Banana Nutty Goodness...

Lots of delicious baking going on this week. Whew!

Banana Nut Bread
1.5 C Flour
.5 C Sugar
2.5 T Baking Powder
.5 T Salt
.5 T Baking Soda
1 C Oatmeal
.75 C Chopped Nuts [optional]
1 Egg, slightly beaten
4 oz Yogurt*
3 Large Chopped Bananas
1 T Vanilla
[Tasty variation: Add .5 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips]

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8.5 X 4.5 X 2.5-inch loaf pan. Stir together all dry ingredients, including nuts and oatmeal. Once all wet ingredients are combined add dry ingredient mixture slowly until mix is moistened. Spread evenly into pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 1 loaf.

*Any Yogurt flavor works great. Blueberry and French Vanilla are sure fire hits at my house.

I've got lots of Banana Bread Recipes... but this one is my die hard favorite. It's so moist with a wonderfully chewy crust. Highly recommended! Throw a nice thick slab in the toaster oven before loading it up with butter. Sinful :)

What's your Favorite Sweet Bread Recipe? Care to share?

Utterly Useless Information -- But Fun!!

Okay... so this is completely and totally a 100% pure waste of time. Which IS exactly why I couldn't get my tail feathers over there fast enough!! And Wow! Snuggleupagus to boot! Aren't YOU jealous... he was only like The best character on The Whole Block, let alone The Street :)

Your result for The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test ...
Snuffleupagus

You scored 48% Organization, 52% abstract, and 56% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.
Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.
Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are somewhat organized, both concrete and abstract, and both introverted and extroverted. I bet you didn't think you were Snuffleupagus. Let's find out why.

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Alloyius Snuffleupagus (and all Snuffleupagus') is not sloppy by nature, but he moves so incredibly slowly that it is impossible for him to be totally organized.

You both are about equally concrete and abstract thinkers. You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course. Snuffy generally has very basic interests, but he explores his abstract sensitive side when he plays his snuffleflute.

You both are somewhat introverted. Originally Snuffleupagus was very shy and was only Big Bird's invisible friend. However as he has aged he has started to build new friendships with new characters. Like Snuffy, you probably like to have some time to yourself. However, you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations.

"Finding Your Inner Street Character Quiz"
So Go On Already! Go find out who you are... I know you're dying to know.
Oddly enough I found the results to be startlingly accurate.
When you're done come back here & share you scientific findings with the class.

Keeps on Mixing...

I realized today that my KitchenAid Stand mixer is almost 15 years old! And although I love the hip colors they come in these days, like Apple Green and Martha Stewart Blue, I would never dream of parting with mine. Even if it is just plain ordinary white, I love it just the same. It's by far One of the best gifts I've ever received - thanks Mom! [edit: And Dad!] It was money totally Well spent :)

I love to bake and use it at least 3 to 4 days a week. It's an awesome machine and I've never had an ounce of trouble with it. Always performs like a little champ, works like a charm. Every time it comes out of the cupboard I smile... it's an old friend and I could never get along without it.

Today we (me & my trusty KitchenAid) made Peanut Butter Balls ... and tomorrow we're making these:

Congo Crowkie Bars

3/4 cup butter, melted
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 TBS vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325* degrees.
2. In large mixing bowl, combine butter and brown sugar; cool slightly. Beat in eggs, one at a time. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to sugar mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Pour batter into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 25 - 30 mins. When almost cool, cut into squares.

I'm living on the wild side and trying out this new recipe for The P's homecoming. Brave of me to try a newbie... but I'm not sure you can go wrong with a Cookie/Brownie combo!

How much do you love your KitchenAid?? How long have you had yours?

Rufflie Pantaloons Pattern

The Facts: I'm so not a girlie girl nor am I a total tom-boy either. I'm somewhere in the middle.

With that said - I want these pants. They're like a legged skirt! And I love to sew... just about anything - except for clothes.

