Best of...

Sleeping in

We forgot to set the clock last night. This morning, we woke up an hour later than usual. John Tyson even slept in! It is nice to get a little rest. It was much needed and in my opinion, much deserved.

Green day

What's green, refreshing, settles the stomach, and tastes good? Mint tea. Try it hot or cold, with honey and milk. Consider adding it to your hot chocolate or egg nog. Mint tea is my most favorite beverage treat!

Actually simple

I have discovered a great place to read, find interesting books, check my email, and hang out. It is this little corner joint called the library.

Borrowing books from the library saves me all sorts of money compared to purchasing them. You can also find magazines, cds, and DVD's to look at and borrow. This is a great alternative to those expensive visits to the Barnes and Noble or Borders. If you don't have a library card, get one now!

Imago Dei

Christine just got back from a mission trip to Cuba. She only spent 4 days there, but she fell in love with the people and the place. Her stories and passion reminded me of the faces of God that I saw when in Honduras. Here are just a few beautiful people.

G is for germs

Germ-a-phobes beware! I am not one of you. I don't necessarily like germs. John Tyson has a runny runny nose this week and it isn't pretty. But I don't hate germs either. Germs can be our friends. They can help build our immune system and they help build our personal character by requiring us to persevere through sickness. Right?

I must confess, I eat food even if it is dropped on the table or sometimes if it is dropped on the ground or floor. I don't wash my hands every 10 minutes. I don't use hand sanitizer regularly. I try to keep clean, but I am not a crazy germ destroyer. Germs, I hope you'll continue to be my friends.

Bold and beautiful

Orbital by mtjoyschool on etsy.

If you get a chance, take a look at mtjoyschool's art pieces on etsy.com. The artist uses a lot of bright colors and bold lines. I really like the feel of this artist's work.

Best of...

Magazines

My birthday was on Wednesday. Last year, I had a huge shebang, so this year my request was quite simple: Make the yummy recipe for lettuce wraps in last month's issue of Vegetarian times. On Thursday, I got my wish. The wraps were delicious!!!!! If you're not familiar with the VT magazinie, give it a whirl. You will definately find some interesting food suggestions and some info on sustainability and eco friendly lifestyles.

Green day

This past week, I spent some time with an old friend, Anne. You can visit with her too:

"As a Thanksgiving special, WPT will present the entire lineup of the longtime family favorite Anne of Green Gables Thursday starting at 7:30 a.m. and running until 5:30 p.m.If you -- like many public television fans -- are an Anne fanatic, you can take your viewing experience beyond the T.V. screen and onto the Web. The films' producer offers a home for fans from around the world, with in-depth film and character information, fun online activities and even a forum to discuss the films and future projects.For an even further exploration of Green Gables, why not travel to the real-life site of the fictional Avonlea. Sure, you can plan a trip to Canada's Prince Edward Island. But, via the Web, you can make the trip right on your home computer thanks to the Prince Edward Island Tourism Board. Learn about plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the books that inspired the films. Or, take a virtual tour of the Anne-related sites."

Actually Simple

Upcycled Clothing by Poor Pitiful Pearl

Find your own recycled clothing styles here.

I read in a magazine about having a Swap o ramam rama:

"Swap-O-Rama-RamaThe world's largest clothing swap, the Swap-O-Rama-Rama, is back in New York City on April 22 for an Earth Day wingding. This year's event features do-it-yourself workshops which explore ways to creatively reuse and recycle used clothing. We're especially excited about the sewing stations operated by local designers showing us how to modify used clothing, and the on-site silkscreening demos too."

Basically, you have one of those clothing swaps that everyone's having these days, but you add a twist. Bring your thread, needle, buttons, jewels, paint pens, and sewing machine and once you've picked over the clothes an exchanged what you want, start decorating and upcycling the rest.

Anyone interested in hosting a swap o rama rama with me?

Imago Dei

Good morning, Sun. Good morning crisp cool rays of daylight. Welcome hope!

The day is dawning and I am just rising. I pray my love won't fail, my love won't fail.

F is for...Flora

It is supposed to snow tonight and I'm very excited. We haven't seen snow around here in ages!

Not sure why "F" stands for "Flora" today. It would make more sense for "flake" or "fall" or "frost" to be the word, but "Flora" it is. And who could help but smile at these bright and cheery flowers? (photos taken by me)

Also to celebrate the word of the day, I had to give a shout out to my good old friends Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather!

Bold and Beautiful

Today, I'm posting some of my own photography. When I first started this blog, I intended to post a lot of my stuff, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I hope you enjoy the bold and beautiful images and if you do, you're welcome to order some of your own from my site at http://www.littletreetrimmings.etsy.com/.

Best of...websites

Learn the skills to do everything yourself on www.selfsufficientish.com.

Check out this article about making your house warmer for the winter:

" Is your house cold in the winter months? The ishers (from our web forum) have got together and helped put together this list of things you can do to keep your house warm this winter, some are free and most are cheap. The great thing too is a warmer house means less need for the central heating which will save you loads of money. "Click to continue reading

Green Day

Madebymavis moss gardens.

Actually simple...eating locally

locovore

the practice of eating food that is grown locally. Origin: Almaden, San Jose, Santa Cruz, SFO
Being a locovore decreases the amount of greenhouse gases, as the food consumed is sourced locally, instead of being trucked in to my city.
food diet carnivore herbivore omnivore by RexDerf Nov 15, 2007 share this add comment

Imago Dei

Christ of the bread lines

E is for...

earth

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

Sorry I haven't blogged this week

I've been traveling and writing and just haven't gotten to add to this blog this week. I apologize.

It is Friday, Best of...

I'm going to turn the tables on the "Best of" series this week. Instead of me telling you what is great, how 'bout you take a minute to tell me? Over the weekend, send me a message or comment on this blog post and tell me what is the Best Book you've read lately. I'll be sure to post all of your suggestions! Thanks.

Bold and Beautiful

We recieved the newsletter from the Open Door Community yesterday in the mail. The Open Door Community is an Atlanta Protestant Catholic Worker community. One of the pictures in their most recent newsletter is a depiction of the Three Kings by Brian Kavanagh. I tried my best to find this depiction online so that I could share t on the blog, but I can't seem to locate it via google. I searched the Open Door website to see if it was there and came upon this photo and others taken by Clive Bonner. You can see his photos from the community at the website listed below. http://www.opendoorcommunity.org/beauty_p9.htm

The best of...

Books

I'm reading Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. I love the way he writes. He often describes the feelings and experiences I have been unable to put into words myself.

Green day

One of my housemates has been using water as if it coming from some unending stream. He leaves the faucet dripping and he lets the sink run and run while washing dishes. I might just have to become the water police.

Keep water clean and conserve what you can.

When I was searching for a picture, I came across this website. Enjoy!

http://www.mothersfightingforothers.com/

Actually Simple

I found a great website with simple home remedies. Here's one on DIY room deodorizers:

Homemade Air Fresheners: Place a couple of drops of essential oil on a folded paper towel or on cotton balls. Place in a margarine container, poke holes in the lid, then place in an out-of-sight area in the room, such as behind furniture. Make the scents seasonal – for instance, use peppermint or cinnamon at the holidays and lavender in the spring. Note: Be sure to keep away from small children and animals.