The Eve Before New Year's Eve

This week I have weathered a blizzard on Monday and then the stomach bug on Tuesday and Wednesday. I took care of my grandsons on the day of the blizzard because their school was closed for the blizzard I traveled out in the blizzard twice it was necessary, my son picked me up and drove me home. It was safe and not bad out when we traveled. Nana duty is 24/7 whenever needed as long as I am feeling well. There is no way I would have been able to take care of them feeling like I did come Tuesday night. Today I am finally better ~ eating and rehydrating. Up and out of bed! Sore and tired! I got a flu shot back in September. I was under the impression that I wouldn't get stuff like this stomach flu or is it respiratory. I immediately fell ill with respiratory issues after receiving my flu shot this year and I am just now recovering possibly after several months. I am caustiously optimistic on that though. How are you feeling this Winter 2010? Anybody have any snow stories? I have one it is sunny today but so cold the snow isn't melting. Like the Arctic. Take me to where the irises grow all year round~is there such a place?

The Day Before the Eve

It has snowed and it is here to stay we will be having a white Christmas in southern NH. We are expecting more snow too. Yes it is very cold outside but nice and warm indoors. I am so excited I will be spending Christmas morning with my grandsons ages 6 months and almost 3. I saw them two days ago as well so for today I am so very grateful that I live near them. Today I am taking a walk to downtown. There is a fantastic sports card etc shop I need to go to and a nice restaurant nearby so I will be venturing out to brave the cold, all bundled up and I will be wearing my winter snow boots. I haven't seen them since January. Where are my gloves? I can't seem to find them. Seems like every year I always need to buy new gloves. They are like the socks that disappear. Ever wonder where your socks go?

Almost Christmas

One week before Christmas and I am still shopping. I still have not received my replacement debit card. So I will have to travel to the bank for cold hard cash. I need to buy gifts for my grands! I am so excited that I get to see them again soon. This year I don't have to cook for Christmas. I also have plans for New Years day. Such a nice relaxing time for fun to see my family and friends. January 2011 my sister 13 months younger than me is flying up from SC to visit with me, my sons, DIL, grandsons, other sister and her husband and their two children. We are going to have an awesome get together. Do you have fun times planned? I would love to be here where this picture was taken of low tide and the Atlantic Ocean on Peaks Island Maine anytime of the year!

Things Can and Do Get Worse

2 weeks before Christmas and my debit card was just swallowed by my bank's ATM machine. I ordered a new one. My bank info has changed and I don't know my card info so all shopping on line has ceased until I get my new debit card. Sure I can go to my bank and withdraw money but that doesn't help with the internet. UGHHHHHH! I am grateful for today I am alive and this is real life. I am sure I am not the only that this has happened to.....a really good test in patience. I am told by friends that I am the Queen of Patience. Today is a beautiful day. It is bright and sunny. Day 4 now that they are outside of my space here making noise and repairs I am grateful to hear all the beeps bangs and bumps. The norm is a great amount of silence which I am used to now after 4 plus years. It is so peaceful here in my studio. I am grateful for the use of this computer today so I can share my woe with you. Take no pity please as there are others far off worse than me. Pray for peace! Good things are to come such as seeing my grandsons soon. That makes me melt. My grandbabies I love them. A first Christmas for the little one not quite 6 months old and it will be a third Christmas for the older grandson. He is at the fun age because he knows so much more. He wants M and M's from Santa....he is going to get some from his Nana (me) too. Tomorrow they are calling for snow flurries and colder temps. We just had tons of rain and high winds over the weekend a storm that swept up the East coast. Enjoy your day. I am...not! I will try to!!!!! Yes the mail run just made me happy. Nice cards from family and friends to remind me to be grateful for all of them. Happy holidays everybody! A New Year is fast approaching! Oh the picture is my high school graduation picture in August 1976 and I was 17 years old then. I graduated a year early so I didn't graduate the following year with my whole class instead I went on to college.

