con-tain-it

WFMW: Green Glass Straws for my Green Smoothies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week Kristen is having some recycled fun and being really green in her fused plastic bag video tutorial for Works-for-Me Wednesday.  Which inspired me to share my newest green find from Hip Mountain Mama's website: Glass Straws for my Green Smoothies.

 

Today ONLY: One Way To Make Your Creative Purchases Count

 

Team Up with North Light and Support Disaster Relief in Japan

Today I received this email and wanted to share it with everyone so that you could also take advantage of this one day opportunity to buy those books that you've been thinking about and to do some good for others at the same time.  It's a win-win situtuation for everyone!

Fondly, Roberta

Dear Friends of F+W Media, Just one month ago none of us could have envisioned the tragedy, horror, and devastation now impacting the people of Japan. Watching the frightening images from half a world away left us feeling powerless to help, but compelled to action. Much like in your own community, school, or place of work, the employees at F+W Media, parent company of North Light, wanted to do something - anything - to help. While the people of Japan are relocated to temporary housing, as supplying food and potable water becomes critical, the need for support in the coming weeks is even greater. Wednesday March 30th we will join with the American Red Cross to lend our support. And, we hope you will too. F+W Media will donate 50% of all profits received Wednesday from the sale of products and services via all of our 24 eCommerce stores. By choosing to make a purchase on this day, you will directly contribute to the ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan. Whether you're a writer, artist, graphic designer, genealogist, or outdoors enthusiast, we are all part of the global community and every one of us can help. I want to take this moment to thank you, too, for your support of F+W Media. We strive daily to ensure we are providing you with the quality content, creative inspiration, and community engagement you seek. Thank you, David Nussbaum, Chairman & CEO F+W Media, Inc.

Together with the American Red Cross each of our stores below will be helping the people of Japan

Adams Media Store KrauseBooks.com RuCraft Shop Family Tree DigitalBookWorldStore MyCraftivityStore Shop Woodworking ShopNumisMaster F+W Magazine Store MyDesignShop ShopBlade Shop Old Cars Weekly F+W Media Bookstore North Light Shop Shop Collect The Hobby Warehouse Gardener's Hub Painters-Books Shop Deer Hunting Writer's Digest Shop Gun Digest Store RuBooks Shop Everything

Typical Tuesday: Simple Steps for Spring Cleaning Bookshelves

Spring is in the air and it makes everyone want to open up their windows and let the clean air in while they freshen up their surroundings.  Last week while I was on my blogging sabbatical in recognition of, For Japan With Love, I decided to use my time off wisely.  On a side-note...the For Japan With Love fundraiser MORE than exceeded their original $5,000.00 goal within the first days and as of today they have received over $60,000.00 in donations...woo hoo!  You have until March 31st if you would still like to help this wonderful program.

So I decided to tackle a project that I'd been putting off for some time...purging my VHS tapes and making better use of my bookshelves.  It must be Spring Fever because one of my blogging buddies, Denyse of My Crazy Beautiful Life, was also re-organizing her bookshelves this week and blogged about how It Never Ends!  {Boy can I relate ;}  There is only one way to handle this...just dig in and tackle it one shelf at at time.  As Toni of, a bowl full of Lemons, explains it in her new weekly LINK PARTY called "One Project at at Time" where every Tuesday you can strut your stuff!

It began with ONE bookcase and eventually morphed into revamping THREE bookcases...the primary subject in the photo below shows ALL of the VHS tapes displayed next to my chair where I blog daily ;)

iheartfaces: Slice of Life Photo Challenge

This week at iheartfaces the photo challenge is a "Slice of Life".  Which essentially is...a photo-journalistic theme where your image captures a slice of your life.  It can be a photo taken of your own family, from a lifestyle session you’ve shot with another family, or any other type of session you can think of. Just make sure it has at least one human face clearly showing and that it is more of candid type of photo that shows off a bit of real life. 

