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Elvis Swampy has temporarily left the building.
I have gone on a three-day photo shoot and don't have a clue if there will be wireless amongst the aspens. We are "experiencing" Color Sunday...not sure if it was last Sunday or this Sunday, but the aspens don't have a calendar.
Hopefully, I'll be able to visit you sometime soon, but if not, don't forget Fun Monday at Robin's Place. If you've not signed up, get your little twinkle toes over there and do so.
The weekend during Colorado Mountain Winefest, my cousins from the other side of the hill mountain came to visit. How convenient. And I thought they came to see me.
I lost count at how many wineries we had visited at about six. Sip, swirl, taste, and spit. You're supposed to spit it out !? Are you kidding? Hiccup. I wasn't driving.
Here are a few photos I took along the way while my camera was still in focus.
Inside... looking out to Mt. Garfield.
Just couldn't resist taking a photo of this little, long-legged cutie.
Recognize anyone ?
The West, east of Napa, is producing a quality of wine that is beginning to demand attention. Whether you are a wine drinker or not, a visit to the wineries and their vineyards in the Grand Valley is memorable. You will feel like you are driving or biking or hiking through a postcard.
Hope you enjoyed this little trek through Colorado Wine Country as much as we did...but something tells me, you didn't.
Next time, call my cousins and coordinate a trip with them. Be prepared to eat lots of cheese and crackers...and chocolate...and sip, and swirl, and taste, and spit.
...and You're Invited !
Setting:
Main Character:
Other Characters:
The Plot:
The Sub-Plot:
The Double Climax:
Any guesses as to what our "entertainment" was on that cell phone?
Group shot:
(Someone in this photo is pregnant...)
Our thanks to Erin for not letting us get thrown out of Red Robin:
Happy Birthday, Karra.
Just a little FYI: Once you move to Oklahoma, if we don't see you back here on a regular basis, a certain photo will end up on the cover of AARP. Savvy?
Here's a birthday song for you...
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DubYaT, someone has stolen the Barbie from your Dingo !
For those of you who are on a blog for the first time today, and I know you're here, clink the link on DubYaT's name, and you'll end up in Australia. Look on the left side-bar and you will see the Barbie that was stolen. While you're there, read DubYa's post. He always has something to brighten the day.
DubYa, about the person who stole the Barbie! ...her name is Marilyn.
Adam happens to be exactly 40 years younger than Karra.
Who is Adam? Our tennis coach and a piece of eye candy, for sure. But, he has a girlfriend. Her name is...you guessed it...Barbie.
Happy Birthday, Ken Adam, from Barbie the Tennis Gals.
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Blogging 103: Be sure to click on the little word 'comments' at the bottom of this post. There may be prolific responses there that you just don't want to miss. Better yet, you can leave one of your own. All you need is a user name.
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For those interested in participating in Fun Monday, October 1, go visit Robin for the tootsie-wootsie details. 
All I have to say is, "If the shoe fits, buy it." And one more thing:
THINK PINK.
Somebody tagged me. I can't remember who did it. Will the culprit who did it, please stand up? (So I can thoroughly beat you around the ears and cast a spell on you. I always follow-through with tags and MeMe's...just usually take my good-'ole-easy time putting them together.)
It's that tag where you use all the letters of your middle name and write something about your personality/character. Everyone did their's months ago. (Does their's need an apostrophe?)
Since receiving this honor, I have seriously considered changing my middle name to Jo, or Sue, or Vi, or MIN, or some other very short name, but decided my mom and dad wouldn't be happy with me if I did that. Then, I wondered about the "rules." If you have 3 double letters in your middle name, do you have to use each one of them? (You know how I am about rules!) Obviously, I've given this assignment much thought and consideration. That's because I ALWAYS follow the rules...
Here goes:
L - likely to forget as in,"Who the heck tagged me with this?"
Y - young at heart, old in the knees and back, elbows, feet, and head
N - not skilled at figuring out cornpooters or any technological gadget
N - naked when I was born and now (just kidding, I have on my witch's hat)
E - engage my mouth before putting my brain in gear
T - tired of people not being accountable for their behavior
T - turbulent power surges in my body control jet stream & affect weather patterns
E - effective at screwing stuff up, including anvils and door knobs
Since we are on the subject of MeMe's and Tags, here are some others I've done, listed in order of newest to oldest.
Authentic Self in the Morning Tag
Robin Tagged Me (This was my very first tag and when Robin hit me with it, I didn't even know what I was supposed to do.)
Here are some Colorado Western Skies to enjoy today.
Don't know about your moon, but our moon is shaped a little cock-eyed.
