HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Josh !!

Wordless Wednesday

"Transfer Love" Class ~ GIVEAWAY

WIN AN ONLINE "Transfer Love" Class BY CATERINA

Caterina Giglio of LA DOLCE VITA is having a giveaway. She is giving a Transfer Class online ~ teaching the hows of gel transfers, paint transfers, etc. Visit Caterina's Blog to comment and have a chance to win this online class. The Giveaway ends on August 15th.

Transfer Love in Caterina's words:

"Transfers bring a gentle depth to a piece of art especially to mixed media and collage. It is always handy to have several different kinds of transfer methods available to you. I aim to demystify the transfer and help you find the methods that are easiest for you to use.

We will go over every kind of transfer you can think of and then some! Large tape transfers, wax transfers, caulk transfers as well as exploring all the different kinds of gel mediums and how to use each one to the best of their potentials.

We will experiment with substrates by using a transfer on paper, canvas and cloth and show you how to work your transfers into your journal pages, as well as on canvas or paper."

Even if you don't win, you might be interested in one of her future classes. Caterina's Blog is beautiful, interesting and fun. The photo above is one of Caterina's transfers.

http://www.caterinagiglio.blogspot.com

A Beautiful Giveaway Win

A few weeks ago, Janie of MOTHER MOONS MESSAGE had a First Anniversary Giveaway. Janie gave away multiple prizes - one for the MIND, one for the BODY and one for the SOUL. Janie's granddaughter is showing my name after it was pulled. I was fortunate to be the winner of the prize for the BODY.

Last week, a large box arrived filled with things that Janie made. The kitchen is one of Janie's favorite places to be and she gets much joy in giving her kitchen creations to others.

Along side of three berry jam (which was the best I think I've ever had), cinnamon, vanilla, vanilla sugar, and vanilla meringues, there was stationery, a large wooden spoon, beads, a beautiful red vase, an embroidered kitchen towel, a set of pear glass magnets, and the cutest little red and white stuffed and stitched bunny.

I was delighted to receive such a beautiful and generous prize. Janie is a beautiful lady with a big heart and a wonderful Blog. Please visit her at http://mothermoonsmessage.blogspot.com

THANK YOU, Janie!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥

The Bumble Bee

The Bumble Bee

Sometimes after I've taken a photograph of something, it arouses my curiosity of the subject. So, here are a few interesting things I've learned about the Bumble Bee just today.

A Bumble Bee is any member of the bee genus Bombus, in the family Apidae. There are over 250 known species, existing primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, although they are common in New Zealand and Tasmania.

Bumble Bees are social insects that are characterised by black and yellow body hairs, often in bands. However, some species have orange or red on their bodies, or may be entirely black. Another obvious characteristic is the soft nature of the hair, called pile, that covers their entire body, making them appear and feel fuzzy.

Like their relatives, the Honey Bees, Bumble Bees feed on nectar and gather pollen to feed their young. Bumble Bees tend to visit the same patches of flowers every day, as long as nectar and pollen continue to be available. In at least a few species, once a Bumble Bee has visited a flower, it leaves a scent mark on the flower. This scent mark deters visitation of the flower by other Bumble Bees until the scent degrades. It has been shown that this scent mark is a general chemical bouquet that Bumble Bees leave behind in different locations and they learn to use this bouquet to identify both rewarding and unrewarding flowers.

Once they have collected nectar and pollen, Bumble Bees return to the nest and deposit the harvested nectar and pollen into wax cells for storage. Unlike Honey Bees, Bumble Bees only store a few days' worth of food and so are much more vulnerable to food shortages.

Bumble Bees are important pollinators of both crops and wildflowers. They are in danger in many developed countries due to habitat destruction and collateral pesticide damage. Some Bumble Bees native to North America are also vanishing.

