Scott Hagan- The Barn Artist

Several issues back in our "Small Town Living" e-zine we featured the barn art of Scott Hagan..an incredibly talented young man that paints barns in really neat designs.... Reminiscent of the old Mail Pouch Tobacco and old timey barn advertisements from years ago.

Scott has brought this lost art form back to the forefront..and travels around the country painting barns.

You can see a time lapsed video of what he does here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZKZo316jG4

And if ever you need someone to paint a really cool design on a barn that you own you can contact Scott through his website at:

http://www.barnartist.com/

Oh how I wish I had a barn big enough to hire Scott to come paint it. Incredible talent! ..and I love that he brings the nostalgia of an era that many have forgotten back to the forefront again.A time when barns were painted with advertisements for things like "See Rock City!", "Mail Pouch Tobacco" and so much more... Barn art!..it's terrific!

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~The Garden Goose~

Square Foot Gardening

I bought this book for myself last year...and it really came in handy for planning out my raised bed garden areas in my backyard. Last year I put in 2 raised bed areas and utilized the soil "recipe" mentioned in the book.


I was pleased with the results as we managed to grow strawberries and bell peppers and a few tomatoes last year in the 2 raised bed gardens.

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This is a book that I would recommend to any beginning gardener or even the experienced gardener.

The neat thing about this book is that it teaches you how to grow quite a few things in very limited space.

Even those ..like myself..that live in the city ...can have a pretty nice abundant garden in very little space by following some of the ideas set forth in this book.

I encourage you to check it out if you are planning a garden this year. I'll be adding a few more raised bed garden areas in my yard pretty soon, and will again be utilizing ideas from this book as I do.In fact I plan on adding at least 4 more garden areas in my yard this year.(look out Spring!..here I come with garden tools in hand!)
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The book is available in my Garden Goose Market Shop for only: $13.59
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~The Garden Goose~

Tagged Again...3 times..

I've been tagged again..3 times actually...at least all on the same subject..so that makes it easy..(smiles)

I was tagged by:

Tammy over at: http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/

Autumn over at: http://simplytoday-autumn.blogspot.com/

Julie over at:http://willowtreecreek.wordpress.com/

The rules of the game are this:

Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

Post the rules on your blog.

Post 7 random or weird facts about yourself on your blog.

Tag 7 people and link to them.

Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.
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7 Weird/Random Things About ME!

1. As a kid we had a pet skunk.

2. we also had a pet opossum

3. And..we had a pet squirrel

4. I even have watched baby alligators hatch out from an egg. They come out of the egg with a full set of very sharp teeth..and they are hungry!

5. I was born in Pahokee, Fl ...because the town that my folks lived in didn't have a hospital..and I don't think it has a hospital there even to this day.

6. my husband claims that he has rescued me from "the swamps"

7. I used to go hunting for rabbits with my brother in the 40 acres behind our house when I was a kid.

O.k...I think that's random enough..and perhaps to some..even weird..ha.

Here's who I tag:

Tori's Mimi:http://www.torismimi.blogspot.com/

Aunt Jenny's World:http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/

Yogurt and Granola:http://yogurtandgranola.blogspot.com/

MadreKarin:http://www.madrekarin.blogspot.com/

Homestead Mercantile:http://homesteadmercantile.blogspot.com/

Beequilting-Beemoosie:http://www.beequilting.blogspot.com/

Country Pleasures: http://www.countrypleasures.blogspot.com/

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~The Garden Goose~

New Feb./March 2008 Issue of "Small Town Living" e-zine online!!

I wanted to let you know that our latest issue of Small Town Living is now posted on the website (http://www.stliving.net/).

We've had a tremendous amount of stories contributed to this issue (60 pgs.) They include:

The Artistry of Fruit Crate Labels
Restoration of the Green River House
Salvaging Antique Wood
How Catfish Farming Saved the Day in Greensboro, Alabama
The $45 Emergency Menu
Planning the Urban Homestead Spring Garden
Theme Gardens
And much, much, more.

