What's Next ???

Christmas in August!!

I'm off to California to attend the "Golden Glow of Christmas Past" convention. This group collects antique and vintage Christmas, Halloween and other holiday treasures and once a year they hold a days long convention filled with sharing and selling and fun!

There is room hopping in which you go from hotel room to hotel room to purchase wonderful holiday items. A bit like a treasure hunt! There will be a Christkindle market with artist wares and an antique sale and a "museum room" set up with personal collections to drool over! AND . . much camraderie too!

The "Best We Can Do" group of Scott Smith, Nicol Sayre , Paul Gordon and I will be selling from one hotel room Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. We will each have a table at the Christkindle market as well.

If you live in the area there may still be time to join "The Golden Glow" and attend! Find all the details on their website!

Lori Ann

Gardening . . . a learning experience!

As promised . . . an update on the kitchen garden.

We have come a long way . . . made some mistakes, had a few heartbreaks, learned some lessons both what to do and what not to do. BUT . . we are beginning to enjoy some delicious veggies!

Lesson #1 . . . don't trust a tag that says "Bush pickle" ! HA . . . the darned thing is trailing all over, up and down and reaching out to hold hands with everyone in the garden!

Lesson #2 . . . We are still trying to figure out exactly what 1" of water a week means ! (every plant has it's own idea and thirst level) .

Lesson #3 . . . if at first it doesn't grow . . try again, water more, water less , move it or yank it out and plant another . . . or POUT !

Tip from an old gardening pro . . . . EPSOM SALTS ! Who knew???

Enjoy the pics . . . so far we have enjoyed some nice tomatoes, pickles, little fingers eggplant, nasturtiums in a salad, patty pan squash (one of my favorites!) and yes, for some spice, jalapenos! I can't wait till the butternut squash is ready . . another favorite!

See how busy that little "bottoms up" bee is! ? I know just how he feels!

The sad note is that for some reason Zucchini does not like my garden! But . . I'm not giving up on the poor little things! Of all the darned easy to grow veggies . . this is the one who is our problem child!

Enjoy . . . . and remember to eat your veggies!

Lori Ann

"Summer Swings"

With summer now in full "SWING" . . . Jen O'Connor of "Earth Angels" is hosting a web show entitled "Summer Swings" on her BLOG!

Tonite!!! Wednesday, July 15th. at 8pm EST.

http://earthangelstoys.blogspot.com

As with Jen's "tented" artist gatherings and soirees . . this show promises to be a one of a kind "To Do" ! There will be new and limited offerings from some of your favorite artists. So throw on those comfy pajamas & brew a cup of tea then sit back and log on ! . . . no hassle of travel and dressing pretty . . . you are a queen and everything is brought right to your door (or screen if you will) !!

Enjoy,

Lori Ann

Some Fun News !

I have a little fun news to share. The current issue of "Teddy Bear Review" features "Roosevelt" on the cover as well as a nice article about my work. The cover was a real surprise! What fun to see when it arrived!

Also . . . . I am honored to once again be chosen by "Early American Life" magazine to be included in their "Directory of American Craftsmen" This issue is currently on the news stands. So many wonderful artists are included .. what fun it is to peruse their websites!

I am in the process of building a "press" page on my website. I just came across some older articles and pics from magazines so I thought I would scan them in to share.

Have a Happy Sunny July Day!

Lori Ann

A Happy Fourth Of July To All !

We have had company visiting from overseas. My brother in law teaches for the DOD and we see him and his wife for too short a time every 2 years. We all took off for a quick jaunt and without thinking it really turned out to be a very "Fourth of July" kind of trip!

First we went to the Airforce museum in Dayton, Ohio . . . . Of course I took most of my pictures in the "early years" exhibit. (I guess that's the antique buff in me!) We were also able to walk through a few of the early "Air Force One" planes from past Presidencies such as Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy etc. . . . Very interesting.

Then we spent the night at the "Simon Kenton Inn" near Urbana Ohio. Simon Kenton was one of the earliest setlers of Ohio along with the likes of Johnny Appleseed and Daniel Boone. If ever you are looking for a wonderful place to stay . . . www.simonkentoninn.com Theresa the host and owner is amazing!

The next morning as we headed home we decided to show Michael's brother and his wife the "Field of Concrete Corn" near Dublin ohio.

Now . . what is more "American" than the Airforce Museum, an Historic inn and Concrete Corn ???

I hope your day is filled with much pride in this wonderful country and world of ours!!

Lori Ann