The sun is out today and above freezing!  Progress that is.
AND I spied a small flock of Red Robins!  They are early I believe,
Good news to me for Spring surly must be arriving ahead of schedule!
Oh Pretty please!

THE ROBIN is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.
The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.
The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

May the sun be shining down upon you today!

Hugs, Mary

The sun is out today and above freezing!  Progress that is.
AND I spied a small flock of Red Robins!  They are early I believe,
Good news to me for Spring surly must be arriving ahead of schedule!
Oh Pretty please!

THE ROBIN is the one
That interrupts the morn
With hurried, few, express reports
When March is scarcely on.
The robin is the one
That overflows the noon
With her cherubic quantity,
An April but begun.
The robin is the one
That speechless from her nest
Submits that home and certainty
And sanctity are best. ~ Emily Dickinson ~

May the sun be shining down upon you today!

Hugs, Mary

"Snow! Snow go away come again some other day" .  
I just recalled this from my childhood.  I do believe it is supposed to refer to rain, not snow. 

There is an upside to snow and cold weather!


mmm. Just perfect on such a day where there is 2 feet of snow outside {over night this landed in our yard!}.



Not the snow blower, that we had from my Dad and Mom {thank you Mom}

The snow.  The wind howled all night long and the thunder! wow!

But when you have this waiting for you...

A cup of very very special hot cocoa!
This is made by Andrew, the cousin of my son's Fiance'.
He is a chef and actually is one of the designers of flavors
over at Black Dog Gelato.  This cocoa was so amazing!  A creamy, velvety,
rich, thick deliciousness! I guess they have hot cocoa there also...
so when you are in the City make sure you go there!!! Cold or hot they have you covered!
Unbelievable deliciousness!!!

SECRET Ingredients!!!  {my lips are sealed}



And look what I found in my cup!!!!




links ~
Black Dog Gelato

xo,

Mary

"Snow! Snow go away come again some other day" .  
I just recalled this from my childhood.  I do believe it is supposed to refer to rain, not snow. 

There is an upside to snow and cold weather!


mmm. Just perfect on such a day where there is 2 feet of snow outside {over night this landed in our yard!}.



Not the snow blower, that we had from my Dad and Mom {thank you Mom}

The snow.  The wind howled all night long and the thunder! wow!

But when you have this waiting for you...

A cup of very very special hot cocoa!
This is made by Andrew, the cousin of my son's Fiance'.
He is a chef and actually is one of the designers of flavors
over at Black Dog Gelato.  This cocoa was so amazing!  A creamy, velvety,
rich, thick deliciousness! I guess they have hot cocoa there also...
so when you are in the City make sure you go there!!! Cold or hot they have you covered!
Unbelievable deliciousness!!!

SECRET Ingredients!!!  {my lips are sealed}



And look what I found in my cup!!!!




links ~
Black Dog Gelato

xo,

Mary

Big News

My year is starting off with some excitement.




So I need lots of Inspiring visions around me.
And remembering where I started at here in the Big Web ~




And remembering some  of the special people I have met



And The Parties tht Ensued ~




Friendships forged and sealed.






Now for my news!
I am so very excited to have been invited into The Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team for Jenny And Aaron!
I am Thrilled to get started!
You can click on the "Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team" Button on my left
side bar to hop over to their place at any time ~
OR click "HERE" Jenny and Aaron to start meeting the Team as we are introduced!
Thank YOU!

XO, Mary

Big News

My year is starting off with some excitement.




So I need lots of Inspiring visions around me.
And remembering where I started at here in the Big Web ~




And remembering some  of the special people I have met



And The Parties tht Ensued ~




Friendships forged and sealed.






Now for my news!
I am so very excited to have been invited into The Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team for Jenny And Aaron!
I am Thrilled to get started!
You can click on the "Everyday Is A Holiday Design Team" Button on my left
side bar to hop over to their place at any time ~
OR click "HERE" Jenny and Aaron to start meeting the Team as we are introduced!
Thank YOU!

XO, Mary

Take Me Out Tonight

The New Year has begun with all of us, including Doug, Monica, Caitlin and also James still being down with the cold/flu bug...
not exactly energizing but it is inspiring. Once one is FINALLY well again, we are talking weeks here, a grateful feeling washes
over you and you are ready to get out there and meet 2011.

So I begin 2011 AND the Valentines season (oh, yes there is a Valentine Season) with
a cute video and song that will inspire everyone wherever they are at *(notice the line "dust off...").




