Out of our Gourds

Hi folks--we had such fun Tuesday night. Kathy--we are sorry you couldn't make it, but your absence was for a very good reason. We will have other craft times and bring you up to speed. Patrick--we miss you. Hope all is well. Hayden--you were also missed--hope everything is going okay with you too.
So we had our business meeting--recapped all the jazz from the upcoming convention. Most of that is on the Dirty Hands Facebook page, so you can see it there.
A couple reminders--once again, please keep Gene in your prayers, and include Sybil from the Iris Elm GC in them too--we want her to have a good result from her foot surgery.
Rosie brought some uber delicioso carmel corn with the suggestion that we take it for the ways and means sale at the convention. GREAT idea--that stuff will fly off the shelf and make money for the cause. She brought it in a beautiful knot handled basket that she recently made, and recounted another basket project that we may be able to do as a group in the future. It sounds really cool--a basket vase.
We hashed around ideas for the cookie exchange--I formulated some guidelines for the night and put them at the top of the blog. Hope this is simple enough. If you don't like these guidelines, come up with a set of different ones and get them to me to post here. I don't care how we do it and I doubt that anyone else does either, but there has to be some kind of structure so there you are.
ALSO--I added something to the night--please bring a story of a Godwink that has happened to you--either one that happened to you or one that you were a part of when it happened to someone else. I will post a link to a definition of Godwinks here if you aren't familiar with the idea.
THEN it was on to Gourds. Cindy brought a whole boatload of gourds, and explained how they are cleaned (a very labor intensive process). All of these gourds were cleaned, and there was one to show us what they looked like before the requisite washing and scraping. Thanks a million times to Cindy both for the gourds and the cleaning beforehand! Marianne had some examples of adorable Gourd Scarecrows and Halloween scarey-people to show us. Cindy had a really lovely bowl that she made using stone texture paint, leather, feathers and a stencil. We talked for awhile about the endless ways to decorate and use gourds, then it was time to break out the paint and have at it. From Shirley's Golden Guilded Gourd to Maggie's snake and Sue's garden scene, each gourd was different and personal. Bobbi had unearthed a can of pearlescent spray, and several of the finished gourds received that most attractive treatment. It was a ton of fun, and all of our birds will have some cool handmade homes to call their own next year. Thanks also to Jeff for coming out and manning the drill for us.
One announcement--Rob, Rosie and I are going to the Michiana Orchid Society Show on Sat. Nov 12--I finally got the date right. Anyway--anyone who wants to go and meet us there to see the orchids and maybe get lunch--let me know, or just show up--whatever. The Four Flags Antique mall in Niles is also having an Open House that day. When I know what our timetable is I will post it and let folks know. Guess that's all for now--thanks everyone for coming--see you at the Orchid Show!! HTTD!

Unity Gardens classes (one on orchids)

Hi everyone--thanks to Kathy for sending this along--it's a schedule of upcoming classes at the SB conservatory, put on by Unity Gardens. Of note--the Orchid Class on Nov. 17th, among other things. Think I might like to to to that--if anyone else wants to glom on, let me know. Fee for non-members of the Conservatory is 3.00.
HTTD!


Some Classes You May Like

Tonight Nov 2nd Managing Dietary Fats and Salt and Cooking Demo
Tama Crisovan / Purdue Extension
6pm at The Potawatomi Conservatories
2105 Mishawaka Ave
Nov 09 Healthy Cooking Demo - Cooking Your Harvest
Cara Lupa / Purdue Master Gardener Intern
6 pm at The Potawatomi Conservatories
2105 Mishawaka Ave
Nov 16 Eat This, Not That Workshop 6pm at The Potawatomi Conservatories
2105 Mishawaka Ave
IUSB Student Nursing Association
Nov 17th
Orchids A-Z
With Vicky Rydzynski
a Purdue Master Gardener and Orchid Society President
A Powerpoint Presentatin on Orchids then a Tour of the Orchids , and a drawing for a free Orchid to start your collection
Class Starts at 7pm and the is $ 3 for non-members , and free for Conservatory Members
Class is held at the Potawatomi Conservatories
2105 Mishwaka Ave
South Bend
Unity Gardens Inc
For More Info Call
574-315-4361