Blog Love

First, let me say that I love awards. But they embarrass me.

I enjoy blogging. It brings me pleasure. I've met so many wonderful folks and made some very good friends through the blogging world. Friends who have been very loving and supportive throughout our recent adventure with the Big C.

Debra at She Who Seeks sent me The Versatile Blogger Award awhile ago.

I did thank her when I received it, but didn't post. I had to think about it!

I love the idea that my blog isn't just about one thing. That I do try to post on different things -- books I've read, things I've crocheted or knitted, photos I've taken, spots in the Houston area that we really enjoy, some of our real life ... the cancer ... our enjoyment of the zoo ... our furbabies, THE grandson.

I'm supposed to list a bunch of things about me that you don't know ... it was hard coming up with a list ... I've shared just about all the interesting stuff!

My favorite movie may be Enchanted April. It has no blood and gore, no swearing (that I remember). It has beautiful scenery, nice music, a fun story about 4 women who rent a villa in Tuscany for one month after the Great War. It's about change, friendship. For me, it is a magical movie. I loved the last scene when the older woman drives her cane into the ground and then, as the seasons change, we see the cane sprout into a tree. YeeHaw!

My favorite musical score for a movie has to be The Last of The Mohicans. It brings tears to my eyes.

I don't care much for dark chocolate. Of course, that's the chocolate that's good for you. When I was growing up my Granny gave my Mother a box of chocolate covered cherries every year at Christmas. I looked forward to the gift almost as much as my Mother. When Granny died, my Daddy took over making sure there was a box of chocolate covered cherries under the tree. And when he died, I made sure Mother had her box of cherries. Both of my parents have been gone many, many years and last year I felt the call of chocolate covered cherries once again. Good thing CVS is just across the street!

That's all I could come up with that was, perhaps, new and different!

The hardest part about awards is the passing them on part. I'm not good at that. I don't want to hurt anyone's feeling by not picking them. In fact, I think all of you should share this award. There are many of you who don't receive awards and I understand that. So, here are a few of my favorite blogs that I think are worth a visit from you and should have the versatile blogger award. Please take some time to visit them and say Hello.

Jinksy at Napple Notes

Kelley at Dragonfly Reflections

Sarah at Cottage Garden Studio

Noni at Peacock Blue

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For a little more Blog Love, have you visited with the Country Girl? If you haven't, you a missing a good time. She had a meme on her blog this last Friday. Here it is for you to do or pass on ....

"And now, folks, because it’s Friday night and because inquiring minds need to know, here’s a few questions for you:

1. When is your usual bedtime?

2. In the past month, what was your biggest OOPS?

3. How many relatives do you have named “Bob”.

4. Tea, or coffee, or juice in the morning?

5. Right now, I hear __________________ ."

Here's what I said:

1. When is your usual bedtime? We wonder up the stairs about 9.Get settled in by 9:30 (have a new kitten), a little weather on the news and perhaps some Tonight Show. Sleep by 11.

2. In the past month, what was your biggest OOPS? Amazing! I don't think I had one ... does that mean in July I'll have a real whopper?

3. How many relatives do you have named “Bob”. One ... brother-in-law

4. Tea, or coffee, or juice in the morning? Tea, juice or just milk.

5. Right now, I hear the shower running.

Happy Blog Love Everyone! Here's to All Of You!

Shame on Me!

I've received some lovely awards from some of my favorite BlogLand buddies and I'm late in thanking them.




The lovely Sarah at Cottage Garden Studio passed the very special Deborah Award on to me and several other blogs. In Sarah's words, "one common virtue, they are loyal friends regardless of race, creed, political affiliations and geography. To honor womanhood and friendship and there is nothing more wondrous a blessing for anyone than for a friend who came and never left your side." I hope I can live up to this award. Deborah is described as someone who is "perpetually pleasant and cheerful, kind and gentle, diplomatic and tactful. She exudes courage, hope and faith." Oh, my! Thank you, Sarah!



The Sugar Doll award came by way of McGillicutty. I love reading her "Inner Ramblings of a Mid Life Momma". She's a wife, mother, photographer and she's been to Blog Camp! Sounds like someone everyone should meet.



The Dragon's Loyalty Award came from Alicia at Boylerpf. I've been reading Alicia's beautiful and fun blog for awhile now. It's always interesting. I think she gave me this award because I'm a dragon!!!!!!

A big think you to all you lovely ladies. Please forgive me for not passing them on, on being slow about acknowledging your awards to me. Please drop by and visit these wonderful ladies and say Hi!

It's Quiet Around Here ....

