cherokeefox

TAKE TIME

2011-09-28T20:13:00.002-05:00

Take time to see what is around you whether it is outside in your yard or while you are driving. Just the other day I saw a new foal just after it was born, on my way to work. That made my day & now I look for it every day when I pass by.

BUTTERFLIES, DRAGONFLY & SKIPPERS

2011-09-25T16:43:00.009-05:00

Every couple of weeks or so, I walk the property looking for anything I can see to take a picture of. There is always something if you just look.

ARKANSAS BIRDS #2

2011-09-25T16:24:00.007-05:00

From our Arkansas home.Goldfinch
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Painted Bunting
Red Bellied Woodpecker

ARKANSAS BIRDS

2011-09-23T14:45:00.009-05:00

Springtime brings some beautifully colored birds to Arkansas. Now that we are in our new place, we have seen birds we have never seen before. Maybe due to the close proximity of woods & a creek. We have many ponds in the state & quite a few nearby along with a large lake just a few miles away.Blue Grosbeak.Goldfinch.Indigo Bunting. Indigo with his pal Northern Cardinal. Painted Bunting.
I have more that I will load at another time. Hummingbirds, Bluebirds, Tufted Titmouse, too many to list. Summer saw a slow down in sightings but now that Autumn is here, I expect to see more.

Late Post for EASTER

2011-05-05T19:42:00.007-05:00

We had a very nice Easter with the family gathering, picnic & egg hunt. The Eastr Bunny brought lots of goodies...
Now, I am on a bird watching kick...I have about a gazillion pictures. Next post to come will be of birds from my new yard.

GO MINDLESS

2011-04-18T12:22:00.003-05:00

We've all heard the old saying "Mind Over Matter". It should be more like "Mind Over Mind" or better yet, "No Mind Over Mind". When you finally realize how your mind plays games with you, how it controls you and everything you do and every decision you make, it is no wonder we can have any rational thinking at all. It is JUST your mind telling you, trying to trick you, making you have bad or repetitive thoughts. Your mind trying to control and take over all your thought processes. Take time every day to step back say, "I'm not going to listen to it right now", "I don't have time for this today", "Get out of my head and let me be at peace". Let me rest my brain and enjoy life, "IN THIS MOMENT". Hence another old saying "Take time to smell the roses". Time to close my eyes & smile & to hear the wind & to feel the sun on my face.

Central Arkansas 2nd Snow

2011-02-04T15:07:00.006-06:00

It is fairly unusual for central Arkansas to get 2 significant snowfalls in the same season. It flurried Wednesday, Thursday and this morning, then starting really snowing about 9am, coming down pretty heavy at times. We've also had quite a bit of sleet mixed with the snow. We might end of getting several inches. I'm just thankful my hubby got home okay. He was stuck in Chicago O'Hare airport for 13 hours last night after all flights to Little Rock were cancelled. He finally got home around 10:00 this morning. Word of advise: companies should never schedule seminars up north in winter, especially when a blizzard is predicted!!! HEL-LO! And a quick note...for anyone who watched American Idol last night...Us Arkansans were even appalled at the "person" representing us. If you saw him, you know what I am talking about, if you didn't see it...thank goodness!!!

Bluebirds Love First Snow

2011-01-19T14:19:00.005-06:00

Our first snow came 1/09/11. We got about 6-7 inches, which is a lot for us here in central Arkansas. Even more unusual was, it stayed around for a week due to continuing temperatures below freezing. The bluebirds were like kids (from the old days)flying around like they were playing chase & hide-an-seek. Odd, because I didn't see any kids out playing!??? I guess they would rather be in their warm & snug houses playing on their PS2's and what-not. I had a blast watching those little bluebirds. They were all, fat & happy. I had never seen so many at one time, they were all out there fluttering around, ruffling their feathers & cheeping. That made my day!Playing Hide-&-Seek

LUCKY PIZZA?

2011-01-04T19:02:00.004-06:00

Look close, do you see the secret ingredient??...Do you see it?? Black-eyed Peas?! Yes, that's right...
Sometimes I wonder if eating black-eyed peas on New Year's day is good luck or not. Every year I think maybe I won't eat them, just to see what happens but every year I decide not to take a chance. I mean, why would you want to test the Good Luck Gods? I like peas & eat them on a regular basis so, why not just continue to put them on the menu January 1st every year. So, this year instead of second guessing whether or not to eat them, I decided to use them in a different way. My hubby wanted me to make pizza so I just added mine to my pie. Boy! That was a good decision. It was "de-lish" as my grandmother used to say!!

BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN

2010-09-26T15:58:00.003-05:00

Welcome beautiful Autumn!! You are glorious with your crisp air, rustling winds and wonderful colors. You are brief but oh so glorious...stay awhile, we miss you so.

Summertime Blahs

2010-07-26T18:43:00.004-05:00

I know, I know...most people can't wait for summer with all the outside activities and vacations to take. We go all winter saying "boy, it is so cold and dreary, can't wait for summer". But come late July I am wanting it to be over, knowing full well that the real "heat" probably hasn't even begun. August in Arkansas is the hottest (usually).
We have had some wicked sunsets this summer and earlier today we had a big thunderstorm roll through bringing lightening & heavy rains in some places. When I went to Hobby Lobby last weekend, I was appalled at the sight of Christmas ornaments already being on the shelves but this week I am wishing Fall would start. Actually I wish we could be "forever stuck in Autumn"...it is my favorite time of year. One grand thing happened this summer, we were blessed with our 5th grandchild. A beautiful baby girl!!!

CAPTIVATING SUNSET

2010-06-23T20:56:00.001-05:00

When a picture is worth more than a thousand words.....

THE STAR TOWER IN ARIZONA

2010-05-28T16:51:00.006-05:00

Going south on Estrella Parkway, south out of Goodyear Arizona you will come to "The Star Tower" perched on a hill on the edge of the Estrella Mts. It is a beautiful structure with a rusty red facade, spiraling up to a viewing area. Looking up to the heavens and down to a man-made stream with mini water falls meandering on the grounds. It is a very peaceful place for a break. Very quiet and serene.

BIG DOGS VS. LITTLE DOGS

2010-05-07T12:06:00.003-05:00

I might have mentioned the "Rocky Ridge Refuge" in Arkansas before in another post but will always come back to it because it is such a wonderful place. You should all go there at least once, here. I love this poem from the site:
BIG DOG RULES FOR “STUFF”
*If I like it…it’s mine.
*If it’s in my mouth…it’s mine.
*If I had it a little while ago…it’s mine.
*If I can take it from you…it’s mine.
*If I saw it first…it’s mine.
*If it looks like mine…it’s mine.
*If it’s edible…it’s always mine.
*If I chew something up…all the pieces are mine.
*If you have something & put it down…it’s mine
*If it’s mine…it must never be yours.
*If it used to be yours…get over it.
*Except if it’s broken…it’s yours.
My son & daughter-in-law have a large brown lab (Leroy) & a very small chihuahua (Peanut)so this fits them perfect. Although Peanut tries to "act" ferocious sometimes...Leroy just ignores him. It it so funny to watch.

TREASURE HUNTING FINDS

2010-04-28T15:37:00.007-05:00

Today I would like to tell you about an estate sale find from a few months back. I found this beautiful "Luther Travis" table cloth in a pile of old linens...the color is what caught my eye. It is aqua, which is the color of my kitchen so I pulled it out and was pleasantly surprised. My treasure cost me a whopping $3.00 After washing it to get out a couple of old stains (with a little advice from a blogging buddy, Diane Mc over at Luv2Luv Antiques...it turned out perfect and I have been enjoying it all Spring. It really brightens up my table.

AWESOME IMAGES

2010-04-27T15:29:00.006-05:00

I'd like to share a few photos with you today of our earth in all it's beauty & awesomeness...Sedona ArizonaGrand Teton Mts.Snake River Grand Tetons.

SPRING THOUGHTS

2010-04-19T15:23:00.003-05:00

I always feel Spring is really the time to think of starting a new year. Since it is the time when flowers start to bloom & the trees start budding and leafing out. Everything is so fresh and new. And the time when we start saying "Here we go again" when our allergies start kicking into full throttle. Fall is my favorite time of year but Spring has it's moments too. I've been hearing the frogs croak and lawn mowers growling. Turtles are in abundance...lined up on any exposed logs in the afternoon sun. Birds are building their nests and mosquito hawks cover the ground. It's also a time when we want to take weekend trips around the state...enjoying all the outdoorsy things in Arkansas. I just heard yesterday that gas prices are going to get up to $3 a gallon by June or July. That will put a damper on our outings...you know for every $1 that gas goes up...Iran earns billions of extra dollars. Maybe we will put more of our efforts into gardening...we could always benefit from more home grown produce...I might even do a little canning this year. That reminds me...I need to make a run to Lowe's SOON.This was taken on a record pollen count day.Tulip tree in full bloom.

