Thanksgiving 2013

A day to remember for a big family like ours.  We fill up a house, and the street with our cars.

The pre-game is filled with catching up, snacks and drink.  The kids are growing, and eat everything but the kitchen sink.

When things go wrong we laugh them away.  Who turned off the oven?  Just a slight delay . . .

When dinner is cooked, we gather at a big table.  We find spots and squeeze in where ever we're able.

We holds hands and giggle like kids in a playhouse.  Right before we get solemn and pray like He taught us.

When Bro gave the blessing we all shed some tears, for the man who had led it for so many years.

We gave thanks for the bounty we have been given, and honor our loved ones whose spirits have risen. 

And after we've given our thanks and remembrances . . .

We dig in and eat like, well - pigs. 

Then with bellies full from our horn of plenty, we set up like a team to clear till the table is empty.

As we're rubbing our bellies and sleepy, tired eyes - to our amazement . . . here comes coffee and pies! 

And one special cupcake was there with the pie.  To give us some news (and of course make us cry). 

It was big and fluffy- it seemed so divine.  When B got to the middle it was blue inside! 

Its a boy on the way for C-nat & A . .  The circle of life on a fine Thanksgiving day!

PL&BB-

Pen
 
 
Post note: this was scheduled for last Friday , but clearly I didn't do it right!!!!

A Thanksgiving Prayer For You

Lord, often times, and any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make the fast blessing
"Thanks, Amen." and then "Pass the Dressing"

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer 'fore the meal gets cold

But today may I take a few minutes more
To really give thanks for what I'm grateful for?

For my family, my health and a nice soft bed
For my friends, for my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful to be surrounded by those
whose lives touch me more than they ever will know

Thankful that you've blessed me far beyond measure
That in my heart thrives life's greatest treasures

It's your light, dear Jesus, that lives in that space
And I'm ever so humbled by your unending grace

So, please, bless this food and this family united
and bless each and every person invited

Amen.

Peace, Love & Thanksgiving Blessings -

Penni

adapted from the original prayer by Ken Walsh

Another great recipe for your ThanksGiving table!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them - JFK

Our Thanksgiving meal has remained unchanged for decades - the only thing that changes is the cook of a specific dish from time to time.  And now I'll share the recipes for the food that keeps our family running to the table each year.

First up:  Sweet Potato Casserole
It's so good you'll go back for seconds.  And just keep repeating this mantra:  "There are no points in Thanksgiving foods".  LOL

Things you need (the ingredients)

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (fresh is best, but we'll accept canned yams!)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter (has to be butter - no spreads or margarine will do!)

Topping:

• Marshallows -  a whole bag.  Large, small - you pick.  (The kids will eat about 1/4 before you put this in the over anyhow)

How you do it (the directions)

Combine the first 6 ingredients, and pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish (by Amy Manson Pottery, perhaps!)

Bake at 350° for about 30  until hot. 

Remove from oven briefly and place marshmallows on top of mixture.

Return to 350° oven and watch it like a hawk.  Between 7-10 minutes the marshallows will start to rise and brown.  You'll want to remove it from the oven just before the mallows start to rise over the top of the casserole (they'll deflate while cooling).

Nom Nom!

PL&BB - 

Penni

DIY you never thought of - Home Made MarshMallows

You're killing me Smalls! These are s'more's stuff! Ok, pay attention. First you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flaming... you stick it on the chocolate. Then cover with the other end. Then you scarf. Kind of messy, but good! Try some! - Ham Porter - (The Sandlot)

As easy as scrambled eggs and toast - but I bet the notion intimidates you anyways.   I found this recipe in the MNN and adapted it (as we always do) to my own preferences.  YUMMY

Here's what you will need (the ingredients)

• 1/2 cup local honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin or, if you're vegan, 3/4 tablespoon agar agar powder 
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• A few tablespoons organic cornstarch or cocoa (or toasted coconut, instant coffee, almond flour, or other dry tasty material) to use for finishing the sticky surface
• 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond, mint, orange, or coffee extract, optional (or any other flavored extract in your spice cabinet or 4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder, dissolved in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon hot water)

 

Put it all together (the directions)

