art dog's life

artful~

2011-11-28T13:18:00.003-05:00

arting saved my soul last night...that and christmas music....

grey~

2011-11-22T20:47:00.003-05:00

grey it covers me like a warm blanket...

grey like the puddles of water in the driveway

and the stones that surround it....

grey like fur of ruby..

grey, grey, grey....

it gets in deep and plants itself in my soul

and i cannot shake it loose....

better have another cup of coffee and figure it out.......

reflecting~

2011-11-17T11:50:00.002-05:00

i have lost myself somewhere along the way....

first fall sunday~

2011-09-25T10:08:00.010-04:00

cool and crisp fall morning ! sitting in bed with a cup of black tiger coffee

moving around the internet! surrounded by my furry babies....

really wanting to stay in bed all day but that wont happen..

too much to do before lani gets here on wednesday .....

my starbucks did some remodeling and was closed all last week BUT guess who is the owner of the beautiful leather couch that probably would had been trashed!

yep me... woo hoo.....that will be moved into my bedroom..and bonus it seems like coffee~
go figure... ha......

sunday~

2011-09-11T13:58:00.007-04:00

the house seems humid and stuffy even though the air is on? so het and i have opened the windows that have screens in them in the hopes the house will cool down...

i have even cleaned the dust off my ceiling fan to cool my bedroom....
it looks like i am starting the hot flashes, wth?

so i am a mess with my inner child playing with matches constantly, ugh!

bad girl....

lazy day at good manor today, its been raining and storming!
perfect day to

stay in and be creative....
except to run to run out to starbucks, ha!

long time no see~

2011-08-04T11:49:00.003-04:00

im back dont know if i am better but im here!

that damn facebook i think replaces alot of
bloggers...so i am trying to get back in the swing of things..
life just keeps moving on whether i blog or not..so today i am
just posing a question...."what is happiness"
where do you find
it
within yourself..
let me know your thoughts...

its 1:46am~

2011-04-03T01:46:00.005-04:00

its 1:46am and i am cruising the internet, in fact i have been doing this all night..

had a 3hr nap late this afternoon and really am not ready for bed...so as i sit here

catching up with email and blogs and ebay and etsy , i am listening to the call of

a nocturnal owl...we do not have any big trees for these creatures to nest or sit but we

are certainly surrounded by trees to one side of our property...my window is open as it always is at night and i hear call its beautiful

and it is echoing through the air

wish i could see her

postcard from the beach~

2011-02-19T23:08:00.006-05:00

i have a really dear friend who i adore..he loves to prank call me during the day

and a few times has tripped me up! will be spending 5days with him in new york

city and can only imagine what he will have up his sleeve...but anyway, he and his wife

are in suuny california and he has been sending pictures of the beach art he finds on

his daily walks...i love them all...but i have to say this one is my favorite!!!

thanks al~~xox

Canis latrans~

2011-02-13T16:25:00.005-05:00

late last night between two & three maybe...i was laying in bed with a cup of

tea and my never ending stack of magazines trying to play catch up...

i have taken to sleeping with the window open about two inches to let the

cold night air cool my bedroom which tends to stay warm even with the

vents closed tight..when i heard a loud and very close howling from a coyote

and then another and then another and so on..it was amazing, i was a little startled,

they are close i thought, why? i could not answer that..i felt my heart beating faster

as i laid there listening quietly and none of my dogs even stirred from their slumber..

i know they are there as we have heard them in the distant we we have had our campfires..

i know this is mating season...so somethng was going on and then the all the howling just

stopped in a blink just like it started..it was quiet eerie and beautiful at the same time...

i wish i had nights vision goggles....

valentines swaparoo~

2011-01-24T13:11:00.004-05:00

just a few valentine faces for a small swap with ruth rae

writing assignment#2

2011-01-22T13:32:00.002-05:00

i am the tall one with arms raised toward the sky..
i carry the weight for many..i dont like to but cannot help it..
i share myself with many..not always a mental choice
but a heart choice especially for the less fortunate winged
and four leggeds.....i am their only home...

i wear my heart on the outside unprotected
in all kinds of weather...it cannot be shielded, put away or hidden...
this is the way it is and always will be forever amen...

first day 2011~

2011-01-01T21:52:00.002-05:00

make new friends but keep the old...

one is silver and the others gold.....

winter solstice~

2010-12-20T19:21:00.004-05:00

tomorrow will be the beginning of winter solstice... julie always takes me out to dinner on that night...it has become tradition that we do not like to miss...this is when we usually exchange our
our gifts..tomorrow we will be dining at clarmont restaurant . one of our cities finest dining places..it has been around for 60years and is fabulous..julie has never been there so it will be really nice to be with her on her first visit..well i hope that i can stay awake long enough to enjoy dinner tomorrow as i will be trying to stay up for the total lunar eclipse tonight
and
then work tomorrow....

below is a picture i took after work in our parking lot...

it is really a beautiful winter scene..

sugar rush~

2010-12-04T21:34:00.004-05:00

julies making homemade marshmallows again....

thanks sandy for the recipe... Martha's Homemade Marshmallows

2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract*

Confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment. Let it stand 30 minutes.Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup of water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.Clip on a candy thermometer; raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees

( or until : firm-ball stage).

Immediately remove pan from heat.With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla; beat to incorporate.Generously dust an 8 x 12-inch glass baking pan with confectioners' sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar; let stand overnight, uncovered, to dry out.

all you need~

2010-11-28T10:31:00.009-05:00

love love love
love love love
love love love There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

Nothing you can sing that can't be sungNothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game

it's easy

There's nothing you can make that can't be made.