I believe you'll enjoy this issue, alot of hard work went into it from over a dozen writers and photographers.
So if you have a moment please take a look at it and let us know what you think.
On a related note, we've made a few changes to the website, we're growing and have some exciting prospects on the horizon..so if you have a moment stop by. After you've looked things over, if you know someone who would like our publication please take a moment to tell them about it and share our web address with them. You can also add a link on your blog or website to help spread the word if you'd like.

Thanks!


Paul and Tina Wilson


http://www.stliving.net/

18 yrs..with the man of my dreams...

Yes..today is our 18th Anniversary. And isn't this guy just sooo handsome. I think so. We were married 18 yrs ago.

We both are only a day apart in age..and are each other's best friends..as it should be.I do joke that I got my older man after all..if just by a day..ha.

Happy Anniversary Paul! I love you!

~The Garden Goose~

Fun Friday...Wet/Dreary Saturday...

After running errands yesterday..oldest daughter and I headed to the antique mall to take a look around.

Me....I was on the look out for vintage ads that would make for great wall art.

I found some really nice things..now I just need to find frames for everything.

Along with the vintage ads..most from the early 20's.

I found 3 vintage Valentine's to add to my collection..fun! fun!

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One of the vintage ads I found looks like an insurance certificate...but....it is an ad for "Life Insurance for Baby Chicks"

An ad that was posted in the Saturday Evening Post 1923 for Purina Chick Startena with buttermilk.

It shows a farm woman in an orange dress with a baby chick in her hand and 10 other baby chicks in a row looking up at her, in front of the feed sack.

So cute..and so "farm style!"

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Yes...I'll have to share a photo of it...(smiles) It's really cute.

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We've been getting the new issue of "Small Town Living" ready to be published on the website at:

http://www.stliving.net/

A few things yet to finalize...proof reading is completed for the most part now..and a few final touches being done.

A labor of love, and something that we(Paul and I) enjoy doing.

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If you'd like to be added to our notification list.. to be notified when a new issue is available online..simply email me through my profile here, or through the http://www.stliving.net/ website.

I'll make sure that you are added to the list.

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Well..Saturday(today) has been yet another wet,chilly, and dreary day. Seems we have been having a sunny day, then a gray dreary day, a sunny day..then a gray dreary day..and so the cycle goes...and waaahhh! I'm wanting to play in the dirt..but right now it's just mud...uggh.

Soon though the sun will start shining again and I can start my gardening.One really good thing about all the rain we have been having lately is that all of the seeds that I tossed into the cottage garden have been getting watered(grins) and hopefully that will mean come Spring time we should have quite the flower show! I certainly hope so anyhow.

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I recieved a packet of dwarf pomegranate seeds in the mail today.I'm looking forward to plenting those soon.

I've never grown anything like that..so we'll see if I have any luck with it.

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I had a chance to speak to a fellow farm girl/and blogging friend on the phone today..what fun! Pamela over at "Beehind Thymes Primitives"..a real sweety to chat with. (It was so fun chatting with you today Pam!)

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Well..that's all the news for today....in my little corner of "blogland"

I do hope that you all have an absolutely lovely evening!

Thanks for joining me.

~The Garden Goose~

Bee Happy...

Well..that's what I hope we all strive to be...Happy!

Not every day of our lives will be thus..but I do hope that our happy days far out number the sad ones that is for sure.

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I finally completed the little tea towel that I had been stitching on.

It is derived from an image in a children's vintage ABC Farm coloring book.

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I really like bees, have always found them to be quite fascinating little creatures.

If I had enough land..I would certainly have several bee hives around..but..in the city..I don't feel like I have quite the space needed to have a bee hive..plus I have little children..and having a bee hive in the yard wouldn't be such a great idea.

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Anyhow..this little tea towel..I added the words "Bee Happy" to it.

I think it turned out rather cute.

I have listed it in my etsy shop over at:http://www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com/

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Well..it has been another rather dreary, wet,cold, and gray day out today.

The sun didn't want to come out at all hardly today. It was definitely good weather to curl up and enjoy a book, a cup of cocoa, and a snugly blanket...but..instead I opted to vacuum my house.