THINK SKINNY

2010-04-09T12:18:00.004-05:00

Yes, it is that time again...to think about losing those extra pounds I've gained in the winter months. It is just not working for me so far. Up two, down one, up three down two, up one, down three & so we are right back where we started a week before. It can be very frustrating but I'm not giving up. SO, now I am trying a new approach. Only eat when I am hungry and when I do eat, fill up on protein, fruit & veggies. I don't eat processed foods so you would think it would be easier for me but I guess my body is used to it so it holds every ounce it can. It just doesn't want to let go! I have been drinking 7-8 glasses of water a day now for about a week & still nothing. I will also be increasing my exercise from walking 20-30 minutes several times a week to at least 30 minutes every day for at least 5 times a week. With a trip to the gym thrown in several times. My goal is to lose 10 lbs. by May 1st. I will try to see it this way...so many pounds together make for too many but as soon as they start shedding...it will help break them up and pretty soon...Wha-Lah! The new me...IT WILL TAKE A MIRACLE...but miracles happen every day. I can feel it...it IS happening as I speak (uh..write). Wish me luck

Using Native American Flute Music For Meditation

2010-01-08T12:40:00.008-06:00

Hello...today I want to tell you about a fabulous place to visit if you like meditation music. I first saw this amazing man, Scott August on a youtube clip...here
He plays Native American Flute music. This is one of the most relaxing sounds I have ever heard especially for meditation. I found his website at cedarmesa.com. Please take the time to visit his site...you will be glad you did. There is a plethora of information & you can click to sample the music from each of his cd's. I would also like to mention my participation in a 28 day meditation over at AWAKE IS GOOD with my blogger buddy Jan Lundy. She is sharing a vast amount of advice to anyone who wants to read or join in...
MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNIVERSE

A NEW DAY OF BLOG

2010-01-07T20:31:00.004-06:00

Do we blog for ourselves or others? I think mostly for ourselves...You may ask, "Is it a form of meditation?" I say, NO...blogging creates waves of creativeness, random thoughts, quick aspirations for the day ahead or past. Minds full of egos overflowing onto the page. I find it best to meditate "hours" before or after I blog...allowing my mind to rest, to settle down, to deflate back to it's natural state so as not to keep the thoughts looping around inside.

FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS

2010-01-05T19:41:00.003-06:00

If you have ever had trouble with a busy mind, thought looping or anything else that keeps you distracted & from settling down at night (probably everyone on the planet) then you can benefit from daily meditation. You don't have to have an instructor or class to go to. You don't even have to know what to do. Just go to a quiet place and concentrate on nothing...try to clear your head even if it is for a couple of minutes. Don't think about what happened today, yesterday or what will happen tomorrow. Give your mind a break! If you have trouble with this, try concentrating on your breathing...in, out, in, out. FOCUS on a word or object to center yourself. I personally use a quartz crystal...it helps me center my energy...I imagine that energy as a bright light that flows through my body & hands into the crystal & back into my body again. Try it...you'll enjoy the benefits.
Join me along with Jan Lundy and friends at AWAKE IS GOOD for a 28 day study in meditation. You can join in at any point or just read along.

CAN YOU FLUNK MEDITATION?

2010-01-04T20:54:00.007-06:00

I usually meditate at night before going to bed so I decided to change it up & try to meditate upon waking up this morning...so, after I woke up early at 4:30 am, from a bad dream...I attempted to clear my mind, concentrate on my breathing anything that would calm my mind & put me back to sleep. Nothing was working...I tried & tried and nothing worked. I could not center my energy...it was jumping all around inside my head...I couldn't lock onto it.Sometimes that happens...but at least I tried. I got up early and went about my day...I even finished a painting I had been working on for a couple of weeks. Even though I was tired and sleepy all day, I still managed to accomplish a goal. Hopefully, I will be so tired tonight, I will sleep soundly and wake up at the normal time. Then I can try to meditate in the morning before I get up.
To answer the question: "Can you flunk meditation"? The answer is "NO"!!! There is no right or wrong way, just your way. As long as you are taking some alone time for your inner self is all that is required.
Join me at one of my fellow bloggers site, AWAKE IS GOOD for a 28 day study on meditation, by Jan Lundy. You will be glad you did!

MEDITATION FOR FREEDOM

2010-01-03T13:30:00.005-06:00

Hello and welcome to the year 2010...I am embarking on a journey of self discovery, of a freedom few will know. This journey will not take me long distances and hours of travel time. It will not be filled with the stress of planning and budgeting. It will merely be a journey inside of myself, to the far realms of my mind where only I can go. I will seek out what's inside my heart & mind & soul. My goal is to reach this place & bring back it's energy in the form of self enlightenment. So that when someone looks at me, they will say..."tell me your secret".
To begin, I have joined forces with Jan Lundy over at her blog AWAKE IS GOOD. She has started a 28 day meditation challenge.

I have gradually gotten away from meditating every day and I can definitely tell the difference in my day to day self. I am much more sluggish & some days lack the drive to get through the day without feeling drained. So, I starting my daily sessions on Dec 31st to get a head start on 2010. Her sessions started today and I am so looking forward to this journey. Please feel free to join us in this attempt to renew our life energies.

BLUE MOON FOR A NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T16:00:00.003-06:00

The blue moon last night is supposed to energize us to a good start to a new year. I went outside right after midnight to capture the energy of this event and was not disappointed. With the glow of the moon and the crisp cold air...it was tantalizing. I am going to try to keep that energy going as long as possible by meditating every day and anything else that may be creative in my mind. I have been painting for the last couple of hours...this is something I will try to do at least a little of every day. Not only does practice make perfect but the more you do something the more you want to do it. BUT, not too much so as to get burned out. Know your happy medium to keep you in a happy place :-)HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

LOOKING FORWARD

2009-12-25T18:17:00.003-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE...
Now that Christmas is winding down and the rush is slowing, it is a good time to relax and reflect on all the blessings we have had in the past year. Most importantly it is a time to look forward to the coming year. A new year is a time to start over...to put the past behind, be true to ourselves & be happy for who we are right now. Everything that has happened up to this point has made us who we are & teaches us how to be a better person. I like the idea of not making a new years resolution but to constantly try to be all that I can be every day.

LET THE COOKING BEGIN...

2009-12-23T12:22:00.002-06:00

December 23rd and time for the preparation of some of the foods for our Christmas Eve party. I don't want to spend all day tomorrow cooking. So, today I have been cleaning and tonight I will make the lemon cheese cake, divinity & make sure all the dishes, ingredients, etc. are set out. Before bed I will have my tea and put aside a few extra minutes for a deep meditation so, hopefully the next few days will not be too tiresome. I hope everyone gets to visit with family & friends this Christmas even though so many are snowed in.

LISTEN TO THAT INNER VOICE

2009-12-16T16:56:00.002-06:00

Today I had a premonition on my way to run some errands. Not 30 minutes later that premonition came true. I was short changed at the drug store but on my way to the car I remembered my earlier thought. When I got in the car it was so strong in my head, I had to recount my money and really think about the bills I had before I left the house. After careful examination, I realized I was wrong, I had not been short changed so I had to go back inside, apologize profusely and return the $5. So, now my thought is; was the premonition really a premonition OR did the so called premonition cause me to unconsciously think I was short changed. Either way, I felt better knowing I did the right thing when faced with a moral decision. HUMILITY IS A POWERFUL THING!

Christmas Tour Of Homes

2009-12-14T14:22:00.008-06:00

I hope you enjoy my small dabs of Christmas...I have been putting these M&M guys on our tree for a long time but this year I didn't add them so, I had to think of a new way to use them. They were just too cute to keep packed up.

I have never thrown out a Chrismas card for the past 28 years so each year I try to think of a new way to display some. Each year I get less & less so this way I can take my pick of all my favorites. Thank you Nester for the tour!

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS HERE

2009-12-10T13:03:00.010-06:00

Christmas Santas...HOHOHO

I will be participating in the Tour Of Homes With The Nester on December 14th. Be sure to come back and view my decorations on that day. Merry Christmas...