No one you can save that can't be saved.

Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time - It's easy.

all you need is love, all you need is love, all you need is love
love love is all your need, love is all you need, love is all you need

happy thanksgiving~

2010-11-25T14:05:00.002-05:00

wishing you and yours a wonderful warm thanksgiving!

we have much to be thankful for in this beautiful country of ours...

sunday drive~

2010-11-21T23:35:00.007-05:00

today we went on a drive that took us

in cincinnati

3cartloads later, dinner at maggianos and a stop at daughters

to see the little man

after that we called it quits and drove home..

i think the best ikea deal of the day was a cartload of textiles

(curtains, sheets,blankets couch covers, etc)

for $25.oo..

the cart was jammed full and we made out like a bandit!!

besides the other things we purchased..

ikea is a great find in ohio!

and maggianos is delicious italian food...mmmmmm

such a good day all around..........

xox

happy halloween 2010~

2010-10-31T12:37:00.002-04:00

one of my jewelry trays~

im back~

2010-10-18T21:31:00.005-04:00

i can believe i havent been here for a month and i apologize...

im lazy

and

sometimes

i would rather sleep

entertain that sweet baby with my singing(lol)...

anyway, here a few things that i have worked on

since our last meeting....below design courtesy of sharon andrews...and the below picture is why i need a double stroller

can you stand it!! lol..

there is even room for a starbucks on the handle

and room for my handbag below!

xox

friday morning self portrait~

2010-09-10T14:00:00.003-04:00

wow! large and in charge!!

big love~

2010-09-08T20:58:00.000-04:00

happy wednesday~

2010-08-31T23:57:00.004-04:00

if this youtube doesnt get you up and out of your seat

and smiling

dont know what will.....

now get footloose~

a new piece~

2010-08-17T23:27:00.001-04:00

something i have been working on the past few days......

sad beauty~

2010-08-08T00:22:00.003-04:00

blog surfing tonight i found this totally amazing place called kingston lounge
and you all knew i would have to stop and take a look with a name like kingston....
there are some powerful, beautiful, sad and mesmerizing photos taken by
richard nickel, jr.......

the pictures just blew me away...i emailed him immediately
to ask if i could post about him and show some of his beautiful pictures and he
graciously told me yes..

the below photos are just a smidge of his talent...
please go immediately and see his majic....

kingston lounge

red knitted hat~

2010-08-01T23:14:00.000-04:00

is this the most darling face you have seen in awhile?

flying solo~

2010-07-28T00:13:00.006-04:00

leaving tomorrow and driving solo to make my annual pilgrimage to QVC for the annual
kirks folly

live show..

packing my pink cotton candy wig and my mermaid crown that i just

finished adding final touches to...the qvc live show is on thursday from 11 to 12 and i will there
in all my glory..

the shows theme this year is "mermaid magic-oceans of fantasy" so if you are not doing anything check it out.....

vote for me!

2010-07-22T23:21:00.001-04:00

please help me win!!!
go vote for my necklace at
objects and elements.typepad.com

not your ordinary day~

2010-07-21T22:29:00.007-04:00

my day started off normal, clock in do not pass go and precede directly to starbucks for morning espresso shots by your favorite baristas...so midday we had a break in the action and i asked my boss if she could measure my eyes as it had been a while and i have been noticing some changes in the right eye and i had i a new frame i wanted to get new lenses in....so long story short she says, you need to see the retinal specialist as you have fluid behind your retina ! and i say what? silently freaking out!

so she makes the appointment stat, i go and thank goodness my cousin works there, and more long story short after getting dye injected into my arm that goes to my eyes and pictures are taken, the doctor tells me that i have abnormal blood vessels growing behind my retina leaking fluid and close to the optic nerve as he is showing me the pictures and the treatment is getting injections(needle in the eye) with a chemo drug 3times at 6week intervals....and i say still in shock f*uck! and he would like to do it as soon as possible and my cousin says today? and he said yes and i say f*ck!!

so here i am getting numbing drops and other gobbity gook put in my eye, before they can stick the needle in my eye loaded with the chemo drug and as added excitement for afterwards the dye that was injected in my arm makes your pee this very bright yellow! so all in all it was a pretty exciting day!!! so you will have to wait another 6weeks before we can do this all over again!!!

needless to say i am so glad i work for my eye doctor as i would had blown this getting my eyes examined longer.........

and i did have 2glasses of prosecco tonight, i thought i was deserving of that!!

monday supper~

2010-07-19T20:32:00.003-04:00

here at good manor we eat our fair share of mexican food!!

it is one of our favorites

ole!

and today i came across

this recipe on the internet for something new and

julie made it all come together, it was quick, simple and delicious!!
check it out!!

ingredients
Nonfat cooking spray
1 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons bottled sliced jalapeno peppers (optional)
1 cup salsa
4 6-ounce corn tortillas

(or we used flour tortillas)
1/2 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey jack cheese
1/2 avocado, seeded, peeled, and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves
directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.
Mash the beans; stir in jalapeno peppers, if desired. In a skillet cook and stir the beans over medium heat for 2 minutes; set aside.
Spoon 1/4 cup of the salsa into bottom of the pie plate. Layer in order, 1 tortilla, half of the warm beans, another tortilla, the corn, half of the cheese, 1/4 cup more salsa, the third tortilla, remaining beans, remaining tortilla, and salsa. Cover with foil. Bake 12 minutes. (Or, cover with microwave-safe plastic wrap; micro-cook on high power for 4 minutes, giving a half-turn once.) Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 3 minutes more (or micro-cook 30 seconds more). Sprinkle with avocado and cilantro. Makes 4 main-dish servings

strange one~

2010-07-09T12:03:00.004-04:00

do you love this doll??

