Happy Halloween!!

Sporta and I hit the patio yesterday for a bit of carving action...


The feisty Christina suggested the carving I did - heh. It came out pretty good I think...

We have plenty of treats...

...and not many tricks. I think that the day should be a ghostly good time...

Happy Friday y'all! Have fun out there!!

Fat Lady Singing...

No, not me... As Bou will confirm - singing is not my forte... Heh...

I mean this...
Isn't that poor plant just sad??

Oh yeah - the grass may still be green but it's time to batten down the hatches and get good and ready for Old Man Winter's arrival... But first there are pumpkins to carve and candy to fetch.

Still, the end of Fall always make me a little sad. And brings on the urge to go to Vegas or something. Maybe a mini snickers will do for now...

And hey - just for fun - the Dashman himself sent me this little gem. Gave me a giggle, it did...

Seriously - that's *my* kind of Corn Maze. Ha!

Test driving a cookie recipe...

You know - because cookies make everything better. Right??

So whaddya think?? Red Velvet Gooey Cookies for Christmas??


I just can't decide if I like them with just a simple sugar topping "plain" look or dusted with confectioners sugar.**

The lovely Christina sent me the recipe ages ago... I think Santa would like these a LOT!

1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box moist chocolate cake mix (I used a Red Velvet mix - yellow mix is great too!)

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Yummy!! Though mine were bigger so I baked them about 15 minutes. And what do you think - dusted or undusted?? I can't decide...

It's all fun and games until the hotel catches fire...

So, okay - the "fahr was in the drahr" as we were told. But an early morning smoke filled evacuation was tough none the less..
And that's the truth. Thbbbbbbbt. Hence the wet smelly smoldering dryer guts in the hotel parking lot - can't make this shit up....

Anyway, this past weekend I was privileged to attend the annual (and most fabulous) blogmeet at the Straight White Guy Compound. And can I just say? Wow - what a party... Everything it's cracked up to be and then some.

Eric and his lovely wife know just how to make an entire cross section of bloggers and other peeps feel most welcome. Goodness! What a time!! Food! Entertainment! Hospitality! Conversation! It just doesn't get any better than that - seriously...

And can I just say?? Eric looks most dashing in a Zonker gifted pith helmet.. A few more accessories and he is ready for a tour of Africa - Oh yeah...

I had a most wonderful time filled with fun and terrific conversations. Truly - though the drive was long, I had a blast. A perfect way to get all ready for a long winter...

Okay - maybe the snow flying here this afternoon was overkill on Mother Nature's part, but still. I had a terrific time and met some wonderful people - my blogroll runneth over for sure!

Seriously - I tried to name names - with descriptions! But it is all too much for now. Everyone was simply fabulous... Just check my side bar under Bloggers I have had cocktails with - good and entertaining people, one and all...

Thanks so much to everybody - I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you. And Eric?? You are a wonderful host. Can't imagine things any better...

Tennessee is most beautiful in the Fall...

Gone for a bit...

Back soon - maybe with a story to tell. We'll see!

Happy Friday!

Uhhhhhh....

I just don't get it.

Man arrested for sex act with vacuum in car wash...

And that's okay. Good Lord...

Found via Freddie - good gray grief. I needed a distraction, but DAYUM. And make sure you check out the comments on the article itself - seriously...

Because it amused me...

I will share.

Boy, do I know how this feels...

Thankfully, I don't know how *this* feels...And this?? Well I just don't know why it's funny. It just is...

And I need some funny today.

h/t Loretta and Dal

Molly the mouser!!

Over the weekend little Miss Diligence managed to rid the house of two interlopers. Whoohoo!!

Also a plus, the kills were non messy and she did not eat said mice - that would be freeking gross!

And the house is (presumably) mouse free for now. Though Molly is showing a great deal of interest in the dryer today. The stare down continues...

In other news she also sings!! This is just the first time I have been able to capture it on camera. Dreamgirls is her favorite movie to sing along to... Heh.





I think she's ready for the big time!! :) 'Course I may be biased... Just a little. But a singing mouser that's *not* a cat - hey!! Impressive!

Dog pictures...

Because I can.

Diligence ...

Molly has been on patrol here. Yesterday she spent an extraordinary amount of time staring at the space under the bookshelves in the living room. Today it's the hall closet... (She's *still* there in fact. Protecting me!)

I think I may have to get a mousetrap.

And this is a picture I found featuring Taylor and the good boy Buddy in a compromising position. (At least that's what their guilty faces convey...)

"Honest, Mom! It's not what you think!!"

Heh. Well, *I* am amused... Happy Friday.

Memmemna - Memmena - Memmena...

Because seriously, I got nothing else. And I just want to run away from the news for a while...

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Get up or wake up?? Because I wake up at 5:00. I generally get up between 6 and 6:30.

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Yes! Set in platinum please??

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Iron Man. Yep - it's been a while...

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Grey's Anatomy

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Whatever savory leftover thing I can find.

