Taking care of ourselves & our planet

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Green world from my past




I remember all these events very clearly...having a sense a calmness from the beautiful green world around me! Happy first weekend of Spring!

Springtime
by Blanche Black

In the glow of the dawn,
Welcome a new day,
Greet the golden sunlight or rain,
Nature in all its subtlety.
Whip of the wind,
Earth unfolds,
Softly falling rain,
Growing plants and buds blossoming.
Visions of the earth, with glories of nature,
Beauty of the daffodils,
Sunshine and rain from a rainbow,
Awe! Nature in full bloom

Rising in early morn
Birds with note loud and musical
Lustrous species adorned with rich bicolors glowing,
Attracting attention from movements of character unvarying.
Birds building nests in the spring
Sound of sweet melody, humming birds sing
Sunshine spreading a colorful blanket
Tis the perfect joy of spring!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Trees, glorious, trees!

I don't know that anyone knows how much I LOVE trees! They are so beautiful and green! They enrich our lives in so many ways!

Their beauty and color improve the environmental aesthetics, and they clean our air by filtering pollution and producing oxygen. They are magnificient living organisms!

God is the experience of looking at a tree and saying, "Ah!"
- Joseph Campbell

I presented at a local Arbor Day Celebration today and was, once again, reminded of the beauty of nature. Sunny skies, budding trees, and cool spring winds make me so happy!

Imagine my sense of pride during the planning stages of coordinating 2 separate tree planting programs in my neighborhood when I was adoringly referred to as "The Tree Lady." I met over 80 of my neighbors and love the sense of community that planting trees provided.

In honor of Arbor Day Celebrations all over the world, I'd like to share this poem.

Breath
by J. Daniel Beaudry

Tree, gather up my thoughts
like the clouds in your branches.
Draw up my soul
like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk
bring me together.
Through your leaves
breathe out the sky.

Monday, March 1, 2010

3 F’s: Free, Fun and Family

Green Girl is thrilled to announce that she will be appearing at the following FREE, FUN, and FAMILY events in the Fort Worth area this Spring.

Haltom City Arbor Days

  • This program (for children and adults) is designed to inform, entertain and make individuals think about the value of trees as well as their own personal impact on the world.
  • March 13, 2010: 10:30am-11:30am

Cowtown Great American Clean Up

  • Cleaning up Fort Worth one neighborhood at a time
  • Keep Fort Worth Beautiful Mission: “To educate and engage Fort Worth residents to take responsibility for improving their community environment.”
  • April 10, 2010

Fort Worth Prairie Fest

  • An outdoor festival to celebrate our connection to the natural world through Music, Art, Dance, Environmental Stewardship & Wildflower Tours.
  • April 24, 2010: 10am-8pm

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Cute, crafty creations for Christmas!

I just LOVE making gifts for my family and friends for Christmas! I've never been much of a shopper but I do enjoy going to local craft shows to get ideas of things I can make by either sewing, painting or iron-on transfers. Here are some ideas to make personalized gifts that your loved ones will never forget!

This first idea I got from one of my high school friend's moms who made it for her kids. What a GREAT way to reduce waste (wrapping paper) by making these huge, monogrammed Christmas cloth gift bags. Looks like Santa delivered them himself!


My family always enjoys the personalized calendars I make them each year with all the birthdays and anniversaries listed. I also make sure to get a family picture each year when we are all together so that I can include that picture as well. (I had to do a little photoshop work to put a missing family member in the picture but it worked!)


One year, I made different versions of these crosses for each of my friends. I picked out some scrapbooking paper that reminded me of them, some coordinating craft paint, some plain wooden crosses and got to work.


Sewing and iron-on transfers were a big part of these grandparent gifts I made a few years back.

Some sewing, shape cutters and lamination can get you a long way! Check out this padded photo book I made for my nieces.


So, HAVE FUN...BE CREATIVE...BE RESOURCEFUL!

Your family and friends will love you for it!