I've been really bad about blogging - almost a month since my last post! Things have been hectic here and I've put off posting. I'm leaving tomorrow for Europe!! I'm going on a river boat cruise to the Netherlands and Belgium. I can't wait! I think I'm all packed and ready to go. I'm really looking forward to seeing the tulips in Holland and all the architecture. Hopefully I'll have some good photos to post when I return. Had a crisis about a week ago. Got the final documents for my trip and I noticed that it said that passports had to be valid for 6 months after returning from a trip. I looked at my passport which I thought expired in 2010. Much to my surprise, it expires this June! I rushed to the passport office and found out that I didn't have enough time to even get a expedited passport. I looked on line and found some companies that say they can expedite a passport anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks. I made some calls and picked one of the companies. I wasn't sure they were even legit!! Luckily they were and I had a new passport in 4 days. Whew - that was a close call.

Spring is supposed to be here. Sunday it was beautiful and 80 degrees! Today it is in the 30's and we're getting some snow flurries. Had to cover my vegetable garden last night. Here's a picture of my rhodendron bush in full bloom with snow surrounding it. I'm hoping it survives.

The 2009 Paws For Charity Art Book is now ready for ordering! That's the book I mentioned in my last post that includes a picture of my cat Smudge. Go to www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/606337 to preview and/or order. (When you preview the book it only shows the first 15 pages. Smudge's picture is not on the first 15 pages - guess you'll have to order the book to see him)!! Remember, all funds raised from the sales of the book are directly donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade by blurb.com (the book publisher).

That's it for now. Have to finish last minute things. Until I return...

I received great news the other day. One of my photographs has been chosen to be published in a book where all the proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer charities! Sara Harley is an animal lover and lost her mother to breast cancer. Sara has put together a book of animal photographs and art work and the proceeds will go to research for Breast Cancer. I am honored that she has chosen my photo of my cat Smudge.

What is "Paws for Charity"? Paws for Charity was created several years ago by four women who ran dog businesses and used their businesses to raise money for breast cancer charity. When the group was started, Sara ran a dog biscuit business and sold a package called "Crunch for a Cure". One hundred percent of the proceeds was donated to breast cancer charity. Last year, she sold her dog biscuit business and Paws for Charity languished. This year, she decided to focus on fund raising through Paws for Charity through two projects. Two of the other Paws for Charity founders continue to sell their products to raise funds, and this year will be raising funds for different charities. Paws for Charity is not a registered charity, but we do raise funds for registered charities.

What is the "Art Book Project"?
2009 is the first year for this project. A 40 page book is being created using donated art and photograph images from the US, UK, and Canada. The book features dogs and cats (and one teddy bear!) (the PAWS part of the project) and all proceeds raised will be donated to breast cancer charities (the FOR CHARITY part of the project).

Why are you donating to breast cancer? Why not an animal charity?
Sara's mom died of breast cancer when she was 21, so it's a very personal cause for her. She thought it might be unique to use the bond we feel for our animals and raise funds for a human cause.

What is the book going to look like?
The book is a soft cover book, 7 inches square and 40 pages long. It features the artwork and photography of 37 artists from the US, UK, and Canada. It will be published by an online, on demand company. This means that the books are printed one by one as they are ordered, and shipped out to the purchaser directly by the online printing company.

The book will be available for purchase in April. I'll post more details as they become available.

Mardi Gras Comes to Asheville

Asheville is now called home to many ex-New Oreleans folks since Hurricane Katrina. Many think it is because both Asheville and New Orleans share a sense of community. Last year, some of these New Orleans transplants organized the first Mardi Gras parade. Although it was a small parade, those that participated and attended had a great time. Despite braving tempertures in the 20's, this year's parade was bigger and better! The parade ended in Pritchard Park where everyone gathered for drumming, dancing and music. It's very much an Asheville event.

TAGGED - Folder 6 Picture 6

Thanks to Bethany from Malamoose and Godiva I've been tagged.

Here are the rules:
Choose the 6th image out of your 6th picture folder from your computer and blog it. Then tag 6 more people to do the same!


Peacock at the WNC Nature Center





I love going to our local Nature Center. It is only 10 minutes from home so I have an annual pass. They have bears, cougars, bobcats, grey wolves, red foxes, racoons, etc. The last time I was there most of the animals were sleeping but I did get to see this beautiful peacock.


I'm tagging:
Angie - Times and Chimes
Megzy - Megzytred
Robyn - Robyn's Art
Tatyana - Dogs, art, and possibly a cup of tea...
Cheree and Meg - Busted Knuckle Photography
Stephanie - Blaubeermund


Hope you can keep this going, it's fun!

Road To Max Patch

I haven't written in a week and now I have 3 different topics to blog about. I'll probably only get to one now, and do the others tomorrow.

I got selected for another Etsy Treasury!! Thanks so much to Megzy of Tredlight Photographs for including my Road to Max Patch print in her Treasury. Check out her Etsy shop - lots of great merchandise!

Francis the Parrot

Francis the Parrot is in a Treasury. I was driving down a street in Charleston a few years ago when I saw this guy with Francis. Francis was sitting on the remote control Hummer going for a ride! It was a really neat thing to see. Francis's owner told me that Francis loves to be outside and gets all excited when he sees the Hummer. I really enjoyed watching Francis go for a ride!