"Me and My Shadow"

So I picked this self-portrait that I took at the end of last summer when DH and I went away to Middleton Place outside of Charleston, SC.   It was unusually hot for September and we were there for a long weekend getaway.  We sat under the shade of a big oak tree trying desperately to cool off and I was playing around with the new camera that DH had just gotten me for my 50th Birthday ;} 

This shot represents us in so many ways...DH is my shadow and I am his...always together, yet separate individuals at the same time.   We always gravitate to the outdoors and find a quiet place to just sit and be still.  DH always chooses a bench or chair and I always choose to sit right on the ground.  Many times I have laid down and taken naps while DH watches over me.  On this day we were watching the alligators and turtles in the Ashley River and appreciating the breeze as it came up off the river.

This is one of my favorite shots because it's simple and truly reflects us together. 

Be sure to hope on over to iheartfaces and check out this week's entries and even enter yourself.  It's easy and it's fun to check out other people's photos!  Be sure to comment and let them know how much you like their interpretations of this week's theme.

Fondly, Roberta

 

Once a Bag Hag...Now a Bag Lady

I'm Lovin' It after reading Organize with Sandy's  blog posts this week, I just had to resurrect this old slide-show!  As you are watching it be sure to pay close attention as I show off my favorite way to keep all of my bags organized.

 

                                              Please be patient as you wait for it to load ;)  

This Samsonite organizer is over 20 years old!   If you are like moi, and like to change your bag or tote to match whatever you are wearing...then you really would love one as well.  I cannot tell you how many times I have been asked, "where did you get that?"  AND I've only been able to respond with my story of how I got it at a Samsonite outlet store in New Hampshire when I first returned to the States over 24 years ago...yikes!

BUT now I can tell everyone where they can find themselves an even better solution...Organize With Sandy's...The Pouchee.

Now, anyone who knows me...knows...that I have an obsession with Vera Bradley bags and totes.  They are great because they have LOADS of pockets to stuff all of your stuff into as well.  However, there are never enough pockets AND switching purses can be time consuming if you tend to stuff the VB pockets with all of your essentials.  SO...I'm all for using The Pouchee just like my ole dependable {but soon ready to be retired ;} Samsonite organizer for my essentials so that I'm ready to make a quick transfer when the need arises.

Problem is...which color do I choose?  Especially since Sandy is having a special right now for all of her readers, going on only through March 31, 2011. Just head on over to her pouchee store and if you add the code “ORGANIZED PURSE” you will receive a 10% discount.

 

 

 

Really like the pink one and/or the orange one to go with my new VB Bag.

hmmm...decisions...decisions ;)

How about it...which one would you choose for your bag?

When you place your order, be sure to tell Sandy that {the bag hag ;} sentcha!

Fondly, Roberta

The Only Throne I'll Ever Sit On

Not that we have much room for a large throne here at the Love Shack ;)

The original is more like a stool and it was more than adequate and would never have been replaced had it not been for this baby...

WFMW: Knowing The Dirty Dozen

The Environmental Working Group has created a Shopper's Guide to Pesticides as a key resource for consumers looking for healthier low toxin diets. Since many shoppers can't always find or afford organic produce, they can use the Shopper's Guide to avoid those conventional fruits and vegetables found to be highest in pesticides –The Dirty Dozen – and, instead, choose items from the Clean Fifteen list.  Go here to Download the Shopper's Guide PDF or to Download the iPhone App.

Typical Tuesday...NOT...Try Something Different!

Take a Risk...If you don't like it...you can always go back to your old way of doing things.

Since January, when I saw this Medicine Cabinet Make-Over, I have been contemplating my medicine cabinet.  Part of me was very reluctant, I have to admit, because after-all...it's a brand new cabinet and really there is nothing wrong with it?

BEFORE...the inside is all nice and clean and there is plenty of room for all of our stuff...

But it was very brown {tan :} and it just didn't do it for me when I'd open up those doors every morning.  Not anymore...because I found some wonderful black and white damask wrapping paper at Michael's and decided to go for it...

Mosaic Monday and Mail Art

Nothing tells you Spring is here more than when you start hearing the birds singing...such a lovely sound!  The other day I went to get into my car and I almost stepped on this little bird's nest that had landed next to my car.  At first glance I thought it was just a bunch of twigs bundled up like a tumble-weed so I was going to simply toss it in the trash.  Then upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a perfectly formed birds nest.  Obviously it had been abandoned last winter and with all the windy weather we've been having it was blown out of a nearby tree.  So I brought it inside and placed it on my bookshelf in a small iron chair.  If you look really close, you can see some green, plastic grass...you know...like the fake Easter grass that you fill your kids baskets with?  The really annoying kind that you find yourself vacuuming up for months after Easter!

Since it's the first of Spring and it's Mosaic Monday, I thought I'd make a simple photo mosaic of my pretty, little birds nest.  It makes me smile every time I walk by it ;)

Mail Art from wonderful new blog friends also makes me smile...

On Saturday, I received the most adorable mail art from a new friend, Karen, who has left some really sweet comments on my blog and who I have since, been conversing with via email.  Karen doesn't have a blog of her own as yet...or I'd send you all on over ;) 

How sweet is this envelope and her "memo" and the "used library cards" she sent me for my collage art projects?  I'm also going to save the envelope and use it in an altered album...a travel album of course!  Thanks so much Karen...I really appreciate you thinking of me and all your time and energy in putting this together for me.

Hope everyone is have a wonderful start for Spring and for this Mosaic Monday.

Fondly, Roberta

It's an aftershock of silence...

 

Just like the date and numbers 9'11 (2001)...Now 3'11 (2011) will always be significant.

AND since Friday (3'11) I have become numb and frozen in time and space as I sit here glued to the television watching the devastation from the earthquake and it's resulting tsunami.  All of this is just so unimaginable to me yet the images and videos keep revealing more horrible, heartbreaking stories.

 

It makes me want to do something (anything) to help the many who will struggle to survive the cold and harsh conditions with very limited food, water and shelter.  TWO amazing ladies, Lydia {Ever Ours} & Lucy {Utterly Engaged} have teamed up and organized {For Japan with Love}, a fundraiser for the earthquake and tsunami relief.

 

All the donations {For Japan, With Love} will go to ShelterBox, which provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.  ShelterBox was handpicked as the organization to donate to because their volunteers are already there in Japan helping. 

Please join us this Friday, March 18th, in the Bloggers’ Day of Silence!

My blog will (continue to) be silent, which means no posts (this entire week) to honor and respect what has happened in Japan.  Blogger friends if you are interested in participating, please contact either, lydia@ever-ours.com or info@utterlyengaged.com for more information.

 

Fondly, Roberta

What started out as graffiti is changing the world...

 "I would like to bring art to improbable places, create projects so huge with the community that they are forced to ask themselves questions."

JR, Beaux Arts Magazine

Photo Credit

Simply Amazing...I've got nothing else to say...cause I said it all over here on my other blog! 

WFMW: Care Packages for My Family

Having PMS once a month does have it's advantages...my family gets all kinds of goodies ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I blogged about the tell-tale signs of my monthly bout with PMS and Kelly left the following comment:

"Your signs are much different than mine... you seem to 'nest' for many of your signs!"

To tell you the truth, I had never really thought about it as 'nesting' and I told Kelly that I always looked at it as a big burst of energy.  Over the years my DH and my sons have always teased that if you wanted to get something done...just wait until Mom is PMSing!  Doesn't matter if it's a stern letter to a company for bad service or catching up on an art project or yardwork and housework...it's a standard joke around here ;)  Let's get Mom to do it...but wait until the time is just right...he he he

Now-a-days these bursts of energy usually involve what I call Power Cooking (you know where I make like five things in one afternoon ;) and then me sending off care packages to all my family members...so I'm not hearing that much complaining about my monthly mood swings.  DH has to put up with it but as my family all tease him when we get together by saying...no complaining cause you get to go home with the cook!

It's Official...I'm PMSing!

How can you tell?  I feel like Jeff Foxworthy...you know you are a redneck when!

You know that you are PMSing when you can recognize ANY of the following 13 tell-tale signs:

1. Immediately after you take a shower you proceed to clean the tub, the sink and the toilet...before you even finish getting dressed.