It's quiet around here! The others have gone to the park with HIMSELF to let him run off some energy before going to dinner. I've tried to do a little catching up with all of you during nap time. You all have been busy! I suggest that next time, we all take the same time off! Ha!





While I've been playing and laughing, I've received two awards. The first one is from my friend Sarah at Cottage Garden Studio. This award is a very special one to Sarah and is not to be passed on by me. I know how much this award means to Sarah and I'm overwhelmed that she decided to bestow it on me. Here's what she said: "Snap is one of those folks that has been with me from the very beginning of my blogging here and has been a constant, amazing support and I think a good friend. I have watched her blog bloom as she has too! I guess I think of her as kind of a mentor -- not sure she knows this -- LOL! Hope she does not mind too much!! Yes....I really like her too!!!"

Thanks, Sarah. I'm delighted to have the tag "mentor". It is an honor. And, I really like you, too!


The second Award is the OVER THE TOP award from my blogging buddy, Barbara at A Bird In My Hand.


So, here are the rules for this one:

Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's quite tricky to use only one word answers! Once you have filled it out be sure to pass it on to 6 of your favorite bloggers. Alert them that they have been awarded! Have fun!

One word answers have got to be the hardest- but here goes:


1. Where is your cell phone? Pocket
2. Your hair? reddish
3. Your mother? Missed
4. Your father? Missed
5. Your favorite food? Pasta
6. Your dream last night? Stormy
7.Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Art
9. What room are you in? Studio
10. Your hobby? Gardening
11. Your fear? Illness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Comfortable.
13. Where were you last night? Museum
14. Something that you aren't? Skinny
15. Muffins? Apple
16. Wish list item? Farm
17. Where did you grow up? Albuquerque
18. Last thing you did? Drank
19. What are you wearing? Comfy
20. Your TV? On.
21. Your pets? Cats.
22. Friends? Yes!
23. Your life? Adventure
24. Your mood? Happy
25. Missing someone? Grandson.
26. Vehicle? van
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes.
28. Your favorite store? Michaels
29. Your favorite color? Yellow
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today
32. Your best friend? Husband.
33. One place that I go to over and over? Neighborhood
34. One person who emails me regularly? Carol
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

It is always hard for me to pass on awards, so this is what I've decided to do. I'm going to pass the OVER THE TOP AWARD on to some folks I've just met and a couple of *old* friends.

Here we go:

- Carole
- Melita
- Marie
- JC
- Margo
- Sherry

Please visit them and say Hello and send them a little JOY!

This and That

I'm posting early again. Busy Monday morning, but I can't leave you without some Monday Mullings!




I was presented with the MeME award by Barbara over at A Bird In My Hand. Barbara is a writer, mother, sister, new blogger and just plan fun. Go visit her and say HI! And, Barbara, thank you again. I hadn’t decided what I was going to write about today. You made my decision for me!

I’m supposed to mention seven things you may or may not know about me and then pass the award along to seven other blogs of my choice. I worked on this list all weekend and only came up with six things!

1. I’m an only child. My parents were not young when I came along and I’m sure I was a surprise. Poor things. Looking back, I don’t think they ever quite knew what to do with me! That meant that I learned a lot about what was acceptable and not, by watching other kids and their families. My birthday gifts and holiday gifts were what my cousin received. She was 5 years older and so the gifts were not age appropriate. One of my grandmothers would take me shopping and was very good about buying me a stuffed lovie. Something I COULD play with!

2. I had singing and dancing lessons from a very early age. It got me out from under foot! When I was five, I was on television in Dallas. That was when televisions were small and black and white. (Remember those?) I don’t remember much about it except that the dress I was wearing was very scratchy and I think it was green with tiny white polka dots. I had on my patent leather shoes and white socks with lace around the cuffs. Dressed to the nines for my singing debut on television! Let’s see: “How Much is That Doggy in the Window?” and “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal)”. I also took gym classes. I enjoyed them, I think! I gave up singing at university, something I am now sorry I did. Singing is good for you. Increases lung capacity!

3. I love Kool-Aid. My mother saved S&H Green Stamps, saved the coupons off of General Mills and other things. She ordered a Kool-Aid pitcher. It was plastic and had the Kool-Aid man on it. I loved it. The mascot of Kool-Aid, Kool-Aid Man is a large anthropomorphic frosty pitcher filled with Kool-Aid (usually cherry, though other flavors have been used). He was introduced in Kool-Aid advertising shortly after General Foods acquired the brand (according to Wikipedia). Now, when I get a grape urge, I buy one packet and make a pitcher full of Kool Aid. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, its FUN!

4. I graduated from the University of New Mexico and worked to pay my way. It took me five years, but I did it! Later I went back and did some graduate work.

