spring may not be official for several weeks 

but here on the coast it is rapidly materializing.

warm days and cool evenings.  perfection.

if only we can bribe it to stay instead of the

summer heat taking over.

i hope you have a glorious weekend.

happy friday!
mardi gras kicks off tonight in mobile
and we have plans to join in the fun.
i hope you have a great weekend and are
blessed with warm weather.
the weather here in the south has warmed nicely
and has us all excited about days in the sun.

today was a gorgeous day,
sunny and warm with a gentle breeze,
so i spent the afternoon dreaming of
spring buds,
tropical blooms,
summer roses,
succulents,
and evening walks to discover nature's patterns.

i am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections,
and the truth of the imagination. - john keats

happy valentine's day!

in my quest to simplify things i have decided to sell some of my beads and craft stuff.
i have always stored my beads by color so as i was going through them
it seemed natural to keep them together by color, so i am selling them in color collections.
if you're interested they are in my supply shop that i opened a few years ago to as a way
to manage my embarrassing large bead stash.
so far it hasn't worked because my stash is still embarrassingly large.

i am a southern girl. some days it makes me bitter and others i feel blessed.
i dream of leaving and never returning but i worry that i would miss it terribly.
i worry that the south will never lose its creed of legends past and gain diversity.
i see a subtle movement of progression but my patience grows less each day and
i fear that my contempt keeps me from seeing the everyday beauty around me.
and yes, there is much beauty here, even in the people.
it is an inner beauty that shines through each smile and every story told.
a simplistic way of life steeped with such heritage that it becomes intricate.
but i achingly long for the south to embrace its full potential and gain the fortune that awaits it.
unfortunately, the southern pride that so many wear as a badge coupled with history
makes me suspect that the south will always be just the south.

I have been feeling the need for change for quite some time now. Change in the way we
consume and the connection we have to the stuff we buy, use and eat.  We have been a
family of unconscious consumers, shopping for the best deal and seldom making purchases
based on quality, character, ethics, sustainability, and sadly health.  I crave, want and need
this to change.  I want my girls to learn about the purchases they make and how they can
affect others both negative and positive.  I want them to have a relationship with the products
and food they use daily.  I want them to be interested in the story behind their stuff, it can be
as simple as corporate need for capital, a mama's desire to provide for her family, or a son using
his hands and learned skills. And most importantly I hope they develop a connection to this earth.

I am hopeful that the changes I make will set us all on a life path full of
nature, creating, learning, observing, teaching and being mindful of others
and the legacy we leave.