MIXED MEDIA

 

In anticipation of the planting season I decided to fill my planter with my favorite flower, the Black-Eyed Susan. This flower is a wild species that I enjoy seeing in clusters in ditches and fields. To bring it closer to home I used ribbon, jute and wooden beads ... no water needed. To create this framed photo I took a picture of my planter and then toned down the green saturation in Photoshop to make the blue enamel pop. I then sketched out my design and punched holes where the ribbon was threaded. The stem is a simple embroidery stitch and the wooden beads are glued. 

APPLE BLOSSUM

 

Okay so it isn't April showers, but May showers that will bring May flowers and June flowers. Today the rain perked up the spring colors and made the birds sing a little louder. I kind of had the same feeling which translates into I want to go shopping for some bright new clothes and sing really loud to the radio ... just like mother nature meant it to be.

SURVIVOR

 

I’ve heard that if you’re a contestant on Survivor you’re allowed to take one luxury item. Watching Survivor Caramoan I think they all chose to take teeth whitener. In honor of Cochran Outwitting, Outplaying and Outlasting I’ve created a quiz. If I were stranded on Survivor Island what one item would I take with me? What would your luxury item be? (Leave your answer in the comment section below.)

  

A. Diet Dr. Pepper
B. My iPod with over 2000 songs loaded
C. Chapstick
D. An Onion



GRIN

 

What is a toads favorite place to eat?                         ihop

BEER IT

Wine drinkers aren’t the only ones that can enjoy an evening, or afternoon for that matter, of taste testing. Beer drinkers can too with a “flight” of beer. The concept is simple. Choose a selection of beer on tap and begin tasting. A typical flight consists of four to six small glasses, each holding about 4 ounces. In most cases the beer is tasted from the lightest to the darkest to ensure you can appreciate the nuances of the more gentle brew before the more intense and flavorful dark beers. In between tastes, cleanse your palate with pretzels. (Here is where I could explain the “pretzel necklace” but I’ll save that for another day.) For years I was stuck in the light beer rut. Then I decided to take “flight” and began touring breweries and learn more about my favorite adult beverage. A person doesn’t have to travel to far from home to find a microbrewery and since my home state is Wisconsin it isn’t too far for your big name breweries either. So grab your friends, raise your hand if I’m talking about you and a “flight” and see where it takes you. Be sure to have a pilot so your return “flight” home is a safe one. Cheers to Beer!



OLD -VS- NEW

 

As I reach the halfway point of my life, (yes, I'm going to live to be 102), I'm beginning to take offense to the old adage "Out With The Old & In With The New". I realize it's all a matter of perspective but isn't there a comfort in something that you're familiar with no matter how used and worn it is. Today I had to take the plunge and replace the fire pit on our deck. I like my old one better and read a lot of good books, enjoyed a lot of conversation and drank a lot of beer around it, but it was rusty and holey. The fear of the bottom dropping out while enjoying a fire was what forced me to replace it. Tonight I will read a book and enjoy a beer around the new fire pit. I will create new memories and make a wish that when I'm rusty and holey I get repaired instead of replaced before my bottom drops out. Cheers!