I tell you..if you have never tried a Dyson vacuum cleaner..they are very well worth the price.

We got a factory refurbished version, and I must say I am extremely pleased with it.

You'd be amazed at how much dust(even when you keep a clean house) that these vacuum cleaners can find. ..and a hepa filter too in them..so whenever I vacuum my house smells so fresh and clean.

(gee..I sound like a paid advertiser..ha) but seriously..if you are considering buying a new vacuum cleaner..check into those ones.

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The new issue of "Small Town Living"e-zine is nearing completion. I have to do the proof reading on it.Another great issue! It is always so exciting to put together a new issue every time. A lot of work..but so rewarding to see the comments from our readers.

If you'd like to see the last issue online..it is available at:

http://www.stliving.net/

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I hope that you all have a wonderful evening..and remember to "Bee Happy!"

Thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

Can you tell?...

Can you tell that the days have started getting a wee bit longer again?

The sun is staying up just a little bit longer everyday.

Used to it would start getting dark here at about 4:30 in the afternoon, and lately it's been creeping back to 5:00 before dusk starts setting in... Which means...yep..Spring isn't too far around the corner.

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I am itching to get to play in the dirt. Yep..I sure am.

No, I'm not gonna make mudpies..but don't you remember those fun days too?

I want to plant lots of seeds and water them, and watch them sprout up from the soil, and then turn into wonderful things to prepare for dinner. Things like lettuce, tomatoes,beans and more.

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Around here most folks start planting things around Valentine's Day.

So..I better start getting busy on my planning and plotting.

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I want to rent a roto tiller and till up a few small areas for a couple more raised bed areas in the backyard..and then I want to create another large flower bed area.Another cottage garden type bed, but with a more formal feel to it..not a wildflower look like the one cottage garden bed has, but a more structured feel to it.

The first cottage garden was simply tilled and seed tossed everywhere.We call it our "surprise garden" We literally have no idea what will start sprouting up next in it. It is fun, but definitely our "wild child" garden.

It's so fun to plant and plan out a garden area.

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Well..I have been stitching on a wee tea towel for my etsy shop. It is derived from a vintage coloring book..it is an image of a bumble bee and a bee hive box and it has the words "Bee Happy" on it. It's turning out nicely.

I'll be listing it soon.

It's so relaxing sometimes to do a little hand stitching. Now if only I'll take the time to actually make something for myself though. I have been wanting to make some valances in my kitchen and some toss pillows that are hand embroidered .One day I shall.

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I've been working on another collage for the etsy shop. It takes a while to hand cut out all the little paper pieces/designs I want to use in the collages.

This one will have a fairy theme..that's all the clues I'm giving. You'll have to wait until I get it done..ha. Won't the suspense just get ya..haha.(boy am I cruel or what? hee hee)

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I've been thinking about how I decorate my home and the things that I enjoy..and lately I have been wanting to go towards more antiques in my home. Old things that make me smile. Not the cheap things(from foreign countries) that every one has in their homes from WM but quality old things that have a history and a story behind them.

Things that add a distinct charm to a home.(and truly make our homes our little "nests")

So..I've actually been on the look out for a few things here and there and have started a few collections along the way.

I added to my wooden dutch shoe collection the other day with the two shoes from my friend Frannie...and I have been slowly adding to my vintage valentine card collection also.

And..I'm adding a few Victorian images to my picture collections too.

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I've been getting a hankering to go garage saling again. Yes....I know I just cleared out a bunch of things from my garage and house..but what I want to look for are the vintage items.

Things with character/age/history.

I'm really tired of the WMart and KM things. In fact I haven't shopped at WMart for a really long time. I hate how busy and noisy the stores sound and look..and I'm getting really tired of those little tags on the backs of items that say "made in (enter foreign country name)"...I used to work in the UPC office of Wmart years ago..and was privvy to what some of the mark ups on items were..oh my goodness..yes the "made in (foreign country)" things literally were a dime a dozen..but the Wmart markup was oftentimes 200 percent on up to 1,000 percent markups on things. wow!

Nope..me..I'm getting tired of my house decor looking like everyone elses.

