The Judith Is In The House!! We answer your "Win On Wednesday" Special Moms Day Edition Questions!

Ok! We are sitting down together, avec wine! The Judith (that is my nickname for her, b/c she is worthy of being a noun) and her boxed wine...and me, and my real wine.. hey! Maybe that is what makes our relationship work...we don't drink each others wine.

Ok, here we go!
And I quote The Judith "Sock it to me" :)

What makes your relationship with your mom work?- Vasiliki
Judith is answering.. so let's..let her..
"I'm just totally, always, in awe of what you do... I mean, I love every single one of your paintings you did, I think this whole project is really a lovely thing, and um, I just respect you..and I think you're beautiful. I am proud of the way you work with our employees. I like the fact that you have a really high energy level.. you are always willing to work..."
ok.. I'm cutting her off.
Rachel: I honestly could not respect another human being more. I truly can't get over her. She is this amazing..entity. .she is like, wildly sagacious, kind of.. knows everything..and yet greets everything..with this ..pure joy. Where for me, honestly, 'being happy' is something I think about..work on.. for her. it's just her natural state. Everything is a wonder, a beautiful thing. The eyes she looks on the world with, are truly gentle, loving eyes. I admire her. I think that's the key.

What is your favorite color? Barbara
The Judith "me?"
"Yes mom, You"
Judith, raising her hands and looking around. "it's so obvious!!! White.."
Rachel: yeah, maybe it's power of suggestion (this house is white.. top to bottom) but..white!

How do you manage to keep such a wonderful attitude all the time?- Julie
Judith-"Because I am geniuinely happy and we live in a beautiful place"
Rachel I think I do this because in doing it.. I become it. if that makes sense. it's sort of a chicken/egg kind of thing. I have learned a lot by practicing at being happy. :)

What is the best thing about Cape Cod? Jacqueline
Judith "ohhhh my god.. all the natural beauty, and all the pride the people take in their homes..the fact that everyone that lives here is so happy to be here.

Rachel Driving down route 6a about a half an hour before sunset. Golden light streaming through arching trees. Turning left down Scudder Lane. Bribing the oystermen for a few of their babies... driving home under the stone bridge that Edie Vonnegut painted with an image of two mermen, casting their nets in the sea. .it reads "Looking for family, searching for tribe" just before the road gently arcs and takes me home.

What is the most memorable thing you've done with your mom or grandma? Amanda
The Judith (answering about me I think) "ok, this is my favorite memory.. when we used to go to the duckpond, and feed the ducks everyday.. you were like 2, or 3 ...and um.. when you introduced me to all the music that you love.. when we went to Santa Fe and Sedona.. ooh when I saw all your apartments in California.. let's see.. hold on.. (getting frustrated) i dont know! we have so many memorable things.. every day is memorable..oh my god.. we used to dye easter eggs, every year, with my father, do you remember that? oh my god.. what are your most memorable things?.."

Rachel: I have amazing memories of our cross country road trips together, and the thing we still do at the end of every adventure. We write down what happened. It sounds so small, but it's so fun, like reliving the experience..
Judith "YES YES! like when we saw Miss Missississippi in the Cracker Barrel restaurant! Where was that?
Rachel: Mississippi
Judith:Yes!
Rachel: But my more recent favorite memory is when I would be so busy in the gardens or gallery, and you and Beazie (the dog) would set off to walk the beach. I wouldn't think anything of it, until I realize like, 6 hours have passed. I'd drive up to the beach and walk to the tip where the marsh side meets the ocean. You would be sitting there, in the tall grass, your feet in the water.. Beazie digging a hole by your side. You were just.. sitting. being happy. I love that thought.


Judith can you tell me about one of your favorite memories of Rachel while she was growing up?- Trish
"uh huh! Her birthday parties.. especially the birthday party at the pond, when we had the frog race..and you were so determined you were going to win. .NO.. it has to be the time you had your ballet recital. .. 4 years old.. at the end.. everyone twirled off to the left, and you stood in the middle of the stage.. afterwards.. i was so nervous you were going to be so upset.. instead you said (exasperated) 'oh my god mom, can you believe EVERYONE went the wrong way??" i think that was my first inkling in really knowing who you were..