NOVEMBER IS NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

2009-11-17T16:00:00.008-06:00

This is a time to give thanks to our ancestors & all the hardships they endured to survive. Some of my ancestors walked on the Trail Of Tears, suffered great hunger & persecution from invaders on their land, but somehow managed to survive & multiply. I can still feel the pain of my ancestors in my blood but I try to keep my head up & love each day as it comes. Nothing I suffer today can be as hard as what they endured for so long. Try to see the beauty in all the small things around you.

MAKE A NOISE

2009-11-12T14:08:00.005-06:00

I may be a small spot in the world, a speck in the grand scheme of things but given the chance I could be a real significant spot making a noise someone will HAVE to pay attention to.

AUTUMN IN ARKANSAS

2009-11-08T08:23:00.009-06:00

PEACEFUL MEDITATIONS

2009-10-22T14:24:00.006-05:00

On my recent visit to Sedona Arizona I could not miss the opportunity to find a quiet place for a moment of meditation. I chose the spot where my son & daughter-in-law had just been married not 15 hours before. Red Rock Crossing; a beautiful & majestic spot at the base of a red rock formation.I sat down on the warm red rock and held a piece of the native rock in each hand. It was early in the morning and the sun had already warmed the rock considerably. To my surprise after only a couple of minutes my message came through loud and clear. All around me was the deafening sound of cicada's & insects singing their songs when suddenly all at once it stopped. All around me was silence. I was acutely aware of the warmth of the sun on my face, body & surroundings (fire), the sound of a flowing nearby creek (water), the very cool wind on my face & in my hair (wind) and the presence of the rock in my hands & where I sat (earth). My message was simple: "Everything will be okay, my life serene; all I have to do it make it happen". Then the insects singing again. Maybe I was looking for a more other worldly message but what I got was the calmest moment of my life. I knew at that moment, that was the best message I could have longed for. It came through at an apex of calm, making me know even though some moments of quiet may be short, never underestimate the power of that moment.

SEASONAL CLEANSING

2009-08-29T00:02:00.002-05:00

The changing of seasons brings about a renewed energy. A start to a new beginning if we are looking to resolve personal issues. Fall is my favorite time of year. It represents the winding down of another year. A time to slow down and enjoy the cool weather so we can cleanse our minds. The crisp air brings about the need to take deep breaths and flood our senses, to be alert to our goals & aspirations for the remaining year. I love seeing the beauty of the changing leaves with my favorite colors of oranges, browns & reds. It gives me a special feeling like no other season brings. Autumn will not make it soon enough for me!!!

MT. VIEW ARKANSAS

2009-07-26T22:49:00.011-05:00

We recently took a day trip in our home state of Arkansas. Our route took us through beautiful country ending in the quaint small town of Mt. View. It is bursting with folk and blue grass musicians that play music on the courthouse square in the evenings. Old downtown is active and bubbling with artisan, music, flea & antiques shops along with an old time pharmacy & soda fountain. Park for free and walk through the town, sampling the friendly town folk and what the Ozarks have to offer. Handmade jewelry, pottery, handmade brooms and painted gourds are just a few of the items to be found. Nearby is the Ozark Folk Center where you can find old fashioned artisans making everything from soap to violins. Such a relaxing day to enjoy beautiful weather and a quiet atmosphere not found in most bigger cities

MAKING YOURSELF UNDERSTOOD

2009-07-04T08:06:00.002-05:00

I know you believe you understand what you think I said but, I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I said.

GOD IN US ALL...

2009-06-26T13:54:00.003-05:00

We are God-God are we...to find God, we have to know ourselves and be willing to see past everything we know is true. If you have experienced the hand of God on your soul then you will only then know the truth. After that, there is no saying "I think I understand" or "maybes". Never give up...keep digging until you reach the truth, the knowing, the awakening. When you find it, you will know!

When Gray Is Beautiful

2009-06-15T19:19:00.003-05:00

Gray seems to be a somber color but if you look with an open heart you can also see great beauty and peace. When these clouds rolled in, I felt such an overwhelming sense of peace & solitude. I could feel myself relaxing & my mind clearing. Such great beauty, changing by the minute.

TAKING A DEEP BREATH

2009-06-15T19:10:00.003-05:00

These are words for me right now. I just don't know what I am going to do about my blog still not working. I have taken a few steps back and have just been waiting & hoping Blogger would get the problem resolved but so far nothing. Now I'm wondering if they are even working on the problem at all. But until then I guess I will just TRY to go along like nothing is wrong and hope I don't really mess my blog up. I can't see the words after I post. So, I am just posting blind articles. If I mess up, PLEASE let me know so I can try to correct it...thanks for your continued support my blogger buddies!!!

Blogger Problems

2009-06-11T07:17:00.002-05:00

Does anyone out there know why "Blogger" can't fix this ongoing problem????? It is getting to the point where I don't even want to log in because every time I do, the problem is still there and BLOGGER hasn't had an update on their "known issue" page since about May 26th. HELP!!!

(When I log in and go to my homepage, the words can't be seen and the bottom part of the page won't come up at all. Then when I log out and try to leave Blogger, an abort error comes up).

GOTTA LAUGH

2009-06-05T14:27:00.008-05:00

SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA SAY "HOLY COW" AND LAUGH...
You know you are in India if..
You know you are in Texas if..
You know you are in Africa if you see..
You know you are in China if..
You know you are in a haunted hotel if..
You know you just got to laugh if you see.. After all laughter is the best medicine.

Find A Good Meditative Spot

2009-06-04T21:59:00.005-05:00

I have been meditating now for about 3 years and have always done it indoors. At first I would lay on the couch but most recently have been lying on the bed in the dark. I most often see people meditating outside at a peaceful spot and have been thinking about trying this technique. My son is getting married in September in Sedona Arizona, which is an extreme hot spot for things like this. It is a high energy place, with all the red rock and lay lines. There are special spots especially for meditation and am looking forward to trying it there. But, in the meantime I think I will try a place nearby called "The Old Mill". It is in North Little Rock. There was a scene filmed there in the opening credits in Gone With The Wind. It is very pretty & peaceful...IF you can get there when it is not crowded.I have had people tell me this looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting. I took it in April.Spring is the best time to go when all the azaleas and other flowers are in full bloom.

BLOGGER TECHNICAL PROBLEMS CONTINUE

2009-05-31T20:35:00.002-05:00

I AM BACK TO HAVING THE ABORT NOTICE POP UP ON MY BLOG. THE PICTURES ARE DISPLAYED BUT NOT ANY WORDS AND THE ITEMS IN THE BOTTOM PART OF THE BLOG ARE NOT OPENING. IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. IT HAS BEEN OVER A WEEK...I WONDER IF THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT? I AM AFRAID I MIGHT HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER HOST SITE FOR MY BLOG IF I CONTINUE TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS LIKE THIS...

NATIVE AMERICAN QUOTE

2009-05-28T19:49:00.002-05:00

"Grown men can learn from very little children, for the hearts of the little children are pure.
Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss".
By Black Elk

REFLECT YOUR INNER AURA

2009-05-27T21:46:00.002-05:00

Tap into your inner aura by closing you eyes, take a deep breath and concentrate on the energy within your body. Envision the energy in every part of your body, your life force, your aura, so that it will grow through and around you. Try to project this aura around your body. Doing this every day will bring inner peace and awareness of ones self.

BLOGGER PAGE

2009-05-22T21:41:00.003-05:00

I haven't been able to get my main blog page to load all day. This is just a test to see if I can post. I received a comment on my dashboard so I am wondering if it is just a glitch today. I will post an article as soon as I can get things working properly again.

This is apparently a "known issue" that blogger is working on. I'll keep checking back so i can get a post in this weekend.

