Potpourri

I like oatmeal and I save it for cold mornings.

It is an oatmeal day!

*

Christmas is just around the corner. 

Time to share a reproduction vintage postcard.
The artist on the original card was Margaret Evans Price
 and it was published around 1922.

"I'd like to share with you the joys of Christmas day,

so I send this little card on its

Merry Christmas way."

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

**

We girls (Cassie and Mina and moi) got an early Christmas present

and you might say that Teddy got one too.

It was time for Teddy's six month ultrasound on his heart.

He has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is on medication.

He passed with flying colors yesterday.

His wonderful vet said there was very little if any change.

The medication is working.

Yippee! 

***

I haven't decided if I'm finished decorating. 

While I'm deciding, 

Cassie burrows under the tree skirt and moves the non-breakable ornaments

on the bottom of the tree onto the floor.

"Just helping, Mummy!"

****

The Rice University Owl football team is playing for the conference championship

tomorrow. I'm going. I'll probably freeze my fanny and other parts of my anatomy off,

but this doesn't happen often and I want to be there to see these scholar-athletes

get the job done. The football program here has the third highest graduation rate

for college football programs in the country.

Go OWLS.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and time for some this and that.

I was up early this morning and the washer, dryer and clothes folder (me) have been busy.
Yesterday I thought I'd get up early and hit Half-Price Books at 7am. That idea didn't last long. I decided it was too cold to walk and I wanted to walk up to my village. Although a chance at a $100 gift card in one of the bags they were giving away was very tempting.

How was your day yesterday? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving? Cook a lot of food? 
The kitties and I shared a quiet day. We put up another Christmas tree. There are two downstairs (think too many Christmas ornaments????). They aren't decorated, but they are up. Mina and I shared some smoked turkey -- she begged so prettily (underfoot) all day -- the little imp. I had *stuffing* (yep, southern ya'll) for breakfast this morning. 

In and around Houston it's been freezing the past few mornings. The birds have been getting a little bit extra at the morning buffet. The squirrels have been getting in on the buffet action too.




Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's been quiet on Twisty Lane.

I've been busy and trying to cut down my online time.

But, today is Friday and it's time for a little catch up -- some this and that.

*

I went on a rainy adventure with a good friend down to Alvin, Tx and Joe's Bar-B-Q.
I can't tell you how many times I've driven by Joe's and thought the food must be good
because the parking lot was always full.
I've done my own personal research now and can report that I had the best
Bar-B-Q sandwich I've ever had at Joe's.
Then we were off to Froberg's Farm for some veggies and blackberry fried pie.
I didn't get many veggies, but I did get a fried pie (or two), some honey and blackberry jam.

**

The Rice Baseball Insiders dinner was held at Reckling Park (home of the Owls)on the field. 

Boy was that fun. Some folks had never been on the field.

Lots of room to walk and talk and meet the fine young men who make up the 

Rice Owl Baseball team.

This is coach Graham and the next shot is one of the 18 conference title trophies.

Each table had a trophy as centerpiece.

I'm not sure how much fun the players had, but us *old* folks enjoyed ourselves.

***

A true cold front arrives today.

We start at 75 at 5 AM and will drop to 50 --probably by noon.

It's supposed to stay in the 40s and 50s the next week.

****

Santa has arrived on the front porch with his tree.

I've plugged them in to make sure they are working, but won't officially turn them on

until Thanksgiving.

The snowman is on the balcony. 

Getting ready to jingle on!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Potpourri

It's Friday!

This week has really flown by.

Time for some this and that with a little randomness thrown in. 

*

Believe it or not, I never had a Barbie doll. 

**

Halloween is just around the corner.
I'm keeping my eye on some Halloween decorations at my favorite gift shop.
Hoping one or more of my favorites will be 50% off one day!

***

But, if I really told the truth -- the best reason to visit the gift shop is the *manager*, Lucy!

Isn't she cute!!!!!
Talk about a perpetual motion machine.

****


I'm going to join another challenge in November ...
Art Every Day Month.
I've been looking at some of my art and craft books.
I'd like to try some new techniques.
This should be a good way to use up some of the *stuff* I have.



*****

Here's another reproduction Halloween postcard.

