New Candle Lanterns from Trash

I found five old solar lanterns in a box in my mother in-laws garden shed. After a cleanup and new batteries . . we found they work but the light was really faint . . . these are some of the first solar lights on the market . . they have a soft, faint yellow light. Compared to today's solar lights they are dim and pathetic. Jim said "toss them" but since they are all metal and glass and a really cool design, I thought I would tear them apart and make candle lanterns out of them . . they turned out AWESOME! Actually, I like them better as candle lamps than solar lights!

The tops are held on with two screws and the insides were easy to pop out. The space where the solar panel was left a great hole for the candle to vent.

The candles are old baby food jars that another artisan on Etsy sent me for the cost of the postage. I have about 100 of them that I am going to make into hanging candle lights for the trees. I took them to a local candle shop and had them all poured in bright tropical colors. (I will post the hanging lights when I get to making them in a week or so . . .)

The bottom of the lanterns had a great cross piece that I hot the jar to . . they can be popped off easy to put a new candle on when needed.
They came out GREAT . . . they are way brighter than the solar lights ever were. I am thinking of putting two in the guest bathroom on a shelf . . they would great in there!

It amazing when you can something you were going to throw away and make something new and better! (makes me want to yard saling!)

Tonights dinner courtesy of Fisher Farms CSA

Friday and Saturday night dinners are my favorites! Friday is when we unpack our surprise bags of vegetables from one of our two local CSA's here.

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Before the growing season begins, you pay a share to the local CSA farm, they use the money to plant their crops and during the season you receive a weekly bag of fresh from the farm vegetables. By the end of the season, the produce you receive more than pays for the share cost . . plus, you get to try all types of vegetables you may not normally buy. If there is a CSA near you, don't hesitate to join . . . you can't get produce this fresh unless you grow it yourself.

On Friday, we normally eat an all vegetarian fare . . . this Friday we had fresh sweet corn, so tender it about melts in your mouth and a tomato, onion, basil & mozzeralla salad.

We ate until we popped!

Saturday dinners are usually a combo of CSA goodies and what can be scared up from one of the local farmer's markets. (we skipped Bristow's market today and headed to Tulsa for the Cherry Street FM).

We had sweet corn again, pod peas from our own garden, a cherry street vinegarette potato salad, a huge plate of tomatos & onions with fresh basil and White balsemic vinegar and bratwest off the grill (washed down with a bottle of "V" from the local Stone Bluff Cellars . . . Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmmm

Can you tell summer at our house is all about the eating?

Mmmmm . . .breakfast from the Farmer's Market

Don't you love farmer's markets?

I woke up early today and gathered up a box of herbs to take the Bristow Farmer's Market. I included Flat Italian Parsley, Sage, Sweet Marjoram, two types of Basil, and Winter Savory. My car smelled like perfume all the way to town.
I came home with new red potatoes, fresh bread, lemon/poppyseed cake, green beans, blueberries from JoAnn & Willie Peeper (my neighbors just up the highway) and red cabbage (Bob Wyatt said his wife Kris calls it "fish taco cabbage" . . . which just gave me a GREAT idea for dinner!! (thanks Bob!)
When I got home, I had breakfast on the patio (Homemade blueberry jam, stillwarm, sweetened with honey on toasted home baked bread and an endless pot of coffee) . . . .
mmmmm mmmmmm mmmmmm!. . . .


I love corner fruit stands and farmer's markets and all the different goodies you find! It is a new adventure each week. I love the smells, the sounds, the mingling and visiting with townsfolk . . . it seems to bring out the best in people!

Earth Day -- Forty Years Later

Tomorrow, April 22nd, is a day of historical signficance for me. On this day, forty years ago, I sat cross-legged in a Southern California park and listened raptly to my grade school teacher explain about the FIRST Earth Day celebration.

I'm sure to many students that day, it was just another speech from a teacher that went in one ear and out the other. But to me . . . it has colored and changed every aspect of my life from that day forward.

