National Night Out and Brad Blackwell!

On Tuesday evening our city participated for the fourth year in a row, with the National Night Out. Our local law enforcement agencies were there with their police dogs giving demonstrations, there were many civic organizations attending, as well as a big children's fun area. But the highlight of the evening for me, especially was seeing and meeting local musician, Brad Blackwell. This guy is really talented and has an amazing voice. I have been hearing him on out local Indie radio station 106.1 The River, for over a year now. I was really thrilled to hear him in person and meet him and get 2 CDs. How exciting!

Blogland Catch Up

It's been a while since I posted so I
thought I would just play a little catch
up today.


First up is an interesting pentagram shaped tomato. It was the best tasting one that I got out of my garden...umm, I wonder why that is.


These are some of the bracelets that I made out of recycled belts from the thrift store. They are so boho and fun. I am putting some of them up for sale. Let me know if you are interested. The two on the left top I made for me though.

As the wheel turns.....this is the sunset on my sun wheel that I made from honeysuckle vine last year, what a lovely sight this was.

This morning I was greeted by my two sweeties enjoying some alone time together, while they let me sleep in. A great two-fer that was, Sophie and her dad got to catch up and enjoy each other's company and I got to sleep in for the first time this week!

Last but not least, I started on fall classes this past Monday. A full class load; art appreciation, algebra, world literature, Spanish and world history. So far it looks like all the classes are going to be very interesting with interesting and entertaining professors.

Freeganism feeds family of 5...and then some

OK, correct me if I am wrong....when I go to the Farmer's Market, or stop at one of the road side stands where the farmer has his pick up loaded with fresh corn on the cob, unhusked...this is what I would expect it to look like. Am I right? Do you all agree?


Then tell me why.....why.....why....the dumpster behind a local grocery store chain was loaded down with this particular corn. I mean enough to stock a big city soup kitchen on Thanksgiving day! This is disgusting...particularly so, because I know that this particular chain of stores buys locally grown produce from farmers right here in Tennessee! How would those farmers feel if they could see that all they labored for all summer was tossed into the trash? I wonder......


This is beautiful corn, sweet and fresh. It was a wonderful addition to our Lammas harvest feast on Monday that included beets and cucumber from our own garden and homemade harvest bread. Delicious!

I wish there was a way for us to share these windfalls of idiocy with more than just our friends. It seems to me that this grocery store and others could donate this stuff to said soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and food pantries. How often d those folks get fresh produce?

In any case, I am sure there will be much more waste in the next few weeks with the end of a season as well as a fiscal year. Next we can expect to have school supplies to donate to those in need, it is amazing what is tossed out and for what small reasons. Well, that is it for my soap box....today.

First Art Walk in Our City

Our city is finally getting on the cultural bandwagon....we had the first of monthly event, the Grove Center Art Walk! I was so excited to find out about this event late last month. I have been wishing for some more artsy happenings in our community for so long. I got right on it, in helping to spread the word to all the artists and art lovers that I know.

My friend, Mare and my daughter, Laura both had their art on view as well as some pieces for sale.

There was side walk chalk, water painting, and drawing for the children.

A fabulous photographer had some of her work displayed.

The children's art hanging to dry, it will be displayed at the Oak Revitalization Effort Headquarters for the month of August. How cool is that?

It was a pretty good turn out, considering the newspaper article came out just that morning. I think that next month will be even better attended now that the word is out to more people.

Some of the gorgeous art work.

Mare and Laura, a picture of two artists.

Sophie made all kinds of friends....

The Oak Ridge Youth Orchestra Symphony played....

as well as a yet-unkown high school band....all in all, an entertaining evening. I am looking forward to next month.

Children's Museum Art

These are some of my favorite pieces of art at the Children's museum. This first one is THE favorite. She is obviously representative of the Goddess. Pouring forth her love on the creatures of the earth. Just beautiful.

The next one reminds me of some I did as a child. These paintings are among some that were done by children of the rain forest region.

This one is at the entrance to the child-size doll house that is in the museum. I just love it.

A totem pole in the hall way. I would love to have one of these in my garden.

Wooden masks from Africa, fabulous!