Broken Computer

Of all things my computer is now broken. So on occaision I may borrow my sons. Of course none of my pictures are here or at least not too many as I once had to use this computer awhile back so I know I have some older pictures saved on here. I have 2 computers now and one doesn't work and the other is slower than turtle. I am grateful to be alive! I won't dwell on the negative. There are so many postive things happening today. I can't forget the new roof going up over head above my studio. The owner has sprung for a new roof. I will endure all of this noise for a new roof. Today is supposed to be the coldest day yet well yes it is a frigid cold 24 outside. Bless those men working in this cold.....they had sun all day so I am sure that helped. Here they come again stocking the roof and then maybe they will be done banging for the day. Where ever you are be grateful for today for if you are reading this you are alive! This poinsettia has been alive and is currently just starting to turn red again. It just bloomed this past summer and skipped last Christmas. So maybe now it had adjusted itself. This year I want to get a Christmas cactus for Glenna's Garden. Do you grow holiday plants?

TOMORROW IS

December 3, 2010 is the last Firstfridayartwalk on ETSY for 2010. Use the search words firstfridayartwalk, aweteam and ffaw fine art on ETSY to find all of the participating shops. If you would like to join us please click on the title "TOMORROW IS" top of this blog and you are there and the click join on the AWEteam page. What is everybody working on for their shops? I am concentrating on Spring Easter 2011 etc Glenna's Garden will reopen then, sometime in early 2011. I have been designing and creating jewelry, purchasing Spring, oh and Valentines Day too. Plus we have St. Patrick's Day in the mix. I am in the pastel color mode currently. It feels like Christmas and winter are here with all of the hustle and bustle out there and all of the pretty Christmas/Winter outdoor decorations. We had so much rain and very high winds yesterday. This place I am in was shaking last night keeping me up. That is another reason I would like to move to a better place. We have noreaster storms here every so often, they come with high winds. I am only about 45 mins in from the NH coastline, and this place was shaking so bad in the last one, before the storm last night, that I seriously felt very uncomfortable and scared. I am an experienced hurricane survivor, of a few too. My favorite Christmas theme is Victorian that is why I picked these pictures/clip art today. They are from Dover Publications. The Christmas tree I used yesterday as well. Happy crafting, shopping, decorating, baking and whatever else you are doing during this holiday time of the year.

DECEMBER ONE

Yay it is first day of December today! 24 more until Christmas. I am gathring up my names and addresses for an all out Christmas card blitz. I have so many new people to send to this year. Reflecting back on 2010......I have met so many wonderful people between ETSY and Swap Bot. Etsy is changing you can now set up a Circle of Friends from your profile page on ETSY. ETSY Teams is easier. I like the look of our shops now. I am close to 1000 friends on Facebook and I have been way more active on Twitter lately. I would love to have more followers and people commenting on Glenna's Garden blog ~ love those of you who do. I am excited about all of these changes and my groth as you can see. How about you? What new things did you do or learn in 2010?

Today is a Sad Day

Today my son had to have his beloved rednose pit bull female Zeus put down. May she rest in peace. She lived for 13 almost 14 years. She was an old lady and was past her time, just naturally dying. She was always a good dog never any bad incidents with her. I came to know and accept her as a family member. We love you so much Zeus McGoose and will never forget you girl!

Today Is My Birthday

Yes it is! I am going to a party for me. I am so looking forward to seeing my grands there. Both sons and Dear DIL! Sweet....it is my day! So lately I have been writing lists for Christmas. Do you do that planning and shopping online for ideas? I have been working on cards for everybody. I am making my own cards this year. Well as many as I can....everything Christmas starts Monday. First are the decorations Yay....hunt them down and then put up. Tomorrow that is number one on the list. I have a carrot cake and cream cheese frosting to bake for myself and my son. That is number two for tomorrow and the list goes on. Have a wonderful day wherevever you are somewhere special!

Black Friday

What a nice day today. Cold outside but warm inside. We made it to 42. I have been relaxing all day. No wories no stress. Shopping for ideas online. There are literally millions of items for sale at Etsy.com My shop is closed I probably won't open until Spring and after I find out why my thumb is hurting. I received my Christmas tree today. So pretty! Beautiful table top fiber optic tree that is~for my desk top! It changes colors and flashes. Something different. Fun to watch. Tomorrow is typically a shopping day for me but I am staying home. I have been cleaning and organizing. Catching up on all those chores I missed while caring for my sick grandson for two days. I watched Larry King and Jack Hannah. What a fantastic show with all the diferent animals, bugs, snakes. birds and reptiles. My favorite were the two owls. I am an owl lover from when I was very young. The day before yesterday I saw a large bird of prey perched in the woods looked like a hawk. So beautiful such a nice sight to see. Of course we were whizzing by and I didn't have my camera with me. When was the last time you saw a wild bird of prey?

