I’m moving to Bloglovin'….

I recently learned that Google Reader will no longer exist after June 30th. I knew that I didn’t want to wait until the last minute, so I started searching for a new reader this week. The first one I tried seems to be the best. I’ve been using Bloglovin for the past few days and the process of moving things over was so easy and I plan on sticking with it.

If you are interested in giving Bloglovin a try, follow these easy steps:

1. Create a Bloglovin account at http://bloglovin.com
2. Click on the arrow to the right of your profile name and choose “Settings”.
3. Scroll down and click the “Import Blogs” button.
4. Choose “Google Reader” on the next page.
5. Sit back and relax while all of your blogs are imported. If you have a large amount of subscriptions it will take several minutes.

Pretty easy right?

TIPS:

Once you have your blogs imported you can click on “Following” right above your list of feeds and create groups to arrange your blog feeds by category. I love this option so I can look at specific categories without scrolling through all my favorites.

You can also get the code for a nifty button to use in your sidebar or at the end of your blog posts.  The button looks like this … may as well click on it now and add me :)

Be sure to click on the HELP page to read how to “Claim your Blog” and answer any other questions you may have.

See you on Bloglovin’

Lori in Atlanta

This House is Perfect...

We are moving in the near future and our search for a new home is well underway. I stumbled across a website that featured an amazing craftsman home.  When I saw this listing, I thought they must have been channeling my every wish and vision for a dream home.  It's Perfect!  We want a smaller place, with less stairs (we now have 19 stairs just to get into the house and many more inside), a craftsman style, and intown location. Just one minor detail is keeping me from calling the listing agent...It's in Houston... we need a home in the greater Atlanta area. 

SO, I'm posting some photos of this dream home so my blog lovin' friends and family can see what we are looking for.  Maybe you have a lead on a similar house for sale in or around greater Atlanta. 

I love a swing on the front porch, four swings on the porch is even better!

This wine rack is wonderful, my sweetie would love to have this in our house.



This over-sized farm sink is what we dream of having, but this is a small detail that we can compromise on.

A must have will be his and hers closets. We don't like to share.



Hardwoods throughout the home and room for a king size bed would be perfect.

Hoping we can find something similar in Atlanta, chances are slim, but a girl can dream!
Cheers!

If you would like to see the Real Estate Listing and Additional Photos:

http://www.cottageneighborhood.com/property/houston-craftsman-home-for-sale-amazing-renovation/

This website features similar properties for sale across the country:

http://www.cottageneighborhood.com/

Follow my blog with Bloglovin



Going to Highlands, NC ...need advice...

We are planning a trip to Highlands, NC later this month. We've spent many weekends in Highlands, but this time we are taking our 11 year old granddaughter.  I was wondering if anyone has any tips on where to go and what to do with kids. We will be there Friday night through Sunday afternoon.  Thanks!

Lori
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Choosing a new Path....



For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had—and needed—a plan. Over the years, my plans changed, as plans are prone to do, when, for example, I discovered that I didn’t actually have the aggressive competitive personality to become a cutting edge artist (not to mention the fact that my watercolors turned into a brown soggy mess), or that despite the period of my life spent religiously cutting out Bed and Breakfast operational tips and stashing them into cleverly labeled file boxes, my general inability to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to start the project should have indicated early on that I probably wouldn’t make it in the world of small inn keepers.

But still, I’ve always had an idea of where I was headed, and what I would do when I got there. Even after realizing that the bohemian artistic lifestyle I thought I would have after college did not materialize and I took a job in retail, I still maintained the optimistic notion that my life would, one day, return to moving along “according to plan.”

As you can probably guess, that never happened. THIRTY years and a career in retail later, well, let’s just say the slight turn off that original path gave way to a new path that has been challenging and rewarding for many years.  Yet somehow– through a miracle of chance encounters, and having the right people believe in me–I am changing paths again this week. I’ve resigned from my corporate job at The Home Depot. I’ve only had two full time jobs in my life, Home Depot (30 years) and Dairy Queen (during High School and College).