If I beg real loud to my Mom, would she make them? She'd have to alter the pattern - cuz these are for girlie squirtz, and sadly I'm past that prime of life.

It might be a hassle for her... but she's sooo very smart!

I'm yearning for a pair of these Rufflie Pantaloons. I've got some super cute Heather Bailey fabric that would just be terrific for this application. I really want them baaaaaddd.

They'd be so cute as summer Capri's... My Rocket Dogs Need them.
Oooh! They'd also be ultra adorable as PJs!! Too!
Oh Mommy? Dearest Sweet Mom....

Maybe you've got a little girlie who would love these... or perhaps, you're like me & just want them for yourself. Click on the logo at the top for designer info...

Book Review... Pretty Little Pincushions

Pretty Little Pincushions Price: 12 Bucks and some Change

I picked up this super cute book a few months back and think it's really too adorable for words. It's chalk full of terrific inspiration and I found the directions for 2 of the projects I've made (thus far) to be easy to follow. Although, honestly - I didn't follow them so much as just look at the pictures for guidance.

Know in advance that there's nothing earth shattering going on here - no one is reinventing the wheel. However, the ideas act as a spectacular springboard and with more than 25 projects featured this book is an absolute steal at this price point. Most of the patterns could be easily manipulated into something similar yet substantially different... different sizes, different materials, different embellishments. Inspiration Galore! Lots of good fodder to get your creative mojo flowing. I heartily recommend it!

For my first project I chose to do the cushion featured on the cover - it's a cinch. Good diagrams and clear instructions - I only needed to read through them once and then just referred back to the photos for reassurance. I could have gone hog wilde with the stitching but (since this is for a very specific friend) I kept it simple. Just about the only thing I did different was add a weighted pocket to the inside. I like a cushion that holds it's ground :) I did all my sewing by hand and it still took under an hour. (perhaps a wee bit longer adding in the embroidery, cuz I'm super duper slow at that)

I think for my next version of this cushion I'm going to use printed cottons and whip it up on my sewing machine. I'm thinking really cute raw edge seams with delightful patchwork sides! For embellishment I'll use some of my fancy dancy machine fonts (stitches). I'm tellin' ya, endless possibilities!

So check it out! I promise you'll love it, so many clever ideas... Very fun projects which would be outstanding quick gifts for anyone special on your list, including yourself! I'm dying to do the little porcupine cushion - which I think looks a lot like a hedgehog. Absolutely Too Damn Cute!
Ooh, or the Voodoo Doll Cushions! Hysterical.




Do you have a Super sweet craft related book that you love? New or Old?

Drop me a line & tell me all the sordid details - Share the love!

I'm always looking to add to my ever growing library :)

The Passing of a Master

I was about 10 when I first heard this album. It was completely earth shattering. Over the course of one summer (1982) it completely altered my life.

Wow! I often stole away into my room and played it over and over again on my own hi-fi with my mega watt head phones attached to my noggin... but not for the reasons you may think.

Lots of kids might have very well gone nuts over the language... but Shhheeeiiiit, I'd heard my Dad string together a slew of much more impressive and shudder worthy expletives :)

Nope, for me it was George's masterful Sarcasm... I think it was really the first time I had actually heard someone talking about life in the same manner that I thought about it. It was Amazing, a revelation! It kicked the door open for me and rocked my world. Sarcasm is such a wonderful display of dry wit and humor and I really thank the GC for clearing the road for me. Showing me that it was perfectly okay to say what I was thinking, and that I wasn't alone. Actually helping liberate me from my shyness (I was painfully shy as a kid) and allowing the person I was inside to bloom.

I gotta tell ya - when I entered the 6th grade I was unrecognizable to most of my friends. I wore my internal confidence on the outside, I walked taller, prouder and was a whole lot mouthier!

I had always had a voice, but this was the year I learned to let it out. Hallelujah!

George Carlin - a Master Swearintologist and Sarcastic Guru has left the building.

Adios Big G... you'll be sorely missed Dear Sir!