she is a strange one and creepy and those eyes!!
i love her!
she is a creation of beth robinson....
i want them all!!
my bff ellen -
who never updates her but does update on facebook,
hooked me up with her..good call ellen! and sitting in dollys lap are some
darling charlotte earrings made by
my bff kecia
for me ....
they sit on a darling little yellow table picked up at the ocean rove flea market in new jersey for 15bucks....
priceless!!

red marbles anyone~

2010-07-08T15:54:00.008-04:00

i received this story from a gal in one of my yahoo groups.
i think it is poignant and i will always think of this story
when i see any marble again....
RED MARBLES
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas..

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Larry, how are you today?'

'H'lo , Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Larry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like to take some home ?' asked Mr.. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller..

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home ?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost..'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'.. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store..'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr... Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts....all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her, and moved on to the casket..

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about colour or size.....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband.. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.... Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.....

RED MARBLES

2010-06-29T21:44:00.003-04:00

ps and s... please check me out and dont forget to vote for me when the time comes...

i will remind you all....xox

prayers~

2010-06-28T00:07:00.003-04:00

it is amazing how easy it is to say that the things we see on the news or read in the paper will never happen to us or family...well it can ....everyone blames themselves, there is much soul searching and crying and praying and asking for prayers, so i am asking for you to please

put us in your prayers or prayer groups and send good thoughts and strength our way...

thank you

xox..

2010-06-16T22:30:00.007-04:00

i decided to take on the 100 strangers project..

i am fascinated by people and what they do and howthey live their lives.....

so while i was in new jersey with kecia we both took pictures of strangers and doggie strangers( really though there isnt any dog that i would call a stranger)........

i have really enjoyed talking the pictures and talking to the strangers who are now friends!

they were all cool with having their pictures taken except for 3 little old ladies sitiing at the bar at pete and eldas ~a fabulous pizza joint..this is phillip a darling irishman selling his wares at one of the flea markets.
he is one hell of a story teller that was for sure!

it was so hot and humid, sheesh just thinking about it makes me hot...

this tough guy's name is nick

i was admiring his tattoo sleev e and asked if i could take a picture of his arm

as the tattoo was kinda creepy and he said hey look at this one if you want creepy

and damn if he wasnt right

the "it" clown from stephen kings book scared the crap out of me.. when i was

reading that book when it first came out it would sit on my nightstand

and i was afraid to touch it to read it...

now here is pat (another irishman),lol cooking up the ever famous pork roll ..i had never heard of this stuff but man oh man it is HEAVEN!! on a a soft bun with cheese..Yummy! and i had my fair share that weekend at least 3times and one that was packed in my lunch for the trip home....

i hope we can find it here in ohio...

hope you enjoy my first 3 of 100 strangers!

spf~glimpse of work..

2010-06-11T21:08:00.005-04:00

here i am at work wearing my favorite sunglasses of the moment!

the are from paris and the brand is face a face..

i actually have 2pairs from this line and when they come in

the pairs i bought didnt even make it to our shelves, lol..
i love my job and i have the luxury of being able to have the coolest frames!

and it isnt bad having starbucks just 2doors down.....

and this rainbow was waiting for me when i come out of CVS tonight...

now off for some ice cream ...

mmmmmmmmmm.......

2010-06-02T22:21:00.004-04:00

last night julie and i went to jenis ice cream for some delicious creamy confection...

look at the spoon, its a tiny shovel!!!!! lol

i got the "one night in bangkok", it is Thai Chili ice ream which is Complex flavors of hot, salty, savory, and sweet melt with a kick of spice that mixture is covered with heated saltly caramel sauce, spanish nuts , chopped banana and whipped cream and a dark cherry!!! HEAVEN!!!!!

mmm....mmmmm.goodness....

in love with~

2010-05-19T22:17:00.005-04:00

have you all heard of Industrial-Chic? well run dont walk to your
nearest Michaels....susan-lenart-kazmer now has her own line exclusively

at Michaels...the charms and findings and the bits and bobs are her designs made

for us to take home and make our own designs..i am obsessed and will have every charm made as you can see i have a good collection started....i have taken a couple of classes from her

at artfest and susan is one great super charged teacher, super high energy and lots of hands on....

so get and get over to Michaels and check her new line out!!!

the possibilities are endless...

treasure hunt~

2010-05-16T21:38:00.003-04:00

does anyone know anything about geo-caching ?

well i knew about it all but never had any interest

until now as a friend hooked me up with an application you

can download to my cell!! modern technology!!

its so totally cool, you can search by all these coordinates

and then map it and it takes you right to it.....but then you

have to search around the area...and once you find the cache

you usually sign in or sign in and leave something small...

its like an adult treaasure hunt!!!

it is really pretty cool, there are many close to our home.

jule and i found 3 the first night ..this is a picture

right after finding one

in the woods

behind the library and another one found tonight at

a local cemetery...

arent these angels beautiful?

mothers day recap~

2010-05-10T11:28:00.008-04:00

yesterday started out with homemade waffles and coffee courtesy of julie~ man were they delish!!! she s eating hers while holding the baby boy..then later on we went to MY moms for her famous spaghetti dinner....
here is another sweet picture .....

xoxox

hope everyone enjoyed their day yesterday...

changes are here~

2010-05-06T14:04:00.006-04:00

The road is long

With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry her
SHe ain't heavy, she's my daughter

So on we go
Her welfare is of my concern
No burden is she to bear
We'll get there
For I know
SHe would not encumber me
SHe ain't heavy, She's my daughter

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
SHe ain't heavy,s he's my daughter

SHe's my daugther
SHe ain't heavy, she's my daughter.

