Katie Did It! - A friends journey into crafting

I just got back from a friends house where she had her first craft show. What a cool selection of holiday, wreaths, floral and custom themed crafts! Her business is called “Katie Did It” and I’m sure it will be a great success. I’ll just post some of the photos I took today and you can see for yourself.

photo credit: CK Worley

This is the wreath that greeted me at the front door. So cute~

photo credit: CK Worley

She sold a couple of these. Katie can custom design any of these crafts in the colors of your choice.

photo credit: CK Worley

Isn't this cute? There was a lady who wanted a different color base and that was not a problem for Katie.

photo credit: CK Worley

Halloween!

photo credit: CK Worley

Fall~

photo credit: CK Worley

A couple of us bought this design.

There was so much more I just can't show them all to you now. I think I can definitely say, "Katie Did It". Remember to follow your heart in whatever you do and success will then follow you ~ Great job Katie.

Biltmore Estate and Gardens- Chinese Wisteria, Common Trumpet Creeper, Japanese Wisteria

We visited Biltmore Estate and Gardens in Asheville NC for our 26th wedding anniversary last weekend and it was really fun. Although we have never been there in spring time when all the flowers are out or Christmas time when all the lights are up, any time is a good time to visit.


We took a carriage ride around the estate. Here we see the back of the house from the reflecting pond area.

Let me tell you a little bit about the place before we go on. It’s the largest privately owned home (178,926 square feet) in the country built between 1889 and 1895 by George Vanderbilt. The house is magnificent and they have all kinds of tours from roof top to butlers tours. Not only is the house fascinating but so are the grounds. Eight-thousand acres of it. Mr. Vanderbilt hired Frederick Law Olmsted to design the grounds in a French and English garden style. Mr. Olmsted also was the designer of Central Park in New York so you kind of get that same feeling here.

Everything was just starting to bloom out while we were there, but this caught my eye so I decided to share it with you.



These trucks on the west side of the house on the veranda were ginormous. First we see the truck of a Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) which is from the Pea Family. I’ve always heard that Wisteria needed a sold post to grow on and now I know why!




Next is a Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) from the Pea Family. Another strong root system. Both these plants have large drooping clusters of lavender flowers that give out a heavy floral sent kind of like lilacs.




I photographed this plant because I thought it was from the Wisteria family as well but it’s called Common Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) and this is from the Bignonia Family. I have some of this in my backyard. You can see it on my post “Spring at Setters Run” dated March 31, 2012. It's the plant with the orange trumpet shaped flowers but they can also have yellow and pink flowers as well. I had no idea how big it could get so I’m moving it this weekend to a less invasive area of the yard.
I not only had a great time sharing Biltmore, the winery and the village in Asheville with my husband on our anniversary - I also learned something very valuable for my own garden. Move the Trumpet Creeper!


You can always visit www.biltmore.com to see photos of the house and gardens. It's truly one of the most beautiful spots we've visited.

Baby it's cold outside- Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand, Coconut Oil as a natural moisturizer, Fun Egg Breakfast for Kids

Here is an item my husband found that I love. It’s called the Clean Wave Sanitizing Wand by Verilux. It deodorizes and kills viruses including H1N1 bacteria, dust mites and flea eggs. I’ve already used it on our mattress and pillows, computer keyboards and kitchen counter. You’re using UV-C light which is odorless and chemical free. It even eliminates pet odor. It runs about $89 but if you have allergies or just want a little help staying well this flu season this is the product for you.

Instead of spending lots of money on skin softeners try this. Coconut Oil.


Yep, the same stuff you cook with can be used as a natural and effective lotion. I put some into a storage container and keep it in my bathroom. I know, it looks a little like lard but once it touches your warm hands it will melt into a liquid and that’s when you slather it on.

It feels so good and you end up smelling like a macaroon. By morning your skin is soft, the smell is gone and you’re good to go. I just love it. Great stuff for the kitchen as well as the bath. Warning, there is no SPF in this so I really recommend you apply at night.


It will make you feel more like a moist cookie and less like a crumbly crumb.

Here is a special treat that my Dad made for us every once in a while. You take a slice of bread and make a hole in the center with a small glass or shot glass.

You melt butter in a frying pan add the bread then break an egg into the center of it and cook. You can break the yolk but only after you turn it over. Make sure you serve this pretty side up.

He used to call these Hi-Ho Silvers. I always liked Hi-Ho Silvers on cold winter mornings and I’m sure you and your kids will too.