Fightin' Phils win the pennant!

Enough said. Next stop WORLD SERIES.

Blue (and yellow) Ribbon Winner

I won! What has been keeping me busy for the past couple weeks you ask? Well, I have been obsessing over how I was going to create 2 artistic floral arrangements to enter into the Reading Fair this year. I've never done anything like this before for competition but after seeing some other entries at other fairs last year, I decided I was going to do it! I entered the cup and saucer class and the "my country" class which had to be red/white and blue w/ foliage. My cup and saucer arrangement won the blue ribbon for 1st place and my red/white/blue arrangement won the yellow ribbon for 3rd place.
I dropped off the arrangements at 2pm on Sunday- the judging was on Monday morning (yesterday)at 9am. The Fair didn't open until 4pm yesterday so I was dying to know if I had won! Wills and I got there around 5:30 and rushed in to find a blue ribbon laying so proudly next to my cup and saucer arrangement. Then a few steps down we found that my red/white/blue arrangement won too! I am happy for 3rd place with that arrangement as I was uncertain how the judges would like my "artistry" in putting my arrangement in a vintage chip can and not in a traditional vase. Well, I guess they liked it!

After we walked around and viewed the other exhibits, although I must admit that I kept going back to mine, we ventured out into the main part of the Fair. I think this was the first time I had been at the Reading Fair and it was nice- there were strolling musicians, carnival rides, lots of food, games, car races, an Elvis impersonator and even a house filled with rescued pot bellied pigs. Not to mention all of the vegetable exhibits and animals! www.readingfair.us

Fruit and Flora

Above are my 2 newest acquisitions for my too bare walls. Both are vintage and fit perfectly into my home. I mean, I've only been living here for 8 years, isn't it about time I commit to hanging something on the walls? Good things come to those who wait, right?

Willi, James and Monti

Willi, James and Monti, as in Williamsburg, Jamestown and Monticello- where we spent our 4th of July holiday. This was my first time to all of these places and as a person who enjoys American history, I enjoyed it tremendously. There was so much to absorb history-wise... there were fifes and drums, british soldiers, Benedict Arnold, Pocahontas, John Smith, Thomas Jefferson, I could go on; Wills must have been tired of me saying things like (as we walked along the James River in Jamestown) "Do you think Pocahontas stepped right here?" as I slowly lifted my foot up and back down to the ground.
Even with all that history at each destination, I could not help but be drawn to the gardens. To me, that sparked the most imagination in that I wondered how people in the 17th and 18th century tended their gardens, what did they use to water with, did they pull weeds, did servants take care of the garden, did they take pride in their gardens or only simply have them out of necessity? The above pictures are from random gardens we saw while in Williamsburg.
I love gardens. I love seeing other people's gardens, I love to talk about gardens and I love to learn about the history of gardening. I couldn't have imagined what an impact Thomas Jefferson's gardens at Monticello would have on me. Below are a few pictures from Monticello. To me, the picture of the garden pavillion is more iconic than Jefferson's house itself. I can just picture T.J. taking a long break to read or rest in the pavillion after a long stroll through his orchards, vineyard and vegetable garden.














I absolutely enjoyed every second I was there, taking it all in and just being there was special to me. While we toured the house at Monticello the guide pointed out amazing artifacts and paintings of patriots and presidents all of which I was happy to see; BUT as soon as she pointed out an 18th century wooden seed cabinet made by hand at Monticello in which T.J. kept his seeds that he gathered and labeled for the next year, I felt the tour was complete! The cabinet was plain, no frills, but to me it was the most interesting piece in the house.

Lo and Behold!

These cool collages are made by my big brother, Mike Miller. He is a mixed media artist and these silhouette collages are made from vintage photos and are his latest creation. Mike and Karen, my sister in law, are also the proprietors of Lo & Behold! which is their business of procuring and selling antiques and cultural relics. Mike's collection of cultural relics is often of an odd sort but has attracted quite a following. His artwork can be found in John Derian's store in New York as well as at Yard Dog in Austin, TX. Check him out on the web at www.loandbeholdantiques.com and tell him that I sent ya!

Fahrenheit

That's Fahrenheit as in the new roller coaster at Hershey Park. The hour and 15 minute wait to get on the ride was worth it, despite the stinging rain as soon as we loaded into the ride.... yeah, it poured, long story. Anyway, we enjoyed a fun day at Hershey Park and are looking forward to our vacation in Williamsburg- Busch Gardens here we come!