***i felt this song was appropriate with a few word changes
as my daughter and her sweet baby will be moving in to
good manor for awhile*****
.....these times they are a changing.....
xoxox

welcome to the real world~

2010-04-26T11:01:00.001-04:00

well, here he is...Baby Kingston..

He is doing amazing and
my daughter is
really surprising me..
They both are doing so wonderful...
xox

labor and delivery

2010-04-22T16:41:00.003-04:00

Have been at the hospital since 8am.
She is Dilated to 7..... epidural in place.
Updating. From my phone. ...

artfest 2010 roundup~

2010-04-20T21:33:00.003-04:00

artfest classes 2010 nina bagley

2010-04-01T21:45:00.008-04:00

last thursday was my class with nina bagley..

i just love her style and her use of vintage what nots

of loved ones

forgotten....

in this class we made wall hangings using vintage bookbacks...

below are the two that i made out of an old farm ledger

and assorted vintage finds that i come across...

the little girl piece that i attached on the dress is something from the talented ruth rae that i have for a long time that begged to be taken to pt townsend for the ride...

this was a nice relaxing class to take after much travel and delays....

ta~da!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-24T12:21:00.003-04:00

well it had to happen sooner or later wished for later but..........

today i turn the big

50.......

what a treat to be spending it with my bffs at artfest..

atcs artfest bound~

2010-03-14T12:02:00.002-04:00

my atcs on their way to artfest for the annual atc book put together

by the ever talented

bee shay

xox...

a little scared~

2010-03-12T00:59:00.001-05:00

spent several hours in labor and delivery last night, thought het might be going into labor early..

she called asking how it felt when your water breaks, i told her and then said call your doctor..

next thing i know i am on my way to pick her up and back out on our way to the hospital..

thank god for small favors and my cousin is a nurse in the labor & delivery where het will deliver and she met us last night on the floor..

long story short, false alarm..it was just some residual water ....

and she is fine, everything is where it should be....back at home in bed by about 345am...

so what am i still doing up at 1am now??lol

ps....i was scared but tried not to show it.....

weekend activities~

2010-03-09T23:04:00.004-05:00

we had my daughters baby shower this past sunday and it turned out wonderful!

she received so many nice things for the baby, i told her she must be really loved

as she got so many BIG gifts from this shower and the shower her boss threw her

at work....

i cannot wait until this weekend until my mom and me can get over to

her place to go through everything ...

the cake was so so so wonderfully delicious.... me ....
my good friend sharon andrews took all the pictures at the shower..this is my mom, het and me with my readers on...

3generations soon to be 4....

the only thing that would had made it better is if my sister would had been there...

xox

getting ready for artfest 2010~

2010-03-06T19:33:00.005-05:00

artfest 2010 is just around the corner along with

a milestone birthday

that i will be celebrating at artfest

so in honor of that i will be wearing

a new hair style while out there designed by

my incredibly talented friend the hair nurse ~lana...

here is a sneak peek....

another commercial break~

2010-03-02T23:05:00.003-05:00

RUN...

dont walk if you ever see at your grocerier or if you are at a speciality grocery or
order for QVC my grandmas coffee cakes my gawd they are heaven on a plate!

they are like between 10 to 13 bucks depending on the store....

there are no trans fat, water or butter in these cakes

and they are the most mosit coffee cake in the world

and i know my coffee cakes..

and if you really want to be sinful

slather on some real butter

and you will be in HEAVEN!!

enjoy!

silhouette painting~

2010-02-22T22:06:00.012-05:00

tthis is a painting i finally finished from mistys online painting class.

im pretty happy with it and now it is off to my office to hang on the walls

with my other paintings and such..

i have sold 2 so far from hanging them

at work...

thanks to my boss constantly nagging me for 3straight years

to bring my art in.....

xox
02/24/10..ps......painting is now SOLD
thank-you, sweet martha!!

no one mourns the wicked~

2010-02-18T17:51:00.007-05:00

last night we had the pleasure of attending the opening of the musical~wicked
in dayton, ohio..

it was a private affair

invite only complete with a
wicked cocktail party with cocktails and

tons of hors d'oeuvres in the wicked colors of black and greenis this flying monkey ice sculpture too cool?flying monkeys circling abovelook at the hands holding the cauldron

in another room a complete offering of wicked desserts complete with

little green witch hats....

the pictures i took didnt do any justice to how special the night was as they were taken with my cell phone but it will give you an idea...

if you have the chance to see wickeddo it or see it multiple times i know we are...
and thank you laura for sending me the wicked cd after you saw it..

i have been listening to it nonstop ......

xox

frantic snow~

2010-02-16T17:56:00.004-05:00

i know you all are probably tired of my snow pictures but i cannot help myself..

we have not had this much snow in a winter in a long long time....

it is so reminiscent of growing up with tons of snow putting on the winter

coats, etc and going outside to play in the snow or walking up to the golf course

to sled....man those were the days when the living was easy, lol....

so here are some more pictures from today...

commercial break~

2010-02-12T22:08:00.003-05:00

do you guys remember her from the 80s?? the above beautiful sultry voiced singer named SADE .

well, she finally has a new cd named "soldier of love" that came out on tuesday....

