Wednesday, March 31, 2010

This Is Why I Hate* Martha

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#1 of 62

Next: Decorating Easter Eggs

Lace Eggs

This Easter, take hard-boiled eggs to new heights by embellishing them with lacy patterns.

How to Make Lace Eggs




Next: Spring Menagerie Eggs

***********

Ok: Did you get all of that????
This is from the Martha Stewart Website
One of Sixty Two.
1 of 61 more to follow.
Ways.
To Color Eggs.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Not 1 of 8....or....even 18.
No-o-o-o-......62.
Go Ahead.
Log In -
And spend an entire day choosing your one - or more
different styles of coloring/decorating Easter Eggs.

PAAS.
Vinegar. Water. Fizz.
Wire-holder-dropper-inner-thingy.
Pink...Green...Blue...Yellow...Orange...Red...Purple
and variations thereof.
Use a wax crayon to write GRANDMAW.

Any guess how many variations of fake grasses for plastic baskets.

Ok. I'm done. I feel better. It's over.
Here...isn't he cute?
I named him Lehigh.
Egads



* * * * *
*fine: not 'hate'; but sheesh!!!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Save The Date

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I love graphic design...typography...
inventiveness when it comes to paper products...
and have seen so-o many cool Save The Date inventions...

BUT... seriously ~

IF you received a hand-stamped
vintage cotton hankie
with all the Save The Date information
would you EVER throw it away???

YeowZa - I love this idea so much it hurts. BUT WAIT.

It gets even BETTER.....


Ahhh...

how about a BUSINESS CARD?
{click image to see how cool this is}

Seriously, Monica - if I sent you a Business Card Hankie
would you EVER use the corner to pick your teeth
and then frisbee it into the garbage?????

Don't you just love new ideas? And the people with them?

http://www.luxecetera.com/

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Monday, March 29, 2010

Back to Work Monday ~

* * * * *
Customer Service...
...with a Smile


interesting concept

1. click on pic to enlarge to see big smiles

2. women in U.S. need to wear bigger/funner earrings

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Being Part of the Cause


Joining the cause was easy: I believe in it
...also...it suited me because it was only ONE HOUR!
And I could have done it for longer - gone without electricity and lights in the dark time
We 'Ol Michiganders are accoustomed to loosing power
- for hours and even days.

So one small hour, to be connected globally, didn't hurt a bit.
Not for me.
Not for people on the other side of the world:

Earth Hour Reaches New Heights With World’s Tallest Building Switching Off For Earth Hour
3/27/10
Momentum for Earth Hour continues to flourish with The Middle East most recently in the dark after switching off. The UAE was a tremendous celebration, with the official Earth Hour event in Dubai a parade led by a police marching band.
The parade also included the National Guard, Fire Brigade and citizens of Dubai, with organisers encouraged everyone to bring lanterns and candles to the parade and estimated at least 5,000 people attended.
Standing at over 800m, the world tallest building has switched off for Earth Hour. The Burj Khalifa, which usually illuminates the night sky in Dubai, has made a spectacular statement for action on climate change when it plunged into darkness for Earth Hour.



And when the hour was over, I was reminded how many rooms I didn't need to re-ignite.


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Friday, March 26, 2010

Elizabeth "Betty" Harp

* * * * *


You don't needs words for her.
You know exactly who she is by her face
her smile
her dress
her presence
her reputation
her dynamic

She reminded me of my own mother so much it jolted me
They'll become very good pals in Heaven

As Long as Life and Memory Lasts
We Will Remember You

* * * * *

It's Friday...

* * * * *

I think I may have to pack my basket and run away. . .



Someone I care about lost her Nana this week and my heart is bleeding for her...

Work and all it's stressors caused heartburn...

I miss my tree so-o-o much...

And I need to spring wash all the bedding/covers/underpinnings....

I just want to take a good book to a good B & B and escape....

If only for a day

* * * * *

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Approaching Each Day

* * * * *

The person that gave me this incredible poem today is one in the same as the PsychoBabe that gave me the inspiration for the Shit Show at http://travelingsylvia.blogspot.com/


Friends can be that way...


I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new job relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to!

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with knowledge and adventure.

Today I can dejectedly murmur because I have housework to do or I can feel grateful for shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. And I shall decide what kind of day I shall have!'

How will you live THIS DAY?

flowers via saipua
* * * * *

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The Future of Publishing

* * * * *

To my voracious reader friend Lynnie... and Claudia - old friend reconnected book clubber....and those of us that just can't snuggle up to a Kindle just yet...enjoy!


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Drawing a Woman - Just Watch

* * * * *

It'll take 2.8 minutes of your time to just sit back and watch a computer at work...except some HUMAN had to conceive the idea first!

Click here: http://fcmx.net/vec/get.swf?i=003702
* * * * *

Monday, March 22, 2010

Back to Work Monday ~ Keep Moving

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When at a crossroads for decision making, Lar used to say
" Keep moving or you'll get stuck in the mud"...

Very much like a guy;' right to the point.


I rather like this girlie one ~


Ok...and I like the pink bike.
via vol.25

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Saturday, March 20, 2010

First Day of Spring - Twenty Ten

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Bring it On!

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Anyone up for Tim Burton - and if you're not...:

* * * * *

...why are you reading this blog?
(She teased with a big wide Cheshire Cat Grin)









Ok - when you get to this site, on the right will be the words
EXIBITION, WORKS , ABOUT TIM BURTON
If you just sit and listen to the music to play and don't go click on one of those words,
nothing happens
(you already start feeling "Tim" here)

http://moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2009/timburton/

(plan to play for awhile - and enjoy!!!)


