Thursday, April 30, 2009

Dogs on (Late) Thursday: Not Pushing It

I wasn't overly concerned, as you can see, that mom was not rushing me this morning to talk with all of you. Working it all out on the couch just works for me!
Pretty flexible about when I decide to post......
No way will I try to deny that life is not good....with good friends and a little time to relax! Slobbery woof to Snuffles, Annie and Luna! Have a great Friday too!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Perfect Timing

Thank you soooooooo very much LoLo for this compassionate and awesome award. Your artwork is impeccable and the warmth behind the award could melt chocolate! I am very touched that you have bestowed it upon me. This award goes to fellow bloggers who visit frequently and raise my spirits with their kind words of encouragement, their beautiful images and their wonderful outlook on life. They make blogging a positive experience and continue to make my life richer. I would like to pass it along to A Woman of No Importance, A Year of Art, Artist Victoria O'Neill, Hot Wheels Hacienda and back to Deepazartz as well!

I have not posted in a few days and have not left many comments. The day I checked some sites and noticed this award I had decided on a post I would make that I had been debating for a couple of days. Upon seeing the award I thought it was my sign to not post, so I didn't. Not meaning to sound mysterious, for the most part it is simply feeling overwhelmed and somewhat helpless. I have been feeling worse and more tired lately. Last week, I sat down with all my tools and a clean slate and couldn't come up with ANYTHING to draw! Tell me, what does someone post when your mind is like a blank canvas with not even a good coating of gesso on it? I have now started on something that you will see when it is complete. Easter Sunday I decided that I would do another 'empty tomb' drawing to give to my pastor. He shared that his mother said it was her favorite day of the year. She passed away early yesterday morning, always hard to lose your mother. I did bump into a friend at the grocery store that is always uplifting and supportive and we have made some plans. Once again, it was good timing! Now forgive my abrupt absence, I will try to begin catching up with your sites!

Friday, April 24, 2009

SkyWatch Friday: Stormy!

These photos were taken last Sunday as we were almost home from our weekend in Atlanta.
These are not of the best quality - we were driving down the rainy interstate but I believe you get a feeling of how it was.
Some were floaty, like smoke, others dark and heavy, the open areas, then there is the bright full pink one.
They were amazing! We were in a safe hurry since we were monitoring reports of how close the worst storm was approaching our home. We were driving towards the west as the storm was coming from the west to the east.
You are certain to find amazing sky photos at http://skyley.blogspot.com/. Have a great Friday!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Dogs On Thursday: It's All I Can Do....

Greetings canine companions! Can we talk? Do you ever feel restless, not sure what you want but you just can't settle down? Sometimes the program that the jesters are viewing just doesn't bring me satisfaction. Last night it was the American Idol results show.......like it much better when they're bringing down the house on performance night. Anyhow, I kept scoping the place for something to get into. My toys are often on the hearth but my dad puts the really good ones on the mantle. (Apparently mom doesn't care for that place of storage)
Decided to kick up my heels a bit with the standby bone, it's always good for a little gnawing.
My best buddy loves me and misses me so much he sketches me in class on his notes......we had a great time last weekend, just the two of us!
Wow, the exhausting toll it takes on me to write every week, I really doubt you fully comprehend it. Quickly! Before I totally slip into a deep snore! A big, sloppy woof out to Snuffles, Annie, Luna and all you other restless, wild and crazy canines!!!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Barely There

I may be caught up with my comments, hope I haven't overlooked you! Please don't be offended if I have. I did this botanically challenged zentangle at the end of last week. Hoping to get to more art soon!!!!!!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, what to post about tomorrow...........

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Catching Up......Finally!

We attended the last Club volleyball tournament in downtown Atlanta this past weekend. The team played alright, lost a couple they should not have but that's okay. We drove over on Friday evening and we stayed nearby the venue in downtown. We arrived to play at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning and finished around 1:30 that day. Our hotel was about 3 blocks away, so we walked. That's nothing....unless you have a bad back, one bad knee and the other is worse! I survived. VolleyGirl and I took a little nap upon returning to the room. Then we got ready and went walking around downtown for a bit. I didn't take that many photos but caught a few.
I liked the reflection of one glass building on another.
The same here.
We were constantly encouraged to take a horse pulled carriage ride. I thought the horses were so sweet and of course felt sorry for them. Mr. Unplugged wanted to take one but VolleyGirl obviously thought it would be extremely embarrassing. I'm usually steps behind trying to keep up - should have just hopped on and said adios!
These windows were broken almost a year ago from a tornado.
Appropriate carriage for VolleyGirl - there were normal ones. We ate at an Italian restaurant.
I am not completely recovered from the trip. The weather was bad on the drive home part of the time and was at home and along the areas where BigBoy was to drive back to school. We kept asking him what were the weather reports in order for him to leave. Finally, I looked on Mr. U's phone at weather.com and it was to be bad all evening. I do not believe BigBoy was being totally upfront about it. We didn't let him leave Sunday. Luckily, his class wasn't until 3:00 on Monday so he didn't leave until yesterday morning. There were a couple of deaths and damage in nearby towns. I had bags to unpack, clothes to start washing, grocery trip so it takes me awhile after a trip to get back to blogging. Also, school volleyball tryouts are this week and I had to driving VG to that after school and then return to pick her up. Her school does not have it's own gym yet so we must drive 20 minutes from school to the one they use, it is about 30 minutes or more from our house. That's every day this week. We don't allow her to ride with her 16 year old friend drivers just yet.
I will slowly catch up with everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Come On Down!!! You're The Next Contestant......

