Pass it on: THE GEORGIA PUPPY CARAVAN is coming Aug. 19 - 23

ALSO FOR CATS! Let's work Paw in Hand to safe lives! THE GEORGIA PUPPY CARAVAN Please join THE MOMS RESCUE for the most rewarding experience of your life. If you are an animal lover ,please consider taking this trip with us. We are putting together a caravan of RVs, cars, motorcycles and planes to travel to Georgia on August 19-23, 2009. Rescue Ink as well as Animal Rescue Flights will be joining us. We are gathering donations of food and supplies to bring to these rural shelters and we will be saving lives. We will be saving these animals from inhumane deaths such as gas chambers and cardiac heartsticks with no sedation. The state of Georgia is eagerly anticipating our caravan and have scheduled very large arrival parties for the group. We will be followed by every media outlet from NJ through to Georgia. This is expected to be the largest awareness and rescue program Georgia has ever seen. You can help, please join us. Below is an e-mail I received today and I'm planning on passing it on to everyone I know. Please do the same! Just in: an e-mail from Karen Talbot of The M.O.M.S. Rescue M.O.M.S. stands for Making of Miracle Stories Good morning to everyone, As many of you already know, The MOMS Rescue along with ARF (animal rescue flights) and Rescue Ink from NY will be traveling to Georgia. Animal Adoption Center will be coming along with their transport van to bring home to Jersey their limited intake ,at that time of 25 dogs/puppies. I am reaching out to everyone here who are in the animal rescue world and have many established relationships with the GA network and saving their dogs. We want a mass exodus of GA animals. We all collectively rescue at different times throughout the year. If you already commit to saving animals and can find space at this particular time 08/19/-23, 2009, we will personally hand deliver the animals to your rescue group fully vetted and quarantined. We have attained monetary sponsorship to allow our numbers to grow. We can save as many as we have accepting rescues for. We have volunteer transporters set up to transport in this mass exodus. If I am reaching out to you and you are on the GA end, please reach out to your connections and the rescue groups you work with throughout the country to see if they can commit to any during this time. I need to know how many rescue groups can commit to even one starfish during this time to add to the exodus number while we have all the help lined up to pull, vet, quarantine and transport. We are coming by land and by air with over 50,000 lbs of committed dogfood/catfood to deliver on the caravan. Please let us all join forces and make a mass exodus of animals very large to capture nationwide media attention and possibly get to the root of the problems S/N!!! Please contact me asap if you can commit to numbers or if the rescue group you work with can commit. We are utilizing our network of already established credible rescue groups so the GA network is comfortable in sending their animals into the groups and not just sending dogs/ cats into the oblivion. CATS and cat rescues: Our main goal with the film crew that we have coming is to completely empty out one shelter which is Chattooga. I counted over 30 cats/kittens on PF last night (just figuring numbers) and over 40 dogs/puppies. We need to know if cat rescues can commit, at this time to taking in some. I know we have our own cat population in the North but for the purpose of emptying out a shelter, can we help the cats and kittens this time and bring them up. Our children then will go into an empty shelter and the film crew will film them being interviewed and telling our country "this is our vision for one day, that every shelter in our nation is empty". Please let me know. The animals that are pulled on that particular day of course will not be transported home with us from that trip-they will be quarantined and vetted. The animals that we will be transporting home w/the caravan would have been pulled already two weeks prior for quarantine purposes. We want the dramatic affect of walking into the shelter and having Rescue Ink, ARF, The MOMS and most importantly-children carry everyone of the animals out on that particular day in history, while being filmed. "NO ANIMAL LEFT BEHIND DAY"! Please feel free to contact me at anytime-609-665-1224 and the website- www.themomsrescue.com has constant updates. Thank you!!!! Kar One of the places on Themomsrescue website is called DOSGS ON DEATH ROW, but there are other ways you can help as a private individual. The best way is to tell everyone you know about this - word of mouth and keep the ball rolling! Let's get together and help our four-legged friends. The Starfish One day a little boy and his mother were walking along the beach. There were thousands of washed up ,dying starfish on the beach after a storm. The little boy was reaching down and tossing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one. An older, gruff man appeared on the beach and exclaimed to the boy "Why bother, there are too many of those starfish on this beach to make a difference!" The little boy looked at his mother and smiled and proceeded to reach down for yet another starfish and toss it back into the ocean exclaiming "Sir, I just made a difference to that one!" You can help us make the difference, one starfish at a time!