Time to be unique and different. And I can tell you..the older things..well..they just don't make them like they used to that's for sure..

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Well...that's all for this evening.

Thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

Ouch!..and more...

So..I had a dentist appointment today. Seems I had a tiny bit of receding on my gums..some of which can be hormonal induced. Anyhow..silly me..as soon as I noticed it..I started putting hydrogen peroxide on it...thinking o.k. that's a good thing to do right?...nope..then since my gums were really hurting by that point..I thought o.k...anbesol will help right??? nope..see what I had done was put the peroxide on my gums straight..then I'd rinse it with water....but..what that had done was cause a chemical burn to my gums..ouch! and then the anbesol also was creating a burn..ouch! double ouch!

Luckily I had only done that for 2 days before I was like..phooey..forget that!.. I was due for a good teeth cleaning anyhow..and when I went in today the gal told me that what I had done was basically chemical burn my gums ..the peroxide acted as a sloughing off and had started to slough off some tissue, then when I added the anbesol it had done the same.

I! Yi! Yi!!!! So..she said it was like eating extremely hot pizza..good thing is..it will heal..but ouch! It really had hurt. Oh silly me! But ..thank goodness I didn't do a doozy with it.

And who'd have thunk it? I mean honestly..you would think gargling with peroxide would be ..sort of o.k....and anbesol after all is sold to help ease gum pain right. Sheew.

Well..I'm a bit sore mouthed..but wiser for it now. Oh the things we learn sometimes the hard way..

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I wanted to mention that my husband had gotten a few copies of the book

"You Can Do It!" The Merit Badge Program for Grown Up Girls by: Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas.

Anyhow he had bought them as inventory for his business and I asked him if I could offer a few of them here first.

So..if you are interested in a copy of this book, let me know before Thursday.(I only have 6 copies available)

Cost is $12.00 plus $2.50 shipping.(email me at gardengoose at gmail dot com if interested and I'll send you a paypal request)

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/site/catalog/index.php?main_page=pubs_product_book_info&products_id=4849&store=books

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It has been so cold here today, and in fact yesterday morning we had ice in the duck's swimming bin at about 1/4 inch thick!! And I have hanging birdbath/bird feeders that were full of water..they were totally iced up..ha..and this is the Deep South! The last few days it has felt like we've suddenly been transferred to some regions far North. Shiver, shiver...brrrrr!

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Well..the little critters are doing o.k. through the cold weather. The ducks seem to congregate into the warmest area of the yard they can find..and the chicklets like to find an area that is both sunny and has leaves aplenty..they then stretch out and sunbathe..it's so funny to see a chicken with one of it's legs just sprawled out..like they are on a Caribbean beach just soaking in the rays or something. Too funny.

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Well..I hope that you all are having a lovely Monday.

Thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

Wet, Cold...and Rainy...

Brr..it has been wet, cold, rainy and dreary gray outside the last few days.

Me..I've been cooped up indoors soaking up the warmth..and wishing for the sun to pop back out.

I did manage to write a wee article for the upcoming issue of Small Town Living though.

...And have to get a few items for the article either photographed or scanned.

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Well..I recieved something really darling in the mail on Saturday...I had purchased 2 pairs of wee dutch shoes from my friend Frannie over at http://www.freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com/

and these little shoes are just so adorable! They are dolly sized and quite old.You see..I collect wooden Dutch shoes and try to add to my collection when I can.

I had never seen wee shoes like this.

I have several sets of tiny ones that are pincushions and thimble holders and are only about 3 inches tall..but these are slightly larger than that. Then I own an adult sized pair and then several pairs of actual child sized shoes.

But nothing quite this wee size.

They are really rather darling in real life..the photo(that Frannie had on her site/ and that is shown here ) does not do them justice.They are carved on the tops then painted.

Cute! Cute!..thanks Frannie!

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Well..I hope that you all are having a nice weekend and staying warm.

Thanks for joining me in blog land.

~The Garden Goose~

I"M SO EXCITED!!!!!