The artist of the original postcard was Ellen Hattie Clapsaddle (January 8, 1865 - January 7, 1934) an American illustrator/commercial artist in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Not only is her style greatly admired and well recognized, today she is recognized as the most prolific souvenir/postcard and greeting card artist of her era. From the Halloween Postcard Book published by Darling & Co., Seattle.

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Thank you Nancy!

Wishing all of you well and much joy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

A little this and that with a dash of randomness is called for.

*

I've been sort of blah this week.

Our wedding anniversary was Tuesday.

We would have been married 30 years.

I call it our legal anniversary as we lived together several years before we married.

Gosh, darn it all.

I seem to miss Mr. Dragon more each day.

Life has gotten easier -- more used to him not being here.

But my heart still cries out to him.

**
Now for some fun.
Halloween is just around the corner.
It's been awhile since I've shared a postcard.

This is a reproduction postcard from a book of Halloween postcards

published by Darling and Company, Seattle.

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

***

Here's my version of a happy witch.

I really do enjoy playing with water color.

The witch and the cat both look like they've been hitting the hard cider a little too much.

Those eyes!!!

****

The weather has been lovely.

Teddy and I have been sitting on the balcony watching the world go by.

Cassie and Mina haven't been interested in sitting with us.

That's fine.

I'm afraid that Mina would see a squirrel and she'd be over the edge in a flash!

She's an action first and think about it after kind of girl. 

*****

Another lovely day today and I'm going to take advantage.

Off to the Japanese Garden and the Zoo!

YeeHaw!

Thank you Nancy!

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time for some randomness with a little this and that.

*

What a beautiful week.

It started off with the first real cool front of the season.

Off I went to the Japanese Garden.

The azaleas are a bit confused -- they were blooming!

**

Then it was off to the zoo where they are busy decorating for Zoo Boo

and for Holiday Lights.

What do you do with a dead tree?

You carve it with a small chain saw into chimps climbing on a tree!

Located just in front of the entrance to the chimp habitat.

***

I have one more Christmas tree to crochet and my Christmas hot pads are all finished.

I started sending off the Halloween hot pads to their new homes.

I have yarn left over from the afghans I made several years ago.

I had to try out the Bavarian crochet pattern -- also called Catherine's Wheel. 

It took some frogging before I was comfortable with the pattern.

It reminds me a little of the cathedral window quilting pattern.

****

I have a list of books to look for when I make my run to Barnes and Noble today.

Top of the list -- the new Bill Bryson -- One Summer in American: 1927.

*****

The cool front didn't last very long.

The heat and humidity are back.

Next cool front is due in late next week.

Another trip to the Japanese Garden and Zoo is planned.

Thanks, Nancy!

******

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and that means this and that with a little randomness!

*

Our first real cool front of the season arrives this weekend.

I am more than ready, although, to be honest --

this summer hasn't been near as hot as some.

I just like cooler weather.

It makes for good walking and picture taking.

And, a trip to the zoo!

**

It's been a fun week.

I have several events to share.

The kids who lived across the street were in town for a wedding.

We had brunch at Union Kitchen.

What fun we had catching up.

The time flew and soon we were hugging our goodbyes.

Until the next time.

***

The Women's Athletic Advisory Board held a fund raiser

for women's athletics at Rice.

Teams competed at trivia -- a pretty good mix of Rice trivia and regular.

Answers had to be written in a blue book (of course) ... remember those?!!!

And sections were divided into History 101,

English 202 -- you get the idea.

Money was raised.

The food and drink were good.

Lots of laughs.

Looking forward to next year already!

****

I'm getting a hair cut today.

Two weeks late (I cancelled because of my cold) and I'm looking pretty shaggy.

*****

I'm taking an online class with Juliette Crane -- Serendipity.

The class is a year long and started mid-September.

Here's one of my little girls.

She's a sea sprite.

She keeps her hair short so that she doesn't get tangled up in sea weed when

she plays with her friends, the sea horses and fish, or is out looking for treasure

(she really likes gold).

She is an sprite, so she is an imp, but she does have her serious side.

She listens carefully to the universe with her heart. 

It is a fun class.

I love painting with my fingers. 

Thank you, Nancy!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Have a great weekend.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time for a little this and that.

A little randomness.

*
A few coolish mornings here (high 60s) and that means I can get out and walk.
Yippee!
A few walks up to my village and some window shopping.

