UIC Conference

INCREDIBLE!

Yesterday I went downtown Chicago to UIC for an all day of Farm Conferences, expo and workshops. I am so elated and lifted that I can not think of anything else.

I learned how to butcher half a hog, can and pickle (which I already knew but wanted to see in case any new techniques were used - not really), grow year round in the Midwest (again, knew but inquired some great tips) and cheese making. Now, cheese making looks like something for the winter months. It's time consuming and tedious but tasting it made me think - it's a possibility. - oh so wonderful.

I have such garden fever. The weather in Chicago has been incredibly warm for a full week. 80's in March. I keep telling myself to keep the plants in - it's not time yet but I bet some folks are planting. If you are - bring them in each night. One of the nights could be a cold snap and then, snap - you have to start over.

WOW - I can't stop the feeling now. Farms - oh how I love em!

Farm Conference

http://goodfoodfestivals.com/chicago/

This Saturday I'm heading to a farm conference. I used to sign up for 1/2 marathons and 10 k races. Now, I'm attending farm workshops and conferences. What a change. I'm so excited I can hardly wait. They are having workshops on sausage making and compost. I feel like a child that can't wait until school starts.

I'll write more after the show.

Robot Bird

This is a Robot chicken. The green vice is this really cool old thing my Dad gave me. I like it for some reason - it's comfortable.

Anyway... I made a Robot Chicken - it's a test robot. Tea Ball body, screw eyes, legs and toes. Strips of metal with a brown coating. They do look like feathers.

It's cute. Practice chicken - more to come.

My Birthday

Erin, Me and Christine - Sisters in Germany. I couldn't find a good birthday pic of me but I like this one.
51 today - UGH! Feeling really old but whats a girl to do?
March 17th I'm heading to an all day Farm conference in Chicago. Can't wait.
Thanks for stopping by.

Yellow Orchids

Yellow and green orchid is now blooming. It is incredible. When it first bloomed, it looked green with just a little hue of yellow. Now they are mostly yellow.

Bobby brings them home from his clients. After they bloom they are tossed in the garage. He rescues them and I bring them back to life. They don't look so pretty when they have been neglected but I transplant them into a new orchid bark mix and wait. Sometime they take a year to bloom again. This one took about two.

I guess I have a place in my heart for neglected orchids. Patience and a east window is all you need.

Sold Elephant

Another Etsy Sale today. I wasn't expecting it this morning so it took me for a loop. My Birthday's coming up next week and I've been feeling old so this was a great little treat this morning.

The linen elephant is on it's way to Stamford, CT.

Have a nice trip.

Sewing Room Before/After

Before Closet - After Closet

My craft room is now complete. Cube shelves to hold all my books. A beautiful book shelf above my sewing table with the Maui Beads for decoration. It's a beautiful room now. I feel my creative juices flowing now.

For Sale now on Etsy. Shopping bags. Stop and visit.