Hobbes also enjoyed many naps over Christmas and New Years... I once saw him emerging from the folds of a VERY
fluffy comforter that was on a sofa.
Any talking or movement  I make he interprets as  "she is going to feed me"," she knows I am HUNGRY for the third
time this morning!"  This guy will eat all day if you let him, but I will not let him. Must not let his cute face bother me,
nor his paw as he ever so gently taps my shoulder or arm.
Soo cute is he.

XO,

Mary

Take Me Out Tonight

The New Year has begun with all of us, including Doug, Monica, Caitlin and also James still being down with the cold/flu bug...
not exactly energizing but it is inspiring. Once one is FINALLY well again, we are talking weeks here, a grateful feeling washes
over you and you are ready to get out there and meet 2011.

So I begin 2011 AND the Valentines season (oh, yes there is a Valentine Season) with
a cute video and song that will inspire everyone wherever they are at *(notice the line "dust off...").




Hobbes also enjoyed many naps over Christmas and New Years... I once saw him emerging from the folds of a VERY
fluffy comforter that was on a sofa.
Any talking or movement  I make he interprets as  "she is going to feed me"," she knows I am HUNGRY for the third
time this morning!"  This guy will eat all day if you let him, but I will not let him. Must not let his cute face bother me,
nor his paw as he ever so gently taps my shoulder or arm.
Soo cute is he.

XO,

Mary

... I had a moment to play around with sprays at the top of this wreath. 



It has not been often this fall that I have found time to re-charge like this.



Putzing around, fluffing the nest.... a favorite activity of mine ~ in need of restoring.





Here is a link to a new friend who has done such a lovely and sentimental job of getting
her nest feathered!   Do please stop in to say hello to her.

Merry Christmas!

xo,

Mary

... I had a moment to play around with sprays at the top of this wreath. 



It has not been often this fall that I have found time to re-charge like this.



Putzing around, fluffing the nest.... a favorite activity of mine ~ in need of restoring.





Here is a link to a new friend who has done such a lovely and sentimental job of getting
her nest feathered!   Do please stop in to say hello to her.

Merry Christmas!

xo,

Mary

I hear Christmas music!
I am almost ready to add to my shop, which has been neglected for sometime!
So sorry about that and Thank YOU all for waiting so patiently!
I will see you Tomorrow, Sunday Evening... shop fluffed up a bit.

Here is a little peek ~
~

With Kindness,
Mary

I hear Christmas music!
I am almost ready to add to my shop, which has been neglected for sometime!
So sorry about that and Thank YOU all for waiting so patiently!
I will see you Tomorrow, Sunday Evening... shop fluffed up a bit.

Here is a little peek ~
~

With Kindness,
Mary

Trudi Temple!

  
I heard about Trudi through my local nursery, The Growing Place, where I had the honor
to hear her speak of her life and love of gardening.  Trudi started her life and her lessons
in Germany during WWII.  To hear her speak of her journey is as if she is telling
it for the first time... she has such life and JOY within her.
Do you have Market Day at your school?
Trudi STARTED Market Day!
But read  in her book how it started!!!
    
I greatly encourage you to get her book*

and read about how her life was as a young girl  and how she came to America.


Above, in the second photo, is Trudi's front gate and yard...
She uses every inch of space for her beautiful gardens!
Whenever this gate is open ALL are invited in to enjoy her gardens.
Such kindness and hospitality.


Above is a note on the back carriage/garden house door. ~
It invites you to use her "powder room"!



See the water lilies!







My photos do not do justice.
Below is a small view of the BIG protected vegetable garden. (deer, bunnies...)


A view from her terrace~


a beautiful planter~




Oh, need a little cat nap?


Notice the lower structure of this "flower bed" also.



Here is a tip I learned from Trudi~
Save your garden and household vegetable waste and dig a hole, I dig 12"X12" holes.
Cover with dirt and place a garden marker on top like a stone...
this is so that you remember not to plant her for 6 months when the soil will be rich with nutrition for you plants.

If you get her book you will find out how big of a hole Trudi has dug and what
in the world she put in it!

I went to Amazon and found her book.
HOWEVER, for some STRANGE reason the two new books
are priced at $99.99!!!! Something must be incorrect with the listing.
It is a great book... for $29.95, NEW HARDCOVER.  

* Links

Trudi Temple

Book info:
Tittle:
Trudi Temple's Garden ~ The Story of Trudi Temple, Founder of Market Day
Authors:
Laurie Bohlke & Trudi Temple
Publisher:
Goblin Fern Press, Inc.
3809 Mineral Point Road
Madison, Wisconsin,  53705 U.S.A.

Hugs,

Mary