* * * * *

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Favorite Irish Author - and some Greenery ~


* * * * *

A Thoroughbread




You touched my heart, Teacher Man..
Rest in Peace


* * * * *






My Absolute Alltime Favorite Floral Designers

Small Stump and Studio Choo
San Francisco, California

They only deliver local to them.

Rat Poop.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Wearin' O The Green ~

* * * * *
My Mother was One Hundred Percent Italian

My Dad was One Half English
And One Half Irish

So here's my Twenty Five Percent Irish Post


The Green and Black Plaid Lumberman Jacket?
Mine!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day a day Early

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Chocolate in Irish?

* * * * *

Guinness Brownies*





"Now, it’s Guinness Brownies. Ah, Guinness Brownies. They are moist and a little malty, super rich and very chocolatey. I love them so.

No better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than with a batch of these brownies. Trust me.

(Oh yeah – I used whole wheat pastry flour. Makes them “healthy” right?)"

Guinness Brownies

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into cubes
8 oz. dark bittersweet chocolate bar(s), chopped – I used 70% dark. Your call here.
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup natural cane sugar
1 1/4 cups Guinness Extra Stout beer, room temperature and foam skimmed off
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used 60%)
1/8 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 375° and line a 9 x 13 baking dish with parchment (or grease it). Whisk the flour, cocoa powder and salt together. Set aside.

Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate bar pieces, milk chocolate and butter together until fully melted. (Make sure you don’t burn the chocolate or it will be clumpy.)

In a very big bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until slightly frothy. Very slowly, pour in the chocolate mixture while whisking the eggs. If you go too fast, you’ll have scrambled eggs, so take your time.

When your chocolate mixture and your eggs are combined, whisk in the Guinness. Fold in the flour mixture very slowly, making sure not to over-mix. You want to see some crumbly bits still in there.

Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, top with the cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove the baking dish and let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.

Makes about 2 dozen large brownies.

* * * *

*for this and other yummy, creative, out-of-the ordinary recipes and ideas, here's my new favorite food blog
- Melissa is the best!

http://www.bitchincamero.com/mel/

Friday, March 12, 2010

It's Friday...

* * * * *

Thank God


* * * * *

Thursday, March 11, 2010

For The Love of Friends ~

* * * * *

In day 3 of the Candy's Illness Miniseries, we find Candy -
- propped up in bed
- watching some old black and white Fred and Ginger movie
- coughing, hacking, sneezing, blowing
-squishing each temple like a vice to punish the sinus headache when:

The Door Bell Rings....Uh oh:

It's either those nicely dressed Jehovah's (stay in bed) or
some sweet Girl Scout trying to sell her cookies (answer door) -

but NOPE:




Standing there on my porch was a nice delivery man who asked:

"Candace Adams?"

"yeth, thath be"

"Just sign here"

"thanths"

(I couldn't tell him I'm Candice with an "ice" or why my hair was greasy)

And the card:

[heartwarming sentiments]
from Ron and Cherie...

Not only was the cold, vitamin packed fruit such a
surprise and a treat, but real friends
make sure your strawberries
are chocolate covered.


Thank you, dear Friends....love, love, love

You Made My Day!!!

* X * O *

Simple Math

* * * * *
Finally made it to the Doctor today:
Flu AND Bronchitis

(we Gemini's like everything X 2)








zzzzzzzzz nighty night...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The Looks Have It ~

* * * * *

Yes.

I look this good sick.





hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

* * * * *

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Snnnnniiiiiifffffff

* * * * *


I have body aches and chills


I have a sinus headache and my ears hurt



I'm coughing, sneezing and my throat's scratchy


And I'm FREEEEZINGGGGGG...



...AND MY HAIR HURTS...

and ONLY my Mother's Chicken Soup could make this better.

..whaaaaaa...

* * * * *

Monday, March 8, 2010

I Miss My Tree

* * * * *



God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods.
But he cannot save them from fools.
- John Muir

via alicia bock

Sunday, March 7, 2010

My Tree Was a Baby...

* * * * *
...compared to this California Redwood...
1500 years old
300 feet high
photographed in 30 ft sections with
10 men as dividing markers


Click on image to see the men placed in the tree in order to
capture the entire height of this Royalty!

I think I may be - just by coincidence - hooked on trees.

Maybe I always was.

photo by National Geographic Top 10 Photos of 2009

* * * * *

Friday, March 5, 2010

Loosing Something So Important

* * * * *

I have pictures of our beautiful front yard tree.
The 'ol gal was probably 80 years old
and I'll guess about 60-70 feet tall

She was cut down by the city today
there's no evidence other than pictures
that she ever existed.

I'll share her beauty here some other time.
Tonight I just simply can't stop crying.

Thank you, Giving Tree.



Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got till it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

* * * * *

Thursday, March 4, 2010

...AND ANOTHER THING...

* * * * *
....inasmuch as this is a continuation of an early morning, aggravating, sleep deprived night
as it is 4:22 in the morning...


IF: smoking didn't stink horribly, reduce lung capacity and cause cancer


I would be all over this little stick!

I'd just give up for the nite - call it a morning and jump in the shower...

but they're still jack-hammering in my bedroom, so
the possibility of taking a shower in my own home is looking slim.

puff. puff. puff.

* * * * *