Initial Word Reactions Quiz...

I Stole this from : Shannon's Moments

This is called "FIRST REACTIONS QUIZ". You have to type the FIRST thing that comes to mind whenever you read these 31 things. You can't think and go back and change your answers. TIP: erase all of the other persons answers first... that way u can think in blank.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beer: Bloated
McDonald's: Disgusting
Relationships: Joyous
Purple: Rain - Prince
Power Rangers: Smokey the Bear
Steroids: Sly Stallone
Cartoons: Cold Cereal
Florida: Oranges
Santa Claus: Jelly Belly
Halloween costumes: Creepy
Alice in wonderland: Drink Me
Myspace: Over Rated
Clowns: Teeny Cars
Marriage: Bliss
Paris: The Louvre
Patrick: Dahling Husband
Redheads: Gorgeous
Blondes: Highlights
One night stands: Condoms
Donald Trump: Comb Over
Neverland: Captain Hook
Pixie: Frank Black
Vanilla ice cream: Peanut Butter
Hooters: Silicone
High School Musical: Helter Skelter
Woody: Annie Hall
Wet Socks: Puddles

I thought this was pretty interesting... Thus far I've read 4 other entries for this & they are all so different! It's amazing how everyone's thoughts are so totally relative to their own experiences. Cool. If you try it out... let me know - I'd so love to see what you came up with :)

Water Droplets... Photo Hunt

This week's Photo Hunt Theme: Water.

I got these shots during our most recent, and seemingly never ending rain storm. Amazingly, just using my 18/55 lens. For now I can only wish I had a Macro... at least until my b-day, I hope the present fairy is paying close attention to my wish list :)

To get the low down skinny on how to play - follow this handy dandy Photo Hunt link to acquire all the necessary details.

Out the Window...

Okay... so for about a month now I've simply been just dying to go to the Pile of Craft event in Baltimore MD.

There are so very many hip and happenin' artists participating! One of which is Cotton Monster... I've been coveting her stuff for ages now. I totally thought this would be a stellar way to pick up one up one of her utterly amazing creatures for my little NutMan. With the added bonus of having a totally kick ass, rock your world weekend in the D.C. area. What could be better?!

Yeah, sure... turns out, lots could be better.

Wouldn't you just know it... Darling P came home from work yesterday with news that my illustrious weekend plans were so completely out the window.

WHAT!!??? Screams I.

At this point there may have been some profanity used... but I'm pretty sure my cerebrospinal fluid (the goop around your brain) began to boil at this stage. Honestly, I really can't remember much after I regained my composure and was able to pull myself from up off the floor.

So not only do I NOT get to go do something I've been yearning and churning to do for the whole entire month -- Major bummer! I also get to stay home alone for a full week with my 2 year old in the pouring rain while Husband gets to go here:

To Yokohama, Japan... Where The P will be... without Me. (sigh)

I gotta tell ya, I really am excited as hell for him! The lucky dratmeister! I'm also absolutely and totally jealous. I would so love to go... if only H Man were a wee bit older. Of course it's a business trip, so it's not all fun and games for The P... but it should still prove to be a radical adventure for him :)

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a little bit of disappointment over my rockin' weekend getting squashed. So if you've got the weekend free and happen to be in the Baltimore area - Please go and check out this Ultra Hip Indie Art Fest!

Take loads of photos & then be kind enough to share them with me?

Pretty Please?

Spaceman PJs... Handmade Even!

The only thing better than new PJs are brand new PJs hot off the sewing machine from G'ma!
My Mom made all our PJs growing up and I'm so elated that she still wants to make them for Mister H. There is so much attention to detail - coordinating cuffs and pockets, bitchin' mother of pearl snaps... I'm a total material hound & absolutely love the combos she puts together.
They're all kinds of wonderful - we Adore them!

Thanks Mom! I'm so delighted you're so Crafty and Sweet and Thoughtful!!