the cd is awesome and it sounds like she never lost her renowned voice....

i was the 3rd person to buy her cd on tuesday, where else but starbucks!!

so if you are a fan of hers, run out and buy it as you will NOT be disappointed!!!

xox

snow day~

2010-02-09T14:52:00.005-05:00

the snow started coming down probably around 630am..i let the dogs out at 53o and there was nothing coming down...by 930am all there tracks had been covered with a fresh layer of snow

and more was coming down..so i decided to throw on some warm clothes my uggs and

wrapped my co-pilot up .....and head over to work to get deliveries and change the phones that we would

be closed today and probably tomorrow and of course get some starbucks!....

so i did all that plus stopped at the post office and mailed some valentine packages

and headed back home...

i am super obsessed with getting mail everyday doesnt matter what it is

i just like to get mail...so when it snows we have to make sure the front of the mailbox is clear of snow otherwise she wont stop...

so i tried to clean it a little smoother with my SUV and this is what happened....

yes, i got stuck in the ditch right in front of my house...lol...so long story short, i phoned a good friend as julie is out of town and while waiting a nice guy stopped and offered to pull me out..how neighborly of him...so i thought you all would get a laugh out of my misadventures today...

xox

they love the snow~

2010-02-07T10:27:00.003-05:00

here is a short video of the dogs playing in the snow...

hope it brings a smile to your faces..

xox

~weather update~

2010-02-05T21:25:00.004-05:00

its official we are 8inches and counting since 11am this morning and this picture was taken tonight at 830pm.....too cool for school, right?? and the snow is still falling...

we are at a level 1~snow emergency meaning use extreme caution when driving..

i am thinking we will be level 3 by morning if it keeps snowing overnight...

level 3 means

no driving unless you want to be arrested, lol....... dogs are so excited for the snow.....especially this one! look at that sweet face....

he adores the snow and it is so hard to get him to come in..

he is one tired pup tonight...

they all are...

xox

fingers crossed~

2010-02-04T22:01:00.005-05:00

well, we are supposed to get snow dumped on us starting at 4am

by some accounts, lol...(**it started this morning at 11am, yeah)
keep my fingers crossed we will have the

same amount or close to it that some of the south had last weekend..

we still have a few patches of sporadic snow at good manor and the

dogs are praying tonight for at least 4inches....

the above pictures are from last year about this time when we werent allowed to leave the house for 24hs....

keep your fingers crossed..

new color~

2010-01-24T19:00:00.001-05:00

well i finally did it...

what do you all think??

xox

gratitude..

2010-01-20T21:18:00.002-05:00

thank you for always stopping by and leaving me a comment

no words needed~

2010-01-14T21:58:00.000-05:00

2 to 4 plus more~

2010-01-11T19:48:00.004-05:00

well it certainly snowed the 2 to 4 plus more! heres a look around the backyard.....

me driving to work...
one of the many horse farms on our road..

there were a few horseys out this morning on my way to work...

stay warm..

xox

2 to 4~

2010-01-06T21:16:00.003-05:00

it is supposed to snow tonight another 2 to 4 inches...

im keeping my fingers

and legs crossed it will!!

below freezing~

2010-01-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

it has been below freezing this weekend and still chilly in the house..

so julies remedy to that is ghirardelli hot chocolate mocha and her homemade marshmallows...

such a treat on a cold winters night... i have had one every night this weekend...

good to the last drop!

happy happy~

2009-12-31T22:31:00.002-05:00

dinner at our favorite favorite restaurant tonight.....this is me and our personal waiter!

we adore him!! he is such a great friend..

i am wishing you all a happy new year in 2010.. xox..

merry and bright....

2009-12-24T23:53:00.001-05:00

getting her dressed for the holidays~

2009-12-19T22:35:00.007-05:00

finally finished the tree decorating ...

she looks perfect....

biggie and chance marie relaxing listening to the sounds of christmas...

xox

***sunday morning...omg! there is a great horned owl sitting in our front yard, we are watching

him through the binoculars.....so exciting!***

O christmas tree ~

2009-12-17T22:38:00.004-05:00

o christmas tree...

how lovely are your branches~

growing up i always seem to remember we had a birds nest or two

in the fresh cut trees my dad would lug home..

so my request this year to julie was a tall skinny tree with a birds nest in it and damn if she didnt just find me one!

a sweet little nest, just perfect to add to my collection..

her mom and her always go cut down their trees and

this year

was no exception...

it is sitting in the great room

waiting to be dressed for holiday occasion..

next subject..my hair...

so okay i have been wanting to cut my hair off for

sometime now...i just am so over

trying to grow it and fix it into some hip style

when i would much rather use that hair time in the morning

SLEEPING!

so i went to and did it and gradually it will become

PLATINUM blonde..hopefully by the big day in MARCH!

granted it does make my face look fatter but then i am rather fluffy and rarely miss a dessert, lol..tonight was no exception

it was a darling little slice of peppermint cheesecake..

yummmy...

wreck this journal round robin~

2009-12-06T11:43:00.010-05:00

are you all familiar with the wreck this journal ...it is a great way to free your thinking when it comes spontaneous art.....in this round robin we all made our own journals and then added our own prompts on the pages....i have never really made my own journal before soi enlisted help from samantha kira and her

easy peasy journal....anyway i was quite proud
of my journal for a first timer

and the work that the round robiners did was so beautiful!!

have a look see for yourselves!!!

vera is licking the chocolate smudges off the above picture on the right side..

must be some good stuff!

