Smashgirl creates "recycled art for your home" out of - you guessed it - smashed up other things! Sounds strange at first, but the mosaic effect is stunning. Smashgirl also has a blog, titled Pieces of My Life (love the pun).

While perusing her blog, I found this excellent post reflecting on what it truly means to take some time away from it all, or to take time away from it all.

While I only have 6 clocks in my house, that's one for every room, and they're all positioned strategically so I can see them at all times. Plus I wear a wristwatch, and I have worn one nearly every day for 20 years.

Here is Smashgirl's original post:

I woke up the first morning of my vacation wondering what time it was... I glanced around the bedroom looking for a clock. I got up, went into the kitchen of my beautiful Costa Rican beach house rental... nothing. I surveyed the entire place, alas not a single thing telling me what time it was.

That was the only day I thought about the time... it didn't matter. I awoke when my body naturally felt like it. I ate when I was hungry. I stopped wearing makeup, let my hair go curly, and it was freeing.

I read a whole book... swam in the ocean... played solitaire. Watched my kids open coconuts, my husband surf, and the pelicans dive.

Then I set my watch to "Tico Time". (Ticos are what the Costa Ricans call themselves). My day was measured by the low and high tide. The man selling fresh, cold coconut milk on his bike. The "Fishman" who came by each day with his fresh catch. The woman with the two small white dogs with their matching green frisbees. Kahlina, the German Shepard who stopped by each day to visit me on my beach towel. The sun setting, and the wine opening.

Then I came home and counted the clocks in my house... eleven.