I'm mom to a wonderful, strong 3 year old girl. I'm really keen on creating and establishing traditions with her, that just the two of us share, & she'll always remember. What are some of your mother/daughter traditions?"- Regina

oh! taking a picture of you every christmas that we frame and take out every christmas, so i can look at and see how you grew...ooh! making our Christmas presents every year..sitting at that little bar table... this is such a good question... who are asking all these questions.. 'our customers' 'oh my god' "what about your dress" OH.. WEARING MY MATERNITY DRESS, EVERY YEAR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY! IM GOING TO DO IT FOREVER.. AS LONG AS I LIVE..JUST TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTH"

Rachel: Yes, the dress is a BIG one.. that poor tattered piece of blue fabric with the yellow flowers...every year.. yup. And Oh my god.. our TOAST! Every time we have a glass of wine together.. same toast..
"To more success and happiness than we can even imagine..and to making more money than even Rachel can spend.." (it's a joke.. sort of!)

Rachel, what made you decide that you could go home again?
Brandonne
Wow this is a tough question. Honestly,I don't think if you had asked me 8 years ago if I thought I'd be 'going home' for longer than the 4th of July long weekend (as was initially planned) I would have been able to say I saw this happening at all! But something happened. Slowly, and I kept trying to deny it (moving back to L.A. for the winter, EVERY winter, for like 6 years).. but I found myself really committed, to the business. I found myself committed to being committed to something. I loved how important it had come to be for me. For a solid 8 years I literally slept, ate and breathed this business, and it gave me a sense of purpose I think my life had been lacking.

What do you do to show your mom you appreciate her? Heather Moe Stevens
Judith: "Everyday you show me. you're happy, your creative.."
Rachel: I like her answer :) I don't know, I just try feel we both know what makes the other one happy. I love creating an environment for her that has everything she loves. When she travels, I love having a place set for her return. Wine glass full, a full bag of spinach in her favorite bowl, chopped tomato, feta cheese, olive oil and coarse ground pepper, all laid out. She also has about 500 labeled c.d's I've made for her "Date night C.D" "Work Out C.D"..etc.

Judith what is it that you admire the most about Rachel? And Rachel what do you admire the most about your momma?- Lindsay
Judith "her creativity, her sensitivity, her really caring about other people..her loveliness..um..her beauty.. intelligence..mmm (chewing spinach)
"that's enough"
Rachel Her ability to be always, and effortlessly happy. And her total lack of judgement towards any living thing.

Your relationship is so close - have you always been this close and if not, what was the turning point that made you both decide to work on being closer?-Heather


Judith: "I think we've always been this close. I can't remember a time we haven't been this close.. I can't remember ever being angry with you, or disappointed with you.
Rachel:I can remember you being angry with me!! Many times! But seriously, yes, we have always been close, but coming home when I did, seeing what she had made here. Seeing her ability to 'work' so hard, for something. That blew me away. Still does


What is your favorite memory of each other over the years?-Christine

Judith:ooh, this is a good one.. i dont know if this is the one. .but when you were putting up the bamboo fence..and digging those holes...that's really a great memory

Rachel: Again, I go to finding her and my baby boy Beazie, literally spending hours doing nothing but sitting in sunshine, feeling good.

What is the most important thing you have learned from your mother? Mia
Rachel: So much..how to be kind, I hope, and how to see that the world is a truly beautiful place..filled with so much beauty. I learned to really seek it, and see it.
Judith: Your creativity!