Of course lil' H is just like:

"Oh come on! For the love of Pete!
I'm so tired of the blog paparazzi!

Will this incredibly cheesy hammed up mug make you stop!?

Let's watch the movie already, Geesh!"

**Note- what's little NutMan holding there? Be still my beating heart. A handsome young man holding a Lunch Box?! Oh My.

Yep, darling P came home from a recent business trip bearing gifts. Shiny new Lunch Box Tins!! One for me & one for H Man. Sweet huh! Boy's off to a good start for his own little collection :)**

You Tube... Revolution or Revelation

My darling Husband recently said that YouTube has revolutionized the interenet.

I'm not quite sure if it's an information revolution or a intellectual revelation. I do suppose it's like all things - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - and you can only hope that folks will use this new power for good, and not for evil.

Watch this clip... just make sure your mouth's not full.

OMG... and Holy Crapola...
(I so totally could have used a few of these at most of the parties I hosted in college.)

I just don't have the words to... to... to... -- Studder aside, I'm a little bit speechless.
Okay, so about a gazillion thoughts are racing through my mind at the moment.
The first two being:
1) Just how much acid are these kids on anyways?
2) I think we just witnessed the birth of 80's Heavy Metal Head Bangin'.

How about you? What are your thoughts... I so totally wanna hear'em.

Wish Fulfillment... Dad's Day

My Mom always gives me a hard time about my Dad. I always take his side. I always defend him. I'm always there to steady his pedestal.

I simply Adore my Dad... what can I say. And although my Mom doesn't think I'm aware of any - I do know that he's got a few faults, but shoot, who the heck doesn't. No matter what - I still think he's pretty damn near perfection. It's delightfully easy to sing his praises...

So to keep things short -
I'll just give you the abridged version:
The Top 10 Reasons My Dad is Grand!


1) He's the Biggest Teaser on this planet.
2) He's kind and very sweet.
3) He's just like MacGyver... he can fix and build anything out of whatever's handy.
4) Being annoying is an art and a science for him.
5) He's a Swearintologist Master!
6) He's a total Softie, we're talkin' Mr. Fluff.
7) He's terribly funny - in a very subtle, sarcastic, get your goat kind of manner.
8) He'll watch any of Clint Eastwood's movies with me... even if we've both seen it 315 times.
9) He worships my Mom (for 39 years) even when she's naughty!
10) He cherishes being a Grandpop.

All the while I was growing up I used to notoriously say...
If I ever get married I wanna marry someone just like Dad.

And wouldn't you know it... 17 years ago when my Mom first met The P she pulled me aside in her kitchen and whispered "You've found him".
That's probably one of the sweetest and most unexpected things my Mom has ever said to me...
What an awesome feeling!

I can't believe I live such a charmed life. Father's Day is such a wonderful celebration. It's a time to reflect on how much my own father means to me, and to take pride in the love my son has for his own Papa. Having a wonderful Dad is incredible, being married to a wonderful Dad is inspiring!

So for My Two favorite Dads out there - I love ya!
Thanks for everything you do. Thank You for making life hold such meaning!

Photographic Nomads... Photostory Friday

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Trying to capture a special family moment in a heavily populated area is always a challenge. It's often difficult, if not impossible to keep random persons from aimlessly straying into the frame. You curse under your breath and keep fingers crossed that some fancy photoshopping will later erase the unwanted nomads.

Yeah, about that...

Here's a terrific family photo - but it's not mine... the little guy on the left is -- casually meandering into their family portrait... Gotta love that!

Birkenstocks Vs. Milano Blahnik

Do you play Bunco?

It's like a Yahtzee club for women... rather silly, sorta stupid and SO totally lame.

Talk about loads of fun! It gets you out of the house, gets your mind off the heavy stuff and let's be frank - it sure beats electroshock therapy.

Actually, on second thought ---
I think it IS electroshock therapy for me.

