Take Time To Smell The Flowers

It is important for me to take time to smell the flowers. Especially in the spring when the winter has been so long!

One of my favorite places to smell the flowers is the Macy's Flower Show with Gardens by Bachman's in Minneapolis. I go to this event every year to take in the smell of the flowers, feel their energy and see the gorgeous display of color. Words can not express the beauty of the flower show!

The flower show is Sunday April 5th-Sunday April 19th this year. I encourage to you to take the time to smell the flowers!

The Gift Of Remembering Names And Faces

In high school I realized I had the gift of remembering names and faces. Through the years many people have commented on this skill that I take for granted. I don't give it very much thought, but I was talking with someone about it yesterday and she told me how much it meant to her that I remembered her name.

A lot of us like to be greeted. A smile, a gesture or a nod is all it takes sometimes to make someones day. When you add a name to that greeting the experience is more memorable.

When I am introduced to someone I always really listen to their name and really focus on their face. If it is a name that is hard for me to pronounce or if I don't hear them very well I ask them to repeat it. That way I have heard their name at least twice. When we part company I close the conversation with their name. Afterwards I mentally focus on their name and visualize what their face looks like. The next time I see them I greet them by name and look at them directly. If I have forgotten their name I ask them to refresh my memory, and I once again make a mental note. The next time I always remember their name and face.

It is very important to me to remember names and faces. I want to greet others like I like to greeted. By name and a with a warm smile!

Take A Moment Today To Rejuvenate

Take a moment today to rejuvenate! Take a quick break from everything that needs to be done!

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started!
1) Gaze at the clouds
2) Pick up pine cones, acorns, leaves while on a walk
3) Turn off your cell phone, BlackBerry, computer etc. for a half hour
4) Take a new exercise class-spinning, yoga, water aerobics etc.
5) Grab your camera and photograph anything and everything you see for 10 minutes
6) Make a special meal for yourself or a loved one
7) Go window shopping
8) Do a crossword puzzle
9) Go to bed a half hour early

Take a moment today to rejuvenate!

Choosing A Hammer

How do you choose a hammer? There are so many styles to choose from! Different sizes, weights and materials! If you have a specific question about choosing a hammer leave us a comment here or convo us at our store! We will get back to you as soon as we can!


4 pound Dead-Blow Hammer

8 Ounce Rubber Hammer

16 Ounce Rubber Hammer

32 Ounce Rubber Hammer

Rawhide Mallet

4 Ounce Ball Pein Hammer

4-1/2 Ounce Chasing Hammer

8 Ounce Cross Pein Hammer With Hickory Handle

3/4 Inch (20 mm) 4 Ounce Double Head Rubber And Plastic Hammer

5 In 1 Dual Head Hammer

Dual Head Hammer Brass Replacement Heads

Dual Head Hammer Copper Replacement Heads

Dual Head Hammer Nylon Replacement Heads

Dual Head Hammer Plastic Replacement Heads

Dual Head Hammer Rubber Replacement Heads

First Day Of Spring And The First Robin Of The Season

Today is the first day of spring and I saw my first robin of the season!

Irish Soda Bread on St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I would love to introduce you to Lola (the yellow lab) and Megan (the black cocker spaniel). They were the best of friends on earth and now they are both in heaven waiting for us! They brought us many moments of joy and taught us lessons I hold dear to my heart.

Several years ago on St. Patrick's Day we had the traditional Irish meal including Irish Soda Bread. After dinner for a special treat Lola and Megan got a piece of the bread to celebrate. Lola ate hers quickly and relaxed in the living room with us. Megan ate hers slowly and she brought it into the living room to eat. It was taking her a long, long time to eat so I started to watch her. She was nibbling off the bread and leaving the raisins in a small, neat little pile next to her. She was enjoying every bite! There was bread on her paws, in her ears and all over her face! Such joy! She was licking her lips and with each small bite the pile of raisins grew larger. There was not a single piece of the bread left when she was done, but there was this pile of raisins sitting there. Lola got up and went over by Megan. She checked out the pile of raisins to make sure Megan was done and immediately ate them! Then they both took a nap before our nightly walk! I guess that is what friends are for!

I wish I would have had a camera, but I knew that if I got up to get it the moment would have been gone. I close my eyes and see my sweet, sweet Lola and Megan enjoying St. Patrick's Day with us. The memory of that day and the lessons I learned are also sweet!

Yo-Yo Ma

I love the music of Yo-Yo Ma. Several years ago I was privileged to hear him perform live! What a magnificent opportunity! I was mesmerized by his skill and inspired by his talent.

When I was in elementary school I began to play the cello. I played in the orchestra all through high school and loved it. I was fortunate to be able to take private lessons which I thank my parents for because those lessons really enhanced my abilities. I gained a great appreciation for the instrument as well as even greater appreciation for working with others! What tenacity that it takes to practice! Several times I played in a quartet for a performance where we practiced countless hours on a Bach, Beethoven or Mozart piece. The performances always were the highlight of all our hard work!

This morning as I was listening to the music of Yo-Yo Ma it brought a smile to my face as I remember fondly my musical moments! I feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to learn how to play the cello and to this day enjoy classical music!

St. Patrick's Day Gifts $5.00 And Under

March Is National Caffeine Awareness Month

Did you know that March is National Caffeine Awareness Month? I was reading about this yesterday as I was drinking a glass of water! I would much rather have been drinking a glass of coke! In 2008 I slowly started cutting down on my caffeine intake. By January of 2009 I was down to 12 ounces of coke a day.

It has not been easy! There are so many times throughout the day that I want to grab more caffeine for that quick fix! Instead I try to drink a glass of water or two! Water hydration! Telling myself that just replenishing my fluids will wake me up! I'm not convinced it is working but I am not giving up! I can change my caffeine habit day by day!

The month of March is the perfect month to work on drinking more water! I will work on my energy level through exercise and getting more rest!