Happy brand new week! New weeks start with Mondays, which means,true to our goal, it's time for a new blog!
Apparently, for a while at least, these blogs are a way for you to get to know.. Er.. Me, better. I hope this is ok! I love nothing more than when Giving Tree friends share some of their life/experiences/joy with us.. So maybe all this "blogging" by me will inspire more of that! (hint,hint)
Also, I can't seem to help having things to write about! This is turning out to be a really interesting time for me- basically equally dividing my weeks between NYC and Cape Cod. And I just keep noticing, all this "balance" I feel these two places together bring to me, and to Giving Tree!
Last week, the blog came after a long and arduous but inspiring day in the bamboo gardens..which "naturally" (pun intended) opened up all sorts of thoughts on rejuvenation (bloom) as well as its opposite.. The necessary passing of things to allow new growth, both literally and figuratively. In a word or two, "letting go".
This week, I am writing this blog on my blackberry, sitting on a bus currently stopped at 81st and Madison, making the journey home to Cape Cod.
The things I experienced, and felt in NYC this past week, prove to be in beautiful, effortless balance and harmony with my musings in the bamboo just a week ago. This feels like a gift to me.
This week in NYC, I realized the importance of "holding on". See, I spent a lot of time with two friends of mine, both of whom I first met in l.a, over 10 years ago, and now we all find ourselves in NYC!
Long term friendship is an interesting thing. Not easy, but when nurtured, amazing. Ten years is a long time for living and CHANGING. And sometimes, sadly, so much changing can lead to a "growing apart"... not because love is lost, but just because two peoples interests and day to day realities have really changed.
One of these long-time friends, Kristin, (an amazing artist www.kristinjaiklosterman.com) is what made me think specifically on this topic. I can see very tangible, obvious ways that we have both changed. And Kristin is a tough one because she is exceedingly physically beautiful (a cover model through her teens and 20s) and overwhelmingly gifted as a painter. Yes, an embarrassment of riches. But after spending 3 evenings, dining, dreaming and "art-ing" with her, (yes I made that word up.. Def: "The act of seeking, seeing, imbibing all the art the world has to offer!!"). I felt compelled to tell her that she is not only a truly special woman, but also, an exquisite friend. She does "right" by my still healing and learning heart, and by my dreams of provoking small but significant change in the world. She supports me, as a human being.
Point being, last week, as I found myself pulling the half uprooted, deceased bamboo from the hard ground, I would hold the smooth stalks in my hand and think..."It's ok, let go"
Looking at Kristin, seeing her, always arriving before me to a destination, always alert and interested and considerate, I kept looking at her and thinking "hold on". Hold on to the people that honor your highest possibility of yourself..


(KJK ridiculously happy at Oyster Happy Hour!)


Whew! That was a bit heavy! But it came from the lightest place. :)

And as for the other balance.. Wow is there a lot of fabulous art in this city! Everywhere!! One of my favorite moments of the week was "art-ing" with Kristin and Anna,(Annasheffield.com our newest addition to Giving Tree Jewelry, coming so soon!) We are all huge fans of the painter Mark Rothko. I was literally made breathless seeing his giant red painting at the Whitney museum a few weeks ago. Now, there is a fabulous play on Broadway called "Red" starring Alfred Molina.


The three of us were talking about Rothko, about being artists, making art, when I wondered aloud whether it wasn't often a sad, or at least very lonely, endeavor. (Rothko committed suicide in 1970) both Anna and Kristin disagreed. (Phew! :)) Anna went on to say that some of her favorite moments, to date, in her life, are when she has a brand new idea, when she thinks of a thing, or a way of creating, that has never been done before. She put her hand over her head and made the motion of turning on the light-bulb as she described the incredible excitement, and joy in those moments, that she has come to live for as an artist. I looked at the hand she was holding above her head. She was wearing one of her two finger rings. The design I had first seen years ago, and thought to myself "THAT IS INCREDIBLE! I've never seen anything like that before!" When she put her hand down, I asked her if the ring had been one of those light bulb/joy moments. Indeed. It had been!


(Two-Fingered Ring By Anna Sheffield!)