 Yes this change is scary but something my Sweetie said recently made me think about my fears. I realized that I was not living my dream because I was desperately afraid- of financial ruin, of failure, of letting people down, and the possibility of regret. His support is helping me separate the fear from the dream, and in doing so, I realize that I really do want to move forward, in spite of the fear. Do I still worry about those fears? Absolutely. Will I let them rule my choices anymore? No Way! I'm on the threshold of a life change.

The only thing I can say that I’ve truly learned is that sometimes the path you choose (famous bohemian artist living in a cool loft) doesn’t choose you. Doors open and doors close and you climb through windows and wish on stars, and in the end, you have to throw everything you dreamed would happen in a trash can full of ‘should haves’ and ‘could haves.’  I look forward to the new path I’m taking…wish me luck in my new career!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Cheers!

Go ahead, dig in the dirt…

This weekend I repotted a beautiful hydrangea plant that I had received as a gift from my sweetie. It only took me about 20 minutes, but the therapeutic benefits lasted for hours.  The overall feeling of well-being reminded me of how much I love and need to dig in the dirt.

It is believed that nature has healing powers and that gardening (even container gardening) lets us interact with nature. Various studies have been conducted about the link between gardening and better health. Almost all of the studies came up with positive results. It has been suggested that gardening is good for both physical and mental well-being.

Spending time watching the plants grow, the flowers bloom, and even watching the bees collecting nectar seems therapeutic. Gardening is usually a solitary practice and in many ways repetitive, it can easily serve as a form of meditation.  When I’m going through a difficult time — or have a serious problem to work through — there’s nothing like pulling up weeds or pruning back a wayward shrub to help focus the mind.  Another health benefit is the exposure to sunshine (with sunscreen and a hat of course); the sun delivers a boost of vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium. 

It’s not at all surprising to me that there are Horticultural Therapists who help people overcome physical, social, emotional, as well as cognitive problems through gardening activities. Gardening is accessible to almost everyone and relatively inexpensive. Even if it’s only containers on the window sill of your apartment, it’s still a tiny garden.

For me, gardening is a labor of love and a show of true artistry. Gardening is a deeply sensory experience, and I think it touches something inherent in my spirit. I suspect it was passed down through many generations – the need for nature.

So what are you waiting for?  Go ahead, dig in the dirt and reap the benefits of what you sow.

Cheers!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Why should the white eggs have all the fun at Easter??

 

We are big fans of The Country Hen brown eggs. Our favorite meal is breakfast and we love baked goods made with the fresh brown eggs.  After doing some research online, I believe they will also be the perfect Easter Egg choice as well. Their strong, brown shells should be perfect for coloring.

Brown Eggs - Photo Credit: One Sunny Acre - Adventures in Micro Farming

If you are not looking for pastel colored Easter eggs, brown eggs will actually dye to a richer, more beautiful tone than white eggs. It does require using a different type of dye than the typical Easter egg coloring kit, but listed below are two very simple methods. One utilizes food coloring and the other is a natural dye method.

 

Peeling hard boiled farm fresh eggs is a bit more difficult; follow these instructions on how to boil them so they will peel more easily when you’re ready to turn your dyed eggs into egg salad…

   1.   Use the oldest eggs you can, 7-10 days if possible

   2.   Submerge eggs completely in a pot of cold salted water

   3.   Bring water to a boil, turn the heat down to medium low and set timer for 10 minutes    (or adjust according to preferences, this step is not as critical)

   4.   Remove from heat and drain hot water

   5.   Fill the pot with cold water and let sit until eggs are cooled down

   6.   When ready to eat, Peel eggs submerged in cool water

   7.   Random Tip: if you want more centered yolks for deviled eggs, turn your carton of eggs on its side a day or two before hard boiling them.

 

Dye using the Food Coloring Method:

1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon of food coloring (you can adjust the amount to reach your desired shade)

Mix the 3 ingredients for each food coloring you want (red, blue, green, etc.) Don't forget about using your base colors to create other colors. For example, mix red and yellow for orange, red and blue for purple, or blue and green for teal, etc... Dip cool, hard boiled eggs into the food coloring dyes until the desired color is achieved. Let eggs dry on a rack or in an egg carton.

