ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: I BROUGHT BACK A PIECE OF MY CHILDHOOD AND IT WAS ...

ZEE OF HAWK'S CREEK: I BROUGHT BACK A PIECE OF MY CHILDHOOD AND IT WAS ...: Mr. Freeze and Old Man Winter decided to visit Texas.... It has been snowing all day. Mounds of the wet white wonderful stuff is surroun...

I BROUGHT BACK A PIECE OF MY CHILDHOOD AND IT WAS YUMMY!!

Mr. Freeze and Old Man Winter decided to visit Texas....

It has been snowing all day. Mounds of the wet white wonderful stuff is surrounding my little farm.  I am excited.  My joy may seem a little peculiar to residents of the Mid-West, New York, Colorado and such places. This is Texas, and I am sure some weather record is going to be broken.

Kids are piling on tons of warm clothing while planning their snowman construction.  The lowly vegetable..the carrot..has all of a sudden risen to new heights of grandeur.  No respectable snow-person would be seen without a stylish long orange nose.

I grew up in the Mid-West. where these kinds of wintry days are common in February as well as March and even April.  My mom used to make a special treat of snow ice cream on snowy days. Us kids thought this was the best tasting concoction to have ever melted in our little eager mouths.

Number one rule: NEVER use yellow snow!  After piling a huge amount of clean fluffy white snow into an old crock bowl, mom would then add yummy maple syrup or sugar and milk and vanilla.  Great memories with lots of laughing and fighting for the last spoonful of our special snow ice cream.

Now that I am warmed by a fond childhood memory, I think I will put on my parka, boots, gloves and head out to the field East of my house.  I will grab a crock bowl and pile it full of fresh fluffy snow.  I better scrape off the top layer...just to be safe:-)

Maybe I will share with my Texan husband who has never heard of snow ice cream...Maybe.

PRETTY PAINTED PAPERS WITH PUNCH AND PIZAZZ

PAINTED PAPER

Do you want to wrap a package with something other than store purchased paper or the ever ready and easy gift bag? Well my funky friends I have the solution for your creative fingers.
Years go ( more than thirty)...I know you are thinking.... how can that be,  Zee could not have been creating way back then, she was just a pup:-) I have always had my fingers in the creative pie.  Not always with success but always with vigor.
Anyway, all those years ago I gathered my little chicks together to make a unique paper for their gift giving treasures. I have not recreated this fun experience since then..until today.  I always make little "happy happy's" for my friends and family at Thanksgiving.  I try to make the package different and unique. This year I was stumped as to what to do, then I remembered the fun day we all had creating our own special papers.  I am going to share this technique.  Some of you may have already done this in some form, but maybe like me, you have not thought about it in awhile.

                                              SUPPLIES

 You will need a big plastic bucket or large plastic pan.  Fill with water to the top.

 Gather all your spray paint. All colors work. I like to use a variety, but you can customize if desired. I used metallic for this project too.

 You will need to purchase a roll of butcher's paper. This paper works best for this project.  If you have a local butcher, he will gladly let you buy whatever you may need.Clothes pins to hold your creations to a clothesline or other structure. I would also suggest a pair of rubber gloves and an apron.

PROCESS

 You will randomly spray your selection of colors onto the top of the water in your container.  At this point you need to work fast and do not disturb the paint by mixing it up. Place your butcher's paper directly into the water, making sure it is submerged carefully  The paint will adhere to the paper..like magic.

 The paper comes out with a unique design.  No two alike.  Beautiful.

 Hang delicately onto clothesline or whatever you have.  I used my wire garden fence.

You can see they are all unique and lovely. You can cut the paper to fit whatever size you need.  I find it is easier to work with smaller pieces.
When the papers are dry spray lightly with a clear acrylic to seal. 

                                            ADORNMENTS

When you are ready use your creation, add adornments to really give it added punch. You can add glitter, buttons, sequins, bits and pieces of lace, and any sort of tiny funk you desire.  Ribbons of lace, burlap, twine or rope make nice additions.  Have fun with it and the person receiving the gift will think you really went to a lot of trouble.  You did but wasn't it fun?!!!

