Something Fun

Our fireplace was being photographed today to be used for a picture on a package for a screen and also for tools as in a poker and bucket.  Here the people were setting up the fireplace  for the shots.

This was just fun to see done.

When I get the actual photos I will share them.

Monkey Face

These were made by a friend Suzy Smith.

They were too cute to keep to myself.

These are sized for babies but she is able to make for all heads.

They just make me smile.

Dream in a Box

Today was grocery shopping day and I didn't expect to start buying my landscaping bulbs there but I couldn't resist.

So Many beautiful colors and smells.

How fun it will be!

Then Tom and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, and I was in search of some crocus.

I finally found some among the dead leaves.

There is now hope that spring is on it's way.

I hear that the 60's are in our forecast this week.

We also found that someone put up a new flagpole.

How pretty that nice new flag looked.

I thought this evening sky was pretty through the shadows of the trees.

Inspirational Poem

I Know Something Good About You

Wouldn't this old world be better

If the folks we meet would say--

"I know something good about you!"

And treat us just that way?

Wouldn't it be fine and dandy

If each handclasp, fond and true,

Carried with it this assurance-

"I know something good about you!"

Wouldn't life be lots more happy

If the good that's in us all

Were the only thing about us

That folks bothered to recall?

Wouldn't life be lots more happy

If we praised the good we see?

For there's such a lot of goodness

In the worst of you and me!

Wouldn't it be nice to practice

That fine way of thinking too?

You know something good about me,

I know something good about you?

by Louis C. Shimon

Trying to get my create brain back

This last week gave me no time to create with midterms and there was a stressful project at work.  I feel like I have lost my creating brain.  I am trying to get it back....

First I have looked up a video that made me smile.
Tomorrow I will be in search of pictures.
Remember....our time is Springing Forward an hour tonight in Indiana.
That will help to have some light sooner in the morning.
I enjoyed our sunshine today.
We all need it, a fellow patron of the nail salon said we are all like wilted flowers and need that sunshine.
I thought that was quite proverbial. 

Enjoy....Uncle Kracker-Smile

Uncle Kracker - Music - More Music Videos

The Power of Water

Water is  amazing  and as we all know, something we cannot live without.

It has the power to green our grass.

It has the power to cool on hot summer days.

It has the power to carve out natural wonders.

That takes infinite number of years to design.

It has the power to quench thirsts.

It draws children to walk in it with big umbrellas.

It draws boys scout troops to hike along it.

It can be captured and purified for human consumption.

It has the power to baptise.

And it has the power to devastate.

I cannot imagine the fear this evokes to have this wave bearing down on you.

Our Prayers are with you Japan.

Spring will be coming

At least I have great hope for it.

The curtains for the covered porch came yesterday.

One side needs some curtains because it opens straight to the west and when the sun starts coming down it's a killer to sit at the table and eat or even sit out in the porch.

So I found these in Pottery Barn with some nice outdoor rods also, so they shouldn't rust.  The curtains are made from Sunbrella fabric which is made for the outdoors.

I will tie them back with black ribbon when we are not using them.

We have a black wrought iron table and chairs so it should look nice.

Logitech is the maker of my wireless keyboard and mouse, and the keyboard I had for a few years quit working.  When looking for a new one I found that Logitech will pay the postage for you to send back the old hardware made by them and will access it and send you a check for it.  How green is that!  I applaud them, it was so easy to do.  ALSO, once you sign up for this they will email a coupon for 20 percent off your next purchase of a Logitech item.  Here is the site so you can do this too.

Not much Art or Crafts going on this week in the studio.  My classes are coming up to midterms next week.  I have two papers due and two tests so I am going to have to get those done and study.  But the next week will be a breather, which I am looking forward to.

Oh Mani Padme Hum

In my class, Religions East and West we listened to a relaxing Buddist Hymm.  It was really nice.  Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy almost 10 minutes of relaxation.



cards

My stamping friends got together today for good girl talk, great food and fun camaraderie.

Here are the cards that I got done today.

Wonder who will be getting them in the mail?

Cooking

This last week I didn't cook much, so I decided to put together some dishes to eat from all week.

I made some lasagna.

With these oven ready noodle.

If you haven't tried them I highly recommend them.

