This is Mudpie yesterday (1/28/11) sitting on my computer :-) which makes it really hard to blog, facebook or even check my email.
Do you see how big he's gotten? He totally fills the entire keyboard :-) and then some! This remains one of his favorite places to perch! Here's a look back in time - you can see how he has grown.
This is at five months old
And three months old:
This is my first year that I've decided to choose a word as part of the ongoing "One Little Word" exercise on Ali Edwards' blog on all things journaled and scrapbooked. If you haven't seen these posts before, check out Ali Edwards's blog, this is what she says:
one little word
A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.
Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January – a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.
I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear – about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother’s word or your spouse’s word or your child’s word – this is YOUR word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here’s one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren’t ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
Some years I’ve had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There’s no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It’s not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
So, have you guessed my word? Its FOCUS
If you've got a word selected for this year, and would like to share - I'd love to hear it! Just leave me a note in the comments section!
What would a County Fair be without all those foods that are sooooooo yummy and so bad for you?
Like funnel cakes: shown here with all kinds of topping
Caramel apples:
Corn dogs!
Fried cheese :-)
This one serves up fried oreos and fried twinkies (I wanted to try them but wasn't sure if my arteries would recover!) Note the "cheddar wurst dog" sounds yummy too!
Do you think this booth has enough flags?
My nephews (and dad) enjoying a snack:
And something for the adults in need of a pick-me-up
Its August! And when I was a kid, vacations were always traditional for us during this month, In Florida its hot and humid, and I dream of vacationing in cooler places - like the mountains out West in Colorado or Utah. One thing you'll need for vacation is luggage or maybe you're shopping for something to comfortably hold your laptop while traveling? You should definitely check out this CSN Store and the vast array of luggage, briefcases, backpacks and rolling back packs (just click on the word luggage).
While shopping for a new laptop briefcase, I found some great choices! They have all kinds of traditional leather cases, but they also have some very fun cases
Please go check them out and leave me a comment letting me know what catches your eye!
"When in the Course of human events..."
My blog title is the opening line in the Declaration of Independence, first drafted by Thomas Jefferson, with help from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston and Roger Sherman. It was then signed 234 years ago by the original thirteen colonies declaring their independence from Britain and signed into effect on July 4, 1776 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. <---- click if you want to go read more about this historic site. There were 56 signatures in all on the document, representative of the thirteen colonies, including the iconic "John Hancock" signature.
These were taken a few years ago on a trip to Philadelphia. Despite it being late April, it was overcast, cold and it actually snowed on my trip. This is Independence Hall
This photo over looks the entire National Park with Independence Hall, several museums and the Liberty Bell. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of the liberty bell, its kept in an area that is extremely hard to photograph.
The picture below shows the room where the declaration was signed - without a wide angle lens I wasn't able to photograph the entire room where the Declaration was signed, but this should give you an idea of how it looked.
And here's the home of Betsy Ross - who made the first flag for the thirteen colonies. I know as crafters, we can all relate to her using what she had on hand to craft the flag.
The Declaration itself is on display at the National Archives in Washington DC, <----- click to go see more. If you haven't seen the movie "National Treasure" please go watch it, it really brings American History to life
And, I'd also like to say a special "thank you" to the soldiers who have defended our nation's independence.
I like to cook, I actually enjoy it and pride myself on being able to cook almost anything. Some of my favorite dishes to prepare are slow cooked in the oven, like coq au vin or braised short ribs. However, I've never been able to afford the fancy french cast iron enameled pots that are popular in cookware stores. Until now. CSN Stores have offered to ship me one to review. Since I've been wanting to try cookware from the Rachael Ray line, I selected this gorgeous 5.25 qt. cast iron enameled dutch oven in her signature orange (but they have blue and green, too!). These are a fraction of the price of other cast iron products and I have read good things about these, so I look forward to trying it.
When CSN Stores contacted me to do a review a few months ago, I was surprised by their vast selection of lights. The selection is amazing, they offer lights for both inside and outside. I'd love a new dining room light (I'm just not crazy about the one that came with the house) and or maybe something "green" like solar lighting for my outdoor .... hmmmmm there are all kinds of possibilities for lights up your home. They even have products listed that are eco friendly and/or energy star rated. Many items have free shipping and they will ship to Canada (I have friends in Canada, and I know that's important to you!).
The folks at CSN stores offered me the opportunity to give away a gift certicate in earlier this year and I was tickled with the opportunity to review an item. This is my favorite for a dining room light.
How many of you have "stuff" that you've accumulated? I know that I have my share of stuff that I've accumulated over the years.
You know .... like a vintage plate that you picked up at a yard sale or maybe the plates were part of a set - but all the other pieces are chipped or broken. And how many of you have candlesticks hiding in your cupboards? Or glass/crystal candlesticks that might be chipped? Since taper candles have largely gone out of style (largely replaced by glass container candles) or pillars - I know I hardly use my candlesticks. I kept thinking there has to be a use for some of this "stuff". And I really like to "re-purpose" things ... find new ways to use stuff that might otherwise not be used. There are projects out there to combat both!
I was reminded of this project this morning when I saw Mark Montano's facebook post about turning wine glasses into pillar candle holders. He's got a great book called "The Big Ass Book of Crafts" and "The Big Ass Book of Home Decor" :-) who doesn't love a title like that??? These aren't your grandma's crafts, these are great projects styled for today!
Anyway .... the concept is super easy! Just glue A (candlesticks) to B (plate)! I like to use the wider part of the candlestick for the base and then use E-6000 (or any epoxy like glue situated for glass) to the bottom of the plate, just eyeball the middle of it. You can use *almost any size candlestick and I recommend to keeping the plate size proportional to the height of the candlestick. For example .... use a saucer with a short candlestick, a medium sized plate (salad plate) for the bigger candlesticks. And if you want to use a really big (or heavier) plate, use a wine glass!
The plate shown below (pink toile = swoon!) is a saucer on a glass candlestick that is about 3 inches in height. The plate above (with the violets) is approx. 8 inches in diameter on an 8 in. tall candlestick.
One of the things I really like about it is this works with all styles .... you can use vintage or modern. They make great holders for candles, more stuff, I keep one on my nightstand for my eyeglasses, or even food service! I like to use these to serve up hors d'oeuvres like goat cheese or little nibblies. I recommend hand washing these. If you don't have anything lurking in your cupboards .... have fun checking out thrift shops and yard sales!
Interested in the books? Check out:
It was a bright sunny, and more importantly warm weekend here in FL! After all the cold and rain we've had, it was nice for the sun to come out! My cats really enjoyed their time on the screened in patio - soaking up the sun.
Here's Oliver, isn't he just the picture of contentment?
And here's Wednesday, she's definitely found her voice and become my "talker" since Max passed away! Here she is tellling me something important :-) she was having a great time watching the birdies flit around! Okay, she looks a little posessed, but she's really quite sweet.
and here's her "Momma" Lucy:
