gratitude...sharing mine

it has been a fast & furious last half of the year.  a bit more of a rush than i really wanted.  such is life.  on this evening before our nations holiday of giving thanks, i wanted to finally share some of the late seasons beauties from the farmers market in honor of my gratitude for them. i didn't show food pictures for some reason but i have shared the feasts i have made with them in the past.  i also didn't list below all the farmers whose stands i am loyal to - you know who you are and you are not forgotten & i love you too!  these are just flower photos.

i don't know if i have shared just how much i LOVE the farmers market or how truly grateful i am for these individuals who work so unbelievable hard to provide for me and my loved ones.  without whose food i would could not survive.  that may sound dramatic.  it's true.  (note - some folks have the space & ability to grow their own items though you still rely on farmers for many things)

i live for saturday mornings from MAY 1 through the first weekend of november to ride my bike over to the market well before the crowds get there and just as the farmers are finishing their set up.  myself along with the other 20-30some diehards are floating around each stall choosing the most beautiful fruits of the earth (yes all categories).  i am loyal to only a handful of farmers who i know so well and cherish my quiet early morning chats with them catching up on life.  i am oozing joy and happiness onto them as i am truly so over the top excited to be there!  it's one of my temples that i visit and i cherish each moment.  

i do comb all the stands but my time is short that early in the morning.  i get to the market at 6:30am, then the gym by 7:30 and home by 8:30 to change my clothes and sprint to pottery class by 9am.  it's a whirlwind of a morning that i soak up every week with glee!  there is SO much beauty there in every color, shape and smell.  it's divine.

i do know i have shared this love of mine but it begs repeating.  Thanksgiving is for taking 24hrs out of your life to be grateful and honestly it's more like 10hrs as you are sleeping for the other half.   my point is this.  gratitude is something that i see not honored enough.  we take many things for granted.  it's easy to do but i ask that you try to remember it every day of your life.  i put my gratitude list out to the universe every night to those who watch over me and the farmers are on it always.  they provide what we all need to live on yet they don't get enough thanks from what i have seen (note - i am blind even with contacts in).  everything you eat has stems & seeds in farmers.  take a moment tomorrow to not only give thanks for all those you love in your life and all the great things that have been placed in your life.  take a moment to give thanks to the farmers.   

i am grateful for all of you.  enjoy & be well.  marlo

dahlia's from gast farms

eddy is like no other & his knowledge of plants/flowers/etc is unreal! his dahlias are simply stunning to say the least.  the colors he has and the sheer perfection of mother nature is such a wonderful sight to see for me so early in the morning.  i know i have shared the succulents that i keep on the porch.  eddy is the master of those and should have a photo spread of his artistry in martha stewart living or fine gardening! i could buy every single one and still find more.  he puts them in all of the most unique containers from size of a thimble to the radio flyer wagon.  just creativity beyond words!

hydrangea's from stover's farms

sally's hydrangeas are simply the best & all their pies/jams/dressings/honey to die for/pickles etc are like no other and a complete addiction! she and jim are the best people i know.  farmers with love to the bone for everyone!  their raw honey is heavenly and i have shared it with many folks. i have made addicts of their vidalia onion dressings and their jams.  her pies... well what can i say.  a must have every week!  her apples and berries - LOVE.  

gast farms again mixed with the dutchman's tuberose.

i honestly don't remember the dutchman's real farm name as i think i have only heard it once or twice but he sells the most beautiful tuberose all summer & gladiolas along with crazy amounts of eucalyptus.  the tuberose releases is aroma in the evening and fills your house with this sweet intoxicating heaven!  it's delicious! his glads are in very shade you can imagine and then some.  the best anywhere. eddy grows butterflies and the "hairy balls" below (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) are the best for caterpillars to build their cocoons on. better than traditional milkweed. the others in the bunch are cocks comb and ornamental cabbage heads.

new additions to the etsy store of - the paper bunnies

howdy all!  been slow going for the last month & a half.  why?  i will blame the weather.  here is your chance to grab some of the season's planters for those herbs you still want to grow or perhaps for the perfect little flower that needs its own space.  take advantage of all the new postings which are ready for sale now - includes some new pitchers and some darling small single serving bowls for ice creams, rice, appetizers, fruit or anything really.

be well & enjoy!
marlo

https://www.etsy.com/shop/thepaperbunnies?ref=hdr_shop_menu

the farmer's market begins

happy spring to everyone!! yes ~ it's here.  stop thinking it should look like something else.  it looks BEAUTIFUL!  and one of the best things about it is the start of the most glorious place to be on an early saturday morning... the farmer's market.  it is the second temple i worship at.  (the first being yoga).  the market is full of beauty everywhere you turn.  everything is blossoming, new, bright, sensual and HAPPY!  i absolutely love love love going there.  so! i am sharing some of the first floral delights below and the green edible beauties got used immediately - purple & green asparagus, spring onions, green garlic, swiss chard, ramps, herbs of every taste and so much more!!!

enjoy!  be well
marlo

the ever so graceful peony

the bursting allium

the unique aeonium standing tall (like me!)

a bountiful bowl of replenishing baby greens

the shop is open & ready for business!