5. Mr. Dragon and I, while we lived in New Mexico, were part of a balloon crew. I had my first hot air balloon ride in Taos, New Mexico. It was spectacular. It was so calm, peaceful (except for the burner blast). I was hooked. The landings could be a little rough -- depending on the winds. The balloon pilot was someone I worked with. We became part of her crew and to this day count her as one of our very best friends. None of us fly balloons anymore.

6. I was THE llama lady at Moody Gardens when they had a petting zoo. School kids from Galveston would come and we’d introduce them to pigs, sheep, snakes, guinea pigs (they made me itch), turtles, chinchillas, some other small animals and the llama. I had been off for awhile (I was a professional volunteer and got too busy with other things). I received a phone call saying would I please come in and see what was wrong with the llama. Seems he had started to spit. I went in and right away had a good idea what was wrong. They had moved him into a smaller stall and he was mad. I would have been mad too if my living quarters had been changed from the suite to the efficiency. Once we changed that around and I started walking and talking to him everyday, he was fine. Moody Gardens quickly outgrew the petting zoo and it was closed. The llama went to a farm with other llamas.

Passing on the award is always the most difficult part. Everyone deserves to be special. So, if you are one of my followers, and you need a lift today or you just feel like playing along - grab yourself the MeME award and tell us a little about yourself!

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I’m making a list of Snap’s Rules. I started writing them down because I forgot them almost as soon as I thought “that should be a rule”. So, every now and then, I’ll throw some out. Here are the first two:

Rule #1: When having guests over for dinner, any fancy new golfing equipment should be removed from the dining room table.

Rule #2: I love bubbles. You know, the kind that come in the jar with the little wand and you dip and blow and there go the bubbles. Or, you can dip into the jar and swing around and around holding the wand out from your body making bubbles. I also enjoy blowing bubbles (chewing gum type) and I think Double Bubble makes the best kind. Bubbles make you laugh. They make you joyful. They loosen you up. They remind you of what it was like to be a kid and that’s not bad. (Bath bubbles are pretty good, too.) Add bubbles to your life.

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Better Homes and Gardens is getting ready for their free 100 Days of Holidays e-newsletter (YIKES). Starting September 24, you’ll get “daily inspiration with scrumptious recipes, festive decorating ideas, easy entertaining tips and more”. You can sign up here: BHG.com/100days

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One last thing. You have to go visit Ashley Anna Brown and her Fern animals. All I can say is HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!!!

A little something to remind you of childhood!

I am thankful for another day on beautiful Mother Earth.

Joy to You!

Unfinished Business

Mr. Dragon finally photographed his art work from this summer. These are my favorites from that photo session and the ones that were too big for me to scan.

This is one that I will frame.

This one his instructor loved.
He wanted him to do more with the "blobs".
(Another one of those technical terms.)

Mr. Dragon likes this one.

Look what I got yesterday! Two awards at one time from the lovely and talented Shelly, the Blue Ridge Lady. Thank you, Shelly. I'll try to continue with the *variety feast*!

You must go and visit Shelly. She has been collaging for a little over a year -- bright, beautiful, fun collages. She also does some beaded jewelry and she is a cat lover. It's always hard to hand the awards off to other blogs. There are just too many blogs that make me smile. So, if you don't already have these awards, would like them, or need to make yourself smile -- please grab an award with my blessing and a big YeeeeeHaaawww!

Last, but not least, the Julie and Julia articles at the New York Times continue today with a marvelous post by Michael Pollan whose latest book is In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

Have a wonderful day.

Joy To You!

(I hear rain! I'm going to go sit on the balcony before it stops!)

Surprise!

I've been busy all day and opened up my email and found this surprise -- The Uber Amazing Blog award from my friend, Alicia at Boylerpf.

The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:
- Inspire you
- Make you smile and laugh, or maybe give amazing information
- A great read
- Has an amazing design
- Any other reasons you can think of that make them Uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:

- Put the logo on your blog or post.
- Nominate at least 6 blogs
- Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Thank you, Alicia and I'll try to continue to make you smile, be fun to read and occasionally give amazing information like the bitter melon!

I always have problems handing awards on to other blogs. I was going to start with Cottage Garden Studio, but Alicia already pass this award on to Sarah. However, I'm going to count it anyway!

I'd like to share this award with Kim at The Bodhi Chicklet. She entertains, inspires, makes me smile and is very real.

I'm always amazed when I visit Tatting Chic. Tatting is such a wonderful art form that I hope is never lost.

Pat at Remembrances of An Arkansas Stamper, I've known for many, many years. We reconnected in cyberspace because of our blogs. She is a wonderful story teller, has a lovely garden and takes beautiful photos.

