Blowing in the Wind

I have a thing for wind chimes. I love the gentle sounds they make in the breeze, coupled with the smell of the ocean, I’m in heaven. It’s these same sounds that make my husband crazy. We have been negotiating wind chime usage for 27 years, he’s against them and I'm for them. Over the years we have compromised in the silence of sun catchers and glass art, that is until recently.

When I opened my shop there was no doubt that I would carry wind chimes, I searched for ones that are unique, earth friendly and eye catching with melodic sounds. I found all of this in Goose Rocks Designs.

Every wind chime is made by hand, they cut, drill, and tumble the glass, and cut, drill, and form all the frames. Each wind chime is more beautiful than the next. If you don’t believe me check out their website for photos. The added bonus is that each is packed in a water soluble biodegradable box made from cornstarch.

I carry a selection of Goose Rocks Designs in my shop and one on my front porch. The good news; no complaints from my husband, yet.

Can you hear me now?

The illicit trade of the minerals tin, tantalum (also called coltan), tungsten and gold are perpetuating the violence in the eastern Congo. Until reading the article “More Revelations about the Conflict Materials in your Cell Phone”, I was clueless as to the violent impact the trade of these minerals has caused. This information has made me stop and take pause. I recommend the read.

A few more links you might find of interest:
2009 Run for Congo Woman
Raise hope for Congo

Driving Miss Edie

I have been absent from the blog-o-sphere for a few days (an upper respiratory infection will do that to a girl), but now I’m back and I have a lovely little house guest, Edie May. She was dropped off yesterday morning by her human Dodge as he was leaving on vacation. Yes, Dodge is his real name. Edie is a Georgia girl, a basset hound that wants to be treated like the Diva that she is. I can’t determine if my boys Tucker and Floyd (also Bassets) are considerate of her feminine ways or just placating the bitch (as it were).

I love Edie, she is the lap dog I never had. When this petite little hound climbs onto my chair her weight does not hinder blood flow to my legs, seize mobility or body block my view. Floyd who does inflict the aforementioned discomforts gets a bit jealous, he is enormous and thinks he’s a cat. A mind set that has gotten him into a few jams in the past. Despite his child like behavior he extends a “doggy courtesy” to Miss Edie and leaves her be. His manners taught not by me, but his elder Tucker, who at times has little patience in rearing the young lad. That said they have been behaving like gentlemen. While playing they tone down the “rough housing” so Edie can participate and when food is served they wait for Edie to take the first bite. Whoever said chivalry was dead knew not of the Basset Hound.

Mother Nature... never underestimate the power of a woman.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Outer Banks comes alive with sun worshippers and party goers. It’s only fitting that the first wind turbine erected on this skinny Barrier Island would provide energy to a micro-brewery.

The project took 5 years to become a reality for Aubrey Davis and Eric Reese, owners of The Outer Banks Brewing Station. Situated just 500 ft. from the beach the wind driven structure has become an icon of the beach and brings attention to the already popular brewery.

Anticipating the seasonal storms the 72 ft. wind turbine was built to withstand winds up to 132 mph. A necessity here on the beach. During a Nor-Easter I was nearly blown off of a deck, my son was able to stop me by grabbing the back of my shirt. Lesson learned; do not stand outside to observe the angry sea, even if it is an awesome sight.

To honor the first wind turbine used to brew beer on the Outer Banks, brewer Scott Meyer created a special beer just for the occasion, the “10KV Pale Ale” (10 kilovolts of power).

The Perfect Wedding Dress

A friend of ours will be tying the knot in October and has asked for my help in finding unique wedding favors. With an eye for style, she is an incessant bargain hunter and wise not to buy into the idea that a beautiful wedding has to cost as much as your first house. So while looking for valuable steals I found this little ditty….. pre-owned wedding dresses. If I were getting married again this is where I would shop. Looking at the many options I felt like a kid in a candy store. With 2,699 dresses currently listed, they have something for every style bride. Maybe I can convince Peter to re-new our vows, I have a Vera Wang all picked out. It makes perfect sense; renew…recycle.

Let's Make A Little Noise

I applaud those that drive a hybrid vehicle and look forward to owning one myself. Here's an interesting tidbit regarding hybrid vehicles; they are difficult for the vision impaired community to detect. When the vehicles slow to a stop they often run on battery power, which is silent. As you can imagine this could present a hazard at intersections and in parking lots. Japan is now considering adding noise to their hybrids to help the vision impaired. Hopefully all car manufacturers will begin adding some sort of universal sound to hybrid cars. This seems more like a necessity to me rather than an option.