In April of 1970, the Los Angeles County school system was in the midst of a five week teachers strike. Now, for most students, it was a free ticket to play . . an unexpected vacation from the confines of school (we didn't care about striking teachers . . LOL). Things unfolded just a bit different for me though . . . at my school (Rhoda Street Elementary in Encino, California) we had a few teachers who would not cross the picket lines to teach at school, but through their caring and dedication to their students, donated their time teaching kids in the local parks. One teacher in particular holds a special place in my heart . . . I TRULY wish after all these years that I could remember her name. What I will NOT forget, is the lasting values she taught me in a make-shift classroom in the park. Her selfless donation of time to gather her students in the park every day, taught me many things . . . one in particular was about a new movement taking shape . . Earth Day. That lesson has stayed with me my entire life and has shaped everything that I do . . including my own business that focuses on environmentally friendly printing, recycled papers and papers you can plant (yep . . . they GROW as they recycle)

As a ten-year old, five weeks of classes in an open air park was sheer heaven in inself . . little did any of us know of the historical significance that April 22, 1970 would forever hold in history.

A bit of background on Earth Day: In 1969, U.S. Senator and Earth Day founder, Gaylord Nelson, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishmetn and force this issue onto the national agenda. "It was a gamble," he recalled, "but it worked." Senator Nelson was later awarded the Presidental Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor give to civilians for his role as Earth Day founder. Ten years later, on Earth Day 1980, Senator Nelson said "My primary objective in planning Earth Day was to show the political leadership of the Nation that there was broad and deep support for the environmental movement. While I was confident that a nationwide peaceful demonstration of concern would be impressive, I was not quite prepared for the overwhelming response that occurred on that day. Two thousand colleges and universities, ten thousand high schools and grade schools, and several thousand communities in all, more than twenty million Americans participated in one of the most exciting and significant grassroots efforts in the history of this country."

"Sit-ins" in the '70's were the protest medium of "norm". So a political sit in on April 22, 1970 was not out of the ordinary, however, what it acheived was. Millions of Americans, from all walks of life, Republicans AND Democrats, young and old, flocked to parks and the streets to demonstrate, work together and rally against the decay of our environment. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. I feel so honored to have been included from the inception.

I think that a lot of people have the attitude that Earth Day and the "green" movement that is so rapidly growing is a fairly new thing, and a passing fad. As a person who has celebrated every Earth Day for forty years, I find myself troubled by those who jump on the "green" bandwagon only for financial gain. This is our future . . our very survival on this beautiful blue orb we call home depends on US. How we take care of it now will depend upon how our future generations survive. This means many things . . . reducing our carbon footprint and leaving a cleaner, healther Earth is the first step each of us can take.

There is an ancient Chinese proverb that states "The longest journey begins with the first step" My challenge is to all of you . . take the first step. Change ONE thing in your lifestyle that will make an impact on the Earth . . . reduce, reuse, recycle and remember that EVERY day is a day to celebrate Earth Day!

Peace, love and green thoughts!!

Gracie

My girls . . .

They are both so lovely (inside and out). Tor on the left, Jill on the right

New Year's in Wyoming

Assmaster

The smallest of things amuse me . . . I picked up the mail and was paging through it and saw this. I have to admit . . my first thought was "Oh no, what has he ordered in the mail now?" then I realized it was a "BassMaster" advertisement. LOL!

Frog Balls!

We went to Wyoming for a late Christmas (New Year's) get together. I am LATE getting pictures up (sorry family).

This is what greeted me the first morning I stumbled upstairs for coffee and was looking for coffee creamer.

Mmmmm . . . frog balls (don't you love the interesting things lurking in other people's fridges?)

Miss you . . Love you . . .

Dear Mom,

It has been 1 year today since I held you hand and whispered in your ear that it was ok to leave us . . . I miss you more than ever.

I see you everywhere and in everything. I thought about you when I got up this morning and smelled my paperwhites on the dining room table and knew how much you would have loved them and when I saw your bunny sitting in the same spot on our fireplace that it sat on yours and in the same spot it sat on your mom's fireplace. It gives me great pleasure to use the things you loved and that your mother loved and tell their stories to my daughter, thank you for giving them meaning.

On the way to town, the tears streamed down my face at the bare branched trees against the morning sky and how you marveled in their beauty . . winter lace you always called them. I even miss the way you annoyed the hell out of me at times . . . that is what family is for LOL.

I guess I just wanted to say you are not forgotten, you are fondly talked of often . . . at dinners and family events and always with a smile.

Love you always . . .

Christmas Day in Oklahoma 2009

We had prepared a huge Christmas eve feast for family and friends and they all got stuck in Oklahoma City in the blizzard. Our daughter Tori and three of her co-workers (tor is on the left) were snowed in the mall where they worked. All their cars were buried and they had to hike in the snow up to the Fairfield Inn where Bath & Body Works graciously put them up for the night (no dinner though . . . every surrounding eatery was closed up, so they had Pop-tarts from a machine for Christmas eve dinner!)

