Things I would do if I had Time for Blogging?

Try the 3-column blog style
Go WordPress or typepad for a change
Update blog more often
Change out the look with the season
*sigh*

Apple Skillet Cake

Remember my recent cooking marathon? I promised some pictures and besides I haven't blogged in awhile, I should post something? Here's a couple of shots of the "Apple Skillet Cake". Yep its a recipe from the one and only Pioneer Woman blog.

Full Dish

Plated up

Kid - Amos Lee

Every time I hear these lyrics I like them...

Been kicked around so long
You're starting to get used to how it feels
The taste of blood that's in your mouth
There's still somehow it always heals
Don't know how you keep on getting up
From all those ghostly blows
And all that pain that lingers
Deep down in the darkness where it grows

I know how hard it is
To keep your head up kid
To keep your head up
Kid

And there you sit on high
All tucked away and locked up in the clouds
Waiting for someone to finally
Come along and take you out
Into this bitter world
That also often treated you so cruel
When they turn away
You know that they will say that you're a fool

I know how hard it is
To keep your head up kid
I know how hard it is
To keep your head up kid

And so patiently
You waited for a love to come along
Take you out into this bitter world
So often done you wrong
There you sit alone
And there you shed a solitary tear
Listening to a song
You think that no one else would ever hear

I know how hard it is
To keep your head up kid
I know hard it is
To keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up
Keep your head up

Repeat

bears repeating...

A Cherokee Legend

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Go Stampers!!

Thought this was an interesting article on MSN today and an interesting first example [Please Note: I've been meaning to do a post on the subject, I am temporarily no longer a SU demonstrator for personal economic reasons] of how to survive in this economy... "The Secret to My Success... in This Economy"<----- click for FULL article. I just found it interesting that this was the very first example given in the article. Go stampers.

Here are bits pasted:

In today's economy, personal and professional failures are abundant. Personally, we're tired of hearing bad news. Instead, we wanted to know how people have stayed relevant and successful.

Here's what we found out:

Ann M. Clemmer, Stampin' Up!
Ten years ago, I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator to bring in a little extra money. Five years ago, I got the opportunity to leave my job in the television industry. I felt that if I was ever to try this stamping job full time, this was it. The first year I did this full time, I doubled my best sales year. I've made it twice into the top 100 demonstrators of the U.S. and hope to again this year, as I bettered my best year by about 19 percent.
Secret to success: There's always someone making money in every economy. Listening to the news can help you decide where to go, but it also can bring you down. I've often felt that the only "no" that counts is the last one I accept. If someone doesn't want what I'm selling, I just keep looking for the next person who does. My mantra is that I'm only one new customer away from where I want to be.

You have a Hope and a Future...

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Look Who's Visiting Me Again!!!

Punkin'...my only Grandchild er furbaby (all of my grandchildren have 4 legs)... He loves to curl up on "things". Here he is... right above my computer monitor on top of a ream of paper. I love animals. Oh! lastely but not least...my daughter is in town too hehe...hence the furbaby visit.

Word Verification is back ON

Word verification when leaving a comment is back on...only temporarily until I can shake the Japanese spammer that keeps leaving comments in Japanese and links to a dirty website (well I can't read it because it is in Japanese characters but you can read between the Japanese lines?!?!?! Thanks for your patience.

Thought for Today, August 24, 2009

Believe that you are bigger than your difficulties, for you are, indeed. ~nvp

Yesterday's Thought for the Day

...taken from my Positive Thinking for Everyday <---click here by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale...I thought I would post it today because I liked it and needed to hear IT.

Thought for the day for August 20th:

Always maintain hopefulness,
especially when the going is hard

Now off to mail some LATE paperwork that is the reason I needed to hear this today. What kind of paperwork you wonder? The kind that is paired up with that saying that say the only two things that are certain in life are death and ...fill in the blank. Enough said?

As long as I am at it? Here is the thought for the day for August 21st:

You must feed your mind even as
you feed your body, and to make
your mind healthy you must feed it
nourishing, wholesome thoughts

Comment Moderation Back ON!

