Ch-ch-ch-changes, part 2

I usually put up a project on Thursday.  Didn’t do it last week, not doing it this week.  

But I will take a few minutes to explain what is going on just in case you only check out the site on Thursday for the DIY. 

When I first bought my domain, KTGreenDesign.com, the “design” referred to web design. I thought I’d make a little money creating websites.  But I really hated coding in HTML.  

(Incidentally, the K is for Kathy and the T for Terry.  Just in case he ever wanted to jump on the blog wagon.)

Then I thought I’d just blog about a healthy lifestyle–exercising, cooking, diets, places to go and the money from advertising would follow. That’s when Michelle came on board with her recipes. But I discovered that there is no money from advertising and I’m not really all that healthy.

So I started blogging about DIY and our adventures here in Perfect.  Posted lots of photos. Decided I didn’t really care if I made any money on my blog.  It’s just fun!  And that was working out well.  I get a lot of visitors from Pinterest and other DIY websites.

But the blog has gradually taken on more of a local view and now my readers are primarily from the state of Florida. (Or people that want to be in the state of Florida.)   And that’s been really fun because there is so much to do here and places to go and things for me to write about.

I’m still sewing and quilting.  Doing a few mosaics here and there. Decorating my house. Refurbishing furniture. Working in my many gardens.  But it just doesn’t fit here anymore.

So, I’ve decided to move all my DIY to a new website.  When Michelle is ready to start posting again, she’ll be on the new site as well.  

The local stuff will stay right here on Just a Slice of Life in Perfect

I thought I’d have the new site up by today, but that would mean I’d actually have to stay home and work on it.  

Come on, I have parades to attend. Pictures to take. Banjos to play.

My new goal is to get it up by next Thursday.  So be here next week and I’ll give you the new URL,

or a new excuse!

Kathy

Friday Meanderings

It’s been a strange week for us.  Started out with Terry and I studying the plans for the future Old Homosassa sidewalks and discovering that we would lose seven large oak trees that help create our canopy.  I updated my post from Sunday about the sidewalk plans with the email I sent and the responses.  I was feeling hopeful.

Then on Wednesday I was “cc:d” along with Commissioner Ron Kitchen on the following email from Randy Oliver, County Administrator, to Jeff Rodgers, the Director of Public Works.  

Jeff: 

Would you ask someone to follow up with Mrs. Green and copy Commissioner Kitchens and myself on the response. 

Thanks, 

Randy

Haven’t heard anything.  Now I’m perplexed.  Will follow up with Mr. Oliver next week.

Meanwhile, I’ve been busy busy busy letting all of the “locals” know about the tree issue.

The Old Homosassa Heritage Council had a town meeting at the Civic Club on Tuesday. We are moving forward with fund raising to purchase and refurbish the water tower.  Very Exciting!  

Homosassa Water Tower

I couldn’t find a lot going on in the county that I wanted to attend this weekend–probably because we already have plans.  But if we get a chance, we’ll be stopping by the Visitor Center on US 19 at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park on Saturday for the arts and crafts show by local artists.  

There is a lot coming up!

February 21st is the next open house at Three Sisters Springs.  This is a GREAT event. Sponsored by the Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, you can catch a bus at Kings Bay Plaza.  With the weather being a bit chilly, you are ensured of seeing manatees. Possibly hundreds of them.  And you don’t even have to get in the water, you can view them from the boardwalk. Plus–it’s free!

Right here in Old Homosassa, on March 6th and 7th from 5 – 9  we will be having the Luminary Art Nights. We have some great art spots here.  I’m planning on helping out Watsons Art Gallery & Studio.  If you haven’t stopped there already, you must.  Check out the art and then have dinner at one of our several fun restaurants on either side of the river.

On March 14th it’s the Shrimpapalooza!  Sponsored by the Homosassa Springs Rotary Club, this is nothing but fun.  A parade.  Beads. A festival.  Beads.  Bands. Beads. Food. Beads. Have I convinced you yet?  We like to take at least one grandkid….

Beads!
Shrimpapalooza 2014!
Shrimpapalooza 2013
Shrimpapalooza 2013!

 I think that’s it for now.  

Have a great weekend and Valentine’s Day!

Kathy

2015_02_09maggie

Friday Meanderings

Just want to apologize to all my northern friends before I start rambling about my garden problems.  You’ve have had so much SNOW this year and you are still digging out.   (But  let me ask–why do you still live there?)