Bees beat their wings approximately 200 times a second. Their thorax muscles do not expand and contract on each nerve firing, but rather vibrate like a plucked rubber band. One common, yet incorrect, assumption is that the buzzing sound of bees is caused by the beating of their wings. The sound is actually the result of the bee vibrating its flight muscles.

~Information from Wikipedia

~Photo by audrey

Most would never admit it, or they hide it from themselves, but everyone can sense God within.

And once admitted, they can sense God in others.

~Quote from theuniverse@tut.com

~Photo by audrey

I DO

Fourteen years ago today, in a gazebo in the park, Terry and I said "I Do", with Casey at our side.

♥♥♥

Sweet Little Hummingbirds

I recently purchased a Hummingbird Feeder and I put it out on Saturday. I was amazed at how quickly the sweet little hummingbirds came to the feeder and how they kept coming all day and all evening.
They are fascinating little creatures to watch ~ their speed is unbelievable. I know I will get much enjoyment watching them and I will be taking many more photographs.

Saturday was a gloomy, rainy day ~ I didn't get any closeup shots that were crisp and clear. I will have to keep working on that.

These little birds are just one more example of God's amazing creations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dan !!!

Finish Each Day

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely....

~ Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ Photo by audrey

A Loud Thud On The Picnic Table

I'm done girls ~ can't take any more. Your party was the BEST, Deb. But you better not have another one for a long, long time. The Cantina will never be the same.... you are going to have to refill the pool with water.... all the toys are broken.... AND there are blue uniforms laying all over your yard...

This morning, I knew 4 people at the party. I now know most of the Arizona police force.... several Hollywood "hotties".... some drunk strangers who never did tell us who they are.... a good number of limousine drivers.... AND all those girls that Pam brought. I'm tired!!!

Party Crashers On The Way

Now that I've seen how totally out of control Deb's Cantina Party has become............

Well.........

These policemen are on their way and there is no telling what might happen once they arrive!!!!

BEWARE!!

To see what is happening with others attending this party, visit their Blogs:

Deb, the Hostess http://midlifepoet.blogspot.com

Anne, the Bouncer http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com

Ces, in Disguise http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com

Pam, the PR President http://yoborobo.blogspot.com

Cantina Party at Deb's

Tomorrow is Deb's BIG SUMMER PARTY at Mr. B's Cantina! http://midlifepoet.blogspot.com/ She has asked us to post what we are planning to wear and what we are planning to bring. So, here we go:

First off, I am bringing a floatation device for Anne. We know she is going to need it after she has several glasses of wine. She might have to share it with me after I have a couple of Black Russians. That is why I must bring the Vodka and Kahlua. I thought I'd bring a giant platter of Nachos with the Works for all to enjoy ~ gotta have nachos!

I would LOVE to show up in this little red ruffled number, but ALAS, that is NOT going to happen. This body is not what it used to be, so since I live in cut-offs, I plan to wear them to the party ~ easy and comfortable for dancing on the tables and splashing in the pool!!

This is going to be FUN!! I'm eager to see what everyone is bringing. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to get to Arizona by tomorrow............

Native American Ten Commandments

I received these NATIVE AMERICAN TEN COMMANDMENTS in an email. I thought they were beautiful and I wanted to share them.

1. The Earth is our Mother; care for her.

2. Honor all your relations.

3. Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

4. All life is sacred; treat all things with respect.

5. Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

6. Do what needs to be done for the good of all.

7. Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each new day.

8. Speak the truth; but only of the good in others.

9. Follow the rhythms of nature; rise and retire with the sun.

10. Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks.

This sweet photo is from the internet, compliments of:

http://www.squidoo.com/royalty-free-bird-photos

Good Friends

I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.

~ Quote by Frances Farmer

~ Photos by audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, John !!!

Hide and Seek Moon

I was looking forward to seeing the FULL MOON tonight. It was 99* here today, clear and sunny. Late afternoon to early evening brought clouds, and by nightfall the sky was very cloudy with no moon in sight.

