Happy Sunday Night!

found.

late, last summer... when the garden came into fruition, i chopped and diced onions, peppers and garlic.  and froze them in handy little freezer bags.  i labeled them, too.

how happy was i, when i found and plucked them from my freezer, sauteed' them for a garden-fresh pizza topping!

if you could only smell... the freshness that circulated in my tiny kitchen.  why...... i could of ate this mixture straight from the pan!

smile, wink, nod.

let's talk about my vacuum.

don't laugh... because i truly love to vacuum.

always have.  always will. 

do it everyday, okay... at least 6 out of 7 days a week.  if not me... then i have my 14 year old plug in and sweep.

there's something about having clean floors, which makes me feel that my house is not as cluttered as it is.

my dyson.

it was a love-hate relationship at the first.

i loved it because my mom picked it up on sale and blessed us with it.  i hated it because i was used to my old one.  and truth is, i found it awkward... it took some time to get used to.  i'm not good with change.  but soon.  soon i fell madly in love with this powerhouse. 

and now, i will live happily every after with my yellow dyson.

smile, wink, nod.



Yesterday, Sunday... was a humid, rainy, dark day. 

Just the kind of day, you either chose to sleep and nestle in or clean like a mad woman.  You would think with this killer-sciatica nerve... which radiates and tingles to the bottom of my foot... would of given me a good excuse to enjoy the couch!  But, I pressed on... and cleaned like a mad-woman!

I'd embarrass myself if I told you how many garbage bags went out to the trash!  I tossed craft-junk that I never got around to finishing, expired food from the pantry, etc, etc, etc!!! 

It helped cleaning like a mad-woman, since my boys were gone for the day.  My brother-in-law has a rental home, quite near here.. and it caught on fire... burnt down.... and my husband and son went to help gut the thing out. 

Safety tip:  the resident was using an electric sander in the bedroom, then laid it on top of some fabric (towels? blankets?) and it over-heated.  He left to run to the store and came back and the house was on fire. 

Thankfully, everyone was fine!

Have a cheerful Monday!



Last night, found me reading and loving the story of Mrs. Robert E. Lee, by John Perry.  Here's a quick link, in case you'd like to read about the book:  click here.

What book are you reading?

other news:

chilly in michigan tulips are blooming made the worst gluten-free crock pot lasagna colored my hair... too dark but should wash out  homeschool lessons have been easy and fun and effective dancing with the stars chickadee's are at the feeder killdeer are running wild in the fields a flat of pansy's waiting on my patio...to be planted

smile, wink, nod

Happy Easter Weekend!

see you very soon....

smile, wink, nod.

where has nellie bly been all of my life?

i've never learned about her in school. 

 i might of heard her name before, but even that, i'm not too sure about.

so, when i was surfing through netflix... a documentary about her sparked my interest.  the dvd, "around the world in 72 days," arrived in yesterday's mail

 i've come to admire her and her spunky spirit.

if you think about it... one would have to have to be charismatic, have a lot of guts and explosive creativity to work for joseph pulitzer.

if you haven't heard about her... see if you can order the dvd, through netflix or your library. 

 you won't be disappointed.

she's a big part of american history... who should not be overlooked.

smile, wink, nod.

just the other day, thursday... i bought this madame antoinette lamp.  it's tacky, i know.  i think it's from the late 50's or 1960's.  it's not worth anything.  i paid next to nothing for her.  but, she makes me happy.  plus, i feel like marie.  and, i feel like eating crusty, french bread when i look at her.

speaking of feeling french....

how about tapping into:

 edith piaf?

today, i taught a class for our homeschool group, called junkyard art.  this semester, the students, my assistants and myself, have been working on a performance of the mega-powerhouse- broadway phenomenon, STOMP. 

and so it is... that i thought the kids should bang up and abuse their own costumes.... using resources we already had.  or should i have typed have?  either way, you know what i mean.  please don't correct me on this, i am a hyper-sensitive, moody artist.  just smile and nod, okay?

the students brought in old blue jeans, rocks and twine... they filled their jeans with rocks and tied them closed.  see pictures above.  wink.  my assistants and i along with the teenagers, drove down pavement roads and gravel... giving new life to the word, distress.

the event wouldn't have been a success, if the kids (some are not pictured) didn't take a break on an old backroad,  check their  road-kill jeans and............  break out into a flash-mob type dance... with heavy blues music.. which incidently, had an even heavier, dancy type beat. 

i can only hope, that the students will have fond memories of this day. this day, i will remember forever.

the finished products were laid to rest on the gym floor.  waiting.  waiting a fortnight to be worn and performed in.

*take a moment to really study the picture above... there are tire tread marks on one pair, big chunks of material taken from others, and other evidence of abuse.

and

the beat goes on................

smile, wink, nod.

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.