Mandevilla

Even before summertime is official, this sunny season arrives in Alabama on the heels of spring. It slides in the screen door, hoping to remain unnoticed for a bit longer...but we are onto you Summer. You bring warmer days and balmy evenings. I say "good evening" to green frogs and mosquitos on the front porch at night. And best of all? The local stores bring in their beautiful bounty of annual flowers...ready to plant and decorate our yards. The window of opportunity for planting is NOW...before the temperatures are hot enough to peel paint off the barn.

Hello, Summer!

White. A Blank Page or Canvas...

...so many possibilities.
(Thank you Stephen Sondheim...."Sunday in the Park with George.")

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I missed out seeing these Iris beauties last year while I was cavorting in Washington State with my brother, Matthew...and my firlgriend, Lorie Joey. Jeff was kind enough to photograph them for me...so I wouldn't go through a complete springtime flower withdrawal and I appreciated it. This year I am able to see them and photograph them for myself and they're as beautiful as ever.

After following a wonderful Seattle photographer's blog for several weeks...I was inspired to create my own "signature stamp" for some of my photos. And the sand dollar image is one I've had on my List of the things to draw for a long while. So I converged the two inspirations and came up with this art stamp image. I uploaded it to my Adobe brush presets....and Voila! I can digitally stamp it anywhere.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Jeff and I are heading to Sarasota in the morning! My sister, Jessica, has already got us a brunch date for Easter...and fishing poles for Jeff to fish right from the shore. I'm looking forward to visiting with my sister, spending time with Jeff ... walking/jogging along the beach...reading a good book or two... relaxation and rejuvenation!

A peek inside Earthshine Giftworks

I like this little slide show I put together awhile back. Even before I started blogging on any regular basis, I was making these slide shows as vinettes, representing my day-to-day life. The music is the ribbon than ties the photos up together in one neat package. This slide show started out being a collection of photos depicting Earthshine Giftworks; pictures of my studio, a sampling of my products, the supplies I use to create my wares. But after I culled some of these photos, I started adding in other photos that delighted my eye...and really are, in a peripheral way...all about Earthshine Giftworks, too. These are the things that give me inspiration and provide sustenance. And this song by Imogen Heap? When I first heard it...I was mesmerized. Seemed a perfect fit.

In the Pink!

It's been years since I first heard the expression, "Bloom Where You're Planted." Being a military wife, the phrase held special meaning. It's a life affirming statement that I liken to "seize the moment!" So, it applies regardless of how long I have lived at my current address.

I have always wanted to design something special to celebrate this sentiment. Nothing came to me, creatively speaking...that was worthy. Fast forward many years. The place is our quarters, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In my cement driveway I see this morning glory in full bloom (a seed that had "volunteered" from the previous year's potted plant I had growing nearby) I knew I had the right photo for one of my favorite quotes. This flower did not let a lack of soil deter it from its right and natural course...and it "bloomed where it was planted!"

Spring Showers

Is it any wonder that we have a lot of greenery here in the southeastern part of the U.S.? I read somewhere just recently that Alabama is the wettest state in the lower 48. On average, Alabama gets 55 inches of rain per year (Mobile gets 65 inches)...compared to Seattle's mere 37 inches. Even during a drought year, Alabama gets more rain than its sisters and brothers.

This video was taken yesterday, March 28, 2009. Today is a gloriously sunny spring day. The lake has receded closer to its normal levels, the kayak is at rest on solid ground and the bog lilies beneath the catalpa (catawba) tree are drying out their feet.

I really do love spring in this part of the country. Other places I've lived offer a charade of spring. Often cruel in its intentions. But Alabama invites me to start anew...sincere in its welcome to begin fresh...and maybe a bit chagrined, knowing what's to come and begging me to enjoy its offerings before the summer thermostat gets cranked up to HIGH.

Doing our part!