UPDATE ON MY CONTAINER GARDEN

2009-05-17T21:11:00.003-05:00

I thought I would post some pictures i took today of my little garden. The radishes didn't grow well due to lack of sunshine over the past few weeks & also because I figured out I didn't plant the seeds deep enough. I planted some more a few days ago so will let you know how those turn out. The lettuce & tomatoes are doing good. The leaves on the green beans don't look very good and the cucumbers seem to be lagging behind. I think it is all because of lack of sun. Hopefully the next few weeks will produce something edible. I had a salad tonight with the lettuce!!!
Sweet Banana Pepper buds
Green Beans-I try to recycle when I can, hence the milk jug containersCucumbers

PASSING OF THE AWARDS

2009-05-17T20:19:00.006-05:00

Well, I think I have finally made my decisions about who to pass the awards onto. This is a long process so, here we go:
"KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD" goes to (In no particular order):
1. Laurie at Tip Junkie
2. Linda at Linda's Bees
3. Maureen at I'd Rather Be Blogging
4. Leslie at Hillbilly Heaven
5. Susan at Let's Lose Weight This Year
6. Ms Sassy at Words Of Wisdom From A Smart Mouth Broad
7. Kim at Endless Possibilities

And the "ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD" goes to (not necessarily new blogs:
1. My daughter Robyn at Shoot For The Stars
2. Stacey at A Lamb In The Field
3. Susan at A Walk In The Park
4. Barbara at The Serenity Gate
5. The Chick at The Renaissance Chick
6. Melissa at Creating From The Heart
7. Angie at Gumbo Writer
8. Jennifer at Phoenix Crafts
9. Cumbria Mum at Fat Frumpy & Fifty
10. Angie at Free Rein Art & Design
11. Lulu at My Pink Turtle
12. Ingrid at Lottie Lulu
13. Heidi at Foxgloves Fabric And Folly
14. Mrs. Cherrylicious at Cherry's Jubilee
15. Toni at Rabbithill Creations

Please take some time to visit these blogs. I think they are all very deserving of the awards. I try to visit them all regularly.

AWARD-THANKS

2009-05-15T09:21:00.004-05:00

I was recently given 2 awards and would like to thank Cheryl at
Lizzy Freefrock for the One Lovely Blog Award. AND Angela at Angela Recada for the Kreativ Blogger Award.
The ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD wants me to pass it along to 15 good looking new blogs and the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD wants me to pass it along to 7 creative bloggers & tell 7 things that I love. This will be a hard process to choose a total of 22 blogs so while you are waiting for me to gather this info...I will tell you 7 things that I love the most:
1. FAMILY - My wonderful husband of 27 years, my 2 children and my 4 grandchildren. Also the rest of my family...you know who you are!
2. ART - although I go for long periods without creating anything personally...I do enjoy being able to whip up something when I want or need to.
3. MUSIC - I can't imagine living without it. Whether I am listening or playing, I think music helps you live in the present. Which is where we all should be.
4. BOOKS - And I don't even have to be reading them...just being around them makes me happy. I used to love to go to the library as a child and sit on the floor and read. Now my oldest granddaughter loves to read, she can't get enough & she is only 8
5. COLOR - I love it...I love blogs that have lots of color. It says a lot about who a person is.
6. FALL - I guess Fall is my favorite time of year. Finally bringing relief from the heat of summer and bringing in some of my favorite colors like: orange and brown, the changing of the leaves and cool windy days.
7. BEING LAZY - although I shouldn't admit it out loud---oh, who cares...I will say it YES I love being lazy. Not that I ALWAYS am, just when I can, I relish it!!!

COLORS ARE NICE-MOSTLY

2009-05-14T21:26:00.006-05:00

As most of you know, color has an affect on our mood. Here is a quick reference of colors and some of the the feelings they invoke:
1. RED - power, energy, strength, passion, excitement. Also anger & violence.
2. ORANGE - excitement, hope, enthusiasm, optimism. Also jealousy & deceit.
3. YELLOW - happiness, energizing, uplifting. Also frustration & irritability.
4. GREEN - good health, luck, vigor, generosity, restfulness, calming, togetherness.
5. BLUE - peace, tranquility, stability, calming, relaxing, unity, harmony.
6. PURPLE - spirituality, wisdom, creativity, enlightenment, restfulness, nobility.
7. PINK - tranquility, youth, femininity.
8. BLACK - authority, power, sophistication, mystery. Also fear, unhappiness.
9. BROWN - genuineness, sadness, wistfulness.
10. WHITE - reverence, innocence, purity, simplicity, peace, humility.
You can't go wrong with blues, greens, purple and white.
Be careful with reds, yellows and black. My favorites have always been purple and orange. They have good balance for me. You will always see orange popping up in my pictures.

Rain Comes Forth

2009-05-12T16:50:00.004-05:00

Rain comes forth to quench the land
of yearning for the drink
Idle threats and random sprinkles
verging on the brink
Of showers, raining, torrents, floods
bringing frogs and cats and dogs
Along the drains and river banks
till sand turns into bogs
We idly wait for Mother Nature
to relieve us on the morrow
Till be pray for more in summer
when heat brings all it's sorrow

by: Liz P aka cherokeefox

UPLIFTING ORANGE

2009-05-05T15:03:00.003-05:00

I will be taking a few days off from blogging but will return soon. I need to relax my eyes from the computer for a while. In the meantime...think about how "orange" makes you feel and when I return we will talk more about colors and your mood. TTFN

Canon VS Kodak Cameras

2009-05-04T08:36:00.004-05:00

Today I will be giving a review of two cameras; the Canon Sure Shot and the Kodak V1253. My first digital camera was a Canon Sure Shot which I got as a Christmas present in 2003. It was a great camera and I never had any gripes with it until it was accidentally dropped in 2006 and broken beyond repair. I never really understood why it broke so badly because it was only dropped from a very short distance. After much comparisons, I finally replaced it with a Kodak V1253. I didn't go with Canon again because Kodak had a 12 mega pixel with a large viewing screen and a sleek design. I paid over $300 for it and it almost immediately started having problems. I thought about taking it back several times but decided it was just me not knowing how to operate it because it had so many more features than my Canon had. I decided to read the manual and learn all I could about it, but it has been 2 years now and my opinion is still not good. I continue to have problems. It seems like sometimes it takes really good pictures but most of the time it takes bad pictures. It has a stability control; which I thought would help with the blurring from a little shaking but all it does is give a yellow, red or green "hand" symbol to let you know if it is steady. It doesn't actually "do" anything to help solve the problem. I have to take 15 pictures of the same thing if I am trying to take an up close picture. Then decide which one of the lot will be less blurry. Some of you might say, but you have really good pictures and I would answer "Yes, but you didn't see how many I took to get a few that were good". The delayed flash has caused me to miss countless pictures. When you try to delete a picture, sometimes it jumps to the next picture and you delete the wrong one. I tried to get help with a live customer service person once and I got a guy that was totally useless. He had no idea how to help me; I think the language barrier was a great hindrance because I couldn't understand most of what he was saying and vise versa. Then he asked "Can I help you with anything else"? I said "No, you haven't even helped me with my main problem" and he just said "Okay, well thank you for calling". My advice to you is DO NOT BUY A KODAK. I will never buy anything but a Canon from now on!!!

Need Help Adding RSS To My Blog

2009-04-29T18:59:00.004-05:00

I have been trying to figure out how to add an rss feed button to my blog so people can subscribe but I just cannot figure out how to do it. There is SO much information out there and most of it is over my head. My question to you today is: "Do you think I really could benefit from adding this"? And if so could anyone lead me to a good site that explains it in layman's terms.
As you can see I found the icon or button I want to use but I need to know how to add the feed. I'm not even sure I am explaining that right. I just need to be able to add this so people can click it to subscribe to my blog or articles. PLEASE HELP!

Faces In Nature & Other Oddities

2009-04-27T18:39:00.010-05:00

I have been collecting odd things I have found in nature for several years now. You might remember my little red heart rock from another post or maybe my potato shaped like a heart but I have even more to share with you today. My granddaughter found a conjoined leaf this weekend. She saw it hanging on the tree and plucked it right off. I have never seen such a sight before. And a few years ago, I found a giant acorn just lying on the ground where I was walking in Texas. I actually submitted it to Genius Book Of World Records but they turned it down because all nuts are in one category and of course some "nuts" are really big, like the coconut. It stays in my special collection as one of my top finds.
I have updated one of my previous posts from November 2008 please take a peek to see some more of my collection,here. Take a quiet walk and observe your surroundings and see what you can find. Happy Hunting!!!

The Natural State

2009-04-26T22:55:00.002-05:00

The beauty of Arkansas is all around me...

Have You Considered Growing A Garden?

