Gloria's Blog Viva La Vida

Brown/tan wings

2012-02-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is my latest painting in the ala Frida style. The reason it was titled as such, is because Frida must have had to wait in line for her

"white wings" as most must do. Actually I couldn't think of a title. Since I painted her wings brown/tan instead of white, that was the only reasoning behind the title.

Awaiting My White Wings

This painting is at my Fine Art America website, noted on my sidebar and ready to go to someones home.

I hope everyone is doing good. We had company yesterday for lunch. My husband had his day off yesterday and we and company ate grilled cheese and chicken soup. We decided to do it simple since it was a weekday. The grilled cheese and soup all were gone by the end of lunch. Then we had coffee and doughnuts. Twas great. Have a wonderful day and see you tomorrow.

HuMp DaY Haiku-Flowers

2012-02-01T18:36:00.000-08:00

Happy HuMp DaY Haiku

FLOWERS IN A BOWL.

Bright orange some pink
A lot of blue on canvas
Brings peace to my mind.

A little late today, but I made it.
Don't forget to click on the link above and join in the fun of doing a Haiku. Have a great rest of the week.

Two Cellos

2012-01-30T17:14:00.000-08:00

I just had to share these two very talented guys. They were first introduced on the Ellen show and then Elton John discovered them and helped pave the road for them to eventually becoming very famous. They are getting there. Awesome work by the two. The first one is Prelude Shostakovich and it's just beautiful. I love the version of Welcome To The Jungle and they also do Viva La Vida. Woo hoo! I couldn't get it aligned to the center, sorry about that. Oh I just did. Yay!

Beautiful music. Haven't had time to post, but thinking of you all.

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY

2012-01-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. Welcome to my Paint Party Friday # 46. I've been slacking on posting because it's been a busy time as of late. Right now I'm trying to get the house clean, plus my studio and there are other things to do as well.

Hopefully you are not getting tired of my Van Gogh's, as this is the fourth piece with eight more to go. My Mission Van Gogh will be completed once they have all been posted. When this mission has been completed, it will be time to tackle "Mission Pablo Picasso." This year I guess Impressionism is the route that's been taken. Of course Frida will always be first, and she will pop in from time to time as well.

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting your fun and learning blog. I'm a better person because of it. So here we go with Number 4.

Acrylics

What a difference in comparison. Who can paint this person and even come close. Go ahead, you can hit me with the paint brush, splatter paint all over me, but for some reason though, as I was painting his self-portrait, I became lost in his eyes. A sadness for this man filled my heart.

Now the Master's work:

Painting, Oil on Canvas

Van Gogh organized an exhibition that was held in November or December 1887. The formulation ‘I’ll gladly do all I can to make a success of what was started in the dining-room’ (l. 94-95) seems to imply that the exhibition had now closed, which is why we have dated the letter to around December 1887.

Vincent Van Gogh's self-portrait

1-4

It seemed to get harder and harder as I painted his self-portraits.

What a man! What a master!

It's been a lot of fun trying to paint his paintings. I don't regret any of them, just wish they could have been better. That's what we artist's always wish for though, isn't it? When I am done there will be 12 of his portraits that I've painted. I think it will have been one of the hardest things I've done.

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

GOD BLESS.

Haiku HuMp DaY-Bread baking

2012-01-24T17:16:00.000-08:00

Here I find myself at Helen's for Haiku Hump Day. Stop by and leave your Haiku for Wednesday.

Fresh from the oven

The aroma fills the house

I'm in scent heaven

HELEN (be there or be square, tee hee)

I bake bread whenever I get the chance. Love the way it smells when it's baking and how fresh it tastes when done. Homemade is best. Being old fashioned is what makes me really happy, besides painting of course.
Have a great Hump day. (tomorrow :))

Journal Page

2012-01-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

Just a page from my journal. Her title is: "In My Life." Because in her life she can be who she wants to be, go where she wants to go, and do what she wants to do.

Oh the night is here

I'm finding my way to you

In this starry night

I have been counting syllables but I found this great website that does the count for me. I'm being lazy but it's a big help. I am really liking Haiku. I just wonder why I couldn't understand it in my English classes. My instructor would be proud of how I am learning this wonderful world of expression. http://howmanysyllables.com

Tomorrow I plan on cutting my hair a little, putting color on it, re-take pictures of my paintings for Fine Art America with the 14 megapixel camera and re-uploading them. Then I need to download all the 2011 pictures from my computer to a DVD. I also plan on making reservations for an outing for hubbers and me. Our anniversary is coming up on Feb. 14 so I want to be sure we can get in ahead of time.