And look at that! In my blackberry on the bus, silly, esoteric ramble of a blog, I even found a way to tempt you with some amazing jewelry.. coming oh-so-soon To Giving Tree Jewelry!
So in closing this weeks blog, I say... to all of this, ART, INSPIRATION, FRIENDSHIP, AND LIFE- balanced and utterly enhanced by all of these things... Letting go, and Holding on... city and nature.. and of course to breathtaking "brand new/light bulb lit" baubles,
To all of these wonderful things I simply say... YIPPEE!!!

Xxx (and Thank-You! for being a part of so much fun and celebration!)
Rachel
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From The Gardens at Giving Tree Monday Blog Number One

Here it is! A new, beautiful Monday, beginning a new and beautiful week. I find it is always a helpful thing to start out, any new thing.. with almost too much positivity and optimism.. That way, if life or circumstance should happen to chip away at some of it, there is plenty left to make it through :)

It is also the first Monday of our 'every Monday' blogging mission! A few promises, right out of the gate..
We promise to have a new blog, every Monday! And we promise they will be diverse, curious little things, and not all written by Rachel! Courtney and Laura are on tap, and who knows, if we can get her to sit still for 5 minutes, maybe even Judith!

Anyway, this week, it's me :). I was both excited and torn over what to write about this gorgeous morning. I had two primary inspirations. The first sprung up in me yesterday, sometime around 4 pm, in the middle of our bamboo forest. There is a point, as everyone knows, when 'working' that you turn some proverbial corner. It is often true, the hardest part is starting, and then, maintaining....but once the work is truly underway, often, something happens, and a new energy fills you, and you feel tireless and unending. This happened, just about the same time the rain, which had been intermittent all day, started up again, the strongest of the day so far. But I had turned that corner, and there was no stopping. Beazie, as usual, decided I was crazy and went to take shelter on the porch. I couldn't stop. I had that 'thing' happen, that happens every year when I work on the property. A love, and awe, for this place fills me beyond comprehension, but not beyond immense gratitude. I was thinking, about so many things yesterday, about the 2 decades of work my mom has put into this place,, about all the kind words from people that have visited here, and taken away a happy memory, a deeper thought, a peaceful moment. And I was thinking about the land itself, most especially, the bamboo forest (where I was working yesterday). Every year, the literal weight of winter (the snow, mostly) causes huge sections of the forest to be pulled down, almost to the ground. On top of this, about 75% of the bamboo dies every year, and also bends, or cracks, or falls. So the very hard work is removing all the huge, dead pieces of bamboo, clipping them, saving the stalks and clearing the rest, (often on the other side of the property) At first, inevitably, this makes me so sad, all this.. ostensible, death. But then, I see these little teeny tiny new stalks, only an inch or two out of the ground.. still purple at the tips. I also see a tree, springing back to joyous life when finally set free from 100 feet of vine that has wrapped itself around its precious trunk. I see sunlight pouring through the new spaces made in the once clouded, shrouded forest.









I think about the idea of secondary succession:

"Secondary successions are much more common than primary successions, because disturbances are rarely intense enough to obliterate previous ecological influences. Most natural disturbances, such as windstorms, wildfires, and insect defoliations, are followed by ecological recovery through secondary succession. The same is true of most disturbances associated with human activities, such as the abandonment of agricultural lands, and the harvesting of forests"

Meaning, essentially that the only way the 'new' bamboo can grow and thrive, is by the older bamboo making room, letting the light in, the natural cycle of everything, played out here, in this micro version.

All of this put me in mind of the whole idea of 'letting go'... how difficult, but essential, it is, for anything 'new' to happen.

There is a line from Rilke:
"We need, in love, to practice only this: letting each other go. For holding on comes easily; we do not need to learn it"

Both heavy, and very very 'light' stuff, from the gardens at Giving Tree!

So! That was one idea.. and ha! I guess I wrote about it already!
Good thing there is another Monday and new blog right around the corner!

I will end this early morning ramble with another great line of poetry...this one, accompanied by a very fitting picture, and also fitting, the excess of optimism that this week, despite any and all challenges, is going to be a truly blessed and glorious event!


