Oh, What A Night

Leaves now crunch

beneath my feet

Under trees

who have no leaves

A sliver moon

in a darkened sky

Peaks through the clouds

as they pass by

A hollowed gourd

stands at the door

Smiles brightly

for the neighborhood

It tells of treats

so chocolate-y sweet

Can be yours

with a "thank-you" please

The goblins and pirates

gather round

To eat the booty

they have found

Hang out with friends

who laugh and tease

Watch scary movies

like 'What Lies Beneath'

A night like this

comes once a year

When a little scare

is what you cheer

With bellies full

a tad bit queasy

Oh, what a night

'tis Halloween

This Moment

Joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual. A single photo...no words...capturing a simple, extraordinary moment from my week. A moment I want to pause and savor and remember forever. amen.

Loving It :: Elderberry Syrup

I was visiting Mountain Rose Herbs

when I came across their

wonderful you tube

tutorials.

With the upcoming cold and flu

season upon us...

in fact for some

already here...

I wanted to find a home remedy

to protect and prevent.

The antioxidants...

and anti-viral properties of the

Elderberry seemed like a good place to start.

I thought I had an elderberry bush

in my back yard...

but after careful research and

numerous second opinions

found what I had was the choke berry.

Good for wildlife.

Not good for humans.

So...

off to the local natural food store...

Claudia's

I went...needing dried elderberries.

With a few ingredients from my cupboard

I was ready to go to

my cauldron

to concoct the witch's brew.

1/2 Cup Dried Elderberries

1 Cinnamon Stick

5 Whole Cloves

1Tablespoon Fresh Grated Ginger

2 Cups Water

Boil...then simmer for about 20 minutes.

Until it is reduced by

about half.

Strain over a bowl.

A Dave Ramsey Footnote:

I discussed this recipe with the sales woman

at Claudia's.

She said anything with elderberry is expensive.

By making it myself I saved...

big!

You can too!

Press down with a spoon or spatula

to get all those great juices from

the elderberries.

Mmmm...

already smelling yummy.

Add 1 Cup of Honey.

Wild or local honey is best

for added benefits...

but I used the lowly grocery store brand.

Whisk it all together.

Pour into prepared container.

Store in the frig right next to your

echinacea and goldenseal.

(What?! doesn't everyone have this on hand?)

Will keep for...

they say 2 weeks on the video clip

but in the comments

they report keeping it through the winter

or until gone.

Take 1 Tablespoon a day to prevent illness.

Take 1 Tablespoon an hour if you are symptomatic.

The best part...

it tastes GREAT!

The spices are warming and the honey

will soothe a sore throat

and calm that

annoying cough.

If you have a minute

I encourage you to check out the site.

That's Mountain Rose Herbs.

(you'll find a link on my sidebar)

Stay Well.

Twinplex For Rent

A Weekend Project

Armed with a vision...

(sometimes a dangerous thing)

we set out preparing the firm foundation.

Then turned our attention

to that which inspired it all.

Yep.

That's a mailbox.

An old, rusty mailbox that James

found while scrapping.

Beautiful!

I shared my vision with

my wonderfully patient husband

who in turn introduced me to

all the necessary tools

to make it happen.

A 1-inch drill bit

for the door.

And then a smaller something-nth drill bit for the perch. Giving the whole project

a punk art vibe.

Our little bird oasis

is under way.

Come one...

come all.

We have thistle for the finch

sunflower seeds for the jays...the nuthatch...

the cardinals...

and the little sparrows.

All our welcome!

Even the squirrels.

And if they are compelled to stay...

We have the accommodations.

What you can't see

(because I forgot to take THAT picture)

is the wooden house divider

inside.

The amenities include:

A door on opposite ends

each with their

own perch...

and a large spacious room

to nest in.

Zoey approved of our work.

She liked it so much

she wanted to lay

by her new

toy.

All day.

Now I am getting word out

that we are ready for renters.

The price is right...

for a lovely song

you will get free food...water...

and a guard dog.

A work in progress.

Tell all your feathered friends the news!

ITCFG

In The City For Good.

An ever-changing group

of my church family who

prepare and serve food to those without

a home...

those who are hungry.

