Mama and Daughter
This is "Bailey" and "Bella"....Bella is my son's dog.....I thought this photo was so dang cute that I had to post it! I'm getting a slow start today...it's raining and very windy...the wind is whipping through those big pine trees and they are "singing"....they say more snow is on its way later in the week...ummmm....I have lots of errands to do today...grocery store etc.
Scrabble and Cookies
Sunday was a rainy windy day.....we played a game of Scrabble..here is Andy deep in thought...and the look on Ty's face is "HUH"?????? I also made some yummy oatmeal raisin cookies...worked on some art...and read. 
Tuscany Dream
This is one of my dream houses in Italy....I found this picture yesterday...looking through one of my old journals. It's cloudy today and windy...the rain is coming. It's supposed to rain all week.I feel "blah" today...might just sit and read...I'm still trying to get through the book.."The Historian"...it's good, but really slow going.I need something to jump start me....I haven't done very much in the studio...I NEED to.....I did get the new Somerset Studio magazine yesterday..it looks like a good one.
ART for the day....another apc..."PARIS".
The frog photos are for "Gypsyfroggie"....hope she likes them!
Another scene from the picture taking walk yesterday...there is so much beauty in the world ...it is staggering at times! I'm going to create some beauty in the studio today...and bake some oatmeal cookies....and enjoy this day of sunshine before the rain.....
I love to walk around the house with the camera and look at all the flowers coming up...and snap pictures...here is one I spotted yesterday...the "blue" is so pretty.
This is my "Inspire" collage...which is how I feel today! I saw some cool "inspire" collages on Bella Dia's site...and since I'm going through stacks and stacks of old magazines (it's never ending) I sat last night and cut out lots of images...I also started my altoid tin to alter (the theme on this one is "Sweet Tooth") and I joined a swap called "lady Bird"....I'm also inspired by the sun shining so bright this morning...it sure beats the snow!!! (sorry you snow lovers)...I'm going out very shortly to survey any damage done by the snow to all the plants...I did have most of them covered..especially all my tulips that are coming up...then...I'm thinking about a trip to the library!!! I am a LIBRARY JUNKIE!!! really! if I don't make a weekely trip to the library I go through withdrawals!! Hope everyone has "some inspiration" today...no matter what it is!!!!
While at the Thrift store the other day...Andy snapped this photo...he got bored waiting for me in the car....I love the bird..he is eating something out of the little pinecone.
Yesterday was a "Thrift Store"...kinda day!! I'm in a "Vintage Vixen" swap...and went to go shopping for my "Vixen"...Amy....well...I found all kinds of goodies, but I can't post them until Amy gets them...but for me...I found these cool little shot glasses (An has a shot glass collection). I'm not sure what this kind of glass is called...does anyone out there know? I love it! They are glossy...and have rainbow colors all over them...(hard to explain). Since I'm in the project called 29,000 Floating Ducks (a journal that's going all over the world)..I've been looking for "DUCK" things...and I found this old children's book published in 1941....for 3.00...the illustrations in it are beautiful! (more pics below)...oh! and the cookies I found at the GROCERY store...they are soooooo good! If you like chocolate and coconut..then these are the cookies for you! Busy day today....the snow is gone...and I have to take Toby to the groomers and get some packages ready to mail...etc. etc.
Another postcard for PEACE....
This is my Grandmother..Edna Viola...she is "stylin" in this photo!! I just LOVE her outfit...the hat...the bag...shoes etc.
I'm sending a few postcards to Lisa Vollrath for her project..."Postcards for Peace"....
It snowed again last night!!! and now I have cabin fever!!! I need to go to the thrift store today....mail some letters and postcards (I know...the post office is closed)...tomorrow Toby has a grooming appt. and I want to go see my friend Linda who owns the local stamp store..she just got back from Creative Palette in Georgia and I want to see all the cool stuff she brought back...plus pick her brain on all the "artsy news"!! Looks like the sun is starting to shine..goodie! hope it melts the snow fast...so I can GO!
This is a picture of a painting that I have hanging in my bedroom...it is a "Keene"...I love his work! This is pretty old....I've had it a long time. All "his eyes" on his paintings are huge...(on the animals also)....they are so "soulful"...don't ya think? The snow is almost all gone...only little patches here and there are left! That's probably it now for a few years...we had snow in 2002...2006...the next snow storm will probably arrive in 2010....Spent most of the day yesterday just doing a little bit of everything....mostly watching the snow...wrote a letter and some postcards....read a few chapters in my book....nursing my cat who got hurt in a cat fight the other day....poor baby...he's doing much better. I've been taking a little break from doing any art....but..I sure have alot of ideas floating around in my head...I'm involved in another chunky book swap...this one is called "Colors"... I have the color RED...which happens to be my favorite! I have some atc's to do.....finish a altoid tin....and I'm in a "Vintage Vixen Swap"hosted by Elizabeth over at myownlilspace.blogspot.com (This one should be fun)...I'm waiting to get my partners name. Hope everyone has a good Sunday....all the men at my house are excited about "The Daytona 500" today.....(I like watching the last few laps)....
