Saturday, March 31, 2012

Egg Casserole and Spring Cleaning!

On the weekends breakfast is my favorite meal.
Hands down.  No doubt.
I modified an egg casserole and it came out great!
Here's what I did:

6 lightly beaten eggs
1/3 cup flour
2 cups of lean pork sausage (cooked/drained)
1 cup shredded mexican style cheese
1 cup green chili

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix the eggs and flour together.
Add the sausage, cheese and green chili to the egg mixture.
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until it looks done.
Next time I'm going to add mushrooms and onion. 
I might even double up on the cheese.
Yummy for my tummy!


Then the tornado hit.  
I've started spring cleaning.
I live in a small space so every square inch counts.
I find myself wanting to do more mixed media and less
card making.  I have a new love for ATCs
so am keeping a nice stash of stamps to continue making those.
I actually made four this morning before the tornado.


On the dog front.  Katie is doing pretty well.
A few nights ago she was sniffing around looking for Daisy.  
She wasn't eating very well 
but today she's doing much better.
I'm hoping that she'll be happy as an only child
(not counting Tulip).
I'm doing o.k. too.  The hardest time is when I go to bed.  
Daisy always slept right beside me
and snored....


Thank you for all your love and hugs.  
It's amazing the support I've received from my blogging family!


Peace,
Kay



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

WOYWW 147 - Working Through Grief

Yes, another Wednesday.  Can you believe it's almost April!?!  Holy moly.
Time for the blog hop of ALL blog hops, starting at Stamping Ground.  
Hosted by the lovely Julia (who has fabulous handwriting).

This week started off a bit rocky for me.  My little Daisy Hammock crossed over Rainbow Bridge (see previous post).  Bless her soul.  
She was a poodle - but not a fru fru girl.
To occupy myself I decided that I needed to make some more ATCs.  I had so much fun with my first swap.  Here's what my creative juices have come up with.
Creative Spirit
I bought this photo album to keep my ATCs in - both the ones I make and receive.

And finally - my desk.  Yikes.  It's piled so high I'm not going to even attempt
 to list what's on it!  Sorry for the dark photo.

It worked really well last week, visiting those desks that ended in the same number as me.  I also visit everyone who visits me.  After that then I randomly select as many as I can.

Thanks for visiting.
Peace,
Kay

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown... 



My little miss, Daisy, has gone to Rainbow Bridge.  I woke up this morning around 5:00 hearing her whine in the backyard.  When I called her into the house she didn't come so I put on my robe and went outside.  She could only move her head.  I took her to the Emergency Vet about a 45 minute drive away.  They took x-rays and they couldn't see any spinal injuries.  After talking with the vet and the technician I had to make the painful decision of putting her down.  This just breaks my heart.   Katie, my other dog, isn't too sure what's going on.  she's smelling where Daisy was and the blanket that I took with her to the vet.  
Thank you Daisy, for bringing so much fun and joy into my life.  I miss you.


Peace,
Kay



Saturday, March 24, 2012

Ojo Caliente and El Rito, New Mexico

As promised in my 'An Old Adobe' post I'm sharing the rest of my day. 
It was beautiful. 
On the cold side but driving around in the car it was so nice and toasty. 
My first stop is in Ojo Caliente. 
Don't blink, you might miss something. 
An old building with a beautiful mural.
And a hot spring that's famous.


Spa
Images taken from Ojo Caliente Hot Springs web site.

I came across this shrine on the road between Ojo Caliente and El Rito.
Next stop
This is where I ate lunch.  It's famous for it's green chili.
Unfortunately I didn't find that out until I was done eating my hamburger.
El Farolito Restaurant
My new friend

Peace,
Kay


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

WOYWW - Neocolor II crayons and fun stuff in the mail!

Hello everyone.  It's Wednesday and that means it's one of my most 
exciting days to surf blogs.
If you don't know what I'm talking about go on over to
where it all begins, thanks to our leader,
the fabulous and amazing Julia!

Here's what I've been up to
using my neocolor II crayons for the first time!
I'm taking an e-course on sketching and art journaling.
These are supposed to be cupcakes.....
the first one looks like a 
mug of beer to me!
Love the banner
I also had a nice little package waiting for me from Vickie over at
Okienurse Paper and Ink Therapy.
This is what I won!  I can see some fun in my future!!
Thank you Vickie!  I am so excited about everything you sent. 
 I especially love the card.
 Love that embossed King of Clubs!!
And guess what else was in my mail?
I love your writing Julia!
Can't wait to show this button off!!!
Thanks for visiting!  I found that visiting the blogs that end
in the same number as me worked out quite well.
I also try to visit everyone that visits me!

Peace,
Kay


Quotes to Help Me Get Unstuck....

I'm taking an e-course and I am getting stuck, overthinking it.  
Trying too hard.  
Not happy with my child-like sketches.  
But then it hits me.  
I am a doodler .  I'm not giving up.  It's my style.