Witchwood~My Home

There are so many things that I love about my home. In the past four years since we moved into this lovely house, we have been through an inordinate amount of stress and upheaval. There were times when we were unsure if we would be able to hold onto our home here. Times even, when I thought it would be easier just to give it up and move on. But we persevered and I am happy that we did. This home is loving, warm, open to friends and family, and sometimes, community. We share and learn and grow together here. This house, Witchwood, has always been the one that the children in the neighborhood congregate to. A former resident of the neighborhood, who grew up here, told us that when she was a child, this house, with it's former resident, held an open door policy for the neighborhood children. There was always something to do and something to eat here. The same is true now, we have a number of children, along with our own three, at any given time of day. There is laughter and fun, and the house seems to smile and open itself to them all. We feel blessed that we are fortunate enough to have this home and that we can make it loving and warm, and inviting to our friends and neighbors. Hestia is alive and well at Witchwood. I leave you with these shots of some of my favorite things about my home. Witchwood.

The witch ball in the window

My porch~where so much fun and sharing takes place

The stonework that is such a big part of Witchwood,adds character

The beading from India that circles the lamp

The tire swing in the Sycamore, that has brought so much joy

The fire pit for rituals, bonfires, and s'mores!

The guitar wall hanging David made of carpet remnants in the family room

The warm red brick of the old chimney

My kitchen witch of straw David brought me from the flea market

"Old Peter" the concrete rabbit found in the woods

These are just some of the things that I love about my home. Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Earth Day Festival & an Organic Farm

Look at this face. :) At the Earth Day Festival in our city last Saturday, Sophie had such a good time. Te petting zoo was there and she was in heaven. Newborn baby goats to hold and cuddle everywhere!

The Purple Paper Eater, Waste Connections, and the Tennessee Volunteers waste and recycling trucks.

The city fountain made a great impromptu wading pool for some of the children that were at Earth Day.

Of course, our gang prefers the real thing. The creek that runs through the park was a huge hit with kids and adults alike. They found crawdads (cray fish), minnows and unfortunately, some trash too, which they very happily cleaned up and tossed in the recycling or trash containers that provided around the park.

Down by the playground, a man was blowing huge bubbles for the children. They enjoyed them very much. Very impressive too!

As for learning about eco living, environmentalism and saving the planet, there was a lot of that too. Our city's 2ND Earth Day event beat out the Knoxville Earthfest that is in its 10th year. There was so much more for families and children to do and see. Not so much commercialism and more fun.

Plus, I found out that we have an organic teaching farm right next door in Rockwood! It's called Broadened Horizons Organic Farm!

I met the owner, Leaf Myczack at the festival and spoke to him about his farm. They grow and sell fresh brown free range eggs, honey, figs and in season vegetables. They also teach sustainability and rainwater harvesting and organic gardening. I bought these gorgeous heirloom organic bean seeds. I cannot wait to get them planted. They are:

Christmas Limas, Black & White Lima, Jacob Cattle, and Hutterite Soup Beans. These will add an interesting addition to our gardens. We are planning a visit to the farm soon!

Do check them out and support local farmers. They are our future.

Earthfest 2009

Wow, its been over a week since I posted. Time flies when we are so busy, we have also ha continuing problems with our wireless internet. Ugh! We've been so busy with the garden and spring, oh so nice.

On Saturday we went to the 10th annual Earthfest in Knoxville. It was pretty nice, though it didn't have a lot to actually "do", it was very informational and a bit too much commercialism for my taste, but I guess it has to be paid for somehow. lol







Here is one of several awesome painted rain barrels that were up for auction.















It was held again at the beautiful campus of Pellissippi State College.















Emily snapped this of me having a rest by the water.















May people came out, it was very festive and there was continuous live music.















Sophie and David creating at the Montessori school's tent.



















My own credit union had this cool guy set up.















A glassblower/farmer from North Carolina, had some gorgeous glass balls.















David and Sophie digging for worms in the compost!




These little guys were folowing their mama and papa around on the pond. A sure sign that spring is here!



This coming Saturday is the Oak Ridge Earth Day event and I am really looking forward to it. It promises to be bigger and better than last year. It is advertised as kid and pet friendly.