180 Degrees

She had made plans to go to Saba, but now a new door has opened for her. She will leave August 18th for Maadi to teach science for a year. It will be a year of freedom and magic. Congratulations my darling. I am so very proud of you.

Getting Ornamental

"The desire to adorn is as ancient as we are." - Linda Joan Smith

"The first spiritual want of a barbarous man is decoration." - Thomas Carlyle

"If you search 'garden ornament' in amazon you'll find 3,072 results." - Liberty Post

Garden Ornament Recipe

Mix well. A bit of this and a little of that. Add your own signature ingredients and decorative style:

1. Architectural pieces
2. Pergola
3. Treillage
4. Ironwork
5. Water feature
6. Fountain
7. Grotto
8. Statuary
9. Urns and vases
10.Furniture

Lichen, Moss and Soul

Once discovered, your first reaction will be to rock them back and forth and drag their damp heaviness out of this dirt. Upon further quiet reflection and sips of limeade over ice, you decide that perhaps the perfect spot for them is right where they are. There is a memory; an imprint of a gardener's hands whose soul left them there. Yes. They will stay.

The Ultimate Garden Ornament

If you don't have one, you need one. They come in different sizes and colours. Something for everyone.

The Evil Eye, Getting Feisty & Becoming Kick Ass

Maya, as in Angelou did it to me. And Trump. He sucked me into the vortex. I'm in the 'driven' mode. As in focused, determined, move out of my way, get in, get out, go home phase. And it feels good. So good. (forgive me if I swear in any comments)

I'm loving, killin' for a tree like this in my garden. Please send evil eyes soon.

Lollipops Growing In The Garden

I sway between wanting bursts of many colours to not wanting any; just green. Then, I twist back to loving monochromatic looks like just white or red or pink. Yellow is and always has been my last choice (for anything) so yellow ornaments would not be my thing. You know me. I love blue. So pretty much anything blue will get the two 'green' thumbs up. How about you? What colours do you like in your garden and what types of ornaments do you have?

Heart Shaped Birthday Wishes for Mom

There is no other reader as loyal and as critical as you Mom. Thank you for being the very first person to see every single post. How do you do that? Thank you for your non-judgemental input and positive critiques. Thank you for the ideas. (ah yah...I get stories from my Mom) You are a objective blogging coach. Hey, perhaps you could adopt some international bloggers and help them too. Happy Birthday Mom. I love you. Fresh Fish Forever. xo (family secret...perhaps she - Mom - will let me tell you some day.)

Horse in the Bed (be nice or else)

Please. Cause, I just found out that I am a 'Blogmother' and I have to tell you, I'm likin' it. Sounds very influential. xo (Yes, I do remember that it's 'Garden Ornament' week, but I couldn't resist thanking my new blog friend and I am after all the one in charge. Kapeesh?)

Only A Wake In The Sea

"Traveler, the path is nothing more than your footsteps; traveler, there is no path, a path is made as you go. You make the path as you go, and on looking back you see a trail that never can be walked again. Traveler, there is no path, only a wake in the sea." - Antonio Machado

Traveler, if you take a few steps back and reflect on this quote once more, you'll see that the path of life, relationships and blogging is identical. I want to thank This Old Farm who bestowed 'The Twin Award - You Make Me Smile and Super Commenter'. That is a wonderful honour! When I went over to This Old Farm I met Bobbie, and then I found the above quote.

I must apologize. I really suck at figuring out how to place the award images. (you must go to This Old Farm to grab the award icons!) Heck, I just focus on my strengths!

Here are the Liberty Choices for these incredible Smile/Commenter Awards:(Everyone is truly deserving of these twin awards. Everyone makes me smile. xo)

Joni at Cote de Texas: Shoot from the hip, loyal, expert, honest, taste, style, class. Joni writes feature length posts with a lot of 'meat' to them. It's edutainment inspiration. Joni will be the blogger who will become a world famous author of several design books. Thank you for your comments!

At Home With The Farmer's Wife: Her comments are every bit as good as her incredible posts. loyal, hilarious, sometimes off the wall, sometimes extremely thoughtful - thought provoking. The Farmer's Wife will be the blogger who writes several best-sellers and several movie deals/film scripts. Thank you for your comments!