I am so very excited to be able to finally offer my photographic images to you to be able to own in your own homes! A dream come true!!! I have found a way to share my images with others! Oh I am SOOO excited!! On the left hand side of my blog you'll see the heading "LOVE MY PHOTOS????"

If you click on the link it will take you to a gallery where you can own some of my images in your own home! I have featured 24 images to choose from.

Won't you take a look?

I love photography, and absolutely love sharing my images with others!

I am one happy camper when I can feel the camera strap around my neck..and when I am capturing yet another lovely image!

I do hope that you will stop by my gallery..and then post here and let me know what you think.

Here is the link to my gallery:

http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=2dad6acd-7d32-4d77-98e2-7369d4967d31

~The Garden Goose~

Check out my friend's creations....

My new friend Pamela..over at: Beehind Thymes Primitives

http://www.beehindthymesprimitives.com/

Creates the most darlingest primitive decor items.

Why don't you stop by and visit with her...and check out the lovely items she has to offer.

Tell her Tina from "Garden Goose" sent you by.

Here is a lovely example of Pamela's work>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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Another one of my friends..Dawn..over at:

http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/

creates absolutely lovely items with found treasures.

An example of Dawn's work is shown here>>>>>>>>>

(the angel assemblage/created using an old sewing drawer)

Stop by both of these lovely talented ladies blogs...and tell them that Tina..

at the "Garden Goose" sent you on by.

~The Garden Goose~

Tag..your "it"...Viral Linking...

Jayedee over at http://www.livinginthelostworld.blogspot.com/

has tagged me for a new link list for bloggers..

Here goes...

I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged

and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog.

You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list.

(Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)

It’s real easy!

Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!

The benefits of Viral Linking:
- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!
- Increase your Google PageRank fast
- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site
- Build your community
- Make new friends!

Add your blog url here...

The Strategist Notebook Link Addiction Ardour of the Heart When Life Becomes a Book The Malaysian Life Yogatta.com What goes under the sun Roshidan’s Cyber Station Sasha says Arts of Physics And the legend lives My View, My Life A Simple Life What Women REALLY Think Not Much More Than This life in the lost world/tina / leann / ann / marye / jolynna

So.."Tag...your it!"

I tag the following people..I hope that you will play along:

Sandra:at http://www.sandraevertson.blogspot.com/

Pamela: at http://beehindthymeprimitives.blogspot.com/

Tracy: at http://unlessthelord.blogspot.com/

Donna: at http://donnas-art.blogspot.com/

Sue : at http://countrypleasures.blogspot.com/

~The Garden Goose~

Florida Sunsets

As promised here are the images from sunsets from a few nights ago. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! I plan to create a series of notecards with sunset images, as each one is different and oh so pretty! Enjoy!

~The Garden Goose~

(and please do not steal these images..they are copyrighted by me..thank you)

Just a smidge tired...

Just a smidge tired now mind ya.. just a smidge..ha.

Today oldest daughter and I worked in the back yard for quite a while.

We moved pots from around the deck..emptied any that had old/dried up plants and then stacked them in nice neat piles way back at the back of the property..on a concrete pad.

Then we put down some stepping stones and mulch in the new "used to be deck" raised bed area by the patio..and also 2 bags of peat soil.

Then we put down about 8 bags of mulch in the rose garden area(a large flower bed that we created a couple months ago..and are just now getting around to mulching around all the plants)..it is looking very nice now.

We have another dozen bags of mulch to get laid down tomorrow.

Then we raked a bit in the backyard..and removed branch debris that had blown down into the yard.

Planted 2 yoshino cherry trees that we had in pots..that needed planting.

Planted 2 pittosporum plants also.Removed dead looking debris from around plants.

Alot got accomplished...and the yard isn't looking too shabby now..just still looks winterized..I must say..I'm looking forward to Spring..when everything will be new and green again.

Even in Florida..things turn brown and grey in the winter time and many plants can get frozen and die back to the ground..

I always enjoy the bright new green Spring colors...and new flowers springing up out of the ground.

Tomorrow our goal is to finish the mulching and tackle raking the front yard and sweeping the driveway/walk way.

