Purple coneflowers are native in Texas. They go to seed and pop up in surprising places in my yard. The purple petals are pretty but it’s the pointy centers that I enjoy the most.

I this sunflower which grew from scattered birdseed in the backyard. It’s not perfect but I love it!

How many of you have a family photo that you hope never sees the light of day? I know I do. Awkward Family Photos is a site that celebrates these frozen moments in time. Fun to surf when you need a break (and a grin).

I took new photos of the kids last week while we were outside eating cookies.

I planted a hibiscus in a pot outside my studio window and it’s begun blooming. What a stunning flower!

The tufts of yellow pollen are just begging for a bee to come on by.

A new can of wall paint comes with a paint stirrer or two. I use them and I save them. Because I paint my walls often, I have lots of stirrers. I was about to thin my collection when I realized that these paint stirrers are a great record of the colors I have on my walls and trim. If I need to match the paint I can take the paint stirrer to the paint store and get an exact match – which is a lot easier than trying to take in a piece of the wall :-).

I drew a light, level pencil line on the wall in my utility room. I drilled a hole in the end of the stirrers with current paint colors. I wrote pertinent info on each stirrer and hung them with small nails. It’s nice to see them all lined up as time I come and go.

Wouldn’t you know it – Martha does this too! I just looked through a “how to paint” slideshow at marthastewart.com. I hate to say it, but her stirrers look better than mine – and she’s recorded more info on hers. Her paint can is tidier too. But she has a staff of helpers and I don’t!