I can has cheezburger now, Meow

more animals


more animals


more animals


more animals

N fihn-a-whee awwhr fav-ah-wheat....

more animals

Mlle Anne Thrawpy …or…

Miss Ann Thropy

The English writer Jane Austen, famed for her use of irony, parody and satire, frequently showed a cynical attitude towards society and many of the people within it. Elizabeth Bennet, in Pride and Prejudice, says to her sister Jane: "You wish to think all the world respectable, and are hurt if I speak ill of any body ... There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of either merit or sense." (Pride and Prejudice, Volume 2, Chapter 1.)

Have yourself an artsy little Christmas....

What would Christmas be without Thomas Nast?

Just who IS Thomas Nast, you ask?

Well.... his name you might not recall.. but, his art- oh, his art!
Oh, yeah... and he is considered to be the "Father of the American Cartoon." Political cartoons were some of his specialty. But, I love him best for these...


His depictions of Santa have endured and shaped the westernized and commercial view of Santa Claus since the second half of the 1800's. In 1890, he published Thomas Nast's Christmas Drawings for the Human Race.

Culture, fruitcake & family myths....

Our sister just loves fruitcake!

Ok, that statement may be an exaggeration… as a matter of fact- the more correct adjective might be loathes.

Nonetheless, she has (for years) claimed that our dear grandmother has "nursed" a certain family heirloom and cultivates a rich heritage for her descendants. Yes-- my sister accuses Mae of keeping an ancient (and not-so-secret, cuz she blabs it aloud alot) family artifact. It's almost guaranteed that every year the topic is going to come up of the contentious item- the fruitcake.

I'm not sure when Robin's abhorrence of the spicy cake loaded with brandied fruits and nuts came about- she has always liked fruits and nuts in almost everything (some of us didn't until we became adults a year or so ago!). Anyway-- there was a certain piece of crockery that has always lived in Mae's kitchens and yes, (she did in fact) used to store a fruitcake wrapped in cheesecloth and took out at least twice a week and soaked with brandy. But, it was a fresh fruitcake that was made each Fall and "liquored up" for weeks before Christmas. As a kid- I even recall being honored with the duty of unwrapping it and getting to douse it a time or two. At some point in time- the crockery was broken and there was some discussion about the most appropriate vessel to replace it.

Initially, I think a piece of Tupperware was used; and, maybe this is when the legend began to take on a life of it's own. Or, maybe it's when Robin became a hostess in her own domicile and realized she didn't have the dreaded millstone around her neck with which to contend. The supreme responsibility of caring for and presenting the hallowed fruitcake every year to the family that "oohed-and-awed" in unison while very silently shivering with dread and screwing up their noses just knowing that they were fixing to be served (only a very teeny-tiny) sliver of… the "roll-your-eyes-widely-when-you-utter-it" fruitcake. Sheesh. Sounds revolting, doesn't it!

Universally- the very word "fruitcake" is uttered with a sense of dread and awe. A phenomenon that is widely held and believed as truth in many American families. A common myth that there is this ancient food relic that is handed down generation after generation to the eldest daughter, like a treasured "start" of *sourdough yeast. *Yes, those do in fact exist (read it on wikipedia) and can be bought on the internet and eBay.

Except... that there really ARE some families that have century old fruitcakes in their possession. Ewwww.... yup. That picture (above) is of an almost 100 year old fruitcake. Supposedly made around the time of the Titanic. Read all about it here.

Then... for a real good laugh.. click over to Revenge Gifts for a tale of a 1,000 year old fruitcake! I couldn't get any of the links on this site to work.... and after a little research discover that it's a clever little marketing ploy!! You'll have to figure it out and come back and leave me a comment when you do!!

Please post fruitcake related jokes and images to the "I Ate Fruitcake and Lived to Tell About It" Facebook Group!!

Now.. for the culture!

Sister, Nancy, informs me that today, December 16th, is the birthday of our favorite English author, Jane Austen! She even had tea & cakes this morning while reading a chapter in honor of dear ole' Jane!! 'Er... Nan? Was that fruitcake you had by the way, dearie?? You might should consider having an allergy shot or some penicillin around if you did!!

