...unless it's a black eye.

I think my daughter could be bi-polar. What else could explain the disparity between her bumper sticker and choice of Christmas gifts? Gandhi, UFC?!?!

Widen my horizons

You know, if it weren't for the internet, I very much doubt that I would have had the opportunity to see so many creative artists. There are tons of recognized artists who have shown their work in different places and untold thousands who's work is shown only in their etsy shop or blog. I am one of the lucky ones who get to see and enjoy these treats. I am especially fond of the artists who work with "found" objects, Michelle Stitzlein is one of those. These moths are georgeous.

Happy Festivus for the rest of us!

Can't wait for the airing of the grievances and the feats of strength.

I've been baking, cleaning and decorating,

NOT!

From deep with the bowels of my laBORatory, I've been creating, not cute little gingerbread men and beautiful Christmas packages, but the kraken. Well he's not so much a giant and really scary cephalopod, but I like him. They do say that "necessity is the mother of invention" and since I didn't have a spare $10K around to shop for an octopus chandelier, I crafted my own. Even if I do say so myself, I LOVE it! Now, I've got a lot of Christmas stuff to catch up on so off I go.

A Very Coral Christmas

Now don't I just love these festive red decorations, this red coral candleholder, this chandelier, this placemat , and this print fabric.

Spirit of the Buffalo

I love my state and it's people (in spite of the fact that they continue to be the reddest state in the country) and we recently celebrated our centennial. I know other states and cities have similar projects, but ours is the the "spirit of the buffalo". Oklahoma artists paint these bison statues and they are placed throughout the state at various locations. Here are a few of my favorites. Of course I really like the skeleton buffalo located in front of the Orthopedic Associates in Oklahoma City.

Dear Santa 2.0,

For a white Christmas I may need these:

Dear Santa,

I don't usually ask for much, some slippers, Earl Grey tea, just a few little things, you know what I like. That is until now. This year I want world peace and an octopus chandelier. These wonderful undersea creations were made by photographer and sculptor Adam Wallacavage. The photos pretty much speak for themselves. I think one of these would be just the right touch for my dining room. Check out these images by Todd Selby, of Adam's home it's a carnival for your eyes. Of course Santa, if there isn't room in your sleigh, at least there is this diy project at Paper Stampede that I can begin working on. Thanks for the world peace thing though.

I know it's a sin, but I...

cov⋅et 
1.
to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others:

to covet another's property.
2.
to wish for, esp. eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.

3.

to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

these wonderful creations of Gail Lackey. Never, really I mean, never in my life have I wanted a doll. I just hadn't seen these dolls. They are the most amazing, delightful and a little bit creepy dolls that I have ever seen, each a work of art. She is the Tim Burton of the doll world. There is a book of these dolls called Ghosties and I will have that. But for now I live with guilt, a needful desire to possess these dolls, yes I want them all. I not only covet the dolls, I covet the doll's dolls.

I lied I did want a Chatty Cathy, but she could talk for God's sake. It's pretty early in the day and I've already sinned twice.

British Cooking 101

My daughter thinks he's really cute and I really like fish and chips. She has all of his cookbooks so here is his recipe.

Jamie Oliver's Fish and Chips
INGREDIENTS
2 Pieces Haddock (200 Grams Each, Skin On)
250ml Beer
1 large Free-Range Or Organic Egg (Separated)
Salt Flakes
2L Vegetable Oil (For Frying)
500g Floury Potatoes (Skins Left On Or Off)
Malt Vinegar
150g Plain Flour
Method
Pour the vegetable oil into your deep-fat fryer or a large frying pan and preheat it to 120°C. Cut the potatoes into 1cm thick slices and then across into 1cm wide chips. Fry in the preheated fryer for about 5 minutes until almost cooked, then drain them and put to one side. Turn the fryer up to 180°C.
To make your batter, place the flour in a mixing bowl and add the beer and the egg yolk and whisk together. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white with a pinch of salt until it starts to form soft peaks. Carefully fold the egg white into the beer mixture until it’s just mixed in, making sure you don’t stir it too much.
Hold one of the haddock fillets by the very end of the tail and dip it into the batter. Let any excess drip off and then carefully place it into the hot oil. After a couple of minutes add half the chips and continue to fry for a further 5 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy and cooked through.
Drain, keep warm and repeat with the second fish fillet and the rest of the chips. Sprinkle with salt, drizzle with vinegar, and serve with some pickled eggs and gherkins. Delicious!

Thank goodness I have a fry-daddy.

I Love this Suitcase

This was my dad's suitcase, not one he used for clothes and traveling. There were always photos and mementos stored in it, watches, dice and decks of cards his dogtags and marine service medals. I loved it, for the cowboys, horses, wild cows and flowers on it. It was special to me when he opened it and we talked about the things in it, now I try to remember the stories to tell my kids. When we traveled my dad would sing while he was driving, songs like Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Ghost Riders in the Sky. The tooled images on this bag remind me of those songs and those days. I really miss him.

