Sea Lions Fight and Make Up (Photos)

Two of the California sea lions at the Smithsonian's National Zoo had a an acrobatic fight right in front of the underwater viewing window.

 Even when fighting the sea lions are beautiful and graceful.

 Their battle lasted for a few minutes.

 And included some playful (I hope) nips.

But then they appeared to snuggle and make up, so peace reigned again in their habitat. I love a happy ending. Do you?

May the Creator of all creatures bless you and keep you!

Related posts:
Sea lion loves snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/02/sea-lion-loves-snow.html
Sea lion feeding: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/09/sea-lion-feeding-photos-wild-wednesday.html
Baby tigers romp in snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/03/tiger-cub-launches-sneak-attack.html

Quick and Easy DIY Mosaic Planter

My current reading nook with my DIY mosaic planter

During a recent clutter busing session I noticed that I hadn't been using this lovely purple mosaic candle holder. I knew that I had to either find a use for it or release it to a new home (I didn't get a picture while it was still empty but you can just imagine it without the plants).

Overgrown basket of plants in need of TLC

I had already decided to Freecycle this overgrown basket of plants and realized that I could save a few of the plants from the basket and easily turn my mosaic candle holder into a mosaic plant holder.

Mosaic planter as seen from above

So I used an appropriate sized plastic bag (and double checked that it had no holes - you might consider double bagging if you try this), put some old marbles at the bottom of the bag for drainage (old bits of Styrofoam would work too), added potting soil and gently transferred three plants from the old basket to their new mosaic pot. Voila! I think it took less than 10 minutes, including gathering the supplies and bringing everything outside, to complete the project. Easy peasy. I am truly enjoying this previously forgotten piece and I've already received lots of complements on my creative DIY planter too.

DIY mosaic planter with cascading houseplants

Over time the plants should fill out the planter even more nicely. I will aim to err on the side of under watering it (vs. over watering) so the plants have the best chance of success.

Do you enjoy DIY projects, crafts or houseplants? What's your latest project?

May the God who created the universe bless you and everything you set your hands to do!

Related posts:
DIY sleep tea recipe: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-sleepy-time-tea-recipe.html
Beaded wire ornament craft: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-first-beaded-wire-ornament.html
Easy Closets: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/09/easy-closets-affordable-storage.html
Zentangle art: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-first-zentangle-free-zentangle.html

My First Zentangle & Free Zentangle Resources

I borrowed Zentangle Basics by Suzanne McNeill, CZT from my local library and today I made my first Zentangle. I'm sure I'd have had better results if I'd used the supplies she recommended and actually read the little book instead of just jumping in to the craft but it was fun (and that was the point of today's Zentangle). I used a Uniball vision micro pen and a black Sharpie marker. I'm not sure if I will add to it or just start another but I can definitely see the appeal of this "creative Artform where all you need is paper, pencil and pen."

Want to learn about or try some Zentangles? Here are two free Zentangle resources (not everything on these sites is free but there's enough free stuff to make it worth sharing):

1. Suzanne McNeill, CZT's blog has a "Zentangle of the Week," some fun examples and ideas
2. The official Zentangle website has a blog with more fun examples and ideas and their motto is "anything is possible... one stroke at a time."

Have you Zentangled? What kind of art do you enjoy? May God bless you and everything you set your hands to do!

Related posts:
Butterfly art by Denise A: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/10/butterfly-art-by-denise-arvaneh.html
My first beaded wire ornament: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-first-beaded-wire-ornament.html
Free inspirational art: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/never-one-free-inspirational-art.html

Happy Spring Haiku Poems and 12 Celebration Ideas

Spring blossom photo by Phyllis Wheeler, March 2014

Happy first day of spring! While I am thankful for each day God blesses me with, this is a very special one to me and my plant-loving mother. The first day of spring is something we enjoy celebrating and I hope this post will make you feel like celebrating too!

Happy Spring Haiku 1

Celebrating spring -

it's my favorite season -

filled with hope and love.

Happy Spring Haiku 2

Spring brings fresh flowers,

Easter, sunshine, warmth, freedom,

renewal and joy.

While I am spending more time praying for a loved one undergoing cancer surgery today, I am still taking time celebrate spring and thought I'd share a few ideas on how you can join me if you like.