I'll Keep My Day Job

We have clearly established that I am not a food blogger, however I do love to bake. After my recent cupcake failure I felt a need to redeem myself. In celebration of my daughters return from her year long adventure in Europe, I baked a pie. I found this "Easy Coconut Pie Recipe" on Cooks.com, the title held true as easy it was. I knew the vodka pie crust recipe from Cook's Illustrated Magazine would work well with the filling. I tried this recipe for the first time this past Thanksgiving and it is by far the best crust I have ever made. And I have made a lot. The coconut custard filling with the vodka crust was a perfect match. Both were moist and flavorful. The pie was enjoyed by all and I was finally able to bask in baking glory.

A Hot Piece of Glass

There is a glistening elegance to hand blown glass. I have a variety of colorful pieces hanging on my porch and in my windows. I love my wind chimes but my husband complains as he finds their sounds distracting. A compromise has been found in art glass, we both enjoy the solitude in their lustrous colors.

My favorite glass comes from prolific artist Luke Adams. A young glass blower out of New England, Luke and his talented team of artist’s create individually unique pieces. The colors are spectacular. I received a new shipment of sun catchers the other day, one of which caught my eye. The twist ornament shimmered in sea foam greens and blues like an ocean wave. I was sad to sell it that same afternoon as I had considered keeping it for myself.

If you live near Norwood, Ma., stop in and see Luke in his glass blowing studio, he happily welcomes visitors. If you need to fuel some creativity he teaches glass blowing classes as well.

“Glass is a material formed by fire and shaped by human breath, nothing else can offer an artist creatively, what is possible in glass.” - Luke

Kudos to Aunt Shirley

You wouldn’t want to put your dirty shoes on a kitchen table so why put your hand bag on a dirty floor? My husbands Aunt Shirley told me about purse hangers when I first opened and suggested I carry them. I agreed but it took me a few months to decide on a hanger to sell in my shop. When I found these beautiful diffused glass hooks made by Laura at Iridescent Dreams I was hooked too. They are pretty to look at, easy to carry and easy to use. The weighted disc keeps the hanger firmly planted on any flat surface. No two are exactly the same and they are made in an array of delightful colors. Go ahead, spoil yourself. You deserve one

A Sign of Summer.

Just off the back deck of my shop in the waters of Currituck Sound there is an Osprey nest. We await the return of these beautiful birds every spring. Nightly a crowd gathers to take in the sunset and to view the nesting birds. The babies are finally visible and a thoughtful customer e-mailed me photos taken this past weekend. Mama and Papa Osprey often guard the nest from a nearby tree. They are quite spectacular to watch.

The Great American Bake Sale.... helping to end childhood hunger.

You can help too. How to Eat a Cupcake is a participant in The Great American Bake Sale. Just click here for their link to donate or if you would like to host your own bake sale click here. Funds you raise from your local bake sale support food programs in your community. 100% off the funds raised help feed kids.

This is why I'm not a food blogger

I love cupcakes, they’re little tasty treats. Fun to make and fun to eat. It was with great enthusiasm that I baked the Neapolitan Cupcake's I found on “How to Eat a Cupcake”. I was unable to find the dark chocolate cocoa the recipe called for so I improvised with standard baking cocoa. Even with the cocoa switch the cupcakes were truly delicious despite their plunky appearance. The same held true of the icing, amazing flavor. Apparently in my haste I under whipped the egg whites and my frosting was more like soft strawberry ice cream. Equally as delicious but incapable of dressing a cupcake. My "much older" brother once proposed that I'm channeling Martha Stewart, HA! He would eat his words if he saw these cupcakes. No doubt Martha's cupscakes would be perfection. To the contrary only a true visionary would dare serve a cup cake with a side of "icing dip". Here we have two photo's, one of my cupcakes with icing on the side and the other of what I aspired to create. Hard to tell them apart, don’t you think?

Why Dirt?

After a near sell out last Friday, Dirt Candles are back in store. I literally had 2 candles left on the shelves. They were in such demand this week I had a waiting list of customers and phone calls to make. Fed Ex delivered early this morning and by noon I had a line at the counter. I'm carrying two new scents; Best Friends and An Apple A Day. The candles are still on sale 20% off, in store and on the web site.