HAPPY DAY

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL and MANY BLESSINGS TOO!

Today I am thankful for God, my family and many friends around the world.

I start roasting my turkey in 1/2 hour. I am looking forward to serving a meal around 4 PM. I am also looking forward to this place warming up as it is 34 degrees out currently. Nice and warm inside with the heat on. No sun a grey day! I just watched part of the Macy Thanksgiving Day parade. I liked the kool aid balloon. Did you see the parade? If so what did you like?

GOOD MONDAY MORNING

We had 15 minutes of snow Friday. Here is Manchester, NH....snow is expected for Thanksgiving Eve. Lately the temperatures have hovered around 29-33 degrees. Yes it is officially cold and we are heading into winter. I am looking forward to my birthday after Thanksgiving and then Christmas with my family. I love to decorate for Christmas. I don't have a big tree because we don't have the room for one. With my studio being packed up currently I have a few too many totes in the way. I did find a cute small tree that I plan to use this year. I have so many ways to decorate for Christmas without putting up a big tree anyway. I will share pictures with you of my Christmas decor later in another post. These are my adorable grandsons. The younger one born June 2010 is now triple in weight. He has some great smiles, loves to coo, and is developing normally. He was born 2 weeks early and preemie size at 6 pounds. The older one is so much fun to spend time with. He is 2 1/2 years old now and full of energy. Smart little man and a good big brother. This Christmas is all about my grandsons, my two sons and of course my wonderful daughter in law. I am so thankful for all of them.

Once in a Blue Moon

Tonight: A Blue Moon
Credit & Copyright: Vic Winter (ICSTARS)


Tonight is going to be a blue moon night. I read this article about how the name blue moon came to be. You can read about it here

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20101119/sc_space/thereallystrangestorybehindsundaysbluemoon

So check out the moon tonight as this is a rare occurence.

I got all of my Thanksgiving Day shopping done yesterday. Then at noon I went to a Turkey Shoot. I won two of the raffles....I was lucky like that last year too. I won a bottle of spearmint Schnapps and a cloth bag with carrots, potatos, onions and rolls in it. I could have picked a turkey but I already had one and didn't have room in my freezer for it. I love the holidays and cooking/baking! What are you making this year? or do you go out to relatives, friends or a restaurant perhaps!

How about trying this for breakfast on Thanksgiving ~

http://www.cookingwithmykid.com/breakfast/pumpkin-pie-french-toast/

Enjoy your Sunday!

TODAY IS THURSDAY

This is Manchester, NH the city I love to hate......

One week until Thanksgiving ~ What I will be serving this year Thanksgiving 2010 roast turkey (I have sucessfully cooked many over the years), real mashed potatos (a family favorite...they all loved my potatos)one year many moons ago I made 20 lbs of my mashed potatos for our usual rather large inlaws outlaws and friends holiday gatherings, then there is the real stuffing I make it from scratch and it always turns out perfect, I am still thinking about a vegetable yet, oh and gravy always have to make homemade gravy with pan drippings, crescent rolls and real butter, my favorite whole cranberry sauce, and this year I want to bake some cookies to serve with dessert ~ pumpkin pie. I will do this for my son and I because I love to cook and bake! If there are others to join us well then I always make a lot extra so there will be enough just in case. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

TODAY

Just for today I know that when the time is right I will find a new place to move to. The last place was dirty and smelly. Ughhhhh!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is Sunday once again and once again I am going to be looking at a new place to move to. I am hoping this is the place for us. I also get to see my grandbabies tomorrow so I have something to look forward to that is very special to me. Today was a beautiful day 32 in the morning sunny and it warmed up to 64 I had a nice day.

