Lyrically Reclined . . .

He doesn't exactly seranade me.


Yet it draws me just the same.


The sound of strings and sliding fingers casting the spell of sound echoed down the hallway.


Soon enough, I find myself curled nearby, in a comfortable spot, engaging my mind while the muse pours forth, touching the memory of childhood past ~ a Dad and his guitar in a little pink house in America long ago.

I Did It! :)

I am thoroughly delighted with myself; tickled pink; pleased as punch, if you will! :)

For a very long time, I've surfed scrapbooking sites, scrappy girls' blogsites, and perused magazines galore. Each time, I think, "I need to upload some of my stuff . . ."

Yet, I was not compelled to actually DO just that.

Why? I asked myself . . .it is no different than taking a picture.

Well, by golly, I DID it! I grabbed my camera, clicked a few pics, uploaded them, and voila! Here is my VERY FIRST presentation of my scrapbooking style on the blogoshpere.

WOW.

{patting myself on the back}

I can now list myself with all those scrappy gals out there . . .YEEHAW!

so, enough of the self-edifying deluge. Here is the scoop surrounding this particular work of art:

The photo above is a picture of what I call a Compliment Book. A simple notebook, which I have given decor, that suits a particular individual. Inside, the owner jots down compliments she/he has received over a course of time. When filled, the owner has a virtual fan club . . .and can enjoy in black and white the memories of those who have lauded her character traits. Cool, huh?

This particular Compliment Book is for my sister, Val, who has a bit of edgy, fun, egotistical humor. Hence, the title.

Whaddaya think? :)

How Clean Is Your Office?

I think I've entered a new era.

My office is spotless.

Everything has a place.

There is a place for everything.

I can see the desktop.

I can see the worktable top.

I can see the floor.

A sense of enjoyment welcomes me when I walk into the room.

Wow.

This is definitely an indicator of good things to come!

So, I propose a toast: To Mr. Clean, and his brilliant product that has made life easier for women across America. To his secretary who keeps his desk tidy. And to the millions his product has generated. Share the wealth, Mr. Clean . . .share the wealth! :)

Chicken al a King in Santa Fe???!!?!

My joy could not be contained as I hopped in the shower this morning! It was official . . .Gil's schedule would allow for us to have lunch together. A treat of highest caliber in my book. Nothing more wonderful than sitting across the table from my guy midday. Lunch was my choice, too.

No brainer.

Los Tres!

Manuervering the lunch hour traffic was a breeze.
Being seated quickly, we didn't even have to look at the menu.
Gil had my order down pat.

He ordered in spanish.
To impress me.
To impress the waiter.
To impress himself.

"Chicken Sante Fe! No onions, no mushrooms!"

It was the regular order. (I'm suprised the kitchen has not changed the menu, and put my picture beside the dish!) :)

However, today, there was a problem.

No red peppers.
No green peppers.
No tomatoes.

No marinated grilled chicken breast.

WHAT?!?!?

Just chunked chicken and cheese.

bleah.

In the words of Foghorn Leghorn:

" I say, I say ~ THAT AIN'T RIGHT!"

Contemplating . . .

the years' events.

Introspective, reflective.

Considering, praying.

Ready to shift and adjust;
flex and stretch;
reach and achieve

new horizons
new adventures
new ideals
new goals

Christmas Collage

Visions of Rawhide Bones . . .

Dance in his head . . .

It's Christmas Eve Day ~

have you been a good doggie? :)

Looks Like A Caramel Christmas . . .

{Whew! Pant, pant . . .} {feigning a cook slaving over a hot stove}

What an evening!

Who has time to blog?

What happened to the Midnight Blogger?

Where is she?

Oh, there she is! In the kitchen stirring a hot, sticky molasses-laden goo into caramel for the pouring over fresh popped corn . . .yum, yum!

And look! There are her kiddos, dutifully cutting, and folding, little books for thier A Christmas Carol lapbooks . . .

The picture of Christmas Bliss!

Next stop: Divinity!

I am SO EXCITED!

Hello, BlogWatchers . . .I am simply THRILLED for a blogosphere-ic buddy of mine, Joy Madison. Joy is the creator of Scrapalicio.us, a blog I found one evening while looking up the keywords 'Jesus' and 'Scrapbooking' at the same time! Head over to her site to check out the good news, posted Wednesday, December 20! :)

by the way ~ I believe her most powerful statement is imbedded in the interview portion of her bio on-site (follow the link she provides . . .you'll find it!)