2009-04-23T18:11:00.007-05:00

(#11 - tip on how to be more adventurous - to see #1-10 click here.
My son & his fiancee recently planted a container garden. She had grown up with a father who gardened & he never had an interest. They decided they needed a hobby & with her experience & his love to build things, they combined the two & made their little garden. Living in the Phoenix area, they decided not to put it in the backyard for fear it wouldn't last long in the desert heat. A typical summer there reaches 100+ on a daily basis so you could water in the morning only to return in the evening to find scorched plants. To avoid this problem they chose inside containers with grow lights. He made a stand to hold the pots with a tall frame to support the lights. Then he drilled holes in the sides of this and strung cable for the peas & other plants that need to climb. She did all the potting & planting. They plan on rotating some of the plants outside as needed & are very excited to know they will be able to eat something they actually grew themselves.
Started the first of April.

I grew up with grandparents who always had 2 very large gardens. Every kind of vegetable they ate-they grew. They NEVER bought vegetables! I grew up "in their garden" & it was an experience I will never forget. However, just because you have some experience with plants doesn't necessarily mean you know how to grow anything. When my grandmother would tell me how to plant something, she would usually say "Just push it into the ground with your thumb and it will grow". I found that was not true for me. She had a Green Thumb but I found out I have a Brown Thumb. I have always had to work to get anything to grow. I think people with Green Thumbs have an energy vibe that is emitted into the plants that acts as a growing agent. So, i think this time around I will talk to my plants & spend quality time with them. Couldn't hurt!

My seeds were planted April 16th along with my sweet banana pepper & tomatoes which were planted from plants. I also chose a container garden this year. It only took a couple of days for the radishes & lettuce to sprout.

No picture of the green beans & cucumbers yet, it should be a few more days before they sprout. I was going to go in with my daughter & have a plot in her backyard but we got such a late start & could never find enough time, plus we have had a very wet spring. I've been telling her she doesn't have to have a whole plot prepared, just plant a few things in the flower bed. This method has become quite popular with people actually replacing their whole front yards with vegetable gardens instead of the typical green lawn & flower beds.

Check back around May 15th for an update on how things are coming along & good luck!

ENLIGHTENMENT EXPLAINED

2009-04-21T18:42:00.007-05:00

Free your mind from yourself…you might say, “What do you mean, my mind is who I am.” But what if that wasn’t true; let’s just say that each and every one of us has two parts, our inner self & our worldly self. Our worldly self being our physical body, our experiences, knowledge and thoughts, remembrances and inner demons that want to tear us down. If you’ve ever stayed awake at night for hours on end, worrying about something that has happened or might happen then you know what I mean by inner demons. Our inner self is what you might call your soul. But I’m not referring to the soul as an unreachable part of ones self, something that is an incorporated part of your mind & body. I’m speaking of a part that is totally separate and unconnected to every part of yourself that you normally think about as being who you are…
I’m speaking to you not only from what I have learned but also from personal experience. I’ve only recently been able to put two & two together. Some years ago I was experiencing a lot of inner demons. After several years of torment that I felt I could not shake off, suddenly one morning after another night of practically NO sleep, I felt what I called, “The hand of God” touch me, an epiphany of pure love. I felt a wave of wonderful inner peace pass through my body. It was like my inner voice said “I have forgiven, I can forgive all the wrong that has been dealt me and just love who I am and forget. I can go on from this point and never look back at what happened, because I have forgiven.” Before I knew it I was out of bed at 5:00 a.m. calling everyone to tell them what had happened. I could barely speak because I was crying from the pure love that I had inside of me. It was truly the most emotional experience of my life, one experience that I thought I had to share with everyone. The only problem, then, was I couldn’t explain it, so for lack of knowing I could just say “It was the hand of God that came down and touched me and wiped away all of my pain and gave me the ability to forgive the transgressions against me and go forward without looking back.” Now almost 7 years later, after much reading, research & knowing, I have placed all the pieces of this 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle together for the whole picture. It’s really quite complicated but yet so simple now that I know what happened. In meditation, you don’t think about or concentrate on anything in particular; you clear you mind of all thought of all clutter, while still being aware. If you are having trouble doing this, you can ‘go to your happy place’. A place that relaxes you so you can clear your mind of your usually thoughts. After you have been doing this for a while it gets easier to clear your mind totally. Only then can you experience your true inner self, the pure light deep inside where all the knowledge of the universe exists. This is what happened to me that morning. I had been awake most of the night and in the early morning I was in a state of mind where my body needed sleep but my mind was awake. In that moment when my mind was clearing, getting ready to go to sleep but not asleep, that is when there was a moment of openness of clarity just enough for that light to escape into my consciousness. I believe we have the power to grasp this knowledge now. Maybe bits & pieces at a time but we do have the ability inside of ourselves. That wave of pure love that came to me that morning, I believe, was this energy breaking into my worldly mind. We all have God inside of us in this form. We just have to clear our worldly mind clutter away and reach out for it. Know you have the power to experience this for yourself. If I could have one wish, it would be that each and every person on this Earth experience this at least once. Then they would know that anything is possible, that we have the ability to live happily together in harmony with each other and truly love one another. What I can’t imagine is a group of people with this pure light of energy surrounding them, holding hands, growing the light…OH, what they could accomplish…ANYTHING I THINK!

Live For Today, Don't Dwell On The Past

2009-04-19T17:34:00.004-05:00

The past is gone, the future yet to be, the present is all we really have so, stop & enjoy individual moments in each & every day.

LAUGH FOR THE SOUL

2009-04-16T15:08:00.008-05:00

There is an absolutely wonderful site that I would like to share with you. It is Rocky Ridge Refuge. It is a rescue haven for animals in northern Arkansas and it is well worth a visit. I guarantee it will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Here's some of the reasons:
AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

My laps are done-hallelujah!

This spot will do, yeah!

How can I tell them to stop?

It wasn't me!

WE ARE LIGHT BEINGS...

2009-04-14T21:17:00.005-05:00

we come from the light & we will once again return to the light.

Stop reading after each of the following sentences and really think about each phrase individually and what it means to you personally.

Negative thoughts cloud the mind. Positive thoughts clear the mind. The more clouds the less light. The less clouds the more light. Hence the phrase 'a dark cloud of depression.' We all need to push away those dark clouds so we can bring OUT the light from within. Just clear you mind.

DEEP THOUGHTS

2009-04-13T20:20:00.005-05:00

While surfing for a particular quote, I ran across a blog that deserves mentioning on, Friday Reflections. It is based on the quote; If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. If you always get what you've always got then you'll always be who you've always been. If you always are who you've always been, then you'll always think what you've always thought. If you always think what you've always thought then you'll always feel what you've always felt. If you always feel what you've always felt then you'll always do what you've always done.
My twist on this would be "If you never see past what you know, you will never know what others see."

Hurricane River Cave

2009-04-09T19:46:00.011-05:00

And speaking of CAVES...This is a perfect time of year to visit one. At smaller caves like Hurricane River, in NW Arkansas you might even get a personal tour if you get there during off-peak times. The entry sign looks like it could use a little TLC but don't let that keep you away. Even the drive-way leading to the office/entry leaves you feeling like maybe it is not open to visitors. But, once you get there you will be pleasantly surprised and greeted by a lovely old Great Pyrenees.

Your tour guide (ours was TOM) will take you through an eerie old iron gate shaped like a giant spider web. We were told it's only one of maybe 2 caves in the USA with a web gate.

The cave was such a great surprise for us, very up close & personal. The walls along the path are RIGHT next to you. You have to be very careful not to touch them. In several areas you have to duck down to continue along the narrow passageway.

You will also see small Pipistrelle bats. They are small cave bats about 3" long that hang singly here & there, not in large groups. Don't be afraid if you see them flying toward you, they WON'T hit you. We could have reached up and picked them off the low hanging ceiling in several spots. But, I opted for pictures instead.

If you are very lucky, like we were, you might even see a Cave Salamander.

Hopefully you will leave with a head full of exciting memories and with a feeling of relaxation and excitement. To experience Mother Nature up close & personal will help you get in touch with your inner energy.

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST

2009-04-08T18:44:00.002-05:00

My tips on How To Be More Adventurous...
1. Visit a cave or waterfall.
2. Try a sport you think you might not be good at; bowling, golf, tennis.
3. Take a hike without your cell phone or Ipod turned on.
4. Verbally disagree with someone and state your reasons.
5. Cook a dish you've never eaten; eggplant casserole or mincemeat pie.
6. Read the news from a newspaper not from the internet.
7. Go see a relative or friend with a surprise visit.
8. Ride a scary roller coaster.
9. Take a road you never use.
10. Help an elderly person; clean their house, do yard work or cook a meal.

