Wordless Wednesday - Green Goddess

2006 Chelsea Flower Show, London, England

Link here for Wordless Wednesday

The Mo Show

BAD DATES

We've all had at least one. Call in to The Mo Show this week

and share your tragic dating adventures.

Wednesday, January 30th @ 7pm Eastern

on Blog Talk Radio

Manic Monday - Wish

"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride."

If wishing could make things happen,

then even the most destitute people
would have everything they wanted.

So, based on the above, I'm wishing to be

basking somewhere in the tropics...

Please visit Mo at "It's a Blog Eat Blog World"

for more Manic Monday

Weather Rant

Photo By ozimagebylen on Flickr

Wind. The one weather element I detest. No, I hate. The wind blew here for four straight days, bringing with it dirt, dust and flying debris. We actually had wind gusts of up to 69 mph!!!

I watched as the tar paper from our back patio cover tore off and flew down the street, landing in a neighbor's flower bed. Our lamppost at the curb was thrashed, with the top all askew, the windows broken out and the light bulb blinking because it had actually loosened. Last night, I couldn't sleep because I could hear the clatter of shutters being ripped off and awnings repelling down the hill. I felt like I was in Kansas and Toto and I were going places.

And today my head felt like the size of Charlie Brown's, full of nasty stuff. The Neti Pot has been doing wonders for me and my chronic sinusitis but with the air full of dust, it's been impossible to keep from having things go haywire inside my skull. And of course, the dust permeates the house and if I dust or vacuum, guess what happens!

The weather forecast for today, which has been posted since Friday, was for 100% chance of rain. Pretty obvious, right? We were in for one heck of a rainstorm! I could hardly wait because it would clean up all of the dust on the trees, shrubs and rooftops. Hah! Did it rain? Maybe ten drops total.

Makes me totally wonder why so many people believe in global warming when the weather guys can't get it straight. Could it be that someone stands to get rich with all the "carbon footprints?"
Just a thought. By the way, I'm going to bed because my head is killing me.

Photo Hunt - Old Fashioned

But mom, we forgot we're not supposed to be on the old-fashioned couch!

We like to stand up and look out the window.

We're really sorry - can't you tell???

Please visit our host, TN Chick, and join the Photo Hunt!

Thursday Thirteen - Self-Improvement Workshops

Since most of us would like to enter the new year with new determination to improve ourselves, here is a list of some proposed workshops:

SELF-IMPROVEMENT WORKSHOPS
1. Creative Suffering
2. Overcoming Peace of Mind
3. You and Your Birthmark
4. Guilt without Sex
5. The Primal Shrug
6. Ego Gratification Through Violence
7. Holding Your Child's Attention Through Guilt and Fear
8. Whine Your Way to Alienation
9. How to Overcome Self-Doubt Through Pretense and Ostentation
10. Dealing With Post Self-Realization Depression

BUSINESS CAREER WORKSHOPS
1. Money Can Make You Rich
2. Talking Good: How You Can Improve Your Speech and
Get a More Better Job
3. Career Opportunities in Iran

Be certain to sign up quickly as these spots will fill-up fast! More exciting
workshops coming next week!!!

If you're not part of Thursday 13, you don't know

how much fun you're missing! Click the link here...

Wordless Wednesday

UPDATE: The first thing I thought when I saw the elephant's gigantic derriere was of the GOP. I don't like any of the candidates left in the race and wish SOMEONE would've entered that would have a chance!
The laughing monkies reminded me of how the Democrats have been behaving, with all of the sparring between the Clintons and Obama, and our former president is not showing much class (what a surprise!). Anyhow, I thoroughly enjoyed all of your responses!!!

There's actually a theme here...Anyone guess what it is?

Please join the fun at Wordless Wednesday!

Manic Monday - Date

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup boiling water
8 ounces chopped dates
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 1/4 cups flour, stir before measuring
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

PREPARATION:
Grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Pour boiling water over dates in a medium bowl; add butter and set aside. With mixer, beat sugars and egg until light. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the sugar mixture, alternating with the date and water mixture. Stir in chopped nuts. Bake at 325° for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

The first thing that came to my mind for this week's word was "Date Shakes." We used to travel to Palm Springs when I was a kid, and the Coachella Valley is known for it's date trees (or used to be before the onslaught of buildings and housing developments!). I remember sitting in the back seat, sweltering (in the days before A/C normally came in cars) passing all of those signs beckoning with promises of the "Best Date Shakes in the World." To me, they represented relief from the heat, and who could help but love a milkshake!

Date Nut Bread is easy to make and is a change from the more familiar Banana Nut Bread. Make and enjoy...

