12 of 12- MARCH

Yep, another month, another 12 pictures. This month, I was fortunate to have an education staff retreat scheduled for the 12th. It's a lot easier to take fun pictures when you have a fun day on the agenda!


8:55 am- Arriving at Two Rivers Pavilion for our education staff retreat.


8:59 am- The view of the Tennessee River from the back porch of the lodge.


10:17 am- Sabrina and Emily during our first break of the day.


10:22 am- On our way back inside, we noticed this guy hanging out (literally) in a nest box.


10:28 am- The meeting space inside the lodge. Perfect place for our retreat.


12:22 pm- Mmmmm...grilled cheese sandwiches and soup for lunch!


2:25 pm- BBQ chicken dip for an afternoon snack.


4:03 pm- Peg's tail lights, leading the way from the lodge.


5:46 pm- A nice springy surprise from Wayne!


6:15 pm- Yay, my new phone arrived...the Samsung Sway. I still haven't even hooked it up.


8:27 pm- Sleepy kitty. Not really paying attention to Bones.


9:04 pm- My current favorite reality TV show..."you stupid donkey!"(appropriately read in Gordon Ramsay's British accent).

12 of 12- February

It's that time of the month again...I mean 12 of 12- what were YOU thinking? This month was a little different for me because I actually appear in a couple of my pictures. That's a switch!


9:12 am: I actually had two pictures taken at this time, and I had a hard time choosing between them. I ended up with this one because I took it to document the fact that I was wearing my favorite necklace. What I also got, however, was a great picture of cleavage! Win-win :)


10:36 am: Mid-morning snack. I like the modern conversation hearts because they are trying to be hip and keep up with the times. The flip side of that, however, is that you get pithy hearts that say "Email me." And I don't really think that "Guess what?" and "No way" are really heart-felt sentiments.


10:16 am: Sabrina and I had to travel to Lakeshore Park to meet with the folks of Knox Youth Sports. As always, we traveled in style in the customized Prius hybrid!


12:12 pm: I have some wacky co-workers, no doubt. When I told them about the project, they were determined to make sure that I had an interesting set of pictures. While I understand that the point is to document you day and not create a day to photograph, I can honestly say that these shenanigans are not really out of the ordinary! My favorite part of this picture is that the stick by KD's hand wasn't staged. It was a happy accident. It makes it look like she had a spell that back-fired!


12:14 pm: Come on, with willing participants like this, how could I NOT put them in my 12 of 12?


12:48 pm: Emily and I went for a walk on the trails, looking and listening for birds. She's only about 5 feet tall, so I got on the ground to take this picture and make her look really tall (and really high up in the tree). Did it work?


4:59 pm: The drive home. I have to head due west, so I end up staring directly into the sun almost the entire trip. Luckily, there isn't much traffic in Knoxville.


5:11 pm: The suet thief. This little guy has managed to shimmy up the pole to steal all the suet that was supposed to be for woodpeckers and blue jays. Hmph!


5:23 pm: The evidence. I had read Chad's blog earlier in the day in which he states that he hasn't seen the magazine, featuring a blog that ripped off his idea. I thought it only appropriate to photograph the evidence for incorporation into my photos for the REAL 12 of 12. In the Feb 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes, there is a layout that features a scrapper that participates in a challenge blog called 12 of 12. I assumed it was Chad's blog until I saw that the address was NOT. The worst part is that the blog author didn't even ask Chad's permission, and it is honestly his idea. Geesh!


6:22 pm: Wayne is cooking dinner- Yay! Pasta makes me happy :)


9:16 pm: Tiny didn't make it through the entire episode of the office. Even though it was funny, he wasn't willing to forego his cat nap.


10:46: Bed time.
For a look at the original project and see other twelvers, go here:

12 of 12

Go Green!

It is time to "Go Green" with these great new designs from Die Cuts With A View. The Green Stack is made of 70% recycled paper and will add an environmentally-safe touch to all your memories. Plus, the whimsical woodland creatures and natural motifs make this pack a must for eco-savvy scrappers. This product was introduced at CHA and is available at Joann's Fabric and Crafts. There is also a mat stack, 8 X 8 stack, and chipboard embellishments to complete the line. Just thought I'd share!

Some of my work...

12 of 12

OK, so this is a slight departure from my normal posts, but it's fun and it's my blog, so I can do whatever I want, right? My friend, Chad started a project called 12 of 12. The premise is to take 12 pictures of the 12th day of every month. I just recently got back into photography, so it seems like a good time to restart my participation in this global event. To see what other people did on the 12th of January, go here: 12 of 12: January 2009

7:40 am- Yay! Dead battery...what a great way to start the day. I guess the cold Tennessee winters are too much for my aging battery. Pay day is Thursday, until then I'll enjoy carpooling and jumper cables.


8:30 am- The weather is always different at work than it is at home. When I got to work, it dawned on me that Tennesse in winter can look a lot like Narnia...white witch Narnia that is.


8:45 am- Breakfast of Champions!


9:20 am- I noticed that my finch feeder was empty, so I went out to fill it. We've had a ton of pine siskins this year, and they are hogging the feeder. There is a goldfinch on the branch, patiently waiting his turn.


10:00 am- I made a calendar over the week end and needed to bring it in to scan the pictures so that I can make some more! October is my favorite.


11:15 am- I've been learning to work with the raptors, so I decided to take the Kestrel out for some bonding time. She really likes hanging out by the pond to spy on songbirds near the feeder.