rainy and gloomy and cold~

2009-12-02T15:15:00.005-05:00

i had several hours until i need to get back to work and decided to attach a canvas to an old painting i had done a few years ago..

i love getting my hands all covered in paint and such..

especially when you arent in the best of moods which the weather is perfect for....

xox

the day after~

2009-11-28T19:50:00.003-05:00

i was really tired after all the black friday shopping so i decided to sleep in, sometimes that isnt always that easy when most of the dogs sleep in your bedroom....most of time they just all go back to sleep after julie lets them out early in the a.m....i wasnt so lucky this time...vera was just not tired and ruby spotted the neighbors doing stuff in their garage and wouldnt stop growling...lol....

so i decided to get up shower and then head off to starbucks..

today we were on the hunt for the vintage lighted outdoor candle that you all

had growing up..do you think i can find them at any target-like store...heck no!!!

we went to evry friggin discount store and no one had them..

we bought the plastic santa last year

at walmart and we should had bought the candle, sheesh! what is the deal!

so after putting up some wreaths and hanging some giant christmas bulbs, i decided to clean out the flower beds since i didnt do it in september and i have to say it looks really nice, we have a little more to do tomorrow before the football games start

and julie becomes suddenly busy.....

so here is a few pictures of are minimal decorations, lol.......gargoyle needed at little ho ho ho!!
are you naughty or nice??
xox

thankful wishes~

2009-11-25T13:24:00.007-05:00

in reflection, i am thankful to be able to get my butt out of bed everyday although this past week has been hard as i fell off of a rolling chair at work and jacked up my lower back!lol(thank god no one saw that)..i am so thankful for julie and the beautiful house we live in and the beautiful acres the house sits on..of course my beautiful daughter , my loving mom who is a saint, my pack of dogs and the 3cats......AND my new BLOG BANNER created by this beautiful gal .....
she is one hell of a photographer, check her out........
all my BFFs near and far and all the wonderful friendships i have made from blogging and my art retreats.....
everyone of you are in my heart
and a DAY doesnt go by
when i dont think of how grateful and lucky i am!!!

wishing each

and everyone of you a wonderful thanksgiving with family, friends and bountiful food...
xoxoxox

boiled peanuts anyone?

2009-11-20T20:37:00.008-05:00

i dont understand the love affair the south has with of all things BOILED PEANUTS!???

she instisted that we had to taste the boiled peanuts as they were

sooooooo delicious, so i thought ..hmmmmm......hey i like peanuts

all kinds so i know i will love them...boiled peanuts.....crap was i wrong.....

they were gross and mushy and didnt taste a lick like peanuts to me...

julie liked them....
you lnow they look like little turds to me....picture courtesy of flickr

have a good weekend!!
xox

a great start to our road trip~

2009-11-14T16:39:00.010-05:00

remember my post about the PBS 6part series on the National Parks..

well thursday we drove through the Great Smoky National Park, our first in are

quest to visit all of them...we stopped long enough to snap a few shots....

isnt this picture dreamy and grand...
here are the mama bear and 2cubs we stopped to watch..it was so amazing..
that will never happen again...
and we finally arrived to our destination early afternoon..... a little slice of heaven...

xox

fall roadtrip~

2009-11-12T07:48:00.004-05:00

well, havent been on a roadtrip in a few months, julies mountain biking club has a rendezvous

in north carolina, so we packed up the suv and heading south to north carolina for the weekend! looking forwarding to going to the national park in the great smoke mountains

and finding some good trinkets and treasures on the way......

hope you all have a wonderful sunny weekend!

xox

look at these~

2009-11-09T13:11:00.003-05:00

i went with julies mom yesterday to a cute shop that was having

their christmas open house.

the shop was decorated with lots of themed christmas trees and holiday decorations abound..it really put you in the spirit! they also have sprinkled throughout the shop various trinkets and vintage items! imagine me squealing with delight when i found these 2 books! they were a steal!

the covers are old and worn and the spines are holding on by threads which is fine with me as i will be

repurposing the covers!...

inside the larger book is a lined journal with red numbered pages in the top corner of the pages....

someone had started collecting recipes in this book.

also in the book

was a health crusaders certification dated 1919!!! i love creating a story in my mind who had these books and what their family and household were like and how they dressed and did they have pets and what kind of cars or transportation did they use..

all these questions are answered my mind much like a movie, lol..

does anyone else weave these stories with their treasures that they find out and about??

i just love finding unexpected treasures...

xox

exhibit~

2009-11-05T22:55:00.008-05:00

i was recently asked to submit a piece to the true to form exhibit and silent auction for

charity to benefit breast cancer..the silent auction runs through december 5th...

each artist was given a blank mannequin to create as

they wished...it was very cool to see how each mannequin was embellished with each artists unique style..below are some of the artists pieces....hmmmm...which one is mine????

thanks for stopping by for a look see..

xox

ending halloween2009~

2009-11-01T18:53:00.006-05:00

i think these pictures say it all...

time to close the books on another fine halloween season...

xox

happy halloween~

2009-10-31T12:08:00.003-04:00

~happy halloween~

more kitty pictures~

2009-10-28T22:30:00.004-04:00

well as promised i have more pictures of wren and irah...

she is so silky and smooth wren is ...

little owen in the background, he wasnt feeling the love tonight.. they were both love bugs tonight~ irah especially as he has been
very skiddish since we have had thenm all..always keeping
to himself and staying hidden..well i dont know what
what was special about tonight but he came out
of hiding and was very vocal..my daughter said he
has a special meow sound and he sure does, he likes to talk
and we like to listen...maybe by this time next week, we can live the garage door
open a squeak and they can come and go as they please..i hope so...
xox

lame-o monday post....