1. Get outside and enjoy nature
2. Plant some seeds (I planted two more flats today!)
3. Dance
4. Sing
5. Go for a walk
6. Make a new beginning
7. Have a happy spring party
8. Create something (art, photograph, poem, anything)
9. Enjoy a special meal with fresh ingredients
10. Plant a tree 
11. Wear something that reminds you of spring (I'm wearing flower earrings)
12. Do something that makes your heart sing

There are many ways to celebrate spring. How will you celebrate? I'd love to hear about it!

May God bless you this spring and always!

Related posts:
Daffodil, pansy & cyclamen photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/03/daffodil-pansy-and-cyclamen-flower.html
Happy spring poem and flower photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/happy-spring-poem-crocus-and-pansy.html
Happy spring floral photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-spring-floral-photos-this-week-in.html
Happy March haiku poem: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-march-haiku.html

Happy St Patrick's Day! Funny Moose the Cat Photos

Happy Saint Patrick's day from me and the always funny and cute Moose the cat! We wish you the blessings of Numbers 6:24-25: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

If a cat were a leprechaun, Moose would make a cute one. I didn't realize that her eyes needed cleaning until after the photo shoot but don't worry, I'll take care of her. Can you believe, God willing, she'll be celebrating her 19th birthday soon?

I borrowed my husband's camera for this shoot and the photographic lesson of the day was that most of the flash photos were far better than the non flash photos.

But sometimes the flash is just too much. Despite the flash glare, I thought this photo was hilarious. My husband lent Moose one of his old shirts that has an Irish flare and I snapped the photo just before she laid down for a nap.

This was one of the non flash photos. Still funny but kind of blurry. But she looks kind of like an Irish burrito stuffed into that green table runner.

I hope these funny St. Patrick's day cat photos made you smile! May God bless and keep you!

Related posts:
My favorite St. Patrick's Day Moose the Cat Photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/hilarious-happy-st-patricks-day-cat.html
More Cute and funny Moose the cat photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/funny-st-patricks-day-photos-of-moose.html
Both of our cats for St Patrick's day past: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/funny-st-patricks-day-cat-photos.html

Daffodil, Pansy and Cyclamen Flower Photos

I hope you are all safe and warm despite this latest cold front. Up north my friends report up to 30" of snow falling last night so I figured I wasn't alone in desiring some winter flower photos today. Sunny daffodils remind me that spring isn't far away. The white and red cyclamen planted around them make them even more cheerful.

These conservatory pansies are a delight and will likely last until the weather gets hot. 

Here's a yellow daffodil close up photo.

And this set of daffodils share a pot with some lively pansies. I hope you enjoyed this little preview of spring blooms. May God bless and keep you!

Related posts:
Happy spring poem, pansies and crocuses: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/happy-spring-poem-crocus-and-pansy.html
Tulips, daffodils and other spring blooms: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-spring-floral-photos-this-week-in.html
Spring flower photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/floral-signs-of-spring-this-week-in-my.html
First daffodil of 2013: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/first-daffodil-of-year.html

Tiger Cub Launches Sneak Attack

Bandar, the cute but most mischievous tiger cub at the National Zoo surprised his mom, Damai, by sneaking up behind her in the snow and pouncing on her back.

As you can see, little Bandar puts his all into his playful antics. His mom took the attack with good humor and simply shook him off her back.

Then she had to remind her growing baby boy tiger who was in charge.

 It almost look like he's "crying uncle" in this shot. I love his cute little paw pads.

He didn't learn his lesson (unless the lesson is that it's fun to attack his mama tiger) because he repeated his actions later and once again enjoyed play attacking his mom. The tigers are such beautiful animals and the cubs are full of energy and very fun to watch at play.

Praise the Lord for creating tigers and all forms of cute cats! May God bless you and those you love!

Related posts:
Little tiger cubs playing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/cute-tiger-cubs-playing-photos.html
Tiger cubs playing in snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/02/baby-tigers-playing-in-snow-photos.html
Baby tiger video & haiku: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/cute-baby-tiger-videos-haiku-poem.html
Sunlit tiger cub photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/11/sunlit-tiger-cub-cuteness-photos.html
Snow loving sea lion photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/02/sea-lion-loves-snow.html