Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These...

Ahhhh.... There is nothin' like the sweet taste of fresh berries! I'm goin' to make a Three Berries Jam and Strawberry and Banana Jam today. My mouth is waterin' just typin' the words!

I don't can much but have decided its time to start. With these continuin' high oils prices; food prices will go through the roof, especially produce. Its time to get back to basics.

I bought me the "Ball Blue Book of Preserving." What a wealth of info in this paperback! Although I must admit I chuckled when I quickly glanced at the title and read it as "Blue Ball Book of Preserving."

My only fear is that I won't can properly and we'll end up in the E.R. havin' our stomachs pumped. But I'm confident I won't (intentionally) poison anyone.

So, wish me luck!! If I'm not back in a few days... Call the paramedics.

:> )

Uh-oh...

Here kitty-kitty...
:> )

A Sneak Peek At My July 1st Humble Arts Offerin'...

Come the first of the month, be sure to stop by the The Humble Arts to see all the unique offerins' from our small and humble group of artists.

:> )

The Devil Went Down To Deansboro...

Sorry Charlie... I know ya prefer Georgia, but I found this feller hangin' out in my apple tree.

Not only is he lookin' for a soul to steal, he's lookin' mighty pale. But he sure is havin' a devil of a time.

I'd better keep my eye on him.
I'll keep ya posted...
:> )

Impatiently Waitin' For Autumn...

... and for some clothin'. This maple leaf cutie is quite modest. So until I stitch her up somethin' to wear, she will continue to hide herself.

Geez, I'd better get cracklin'.

She will be fully clothed and offered on The Humble Arts July 1st.

I'll keep ya posted...

Drivin' On A Country Road...

Of course with the price of gas bein' $4.25 a gallon, we stuck pretty close to home. I'm sure from now on these drives will be few and far between.

Here's our local
Native American Indian Burial Ground.

I can't resist takin' photos of Holsteins. I love them. After I snap their pics I always tell them, "Thanks ladies, much obliged!"

Runnin' With the Devil...

Well he's lookin' a lil' more laid back so maybe it should read, "Kickin' back with the devil?"

Man, it seems like seasonal creatin' is gettin' like fashion. Ya have to be six months ahead of schedule. I never did understand that.

Why in tarnations would I want to shop for fall/winter clothes smack dab in the middle of June? Worse, is shoppin' for summer clothes in the winter. My Johnny Milktoast legs are blindin' come December. There's no way I'm sportin' a pair of shorts when my gams are whiter than the precipitation that's outside. Oh well...

I'm feelin' a lil' devilish, so I figure I might as well run with it. I'm workin' on my Paperclay devil. Since I prefer not to make anythin' scary or evil, he will be more dopey lookin' than anythin'.

Right now he can't see or say much but I'll keep ya posted...
:> )

Hot Rod Hannah...

After all these years, she still loves to go down to hub's shop and hop on a 4-wheeler. If it has a motor, she wants on. She lives for the wind in her fur.

If ya have a Doxie, ya know these dogs have no fear! Well except for the vacuum cleaner. Then she runs the other way.

This is my second miniature Doxie. My first Doxie was a black and tan male and his name was Hans.

I got him when I was in my 20's. He was the coolest dog!

I had him in my life for 14 glorious years. Even though hubs and I had to put him down 8 years ago, we still grieve.

RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

(Author unknown)

:> )

He Arrived Safe-N-Sound...

Carol Roll is not only a talented artist, she is a sweetheart of a gal and a friend. I was so touched by what she did for me a few weeks back I wanted to reciprocate her kind gesture.

She is a lover of Boston Terriers and has one of her own. So in honor of her beloved Henry, I made her a Henry ( Jr. ) out of clay.

She is tickled over him. Just knowin' that, so am I.

:> )

A (Wee) Sleepin' Beauty...

When hubs popped his head through the kitchen door this mornin' callin' me to come quick, I knew to bring my camera.

There in his gloved hands was a precious sight. Ya know, my whole life I've been fearful of them, but that all changed when I laid eyes on her.

Hubs said she lay helpless on the floor in the barn. Her mama must have abandoned her. Unable to see because her eyes weren't open yet, she tried to crawl. But with ever other step she took, she would flip over on her back strugglin' to get back on her feet. It was too painful for hubs to watch so he gently picked her up. As he did, she let out a faint "squeak".

We could hear the sucklin' sound comin' from her and knew she was hungry. I ran into the house and hopped on the internet hopin' we could do somethin' for her. Sadly, there's nothin' we could do. She needed her mama's milk. Hubs thought it would be best to place her in the tall grass behind the barn and let nature take its course. :> (

When I walked away I looked up to Heaven and said, "Lord, I know you're busy, but would ya please keep an eye on this wee one? She could really use Your help."

All afternoon I worried about her, wonderin' if a crow got her or if the sun was too much on her frail body.
As I was gettin' supper ready I heard my hubs call me from outside. I ran out to see him lookin' like a deer in headlights. I asked him what was wrong.

He said, "You're not going to believe this! When I pulled the truck up to the barn, there she was just sitting on the door stoop!" Heck, she must have been waitin' for him because as soon as he opened the door for her, she hobbled right in!

Could it have been the same mouse?! After he let her in, he ran over to where he had placed her in the tall grass. I'll give ya one guess as to whether or not she was still there.

I looked up to Heaven once again, smiled and said, "Thank you."
:> )

Sula the Sunflower and Bartholomew the Bumble Bee...

will be listed on eBay tonight at 10:00pm EST. So be sure to buzz on over and check them out!

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY!

Your strong arms always protect and care for us.

Even when we're bein' bad...

We love you!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Happy Flag Day...