Finally!

A HUGE congratulations goes out to my dearest friend Jen and her husband Rich who have just yesterday, after more than 2 1/2 years of waiting, received their adoption referral from China. They are now the proud parents of a beautiful little girl and have named her Ruby XiaoAi. She is gorgeous and I am so happy for them -they have waited what must have seemed like an eternity just to see her cute little face and to find out where she is. In the coming weeks they will travel to China to pick up their bundle of joy and bring her home. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
If you keep a green bough in your heart, the singing bird will come

wildflowers

A dozen roses on Valentines Day $100.00. Flowers delivered from a florist $69.99. A cut bouquet from the grocery store $9.99. Picking wildflowers on a beautiful summer day with your sweetheart... priceless. These wildflowers are the little beauties that Wills and I picked on Sunday. We spend the day taking a scenic drive stopping here and there to pick wildflowers. We also stopped at a roadside stand to get fresh-picked strawberries. It was nice to spend the day doing things like that, leaving it all behind for just a few hours, no worries, no cares, no responsibilities. I need more days like that.

memorial day-week recap

Days off. Love 'em! Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend... I have been off for the past week and have been enjoying every minute of it. It has been a time of catching up, doing things I just don't seem to have time to do while I'm working. Lots of gardening, cleaning, laundry and organizing. I also hooked up Wills' satellite radio (which was his Xmas present- yeah, just getting to it now...p.s. I've been listening to the Martha Stewart station.)and I also hooked up wireless Internet (who knew all you had to do was just buy a router??). I also did a day excursion to Lancaster County with my mom where we visited several green houses,farm markets and our favorite little indie shops on Main St. in Lititz. That's it for now, more updates later. Oh yeah, did I mention that I'm starting a moonlight garden???

A guest room

Here's a snapshot of what I've been working on inside during all the rain we've been having... I've finally gotten the guest room presentable. There are a few things I'd like to add here and there, but overall I think it turned out nice. All I really did was clear out the clutter that had been gathering there for a couple of years, got a bigger bed and new curtains. Now it's actually suitable for guests!I have an old wooden washstand that is crying out for a new coat of paint- as soon as I get that painted, it will find its home in the guest room.

Mom's Day with the Phillies

Every year for the past 4 or so years I've taken my Mom to the the Phillies game for Mother's Day. Yesterday was the day and the Fightin' pulled through against the SF Giants in the bottom of the 9th. The weather was great and we enjoyed the usual Phillies fare... sandwiches from Tony Lukes, crab fries from Chickie's & Pete's and of course, my favorite, the ice cream "helmet" sundae! Thanks Mom for a great time and Happy Mother's Day.

A little bit of France

One of my inspirations to become a shop owner are the ladies behind French General. I learned of their small shop in Manhattan a few years ago while researching women in business "doing what they love". I loved the aesthetic of their store and the way they used vintage notions and jewelry mixed with new gift items. It was, I'm sure, my biggest inspiration to start my shop Eye Candy. French General has since moved to Hollywood, CA and the owners have published a couple of books, one of which I received in the mail yesterday. I love this book! The pictures are beautiful and the instructions on jewelry making is detailed. Not to mention that it has many examples of one of my current obsessions... the charm bracelet (with vintage charms of course!)! Can't wait to try making a piece of my own.... all I need to do is get my collected beads, bits & pieces of old jewelry and various other crafty notions that are all dumped together in boxes out of my basement cleaned and ready to go! First things first, right?

Steel City then Fallingwater

I must say that even though Will and I spent our Saturday night in Pittsburgh watching the Pirates (his team) play the Phillies (my team), I did not feel far from home or out of place. I would say the ratio of Phillies to Pirates fans was about 1 to 1.
Now, it is well known that Philadelphia sports fans have a notorious reputation, but this is hard to take when I am sitting in the stands (albeit in another team's "house") minding my own business, contently watching the game when some 20ish year old girl behind me yammers on endlessly about how obnoxious Philly fans are, etc etc etc... It just so happens that in our section there were many Phillies fans and it was all good, no beer dumping, no shouting, no instigating, just a mellow good time. I was proud. So girlfriend, give us a break, please! We are not all of the "500 level, take no prisoners" mentality, we do not all get locked up in the stadium jail nor do we damage opposing team property and trash talk constantly. We just want to watch our team play and have a good time. But don't think for a moment that we won't cheer for our team and wear our colors proudly regardless of being in your house, our fan-ship knows no boundaries. Go Phillies!!! I almost forgot to mention that Wills and I both had Pirmanti Bros. sandwiches, a Pittsburgh tradition. It's a sandwich piled high with steak, roast beef or which ever filling you choose, then loaded with french fries and cole slaw (yes, in the sandwich)... mine was pretty good I must say.