SO SO Saturday

Today is a big shopping day for me. So that is why it is a so so day. Maybe something great and exciting will happen and I will find a fantastic bargain in craft supplies. I love to shop for bargains. Where do you shop for bargains? Online/in store? I do both. Then there are the groceries I need which are basically stock up items, canned goods, staples, condiments mostly this weekend. I am hoping it warms up a bit later on as it is only 39 at 7 AM this morning. I am not an very early neither really late shopper. I don't go for those 4 AM in store after holiday sprees. I am very conservative with what little money I receive. Every bit of it carefully calculated. I love to shop thrift stores and garage sales. What are your likes and dislikes about shopping? I love shopping Etsy the most. I find the best deals there! I can't hardly wait to reopen my etsy shop Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ and hopefully soon. I am redoing the entire store and I will be offering all new products. Etsy has the best feature where you can sign up for email notification for when a shop reopens. If you want to know when I reopen and be the first to know about some fantastic deals I am offering please sign up.

Etsy has partnered with http://www.hgtv.com/ check out the latest for holiday decorating ideas!

Holiday cookies yum I love to bake cookies.

Do you bake cookies?

http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipes/Desserts/Cookies

I sure do hope you have a blessed and happy Saturday!

HAPPY FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK ON ETSY

Today is the first Friday of November and also Firstfridayartwalk at etsy.com use the search words firstfridayartwalk, aweteam or ffaw fine art to see all of the awesome shops that are participating in this monthly event on Etsy. I would be at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ but I am taking a break to move. You can sign up to be notified of when I reopen Glenna's Garden by visiting my shop now. Etsy will send you one notification email.

I spent the day yesterday taking care of my 2 1/2 year old grandson and then I spent the evening with his baby brother 4 months, Mom, Dad and my other son as well. Boy did Nana ever sleep well last night and I am sooooo sore this morning. A good sore and definately worth it.

Rainy and cold outside but warm inside. I have that feel good feeling that stays with me for some time after seeing my grandsons.

I am truly blessed. How about you? Do you have anything or anyone to be grateful for?

Truly Blessed Thursday

Lessons from Nature:

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." St. Matthew 6:28

Fall is turning colder into winter and those lilies are prepared to return next spring and summer that we know will happen. How are you prepared or preparing for that same time period? That is if you are experiecing Fall/Winter 2010.

Today it is 32 in Southern NH 11 AM EST.....coldest yet for us! My heat is on and I am dressed warm. Warm foods and drinks help beat the chill. I drink cocoa at night very soothing and helps to relax me to sleep. Hot coffee in the morning keeps me going. Looking for more blankets is on my agenda. Soon that blanket of snow will fall from above and insulate us. Thanks be to God for all the seasons! Stay warm too!

Thursday's Triplet of Thanks

A view from Glenna's Garden "The Door to Heaven" which has been the subject of many of my photographs!

Well it is truly amazing 70 degree temperatures at the end of October in NH for that I am thankful. Still on vacation of a sorts and it has been very relaxing. I guess I just needed to recharge as well for that I am thankful. Today I am alive thank you God. I have to admit that the creating bug is creeping back in. I don't want to start looking through everything that is packed up so with what I have still unpacked like my vintage oil pastels recently acquired..they are still in good shape from 1972....I have started to draw on bits of paper here and there. I created the front of a Seasons Greetings card by drawing a Chinese woman in her kimono on recycled envelope paper and attaching it to a piece of Christmas paper. This will be the front of a card for someone special. It turned out cute! Well I tried to get a picture of it, to post here for you and it seems that everytime I download my pics from my camera I lose them in my computer. It used to not be that way. I was very effecient with my shop pictures. I really need to get this figured out. Maybe it is better that, that someone special doesn't see the pic. Aha! Good morning from Manchester, NH! What three things are you thankful for today?