OK, here's the deal Lucille, the first five people who comment can hit whoever you want with this tag. Or you can just make up your own tag.
I will update the post today and contact them with the good news.
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Melissa in NZ at Canterbury Tales tagged Karisma at Karisma and Kids.
Wanting a few last glimpses of my hummingbirds, I grabbed the camera one morning to see if I could capture this little fellow before he headed south. But before, you scroll down, I have a question.
Do you leave the feeders up or take them down? I have read two different things:
1)to leave them up for any stragglers that might be coming from the north and need to 'eat.'
2) to take them down to force them south.
What should I do?
Trying to zoom in just wasn't working and I needed to hurry because that little feller would be gone in an instant.
No matter how hard I tried, the camera would NOT cooperate.
So, I quickly tried again, but he was gone.
AACCHHKKTT!
But w-h-h-a-a-a-t-t-t is that?
Whoa $hi+ !
Sorry, but that's exactly what I said.
Running outside for closer inspection, I found a spider larger than the hummingbird. See? She's right outside my kitchen window. OK, maybe you can't see her too well.
I'll get just a bit closer.
Now can you see her?
I left her there for theHansMan to deal with. It's probably bad karma to kill a spider.
Later that afteroon, I looked out the window to check on Charlotte and saw this.
Whoa $hi+.
Yup.
I Did Said It Again !
Grabbed my camera once again.
See?
Want a closer look?
This is her top side. Isn't it pretty interesting...pretty interesting ?
If you look closely, you can see part of her web.
Just sit and watch Charlotte do her thing.
Adds a "wholenother" meaning to "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" doesn't it?
Or do you say, "Eensy Weensy Spider?"
"One down"...so many bugs, so little time.
Pretty amazing, huh?
Does anyone know what kind of spider she is?
Besides a B.I.G one ?
While we're on the subject of arachnophobia, here's another lovely one, and I know what kind of spider she is...
Any guesses ?
That little red hour glass is a DEAD give-away.
There is nothing worse than walking into a Black Widow's web...unless it's walking into one at night.
For those of you who have continued to read, here is more information about The Black Widow.
And you thought this post was going to be about hummingbirds.
So did I.
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On yesterday's post I asked if you knew what I was making.
Here are the ingredients... except for the one that gives it away...
I love dropping in the eggs... (What sound does that make?)
The batter went here...
and here...
Now for the fun part. Many of you played the game and tried to guess what I was making. You've been listed here. For those of you who are new to blogging, if you clink the link, you'll fly on over to another blog. Believe me, take the time to do this.
Debs, it's not Italian creme cake icing
Simply Jenn, it's not cookies (I'm sorry it's not cookies.)
MIn, it's not Russian Wedding Cookies or MeatBALLS What ARE we going to do with you?
Wolfbaby, it's not shepherd's pie or cookies
Miss Lion Heart, it's not walnut bread
KarmynR, it's not cake and no, nothing that I make tastes as good as Mamma's
Robin, my trashy friend, it's not datenut loaves, nut breads (well sort of), or cookies
Carrums, how many guesses do you think you get? First you say, Italian creme cake and then you say, KC's Banana Creme Bread. (OK, Carrums, it's time for you to start your own blog. )
Well, Carrums, you and Kaytabug (Lady K) are correct. And Robin, you get an honorable mention, even though you submitted 3 guesses.
Here are the missing ingredients...
Will someone please come help me clean this kitchen?
We'll have banana nut bread and wine. I'll even provide the wine. Your choice. With or without the fruit flies.
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Woo-Hoo...another Random Post: Hummingbirds, Spiders, and Banana Nut Bread !
My buddy, Lisa the Food Snob, is hosting Fun Monday today. Her blog sub-title says, "All about my quest for real food." That's why no one was probably surprised that her challenge this week had to do with recipes. For the complete list of those cookin' somthin' up, fly by her place today.
Here's what Lisa the Food Snob says, "I want to see your favorite recipes be it either because your grandmother wrote it, it's the easiest thing you can slap together that everyone likes, it makes you feel healthy, it's cheap, etc. You don't have to make it (although you could if you want) but let's see the index card, cookbook, printed page from the web, and why it's a favorite in your house. If you have a lot, just pick one. I know I"ll have to.
Well, I said, "I'm in." Then asked, "Do I have to follow the directions?"
Lisa the Food Snob said, "Absolutely not."
But for once, I am trying to follow the directions for Fun Monday. Besides, she calls me Swamp Angel. It's the least I can do.
When she mentioned ' because your grandmother wrote it,' I knew what I would post.