Day 2 and the taxes are almost done. Finished the Federal Returns and then dove right in to get to the Alabama and Idaho returns. Didn't even let the ink dry on the first set of completed papers (so to speak). It's all over now except for the shoutin'! I'm not sure why I'm not more upset by the results of this years returns. Usually this whole experience leaves me feeling depressed. Oh that's right! I quit smoking...and nothing can compete with how I was feeling depressed over THAT loss. Turns out it was the perfect precursor for doing taxes...and I guess I'm numb to the feelings of pain...and paying. I'm looking at the bright side...which is that we're lucky to be doing well enough-financially-that we owe our government money. And we know there are soooo many good causes that our money can be used for.
Oh! And please remember!
Think: WORLD PEACE

Self Portrait

Looking ahead

I like this photo of myself. It represents how I feel in my life...a sense of expectancy...heading somewhere...on the lookout...just up around the corner. But I've got my coffee in hand...so I'm fine where I am...at this moment, it's good. The sun is shining, I'm wearing shorts, the sky is blue...and I'm sure there's a song in my heart...

From this...

...to KimArt

Frimey Slog, March 10, 2009

Jeff says I need to have faith

...that I can beat this thing. He's not a religious guy...but has oodles of good advice about having faith and following our heart and doing the right thing. Mostly Jeff just wants to see me succeed in this, my latest challenge. He says cool stuff like "once you make up your mind to do something, Kim, you'll do it!" He cringes when I talk negative crap about myself...but knows that it's not really me who's saying these things...but the alien who has moved in temporarily....the alien who doesn't LIKE that I've given up smoking. Anyway, I do have to remind myself that something was telling me to quit. Some strong inner voice...and I was listening that day. No one in their right mind WANTS to quit....that's just crazy. So, now I pay the piper...for my many years of self abuse. Now...or later. I say let's get this horrid habit out of the way now...and enjoy the rest of my life without it. Yup. That's what I say. Sixteen days and still counting...

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

I am a non-smoker

Today marks one week. I'm a little stunned and still in shock (and still going through a bit of withdrawal--although they say the worst is over). Little did I know when I woke up a week ago, smoked my ritualistic morning cigarettes...drank coffee and prepared to go out to Dale Co. Lake with Jeff for a little run....that I would never smoke again. How does a person (more specifically ME) go from a 31-year habit/addiction....to quitting Cold Turkey and saying, "I'm done?" Well, it really was as simple as that. I'm shaking my head and wondering why it took me this long to do it. It's all about fear, facing the fear and overcoming the fear. I still have new habits to form and a couple of challenges ahead. But according to Joel at www.whyquit.com if I focus on the "one day at a time" philosophy...I'll work on those future challenges when they're in front of me and in the meantime, never take another puff.

Christmas card for 2008 - My family!
Jessica, Jeff, Tarajean and Matt
Clark, Ryan and Abram
Liz, Blake, Margaret (Mom) and Caprice
Daryl (Dad), Kathy, Dillon
Shawn
Christopher, Carol, Joe and Kimberly

This blog is for Eileen!

Just in case you drop in to my blog, Eileen....I'm writing this for you! Have been a blob on the blog lately...using my time to check in to FaceBook since so many family members (Jeff's) have been writing there. And I actually got to IM with Abram the other morning...on FaceBook. Is it any wonder I check in more frequently now? (Abram's doing good, by the way. Working and getting settled in...and keeping an upbeat attitude. He may or may not be staying at Bagram Air Base...but for now, he's there and it's not a horrible place to be, relatively speaking :-)

I'll be in Tulsa, with Tarajean...for the inauguration...while you are in your studio working. And then I'll be on the road headed back to Ozark while you are heading to CHA. I wish you a VERY good CHA....and lots of luck with procuring new projects! You are AMAZING, Bean!

Thanks for your email and sharing with me about the beautiful calligraphied name tags and place settings. So happy to hear that someone else did ALL the die cutting. HA That's a LOT OF WORK! And again, your calligraphy is stunningly gorgeous! Keep up the great work...and good luck with your meeting with the "save the date" gals. I know they're going to LOVE your stuff. Who wouldn't? It's beautifully creative and professional...

