aren't deer cute?

my parents just moved to the country: they're still in the "aren't deer cute?" phase. it will be a rude awakening!

today's flower: nasturtium

today's flower has got to be my nasturtiums which i planted back in may in my planter boxes...they didnt bloom at all this summer because i think the soil was too rich and they don't like that, but come halloween, they started to show! now it's almost christmas, and despite several hard freezes, they continue to shine!

merry christmas to me!

concrete evidence

for years i have been wanting to make my own concrete or concrete-like planters, but i havent got around to it. luckily, roughfusion has done the work for me and there's a 20% christmas discount!

today's plant: poinsettia

happy national poinsettia day!

lunar eclipse

i missed the lunar eclipse and will now have to wait several years for the next one...for some reason i thought it was tonight!

modern mailbox

the green mailbox from ahsayane design studio is pure form.

it would be at the top of my christmas list if i could find where to buy it...

today's problem: dirty produce

it is december and organic, local fresh fruit and vegetable selections have dwindled with the impending cold weather. a lot of produce currently in the market has been conventionally grown with pesticides and/or imported and grown using who know what! the environmental working group updated its shopper's guide to pesticides in produce this past summer to let consumers know which fruits and vegetables have the most-and the least-pesticide residues. apples are prolific now-and lead the contaminated list-so it is best to buy apples that have been organically grown because pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems. peeling your conventionally grown root crops will remove some pesticide residues, as will trimming the outer leaves of lettuce, cabbage and other leafy greens. a water rinse will sort of wash off some of the toxins, but i clean my produce in water combined with a little vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to actually get rid of the poisons. it is also important to remember that many organic fruit and vegetables have been grown using manure and this too must be eliminated before eating: not just rinsed off! be healthy: wash your veggies then eat them!

how to make a holiday wreath

every year i dream of making and baking all of my christmas gifts, but somehow, december 25th seems to catch me by surprise and i have no time left for these tasks. this year my plan is to decorate simply, buy handmade gifts from my artist and crafter friends, and finally, enjoy the season! i am going to make a wreath, however! i confirmed this decision as i slipped down the stairs on a recently fallen sweet gum ball and turned my ankle. i had seen a diy project of a white sweet gum ball wreath and i was going to make it! i havent collected the gum balls yet, but i have ordered a straw wreath and floral pins: i hope they arrive today so i can make the wreath this weekend! my intentions are good, but if i dont follow through, i can always order a wreath from etsy:)

hornet hives

the strong winds of autumn have blown most of the leaves off the trees,  and i have noticed these huge paper-y hornet hives hanging in them: i think they might be abandoned housing of bald face hornets.

i believe i may have been stung by a few in my day!