Separated at Birth?

Sometimes Homer looks a little shark-like as he feeds.

But he's also as cute as this manta ray.

The Saturday PhotoHunt: Fresh -and- Pink Saturday: Orchid

It's time for the Saturday PhotoHunt.  This week's theme is FRESH.  The hunt gives me the opportunity to find forgotten treasures in my archives.

There's also a little Pink Saturday in here somewhere!

I went in a different direction with the theme this week.  I think these turtles are getting a little FRESH!!!

I found that pair of lovers at the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid in Galveston, Texas, last summer.

Stepping into the rainforest pyramid was like stepping into a lost world.

Although it was over 100° outside, it was even hotter at the top of the pyramid, and so humid my lens steamed up.  There was a fantastic view of Galveston Bay Offatts Bayou.

I hope Ms. Turtle at least got a corsage or something. This is the pink part!

The neighbors weren't quite so frisky.

Has anyone read Verdi by Janell Cannon?  One of Frank's favorites, next to Cannon's classic Stellaluna.  I made a recording of myself reading Verdi and other books out loud, for Frank to play while I was in the hospital having Ernest almost 16 years ago.

Next weeks hunt is AWESOME!  That will be fun!

Threads

While thinking back on the figurative threads that run through my life, I realize that, literally, thread has always been a part of my life.  It feels like I've always known how to sew.

It started with this sampler when I was 5.

Clothing.

I had the best-dressed dolls on the block.

Quilts,

The Batman Quilt, my unfinished nemesis.

Costumes, even hats!

The Modern Major General hat.

Recently, the threads are bound up in mending.  Frank's favorite Nirvana and Pink Floyd t-shirts, ripped at the shoulders.  My husband's pants, ordered 2 inches too long and why didn't he just return them?  And Ernest, well for Ernest I have been repairing luggage.  A duffel bag, a backpack, and now the saxophone case.

I've always been a fixer.

How about you?  What threads have run through your life?

The Saturday PhotoHunt: Spicy

It's time for some SPICY at the Saturday PhotoHunt.

When I think SPICY, I think food!  When in doubt about what to make for dinner, go for Mexican.  Enchiladas, tacos, burritos, red sauce, green sauce, guacamole, queso fresco...you name it and it's delicious.

What's your favorite SPICY thing?

Next week's hunt is FRESH.

Looking Down

On a walk to the library the other day, instead of looking up, I looked down.

A perfect impression of a leaf in the sidewalk.

Tuesday Tidbits

It continues to feel cold here.  (Different angle than yesterday's picture).  Note to self -- remember this location.  It is the best location for photographing the local mountains. For you locals, it's the road between the highway and the cowboy bar.  That should pinpoint it exactly. 

I'm wearing a sweater and I'm still chilly, so I decided on soup for lunch.  As my mother called it, Soup Du Jour, where you throw all your leftovers in a pot and hope it tastes OK.  Five leftovers.  I've tied my own record for creative leftover use.  

This turned into a delicious vegetable rice soup.  But you will notice Homer in the background giving me the EVIL EYE.  Where's the PORK?  he's thinking.  Where's the BACON?  

Even serving it in a cat mug did not placate him.  Usually he's very curious about what I eat, but not today.

Enjoy your day!

Signs of Spring?? 2012

Our seasons have been a little strange this year, so my seasonal post may be too!

While we've had the usual flowers....

wisteria plumes

sweep the earth, and soon

the rains will fall

Masaoka Shiki

That was true...the wisteria was bursting into bloom last week, then we had rain this weekend.  We also had SNOW!  This was taken Monday about 3:00.  By 6:00 it was gone.

And Ernest has a varied spring wardrobe.  From the tight...

To the tuxedo...

Enjoy spring!

The Saturday PhotoHunt: Play

It's time for the Saturday PhotoHunt. This week, the theme is PLAY.

Once again, I went literal.  Can you spot Ernest in this PLAY?  Hint --  he's a lot shorter.

The kids had such fun.

The casting was perfect.

Well, of course I have video of Ernest's stellar performance as Linus.  Just not on the computer.  So enjoy this instead.

Next week's theme is SPICY.

Where I've Been

I don't know where I've been.  No, let me rephrase that. I've been right here just not on the blog.  Mostly, I've been annoyed.  Seems like every little thing is ticking me off lately.  I can't read or watch the news, of course, because the politicians are so annoying.  Closer to home, I'm annoyed by drivers who ignore stop signs, limit lines, and rules of right of way.  By the crumbs on the counter left by others' sandwiches.  By unflushed toilets.  By Homer's dirty paws.  By the Game of Thrones discs which refused to play (in one player).  By the lack of sleep which is sometimes my own fault -- put that iPhone AWAY!

That paw's supposed to be WHITE.  Seriously, Homer.  I love that you do your stinkies outside but it's wrecking your pretty paws.

Rant over.  Come back tomorrow for something playful.

The Saturday PhotoHunt: Symbolic

It's time for the Saturday PhotoHunt. This week, the theme is SYMBOLIC.

For me, the first wisteria blooms are symbolic of spring.

And in the backyard, the nectarine tree is blossoming.

Next week's theme is PLAY.

The Saturday PhotoHunt: Drop

It's time for the Saturday PhotoHunt. This week, the theme is "DROP."

Next week's challenge is SYMBOLIC.  That's going to be tough for me as I am a pretty literal person.

Looking up: Guatemala

Ernest, my not so little world traveler, just got back from a trip to Antigua, Guatemala. Lucky me, he had some beautiful looking up pictures.

I'll share more of his trip tomorrow.