BBEST-Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team

Friday, April 29, 2011

Under the Arbor

They give us shade on a hot summer day. They provide food and shelter for a vast community of animals. They filter the air and moderate the effects of environmental toxins. These silent leafy guardians are near us every day, and yet we quite often ignore them; we don't celebrate their beauty or learn from their steadfast presence. So today, on Arbor Day, we pay tribute to trees.

Wonder Tree - Original Mixed Media

by Sixsisters

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care. The first Arbor Day took place in Nebraska in 1872; it was the idea of J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and pioneer who came from Detroit to the then treeless plains of Nebraska in 1854. Morton and his wife, both nature lovers, quickly planted trees, shrubs and flowers at their new home. Like other homesteaders, he missed the trees of his former landscape, but he also recognized that trees were important as windbreaks to prevent soil loss, as well as for fuel, shade, and building materials. Morton used his position as a journalist, and later, as secretary of the Nebraska Territory, to advocate for trees and tree planting.

"On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called 'Arbor Day' at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting the largest number of trees on that day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state's Gov. Robert W. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska and April 22, Morton's birthday, was selected as the date for its permanent observance." (http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/urban/history_of_arbor_day.htm) The most common day for observing Arbor Day today is the last Friday in April.

In 1972, on the 100 year anniversary of the first Arbor Day, the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation was established to promote education about and conservation of trees. For more information about Arbor Day and to learn more about trees - their identification, protection, planting and care, visit the Foundation's website, http://www.arborday.org.

In celebration of the wonderful tree, let's read Ilan Shamir's insightful poem, Advice from a Tree, while we see how BBEST team artisans illustrate the beauty of our leafy friends.

Advice from a Tree

by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,

Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

Fall Forest Original Watercolor Painting

from pfd Original Artworks

Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings

Fused Glass Tree of Life Pendant

from Designs by Christine

Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring

Birches - Original Watercolor Painting

by Yankeegirl

The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall

The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

Autumn Enchantment Original Watercolor Painting

by The Creators Palette

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.

Full Moon Across the River Painting

by Heron Kate

Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty

Matte Silver Tree of Life Necklace

by PixieMarket

Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

Handmade Ceramic Heart Box with Tree

by Jill's Treasure Chest

For more about Ilan Shamir and his nature advice, tree-planting greetings, and nature-inspired journals and cards, please visit http://www.yourtruenature.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I do, I will,

I am a few days premature but the frenzy is in full swing as we head towards Friday, 29 April 2011. What is special about that particular Friday? You might well ask!!!! It is the day that we in the UK will celebrate a royal – NO! THE Royal wedding of the decade. That of Prince William and Kate Middleton or Catherine as she will be known henceforward.

Unfortunately, my wedding invitation got lost in the post so I will not be going to London. As a result, our company will not be providing the chair covers for the reception at Buckingham Palace! Hurmppph!

The last royal wedding ceremony I sat through was just thirty years ago. That was when Prince Charles and Diana were married at St Paul’s Cathedral. Here you can see them after the ceremony as they were about to reach their carriage which would take them to Buckingham Palace

In total contrast, at the time, I was living in Muscat, Oman in the Gulf.

I had been invited along with several other likeminded people to join in the festivities by meeting up in the Intercontinental Hotel in Muscat, in a specially laid out room which had a large TV monitor so that we could all follow the joyous occasion.

Intercontinental Hotel, Oman

At the appropriate time waiters came along with glasses filled to the brim with sparkling, fizzy champagne and canapés. When the happy Royal couple came out on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to meet the populace, we all drank their good health.

The wedding party appearing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

This time we will be raising a glass or two of the bubbly stuff in celebration but, at our bolt hole. Needless to say, our TV will be on all day so that not a minute is missed! I so love a good wedding!!! I even bought some delicious snacks for eating during the day and in the evening we will have a ‘surf and turf’ BBQ. By the time I go to bed I shall be well and truly wedded out!!!

However, if you are a romantic, as I am, perhaps you may wish to follow this link http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/ although I am sure there will be ample footage wherever you may live.

Obviously, since we will not be at the wedding I will have to return their wedding present. However, whilst deciding what to give I did come across some great ideas from the BBEST team.

Now and Forever Tasting Flutes by Glitznglass

Purity White Rose Earrings by Magdalene Jewels

White Cake Candle by AJScountrycottage

Victorian Bride earrings by Filigreegarden

Just a few of the amazing selection of items you can view when you look for the BBEST team on Etsy.

Meanwhile, please raise your glasses to our royal couple on their wedding day, Friday, 29 April 2011. They have given us all a special holiday too so that we can celebrate in style!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Calendar Fun

Have you ever googled special days and weeks for a particular month? There are quite a few sites that list celebrations for different weeks of the month as well as for nearly every day of the month. When checking out April, I was excited to find days for recognizing librarians, taking your child to work day, poetry day, astronomy day, and pet day, just to name a few. Another site listed the jewel and flower for the month. I made a list of a few of my favorites, matching them with the talents of members of our Boomers and Beyond team.

April’s Jewel is the Diamond