I'M TALKIN' TRASH

DISGUSTING PICKS FOR THIS JUNKER

ALLY AND CRAZY STELLA

MY FAITHFUL COMPANIONS

I have a regular routine of picking up the trash on the two roads which border Hawk's Creek.  As most of you know I am a junker and very much used to "pickin'" through all sorts of junk and discarded items. I love making a treasure out of someone else's trash.  I have been doing this since I was a kid.
I also have been picking up trash along the roads of every place I have ever lived. I don't understand why anyone would throw out trash when there are garbage cans everywhere.  What possible joy could anyone get from this disgusting habit?
The two photos here show just one day's "catch". My two companions..Crazy Stella and Ally both loved riding along with me on my old trusty golf cart.  They especially loved it when I picked up something particularly nasty.  These odorous treasures made them jump with excitement when they saw me putting trash bags, gloves and shovels into the golf cart. On this day there was barely room for these girls to ride.
My precious Ally is no longer with us.  She was a beautiful, loving and joy filled friend.  Her illness hurt everyone who had the pleasure of seeing her toothy grin.  Ms. Crazy Stella was lost in spirit for a long time, but our regular trash trips still make her jump quickly into the passenger seat.
I get really tricked off when I see what has been left for me when I exit my driveway.  I make myself a promise that I will stop picking up after these inconsiderate,  ridiculous, thoughtless, people.  A promise I never keep.
I have picked up everything imaginable over my years as the self imposed Trash Patrol.  Never anything of value ( even for this gal who seems to find value in almost everything).  Please, instruct your children and anyone riding with you NOT to discard trash on the passing roadways. It gives our beautiful world a face full of blemishes.

STELLA ROMPING IN A CLEAN ROADSIDE..

LET'S KEEP OUR WORLD BEAUTIFUL..................................

ZAZZY ZEE THE JUNKER WAXES POETIC

APRIL IS POETRY MONTH

Since I am a poet and I love junk and all things rusty and dusty, I thought I would write an ode to my blatant junking habit.  I know all Junkers and collectors of treasures ( no matter what they may be) will identify with my obsession with having more than one of anything!

I am open...open for buying, selling, chatting, dreaming and having adventures...

TREASURE JUNKIE

She's a treasure junkie,                                                       
every corner occupied,
studio art in piles,
empty space is rare.
    THERAPY  IS SUGGETED

Rows of colored bottles dance like
Rockettes on a windowsill stage.
Books partner with vases of
muted pottery while doll's painted
faces laugh behind cupboards
of glass.
     THERAPY IS SUGGESTED

Quilts stacked on handmade boxes color
my world with whimsy.
Curiosities from a whittler's knife
sit amongst spinning tops,
old road signs speak order on a
bathroom wall,
seashells perch on rolls of Charmin...
      THERAPY IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED                     

Perfume bottles, fragile mirrors leave
no toothbrush room,
hats on every peg, table and post,
beads and baubles fill drawers,
no space for "normal" stuff
        THERAPY IS USELESS

Who doesn't like signs with flying horses? Stuff dreams are made of...

And wooden boxes and kegs, these bring to mind Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer floating down the mighty Mississippi...

Architectural elements and all things rusty, iron or metal spell LOVE.

Come on over to Hawk's Creek, we have plenty of chairs for you to relax on and spin a yarn or two.

I always wonder who packed their lunches in these metal treasures.  Where did they work, what joy did they have after a long days labor and did their kids know how hard they worked?

I will find a use for this windmill tail one day.  Until then, I like looking at it as I enter my shop.  It makes me smile, knowing it helped bring water to a long ago farm.

A JUNKER'S LIFE

Take it, it's free
Yes, I'm in charge
This junk belongs to me.

Where did it all come from?
The garage, the attic and storage room.
I'm a junkaholic, a garage sale bum.

Perhaps, I'll stop, I know I should.
There is no more room.  I will stop!                                   
If only I could.

It's an illness, so very detectable.
Bruises, scrapes and an aching back;
picking up an antique or a collectible.

One day it will all come to a halt.
Friends and family will sort through
all I have bought.

They will laugh and say I had a curse.
Joke's on them.
I've rented a U-Haul to go behind my hearse!