Here in central Florida, it’s time to start planning the spring vegetable garden. 

Time to till up the soil, fertilize, decide what exactly will be planted.

But not for me.  I’ve decided that my two raised vegetable beds in my back yard are done. Kaput. Set to be flattened. The damn squirrels have won.  So many squash blossoms have been “squirreled away”. So many tomatoes have been bitten or chewed.  

Besides the squirrels, there is the shade canopy.  We have a lot of big trees that are just getting bigger and not much sun is hitting those beds anymore. (Not complaining, I love each and everyone of those trees.)

The few organic tomatoes that I actually got last year would have been a lot cheaper at the most expensive organic market. 

And besides all of those reasons, it’s a lot of physical labor and my back has decided that it just wants to work on flowers.  Gotta do what the back says!

I’ll continue growing herbs.  Rosemary, oregano, and chives never die.  I’ve probably had the original plants for over five years.  I’m putting parsley and dill in pots and placing them in the few sunny places in the yard.  I’m not much of a cook but parsley and dill are very rewarding to me because I love the butterflies.

Butterflies in the Garden, Eastern Black Swallowtail
Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar, full grown larvae, on parsley.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs
Swallowtail Butterfly Eggs on dill.
In the Garden, Eastern Swallowtail
Swallowtail on parsley.  So pretty.  Looking forward to their return when it gets a little warmer.

And now that you have looked at these pretty pictures, I need to ask….

Have you been looking at my “project 365” photos?   I’m taking a pic every day and posting them.  It’s been a challenge.  I’m always taking pictures–but taking a good picture that I feel is “post worthy”? Not so easy.  And then there are the days that I take a lot of really GOOD photos.  And can only use one.  

Today is day 42! We are going out and about today so I should have a photo to post that isn’t from the back yard!

Besides taking lots of pictures, I’ve been busy in the community. Wednesday as a volunteer at the animal shelter, the first Monday night of the month at the Homosassa Civic Club plus a few monthly meetings for Old Homosassa Preservation Society.  

Speaking of the Old Homosassa Preservation Society, our next meeting is Tuesday at 5:30 at the Homosassa Civic Center.  This is a big one.  We bought the tower.  Now we have to get the money together to preserve the tower and other historical places in Homosassa. BE THERE!  Or send us a bucket of money.  I’m okay with that.

And then there’s the acoustic music group that I joined last year. 

We meet at the Coastal Region Library in Crystal River and we finally have a regular schedule.  The first and third Monday of every month from 2 to 4:30.  Acoustic musicians, singers, and listeners are all invited. 

Acoustic Music Group
Two happy banjos and a lot of guitars!

And after looking at that picture you might think you need to be a senior citizen to be in this group.  NOT SO!  Eleven-year-old Jimmy has stopped in during our last two sessions.  He is a beginning guitar player.  He doesn’t stay long but he seems to enjoy hanging out with us while he’s there! (oh no, do you think he might be looking for a foster-grandparent?)

If you want to join us and have questions, give Paula Bateman a call at 260-316-4099.  Otherwise, just come on over!

And now what’s going on this weekend?

Well, first there’s the Best Friend Expo at the Citrus County Auditorium on Saturday.  This is your chance to meet all of those pooches and kitties that need a home. 

I’m still pondering the water issues in Florida so Terry and I are attending the “Florida’s Springs and the Sustainability of the Floridan Aquifer” at 10 am on Saturday at the Ellie Schiller Education Center in Yankeetown. 

There’s a car show on 44 between Inverness and Floral City.

But what we are REALLY looking forward to is the Open House at La Casa of Mason Creek.  I’ve posted dozens of photos of this place over the years.  We watched it being built and even took a little “self-guided” tour. It’s been on the market forever and someone finally bought it!  The new owner has turned it into an event venue and vacation rental.  The open house will include many local vendors that want to turn your wedding or event into something extraordinary.  The open house is from 3 – 7.  Oh yes, I’m taking my CAMERA!

Just another morning in Perfect
La Casa of Mason Creek from the canal side
La Casa of Mason creek
And from Mason Creek.

The weather is supposed to be beautiful here in sunny Florida so we will out on the road getting lots of pictures.

Have a great weekend!

Kathy