1. Dissolve the gelatin in water (in a pan)
2. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or use a silicone pan (I used silicone muffin cups) and have a silicone or rubber scraper ready.
3. Measure and add your sweetener of choice to the dissolved gelatin.
4. Stir, bring to a boil, and boil for no longer than 1 minute (CHEMISTRY LESSON:  any longer and the syrup will be too thick to whip for as long as is required). 
5. Add flavoring extract or cocoa paste if desired.
6. Use an electric mixer to whip the syrup until it becomes fluffy and, somewhat amazingly, white (unless you added cocoa of course).
7. When it is too thick to whip any longer — this will depend on how thick your syrup was, but anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes is possible — immediately scrape the confection into your prepared loaf pan (dip the scraper in hot water if it sticks).
8. When it is too thick to whip any longer — this will depend on how thick your syrup was, but anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes is possible — immediately scrape the confection into your prepared loaf pan (dip the scraper in hot water if it sticks).
9. You need to work quickly to avoid sticky messes because marshmallow sets up rapidly as it stops moving and cools.
10. Let the marshmallow rest for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
11. After it rests, sprinkle a cutting board or tray with either cornstarch or cocoa powder, and dump the slab out onto it.
12. Wet fingers work well for teasing the marshmallow away from the parchment paper or silicone pan.
13. Sprinkle the top with more of your coating. Using scissors dipped in hot water (keep a glass beside you for re-dipping), cut the slab into finished chunks the size you want.
14. Roll and toss your marshmallows in more coating to cover all the sides (this keeps them from sticking together), tap off any excess, and let them sit on the work surface for a few hours to dry a little more.
15. Store the finished confections in an airtight container so they don’t dry out excessively.

 

Yields 12 good-sized marshmallows.

 

Nom Nom!

PL&BB - 

Penni

It's kinda like those few chapters in the Twilight Sage . . .

August – blank page

September – blank page

Now, midway through October I’m finding a balance in the new order of life.   So, we’ll pick up where we left off.  

I started work in the administrative side of beautiful local vineyard in August, and that’s been fun.  What a lot there is to learn about wine?  I thought all you had to do was like it and drink it.  It’s a great place.  The young folks that run it are energetic and passionate about their business, and it’s refreshing.  And the lovely couple that owns the vineyard are hands on and engaged as well.  Also refreshing.   For my part, it gives me a peace of mind that is hard to get in these difficult economic times . . .LOL.  (I LOL because I think I sounded like a politician there)

At EarthWorks,  Clarinne helped us out by taking over the perch for me for a bit and then we welcomed Ciara to the crew in September. We think she’s a keeper.   Dewey can’t stop singing her praise, although at first he was very leery to hire another “youngster”.  Well, she’s exceeding our expectations and hasn’t been caught texting in the store room with a store full of people  once (ya’ll remember that story and that former employee, right?)  Stop by and say hello to her during the week –but don’t forget to visit me on nights and weekends!

Dewey is doing great too, making folks homes pretty during the day and taking over the perch from Ciara most evenings. 

Our artists – WOW.  After a slow, sleepy summer they have been showing up with fall and winter stock that you just won’t believe until you see it.  Word to the wise – do your holiday shopping early, and don’t hesitate when you see that one “just right” piece. 

It’s nice to be back in touch.  Now that I’ve found my groove with my new life I really am going to try hard to keep all of this communication up!

And now, I’m off to see if Dewey has a new chapter of his book done! (And I hear Erin is close to finishing the Lucian saga - woot!)

PL&BB –

Penni

Allow Me To Introduce The Worlds Newest Super-Hero!

"I'll finish you off like a prime-rib" - Bud Parker (The Fishing Ninja)

Dew has a lot of creative juices running through his grey matter - not just wall art or abstract wooden things.  He's often composing music (although the only chord he knows on the guitar is E minor) and writing short stories.

Lately, he's been itching to create a cartoon series.  I vetoed the first idea that sprang forth - it was entitled "Dumpster Babies".  He's probably still drawing it out, but as long as I refuse to publish anything about it I can effectively put the ki-bash on that horrific idea.

Last night he began working on the outline and characters for his new idea - a Super-Hero who defeats criminals and bad-guys with a fishing pole and a ninja star.  He was belly laughing as he drew out the first panels.  Since this new idea has nothing to do with cartoon babies living in dumpsters, I think we can have some fun with it.

So, allow me to introduce Bud Parker.  Bud hails from Dalton, GA.  His parents are Josephine Parker (Ihop Waffle Chef and Beauty Consultant) and Reuben Parker (an inmate at a minimum security prison just outside of Gainesville, GA).

We'll start out with the back-story.  And no, we were not drinking heavily when these characters came to life.


By day, Bud Parker is employed as a rest stop urinal cake and coffee machine inspector.  His territory is the I-85 corridor from Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC.  Bud loves his job, and the people he meets in his travels and knows all the best fishing holes in 3 southern states.  When he retires, he plans to publish a photo book of the most unique people he has met at his rest stops, and all those fishing holes.  

At 50, he is a single man, never married - no children.  He lives in a pull-behind that he takes to work with him, and frequents KOA's and Denny's parking lots.  As a boy growing up in Dalton, GA he cultivated his two passions - fishing and the marital arts.  If he wasn't sparring at the gym, he was fishing in one of his many favorite honey-spots in North Georgia.

Bud once loved a girl.  Her name was Darla, and she was a different kind of honey-spot for Bud.  He loved that girl like there was no tomorrow and intended on marrying her right after graduation.

Alas, the love of his life left Dalton, GA right after high school graduation and became a swimsuit model.  She told Bud that she just didn't see her self married to someone with no ambitions past winning the state Jujitsu championship and chasing down speckled trout.