"All is well, and all is very well." T.S. Eliot

First THANKFUL THURSDAY A HUGE Success!!

The theme of our very first "Thankful Thursday" was to request stories about the seniors in our lives that we have learned from, love, and are SO grateful for!

It was an obvious first choice. On Sunday 4/18 the beautiful wonderful LUCILLE DILENA turns 88! She brought Judith into the world, who in turn, brought me in!
She deserves to be honored and adored, every day! And that is a mission we happily accept!


Below are the shared stories from you! please enjoy, and participate in next weeks THANKFUL THURSDAY!

*update on Beazie's journey to become a 'companion' for the nursing homes. Got a clean bill of health from the vet yesterday (yippee!) along with the designation of "The sweetest dog she has ever seen." THAT'S MY BOY!!


THANK YOU!
*an original drawing of Beazie by the incredible Juli Moon, tattoo artist and soon to be GTJ Seed!xxx

With love to all,
Rachel

"I am so so so thankful for my Grampie, Ralph Latimer! He is by far the most positive and happy person I have ever known. He has taught me to appreciate little things in life and to really LIVE. At 83 years old he is more full of life than most 30 year olds I know!!! (still playing pool on Tuesday nites, bowling on Wednesdays and Sundays and ... See Moreshuffleboard on Thursdays!!) There isn't a person in the world I would rather spend time with, whether we are playing cards over one of his famous rum cokes or playing darts!! He is one in a million and I truly am thankful for him every day :)' Courtney Philos Jensen (gtj manager!)

"Happy Birthday Lucille Dilena you must be very special-you have a special daughter and granddaughter. The very best to you on your birthday.

For me I am thankful for my Dad he is 87 survived Pearl Harbor, has Parkinsons Disease, and never complains. He is funny, call his daughters "his girls" still asks if I need gas $$$, makes me call him when I ... See Moreget home after I visit with him. He always told us to do well in school because nobody could ever take your education away from you. He is the greatest Dad ever." NJEB


"Gosh, I am so very thankful for so many things that I could write a book, however, in my heart at this very moment I am thankful for my mother! At 83 years young, she has weathered some big storms. She lovingly adopted myself at 9 months old and my sister at just over two years. She taught us that hard work always pays off and to treat your friends... See More as the 'rare jewels'. Growing up I did not appreciate alot of the things she was attempting to teach me, but, now that I have my own family, it becomes daily clearer to me the journey she stepped out to take....she cared for my father for many years before he passed away....and now she is fighting cancer herself....with grace and strength that amaze and inspire me all at the same time. She is still absolutley GORGEOUS...and I feel the 'biggest' things she still has to say or teach me are yet to come.....so I travel home often (a 2 1/2 drive) to sit with her, have a glass of wine and find out all the amazing things I have still yet to learn about her. She is incrediably able NOW to tell me ALL the good, the bad and the lesson in it all.........so, yes, thankful for YOU Patsy Carter Love for taking a huge sacrificial step in making me into the person I am meant to be and still become! Oh, and I am oh so very thankful for her sticky buns that melt in your mouth with morning coffee! Ahhhh, so good!" Susan Love Vaughn


"I love my Grandpa, Roy Wayne. He was so special to me growing up, and now I get to watch my daughter with him. I see so much love in his eyes for her, and I know he must have looked at my mom and me the same way." Jenni Chrobak Schroeder

"I sometimes volunteer with my parents (who do it all the time) at a local veterans nursing home. And they have lots of dogs there visiting the residents! They LOVE it! Beazie will really make people happy! And so will YOU!
But yeah... I've gotta be thankful for my Dad, who's made it through yet AGAIN! He's one got one ... See Morehell of a 'lifeforce.' He's a goofy guy, a fab host, and is always cracking jokes, wanting everyone to be happy and comfortable. He doesn't dwell on sadness, and that's inspiring to me. I'm so happy he's made it through this latest health nightmare and is back to the business of living life!" Jennifer Gunn


