When You're Cool...

The sun is always shinin'.

"You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."
~Robin Williams

Happy Labor Day folks!

A Peek At What I'm Workin' On Next...

Here's a pic of her apron.

So, I'll give ya a few hints.

1. She's not much into fashion, just wears basic black and white.
2. She sailed over to these parts around the 1600's.
3. She would have LOVED to use a Reynold's Turkey Size Oven Bag if they had 'em back then.

Any guesses?
:> )

Views From My Backyard...

Even on a gloomy day, the sun will try to peek out and the views are gorgeous.
:> )

Trees are the best monuments that a man can erect to his own memory.
They speak his praises without flattery, and they are blessings to children yet unborn.
~Lord Orrery, 1749

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

- Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

"There's Snow Place Like Home"*click*click*click...

As I mentioned before, we at the Humble Arts are doin' a Winter/Christmas theme for September.

I've been kickin' around this idea for a long time and they have finally come to fruition.

Meet... Dorothy the Snowgirl and Toto too.

They will be offered on the Humble Arts come Sept 1st.

:> )

Brings Me Back To Bein' A Kid Again...

Dainty Milkweed Babies
By: Mary E. Doyle

Dainty milkweed babies,
Wrapped in cradles green,
Rocked by Mother Nature,
Fed by hands unseen.

Brown coats have the darlings,
Slips of milky white;
And wings - but that's a secret,
They're folded out of sight.

:> )

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

We are havin' a Christmas/Winter theme on The Humble Arts come September 1st!! I am lookin' so forward to this! YaY!!

Here's a peek at only part of my offerin'.

I'll keep ya posted...
woof

I'm so honored!!

Tina of The Artful Life
and
Gina of Cat Nap Inn Primitives

have given me this wonderful award! THANKS!!!
:> )

Somethin' To Ponder...

Everywhere Across The Land You See God's Face And Touch His Hand
By Helen Steiner Rice

Each time you look up in the sky
Or watch the fluffy clouds drift by,

Or feel the sunshine warm and bright,
Or watch the dark night turn to light,
Or hear a bluebird gayly sing,
Or see the winter turn to spring,

Or stop and pick a daffodil,
Or gather violets on some hill..
Or touch a leaf or see a tree,

It's all God whispering "This is Me...
And I am Faith and I am Light
And in Me there shall be no night."

:> )

Ahhhh... 'Tis The Season...

Well, not quite yet. But as I rode my bike today, I saw this lone beauty in the distance. She gave me a sneak peek at what's to come. YaY!! I'm what ya call a Leaf Peeper.

Leaves Of Autumn

As summer turns to Autumn
The leaves begin to turn.
About God's love and beauty
This is the time to learn.

Just look outside your window
At colors bright and bold.
Leaves of red and orange and brown
And some look like pure gold.

You say you don't believe in God?
I say, how can you doubt?
When you go to your window
And simply just look out.

Outside my kitchen window
A tree grow's strong and tall.
It brings such joy and peace of mind
To watch leaves of Autumn fall.

It sways in winds but never falters.
And from it's pattern never alters.
It must be God no man can say
I made that tree to look that way.

The sun rays form a halo
Around that big strong tree.
And there's a voice that seem's to say
Look up and think of Me.

By: Carrie Reger

:> )

Today Was My Lucky Day...

I received not one, but TWO emails from the "Tatts Organization" to inform me that I won prize money of ONE MILLION DOLLARS for the month of March 2008! Woo-hoo!! How in tarnations did they know my nickname is "Attn: Lucky Winner" anyway?!

It has to be real because it gave me a batch number, ref number and winning number. Besides, a manager feller by the name of Tony Adams says its true, so it must be!

Boy! A good thing I fell off the turnip truck after bein' born yesterday otherwise I wouldn't believe my eyes!

And to think some folks think these emails are fake! Well that's dumber than a barrel of hair.

I'm goin' shoppin'! See ya....
;> )

Horse Humor...