Chicken breast cut up and all ready to put on a salad.

This is called a brunch casserole.

I am going to give you the recipe for this one, it is great for supper or breakfast.

This picture shows it before it is baked.

BRUNCH CASSEROLE

2 deep frying pans are needed along with a 9X13 inch pan.

1st pan:

1 stick butter or margarine

2 pkg. lean ham

6 T. flour

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

4 cups milk

Melt margarine in fry pan, mix in flour, salt and pepper.  Slowly stir in milk and cut up beef.  Stir till mixture thickens.

2nd Pan

1 doz. eggs, pkg turkey bacon.  1 can evaporated milk.  1 pkg lean ham cut up.  1/2 tsp. pepper.  Break eggs into large bowl and whisk together.  Add evaporated mil and ham and bacon, salt and pepper.  Melt 4 T. butter or margarine in pan and add egg mixture.  Keep stirring to prevent sticking.  When cooked, layer mixtures into a sprayed 9 X 13 pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minute. 

I also made Beef and Noodles and some Tastefully Simple   Beer Bread, Cinnamon Muffin Melts, Bread Pudding.

This should get us through some of the week for something to eat. 

My New Office

My Office is going to be revamped with new paint and a desk.

First I have to clean out and shred.

It's not a big office and I don't have much room to store things.

I have taken all things off the shelves.

Now it's getting painted a nice green.

My new desk is getting installed.

It is going from wall to wall.

Putting things back all nice and neat.

Much more space is so nice!

Book of Poems

I love to buy used books and usually it is from Amazon.  My bookstore at my fingertips.  I try to buy from a dealer who lives near me so I can get them ASAP.  I aquired this book last week but discovered it probably 10 years ago.  It is a huge book of poems that was published in 1938.  I think the cover is great with the needlepoint design.  Here is a poem I found that had an unknown author:

Try Smiling

When the weather suits you not-try smiling.

When your coffee isn't hot-try smiling.

When your neighbors don't do right,

Or your relatives all fight,

Sure 'tis hard, but then you might

Try smiling.

Doesn't change the things, of course-

Just smiling.

But it cannot make them worse-

Just smiling.

And it seems to help your case,

Brightens up a gloomy place,

Then, it sort o' rests your face-

Just smiling.

Spoiled

We are having another winter storm, we got a taste of spring this weekend and we liked it.  The snow was almost gone, all that was needed to go outside was a sweatshirt and the sun was shining.  It was really fabulous!  Monday comes and we wake up to school delays and there is ice on the road.  It really went downhill after that.  The good thing is, it won't stay around. 

I have been having a hard time thinking of interesting things to put on my blog here.  This is the first time I have taken 3 classes at one time. My mind gets fried keeping it all straight.  My Saint Clare-Light and Life class is interesting.  She was quite a gutsy lady for medieval times when women were mostly possessions and didn't get to use their minds.  She was a very Christ like woman who came from a wealthy family and she gave it all up and then her Mother and Sister also followed her.  Here is an image of her.

In my other religion class-Religion East and West we are now discussing Hinduism and Buddhism.  It is a bit hard for my mind to wrap around their beliefs but it is interesting. 

Baseball season is just around the corner, at least spring training has started and just hearing about our beloved Tigers makes us know it is not far away. 

Here is a link to one of our favorite Tigers songs by Jeff Daniels (yes the Jeff Daniels from Dumb and Dumber) but I loved, loved, loved him in Gettysburg as Col Joshua Chamberlain. 

This is Tigers Fan Blues.

Here is one of the best parts in the movie Gettysburg.

I can never say enough good about Gettysburg the movie or the actual place.

I have stood where this scene took place and can feel the soldiers that lost their lives in the huge battle on little round top.  It is hallowed ground.

The music in this movie is also beautiful.

I look forward to working in the yard and came across flower pictures from last year.  Let's do a little dreaming about spring.

It's been a cold winter, we should have some beautiful flowering trees and tulips.

#17

Mr. Birthday

Of course we had a little celebration.

He requested Spaghetti and meat sauce.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

I added breadsticks.

and Mr. Birthday wanted brownies with no frosting.

The candles that keep lighting just never get old.

Pictures with our very dear friend Angie.

Then the whole family.