After the rain

For some reason Gizzy woke me up early today wanting to go outside and since I've got errands this afternoon, I got myself up and Adam to go to the park. After buying a big cup of java, I headed towards Roquemore Park with my boy for a stroll through the park. It rained yesterday afternoon and intermittently during the night, so it was quite wet and beads of water were clinging to everything like morning dew.

First stop:  the roses!

While looking into the water at some garbage trying to figure out how to get it out, I saw a teeny, tiny baby turtle...actually, there were a few, but this one is the one I got for you:

Past some trees and a cute little birdhouse (don't know if it was occupied)

Around the bend and over the lawn, sniffing along some flowers and ye ole millstones (on Gizzy's part)

we met up with Gizzy's rumbling parter who was anxiously waiting by the fence - have at it, boys!

That was fun and now for some relaxation by looking up into a few remaining spring blossoms

Then further around the pond, past some more trees - be careful, Gizzy, don't fall in!

 past the little bridge and back into the car to drive back home...

Till next time - have a good day!

I just joined the TerraCycle Revolution - it's beyond worm poop!

My dear friend Samantha of Samantha's Art Studio told me about TerraCycle, a company that recycles and upcycles in an attempt to make garbage obsolete! If you're at all interested or curious to see how that might work, watch this:

I, for one, joined because I want to help. Let's face it, my inner flower child is dying to get involved and revolutionize this ole' planet one more time ;-)


Go on and join this revolution - don't make me have a sit-in!

Honey Carrot Cookies

I love cooking and baking with honey because it's a natural preservative and also like incorporating fresh fruits and veggies in everything I make. I had a batch of these a while back and wanted to share the recipe, especially since a lot of you are starting to look more towards healthy foods, especially with bathing suit season around the corner.

These are great and only account for 2 Points (on the Weight Watchers program) per serving (2 cookies) providing you make the required 36 cookies from this batch.

Each serving (2 cookies) is 111 calories, 3 g fat, 1.4 g fiber and 8.3 g sugar.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup butter (I use sweet, unsalted butter for baking)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (I used a little fresh lemon juice and a tiny bit of grated lemon zest)
1 cup sifted whole wheat flour
1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups grated carrots (I used the fine grater)
cooking spray

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream together butter, applesauce and honey. Add eggs, and beat well. Blend in vanilla and lemon extracts.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flours, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to creamed mixture, and mix well.
Stir in carrots.
Prepare baking sheets with a quick shot of cooking spray. Drop by teaspoon on baking sheets. Bake 15-18 minutes and cool on racks. (Makes 36 cookes, 18 servings.)
(from recipezaar.com)

Enjoy!

Crocheted hats for the stylish mom

Just wanted to show you a few hats in case you were wondering about a Mother's Day gift for your mom, another mom or even yourself. I can make them in any color. Just ask! As always, my bloggie friends and followers get a 10% Discount.

From my crocheted collection, I'd like to suggest these hats for the stylish mom:

This Red Hat Society hat is pretty sturdy because I crocheted it holding two strands of yarn together. It can be shaped in various ways: either a hat with the brim down (cloche) or up or as a Fidora type hat (with the crease on top.) It holds its shape very well because it's thick. The purple flower is actually a pin that's removable and you can wear it with our without the rose. Also, I can make it in another color.

These two hats or caps (above) are made in the Flapper type fashion, each with a removable flower brooch/pin. Again, I can make them in any color(s) of your choice! My mom wants one in white with a little pink for her bad hair days and I'm working on it now to send off to Germany in plenty of time.

Lastly, I'd like to share a " blast from the past" photograph of my daughter, Christie, with her best friend, Jenny, in the days of carefree youth (about 12 years ago.) Jenny still calls me "my other mom" and we keep in touch regularly. (Check out those beautiful teeth in those smiles.)

Where did the time go?

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is playing on Hulu for FREE

I'm so excited to have found this movie with Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio - I've seen it a million times (ok, maybe 20) but can always watch it one more time. When I first saw this movie, that younger brother really annoyed me. I found him extremely irritating, but when I learned that he was played by Leonardo DiCaprio, I realized that his character could not have been played any better and now he makes me laugh.

When I was younger I could never have watched a movie twice, but now when I find one I love, I can watch it practically non-stop and find something new I like about it with each time I see it.


Enjoy!

Take the Pledge - I did!

 "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank


Defenders of Willife is asking us to pledge a Day of Service to the Earth and walk the walk for wildlife to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day -- then ask your friends and family to follow your lead.

Click here! to take your pledge.

I have pledged to pick up trash in my neighborhood, around the lake and in my local park when I go outside to walk Gizzy. My neighbor gave me her pick up tool (so I don't have to bend down so much) and I've started to carry a trash bag. There's a lot of fishing going on where I live and you probably know how much trash that generates. I especially hate finding the fishing line that can really harm the animals. It is very sad that people do not care enough to pick up after themselves. I don't want to start on a rant, but I was raised differently, weren't you?

Dow Live Earth Run for Water 4/18/10

When: April 18th, 2010

Where: New York, NY and also

Atlanta, GA

Macon, GA

Los Angeles, CA

Maryville, TN

Charleston, SC

Charlotte, NC

    Chicago, IL

Midland, MI

 Oklahoma City, OK

Boonville, MO
Denton, TX

Seattle, WA

Peshtigo, WI

and many more

click here to find a location in a city near you!

also April 25, 2010 in Ontario, Canada

Imagine, all those places, all those people getting out and walking or running for a better life for us all. It's amazing how the human spirit can come together to help save our planet. It's wonderful! Congratulations to all the participants and sponsors. I'm overwhelmed at this great show of compassion and concern.

Just wanted to share one of many water saving fact, because a lot of you love pets as much as I do:

Pet waste is one of the many common storm water pollutants that can degrade water quality including paint, oil, automotive fluids, construction debris, yard waste, pesticides, trash and pool chemicals. Learn more by clicking here.

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On April 18, 2010, more than 100 countries will be participating in a series of 6km races will take place over the course of 24 hours in support of the global water crisis. Through a cross-platform global fundraising effort all donations raised by the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will be used to fund sustainable and scalable water programs. For the comprehensive list of Live Earth’s NGO partners around the world, please visit http://liveearth.org/runforwater/partners.

Look for more events in a city near you by clicking here!