Hamster on a Piano

Okay ... I admit it, I have no ground breaking news and I have been too busy with work to do anything TOO exciting! (Though Bob and I did get to meet up with a couple of friends for dinner a few nights ago and a week earlier a woman was licking my ear in a local gay bar ... and yes ... Bob did take a photo. *sigh*)

However, I ran across this cute little fellow today and it brought a big smile to my face. I hope it does the same for you!

VOTE for HOPE

Need I say more?!?!?

Welcome Back to the Night!

This is my new wallpaper for my computer. I have decided that I am not going to decorate the whole house for Halloween, this year. Just the outside. (I know ... I know ... I'm just too worn out this year!) So even though I am not decorating the entire house, I am still decorating my computer!!! [grin]

It's a Half Full Kinda Thing!

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

HBPS - The Optimist

Humanity, Background, Big Picture, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

HOPE

Spring White Sale

Keely Bush

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 2 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

There are 2 people in the U.S.A. with the name of Keely Bush.

Yeah... I know what you're thinking. One was enough!!! [grin]

Spring, Sprang, Sprung!

Wednesday was a near perfect day here in central Ohio. The sun was shining brightly in a vivid blue sky, interrupted only slightly by wispy white clouds. It was around 50 degrees out, so you could run around in just a sweatshirt, or a light jacket. The birds were sweetly singing their spring songs in the fresh scented air.

To prove it's point, when I arrived for my massage therapy session at 1:00, I was greeted by this beauty, just bursting at the seams. My therapist did not know what it was called, but after a quick e-mail to my friend Dawn, I now agree that it is some variety of hellebore.



After my massage I was in a state of relaxed bliss. Just the way my chiropractor wanted me! So I headed straight over to her office to get adjusted. After the adjustment, I was feeling that all was right with the world, and sure enough... right there in front of my car was a small patch of four or five crocus, saying hello to the sun!



I was so relaxed after all of this that I had to stop in a parking lot on my way home because I was afraid that I would fall asleep while driving. (Of course, it was a Michael's store parking lot, so I had to go in!!!) I did end up taking a three hour "nap" after I got home. I had only intended a short nap, and then I had planned on taking a nice little walk in the sun.

By the time I got up, the sun was almost down... and it has rained every day since. [sigh]

Where's the Passion?

Doesn't that just make your mouth water? It is called Pineapple Passion Fruit Salad, but alas... I could find no passion fruits to lend their seeds to this wonderful dish!

I thought it was about time to wake up our tastebuds for spring. This is a very refreshing and light dessert, or appetiser! Plus... The photo above makes a delicious wallpaper for your computer! Go ahead and download it... you know you want to!

Patches the Horse

Just when you thought you had seen everything!!!

Update: I just found an article that tells a little more about this horse before his passing on September 1, 2006. (I'm guessing it was clogged arteries from all those cheeseburgers!!!)

Sea-Salted Smokey Almond Chocolate Bark

Here is a guilty pleasure for you for Valentine's Day!!! You can use any kind of good quality dark chocolate to make these. (Godiva would have been ideal!) I used Dove brand because it was easy to get, and I got to read all of the little verses inside the wrappers!!! [grin]

Sea-Salted Smokey Almond Chocolate Bark
(preparation - 10 min. / cooling time - 1 hr. / makes 12 pieces)

8 oz. Dark Chocolate, broken into small pieces
1/2 cup smoked-flavor almonds, coarsely chopped,
1/8 tsp. sea salt* (preferably coarsely ground)

Line 8-inch baking pan with wax paper.

Microwave small chocolate pieces in a small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds. STIR. If pieces retain some of their original shape, microwave at additional 10 to 15 second intervals, stirring just until melted. Stir in 1/4 cup almonds.

Pour into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining almonds. Tap pan several times to spread chocolate and settle nuts. Sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces**. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

* I like to use Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt
** I prescore when chocolate has started to set to make breaking when totally set easier.

A Place to Bark ... and meow

Bernie thanks you, I thank you... but most importantly, the dogs and cats that have been and will be saved by A Place to Bark thank you!