Then..I'll have a little bit of my regular household indoor chores to do...

sheew....time for a nap soon huh? LOL

Nawww...actually I have a nice pot roast in the oven now..and I'm just "chillin'" out..relaxing now after a nice day of getting my yard back into shape.

There's more yet to do..

I have jasmine vines needing trimmed, and several other projects. Always something needing done...especially when you own your own home and have to do it all yourself.

But..the added bonus is..you can do it "your way".:0)

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I have a new little shop here on the side bar of my blog."Garden Goose Market"

If you are into gardening ...like I am..you'll want to check out the heirloom seeds up under "In the Garden"..I have lots of heirloom tomato seeds and all sorts of heirloom varities of vegetables..even some lovely flower seeds.

I also have some lovely garden decor items and tools.

Lovely craft and home decor books..

And if you are into simpler living and sustainable living..you'll find plenty of books that address those topics.

And cooking..lots of lovely cook books for the farm girl/country girl in you!

Even some kitchen decor/utensils...perfect for any kitchen.

If you love decorating with vintage finds..I also have books that address this topic.

Lots of fun! So feel free to check it out.(in the left hand side of the blog under"Garden Goose Market")

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Oh..and I'll have some new sunset photos to share!

I went to the marina last night again with hubby..and it was one of the most gorgeous sunsets yet! Absolutely stunning.

I have to get the photos loaded onto my computer..then I'll be sharing them here soon.

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I hope that you all have a lovely evening..and a lovely week!

Thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~

New Garden Goose Market

On the left hand side bar of my blog you'll find a new tag that says "Garden Goose Market"
In this little shop you'll find items for gardening, sustainable living,farm life, crafting, attracting birds to your garden,cookbooks,craft books, home decor books and more.In the garden section you'll be delighted to find seeds for heirloom vegetables and flowers. There are also wonderful items for decorating your garden as well.Lots of fun things to look at.
Won't you stop by and take a look at the goodies I have chosen to showcase in my little Garden Goose Market.
Thanks!
~The Garden Goose~

New Item in Etsy shop...

I created this collage today. It was actually alot of fun to do.I've listed it in my Etsy shop at: http://www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com/

It is a 16 by 20 canvas.

I painted the canvas to look like ocean waves. Then applied my design.Lovely Victorian looking vintage images..in nautical Valentine and love symbols. Then embellished a little bit with buttons, lace, ribbons. I've now got some more ideas up my sleeve for some lovely images.

~The Garden Goose~

I'm now a woman obsessed...ha

O.k. ..so finding 2 of the shells wasn't enough...ha.

The type of shell my grandmother had was actually made of celluloid..a plastic product created to look like ivory.

Granny's shell had an intricate carving of a dragon on the top of it and inside a wee farm/river scene.

Well..I got to looking yet again on Ebay..I won yet another auction this evening..this time for a celluloid version that is intricately carved on the top..yay! It does not have a dragon, but rather a pagoda type scene on the top..and inside..a farm scene of oxen and other cool things..how neat!

These are very hard to find actually, as 3 yrs ago when I first started looking..they were not to be found.

I am thrilled that in the last 2 days I have found 3 of these lovely items! Woohoo!

Here's the new one that I found this evening and won.

Woohoo!

~The Garden Goose~

Sentimental Softy That I Am...

Yes, I'm the first to admit it..I'm a big sentimental softy...and when I saw this item on ebay last night..I burst into tears...why you might ask?

Well..it's because my grandmother used to own one of these clam shells with the wee farm scene in it, and she'd display this shell on a shelf in her room

....one of my favorite things to do when visiting her room as a wee girl was to get the shell and hold it up to my mouth..and gently blow until the water wheel in the scene started turning....everytime I did..granny would say.."be careful now"..

Granny's special shell was intricately carved on the top with an oriental dragon design.Very pretty.

Anyhow..after my dad and my granny passed away..my mom put the trailer they used to live in up for sale..and of course granny's items were in the trailer..

during this time mom had several folks walk through looking to buy the trailer.

After a few walk throughs with folks looking to buy the property..and after one particular couple we knew that were unfortunately heavily involved with drug use and whom the lady was into oriental items...walked through..well..the shell was never to be seen again.