My Mondays

My Mondays are usually busy days for me. Today should be no exception then. Actually minus a trip to the PO is nice depending on how you look at it. Since I am on leave I don't miss those trips. I have a plan for my new studio space and that is to be super organized. I was and I wasn't before. I am still looking for that new pace. I see that it is going to take time. I even have an agent and I was so excited to get an email from her full of rentals but then I was so disappointed that the places were all super expensive yikes so I have been pursuing my own leads. God always has a hand in this too. For a little bit more money I want more space and to be away from the inner city yet still live in this wonderful city of Manchester, NH. I have found 3 places all close to one of the nicest parks around here. This is a park I have only seen in passing, driving by it. I would love to explore it and photograph it. My city Manchester is among one of the best for parks and preserved areas. I am excited at the prospect of perhaps living close by just this very particular park. Now I have 3 options!

A Finnish Friday

My ancestors were Finnish. I am 1/2 Finnish. I would love to travel there some day. I am a Saari. My Father was born in the US but his parents were immigrants to this country. They settled in Minnesota. Today I have decided to share a bit about a truly wonderful country Finland.

http://www.finland.com/

TOO Long Thursday

I know it has been long time since I blogged I miss it. I had to make some changes to this blog. Yay I am finally ready to post. I couldn't post for the longest time and didn't know what was wrong with my blog. So much has happened. I haven't moved that is going slowy. Fine by me! More time to look and find a new place that is just right. I have a new medical issue affecting my right hand. It was xrayed again this week. I am experiencing an unbelievable amount of pain at the base of my thumb. It makes it very difficult to do anything. Now I am waiting to see a specialist. I am very limited in all I do. I am not using the computer much or creating right now. I am happy to at least be able to blog a bit.

I know it is a generic picture of the lillies but still beautiful none the less.

STILL LOOKING

I have been searching for a new home because I don't like where I am living currently with hard crime prostitutes inner city not safe....sad but true.... a lovely city otherwise living elsewhere in this NH city. I have been here for a little over 4 years now. It really hasn't changed much inside the city in the core central area. It seems overcrowded and the houses are on top of each other. It is a city I have to come to love for it diverse cultures, arts, many parks, lots of beautiful preservation of very old structures. It was once a mill town. We are on a river. Eastside of the river is preferable! and to the North. There seems to be a lot of rentals available so we can pick and choose. I looked at two on Sunday and the basements flood when it rains so the washer and dryers are up on wood pallets. How do you do your laundry if that happens? Wading around in rubber boots! I would be afraid to mess with electric appliances, no thank you. So anyway I have a couple more prospects that are dry yay! Each place has its own quirks. These are large victorian homes and buildings many of them multifamily. I wouldn't mind a 3 family preferably a single family but they are rare and expensive. In a 3 family home you have the whole floor to yourself and some are quite large. I would love to be on the first floor I am older and have physical problems.

I would love something like this for a vacation home wow!




Don't dwell on who let you down, cherish those who hold you up!

 This months calendar picture in my studio, do you like it? I will be blogging some during my move. I am sure that I will get many new great pictures of wherever I move to so that I can share them with you. I will also be popping in on the FFAW AWEteam forum now and then to update everyone!

SUPER COOL SUNDAY

Weather report for Southern NH where Glenna's Garden is located. The hurricane Earl brushed by us on Friday leaving us with much cooler temperatures today, Sunday. The wind has been up a bit and a good amount of rain preceded all of this on Friday. We really needed the rain. My grandbabies have been wonderful to care for the last two weekends. I forgot my camera yesterday for new pics of my grandsons.
Here is some more of my art not yet displayed in my studio shop located at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Chinese Duckling ACEO

Hedgehog and Honeypot ACEO

Fall 2010 greeting card

Peanut Butter Banilla Popsicle



Smooth and creamy, this peanut butter treat is as cool as they come.


makes: 8 servings


Ingredients


1 cup Stonyfield Organic Low Fat Banilla Yogurt


1 cup Stonyfield Organic Fat Free Milk


1/4 cup creamy peanut butter


2 small bananas


3/4 cup seltzer water


Directions


In blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into popsicle molds, dividing evenly between 6-8 popsicles (depending on the size of the mold). Place in freezer overnight and enjoy once completely frozen.


