I was born and raised in the south, but wanted to get the heck out of there as soon as I could. My brother likes to say I went as far away as I could without leaving the country. Not quite, but I did go as far as Portland, Oregon. After almost 25 years in Portland, the taste of fresh summer tomatoes drew me back to the south, that and I was really tired of rain. The south still wasn’t the right place for me and now I’m in Maryland and loving it.
Ingredients in our food and for bodies has long been a passion for me. I am a bit of a mad scientist; I’ve made natural soaps, lotions, and bath products using fresh herbs and essential oils, I love growing fresh herbs to make my own soda and infused spirits, and I’m a crafter, photographer, painter… My mediums are constantly changing and evolving. As a result, I am always learning new things I want to share with others.
Welcome and please reach out if you have questions or want more information.
Lula Harp 
You do too share! You share your joys, your knowledge, laughter and all the tasty tidbits you make. Who needs feelings when we have our bellies to tell us what’s up?!
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You share your joy, Gayle. Every day your smile and laughs lights up the rooms you frequent.
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I have such good friends! Thank you!
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Gayle, you sound like someone after my and my wife’s own heart. We would find a lot in common. We, too, have opening a restaurant in the back of our minds and our project “The Socialist Kitchen” is one of our ways of experimenting with that idea. Thanks for checking out our blog! We are enjoying yours.
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Thanks for stopping by! I do enjoy your blog and see we have similar cooking “projects”.
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Thanks for taking a look at Pie-Eyed! I feel a total synergy with your alter-ego experimenting! Love it! My pie obsession and secret dreams of just baking pie to make the world happy feel like a total parallel life to my day job of fundraising at a non-profit. I’ll keep tabs on you and your adventures in Portland!
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Emily, I will confess I have a fear of pies. I just got a pie crust recipe that I’ve been assured is fool proof. I found your pies inspirational! Thanks for stopping by!
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Hey, thanks for stopping by our blog… We are just trying to get started, so the encouragement is great…
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Your stuff is funny! Thanks for the giggles. and Thank you for coming by to visit me.
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Wow… Thanks for letting me know of that broken link, I did not even know that my profile was liking to a non-existent blog… I got that fixed now, so it should all link to the current blog henceforth…
P.S – I cook a lot… and I can make some really good Indian food, and you seem to cook with your heart and soul… I can trade recipes sometime if you’d like that…
Good Eats…
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Hello! Very nice to “E” meet you! Thanks for checking out my blog -I stopped over to say hello and had laugh reading your About Me section – I don’t sit well (or share well) either, and love the way you explain it!
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Thanks for stopping by!
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Hi Gayle! Love this about me. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment as I was able to find you. Great header by the way. So much fun finding new blogging buds. Margie
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Margie- right back at ya! Thanks for stopping by my blog. It was you cute logo that caught my eye initially. Nice to meet you.
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I’m new to blogging, so I haven’t explored very much, but I like the way you describe your blog – as an alter-ego! You go girl!
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GFM- Thanks for stopping by. I’m new to this myself and it’s oh so fun!
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Hi Gayle! Thanks for checking out my blog.
They say that it takes forever for some people to figure out what they want in life. You seem not to have a problem with that. You know what you want – Lula Harp. Take us on your journey to achieving your dream…
I enjoyed reading your about page 🙂
Marryl
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Marryl- thanks for taking a look. I just make it seem like I know what I’m doing. 🙂
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Hi Gayle,
Thank you for dropping by and liking my Celebration post 🙂 I will now take some time to read through your posts, but I can already smell the fine scent of wonderful cooking. Yummy-yummy!
Best regards from Switzerland,
– Pierre
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Pierre- Thanks for stopping by Lula Harp. You have some great images on your site, it was quite a pleasure to see them.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog–I’m looking forward to exploring yours. There’s so much good food here in Portland; it’s nice to be able to share what we discover.
Lorraine
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Lorraine- Thank you for coming by. I’m all about eating and drinking my way through our fair town and love finding others who do the same!
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Love this! Your concept, your header, your style, your alter ego. I too hope to open a shop someday but feel I have to build a blog/brand first. Good luck to you ( and Lula)!
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Thanks so much for stopping by. Your blog is so full of great ideas and crafts. You are going to keep my very busy!
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niice 🙂 I’m sure Lula Harp will be a great success. I must admit I don’t enjoy cooking that much, but that’s because I don’t think I’m too good at it, I struggle with creativity when it comes to the pots and the pans. But I do make a mean chicken roast (very proud of myself), I hope a lot of your posts will be recipes, because I’m definately following! Who knows maybe my perspective on cooking will be changed.