I always have a good time... even if the group I attend isn't exactly the Ethel to my Lucy. I'm not an official Regular either, I'm a Scab. Which sort of puts you on the outside looking in, but is full of perks - one being you never have to host an event.

The first few times I played I was pretty sure I had that whole - 'A skunk can't smell it's own stink' - thing going on. Either that, or I had a bad case of leprosy that my husband had neglected to mention.

It could also have something to do with the fact that I'm always the only woman there who is:

1) NOT wearing the entire Clinique make-up counter.
2) NOT dressed like I'm pretending to audition for a Sex and the City episode.
3) wearing socks!! (OMG.... you should witness the stares & the whispering)
4) NOT carrying a Coach Bag... er, Purse.
5) NOT wearing 3" stilettos.
6) thinking that Juicy Couture has to be a new flavor of Juicy Fruit.
7) NOT wearing a tiara (only a Slight exaggeration).

Oddly enough, every time I go to Bunco it reminds me of a bizarre Twilight Zone episode. Where the drunken women of "The Sopranos" and "The Stepford Wives" get together for a crazy night of dice and conversations about potty training, but aren't allowed to smoke. It's cool to experience a sub culture so completely opposite from my own.

I imagine it's a lot like having an out of body experience, totally surreal.

It also provides an enormous amount of side splitting laughter for me & darling husband. The stories I come home with are So totally worth the admission price of being the only Gilligan on a ship full of Gingers.

Dreamy Summer Vacations

Some people want to go to Disneyland for summer vacation... Others want to travel to Greece. Lots want to back pack through Europe, hike the Grand Canyon and take a cruise to Alaska.

Those are all Wonderful ideas. Lovely desires. Nothing whatsoever wrong with any of those glorious summer vacation plans. One day even I would probably like to partake in any one or all of those magnificent travel agendas.

But for now... I dream of magical places. Places where I long to lose myself for the whole entire day. Looking and looking and looking at every little thing - drinking in every last detail until my eyes feel like they might bulge right out of my skull (Pop!). Tightly wrap my heart around the experience and Delight in the rapture!

Places like this:
The Lunchbox Museum in Columbus Georgia.

They have OVER 2000 lunchboxes!!

Get outta Here!!! NO WAY! -- You say??

WAAAYYY!!!! -- Says I.

They're even recognized By The Smithsonian Institute. (Golly Gee Whiz, my heart just skipped a beat) Best yet - it'll only set you back 5 Bones (dollas) to get in and marvel at all of these wonders! To fill your olfactories with the heavenly scent of plastics and metal tins, to secretly touch and covet each spectacular sandwich receptacle..... (I need to stop, I feel quite faint.....)

(Sigh, Big Sigh)

I know myself so well, that when I get to finally go - I'll get so overloaded and excited admiring all these historic beauties that I'll most likely shrill a lot and pee a little (I have a very weak bladder).

I've got a little collection of my own... nothing to rival this one of course... but ooohh, One day dear readers, One Day!

Anyone care to see the photos?

Vroom, Vroom...

Couldn't help it... got this in an email and simply HAD to share!

I actually laughed out loud.

Procrastination Crossroads...

Sometimes it's just so difficult to find some free time for crafty endeavors these days. I know, I know... you've noticed. There are so many diverting things to fill up all that quickly passing time... Mister H, Blogs, My new Camera, Baking, (not so fun) House Chores, Mommy Duties, Pet Detail, Gardening... Yeah, you get the idea. Your days are probably a whole lot like mine. Doing what you can to squeeze a few more moments for yourself out of each day. If not because of your kids, then because of your job or other responsibilities.