"I used to work in retirement communties, nursing homes and hospice and the people i have met there will be a part of me forever. they have led amazing liv es! they have shown me how to be brave when facing the end and have helped me not be so terribly afraid of growing old. They are truly a treasure to me!" Christine Crosby Taylor


"Onto this weeks thankfulness. I am thankful that when I was in my 20's I got to live with my grandmother. Together we ... See Morewould dress for our respective dates, share stories afterwards, fix each other up with age appropriate men (always the nice but oh so nerdy jewish men, grandma would find for me). I also was there with her when she was diagnosed with cancer and was with her during her chemo and radiation and made her doctor tell her the truth about her illness, when her daughter's wanted to "protect" her! It was her jewelery box I raided when I was young, and got the nickname "diamond lil" from, she taught me to only buy high priced lingere, to love shoes and TO LIVE OUT LOUD! I could not have had a better 20's than being roomates with my grandmother, the late, Elsie Sugar (that was her name). My only regret, is that I was one hour late when it came time to say goodbye to her. I was driving to see her at hospice and got there 1 hour late. I know she would be so happy to know that I did marry that nice jewish boy, I have two wonderful children, an amazing career and a vast amount of baubles that my daughter now tries on and keeps" Lori Green


".. these stories are so special. .these PEOPLE are so special.. thank you so much for letting us bask in their light and wisdom.. and yours.. i now will remember nbs dads strength, Patsy's love and humor, Ralph and Roy's eternal youthfullness.. Jenn's awesome dad. ELSIE ... See MoreSUGAR (can i BE just like her when i grow up.. same name and everything!!) THIS IS SO AWESOME!!
the first time i lived in nyc.years ago.. i lived with Grandma in Yonkers and commuted by bus.. everyday, the city ATE ME UP..but every night. i couldn't wait to walk the mile home.. up tuckahoe road.. to grandmas house.. she'd be waiting, and together we would sit side by side in our plush and fancy easy chairs, eat our dinners and watch jeopardy.. later, id make my c.ds for my spinning classes (back before ipods) and make poor grandma listen to every song to see how it would work.. she was tireless with her love for me.. still is.
sigh.. crying again.
XXX to all!" me :)

"My Grandad died when I was 5. He was a military policeman in ww2. He was a true man's man, old fashioned. He actually wasn't my real grandpa, my mom's mom died when she was 3, her dad was a drunk so his sister and her husband (my grandad) took her in. Her real dad would never let them formally adopt her.. Anyways...I am thankful he was in my life ... even for that long - he described me as a "bright little bugger" as I would roll to where I wanted to get to, rather than crawl as it was quicker. He was such a kind, big hulk of a guy. I was in awe of him. Losing him at such an early age made me realise how important it is for my kids to form strong bonds with my parents so for that I am totally grateful" Sarah Dodd


my grandmother was my rock...she was the foundation that my soul was built upon...my dad died when i was young and my mom really had a hard time...so most of my childhood was spent with my grandparents -- my grandmother never complained...she just raised me like i was her fourth child...she taught me how to play poker, how to wash dishes, how to laugh whenever anything happens because its all good. She taught me to be kind to everyone for everyone has a story, that when people die, they never really leave us and that they just become stars and watch over us all night...

Her and my grandfather were funny...they showed me what real love was -- and that it was not what i read in my romance books - and that you should find someone who makes you laugh because after the looks fade, the laughter grows stronger and becomes your salvation --

I lost both of them 11 years ago - they dies 18 days apart after being married for 47 years, and not a day goes by when i do not miss them and thank them for teaching me well....... Heather Leake

I love this idea Rachel! My beautiful grandmother started taking me to nursing homes when I was about 5 or 6 to help me understand how we can bring JOY and Hope to their day! They need it so much..... and I love the idea of your Beazie bringing JOY to them as well... how wonderful! We are most happy when we are sharing and loving others.... Heather E Connor


WE ARE ALL SO THANKFUL FOR YOU!!