SOAP & POSTAGE

2009-04-02T19:29:00.008-05:00

Several years ago I found a great soap from a specialty spa-like shop in Oxford Mississippi. It was Marseille Olive Oil Soap handmade in Marseille France. It was great and recently I have been thinking about it so, I went online and found their website, Marseille Soap. I put a $12 bar of the soap in my cart and when I went to the checkout, it calculated the UPS ground shipping to be $7.41. I'm sorry but I am not paying that much shipping for a $12 order. I know it is because of the weight, obviously. I am going to try to find this soap at a similar store in the Little Rock area. It is such a wonderful product, I know I will be thinking about it until I get some. If I can't find it anywhere then I might have to resort to paying the postage Gods!

The Heat Of Ginger

2009-03-26T21:21:00.003-05:00

I have experienced the most delicious candy...called ginger chews. It seems to me to be a more "adult" candy. I use it as a supplement while sick or just when I need a pep. Originally I had a product found at Target at Christmas made by a company called The Ginger People. I guess it was a seasonal item because we couldn't find it again but later I found the same candy except made by another company,
Reed's at my favorite local health food store.

The only difference I can see is that the Reed's product is a little harder to chew than The Ginger People. But, it has the same flavor and texture. It is a wonderful product that gives a nice BITE of heat. Ginger is good for a host of ailments and is good for many functions including: travel sickness, stomach upset, hypertension, throat inflammation, constipation, protects lungs & colon, reduces & expels mucous, stimulates circulation, increases metabolic rate, heart & artery renewal, is a natural diuretic and much more. Look at your nearest health food store or order online.

OOPS! CORRECTION FROM LAST ARTICLE

2009-03-23T22:25:00.003-05:00

TO EVERYONE THAT READ MY LAST ARTICLE ABOUT HERBAL TEA. THE TEA SHOP IS NOT IN CHICAGO!!! IT IS IN INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA. After my daughter left Chicago they came home through Indianapolis and the tea shop was near the square. So, please don't go looking for it in Chicago. I realized my mistake after I clicked on the link tonight since I had not spent a lot of time there the last time, I wanted to go back and visit it again. I'm glad I did. The next time I will be more careful before giving you information. Please forgive me!

TEA FOR WHAT AILS YOU

2009-03-22T16:15:00.005-05:00

I have been on an herbal tea kick for quite some time. It is almost like a hobby because there is always a new one to try. My daughter went to Chicago last month and found a tea shop called TeaPots n Treasures. She bought me a wonderful tea blend that has Egyptian chamomile, orange peel, ginger, rooibos and mint. It is named "When You Feel Ichy Tea". The label says when you feel a sore throat comin on, or a cold headache, out in the cold & got a chill, feel puny or just really sick & ichy.
It really does make you feel better and helps you sleep. I always sweeten it with honey and sometimes I will add extra mint or green tea to brighten up the flavors. Ginger has been one of my favorites because it is good for colds or when you have a stomach ache. The color of this tea is really vivid and the flavors come together nicely.

TEACHING MYSELF VIOLIN

2009-03-18T19:43:00.002-05:00

Yes, I have been teaching myself the violin since about last August. I took 4 lessons with a man that owns his own music store but I found out that I really wasn't doing much wrong. I would ask him a lot of questions and he finally said, "LIZ, JUST PLAY". It was the way he looked at me that brought back memories of my days in the high school band. He reminded me of my band director. All he wanted was to play, hear and be a part of music. I played the flute and was a perfectionist, always thinking I had to be first chair. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that BUT I quickly found out that 30+ years later, I could never be first chair with the violin. I am my own worse critic!!! I had come a LONG way and decided to play everyday, even if it was for just 10 minutes and that brought me along nicely BUT I haven't played AT ALL for the past 3 weeks AND that is BAD!!! I played again tonight and realized that was a very huge mistake that I won't make again. It took me 10 minutes just to tune it and now, afterwards my left arm is really shaking. It reminds me of the old saying, "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips". Except I guess I should say, "When you don't play every day, you don't want to play everyday" and "When you play everyday, you want to play everyday."

The Blarney Stone

2009-03-17T18:51:00.005-05:00

The Blarney stone is part of Blarney Castle, just north of Cork Ireland. It is a block of bluestone that was set into the castle walls when it was built in 1446. The stone is said to be magical but it's origin in shrouded in mystery. No one knows for sure where it came from. It is said that if you kiss the stone, you will be blessed with the gift of gab. You have to actually sit down with your back to the stone, then lean backwards, while holding onto iron bars. There is an attendant that holds onto you so you don't fall to your death. I don't know about you but...I wouldn't want to kiss something that has been kissed thousands of times before and probably never been wiped off. YUG!

LEPRECHAUN WATCH

2009-03-16T18:49:00.009-05:00

There is an actual live web cam in Tipperary Ireland where you can watch for leprechaun's and other creatures. It is in a remote area and is hidden in a tree and if you see anything you can right click and take a picture of it. Go visit and try your luck to get a glimpse of a real Irish leprechaun.

CHANGING YOUR LUCK

2009-03-15T19:10:00.002-05:00

3 more days! You may ask yourself..."How can I change my luck from bad to good?" First of all, YES you can change your luck. You don't have to always have bad luck, like having a dark cloud hovering over your head. But, it will take some effort and just telling yourself you WILL have good luck. I am talking about your mindset. Start thinking like a lucky person, bring good or lucky thoughts into your head by being optimistic. Imagine yourself being successful in the things you are doing or have to do. This will open yourself up to better fortune and pretty soon you will see a difference. At least once a week, take a few minutes to think about what's going well in your life. You are always thinking about what is going bad in your life, so why not give yourself a break and focus on what's going good. Also try to give someone else a compliment about anything, even how their hair looks that day. This will open a pathway for your luck to change for the better. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

4 MORE DAYS

2009-03-14T22:01:00.002-05:00

Better late than never! It's 10:00 p.m., four days until St. Patrick's Day. I've been gone all day and am just now getting around to writing my post on day 2 of the 5 day countdown. I'll let you in on a little secret. I have been waiting a couple of years to use this following information, ever since I learned it. There is an old Irish saying; "Top O' the morning to ya". If someone says this to you, the correct response would be; "And the rest of the day to yourself". I guess I haven't had anyone say it to me because I don't know any real Irish people. BUT-I'm still waiting to give the correct response...I can't wait. I have been prepared and will keep it on the tip of my tongue...just in case!

I'm sure everybody knows this is a picture of the Chicago River on St. Patty's Day, they've been dyeing the water since 1962.

FIVE DAYS OF "LUCK"

2009-03-12T22:27:00.005-05:00

There are 5 days until St. Patrick's Day so I have decided to write an article every day leading up to the 17th. This is not only Friday the 13th but also the second month in a row where we have had a Friday the 13th. I always say we have good luck on Friday the 13th, mainly because we have never had "bad" luck. We are part Irish (isn't everybody?) and have always had a special liking to all things green. After all it is the color of spring, money, lucky 4 leaf clovers and not to mention all the talk about being "green", environmentally speaking. So, here's to a "LUCKY DAY ALL DAY LONG---FRIDAY THE 13TH" Hurrah!This is a picture of an Oxalis. I have always been fond of the purple variety but had to post a picture of this, iron cross variety because I have never seen it before. It is also called the "lucky shamrock".

LADYBUG LADYBUG FLY AWAY HOME

2009-03-10T21:26:00.002-05:00

I have always loved ladybugs and have never seen one stretching it's wings quite like this one. It took me a couple of minutes to figure out it was not dead. I watched it almost 10 minutes before taking the picture.

Sedona Arizona - Red Rock

2009-03-08T18:55:00.010-05:00

My son recently went on a day trip to Sedona Arizona and took these pictures of the famed Red Rock formations. I have always wanted to go to Sedona to experience the energy there. The area is known for it's energy vortexes. We will be returning to Arizona in September and Sedona is where we will be spending some time. I can't wait to experience the energy for myself. It is supposed to be a great place to meditate.

Looks like a perfect spot to throw down a mat and meditate!

7 DAYS OF INSPIRATION

2009-03-04T14:55:00.004-06:00

TAKEN FROM THE FEB. 23RD ISSUE OF WOMAN'S WORLD MAGAZINE:

DAY 1: Success can happen anytime.

DAY 2: Your problems are temporary.

DAY 3: Each new day brings new joys.