Shew ound up in New York City, and  married a real-estate mogul (after a scandalous and well televised affair resulting in the end of said real-estate mogul's long-term marriage). Fidelity apparently not being her thing, she found herself divorced and penniless a few years later after being caught rolling around in the sand with a life-guard a few years later.  (But that's another story, for another day)

Bud's mother, Josephine Parker, never did forgive that girl for breaking her only son's heart and blames her for the solitary life on the road he chose.  She wanted him to stay in Dalton and be the first Mother-Son beauty consulting team in the county.  Nor did she forgive that girl for dishing on the telly that the best thing she ever did was hire a beauty consultant from Alpharetta  (Joesphine's pill-head cousin) to kick-start her modeling career an allowing her to gain access to the circles that landed her a Go-Zillionaire for a husband.  

Josephine (called Jose by her friends) has led a tragically complicated life. She is currently an IHop waffle chef, and on the side she makes claims (via a sign on her truck) that she is a hair-do designer and beauty consultant.  No one has ever actually seen her consult on beauty, and no one in the county has ever had their hair did by Jose.  Just goes to show, if you've got a shingle and a sign you can be anything or anyone you imagine.

 Her 52 year marriage to Reuben Parker is marked with troubles - money troubles, weight troubles, conception troubles, troubles with with neighbors, troubles with dogs and, of course, trouble with the drink.

Most recently legal troubles have strained the seams of their marriage, what with Rebuen having been sentenced last month to 45 years for the theft of a music groups tour bus, kidnapping and drug trafficking.   But never did Jose have any troubles from her only child, Bud.  He was, and is, the brightest star in her life and her greatest accomplishment.

Reuben Parker, Bud's daddy, led a more tragically complicated life than his wife.  His own Daddy, Bud's grand-daddy (God Rest His Soul) always said Reuben never did have a lick of sense.  Said things just started going down-hill after poor Reuby was kicked in the head by a Guernsey cow when he was just 3 years old.

Reuben (called Reuby by his friends), as it turns out, never did get a lick of sense and never did amount to much.  He had Jose, and knew that was the best he could do.  After years and years of trying, he was blessed with a son.  They named him Bud, after their favorite drink.  

He held a job at Dalton's premier (and only) auto repair shop rotating, mounting, and balancing tires for more than 50 years.  He didn't have many skills, but when he was sober there was not a better tire installer in town.  When he'd been hitting the drink, though, your tires were like as not to fall off before you got home.  This got him into more than a few pickles (being pickled, that is).

But Reuby's biggest trouble came one morning, when he woke up just outside of Charlotte in the driver's seat of a bus.  He didn't remember how he got into the bus, or why he was in the drivers seat. He woke up because of all the screaming.

Someone was screaming that he was surrounded, and that he should free the hostages and come out of the bus with his hands up.  He didn't know anything about any hostages - he barely knew he was in a bus.  But he did have enough sense to go ahead and get out of it with his hands up.

Turns out it was the cops (about 30 of them) screaming at him, with about 50 weapons trained right on him.  He later learned that he would be charged with stealing the bus of a popular alternative rock band, kidnapping 3 teen-agers and taking them across state lines and possession with the intent to sell just over a kilo of cocaine.  He was tried and convicted and sentenced to 45 years in the state prison.

Now that was a pickle.  Everybody knew that Reuby was a dolt head, but no one could believe that he could put on a big enough drunk to turn that criminal and do such dastardly things in just one night.

Especially Bud, and he vowed to his father that he would get to the bottom of things and bring home the proof that was needed to exonerate Reuben once and for all.  Bud vowed to himself and his mother that he would not die in prison.

And it's about at this point in the story that Jose was about to learn alot about her darling Bud that she didn't know before.

Tune in next time to see what surprises are in store in the sleepy little town of Dalton, GA

PL&BB -

Penni

Thought of the Day - Happy Sunday!

Original 3-D mixed media on canvas by Dewey McMahan

Thought of the Day

While She Knit, She Prayed - I get it now!

Advice for New Knitters

When choosing a pattern, look for ones that have words such as "simple", "basic", and "easy". If you see the words "intriguing", "challenging", or "intricate", look elsewhere.  

If you happen across a pattern that says "heirloom", slowly put down the pattern and back away.  "Heirloom" is knitting code for "This pattern is so difficult that you would consider death a relief".” 
― Stephanie  Pearl-McPhee, At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much

A few months ago Brenda Meade brought us a collage with a saying on it "While She Knit, She Prayed".  It sold before we moved, and I don't have a picture of it. I thought it was real cute, and since I had taught myself to knit this winter, I considered just getting it for myself.  I should have, because I think of it often now that I've become obsessed with knitting.

I have three knitting projects going right now, along with one painting on canvas, one on barnwood, a wine cork birdhouse and a cork board.  Never mind half finished jewelry, journals and cards and stitchery.  Like I needed another "skill" along these lines to turn into an obsession.

