Hanging out in the backyard

Yesterday morning I was sitting in the backyard watching these two young birds hopping around.  They were just adorable, the mom was keeping a close eye on them from a safe distance. 

These two little ones where just so cute, but a little scared too.  We have a water bowl outside for our dog (he was inside during all this) and they so wanted to hop over to that bowl and get a drink of water, but settled for the water in the grass.

Here is one of them running and flapping his little wings.  I felt bad because I think I was scaring them, even though I wasn't that close.  I could here the mother talking to them and them talking back, it was the sweetest thing.

Momma bird flew to a different spot, but still keeping a close eye on her wee ones.

Nature is so beautiful, especially when you take the time to truly see it and enjoy it.  Our backyard seems to be a haven for birds, not exactly sure why, but they do seem to come to our yard a lot, maybe because we have a pool that has a dam wall between the jacuzzi and pool.  They love taking a bath on that wall, or cooling off in this summer heat.

I just wanted to share.

Just in time for summer....

Savi is having a giveaway and this is what you can win....

Spring Flower Corsage Tank

Give away ends on Monday May 10th at 7pm EST.

EtsyBlogger's Blog Carnival - July

We had a choice to blog between finding a shop with "HOT" summer items or how to beat the heat during the summer.....well since I live in Las Vegas and actually unless you're inside somewhere or under the water in your pool (which you can't stay under there very long) there is absolutely noway to beat the heat! With that said, I decided to find a shop....

I found ZoeChen.etsy.com She has some amazing summer outfits to choose from. Here are just a few of my favorites....

White dress with black Swan

Knee length Skirt w/Cat and moon

Blue dress w/her drawing Paper boat and creek

She has so many more amazing designs so be sure to stop by her shop and do a little shopping for yourself or someone else.....

Happy Shopping!

EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival

This by-weekly topic is to show your favorite "summer" recipe.

It was hard to choose just one or I suppose we could have chosen more than one...LOL.

I decided to choose "Mango Red Pepper Salsa". This is a very refreshing salsa, not that all of them aren't, but this one is good with just chips, on top of just about any kind of fish, chicken and even pork.

I usually make mine with a little more of a "kick" to it than the recipe calls for, but I like things that are "hot" or spicy!

Mango Red Pepper Salsa

1 ripe mango, diced
1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced/seeded
1/2 cup red onion
1 TBS minced garlic
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced (here's where I use the whole jalapeno...LOL)
2 TBS red wine vinegar (or white)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Zest of the lime
1/2 cup fresh Cilantro, coarsely chopped

Combine all ingredients and marinate in refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving... Makes 8 servings.

Bon Apetite!

EtsyBloggers Team Blog Carnival......

Plans for the Summertime!

My son is officially out of school now and he's already complaining about being bored....LOL. I told him there's a big list of chores coming his way, so there is no way he'll be bored. He didn't seem to like that much...LOL. But he has a few things he needs to pay off!

On a better note...we have a few trips planned this summer. First we will be heading over to Morro Bay, CA. for our cousin's son's High school graduation party! Congrats Garrett! I can't wait for this trip...I love going to the ocean. I miss the ocean. It's also a lot cooler this time of year around there.

A beach close to Morro Bay!

Then we'll be heading to Bass Lake, CA. which has always been a tradition for us. We try to make it there every year if not every other year. The boys went last year, but this year it will just be us up there! It's so relaxing and the lake is very refreshing too. Our dog Leggs loves to swim in the lake. He tries to chase the ducks...it's pretty funny to watch.

Our final trip will be to Santa Cruz, CA. We'll be meeting up with some friends and hanging out at a beach house...well technically it's not exactly on the beach, but within walking distance to the beach (private at that). This will be nice too! I love to shop in new places...LOl!

In between all the vacations I will be creating new apothecary bottles and "monster" boxes for our etsy store and hopefully doing a few shows here and there.

I wish all a happy, fun and safe Summer!

Favorite Artist of the day is....

BatikWalla

Black Cherry and Purple Batik Cami Tank Top

What can I say about this shop.....Wow...So very cool...absolutely beautiful.

Victoria is passionate about batik art and the natural environment. It is reflected in her unusual designs and the traditional method she uses to produce each beautiful and artistic piece of clothing. She enjoys the challenge of working with such a unique and natural element. She discovered approximately two decades ago the simplicity and beauty of ultra-basic batik materials and its respect to the earth and nature.

Victoria has chosen to keep her business small to ensure that her tradition of freestyle designs, dye baths, the hanging and drying and the chemical-free cleaning process is in each piece. Her process is to secure the dye to the fabric which almost completely eliminates any "bleeding" or fading for years to come of regular wash and wear.

You will find in her shop tops, dresses, yoga inspired pants, clothing for children, hoodies and dresses. She offers a variety of colors and her artistic designs on each piece.

BatikWalla uses only pure and unprocessed beeswax obtained from local bee keeper as the key painting resist for batik.

Spring is here and Summer is on it's way. Why not stop by her shop at www.batikwalla.etsy.com and pick something out for yourself. You know you deserve it!

Mystic Morning Sunrise Batik Hemp Blend Dress

Save our Planet!


Peach Sunrise Batik V-Neck Dress

Happy Shopping!