My Mother

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Hello everyone, I am Andrea's son Peter. As some of you already know, my mother was admitted to the hospital on May 10 and had to have emergency brain surgery. She has been recovering and making progress over the past week and continues to get better with each passing day. It has been a trying time for my family, and I just wanted to let my mother's friends know how she is doing or where she may have went. Thank you to all of you for your well wishes and my mom will be back here posting in no time. Take care.

i will be back on monday!

hi there my friends -- i am so so sorry that i have been slacking but i will be back on monday with some nice posts. it has been a VERY busy week in the land of dog rescue -- my mind has been pulled in many directions and i have not been able to focus here and i apologize but i will be back with some fun things for you! : ) hugs...pops (aka...andrea : ) also sending hugs from pops and basil! yes the original pops in the blue collar : ) hugs your animals for me ok!

a little smile for the day!

feeling like a trip to wonderland? how about you alice?

i don't know why -- but miss alice in wonderland is on my mind this morning -- maybe that will be my creative process for the day -- we shall see! but i am going to go take a trip into the magical land via a visit to etsy and i shall see what i find!




ok...i don't really crochet but if i did...this is where i would start! how adorable are these little ones from kandjdolls.etsy.com



now tell me this fabric is not absolutely adorable! get those sewing machines out everyone...you can surely have some fun with this! you can find this at: thisandthatjapan




well if this doesn't make you smile...nothing will! how cute is this!!!! you can find this at: SandysCapeCodOrig



how absolutely adorable is this rendition of the wonderland gang! check this site out...what a wonderful artist! danitashop

well i sure hope you enjoyed your little trip down the rabbit's hole! trip part deux...next week on wonderland wednesdays!!!! enjoy and may your day be magical!

a new etsy beginning for me

morning friends! how are you this morning. hope you all are well! i wanted you to know that i opened a new etsy shoppe called The Cottage Market. i really wanted to have a shoppe where i can make adorable and affordable little items that everyone would like. i am still going to run my other shoppes...this is an addition for me and i wanted to share it with you...tell me what you think : )

here are a few of the items that i have and many many more to come!

meatless monday and MORE!

good morning my friends and yes it is meatless monday once again as ALWAYS in my house!

i want you to think pasta (oh so many to choose from...treat yourself and make or buy some FRESH and experience that is sooooooo worth it!)...fresh vegetables...olive oil...garlic...scallions...pesto and/or anything that comes to mind! i find that a splash of good white wine and a squeeze of lemon juice kicks up any oil oil and garlic base sauce and red wine and balsamic vinegar kicks up the red base sauces and i mean enhances the flavor to heavenly...now CREATE!!! serve it up with a salad and everyone will say YUM!!!!! any combination...experiment...you can't do it wrong!!!!! dig in and all will be happy and you will never miss the meat! i promise! oh yes...don't forget the crusty bread!!!

see you tomorrow -- i just opened a new shoppe on etsy and i will show you some of the goodies in the shoppe! the new shoppe is The Cottage Market please let me know what you think and please send me your hearts! : )

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!

good morning friends and Happy Earth Day to you all! today is a day to celebrate the earth and to remember we must be the earth's caretaker...a job that is not being done very well at the moment! we must stop and remember all of the steps we can take in our every day life that will make a difference in the end. oh i know that people stop and say "like if i shut my lights off...that is going to make a difference...if a don't run the water so much...like that is going to make a difference...etc..." well bottom line -- it all makes a difference and there is so much we can do to help our mother earth. CELEBRATE every day! we need Earth to stay happy and healthy for all the future generations and for ours now. when i think about it...the word RESPECT comes to mind...we need to show everything on this earth RESPECT and it will flourish...the oceans and all it's incredible inhabitants, the earth, the rain forest, the skies, the air...every square inch if we showed respect this earth would be a better place for it.



