Renovating a 70 years Old House

My brother and sister-in-law recently bought a 70 years old house which is cute and charming but requires a lot of work.  From what we can tell, the original was a small farm house with a parlor, dining, half bath and a kitchen on the first floor and two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.  Later on a new great room with a fire place and a bedroom was added off the kitchen and the front door was changed off the great room.  The old stair case to upstairs from the old parlor was closed off, and they added a new stair case to the upstairs off the new great room.   The house foundation is a cinder block basement.  A cute front porch with white railing and rood adds to the charm of the house. 

Sometime later a family room was added to the back of the house that sits on a concrete slab and has a fireplace.

My Novi Farmers' Market & International Street Fair Set UP

I signed up to participate at the Novi Farmers' Market this summer.  This is my first attempt at selling my jewelry outside of Etsy.  So far it has been a load of fun and adventure.  So far, I have learned a lot about setting up outdoors and I am still learning.

I ended up getting an EZ-UP tent from our local Sam's club for $200.  It is not one of the top brands, but for the money, it was recommended by a lot of crafters.   So far I have been happy with it.  Since this is going to be an outdoor event, adding weights to the tent is absolutely necessary.  Instead of buying ready made weights, my husband made the weights out of PVC pipes and filled them with Sand.  They are hung from a chain and attached to the leg with an S hook and kept in place with a clamp to stop it from moving around.  Although we found out later, we do not need the clamp.  I also decided to go with the side panels and today I was glad I did.  We had a down poor and the panels kept the tent, the jewelry, and us dry.

Setting up the tent is not too bad, but you definitely need two people.  Since I am short, we decided to add the side panels while the tent is setup at medium height and then raise it all the way to the normal height.

  Instead of going with 6 foot tables, I decided to use two folding 4 foot tables.  They are easier to carry and it went better with my U shape set up.

How does your garden grow? is this week's challenge over at Inspiration Ave .

In mystical Sufism tradition, it is said that the original rose was white.

Perfect-white-rose-bud

One night a Nightingale encountered a a particularly beautiful rose and was struck by a love so intense that he he began to sing the most beautiful song ever heard (before this night, nightingales only croaked and chirped). Finally, overpowered by his desire for her, he embrace her with such ardor that her thorns pierced his heart. From that time on, the rose was stained red by his the color of his blood."

Red Rose Bud

When the rose is gone and the garden faded

you will no longer hear the nightingale's song.

The Beloved is all; the lover just a veil.

The Beloved is living; the lover a dead thing.

If love withholds its strengthening care,

the lover is left like a bird without care,

the lover is left like a bird without wings.

How will I be awake and aware

if the light of the Beloved is absent?

Love wills that this Word be brought forth.    

Teachings of Rumi (The Masnavi): The Spiritual Couplets of Jalaludin Rumi

Flowers for Mother's Day

Check out these flower theme Mother's day gift ideas.

• Flowers For Mother's Day

• 
  
  Original Flower Art Red...

  hjmart
  $350.00 USD
• 
  
  July's Garden Gate

  wrinklegrin
  $350.00 USD
• 
  
  Morning Coffee Still Li...

  bemusedart
  $40.00 USD
• 
  
  The Paisley Iris, by Al...

  almalee
  $199.00 USD
• 
  
  FRITILLARIES - oatmeal ...

  alexandraferg...
  $79.00 USD
• 
  
  Floral Abstract Journal...

  MandarinMoon
  $60.00 USD
• 
  
  CUSTOM Personalized Min...

  FlyingUnicorn
  $35.00 USD
• 
  
  White colt leather flow...

  ausoleilacces...
  $65.00 USD
  

Birthday Gifts for Aries (March 21 - April 20)

The spring equinox, March 21, is the beginning of the new zodiacal year and Aries is the first sign. Aries is an assertive sign, stubborn, direct, impulsive and adventuresome.

They are sharp and to the point. Aries sometimes look at things a bit too simplistically and are quick to jump to conclusions.