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Thanks for taking a look. You have to go at cooking with no fear. Really, it’s all about what do you like to eat? You can’t break it. and if it isn’t quite right this time, then next time you can make changes. There have been very few things I have made that I really wouldn’t eat. I’m happy to have you along my culinary journey!
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Hi Gayle/Lula! Well, you sound to me like a very sharing lady – you have a blog don´t you?! Thanks for subscribing, do hope you contimue to enjoy. Am off for a look round yours now. Take care, Tanya
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Thanks for coming by. I can’t wait to see what happens next in your garden.
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Beatiful Blog! Especially love the photos in your header!
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Thank you! It is a farmer’s market collage I did. I look forward to taking a closer look at your blog and adventure.
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Well, fancy that! I’ve been seeing your beautiful dahlia gravatar on my site, and reading the lovely comments you leave but I hadn’t made it over to your site until now. I regret that! So happy to “meet” you (you who are a busy one who isn’t good at sitting still)…neither am I…and you, a fellow-Portlander! Fancy that! 🙂 A very nice blog, this!
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Spree- thanks so much for making over. I am enjoying reading your cooking diaries. So nice to find another adventurous foodie in town!
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Hey! I used to live in SE Portland! Off of Clinton & 33rd-ish for many years.
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Oh that’s a great neighborhood. I knew I liked you for a reason.
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Hi Gayle,
I love what you write about – I can identify with a lot of your themes and I love the ideas! Thanks for stopping by my page!
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Thank you too! I thought the same thing when I stopped by your page as well!
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Hi Gayle,
I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award as I enjoy reading your blog!
If you’d like to read and repost the award, here’s the link: http://midihideaways.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/flowers-flowers-everywhere/
Look forward to reading more of your posts,
Andreas
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I’d probably share.. lol! good one!
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A great blog! Looking fwd to your posts. I’ve nominated your blog for the ‘Liebster Award’ here…
http://lenzexperiments.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/nominated-moi/
I’d be glad if you accept….
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Thanks for becoming a subscriber. Happy blogging.
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Thank you Gayle for visiting and liking my post. I like your blog and your creativity, will be reading your posts!
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I always enjoy finding someone new to visit. Thank you for taking a look
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Hi Gayle, although I am your opposite in that I love to sit around doing nothing but daydreaming, I am very greedy with my food and do not like to share as well! Have a great day!
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Kathy, thanks for stopping by. Be assured I love my quiet daydreaming time as well!
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Hi Lula!
I do so miss your smiling face. I was just wondering if you are going to update your “About Me” page to reflect your new living circumstances. We have been extended to August 31st (woe is me!).
Please give Coe a tummy rub for me!
Love,
Debbie
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Coe gladly accepted an extra rub. I’ve just been lazy about updating and I’m finally just getting settled enough here to feel like I actually do live in Memphis.
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Hi thanks a lot for liking my post and following my blog
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Back at ya! Thanks for stopping by
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Very nice introduction! I feel a bit of kindred spirit here! I’ve also felt like I’m somewhat inner directed so to speak, so again, why have a blog? I think it’s because we’re not really such non-sharers. We just need the proper venue. I’m also a foodie who loves cooking and exploring interesting dining out options (Asheville, NC is my favorite place to eat ever). My dog Sophie, the friendliest dog in the world, runs literal circles around me on “walkies” and keeps me loved and entertained. I know she’d love romping with your pup–love the picture!
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I completely agree with your assessment of our “non-sharing” ☺️. Sophie and Coe will have to have a virtual play date one of these days.
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Most definitely!
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I’m so pleased I’ve come across some of your posts as I loved the read. Your introduction made me smile as did your honesty which I can so relate to, looking forward to following your site 🙂
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Hello Gayle. Thanks for following my blog. So do you prefer to be called Lula Harp or Gayle (in the blogosphere)?
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Out there I’m Lula. Thanks for asking. Names are changed to protected the innocent (maybe) and all that
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Hi, Lula. Thanks for your like on my “Awesome Responsibility.” I appreciate that. It also helps me find a way back to you. I enjoyed the look-around. Oh, and I’m 81 years old so I vote with you grandmother (about the tatoo). Well, if it can be covered by a circle band-aid…doesn’t sound so gross. Hope to see you more.
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Love the name Lula Harp! Thank you for following my blog Gayle. Look forward to reading (and trying), some of your wonderful recipes. Just saw one with noodles – looked yumm!
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Hello Gail. Arrived here via the WordPress Photo Theme: Weightless. So glad I did. You have a new follower.
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Welcome! Delighted you have found me.
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I’m delighted too. Looking forward to following your lovely website.
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Such a fun blog! I will be visiting to read more..
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Thank you! I look forward to seeing you around
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