This is my Mamma's handwriting. The recipe has been copied onto a sheet of blue paper. I do not have the original, but for me, just seeing her handwriting is poignant.
Her only daughter, my Aunt Sue, typed the recipe and sent it with this explanation at the top.
I loved this 'assignment' from Lisa which gave me the opportunity to reminisce. In fact, I spent so much time reminiscing, I didn't have time to make this dish. Actually, we've not been home long enough for me to cook. Actually, some little green men came and stole my kitchen. Actually, someone moved the grocery store and I can't find it. Actually, I've just been too lazy to cook. Take your pick. I didn't make this.
Another Place Another Time...
I spent more time with my Mamma and Papa Smith than most kids have the opportunity to spend with their grandparents. I was fortunate. On Fridays, Mamma would come to our house early in the morning and help around the house. My mom was a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse called Kellond in the boonies of Southeastern Oklahoma, so she welcomed the help that Mamma offered.
The ritual was the same every Friday after school. About 4:00, Papa would drive up in his log truck, and I would start begging to go home with them for the weekend. After much deliberation and a phone call to my dad who worked at the highway department, my parents would always give in and let me go.
The log truck smelled of gasoline, oil and grease, freshly-chopped trees, hard work, and Papa. I loved it. The truck seemed huge. The truck was huge. Riding home between my grandparents and looking forward to two whole days and nights with them was nothing short of paradise.
There was the outhouse (there was no indoor bathroom), the garden (fresly plowed earth and all the vegetables one could ever dream waiting to end up on her old woodburing cookstove), the smokehouse (nothing smells better than a room full of ham and bacon hanging from the rafters), the well, (the water was so far down there it gave me the heebie jeebies just peering over the edge), the jug of fresh milk that was lowered into that well to keep it cool ( I just couldn't ever learn to like the taste of raw milk, but I loved the butter that we churned from the cream skimmed off the top), the chicken coop (gathering eggs and keeping an eye out for the black snakes), the pond full of catfish (digging for big round earth worms and pulling them out of the ground was as much fun as catching the catfish)...
Mamma dipped snuff and oh how I wanted to place a little bit of that brown, velvety powder between my lip and bottom front teeth. So, she let me. Well, it wasn't really snuff, but I pretended it was. She mixed cocoa and sugar together, and I dipped my own special concotion of snuff. It's any wonder that my teeth didn't rot out of my head.
There was no TV for many years. I remember watching that black and white, circular test screen (see below) for hours waiting for something, anything to magically appear. It was a glorious moment when KTEN, Channel 10, Ada, Oklahoma came through that television screen. Not long afterwards, KXII, Channel 12, Sherman-Denison came through in all its glory. Yes, we had not one, but TWO channels way out there in the country. We changed channels by using a pipe wrench and turning the huge antenna outside the house. Watching The Rifleman on Friday nights was sheer delight.
Well, enough of that, Thank you, Lisa for the opportunity to share just a little of my childhood.
And even though this doesn't have anything to do with Mamma's recipe, it does have something to do with Lisa's Fun Monday challenge today...cooking/recipes/food. It's your guess what I'm making here.
The Indian Head Test Card.
Happy Fun Monday, ya'll.
OK, the green sign says that they are selling their yard. I don't need another yard. I have enough trouble taking care of my own yard.
BUT !
What about the Guy Stuff? Are they selling Guy Stuff or buying Guy Stuff? Maybe, they are trading for Guy Stuff !
What is Guy Stuff ?
Any thoughts on this subject ?
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Re-Do:
Because the photos of my BlogGlobGifts did not do the justice to them the other day, here are some better shots of the handi-work of my BlogGlobBuds:
Lisa at Lisa's Chaos and Debbie at One Crazy Stitcher, thank you for those very special gifts. Here are some "bouquets" for you until I can PAY IT FORWARD with BlogGlobGifts to others. The "bouquets" are for everyone to enjoy who visits today.
These were photographed at my house at a restaurant in Breckenridge, Colorado.
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Another Re-Do...
The tongue twister was supposed to be:
One smart fellow, he felt smart.
Two smart fellows, they both felt smart.
Three smart fellows, the all felt smart.
Say those 3 lines as quickly as you can.
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Re-Dos...Do-Overs...What can I say? It was just one of those days. Ever had one ?
Have a wonderful Saturday, ya'll.
And if you've not read all the Happy Birthday wishes for theHansMan on yesterday's post, go take a gander.
Or should I say...Blog-Glob Gifts ? **Try saying that three times.
Or should I say...Pay It Forward?
Or maybe I should say...Indian Giver !