You gotta Believe!!

All you gotta do...

just believe.

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
Acts 16:31

Mary Engelbreit has it right on-- this is the new garden flag!! Isn't it cute 'n clever??

She has a whole line of Christmas stuffs-- but, this one just screamed at me!!

The morning after the rain....

Morning, Sunshine!!
What a welcome sight after last nights fright(ful) lightening!!

Surprisingly-- it was a much greater storm where Byron was. He called to let me listen to the thunder and hail! It must have woken him up under that metal roof.

But, today is gloriously bright and c-o-l-d! Yesterday was so warm I had to let the fire go out.... in the middle of the night it was freezing (literally!- there was a slight sheet of ice in the wheel barrow when I took the alpha dog out for his 4th midnight walk. Not sure if it was the weather or his allergies or his overall geriatric body that kept him so restless; but, we didn't get much sleep.

This morning though--- he is near the wood burning stove where the blower has finally kicked on and is beginning to warm up. Too-- we have two cats sitting nearby awaiting the warmth.

Life's good. Except for that slight leak in the roof. Can't put up the Christmas tree until that is repaired as it will sit dead center to where the run off lays. Can you imagine what a mess?? Soggy Christmas tree and ornaments-- ewww. Add that call to the to-do list.

ARTiculations in PDF and Forums!!

"Lawdamerci, Miz Scarlet!
I dunno know nuthing about burthing no babies!"

But, I do know inspiration when it smacks me like a ton of bricks!

I found it (and now you can, too!) on a couple of new websites.

The e-mag ArtTrader issue 4 (PDF) is 56 pages jam packed with great ideas!

The sister site is Mail Art World- a forum and gallery for the artists connected with the above mentioned publication.

I'm going to have to go into hibernation long enough to soak it all up!! Thread painting, ohmi! I can hardly WAIT! Yeah, yeah-- I know.. it's just glorified quilting! But, that's what I long to do.. make paper, quilting and inks all into single pieces of art.

I'm not weird. I'm altered!

Speaking of... the Quilters Guild meets in just a few hours for a Christmas potluck. I'm going to bed with visions of sugarplums and art in my head!!

The cutest red shoes EVER!

Some gals are fashionistas. Some people prefer purses. Some are shoe freaks. Some are jewelry nuts. Some are cosmetic connoisseurs.

Me? I'm not really in to any of that. Perhaps it's because Paris Hilton and I wear a similar shoe size! That's about all I have in common with that celebra-tartlet.

But... if I were a trend-setter and could find 'em in my size... I'd have to have me a pair of these shoes!




Aren't they just adorable??

Of course... I think it's because of the art on the bottom of the sole that's just so kicking!

Kinda jiggles a memory of watching the women at the Methodist church when they went to the altar rail to take communion and looking for the tell-tale red magic mark across the sole that told the world that they'd shopped at Well's Shoe Outlet or the Arky House in Hot Springs.

Oh- I miss those stores. And, the days when my sore feet could tolerate cheaper and kitchy shoes!!

And, if you just happen to know where I can find a pair of navy spectator pumps in size 11- please give me the heads up!!

One 99 and 99 and one more 9

Today was a momentous day.

During the eighteenth hour on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month of the year two thousand aught eight; my father and I watched a milestone. Well. Not necessarily a mile-STONE, per se, but a a quantity of major importance! My beloved red Crown Victoria clicked 199,999 and then over to 200,000 (which isn't nearly as lyrical).

I had been watching the miles tick off for days waiting for it to happen... the anticipation factor alone in watching such an event is akin to... I don't know... watching a turtle hatch? Well- okay, not quite so spectacular, but you get the drift.

It just so happened that at 199,997 I was heading to the p'rents home and I know that it's about 1.5 miles. I got the brilliant idea to "share" this occasion with my Dad (knowing he's game for quirky things and it's his old car anyway) so, instead of running a few extra feet on the way over there- I told Dad there was something I needed him to look at in my car. Wouldn't you know it? He claimed the "no, it's too cold" card.

