The mimosa is not just a fruity cocktail, but a pretty cool tree. Otherwise known as the Albizia julibrissin or silk tree, the mimosa has lots of neat components that make up the whole of the tree….
Such as beautiful silk-like fragrant pink to yellow flowers that appear in mid summer.

And the cool palm-looking leaves…

The mimosa is a perennial that’s part tree / part shrub that’s hardy in zones 6-9. This tree is really pretty, and birds and butterflies are especially drawn to it. However, the mimosa is also packed with pollen that can cause allergies in some people. I like …read more

I’ve been thinking about this since Arbor Day in Washington is coming up next week. I used to think there was a set Arbor Day across the U.S. but really we all celebrate on different days.

The Arbor Day Foundation has an easy chart that shows when your state celebrates Arbor Day. Some communities celebrate with week-long events, others for just a day. However, many celebrate in April, so if this is something that you and your family is interested in, I’d check the list today.
For those not in the U.S. you can check their handy list of Arbor Day events …read more

This will likely be one of the last Valentine’s Day gift posts here – V-day is slamming into us, and you’re almost out of time, if you have to order something. Still, you have a few days.
Valentine’s Day Gift Basket from the Fair Trade online store

“Large Soapstone Heart Box from Kenya
Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans
One dark and two milk bars of Divine Heavenly Chocolate with a Heart
Embroidered Applique Heart from the Hmong Hilltribe of Thailand
100% beeswax cinnamon flavored heart candle in reusable tin”

My only issue with this gift basket is there seems to be a lot of packaging – but …read more

I was going to do this as a holiday gift idea — which it most absolutely is but decided that it warrants it’s own post. Void of the holiday gift category.

Eco-Libris is this very neat website that’s promoting eco-savvy by means of reading and books. Their goal is a world where books and reading does not have a detrimental affect on the planet. Books are; as we well know mostly paper. And we all know paper comes from trees. As a big reader myself I do get stressed out about books vs. the planet. If you’re wrestling with this …read more