Okay, need to get some stuff in order for my long road trip...a quick trip to the commissary is in order...and packing up my sewing machine to work on a project in Tulsa...while Tarajean is working.

Oh...and I just checked in to your Blog...and shaking my head laughing....reading about your work hours. I am TOAST by 10 p.m....and if I could adopt your kind of schedule...AND be creative...I'd switch in a heartbeat.

I've started a new project....and will post it for you to see after we chat and I catch you up to date on the "life of Tarajean." She's doing good, Eileen.... and, well, let's see. I'm thinking I can give you a hint about what's happening in her life....but you only get one guess as to what it might be. So here's your clue: If you could name one thing...that brings you joy, like nothing else can...what would it be?

I love you, Eileen...and I miss you and think of you all of the time. I'm so glad you liked your "poppet." xoxoxoxoxox

While visiting Abram in South Carolina recently, I met a man in the parking lot of our Super 8 Motel. Let's call this man Larry. I was standing next to our van, smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee from a Polish Pottery mug I had brought from home. I noticed his Idaho license plates and asked Larry where he hailed from in Idaho. He said "about 30 miles from the Canadian border." I asked, "Bonners Ferry?" Larry smiled at me, surprised that I new where Idaho was, let alone Bonners Ferry. Here is his story in a nutshell. This man and his wife drove all the way from North Idaho to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to attend their daughter's graduation from Army boot camp. I told him I thought this was the coolest thing ever...and although I didn't say it to Larry...I thought this a perfect example of a parent's love for their child.

Fair winds and following seas, Abram.

Greetings from Columbia, South Carolina

I love that we can get in our van in Ozark, Alabama, in the morning...and by early evening we are getting ready to eat Mexican food in Columbia, South Carolina. The journey was mostly uneventful --only one long delay in Augusta, GA....traffic accident blocking both lanes...but sunny and dry road conditions...and the gasoline cheap and plentiful.

When we got off the exit to find our Super 8 Motel...I immediately spotted a HOBBY LOBBY just a short block down the road...and am so excited that I can go browse tomorrow...while Jeff and I wait for Abram to finish his day of training.

Jeff & I checked into our motel room and immediately hopped on our laptops (his & hers) so we could unwind and vegetate the way we do at home. I don't know if we're sick, lucky or both. I went to MySpace, noted that Abram had checked his MySpace today...and figured that a message on his page would catch his attention. So I posted a message...and within a half hour received a call from Abram. Abram said he was going to catch a couple hours of shut eye and then had guard duty at midnight...and he hoped to be done with training tomorrow at 6 p.m. We look forward to going out to dinner, the three of us...and even though Abram has to return to barracks to sleep tomorrow night...he'll be able to hang with us for the entire day Sunday.

There's a multiplex movie theatre across the street from our Motel...and several eateries. And a Hobby Lobby? I don't need anything more than that. Life if good.

Short Poem for the day!

“How did it get so late so soon?
Its night before its afternoon.
December is here before its June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?”

- Dr. Seuss

Fun day at the Craft Show!

The new Picasa 3 program has wonderful NEW & improved upgraded applications! Collage making is a joy using this new program. Check it out and download for free at:
www.picasa.com

Getting the house spruced up for my Mom's visit

I love cleaning house....in the sweet anticipation of a special person coming to visit us. Even though I saw my Mom this past spring...it's been close to two years since Mom has been to visit us in Ozark. What a treat. Mom and I will do a road trip down to Sarasota to spend Thanksgiving with my sister, Jessica (a new arrival to Florida)...and then we'll do another road trip down to Fort Walton Beach to visit my brother and his girlfriend.

All right then, I'm back to cleaning. Black-eyed peas are cooking on the stove top and I need one more cup of espresso (Thank you, sweet neighbor, for the latest batch of magical elixir). Tomorrow is meal planning and shopping for food...and Saturday is cooking--gotta try this new Hummingbird Cake recipe I just found. I'm in my happy place!

I'm so proud of you, Jeffrey! Hoo-ah!

