Spring can not be far away and PicMonkey Photo Editing is here.

And how I made a new and very important discovery. 
And more great News, PicMonkey photo editing is here.
See link at bottom of this post

Yes, I have too many ceramics.

Every time we go to Italy I bring back another piece or two.

This love affair with Italian ceramics has been going on for many years.

I'm ashamed to admit that this is what happens to my ceramics on the top shelf...

When I don't pay attention to them.

So, about twice a year I take them down, assemble the vinegar and scrubbing powder and roll up my sleeves and go to work. 

While scrubbing hard I was thinking that there must be an easier way.  I remembered how easy it is to shine up my stainless steal

appliances.

I can't believe it.  No scrubbing. It only takes the smallest amount.  I also  tried it on the shelves.  It's magic.  Spotless with no effort at all.

 So save yourself a little elbow grease and try a new product now and then.

And more fantastic news
PicMonkey Photo Editing is here
by the same people who designed Picnik

http://www.picmonkey.com/?utm_source=PicMonkey+Newsletter&utm_campaign=78df5a60ea-Announcement3_9_2012

Have a great weekend my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina

Helping out Mother Nature

Mother Nature can be cruel.

Raccoons have no natural enemies in our area.

Not only do they raid our duck and geese nests, they also kill

those diligent birds that will not leave their nests and stay to protect their eggs and their Young. 

Gene has decided to build a few nests for the middle of our pond.

The first finished nest comes out of the workshop.



Let's see if it will float.

But first, we have to launch our old fishing boat.

Yay, it floats, those silly looking pontoons Gene invented actually work.

Off to the middle of the pond he goes.

Raccoons only swim so far.

That is a fine looking nest Gene.

Mission accomplished.

Another nest will be launched tomorrow.

And what was I doing?

Opening a bottle of champagne.

We drank it.

We did not smash it against the bow of the boat.

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends

Gina

Today I'm joining  http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
Today I'm also joining http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

CONTEST

There are at least 10 easily identifiable flowers/plants blooming in my greenhouse as of this morning.

The first three readers who can identify at least 10 flowers/plants will win.

Send answers to my Etsy Shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maiolica
Go to "Request Custom Item"

A sack of "Redmond Real Salt".
http://ginaceramics.blogspot.com/2012/02/have-you-tasted-redmond-sea-salt.html

Redmond Table Salt in one of my hand printed cotton sacks


OR

I will send you one of my baby cacti.

When all grown up will look like this.
(Only takes 6 months)



So, get your thinking caps on my dear Blogging Friends
and have fun. 

Send answers to my Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maiolica
Go to "Request Custom Item"

I will show you the winners after everybody has had a chance to enter.


Gina

Yay, we have Winner No. 1
And yes, we haveWinner No. 2

Important Notice:  Sorry, I can not send overseas.


Today I'm linking to  http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
I'm alos joining  http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

Where would you rather be?

Out in the cold with the Help?

It snowed last night, another six inches.

 You could be in my little and very humble greenhouse.

We need the moisture, our Farmers and Ranchers are happy.

Kumquats and Rosemary grow in my Greenhouse

But Baby it's cold outside.

My Greenhouse is not warm enough for my orchids.

They are very happy inside my house usually sitting by a north or east facing window.

But my Geraniums think that my Greenhouse is the coolest spot ever!

What are you doing today?

Have a great week my dear

Blogging Friends

Gina

Have you tasted Redmond Sea Salt?

Salt that is actually good for you!

Redmond Salt is found in a large vein 400 feet below the surface, where the air is sweet and cool, in the small town of  Redmond, south central Utah.

Redmond Salt is marketed under the name of "Real Salt",

by Redmond Heritage Farms, LLC.

Images from the Redmond Salt Museum

An ancient sea covered North America. Over millions of years the waters of this sea evaporated leaving the salt in undisturbed deposits.

During the Jurassic period,  volcanoes erupted around the sea beds, sealing the salt with thick layers of volcanic ash, protecting the salt deposits from pollution "that man would eventually introduce into the environment".

See the large pink rock?  It is a block of salt, just as it is mined, beneficial to animals because of its rich mineral content.

Redmond Salt is unrefined, without additives, chemicals or heat processing. The dark flecks you see represent a full compliment of trace minerals. 

There are several grades of Redmond Salt,  all found within the same mine, but at different locations within the mine.  The salt is taken as found and ground, that's it. 







Some of the mined salt is not table salt.  It is used on highways to melt the ice for safer driving. 

Redmond Salt is shipped all over the world and is easily available. 

Or you can drive by my house and I will point to the road to Redmond, Utah.

by Ann Torrence Photography

And after our visit to Redmond Salt we can go to the Country Auction in Salina and have a bowl of chili at the auction cafe.
But only if its Tuesday.

Of course, while there, you can always buy a handsome herd of Black Angus.

Have a great week my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina

It's a Done Deal

Air Plane Tickets are puchased.

(tickets may go up)

We have our favorite Seats reserved.

Car has been carefully selected.

But before we fly off to Paris there will be several months of

Hard Labor.

Have a great weekend my dear

Blogging Friends.