Dye using Natural Egg Dyes: Dye Ingredients: Blue - Red Cabbage Leaves Orange - Paprika Red - Lots of Red Onion Skins Pink - Beets Purple - Small amount of Red Onion Skins Yellow - Saffron Bring 1 cup of water and dye ingredients to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes to 1 hour until the desired color is obtained. Strain dye liquid and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Dip cool, hard boiled eggs into hot liquid and let sit until desired color is achieved. Take eggs out of the dye and put on a rack or into an egg carton to dry. (Careful color can easily be removed until the egg is dry.) Eggs colored in this way have a dull finish, but when they are dry, use cooking oil to add a gloss to them.

Have Fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Atlanta Artists and Crafters - New Meetup

Clipboards used for Jewelry Display

While chatting with some fellow Etsy sellers, we were discussing how much we all love creating our art, but we all need to focus some of our time on selling it. I found a new Meetup group in Atlanta called "Art Biz in the 'Burbs"; the sponsor will focus on creative ways to advertise and market our creations through digital, social, and traditional media. Additionally, we will discuss galleries, gift shops, shows, art walks, and exhibitions. Together, we hope to expand our visibility and increase our understanding of the ever-changing art market.

If you are in the Atlanta, GA area and would like to join the group, I've included the link to the Meetup site below.  The first meeting is on Monday March 18 in northeast Cobb. 

http://www.meetup.com/Art-Biz-in-the-Burbs/ 

10 Reasons Why Cats Love Camping



1)      Relaxation - an endless sun spot for warmth, no shifting required.

2)      Family Time – no one is in a hurry, there are many folding chairs to lounge on.

3)      Amusements – an abundance of new toys: falling leaves, rolling acorns, fuzzy

dandelions, wild catnip, hidey holes in tree stumps and tall grass…

4)      Bird Watching – unlimited opportunities to view new feathered friends.

5)      Career Advancement – a new position in the pack as Lookout. Keeping pesky bears (moose, raccoons, armadillos, coyotes, etc.) at bay.

6)      Sleep Options – anywhere; nothing is off limits when camping.

7)      Hunting – a million bugs to chase down and extinguish.

8)      Claw Maintenance – after hunting bugs and such, there are scratching posts everywhere!

9)      Sleeping Bags – purrrrfect for a cozy cat nap.

10)   A Giant Litter Box – no time outs for going "outside" the litter box.



Oh yes, cats LOVE camping!

(Vintage post card)

I'm Ready for Camping Season...

A little camping humor……

After having good, hearty meal for dinner, they laid themselves down in their tent for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, after hearing a Great Horned Owl begin hooting a strange call, Detective Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend.

Holmes said: "Watson, look up and tell me what you see".

Watson said: "I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars".

Holmes: "And what does that tell you, my good boy?"

Watson then pondered for a moment...

"Astronomically, it tells me that there are billions of stars and galaxies and potentially millions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo, good news for pisces. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three am. Theologically, I can see that God is All Powerful; and that we are small and insignificant in comparison to the Divine Powers that rule the Universe. And, meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow from the lack of cloud coverage."

Then Dr. Watson follows up his incredibly thorough answer with this:

"Why? What does it tell you, Holmes?"    

Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: "Someone has stolen our tent."

Get Outside and enrich your life by discovering the lighter side of yourself.  Laughing a little more about things in general is good for the soul. For some reason, hilarious things tend to occur when we're outside with our friends camping; I think it's God's way of rewarding us for doing something good for our bodies and souls.

Wisdom and truth comes in all shapes and sizes and from all beliefs. Finding your path in the world isn't always easy, but I believe the serenity and peace of the outdoors can lead you closer to enlightenment. Balance yourself and calm your spirit by venturing out into nature…think outside…no box required!

"...There are signs everywhere to help you find your way..."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/116155451/i-dream-big-canvas-tote-bag-100-10oz?

For the last three weeks I've been walking past a large sign in the lobby that reads: 

DREAM BIG! 

It seems like that same message has been following me no matter what path I take. It was on the side panel of a bus stop, in the newsletter from our church, it’s the underlying theme of the novel I'm reading, and it was written in chalk on the sidewalk behind our house..."Dream Big"... 

Are these signs God’s way of moving me toward my dreams and goals; by showing me the message over and over again? This constant reinforcement of the message makes me think of a movie that I saw many years ago titled: Fools Rush In. The movie wasn’t a blockbuster, but one line in the movie struck a chord with me “There are signs everywhere to help you find your way.” The movie was about knowing when to take a risk and following a dream, all you need to do is recognize the signs.

