I really like coffee.......

Some days I think coffee flows through my veins. Got to start the day off with a minimum of two cups. I go through periods of saving the grounds. The grounds get used in my garden and often I use them in my art projects. It's easy to use the grounds as a dye for paper or fabric.

Here are some other interesting uses for coffee grounds.

Article: Top 10 Uses For Coffee Grounds

Article: The Car-puccino: A Car That Runs on Coffee

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The garden and the Earth Box

I like to dig in dirt! I've tried for many years to have small gardens. The typical veggie plants or raised bed gardens is my standard. I still try to have a little garden out back but now I've increased the amount of container gardening on the deck.

It's our second season with the Earth Box garden. To date I've planted lettuce, carrots and cucumbers together in the EB. I'm beginning to see fine sprouts of lettuce! My EB was a thrift store find. I didn't know what it was when I first saw it, a heap of terracotta plastic and metal pipes in a cardboard box. After I checked it out closer I knew it was not your average flower container since there was a water reservoir and watering pipe. So for 4.99 I couldn't leave it in the store. I'm so glad I bought it and wish that it hadn't been late summer when I did. This is the easiest and cleanest container gardening I've ever done!

Last year we grew cucumbers and spaghetti squash (my kids favorite) and picked many cucumbers and six or seven squash. This is the first spring planting. I'm excited to see what the EB gives me! For more on the EB this article is a good read. Vegetable Patch Vs. Earth Box Garden Guides

A new kitty in our home

From J J Fields photo gallery

This is our new kitten, Bus. She is a domestic short hair with a yellow / orange coat. We think she's about four months old. She's loves to curl up and nap on this pillow. Here, in this picture, I've obviously interrupted her sleep time. It was such a sweet moment I had to snap a photo.

A few weeks ago, as I was washing dishes, I heard a disturbing little squeaky noise. I blamed it on a board in our kitchen floor that has started to squeak when walked on, which happened to be in front of the sink. With a little investigation we discovered that this odd squeaking sound did not match the harmony coming from the floor, but from a tiny, fury, creature on our deck. 

It was sleeting, snowing and very cold out the night we found her.  My children were very happy with the weather as it meant no school and a fun time. But it would be morning before they could begin their snow day. Now this kitten had their attention. It was very late and dark and now we had to decide what to do. I was very worried that she would not survive.

Shaking, scared and with ice hanging from her fur she waited. Tucked under the porch rocker in the dark shadows she looked out at us. The noise coming from her was a sad little attempt at meowing. She was so weak and hungry she barely had a voice.  First, she needed food. Knowing she wouldn't come to me for help, but rather would scurry away when I opened the door, I put a can of food out by the rocker. Instantly she was back once I was inside and no longer a threat. The kitten nearly ate the food tin she was so hungry.

We were unable to get her to come to us or catch her that night. I felt bad that she would have to fair through another bitter night. As soon as I was up and in the the kitchen making coffee I heard her. The awful little "meeeek" noise was just a little louder this morning. We would get another chance to help change her life today.

The weather had cleared and the morning was bright. There she was in the same place hovering under the rocker. Still shaking, squeaking and so pitiful she stood waiting for something to happen. I was determined she would come in today so I could check her and she what we could do for her. I took and old t-shirt and some cat food outside. While she was distracted I tossed the shirt over her and was able to gently catch her up and cover her with the shirt. She was soaking wet with frozen bits of fur. She was so weak she didn't even try to put up a fight.

Later inside, warm and dry, she ate more food. Timidly watching us as she ate like it would be her last. Then once her appetite was satisfied she dashed under the china cabinet. She stayed there for two days only to come out to eat and use the litter box.  After enough interaction with us she settled and became a friendly little kitty. We named her, Bus.

Bus, had an injury to her mouth and her walk was unbalanced. With some TLC and vet care she has come a long way. Healthier, happier and now safe she is bonding with our family and Tiger has decided that they might be able to get along.  Meow!

Tree in works! Tree A

This is an update to the current painting I'm working on. I've added a few more branches and some shading. My art often evolves into something totally different than what I had planned. Well, best laid plans.....creative freedom!

I like using mspaint. It's some much fun to have a undo / redo option when creating art and my hands stay clean!

Another purple tree

photo courtesy of photobucket.com

I  bought a new tree today. It's a Purple-leaf Smoke Tree.  This will be a nice balance to the purple-leaf plum trees we have in the landscape. With any luck it will grow and do well for us. According to the instructions it requires little to no maintenance and will grow in poor soil.  Of course the one I bought is about 14 inches tall but maybe we'll get a beauty out of it like the one in this picture.

Sunny Weather!

Oh, where have you been my friend? I've missed you so much I painted a picture of you. It's so good to see you again! Come on Spring!

Tree Of Plum - Mother's Day card

I've used the Tree Of Plum painting I've posted updates on to create a Mother's Day card.  This card can be viewed and purchased by clicking the link below. Thanks for taking the time to check out my creations! Come visit my store on CafePress!

I'm growing again....tree in progress

A new tree painting. We'll see where this one goes. I have so much fun with art!

An inspirational quote for today

Chief Seattle: All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. - Quotes Inspirational
I like this quote. So many messages in one statement. ~ JJ