The Black Cat - part 3

The Black Cat - part 2

The Black Cat - Part 1

Because It's Christmas

Black Water Haddie

I have always loved this song by Jim Stafford. It seems just the ticket to get us in the Halloween mood!!!

Groundhog's Day

You know ... there has been a lot of talk from PETA saying how cruel it is to "cage" a groundhog and parade him around in front of thousands of people every February 2nd. They were specifically referring to Punxsutawney Phil in their tyraid. It is PETA's belief that Phil should be replaced by a robotic facsimile. *sigh*

Now I can't speak for any of those other rodent weather prognosticators, but have you ever seen Phil's "cage"? He has a very large climate controlled room with both a public sun room where he can lounge with his family and make fun of his adoring fans and a private area, complete with "underground" digs. That "Whistle Pig" has got it made in the shade!

Yes ... it is true that he is carted up to Gobbler's Knob once a year to make his prediction. The fact is that this groundhog has never run wild and is totally comfortable being cuddled by his handlers. As the local celebrity, he lives a life of luxury and really soaks up the attention. As a domesticated groundhog, he will far outlive his wild brethren. And despite the fact that he only has a 39% accuracy record when it comes to his weather predictions, he is adored by all.

Particularly since he generally predicts 6 more weeks of winter and everyone is happy when he IS wrong! *grin*

6 Week Deep Tissue Detox

Spring has sprung!

Time to get those lingering toxins from winter, bad eating habits, pollution and stress OUT of your body to
make room for more energy and vitality!

Sign up for the 6-Week Deep Tissue Detox before bikini season hits!

This is Dedicated to the One I Love!

I've been holding on to this video for a while now. I mean ... could anything be more perfect for Valentine's Day? I don't think so! In fact, I feel compelled to go snuggle with my honey right now!!! [grin]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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!!!