"We love you yeah yeah yeah 8 days a week!?".. BONUS BLOG!

OK SO!.. Not sure if it's as WILDLY evident to you as it is to us here at Giving Tree Jewelry, but we are SO inspired and ..busy! this brand new season! In fact, we found a way to "do" something, kicky, fun and celebratory.. every day of the week! (hence the singsongy blog title :))

It started with Twitter Tuesday, not only because it sounded good, but truth be told, Twitter is still a bit of a mystery to us, and we are working hard to acclimate to it (Thank you Susan for the vote of encouragement.. in so so many ways.. YOU ROCK!) The other funny part of our 'Twitter journey" is that Rachel's dear friend happened to 'follow' her right out of the gates when he set his page up.. so it seems our Twitter follower number has increased.. A LOT.. most all of them out of curiosity no doubt! (And don't worry, we vow to never 'talk politics' here at Giving Tree, unless it's to answer the pressing question "What color Leighelena cuff, red or blue.. could I rock more in the summertime?" ;))

Anyway, I digress.. The point is,.. Twitter Tuesdays led to 'TGIF' Fridays (Truly Glorious Incentives on Facebook (Courtney, you are so darn clever!).. which led to Win On Wednesdays!

(can you track the whole 'spring makes us bloom theme yet?')

And, just last week, after having such a good time writing the "Live From NYC" blog post.. we decided to make a BRAND NEW BLOG an all the time MONDAY thing!

So.. that took care of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.....

but what of sweet, 'almost the weekend' Thursday??

Well, I have to say.. I think it may be the day I am MOST EXCITED about.. I can barely wait to debut!.. In fact, I'm so excited, I have already strayed from our "written in big black magic marker" on all our wall calendars in the office schedule by writing THIS..
A BONUS (read: NOT on a Monday) blog!!

YES.. it's that good! And yes, it is also THAT hard to keep a secret!

But the good news is.. Thursday is only a few hours away!
I will give you a couple of hints

it's good.

It's part of the 'big BIG dream' I dream about.. just about every night

The 'idea' came from one of our most cherished, supportive, hysterical, and TOTALLY RAD THIS WOMAN KICKS ASS! customers..

She named it. We tweaked it.. and (sigh, gosh darnit) we just all have to wait until tomorrow to see what THURSDAY brings to GTJ!

please please.. I IMPLORE YOU! STAY TUNED!! :)

And congratulations again to the supercool supertalented HEATHER CAMERIO for winning our 'Win On Wednesday" contest today!!!

Heather is a mother, a wife and a truly stunning photographer, writer and BAKER (you do have our address Heather, yes?? :))
check out her blog at

http://itaintmeyourelookingfor.blogspot.com/



Because at Giving Tree Jewelry.. we are ALL about.. purpose, passion, philanthropy.. and .. pastries!!

*See you all tomorrow for the big DEBUT!

P.S
This bonus blog comes to you LIVE FROM THE UPSTAIRS COUCH AT CHEZ GIVING TREE... Sun setting, feet up, dog cashed out, brownie calling... HAVE A MAGICAL NIGHT!

XXXXRachel

P.P.S... pics are of Courtney in front of the gallery earlier today (nice shirt! a GTJ original!) and .. of my feet, right now.. :)

"A New Dawn, A New Day!"

Greetings from New York City!! (I will explain that in just a little bit ;)) But first, I want to CELEBRATE a bit what truly looks to be the start of a fantastic Spring.

Personally, Spring has always been my favorite because it brings with it a sense of "new", rejuvenating the earth, and the spirit.. And "new" also means things have changed, and I think change is always growth.., Which to me is proof and that we are ALIVE! (and should revel in this fact!)

"To be fully alive in springtime.."

Let me explain. I can't imagine there is anyone out there reading this that didn't experience some sort of challenges or adversities over the last year or two. It was unavoidable! At Giving Tree we did all we could to weather the storm, and stay positive as we dealt with a variety of very challenging things...
And then...
the snow melted,
the first crocus appeared out of the hard earth...
and HOPE found its way into our hearts again.

