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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

A Mixed Bag

Today a grandson turns 29, a great grandson turns 23, and I am getting crazy old. Maybe it's because the days fly by sometimes and they don't always. It's never hard to find something to do, though. Today while on the internet I spotted an ad on a local rummage page for five men's flannel shirts in the Mister's size at $5.00 each. New, cotton, made in USA and vintage. For many years now we have looked for the ones that have button down pockets and NO button down collars. Nada!  The rules of the community site are clear and simple. So I made contact with the seller and we met her halfway from our place and halfway from hers. It was a good meet and we are very pleased with the results. They will go with me to the laundromat tomorrow. When I returned home I researched the labels and brands and sure enough they were made in the 60's and 70's. Good stuff then. E-bay sellers have them for sale too but they are costlier and many are acrylic. See the images that were displayed and caught my attention. Good buy! and...the plaids match up in front very well. Hard to find that detail in today's market unless you want to pay $30-$40 each!
Then I finished both of my computer creations and did a happy dance!
MEDUSA
please click on image to view larger


Monday, February 26, 2018

Hang It!

"Silly Spiders" are clinging to the web and spin and swing out on the porch beams with "Redman," "Elmer," "Cardinal," "Wired Vase," wind chimes and pine cone mobile. Can you tell I like hangups?

Yes, each critter has only 8 legs but I had to use flash on the dreary day and shadows show.
Baked skinless and boneless chicken thighs for dinner, marinated, then baked in my "special" homemade Louisiana Bar-B-Que sauce. Side dish potato salad. Just getting in the mood for warm weather here. 
Before Baking
Three eaten, three saved for another day...
please click on image to view larger

Sunday, February 25, 2018

Passing Time...

Just fooling around with graphics and getting through each day until the weather perks up and becomes nicer. Bake or create - it's what I do to pass the time now.

I don't really care at all if my "art" is nice or awful - it makes me feel good to create and manipulate. Whatever works is the key.  So here are my latest...

Oh! and a short poem:


The bird is on the wing
That's absurd
The wing is on the bird!
For better detail, click on image to enlarge



Thursday, February 22, 2018

Seasonal Stuff

My daughter came over and I gave her the Oxheart tomato seeds that I had saved, fermented and dried and then stored over the winter in my freezer. She starts seedlings soon and it is a labor of loving care. After hardening the little plants they will be ready to be planted in her garden and at our other daughter's home in NJ.

I know Spring is just around the corner, in spite of ice covering the lake and a chill in the air along with the sleety rain. How do I know this? Well just look! I took off the Christmas scarf from James and it is drying to later be washed and stored. He will be wearing his seasonal hat for a few more weeks.
to view larger please click on image
Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the birdies is

Monday, February 19, 2018

Experimenting with Art

Today I created two images and am learning how to do more than photos. The sunny picture was a fun-to-do project.
The picture of a great nephew on a winter city street was transformed to a nephew in a different location.
   to view larger click on image   


 

Sunday, February 18, 2018

The "Saver"


I received some honey lollipop-type spoons with which I was supposed to use in a cup of special tea that went with the Christmas gift. The tea was in a neat tin, which I have saved but I never stirred the honey spoons in any of it. Instead, I sucked on them and then kept the sticks. I liked the sticks because they had a small wooden ball on one end. There were five. When I went looking for a picture of them online I soon discovered that they are very expensive! Most are $2.00 each! That was a surprise. Here is what they look like before being licked away!
Then I had an idea! Because there were five, I thought of a star. Yes, a star. 
So I got out the glue gun and formed it. 
Now what? Well since I had leftover jute from my pine cone craft I started weaving over the sticks. The result made me think of a spider web.
I cut a cork and glued it over the middle on both sides. What else is needed? A spider of course! I have no black pipe cleaners, no black pom poms, no foam balls, no fake spiders. That will have to come later, BUT! here's a preview!
please click on image to view larger
Maybe I'm ready for the funny farm after all...

"The spider is a spiritual ally who helps foster creativity and independence. One of the most industrious of creatures, the spider works resolutely towards her goals and teaches us the value of perseverance. At the center of her web, the spider connects us to the intricate energies of the spirit world. Working with her special energy attracts magical coincidences into our lives."

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Back to Basics

Baking Basics that is!  I was energized today because we had no cookies! WHAT? NO COOKIES! This is my mother's recipe and it is a "no fail" one. Nowhere does it say how much energy it would take this old lady to GIT 'ER DUN....

After getting the ingredients out and ready, "Big Red" was a great help with the mixing. From parchment paper over a 40+ year old cookie sheet to a finished stack of 60 tasty devils. 
Meanwhile, out on the ice were four men fishing at 8:30am. By the time the cookie project was finished there were seven. 
please click on image to view larger
RECIPE
Peanut Butter Cookies from Grandma's Recipe Collection

Sift together - 
2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt

Blend well before adding flour mixture -
1 C peanut butter
2 C brown sugar
1/2 C butter (1 stick) I said BUTTER!! (Don't melt!)
2 eggs

Add -
1 tsp pure vanilla
1/2 C whole milk 

Cool dough in refrigerator for a bit, then teaspoon 12 scoops to an ungreased cookie sheet. I don't press them into a ball and flatten with a sugared fork, because I don't feel it is necessary, but you can if you wish!

Bake - 350° oven 9-11 minutes depending on how crunchy you like them. The less time in the oven the chewier they are!

After baking, let them rest a bit before removing from sheet to paper bags. 

Makes about 4-5 dozen, depending on size.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Can't Find the Word.....

DISASTER!
CATASTROPHE!
TURMOIL!
SACRIFICE!
DEVASTATION!
TRAGEDY!
BLOW!
SHOCK!
HORROR!
DISMAY!
OUTRAGE!

SAD... SO SAD...massacre in Florida School.