2009-10-26T20:57:00.007-04:00

i know, i know this is a lame-o post but i got nothing..

i will try and spice it up as the week goes...

our halloween costumes........

gawd, i loook like mama cass...

but i so wanted the giant afro wigs like year..

julie was a scream!

owen in the front and wren in the back..now i just have to catch a snap of irah... honey is back to staying with us again and is napping with her cousin vera

while we are watching monday night football.....
xox..

monday night roundup~

2009-10-19T22:05:00.005-04:00

just got home from the movies"where the wild things are"

wow and wow...i loved it just like i loved it when i used to
read to my daughter and we would growl like wild things....lol...it made me

cry and i am sure it was just remembering those early times with my

daughter..she still is a wild thing, lol

next thing...we have the pitter patter of 12 new feet at good manor ..what?

you ask??? well it is the arrival of wren, owen and irah...2kittens(brother & sister)

and a big male ginger cat....my daughters vet clinic was heavy on their cat/kitten intake this

past summer, so of course we stepped up and took 2kitties and irah as no one was taking him

or even considering him so he is now a good manor cat......

so i was only able to catch owen today..so introducing

owen..he is a darling skinny kitty..i am sure he will fatten

up as soon as he gets outside around good manor..i will take pictures of the other two

as soon as i can catch wren, she is warming up and almost comes to you..

irah is another story..he is still hiding ...

good night from good manor..xox

heartfelt thanks~

2009-10-17T14:35:00.003-04:00

thank you thank you thank you from my heart for all

the wonderful nice comments and private emails

regarding our special delivery next year....it really

means much coming from you all .......

xox

news!~

2009-10-08T17:52:00.003-04:00

while i have been busy with last months visit from lani and the trip to

new hamphires squam artfest and this months faerie wedding in newport, ri

in the background i have been going through different emotions when my

daughter broke the news to me that she was pregnant via a text message...

i know she did it that way because she knew my immediate reaction was that

i would be furious and of course i was...the situation wasnt ideal and they really

cannot afford it all but can any young couple? after much discussion and tears

with my daughter and meeting the soon-to-be father..i realized that it wasnt about

me and what my friends would think and how they would view my daughter..i realized

if they were my true friends it wouldnt matter to them and they would be there to

support me and my daughter and of course my friends are the best in the world and

they are all excited that i am going to be a grandparent..so that is what has been

going on in the background, so if i havent emailed you or called you up on the phone,

i have been a little distracted......

where have i been?

2009-10-04T15:54:00.006-04:00

i have been transported back to a land of faerie, mirth and may.....
one of my faerie bffs daughter was married on thursday in
newport, ri at belcourt castle ...this was a formal masked affair with
faerie dust, winged creatures, mime tree, jugglers and a harpist....
if you have never been to newport, ri and travel to bellevue ave
you will see how old money lived and lives!! the movie "the great
gatsby" was filmed in one of the homes on bellevue avenue...
and then there is the cliff walk and clam chowder and killer bloody marys.

is anyone watching?

2009-09-29T20:30:00.003-04:00

is anyone watching the PBS special on National Parks ????

you need to!! it is a 6part series, tonight is the 3rd one...

it is so amazing to see how they all started along with the

Sierra Club and Audubon Society...

it makes me so appreciate the parks

all the more and i am promising myself that julie and i will see all 65 of

the national parks all along with my grandchild by my side....

xox

magic happens at squam~

2009-09-22T14:40:00.004-04:00

the woodland faeries, sprites and gnomes were busy at this years squam art retreat~

thank~you to mother nature~

xox

squam warms my heart~

2009-09-21T10:44:00.004-04:00

old friends, waffles, nature, crystal clear water, docks, pine needles, pine cones, chipmunks...

dining hall, waffles 3xs a day, warm maple syrup, cabins, down comforters, rocks, sticks,

paths to friendships...

laughter and more laughter and more laughter into the night...noreen....

class with an awesome inspiring teacher...

acorns falling on the cabin roof, big spiders, rocking chairs, nightly fires, wine, margaritas, ceasars, french press coffee, the memory of patrick swayze and did i mention waffles???

renewing, reflecting, refreshing.....

this years squam retreat was sooooo incredible another one for the history books

so many memories to treasure forever...

xox

sunday randomness~

2009-08-30T20:08:00.006-04:00

this is miss ruby jasmine one of our great danes...
today was a super lazy sunday..
i got to sleep until noon and didnt really get out of bed until 1pm...
went to michaels to get a few supplies for a suzi blu class that my bff-ellen bought me!! how special is she even though is is very TARDY in updating her blog!!! if everyone could go to her blog and tell her i said that it would be super great!! lol

and then maybe she would get the lead out!!!

anyway, then later we went to our local hangout- the bucket and met our local bffs-deb & kel..

i was famished as i hadnt eaten all day and by the time we got to the bucket is was around 530pm...so i had a garys belly buster, which is a cheeseburger with a fried egg and i substituted the fries for their kids mac n cheese which is soooooooo darn good.....

after that we walked across to our starbucks(its all in the same little square)

and had dessert, julie had the rice krispie square and i HAD you know it, come on!!

the cheery cherry pie!!!

its getting colder my wolf spiders are showing up on the patio...

i love this chandelier~~ see the antlers on it.....welll, i had julie pull them off of a dead buck that had been decomposing, she wouldnt get the other one for me because i guess, it wasnt all decomposed yet and she said it was totally gross and totally reeked....so thats it for tonight...see you all later...