DAY 4: Believe in yourself. There's no reason not to.

DAY 5: Everyone needs some "me" time. Including yourself!

DAY 6: For a wish to come true, you have to make one!

DAY 7: Cheer someone up. It'll cheer you up, too!

Western Scrub Jay

2009-03-03T13:49:00.003-06:00

Birdwatching is one of my favorite hobbies. I'm not an expert, just a fan. Recently, my son captured this image of a Western Scrub Jay while on a day trip to Sedona Arizona. In winter it is fairly rare because it is a migratory bird for Arizona. I wish I could've been there...maybe next time.

GIVEAWAY THANKS

2009-03-02T19:52:00.002-06:00

I just received a pleasant surprise in the mail today. One of the Steampunk hearts that

Susan gave away. Thank you Susan!

It is a little treasure that I will keep with my little red heart rock that I found in the desert. It has been nice making online friendships with people I don't even know. She even included a precious little note card expressing her feelings. This is going into a scrapbook the next time I have time to create a few pages.

EARLY BLOOMING FORSYTHIA

2009-03-01T20:46:00.004-06:00

This is a forsythia that I spied Friday, coming home from work. It is the first one in bloom that I have seen so far. It seems to have come into full bloom in just one day. It is amazing how fast some plants bloom out so quickly.

Then last night we had a blowing snow that lasted from about 4:00 pm until about midnight. At times it looked like the flakes were falling UP! Mostly it was coming down sideways because the wind was blowing so hard. Some of it stuck to the ground but was melted off by midday. This was not so unusual for us here in Arkansas, I can remember several times in the past when it snowed in March and not just flurries but several inches. Certain areas around the state DID get several inches of accumulation though. I was hoping we would actually get some snow this Winter but we didn't. Now I am just ready for Spring.

ARKANSAS QUARTZ CRYSTAL

2009-02-26T19:13:00.005-06:00

Arkansas is home to the quartz crystal capital of the world, Mt. Ida, near Hot Springs. Our first dig was at the Coleman Mine. We went without knowing what to expect and we had a really good time. They dig big buckets of quartz laden earth out of the mine and bring it up to the area where you can dig. They call it the "tailings". You can set your chair up next to a pile and dig or you can walk around. But, you cannot go down into the actual mine area. It is way too dangerous. I climbed up to the top of a large mound and felt the urge to dig in one particular spot. I kept digging until I had a hole about 8 inches deep and something just kept telling me to dig. All of a sudden something sliced my finger and there was a lot of blood but I just kept on digging another inch and pulled out MY quartz. I think it was calling to "me".

It is very special and I pick it up and hold it when I am feeling stressed or just need a pick-me-up. It has many unique features and I would never part with it. You can go to http://www.mtidachamber.com/ and click on "dig your own crystals" to see the different mines and the specimens they get out. Some are truly amazing! My husband found a large chunk that he is quite proud of.

When you find one it gives you a special feeling that you could get addicted to, just knowing that you are the first person EVER to see it.

SIGNS OF SPRING

2009-02-20T07:25:00.005-06:00

I saw the first signs of SPRING in my neighborhood this Tuesday. The temperature got up into the low 70's. I started seeing daffodils here and there and then yesterday I saw 2 trees that are starting to bloom out, even though it dropped back down to the 50's. They are even talking about the possibility of snow tomorrow BUT those daffodils will still be there.

The Most Beautiful Tulips

2009-02-18T07:27:00.003-06:00

These tulips were the most wonderful birthday present (last year)...wouldn't you agree?!!! The picture tells all...

Another Heart from Mother Nature

2009-02-16T18:04:00.003-06:00

Well, I need to tell you about another heart experience before we get too far from February 14th. Two weeks ago I was at the grocery store buying a few baking potatoes when I spied this unusual shape. I HAD to get it...

My first thought was to sell it on Ebay...but, I ate it instead. YUM!!!

Free Crochet Pattern

2009-02-16T12:25:00.005-06:00

I made the cutest crocheted Valentine envelopes for my grand girls. I got the free pattern at http://www.lionbrand.com/ , you can search for "valentine envelopes". They were very easy, all you use is a single crochet stitch and a slip stitch. I made one with 100% cotton yarn, like I use with pot holders,
then I found the cutest multi-colored yarn and decided to use it instead. I really liked the texture of the cotton yarn but the other was too cute so, I had to use it.I put little valentines and a giant sucker inside. (I'm not the greatest photographer and my camera didn't really show all the colors in the yarn). It had red, yellow, oranges and pinks. I put a different matching edge on each one so they would know which one was theirs.

Nature's Valentine

2009-02-12T19:20:00.003-06:00

Some of you reading this might not totally believe me when I tell this story. But, it is 100% true! My husband and I were at a roadside rest stop in Arizona in December. We had gotten out of the car to stretch our legs. My husband started picking up a couple of rocks to bring back to our granddaughter that collects rocks and I told him "Look for a rock shaped like a heart, you can actually find them sometimes". Some people even collect them. I have never actually found one but I have seen plenty of pictures. Not 5 minutes later, we were near the car and I looked down and right there in plain view was the most precious red heart rock. It was laying in the midst of some smaller grey gravel, not buried or covered with dirt. Just laying right there! I looked at my husband and when I showed it to him, his mouth came open and he said "No Way"! Meditation teaches you that when you clear your mind, it clears the way for so much more to come in. Some people might call it ESP. I think in this case, I somehow knew it would be there "before" I actually found it, whatever it is called, it was an exhilarating experience, from just a little rock.

I couldn't wait to get home to take a picture of it. I placed it next to a regular size postage stamp to give you an idea of the size. I keep it next to my computer to remind myself of all the things that are possible if you just put your mind to it.

Saguaro National Park-Tuscon Arizona

2009-02-11T19:25:00.014-06:00

On our Christmas vacation to Arizona we decided to visit the Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson Arizona. From Hwy. 10, take exit 275.

We didn't have to worry about it being closed because it is open year round (except Christmas Day). 7:00 a.m. until sunset. The visitor center is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. There is actually two parts to the park. The West and the East section. We went to the East side because it is bigger and they have an 8 mile loop you can drive through called Cactus Forest Drive. It was much colder than we ever expected it to be in winter. The wind was blowing and every time we got out of the car, we had to hurry back because the wind was so cold. I never realized it is at the base of the Rincon Mountain range.

Saguaro branches always grow upward. Occasionally frost or snow will freeze the tissue at the base of a limb and damage it, and the weight of the branch pulls it down. If the branch survives, the growing tip will turn upward again. It seems this happened several times here.
In the most favorable conditions it may take 35 years to grow 6 feet, but more commonly it takes 47-67 years. They can grow 50 feet tall and may be as much as 85% water. A large plant may weigh 8 tons or more!
If you decide to visit, let me suggest going to their website www.saguaro.national-park.com/map.htm You can actually backpack, bicycle, geocache and picnic within the park. But, beware of bears, mountain lions, snakes and many other wildlife. We didn't see any animals the day we were there, Dec. 27th. I bet they were smarter than we were and were in a nice warm place.

THE THING

2009-01-07T18:48:00.012-06:00

On our recent trip from Arkansas to Arizona we started seeing big billboard signs (I think in New Mexico) that said "The Thing", come see it, guess what it is, etc. I remember the first or second sign said, only another 187 miles and you will be at "The Thing"! All the signs were on the left side of Interstate 10, until were got real close, then the last couple were on the right side.

Of course I told my husband that I would be really mad if he didn't stop or "forgot" to pull off at the right exit. I think he actually was a little curious too. Usually he wants to keep driving until we reach our destination. He would re-fuel in transit if it were an option. My best guess as to what "the thing" was, was a 2-headed Gila monster. When we pulled up to the place (in Arizona)this is what we saw...

I told my hubbie, "I can't believe it, if this is all "The Thing" is, is the NAME of the place, then that is going to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. Almost 200 miles of billboards just to see "this"? Well, I tried not to jump to conclusions and continued inside to check it out. I stopped at the door and took a picture of the sign on the front door. Well, they have a sense of humor so I was still hopeful.

I guess this is the cutest sign I have ever seen posted anywhere. Click on the image to enlarge it so you can read the fine print. We continued inside and saw the "entrance" to see "The Thing".

Well $1 didn't sound bad at all so I paid my dollar to go inside. My hubbie didn't seem too interested so he said he would wait and if it was something really exciting, he would go in after me, with a little smirk on his face. I've always been at least a little gullible. I opened the door and that sent me on a journey along a concrete path, following the "big yellow feet" or maybe the "yellow big feet".