Good Morning from Roquemore Park

Last week Gizzy and I got up early to greet the sun at Roquemore Park while the temperatures were still bearable, as they have been around 104 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. Most people look forward to summer - probably in part because of summer vacation - but since I moved here to Southern Georgia, summers have quickly become my least favorite season. While I can handle high temperatures, having lived in California all my "American Life," it's the humidity and the mosquitoes (and other strange bugs) that I'm having trouble with. I have learned that the only way I can tolerate summer is by getting up very early in the mornings and hibernating with the A/C on for the remainder of the day. Even nights are rather unexpectedly warm. It is save to say that Gizzy and I spend more time indoors during the summer than the rest of the seasons, putting a significant damper on summertime, although I do love how green everything looks, especially as of late, since we had enough rain to end a three-year drought that Georgia was experiencing. Here are some photos I took when we went to Roquemore Park one day last week to enjoy the early morning hours. I hope you like them. I do. One of four weeping willow trees growing in Roquemore Park. I really like them. We had them growing around our ponds in Germany when I was a child. I like the way the morning sunlight casts interesting dimensions onto the landscape. My Gizzy dog in the grass. Reflections in the water. Gizzy coming closer. I liked the way the steam escaped from this water fountain. I had never seen it before. (...the things I miss when I sleep in.) Gizzy on a bench. View from the bench to the little pond. Gizzy even closer. I love pretty, green leaves. A close-up of these lovely leaves. "The sun also rises" ... as did my Gizzy that morning. Honey-Almond Sweet Pizza 1/4 cup honey 1 tube (10 oz.) refrigerated pizza dough 2 Tablespoons butter 1/4 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted cinnamon Mix honey and cinnamon; reserve. Shape pizza shell according to package directions for thin-crusted pizza; brush surface with melted butter. Bake at 450°F for 5 minutes. Brush reserved honey mixture over partially bake pizza shell; sprinkle with almonds. Continue to bake at 450°F until crust is golden, about 6 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Cut into 12 wedges. Serve warm or at room temperature. ENJOY! AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!

And The Winner Is...

Joy of BeeJoyfullQilts. She won my Poetry Challenge Giveaway with this lovely poem about remembering family: Special Memories Of Time Traveling Life With The Ones I Love My Daughter and I Dakota Sunsets Colorado Rainstorms Montana Skies Shared hopes and dreams, futures and pasts. My Son and I Honolulu Sunrises Botanical Parks Bus trips to everywhere and nowhere in particular Shared thoughts and stories, philosophies and life. My Firstborn and I Roadside Stops Parks and Venues Photographs and Dancing Shared scriptures and songs, picnics and poetry. I love YOU ! ! ! Congratulations, Joy, please feel free to chose any item(s) from my shop on Etsy called Honey Bee Crochet by Sturm DM in the total amount of $15 and I will pay for the shipping. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Joy and thank you also to all the wonderful entries. I really enjoyed reading your poems. Frankly, I had a difficult time deciding, but Joy took the lead an never looked back. If you are reading this, Joy, please contact me because I have no way of reaching you. Fat-Free Honey Berry Milkshake- Makes 4 servings - 1 pint nonfat vanilla ice cream or nonfat frozen yogurt 1 basket strawberries, hulled; or an assortment of berries, approx. 2-1/2 cups 1/2 cup nonfat milk 1/4 cup honey 4 small mint sprigs, optional garnish In blender, combine all ingredients except mint sprigs and blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. Serve immediately in tall, chilled glasses. Garnish with mint sprigs. Protein: 8 g Fat Total: <1 g Sodium: 122 mg Carbohydrates: 57 g Calories from Fat: 1% Cholesterol: <1 mg Calories: 247 Dietary Fiber: 2 g ENJOY! AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!

