Stuff That's Been Lifting Me Up

re: plants
just be careful which ones you get, as a lot are poisonous to cats
I think the ASPCA has a list on their site. I kill all plants, so i'm not much more help there.

I took a media break a week ago when we went on vacation. I expected to have withdrawals but we were having so much fun, I didn't. I was refreshed and ready to connect again when we got back. I think it is a necessity to step away periodically.
Catherine Denton

I agree on the media diet. My family can not believe how little TV I watch. I prefer music!
Ali, how did the painting go in your craft room/ office?

I have a couple jade plants - they are great, easy to take care of...I have an aloe vera plant, I also have two types of ivy - one with really cool leaves that have purple fuzz on them (I guess it is called a Purple Velvet Plant) and a regular green one, I also have two plants similar to Golden Pathos Vines. There is also a geranium from last summer that I brought inside.

I have two little kids (a 3 year old and a 1 year old) and also a 6 year old cat and they don't bother the plants at all. The 1 year old likes to mess with the jade, but it is at her level sitting on the floor. :)

I loVe the Avett Brothers!! Saw them live in Mesa <3

Have you seen the Rita Wilson episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?' yet? I bawled the entire hour.

I cried at the end of the Helen Hunt episode too! It's nice to be reminded of the women that came before us to fight for the rights that we enjoy today.

I am loving having succulents and an orchid in my home. Very calming as well as beautiful. And I have a cat....she hasn't shown an interest in eating them.

As odd as this may sound, because it truly is an outdoor plant -- it just doesn't do well in the climate here, is night blooming jasmine. I used to have some in my bedroom and loved the smell of it on the warmer evenings. (Of course in the winter, I didn't notice it at all, but it didn't die until I moved into my limited sunlight home.)

I am addicted to Who Do You Think You Are! Are you also watching the PBS Finding Your Roots? Both shows can bring on the tears.

I have a "grow" pinterest board - only a few pins so far, but this one might be helpful - http://pinterest.com/pin/87327680244583735/

Hi Ali -
I've been all about adding green plants inside my house over the past year. So much so my sister commented last weekend that I'm running out of room - soon it could be a rainforest in my condo - she's exaggerating, of course ;)

I don't get much sun, but I've had luck with these:
pothos
bridal veil (a fave)
african violet (hasn't bloomed again, but I've kept it alive)
spider plant
earth star plant
peperomia - a few different varieties of this one
rex begonia

I've also picked up a few air plants online and in stores - they're popular now and are popping up at local stores and chains like West Elm. Super cool plants. Don't need soil, just rinsing under water.

Kudos to you on the fern! I love the look and have tried twice. So picky about drafts, water and light - just can't get it right at my place. Such cool plants out there. I really love having more "living" happening in my home.

Definitely a peace lily (http://www.plant-care.com/peace-lily-spathiphyllum.html). Love the green, so rich, and the blooms, so calming. It is the only "true" indoor plant, and so it is easy to care for. African violets are pretty in window sills, but really particular to care for them. They ONLY like water from the base up, not in the soil like most plants, otherwise they get fungus really easily. Ferns are always welcome in my house, so many amazing varieties. My Mum always had a maidenhair fern, to delicate and beautiful!
Happy plant shopping!

I was on a media diet last week on spring break--and you know what I haven't totally jumped back into it either--today is my first day back on the internet.

as far as plants go---i'm not good with them at all the only plant i have in my house is aloe plants and i do love them----i think the only reason i haven't killed them is that they take very little water.

I've had a jade plant for ten years that just gets more and more beautiful. It's a succulent and likes sun - best in a south-facing window. I tend to forget to water it, but it's very forgiving! It's a peaceful, happy, easy plant.

One of my all time favorites is a spider plant - and safe for cats, too! Reminder to self: stop by nursery for classroom plant!

a succulent garden would be awesome if you have a spot by a window!
thanks for sharing all your "up" stuff...love that tara w!

Thanks so much for sharing. :)

I have 2 cats and I just bought a Pony Tail Palm at Home Depot which looks really cool. They are non-toxic and my one cat likes to play with it.

love these uplifting resources. tara whitney is amazing, isn't she?

I love Christmas/Easter cactus - I've had several for years - they always survive my neglect while other house plants wither. The bonus is they bloom too!

I loved the Helen Hunt episode too....cried at the end and cried again when I told one of my daughter's about it. They're amazing, the women who've gone before us...so very grateful for their hard work and efforts.

I adore staghorn ferns...they remind of dinosaurs. I love the messages from the universe and am always amazed at how they fit my life at the moment. Best part of my morning reading them. Tara's post was the icing on the cake to things I'd been thinking about. I've put them in action and am seeing a change in the way I think and react, which has made positive changes in my life too. Next up a media break which might be good to do during a week in the life to help me "see" my life.

I have some spathiphyllum, they show you when they need water :-)