Ramblin

I'm finally done painting and very glad to be - I was getting so tired of it I was starting to slosh paint other places than just all over me (well, and the walls, floor and animals of course). The tape has been pulled off, the furniture put back in places and most of the decor put back up, so now starts the really hard part: deciding what fabric to use for curtains. Last night I stopped at Field's after dinner with my lady friends and 8 samples later was almost chased out the door by the sales clerk (I would have kept going but they were closing). There are just too many choices! That and they have an entire section of Amy Butler prints that I can't get enough of. Any advice on good decision making tactics (than iny meany miny mo)?

I met with a gentleman from SCORE this morning (they offer small business counseling) and Sarah and I are slowly making our way to getting our catering business underway...as soon as we register our name, register for a Federal Tax ID, register for a MI tax ID, get approval from the Health Dept, submit our paperwork for the LLC, meet with a lawyer to draw up and operating agreement....so sometime around 2112 we'll be able to cater your event.

I also spent some time helping out in the Growing Matters garden this morning doing some harvesting with the garden manager...seeing someone else's garden always gives me lots of inspiration. And makes me want a bigger yard.

So fresh and so clean

I'm painting. Again. Lime green in fact. In my living room. Oh the horror!

I hate the painting process - the taping, the gathering of tools (usually half should have been thrown away last time or are unlocateable), the numerous trips to the store to get forgotten/new items, the drop cloths, the priming, the edging, the taping (I really hate the taping). But the painting - I actually like the painting. I like to see the walls slowly transforming from the boring basic primer white to the exciting new chosen color. I love the smell of new paint and the way it makes a room seem clean and fresh and new.

Painting always throws my house into chaos though. First there's the piles of furniture and wall decor, the stacks "found" items (like the random dog toys and socks you find under the couch), the piles scattered about of necessary "tools" for performing the activity and then of course the animals littered about making a mine field of the not only doing any work but also the moving of any equipment without incurring an injury that requires medical attention.

Going bananas

As part of my gardening fever, I've become slightly obsessed with collecting new and different species of plants, especially those that are native to Michigan or are just plain wild and fun. So last Saturday when I was browsing at the Farmer's Market I couldn't resist this little (ok not really little) delight.


It's an ornamental banana! I've heard they can actually produce bananas but I'm in love with it's spotted foliage either way. It nearly fills my crafts room so hopefully I'll be able to move it outside next year where I can enjoy it - and my neighbors can too!

Hell's kitchen and for a good time...

See that above? That's the devil's handiwork. I've put up a fence, let the dog hang out in the backyard and mercilessly chased every small critter I can find out of the yard but nothing is keeping whatever it is from eating my beautiful bounty. Grrr.....

On a much happier and less murderous note, I took my friend Stella to Jungle Joe's .
I've been hearing what a great place it is and after checking it out for myself - I believe every word of it. It's only an extra $2 for adults to play too - and I recommend it. Along with some headache medicine.

Long time no hear

Yes, I know, it's been forever. Some quick updates.

My sweetums celebrated a milestone birthday. To commemorate the occasion he requested a delicious meal of... Jack's Naturally Rising pizza, frozen corn and Jello No-bake cheesecake with Cherries. I tried not to consider it a comment on my cooking abilities.

I've been feeling rather creative this past week, which lead me to paint my bathroom orange and make these two fabulous items. (Yes, I said orange. It's awesome and I love it. You all shouldn't be so afraid to have some color in your lives.)

Curtain for bathroom

Super cute apron

I'm in love with Amy Butler's fabric (which is now available at Fields). I recently purchased one of her books, In Stitches, and have been making aprons like it's my job.

My garden has been kicking production into high gear - I've been giving lettuce away like nobody's business. Here are a few other things I picked this week:


I visited the beach for the first time in years with my friend Alicia, and let me say - you have got to go. Van Buren State Park is just south of South Haven - less busy, way less commercial and well, fabulous.


We're off to Traverse City tomorrow with the family. Hope you have a fun (and safe) holiday!