I had my heart broke the other night, however.  I don't know what happened, but I was sitting and knitting and thinking (I do my best thinking while I'm knitting) and all of a sudden my arm just twitched and I dropped about 25 minuscule stitches on a bamboo blanket I'm working on.  Like #3 tiny .
I strained my eyes and tried and tried to recapture the dropped stitches, but in the end I had to surrender.  It was an irrecoverable error.  For the next 45 minutes, I simply just pulled the hours and weeks worth of stitches out row by row, rewinding the yarn.  2 skeins . . .

The next day I started the project over again.  A few hours (off and on) and many more rows later, I set the project down on the coffee table to move on with my life.  About an hour after that, I noticed the dog.  Wrapped in my gradient blue bamboo yarn.  And trailing two knitting needles behind her.

It's OK to feel sorry for me.  I do.  If I ever finish this particular blanket, I will not sell it or give it away.  Its now a mission of mine to complete it perfectly, and keep it forever.

Back to the beginning - again.

PL&BB-

Penni

Breathe . . . Just Breathe (Living and working together with your loved one!)

"Sometimes the most important thing in a day is the rest we take between two deep breaths"

Sometimes we can let our stresses and challenges really effect us, and we all know that's not good for our physical or mental health - nor the health of those around us.  For Dewey and I, sometimes it seems like we live in a state of emergency.   We have a lot going on and its a delicate balance.  When our stresses reach critical mass, we both have learned techniques to calm ourselves personally but also we've learned how to help each other.  Unlike many couples our stresses are identical from the family to the work to the self - and we both reach critical mass right in line with each other.   We live, breathe, eat and sleep the same dynamics of each day side by side.

We hold our morning meeting in our pajamas, over coffee on the porch.   Planning, reminding, brainstorming, debating.  Then Dewey heads out to makes things pretty in our customers homes, while I head to the store to share more things pretty for our customers to take to their homes.  We are apart for 5 or 6 hours, but together again in the early afternoon, and keep going until its done. Then we go home together.  We have our evening recap meeting while I cook and clean up.  And then we start again.  In our world, work comes home.  It goes in the car with us, it goes to bed with us.

This is a blessing, truly it is - but before we learned how to cope with each others different personality types under the critical mass of stress - it was sometimes more of a battlefield.   And once either of us enters the battlefield it becomes quite, well, ugly.

For example, Dewey knows that when I become overwhelmed I tend to shut down - I don't want to talk to anyone, I run around with a squinty look on my face and I can't seem to accomplish something as simple as loading the dishwasher through to completion - never mind run two businesses and a household.      He calls it going to the dark-side.  He'll say to me, "Baby, I can see you going to the dark side.  Stay with me . . .".  LOL.

Dewey, on the other hand, does not stop talking.  It's like hitting repeat on the Ipod.  Same song over and over from sun-up to sun-down.  He's trying to relinquish all the negativity in his body to relieve the pressure..  To help him, I just need to let it repeat as long as he needs (not absorbing it, mind you!). Adding my two cents isn't what he's looking for.  Nodding and um-humming as appropriate are whats needed.

So, he pulls me out of my stress and forces me to be human with little jokes and silly songs.  I pull him out of his by letting him blither for hours, and with lots of food.

And not comfort food (well, maybe a little bit).  Besides recognizing stress and taking time off from it for a while each day (which is a Must-Do), there are foods we can eat that help us de-stress.

• Fish.  Even better - SUSHI!  Magnesium, pantothenic acid, all those B Vitamins. . . Oh My!

• Rice and Pasta (whole grain).  Yep.  Good and good for you.  These complex carbs boost your serotonin levels and keep you full.   So, you're essentially feeling fat and happy.  Woot! 

• Broccoli.  Oh yeah.  More of those B Vitamins and Folic Acid.  Steam it up and manga!

• Blueberries. Full of antioxidants and Vitamin C.   Plain.  In milk.  In cottage cheese.  Any of these combos eat up your stress.  

There you have it.  Our favorite stress-eating meal, prepared during our evening meeting.  By the time we hit the hay, we feel strong, calm and confident enough to get up and do it all again in the morning.

PL&BB (Vitamin B, that is!)

Penni

The Art of . . . Confidence

If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint", then by all means paint.  And that voice will be silenced. - Vincent Van Gogh

I remember when I hung my first canvases on the walls at Earthworks.  I had always been more of the crafty girl - never the creative.  And never on canvas.  But the more I watched and learned, the more my confidence grew.  Dewey took my first completed canvas and wouldn't let me hang it - he wanted to keep it for himself.  That was a nice confidence booster.  But when I sold my first canvas - to a "real" artist (it said so on his card!), I was a happy girl.