Sorry guys, not that I get that many comments anyway...but I have put comment moderation back ON my blog. You will NOT have to do the word verification, that is still OFF. I will be able to approve the comments before they publish. I've been getting Japanese Porn spammers leaving comments. Who knows what kind of virus they may have? Bleh. Spammers be gone.

Its a Bird, It's a Plane, NO it's...

Superdaughter? It was a beautiful evening for flying (www.flytorrey.com) <---click - for some CRAZY PEOPLE. I took these with a point and shoot but it's times like these I wish I had lots of zoom. There were 10 balloons in all up tonight. I love hot-air balloons but you wouldn't catch me dead in one of them. They are pretty however. Warning!! Lot's of pictures... but I like pictures, don't you?

Hot Air Balloons

Sunset - LaJolla, CA

Sunset - LaJolla, CA

Can't my daughter read? It's says, "PILOTS ONLY", "NO PARKING", "EMERGENCY LANE", and most importantly... "KEEP CLEAR"

Ah..hem? "DON'T CROSS"

It SAYS "NO FLY ZONE"

BUT...NO it's thumbs up for Paragliding

The pilot is taking a test drive to see if the winds are STRONG enough

Second thoughts? Now's your last chance to RUN away. Hurry quick.

Pilot coming back to get my daughter because she apparently CAN'T READ and the winds are perfect.

All systems go with a little instruction

Just get a running start. HEY didn't your mother ever tell you? Just because your friends are jumping off a bridge (er in this case, cliff) doesn't mean you have to. STOP don't go. Look at that guys calves!

Commit (this was one of my favorite shots)

OMG Noooooooooooooo

They went up and down the coast. It was beautiful and the wind was cooperating. The pilot said that sunset flights are very rare. Usually they only get 10 days a year where sunset flights are a-go. The winds are usually not strong enough after sunset. Best flying times are from noon-3:00. He said she was LUCKY.

Safe landing. Peace out yourself little Missy, now get out of that get-up. Look at that guys calves!

Deflate the KITE already it might take off again when your not looking. EEK

TADA

Superdaughter

Typo Alert and other Such Nonsense

I'm pretty sure this label is supposed to read "Barely Beige" as in the word "bare"? OR if it was meant to be "Barley Beige", which is entirely possible as "Barley" is somewhat beige in color then the "ey" would be correct. OR maybe it is barrelleybarrelleyberrelley as in merrily merrily merrily. I mean markers in LOTS of colors are a very merry thing. OR maybe the dental procedure I had yesterday was a bit too close to the brain? I'm just sayin'! I do have a life. I really really really DO. Srsly that is misspelled. I'm sorry it just is. WHO proofed this thing before it went to production? Security.

Edited to add: speaking of dental work... After the plan estimate my U.S. dentist quoted me yesterday, I have been seriously considering going outside the U.S. to complete my work. Before everyone panics, I'm talking traveling 15 miles south. Calm down, stay with me. However... I'm not sure if I want to go to a clinic where they use the word "easy" for the use of the word "ease"

eek!

Edited to add2: I knew that Billy guy was on something! I just knew it.

Sometimes Magic Happens!

I used Crafty Secrets "Bird Lovers" set for this card. Remember! Click on any picture to enlarge and see the details better. I just love Crafty Secrets stamps and really don't get to play with them enough. I've often thought of having a "Crafty Secrets" month where I only use Crafty Secret's stamps. Wouldn't that be fun? Here is the set I used today for this project:

Gawgeous (non-sponsored gushing)

I just love the sentiment, "Of course you can fly, for dreams have wings". This card came out just how I had envisioned it. I used the branch stamp to create of subtle background. I also wanted it to have an "Asian" feel. Yep, I took a "Vintageish" stamp set and made it "Asianesck". Hence, the red flowers.

A shot of the same card... but I posted a duplicate shot so you could see how the little bird's eye (on the tag)sparkles on this one?