home grown dinner~

2009-08-24T21:47:00.002-04:00

tonight dinner was courtesy of a little roadside stand somewhere in licking county.....

grilled peppers stuffed with mozarella cheese, corn on the cob, tomatoes and grilled chicken....

the corn was OMG! heaven..i had 5 ears.....i know, but it was sooooooooooooooo good....

good saturday in general~

2009-08-22T20:33:00.009-04:00

just when i give up hope on human nature..something happens that reminds me there are still those who believe in random kindness....texample~today a mom came into the shoppe and wanted to know if we could do some tune ups on her 4yr old sons glasses...he wasnt a patient and that was fine as we are always happy to fix what we can..anyway, i immediately imagined he looked like that cute little boy from jerry maguire movie..remember he had those thick glasses and was so darling, anyway, we fixed his 2pairs and gave him a couple of new cases for the glasses..the mom was thrilled and wanted to pay us, well we do not ever take any payment for that sort of repair..amy and i just thanked her and told her to have a great weekend..an hour passes and the next thing you know she bought amy & i starbucks gift cards and a box of mutiple pastries...

it was a nice surprise...

2nd of all we went out to eat at a nice mexican restaurant had a wonderful patron margarita and then off to world market, one of my favorite places to shop...

we do our shopping and head home for the evening....

it has been a stormy day all day and we are surrounded by heavy grey black clouds...

we let the dogs out and what do we see.....

this amazing full rainbow both sides touching the ground! i do not think i have ever seen a full one, i have seen a couple of double rainbows but not full ones..i was so cool and didnt last very long, i couldnt get it all in the camera so that is was there are 3shots...

hope you all got to see it!!

xo from good manor

monday hands~

2009-08-17T23:56:00.002-04:00

good redness~

2009-08-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

okay i sooooooooooooooo love fresh homegrown tomatoes..not hot house...FRESH!!

i can so eat them like an apple if they are clean...lol

the grocery that we use has a home grown selection of vegetables and fruits from area farmers...

it is awesome..so tonight i had to stop at the grocery and pick up a few things and the home grown tomatoes looked beautiful so i picked up a few for dinner and made myself one of my favorite sandwiches...growing up my mom always made us lettuce, mayo(miracle whip) and tomoatoes sandwiches...i wasnt a fan of the lettuce and just had tomato and mayo sandwich..

my gawd, it was heaven!!! just like i was a kid again....and i washed it all down with my favorite

brand of tea(iced) even more than starbucks(i know, shocking!) it is called tejava and you can get it at

world market or trader joes for around $1.49.....man it just hits the spot!!

hot time on the city~

2009-08-10T11:35:00.005-04:00

this weekend has been the hottest it has been the whole summer...

well i mean humid..i loathe being hot and sticky and would rather stay indoors

in the air conditioning..praise the lord for that modern convenience!

todays picture is from march of 2008,i thought looking at it might cool you all down!

lol....

more class pics ~

2009-08-03T22:38:00.007-04:00

here are a few more pictures from my doll class this weekend and a snap of me and ellen with our nose studs...gawd those bags under my eyes are horrible...we got up early and went to bed after 130am every night....it was an awesome fun and great weekend spent with wonderful friends...

finished doll...

i love her she is very michael demeng and i have never taken a class from him!!

a little weekend class~

2009-08-02T20:51:00.008-04:00

saturday and sunday took a doll class, our instuctions were to bring a base to class

as the anchor for our dolls...

below is my anchor-a 90%off clearance price item from hobby lobby, a clearance christmas ornament birdcage from target bought last year and vintage baby head....

bff ellen flew in from little rock to take the class....

and my dear friend shara in the white apron drove up from cincinnati to take a class from cody

that was hosted by our good friend sharon andrews

day one ended and ellen, shara and i went to a good dinner at the rusty bucket...

then we went and got our noses pierced.....

that is ellen and i did, shara held my hand and i held ellens...

hump day~

2009-07-29T21:36:00.005-04:00

look at these beauties......

like candy to a kid...

my girl katie in franklin, tn sent these to me...
such yummy colors....

merci mon ami..xox

getting good manor ready for one of the bffs

to fly in from the home of bill clinton...lol

dinner tonight......lol

big one!

2009-07-26T19:25:00.002-04:00

i really do not like white hydrangeas and i have tried to kill mine several time,

i have cut them down to the dirt and

they keep coming back bigger and better and fuller!!

look at this one the head is huge!!

nighttime nature at good manor~

2009-07-25T22:00:00.005-04:00

i admit these pictures arent the best...but i couldnt find my camera..but anyway the story is i was letting the dogs out before we went to bed late last night and i am standing on the patio and i see the spider, a little one a little bigger than the thumbnail and then crap! i see her HUGE web that goes from the drain gutter on the top of the screened patio to the back of the wicker chair...

i could not believe it! so i ran in and grabbed the camera and snapped away

the web was beautiful......i wonder how long it took her to spin?

i am hoping you can see it..the second picture is the closeup....but sadly it is gone i am sure the torrential rain we had today blew it away, but i am so happy to have the pictures......

whats going on where you live???

the night the lights went out at good manor.....

2009-07-22T21:27:00.004-04:00

you know it just doesnt get any better...went to roosters after work...came home

to pitch blackness.....

yep, had a storm.. nothing big and the friggin' electricity is off..

oh yeah it came back on for seconds and then did some kind of friggin dance to

mess with us..on off on off on off for about 30seconds....

i hate being without electricity..

i would never have survived as a settler....

but the bright side is the computer is juiced up and running....