What things do you like to communicate through your work?

The core message of my art is
simple; God is love. This simple truth is my foundation. I was lost and now I am found. I want my art to reflect the truth about life, the conflict and resolution, the pain and joy, the sympathy and celebration. Every moment no matter where I am, high or low His love finds me there again. I want my children and my husband, my family and anyone interacting with my art to see that love.

(follow the link on her site to see the entire interview)

Let's celebrate with her! :)

The Sky Is The Limit???

It has been a beautiful, balmy spring-like day in Mississippi today.

Mid-afternoon, I determined that I would step outside to take in a bit of Vitamin D.

Here's what I found:

Did you catch that?

Off to the left . . .that spec of a frame called a BOY?

Here, let me help you . . .

adjust your glasses!

voila! Here is a better shot:

I'd surmise this tree to be twice the height of our house . . .

LOLOLOL!!

Now, be honest!

There are plenty o' SmotherMothers out there, FREAKING OUT at the sight of monkey boy doin' his thing . . .

No need to fret! Boy Wonder made it down in about three seconds flat (without falling!) :)

The Appreciation of All Things Blog.

Here's the question I pose:

What constitutes a good blog?

A GREAT blog?

And, furthermore, unto whose eyes must one attain status of being the QueenBloggerExtraordinaire?

Who is the blog for, anyway?

me? you? my posterity?

Hmm. I think the answer is found in the reality of the fact that brilliance shows forth only among the drudgery of everyday, ordinary posts, that keep one moving forward through the conundrum of everyday living.

Wow.

That's pretty good! :)

Gee. I love my blog! {{Big Hug}}

The Revision Of The Dell Dog And Other Tales

So, we had a Family Meeting.

It seems the Dell Meister has careened a bit out of control of the Behavioral Boundary Levels (heretofore known as the BBL) of tolerance for life among the 'umans.

First task at hand: to debrief the handsome schauzer of all the varied and sundry Different-Commands-For-One-Task-Required placed upon him by the multiple human house dwellers in this particular home.

Example:

Mom: "Dell! Sit!" {Dell sits.}

Dad: "Dell! Sit Down!" {Dell sits occasionally}

Daughter: (In a sing-song-y voice) "Dell . . .de . . .ll! here, Dell . . .sit. sit. sit. SIT!" {Dell dances, stares, cocks his head, and finally, sits, licking his chops.)

Son: (In a wild-boy schreechy kind of voice) "Oh Dell Puppy!! Oh London Boy! Sit. Sit! Sit. Sit. Sit! SIT! Sit. . . . Dell Puppy! Sit! Sit. . . .sit. sit . . . " (boy becomes distracted by nintendo game, Dell wanders off . . .)

Sigh.

The New Rule?

Mom is the Alpha Command Giver (ACG) until said such time as Dell Dog is UnConfused.

:)

Finding The Words To Say:

Have you told
*your husband?
*your wife?
*your children?
*your friend?
*your mother?
*your father?
*your grandparents?
*your enemy?
*your unborn child?
*your dog, your cat?

No waiting; no hesitation; no delay.

do it.

today.

Hey ChickieD ~

THIS BLOG's FOR YOU!!

{{Everybody SING!}}

(HIT IT!)

. . .and another one's gone,

. . . and another one's gone . . .

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

Gee. . .

I've been out of town for a couple 'a days . . .

Anybody miss me? :)

Back to our regularly scheduled blogspots. Stay tuned! :)

Sprinkle Your Life With Joy . . .

I have been on a cupcake kick.

Late Saturday night I created a chocolate heaven in my home . . .today, there was one left under the glass dome of the cake decanter ~ !! ~ I hadn't even had one yet!

Is there a Cupcake Monster in my house?

Should I make an emergency phone call to Sprinkles?

Or The Cupcake Queen?

Maybe just a note to Rachel, Nichele, or Alizinha . . .

Did Somebody Say Christmas?

So, we missed our regularly scheduled fellowship today, as we were under a family obligation to attend The Christmas Party.

We drove to New Orleans in a rush, the result of miscalculating our exptected arrival time . . .the catered meal was distinctly Cajun . . .and the children delighted to be remembered when it came time to pass out presents.

What gift could be more precious than the gift of Life?

Our holiday gathering paled in comparison to the Gift that God sent the world on a cold, crisp evening, so long ago.