I finally talked him into coming out with me (you reckon he's always suspicious of paybacks from his children?? haha!) and told him he had to get in and let me drive him around to see it. The first "go around" the driveway (it's a circular thing) and I was on the phone calling mom to tell her to wave out the window. He knew he'd been "had" and thought I had just got him snookered into driving donuts in his own drive!! He has pulled that stunt on us and other unsuspecting passengers or drivers following him and always beams when he's played that joke or had it played it back. Anyway-- after the 2nd time around (and my mother in stitches on the phone) I told him "Quick! Look! THIS is what I brought you out here for" and he realized that not only had I "taken him for a ride" but I really had something unique to show him!!

We took pictures!! And, he wonders just why his children have such a wicked sense of humor?? ROFLMAO!!

It also reminded me of a favorite song... Toto's 99. Enjoy the video!

Celebrating the Feast of Saint Cecilia

Saint Cecilia,

the patron saint of church music and musicians, was said to have been martyred in Rome around the 2nd century AD. November 22nd is Feast Day in her honor. While today is now the 23rd- we can still celebrate. Painting at left by John W. Waterhouse.

Yesterday's offerings on satellite music included this group, Cappella Romana, a real delicacy for the ears as well as the soul. It was so powerful it had to be played again today. Enjoy!

Super-duper Surprise Cake recipe!

Per niece, Elizabeth's, request.... the recipe for a super-duper lemon cake that is moist, tart & sweet (and with alternate variations)!

YUM! Can't have a holiday without this cake!!
Photo: my Mom pulling it out of the oven!

Eye hand Coordination....

My sister thinks I have nothing better to do that play games!

My score: see picture.
Her score: we're still waiting for her to reveal that.
What's your score? put it in a comment

Study: Burned-out Tree Trunk

Early and Mid-day light. Clear or Foggy.





.

Stream of consciousness on a rainy morn

Quote for today:

"Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed."
— George Henry Lewes (1817-1878)

Flourish--Русский

flourish (flûr'ĭsh, flŭr'-)
v., -ished, -ish·ing, -ish·es.
v.intr.
To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive: The crops flourished in the rich soil.
To do or fare well; prosper: “No village on the railroad failed to flourish” (John Kenneth Galbraith).
To be in a period of highest productivity, excellence, or influence: a poet who flourished in the tenth century.
To make bold, sweeping movements: The banner flourished in the wind.
v.tr.
To wield, wave, or exhibit dramatically.

n.
A dramatic or stylish movement, as of waving or brandishing: “A few … musicians embellish their performance with a flourish of the fingers” (Frederick D. Bennett).
An embellishment or ornamentation: a signature with a distinctive flourish.
An ostentatious act or gesture: a flourish of generosity.
Music. A showy or ceremonious passage, such as a fanfare.
[Middle English florishen, from Old French florir, floriss-, from Vulgar Latin *flōrīre, from Latin flōrēre, to bloom, from flōs, flōr-, flower.]

flourisher flour'ish·er n.
SYNONYMS flourish, brandish, wave. These verbs mean to swing back and forth boldly and dramatically: flourished her newly signed contract; brandish a sword; waving a baton.

Belle Epoque (French) or "Gilded Age" (westernized)--

I'm not sure why this popped into mind; but, it did... so, the research is here. In it there is a reference to Salon Music of whom -Francesco Paolo Tosti, composer of "O Sole Mio", or "My Sun" represents one of the great titles of this genre.

Love this rendition of it by: Enrico Caruso

English translation
What a beautiful thing is a sunny day,
The air is serene after a thunderstorm
The air's so fresh that it already feels like a holiday
What a beautiful thing is a sunny day
But another sun,
that's brighter still
It's my own sun
that's in your face!
The sun, my own sun
It's in your face!
It's in your face!
When night comes and the sun has gone down,
I almost start feeling melancholy;
I'd stay below your window
When night comes and the sun has gone down.
But another sun,
that's brighter still
It's my own sun
that's in your face!
The sun, my own sun
It's in your face!
It's in your face!

