i'm 52% through with this quirky fiction.

52% you might ask? pretty technical.

i'm thoroughly enjoying it, on my kindle.

enjoying it so much in fact, i should be

planning school lessons, or tidying up the house,

or working in my little junk-market business...

or prepping gluten-free freezer meals.

instead, i have plans to add extra blankets on the beds.. it's 30-40 degrees here in michigan, and then retire to my soft bed and fluffy pillow.. to escape into the land of  arizona fiction.

here's a direct link to the book and what it's about:

three moons of sedona

what book is on your nightstand?

recently... i had a surprise package arrive in my mail, from janet, one of my blog readers.  it's a perfect sized notebook, to record all sorts of favorite recipes, tips and plans. 

i'm still a gluten-free (not by choice) struggling cook... so this will be just perfect to jot down recipes, conversions and tips, in.

thank you, janet... your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

p.s.  your mom sure did raise a couple of really nice girls!

weather:  unseasonably perfect.  warm, sunny, humid, clean, fresh.  dreamy.

reading:  a big pile of magazines my aunts and mom gave me.  ripping out recipes and ideas that i will organize.... someday.  yeah, that's right... someday.

writing:  itching to write another murder mystery for the mansion i volunteer at.  it's just finding time.

listening:  obsessed with fletcher henderson and his orchestra... 1926 big band music. 

making:  silly birdhouse gourd houses, nesting (for birds) chicken-wire logs, and finishing unfinished projects.

drinking:  ice-cold ice water.  and... i did have a coke from tim horton's today... i'm not a soda pop drinker... but needed one to knock my headache out of me.  it did.  wink.

enjoying:  my son.  he's successfully working two jobs and homeschooling.  plus, he's rebuilt his 4-wheeler (grease-monkey, but heck, who cares... he's learning), and is making strides in his welding lessons. 

looking forward to:  my snap peas sprouting, hoping for a bumper crop.

A week ago today, found me meandering 'round Michigan State University... checking out the beautiful Stallions... from all over the country!

Let's be honest.  I know very, very little about horses.  I can't tell you a cantor from a gallop.  But they are a beautiful animal and I enjoy watching different riding events.  And, the dressings, well, they're pretty smashing, too. 

I probably looked like I needed to get off the farm more.... when I oooogled over these brand new horse trailers.  Can you imagine living on the road in style like this?  I'm standing in the back of the horse trailer.... shooting through the door... straight ahead is a little loft-type bed.  If I could of got away with it, I would of hopped right up and tried that bed out! 

And, look... would you just look at this walk-in shower?  It's huge!  And, the design is pretty sophisticated for a horse trailer.

This stallion reminds me of Mr. Ed. 

Am I dating myself?  If you don't know Mr. Ed.... then google and youtube him.  Why, he was the talking horse.

smile, wink, nod.

Whew... it's Thursday and I haven't quite caught my breath from this past weekend!  I had the good fortune of helping my cousin out at her Cowgirlz Clozet booth at the Michigan International Stallion Expo at Michigan State University.

Besides the food... I very much enjoyed the Lipazzon's.  Enough, that the performance brought tears to my eyes.

 This is me... with one of the Festival of Horses riders.  They're a group who demonstrates on the lawn of the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island.  The owner of the Grand Hotel was also present.  But, I missed him.  I think I was under the table trying to find my turkey sandwhich and fritos.  I'm sure I'd of made a fool out of myself anyway.  I always slip up when I'm in the presence of someone with class. 

My cousin Robin, designed this peacock dress.  Which received stellar comments!  And, was a success.  $.

 Above, I'm giving a hard time to my neice, Hali.

She's a gem.  I love her, so.

super serious bling necklace!

My cousin Robin... who loves me unconditionally. 

 And, I her.  smile, wink, nod.

yesterday, to my surprise... my boy made my lunch.  'twas excellent... detailed with red hot pepper flakes on top. 

