Back From Vacation

Java Joe is back.

Although we didn't really go anywhere, we have had vacationers galore here at home. We were told this would happen when we moved to Asheville.

In the meantime, JJ Big Paws has added 2 new designs to the Inspire Me design line. Check them out:

Live Nice.

Play nice. Live nice. When you were little, it was play nice with others. Now that we are older, maybe we should live nice in the world?

Opt Out.

Get off the track. Stop listening to Corporate America telling you what to eat, drink, wear and buy. Un-join!

What's "local"?

Since moving to Asheville, I have tried to be as much a "localvore" as possible. My husband and I haven't eaten at a national chain restaurant since we moved here. Asheville has great restaurants and there's no need to go anywhere but to a local restaurant. We try and buy our groceries from local farms and vendors. However, the other day we stopped by our local produce stand to get some great fruit. The fruit was marked "local" which we thought may have meant South Carolina. To me, South Carolina is a stretch when defining local  but when we asked we found out the fruit was from Florida! The owner's definition of "local" is the east coast. 

I felt betrayed. 

In the past the produce was marked "Weaverville", "Hendersonville", "South Carolina".  Now "local" means it could be shipped 800 miles! Will I stop shopping there? Well, I will go to the tailgate markets first and when I do go there I will surely ask where the produce is from. But the stand is still locally owned and I feel its better to buy from them than Ingles.

What's your definition of local?

New Designs at JJ Big Paws

Hello!!!

Check out our 3 new designs in the "Inspire Me" line at JJ Big Paws.  The new designs include "Create Your Life", "here i am" and "I am the boss of me".

Discovering Spring

This is my first spring in 30 years.
The last time I saw a spring I was 15 years old and had other things on my mind than watching nature wake up from a long winter.
I have lived in Florida for 30 years. You didn't much notice spring. As a gardener you noticed the impatients getting leggy and maybe Home Depot was starting to sell some summer flowers. But that was it.
I now live in Asheville NC. My paradise. My husband and I dreamed about living here for the last 10 years. Every morning now, I look for what has changed from the day before. New growth on our trees. Beautiful pinks and reds. More flowers sprouting up. Bumble bees and the sounds of birds. The hostas growing. A turkey walking past my window. It is all so beautiful! It is all so inspiring!

Back To Work

After taking a week off for spring break, JJ is back at work creating a new design for two very close friends who will be participating in the Breast Cancer walk in Washington DC. JJ and family are so proud of our friends. This is their 3rd walk and have participated in 3 different cities, Ft Lauderdale, Chicago and now Washington. Cheers to Lori and Karen! 

No More Phone Calls Please.....

"I am SO over office work, I just want to create!"

-Java Joe (aka JJ Big Paws)

Inspire Me Tees

JJ Big Paws has a design line called "Inspire Me Tees". 

What inspires you? Do you inspire? Visit JJ Big Paws and check out all our Inspire Me designs.