More photos from this past month:
and here in full glory... my son! my street! and an embellished photo/quote.

Now, why don't she write???

.... or call??

OH.
Hello.
She DID.
And, that sorry excuse for a cell service doesn't bother to ring my phone or register the voice mail until days later.

Can you say "fed up?"....

I would advise going back to the hand-written letter... but, I forgot to feed my ponies and now they don't get up 'n go like they used to.

Sorry sister.. I missed your call. I didn't MISS it intentionally-- I was HERE and available. Well-- I was somewhere (within tower range) and I wasn't yaking away inanely to a telemarketer.

Call again- won'tcha?? I know you're busy.

Scenery from Garvan Woodlands Gardens

Kim & I had a great adventure to U of A's Garvan Woodland Gardens today. She was taking some senior portraits for a co-worker, Tammy's, daughter and I volunteered to help tote the gear and style. Tammy's grandson, Trevor, was along for the excursion.

While the temps were great- the wind was a little brisk and we all got a little windburn on our cheeks. Most of the brilliant colors have begun to fade- but, some of the Japanese maples still have colors and several of the encore azaleas still had blooms. The most surprising thing- was the number of visitors; we had to wait in line sometimes to get the prime photographic spots!

The park is getting ready for the Christmas lights spectacular and there is a corridor of trees along one of the paths with these cool, huge chandeliers hanging between the trees. It will be so fun to go when it as lit.

Mosaic Meme and Blog Smog

All the artistic blogs I've been reading lately are so very inspirational that my head just spins with colors and images. The definition I came up with for this: Blog Smog.... but, it's a oh-so-much better than the traditional kind of smog one thinks of-- this is creative and innovative. A fun kind of brain pollution!! Maybe my coined phrase of blog-smog will be the next meme!! haha!

So... just what is a meme??

Meme:

Obscure Words: [fr. Gk mimema; shortening of mimeme]
an idea which spreads

According to Wikipedia: A meme (pronounced /miːm/) consists of any idea or behavior that can pass from one person to another by learning or imitation. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, gestures, practices, fashions, habits, songs, and dances. Memes propagate themselves and can move through the cultural sociosphere in a manner similar to the contagious behavior of a virus.

Richard Dawkins coined the word "meme" as a neologism [new word] in his book The Selfish Gene (1976) to describe how one might extend evolutionary principles to explain the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. He gave as examples melodies, catch-phrases, beliefs (notably religious belief, clothing/fashion, and the technology of building arches).

Me: I think ear-worms and trends are viral! How many times have you heard a snippit of a melody and hummed it for the rest of the dadgum day?? Or, saw a particularly fetching image in a magazine that inspired art for days to come?

Anywhoozies.... friend, Kellie, saw her friend, Ginger's blog and this is where I caught the bug. Apparently it's yet another blogger trend. Kinda fun. Tried it. LIked it. Glad I did it once. You should, too.

Without further ado-- here's my finished mosaic. Explanation and directions following.

• Sarah
• Quiche
• 1980
• Orange
• Colin Firth
• Water
• Italy
• Chocolate
• Artist
• Happy memories
• Flourish
• Cats


Here are the details just in case you'd like to join in.

~Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

~Using only the first page of search results, pick an image.

~Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s mosaic maker or this one from Photo Fun Lab.

~Choose 3 columns with 4 rows.

~The Questions:

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What year did you graduate high school? or name of HS.

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One Word to describe you.

12. Your flickr name. (kid version: favorite animal?)

Now... go forth. Surf. Collect inspiration. Take the Mosaic Meme Challenge and LINK it to my post here!!

New class-- registering now!!

How exciting!! Jessica Sprague, the hybrid-scrapbooking guru (hybrid = digital + traditional methods) is offering this free class that is designed to get your storytelling into gear and get some real documenting accomplished!!

Several of the gals on ARkansasScrappers have been taking her classes- but, I was just too cheap to spring for something that I would more than likely forget to log-in and/or complete. Besides, I kinda "know" Photoshop. But, THIS is intriguing!!