I stayed up late the last few nights - which I love to do. I'm a total night owl and am much more creative after 10pm... it's certainly a heckuvalot harder to do with a Two year old around. Those mornings come all too soon the older I get. Anyhow, I've recently been ogling some really fun fat quarters I've had for ages now, and decided to start cutting them up. They're all woven plaids in glorious sherbet like colors. Although they're Silkies, which make them a bit more difficult to work with, I think they're worth the extra effort. I decided to work up a variation of the Purina Dog Chow logo - the block's got a name, but it eludes me at the moment. Anyhow, this is a very fun variation and goes together pretty quickly. I Managed to get all the hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of pieces cut (Seriously! It totally felt like that many) and got started on the chain stitching... then the blahs began to overwhelm me. How boring. Sigh, Big Sigh. How many more of these are there? A thousand? I really hate doing the same task over & over again. Repetition isn't such a good thing for me, I don't much enjoy it. Ugh. Shamefully, after getting about 8 blocks completed I ran out of steam altogether.

So now I'm at the all too familiar procrastination cross roads... What to do, what to do. The plan was for a lap quilt. But ghads, we have sooooo very many quilts (I *love* quilts, I make too many quilts) - so that's not proving to be much motivation. Here I sit... 8 blocks down, lots more of them in fragments. Looks like I'll be thinking on this for a bit.

Photo Hunt... Bad Hair

Photo Hunt theme for this week: Bad Hair.
This "Bad Hair" might be more akin to "Naughty Parenting". After all, what sort of Mother gives a handsome little bloke like this a Fauxhawk... It just makes me laugh. I love it :) Of course now he's Two, and I'm not sure if he'd still be a willing participant to such shenanigans.

To get the low down skinny on how to play - follow this handy dandy Photo Hunt link to acquire all the necessary details.

Let's Turkey Trot... Photostory Friday

Okay... So today while I was rummaging through my onslaught of daily blog reads (the list just keeps on growing) I noticed that several folks are playing along with a new weekly Photography post. Oh Goodie... I love any ol' excuse to use some of the 100's of photos I'm taking each week with my spiffy new Nikon D60. I'm not very good at it yet, but won't mind being the lameoid of the bunch.

Never one to be shy, I simply decided to just invite myself to play along. I mean schucks, I'm so new to this blogging thing And feel quite certain that if more peeps knew me they'd be just dying for me to join... life is short & I love the idea of telling a story about a photograph. Such a terrifically clever idea, lovely! So do be sure to check it out and if there's any kind of kerfuffle just tell'em I'm the Photo Crasher that sent you ;)

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

So without further ado... my first Photostory Friday...

Every morning this gorgeous honey saunters down to our bird feeder buffet and helps herself to the assortment of goodies. I've taken to calling her Abigail and have noticed she's got quite a keen palate. She struts down about the same time for each visit, so just before I've been sneaking out and adding grapes and apples to the menu. Just for her. Let me be the first (and prolly only) to report that Abigail's excitement is matched only by her enthusiasm, never leaving a crumb behind.

I'm pretty sure my little woman is nesting somewheres in the tree line behind our house. Usually about twice a day we have an entire 'flock' or 'rafter' of turkeys come through the yard... but Abigail has been meandering down all by her lonesome for about a month now. Let's hope that'll mean baby turkey photos! Oh, now that would be quite dandy :)

What a gorgeous girl!

This last shot does a splendid job of graphically illustrating the limitations of my 200 lens. Hmmm... my birthday wish list has already got 3 lens requests on there (eek! I've only had this camera a month) and that's before all the other stuff my heart desires ;) This b-day is shaping up to be a budget buster... budget? We don't need no stinking budget.

Swearintologists and Bloodlines...

WARNING: EXTREME WORDINESS

I embellish. I'm long winded.
Take a potty break before reading this blog entry.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Swearintology - I just completely made that up today. I like it. Yes, I like it very much and just might of pulled a muscle while trying to pat myself on the back. What does it mean? It's a philosophy, a way of life... actually, it's a lot like a weed. It can take hold of any conversation, doesn't require much attention to thrive and will usually out perform the beautifully articulated words around it.