There are so many blogs that deserve this award. Thank you all for your inspiration, writing, sharing your time, energy and talents with us. You've made the world a smaller, nicer place.

Joy To You!

Award!

The lovely Sarah over at Cottage Garden Studio has given me the Noblesse Oblige Award. Here are the details:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:
- The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs.
- Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions
- There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences and Beliefs
- The Blog is refreshing and creative
- The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following:
- Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award
- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post
- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support
- The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions
- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog

My goodness! Thank you, Sarah. I'm not sure I can live up to this award. I started Tales From Twisty Lane as a way for friends and family to keep up with what was happening in the lives of Mr. And Mrs. Dragon. It has certainly grown into other things: crafts, books, museums, a little Buddhism on occasion, and I hope, every now and then I find an article, or email or book quote that brings a little light into the readers life. I'm not a philosopher or psychiatrist or writer, but I've been around awhile ... been there and done that ... and hope I can offer a few inspiring words every now and then. Most of all, I've had a wonderful time meeting all of you -- women and men with stories to tell, words of wisdom and JOY!

I must pass this award on and would like to send it to:

Alicia - Antique and Vintage Jewelry
Kim - The Bodhi Chicklet
Kim - Queen of Arts

Joy To You!

Art Award and 100th Post!

My goodness! Lissa gave me an award for my art! I am delighted and I accept!

Thank you, Lissa!

I have to list 7 things I love.
Where do I begin?

1. I'll start with Mr. Dragon. He is my soul mate, my friend and my love.
2. I love my furbabies.
3. I love nature, my garden.
4. Books! Reading.
5. College Baseball!
6. Music
7. Listening to the Universe. (I thought I better get a plug in for the big U.)

I'm supposed to pass this award on, but I am going to delay that for awhile.
I would probably pass it on to my friends who received the Marie Antoinette Award
so consider yourselves tagged again!

This is my 91st post! Number 100 is just around the corner and I'd like to do something special. I am going to have a giveaway and it will have to do with wildlife and conservation - a subject that is near and dear to my heart. You will have to leave a comment on my 100th post and will be asked to post and link to the project I'm going to talk about. Is your curiosity radar going? Good! Be watching!

My First Blog Award!

The Marie Antoinette,
Real Person, A Real Award

Wow! I received my first blog award from my buddy at The Bodhi Chicklet.

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Put the picture of Marie Antoinette on your blog.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.
4. Link to those blogs from your blog.
5. Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know you've shared the award with them.

Now comes the hard part, deciding on the 7 blogs that fit this award. These bloggers must be real people, with real lives, real colds, real pets -- you get the idea. In addition, I must enjoy reading their blogs and must want to let you know, dear reader, that it is worth your time to go and visit them.

I thought about sleeping on my list of 7 blogs, but after thinking about it (for all of 10 minutes), I've come up with seven blogs that meet my criteria -- they must be REAL! Here are the blogs I nominate for the Marie Antoinette Real Person, Real Award:

MariaTherese at Afiori. She was the first person to *follow* my blog and has become a friend in cyperspace. We met at Halloween. Go visit. She is beautiful as is her blog.

Christina at Crafty Christina. I found Christina from the Lion Brand website. They linked to her blog and I immediately liked what I saw. She loves to crochet and is learning to knit and is a REAL person.

Carolyn at 8GoldenPaws. I'm not sure how I found Carolyn, but it was from Carolyn's blog that I first heard about Paulette Insall and it was not long after that I took an online class from Paulette. Carolyn has been missing in blogland for awhile, but I am thrilled that she is back. Art teachers are special!

Julie at JulieItIs. Julie and I go way, way back. Before blogs. (Medieval ages) She is a digital scrapper and does beautiful work. She's also a writer who will have you rolling on the floor laughing and crying at the same time. A must stop for any blog lover.

Rosa at Living as Rosa. This is a blog I've been following for awhile -- lurking -- until she had a post and a giveaway about tea. Out I came! I think I first heard her mentioned on an aol message board along with Frenchless in France (another favorite). Rosa has just remodeled -- blog, bedroom and kitchen (although don't ask about the kitchen -- a continuing story). Go visit her! You won't be sorry.

Pat at Remembrances of An Arkansas Stamper. Pat and I go back like Julie and I do. Pat and I both love to read. We are both retired now. I'm in Texas and Pat is in Arkansas. I still have the Christmas card she made many years ago. A talented lady who doesn't show off her stamping like I think she should!

Verdigris Rose. I haven't been following this Australian lady very long -- long enough to know she loves roses and is a lady. Beautiful art can be found here.