You Want To Play???


Upon visiting the illustrious site of Soulbrush last night, I discovered that she had an interesting 'game' and challenge.....even a dare. Hmmmm, I'm not one to shun a good dare!

Here's how it works....
The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:


1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own blog to pay this forward.

This text was used from: http://soulbrush.blogspot.com/ who got it from

http://mandarianne.blogspot.com/2009/04/paying-it-forward.html

I will be out of town for the last club volleyball tournament from this afternoon until Sunday. Have a great weekend. May take my laptop!

Skywatch Friday # 3

These were all taken in the past week.
Still stormy skies.....
Please go to http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see all the wonderful uplifting photos!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Dogs On Thursday: My Desires and Dears

My best buddy was home for a few days last weekend and I showed him my new toy. I don't understand why they won't let me play with it long though.....with just a little work I could get that annoying squeaky thing out...I know it! They put it up in the closet and no matter how much staring is done at the door gently letting them know moi would like it back, they totally ignore me then occasionally seem quite annoyed! Hello, you got it for me didn't you? Gonna have to work on those royal subjects of mine, let them know whose in charge!
There was something new on mom's desk in the kitchen.....it had an awesome aroma, that big egg thingy......my sniffer was quite taken with it and I yearned to know more.
Ah, yes, that IS one more enticing odor going on there.....
Dang! She's making me get down, just when it seemed to be within my grasp.....oh no, I could almost taste it!
I can't leave without giving a snort out to Soulbrush, she is quite taken with me (duh, I'm awesome) and my only wish is I could have smelled those awesome bulldogs she used to own....she has posted pics of them today and I must admit to being impressed! She wouldn't take my toy away, she's English and would know how to treat an English bulldog of my stature! Did you see how foxy she looked??? Mom! We don't HAVE to fly first class!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Amazing Love...

My good friend Soulbrush has once again bestowed an award to me. I am always flattered and grateful for the acknowledgement that it may be worth someone's time to bother reading my blog. Thank you so very much Soulbrush, you are always an inspiration. I will pay it forward soon.
Monday I finished this drawing while waiting in Barnes & Noble Bookstore as VolleyGirl and a couple of friends were in a movie. I also worked on another zentangle last night, should post it Friday or before.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Very Sweet Easter......



BigBoy's request was this stove top drop cookie made of chocolate, peanut butter and oatmeal.
My neighbor's mom passed away so I made this cream cheese pastry for them.
Mr. Unplugged's favorite is the coconut cream pie - he is finishing off the very last piece now!
The in-laws grabbed some of these before we even had the meal. It is a well known Paula Deen recipe, Gooey Butter Cake...though it really is cut into bars.
This was the new recipe, another Paula Deen recipe, Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake.
The middle layer is cheese cake.......it was very, very good. I do believe that milk was left out of the ingredients for the icing. I made it Saturday evening, which was the very last thing I mixed up. It was like concrete, I thought the big mixer was going to tear up, I had to add some milk, a little at a time to try to get it to a spreadable consistency. It was it a big ball clung tightly around the beater. I probably read over that part of the recipe a dozen times making sure I had not left something out.....12 ounces of chocolate melted, a cup of butter and six cups of confectioners sugar with only 3 tablespoons of Amaretto liqueur was not going to work.
I had started my baking Thursday with a cinnamon pull apart cake for the neighbors but I took a quick shower and left it in just a bit too long and left it here and made them the cream cheese pastry. It is one of their favorites. Needless to say, the family here was thrilled with that. Next, I made BigBoy's cookies so they would be here when he arrived, double batch, they stayed here and he took remainder back to school with him.
Friday I made the coconut cream pie, baked the chocolate cake and the cheesecake layer, the butter cake and the pasta dish for the tournament on Saturday. The pasta has chicken, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, celery, spiral pasta and mixed with ranch dressing.....the girls love it....it's actually called 'Volleyball Pasta'. I also mixed a tortilla chip dip made with cream cheese, chopped green chili peppers, shredded parmesan cheese, sprinkled with bread crumbs and baked. It was the first time I made it.....all of it was eaten at the tournament. The girls did well at the tournament but only came in second in their pool play.....VolleyGirl played very well. We arrived at the tournament before 8 a.m. and left around 5 p.m. Our last club tournament is this weekend in Atlanta, we will leave Friday and return Sunday. Guess what...school volleyball starts that Monday. Thankfully, I will not have to bring food this weekend. In-between the baking I was doing wash. My goal was to get the baking done by Friday so that I could have Friday and Saturday night free except for mixing the icing and putting the cake together. BigBoy helped me finish up the icing...........We went to my in-laws, came home, got BB off to school around 4:00 then I went to my brother's for awhile. Today, VolleyGirl's school was still out so I taxied her to meet friends for lunch and a movie. It's at a shopping center so I browsed awhile then went to the bookstore, plopped down and finished my drawing. I will post that tomorrow. Okay.....that's a 'not so quick' rundown!!!!! I probably still won't get around to all of you till tomorrow....have to clean kitchen after preparing supper....VG is doing homework!! Love ya!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Wiped Out!