I asked if mom ever found it..and she said "no..I think honestly that it was taken by someone we knew."

So..of course I was upset about it at the time..and honestly didn't realize how upset..until last night when I spied one very similar to it(the shell on the right in the image)and found myself bursting into tears.

So..I knew I just HAD to have one again.

So..I am pleased to say...although it is not granny's shell..it is pretty close. And now I'll have a beautiful shell of my own..too bad it's not the one that held the precious memories..but sometimes life is just like that..at least I'll have "second best"..and I can handle that.

~The Garden Goose~

Happy Tuesday...

Hope that you all had a really nice day today.
It was a good day here. Weather has warmed up this week, and it actually does not feel like winter at all outside right now....but..it is supposed to drop back down to the upper 30's at the end of the week..so we shall enjoy the warm spell for a little while at least.
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I found this cute little quiz online that asks you what Holiday you are..ha.
Here are my results:

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person. Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched. You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly. For you, every day is a new chance - no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

What Holiday Are You?

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I've been working on a little bit of hand embroidery lately..a little tea towel that I'll be adding to my etsy shop as soon as it is completed.
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At the bird feeder this morning ..I had quite a few visitors...
Several house finches, a few doves, and some gold finches.
I'll definitely have to buy some more bird seed and try to get some photos.
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May you all have a lovely evening.Thanks for joining me in "blogland"
~The Garden Goose~

Funny New Item in my Etsy Shop..and more...

Hubby created some cute/funny notecards for my Etsy shop this evening.

They make me laugh. They have funny sayings at the bottom of them that will certainly make you chuckle.

I've listed them over in my Etsty shop at:

http://www.gardengoosegifts.etsy.com/

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Today was a nice day..warmer weather here today.

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Sunny the duckling is finally spending her first evening out in the pen with Daffy the full grown duck tonight.

Sunny is nearly full grown now, but still has a good bit of growing yet to do. She still has some baby fluff left on her and is still only half the size of Daffy (the male duck) She certainly looks little compared to Daffy.

She was very, very tiny when she came to live with us.

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This evening I made a neat pesto sauce to go over some chicken breast cutlets that I had cooked up in a skillet with a touch of olive oil....anyhow to make the pesto sauce I took about 4-5 pieces of sundried tomato in olive oil, a small can of black olives, and about 1/2 cup pecans and chopped it all fine in my chopper. Mixed in about 3 Tablespoons of marinara sauce and then heated in the microwave for about 3 minutes and spooned over the chicken.

It really had a neat flavor and was very tasty.Would have tasted yummy tossed with angel hair pasta too...but instead I made some broccoli and some black beans and some peaches and strawberries on the side..no pasta tonight.

It was a good meal though.

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Last night hubby and I went to watch the sunset at the marina again..I think this is becoming a tradition of ours..ha.

We do enjoy the few minutes of getting out together and spending a few moments of romantic time together.

Here are the images from last night's sunset.

There was also a dolphin nearby, but since they just rise up a little bit above the surface of the water..it is difficult to get a good picture of them. It was neat to actually hear the one that I saw..hissing the water out of itself as it surfaced.You could actually see the water spout up a little bit. Cool!

Have a great evening!

~The Garden Goose~

My how they've grown!!!.....

I promised to share photos with you all of how the little critters..our backyard flock..have all grown. So here they are:

The Golden colored chicken is "Chicken Little" a Buff Orpington.The brown speckled gal is "Henny Penny" an Ameracauna.Then the duck is our little gal"Sunny".

-------------------------------Hubby and I also went out to the marina last night to watch the sunset and to have a "date night".Here is a photo of last night's sunset.

Well....I started out this afternoon to tear up the decking boards...but hubby did the whole job for me! ...how sweet!

I'll get some potting soil and good growing mix in the area and get it ready to plant a few things like lettuces and herbs. We have a little bit left to do to the area to convert it to a raised bed area..but it will work well.

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Here's wishing you all a great weekend!

Thanks for joining me in "blogland"

~The Garden Goose~