At midnight, I went out on the porch and noticed some light in the sky. Lo and behold, that FULL MOON was playing hide and seek. I waited patiently for those dark clouds to pass.

What a beauty!!! Even with the somber clouds surrounding her, she was a sight to behold. And what a gorgeous night! I could have stayed out there for hours.

And so, another month's FULL MOON showed her beautiful face!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Samuel !!!

Eve of July's Full Moon

Tonight's moon is looking pretty close to full to me. It is a muggy, very warm night with clear skies. The moon is shining bright in all its beauty.

I am eager to see the FULL MOON tomorrow night and what it has in store.

The Full Buck Moon

Looking at the moon last night in all its brightness and beauty, you could just notice the little sliver that was missing to make it a full moon.

July's full moon rises tomorrow evening.

The Full Buck Moon

July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.

It was also often called The Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's moon was the Full Hay Moon.

Whatever anyone chooses to call it, it is beautiful and mystical. Make sure you take a look at it tomorrow night. You never know what might happen on the night of the full moon.....

The Little Cucumber

I had to share the garden's latest gift.

Do they come any smaller?

(:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shar !!!

Wordless Wednesday

Patience

When we develop patience, we find that we develop a reserve of calm and tranquility. We tend to be less antagonistic and more pleasant to associate with. This creates a positive atmosphere around us and it is easy for others to relate to us. Better grounded emotionally through patience, we become stronger mentally and spiritually, and tend to be healthier physically.

~Words by The Dalai Lama

~Photo by audrey

Cucumbers from the Jungle

I posted this picture on Facebook today, but FB is not posting all the comments my emails are showing I actually received, so I am posting the picture on here to see if any comments show up.

Sometimes FB and Blogger mess with our heads!

Our garden looks like a jungle and it is producing these great tasting cucumbers that are almost a foot long down to ones that are just a couple of inches. The tomatoes are almost ready. I cannot wait to have a tomato sandwich.

A Dalai Lama Thought

We can't be useful to ourselves unless we're useful to others. Whether we like it or not, we're all connected, and it is unthinkable to be happy all by oneself. Anyone concerned only by his own well-being will suffer eventually. Anyone concerned with the well-being of others takes care of himself without even thinking about it. Even if we decide to remain selfish, let us be intelligently selfish - let us help others.

~Words by The Dalai Lama

~Photo by audrey

This Is What You Shall Do

THIS IS WHAT YOU SHALL DO:

LOVE THE EARTH AND SUN AND THE ANIMALS, DESPISE RICHES, GIVE ALMS TO EVERY ONE THAT ASKS, STAND UP FOR THE STUPID AND CRAZY, DEVOTE YOUR INCOME AND LABOR TO OTHERS, HATE TYRANTS, ARGUE NOT CONCERNING GOD, HAVE PATIENCE AND INDULGENCE TOWARD THE PEOPLE, TAKE OFF YOUR HAT TO NOTHING KNOWN OR UNKNOWN OR TO ANY MAN OR NUMBER OF MEN, GO FREELY WITH POWERFUL UNEDUCATED PERSONS AND WITH THE YOUNG AND WITH THE MOTHERS OF FAMILIES, READ THESE LEAVES IN THE OPEN AIR EVERY SEASON OF EVERY YEAR OF YOUR LIFE, RE-EXAMINE ALL YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD AT SCHOOL OR CHURCH OR IN ANY BOOK, DISMISS WHATEVER INSULTS YOUR OWN SOUL, AND YOUR VERY FLESH SHALL BE A GREAT POEM AND HAVE THE RICHEST FLUENCY NOT ONLY IN ITS WORDS BUT IN THE SILENT LINES OF ITS LIPS AND FACE AND BETWEEN THE LASHES OF YOUR EYES AND IN EVERY MOTION AND JOINT OF YOUR BODY......

~Walt Whitman

Wordless Wednesday

My Happy Sunflowers