Instructor of the Year Ceremony
Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Alabama
November 13, 2008

A year of color

Gorgeous Autumn Sunday

It only takes a minute (or so I've recently read) to jot a couple personal notes. So here is me, giving this a try.

I'm starting to tweak a bit, getting ready for this craft show on Saturday (Happy Birthday, Mom! I'll be thinking of you the entire day while at the show.) So, I'm working on mental relaxation and not letting my "freaking out" thoughts get the best of me. I've done this before, I may do it again...and I'm thinking how lovely it would be not to "go there!" Deep breath...look out my studio window at the pristine calm of the lake...clear sky of blue....another deep breath, in.....out. I've got the day by the tail...not the other way around. And I'm likin' it!

View from my front porch throne

I never tire of our jogs around this little lake. It is so beautiful at this time of year. This month marks our one-year anniversary of going out to walk/jog this 5K route. I remember when I first saw this gorgeous flowering shrub. It's HUGE! I've since learned that it is a rose mallow, also known as Confederate Rose. This is the sight that greets us as we park our vehicle in the parking lot before we begin our jog.

Today Jeff and I did a double loop of the lake. Well, Jeff did a complete and I did a partial double loop. After we jogged the 3 miles one way, Jeff reversed his direction and headed back around for an additional 3 miles. After jogging one way, I walked for 1 1/2 miles...until I met up with Jeff again, and then I completed the path...jogging an additional 1 mile. This marks another first for me. Four miles of jogging in the same session. YAY! There was a couple of times during the jog that I wanted to snap a photo of the dappled light, still day...sun shining on the water. But I think I can remember it...even without a photo.

Fall Blooming Iris

If you thought this a "springtime photo" you would be mistaken. It's what I would have guessed if I were to see it. I planted these iris last fall, 2007. Back then I didn't understand the importance of keeping good notes on the various cultivars I was putting in the ground. I had 12 different tubers, no green, nothing blooming, so no color to go by, each tuber a different cultivar. Now I'm wishing I knew WHICH variety of iris this is because it's the only one that is blooming this autumn. Oh well, it's blooming and after a couple of years I'll be able to divide it and spread it around!

I'm still here

October is waning and although the leaves are falling and night temperatures are cooler...I'm still wondering what happened to September! Life is good. I finished my Master Gardener course work and will continue logging volunteer hours to achieve my certification. I've volunteered manual labor with the Claybank Master Gardener group a couple of times and will join these folks this Saturday on Ozark's "Make a Difference Day." Again, we'll be turning out at the Ozark library (the group's pet project)....to fluff and add pine straw to the daylily and iris beds we divided and transplanted last weekend. Such a nice group people I've been getting to know and makes me feel good to be a part of something that's helpful and productive.

I've been keeping busy with work...creating some new designs and producing large quantities of items for the upcoming Fort Rucker Community Spouses' Club yearly Craft Show. I haven't done a craft fair in years....and it's kind of fun getting ready for it!

Jeff and I have been out to Dale Co. Lake for our walks/runs...and the last three times I've been out there I've jogged the 3 miles.....without stopping . I remember when I was going to the gym at Fort Campbell, a couple of times a week...walking the 1/2 mile distance to and from the gym when I would go. And I remember working up to being able to jog the entire distance from the gym to our quarters on Hawaii Avenue....without stopping. This was 1/2 mile...and I thought I was QUEEN then! So this 3-miles is a big deal for me. I think I can speed walk as fast as I jog/shuffle....but am so proud of myself. Three miles is as much as I want to do...but my goal is to do it a bit faster and have it feel easier. This body isn't striving to run any marathons...but just to keep good bone health and cardio strength.

I finally got in the yard and used my favorite chemical (glyphosate)....ROUND UP, lil' doggies! (I love knowing the active ingredients in some of these name brand pest and weed control sprays. One of the many benefits of attending this Master Gardener class.) I've been wanting to extend my daylily bed on the side slope of the yard for months...and this is the perfect time of year to do the laborious job. I needed a nice day without wind...and the first day that happened, I was all over it. I sprayed to kill the lawn/weeds to finish out the daylily bed....and I also sprayed to kill the grass in another area....where I have hopes of planting several Rabbit Eye blueberry bushes. These are one of the few fruits that we can grow in these here parts....and I'm all over this!