Sometimes, however, there's not time to gather exhortations from our loved ones or a somewhat adoring public.  At times, we need to have and exude instant confidence through a tough moment. it could be an irritated customer, a snooty artist, a mad husband (lol), a fuming boss.  It could be the fear of doing something new - giving your first presentation, performing on stage, or having someone ask you about a piece of art created by you! A few things I do when I'm faced with a new or stressful situation.

• Slow your breathing down.  When we get excited we tend to breathe faster and harder.  When we need our confidence not to be tempered with our emotions, slow that breathing down.  Your thoughts become clearer and your confidence shines through.  

• SMILE!  Yes, I swear.  Even if you force it at first, a smile will reflect through to others and then back on you again.  And who is not more confident than when people are smiling back at you.  
• Listen to music.  I always, always have music playing in the store.  Uplifting tunes, nostalgic melodies, quirky country songs (chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, SPIT) increase your level of happiness, and allow you to maintain your decorum when you need it.

Just a few thing that work in the moment for me.  

PL&BB-

Penni

The Art of . . . .Letting Go, A Few Words for the Parents of Grads

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.  - Kongzi

I didn't have a child graduating this year, unless you count lifeguard school.  But I have a few friends that have taken a day off work, raised a glass and cried a few tears at the Graduations of theirs and so as I looked at the pictures and listened to the speeches, it was natural to think about my own experiences at this milestone - as a parent. (Or as one college professor called me, a helicopter parent.  LOL.)

I wonder if the kids realize that our misty eyes and our crooked smiles are not just the pride we feel for them in having completed the requirements of growing up and securing that diploma.   I wonder if they realize that its what comes next is what brings us the bi-polarity of emotions that settle in the soul of a parent of a graduate.

I recall clearly when my eldest child graduated high school. It was 8 years ago.  To me, it felt like as soon as the party was over, we began in earnest getting her ready to go off to University.  I was a weepy mess half the time, and teeming with excitement the other half.  And before I knew it, we had packed the truck and set out on the 4 hour drive that would end in me leaving her.

That's my first caution to you parents - especially if its your eldest or only getting ready to leave the nest.  The summer will go by very fast.  Make sure you slow down a bit.  Don't get so caught up in the excitement of preparations  that you forget to just spend time with this young adult who now thinks they are sage and old. (until it's time for you to leave them wherever it is they are going).  I wish I had done that with her, then maybe I wouldn't have been such an emotional mess when the time came.  I cried the whole way home, and it was because I felt as though I hadn't talked with her enough.  I know, dramatic.  But its true, and she was my first "let go".  She had a blast in college, and is happily living on her own doing something she loves.  And guess what - she's still 4 hours away from me.  Go figure.

This leads right into my 2nd caution.  If you spend time with them, talking honestly you might learn that what you want for your child, and what your child wants are different.  My 2nd graduate taught me that 6 years ago.  As we began to make the preparations for college, she told me one day that she wasn't ready.  Not ready for college, and not ready to leave home.  And it was OK.  She signed up for classes at NOVA, worked full time, and volunteered at church.  Today, she holds no degree but is happily married to an amazing young man and giving me grandchildren!  She made the choices right for her.  If she hadn't been confident that I would listen and hear, she may have gone to university and been miserable (for me) and not thriving on the beautiful path she chose.  When I let her go, it was more of a hand-off to a man I trusted completely.  haha.

What I learned from my 3rd graduate (having commenced just one year ago),and my third bit of advice for you is this.  They can do it - all of it.  Don't make an inquiry.  Don't sign a form.  Don't fill out the apps.  Don't do their FAFSA. Don't micro-manage their planning past high school. Don't pay their car insurance.  Don't pay their phone bills.  

With my oldest girls, I always tried to do everything for them.  Part control freak wanting it to be perfectly done the first time, and part wanting to make it easier for them.  This didn't serve them well.  With daughter number three, I advised and supervised and sat back and watched (sometimes to her frustration as she remembered me doing everything for her sisters!).  She did all the work, and worked hard.  And it worked out beautifully for her.  She's armed with some skills that identified her early on at her college as a leader, and she is thriving, blossoming and exceeding beyond my imagination.  I doubt it would be the same if I had done all the leg work for her.   I know it's hard - but if you haven't done it yet now is the time to let them start doing for themselves.

 What will I learn next year, when my baby graduates?  The way I feel about it right now is that I will probably be back here in a year telling you that I regressed back to the emotional blob that was the Mom of Graduate #1.  But I think this is more because his heart is calling him to joined the USMC and less because I  understand I have to let go of the child and embrace the adult.

Now, if I couldn't drop a kid off 4 hours away without crying for 24 consecutive hours and building a shrine in her room, what will become of me when it;s time to drop my only son at boot-camp?

Maybe ya'll can give me some advice over the course of the next year.  The point is:  whether we are the parent or the grad, we find that life is in learning.  And we will always be learning , because life is an ever changing adventure!

Good luck to us all.

PL&BB-

Penni

Shame on Me!