This is what we woke up to this morning!!! Yes...it DID SNOW!!!!!!! Below are more snow scenes.
Last night...the snow is just starting to fall!
A collage I did for "Winter"...it is so appropriate for today....because it is FREEZING!!!! Remember last week temps. were in the 70's.....I was working out in the yard...and taking pictures of all the flowers that were blooming???? Well...guess what! Today it is in the 30's....and it's supposed to SNOW at anytime! I did manage to get all the flowers covered so they won't freeze... went to the store to stock up on some goodies ( in case we get snowed in)...working on some art swaps...and reading a good book called "Slammerkin" by Emma Donoghue...also went to the library and stocked up with some more good books and plenty of magazines. I say NOW it can SNOW all it wants!
A close-up of the pink velvet slippers and the little pouch from Lauri at ARTSMITH and BLOGSMITH.
A close-up of the little hanging heart that Lauri made! It says "Follow Your Heart...Create Art".....
Oh my God!!!! This is all the stuff that I got the other day from Lauri!!!! (at Artsmith). I LOVE everything so much! I got a heart that she made and put so much time into...postcards...word ribbon (which I can always use)...2 necklaces (for me and Ty)..bookmarks...a vintage calendar...and my WONDERFUL pink velvet slippers...with a pink velvet pouch to go with the slippers!!! PLUS!!!! a lovely card...what a sweet package! ( from a VERY SWEET GIRL)! THANK-YOU SO MUCH LAURI!!!!!
I said I would post a picture of the watch and the bracelets...here they are. You can attach all the bracelets if you want...or, wear just one or two...An got me the one that's attached to the watch for Valentine's Day.
Brrrrrr!!! Winter is back! I'm sorry to say! Almost 2 weeks of weather in the 70's was a wonderful tease. The sun is shining bright...but the temps. are now BELOW normal! More rain is predicted for the weekend.My Valentine's day was nice!!! I got a new "bracelet" for my watch (I have a watch that you attach bracelets to)..I'll have to take a photo and post it...and a really cute card! Thanks to my Honey, An.....I stuck his V day card in his lunch box before he left for work. Today...I have a fire going in the fireplace....still in my jammies...and doing some art...here is an atc I did for a friend.The little brass tag on the atc says "HISTORY". I'm going to make chicken tacos tonight..one of my favorite things! Oh!!! I became a "GREAT Aunt" on Monday the 13th...my nephew, Larry and his wife Melisa had a baby boy!!! His name is Riley Patrick! They live in Montana...so I'll be working on a "baby package" for them today...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!Spread the LOVE!!!!!!!
"A Study In Patience".....that's what I'm naming this photo of the hummingbird feeding from the Quince. I put the little green lawn chair about 10 ft.in front of the Quince...and sat there...very patiently.... waiting...and watching....the hummingbirds were having a feeding frenzy....and I kept snapping pictures...well..I took about 50 photos before finally...getting this one! The weather is supposed to be in the 60's and 70's again today! (although they say this Spring like weather is coming to a halt about mid-week)...then it's back to Winter....sure has been fun! I managed to get quite abit of yard work done...and just loved being outside with nature and the animals....I didn't get very much art work done last week...but I'll get back in to it this week..today I have to run around and pay some bills...make a trip to the post office...get some groceries....I've also been watching the Olympics...which I enjoy...especially since they are being held in Italy!
BEAUTIFUL!
Oh my...oh my !!!!!!! What a simply luscious day out today! I can hardly stand it! It is so warm...the sun is shining so bright...the birdies are chatting and singing up a storm...the animals are lazy...and, so am I ! I just want to be outside sitting in the wicker rocker doing nothing but day dreaming...and that is exactly what I've been doing! I did do some raking, and watered some thirsty plants...and walked around looking at all the buds starting to sprout on all the plants..trees, and bushes. How can so many more buds just spring up over night? It really is a gift...this thing we call LIFE!!!! I'm gonna go take some pictures of the daffodils.....
YES!!!!!!! YES!!!!!! I Love you too Andrew Bryan!!!!