I heart flowers!

Works been good

Work has been good to me these last few weeks. I have great customers who bring out the best in my creative process. I've designed several new magnets and freshened up the face on some oldies, but goodies. Many years ago when Eileen and I first started making magnets, I don't think either one of us had a clue that we would still be making them. Almost all of my "good ideas" are now made into magnets first. They've grown on me. Just say "No" to stainless steel refrigerators and "Yes" to magnet art!

Kimberly in her glory

Heavenly Blue Morning Glory, that is. What fun to play with this extraction tool in Adobe Photoshop. I'm getting better at it...but there are still some crucial elements I need to school up on so I have more control over the size of the photos I'm merging together, dpi-wise.

G'bye to friends

I can't believe it. We watched the last episode of the final season of "The Wire." I'm going to miss the great characters (flawed to a fault), even the bad guys. I'll miss the gritty realism of the inner city...and the smart, quick dialog that made me feel like I was being let in on a well kept secret. Hey! I think it's because the writers gave credit to their audience and didn't feel compelled to explain every little thing. I liked that a lot. I'm grateful to all the folks involved in bringing us such great television...and I look forward to seeing what this writing team comes up with next.

More television pseudo-friendship goodbyes included the final season of "Foyle's War" on PBS Mystery ...and the final season of "Inspector Lynley" on the same station. I'm bereft on both counts. What better testimony of good entertainment...than a viewing fan who feels they've lost a friend.

Happy Birthday, Jeffrey!

Okay. This photo was taken on Christopher's 50th Birthday back in June. But today really IS Jeffrey's birthday...and we are in Florida with Christopher and Carol celebrating Jeff's special day. When Chris and Jeff return from a day of boating/fishing...I'll get a few photos of the birthday boy!

While visiting my brother in Florida, I started copying some photos from his hard drive to my external hard drive. Look at this photo I found! My beautiful grown-up kids! Taken only 2 1/2 years ago...I marvel at all the things that have happened in this short time. I'm thinking that each of us can look at the past two and a half years of our lives and note some big changes. A few of life's offerings just plain sucked. Flat out, no arguments, sad as sad can be...sucked. But looking at the glass half full....a multitude of blessings...more than our fair share, rained down on us and filled the cup again. Love the UGGS, Tarajean, and your beautiful smile (which matches the beautiful person you are on the inside)......And Abram? I actually miss seeing you and your hair in your eyes. Nope, I take that back. Let's just stick with "I miss you." THAT is the truth.

Sometimes it just works out. A customer asks if I’m able to do “such and such.” I am provided the thread of an idea…and from the idea follows a wave of head pictures (this is the part where I get very lucky!). Next is pencil to paper and then paper to scanner. When the artwork hits the computer, the project experiences another metamorphosis. The design begins to breathe on its own. I can usually tell if it’s going to work. And sometimes I’m downright tickled and surprised by the outcome. For this process, I give thanks.

Good Friends

Kimberly and Eileen

Week Three Cross Training Challenge

After a fairly easy start, this week's challenge ramps it up a bit. I've never been one to go to the gym often...but these requirements make the gym my "home away from home" this week. When I found out that I get to meet my dear friend, Eileen, in Charlotte, NC, later this week....I experienced a bit of angst. How am I going to cram all of this physical training into just a few days? Turns out my anxiety was all for not. Here's how you do it, Kim. Start the day with an hour-long Yoga/Pilates fusion class. Then hop over to the weight room and do 3 sets of a 10-item list of weight training exercises (thanks, Yvette, for showing me the ropes on these machines!)....then move into the other room and do 2 sets of 4-laps walking lunges (which equals a total of 64 lunges with my long legs). There! That's how to do it. Tomorrow I'll hit the 7 p.m. step aerobics class...and get a 30-minute swim in and another weight training session on Wednesday, after the Master Gardner class. I feel better already, just knowing I can fulfill the week's exercises.

