wanna win a garland!

wanna win a garland.

a limited edition handmade butterfly garland?

there is only a limited number of

may 2010 "garland of the month" butterfly garland.

leave a comment with a "highlight" of your week.

anything from lilacs to a pay raise to the best latte you ever tasted to a stellar sunset.

comment away and i will draw a winner or two on monday afternoon.

happy friday.

COMMENTS CLOSED!

the penguin

Dear Sodastream,

Please send me a penguin soda stream with the glass carafes to review.

I can assure you, I will be pleased, as I have sampled your wares and want my own little penguin to sit on my counter.

Sadly, the price range of the Sodastream Penguin does not fit into the budget of a single income family that subsides on the salary of teacher who lives and teaches deep in the heart of urban California.

I would add freshly picked and squeezed lemons from my tree to make the most delicious lemon soda.

I promise to treat the Penguin with the utmost respect as I strive to make the world a better, happier and fizzier place.

Yours Truly,

Nicole

PS: If anyone would like to send me a sodastream penguin, I promise I will give you a good review too.

photo via sodastreamusa

garden dreaming

we are planning, scheming, building, dreaming and planting our summer garden.

a tad on the late side, but hey, better late than never and this is california, where we can grow veggies pretty much year round.

the kids carefully selected seeds from the renee's garden seed stand at the hardware store, we acquired seedlings from various generous folks (willing to accept more), the trees were trimmed by the hubby, i am hoping for 2 raised veggie beds for mother's day (this sunday), jude is busy reading "the backyard homestead", i placed a request for a dees custom built chicken coop and the hopefully the sharing of veggie love will commence soon.

...

currently, in the back yard garden are: almost ripe blueberries and strawberries, figs growing, lime blossoms, a lemon tree dropping its fruit, new lettuce, a multitude of chives and thriving basil plants.

looking good already.

plus, i just harvested the compost pile so fresh dirt is ready for those raised beds.

the above seed kit was a birthday gift to me from a dear friend found at red envelope.

work day

I am preparing the garlands for the club to be shipped today.

I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine streaming through my windows.

I am drinking a delicious iced coffee from this mornings remaining coffee.

I am smelling the sweet blossoms of garden bouquets.

I am rejoicing in my good health, warm home and beloved family.

I am wearing yoga pants under my skirt to combine comfy and spring.

I am accomplishing much but stopping often.

I am reflecting on this prayer:

edible forest

Look at the garden love.

Today I stopped by to borrow a book from a friend who has an urban edible forest in her backyard.

Look at the bounty she sent home with me.

Sweet peas...the scent in the house is heavenly .

Swiss chard, collards, fava beans, lettuce, endive and hand picked eggs

(collected by jude).

Plus a couple sets of seedlings and a ton of inspiration.

I want to have people stop by and be able to send them home with such practical locally grown love.

Thank you friend, for the love and the garden goodies.

...

I said I wanted to see how locally we could eat for the month of May, but May snuck up on me and I am totally unprepared, with the exception of the above goodness.

So I will alter my plan, now the local month will be

May 10th- June 10th...

as local or as California as I can...

with the exception of coffee, tea, and chocolate.