**

I noticed on my walks that the trees were talking/singing.
The breeze was wonderful and the sound in the leaves -- listen carefully.
Singing!

***

I've been working on Potholders for Christmas.
A Christmas Wreath

and Christmas Trees.
I have a few more to do.

****

Pumpkins are starting to show up at the grocery stores.
I'm starting to think about Pumpkin rolls, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Soup.
Jack-O-Lanterns

*****
Plans for the weekend:
Football, decorating for Halloween/Autumn, more crochet, some reading
and, of course, playing with the kitties.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and that means it's time for a little this and that

and some random thoughts with Nancy.

*

I'm sure you are getting tired of me saying it is hot.

I'm getting tired of saying it is hot.

I think that's why I went overboard this week buying magazines that had lots of pretty autumn pics. 

**

The first home football game for Rice U is this weekend.

It is an evening game -- thank goodness!

***

I feel sorry for myself because I have a cold. 

I've been curled up on the couch surrounded by kitties.

I got up to replenish my tea and there was Minnie Mina taking over Mummy's spot on the couch. 

****

I think I have successfully figured out Bavarian crochet.

I'm making a hot pad -- using Bavarian stitch and yarn leftovers from last Christmas.

When it's done, I'll share.

*****

I am reading HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN by Louise Penny.

It is wonderful. I'm half way through and made myself stop.

I could have read it in one day.

I slowed down to savor each word.

I love the world of Three Pines and Inspector Gamache.

If you haven't read this series, do it.

Start with the first one, STILL LIFE

Enjoy! 

******

Only 50 days until Halloween! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday!

Time for Five Random Things with Nancy.

*

My crochet for Halloween is almost finished.

I have one more ghost to make and I think I'm done.

I found the pattern for the ghost hot pads at Moms Love of Crochet.

Even if I do say so myself, they are cute!

**

Michael's had yarn on sale.

Perfect, I thought.

I could get all the yarn I needed for my Halloween projects.

Wrong.

They didn't have the colors I needed.

I ended up ordering Lily Sugar N Cream yarn from Dick Blick!

The cheapest online that I could find. 

***

The new cat toy of the week -- a small empty cat food box that I placed a few toys into.

Something a little different to keep them interested -- for 10 minutes! 

****

Are you ready for football?!!!!

It's that time.

*****

Yes, it is UGHust and the hot and humid is back.

Hope everyone has a fun filled Labor Day weekend.

Don't Labor too hard!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time to look back on the week and join Nancy with Five Random Things.

*

I have a new dentist.

I decided it was crazy to drive half way across town to have my teeth cleaned

when I live in an area (near the medical center) where there are dozens of dentists to pick from.

To make the story short ... I like her!

And I like the hygienist.

And, when the weather is nice, I can walk to my appointment and have lunch after.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

**

The kitty toy of choice right now is the common, ordinary drink straw.

YeeHaw!

***

August was the month for doctor appointments.

Cassie and Mina both had their annual exams and were very good girls at the vet office.

I had my eyes checked today.

I have a family history of glaucoma and have my pressure checked very six months.

I passed again.

****

I am crocheting some Halloween hot pads.

Here is the pumpkin.

Cute!

I'm working on some ghosts and will share them next week!

*****

I can't complain much about the weather ... except still no rain.

The heat this UGHust hasn't been as bad as past years, but UGHust isn't over yet!

Now, if it would rain ... lightly ... for several days ... that would be nice!

Thanks for dropping by.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday.

Time to look back on the week

and join Nancy for Random Five Friday.

*
I love mini-carnations.
They are cheap.
They are pretty.
They last a long time.
And, they smell good.

**
I really like Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream.
Yum Yum Yum!!!

***

I love books.

I love to read.

My current read is Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo.

This novel has been in my TBR stack for years.

I have no idea why I kept putting it off.

Now that I've started it, I can't wait to sit down and read.

At the same time, I don't want it to end.

I've quite enjoyed my trip across country with Otto Ringling and Rinpoche

having good American fun!

Otto is tricked into taking his sister's guru on a trip to their childhood home.

Six days on the road with a holy man and a skeptic was definitely not in the plan.

Otto gets to see his world  through someone else's eyes --  Hersey Chocolate,

miniature golf, to a bowling alley, to a yoga lesson and more.

Wonderful.

A real delight.

A keeper!