How?
In a word or three - Courtney walked in.
Actually, she's walked into the gallery many, many times over the years...first as Courtney Clifford... I will never forget her first visit to the Giving Tree to buy the gift of a Dogeared mini wishbone.. I was still in that 'Just back from L.A. can I really LIVE on Cape Cod" mindset when Courtney came in. I remember thinking... "What a cool girl! hmmm and SHE lives on Cape Cod :)"

Over the next years Courtney bought lots of gifts for her girlfriends, so as a thank you to her, just before her wedding day (yippee!) we treated her to a massage at THE NEST at Giving Tree...
The next time we saw her.. she was Courtney Philos Jensen. Courtney was married! (check out this picture perfect picture!)

When it came time to hire someone to help do, well.. everything Courtney was our very first thought. And it is looking like it may be the best decision we ever made!
Courtney at the Giving Tree every day, truly 'completed' us. (and yes, she had us at hello!) She and Laura were fast friends, in fact, I know they found an hour in the beautiful sunshine yesterday to work on the gardens together! Plus, they share a mutual love.. no OBSESSION with cupcakes! In a word, Courtney was the perfect personality fit, which is super important to me, because I have always said I just want to work somewhere where everyone just WANTS to be there, and works with a happy heart. I have often called Laura 'the heart of Giving Tree' (and she is!).. it seems Courtney is turning out to be the joy of it too!
And that doesnt even touch upon her diligence, her skill, her CREATIVITY! All you have to do is look at the site to see her almost instant effect!. Brand new 'flash images' (those rotating screens at the top of the home page) new sections, like FABULOUS FASHION, And helping us launch TWITTER TUESDAYS, WIN ON WEDNESDAYS AND TRULY GLORIOUS INCENTIVES ON FACEBOOK (TGIF) on our social media sites. She is a veritable gold mine of talent and energy! And the result, in my eyes, is the BEST INCARNATION OF THE GIVING TREE JEWELRY SITE AND BUSINESS YET!! Thank You Courtney! And Laura! For making me feel that THIS is the spring that changes everything!


And what of NYC? Well, that's where I am going to spend part of my time! It's beyond thrilling to me, as I have 'tried' to do this in the past, but honestly, could never quite imbibe and match the 'rhythm' of the place.. it was just so big and overwhelming to me! But apparently, the 8th, or 12th?? attempt is the one! I think I can do it! I can't wait to split my time between the gallery and gardens at Giving Tree, and the streets of NYC! I also know this will only help Giving Tree (and me :) ) GROW!
Here, I get to REALLY see what is moving fashion forward, what the trends are, and what the truly trend setting are wearing! I also get to nurture and indulge in friendships with our artists like Alexis Bittar, Susan Lieberman of Sparc Jewelry, Anna Sheffield of Bing Bang, and of course, the inimitable PABLO VALENCIA! We spent Easter Sunday together and I thought he was going to hug everyone in the entire restaurant he was so happy we would be getting to spend more time together! (I feel the same way!)

So, expect a lot of 'reports' from the big apple!
And speaking of apples, and art, and LOVE.. if you aren't a 'friend' on my page (and Giving Tree Jewelry's) on Twitter and Facebook, please please join me in my NYC experience! I am so happily overwhelmed by this place I am CONSTANTLY sharing pictures and little stories of my time here. I've started a very loose art project of taking pictures of LOVE in all it's forms.. around the city.. and sometimes, if the night commands it.. you might even find me juggling apples to celebrate the BIG apple!

Yes, it is Spring. Yes it is glorious and YES.. HOPE, AND LOVE AND GORGEOUS GROWTH ARE ALL HERE TO STAY.Thank you, again and again, for 'sharing in our dream with us!"
May you experience the sense of joy and wonder that Spring brings with it.. every day!
With all the love in my heart,
Rachel