Here's a fact you might not know. Cursing is in your blood you know. The Cursing Genome (CG). I think either you have it or you don't. It's pretty simple and not at all complicated. It's kind of like your heritage ese. If you've got the CG it surges through your bloodstream for eternity... it's there the day you're shot into this world and it's there the day you hang up your spurs. I know it's baaad... Swearing is bad... it's politically incorrect... it's very, very naughty... unless you're doing it in a court of law... which I think is where I'd be arrested for what some might call Profanity.

I can't help myself... it's sorta like watching too much Murder, She Wrote... OR drinking so much Diet Coke you end up with gut rot (with all the moaning and everything)... OR buying one of those Enormous "I want to gain 10 pounds this weekend" tubs of pre-made (couldn't be. in any way. good for you) cookie dough. All of them are, any way you slice it, Bad.

Whatever, says I.

So while most Moms are struggling with the laundry and the dishes... I'm struggling with potty mouth language, that quite frankly would make a sailor blush. I don't do it (much) out in public... but if I'm at home or chatting with a favorite friend - the things that fly out of my mouth could straighten your hair and curl your toes. I like colorful language. I like to express myself. Honestly, for me it's so much a part of who I am it's like breathing - something I'm only vaguely aware of. It's always done in fun and is never, ever mean spirited. I've been told on more than one occasion... "but you look so sweet and shy". Never judge a book by its cover. On that same note, you'll be a much happier person if you don't bother judging anyone at all.

Swearintology is fun, an art and much like poetry - requires a bit of skill. I hurl obscenities like circus performers hurl Ginsu knives, like college girls hurl at frat parties - effortlessly. There's only one teensy weensy snag. My son is Two. He's not really talking yet, but he's getting there. And with each day he gets a little closer I try to get a little closer to reeling it in. I don't want to be the Mom who gets the phone call... "Yes, Mrs. Nastypants. We have young Master Acid Tongue in the office (Again) for calling little Johnny Annoying a "Fart Licking Bastard" (Again)." Trust me I'm on it... but I've been a Swearintologist since age 4, so there's a bit of history there (my mother is shuddering - both then & now).

Some days are more of a challenge than others... take this morning - Puhlease! All three dogs got into something nasty in the yard... picture projectile vomiting, oozing diarrhea or worse - frothing and foaming at the mouth. Gross, just doesn't do this scene quite enough justice and a little (or was it a lot?) of profanity was in order. As in Mutha!... well, you get the idea.

I live on the edge... all be it, the edge of reason and I like to swear. I'm learning to pipe down and suppress it by at least a notch, or two. It's a bit like trying to control the Tourette's... but one thing I won't be doing is being bloody annoying and implementing lameass expletives like - frickin' or fudge. Those folks need a spanking... and not the "you've been naughty" kind you do in private either.

**Note: Thanks to Carolyn over at laughing alone in the dark for her wonderful verbose storytelling emblem... it's just too funny!**

It's Animal Kingdom... All In One Day

Today was awesome for wildlife watching at our house. During the course of the day we saw two bunnies, four turkeys, a snake and a Mama Deer with her Fawn. Talk about amazing. I captured the following three shots all in our backyard, about 10-15 feet from our back door... you'd never know we actually live in town.

I think Turkeys are beautiful birds...
they're actually quite graceful and alluring.

I got a spectacular series of shots of this little Gardner? snake...
but I'm saving them for later... stay tuned :)

Unfortunately the Mama Deer noticed me through the window right away and immediately took off. Bummer! The price you pay for having so many floor to ceiling windows I suppose. As a result I didn't actually get the privilege of capturing that moment. But I had to show you something - so the photo below is a wall paper shot courtesy of the National Geographic website. Not as good as the real thing, but it'll at least give you a hint of what the little H Man and I witnessed. So very sweet!

My Mom Rocks! Literally...

