Tic Tac Heart

Hearts and rusty metal. The heart inside the tic tac toe is a piece of granite. Chris gave me the cut outs from bathroom sinks. I used most of the cutouts to pave my welding area. Fanciest paving in Old East Dallas and doesn't burn when I throw sparks with the welder. I decided to cut one piece into a heart, weld a tic tac toe and put the heart in the center. Kinda cute. Sold it during the studio tour. Made the one pictured for me then sold it at the garden tour. Like with every piece I make, I decide to keep if for myself. Then I have nothing to put in a show, so there they go. The next one I make for my garden will bring out all the little romantic creatures who live in the back yard and I will not sell it.

Water Songs in the Garden

Wonderful water features on the tour. I could spend the rest of the summer with pictures of them. Cool the garden, yard, air, yourself - not to mention the soothing sounds of water. Andie explained how she worked for different water sounds with heights, strength of pumps, containers, etc. Water songs and sounds. Think of water in a different way in your garden.

Water on the Tour

A touch of water on the tour. This fish really can swim.

Garden Art on Garden Tour

Two Robert Bellamy pieces were on the tour at Jimmy's house. I thought Jimmy said he had two mosaic pots, but didn't see the other one. Last year the Garden Club Girls went to Mr. Bellamy's place for lunch. The night before was my first welding class of that semester. There was this very attractive girl, Staci, with a pink feather in her hair, big pretend dangle drop earrings, pink lipstick and pink nails. She was welding away. Of course, this was someone I had to meet. We hit it right off.

Next day was the Bellamy field trip and I find Staci heads up the whole Bellamy group. I talk her into doing a totem for the State Fair of Texas. She delivers a fabulous piece. And she's doing one for me this year again. Such a small world.

Garden Tour Benches and Balls

Garden balls and benches on the tour. There's lots more of these. But I picked some great ones for you. This was a day of ideas, ideas, ideas.

Guess what I did today? Visited a potential garden for next year. Sat in the front yard with the owners. They've done so much. They are out in the yard always working working. Can't imagine how great it will be next year from the looks of it this year.

Succulent Life folks

For all the A Succulent Life folks, here's some of the succulents in the gardens on the Garden Tour. Paula and Mike's garden has a little of everything. Even their succulents are unusual and beautiful. Barb, who is the "heart" of the Forest Hills garden club, has asked Mike to come speak to us about growing tomatoes. We're all trying with limited success. Paula and Mike seem to have success with all they grow. I'm going on your blog to see if there's a post on the succulent wall. I took a picture of one in Santa Monica and would love to create one, but I can't afford to do one and they all die. Going to research one first.

My Two Guys

I have a ton of Garden Tour pictures, after party pictures, after preview pictures, etc. I have have Studio Tour party pictures. I'm trying to remember how to put them in an album and put on my web page. I managed to put last year's State Fair of Texas pictures of all the sculptures, but that was last year. Can't remember this morning so how can I remember last year. Oh, wait, Bob and I went to my Boy Babe's (pictured here with me and Bob) garage sale this morning. So sad, he's moving to Austin. What will we do?

After Tour Meeting

After Garden Tour meeting was tonight at Sharon and Bob's. Lovely meeting. We talked about how to improve next year and all we did right. The most important part was I've earned a forever place at Donna and Jeff's CRAWFISH table! I'm going to get Bob to take me for crawfish this weekend. Getting too close to out of season for me.

Garden Tour

OK, I must admit, these are still preview pictures of the Garden Tour. Still can't find my camera. Tomorrow night is the follow up meeting. I think each committee will have good reports. The tour was a smashing success.

Preview Picture

Here's another preview picture of the White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour. I took pictures all day while at Andie's, but I can't find my camera. Today I'm basking in all the emails and phone calls. So much fun. Something to look forward to every year.

Garden Tour

It's all about me! Here I am enjoying myself at the tour. Just sold the drink holders (the blue swirly thing next to me). Everyone agreed the tour was a great success. Best part was seeing friends and neighbors I hadn't seen in a while. Thanks for the picture, Marty!

The Tour is ON

The White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour is on today, Sunday, May 17 from 11:00 to 5:00. It's going to be a beautiful sunshine and coolish day. Perfect for touring gardens and buying art. Look for me in the garden with the big dinosaur.

Let's start the thanks now. All the media places I sent blurbs and pictures to (and there's a bunch) responded. I've tried to list all of you and I apologized if I forgot someone. I have a big spreadsheet on all of you, so I warn you now - I'll be back next year asking you to be as kind to us again. Personally, I'm delighted some of you have become friends.