I found my thrill...on Blueberry Hill

(Does anyone remember that song? I was a little kid in Germany when it was popular.) "I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill On Blueberry Hill where I found you The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill And lingered till my dreams came true..." OK, it really wasn't a Hill, but an Orchard, but I did find my thrill. I love blueberries and being in that orchard - just the birds and I - felt like heaven on earth. I wish I could have stayed there all day, just to revel in the moment and to listen to the birds while picking - and occasionally tasting - sweet, yummy blueberries. Whenever possible, I like to drive to Valdosta to buy my fresh fruits and veggies from Mallory's Farm. They also have chickens and a pet Turkey named Tom (naturally) who has a girlfriend, plus a bunch of chickens for selling eggs, but best of all, they have a big blueberry orchard where you can pick your own blueberries for $8 per gallon. They give you a bucket and set you loose to pick at your heart's content. Boy, oh, boy, I thought I died and went to heaven... only I almost did! Die, I mean - it was so hot outside. By the time I got half way through, I started to feel light headed and had to go back into the air conditioned warehouse to sit down. I came really close to passing out - it was over 106 degrees that afternoon and I should have known better. Well, the nice people at Mallory's Farm would not let me go back out there, knowing how hot it was, so Shirley Mallory filled the rest of my bucket with blueberries they had picked earlier that day and charged me the "U-Pick" price, so I ended up getting my gallon of berries that I came for. Shirley came out right as I was taking a picture for my blog. A view as you're coming out of the warehouse where the veggies are kept. I also love tomatoes and Tony Mallory gets his tomatoes either locally in Georgia or from Florida (which is only about 30 miles from here) so that there's always a nice, fresh supply of tomatoes. I even have found some organic fruits and veggies here before and that really impressed me. I've been telling everyone about Mallory's Farm, because I am a strong believer in supporting local and organic farmers! Turkey Tom is showing off for the camera. Shirley said they keep him in the cage because one year, when they were letting their fowl roam free, something killed and ate them...well, at least he has a girlfriend and he's NOT going to be Thanksgiving Dinner. Some of the chickens roam free, but they stick around the caged area and I enjoy getting fresh, brown eggs from them whenever I can. They are really nice and big and the yolk is a deep orange-yellow. Looking at the blueberry orchard from the chicken coop. I brought a stool to sit on while I pick (how convenient - no bending down anymore) and a bottle of water and still got light-headed out there, but Shirley said I could pick early in the morning and that she would leave a bucket out for me. She lives right next door, so I will go at 7 am one morning before all the blueberries are gone. They are at their peak right now and oh, so sweet and delish! It was such a beautiful day, the birds were singing and rustling in the bushes, enjoying their share of the berries too. There were no mosquitoes bugging me and I was the only one out there - I wish I could have stayed there longer, surrounded by sweet blueberries - paradise on earth! ...getting closer... (remember to double click on the photos to get the full effect) Some bushes had branches with blueberries growing in clusters like grapes and they just fell into my hands as soon as I barely touched them, that's how ripe they are now..and they are the best ones I've tasted since I was a kid. The whole time I was picking, I was imagining how busy the bees must have been pollinating all those blueberry bushes and in my mind I thanked the honey bees and of course, God! Needless to say: I LOVE BLUEBERRIES! Blueberry Coffeecake 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/2 cup honey 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup honey 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 Tablespoons butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Place blueberries in bottom of greased 9-inch round cake pan; distribute evenly. Sprinkle with flour; drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine honey, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla; beat with folk until well mixed. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in melted butter; mix well. Pour batter over blueberries in pan; spread to cover evenly. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto large plate; cool. Protein: 5 g Fat Total: 10 g Sodium: 415 mg Carbohydrates: 60 g Calories from Fat: 27% Cholesterol: 77 mg Calories: 340 Dietary Fiber: 2 g ENJOY! AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!

Foggy morning and a crocheted Tannenbaum

About three weeks ago, when I was up early driving past Lake Irma, I noticed all this fog hovering over the water. It looked so mystical - almost eerie - and the air was perfectly still. I was lucky to have had my camera with me. I snapped a couple of photos right from my car window as I drove by. Here they are. I really like them: Wouldn't they make great Halloween pictures? I've been searching for a crochet pattern for a Christmas tree because I promised (or threatened) my dad in Germany that I would make him a Christmas tree for their holiday table this year. Last year I made them a festive place mat set for four, two in red and two in green, consisting of a placemat, matching napkin ring and coaster. Here's what they look like. I also offer them as custom order items in my shop. Here's the green set: and a close up of the red one...the pretty white snowflakes are crocheted with a sparkling white yarn that has a silver metallic thread woven in. Here's the little Tree Centerpice that I'm going to make, only my dad's will be a darker green to match the place mats. I made this one as a practice piece. It's about 12" high, but I could add a couple more inches and then crochet some decorations for it before I mail it off. It stands on its own, but you can stuff it with fiber fill or place it over one of those white Styrofoam cones (that florists use) for stability. You can also use it as a toilet paper roll cover or, you can dress your little baby or toddler boy or girl as a tree for Halloween: Just dress him/her in green and put that tree "hat" on her/him and with a little bird in hand, a little tree child is born... Just for kicks, I put it on my dolly that has the same sized head as a baby/toddler, this is what it looks like: I also want to try making one with my white glitter yarn and have a snow covered, sparkling tree, maybe put a little light set inside and have a lovely table top Christmas tree that's washable and folds away nice and flat. You can see more pictures of my crocheted tree in my Etsy shop. Rosemary Honey Hair Conditioner 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup warmed olive oil, 2 Tablespoons for normal to oily hair 4 drops essential oil of rosemary 1 teaspoon xanthum gum (available in health food stores) Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting stopper or lid. Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened hair. Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely coated. Cover hair with a warm towel (towel can be heated in a microwave or dryer) or shower cap; leave on to nourish and condition for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and healthier hair the natural way. The extremes of heat and cold we endure throughout winter can make even the greatest of hair look and feel like straw. This nourishing conditioner blends honey for shine; olive oil for moisture and essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair growth.