Here's a little ditty straight from Dirt:

Dirt is where nature begins and ends. Dirt Candles are formulated from beginning to end with natural things. Starting with GMO-free soy wax made with organic soy cultivated in the USA, along with essential oils, botanical ingredients, and all natural cotton wicks. Recycled packaging is used with soy inks and labels made from corn. Dirt invites you to take a look around, smell and open your world up to the possibilities of dirt.

Urban Farming.... seeds of change

Our friendly neighborhood cynic only yesterday told me one person can not make a difference. Although I begged to differ, I failed to change his mind. Once many years ago my father in-law called me an idealist and told me never to change, I haven't. I believe in one there are many. This morning I caught a story on GMA that embraces this point of view. They were discussing Urban Farming projects and how they have put down roots in major cities all across the US. Their purpose is simple; to end hunger in our generation. They are providing nutrition and education to children that might otherwise call a bottle of pop and a bag of chips dinner.

Their mission statement:
Urban Farming intends to eradicate hunger while increasing diversity, motivating youth and seniors and optimizing the production of unused land for good and alternative energy.

I’d like to shake the hand of whomever came up with the idea of the Edible Green Wall, pure genius. It’s an innovative wall panel system used to grow fresh produce. Perfect for inner cities where real estate is a rare commodity. Click here for a few photos of Edible Green Wall Projects.

If you shop online at Amazon, Ebay, iTunes and dozens of other stores donate a percent of your purchase to Urban Farming. Just click on the Urban Farming Button to the left to learn more.

Architectural Salvage... Another way to Recycle

Today’s stream of consciousness (or unconsciousness)….

I was mopping my wood floor and reading the label on the cleaner bottle. Turns out the cleaner kills 99.9% of bacteria and I briefly wondered about the .01% of bacteria that it doesn’t kill. From there, I began thinking about how I’m trying to live a cleaner/greener life, and so on. While mopping the floor, suddenly I realized how awesome it is, the floor I mean. Yes, I have an awesome floor.

The story of our floor comes in 2 parts. The first part began with the original construction of our house 22 years ago when a local contractor built it as his main residence. From the windows and trim, to the salvaged front door with original hardware, it was clear he knew what he was doing. Even with all this finely wrought detail, it was the flooring that sold me on the home. It's made of reclaimed wood originating from an old North Carolina train station. The tiny flaws in each plank have character and I find myself awed by the history they’ve seen. After 10 years, the next owner put an addition on the house. A sizable mother-in -law suite was built, which we have claimed as our master bedroom. In keeping with the style of reclaimed wood, they were able to snag original wood flooring from an iconic Chicago landmark; the Montgomery Ward Building. Did I mention I have awesome floors?

The next time your in the market for new flooring....save a tree, re-use, re-claim, re-cycle. There are a plethora of resources available for reclaimed wood. Here are a few to get you started: Heritage Restorations, Mountain Lumber, Clark's.

Gleeful Vacationers Abound!

I'm watching the line of cars coming off of the bridge from the mainland, all adorned with cartop carriers, bicycles and water sport paraphenalia. Happy vacationers are welcomed on our beaches as it is our season to shine. Looking at the caravan of travelers I feel compelled to remind everyone that no matter where you vacation or visit, remember... someone else calls it home...
BE SAFE...BE COURTEOUS...BE GREEN... KEEP THE BEACHES BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN.

Got BUGZ?

A humanitarian company providing sustainable employment to the proud Zulu of Africa.

As told by the founders… “Over the years we have worked to uplift the Zulu and provide them with a better quality of life. We have seen them through sickness and personal trauma and tragedy-through fires that ravaged their shacks and took all of their possessions. We have personally provided shelter and clothing for them even when it meant going without. This project is totally supported by the sales of our beautiful products as profits are put back into the company to sustain jobs and create new ones. No outside, private or government funding has been or is being used on this project. Our mission has been to build proper housing and a clinic for the Zulu.”

I am proud to be a distributor of BUGZ Workshop.

For the Bird with Discriminating Taste.

Flying south? Tired of nesting in chimneys, branches or my front door wreath (seriously). Here's a new re-tweet for you and your nestlings!

Another unique Bird Barn from Barnstorm, new in the shop just this morning. Constructed from reclaimed barnwood and easy to clean, just open that welcoming front door and your done. Available in store at TGS or just one phone call (or e-mail) away.

Vintage Rubber

English Retreads version of the messenger bag is made from 100% reclaimed inner tubes. I stumbled upon these this morning....it's such a cleaver use of recycled material I had to share immediately

Creator Heather English came up with the idea while floating down stream in an inner tube. A vegetarian she was thinking about wanting a new handbag, durable but not from leather. From this her company English Retreads was born. Heather gets her inner tubes from a truck stop in Boulder near her home. Each has more than 60,000 miles on it before they're re-created. Apparently she has been making these bags since 2001, am I the last to know about this?