Very busy and worn out, hope to post and catch up with you all on Monday! Hopefully you all had a wonderful weekend!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

What the Hail ! My Latest Gift !

Storms came through again yesterday but this time they dropped hail on us larger than golf ball size. We had went out for a quick lunch and had ran into Target. I could hear it as I shopped, the rest of the family watched it outside. It came through where we lived before it came over the shopping center. This was the hail probably 45 minutes after it had hit our home.
It was still pretty large after that long. What is horrible is that we always pull our van in the garage if a bad storm is coming and after all those times with no hail........this time we were caught off guard and it was left out. It was bigger than golf ball size when it came down, some areas had baseball size! Yes, we have very visible dents in our lovely van, have already called our insurance company. I will post photos of it in the next couple of days, a shadow was on it by the time I was taking photos and you couldn't see them well. Probably a dozen at the least.
I received this beautiful print from an original acrylic painting by Artist Victoria O'Neill simply for leaving her a comment!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah, my luck has been improving lately! Sorry, the photo isn't super clear....been up all day baking and am posting this Friday night. Thank you so very much Victoria!
Happy Easter !!!!!! Love and Blessings to All !

Friday, April 10, 2009

Skywatch Friday #2 This Week Through The Lens


Please stop by to see amazing photos at Skywatch. Working furiously last night and this morning on my desserts and food for tomorrow's tournament! Have a Good Friday!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Dogs On Thursday: My Thoughts This Week

Every morning I enjoyed snoozing on my favorite comforter that is on the couch for me.
Mom lets me look outside the big window in the study...I rather think this would make a good addition to my other 'Royal Portraits'. It appears the heavens have opened up for me...I like that.
I'm a happy canine, not turning to the bottle! Dad always brings me a toy when he buys my big bag of food. He doesn't let me play with it very long, is that because I can tear any toy up if it is left with me? Can't help it if I am mighty....
Mom sometimes have me wait a bit at the door...........I just got tired.
Hmmmmm, I haven't seen this photo....that new dude obviously was moved out back....wow, he really gets around!
I really don't get how some of you blog EVERY DAY! This is exhausting!!!!!!!!! Big smack to all my buddies.....Snuffles, Luna, Annie........

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A Whole Lot of Not Much - But Alot!

I STILL did not have time for any art yesterday, just doodling while on the phone with BigBoy last night - very late! Obviously, the food is still on my mind. VolleyGirl has a tournament this Saturday, but it is local thank goodness, but will still be long. There is more food I must prepare turkey sandwiches Saturday morning before we go. Sadly, I have just learned my next door neighbor's mother has passed away just over an hour ago at age 92. I should have something in mind to prepare to take over for them as well.
The always generous Soulbrush honored me and many others with this award yesterday. Thank you so much Mrs. Brush, you are too kind!!!!

I also received yet another gift in the mail from a blog friend which I plan to post in the next day or two! Apollo is sleeping on what he will carry on about tomorrow. BigBoy comes home tomorrow afternoon for Easter and VolleyGirl gets out at 1:00 tomorrow to begin a break that continues through Monday! I need to get myself busy, groceries, cleaning, always washing....but I should get to work on art when BB comes home since he takes over the royal duties!

Blessings to you all during this Holy Week.