6. What is your favorite cuisine?
I love all Asian inspired foods. Yummy!

7. What food do you dislike?
Horseradish - and anything that has horseradish in it! Blech!!

9. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
XM Channel 26

10. What kind of car do you drive?
A Chevy Uplander

11. Favorite sandwich?
I love all things sandwichy - pannini's are a big favorite right now.

12. What characteristic do you despise the most?
Disloyalty. The 9th circle of hell is truly for traitors. I do not abide Blue Falcons (read: Buddy Fuckers) at all.

13. Biggest fear?
Fear itself.

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on
vacation, where would you go?
Sky's the limit - I would love to travel the world...

15. Favorite brand of clothing?
Shit, I don't know. If it fits I like it!

16. Where would you like to retire to?
No idea... I just want to get to the point of retirement.

17. First kiss? Name?
6th Grade. Kevin Redman

18. Favorite sport to watch?
College football - but only if OU is winning.

19. Furthest place you are sending this?
Who the hell knows?

20. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
Send?? What is this send thing??

21. Person you expect to send it back first?
Ok - now you're just being irritating...

22. Favorite saying?
Recently?? "Oh Fuck oh Dear!" It covers a lot...

23. Morning person or a night person?
Morning!!

24. What is your shoe size?
A very frightening ladies 12. I am tough to tip over, I guess.

25. Any new news you'd like to share with us?
The news is depressing. I turned it off.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A princess, a nurse, or a spy.

27. How are you today?
Fine.

28. When is your birthday?
November 13th

29. What is your favorite candy?
I am not much of a candy girl but I do enjoy the occasional Snickers bar (mini!) or Hot Tamales

30. What is your favorite flower?
I like 'em all...

31. Favorite drink?
Wine

32. What are you listening to right now?
Silence in my house. It's a beautiful thing...

33. What was the last thing you ate?
a bit of cheese

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Red

35. How is the weather right now?
Cool and crisp. It's sunny and maybe 52?

36. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Christina

37. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Huh?? Sending again??

38. Favorite restaurant?
Carrabbas. Mmmmmmm.....

39. Hair color?
Blondarooney!!

40. Siblings?
One. My younger brother lives in Phoenix.

41. Children?
Computa and Sporta

42. Favorite Day of the year?
This year?? The day after freeking election day. November 5th.

43. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I liked books.

44. Summer or winter?
Fall

45. Chocolate or vanilla?
Yes!

46. Do you want your friends to meme along with you?
Sure! If they feel so inclined!


47. When was the last time you cried?
Why?? Do I look sad??

48. What is under your bed?
The leaf for the dining room table.

49. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
Tanya. We met in the second grade. She is my friend to this day.

Okay kids - that's all I've got for now. Back to life...

Maize Maze!!

It's Wisconsin - what can I say?? And yesterday was a beautiful day...So every year we go... And invariably it's like 82 degrees and I am trying to figure out what "fall" tradition we are trying to enjoy in the "summer" heat... But hey - there is hot cider and cider donuts. And those cider donuts are YUM!! But I digress...

So they give you a map - what good it does I have no idea...
We all end up making that face at one point or another. And usually I end up just taking off willy nilly just to feel like we are going somewhere...

This maze had a bridge where you could get a little perspective... "Wow! Look at all that corn!"

Oh yeah... Now we're having fun...

Either way, it was a beautiful day. And like I said - the apple cider donuts are the YUM!!


Scenery wasn't too bad either... I do so love the fall foliage. Even when it's 82 degrees. And hey - gotta count those blessings! It could be winter!

Cautiously Optimistic...

Heart Mountain

My Pop was cleared by the doc today to travel home to Wyoming if he so desires.

Needless to say - Mom and I are busy getting them packed up and ready to go... Pop has been antsy to get to his *own* house for some time. Not an option 4 weeks or 2 weeks ago - no way...

But we have continued to turn corners around here. And we all agree that he is stable enough to make the trip - and not do any damage. (Though Mom and the Doc and I also agree that another week here would probably be better... Oh well.)

So they will be hitting the road sometime tomorrow. Ready to begin the next chapter in this book. Hell, maybe ready to start a new book all together. I am all for burning the old one...

A bit more dorkyness leaks out...

And what the hell - might as well share.

Want to see today's after school snack??



Any guesses as to the whys of the configuration of the pizza pockets?? (Besides the fact that I am anal and a dork...)

My Mom guessed "Corporal Punishment." Guess she doesn't want any, eh?? ;)

Small town news...

A stones throw from my home town. (Mom got an email about this...)

It's beautiful country. Dangerous, yes, but beautiful...

Father's bow shot kills grizzly attacking his son

And you *know* I had to go check a yearbook to make sure I didn't go to High School with that guy. Seriously, he looked really familiar... But I didn't.

Either way - that's what I call having a lucky day. And why you should always carry a gun when you are hunting - even when you're BOW hunting... Sheesh...

Still here...

Just covered up.

Big time...

Hope to dig out eventually...

Corners...

We seem to have turned (another) one. Pop is out of the hospital, back home with me, and doing much better. This one was a real scare though - and we all feel as though we have been tested thoroughly...


To be honest - I am wiped out. While I still have plenty to do (and I will be doing it), mentally (for a while at least) you can find me here...

Another Rum Punch, please... Keep 'em coming...