Behold the Paper Straw.

This past weekend my husband's family visited from "The Homeland" (New Jersey). While we enjoyed good company and good conversation we were left with the conundrum “how do we entertain everyone”. On Saturday we ventured out to see the Kite Festival on Jockey’s Ridge. Our fun was short lived as the heat and impending dehydration led us from the giant dune and into Sam and Omie’s. Sam and Omie’s is a favorite eatery among locals, it’s been here on the Outer Banks since 1937. It’s good eats, clean and simple. Our server gave me another reason to sing their praise when she handed me a paper straw with my cold soda. Yes, the paper straw is back! Knowing there is one less piece of plastic sitting in the landfill was enough to brighten up an overheated afternoon. So Alas… my icy drink was served with a side of hope for the eco-friendly.

Eye Catching Bifocal SunReaders

OTB Bifocal SunReaders…have you tried them yet? The days of sitting at the beach with my sunglasses layered over my reading glasses are long gone. For me they have many uses... I wear them while I drive to help me identify cell phone callers. I also find myself keeping them on for quick runs into the grocery store or Wally World. I can read labels without fumbling through my bag for glasses. All of OTB Bifocals have 100% UVBA protection. They come in a variety of styles for men and woman. An adorable carrying case is included. These are in store at The Green Shutter . I'll ship them anywhere, just shoot me an e-mail or give me a call!

Time to get Naked...

Now that I have your attention....take a look at the Naked Sponge from TWIST. What did you think I was talking about?
Another earth loving product from TWIST. The Naked Sponge contains no dyes and is 100% cellulose. It does not contain the chemicals or colorings you find in those bright yellow sponges we see at the grocery store. You can check the Green Standards of this sponge here. TWIST products are available at William-Sonoma, Whole Foods or right here in the Village of Duck at Tommy's market.

BEACH WEATHER IS FINALLY HERE

BE SAFE...BE COURTEOUS...BE GREEN...

KEEP THEM BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN.

Re-cycling some DIRT

I'm smitten with scented candles and I am forever on a quest to find the perfect one. Not only for myself but for my shop as well. Not too strong, long lasting, and eco-friendly. My search ended when my husband suggested Dirt Candles. I can only guess it was self preservation that caused him to research soy candles on the web. Probably tired of coming home every day to some new and sometimes unusual scent. I had tested a bounty of samples and while some were pleasant others truly assaulted our senses.

Why Dirt? For starters I think they're amazing and I'm in good company. Hollywood agrees, DIRT candles were given as swag at the 2007 Academy Awards and Golden Globes. They have been featured in Home Decor, People, US and Style Magazines, just to name a few.

The soft, subtle aroma doesn't overwhelm. I sampled about a dozen scents and I found them all enjoyable. My favorite is Old Faithful. I'm a sucker for a good vanilla candle. It has notes of Madagascar Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla, Mexican Vanilla and herbs. Another favorite (probably because I live at the beach) is Beach Bum with Olfactory notes of seawater, kelp, fresh rain and white sand. Yep, its says fresh rain. I don't know how but its in there. No matter what scent you choose, you won't be disappointed.

These candles are eco-friendly from wick to box. Everything is bio-degradable. The box tells us that they burn for 60 hours, I can tell you they burn longer. The price is affordable, unlike other soy candles you won't have to break the bank to buy one. Just when I thought they couldn't get any better; a portion of the proceeds go to charities like Make a Wish Foundation, The American Cancer Society and Big Brothers and Sisters. If you love candles as much as I do you won't be dissappointed with DIRT!

A vote for the underdog is a vote for me!

We have a blog nod from SocialLuxe Lounge. TGS has a nomination for the Swiffer Clean Blog award. Someone please tell my husband my years of conscientious cleanliness (and 27 yrs of his suffering) have been acknowledged and distinguished by a fancy green blog button. The prize; recognition from my peers. Click here, go to Swiffer Clean Blogs and cast your vote for The Green Shutter.... you're the best, really!

