Nancy Merkle

Out of the ordinary gifts for the gardener in your life.

Add some color and movement with a modern aesthetic to your space by collecting expressive art designs. These works are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased on paper, canvas, metal and more. Framed or unframed. You decide.

Fine art on the walls of your kitchen or dinning room can brighten up your space. Here are some suggestions for adding that color. Most come in a variety of sizes and surfaces. Framed and/or unframed.

I love to create abstract collages using all kinds of mixed media. In addition to random papers, magazines, newspapers, and old books, I like to use the following supplies.

These are my favorite tools and supplies when I do Plein Air Painting. Springtime is the best. I can’t wait to get outside again.

I paint with both oil and acrylic paints on a variety of surfaces. These are my favorite supplies.

My craving is making art. I make a lot of art and use a lot of supplies. I sell my art to fund my habit. I make enough to cover all my expenses and keep some extra in my pocket, too. I hope this list will help you discover how to fund your own art addictions.

This is my list for packing light and traveling with just a carry on bag. I can stay a month or more when I pack light.

I spent a month in the United Kingdom from mid-May to mid-June. It was a great time to see beautiful countryside, learn about its history, visit castles, see many prehistoric sites, and discover the culture of the land.! And there is still more that I missed. It would take a lifetime to see all of the delightful elements of this wonderful country. And I still haven't been to Scotland.

Spain is a country where there’s never enough time to see and learn about all it has to offer. Spend as much time there as you can. You will be glad you did.

My family loved this trip in July. We stayed in Lauterbrunnen in the Berner Oberland and took day trips to most of the adventures in this list. We've been there twice and enjoyed it each time. Buy a Swiss Travel Pass (in the list) and you can go wherever you want. Kids were welcome everywhere we went.

You will need at least a couple of weeks to enjoy the beauty of this amazing country. Bring your walking shoes and get ready for adventure. You might find you want to move there!

Explore your Irish heritage and have fun with the local people, the beautify countryside, and the culture!

My favorite places and activities near Bend, Oregon. So many adventures.

Our dog is part of the family, so of course we take her, but that can be tricky, so we always plan ahead. This is a list that has been an incredible resource for us.

Stocking up before your new pup comes home is a great way to get started on your adventure and that of your pup.

There are so many places that welcome dogs, but these are some of my favorites. It is good for socializing and getting out of the house.

These are nonfiction books that have inspired me, challenged me, and taught me new things!

For me, history classes were always dull and boring, but I really loved historical novels and narrative stories. This is a list of some of the stories and novels that helped me learn more than any class ever did. I still have more to learn—so many more stories to read.

This a list of books that reflect on the wide world of science in easy to understand language. Natural sciences, medicine, behavior and more are covered in these books.

This is a list of biographies and memoirs that are both classic and contemporary, all of which will make you think.

I love to collect coasters. They serve a practical function and add style to my home and office. This is a list of some of my favorite designs.

I love pillows. They ease your back, raise your feet, and soften your head. This is a collection of pillows that are fun and comfy.

This is a list of places my friends and I like to go each week for a happy hour meetup! We take turns picking the place.

Tacoma, Washington and the South Sound are a undiscovered delight. Visit these places for surprising beauty and enjoyment.