Please vote for your favorite poem!

Please vote for your favorite poem using the the voting poll to your right. One vote per user name. Anyone can vote! Voting will end next Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 12 Noon. The winner will receive $15 worth of items from my two Etsy shops, namely Honey Bee Crochet and 365 Days of Christmas. Voting starts now until next Wednesday, June 24th, 2009. Thank you! The poem entries that I received are as follow: Poem #1 by Kate I have an orange kitten; he's smart and soft and sweet. His tail curls round and warms his toes his fur is kept quite neat. At times he nibbles 'pon my toes; at times he bumps my head. At times he purrs and purrs and purrs, at times he swats instead. But do not think this cat so soft is pure and innocent; emerges from his butt at times a most amazing scent. But kitten mine, I love him so 'spite all his stink and claws; the sweetest child the world has known holds my heart in his paws. Poem #2 by Gingerof The Gingerbread House CROCHET-- My son watches me intent In his eyes it looks like fun that shiny, metallic blue hook Round and round he watches the ball of yarn bounce He reaches for it and is startled when I pull from it making it jerk and spin Laughter from the depths of his precious soul Dare he touch it? When I lay it across the chair to take a well deserved break I watch as he gently picks up the hook then the yarn And with all seriousness and concentration he twists that hook 'round about flipping the yarn Giddy with excitement he squeals And I squeal Crochet Poem #3 by Donna LIKE SEEDS THAT EVOLVE INTO TREES THE MOMENTS WE SHARE TODAY ARE TOMORROWS LESSONS YOUR WISDOM WASHING OVER ME SUBDUING ME WITH A CALMNESS THAT I HAVE NEVER KNOWN SHOWING ME THE RAINBOW THAT IS WITHIN EACH OF US AND THE TRUTH THAT LIES WITHIN ALL THE PICTURE THAT I HAD CREATED OF LOVE WIPED CLEAN REPLACED NOW WITH WARM INTIMATE COLORS THAT LIKE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO TOUCH ME LONG AFTER THE PICTURE FADES GUIDING ME FROM AFAR AND HELPING ME TO GROW THE DEPTH OF MY LOVE FOR YOU YOU WILL NEVER KNOW FOR THE MILES WILL SOON BE BETWEEN US AND I’LL HAVE TO LET YOU GO AND ALTHOUGH A LESSON WILL HAVE BEEN LEARNED IN MY HEART, I’LL STILL BE LOVING YOU SO Poem #4 by Kimmi For so long I have wanted,waited to fill that empty feeling. They say, "you're too old, too busy" and so I just grin But still that empty feeling burns within. I have raised 3 fine young children with much joy But yet I want another baby girl or baby boy. Here in my heart, I know it's time to move on and do the things I didn't do before. I gave up on the thought of a new bundle of joy to fill the empty nest Now, to my surprise, we're having a blessed little guest! My first grand baby is on it's way Into my heart on that upcoming, most special day! Poem #5 by Jessof The Beneficial Bee A tree is like me It grows all year long It sings a sweet song as its branches sway in the wind. A tree hasn't one friend It sits all alone at the edge of a brook or in a meadow Staring at its long dark shadow. Poem #6 by Joy Special Memories Of Time Traveling Life With The Ones I Love My Daughter and I Dakota Sunsets Colorado Rainstorms Montana Skies Shared hopes and dreams, futures and pasts. My Son and I Honolulu Sunrises Botanical Parks Bus trips to everywhere and nowhere in particular Shared thoughts and stories, philosophies and life. My Firstborn and I Roadside Stops Parks and Venues Photographs and Dancing Shared scriptures and songs, picnics and poetry. I love YOU ! ! ! Poem #7 by Samantha of Samantha's Art Studio Buzz, buzz, honey bee flying in the sky, give me kisses when you fly by. Sweetheart Salad (Makes 2 servings) 6 oz. chicken breasts 1/2 cup Honey of a Dressing 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 cup sweet red pepper, thinly sliced 1/2 cup mushrooms, thinly sliced 1/2 cup onion, thinly sliced 4 quarts packed spinach leaves 1/4 cup sliced radishes Marinate chicken in 1/4 cup dressing at least 2 hours or overnight, refrigerated. Drain and reserve marinade. Heat oil in non-stick pan and stir-fry chicken until juices run clear. Add pepper, onion, mushrooms and reserved marinade; stir-fry 1 minute. Add spinach leaves and toss in pan until barely wilted. Add radishes and toss to mix. Honey of a Dressing (Makes 3/4 cup ) 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1/3 cup honey 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Combine vinegar and honey; mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Protein: 0 g Fat Total: 0 g Sodium: 89 mg Carbohydrates: 8 g Calories from Fat: 0% Cholesterol: 0 mg Calories: 30 Dietary Fiber: <1 g ENJOY! ... AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!

