LINKY PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #39

Welcome to another fantastic party!

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>  

 

 

 

Are you ready to party?
 

We're your co-hosts:
 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Jenn @ Endlessly Inspired

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
My feature this week is DIY Vintage Christmas Shirts



from Kiley at DIY with Grant and Kiley!  I love her options for the men in her life!  Crafting for boys can be so very difficult, but Kiley pulls it off quite nicely!
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Garden Guest: House Finches in Snow

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page! 

 

This lovely couple is a pair of House Finches on a very snowy day.  The female is more brown, while the male has red on his head, throat and breast.  You can see they are enjoying black oil sunflower seeds from a tube feeder.  Aren't they gorgeous?

 

Moving on to some blogging music...

 

Enya, White is in the Winter Night

 

 

 Warm wishes from our home to yours!

;-)  -Marci

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Join Me at Inspiration Cafe!

It's my day at Inspiration Cafe!  (Hey, that rhymes!)

 

Please join me! 

 

;-)  -Marci

Merry Christmas!

;-)  -Marci

LINKY PARTY! Join us for Tuesdays with a Twist!

Welcome to another fantastic party!

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>  

 

 

 

Are you ready to party?
 

We're your co-hosts:
 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Jenn @ Endlessly Inspired

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
My feature this week is My Experience Owning a Hedgehog



from Brittany Ruth at The Rococo Roamer!  Look at that adorable hedgehog face!
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Christmas Vacation

Hello, Everyone!

 

This is going to be a busy week for us, like many of you, I'm sure!  I will be on somewhat of a 'blog vacation'.  Please join me for the linky party

 

Tuesdays with a Twist

 

 

as well as my regular contribution to

 

Inspiration Café

 

 

on the last Friday of each month (this Friday). 

 

Otherwise, it will be a quiet blog week from my Stone Cottage.  I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

 

;-)  -Marci

Facebook Feature!

One of my favorite blogs is Truly Lovely.  Kassi and Kayli are such sweethearts!  (You may have noticed their "Fancy This Fridays"  button on my side bar!  It's a great link party!)  They have been so kind to feature my Poinsettia Wreath

 

 

 on their Truly Lovely Facebook Page!  Thank you, ladies!  What an honor!

 

;-)  -Marci

Book Review: I Want to be Her

How Friends & Strangers Shaped My Style, by Andrea Linett.

 

 

Here's the blurb from Bas Bleu:

 

Who of us hasn't noticed a particularly chic and confident woman and wondered what it would be like to walk in her shoes? This unconventional little book charts the development of fashion stylist/writer/ director Andrea Linett's personal style via the women whose looks she admired from her childhood to the present. From her mom, a powerful career woman with an Annie Hall–like aesthetic, to a scantily clad older woman she saw on a beach, Linett relates the fashion ideas and tips--as well as life lessons--she's amassed over the years from friends and family, strangers and celebrities. Anne Johnston Albert's winsome illustrations add to the charm of it all. Trend-watchers as well as those whose style could use a reboot will treasure this lighthearted and inspirational fashion memoir.

 

What I notice first about this book is that the author and I must be close to the same age as she references looks that I tried, too.  Sadly, most of my looks have been complete failures!  While I certainly do not consider myself a trendsetter or fashionista of any sort, this was such a fun little book.  The drawings are quite extraordinary.  I enjoyed this journey through the author's closet from child to adult.  It is a quick, playful read.

If I were to write a similar book, I would have to include Patty's blog, Not Dead Yet Style, and the many inspiring looks from her link party, Visible Monday!
 

;-)  -Marci

 

 

Poinsettia Wreath

My front door is looking more festive now!  Would you like to me to show you how I made this wreath?



Did you see my post about sewing Fabric Poinsettias?  They were tons of fun and whipped up all quick and easy! 



Next, I grabbed my Interchangeable Wreath!


 

Candy cane ribbon was wrapped around the entire form.  Next, the poinsettias and a couple of felt leaves were pinned in place.  Let's go in for a closer look!

 

 

I may add a few more leaves, but haven't really decided.  Those gold buttons add just enough shimmer to make me smile!

 

 

My front door is ready to greet visitors with a warm "Merry Christmas" and so am I!

 

;-)  -Marci

 

 

What I Need...

;-)  -Marci

LINK PARTY: Tuesdays with a Twist #37

Welcome to another fantastic party!

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>  

 

 

 

Are you ready to party?
 

We're your co-hosts:
 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Jenn @ Endlessly Inspired

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
My feature this week Bath Fizzies



from Cats on the Homestead
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

 

Literary Junkies Link Party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you love books?  Me, too!  Will you please join me today at the monthly Literary Junkies Link Party?

 

Here are this month's questions: 

 

1) What are you currently reading? Tell us about it! 

 

'Just finished "The Girls of Atomic City" by Denise Kiernan.  Check out my review HERE.  "Fear in the Sunlight" by Nicola Upson is setting on my night stand, but I haven't actually started it yet. 

2) How many books have you read this year? Do you set reading goals for yourself?

 

My current goal is to read one book per week until the time changes again in the Spring.

3) What do you think are the best and worst book-to-movie/TV show adaptations?