Enchanted Mermaids from Natalie Silitch

I stumbled upon these fanciful ornaments in a glitzy little gift shop in Key West last fall. When I spied these little ladies sitting on a shelf I swear they were calling my name and I had to bring one home. Both owning small retail businesses with similar styles, the shop owner and I had much in common so a friendly conversation ensued. I was disappointed she was unable to share information on the artist. When I returned home I turned my tiny little frown upside down with a simple internet search (I love google). As it turns out the artist, Natalie Silitch stems from Annapolis, Maryland. A self-taught artist, she has been creating her whimsical fabric ornaments for years. Natalie is a delight to speak with and it is a pleasure to peddle her wares. Her playful mermaids have found a new home in my Coastal Carolina shop.

How many water bottles are too many?

NYC based graphic design firm MSLK is making a statement about the abuse and over use of the plastic water bottle. Their eco-conscious exhibit "Watershed" is an "in your face" way of letting us know how many bottles of water we guzzle everyday. Americans consume 1,500 per minute which is how many bottles they used to create the eye opening display. You can view "Watershed" at the Figment Art Festival on Goveners Island, NYC from June 12 - 14. Unfortunately I can only visit through photos, but if your living or visiting the NYC area it may be worth a look. If you don't already use reusable water bottles this may be a good time to start... particularly if you plan on attending the exhibit and bringing water, I'm just saying.

What is this thing called Guerilla Gardening?

Guerilla Gardening is a non-violent political gardening action. New Yorkers are among the city dwellers becoming Green Guerilla's. Secretly beautifying neglected parks, abandoned lots and city streets by smuggling in plants and seed balls. I think this is an intriguing idea but I confess that I find urban undercover gardening a bit amusing. I have visions of gardeners wearing ski masks running by empty lots and throwing tiny seed balls over chain link fences. Seed balls (if you're wondering) are a composite of seed, mulch and red terra cotta clay. If you would like to join the troops and enlist click here and learn how to make seed balls. So stock your arsenal and plan your next covert operation , guerilla gardening is here to stay.

Don't miss the Bungalow Scout Sale!

Its time for the Pre-summer sale..... All Bungalow Scout totes, coolers and troughs are 10% off On-line at The Green Shutter! They're flying off the shelves.... don't miss out! Oops, I almost forgot.... Dirt Candles are 20% off too!

Taking care of your Green Thumb

Tis the season for gardening and my hands suffer because of it. They have been crying for relief from the dry, sandpaper like skin I have burdened them with. While putting on my soothing hand salve I realize I need to share this product with other hands in need.

I own several pair of gardening gloves but they become damp, heavy and cumbersome. The gloves end up thrown on the lawn while I dig into the good earth. My hands pay the price for my lack of protection and repay me with broken nails and cracked skin. I have a semi-nightly routine of a DYI manicure, cleaning and polishing my nails and pampering my skin with products from Green Thumb. The salve is a remarkable product that I carry in my bag and use several times during the day. I also use the cleanser. It is extremely mild and derived from organic extracts while the salve is an intensive repair treatment. The salve contains coconut, shea butter, sweet almond oil and sunflower oil. Just a little bit of the salve goes a long, long way. Both the salve and cleanser come in two pleasant scents; herbal and citrus. Green Thumb is perfect for the gardener or anyone with overworked hands.

Chet gets a shout out

Here he is enjoying his new digs in our veggie garden.

Sharing the beach with Sea Turtles.

A few summer’s ago my husband was kayaking off the shore of Rodanthe. While I watched him enjoy his peace at sea, the kids and I soaked up some rays from the beach. There was an sudden disturbance in his solitude as we watched him make an “about face” and a quick trip to shore. To my amusement he told me he had been startled by a large sea turtle (a confession I continue to tease him about today). By the time he realized the gazing eye was from a sea turtle the adrenaline rush had already kicked in and he was on his way back the beach. Kayak $400.00, new bathing suit $75.00, the expression on Peter’s face….. priceless!

This was our first encounter with the Sea Turtle. I later learned of the plight of these creatures through a friend that volunteers for N.E.S.T (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles).

Off the coast of North Carolina we are fortunate to have several species of these beautiful sea creatures. Unfortunately they are all either threatened or endangered. Nesting female sea turtles come to lay their eggs every year on our beaches. If undisturbed the eggs will hatch in 2 months. Sadly the hatchlings stand a slim chance of survival. Their nesting coincides with the summer vacation season here on the Outer Banks and as you can imagine the beaches are filled with swimmers, children, un-leashed dogs and ORV’s.

N.E.S.T is an organization dedicated to protecting the nest and eggs of the sea turtle. Once a nest is identified N.E.S.T volunteers guard it 24/7. This is a remarkable organization with dedicated volunteers. To learn more about identifying nests and helping the sea turtles click here.