On the way home on Sunday we stopped to visit a place that I have always wanted to go... Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece, Fallingwater. It was spectacular. Words simply do not do it justice, you have to experience it. It is a wonder of architectural design and nature.
I am still in awe.

Garden report

Here is a glimpse into my early spring garden. Every spring I lament over how I cannot grow my most favorite of all flowers... the tulip. I've tried and tried only to be furiously disappointed when tender shoots each spring are decimated by rabbits, moles and chipmunks. I suppose tulips are their very favorite too. Anyway, I have accepted that tulips just are not part of my landscape. Will understands my love of tulips and has often surprised me with cut bouquets from a florist and has sent fresh flower arrangements to me at work always making sure that no matter what the season, at least a few tulips are included... I'm sure the florist loves it when he is asking for tulips in August... hee hee.

Right now my white dogwood trees are blooming, white candytuft (a ground cover), mini-mini daffodils and the prize of my spring garden, the five leaf akebia... (above).It is a woody vine that's covered with segmented green leaves and blooms only a short time in the spring. (Sometimes I actually miss it blooming, it is very brief). It produces waxy little chocolaty-purple flowers that smell really sweet.
On deck for blooming early in May: Prairie Fire Crabapple tree, various aliums, peonies, Viburnum (white) and if I'm lucky my Nelly Moser clematis.

Earth Day

Below is an excerpt from ecologue.com ... it's a pretty cool website and offers easy ideas for living a "greener" life. Please visit their website if you would like more information.

Earth Day, Earth Week, Earth Month —
April is the time for remembering this big planet we call home. Around the world, people are focusing all things eco-friendly — from community and volunteering events to news specials, eco product promotions and even new green websites (like Ecologue!).
Eco-living is center stage this week, but why stop there? Make Earth Day a kick off for year-round greener living. Get started with these easy ideas:

Go Paperless
Sure, that junk mail is great fodder for a compost pile, but reducing waste is better than recycling. Take time this week to switch all your bills to paperless or e-statements. Consider canceling unwanted catalog and magazine subscriptions and sign up for a junk mail monitoring service, which removes you from mass mailing lists for small fee. Your letter carrier — and local landfill — will enjoy the lighter load.

Grill It
Cook-out season doesn’t start till after Memorial Day, but grilling is a more energy-efficient way to cook. Whether hosting a backyard party or cooking a weeknight dinner, always use real plates and silverware (or consider biodegradable plates), and shop for your ingredients from the local farmers’ market or food co-op, which will be brimming with fresh produce soon enough.

Get Crafty
Want to give a room a spring update? Consider a crafty recycling project for the kitchen, bathroom, living room or even garden. Look for ways to reuse recyclables: line garden beds with newspaper, turn old plastic bottles into a garden trellis and more. Or just refresh old furniture with a new slipcover or wood finish (try all-natural, soy-based strippers and low-VOC paints).

Shop Wisely
Looking for gifts for mom, dad, a grad or just for yourself? Bookmark shopping sites such as the The Rainforest Site, The Hunger Site, Care2 and iGive, where a portion of sales go to good causes (sometimes your choice). If you’re just in search of eco products, check out green ratings at Evo.com.

Hug a Tree
Well, not literally. Take advantage of warmer temperatures and update your landscape. Plant deciduous trees near your house. As they grow, the trees' lush leaves will shade your home from the warming sun. In winter, their bare branches let that sunlight through, which means less stress on your heating system and utility bills. Plus, more trees means cleaner air.

blooms and shrooms

Above is the current status of my orchid comeback! I noted in a previous post that I was surprised to find that it grew a new stem with buds... I was holding my breath hoping it would eventually bloom, as orchids have a tendency to "drop buds" for no apparent reason. But alas, it has pulled through and is blooming proudly! Pay no attention to the smaller orchid pot to the right with the short cut off stem, I don't want to talk about it...that one has not been as eager to regrow. Now, onto other items, it's been busy around here as you can see below, Will has been busy busy busy making garden mushrooms. Aren't they cool? We'll be selling them at Miller's lawn and garden auction on Saturday.