****

I've been crocheting for Halloween.

Pictures next week!

*****

It's hot.

 We have had some rain this week although we are more than 10 inches below our normal.

Every little bit helps.

We will get a short break from the heat with morning lows in the lower 70s as a very

unusual cold front stalls and brings some north wind to the area.

This and That

A little fun in a short amount of time.

I took an unfinished page from my journal.

Added a found leaf.

Did a little scanning.

Added a Haiku by Basho.

And this is what I got.

Autumn approaches

and the heart begins to dream

of four-tatami rooms

~Basho

***

- We are back to summer here. High humidity and temps in the 90's. 

Argggggh.

- I am going to the museum today. It has been a very long time since I've been there.

Having lunch with a museum friend and I'll see the new China Gallery.

Perhaps pick up a research assignment for the Japanese Gallery ... the last to be added.

- Mr. Dragon has taken some steps backward. 

We try to laugh as much as we can!

- The Houston Zoo has been featured on the National Geographic Channel in a program called

Zoo Confidential. Three episodes were filmed here. The second one was last night.

I've enjoyed each one. One of my favorite keepers was on last night ... Lynn ... primate supervisor along with one of my favorite lemurs ... Sifaka.

One more episode next week.

- Almost forgot! The squirrel family (famous for eating the hibiscus blooms), finished off the tangerines yesterday. Little buggers!!!!
The bird food just isn't enough or all the acorns on the ground.
Does this mean a *real* winter is coming?????

Wishing you well!

Joy!

This and That

I think (!!!!) Karma Kitty is finished.

He suggests that you Dream Big!

I've decided to have my blog printed in book form.

This book covers the first 6 months -- year 2008.

I decided that I'd spent a lot of time on Twisty Lane,

lots of pictures taken, stories told and that I'd be very sad if for some reason it all disappeared into cyberspace!

I used Blog2Print and am very happy with the product.

***

Snippets:

Weather: Hot (hotter than you know where) and humid. It has rained in some areas but not where we live.

Baseball: We went to the Astros Mets game last night and the Astros won! We also had dinner at the 5-7 grill. Named after Bagwell and Biggio and their retired numbers. Too expensive, but good fare for a baseball park. I had the mahimahi and Mr. Dragon the seafood pasta! They gave us to go cups filled with ice tea. Ice tea at the ballpark! YeeHaw!

Wearing: Going to the grand-reopening of our favorite grocery store this morning and I'm wearing my G.R.I.T.S shirt (Girls Raised in The South) with blue britches.

Cassie: Cassie is growing like a little weed and I wish I had pictures to share, but she doesn't stay still long enough to get a good shot! We'll keep trying. She does have some words of wisdom for you:

Cassie says: Everything is a toy!

Wishing you well!

This and That

What did you do this weekend?

It was too hot to do much of anything at Twisty Lane except for relaxing,

reading, doing some art, playing with some paint,

and loving on the furbabies.

This is Mr. Dragon's first art piece since his cancer diagnosis.

I'm so happy he is getting back into the swing of things.

The oriole was done from a photograph and is color pencil.

He's working on one now in watercolor.

I've finally returned to the journal, mushing paint around.

My journal is a standard composition book and I use it to try new techniques

and write down any wild hairs (ideas) I might have!

I want to use my photographs in my art work and printed out a photo of a buddha in

black and white (in draft on scrap paper -- the final will be done on photo matte paper and not in draft.)

Then I added part of a photo of our garden kitty to the Buddha --

now known as Karma Kitty.

I think I'm going to add a bird photo or a fish (I have lots of clip art fish).

Then I'll start on the color part -- adding color pencil.

At least, that is the plan!

And, "what might this be?", you ask!

It's three standard envelopes pasted together to make a book.

Really!!!

Here's the link to the instructions on You Tube.

Here it is all folded.

Yes, I think I know how I'm going to decorate.

I started pasting papers on the envelopes and decided I really needed to beef up

the envelopes (for the plans I have) and went back and gessoed all the pages.

Thankfully, I remembered to place freezer paper between the pages and in the pockets so that they didn't stick together.

Practice makes perfect!!!

Wishing you well!

Good Morning!

(Image from Northern Sun)

Good Morning!

(Image from Northern Sun)

Good Morning!

(Image from Northern Sun)

Good Morning!

Good Morning!