When I was contacted by Stephanie – Biffy Beans – about reviewing a webbie and doing a giveaway, I jumped at the chance.  As a lover of notebooks and fountain pens, I have a special fondness for Rhodia products and this one did [...]]]> The contest is now closed.  Thank you to all who entered.

When I was contacted by Stephanie – Biffy Beans – about reviewing a webbie and doing a giveaway, I jumped at the chance.  As a lover of notebooks and fountain pens, I have a special fondness for Rhodia products and this one did not disappoint.

First off it has a lovely sturdy cover, elastic closure, ribbon tab, and pocket in the back.

When I opened it I found smooth creamy blank paper.  The journal itself lays flat for easy writing.

Finally I tested it out with a Lamy EF in Poussiere de Lune.  It writes like butter across this paper.  No bleed through, and some pretty shading emerged.

Overall this notebook is a clear winner and my new favorite.

Now if you would like to win one, please leave a comment.  If you would like a second entry, please tweet about the contest or post to your Facebook page and let me know — I’ll put you down for a second entry.  Once we have all the entries I will create a spreadsheet and use a random number generator to pick a winner.

Contest closes on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 8PM CT.

Also please make sure to check out the Rhodia Facebook page as they are listing out all the places you can win your very own Webbie.

Finally…. you know it’s hot when spiders even look for the shade.

Anyhoo,  I noticed on Friday that there was [...]]]> If you didn’t know – I’m a bug lover.  Bugs, butterflies, frogs, toads, I’ve even picked up the occasional garden snake in the garden.  I used to feed the birds, but between the Coopers Hawks and the Eagles – they made me nervous to let Coco out.

Anyhoo,  I noticed on Friday that there was some activity in this nest.  I hadn’t paid too much attention to it, until I noticed the caterpillars out and about.  From a little Internet research I think these are Eastern Tent Caterpillars, but I only think…I’m not 100% sure.

The bug site I was reading said if these are the dreaded Eastern Tent Caterpillars they should be eradicated, but they are so cute and fuzzy and since I’m not 100% sure – I decided to let them be.

I raised a school size Painted Lady Butterfly kit about a decade ago and found it to be great fun.  When they were ready I took them to a secluded park and released them to hopefully multiply.

So last [...]]]> I finished La Novia last night.  This is going to be one of those really warm, snuggly scarf.  Just needs a good blocking now and it’s going to take a little while to pin it all out right.  I think it will be worth it as it will open the pattern up.

So last night I turned my head for one minute and the bunny must’ve popped out.  Coco spotted it and picked it up, which in turn caused it to do little bunny screaming.  Yes, bunnies can scream and I’ve heard it before when someone I know gently moved one out of her garden once.  Don’t worry – no bunny was harmed.

I went running out there cussing like a fool – the neighbors were out… and I’m sure well entertained.  Coco obviously was stunned and was just standing where she dropped her and was wagging her tail.  Both the little poodles wanted her to play.  Well I shooed them out and the bunny hopped away.  I checked on here – she’s very distinctive with the one white streak of fur down her forehead – and she is just fine.  No problems.  I saw her again today and she is still fine – no worries.

Anyway this picture was taken right after this bunny had an Oh Sh*t! moment.   Poor thing.

My friend Julie asked in the last post and they are about teacup size – as they could fit in a teacup.

So far, I can only see two, but I think there may be more.  I hope so because I thought I saw at least 3 little pink bodies when they were born.  However, it could’ve only been two.

This is bunny two.  All of [...]]]> The bunnies have made their public debut in my garden.

So far, I can only see two, but I think there may be more.  I hope so because I thought I saw at least 3 little pink bodies when they were born.  However, it could’ve only been two.

This is bunny two.  All of the previous were bunny one.  Bunny two was better hidden.

I checked on the hole today and noticed it was opened and appeared to be empty.  This is when I realized they were out and about.  At first I wouldn’t have noticed them, but then I saw stealthy hopping and crouching here and there.  The dogs didn’t seem to notice until I made a fuss and got the camera out.

They said something about rain maybe later.  At least it’s not so hot you melt just walking outside.  I hate that.  I would rather have it on the cooler side than hotter any day.  It’s the wool lover in [...]]]> Today’s Saturday sky is slightly overcast, but it looks like it’s going to clear up.

They said something about rain maybe later.  At least it’s not so hot you melt just walking outside.  I hate that.  I would rather have it on the cooler side than hotter any day.  It’s the wool lover in me.

So we’re on week two of the CSA box and we are getting a lot of greens.  I think this has been a good experience for me because I’m stretching myself to use them.  This week we had tatsoi and last week I had some choi left over.  Well, I found this recipe on line and have to say I was pleasantly surprised how they mixed so well together.  I used sesame seed oil, garlic scrapes from the box, the greens, and ginger.  I then at the end splashed a little balsamic vinegar and a splash of soy sauce for flavor.  Yum.  Quick and easy too.

Wednesday I came home to a commotion.  Coco wanted out every two minutes.  Well we followed he over to the area and found baby bunnies and I mean just born bunnies.  This picture was taken the next day when the mother obviously returned during the night and plucked more fur to put over them.  Now I’m not sure if they are still there or not as it’s really covered over now.  I’m not sure she could move them, but I just can’t tell.  Well, we’ll find out in two weeks if they are out nibbling the grass around.

Sunflowers from the birdseed.

And these interesting thistle looking things.

The pickers on them [...]]]> I’m terribly allergic to everything in the garden.  I touch one thing and I will break out in hives.  Hence we have some very pretty and interesting weeds that popped up this year.

Sunflowers from the birdseed.

And these interesting thistle looking things.

The pickers on them are menacing.  Even the top is picky.