Here is the link to a treasury I curated titled Stay Cool

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c5d31bcc9386d916c172613/stay-cool?index=6

CELEBRATION FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK

Today is a double good day. An Etsy team I am on is called the AWEteam (art walk etsy team) It is one year old this month of September 2010. We are also celebrating Firstfridayartwalk today. Every first Friday of each month all participating shops can be found by using the following search words on Etsy firstfridayartwalk, aweteam and ffaw fine art. In my shop http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ I have a whole section devoted to FFAW (firstfridayartwalk) items for sale. Other shops may offer discounts or shipping specials. I try to keep my costs low so that I can offer a unique gift for a reasonable price. If you are interested in joining we welcome all Etsian shop owners. Please contact me through my shop.

I have finally started the picture taking process of many new items for Glenna's Garden. My Fall 2010 collection. A mix of my art and jewelry mostly. I have been busy creating all summer long. Some of my new art is inspired by challenges and themes suggested by other artists. My jewelry is a continuation of my Simply Sweet line for Fall.

One thing I have always done for my readers is give you a sneak peek at items I have created before I list them in my shop so here are a couple of pictures for you.

Fabric ACEO Koi, dimensional greeting card and Ink ACEO

ETSY TREASURY TUESDAY

Today is ETSY Treasury Tuesday curated by gnormyle of Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

"1st Anniversary AWEteam"

Our first year anniversary will be coinciding with Firstfridayartwalk September 3, 2010 on Etsy to find shops that participate use the search words aweteam, firstfridayartwalk and ffaw fine art on Etsy if you want to join contact me at my shop, all Etsian shop owners are welcome.

Here is my treasury for AWEteam Pretty in Pink in celebration of our one year anniversary!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c7d32eca5948eefed419829/aweteam-pretty-in-pink

The following is a favorite of mine!


Pineapple and Banana Nut Bread


Two mixing bowls: one small and one large

Ingredients

3-cups all purpose flour

3/4–teaspoon Salt

1-teaspoon baking soda

2-cups sugar

1-teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-cup chopped pecan

3-eggs, beaten

1-cup vegetable oil

2-cups mashed ripe bananas

1-(8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

2-teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In the large bowl...combine the first five ingredients; then stir in pecans.

In the small bowl combined remaining ingredients; then add this to flour mixture, stirring by hand just until dry ingredients are just moistened.

Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured standard size loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes; remove from pans, and let cool on wire racks.

Enjoy!

Something I read today and I am just passing this along to you~

Rejoice for the people who God brings in your life; Be thankful for those that He removes. Everybody isn't suppose to be a permanent fixture. You are a work in progress, so don't get upset when God changes the tools (people) He's using to build you. Circumstances, situations, and things are going to come and go as you grow. Transformation can't take place without change. by Relationship Expert, D Ivan Young

TOGETHER SATURDAY

“Together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

“…groups are very important because they force us to progress. If you’re all alone, all you can do is laugh at yourself, but if you’re with others, you’ll laugh and then immediately act. Groups challenge us. Groups allow us to choose our affinities. Groups create a collective energy, and ecstasy comes more easily because everyone infects everyone else.” – The Witch of Portobello by Paul Coelho

 
Yesterday was so very nice for me. I cared for my 2 month old and 2 1/2 year old grandsons. I was there all day while Mom and Dad worked. We had fun while the baby slept. My older grandson even napped for 4 hours. He woke up in great spirits. The three of us had fun "together". The younger grandson has discovered that he can see many things now and screeches in delight at his own will when something particulary interests him most often a face he sees. I love being a Nana such a wonderful gift from above...thank you God!

 
Every Sunday I receive email from Lori Koop at http://moveupword.com/ She sends you one word to inspire you throughout the week. This week the focus word is together. I am thankful I am together with my sons, DIL and grandsons. The Hellen Keller quote and the words of Paul Coelho I borrowed from her email she sent me today. I wanted to share them with you! I also wanted to share pictures of my grandsons having fun with Nana.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Glenna from Glenna'sGarden

http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

BIRDWINGS BUTTERFLIES WEDNESDAY

Wow these are big butterflies check this out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birdwing

I found it while reading about how swallow tail butterflies have made such a fantastic come back in the Eastern US this year. Two hard winters 2009/2010 killed off their predators perhaps scientists are thinking. I have always loved butterflies since I was a young girl and have had butterfly gardens where all of the plants were specifically planted to attract butterflies.