Now all the VOLUNTEER committee members who have worked so hard to put this together. Bob Klug said it best, "Everyone's so professional." Lots of people did lots of work. This isn't one of those groups who all say they will do something and then 4 or 5 people do everything. Those who hosted our meetings provided wonderful treats. After the tour, I'm going to "try" your kale recipe, Barb. Only Barb can make kale taste good.

This tour is THE party to attend in East Dallas, the small town inside the big city. Go to my website, www.lottieminick.com and write down one address. There will be brochures at each location with addresses, maps, garden and artists descriptions, plant sale, sponsors, coupons and neighborhood histories. If you look hard enough, the brochure probably has something in it to make your dreams come true. WAIT - your dream is to attend a wonderful garden party and here we are for you.

Weekend Guide/Neighbors Go - Dallas Morning News

We were listed in the Dallas Morning News - Weekend Guide and Neighbors Go today. Probably would have been on the front page if not for late breaking news.

Cynthia and I have been bringing art pieces to Andie's garden almost daily now. She power washed her all her decking, a lot of decking and it looks terrific. I know it's going to rain tomorrow, but everything's so beautiful in every garden, what's a few puddles?

Go to my web page: www.lottieminick.com for your map and garden addresses. Sunday's going to be beautiful and we will be partying.

www.lottieminick.com

www.lottieminick.com for garden addresses and a good size map

See you at the 8th Annual FREE White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour

Keep reading for preview pictures and sardonic wit.

Donna, one of the Stars of the Tour

Yes, we have many stars on the White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour. Donna and Jeff were featured on the cover of the Dallas Morning News Guide section. Somehow Jeff was just out of camera range. That's what happens with professional photographers. Us unprofessionals manage to get everyone in the picture. Donna looked so pretty in pink and Ebay was smiling. She looked so relaxed I'll be she's not out there as I write this pulling the tiniest of weeds.

Sunday, May 17 - 11:00 to 5:00

Thank You

Time to thank more people. Mariana Green's terrific article in the Guide Section of the Dallas Morning News featuring Donna and Ebay is simply terrific. Don't miss it.

Also the tour is listed in the calendar part of the Guide. Several other publications put a blurb about the tour on their blogs:

www.advocatemag.com
wwwdallasobserver.com
wwwforesthills-dallas.blackwhiteread.com
www.winnetkaheights.org
www.eastdallasblog.com

Garden Club Girls

These are just a few of the girls who attended last Thursday's Forest Hills Garden Club. Of course, I forgot to get my camera out until most everyone had left. Master Gardener Janet D. Smith (far left) did a slide show presentation on Sex In The Garden. She was fabulous and we were all enthralled. Sex in the plant world, not people. I'd go to another garden club to hear her again.

Thanks to In Town Mix for keeping an eye on the goings on here in Old East Dallas. If you haven't visited Donna Harris' In Town Mix, go there right now. Also someone at Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Assn blogged about the White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour coming up this Sunday from 11:00 to 5:00. The 8th annual FREE tour is going to be the party of the year. Thanks to all who have helped us get the word out.

Remember for garden addresses and a good size map go to my website and click on Garden Tour Info. www.lottieminick.com

See you Sunday.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Advocate Magazine blog, the Dallas Morning News' East Dallas and Guide Live blogs along with the Dallas Observer's blob telling all about the White Rock East Garde & Artisan's Tour this coming Sunday. We all appreciate them helping us spread the word.

White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour

Confession time. This VooDoo Lily is not on the tour. I took this picture last Friday at Mary's right after our Forest Hills Garden Club meeting. She told all of us her VooDoo Lily blooms once a year, smells bad, but is positively stunning. Here it is and she's right. Mary isn't on the tour this year, but she was last year, so this gives you an idea of the quality of this tour.

8th Annual White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour, this coming Sunday, May 17 from 11:00 to 5:00 pm. Remember, we have local artists (neighbors) in the gardens. You're bound to find something you can live without; art, jewelry, etc. Even I can't kill the plants I've bought at previous plant sales. The raffle prizes are better than ever. Animal adoptions at the plant sale may have someone your family will love. Of course we will accept donations since the three neighborhoods split the proceeds and use the funds for beautification in each neighborhood. Personally, I'll tell you it's a wonderful party. And good weather is predicted. Go to my web site: www.lottieminick.com for addresses and a map of the garden.

For some reason Miss Computer Stupid can't make my website open to the Garden Tour page even though it shows it's the first page. So just click on Garden Tour info in the upper left hand corner and the click will take you to the page with all the information. See you there.

Preview Pictures, White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour

Yes, there's a labrinth in one of the gardens. You'll have to attend the tour and find it. The picture shows a small portion. The address column has a light at the top. Hint, these are in the same yard. I can't imagine the work that goes into this. You're going to have a great time strolling through the gardens. Each one has wonderful surprises.

Coming soon - next Sunday, May 17th from 11:00 to 5:00. Don't forget your cash - great plant sale and artists with their art for sale in the garden. Go to www.lottieminick.com for a nice size map.

The Mermaid Show at the Bath House

Here I am at the Bath House with Thalia, my mermaid. Everyone said I dressed like Thalia, daughter of Zeus, Muse of Humor. I explained Cathie gave me this beautiful blouse and I wore it because she was coming to the show. But I did match Thalia. Cathie must have known. The reception was packed and everyone had a great time. So many friends were there. My darling son showed up with Noel. Happy Mother's Day to me.

Larry Powell and the Garden Tour Preview Picture

Larry Powell wrote in his blog today about the White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour. Rebecca Poling, a good friend and President of Companions For Life, sent him some information on the tour and our pet adoption. He also mentioned our great neighborhood Animal Alert headed up by Andie. Other neighborhoods now use Andie's program as a guide.

I miss Mr. Powell's column in the Dallas Morning News. Always looked forward to it and don't understand why he's not there. Always made me smile. He did a lot of good for a lot of animals through his column and still does through other resources. Got to meet him at one of Dawn's fundraisers. We were all in costume including the pets. Too much fun.

The world of Dallas animlas is a better place because of Becky Poling and her good works. I'm assuming Rebecca is Becky's grownup name. When I mention her to animal people they think a minute and then I say, "Rebecca Poling" and everyone knows who I'm talking about. Thank goodness Becky's become a grown up so I don't have to.

I'll keep you informed as more media hits for the tour.

White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour - Preview Pics

More pictures to whet your appetite for the big event. I know the map I posted earlier is small. Go to my website and get the SAVE THE DATE which lists all the gardens and information on the front page along with a big map. We had a meeting tonight and all's on schedule for the FREE 8th Annual White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour, May 17, Sunday, from 11:00 to 5:00 pm. Fabulous gardens, incredible artists, luscious plants for sale and wonderful neighbors volunteering during the tour so your experience is the best ever. What a perfect Sunday afternoon for you and your friends.

Hey, why don't you email your friends and send them to my web site: www.lottieminick.com for their own map and information. If you email a few people and they email a few people, the cool people, like you, will attend. What an idea!

Mike and Paula's Poppies

These are Mike and Paula's Poppies. They hosted one of the Garden Tour meetings and gave everyone poppy pods. Said wait until the pods dry and scatter. I scattered all in this pot and covered lightly with potting soil. Look at this - my first ever poppies. Last meeting Mike walked in with poppy pods. It's been so wet, they are still on my bar, but you can bet they will be spread in some spot I think might get enough sunlight. Nothing I love better than "given" plants. I'll get you a picture of Barb's Japanese Maple. Finally let it go out of the house from the pot to the real world. It was a bit root bound and I was very scared, but it's doing fine. Again, nothing like a "given" from friends.

Go To - Tour Map

I know, the map's a touch small, but I can't make it bigger on the blog. Go to www.lottieminick.com. The first page tells you about the Exquisite Creatures Show at the Bath House, I hope you'll attend.

Page two is a large map with the SAVE THE DATE information.

once again go to:

www.lottieminick.com

MAP - White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour

Here's the map. Thank you Sharon for putting it in a format I can work with. I'll be emailing this to all the garden tour committee. They will email it to their volunteers, artists and friends they think might enjoy the tour. Hopefully those friends will email to their friends. Sunday, May 17, 11:00 to 5:00 pm. Eighth Annual and Free!

For my A Succulent Life friends

To my friends at asucculentlife.blogspot.com here's some really unusual succulents in a mall, Northpark, here in Dallas. Notice the top of the two plants are different. I'll try to remember my camera and get closer to each plant next time I visit the mall. I was with my friend, Julie, when I took the pictures and she'd never seen these types of succulents either. Hope you enjoy.

White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour - Preview Pics

Continuing the scavenger hunt. Check out this stain glass door one of the gardens featured on the tour. Do you recognize the planter? It's a Robert Bellamy.

For my It's A Succulent Life fans, I'll have succulents on tomorrow.

Jay, Cynthia and I brought our mermaids to the Bath House today for installation. The Exquisite Creatures - the Mermaid & octopus Show begins May 9.

White Rock East Garden & Artisans Tour - Preview Pics

Scavenger hunt continues. Look for this pond and maple and these darling chickens during the tour. Garden addresses in the post below this one.