*note:  the historical fiction, stealing mona lisa, in the background; which i just finished reading.  i know, i know... i keep saying this book or that book is really excellent.  but my friend, stealing mona lisa was indeed, one of my top favorites.  the author is BRILLIANT.  request it from your library, if you're into art history, quirky twist and turns and european culture. 

very well written. i'm surprised hollywood isn't jumping on this.

here's the amazon link: stealing mona lisa.

i've cleaned up my sidebar links to different blogs i've enjoyed.  i've added some exciting new places; be sure to check them out... they will fill your heart with happiness!

cheyenne!  if you're reading this... send me your photography blog link... and i'll re-add it to the line-up.  i have such faith in your God-given talent and am excited to watch where your talent takes you.

do you have a favorite blog i can add to the list?

if so, leave a comment... 

we had a lovely day in michigan, yesterday.  i hope your neck of the woods was pleasant, too.

smile, wink, nod.

i wanted oatmeal... but it exploded in my microwave.

ever have one of those mornings?

yesterday, i moved into a new venue!

was there all day working, displaying, and climbing around.

then i came home, took two advil (sore old muscles) and laid upside down like ella-bean, on the couch.

hope you have a nice tuesday!

happy sunday!

happy that it's the last weekend in february!

speed spring!

just sharing a few of my items that i'm selling at local flea markets and different venues.  i did end up selling the vintage bathing suit (see previous post)... on ebay.  it's heading to california...  i wonder what the owner plans to do with it?

smile, wink, nod.

recently, i found this groovy, vintage bathing suit. 

 it' a jantzen.  i'm not sure if it's from the 50's or 1960's...

i can tell you, that the fabric melts-in-your hand and is loaded with brilliant, summery colors.  i stuck it up on eBay and we'll see if anyone will snatch it up!

i'm not into "wearing" vintage clothing, but i do appreciate beautiful work.  if i had a cottage or lived on a lake, i think this would make a stellar piece to display in your bathroom, for the summertime. 

wouldn't it make a great conversation piece?

smile, wink, nod.



on saturday night, i worked at the william peter mansion, hosting a valentine murder mystery for a very fun group of guests.

that's my boss, teresa on the right... she has taught me so much about writing murder mysteries and short stories.... and  has taught me to relax under pressure...how to take things right up to the edge and proof that everything will work out.  her confidence in me, is something i will be eternally grateful for... since i think i probably carried "c's" in english and creative writing classes in high school.  oh but, if only miss best and mr. little larry stricker, could see me now!  they may just give me a nod. 

this is us, on the floor of her office... going through character scripts.... round two or maybe it was three?  this shot was taken just before we became  extremely slap-happy and right before dessert was being served.  we got the giggles, like teenagers and tears were raining down my face... 

i know.........what-a-job-i have!

after the party, i laid down with the owner's daughter, holly, in the office twin bed.  we re-hashed the night and talked about forthcoming parties and the themes the mansion will be doing, in march. 

how blessed am i, to be part of the mansion-chick team.

smile, wink, nod.

while out thrift shopping the other day, i ran across this ever-so-vintage-ever-so-yellow-ever-so-polka-dotted-all-weather jacket.  it must be from the 1950's or early 60's. 

it's in perfect vintage condition.

sadly, yellow isn't my color.  i'm much to pale and what, with my faux blond hair... i'd look ridiculous in it.

but, i know someone will love it.

maybe someone with great dark hair and beautiful brown eyes... someone like marlo thomas.

speaking of marlo thomas.... if you're a child of the 60's, like i am... maybe you'll remember this theme song.  i know my blog music will be a distraction... but listen to it anyway.. it'll bring back happy vintage memories!

smile, wink, nod.

p.s. the ever-so-yellow-polka-dotted jacket, is up for grabs on ebay... click on my ebay door on my sidebar, if you're at all interested.

again... smile, wink, nod.

just a couple really cheap flea market finds!

6 quarters total.

such a busy monday today, but i did manage to squeeze in a trip to salvation army and treated my boy to a panera bread lunch.  i had vegetable soup in a bread bowl... he had a blt.  then it was home to homeschool lessons...

 i finished up my kindle book, charlotte figg... which i highly, highly recommend, and didn't want it to end!  tonight, i'll dive head first into this salvation army treasure, the tea rose by jennifer donnelly, which i invested .33 cents in!

i'm thinking it's just about time for me to splurge on a few of the cottage tales of beatrix potter... via amazon books... used of course.  check out the series.... sure does look interesting:

click right here!

happy monday night!

smile, wink, nod.

totally random things in my world....

goldfish waiting in a glass, while their bowl is being cleaned.

weather in michigan? i flipped the air conditioning on in my car and pulled off my 100% wool sweater.  seriously, is this february in michigan?

zoey-ella cuddled up after her bath.  i renamed her ella-bean. 

i'm trying a new hair product, pantene for curly girls.  i love it.

just discovered vistacost.com...  great place to order gluten free items... $10. off coupon at their site and free shipping on orders over $49.  i bought $50. worth of pasta and brown rice flour.