The Gifts of Imperfection: Brene Brown

Brene Brown is such an awesome speaker and you all know how much I appreciate her messages...especially for us women and our in-ability to accept ourselves as we are!  Her shows on TED TV are wonderful and I was so excited last week when she announced on her blog that her hour-long show, The Gifts of Imperfection, started airing, March 5th on most of the PBS stations nationwide.

According to the list on Brene's blog, my station was suppose to have aired it on Friday, March 5th...however it did not air :[   SO...I quickly sent off an email to PBS and they responded by telling me that I needed to contact my local station to request that it be added.  I then forwarded the PBS emailed response to my local station...so we'll see if they get it on for me ;)

Boy do I need to watch this show right now...but in the meantime I'll just have to be happy with this teaser trailer that PBS has posted:

Watch the full episode. See more PBS Specials.

 

Today has been one week since I began the 6 week shape up challenge and I'm happy to report that I've lost a whole pound and a half...NOT the biggest loser by any standards.  However, I'm trying to remember that it's a something and to appreciate the fact that I didn't gain ;)  SO WHY am I not jumping for joy over this?   For me I think it's because I find eating...let alone dieting...a big pain in the butt!   Especially when I'd rather take the time to blog, or work in my art journals, or sew anything, or at least be able to hang out in my kitchen cooking things for my family.   I'm the type that tends to get so busy that I have to remind myself to take time to eat.  I'd rather grab a protein bar or a raw smoothie and go back to playing/working ;)  AND now I have to remember to write it all down in my food journal...yuk...yuk! 

SO...I'm trying to enjoy the process of art journaling with my food journal...but this is adding pressure to my art process and that makes me kinda grumpy!  AND we won't even get started on the exercise part!!!  Days/weeks like this just make me HATE getting older because it's so much more work to keep the weight off.  Boy do I need an attitude adjustment or what?

Or perhaps I just need some brain food...lol  Hope you all have a wonderful evening.

Fondly, Roberta

Everything is blooming...

Photo Credit

Went out yesterday to run some errands (and to deliver some Bags of Hope to a man named Sid ;) and was surprised to see that the Bradford Pear Trees were all in BLOOM.  It was like overnight...I swear...one day they were bare tree trunks and the next...POW...covered in white looking like spring snowballs.

Now my allergies are ALL blooming as well...so today I'm staying in and playing in my art journal.

Seems like the groundhog had it right this year...are there signs of Spring popping up where you live?  Do share. 

Fondly, Roberta

If you are just starting a blog, or you want to take your blog to the next level, check out The Art of Blog Seduction: How to Draw Subscribers to Your Awesome Blog.  It is the next A-List blogging bootcamp starting March 6th.  Last year I joined the A-List Blogger Club when I first heard about it through Leo Babauta, Zen Habits (especially when I learned that Leo was one of the founders of the A-List Blogger Club).  Since then I have participated in some of their previous Bootcamps and I've learned how to improve my About Page, how to write better blog posts and headlines and much, much more.  Check out The Art of Blog Seduction here.

There is more to the story about a man named Sid...over here ;)

Winner! Winner! Chicken Dinner: Soup-a-Palooza

Fresh n'Fast Chicken Tortilla Soup that is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month I participated in a Soup-a-Palooza with TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by Bush’s Beans, Hip Hostess, Pillsbury and Westminster Crackers.  With over 230 entries, I was so excited to learn that I was one of the Pillsbury Bread Basket winners when TidyMom made her announcement here ;)

Art Journal: 6 week shape up challenge

Since this is Week 1 of Rhonna's 6 week shape up challenge {for moi ;}...I'm getting all my ducks in a row...as they say.  Which means that I'm taking my before photo, as well as my measurements, and putting them all together in my art journal, a.k.a. my food journal.  Keeping an art journal will help keep me motivated during this entire challenge because it is will show me where I BEGAN and where I want to BE (goals are good).  It will also make this challenge interesting for me because I'll be collaging photos and journaling and will have a creative outlet (so necessary when the going gets tough ;)

 So the first thing I did today was pull out my supplies and spread them out all over my desk.