Special Anniversary

September 2001

Congratulations to me......6 years of keeping the weight off!

Spring 2008

This was quite the exercise in collage design using Adobe Photoshop. It took entirely too long and although I ended up with a fun final product...there were things I tried doing and couldn't achieve. Maybe next time. These photos are a small tribute to my first couple of Master Gardener classes. Me on the "first day of school." The large sign out front of the Dale County Cooperative Extension office....the US and AL flags and a back drop of one of my favorite summer flowers, orange cosmos.

Thank you, Chris!

Just when I thought I might spend my day floundering and scattered, I received an e-mail from friend/customer, Chris. I have fresh direction! A rush order of assorted Earthshine Giftworks is needed for a Spouses Club membership sign up and I feel happy that I can do it. So, the Hestia chores will wait until tomorrow, along with yard detail and cooking (sorry, honey). A fresh pot of LJ's special blend is on the burner and I'm still wearing my pajamas. And Chris will be happy to know that I went back to the mat (no pun intended) and wrestled the "hat" beast of design...and I won!

Jeff and Abram, thanks for going to the rock wall with me. This photo of Y & I is worth more than any number of words trying to describe it. I love the work out I get from this particular activity and it was very special to share it with you guys. On Belay!

KY and YK

You can deal with anything if you have the right shoes!

Lucky Me! Two new pair of shoes. One pair for
walking/running and one for weight training and
rock wall climbing. It was a good sale on
name-brand shoes...how could I turn it down?
Oh, and I forgot to mention they BOTH have
awesome cushion and comfort.

Schnacky snack

The pears are on! I'm usually a Fuji apple-a-day kind o' gal but August - September brings us an abundance of Asian pears. The Quaker granola bar is my bow to the oatmeal raisin cookies I made in the "before" days of yore.

Did you know that a pear contains one more gram of fiber than an apple? I didn't. I just read this information in a nutrition guidelines handbook. Cool. Be sure and eat the peel.

Eat up, schnacky snackers! (Try saying this three times, real fast.)

Hurricane Gustav

We got more rain resulting from Tropical Storm Fay. Some mild winds and overcast skies were the only telltale signs that Gustav might come knocking. I'm sure our neighbors along the gulf coast to the southwest of us would write this blog differently. I can only share from my viewpoint, here in the house on the little lake. We'll keep an eye on the incoming Hanna and see if she's got something more wet in store for us.

40-minute cooking rice challenge

Just got back from the gym and successfully finished my cardio interval challenge on the treadmill. Then I performed the challenge move of the week --"push ups on the ball." I wrapped up the work out by finishing off my 32 oz. bottle of water and stretching most muscles in my body for 10 full minutes (easy to do if you stop to take the time but often times skipped if I'm in a hurry).

So you're probably asking yourself, "what does this have to do with cooking rice?" I'm getting to it. I was so energized after my work out, coupled with the fact that Jeffrey had just put on a fresh pot of coffee...that I decided I would see how many small domestic chores I could accomplish in the short time it takes to cook brown rice, ergo, the 40-minute challenge.

Here's what I was able to do...and I sure am proud of myself:

1. Take out the compost (which was starting to overflow the porcelain pot)

2. Fill the bird feeders
3. Windex the glass top patio table
4. Take up all the recycle for pick up in the early a.m.
5. Empty all household trash and wheel the trash can up to the curb
5. Scrub two toilets and clean one bathroom mirror and counter top
6. Water several of the potted plants and the day lilies in containers that I'm trying to keep alive so I can put them in the ground AFTER I kill the lawn where they need to be planted
7. Check my e-mail
8. Put a load of laundry in the washer
9. Drink a cup of the delicious coffee
10. Fill Stubby's dish with fresh water

Ding! Ding! That's the sound of the stove timer going off, letting me know it's time to cook dinner.

Let me know if you ever take the 40-minute rice cooking challenge. I'd love to hear what you accomplish with your 40-minutes

Our back yard