I looked for some quotes that would speak to me.
Maybe help me move past this point.

Do any of these speak to you?

Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.
Dee Hock

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.
Pablo Picasso

Creativity comes from trust.  Trust your instincts.
Rita Mae Brown

Imagination rules the world.
Napolean

I've gessoed some pages for journaling.  
I'm ready to start.
I am trusting myself.

How about you?

Peace,
Kay

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Home Made Granola

First I'd like to thank my new followers!  I've had so much fun with this blog!!
I try to post several times a week but this last week
got away from me.


I found this recipe a few years ago and just love it.  
It's from Real Simple magazine.
(makes 6 cups)

4 cups oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup dried fruit (such as cranberries, to be added after cooking)

--cook at 350 F for 30 minutes, tossing once at 15 minutes
I tweak this just a bit.  I usually double up on the pumpkin seeds and coconut.  I don't add the salt either.  I love eating this as a snack, warmed up like oatmeal or on yogurt.


Blueberries, greek yogurt and my granola - yum!
I hope you all are having a great weekend.
It's windy here and we are
expecting another snow storm.
I'm hoping for
a
snowday!!!

Peace,
Kay


Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Rising Moon Gallery and Art Center

Abiquiu (New Mexico) is known as Georgia O'Keefe country.
There's lots of other wonderful artists in this area.

The welcome wagon to the gallery.
I was lucky enough to meet Jaye there.
Here's a photo of her with one of her paintings.
Isn't she too cute!
Here's some other photos that I took at the gallery.







Than you, Jaye, for a wonderful visit.
I'll be back real soon!


Peace,
Kay

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

WOYWW - Back to Embossing

Wednesday, again, really?  Time for the biggest blog link up you'll ever come across.  If you don't know what this is all about visit Julia at Stamping Ground.  
I am going to visit the blogs that end with the same number that I end with.
Also, those of you that visit me.
There are just so many of you now that I'm trying 
to be fair in who I visit, without driving myself
crazy.

I'm still doing my She Art.  Remember the pink canvas on my desk?
 Isn't she too cute!
True Friends
Currently on my desk.  Oh my.
The acrylic paints and Mod Podge are pushed off to the side.
The baby wipes are within reach.
Some fun stamps that I've been embossing.  Paint brushes.

Several people suggested detail embossing powder (thank you!). 

What do you think?
Can you see the church?  This is the El Santuario de Chimayo
What could be under this pile of embossing powder?
A Burro - too cute!
Whatever you are doing, no matter where you are, don't forget
to take time to enjoy life.
Peace,
Kay

A True Tale

I have a wonderful friend named Helen.  
She's so full of life and has a GREAT sense of humor.  
I got an email from her last week.  
With her permission, I am sharing her true tale on my blog. 

This is her email - no editing required!!!


Now, here's a true story for ya:

Last Saturday, Gary and I went over to the Senior Center and exercised in their fitness center.  You're required to sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave.  
As we were leaving, Gary said, "I'll sign out for you," so I said OK. 

Most of the seniors who go to activities at this center are in their 80s, 
so there are many different things available to them for their age group, 
such as having a nurse trim your toenails!  : )

On Monday morning, around 8:30, I got a call 
from one of the elderly volunteers from the center, 
reminding me that I am scheduled for 11:00 to get my toenails trimmed.  
Gary had signed me out on the wrong sheet and inadvertently (?) arranged this appt.

I may not be so young anymore, but I can still give myself a pedicure,
 thank you very much.  : )  
 We're going over to the center today to lift weights, 
and I'll do my own signing in and out... 
no telling what I'd be enrolled in otherwise!

H.

 Now you know why I love her so.  She's a dear friend to me.  Thank you Helen!

Peace,
Kay

Sunday, March 4, 2012

An Old Adobe

When I first moved to New Mexico I saw the adobe houses and didn't
 think much about them. 
I was eighteen years old and didn't want to move. 
I had lived in only one town my entire life - I had friends that I would be leaving behind.  Nope, wasn't thrilled to be moving to New Mexico.

Yesterday I took a drive to some places I'd not been before. I'll share that in another post. Today is all about an old adobe that I found near the San Juan Pueblo.
Over the years I've embraced New Mexico.  The old structures really call to me. 
I love them. 
Imagine those adobe bricks made by hand, to build a home. 
A lot of the homes were one big room at first.  As the family grew so did the house. 
 They made some mud, mix in a little bit of straw to build another room. 
Houses full of character, full of stories.
Peace,
Kay

Friday, March 2, 2012

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!! - Read Across America


READ ACROSS AMERICA
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."
What better way to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday than reading to a child? On the evening of March 2nd (Dr. Seuss's birthday), Random House and the National Education Association (NEA) urge you to participate in the second annual Read Across America and read to a child.
 
WHY CELEBRATE DR. SEUSS?
Dr. Seuss epitomizes a love of children and learning. Also, his use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful. When we celebrate Dr. Seuss and reading, we send a clear message to America's children that reading is fun and important.