They tend to be generous and big-hearted, and have a strongly compassionate side to them. Although often considered strong, Aries people are actually quite sensitive at their core. They tends to dislike whiny people.

They are leaders instead of followers. They make great athletes, climbers, doctors, explorers, and of course leaders.

Aries love surprises, so a surprise party would be wonderful.

Their color of choice is Red.  Aries are impulsive and active, their hobbies may include any athletic pursuits from dance to sports to yoga. Sports gear or tickets to a game make excellent gifts.

"Yoga Mat Bag - Recycled Sailcloth - Red and Black" from RAGGEDedge

My Blog is Carbon Neutral!

I received an email today that said my blog was creating carbon dioxide and asked that I click a link to learn more.  I care about the environment and you can imagine my surprise.  My first thought was this is a scam, and if I click the link I am going to download a virus or something.  But, I was curious, so I kept on reading.  It turns out that this a German company that is planting trees in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation in Plumas National Forest in Northern California for their project to neutralize the carbon footprint of blogs. For every participating blog, they plant a tree. One blog - one tree.  Sounds like a good idea, so I clicked their link http://www.kaufda.de/umwelt/co2-neutral/my-blog-is-carbon-neutral/

The first thing that caught my eye was the statistic below:

an average website causes about 0.02g (0,0008oz.) of carbon dioxide for each visit. Assuming an average blog gets 15,000 visits a month, it has yearly carbon dioxide emissions of 3,6kg (8lb.). This can mainly be tracked back to the immense energy usage from (mainframe) computers, servers, and their cooling systems.

I have heard how cars and manufacturing companies were creating pullutions, but I never thought of computers.  I found the information very interesting and from there I ended up at the Arbor Day Foundation site. 

Do you know that :

• Arbor day for Michigan is the Last Day of April?





• Michigan's State tree is Eastern White Pine?

Learn more about Michigan's trees at http://www.arborday.org/states/?state=MI

Learn how you can celebrate Arbor Day by going to the http://www.arborday.org/arborday/celebrate.cfm site.

This site has a lot of good ideas.  I think I try to do some of it right here on my blog.

I hope this post has inspired you to take a look at these sites and learn more about how you can save the earth, the forest and our environment.  I hope you comment back here with your findings and a link to your articles.

   

Birthday Gifts For Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

I am excited to write this post, because I am a Pisces myself and writing this post is like writting about me.  I hope my family reads this, because there are a lot of good ideas for my birthday gift.

Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in different directions. Do I need to say more?

Imaginative, mystified, baffled, empathic, unearthly, secretive, impractical, spacey, tendentious, intuitive are just a few words that describe Pisces.

While they can be extremely empathic and compassionate, they can also act in a heartless fashion. They have a magical personality, gentle nature, with a certain childish element in them. They are charitable and honest and usually active in charities.

They are artistic by nature and very perceptive with an uncanny ability to recall stored knowledge. They enjoy many short trips as a way of relaxation and getting away from day-to-day activities.

Their unpredictable nature makes it difficult to find a perfect gift.

Their colors:         lilac, lavender, purple and yellow
Their birthstones:  amethyst, aquamarine, bloodstone, jade, rock crystal, and sapphire
Their flowers:        iris, violet and daffodil;

They love to eat and try cuisines from all over the world.  They love romantic, spiritual, mystical and artistic things. They have their own unique sense of luxury, glamour and quality.

Fragrances are good gifts; however before buying perfume make sure the recipient does not have any allergies (click on the images for details).

Magical Mind Perfume - Magical Mind™ begins with a melody of sweet, fresh, and spicy top notes and moves right into narcotic jasmine notes enveloped in a lush forest scent.  From Trust Your style - handmade natural perfume

Vintage Pillbox filled with 1/4 oz InCarnation Solid Perfume - Classy vintage pillbox illustrated with carnations, appropriately filled with InCarnation solid perfume - our new carnation soliflore to be released in winter 2008!  From Ayala Moriel Parfums

Birthday Gifts for Aquarius (January 21 to February 19)

Aquarius 'The water bearer' is original and intelligent with a wild and unruly side; they are willing to experiment with anything. They are intellectual in nature and most are lively and social. They tend to be opinionated, highly experimental with an independent streak. They can be unpredictable and stubborn. One minute they can be very expressive, interesting and active and suddenly they become moody and uncaring. On the good side, they are very friendly, good listeners and care deeply for their friends with strong humanitarian ideals and supportive of big causes.

The most important thing to remeber is that they do not like ordinary things. They have a very unconventional taste and tend to stand out from the crowd.

They love good food and friends, so a big birthday party with lots of friends and delicious food is a good idea. Or if you want to skip the birthday party, and put together a very nice food basket. 

Customized Gift Box..you get to choose the items from Worth A Fortune - Your one stop candy shop!

DaSweetzpot JANUARY Birthday Garnet Pomegranate Jam Jelly from DaSweetZpot









Antiques and handmade eclectic items are perfect.  They are future-oriented and interested in science and technology. Science-base games, brain teasers, Books, new techy gadgets, computers and computer accessories are suitable gifts.

1927 - Houdinis Big Little Book of Magic - Fascinating Puzzles, tricks, and Mysterious Stunts from Stories Divinations

Pleasantly Surprised at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts)

We visited DIA few weeks ago, and I was pretty impressed with all the renovations and the new look.  In fact I was so excited about our visit that I thought I share some of the highlights with you. 

The first thing that caught my eye was this Chinese Money Tree.  When the kids were small, I used to tell them that 'Money didn't grow on trees', I guess I was wrong and there is a money tree after all.

Here is the famous Rivera Court (the murals painted by Diego Rivera), even though I have seen it several times, every time is like the first time.   Check out this slide show courtesy of Flickr

Finally, Snow in Michigan

I know the rest of the country has seen a lot more snow, but this is the first real snow in Michigan.  

This is the view from my home office window.

Birthday Gifts for Capricorn (December 21 to January 20)

Those born under this sign are responsible, reliable, practical, ambitious and disciplined.  They are extremely patient with a great personality and sense of humor.  They are seen as being diplomatic, cautious, thoughtful and reserved.   Their birthstone is Garnet and their color is deep red.

Their past time activities consists of antique shopping

Victorian Bohemian Garnet Bangle Bracelet from Antiquing On Line   (I wish I was a Capricorn, so I can get this bracelet as a birthday gift).

GOLD Silver Infinity Pyrope Victorian GARNET Ring C. 1875 from boylerpf jewelry

Winter Trees by EBSQ Artists

I wanted to start the new year with a wonderful collection of Winter Trees treasury from EBSQ artists.  The treasury was put together by Torrie Smiley . 

A wonderful start for the new year. 

from top left

1) Twilight Signed Art Print

2) FREE SHIPPING - Original Dana Marie Wearable Art - SYNERGY TREE - Handpainted Acrylic Miniature Painting in Glass Frame Locket PENDANT with Leather NECKLACE - MAKE ME AN OFFER

3) Into your arms - Print

4) Big Moon Rising

5) Winter Trees, by Carolyn, EBSQ

6) ORIGINAL ABSTRACT ACRYLIC TREE LANDSCAPE CANVAS EBSQ TEAM MEMBER

7) Forest original pen and ink 15 x 21 inch - EBSQ TEAM MEMBER

8) Frozen Time

9) VIENNA ON CRANE......greeting card....monochrome image

10) TWILIGHT --- Print

11) THE WALK aceo

12) Miniature ACEO Dark Forest Winter Solstice ebsq team

The treasury is available until Tuesday, January 5th, click here to go to it.

Season Greetings

I found this flash season greeting and had to share it with you. May Your Holidays be filled with warmth and wonder!