A few things you can do to celebrate

eat GREEN!!!! have salads...pasta with tons of local vegetables...support your local farms...not only are you helping the animals but by cutting down on your meat intake...the methane gas in the air is decreased. try it -- i do it every day and it is wonderful! being veggie is not hard at all...it is a joy!

create a bird feeder or bird house with your little one...not only is it fun but you are teaching a new generation the importance of our mother earth and it's children...plus the birds will certainly thank you for it!

recycle...this should just be a part of your life...second nature!!!! create a craft with recycled materials...easy and fun!

give up bottled water!!!! get that filter and reusable water bottle...it is mind boggling how much plastic is not used and how the land fills decrease with this one easy step.

grow your own veggies...plan for your new garden! oh the rewards are so delicious!

plant a tree in your yard or donate in someone's honor or memory...such a wonderful thing.

remember to respect the animals that are on our earth...treat them with dignity and respect.

change a light bulb oh so simple.

drop your water temperature by 1 degree.

spread the word to everyone...remind them that all the little things they do are so incredibly important and they do make a difference!

enjoy the day my friends and think GREEN!

come and vote for SOSOROSEY!!!

hi everyone! how are you this morning. today i want to show you the wares of one of my cottage style street team friends! sosorosey. she is the QUEEN of recycle and wow she works wonders...you will see below all of the incredible creations she imagines and then brings to life! she is in the earth day contest for recycle at etsy and if you could take a moment out of your day and place a vote for her that would be MARVELOUS...soso easy! just click here vote for SOSOROSEY you will see her...she is in second place and i soso hope she makes it to first before the days end! : ) now -- check out her gorgeous recycle art!!! you will be amazed! thanks and hugs to all!

inspiration from a little man on wheels!

morning everyone...it is no NEW news to everyone that i know that i am an animal lover and that i have a very special place in my heart for dachshunds. this morning my husband was reading the paper (USA today) and found a blog called: Frankie and Sparkles well the tears started the flow...my heart got warmer and i had to share this blog with you.
ALL PHOTOS are From the Frankie and Sparkles Blog...wanted to entice you to go take a peek!!!!!

little frankie had a wonderful life on all fours for 6 years and then due to an accident at the kennel he was staying at he is now on wheels. he had immediate surgery but unfortunately it did not work. well the upside of this story is that frankie does everything that he use to and inspires children and adults alike! he teams up with his friend sparkles the dalmation and fire dog and shares love with all! i am telling you you must click onto their blog...watch the video and just look around...if you are not feeling well...this will make you smile...if you feel like complaining about an ache or a pain...this probably will make you think twice...one thing is for sure your heart will be happy and your faith in "good" people will be restored. this is a story for everyone...please take a moment to visit! in jersey we would say this dog ROCKS and ROLLS!!!

frankie and sparkles

meatless monday and AVOCADOS!

morning friends! how are you this morning and happy meatless monday to you all...as you know every day is meatless for me but i wanted to share some vegetarian experiences with you all and hopefully you will add a meatless meal to your life...it is wonderful for your health...the environment and mostly for the animals : ) ok -- i have a new obsession and it is AVOCADOS! yes -- the fabulous green delight that you love so well as guacamoli (a big YUM!!!!) but i am eating it every day in a very simple form...i just take a nice ripe avocado, slice it in half -- tap my knife into the pit -- twist and remove and then i scoop it out into a bowl -- mash it a bit -- squeeze a quarter of a fresh lemon or lime on it -- add salt and pepper (i add hot pepper flakes) mix lightly and then put this delicious mixture on a nice piece of 12 grain toast -- but into twelve pieces and there is my breakfast...only 250 calories -- loaded with protein and HEART healthy natural avocado oils -- rich with nutrients and oh so tasty! give it a try! add your own slant to it which i do all the time but for breakfast i love it just like this! it is rich -- creamy -- the toast adds crunch and it is yummy and satisfying...give it a try! : )



OH SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!!!!! i love HASS!!!! have a great day and i will see you tomorrow!

trying to catch up!

hi there my friend! i am so sorry i have not been posting...trying to catch up! i will be back soon! sending hugs...

meatless monday and MORE!

hi there my friends! how are you! well this is going to be a quick post...i have so much to catch up on but i wanted to remind you all it is meatless monday as it is every day for me : )...so add a little salad and tofu into your lives today...next week there will be a new recipe! : ) and i wanted to tell you that art opera was amazing!!!! truly was -- all of the people there were just incredible! it was our honor to meet everyone...can't wait till next year when i get to play and take classes! lisa kettle and her band of fairies did such a WONDERFUL job!!! i will fill you in on it more later...here are just a few little pictures...details throughout the week...hugs and love to you all! now it is back to work i go!!!!

see you on monday!

see you all on monday...getting ready for the art opera and i promise you all tons of pictures! enjoy your weekend and sending hugs!

