collects plastics and other trash found on Oregon beaches.  After washing and sorting these items, they create large sculptures of sea creatures....the very animals who suffer the most because of all the plastics floating around in our oceans. While reading about Washed Ashore, I learned that every square mile of ocean contains about 46,000 pieces of floating plastics. In some places the small plastic pieces outweigh plankton 6 to 1.  When I think of my beloved whales swallowing a bunch of plastic pieces, well, I find it hard to swallow myself. I am so thankful for groups such as Washed Ashore who come up with creative ways to make people aware of these issues and to educate our younger generations.  It's truly inspirational. Sophie actually watched the documentary with me.  As a child obsessed with all artistic endeavors, she was fascinated.  She followed it up by asking me a bunch of questions.  Even if she's the only child affected, I'd still say JOB WELL DONE to Washed Ashore.  I'm so glad you're out there and I hope we're able to visit your exhibit in person one day!  

The Water Bottle Jellyfish and Tula the Sea Turtle, photo via Washed Ashore

Just A Girl and Her Dogs

Clara enjoys some playtime with Hubbell & Kenzie

Sophie & Hubbell ~ she adores him.

Kenzie, Sophie & Hubbell

Me & My Pups

I adore my Kenzie Snooter!

Please feel free to play with your food....

We do. 

Don't ask what inspired me to do this.  I have no idea.  But it was so fun and Sophie laughed and giggled the entire time.  That leek in the first and last photos reminds me of my favorite Muppet, Pepe the King Prawn.

You Can Find Me Out Back....

The days are finally a little bit cooler. Yes, this is the April I know and love. I'm taking FULL advantage of each day because it's one of the few times of the year in Charlotte that I can be outside as much as I like. We've been eating meals outside, planting our garden, landscaping, hanging out on the picnic blanket with Clara each night before she goes to bed, watching Sophie ride her bike & scooter, trying to get photos of our resident birds. If only it could be like this all year long....

Sophie captures a nice moment. Look at Clara ~ no hands!

A lovely bluebird sitting on the fence.

Sisterly Love.

Because March was so hot, we went ahead and planted all of our veggies. Now I'm seeing reports that we may have frost this week. Guess I'll be busy covering all of the baby plants!  Mother Nature is always full of surprises!

Recent Findings

I often find articles, photos, etc that are so good that I wish I could share them. Then I realized that I have the perfect space for sharing. So here goes...

~ I recently found this wonderful blog via Green's Going Green. I am often inspired or moved by Rhonda's posts or by links that she's shared. This article really made me stop and think. I've often thought that palliative workers are really special people. Like anyone I don't want to be close to death and have regrets. We lost a close family friend this week and I thought of him when I read this article ~ peace at his closing is one thing I wished so strongly for him. At this point in my life, I often think of how happy and at peace I am and I know I'm making the right choices in my life....even though a lot of them have been tough decisions, etc. This moment in time is just a tiny snapshot in my entire life however and I'm hoping I can continue to make the right decisions for me. Begin with the end in mind....I always loved that. What would you want for people to say about you? A friend called me this week and left a darling voice mail and, in it, she said, "Thank you for being so......well, perfect". I'm far from perfect but I know she was just telling me that I'm a good friend. And it warmed my soul. If she feels that way about me, I know I'm doing something right in my life.

~ I loved this video so much that I watched it about three times. I believe it was also originally found on Down to Earth. I had some really tough moments this week while I cared for Clara during her feverish nights. Whew. This video really helped me to get through some of those moments. I was thankful I had it for viewing right at my fingertips! After watching, I would immediately change my mindset and feel grateful that I have the privilege of caring for Clara, no matter how hard.

~ Food issues are a passion of mine. I read Robyn O'Brien's book a few years ago. When I came across this video last week, I watched it and, even though I didn't learn anything new, I think Robyn has a great way of explaining and simplifying the issues so that anyone can understand. I admire her courage to stand up and fight the system, even if it was on her own. I wish everyone would watch this short video to get a better understanding of what we're up against in our food system. Do one thing!

~ I discovered this tumblr feed recently. I'd share my original source but I've seen it mentioned in so many places that I have no idea where I first saw it. Each time I look through the posts, I laugh a little bit harder. I have no clue why it's so funny to me but it just is! Maybe it goes along with my own decorating jealousy issues....

~ When I'm looking for a little inspiration, I filter through Tiny White Daisies. In her shared images, I ALWAYS find something to inspire me....

~ It's been a while since I've seen a party online that really inspired me. No longer. This Madeline party is truly one of the nicest parties I've EVER seen. So adorable. I wouldn't even want to know how much it set the parents back....

~My Party Inspiration board on Pinterest has now surpassed 2,400 followers. Wow.

~ I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Joshua Roman perform last Saturday night at the Charlotte Symphony. His cello performance literally blew my mind. I don't recall ever being in a space where an entire audience was at a musician's mercy. He was so at ease with the instrument....he just seems madly in love with his cello. As I was looking for a video to link, I found this one which he filmed backstage while playing for the Charlotte Symphony. He is so amazingly talented. Feel the love, Joshua!

Spring Colour in the Garden

This time of year seems so perfect. Today is a little more mild and absolutely gorgeous. Even though illness has overtaken our house (Clara's had a fever for 3 days and I finally gave up the fight and got an antibiotic this morning. It's an ear infection.) and this week seems like a blur, Clara and I have been out for little visits to the garden each day. I'm in love with all of the vibrant colours of the plants.

Peachy zinnias from Sophie's garden. That plant purchase of hers was inspired by the book Zinnia's Flower Garden (we love you, Monica Wellington!).

Deep red salvia blooms.

The gorgeous underbellies of the Swiss Chard plants, deep dark green combined with fuschia stems.

Simple white petunias. Survived the mild winter and still thriving...

Dazzling violet impatiens.

Citrusy yellow snapdragons. Another plant that survived the entire winter.

Lovely cornflower blue. One of my favorite colours. I don't remember the name of this plant though....

Purply dianthus blooms.

To-die-for gorgeous salmon colored Gerbera daisies. I can't claim these. They were purchased. Part of a gift for our new neighbors...they're livening up my kitchen windowsill at the moment. I may have to head back to the store to get more for us. They're that beautiful.

PS ~ I was feeling a little English today ~ hence the spelling of "colour"! Why not?

Happiness is....

LOTS OF LAVENDER....

AND HONEY BEES....

I love my garden.