Genetic Disposition . . .

I had a conversation with a friend today about the genetic appearance of my children. Kind of a Who's Who in genetic makeup for our family.

You know the drill: "Tiffany looks just like you!" or "You're Daddy can't deny you!"

I guess I shouldn't have been suprised when I ran across these pictures tonight. Gil, the assigned Captain of our family ship, as it were. Steady and surefooted he takes the helm, assuredly marking his stride in the wheel book of Life.

Dad in every sense of the word.
No doubt about that.

But what about those features? Where did they come from?

A blast from the past, a peek into the gene pool:

To your left: Larry approximately 8th grade
Below: Jeremy, older brother, approx. 12 years old.
Small collage, Daddy Larry, various, 1993-1998





Saddened by the loss, made glad by the gain the Lord gave.

In memory, Lawrence Clayton Adams. b. June 4, 1957 - d. March 4, 1999

A Spin on Self-Portrait Tuesday (or is this wednesday?)

I've killed a contact.

Not viciously, or anything . . .it simply . . .well,

died.

I do not have a replacement, even though I've a full shelf of 'tacts for my other eye.

Sheesh.

What is it about my ONE eye that is so high-maintenance?!?

My quality of life is somehow compromised.

Like when I walk in the crisp breeze, I'm very aware of my nose.

With my contacts in, the cold air just hits my face, and I think nothing of it.

My glasses, on the other hand, form some type of 'Deflecto Heat Shield' I guess. The air seems to be MUCH colder than it is, and instead of chilling my cheeks, the metal frame transfers the deflected fridgid air to my nose.

This is one for the record books: definitely WIERD.

Restless Christmas Natives . . .

It really was inevitable ~ the impulse to head out to the nearest shopping center and navigate the holiday crowds in an effort to locate the perfect gift for that someone special. Never mind that the destination was the nearest dollar store, nor that the recepients were in part responsible for the funding of the adventure.

Off they went ~ Tiffany leading the pack, (er, driving, really) Miss Aubrey and the invincible Mr. Israel.

What an opportunity stood before the parentage! What better time to head to the theatre than now . . .what better movie to see than The Nativity.

Arriving home to a bustle and flurry of activity, wrapping paper and bows sprinkled across the living room floor, I cannot help but ponder:

What Gifts have been bestowed under the Christmas tree this year; what Gifts have been imparted to the heart?

The King of Kings arrived on the world scene as no other.

Found as it were in the 'dollar store' of Bethlehem, the Pearl of Great Price.

The Minstrel's Song

He arrived 'late', ushering in his person through the kitchen, so as not to disturb the communication already occuring.

He took a seat on the ottoman, it's welcome platform embracing his frame and uprighting the psaltry of six strings that lie hidden within it's cloth covered case.

He waited.

A break in conversation pursued him, as welcoming 'hello's' and 'how are ya's' jostled around the room, assuring him that his decision to join the gathering of faithful followers was a positive one.

It felt good to be needed.

The panorama of discussion braved the timid of heart, encapsuled those who sought acceptance in thier expression, and beckoned for the honor of the presence of the King ~ an enduring mark of the shared meal, comfortable communication, and familial bondings they all experienced.

Soon, and very soon, the minstrel's song would be heard . . .

and the King would find His place among them, enthroned on thier praise; comfortable in His surroundings; pleased with the offering of love that filled the air with an aroma unmistakeably known.

Freedom of Heart

Gil has a penchant for creativity that runs deep.

It began with Aubrey's birthday, the mock Hillary Duff cd cover, where he morphed Aubrey's image, then added a spoof on the title, as well as various and sundry necessary party details.

I was searching for a fresh picture of the Dell-dog (who is interestingly hard to photograph with his dark tresses), when I came across this pic ~ another creative cd birthday invitation endeavor by my wowzer of a graphic guy Gil. ( you can view some of his amazing PovRay work on GilSilvers, his flickr site. link on your left.)

Taken less than two weeks before Hurricane Katrina, Israel's birthday party was only 9 days prior. Every party participant was given an honorary America's Pride t-shirt, also designed my none other than: Gil.

America's Pride runs deep.

As I drove out of the grocery parking lot today, considering the freedoms upon which this nation has been founded, our yet relative youth compared to the dynasties that have gone on before . . .My eyes filled with tears, and the powerful thought: may the banner of freedom yet wave.

Over the land of the free; the home of the brave.

And the heart of my patriotic son.