My Marrakesh: Maryam has a way of making everyone feel special, loved, accepted and when she comments it's as if you are the only person she is thinking about. Character. Happy. (that's why everything she touches turns to gold...and what a perfect host for Peacock Pavilions.) Maryam will be the blogger who phones me one day to say, 'please come for a visit'. (wink wink nudge nudge) Thank you for your comments!

Laura Neulat, Inventive Chef and Owner of A World in a Pan (yes, can you believe it! she is one of my readers. shivers.) and publisher of Laura's Paris Cooking Notebook. Of course she is oh so very smart, creative and caring. Laura will be the blogger who also invites me to her Paris. (wink wink) Thank you for your comments!

Life in Red Shoes: comical, sensitive, loving, refreshing, family gal. Read her every morning. She is so real. I dig her blog. I can really see this blogger's blog experiencing critical mass - a wave of new readers are coming her way. (you'd think I had esp or something) Thank you for your comments!

Hidden in France: romantic, lovely, cheeky, smart, writer, passion, vulnerable, strong. She writes things like, "Melt in mouth cute." Who writes such things? I adore this blog. Readers are falling in love with her. Thank you for your comments!

Made by Girl: sexy blog, graphic lovely, clean design, hip, cutting-edge, ahead of the design curve. Will grow up to be the most famous of bloggers, paper girls, designers, TV personality..maybe even her own real magazine, shop. This blogger rocks! Thank you for your comments!

Plus, all the blogs you see over to the right....look to the right and down a bit...that's it...right there...my blog tour. I guarantee you will fall in lust with all of those bloggers. Oh, have you visited 'From The House of Edward'?

Now travellers, take the path of least resistance. Do as I say. Put everything you must do to the side for 1/2 hour and visit the blogs on my blog tour. Together we will leave 'only a wake in the sea'.

Vintage Gliders

Let me take you back to that weekend in the 1930's. It was so humid you could hear the heat bugs hissing. Perhaps it was a holiday in the 1950's. The neighbours are grilling steak and you can hear the muffled baseball game on the radio across the street. A young girl brushes her Dolly's hair. A young Mother is cuddling a toddler with a skinned knee. An energetic teenage boy is prepping his baseball glove. The tired Dad is sipping lemonade, smoking his cigarette and reading the newspaper. A loving Grandmother is swinging back and forth on the same porch glider peeling apples for her Sunday pie. There is nothing else to say. I think you have the picture in your mind. Feel it. Take in the scent of the roses. Watch that bumble bee bouncing from bloom to bloom. Now, try; just try to resist longing for one for your own porch or garden patio.

Garden Ornament Graveyard (A Happy One)

I know, I know. That sounds like a contradiction and well, quite frankly, it is. All these magnificent artifacts, architectural gems and such were spewn across this highway (Number Four) property in Lucan, Ontario. I could have spent hours there. Clicking away. Instead, I had to go. (Why is life such a hurried affair?) Rushing. Rushing. Driving. Now that I'm home (and smart enough to visit the library) I am truly enjoying this book. It's official. Garden Ornament Week here at Liberty Post starts.....right....now!!!

Amy Butler's New Birdie Sling and Book

She has a new sewing pattern! But wait! First I want to ask you if you have ever seen all of her lifestyle photos? Oh my, oh my. Now feast your eyes (if you haven't overdosed already) on her new creation. Absolutely glorious style. Oh so very Midwest Modern! (I own the book and I adore it.) Did I mention she has a brand new book too? Well, she does! Check it out.

Photo Credits: David Butler, Amy's husband.

Swinging Full Circle

I love when good stories come full circle. One of my favorite blogs is Garden Rooms. The latest post features child-friendly outdoor spaces. To my delight, one of the photos was of the Granville Millinery property. Amy is such a huge talent. The attention to detail, quality and originality is second to none. Amy is a true artist in every sense of the word. Time to swoon...here is her look book and here is the full 'swing' circle tale. Read how a Victoria magazine (June 2002) inspired a painting that would end up in Amy's house. If anyone out there has the original magazine would you mind scanning the 'hat' photo for me? libertypost@gmail.com

libertypost@gmail.com

Maya Angelou and the Chicken Breast

"Maya! Grab the chicken breast out of the fridge." called Oprah

"Damn that Suzanne anyway." muttered Maya as she struggled to open the gigantic sub-zero.