We got up Christmas morning, put on our winter gear, loaded shovels and drove to the city to dig her out. It took us more than two hours to drive the turnpike at 40 mph. I stopped counting abandoned vehicles at 220 LOL!

Above, our front porch and below is the road in front of our house (old 66)
This what the main highway (new66) looked like . . solid snowfloor


Jim & Tyler digging out cars of the Crossroads mall parking lot. Along with Tor's Jimmy and the cars of the three other girls, they dug out two additional cars nearby


There were a couple of folks taking advantage of a large open parking lot to do some "truck skiing"

Highway 240 going into Edmond

Intersection in Edmond (most intersections were blocked with stalled cars and huge snowbanks)

A line of cars and trucks blocking an on-ramp to I-35

It was an exciting Christmas Day! We got back home about 6 p.m., warmed up the leftovers and are looking forward to leaving for our trip to Cody, Wyoming on Monday! (will send pics from the road trip)

Oklahoma Christmas

According to the weather experts here, this is one of the worst blizzards in Oklahoma history. Maybe it was because of the 40-60 mph winds that came with it, but we didn't think it was all that bad (maybe that's because we both grew up in Idaho . . . where they have REAL snowstorms and blizzards!)

The night beforeDuringA white Christmas!

Butternut squash and cranberry casserole

Mmmm . . this is great hot or cold and can be made ahead of time and baked later.
Try it, even Jim who swears he hates squash likes it.

Pre-heat oven to 350 and spray coat a rectangle glass baking dish

Ingredients
Small butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
1/4 hot water (or red wine for a tastier version)
2 medium onions quartered, then cut in halfs (small chunks)
Small jar (6 oz.) whole peeled garlic cloves
2 T. Olive oil
2 T. Chopped fresh oregano leaves (can used dried)
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Salt & Pepper

Pour hot water or wine over cranberries and let them sit until you assemble the rest of the ingredients.

Peel and dice butternut (easier if you peel first then cut in half and scoop seeds), throw in a large bowl
Cut onions into chunks, throw in bowl with squash
Add entire bottle of garlic cloves
Add olive oil and herbs
Drain cranberries and add to bowl

Toss well and place into baking dish in an even layer.

Bake on 350 for 1 hour and 10 min (check towards end, you may want to increase or descrease cooking time depending on if you like your squash firmer or softer)

You can add salt and pepper to taste when served or sprinkle a tiny bit of sugar or splenda to brighten the taste of the squash.

Makes about 8 servings
Enjoy!

Ow! . . . . I mean Owl

We were zipping along a windy road, somewhere in the mountains and like most country roads, you see a number of animals that didn't quite make it across. Just a fact of country life. We saw this "lump" in the distance, barely being missed by passing cars and when we passed it, it looked up at us. That is all it takes for me LOL, I am a sucker for an injured animal on the road. I was afraid that someone would run it over so we turned around to pick it up.

It was the most pathetic thing I have seen in a while. He was just a handful and weighed barely anything. His eyes and feet were the biggest thing on him. We took him to a nearby road off the highway (he most likely swooped down in time to get bonked by a car). We waited a bit to see if he would recover and when he did, Jim put him on a pile of rocks. He had a bloody beak, after checking him out, nothing appeared to be broken, he just was stunned from boinking a car.

We googled owls when we got home and we think he is a Flammbulated Owl, which is native to the Ozarks and the western US. He was about the size of a softball and almost as round.

Brrrrr

How cold is it when the springs coming off the hills freeze?? This was "somewhere" in the Ozarks (can't remember exactly where LOL)

Wanna buy a Ra Bite?

While shopping in Van Buren, we stopped in a great store call the Main Street Connection. They had an old sign on the wall that I didn't see until we were walking out . . . it made me giggle all the way down the street. I finally walked back and asked the lady if I could take a picture of it.

She was thrilled to tell the story! She said she purchased it from an old guy up the road near where she lives, when she stopped to ask him to buy it, he said, "I think it's spelled wrong, let me make you a new one" . . she insisted on buying the original. (it's NOT for sale, I asked). Apparantly the old guy wasn't sure how to spell rabbit, so he stopped a truck on the highway and asked him, this is the spelling the trucker gave him. The gap between the FO and the R is because there was a tree growing where he wanted to nail the sign up and that's why he left the gap. The shop owner pointed out that she especially like the extra efforts like the "dot" in the middle of the O.

