Natural Selections for Gifts

These beautiful and yummy items were selected because they all contain or represent natural elements: bark, acorns, shell, stone, flax, leather, and organic ingredients.  Enjoy these and consider if there's someone in your life who would be the perfect match for one of them! Click on the captions to go to the item page.

Native American Style Bark Pouch, by PurpleToedGypsy

Acorns Colors of Fall Original Water Color, by TheJoyofColor

The Hiker- Wee Chunky Book- Handmade Blank Book, by WeeBindery

Abalone and Crystal Earrings- Peacock, by FuchsiaBloomStudio

Coffee Butter Sugar Scrub, by SweetSallysSoaps

Baked Apple Granola- All Natural- Preservative Free, by Nikid

Featured:  PurpleToedGypsy, TheJoyofColor, WeeBindery, FuchsiaBloomStudio, SweetSallysSoaps, Nikid

"O" is for October

October is my favorite month! It means breezy cool days and beautiful fall leaf displays.  All creatures are preparing for the winter months ahead, and that includes us. These fall-abulous gifts reflect the season, and I've chosen to use them to spell out the great month of O-C-T-O-B-E-R !

"O" is for Owl and tree silhouette pillow, by Yellowbugboutique

"C" is for Cellphone Charm. Orange Hamsa, Polymer clay Handmade Accessories, by Efiwarsh

"T" is for Tiger Iron and Jewel-tone Crystal Necklace by Abacusbeadcreations

"O" is for Orange, Black, Yellow, White, Green Fringe O Rama Scarf, by Cricketscreations

"B" is for Black long sleeves mini dress/tunic with beautiful golden metal belt, by Onor 

"E" is for Earrings - Copper Garden Stamped Circle Hoops Mixed Metal Accessory, by Lindenleafstudio

"R" is for Rust Stoneware Mug / Handmade Pottery Wheelthrown Clay, by Patspottery

   Visit these great shops for more gift giving ideas!
YellowBugBoutique
EfiWarsh
AbacusBeadCreations
CricketsCreations
Onor
LindenLeafStudio
PatsPottery

Egg Gourds as Home Decor

I've always been intrigued with the idea that gourds grow into so many interesting shapes.  One of my favorites are egg gourds, which I grow in my organic garden.  They can range from quite small, like Bantam eggs, to hen-sized or even goose-sized!  For me, it's not only the amazing shape that makes them appealing, but that they are a classic symbol of birth, life and renewal. 

These painted egg gourds make a versatile centerpiece that will fit with a variety of decorating styles. 

Display in a shallow glass or pottery dish or tray on a coffee or dining table, in a brandy snifter or in a basket mixed in with potpourri.  They are fun additions to wreaths and floral arrangements, or make into ornaments. For entertaining, nestle in a cloth napkin and add to place settings as elegant party favors.    How would you use them? 

 

Visit my Midnightcoiler shop for more gourd art, raw mini gourds and more. Looking for custom colors? Just contact me!

Introducing my Love Bird series of Bird houses and Feeders

My new "Love Bird" bird houses and feeders make thoughtful wedding gifts for your favorite newlywed love birds or a loving couple celebrating an anniversary. (Special love bird poem enclosure card for newlyweds or anniversary (specify) sent with order on request!)

These organically grown, bird friendly items will give the birds a place to nest in the summer, roost in the winter, or feed during any season.  They help our feathered friends and give the gift of viewing enjoyment to the kind providers. 

They are also great as housewarming or holiday gifts, and just about for any other occasion.  Want a custom color combination? Contact me and lets talk about it.  

 Visit my Midnightcoiler shop for birdhouses, feeders, baskets, and other handmade items "of the earth!"

End of Summer Bounty

Well, I admit, the summer garden is petering out about now, but we still had a few veggies to put together this sauteed melange of bell and banana peppers, red onions and grape tomatoes. They were added to the sauce that topped off a pasta dish. I love the addition of fresh veggies with pasta-- Delish!

Natural Selections

Nature is a main source of enjoyment and inspiration for me. When I'm exploring Etsy, I'm always on the lookout for sellers who use earthy materials or represent the natural world in their work. Here are some items that catch my eye, created by these talented Etsyans: Waterrose, AngelEllie, Bazketmakr, Leapinggazelle, Jennyhoople, Mymothersgarden, Artyecological Check out their shops for more beautiful things!

Hand Embroidered Cuff by Waterrose

Personalized Coasters by Angelellie

Rustic Cornucopia by Bazketmakr

Nautilus Shell Photography Print by Leapinggazelle

Dunes Necklace by Jennyhoople

Frog House Toad Abode by Mymothersgarden

Blue Hydrangea No 2 Fine Art Print by Artyecological

For the Birds, and More

Some of my best sellers are my birdhouses and feeders. I grow my own gourds using organic methods, so they are safe for the birds and you. My techniques and applications are skill and labor intensive- hand carving, painting, dying, and pyroengraving. A lot of attention is paid to detail, adding up to unique houses that are functional for the birds and beautiful in your garden or yard. They make artful and practical gifts for those who enjoy the birds! Here are some selections from what I currently have available, including my new butterfly house.

Golden Glow Birdhouse

Turquoise Treat Bird Feeder

Purple Palace Birdhouse

Plum Pretty Bird feeder

Butterfly House
View more houses and feeders here.

Visit my Etsy Shop .

The Garden in Late May

Here's our garden in late May, when the weeds haven't overcome the veggies. We have 2 garden areas for vegetables, and these photos include both. Howard inherited his love of gardening from his father.

Above: Asparagus, onions, several rows of green beans, beets, squash, potatoes

Taking a break from hoeing

Lynn's ornamental gourds

The small ornamental gourd vines have not yet started climbing.

Hoeing is lots of work!
Looking at the onions
Our garden across the driveway has corn, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, spinach

Good looking corn this year
lettuce and spinach
Tomatoes and squash

Cabbage

Cabbage starting to head up

Broccoli forming head

Flowers near our front steps

What's for Dinner? Fresh picked Green Beans and Vegetarian Moussaka!

These green beans are the first of the year from our vegetable garden. If you've ever tasted green beans picked and immediately snapped and cooked, you'll know what I mean when I say they are like no others. They actually remind me of fresh asparagus (which we enjoyed earlier in the season.) Here are a few photos of them just crisply snapped.

I used oriental eggplant from last summer's harvest that I had frozen to make this vegetarian moussaka. Instead of meat I used Morningstar Farms crumbles, mixed with eggplant, onions, wine, spices, etc. We love the creamy white layer that tops off this dish. A little salt and whipped butter and these green beans were to die for. The moussaka was perfectly spiced and so tasty. Growing and cooking with our own vegetables is a little more work, but oh so worth it!