Did they win the $50,000 grant? It doesn't look like it. But the official counting must be done to make sure that there are no duplicate donors. So in theory, if one of the other badges had a lot of duplicates that dropped them down, Bernie could move up! We won't know for sure for about 30 days. You will be able to check the status HERE.

The wonderful thing is that a shelter will still be built! It will not be as large as it would have been with the additional grant money, but we raised $42,149 and the Zoline Foundation matched it up to $25,000. They will also receive $1,000 from Network for Good for being one of the 50 charities in the U.S.A. that raised the most donations. That's over $77,000!!!

See what happens when we all band together for a worthy cause!!! Thank You!!!

A Place to Bark ... and meow

I want to really thank you if you have already donated $10 to A Place to Bark. The money will make a huge difference to the day to day operations of the shelter and help Bernie save more animals.

If you have not donated yet, won't you please take a moment to do so? In order to win the $50,000 so that she can build a new shelter... Bernie must be one of the top four charities. Just yesterday she was in second place, where she had been for quite a while. Unfortunatly, the other charities have stepped up to the plate and she is currently down in fifth place. We need to get her back up at least to number four before 3 PM EST on January 31st!!! And if you have already donated, please spread the word. Every little bit helps!!!

You can check to see how Bernie is doing by clicking HERE.

The badge to donate is in the sidebar, or you can do it right from the link directly above!

And if a little bribery is needed... well, we're not above that!!! Several artists have now stepped up and are offering original pieces of artwork as prizes to those who donate to A Place to Bark!!! Nudge - Nudge!!!

You may have heard of Bernie Berlin. She is a mixed media artist that specializes in Fabrege style eggs and teaches classes in Altered Books and Creating Artist Trading Cards among others. She also has written the wonderful book, Artist Trading Card Workshop Book.

But... did you also know that she has a heart of gold? She runs a full-time, no-kill dog (and cat) rescue shelter. It is called A Place to Bark, and she needs our help!

Here is How It Works:

* The four charity badges with the most unique donations through America's Giving Challenge will get $50,000 for their cause.

* Only donations of $10 or more will count towards the challenge.

* America's Giving Challenge runs only until January 31st.

Donate:

*If you are able donate , please donate via the badge a $10 tax deductible donation. We need the most people possible to each donate $10 to A Place to Bark. In order to win the grant we need to have the most amount of donors, not necessarily the amount of money donated.

* If you enter the name "cooper" on the line that says dedication or gift, you will be entered into a drawing to recieve a beautiful piece of artwork by Tim Holtz!!! Please visit his BLOG to see it!!!

* In addition, you will also be put in a drawing to win one of five autographed copies of Bernie's book, Artist Trading Card Workshop Book plus one of her original ATCs that was published in the book!!!

* All donations made to A Place to Bark's Six Degrees Badge, will be matched by the "Zoline Foundation" up to $25,000.00!!! All donations up to June 1st will be counted for the matching donation from the Zoline Foundation, but to help her win the challenge, and be entered in the drawing, you must donate before January 31st.

Please take the time to check out Bernie's BLOG to get more detailed information on this challenge. And after you do, give your pet a hug!!! [grin]

Take a Break

Half Dome Mountain in Yosemite National Park

Sometimes we all need to just sit back and relax. Take your mind off of your worries, and look at a pretty picture or two. These pictures were taken while Bob and I were in California in 2003. They are some of my favorite shots from that trip. If you enjoy them, I'll post a few more at a later time.


Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls (Upper, 1,430 ft.; Middle, 675 ft.; Lower, 320 ft.) is the tallest waterfall in North America and fifth tallest in the world with a total drop of 2,425 feet.


One of my favorite shots for my desktop!

Okay, there is nothing really special about this shot, other than the fact that I made Bob pull over along the side of the road just before or soon after we got inside of Yosemite National Park, just so I could take this picture. He was freaking out because I was leaning way out over the edge of the embankment so that I could get a good angle. Although the site paled in comparisan to the sites we would soon see... it is still one of my favorite pictures taken that day!

What Time of Day Are You?

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

What Time Of Day Are You?