Why did the horse go behind the tree?
To change his jockeys.

What do you call pony with a sore throat?
A little hoarse.

What did the bartender say to the horse?
Why such a long face?

How long should a horse's legs be?
Long enough to reach the ground.

What does it mean if you find a horse shoe?
Some poor horse is walking around in his socks.

What did the horse say when it fell?
I've fallen and I can't giddyup!

Horses love corny jokes. It doesn't take much to make 'em laugh.
:> )

Happy Birthday Mama...

We spent Sunday celebratin' mama bein' 70 years young!
She was queen for the day and even sported her very own gen-U-ine imitation tierra.

Happy birthday Mama! It is you who has passed on to me your God given talent to create and to use my imagination.

You have taught me my home should reflect myself and that its okay to hang anythin' I want on my walls. Or if I get the idea to knock down a wall at 10:00 at night, to go for it.

You have given me such wonderful memories too. Birthday parties, vacations and holidays were always special because of you.

Most of all, you have instilled the importance of family and that home is where the heart is.

They were (and still are) the times of my life.
Thank you....
:> )

"Come And Knock On Our Door..."

"We've been waiting for you."

Nope, its not Janet, Jack and Chrissy. These are just the three dollies I'm workin' on.

But I am tempted to put one in legwarmers, one in polyester pants and the other with a pony tail stickin' out of the side of her head.

I'll keep ya posted...
:> )

Only One?!

When I walked outside, I was greeted by this lone sugar maple leaf sunnin' itself in the clover. I looked up hopin' to see more, but it was wishful thinkin'. Its way too early. But I sure did appreciate the sneak peek at the comin' attractions.

One may be the loneliest number... But not for long. Autumn is right around the corner and I can't wait! YaY!!!

Remember To Thank A Farmer...

"This hard work will always be done by one kind of man; not by scheming speculators, nor by soldiers, nor professors, nor readers of Tennyson; but by men of endurance—deep-chested, long- winded, tough, slow and sure, and timely."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The farmer stands well on the world. Plain in manners as in dress, he would not shine in palaces; he is absolutely unknown and inadmissible therein; living or dying, he never shall be heard of in them; yet the drawing-room heroes put down beside him would shrivel in his presence; he solid and unexpressive, they expressed to gold-leaf."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The glory of the farmer is that, in the division of labors, it is his part to create. All trade rests at last on his primitive activity."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

If Ya Can't Take Country Livin'...

Then get outta the country.

I almost busted a gut when I saw this on the news today.

I just love country folks with a great sense of humor and big farm equipment!!

Yeeeeee-hawwwwwwwwww!!!

I Love Happy Clouds...

Always take the time to look up...
:> )

Heaven Must Have Sent Them...

That's how I feel about these heavenly blueberry muffins I made.

I tried a new recipe I found on the internet and I must say its our all time favorite!!

Its a wonderful thick batter so the blueberries don't get mushy or sink to the bottom. And the cinnamon crumb toppin' is the perfect compliment!

I guarantee you will hear a choir of angels when ya bite into one.
:> )

(Heavenly) BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

1½ C ~ All purpose flour
¾ C ~ Sugar
½ tsp ~ Salt
2 tsp ~ Baking powder
1/3 C ~ Vegetable oil
1 ~ Egg
1/3 C ~ Milk
1 C~ Fresh blueberries

TOPPING

½ C ~ Sugar
1/3 C ~ All purpose flour
½ Stick ~ Butter (cubed)
1 ½ tsp ~ Ground cinnamon

Preheat oven 400. Grease muffin tin or line with muffin liners.

In a bowl combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Place oil in a one cup measuring cup, add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix in with flour mixture. Fill muffin tin. Sprinkle with crumb topping.

To make crumb topping:
Mix, flour, sugar, butter and cinnamon with a fork, then sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
Yield: 6

My hubs was tryin' to sneak one right out of tin before they've had a chance to cool. He's worse than a lil' kid!

He's at it again...