"VIVE BENE...SPESSO L'AMORE...DI RISATA MOLTO"Live well. Love often. Laugh Much".
I am going to take a very relaxing bath tonight...here is a recipe for all you "Bath Lovers" out there...it's really easy ! It also makes a great little gift...put them into a little paper bag and attach a tag that says...Use 1-2 cookies per bath. Light the candles and relax.BATH COOKIES2 cups sea salt1/2 cup baking soda1/2 cup cornstarch2T. light oil1 teas. vitamin E oil2 eggs6 drops essential oil (this means scented quality oil)Mix all ingrediants together and roll out dough (like you would if you were making sugar cookies) only thicker. Cut out with decorative cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake! Allow to cool. Store in a big jar. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!
Today is "Pure Heaven"...it's like getting a little taste of Spring right in the middle of Winter....the picture is the Quince out in the yard ...starting to get all it's wonderful bright red flowers! Yesterday it broke a record!!! it was 72 degrees. I worked outside most of the day...raking...clipping...and just soaking up some of the glorious sunshine. The birds were having a concert in the front yard..singing...and chirping...and dancing...in fact they are "screaming" at one another right now! Toby and Shaquille are basking in the sun on the back porch..and I'm getting ready to go for a walk..the picture above is the view from my studio window yesterday afternoon...cherry tree is in the foreground...and the daffodils are blooming!
Another atc..."My Heart is ever at your service".
This picture and the one below sorta go together..I just love both of them. This is my Grandmother Edna Viola and my Aunt Sis and my Dad.
My Grandfather Laurence...and my Dad.I love this picture.
atc...."Secrets"
My Dad...taken in about 1919....I am having so much fun going thru all these old photos....I still have boxes....Today is simply glorious!!!! Temps in the 60's...the sun is bright and warm! The birds are singing up a storm! I've been out in the yard all morning raking leaves...clipping...walking around and checking out all the little buds on the bushes ..like the lilacs!! Looking at all the daffodils...and dreaming of Spring and Summer! I even have the kitchen door open right now...letting the sun stream in through the screen door....the animals are basking in the sunshine. It's amazing what a little bit of sunshine can do for your soul!
Another old photo...from left to on down the line is...my grandfather, Laurence...Lester Smith (my Aunt's husband)...my granfather's brother, Aaron...my dad, Bruce, and my aunt Sis.It is BEAUTIFUL outside today!!! It is so wonderful to have the sun shining! It is supposed to be in the 60's all week...so I have been working outside in the yard for a little time each day..raking leaves...clipping plants..etc. I know Winter is not over...but the SUN feels so good! I'm going to start on a swap project today...and do some organizing in the studio..(clean out some drawers)...I am so excited that it's not raining that I feel almost "giddy"...SO...I plan on taking a nice long walk just me, and Toby....time to get the camera out too!
Finally! This is posted especially for Lauri! Here is the latest martini glass candy dish I finished. It is sitting on my desk with Hershey's kisses (peanut butter) in it! These are fun and easy to make! Sometimes it is hard to find the glasses...usually thrift stores have them. Okay now Lauri...I expect to see a finished product on your blog!
The nachos pan from yesterday....they came out REALLY good..so I am also including the recipe here for anyone that likes nachos!"Crazy Nachos"3/4 bag of tortilla chips (your choice)2 lb. lean ground beef1/3 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. garlic powder1/4 tsp. oregano1 cup white or yellow or red onion, diced2 cups grated cheddar cheese (can mix cheese if you want)1/2 cup tomatoes,diced1/2 cup green chiles,dicedsliced jalapenos optional1/4 cup green onions, dicedsour cream...avocado....salsa..black olives, diced (these ingrediants are for the garnish on top) they are optional but better if used.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Combine beef with diced onion and seasoning. Cook until brown, stirring occasionally. Drain. Spread chips out in a 9x13 cake pan. Spread cooked beef evenly over chips. Sprinkle with cheese and green chiles. Bake for 8-15 minutes. Top with sour cream..diced tomatoes, diced green onions, sliced jalapenos, sliced olives, and avocado, and salsa. Dig In !!!!!!!!!!!!
I couldn't resist this!!! I will be watching Super Bowl half time to see The Rolling Stones....and I do like the commercials....I actually do like football...but none of my favorite teams are in it this year. I'm a "die-hard" Oakland Raider fan. I don't have time anymore to sit and watch an entire football game! We are gonna have "Super Nachos" in honor of the game...hope everybody has a GREAT day...no matter what they are doing today!
This is Great Grandmother Mary....I love how she is sitting for the camera.
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