This made me ask myself a question about why I haven’t been in tune with my dreams: “Is fear holding me back from realizing my dreams?” Something my Sweetie said recently made me think about my fears. I realized that I was not living my dream because I was desperately afraid- of financial ruin, of failure, of letting people down, and the possibility of regret. This question is helping me separate the fear from the dream, and in doing so, I realize that I really do want to move forward, in spite of the fear. My husband’s question helped me identify the fears and determine whether they deserved as much power as I was giving them. I'm learning to address the fears separately and not spoil the dream. Do I still worry about those fears? Absolutely. Will I let them rule my choices anymore? No Way! I'm on the threshold of a life change.

 

Now a final thought on Dreaming Big....This wonderful commercial is the story of a little guy’s triumph against the odds. A little donkey who wanted to be a Clydesdale, manages to fulfill his dream. The advertisement is a testament to "Dreaming Big" and fulfilling our dreams....Enjoy!

 



1000 Gifts - Part Seven

This is part seven of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day. 

It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis.  There are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.

My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by December 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me.

And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues... 

One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Seven:

161.   A warm and safe haven to go home to at night 
162.   A gift from my Grandfather via my Dad that will help with the house. 
163.   Recognizing that stairs aren't necessary and being good with that for the future.
164.   Getting help with a daunting problem that just won't go away.
165.   Finding the documents needed right where they should be in the file cabinet.
166.   Flowers from my sweetie just because...
167.   Having the means to hire someone to clean the shower.
168.   Dinner at a new restaurant right in our neighborhood.
169.   The feeling you get when the laundry is done and put away.
170.   Finding some new outfits for work; my wardrobe has been shrinking.
171.   Getting on the scale and discovering a significant drop in weight.
172.   Wearing the beautiful earrings my sweetie gave me for our anniversary.
173.   The feel of a new hair cut on the day after.
174.   Receiving many compliments on my new "look"
175.   An invitation from an old friend to see the king...Elvis is coming to town.
176.   New Years Eve spent with best friends in a large cabin in the woods.
177.   Looking at mountain cabins with my sweetie, we love to look at real estate.
178.   Having insurance to help pay medical bills.
179.   Surprising someone with the gift they've been wishing for. 
180.  Having a romantic meal with my sweetheart on Valentines Day
181.   Sweets from my Sweetie.
182.   Discovering that I like fried eggplant when prepared correctly.
183.   Valet car service when it's raining 

184.   Having a strong hand to hold when I'm walking on uneven pavement in heels.
185.   Living in the city just blocks from all our favorite places to dine.
186.   A weekend with zero plans, just time to relax
187.   Blue-ray copy of my favorite romantic comedy, what a difference Blue-ray makes.
188.   Knowing that my sweetie still loves me, because he shows it every day.
189.   Being able to support our Church's large refurbishing and expansion project
190.   Being blessed with a wonderfully inclusive church family, knowing all are welcome.
191.   Knowing that your talents are recognized by other organizations. 
192.   Finding a great group of women to network and socialize with.
193.   Getting words of encouragement from readers of my blog.
194.   Knowing 12,000+ people find me interesting on Pinterest; that's a lot of followers!
195.   Plans to travel in the near future to Charleston, SC
196.   Seeing the first daffodils of the season, a sure sign of spring here in the south.
197.   Paying off the car ahead of schedule.
198.   Having the timeline on a project extended so it can be done correctly, not quickly.
199.   Signing my sweetie up for the Single Malt Scotch tasting as a surprise.
200.   Chocolate...need I say more?
Too be continued….

Love is in the Air....

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."

- Author Unknown.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday

It's Fat Tuesday, the last day of Mardi Gras....We will be celebrating tonight at a local joint known for it's Mardi Gras celebrations here in Atlanta.  Below are some of my favorite finds on Etsy for Mardi Gras...

Below is a handmade mask by TomBanwell  that I love for the celebration.

And how about this Alligator Head Bustier with  Pink Feathers and trim...LOL!

Be Safe if you are celebrating tonight!

Cheers!