I couldn't believe it when I realized I hadn't written a single blog post in a month.  I started out today thinking it was just a few days, and my intention was to write a short honor post for my Mom.

Today is her 64th birthday, and this year more than many past I am grateful for her. Thinking of her this morning was almost overwhelming to the point of tears.  I just wanted to be with her, and was pretty sad that I couldn't be (she lives in Georgia, you see).

 And I realized pretty quickly my lethargy in writing recently along with being creative (both at home and at work), household chores and simple communications with those I love have been a direct result of lingering grief after the passing of my Dad.  Today, I'll accept that.  I can't ignore it, but if I acknowledge it perhaps I can work through it and still be as productive as I ought to be.

And more than that, today I will celebrate that my 64 years young Mom is having another birthday, and be happy that I could talk to her (instead of pouty because I can't sit and knit with her).  And I'll remember my Dad with a smile on my face (even if there's still a tear in my eye).

Luv Ur Mother -

Penni

Tree Tuesday

I hear the wind among the trees
Playing the celestial symphonies;
I see the branches downward bent,
Like keys of some great instrument.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



It's "Tree Tuesday".  I didn't know it before google told me, but it is.  In honor of this, here are two of my favorite trees here in the gallery, brought to you by Mark and Christiane Routt.

I love the Heart Tree's.  They're fun and happy - whimsical and appropriate year round.

The Faery Tree, it is well know, is one of my favorite of Mark Routt's tree shots.  Fans and tree-huggers alike will share my sadness that this tree was lost in last years Derechio storm.

So that's it - just a little bit of #treetuesday for you from EarthWorks - where you'll find some of the best trees in Loudoun County!

PL&BB-

Penni

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6th through 10th.

If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.  ~Donald D. Quinn

It's so easy to take teachers for granted.  Especially as your children grow to the high school age.  How many of us are guilty of not knowing the first and last names of each of our children's teachers? PAST middle school?   Shame on us for letting it be that easy.

Having 3 teachers in my immediate family (2 sisters an a Mom!), and having raised a gaggle of goofballs to their higher education I should be shouting from the rooftops that it does, indeed, take a village to raise a gaggle of goofballs to higher education.  I once did a bit of math on this subject while writing a recommendation for a high school teacher and coach chasing his dreams.  

Here is that stat.  I have raised 4 children.  One went to WVU, One went to NOVA, and one is at UVA @ Wise.  My baby is a junior in high school.  In public school alone I calculate that nearly 100 teachers and coaches have been a part of the lives of my kids.  When you add administration, counselors and professors . . . well.  You see how it goes.  We often congratulate ourselves and our parents and our siblings for "raising up" our children to be the wonderful adult goofballs they become, but we shouldn't.  

Bless their hearts, I recall the names of only a few - they were outstanding and had a tremendous impact on my kids though.  I had better remember them! The kids remember everyone, though, and I guess that's is more important and a much better testimony.  

Here's what else I know for sure.  Your kids want to show their appreciation, but they may need your help to do it!  

Here at EarthWorks, we have so many unique and wonderful things that every teacher would cherish - many for under $20!  Now that's what I'm talking about!  

Here's just a few:

And remember, if you can read this THANK A TEACHER!  

PL&BB-

Penni

This weeks fave's (in photography)

Photo's of the Week!

Old Dogs, New Tricks. OR: Dewey & Penni learn about Instagram

People learn something every day, and a lot of times it's that what they learned the day before was wrong.  ~Bill Vaughan

A new techno craze is upon us.  All the cool kids are using the app.  Many of my friends are using it.  All the buzz marketers are sending me free e-books about it.  Some of my fellow business owners are doing "contests".  All you need is a photo and a good hash tag.

Yep.  I'm talking about Instagram.  I set out six months ago to figure it out, and found it too complicated.   I also didn't want to have yet another form of social media marketing I needed to remember to do.  Really, I didn't want to learn.  

So several weeks ago, I got another free e-book that explained what a loser I was if I wasn't doing Instagram contests.  And furthermore, I was going to lose customers eventually to cooler, hipper, smarter people than me.  I promised myself I would figure it out.

For the second time, I sat down at the laptop and signed into my Instagram account.  I had no followers, I was following no one and I couldn't figure out how to find or follow or even put up a photo.  Naturally, the next step in learning was to google it and hope for an e-how article on how to use Instagram.  (no, the free e-books weren't that technical - just "salesy".  I found little help there.

So, I texted my 23 year old daughter (whom I knew by her facebook photos used Instagram).  I asked for her help in figuring out how to use this tool, and she had a good laugh after I explained what I had done so far.

You see, Instagram is really only for phones.  Smart phones.  Not computers.  Well, you can see things on the Instagram on the computer, but thats it.  It's a "read only" kind of thing.