YIPPEE!!! my etsy store is finally open and i look forward to your visit!  click on the link below to see the paper bunnies store.  be well.  marlo

https://www.etsy.com/shop/thepaperbunnies?ref=hdr_shop_menu

spring flower pots for sale

evening & a happy bunny day to you all!  wish i could say that i was doing a fabulous egg hunt or that i spent the afternoon decorating the goose eggs from one of my favorite farmers, ed & jason last. i ran out of time.  maybe tomorrow night after the days adventures.

ANYHOO!!! SPRING FLOWER POTS for sale on APRIL 11-12 at The Pot Shop here in Evanston IL where i spend every saturday throwing, trimming, glazing.  The Pot Shop is having a sale on all vessels related to spring & flowers and i was asked to contribute.  so very cool.  i am pretty sure i priced them all at $25 (will confirm that).  they are all about 4.5"-5" tall and hold only one small plant/flower.

i have below pictures of all my flower pots that will be at the SALE.  you have to purchase them through the shop in person OR you can tell me which one(s) you want and i can buy them and bill you back.  just let me know.  enjoy & have a egg for me!

ps - my ETSY! shop is mostly up and ready for purchases.  i just have a couple finishes to make and will let you know.  the flower pots are only for sale through The Pot Shop.

valentine delights...every day we should celebrate love

couldn't show these before the big day as they were surprises for loved ones!  i spent the afternoon making cookies and valentine cards with one of my favorite little people, ella, who is 9yrs.  of course it all started out smooth; an exciting project that we were sharing.  then because she was over indulging on small bites of the cookie dough and the sugar crystals for the topping she had a giggling fit.  and i do mean a big giggling fit.  things went awry for a while - almost an entire bottle of sugar dumped on one cookie.  but hey. who's looking?  we ended the day with smashing results and we knew all the loved ones would be overjoyed to receive their beautiful creations we had made.  

i also whipped out the music selection at the end of this post a couple weeks prior to the day in a flash of inspiration that came to me.  fastest compilation i think i have ever made and i am quite pleased with it.  lemme know if you want a special copy!  i can arrange that.  
be well.  enjoy.  marlo

MR & MRS KING - valentine's 2015

come undone – isobel campbell & mark lonegan

be mine – alabama shakes

sexual healing – the hot 8 brass band

come & get your love – redbone

i never loved a man – the commitments

two of us – aimee mann & michael penn

all i want – joni mitchell

i only want to be with you – shelby lynne

the nearness of you – annie lennox

ice cream – sarah mclaughlin

angel – jimmy

darling be home soon – joe cocker

one love to another – edward sharpe & the magnetic zeroes

in love with you – erykah badu

really love – d’angelo & the vanguard

tears of joy – slow club

little wing – jimmy

hot lazy porch swing – cinema guitar works

a vision to admire through the new year

the last of the holiday season posts is my favorite because i am in awe of their beauty, their elegance, their stature, their uniqueness and their simplicity.  

amaryllis.  what else do i need to say.  well it's not the cheap ugly ones you get in a kit at the grocery store.  these are stunning.  these are the chosen ones from a good supply house.  ok.  someone out there is telling me to zip it.  fine.  see for yourself.  these live in my house for almost 3 months transforming my dining room into a botanical tropica of paradise.  be well & enjoy.  marlo

ragtime

dancing queen

gervase

neon

purple rain

snow white

temptation

christmas poinsettia's are simply elegant

there's really not much i need to say for this post.  poinsettia's are simply beautiful, elegant and a wonder of mother nature as a plant.  the blossom is a building of lofty leaves off the stem moving up and out, layer upon layer.  they can be billowy.  they can be stately.  they can be lacy.  they can be short, long, slivers and so much more.  they make christmas elegant.   these are from the botanical gardens here in lincoln park. 
be well & enjoy.  marlo

christmas inspiration on all levels

my birthday is the most important day of the year to me.  many people i know don't really care about celebrating theirs too much but i make a big deal out of it.  well christmastime is the next best holiday for me.  i love the lights, the mood, the music, the colors, the festivities and the food and elf!  i love it all!  

so below is a collection of this years season of good spirit, goodwill and good love. (ps - if you want your gifts wrapped for christmas or any occasion - let me know.  it's what i love to do and it saves you time).  be well & enjoy.  marlo