 

9 Excuses Preventing You from Becoming a Successful Etsy Seller



Start Your Own Etsy Store - Image by Schugirl08



Be honest. How often do you interfere with yourself?

Today or really any day, you know you have tasks you’d like to finish because they’d positively impact your Etsy business, and then there are the tasks you actually do. You trick yourself into thinking that keeping up with Pinterest, following others on Facebook, and reading the latest blog posts is “working on your Etsy shop”. You do know better, but some part of you believes that having an understanding of all things “Etsy” will better position you when the time is right. When that time comes, you’ll be the absolute front-runner of the handmade world, because you’re so well studied… But that day doesn’t come.

Something is holding you back from great success on Etsy, and you can’t quite put your finger on it. So instead of moving past it and taking action, you make an excuse. You justify your reasons for not moving forward.

 What follows are 9 of the most common excuses you might tell yourself.



Take a risk!



 

1.) You can’t afford to take a risk right now.

If not now, then when?

This excuse is fear of the unknown.

The reality is that you can’t afford not to take a risk right now.

Putting on the breaks doesn’t just inhibit your creativity…it prevents people from ever making a purchase from you. Just go for it, take the risk!

2.) You don’t know where to begin.

Just take it step-by-step.

Think about it, every great seller on Etsy probably thought “I don’t know where to begin.”

Before you know it you’ll be a pro and will hardly remember how nerve-wracking these first steps were.

I found this article a big help when I was starting my Shop: 

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/the-quick-start-guide-to-selling-on-etsy/



You don't have to be.



3.) You’re not that good or creative enough.

Don’t sell yourself short!

Not everyone needs to be über creative.

Yes, there are extremely talented artists on Etsy, but there are also regular folks with very successful shops selling craft supplies, and vintage items. Some of the top sellers in the jewelry category (my category), simply hang a pretty pendant from a single chain; not tremendously creative but exactly what their buyers were looking for.

4.) You don’t know what your passion is; you can’t think of a niche.

Understandable. Not everyone is there, yet.

However if you want to do something, but just can’t figure out what, go to the bookstore and see what section you gravitate towards. Spend some time browsing through the magazine racks; if there wasn’t a market, there wouldn’t be a magazine.

Do some soul searching to determine what you’ll forever be passionate about.



There's a buyer for everything!



5.) Nobody will buy.

If people will buy the “Pet Rock” they will buy what you’re selling.

You just have to figure out how to market yourself.

Good photos of your merchandise and detailed descriptions are a good start, but you also need to work at getting your items noticed. You’re probably already using facebook and pinterest; create your own promotions using the tools available to you.

I found this article on marketing interesting: 

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/how-to-effectively-use-social-media-to-market-your-business/

6.) You can’t be successful until you have _______.

Money, studio, tools, website, expensive camera, stock pile, or any other number of other factors.

Make every attempt to acquire the bare essentials quickly.

Plot out your steps and create milestones to acquire additional resources.

Missions and objectives do wonders for progress.

7.) It’s too hard keeping all the balls in the air.

Anything worth doing is hard.

When was the last time “easy” had a huge payoff for you?

“You are in the middle of your day today, and you’re caught up in the sandstorm of thoughts, feelings, to-dos, meetings, readings, and communications of this day.

Pause. Breathe. Let all of that fade.

Now focus on doing one thing, right now.”

~Leo Babauta

8.) You can’t commit right now.

Fair enough, we all have a lot on our plates.

But when can you commit?

Don’t use this excuse to push something aside, if you don’t want to invest the time.

If it’s genuinely interesting, look at your calendar and ask “when can I commit?” and put yourself on a productive path.

And if you don’t want to do it, be honest and admit you’re not interested. Close your shop.

People will always respect honesty over being strung along waiting for your new items.

9.) You don’t have time.

Seriously? You just had time to read my blog post. You have time.

In fact, you have all the time, resources, and knowledge required to be a great Etsy seller.

Being great, no, being excellent is a choice.

It’s a choice to never stop. It’s a choice to view yourself as limitless. It’s a choice to stop at nothing until everyone knows your name and shop.

Without a doubt, you’ll encounter many obstacles on your journey. That’s a given.

So what are you waiting for?

Go.

Be great.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin