Another mini garden. Now all I need is a miniature Jessie or Woody from Toy Story 3 to ride along in the wagon. I love kitsch, and it doesn't get more kitschy than this ceramic tchotchke I bought at a Knoxville thrift store years ago. It's finally found its purpose!
This is me with Laura. I've known Laura (and my dear friends Amy & Charlie, her parents) since she was 6 months old. She is one of those friends most near and dear to my heart. I have watched her grow from a baby to a talented teenager to a beautiful grown woman.
This past Saturday, she graduated with a Bachelors degree from the University of Florida.
She is a smart, sassy, AWESOME person, and I can't wait to see what she does next. I have no doubt she can do whatever she sets her mind to.
Congratulations, Laura!
I went to the Winter Garden Flower & Garden Festival a few weeks ago and found some great stuff. Check out this potted garden... it's my new inspiration. Linda at Konkrete Kreations had the most awesome garden art and fountains, and she's inspired me to create some of my own. Here's my first, very small attempt:
Linda's is certainly grander, but she had a few miniature gardens as well. I like the idea of micro-gardens. Simple to care for, but very "green" and fun. I plan to give this one to a friend at work. She likes succulents and this one needs a good home.
I'll share more micro-gardens as I create them. I have ideas to make them more fun, but I don't want to give away any surprises. More on things as they develop...
I re-upped my lease on my apartment last month. I love my apartment. I'm starting to feel settled, especially after the turmoil of the last year. So, just 2 weeks after my divorce was final, I decided I wanted to stay at Bella. Despite some of the issues of living in a large apartment complex, I still like it here. And honestly, I couldn't face moving. Again. LOL!
Since I'm staying, I figure I can invest some time and a tiny bit of money to make my place a little more finished. Hence the picture above. Mini-blinds are de rigueur for apartments, but are not really very pretty. I wanted to get some curtains or a valance to spruce it up. When I had Brad and Lisa over for dinner a few weeks ago, I happened to dig through some linens in my closet, and came across a very special gift that was given to me by my former e2amp boss, Michael. It was a sari that he brought back from a trip to India. It is quite beautiful, although I would never really be able to wear it. I thought, could I use it as a valance?
I bought a couple of tie-backs from Lowe's and re-purposed them as a swag holder. I assembled my tools (I love my tools!), then looped the sari over the tie-backs and took many trips up and down the ladder to arrange it just so. The result?
I really like it. It changes the look of the whole room. Thanks to Michael and this wonderful gift, I spent a whopping $12 on this makeover. Woo hoo!
Saturday morning I wandered over to Downtown Disney to do a little shopping. I came across this gorgeous tableau and had to snap a picture to share. It's a little hard to see the Mickey topiary in the shade, but he's there holding court over the scads of blooms. I love the way the fountain is set up to cascade, and I love the arrangement of flower pots. This type of design is so inspirational to me, since anyone can do it (on a smaller scale) right on thier own patio.
Mom and I went to EPCOT on Saturday to check out the gorgeousness that is spring at Walt Disney World. The Flower & Garden Festival is truly amazing, with topiaries, flower arrangements, displays of gardening techniques and HGTV personality seminars.
It was a pretty hot day, so mom and I stopped by the (air-conditioned) Festival Center and caught Kim Myles, of Myles of Style, from HGTV. Her talk about "The 5 DIY Fixes that Can Transform Any Space" was fascinating! She was so well-spoken and backed up all her design ideas with awesome visuals. I look forward to keeping up with her blog, which she said she will update with her presentation from the weekend. Check her out. Very talented lady.
It was an amazing weekend. More photos of the flora fantasia to come!
I had to snap a picture of the recycle bin in my office. Don't you just love the retro Chip n Dale? (c) 1989 baby!
Last night, I went with my friend Kibby to serve dinner at the Gingerbread House at Give Kids the World Village. I am so grateful to Kibby for introducing me to this organization. I'm a big believer in volunteering where and when I can. At the Gingerbread House, I help by carrying guests' trays to their table, getting them refills and extra helpings, cleaning and bussing, and chatting with the families. I love interacting with the guests, who come from all over the world to enjoy some time in sunny Orlando visiting the parks and attractions. And, can I just say what a blessing it is to be able to serve these families in this small way.
I urge you to visit the GKTW website to learn more about this wonderful organization, which gives such great gifts to children with life-threatening illnesses.
This is a piece of handmade pottery I bought at a University of Georgia student art sale. In 1987.
It's survived 2 cross-country moves and numerous in-town moves. I love it as much today as when I bought it 24 years ago.
I wonder who the student is who made it, and whether he or she is still crafting pottery? There is no name or identifier on the piece, so it will remain a mystery. But I love it just the same.
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