11:25 am- On my walk with the Kestrel, I noticed that the witch hazel is blooming. It's one of the only plants in east Tennessee to bloom in the winter.


11:30 am- I also got this cool picture of birds on the big feeder...yep you guessed it- more pine siskins. They are small but they are bullies. The chickadees and finches have been forced over to a hopper feeder across the patio.


12:25 pm- Ah...Archer Farms. This mushroom gnocchi was yummy- even if it was from a box.


4:45 pm- Once I got home, after needing someone at work to jump start my car (embarassing), I decided I needed a hot bath and a guilty pleasure. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is my latest obsession. I didn't think I'd get into a vampire book, after all- I didn't like Interview with a Vampire at all. But I love these books, probably because the main character is a huge klutz...I can relate.


7:45 pm- A rare moment of peace between the 2 most rambunctious cats in the world. The peace treaty was probably brokered by the catnip toy seen on the floor between them.


8:00 pm- Wayne is settling in for a long evening of bad reality TV...The Bachelor and Momma's Boys. Mondays are really slim pickin's since MNF ended, so we've resorted to starting our week with a healthy helping of reality fodder.


That was my day on the 12th. Perhaps not the most interesting day of the year, but how many people get to put a picture of a falcon on their page?

'Tis Better to Give... part II

Continued from part I...

• Give for the greater good. Look for gifts that also help others build healthier and more sustainable lives. Organizations like Global Exchange, A Greater Gift, and Ten Thousand Villages offer fair-trade products grown or made by farmers and artisans in developing countries from Bangladesh to Zimbabwe. You can find other fair-trade retailers, both online and off, at TransFair USA and the Fair Trade Federation.

• Give a gift that keeps on giving. Shopping for someone who has everything? Why not give to someone less fortunate on his or her behalf? Heifer International, for example, lets you buy anything from a flock of chicks to a cow that will be given to a family for an ongoing food source. Or shop through FundraiserRewards, which connects you with retailers online and off that donate a portion of your purchase price to the organization of your choice.

• Give conflict-free. When purchasing items such as jewelry, consider the source of the metal and/or gems. Precious metals and stones are often mined with destructive mining processes and poor labor practices. Worse yet, some gems, such as the notorious “blood diamonds,” are mined in war zones and sold illegally to finance further violence. There are, however, options available that ensure that your gift does not support such practices. Be sure to spend a little time researching jewelry purchases.

• Give Chic. For creative and unique jewelry gifts, take a look at some wonderful jewelry made from cleverly recycled objects. Vendors such as Eco-Artwear or RepurposedForYou specialize in one-of-a-kind products made from repurposed materials. If your recipient’s jewelry preference is futuristic and tech-inspired, check out Arteco, featuring uniquely crafted jewelry items that make excellent use of recycled high–tech components.

• Give power. When buying electronic toys and other portable items that are used regularly, remember to buy rechargeable batteries and a battery charger to go with them. About 40% of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. Buy rechargeable batteries to accompany your electronic gifts, which reduce the amount of potentially harmful materials thrown away, and can save money in the long run.

No matter how you begin the gift-giving process, be sure to evaluate items already in your home. Donate last year’s unused gifts or toys that the kids have outgrown to charity. Gently-used gift items are in high demand during the holiday season.

'Tis Better to Give... part I

After a great deal of research, I've come across so much good information about gifts that I find it cumbersome for a single post. As such, I've decided to split it up into more digestible pieces. We all overeat during the holidays, but there is not need to do so while belly up to the blog table. For your enjoyment, I now present the first course of gift-giving advice for eco-savvy consumers.

In general, if you buy gifts, look for durable and re-usable items and resist the latest “fad” at the mall. Think of how many pet rocks, mood rings, and cabbage patch dolls ended up in the landfill! Consider the durability of a product before you buy it as a gift. Cheaper, less durable items often wear out quickly, creating waste and costing you money. In the end, it truly is the thought that counts, so spend some time thinking about your gift-giving efforts this year. You can not only provide a thoughtful token to your loved ones, but you can also help spread an ethic of sustainability and earth-friendly living.

Gift-giving Do’s:

• Give useful. Rather than giving Dad yet another tie he won’t wear or buying another toy car that will eventually settle to the bottom of a toy bin, give gifts people will really use. Think unique, healthful, and organic foods; organic and chemical-free soaps; shade-grown coffees; flowering or fruiting plants; drawing or writing sets with recycled paper and non-toxic ink pens; or memberships to an area zoo, museum or other child-friendly place.

• Give yourself. Set a good example by giving homemade food. Cookies, cakes, jams, bread and other baked goods make warm and welcome gifts for friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

• Give Green. Literally. For kids, start a savings account or give stocks or bonds. It’s fun to watch money grow and it teaches children the value of financial conservation.

• Give Creativity. Shop for gifts at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets, since one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Old clothes and jewelry make a great dress-up box for kids. Tools and gadgets make a great idea box for a young inventor. You can also have outdated “family heirloom” pieces refashioned into something current.

• Give Sustainability. Give gifts that encourage others to use less stuff, like a book about making crafts from reusable items, cookbook for leftovers, reusable tote bags. You can even set a good example by giving gifts that you made yourself from reused items.

• Give Conservation. Choose gifts that help reduce energy consumption or protect the environment. These can range from solar-powered cell phone and battery chargers and sun-driven garden fountains and bat boxes (for attracting nature’s most effective mosquito-zapper) to bicycles, organic-cotton sheets and pillowcases, and natural beeswax candle sets.

Part II tomorrow...