WE MUST TAKE TIME TO STAY COOL, CALM AND CORRECTED IN OUR WALK

Yes, it is always good to walk around with Mother Nature. Look at what God has given with a free hand of love. We all love our passions but taking time to reflect helps us to put everything into perspective.

Yes, and of course, while I am doing this, I start collecting seeds, bird's nests and unusual twigs to use in future projects. I guess being a Junker strays into all aspects of our lives. I love it..don't you?

You know this is just waiting to be re-loved into a new life. Let's all be loved and re-loved. We too can be re-purposed.

LOVE IS SPELLED WITH A "C"....... CHOCOLATE

CHOCOLATE--OH CHOCOLATE..THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH

LOVE IS IN THE AIR--I SMELL CHOCOLATE

Valentine's Day is soon upon us and the shops have their colorful eye catching displays ready for lovers to snatch up that special gift for their object of affection. Pretty pinks, reds and all hues in between adorn lovely boxes filled with my favorite confection. CHOCOLATE!

ANTIQUE VALENTINES

Heart shaped treasures wrapped with charming silk ribbons are waiting eagerly to be untied by anxious fingers. Once unleashed from their soft restraints, yummy mounds of luscious chocolate will be available for tasting. Some will be of the dark variety while others will be milky with delectable flavored centers. Caramel filled are my favorites. Well, I really should not say, "favorite" because whatever I am enjoying at the time is my favorite.  I certainly am not a chocolate snob.  Godiva's are divine but so are Hershey's Kisses.

DANCING HEARTS

 

 

 Cannot trust anyone who does not at least like chocolate. I am trying to be flexible here...love just seems so much more appropriate a word.  Sitting by a roaring fire, cuddling close with someone special, sipping hot chocolate, reading love poems--=-strike that last part..not realistic.... laughter, love and chocolate ..can't get much better.

AN EXAMPLE OF A "REAL" LOVE POEM.....

 Hiking on a sunny day, taking a break by a clear running stream munching on a chocolate laced granola bar, yea my kind of snack. Exercising at the gym and stopping on the way home for a cold one...a bottle of Yahoo..that's what I'm talking about. Birthdays are the best. the cake part, especially when covered in a gooey Dutch chocolate frosting. Anyway you slice it (pun intended) chocolate is definitely on my main food group list.

HOW THE CARDS ARE DEALT

 Chocoholics love Valentine's Day. We even love the day after when all the goodies go on sale and we can stock up. Freezing chocolate works quite well.  I should know..move over pork chops here come the Whitman Samplers!

CHOCOHOLICS ALLOW FOR OTHER SWEETS

 

 

 I read once where even a broken heart allows light to come in. John 13:34 commands we love one another.  A good way to spread that love is through sweet treats to all those you love and maybe even those you might love or those who just need loving.

CAN I PLAY..HUH CAN I?

 Love comes in may different packages. it is glorious. "Love" is one of my favorite words..especially when wrapped in a gold Godiva box!

 Love..get wrapped up in it...tangles and all. It is the greatest gift.

 

THE BEAUTY OF ICE

HOUSEBOUND AT HAWK'S CREEK

CABIN FEVER..HAVE CAMERA WILL TRAVEL..EVEN IF JUST TO THE FROZEN YARD

Beautiful pyracantha sports ice with flair.

This handsome fellow is all decked out for the holidays. His buddies sure are cute. they are feasting on my offerings.  Will be filling their table with yummies daily.

He looks like he might be saying.."Enough, already"..I testify to that..

I have to admit it is stunning.  The ice enhances the color of everything.

White on white. no time or desire to sit and contemplate today.

Ouch! Hope this ornamental is forgiving.

Even blanketed in ice and snow this future project is interesting and gets me to thinking of what it will be in its next life.

Icicles...delightful memories of pulling icicles from their roof edge home. Playing swordfight or just tasting their icy flavor.

Former residents now basking in the Southern sun.

My poor lettuce. hopefully it too will be forgiving.

Kind of feel like this little guy.  Up to my ears in ice and cold.  He has a smile on his cheery face..guess I should take a cue from him...trying,  but being housebound, even at wonderful Hawk's Creek,  can be a challenge for this antsy project oriented gardener with a passion for rusty junk.