I suddenly had an image of a big hairy stuffed "Big Foot" with it's arms stretched out over it's head, similar to the drawing Harry Henderson's father made of "Harry" the real big foot in Harry & The Hendersons. (Great Movie if you've never seen it). But instead I came into a building with several displays. I will only show you a couple because I don't want to give any secrets away. hehe. It actually continued through 3 metal buildings each one filled with old, dusty, cob-webby, stuff. It was quite cheesy (somewhat like all the quotation marks I feel are needed here for special effects) BUT well worth the $1 admission. I would recommend it to anyone needing to stretch their legs on a long journey.

WHAT A LAUGH!!!

De-Stress

2008-12-19T09:48:00.011-06:00

If you are one of a certain group of people, like me, you might be like a sponge, soaking in all of the stress of other people's problems or life events.
That's because you truly care about these people and always want to be there for them. I have always been a good listener but sometimes I can get stressed because of it, (usually when I am already stressed out over something else) because I sometimes try to offer solutions to their problems.

But, you can make the decision to relax and solve this problem, by being more SUPPORTIVE instead of trying to SOLVE their problems. By doing this you can be flying high knowing you can still be a good listener and letting your friend or family member know you care by offering supportive words. Just tell them, they can do it, anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

My Short List of Canvas Art

2008-12-16T10:42:00.006-06:00

I had a request from a follower to display some of my art. I only have a few oil paintings to share and a couple more in the works. After I finish these, I will be trying acrylics and watercolor. I have some sketches that I will do nothing else to except maybe frame. I would try putting some color on these but they were not drawn on watercolor paper and I would be afraid to add the wet paint. The soaring dove was the very first oil painting I ever tried and the lion the second. The fox is a work in progress. My son already said he wants it when I get done. I am part Cherokee Indian and my spirit animal is the fox (hence my blog name) and I have been very partial to this drawing so it will be hard to part with BUT I have another idea for a second fox. I will be drawing it on canvas soon and I might try to paint both of them at the same time or back to back. One for my son and one for me.

Vintage Christmas Cards

2008-12-15T21:57:00.017-06:00

Years ago my mother-in-law gave me a small box full of letters from the 1940's. They were from an uncle that had passed away. She knew I collected stamps and thought I would be interested in them. To my surprise, it also contained Christmas Cards. Each year I get them out and contemplate what I could do with them to preserve their importance but I have not thought of any good ideas yet. I would like to share some of my favorite ones with you.
1941:

1941 Outside

1941 Inside

1941 Outside

1941 Inside

1943 Outside

1943 Inside

1943 Outside

1943 Inside

After seeing these here, I probably should have used a red background color to make them stand out a little more. This scan job does not do them justice. They are much prettier in person. Check out the stamps, 1 1/2 cents in 1941 and still 1 1/2 cents in 1943 to mail a letter.
If anyone has any good ideas on how to use these, I would love to hear from you.

Easy recipe

2008-12-13T21:40:00.004-06:00

HAYSTACKS

1 bag of butterscotch chips

1 bag of chow mein noodles

Wax or parchment paper

Melt the chips in the microwave making sure not to over heat. Stir till totally melted. Pour in whole bag of chow mein noodles, stir until all noodles are coated. Spoon out onto wax paper. Let cool. Melt in your mouth good. So simple, this would be a good recipe for kids to make. No flame required.

Take A Roll

2008-12-11T07:22:00.001-06:00

Using the right side of your brain will ensure you have a healthier more fulfilling life. That means think like a child, do things that are fun even though it might not be something you wouldn't normally do. Get down in the floor and roll around will your pet or grandchild, sing a silly song out loud, fly a kite, go to a park and swing or roll through fall leaves. These are the things we think we are not supposed to do anymore because we are "grown-up". But they are the same things that keep our brains in tune with our bodies. The more we can stay in tune with our inner-selves the more fulfilling our lives will be. And if you can't do those things, just go there in your mind, to a special place where you can be a kid again. When I go to my special place it is usually my grandparents house in the country. I will picture myself standing in the middle of their huge garden at night and looking up at the stars. I can hear the crickets and cicadas humming and an occasional whippoorwill or I will go to the beach, with the waves lapping onshore and the sea gulls chirping overhead. This is the basic principle behind meditation.

SCRABBL*E

2008-12-06T22:50:00.000-06:00

Scrabble is my favorite board game. My grandmother taught me how to play way back when I was a kid. I spent a lot of time at her house and most of it was learning something. We never just sat around watching TV or doing nothing. We were either outside enjoying nature, doing chores or games inside or maybe helping Mam-maw in the kitchen or helping Pap-paw build a fire in the fireplace. They lived in the country so there was always something to do . When we played games, it was either Scrabble or Yahtzee. We only had two choices and we loved every minute of both of these games. She was always teaching me how to play and making it fun at the same time. I had a good teacher and now when no one else wants to play, I just play by myself. I set-up 2 boards and play each hand individually. I don't play one hand to try to make a spot for the other. I only keep track of my highest score for my personal best.

Unusual Christmas Trees

2008-12-04T11:36:00.002-06:00

Let's take a journey down a less traveled path of unconventional Christmas trees. Some are wonderful, most are just odd and some down right scary.

I never thought I had "A fear" of anything but spiders until I saw the next disturbing image. I actually feel scared when I look at this. I was wondering if there was a phobia name for "the fear of upside-down Christmas trees" but couldn't find anything. If anyone knows, let me know.

Overwhelmed In The Potty

2008-12-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

U-R-IN-A-Lavatory heaven.........or hell, can't decide, oh my!

Croquet Project

2008-12-01T19:56:00.000-06:00

I have been croqueting off & on for about 20 years. I never learned how to read the instructions so everything I make has to be easy. I decided to make some pot holders after seeing similar ones at a flea market about a month ago. I start with 100% 4-Ply cotton yard and chain 22, turn, in 2nd chain from hook, single croquet (sc) to the end, chain one and continue with sc. You can create your own color patterns or use one color. I like to use variegated yarn so I don't have to change. Make 2 pieces, then sew together using a sc around the edge. That's all there is to it. EASY.

My next project, (to resume sometime after X-mas) which has already been started but will take a long time to complete, is an afghan from granny squares. I have never made anything from granny squares so wish me luck. I think the greatest challenge for this project is---JUST TO FINISH. Hopefully I can complete this sometime next year. I saw the original idea in a Country Living magazine. There was a picture of a lady carrying a similar colored afghan. After careful observation I decided it was granny squares and proceeded to Hobby Lobby for the yarn. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Mums The Word

2008-11-26T07:12:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know it is almost past mum season but I just had to share this. We attended a banquet given by my husbands company a few weeks ago and at the end of the night, they gave away the centerpieces at each table. My husband got lucky and won ours so I just wanted to share a picture of it. Too bad they don't last very long. It is already starting to fade. I think I will plant it in the yard and see what happens next year. Wish me luck.

Not Ready For Daylight Savings

2008-11-20T19:42:00.000-06:00

The title says it all. I still had several projects to finish and now with dark upon us when we get home from work, it has thrown me off. I haven't posted in a few days due to being tired and a little under the weather. I guess it could be because it is my first week of the new diet. It has been windy this week and tonight it is supposed to get down to 24 degrees. I can hear the wind blowing right now. This is unseasonable for Arkansas to get this cold so early. Well, I am working on a croquet project right now and hope to get that posted before the weekend is over so check back. But, for now I would like to share with you a terrific recipe that is painfully easy. Everyone always loves it and I guarantee they will be licking the bowl clean.

Hot Chicken Dip

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 small can chicken

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Tabasco to taste

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Put all of this in a saucepan, stir and heat, or microwave This is good to take to the office in a small crock pot. I recommend you make a double batch!

Please Don't Rush Christmas

2008-11-16T14:52:00.000-06:00

This time of year everyone starts talking about Christmas. Everywhere you go from around October 1st, you see X-mas decorations, etc. Well, what about Thanksgiving? I actually like Thanksgiving better because it sort of signifies Autumn. It's just the feeling I get when the days get shorter, the leaves start changing and you can break out the fall colors. All these things seem to put me in a state of mind where I can feel warm and snugly inside. Besides, turkey & dressing is my favorite food. I always fix it again around April or May, who said it's just a Thanksgiving meal. I can't wait till Turkey Day!