My mailbox was full of sweetness this past week. Something other than bills and catalogs arrived.
In case I didn't photograph the needlework well enough, it says:
"If the broom fits fly it."
(I know you can't see this, but the handiwork is so exquisite, the little spider's web is curled around the broom at the top.)
The note says:
Dear Kathy aka SwampWitch/Queen (I love it !)
Since you take trips on your broom, I thought you might like this. When I saw this design I thought of you. So I had to stitch it up.
You are one of a kind. I enjoy reading your Glob and looking at all your pictures. You are very talented and I am glad to know you. I have learned many things from just reading your glob on a daily basis.
The multiple intelligence lesson plans are very interesting and I applied them this summer to my kids. Thank you so much for sending them to me. :)
Happy blogging,
Debbie Queen of the Melon Patch
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Pay It Forward :
...and if that wasn't enough, a 'pay it forward' treasure arrived...
These are absolutely delicate/elegant books marks.
The note says:
Sorry for my delay in shipping "Pay it Forward." Hope you enjoy this bookmark, made by my own hands. :)
(Now, since she said 'this bookmark' -singular- I'm wondering if I was supposed to receive 'two bookmarks' - plural-...s-h-h-h...don't tell her.)
Because I can't even thread a needle, these gifts are quite special to me. They will take their places alongside some other treasures on my secretary-desk.
Thank You Girls. Hugs from the 'Ole Witch. ((Lisa)) ((Debbie))
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When I think of "Pay It Forward," I also think of "Indian Giver." For most people, "Indian Giver" has a negative/offensive connotation. Almost anywhere you look, Here Here Here, the general meaning is: you give someone something, then you take the something back.
I dare to differ. My grandmother had another story that I like much better.
Whenever someone in the tribe needed help, there was always someone to offer assistance. For instance, if a young woman was having a baby, other females would take care of her other children or help her with the birth or cook or gather her crops or...you get the picture.
Later, when another member of her tribe was in need, then she, in turn would offer her help, and pay it forward.
She was an "Indian Giver. "
Do you like that interpretation better? I do.
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**Randomness Thought:
Say each line three (3) times each.
One smart man he felt smart
Two smart men, they both felt smart
Three smart men, they all felt smart
Avast Me Mateys and All Ye Scurvy Dogs !
This be Black Charity Witch a'comin' to ye from astride me 'ole Pirate Broom.
Aye, today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day.
For the whole kit-n-kaboodle clink this link.
What's a pirate's favorite letter?
A-R-R-R ! Of course.
Take a gander at these fair wenches. Well, one of 'em appears to be an Eqyptian Cowboy. (Talk Like a Pirate/Walk Like An Eqyptian)
Divvying up the booty with ye 'ole pirate himself.
A conniving lot of swashbucklers they be ! No landlubbers amongst any of 'em. Maybe a scallywag, or two.
Clink this Link ye fraidy cats or ye'll end up in Davy Jones' locker.
Be sassy and shiver me timbers by leavin' me a comment with yer Pirate Name all ye varmits. Savvy?
Or, me'll wiggle me nose and have ye walkin' the plank widda case 'o the scurvvy.
Ahoy me lurkers a floatin' around out thar. Iffin' ye don't want me a turnin' ye into a chum bucket, try leavin' me a merry yarn...at least ye'all could say hello.
See wot me did to the old lady?
Ye could be next. Ye catch me drift?
Or just mebbe, ye'll be turned into a toad this:
Well, blow me down. Looks like ye 'ole Aussie pirate 'asbeen a drinkin' the grog.
Hoist the Colors:
Which way do you see me turning?
Clockwise?
Counter clockwise?
Can you make me change direction?
Supposedly, if I am turning clockwise, your left side of the brain is doing the work, and you are a logical/analytical person.
If I am turning counter-clockwise your right side of the brain is doing the work and you are an artistic/intuitive person.
If you can change the direction I am turning, you have had too many beers or not enough coffee.
UPDATE #1: theHansMan doesn't even realize I'm moving. He's only focused on two things...
UPDATE #2: Thanks to my new son-in-law for providing today's post. By now, you've probably figured out that's not really me.
Question for D: When are you going to send the the male version of this visual-spatial exercise?
UPDATE #3: The two things theHansMan focused on were her feet. Come on people. Get your minds out of the gutter.
UPDATE #4: Clink this Link to see what's going on at Jenn's Place. It's a wonderful idea. Thank you to my little soon-to-be Oklahoma State University graduate.
UPDATE #5: Be sure to find out what your Pirate Name is HERE. Because of THIS.
UPDATE #6: Stay Tuned ?
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