Our host, Morgen, from "It's a Blog-Eat-Blog World," would like you to join in on the fun. Check out his "Mo-velous website~~~

Photo Hunt - Important

Important: The word has no limits! My faith, my family, my husband, my children, and yes, my pets; eating, drinking, exercising; love of country, being a responsible citizen, voting; being kind, loving and merciful.

I chose this little Episcopal church that we saw while in Kaua'i as my photo for this week. It's not my denomination but I loved the style of the building, the palm trees gently swaying above, and the open doors.

The church used to be sacrosanct, a place where one could be safe from their environment and a place of sanctuary - to be able to meditate in peace. The church building has, unfortunately, lost that status, in that we are no longer free from those who would do us ill while within it's structures, but the "Church" that dwells within us is always present, a place of peace, grace, mercy and faith.

That is why I chose it as "important." It is the basis of my being.

Join with TNChick, our host - and post your own photo...

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Seventy Six

January 18th, 2008

APPETIZER

What is your favorite beverage?

Hot coffee in the a.m. and Diet Pepsi in the p.m. (especially the new strawberry cream or black cherry!).

SOUP

Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.

A wicker box full of greeting cards, pens and scissors; a folder full of bills; a lamp.

SALAD

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?

I'm too honest for my own good. Except for someone who asks me if I like their new hairstyle and it's a real wowser, I can be counted on.

I have given back change when given too much.

MAIN COURSE

If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?

Baghdad: to "Baggood, the Best Little City in the Middle East." (Wishing for the best)

DESSERT

What stresses you out?

People who can't get along (and that includes presidential primaries!!!) Any kind of

relationship unpleasantness really stresses me to the limit.

What calms you down?

When I was working, I'd leave my desk and go walk around the building which totalled several blocks. I'd usually pray about whatever was bugging me as I walked.

(And I'm also on meds for that!!!!)

So, did all of this make you hungry??? Join in the fun here:

Wordless Wednesday

Click here to visit more Wordless Wednesday participants~!

Manic Monday - Carnival Edition

Our host for Manic Monday, Morgan, fondly known as "Mo,"

has done it once again.

We're having a carnival! Here's the link to my favorite Manic Monday,

and

here's the link for you to sign in for everyone's favorite meme!

Photo Hunt - Skinny

This young Marine is our grandson, Robby, with his mom and dad (our daughter). Dad is approximately 5'10"' and mom is 5'9", so you can gauge how very tall he is! He grew tall so quickly, he's still waiting for the pounds to catch up with his frame! When he entered boot camp, he had to go on double rations. We're very proud of our young man.

Please check out our host, TNChick and join the Photo Hunt~!

A Blogger Mourns...Let's Offer Comfort.

Please visit Odat's blog and offer her comfort in the loss of her husband. Thanks to all...

I'm Not a Nerd - I'm a Geek!

I found this one at "Asara's Mental Meanderings."

Feast One Hundred & Seventy Five
January 11th, 2008

APPETIZER:

What is your middle name?

I don't have a middle name! My maiden name had tons of syllables and was not easy to pronounce (think Schwartzenager!), so my parents didn't bother with a middle name.

Would you change any of your names if you could?

I do not care for my first name (not Gracie...)

but after so many years, I'm stuck with it!

If so, what would you like to be called?

Hey, you?

SOUP:

If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

I'm very tactile so I'd use silks, velvets, suedes, and soft woolens; I love color but especially browns, blacks and grays as a backdrop for jewel tones (sapphire, amethyst, ruby); I like tailored clothes and nothing fru-fru!

SALAD:

What is your least favorite chore, and why?

Cleaning toilets. No explanation needed...

MAIN COURSE:

What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

Fortunately, I don't have many fears, but the thing I dread the most is losing a loved one. Yes, I can trace it back to losing my dad at 21, my first husband at 30, my mom at 42. I treasure every day with my family.

DESSERT:

Where are you sitting right now?

In my recliner in the den.

Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

Beside my laptop screen, I can see the TV, my dog and my favorite painting.

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Hunt - Delicious

I will plead guilty to a total cop-out on this one. Being a food addict, I'm really surprised that I don't have any photos that I've take of food! So, pretend you have "Smell-O-Rama" on your computer and take of whiff of the delicious aroma of this rose in my backyard...

Join the Photo Hunt Here

My Favorite Christmas Present!

Happy New Year! (A tad late...)

Well, a great start, huh! I've had problems with my computer/cable/phones since the middle of December. I think all the bugs have been worked out but everytime I say this, something else happens. I'm going to try to get back in the swing of things, play catch-up and do some really fabulous posts (ha, ha).
I hope everyone's holiday was everything wanted and brought much happiness and cheer!
Here's to all good things in 2008~~~
~~~Blessings to all~~~