School Nurses Office

My son went to the school nurse's office today, to get a flu shot. The nurse noticed he was anxious pale and sweaty, she instructed him to blow on a cotton ball, an old nurse's trick to keep his mind off of the injection. After a cup of juice she sent him back to class...he's the teacher and is 27.

Protea and Kangeroo Paw

I love these flowers, this arrangement is gorgeous. I would add a few Kangeroo Paws and little more eucalyptus to it. Protea can be dried after you've enjoyed your bouquet.

Deer Little Rupert

No it's not Santa, snowmen, wise men, trees, lights, elves or stars, it's deer that are my favorite symbol of the holiday season. And never in my life have I seen such a tiny sweet little deer. His name is Rupert he was born prematurely by c-section after his mother was injured by a car. He stayed in ICU at the Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire England. Here are more photos and an article.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amber

No diamonds, emeralds or pearls for me, I'll take amber. Not only is the color entrancing the origin and composition are enigmatic. Amber is fossilized tree resin, most of it is between 30 and 90 million years old and often contains "inclusions" which could be plants, insects or small animals. It occurs in many colors from whitish to black, my favorite being the honey yellow-orange. Amber contains organic energy and is electromagnetically alive. It has been used as a healing stone since ancient times. Amber is one of the birthstones for November and also symbolizes 10 yrs of marriage. It is associated with the signs of Leo and Aquarius. The fact that it's organic along with it's warm and delicious color is why I love it.
In case Santa is interested here is where the earrings were found.

Good Stuff!

It's almost guaranteed that I never spent this much time doing homework, but I have put in a little research on the "Sonoran Hot Dog". No, it's not some species of wildlife or new dog breed, but instead something near and dear to my heart, a good ol' hot dog. I came across several blogs and other sources reporting on this southwestern delicacy. Sometimes served from hot dog carts and very popular in southern Arizona eateries. After research and a field trip to a Latin grocery store to get bolillos, a great big soft and slightly sweet Mexican bread, I embarked on this culinary journey. Beef weenies, wrapped with hickory smoked bacon are grilled til they are golden brown, then placed in the opened bolillo. Next top this with pinto beans, grilled onions, chopped tomatoes, and chopped fresh onion. Steam on a ribbon of mustard, mayo, and green chile sauce. I made my green chile sauce by putting green chiles, you can use canned, into the food processor with a little water and a dab of olive oil, then process until smooth. The whole shebang is served with a grilled yellow pepper on the side, if you please. I think an ice cold Coca Cola is madatory. Like Will Rogers, who never met a man he didn't like, I can honestly say I never met a hot dog I didn't like. It was a hit with the family and will be added to the hot dog rotation. Check out this video to see an expert at work.

Chris, how did you know?

It's something I've always wanted. To be "uber" something. And to find out that my blog is uber amazing? That is uber flattering! Chris at Designs by CK, who I consider the ultimate blogger, with the ultimate blog and creator of wonderfully spooky Halloween art is who awarded this to me. His blog is always entertaining, and I am always waiting to see what new art he is working on. So please visit him and say hello to Dr. F. N. Furter while you are there.

Here are the rules:
*Put the logo on your blog or post.

* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!

* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.

*" Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from."

Now while I am feeling oh so "euro", here are a few blogs you must check out:

High Fashion Girl

Nothing Elegant

Owls Cabinet

Green Woman Creating

Girl from Stand Up Tub Land

Thanks Chris!

Did everyone know about this, but me?

Lordy I love Tim Burton movies, I want to rent a space inside his head. I love the images, characters, scenery and sets. I love the pointy buildings and kinda scary heroes. I can only imagine what wondrous sights he will create from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Check out the rest of the cast here . Then visit Donna O'Brien's post and proposed blog event.

I've been tagged

by Tara at Nothing Elegant, which is a total misnomer, her blog is great ! I am always excited to see what she is blogging about next. She has tagged me to tell 7 things about myself.



1. I currently have slight laryngitis from trying to sing No Sleep Till Brooklyn by the Beastie Boys, on my daughter's Guitar Hero Rock Band. I am always going above and beyond to entertain the family.




2. I love, love, love my pretty chickens and their beautiful eggs, except for one cranky one.



3. My friends bring me things they think I will like, feathers, weeds, bones and even a snake skin that was found in a tree.


4. I love all of the reality shows, like Project Runway, Top Chef, Top Designer, Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, etc, etc.


5. I used to hate Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio and Daniel Day-Lewis, now I LOVE them.



6. I think my favorite food has to be hot dogs, I would love to go to Chicago, just to have a Chicago Dog.


7. One of my favorite luxuries is sleeping in freshly laundered and line dried sheets, topped off with a fluffy chenille bedspread.

Instead of tagging my friends individually, I will invite them to please participate it is nice to learn more about you all.