Everything's coming up Roosters

I normally don't blog about every single item that I crochet, but these guys were fun to make and I really like the way they turned out, especially this bright and colorful rooster that ended up being a tortilla keeper for keeping tortillas, pita pockets or flat bread warm at the table. (top view) I named him Senior Gallo! If you slipped your hands inside, you could also use him as a potholder, but I like the idea of him being used as a tortilla warmer since his colors remind me so much of Mexican decor. The next rooster is black and white with some red tail feathers for contrast. This one has his comb and wattles made of red pieces of felt instead of crocheted like the othes. I think this rooster is a very handsome bird made of thick rug yarn in bold colors with good contrast. Upon request, I can crochet any color combination (or solid color) for my customers. I am also planning on offering a Patriotic (red, white and blue) version for Independence Day! Then there is this cock-eyed rooster that has been very popular in my Etsy shop and he also has his comb and wattles made from red pieces of felt. You can see more of my roosters in my Honey Bee Crochet shop. Cock-a-doodle-doooo!!! Honey Raspberry Iced Tea 2 cups freshly brewed tea 2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice 1/4 cup honey In large, heat-proof pitcher, whisk together all ingredients until thoroughly combined and honey is dissolved. Chill until ready to serve. To serve, pour over ice. Protein: 0.06 g Fat Total: 0.13 g Sodium: 6.98 mg Carbohydrates: 36 g Calories from Fat: 1% Cholesterol: 0 mg Calories: 138 Dietary Fiber: 0.17 ENJOY! ... AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!

Rocky Raccoon is the WINNER!

REMINDER: Please enter my Poetry Challenge Giveaway! Deadline to enter is June 16, 2009. UPDATE! Just in: My crocheted Rocky Raccoon came in first in my Etsy Hookers' team 6th Creative Challenge! Thanks to everyone who voted for me/him! Now he can take a well-deserved break from running from those cute little baby bunny slippers ;-) CONGRATULATIONS, Rocky! ------------------------------------------- My Etsy Hookers crochet team was having another team challenge/contest and the theme was named "A Walk on the Wild Side." We were asked to create an item that is for or about animals. It could be something specifically for an animal to use (collars, coats, blankets, etc.) or something that has an animal image on it (a potholder with a dog face on it for example) or an animal print (leopard print purse for example). Any actual four footed animal can be represented (dogs, cats, lions, zebras, cows, deer, alligator, etc.) I entered Rocky Raccoon because he represents wild animals and he's, well, four-footed...here he is: You can see more of him and read my description here: Rocky Raccoon Thank you again to everyone who has voted for him/me. The voting poll is now closed. Just go to our team's blog and lyou can still see all the wonderful entries from this talented group of crocheters. Scorin' Honey S'mores 12 cinnamon or chocolate flavored graham crackers, 2x2-inch squares 2 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter 2 Tablespoons honey 1 medium ripe banana, sliced Arrange six graham crackers on serving plate. Stir together peanut butter and honey until blended. Spread peanut butter mixture generously over six crackers. Arrange banana slices over peanut butter. Place second graham cracker on top of each. Protein: 3 g Fat Total: 4 g Sodium: 86 mg Carbohydrates: 22 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Calories: 130 ENJOY, AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR HONEY BEES!