Snow in Louisiana -- 2010

You know what they've been saying about the Saints winning the Superbowl...

We had a "Blizzard" on Thursday/Friday, February 11/12! Reported that 5-6 inches of the fluffy white stuff was on the ground!

Chloe wasn't sure what to think at first glance. She didn't want to go off of the porch! After she finally braved the carpet of snow, it was tough to get her inside! She'd run, and spin circles, throwing snow in the air and chasing "snow balls" that she kicked up!!! Had a blast I think :)

Here are some pictures taken at my house.

Front of our House

Our Driveway

Chloe chasing "snow balls" that she's kicking up

Chloe enjoying the rare Southern Snow!

Chloe isn't used to this fluffy white ground cover!

Chloe and Ellie playing in the snow.

Below are a couple of pictures taken around the neighborhood. We have a Vineyard/Winery next to our house...

The Landry Vineyards

The Landry's Wine Tasting Room

Horses in a snowy pasture further down the road we live on.

2010 World Champs ~ New Orleans Saints

WOOO HOOOOO!!!!! Bourbon Street like no other for a party...and Louisianians know how to party it up right! Move out of the way Mardi Gras, here comes the New Orleans Saints and their beloved followers!

New Orleans 31 ~ Indianapolis Colts 17
Miami, Florida ~ February 7th, 2010

Amethyst...and My Favorite Color!

February Birthstone unraveled...

Its color is as unique as it is seductive, though in fact this gemstone of all gemstones is said to protect its wearer against seduction. The amethyst is extravagance in violet. For many thousands of years, the most striking representative of the quartz family has been a jewel coveted by princes both ecclesiastical and secular. Moses described it as a symbol of the Spirit of God in the official robes of the High Priest of the Jews, and the Russian Empress Catherine the Great sent thousands of miners into the Urals to look for it. In popular belief, the amethyst offers protection against drunkenness - for the Greek words 'amethystos' mean 'not intoxicated' in translation. A more apt stone for the month of February, particularly if there is to be plenty going on in the way of carnival celebrations, could thus hardly be wished for.


The deposits with the greatest economic significance are in various states in southern Brazil and in neighboring Uruguay. The third major export country is Madagascar. However, this gemstone is spread all over the world. Good specimens were found in Aztec graves, though the deposits from which they were extracted are no longer known today. On the Canadian side of Lake Superior in North America, there is a place named Amethyst Harbor. The violet quartz is found there in ample quantities, though rarely in gemstone quality.




However, the amethyst is more likely to turn up in spaces lining agate almonds and druses in igneous rocks. What was presumed to be the largest-ever cavity was discovered in 1900 in Rio Grande do Sul. The almond measured ten by five by three meters (33 by 16 by 10 ft.) and weighed an estimated eight tonnes. The dark violet amethysts, some as large as a man's fist, may have weighed some 700 cwt. altogether. There is a piece weighing 200 kilograms, taken from this Brazilian treasure, in the Washington Museum. In recent times, a find in the USA has been making headlines. In July 1993, a three-meter druse was found in Maine, which contained well over 1000 kilograms of cuttable amethyst, some of it in crystals 19 cm in length.

February's purple birthstone has been found among the possessions of royalty throughout the ages. The intense violet hue of Amethyst appealed to early monarchs, perhaps because they often wore this color. Purple dye was scarce and expensive at one time, and so it was reserved for the garments of kings and queens. Amethyst has been found in ruins dating as far back as the ninth century, adorning crowns, scepters, jewelry, and breastplates worn into battle. A large Amethyst is among the closely guarded gemstones in the British Crown Jewels.

Amethyst is also symbolic of spirituality and piety. It has been used to ornament churches and crosses used in religious ceremony, and worn in rings and on rosaries by bishops and priests.

The gift of Amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty. It is said to strengthen the bond in a love relationship, so it is an ideal anniversary or engagement gem. Whether or not Amethyst holds such power, it's stunning beauty will certainly make anyone who wears it feel like royalty! Vineyards Necklace- Purple Amethyst and Crazy Lace Agate Pendant - Chloe Boutique

Artisan Feature Spotlight: Splendiferous Fiber

I've decided to feature some very talented Artisans I've "met" through the very special "Handmade" community!! This will be a feature I'm adding to my Blog hopefully every two weeks! So, be sure to stop by often to see the next Artisan Feature Spotlight!

♥ Would you like to be featured on my Blog? I'll be randomly selecting the next Artisan Feature from the comments left on this post!

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First Artisan Feature Spotlight #2 of 2010 - Splendiferous Fiber


"Icy Trees Square Hand-painted Silk Scarf"

Wendy is the owner and talented artisan of Splendiferous Fiber ~ Wearable Art and Accessories. She has been creating for as long as she can remember, even earning sewing and dress-making badges in the Girl Scouts (a few years ago she says)!

Wendy creates the most beautiful hand-painted and hand-dyed scarves, and beaded mini-bags/purses, totes. She says she gets most of her inspiration from her natural surroundings, and also from her personal photography. She is also inspired by the fabrics and materials that she uses.

Mardi Gras Mask Mini-Purse

"When painting and dying, there are always elements of chance", says Wendy, "once the paint has dried or the dye has batched, you see your work for the first time and it's always like opening a surprise gift!" This, she says, is her favorite thing about what she does. She also likes seeing her projects come together as she assembles them.

When asked what her biggest challenge is as an artist, she simply says TIME; a common challenge for most artisans. Wendy says, "I finally have two consecutive days that allow me enough time to dye and rinse some rainbow scarves!" When she finds some EXTRA time, she'd like to better her skills at free-motion quilting and also get into making fused glass. However, she says she might have to have her house re-wired, and not having enough space doesn't allow for another craft right now!

Ballerina Fairies Tote or Dance Bag

Wendy's favorite item she's created is a rainbow velvet scarf. "I wear it all of the time. It's great advertising and I've gotten commission work from it", says Wendy. When asked to give other sellers a piece of advice, she simply says, "find something unique to create."
My favorite creation from Wendy is her Silver Dew Hand-Painted Silk Scarf...it's my favorite color!

Silver Dew Hand-Painted Silk Scarf

Some other interesting information about Wendy: She is a fiber artist, and she has won several awards (you can find more information on her Fotki site regarding these awards). She has an art quilt that was juried into the new book, 500 Art Quilts, which will be in bookstores in March! Be on the lookout for that! She has two pieces in a fiber show at Bluebonnet Swamp in Baton Rouge which can be seen through February 7th, in addition to other shows around the country (see her Blog for more information). Wendy also designs and sews costumes for the local youth ballet. Wow, no wonder she has very limited time!

Just in time for the Superbowl, and the New Orleans Saints' first appearance, the Fleur de Lis mini-purse

Something that many people don't know about Wendy is that she holds a BFA and an MA. She also studied Russian in high school when everyone else took up Spanish or French! However, she says she only remembers a few phrases now!



♥For more of her work, visit her online shops:

SplendiferousFiber.etsy.com
SplendiferousFiber.artfire.com

♥Find more information about Wendy and where she will be for upcoming events be sure to visit her websites:

http://splendiferousfiber.blogspot.com/
http://public.fotki.com/wlstarn/

Saints are Super Bowl Bound!!!!!

Yeah!!! Let's GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!Amazing and tough win against the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC Championship Title, and also the NFC berth in the Super Bowl...Miami...February 7th!!! FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY!!!

What a nail-biter for both sides. So many mistakes, so many bad calls. It came down to the wire! New Orleans, and Louisiana as a whole really needed this.

Woo Hoo!!!!! Celebrating the Saints first NFC Championship, and first time berth in the Super Bowl!!!