Close-up

Recipe:

{P}aper: SU card stock Bashful Blue for base, Rose Red for Layer-1, Whisper White for Oval

{R}ibbon: Light blue repurposed scrap from a gift. Very pretty

{I}nk: Copic Sketch Markers: BOO Frost Blue, BG10- Cool Shadow, E11-Barely Beige (same as:SU Blush Blossom), E55-Light Carmel (same as:SU Creamy Carmel), O-Colorless Blender (Love), R14-Light Rouge (same as:SU Cameo Coral), R20-Blush, R27-Cadmium Red(same as:SU Ruby Red), YGOO-Mimosa Yellow. Copic Spica Glitter Pens: Clear, Black

{S}tamps: Crafty Secret, Bird Lover set

{S}crap/Misc:Spellbinder Nestabilities, Straight Oval, SU Paper Piercer on the tag, SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Small Wire Flowers (PaperTales), Martha Stewart Doily Lace Edger Punch (I turned it into a corner punch), Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Swiss Dots?

{Y}adayada: Have I told you I love the Copic Colorless Blender? I forgot how dazzling SU glitter really is. My favorite overall. OH while I am on the subject... the E11-Barely Beige Copic marker LABEL has a TYPO. It reads Bareley Beige. I apologize in advance. I am a Copy Editor/Technical Writer IRL, I can't help myself sometimes. Seriously, go look at the label and see if yours is misspelled too. Copic Sketch type.

Have I told you lately...

Another blogger Melissa over at Highly Entertaining posed the question, "have you noticed anything worth passing along" (I'm not sure how worthy mine are) ? WELL. Yes, I thought I would play along and here are mine:

1. Sometimes I wish you really could extract your own teeth by tying a string to a doorknob, attach the other end of the string to your tooth, slam the door and rid yourself of dental problems.
2. ...have you ever noticed the frequency of the use of the word "loose" when they really meant to use the word "lose". Ha, I catch that one all the time.
3. I'm not sure if I like the use of "SPOX" for the plural of the word Spokespersons?? I saw this on a ticker that runs along the bottom of the television screen. The author was saying something regarding Clinton's spokespersons and instead they said Clinton's spox. Clever? I think Webster or Merriam would roll over in their graves. I suppose I could have used role. Would you have caught it? Texting is like a virus and it's spreading to mainstream media.
4. What else? Oh as long as we're on the subject of words... I cannot tell you how many times I see something misspelled on the television. Unless of course the urban dictionary is your resource, then you're safe.

So do you have any?

PSA Alert!!

In case your wondering what this has to do with my PSA, play the video (replay 2x while reading it really adds to the effect) and then read on (ROFL).....




I went and had my annual mammogram last week. Not to be confused with a singogram where hot guys sing happy birthday to you in a costume that includes short shorts. Although it wouldn't be a bad idea for a distraction while having the "real" thing done. In case you've never had one and would like to know what it feels like. Place your bubby on the garage floor underneath the open garage door. Press the remote control and close the garage door (slowly if possible). Make sure bubby is nice and flat. Take a quick snapshot. Using the remote, open said garage door. There all done for another year. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Unless your a guy, then, maybe. See how YOU like it.

Seriously, it's not all that bad and I have to tell you...it's a very important screening tool and If your a woman, get yours done. Go ahead. You can do it. It's fun! Trust me on that. It does kind of seem like your being closed in by the garage door though. Just saying.

Monday Funny!!

This is a riot...

Thank You Much!

Thank you much! Super Duper. Merci. Much Obliged. Sincere Gratitude. My cousin who had a Vegas wedding, asked me for some "Thank You" cards. I wanted to weave in the Vegas theme and her color, pink.