Art Opera Opening!

i wanted to wish all of my new friends that are attending the art opera starting tonight with a FABULOUS and WONDERFUL dinner tons of fun!!! i will see you all on saturday and looking soooooo forward to it! hugs to all!

when is a bathroom art???

morning friends! well sometimes you find something that you have to share and today i have one of those little treats for you. there is a gem of an art world tucked into the gorgeous suburb of summit new jersey the visual art center of new jersey and it is the a place where art comes alive...exhibitions...clasess...workshop...lectures...special events...and so much more! the walls are filled with magic for the eyes! every where you turn there is something else to gaze upon. now you would think i would be sharing those creations with you but no...i had to show you the bathroom...yes the bathroom! a group of ceramic students got together and had a brainstorm that took them 18 months to complete. they felt as though art should touch every fiber of the center so the bathroom had to be included...this is a bathroom where no magazines are required...just stare at the walls as the mosaics come to life and enjoy!

Meatless Monday...Asparagus!

morning friends...can you believe that it is meatless monday again! even though i spend all of my days meatless...i want to share with you new and old favorite vegetarian recipes that are easy and delicious. maybe you can add them in your diet...i never miss the meat : )

well i don't know about you but i LOVE ASPARAGUS!!!! and yes...they are in season!!!!!



i adore the rich and true flavor of this gorgeous vegetable so i use two methods of cooking them.

roasting...i first clean them (rinse lightly) then i trim the stalk. if you hold your asparagus and lightly bend it, it will break right where it is suppose to be trimmed (a built in helper) then you can trim them all at that line...easy and accurate! then i get a shallow baking pan...drizzle olive oil on them...a pinch of coarse sea salt and then freshly ground pepper and 3 cloves or fresh garlic smashed and chopped finely...toss lightly and put them in a 425-450 oven for about 10 minutes -- tossing once. keep an eye on them so they don't burn...depends on your oven...sometimes they take less time and sometimes a little more. you will never boil them again! they are delicious.

you can also use the frying pan method...do everything the same as above and add them into a hot frying pan tossing them a bit and adding just a little bit of water about 4 minutes in -- cover and let cook for about 3 more minutes and viola...delish!
(remember...you have to do things according to your taste...you might want them softer so of course more cooking time is needed. : )

one of my favorite things to do with these yummy treats is to toss them in linguine that has been prepared with a bit of olive oil and garlic with a bit of cooking water, squeeze of lemon and a splash of white wine and then topped with freshly grate pecorino romano cheese or your favorite grated cheese...or if it is salad you want to create...give this yummy dressing a try!

use your imagination and you will create tons of fabulous recipes! have fun and stay green! : )


Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (can use hazelnut or walnut oil)
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch freshly-cracked black pepper or to taste
2 pounds asparagus stalks, washed and trimmed

In a jar or bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Store, covered, in the refrigerator. Serve at room temperature. (this dressing is from the vegetarian times and is excellent) if you would like add more fresh herbs that are complimentary!

tune in tomorrow for the "artists" bathroom!

Happy Easter One and ALL!

may all your eggs be filled with love, health, happiness, compassion & generosity!

happy good friday one and all! well i told you that we had a part two on italiangirlingeorgia.etsy.com and we do! our friend from the CSSTEAM is starring in most of our favorite magazine...SOMERSET Life spring edition. she was asked in december by the new editor-in-chief christian olivarez, to write two accompanying articles about the projects that she had submitted. VIOLA...here is a sneak peek and you can read more on her blog (which is wonderful) italiangirlingeorgia many many congrats to this wonderful -- creative and sweet italian in georgia :) hugs suzanne and many congrats!!!!!!


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