I'm glad I already have one, it's red with white spots...but perhaps I should have another one- maybe a green one?

Ring of Fire

On Friday night Will and I went to see Ring Of Fire, the music of Johnny Cash at the State Theatre in Easton. Johnny Cash has always been a favorite of mine and the show was great. Johnny Cash had once played at the State theatre so it was cool to be there to hear his music. I could write on and on about the man, the music but instead I've included a link for you to enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dqbv8a1Qtg

happy birthday bro!

High hopes

Today is the Philadelphia Phillies home opener! I have high hopes again this year for the Fightin' Phils but just like any other loyal Phillies fan, I am also prepared for the agony of defeat. Be it at the beginning of the season when they dig themselves a hole so deep that it would take a near miracle for them to recover and make the playoffs... or be it at the end of a long season where they are fighting just for a wild card spot. I know, I know, last year they actually won the division so the whole wild card thing was a non issue, but for anyone who witnessed the poor decisions made by management during the play offs, you understand my frustration. Regardless, I had the pleasure of attending one of the home playoff games last year and it was awesome (despite the actual outcome of the game). Anyway, a new season has begun and come what may, I will be cheering them on... it's not easy to be a Phillies fan, but I do believe! GO PHILS!

City vs. Country

Well here they are... the 2 hardest working cats in America, Spencer and Toonces. These are my 2 sweethearts catching a nap in yesterday's afternoon sun. What's funny about this picture is that these two do not usually lay around together. They lead very separate lives in the house. Spence tolerates Toonces' rambunctious behavior... you see, Spence is very dignified and proper, he obeys the rules and wouldn't be caught dead begging for anything. Now Toonces on the other hand is like a bull in a china shop. He is heavy on his feet and thinks nothing of eating anything he can find. I truly believe that Spence thinks Toonces is inferior. I think their behaviors are indicative of where they came from and how I got them. Spence is a city cat that I adopted from an urban Humane Society. When I walked in to see the cats available for adoption 10 years ago, there he was just sitting alone in his cage, calm, cool, collected- it's as if he was saying, "yes, you're going to take me, and I will allow you to". He has a cool confidence about him. Toonces was found hanging onto the back door screen at my parents' farm in the rural countryside (did I mention that this was during the remnants of an Atlantic Hurricane? Yeah, Hurricane Ivan). It was quite obvious that he had been on the streets if you will for awhile... he seemed starved and desperate for attention...nothing much has changed. Toonces is a bit nervous at times but very playful and mischievous. They are quite an interesting pair and I wouldn't change a thing.

John Adams

I used to look forward to turning on HBO Sunday nights just to watch "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Curb is over, but now I have a new reason to watch Sunday night HBO... John Adams. This is a seven part mini series chronicling the life of John Adams beginning with his involvement in the Continental Congress. I love American History, especially the Revolutionary War- but I'll be honest, I knew very little about John Adams. Not any longer! Watch out Pam- you will see a John Adams related question on my quizzes from now on... sort of in the manner that an English King, Queen or relative thereof appear on each of your quizzes. I periodically receive (and give upon request) "quizzes" from my friend Pam, who happens to work in Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress convened, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and where John Adams lived during his presidency. And so it begins...

Two trips

Two trips. Yep, that's how many times i went to the plant dump with the remnants of my spring clean up. The picture above shows trip no. 1 which also included 6 huge garbage bags of leaves. The "plant dump", as I like to call it, is a place run by the township which allows its residents to deposit leaves, grass clippings, limbs, shrubs and brush. The great thing about it is that you can go day or night all year long. Whenever the mood strikes you to clip, mow, pull, prune or cut... the plant dump is always open. The township people then recycle the debris into mulch, etc. There are clearly posted signs to show you where everything goes...see below. There is also a place for grass clippings only and leaves only.

Why is there is no sign for "2 years worth of dead clematis vines/leaves that are all balled up into a huge tangled mess"...?? Where does that go, huh? I took my chances and left it with the "brush".
p.s. Thanks, Dad for the use of your truck.

Out like a lamb?

Here are my first blooms of the season. I feel I need to acknowledge them today, this second day of spring, as the threat of an inch of snow is upon us tonight. I hope they can make it. Primroses, in my experience, do pretty well through harsh weather, at least mine seem to anyway. I should also mention that I have exactly one crocus and one (and a half!) daffodils blooming too... but who's counting?