A side note: A land loving turtle has found a new home in our vegetable garden. James has named him Chet.

Garden's, Books and Memories...

I had a delightful Mom's Day. Hubby and son James took me to the Garden Center, patiently assisted in the choosing of plants and then sowed my beautiful vegetable garden. They planted it on the sunny side of the house were I can watch the bounty grow from our screen porch. I have tomatoes of varying colors, summer squash, eggplant, peppers and at Leigh's request grape tomatoes. I cherish memories of her as a toddler snacking on tomatoes off the vine displaying a big grin while the juice dripped off her chin. Oh but that was oh so long ago and now she is the world traveler living across a very big sea. I miss her terribly, but joyfully she will be home this summer. Before I digress further into sappy reflection I will get back on course...

Aside from enjoying my Mother's Day breakfast (those of you that did read the earlier post, eggs benedict was indeed on the menu) Ryan gave me a new book, "Animal, Mineral, Miracle" A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. I picked it up last night and its a fabulously plucky read.

A new re-tweet for our feathered friends...

....and the bird lover with an eco-friendly conscience. Barnstorm LLC makes products that are delightful to display in my home and in my store. These charming pieces are made from reclaimed wood and recycled tin. Each bird barn is a distinctive and functionally fun work of art. These are so cute you may think they're for decorating only, not true....these are built with our feathered friends in mind. Once they build their nest in one, they will be the envy of all their bird friends.

The bird barns are easy to clean, easy to hang and easy on the eyes. I love that all of Barnstorms designs are original. Each comes with authentic dents, dings, nail holes and scratches. The natural imperfections are the charm of the 50 year old wood they’re created from.

Equally as unique and distinctive are Barnstorms picture frames which are pieced from reclaimed wood maintaining the integrity of the original materials.

I have a variety of Barnstorm birdhouses and picture frames for sale in my shop. Although I have yet to list them on-line just give me a call, I’ll ship anything that’s not nailed to the floor!

Nothing says "tasty' like home grown tomatoes!

Ask not what your mom can do for you, but what you can do for your mom. It’s that time of year when children of all ages get to express their love for Mom. My house is no exception. May is a busy month for us. Mother’s day always falls within one or two days of my wedding anniversary (May 9^th) and my oldest son’s birthday (May 8^th) which is then followed by my daughter’s birthday (May 19^th). All of which will be dogged by the high expectations of Father’s Day, however squelched by my youngest sons H.S. graduation that same weekend. The aforementioned turn of events equates to "never enough money to buy mom some serious * bling". Lucky for them, I’m low maintenance and I appreciate the simple things like a nice * breakfast with my family. Getting my kids to * clean their rooms or * wash my car would be the * Diamond Tiara that I so well deserve.

So my request for Mother’s Day 2009 is simple; strive to be the best you can be, spend wisely, be safe, don’t do anything stupid and make me a vegetable garden.

* TGS is not responsible for any subliminal messaging that may take place in this post.

Here’s the story of a dog named Floyd aka Puff Doggy…

Who likes to chase bumble bees around his yard, until one day one of the bumble bee’s rebelled and bit him on the nose. His muzzle and brows were so swollen he could hardly see. After suffering a few indignities at the vet he took his sad swollen face and lay on the couch all day. He has a new found respect for the bumble bee and it is with fear that he enters his yard. It takes a push and a shove to get him out the door, then he does what he must and retreats back inside. It’s like a “Run By Pee-ing”.

His puffy face was comically funny and after a $70 vet bill I feel I have the right to poke a little fun at Floyd.

Twist, twist, do the twist....

No not the dance, the cleaning products. Haven’t heard of them, well I hadn’t either until a recent trip to my favorite local market. I spied the Twist Dish Dumpling on the shelf and I was smitten with its adorable-ness. I thought what is this cute little thing? And how will it fit into my world.

As the labeling indicates Twist makes a complete collection of naturally spongy, scrubby cleaning marvels. They clean dishes, respect the planet, and look good doing it. Some people like to cook, most people like to eat but few people like to clean. As for my little Dish Dumpling it packs a powerful scrubbing punch and makes the chore of cleaning a little bit easier. Twist offers several types of bio-degradable cleaning products, some of which will soon be available at The Green Shutter. Until that time William-Sonoma, Whole Foods and if you happen to be in Duck, NC, Tommy’s Market all carry Twist products. So if you’re like me you’ll throw away all of your ugly green scrubbies and put a Twist into your daily cleaning. Click here for a fun little video from Twist.