Generally speaking our house is really quiet. I don't like a lot of noise and don't want to be bogged down by a bunch of racket. Things like TVs blaring annoy the hell out of me. What's really funny about this fact is that it doesn't apply whatsoever to music. In the case of music, my motto is: 'If it's too loud, you're too old'. Last night The P got home from work and instantly turned the stereo down about 6 notches. Hey! The little H Man & I happen to love listening and dancing to our music throughout the day. We're not always contributing to the neighborhood's noise pollution but when you hear something catchy - frankly, IMHO, it doesn't sound as good unless you can Hear it and you just can't Hear it as well unless the windows are vibrating.

Where did this come from... plain and simple - My Mom. Without a doubt, my Mom is completely, and utterly 100% to blame. Growing up my Mom wasn't your average run of the mill Mom. Sure she baked and did crafts with us, but my Mom's true passion was music. She had a stereo system so awesome that it would make today's Car Thumpers weak in the knees. One particularly awesome memory... Mom used to open all the windows in the house and spin the track "Another Brick in the Wall pt2" by Pink Floyd (The Wall Album) so loud that all 6 speakers roared, the glass rattled and my little brother would actually think the helicopter at the beginning was landing on the roof of the house.

Good times :)

My Mom's love of music really became ingrained in me. And to this day - Music just doesn't sound as good unless you can feel the rhythm through the floor boards. I've put together a little mix of songs I vividly remember my Mom playing over and over for us when we were little. Until we each had all the lyrics down pat, so we could belt them out in unison. The year of The Wall memory was 1979, I was 7 years old... and it was the year I first heard The Clash - setting my own love of music in motion. Much to the chagrin of Mom - who used to sing along to "Should I Stay or Go Now".... "You Should Go Now... Go, go, go Now!" Thanks Mom - You Rock :)

What did you groove to with your Mom? Do you remember the first Group or music that resonated with You? Leave a note and Share with the Class!

*Note: I couldn't find an online track off The Wall that included the helicopter... & it's just not the same without it... so it's missing from the mix.**

Polymer Clay Pendants ... Today's Craft Lab

Today while my little guy napped I managed to start and Finish! four of these sweet little Polymer Clay Pendants. Each piece is approximately 1" square and is a tiny Polymer Rorschach panel that's encased in a polymer bezel and bail. 100% Fimo clay, no paints were used. I've added a matching PC bead and strung them on rat tail cording. They were a lot of fun to construct and think they turned out nicely, I love to design on the fly. They have such a lovely smooth finish and are so light weight. I'm not sure what I'll do with them... perhaps a few folks would like to swap. I'm always up for receiving cool Art in my letter box. Either way, Enjoy :)

Cool Choreography... For Folks that Can't Dance

So while I'm trying to decide what to do about my forever gone Ipod - I'm hunting around for music to listen to on the internet. This video totally cracks me up - what a stellar use of treadmills. I fear if I tried something like this I'd end up in the emergency ward... don't completely love the song, but the video rocks.

The choreography looks a lot like something my girlfriend Holly & I came up with while watching Music Videos on Night Tracks in my parents basement during Junior High.

Gasp!! Why not MTV you're wondering. That'd be because we lived way out in the Middle of Nowhere, quite literally 100 miles to Noplace a.k.a. The Boonies. Where MTV just wasn't available on cable until I was in High School.

Honestly, I'm not even that old.

Sky Watch

I've really just recently been bitten by the photography bug. My darling husband got me an awesome camera for Mom's Day and it has totally transformed my picture taking world. It's a Nikon D60 with an 18/55 Lens and a 55/200 lens. Of course I'm already thinking I'd prefer a 28/70 for my everyday & a Lens that would be able to achieve 300 or so. There's still a ton about this equipment I don't yet understand... but I'm working on it. Currently I'm trying to figure out if it has Macro capability, which might mean I'll have to read the manual - UGH! It's a joy to discover all the terrific stuff you can do and it's been pure bliss to leave all my frustrations behind with the old camera. If you have suggestions or advice I'd love, love, love to hear them! Thanks :)

Sky Watch is a wonderful photography blog - if you'd like the low down on how to join just follow me. Then pick up your camera and get rolling. You'll love it, promise!