Simon Says Stamp Challenge

I decided to create a card for the card challenge over at the Have you tried Simon Says Stamp blog. Kristina Werner provided the inspiration - her cat Mannie :) Here's what I came up with. Hope you like it!

Photo Opportunity

My camera and I have been estranged. Not sure what happened exactly, but I just put it down and have not had the desire to use it again. The last picture I uploaded to Flickr was on Valentine's Day....7 months ago! I've actually been considering not renewing my Pro account since it doesn't seem worth it.

However, this morning while I was watching Super Soul Sunday (recorded) and painting my toenails, things changed. I have the shutters open to let in the morning light, very early...6:30am, and I looked out the window and saw something inspiring. The plant outside the window had some new growth that I thought was so interesting! I thought to myself....I need to take a picture of this! So I literally dusted off my camera and went out and took pictures. I took a spray bottle with me because I could imagine water droplets on the little curls would be especially pretty. This is what I got....and you must click the photos and view them large to really see them in all their glory.

I like them equally. Which do you like best?

I didn't stop there. I turned my attention to my hydrangeas. They are some of the most beautiful flowers! I mean....look at them - they are perfect little miracles! I love the baby pink ones but the purple/fuchsia ones are spectacular! They almost look fake, but I assure you, they're not. I like them all, but my favorite. Why? See the little green light coming from the center? It's like a magic place nature created. That for me makes the photo. Again, you have to see it large to really appreciate it

I'm so glad I found inspiration and reconnected with the picture-taker inside. Not sure if it will last, but it was fun for today!

Uh....CRAZY!

I'll be honest, I was only able to watch 30 seconds of this. The guy is certifiable.

Recipe

I made these muffins this morning and they are sooooo good. Do not skip the farina! It adds a really nice texture to the muffins. I used strawberry jam and they were delicious. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-morning snack.

Best Muffins

1 cup white flour 3/4 cup wheat flour 1/4 farina (Cream of Wheat) 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup raw sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup half/half 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup jelly or jam

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Stir together flours, farina, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. In a small bowl, beat egg with a fork. Stir in milk, half/half and oil. Pour into the well in the flour mixture. Mix quickly and lightly with a fork until moistened but do not beat with a mixer. The batter will be lumpy. Fold in jelly or jam.

3. Fill paper lined muffin pan cups 3/4 full.

4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.

Diana Nyad

Inspiration at it's finest.

Have You Seen This?

I think it's charming!

Buckle Up...

....less than 6 months until CHRISTMAS! To get you in the spirit, I give you one of the most addictive songs of the season...Christmas Vacation sung by Mavis Staples.

Oldie But A Goodie

Unique Art

Check out the article below about a house that looks like it's fallen from the sky and landed on the roof of a building at work.

Exhibit opens to the public

When I was a little girl and my parents were going to an event of some kind, I always watched my Mom as she was getting ready and as she put her makeup on. As I sit here today, I can actually remember this very clearly. How she'd draw on her perfect eyebrows, apply blush (she called it rogue), mascara and lipstick. It was fascinating and I never tried of watching her do the whole routine. For many years, I also drew on my eyebrows just as she had, although mine were never been as good. Her's were always perfect. All her makeup was perfect. She had this teal dress that was her "go to" dress for these occasions. It was floor length and had sheer bell sleeves. Very fluttery like a butterfly. It was very in style at the time. She's pictured below wearing it. I wonder if it still hangs in her closet? I'll have to look.

On Friday May 18th I went over just as I did nearly every Friday to check in and see how she was doing. She was asleep in her room. I stood at the side of her bed and she was in a very deep sleep so I didn't wake her. On Tuesday of the same week when I saw her, she'd mentioned that she hadn't been sleeping very good so when I saw she was sleeping so deeply, I didn't want to disrupt her. That was the last time I saw her. She passed away in the early hours of May 19th. She was only 77.

She'd been sick for a little over a year so my family knew this was coming. However, it's been hard to cope with even knowing it was going to happen. I just think to myself....I will never see her again. It's mind boggling and sad. I'm having a hard time going into their house which I had not anticipated. As I walked up the driveway later that morning, I stopped and didn't want to go in. She wasn't going to be there. Ever again. Everywhere you look, she's in that house....but she's not. Maybe it will get easier. Maybe not.

Many years ago I went to someone's house and there was a giant scrapbook on one of the tables in the entry way. I was just there to pick something up so while I was standing there waiting, I took a closer look at it. The woman came back and noticed I was looking at it. She explained it was a scrapbook she made in memory of her mom after she'd passed away. She opened it and showed me various pictures and keepsakes in the scrapbook. One page had items from the service they had for her. The thing that stood out to me above everything else in the scrapbook was pretty picture of an angel and below it said her Mom's name and "resting peacefully in the arms of an angel". To this day I have never forgotten that. I can't think a more comforting thought than that.

So that's my wish...that my mom is resting peacefully in the arms of an angel.

Love This Song