Y'all know I love the good ol' Red, White and Blue!!

So get out there and fly your Old Glory, she deserves it.

Wild Thing...

I think I love you!

I was feelin' like Marlin Perkins yesterday. There were all kinds of critters roamin' around our property.

Since I'm a huge Bugs Bunny fan, I dubbed this feller Cecil.

Then we spotted these absolutely adorable baby foxes! All four were eating the wild strawberries but were quite curious as to why we were starin' at them.
We did made sure to kept our distance just in case their mama was around.

I couldn't get a very good photo, but if ya look directly under the "ee" in Keepsakes, you can see the precious wee one. :> )

Here's a few pics I snapped.

I love clouds...

We also got a whiff of a skunk that is livin' around here too. I swear he waits for us to hit the sack then moseys up to our house, presses his butt right up against the foundation and lets it rip.

As I scramble runnin' through the house closin' all the windows, he's gigglin' his stinky butt off under the maple tree. What a prankster. Sigh.

I might consider sleepin' with a clothespin on my nose.

Hallelujah, Its Rainin'...

Well... not men. Not even cats-n-dogs. But with how hot and humid its been I would have taken any of the above. I could have worn 'em like a hat to keep the sun from beatin' on me.

After we got hit with this much needed rain, the good Lord blessed us with a beautiful rainbow.

And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
Genesis 9:15
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.
Genesis 9:16

Whew! I'm so thankful for that because I don't think I could have built an ark in this heat.
:> )

I'm Out Of Klondike Bars...

and its still hotter than blazes here. This humidity in unbearable.

I have all but given up on tryin' to style my hair and put on makeup. When I do, I look like a cross between Moe of the Three Stooges and Alice Cooper.

Now I find myself wantin' to poke my hubs in the eyes while singin' "School's Out".

I'd better have him pick me up some more Klondikes bars. Its going to be a long hot week and I don't want to scare anyone in the grocery store.

I'm headin' back in the freezer...

Its Hot, Hot, Hot...

Whew! We are sufferin' with the three H's. Hazy, hot and humid. It supposed to last well into next week.

I may have to rub myself from head to toe with a deodorant stick then cram myself into the freezer. I might as well enjoy a Klondike bar while I'm in there...

Stay cool!

I'm Back In The Saddle Again...

Well, almost. But I'm feelin' better than I have in over a week! Yee-haw!!!

Things are finally loosenin' up in my chest. Holy cow! I'm coughin' up all sorts of stuff. I'm surprised I haven't hacked up Jimmy Hoffa yet. Hey, ya never know...

I have tried every holistic treatment except for the milk and garlic. Sorry mama, I just couldn't do it. But I think the combo that worked for me was OTC Mucinex, lots of water and the ol' standby of Vicks VapoRub.

Oh and to rid yourself of the chapped skin under your nose from blowin' it so much is... Vermont's Original Bag Balm. It was made to keep cow's udders from gettin' chapped but it works like charm on us humans. I swear by this stuff! If its good enough for ol' Bessie, its good enough for me. Moo.

A big THANK YOU to all you dear ones who called and sent emails to offer your concerns, remedies and prayers. Y'all are the best and I'm blessed to have you in my life. :> )

I plan on gettin' back to creatin' on Monday. YaY!!

I Couldn't Help But Laugh...

I spoke with mama last night on the telephone.

When she heard my raspy voice the first thing that came out of her mouth was "Did you rub yourself down with some Vicks VapoRub?" Awww man, that made me smile from ear to ear. No matter what your age, your mama is always your mama.

Then she told me to drink a warm glass of milk with a couple of cloves of garlic chopped up it in. She swears it helped her in the past. Helped her with what? Keepin' a lactose intolerant vampire away from her?

Thank the good Lord above she never tried that one on me as a kid. It would have ended up like the chipped ham on toast she forced me eat once... Right back up on the plate where it came from.
:> )

Yep, I'm Still Alive...

Man, I have done nothin' all weekend but mope round blowin' my nose, coughin' and not bein' able to breathe because of the congestion.

I've had to sleep upright like the Elephant Man and I now sound like James Earl Jones. "Luke, I am your father." My nose is so red and chapped, I have a strikin' resemblance to Lisa Loopner from the old SNL skits.

As I laid around it brought me back to when I was a young'un and all the crazy remedies mama used on us. I guess what didn't kill us made us stronger. :> ) Besides, mama only did what she thought was right.

I remember the first sign of a sniffle, out came the Vicks VapoRub. I swear she greased me up like a squeaky wheel. Nose, throat, chest. It was everywhere. Heck, I think she swabbed my tongue with that stuff once. The worst part was how it made my pajama top stick to me.

Then there was the "famous" mustard plaster. I'm all for holistic medicine but this did nothin' but smell bad and give me second degree burns.

The salt water gargle worked until I accidently swallowed some. It was like swimmin' in the Atlantic Ocean minus the sand in my bathin' suit drawers.

Remember Vicks Formula 44? (Before they lowered the alcohol ratio) She could have handed me a shot of whiskey instead and it would have had the same effect. Man, I wouldn't wake up for hours after a dose of that stuff.

If all else failed there was the ol' enema. Nothin' like gettin' your pipes cleaned out when ya have sore throat. I guess it did take my mind off my sore throat.

I asked hubs what his mama did for him and her cure all was to take an aspirin. Heck, I would have taken an aspirin over an enema any day. I still would.

But the best remedy was from my daddy. When I was sick, he would bring me home a hamburger, small fries and a chocolate milkshake from McDonalds. Of course this was well before the whole Happy Meal thing. But it made me happy just the same.

The other day hubs asked me if I wanted "the usual" from McDonalds... :> )