She showed me another great original work of "art" that she purchased at a local flea market. This one is hanging in the back of her shop. Apparantly there wasn't enough room for a capitol "D"


If you are near Van Buren, stop into the Main Street Connection in old downtown and let Marcia know you saw her on my blog!

Shopping in Van Buren

We decided to take a weekend off and head to Van Buren, Arkansas for a day of antique shopping. We are looking for a mission oak style dresser for our bedroom. We didn't find the piece we wanted but we got some quality stocking stuffer shopping done! Old Van Buren has a gorgeous restored downtown and it was all decked out for Christmas.

I love a good sign!

Sign on a BBQ joint just outside of Fort Smith, Arkansas

Uh Oh!

When I got up this morning and looked at the temp (a balmy 5°) I told my husband we need to check the well house for a lightbulb (he said it's done) and check all the outside faucets to see if they were turned off and disconnected (famous last words)

When I went out to feed and I walked back up to the house, this gorgeous ice sculpture was waiting for me!

Lucky enough the water was still running through the connections and it didn't freeze into the house.

Check your faucets (before the temps dip)

Lucy's new dad!

Last night, Lucy was delivered into the hands of a young man (college grad) named Michael. He lives in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area and was so excited to include Lucy into his life.

He has a fenced backyard, no other pets, so Lucy will get his undivided attention. Another plus? he lives less than a block from the local dog park (pictures coming soon!)

I am so pleased! In slightly over three weeks, Lucy has gone from a panic striken, grossly neglected dog to a happy, bouncy, slightly goofy fur bundle of joy!

Good luck to Michael and Lucy! and THANK YOU to all who called and inquire about her and especially to PAWS!

Rescue dogs are the best . . they are grateful for their homes and the attention given to them. If you need a dog, bypass the breeder and pet stores and check out your local dog pound, shelter or dog rescue group. You won't regret it!

We named her Lucy and she needs a good home . . .

UPDATED WITH NEW PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM

The PAWS adoption clinic did not go well for her. It was the day after she was plucked out of the bushes and she spent the entire adoption clinic cowered in her cage and growling at everyone who came near. (read the post below this one to learn about her story)
I am happy to report that almost all of the nasty ticks have fallen off and that she has put on a lot of weight (eats like a piglet right now . . I'm sure she still wonders if each meal is her last LOL). She is happy, bright and a delightful pup to be around. She adores playing and soaks in the hugs and kisses. She is completely social and loves everyone she meets. I am sure the next adoption clinic will go well for her.

She loves playing ball and will bring it right back to your hand. She caught on to sit very quickly but like most puppies there are too many distractions for stay to mean much. She caught onto the doggie door very quick and as of the last 3 days has gone outside to do her business without a fuss or accidents.


She is great around the cat, curious but not threatening, in fact the cat scared her to death the first time he turned around and faced her (Monster has raised a LOT of dogs!) She gets on well with our dogs (my jack russell Scout is a cranky old thing though . . and will be happy when she leaves and can resume her queen status)

She is a good girl and deserves a family that will love her. For adoption information, you can call me here 1-800-276-7754 or contact PAWS at pawspals@msn.com


7-12-15 UPDATE:  Six years ago, Lucy was delivered into the hands of a young man (college grad) named Michael. He lives in the Edmond/Oklahoma City area and was so excited to include Lucy into his life.

He had a fenced backyard, no other pets, so Lucy got his undivided attention. Another plus? he lived less than a block from the local dog park!

I am so pleased! In slightly over three weeks, Lucy has gone from a panic striken, grossly neglected dog to a happy, bouncy, slightly goofy fur bundle of joy!

Michael is now married and Lucy resides in the very happy home of Michael, his wife and two children which she adores.  They say she is the BEST dog.  I am so pleased that I stopped to pluck her out of the bushes.

Rescue dogs are the best . . they are grateful for their homes and the attention given to them. If you need a dog, bypass the breeder and pet stores and check out your local dog pound, shelter or dog rescue group. You won't regret it!

NEW LUCY PICS!

This is Lucy, six years later with muddy feet from a frisbee chase

Outside, being a mud puppy

Relaxing with toys

THIS is what happy, healthy and LOVED looks like!!

Thank you Michael!!