Simple Purchase Creates A Lot More.......

So here I was feeling smug about my recent find at the local Goodwill thrift shop. An all wood armoire, purchased for my art studio/office. I even paid to have it delivered. Sunday the men arrive with armoire in tow, it comes up the step and then I realize that the mitered trim moulding on the top and bottom make it impossible to fit through the pocket door, which is barely 22 inches wide. Armoire is 24 inches plus wide. I really like it and want it in my studio.

I have been toying with tearing out pocket door ever since I moved in three years ago. I could not have a treasured old desk from my grandparents in the office due to the evil door.

As a result the $129 dollar piece of furniture is going to cost me a few more dollars, yeah, right, a full day of labor and a huge mess and I still think it is worth it, to have a real doorway that is 28 inches wide and will allow anything but a sofa in the office space.

I have a friend who can do almost any kind of construction, repairs, and he says it is an easy task. I trust him. Why are you laughing?

New Necklaces

I have been busy at work on new designs and inspired by new bead and centerpiece purchases. Take a look. I like to name the necklaces, it makes them somewhat easier to remember.

top, Water's Edge, with druzy.

bottom, Robin's Egg Blue, lace agate with matrix.

Shrines Surround Me In My Home

I create shrines. Some are Retablos, which I create from found materials. They are basically box shrines to be hung on a wall or displayed on a table. I have made shrines to honor Buddha, Frida Kahlo, the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Some shrines I have created on tops of tables. I have shrines in every room except for the bathroom and laundry room.

The Garden Grows

With a little work and many free plants donated from friends and garden club members, I have turned a blank yard into my own private eden.

I spend many hours just sitting and gazing out into the plants. It is my place for meditation, my escape, my place to unwind with my dogs and friends and family.

All in the space of a year and a half. Not bad for a person who would rather be doing something besides getting into dirt. But once I get involved out there, time just flies.

I designed the garden to be almost maintenance free. I used mulch, eucalyptus mulch when available as it repels bugs, and ticks. My dogs like to chase the lizards and harass the doves, which I stop immediately. All creatures are welcome here.

My New Old Bathroom

Sometimes I get it wrong the first try. Like the cabinet on the right, which I bought at local antique shop, for the bathroom. Unfortunately, it did not allow the twin doors into the very tiny bathroom to open all the way. So I lived with cabinet number one for a year and finally I found the cabinet that I should have gotten all along.

I found it at Target recently, I had to assemble it by myself, and it only took a couple of hours. Another person could have done it a lot quicker, but I am constructionally challenged at times.

It allows both entry doors to open all the way. It has glass doors and a bottom solid door to hide a lot of mess. I think that it is lighter and more graceful and brings height to an already space challenged bathroom. It hold everything the first cabinet held, plus pretty towels on the top.

All was not lost however, as cabinet number 1 ended up in the laundry area. It holds pet things, extra groceries and I put some antique food tins on top along with an old Lipton Iced Tea server. Sweet.

Heirloom Tomatos

Today while walking back from town, I paused to look at a new vegetable garden. A small city garden but filled with lettuce, tomatoes, chard and more. I did not notice the owner sitting in her doorway. She said hi, and we chatted and I mentioned that someday I may try and grow tomatoes using a bag of potting soil, and just putting the plant in a hole on top and cutting drainage holes on the bottom.

She gave me two small heirloom tomato seedlings, she was moving soon and leaving this wonderful garden behind. Her garden lives on, now in my garden. I am not sure where I will plant these tomatoes, in a large clay pot, perhaps with basil, or in the ground. I am growing basil, parsley and rosemary right now. With these tomatoes, if they actually yield fruit, I am now growing my own food. It's a start.

The rosemary grows in the sunny east facing garden, and neglected, it grows well along the fence. I have three plants now. I use it in a lot of recipes, especially roasted potatoes and vegetables. The scent is glorious.

Garden Shrine