"Hurry will you. Pulleeze." said Oprah from the yard.

"All great achievements require time." hushed Maya.

"They're waiting. Patiently waiting." said Oprah tapping her toe on the manicured grass.

" I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. And that's just what the farmer's wife is doing." said Maya under her breath.

"They're still wayyyting." huffed Oprah.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. I'm so glad Suzanne has that idea board above her computer. Darn it all anyway. Where's the darn chicken?" said Maya

"My word. Maya, you've gone and done it now. They've taken off." said Oprah as she walked into the kitchen.

"My life has been one great big joke, a dance that's walked a song that's spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself." said Maya as she took a bite of the chicken breast. "Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning. I must call that farmer's wife tomorrow morning and let her know that the goshdiggin' notes aren't worth a penny if she doesn't get them all into action."

"Who are you talking to?" asked Oprah

"Liberty Post readers who are reading about The Farmer's Wife's story inspiration board and why in god's name do you need chicken?" asked Maya.

"To train the dogs."

I Have Some Thank You's

Another week has wizzed by at lightening speed. Thunderbolts have been plenty and dreams of thunderbirds fill my thoughts. I want to send some thank you's to some of my dear blogging friends. I don't seem to take the time to do this often enough. Abbey of NYC Abbey Goes Design Scouting, Abigail Paper and Abigail Vintage fame has added my blog to her links. How cool is that! And then...Made by Girl was interviewed here and said this after being asked "If you could meet 5 other bloggers that you have never met before, who would they be?", she answered "Super duper lady from Liberty Post Editor" !!! Big Hug! Finally (and I hope I haven't forgotten anyone else) is my pal Alexa of Fiore Fresco from Seattle, WA who nominated me for The Brillant Weblog Award 2008 !!! Thanks Alexa!

Scenic Route

You don't have to travel far to have a holiday. No long flight to exotic lands nor swaying train car to rocky mountain highs. All is required is your willingness to 'open your eyes' to your own personal landscapes, public places and private spaces. The nooks and crannies; the alley and boulevards. Take a tour to your friends' homes, your neighbours, your family. It's all there. Already waiting. The people, their stories. I challenge you to take an intimate 'Scenic Route' in your own world. There you will realize the dream you are living. Here is mine. Show me yours.

Can We Count On You?

I've lived this. I've breathed this. Can we count on you?

Junior Swimmer

Life is strung together by a fine thread; floating, bobbing, splashing. Most of the time it's about treading water to keep your nose 'just' above the surface. Life is a string of synchronized meetings and perhaps some happenstance. It all began with a little art desk spotted on the side of the road. Perfect, I thought for my six year old niece. Although I didn't buy the twenty dollar charmer at this yard sale, I did spy this vintage Red Cross swimming pin. My heart sank. I had earned one just like it years ago. Many years ago. I guess the 'Yardsailor' (Liberty speak for someone who hosts a yard sale and/or attends many yard sales often) noticed my joy and sighs. She came closer and whispered in my ear, 'You can have that. Take it.' I nearly jumped in her arms. Silly I know, but it was so familiar and nostalgic and aged just right. Carefully, I tucked it in my cotton pocket. Now the story comes full circle. My niece is taking swimming lessons. She is cautious and shy, yet she moves each day in a direction of earning 'Junior Swimmer'. Holding my breath she passes. Then she will receive this coveted pin (in a very special way).

Go Fish

Gee. I missed you guys. I missed being in the school (of fish..ah, I mean bloggers.) I missed your colourful uniquenesses and humor. But, I'm back now. Back from business. Head full of numbers and strategies and policies. I am tuckered out poopered. I just read the most incredible compliment. This makes my day. (more about that tomorrow.) Off to bed. See you all first thing in the morning. Good Night.

Africa For Sale

It's a place for growth, giving and greatness.

8x8 inch gallery wrapped canvas

Original Mixed Media

libertypost@gmail.com

$60.00