Well let's watch the gardens grow it is cool 66 today and rainy again. We have been like this for a few days now. It frustrates me because all of my pictures for my shop are done using natural lighting. I haven't seen sun since Sunday. So sales jumped at the shop check it out I did using google analytics. See my sold items at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ some items are available in multiples all of my art is original though. Most of the jewelry is glass, stones or crystals and real silver. I have many choices for beads and a really cool ring idea I found recently. I have many new ACEO's to list in my shop I was looking through them today. I am always amazed at what I create then I have to choose ones to list in my shop. That is hard because I love them all and would love to list all of them for sale. I have a couple of new greeting cards I made recently and some vintage to list just as soon as the sun comes back. So meanwhile I have more time to create too. YAY!

I have spent my time wisely so far this week. I am all caught up on mail, feedback, and now working on organizing supplies. Setting up for Fall and all other supplies are stashed away, well except for Christmas what little I have of that and well now I know that I need to find some Chistmas materials soon.

In my studio main desk:

Yes we have purple and orange going on here early with pink flamingos.

Indoor Basil Garden 2010

Nothing beats fresh basil! Especially when it is growing this well indoors!


Excellent recipe courtesy mentioned:

Popcorn Shrimp Salad Sandwiches Recipe
From The Shrimp Council and SeaPak Shrimp Company

Woman's Day Magazine March 12, 2010

Active Time: 7 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

1 (12 oz) package SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp or SeaPak® Jumbo Popcorn Shrimp, frozen

1 cup mayonnaise (add more if desired)

1/2 cup fresh onion, finely diced

1 - 2 cloves of garlic, finely diced

1 large hard-boiled egg, diced

2 Tablespoons dill pickle relish (or substitute diced dill pickles)

2 - 3 hoagie rolls or panini bread

Recipe Preparation

1. Prepare the shrimp according to package directions. Set aside to cool for 3 minutes.

2. Add mayonnaise, onion, garlic, hard boiled egg and pickle relish to a large bowl. Stir to incorporate ingredients.

3. Add warm shrimp to mayonnaise mixture and stir until shrimp are fully coated. Spoon onto hoagie rolls and serve.

ENJOY! Courtesy of Glenna's Garden

Serve with light refreshments like iced tea or lemonade.

Glenna's Garden studio purple wall Ninja!

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS TOO

Cool 63 rainy and windy. Today was a stay indoors day. It was actually nice to feel the warmth of the studio! Just yesterday it was so hot you needed AC! Too drastic! So I have been busy catching up with mail and working on my orders. Tomorrow morning I brave the cold temps out there and go to the PO. We need long pants and a jacket. Wow I really wasn't ready for this. Too gloomy to take pictures. So I have a backlog of creations and I am not complaining. Better to have a little too much than not enough. Tomorrow I will be working on more jewelry. I am creating Fall pieces now. I just got some topaz beads in today and so I am ready with all of the necessary supplies to create some beautiful earrings. I have a combo of dark purple, amber and green in mind. More like topaz, aubergine and olive green. Classic with silver! Here are some pictures of jewelry currently available for sale at Glenna's Garden. All Handmade in NH!

All glass beads and .925 silver ear wires!

Eye Candy!

Topaz colored shapes!

Crystal blue persuasions!

For more jewelry check this out www.etsy.com/shop/gnormyle





Lucious plum drops!

SUNDAY SUNDAY

"Goals are a means to an end, not the ultimate purpose of our lives. They are simply a tool to concentrate our focus and move us in a direction. The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." Anthony Robbins

What do you have for a breakfast cereal? I love a few of these! Especially Kashi cereals.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/417/supermarket-standoff-healthy-cereals/

Courtesy of Dover Publications

Mary Engelbreit fans alike check out this cute store I found

http://shop.maryengelbreit.com/

I love mandalas this one is courtesy of Dover Publications.

What do you do with all of those tomatoes?