Stage one of my spring clean up outside continues. I've cleaned up most of the leaves and expired perennials and it's finally starting to look like an actual garden out there. Although I am worried now that I was a little too thorough and that I have exposed my tender plants to the elements. I took away the blanket of protection they've had all winter. It's just that this is the first spring in a few years that I do not have my store Eye Candy- needless to say with a full time job and the store on top of that, I was a little more than neglectful of my own gardens and property. All of my energy had been going into keeping my retail property (which had stone pathways, a huge gazebo and multiple flower gardens!! whew!) looking presentable. So this spring, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am a little over anxious to get things at my own house in shape!

"Nature's first green is gold"...

Happy first day of spring everyone! As you can see, I took matters into my own hands. A few weeks ago I cut some dogwood branches and brought them inside before they were blooming. Just this week the buds opened up in time to welcome spring. I cannot say it enough that I have spring fever. Every year around this time in March, I become so anxious to get outside and into my gardens... I can't stand it when the weather does not allow it- I'm like "Hurry up spring, let's go! Can't you see I have work to do"? I guess Ralph Waldo Emerson summed it up when he said "Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience". I wish I could.

2 things...

1. I can't believe it! Can you see it? Right there behind the little bird- it's a brand new orchid stem with buds! I was so happy to discover it. I've been watering it regularly but not really checking for anything until a few days ago when all of a sudden it just appeared! I've had the orchid for a few years and it had bloomed continuously for a while until it just sort of went on a bloom sabbatical. It has had new leaves, just never a new stem. Finally!

b. The weather lately has been cold, rainy and windy as March in PA tends to be. So what a nice surprise it was to see a huge rainbow emerge over the weekend between rain showers. This sunny break only lasted an hour or so, but it was a nice change from the dark clouds that had been dominating the sky.

Comfort food

Say the words comfort food and I'm hooked. There is something about the way it sounds that gets me every time. It conjures up warm feelings of family kitchens and gatherings, soulful cooking and a sense of familiarity. In any given city, if I see a restaurant touting "comfort food", it draws me in. I instantly feel like I will know people in there, like I'll be sitting down with old friends to enjoy a delicious meal. I know it sounds silly, but it's the familiarity of it all that I connect with especially while traveling. And who doesn't love comfort food anyway? It can be anything from mashed potatoes, chicken parmesan, potato filling, collard greens or milkshakes, it's what you want it to be, anything that you have a connection with that makes you feel safe and familiar. Don't get me wrong, I love all kinds of restaurants and I love trying new and interesting dishes, but darn it, comfort food hooks me every time. Today I decided to try my hand at an old favorite from my mom... Oven Beef Stew. It's a simple but very hearty and flavorful stew consisting of beef and vegetables in a tomato base. I have been looking forward to breaking in my new cast iron pot so I thought this would be the perfect recipe for the maiden voyage so to speak. It turned out just like I hoped it would-delicious and comforting on a chilly March afternoon.

Pocono Pines

This weekend was my first trip to the Pocono Mountains. I am lucky enough to have very generous friends from Chicago that allowed us to stay at their PA getaway in the Poconos. Thanks Steph and Tim! Their house is wonderful and perfectly secluded in Pocono Pines. Everything had a billowy layer of freshly fallen snow and it was beautiful.

This is Chip. We were not equipped with proper snowman making accessories so we used what we could find in Bill's Jeep. Chip's buttons are water and soda bottle caps (and one motor oil cap). The scarf is a bunch of bungie cords; the mouth is a red Twizzler; the nose is a paint brush and the eyes are chocolate chip cookies. Not too bad, huh?

On Sunday Bill, Cara, Wayne and myself went snow tubing at Big Boulder. Let it be said that when snow tubing with friends it is all about "speed" and "distance". The folks at the mountain make it so easy too. You don't even have to walk back up, they have a tow line that you hook your tube onto and it takes you right back up the hill. That's the tow line in the picture above bringing us back up.

The snow tubes are for single riders, but you can lash as many tubes together as you want, we decided that connecting all four of us together would provide optimal "speed" and "distance"... Yep, we were right! Note: mine is the red tube, in front, how convenient, thanks a lot guys!

At the bottom of the mountain was this little brook, it was so beautiful and really got me excited for the beginning of spring- only 17 more days...

During our short weekend in the Poconos, we visited many local shops and found lots of candles, copper art and best of all... cheesecake. I will end on that note! Yum!

Thanks again to Steph and Tim who let us stay at their awesome getaway.