Things usually come in threes...

Sister, Nan, had sent me a really interesting magazine for Caregivers that included a nice article on scrapbooking with the focus on "getting the story".

Then, the AARP magazine I picked up in the doctor's office had a really nice article titled "Thinking About Memoir" by Abigail Thomas that encourages journaling and storytelling and suggests just journaling single words at first, then graduating to only two pages and springboarding from there.

The third coincidence that is compelling me to get back to writing is that I was contacted by a new start-up magazine focusing on arts and culture for the Little Rock/Hot Springs area and they had seen a photo of the paper dress and asked permission to include it and they want me to write a haiku to go along!! How cool is THAT!!

Random words relating to paper, textiles, designer clothes, etc have been swirling in my head.... hopefully I can pull together something clever or though provoking!

I'm going to be "in class" again soon- okay... it's only for 2 weeks!! Yippeee!! Sign up, too-- and we'll sit next to one another! Virtually anyway!

Furtograph for the Day

The Shoe Thief Strikes Again.... or... Give Reddie a Mile and She'll Take the Boot, or Two, or Three!!

Any volunteers for helping find the "sole owners" of said boots??? haha! I already did! And, thankfully- the one that she really gnawed upon was one of a really old pair and isn't to be replaced.

Can't sleep with zombies roaming the streets....

It's lovely Fall weather here in our little hamlet. The weather (while dry) is most pleasant and tonight I've even had to turn on the A/C just to freshen the house. Before I'd turned it on the windows had been open. But that was before the zombies took to the streets.

Invasion

Went to bed early last evening - even the dogs were tired. Not surprisingly, they woke me up around midnight. But, something really had them agitated... and the dogs across the street were, too. Not all that unusual since the deer and the foxes have been on the move with the nicer weather and the season change- so, I walked the dogs. When out of the darkness I hear shouting. That is a bit unusual for our street... but, HSU had their homecoming earlier today and the "natives" had been restless all week with their pre-bonfire parties and yesterday's unnatural holiday. But, this was a tad different.

This was angry.

I quickly headed for the house and for some reason the dogs shut up and I began to realize these guys were quarreling as they were strolling down the street. Strolling. Not running. Strolling and the conversation was heating up. Ohmi. I have no idea why the dogs remained quiet and I was very anxious to hie myself back inside.

Called 911

The cops (there were three cars full!) showed up within minutes- of course they never saw the guys I called about. But, they said that town was just crazy this weekend with lunatics. Yeah. NO kidding. And, now I can't sleep.

But, I did take some lovely photos of Fall in Arkadelphia earlier today. Talked Mae into a little ride (couldn't believe she agreed!) and we just enjoyed the sunshine, colors and her favorite cappuccino!

Byron exercised the dogs.

Pack the Emergency Kit Next Time, Ditz!

This past weekend was supposed to be a non-scrapping (shopping and taking in art ONLY) weekend Dallas getaway with our very good friend, Mshell, who moved to even further away Wichita Falls. My sister, Nancy, in Abilene was even able to join us since it was close enough for her to meet up and spend the night!!

And, do you KNOW what I ended up doing??
Scrapping in the motel room!! I even got Nancy busy on her own gift!!

THE STORY:

Nancy just found out she's expecting her first baby and suggested that I would make another trip out to TX to scrapbook her a baby book. She makes that comment to me as she's driving into D/FW and we are actually at a scrapbook store!! When it occurs to me that what I'm looking at would be just the PERFECT paper for a little mini- "Expectations" album! Grabbed embellishments! Ribbon, charms, yes-- even a stamp!
Do I even have a pair of scissors with me this weekend? NO! Nor adhesive! We GPS (yes! those units are good for other things besides Geocaching!!) the nearest Hobby Lobby and get some essential tools and I completed the album before the night was over!! And, can you believe it?? I forgot to pick up ink!! So, I didn't get to use the stamp after all-- I will have to drive all the way to Abilene just to put the final touch on it!!

My point in telling you all this??
To new scrappers and old-- always pack an emergency travel scrap-kit!