we harvested a few beets, this past week. who knew, you could continue to harvest your garden year 'round in michigan?

loving my kindle... currently 3/4 though, "charlotte figgs takes over paradisee." 

here's a quick shot of part of my booth at the local flea market. 

during the week, i watched the dvd, "nanny mcphee returns,"  i reactivated my netflix account.  oh, the scenery in that movie!  loved it.  dinner tonight was a new recipe...  chicken tenderloins, dipped in butter and rolled in potato chips.  baked at 350 for an hour.  fattening and what a hit!

smile, wink, nod.

happy saturday.

it's been literally ions, since i've talked about homeschooling.

and yes-sir-ee.... we're still at it.  this year has proved to be one of the best.  most likely because, i've streamlined it directly into my son's veins! and kept an eye on his vision for his future.  for us, it's not about the campaign against mexico city led by winfield scott. or why eddie rickenbacker did what he did.  not that knowing those things are a bad thing... it's just something that doesn't interest us.

it's about figuring out certificates of deposit terms and compounding interest and annual yields.  it's about learning about escrow accounts and ruptured quad tendons in dire need of repair and how the caliphate is playing a role in our future.  it's about learning, researching, you-tubing and absorbing everything you can about abu dhabi.... because you talk via facebook everyday with someone who is there!  

here's what our day today, looks like:

-teaching textbooks (a regimented, well planned out, good pre-algebra curriculum)  subtracting negative coefficients.

- business math:  operating and maintaining an automobile

-agricultural mechanics:  welding, oxyfuels and oxyacetylene and other gases.

-science:  lifepac, balance in nature... a christian science program. write a paper on luther burbanks.

-killing lincoln by bill o'reily... he's reading this for history and writing 5-10 facts on what the chapter was about.

-current events.... we plug into glenn beck radio or rush limbaugh and listen and discuss.  sometimes the discussion goes on throughout dinner.  lots of good info and truthful, too.

after lessons... the learning doesn't stop!

-work with dad remodeling one of our apartment units or work at the neighbors farm or do chores around the house or help me with my small business or "homework."

-evening:  a documentary, history channel, a game of scrabble or backgammon, or xbox games or just surfing the net, or being quiet so mom can sleep on the couch!

and, yes.... i even let him listen to country music while he does his homeschooling....as long as he does his work correctly.

smile, wink, nod.

while driving home last night, i had the radio tuned to 89.9.  "dance me until the end of love," played on the radio, soft and sweet.  my heart stopped.  i had never heard it before.  actually, listening to the song... i believe i stopped breathing for a minute.  i grabbed an ink pen, waited for the song to end and scribbled the song title and cheeky duo, THE CIVIL WARS onto the palm of my hand.

when i came home... i didn't walk, i ran to my laptop and googled THIS.  clearly, it is one of the most beautiful love songs i have ever heard in my life.  please take a minute an listen.  google the lyrics, if you need to.  read them.  they are indeed, profound.  I believe it was Leonard Cohen, who originally sang this gem and who deserves a huge hat tip, as well.  Listen and watch this beauty, HERE.

just popping in tonight, to share with you.. my latest little project. last week, i was invited (feeling privileged, actually) to set up shop in the corner of a historic little village due west of us.  it's the cutest little shabby chic store!  it specializes in vintage blue jeans, upcycled vintage jewelry and vintage clothing.  if you're on facebook...... you can find the store and it's daily posts at:  the b. hive.

smile, wink, nod!

happy sunday night!

baby, it's cold out side.....

and snowy. 

 and, very pretty!

a perfect, blustery day to plug in the old crock pot and try a new recipe, before heading out to run errands.

and so.... i made, "winter squash and white bean soup."

'twas indeed, delish.  with rave reviews from the mister.

the magical ingredients?  cumin and cinnamon.

click here for the recipe.

i adjusted the recipe for us, by adding white beans and minced garlic. 

smile, wink, nod.

with christmas money received, i invested in another one-year subscription to netflix.  i think i'm probably the very last one in the united states, to have seen the movie, "water for elephants."  so, i ordered it.   'twas  delivered to my door, yesterday.  oh, happy was i, when we flopped on the couch, our bellies full from crock-pot beef stew, and settled in to watching it!

we're captivated.

'bout time they make good movies, said the mister.

and then.... it happened.

a quarter of the way through.... the dvd stopped.

just stopped.  after carefully inspecting it.  the mister, realized the dvd was slathered with scratches.

don't ya just hate that?

smile, wink, nod.