Went to see The Young Victoria this afternoon. Since this blog is about gardens, let me recommend this movie. The gardens are incredible and there's lots of scenes in the gardens. Oh, the movie's good, too. Saw the Mel Gibson movie yesterday, no thumbs up. You know who the bad guys are immediately, they even travel in the black SUV's like all government bad guys do. Same old story, new old Mel. I guess if it was easy to make a good movie, everyone would make one.

Check out BlackWhiteRead.com tomorrow morning for my new column on Artscape At The Arboretum featuring artist Barbara Dybala. And always check me out: www.lottieminick.com

Daffodils

First daffodils/jonquils for my yard this year. I'm most fond of plants I've been givenperennials and plants I've been given than any other. Today was high 60's, but very cold weather is suppose to be on the way. I need to get a new cardboard box to cover the Japanese Maple Barb gave me. The rain kinda melted the box, but I'm pretty sure the maple is happy.

Monday Barb picked up me, Andie and Cynthia for the first Garden Tour committee at Bob K's. This coming Monday is the general meeting at my house. After hosting our Christmas party, Forest Hills Garden Club meeting, Manicure Lecture Series and Monday's Garden Tour meeting, I'll be done hostessing for a while. Can't believe January is over and we're about to be springtime busy.

To to www.lottieminick.com for updates.

Barbaree Babes present first Manicure Lecture Series

The Barbaree Babes presented the first Manicure Lecture Series Sunday, January 17. Cathie Flato brought articles, books, pictures and jewelry, featuring her Father, world renowned jeweler, Paul Flato. Cathy held us spellbound telling us about the incredible pieces Mr. Flato designed for royalty and Hollywood stars. She passed out books with pictures of Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Paulette Goddard, etc., wearing Mr. Flato's incredible one of a kind gemstones. We could have kept her going for hours with questions. A few friends were invited though Juli was the only guest who could attend. I'll bet when word gets out all invitations to the lecture series will be RSVP yes!

I'll be writing a little blurb for Black White Read about Cathie's presentation soon. Don't worry, I'll blast it everywhere so you can't miss it.

Equanimity Magazine is out on line. My column is on page 36. Soon the magazine will be in print form in Barnes and Noble. I'll haunt the store waiting.

Soon I'll get serious about the Octopus and Octopie blog. If you haven't already checked it out, click now.

Also, Artscape At The Arboretum is March 20 and 21. I'm on the committee and it's going to be the best ever. Mark your calendar.

Everyday Heroes

Every day heroes are heroes every day. These 3 ladies walk the walk. Rebecca, Maeleska and Andie work tirelessly for animals. Companions for Life, Animal Alert!, the Mockingbird dog park, too many to mention, they make it happen. They need our support.

Double click on the links to find out more.


No More Disposable Pets

Pictures from another Christmas party

Here's some of my favorite people at yet another Christmas party. I'll be seeing them again this Saturday night at the Glass Party at CAC. I'm going to sign up for Becky's cast glass class (easy for you to say). Cynthia took the class and I admire her two pieces every time I visit her house. Can't wait.

Dallas Cowboy Stadium Tour

During the holidays Bob and I took a tour of the new Cowboy Stadium with Steven, Steve and My Darling Martha Dawn. I try very hard to stay true to the blog and get some art and some garden stuff. Not really, but the thought does cross my mind. Couldn't find the big art at the stadium, so here's a chandelier in a bar and for garden stuff the turf they were laying down for the upcoming Cotton Bowl game? Who cares the guys were more concerned with the Cowboy's locker room and Martha and I enjoyed the Cheerleader's locker room (lots more mirrors).

New Do

We met James Randall for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory across from Northpark on New Year's Eve. He'd just left Salon D where Angie cut his hair (their once a year annual event). I think James Randall may be channeling our friend Weldon. R's ready for his closeup.

Of course pictures of the new do and the restaurant is too dark so we walked over to Barnes and Noble. I would have asked a customer to get a picture of all 3 of us, but decided not to turn the store into a photo shoot.

Bob and I went to see Crazy Heart, with Jeff Brides, the next day. Great movie. While watching I could almost see why Randall wants to be on stage with his guitar. Course I hope he hits big and can support his parents in the manner to which they deserve?!?!?

Last but not least, I'll be posting soon on www.octopusandoctopie.com soon.

New Year's Resolution

I hate New Year's Resolutions, but this year decided to walk at least a mile a day in this beautiful neighborhood. Well, yesterday, I drove to Fort Worth to see Mom, then Bob and I went to see Crazy Heart, then out to eat. Well you know how that goes, then it's nearly time for the BlackJack walk (actually a sniff and mark). OK, missed the first day. Got out there today.

Nope, that's not BlackJack sitting in Jim and Virginia's front yard. This puppy dog is June who is a smaller clone of BlackJack. She's sitting out there all by herself. I was afraid to step foot in the yard, she might be protecting it from predators and eat me. Her fur is shining and healthy in the sunlight.

We can't walk this block with BlackJack. Virginia's next door neighbor had like a dozen black cats at one time. One night we passed Virginia's house and were not paying attention. BlackJack stopped and wouldn't move. In the middle of the street another house down were all the cats in the street - watching us. Freaked out Bob and me, too. BlackJack will not go past the stop sign into that block anymore. Virginia and Cynthia assured me all have been adopted or fixed, so it's OK for BlackJack. Maybe they can convince him, we can't.

Don't forget to check the latest on Octopus and Octopie.