Oh.  Secretly, I cried a little.  I hate trying to use a phone for anything other than a text or a call.  It's soooo small.  And I can't really see.  I like a great big monitor and zoom, but I don't want to be a loser than can't use her phone to do what everyone else seems to have done already - and happily. 

So, my daughter taught me the ropes of installing the app and I managed to load a photo and "follow" her.    Then she followed me.  Baby steps.  Then my phone was blowing up because it apparently synched all my facebook friends and gmail contacts and I was deep in following and followers and photos and hashtags.  Ahhh - after a few days I realized the hashtag was important.  

No one had explained that to me yet.  I googled it, and found some helpful information, but really it was my youngest daughter and her friends that gave me the real skinny on the hashtags.  It's all about the hashtag.  For example, my first few days I should have used #rookie  #frustrated #simpleheadedfool

Then I couldn't figure out to get multiple photos (a photo collage) in one "post".  I had seen both my girls and one friend do that.  So, again, I asked a daughter.  Turns out you have to download a whole separate app to do that, then post it to Instgram via that app.  Forget it.  No picture collages on Instagram.  That's just too much work. 

Anyhow, after a few days  I felt confident enough in using this new tool that I set out to explain it to Dewey.  I told him it was just for phones and there was no posting, and it was just photographs and hashtags.  I hit all the important points.  He grumbled and said it better not cost anything and reminded me he hates the word "hashtag".  (He also hates the word "Syllabus").   

A few days after that conversation, he looked up from his paper and said "You were wrong about Instagram, babe.  You can post things".   I said "Yeah, pictures."  And he said, "No you can write things".   I said "Yeah, you can say something about your picture, babe.  That's where the hash-tags come into play".  

Dew was adamant though, and said "No.  It says right here that Justin Beiber took to his Instagram to rant about [blah blah blah] . . . ".  I laughed (because I know it all now, remember) and said "Yeah.  But he ranted with a picture."  Dew then said "Oh, so he wrote it down and took a picture of it". . .   

You see, you can teach old dogs new tricks.  It just takes a while - baby steps and a lot of unlearning in order to learn.   

Follow us on instagram, LOL.  EarthWorksGallery.  No spaces.  No @ sign.   Hashtag us if you want.  Maybe next month, a contest.  We'll see.  

PL&BB-

Penni

Swix Pix - The Hot New Thing

A picture is worth a thousand words . . . (author unknown)

A picture is worth a thousand words, and now you can create them (the words!) with pictures here at EarthWorks.  Lori and Swix Pix joined the team recently  (referred by our valued customer and collector, Cheryl).  The first sale came within hours of setting up the display.  We LOVE when that happens.

Lori travels alot, and in her travels she looks for things in nature and objects around her that are shaped in letters.  She takes a photo, and there you have it.  Frames aare on hand to accomodate words or names from 3 to 11 letters, and with hundreds of photos in color and black and white are here to choose from.

I say this is THE mother's day gift to give this year.  Along with a nice bit of bling.  And a card.  And a journal.  And a painting.  And the place to get them all is EarthWorks! 

Come and spell your favorite word, or the name of your favorite person!

PL&BB-

Penni

Head West, Young Man (and woman)! Or: Mom & Pop Move to Lovettsville

Do not plant your dreams in the field of indecision, where nothing ever grows but the weeds of "what-if."  ~Dodinsky

Well, that's quite true isn't it?  And Lord knows that Dewey & I don't linger long when a question begins with "What if . . . ?".  We brainstorm and beat eachother's brains with our points of view.  

Finally, then, we lay our opinions out as though they were two maps to the same location.   And the spots that agree are our decision.  For those of you who have witnessed Dew & I resolve a "what if" scenario this way, from the type of cookies to serve at an event or the way a piece hangs on a wall it is quite the ride sometimes!  (But that's a digression to another topic for another day, which will be "What happens when two A-types come together in love and in business")

As many know, Dew & I have spent the last year or making our home in Western Loudoun.  We hoped we would love it, and we do.  It's spacious and quiet, and pleasing to the eye.   Naturally, then was born the question "What if EarthWorks were relocated to Western Loudoun?".  The decision is a result of a long study of facts and emotions and fears.  In the end, we decided that emotions and fears would be checked at the door.  Facts won the day, and we believe it to be a wise decision (both business and personally) to move the store to Lovettsville, VA.  

And I just heard that - a collective "What?  Did she say Lovettsville?".  Why yes, I did.  Wineries, antiques, artsy-folk, the best of Loudoun with a market into Southern Maryland and even West-By-God-Virginia!  Mayfest, Arbor Day, Movies on the Green, Oktoberfest and so much more brings folks to Lovettsville, and it is bringing us there as well!

We now call home the historic Potterfield House  - over 1800 square feet in 8 spacious rooms will make a superb back drop for the beautiful things we and our artisans bring folks.  And you know your spot is cool when it has it's own "Cat's Meow" (and ours does!!)