I don't have any pretty pictures

to share with you.

It somehow feels like a violation of their

privacy.

But each time I help

my mind returns filled with beautiful images.

People helping people.

Caring hands.

Loving hearts.

Blessing. Sharing.

Laughing.

Today...singing.

I was serenaded by a man named

Paul Anthony.

Wow!

What an amazing voice.

I do believe I blushed

while he sang unabashedly.

Unrestrained.

With his whole heart.

Right there on the streets of downtown Toledo.

Who would have thought

that I was the one

in need?

I needed to see that kind of bravery.

That kind of letting go of one's self.

Well...

that's the way of it.

Each time I attend...

I am the one who is blessed.

Today a song fills my heart.

Today I will sing out loud!

This Moment

Joining Soule Mama in this Friday ritual. A single photo...a simple extraordinary moment...I want to pause and savor and remember forever.

Business 101 :: The Follow-Up

The Young Scrappers

are learning first-hand how to run

a successful business.

Finding metal curbside is an every day

event...but on those special occasions

when they get a lead or a direct call requesting

their services...

a follow-up response...

on their part...

is mandatory.

Which brings me to...

The Hand Written Thank You.

Keep in mind

I encourage the boys

to make all decisions regarding

this enterprise...

and this was the card that won their vote.

Camouflage.

Somehow appropriate

considering their ages.

I tweaked the card a bit to hold

their business card.

When removed...

and hopefully kept for future needs...

the true message is revealed.

Thank You.

With a hand-written note

expressing their thanks and their

willingness to help

in the future.

Teaching life lessons.

Follow through with your promises...

and follow-up with the

thank you.

A good thing in business...

a good thing in life.

Out-takes & In-takes :: Woolens

My craft room floor...

covered in woolen remnants.

The strange cacophony of colors and patterns...

coming together in a most pleasing way...

begins here.

Got busy making some of my last year's designs

to get my feet wet

in working with this wonderful felted medium.

The Adult Tassel Hat &

Texting Gloves

Here I am at the bathroom mirror

trying to get a decent picture to share

with you all...

Texting Gloves doubling

as

Digital Photography Gloves...

so versatile.

Not a bad picture of me...

(which is why I posted it...you can do that

when you have your own blog!)

Really does little to feature my designs

however. (sad face inserted here)

Here's a real winner...

you can see the tassel...

pay no-never-mind to that dangling

camera on the right of your screen.

Oh yeah...now that angle is sooo

very flattering.

"James!" I ask you...seriously now...

isn't this way better?

Showcasing the merchandise...

not the model...what a concept!

Texting Gloves being worn

while texting...

so very clever!

Look at that cute, right-hand-only flower,

so the wearer doesn't get confused...

next best thing to the

joined mittens you wore in

kindergarten!

An ensemble that will not only

keep you warm...

it will keep you looking good

while doing it.

(again...pay no-never-mind to

the background scenery)

This is one classy operation we're running here.

(James is available for all your photo needs.)

The Tassel Hat

&

Texting Gloves

are now available at

Harmony in Life.

Just keeping my sense of humor...

stay happy my friends.

(big smiley face with a wink inserted here.)

This Moment

Borrowing...once again...from Amanda Blake Soule. A single photo...capturing a moment I want to savor and remember forever...

Looking Up

Everywhere I go these days

I find myself

looking up.

Oohing and aahing

at the show going on

right above my head.

It's happening...

just as it does every year...

and yet somehow...

the breath-taking sights

surprise me

and fill me with awe.

Look up...

The trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord.

Opening The Door

Just a crack...

mind you...

to the idea of

Fall.

It's easy to do

on sun shiny days

with temperatures hovering

around 80.

Pumpkins in planters...

(on the cheap @ Aldi for $2.49!)

An Autumn foliage wreath

hung from

my front door.

Apples in a basket...

placed on the earthy-colored

braided rug table runner.

Welcoming

Rich oranges...

warm golden yellows...

deep burgundy reds.

Baskets holding all

our cool weather friends.

Subtle changes in outer wear...

corduroy...fleece...

woolens.

Sneaking up on me...

almost without notice...

requiring a second layer

on these cool nights.

Trying to remember to

Count my blessings...

everyday.