My Ojai Garden Roses

 I was so nervous to plant roses in my garden in Ojai... and predominantly David Austin English roses.  I thought the weather might be too hot. I took a chance late last spring, surfed the web for ideas and ordered my favorites from Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. then of course we had a horrendously hot summer and they looked like hell by August.  But, alas... spring came and what a great surprise.  My delicate little babies are twice as big and so abundant .... YIPPPEEE!!!

The roses shown above are "Johann Strauss", "Hot Cocoa", "Glamis Castle", "Gentle Hermione", "Jubilee Celebration", "Julia Child" and "Mary Magdalene"(not in order).

Lovin' Labradorite and Labradoodles

I've said it before....I LOVE labradorite!  

Not sure if I've said it before .... I LOVE labradoodles!

.... see below for the contrasting beauty of both species.

According to Wikipedia.org, labradorite was discovered near a town called Nain in Labrador, Canada though usually mined nowadays for jewelry quality in Madagascar.  And the labradoodle dogs "ancestors originated on the island of Newfoundland, now part of the province of Labrador, Canada."

 Has anybody ever been to Labrador?  Sounds like a pretty nice place to me.

My cousin saw the combo above (a labradorite briolette, my floral "shield" pendant and tiny faceted labradorite beads) before I put it all together and said I'll take it!

Thanks Cuz!  

So if you're down near San Diego way and you see this on a pretty lady...you know who it is : )

Which brings me to say that I will be making another soon.... if any of ya'll are interested let me know!  

And, I have just had a mold made of my pmc pendant below so now I can have lost wax casting made in sterling.  I'm thinking of experimenting with castin in gold too.  I need to hold my breath when I ask for the quote!

And if you're in Ojai, California and you see these funny looking pups... please don't be afraid.  Their bark is just them sayin' hello.  Their names are Stella (red) and Lucy (cream)... mother and daughter.  No, these are NOT their beds .... though they sometimes think otherwise!

Lotusland

Summer was fast, furious and fun.  Not much creating or lounging but lots of adventures, lots of taxi-cabbing for a small boy, lots of birthday and birthday party planning for August... a 7 (son), a 21 (daughter), a 50 (hubby), a 70 (mom) and a 75!(mom in law). My wedding anniversary was somehow in the middle of all that too.  Summer was over in the snap of my fingers.

I'm still busy as usual but ever since school has started back up a couple of weeks ago, I've actually had a little me time. I think I may have said that last September.   I've been creating in my studio while enjoying my new windows...yay!!! I've been walking ... yay!!! I've been meditating... yay!!!  And, I celebrated my birthday with my dear friend Dana at Lotusland.... yay!!!  

Here are a few pics (I love Instagram) from this truly amazing enchanted property in Montecito near Santa Barbara.  But if you are interested in going there, you must make advance reservations.  Created by Madame Ganna Walska (1887 - 1884), Lotusland has the most spectacular botanical gardens I've ever seen... especially the cactus gardens.

"As a lotus flower is born in water, grows in water and rises out of water to stand above it unsoiled, so I, born in the world, raised in the world having overcome the world, live unsoiled by the world."

~ Buddha ~