Here's how it will go:

Last day open in Leesburg, VA -            04/13/13
First day of open in Lovettsville, VA  - 04/20/13

I'll be posting pictures of our progress for the next few weeks so you can keep up with the excitement of paint drying!  And who ever laid bets that Dewey would actually paint the walls the colors we "agreed" on loses.  Not a single room or color is as agreed.  But, as you know (and so do I) he was right.  It's looking awesome!

Peace, Love & A Salmon Colored Wall -

Penni
 

 

In Memorium

On Thursday, March 21 2013 my father passed away.  He had emphysema (COPD).  Although he had been in the hospital for several weeks, it was a shock to us.  He had been doing better and getting stronger.  He was on the path to home.  And then he got pneumonia and there was not a thing to be done for him.  The doctors gave us the news Wednesday afternoon.  And about 24 hours later he took his last breath.  We were not prepared to say goodbye, but somehow we did.   

Much of our family was with him when he died, and we are grateful for that.  As he took his last breaths, it felt as though I went out of myself.  As strange as this may sound, the sight of my family gathered around him - every hand touching him and the person next to them, murmuring words of love to him - it was beautiful.  I was overwhelmed with love for my family. 

My sister said, during his funeral, that the greatest gift he gave us was this incredible family we have.  I have to agree with her.  In our immediate family, we number just over 20.  His wife of 34 years, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, 4 children-in-law and 1 grandson-in-law. 

We spent the next days together as a family, really only separating to go to sleep. Although, sleep didn't really come easily.  It turns out we would just go to our homes and, alone,  look at more pictures and think of times past.   A few of the days,  our spouses were people we passed in the night.  They were so wonderful and supportive, knowing intuitively that we needed to be with each other. and taking care of hearth and home so we could sit together and reminisce and look at thousands of pictures, and cry and laugh. 

On Wednesday, we officially memorialized him with family and friends at his funeral.  We all struggled with exactly how we could put into words just who he was and what he meant to us.  We used photos to display decades of memories, and that helped.  We each wrote and said words that helped.  But the impossible task of bringing it all home for people who were not his child - who he was - still eludes me.  In the few days since his funeral, I'm still eulogizing as I don't quite feel I found the depth of words to describe him. 

And finally today, I realize that I might never succeed in saying or writing what is so plainly in my heart. 

Maybe it's as simple as his smile.  The brilliance, the love, the dedication, the humour, the tenderness, the tenacity, the spirit, the beauty of his heart.  All in his smile.  What do you think?

Peace & Love,

Larry's Daughter

The Art of . . . weather forecasting

A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.  ~Carl Reiner

Well we survived "Snow-vereaction" 2013, and hope you did as well.  

I was so confused by the reports coming through at around 11:00 in the morning yesterday, with the weatherman reporting 10 inches of fallen snow on the ground in my little spot in the woods - and calling for 10 more.   At first I figured I didn't hear him right (because of course, I didn't have my glasses on).  But I went and got my glasses and put them on and he was still saying I had almost a foot of snow on the ground at my house.  

But I didn't have anywhere near 10 inches.  Even when I scooped a bunch of it up and piled it . . . not 10 inches. Maybe 4 inches.  And it was sloppy wet.   I even looked yonder, into the neighbors field, and saw a kitty cat scampering.  It didn't disappear and re-appear with each step, so I'm guessing he didn't have 10 inches either.  

So, I think think it was one of my fellow rural-ista's pulling a fast one on Topper and was just sitting back laughing, knowing he would report the lie as truth.    Because now we had a weather man that not only botched the forecast, but the actual reporting on the results of the forecast.  Haha.  Good one!

Around 2pm, when the rain had stopped and the sun was out, and it was warm and not windy at all, The Beav and I laced up our boots to brave the dirt roads and see what the rest of the world looked like.  Maybe it was an anomaly and everyone in Western Loudoun had more than a foot of snow except us (and of course our yonder neighbor).  We had to go see, and we did. 

Imagine our surprise when we pulled out from our slushy-sloppy dirt drive way onto our single lane dirt road  to town and it was covered in . . . nothing.  And then when we approached the pavement a mile or two later and it was covered in . . . nothing.  And we got into town and the roads were . . . clear.  Damp, but clear.  

So from now on, I'll make my own forecast.  When Topper tells me to stay home where its safe, I may not heed his advice.  I may chill for a while, and then look out my own window and see what my brain thinks.  As for yesterday, our little family was set for a foot of snow and more.  We proactively decided our business would be closed for the day  due to inclement weather.  That was dumb.  Next time someone says a foot of snow is coming to my door, the sign at EarthWorks will read "in the event that this forecast is accurate, we may not be here.  So call in advance".  

But on the bright side, I made a kickin pot of chicken soup and a white cake with buttercream frosting that was devoured by my boyz.  Along with a dozen eggs and a dozen donuts.  But no yogurt or salad.  In our family, when a big snowstorm comes along we put on the feed-bag in a big way!

PL&BB - 

Pen