 

I'm seldom impressed with the adaptations although I do love J.R.R. Tolkein and all of those movies.

4) What is the first line of your favorite book?

 

In the beginning...

5) What's your favorite quote from a book?

 

Oh, so many...  Hmmm...  Let's go with "She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain".  ;-)

 

;-)  -Marci

Garden Guest: Cardinals in the Snow

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page! 



In this photo, a male cardinal and a goldfinch with winter plumage share cover in our mulberry tree.

 

For some blogging music today, I'm choosing Laura Bell Bundy's Two Step.

 

 

Warm wishes from our home to yours!

;-)  -Marci

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Sparkle

;-)  -Marci

Fabric Poinsettias

First the inspiration:  Fabric Flowers from Made with My Two Hands!  You must stop by and see hers!  They are much better than mine!  'Very pretty!  Her technique is slightly different than mine, which frankly resulted in better flowers.



Here's mine and what I did.



The basic flower is made by cutting a circle of fabric.  I made two sizes using a saucer and a cereal bowl for my patterns.  Anything round will work.  Cut the circle in half.  Fold the half circle in half and sew a long straight stitch along the curved edge.  Gather.  This makes each petal.  Next, I used hot glue and attached them to a cardboard circle.  They could also be sewn.

 

Five petals seemed about right to me, but of course, you could certainly layer more.  Next, I glued another circle of cardboard on top!

 

 

Done!  In one afternoon, I made several and love them!  'Can't wait to show you what I'm doing with them!

 

;-)  -Marci

 

Book Review: The Girls of Atomic City

The Untold Story of The Women who Helped Win World War II, by Denise Kiernan.

Here is what Bas Bleu writes about this book. 

World War II was raging in Europe when, in a remote valley in East Tennessee, the U.S. government began construction on a secret military complex. The compound at Oak Ridge was built for a single purpose: to enrich enough uranium to fuel an atomic bomb. Yet with so many men fighting overseas, it fell to America's women to staff the sprawling complex as janitors, secretaries, machine operators, instructors, nurses, mathematicians, and scientists. This fascinating biography finally brings their stories -- and their history-making service -- to light.

 

It had never crossed my mind who built the atomic bomb much less how they did it.  This book was absolutely fascinating to me!  Denise tells the story of these remarkable young women and their day to day lives as they are working to enrich uranium and racing to build the first atomic bomb.  Chapters alternate between the perspective of each of the characters who played very different roles.  They tell why they want this terrible war to end and the impact it has had on their family.  From world renowned scientists to nurses to janitors, the individual stories come to light.

 

I loved this book and definitely recommend it!

 

What are you reading?

 

;-)  -Marci

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #36

Welcome to another fantastic party!

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>  

 

 

 

Are you ready to party?
 

We're your co-hosts:
 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Jenn @ Endlessly Inspired

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
My features this week are Snowman Kit



from Making our Sustainable Life.  What a CUTE idea!

And Owl Ornament Tutorial



from   Make It Easy Crafts.  What a gorgeous little owl!
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Winter

Usually, I really enjoy living where there are four distinct seasons.  Whatever is coming next, I get excited about it.  Well...  'Dunno why, but this year I am mad about winter.  It makes no sense, but this is how I feel about it.

 

How are you feeling about it?

;-)  -Marci

Garden Guest: Cardinals

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page! 

 

These photos are from our sweet cousin, Ruby!  She took them through her window, so they are just a smidge distorted. 

 

I think they are beautiful though!   Can you see the lovely wooded scenery in the background?  She lives on a peaceful mountain in the Ozarks. Thank you, Ruby, for sharing these photos! 

Even if you live in town, like we do, you can still provide native plants, food, water and cover for birds and other wildlife.  Consider creating habitat wherever you can!

For blogging music, here's Jason Mraz singing Walking in a Winter Wonderland

 

and just because I love his voice, here's Jason again with Rainbow Connection.

 

 
Warm wishes from our home to yours!

;-)  -Marci

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Herbs: A Place to Begin... Soap Making Kit

Being part of our county's Master Gardener Speakers Guild is a lot of fun. My program is titled "Herbs: A Place to Begin". It is for anyone who might be curious about growing herbs or is just beginning to use them. I give simple advice for ways to incorporate tasty herbs into your every day life. After such a sweet reception to my presentation, I will be adding regular posts about herbs.  

Watch for the ones titled "A Place to Begin".  Here's a fun craft idea for kiddos.  Soap!

 

Now, you know I make lye soap, but that's not what I'm talking about.  Lye is very toxic and certainly not recommended around children.  However soap making kits are quick, simple and fun!  Like one of these!



Your favorite cutie pie can chop the herbs and add the color while you're melting the soap.  There are so many combinations of herbs that work well together!  Experiment and be creative!  



After a quick stir, it gets poured into the mold.



We kept some of the molded soaps for bath time with frogs and turtles!  The others were a gift for a very deserving Kindergarten teacher!  He loved giving her something he had made!

Would you like some simple recipes using fresh herbs?  Take a peek at my Recipes Page!  If you are interested in growing herbs, there are quite a few tips on my Gardening Page!  I'd love for you to visit my Stone Cottage each week as my little series continues.  If you are new to herbs,  I can give a place to begin!

;-)  -Marci