I took the background "Thank You" stamp (Stampin' Up) and covered the row of hearts (if you look about 3/4 of the way down on the wood block) with the Heart, Diamond, Spade, Club stamp from the Stampin' Up "Game Night" set. Very clever, I think. I wanted to customize it with more of a "Vegas" theme. I think it turned out elegant and not tacky. I used Martha Stewart Silver Ink for the large stamp and Martha Stewart glitter to make the Heart, Diamond, Spade, Club image pop. I also used ribbon from my PinkHedgehog stash.I used the 1/4 inch organdy. It's so nice to buy in bulk and have just the right color ribbon at your fingertips! These turned out so cute and of course they look so much better IRL. I hope my cousin doesn't get a sneak peek of her cards. These are in the mail to her right now...

I made 20

I just love the clear boxes (PaperTrey Ink)
It looks like they might be out of them right now
I used to make very professional looking
gift sets of thank you cards

Artist in the House - Happiness is Made to be Shared

You absolutely must click on the images to see the detailed painting on these. I can tell you the photos don't do it justice. IRL is soooooooo much better. My daughter's friend, an artist name Martin Bashir-Nasim, (I'm sorry I only have this short-version Facebook page to link to) painted this surfboard for her. This was all done freehand. It is absolutely beautiful. From one artist to another, I was in awe of the details and the beauty. It's 1-of-a-kind 4sure. I told her she can't surf with it now. She has to get a different board to surf on. All I can say is WOW! He has more creativity in his little finger than I will ever have.

Full Board

Top close-up
See the "Tree House" ?
HOLY CUTENESS - See the little path and the daisy's and the toadstools


A little closer... there was so much detail on this board...
I didn't know which detail to snap first.
I just wanted to keep taking pictures.
But I had to stop myself.


Of course there are waves to be found


...and sealife, Holy Angel Fish Batman!Moving down to the bottom of the board see the King Crab?
My daughter Zodiac sign is Cancer the Crab.
How personalized and thoughtful is that!!

We have a Winner!! - BLOG CANDY WINNER!!!

CONGRATULAT!ONS! PR!SSYPAL ALL!SON YOU WON THE Click--->Pink Hedgie (aka Hedgehog Crafts BLOG CANDY. I used Random Integer generator online. Out of 13 comments, All!son was No. 6. Ironically, she is local, we work together and are friends. I swear it's truly not fixed! The random generator picked the number. Really. Email your contact information to Hedgie with your mailing address and she will ship it out to you right away!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

6


<-----BLOG CANDY Hi guys... well you guessed it... it's Blog Candy time. First the background news. Pink <------click Hedge Hog Paper Crafts has a website face lift she'd like you to go check out. The look, the feel are ALL NEW and pink of course. and I have been asked to be a Guest Designer for Pink <------click Hedge Hog Paper Crafts. Can you believe that! Not only has she asked me to be a Guest Designer, she wanted to kick off the fun with some Pink Hedge <------click Hog Paper Crafts Blog Candy. And Pink <------click Hedge Hog Paper Crafts can provide Blog Candy like nobody's business because she carries so many great items in her eStore<------click all she has to do is go to the shelves and start grabbing.

The winners will receive the following:
40 yards of ribbon in a rainbow of colors a
A small jar of each of the colors of raindrops shown in the photo
600 Brads with storage jars in rainbow colors to match the ribbons
Total value of the prize is over $36.00

If there is one thing I love about Pink Hedge Hog Paper Crafts<------click is that she believes in a bargain and she likes passing those bargains on to YOU the Pr!ssyPals. I've been shopping with PHH for a long time now. She buys bulk and passes the "bulk pricing" on to US. I can truly say if you want to stock up on ribbons, eyelets, markers, containers for said eyelets and buttons then she is the place to go, for the best variety and price. Without further ado, if you want to win some BLOG CANDY just leave a comment to this post and go visit Pink Hedgehog and say Hi Y'all. At the end of June, I will draw a random name from all of the comments posted here. Pink Hedge Hog herself will mail you the blog candy. Isn't that nice of her. THERE MORE TO COME DURING MY TIME AS GUEST DESIGNER. I WILL HAVE SOME CRAFTY ITEMS TO SHOW YOU USING SOME OF THE NEW ITEMS. GOOD LUCK!