Chilled Tomato Dill Soup from Stonyfield Farm


Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 pounds ripe tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped (about 8-10 tomatoes)

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1/2 cup fresh dill, divided

2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup fresh corn (2 ears, uncooked)

1 cup ice water

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup Stonyfield Farm Low Fat Plain Yogurt, divided

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, red onion, 1/4 cup dill, lemon juice, corn, ice water, salt, and 1/2 cup yogurt. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until chilled, or prepare ahead of time and refrigerate overnight. In a small bowl combine remaining dill and yogurt and gently fold. Refrigerate mixture until ready to serve. Divide soup evenly between 4 bowls and garnish with a generous dollop of dill yogurt. ENJOY!

FYI FRIDAY

Dates in September to Remember

September is known as National Honey, Classical Music, and Self Improvement Month.

August 11 - September 9: Ramadan

August 30 - September 12: U.S. Tennis Open Tournament

September 6: Labor Day

September 7: Brazil's Independence Day

September 9 -10: Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown

September 10: Eid

September 10: Sewing Machine Day

Sept. 11 Say a prayer day! Never forget!

September 12: Grandparents' Day I am a Nana Yay!!!!!!

September 13: National Peanut Day

September 15: Make a Hat Day

September 16: Mexico's Independence Day

September 18: Oktoberfest

September 18: Yom Kippur

September 19: Talk like a Pirate Day

September 22 Sunset: Sukkot

September 22: Chinese Moon Festival

September 23: Autumnal Equinox

September 26 International Rabbit Day

September 28: Confucius's Birthday

So many days to celebrate different events. So many reasons to stop by and check out all of the cards, tags, and gifts available at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/
 

These are going to get a makeover courtesy of Moo.com. I won their contest for a personal makeover of my business cards with one of their designers and will be getting started Sept. 8, 2010. I am so excited!

Always wanted to know all about watercolor pencils well here it is!

http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/supplies/p/Watercolpencils.htm

I am using them now, I am learning and it is a lot fun!

MORE FYI

One of my favorite blogspots I wrote awhile ago so you don't have to search here it is

http://glennasgarden.blogspot.com/2009/12/vintage-findings-true-age-known.html

TASTY THURSDAY

If you have a shop, website and blog well now you can bring them all together in one place and also work on them from that one place too. Please check out http://www.soopsee.com/

I did all that was required of me with this site in less than 30 minutes. You externally import your shop, blog and/or website information. It does the work for you with the push of a few buttons.

One of many cards available for sale at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Try this one, I know it is early but this is a favorite year round.

PUMPKIN DIP

Ingredients

3/4 cup lowfat cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
apple slices
pear slices

Directioms

1. Place first 3 ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with a mixer until blended.
2. Add maple syrup and cinnamon and blend until smooth.
3. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
4. Serve with slices of fresh apples and pears.

ENJOY!

We are still experiencing high day time temperatures and not much cooler at night 10PM and it is still 81 degrees outside. I love Fall and wish for it to arrive soon.

Here is another good one:

Shrimp and Avocado Pasta Salad


With crisp vegetables, creamy avocado and sweet shrimp, this cool pasta salad is a meal in itself.

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

1- 16oz package penne pasta

1 pound of cooked shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 cup Fat Free Plain Yogurt

Juice of 2 lemons

2 tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick half moons

1 cup green beans, blanched and chilled

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Rinse pasta under cold water and drain. In a large bowl gently toss together pasta, shrimp, cheddar cheese, avocado, yogurt, lemon juice, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.
 
ENJOY!
 

This is an example of my Garden Tangle bookmarks!

Tutorials Tuesday

Many How To's for You to Check Out and Use

Please visit: http://linda-considerations.blogspot.com/

How to use StumbleUpon, for Etsy sellers

How to create good photos for your Etsy shop

How to promote your Etsy shop

How to navigate a Ning site

How to use Kaboodle

How to make use of the Etsy Treasury

How to have unique Business cards

How to use Flickr for silent promoting

How to understand and use SEO. 1. Keywords

How to understand and use SEO. 2. H1 Tags (Item titles) and Meta Descriptions

How to understand and use SEO. 3. Shop title

How to find and use Free advertising

How to use macro and close up photos in your listings.

How to encourage customers to stay in your shop.

How to set up Google Analytics for your shop

Vintage pages from children's literature! Will be available soon for purchase at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/