It is so nice when folks want your trash

This Saturday I am participating in the Lake Ray Hubbard Studio Tour. I figured that if anyone really wanted to visit my studio that I had better make a path to the front door. So today I trimmed the shrubbery that was taking over the walkway. When I was done and had a pile of excess branches, I just called James up at worked and asked who wanted the scraps. I have been able to pawn off 2/3 of the branches on his co-workers.

When we planted the thing, I had thought it would be nice to for our own family’s use. But the darn rosemary grows so fast that it is taking over and I think I could provide the entire neighborhood with enough rosemary for all their cooking needs.

Anyone have any recipe ideas for rosemary? I still have lots left over.

About buying Green

Okay a little over a week ago, I ordered some “green” products. I needed a new shower head for the master bath anyway, so I ordered a low flow version from a company called Green Home. I thought that since I was having them ship those, I could splurge on a few other products to help green up our home that I had been wanting. I was thinking along the lines of conserving packing material and shipping costs all in one.

Well first arrived the attachment for the dishwasher to wash ziplock baggies. We don’t use a lot, but James always gets grumpy when I stick them in the Dishwasher and they fill with water.

then the next day arrives a package with the rechargable batteries.

Then the day after that arrives the shower head.

Then the day after that (today), I get the solar charger for the batteries.

I haven’t used a ziplock bag since I ordered the washer thingy, because I have fallen in love with Bentos for lunches. So no sandwich baggies getting used. Those freezer bags will get a work out when I do my next bulk cooking session though.

James hopefully will install the shower head this Sunday, the only day he has off this week.

And I now have the batteries in the charger on the back deck right now. I am excited about this new toy.

But what upset me was all the excess packaging. Fortunately I recycle packing stuff when I ship my artwork.

Wow it has been a long time

So much has been going on lately. This fall, I have cut waaaay back on shows. Between having my work hanging at the Stephanie Ward Gallery in Plano and Shambhala Body Gallery in the Bishops Arts district, I just don’t have enough good originals to fill a full booth at a show.

I also decided that the carpet in my studio was a health hazard (did I ever mention that I hate carpet?). And since I was going to pull it up I thought I should have some real fun with the room as a whole. I also decided that since James needed a study that I could take over the larger livingroom for my studio and his study all in one (note that he has a nifty work station from IKEA and really only needs a small corner, but it gave me an excuse to expand).

What I thought would be a simple one week thing has turned into a huge 4 month project. Under the nasty carpet was even ickier linoleum. It appears that they tried to remove the stuff before putting down the carpet, but gave up rather quickly. Because of the stuff being missing from some areas, I couldn’t just lay a tile on top of it. It all had to go. What ever adhesive they were using in the late 70’s is pretty impressive stuff. the adhesive remover jut didn’t work on it. And that stuff literally melted through 4 pair of heavy duty chemical resistant gloves. So I had to chip the stuff off the floor. It was something that had to be done just a little bit at a time. Took forever.

After it was up, I went for the nice quick, paint the floor option. which I am loving. I also painted the walls while I was at it. The walls are a nice yellow-cream color, the paneling I dry brushed gold and copper paint on, and the floor is dark green. I am going to get some dark purple curtains to cover one wall because the sliding glass doors and the windows completely cover the wall and there really isn’t enough space between them for separate curtain rods. I found a really cool tapestry fabric at a shop on Perth St. that brings all those colors together nicely, which I want to go back and buy to make throw pillows. And if I am really really good, I can get the sofa bed in dark purple from Ikea for Christmas and birthday this year. Although the vintage brown/gold couch with the green threads in it, that we have now would go with the colors okay. (note the use of the word vintage instead of the more apt term older than dirt).

But the on the whole it was the project from hell. But it looks great. Now to get the house in order before the studio tour on the 20th of this month. I will post a link to the map as soon as it is available.

Also the 13th I will be at Mystic Mutts and Moonpies again this year. I had a blast last year. maybe even Wolfie will come and hang out with me.