Okay I will see you on Friday, unless I'm back before that. tee hee. Have a great Tuesday and thank you very much for stopping by and leaving comments on my wee blog. It always means a lot. Take care.
Viva La Vida!

What a great Sunday!

2012-01-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

Woke up early this morning, stretched and said it's a BEAUTIFUL morning. (my word for the year). It was and is a beautiful day because it's my dear FATHER'S birthday. My Dad, the special man who was always there welcoming everyone into his home. The person who would take the shirt off his back to help someone, anyone.

So today I will make his favorite dish called "Albondigas." Little meatballs in soup. He also loved tortillas, so that's on the menu as well. I'll be quick in this post because I've said it before all my life, and every year I've been blogging, my DAD was the best with a beautiful heart.

I thought I would do a HAIKU for my daddy.

I remember Dad

Jolly Joyful Jubilant

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad with his Mom, my Grandma Mary

Dad in the Merchant Marines during World War 2. Old picture. He was a cook/baker in the huge underwater vessel where he lived with numerous other buddies.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DAD! I'll always be looking for you.

Kindle cover-up

2012-01-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

Well it is 7:36 pm as this is typed and am heading to bed with my Kindle. Husband worked today and didn't feel like doing anything except watching the cooking shows and being lazy. We had KFC leftover from last night, so that was dinner.

During the day the TV and it's cooking shows were on, so it was left on. A little sewing was done. Sewing is not my cup of tea, but the Kindle needed a cover so that it can be tossed in my handbag should it be needed when out on errands. Didn't want it scratched. So this simple little bag was made out of a beanie cap. Say what? tee hee

The beanie cap was covered with material and velcro was added to keep it shut.

Easy as pie. This is all one needs to avoid scratches on the screen.

I actually think it came out "beautiful." (my word of the year)

Here it is completed

There's my Kindle waiting to go inside. Look at the sewing....all crooked.:)

Here is the velcro on the inside of both sides.

Here it is inside the bag. That red beanie cap, my husband gave it to me with gloves and jacket about 30 years ago and I still have it. Don't know what happened to the jacket. It wouldn't fit anyway, but the gloves are still with me too. In fact they are in my car as this is being typed.

This bag does the trick

No scratches on the Kindle

Not a penny spent.

(short practice on Haiku)

I hope everyone had a wonderful day and that tomorrow you have an even better day. It is now 7:58 pm and my nice warm bed calls for me. Sayonara and Viva La Vida!

Wordle and word for the year

2012-01-21T08:06:00.000-08:00

This wordle was done 3 years and 3 months ago on Wordle. I see that people are doing these wordle things lately, only now they call them word clouds, and I wanted to share this with you. It was done for Chorizo below, and the words that I thought were on her mind when she was here with us a family.

Chorizo's word cloud-3 years ago

All of her thoughts "in my mind," were of us as a family, hence the words you see: ma, pa, family, care and so on.

I started thinking of how excited I was when I discovered this web site 3 years ago and how making these squares with words was a lot of fun. It was a big thing then and again everyone is doing it. So went back and checked if the site was still there and decided to have it "pull" words out of my blog and make a wordle from it. This is it.

The one word that kept sticking out at me was "Beautiful" and so I decided to choose this word as my word of the year. The reason this word was chosen is that each day is meant to have great pleasure and excellence if possible and satisfaction in the daily things we do. Beautiful is something that will "delight" the senses as in: This will be a beautiful day.

If I were to wake up each morning and say these six words,

"This Will Be A Beautiful Day," then perhaps it will be.

So my word for the year is BEAUTIFUL!

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

AT LAST

2012-01-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

Rest In Peace Etta James

1/25/38-1/20/12

PPF-Mission Van Gogh #3

2012-01-19T21:06:00.000-08:00

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY #45

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting. So the days move on, and here we are in week two of 2012. Is it not unbelievable how the time just is here today and gone tomorrow? So much to do, so little time left to do it in. I just finished a painting for my brother's b/day on 2/14. I'll post it sometime during the week or maybe next month for his birthday.

This next portrait of Van Goghs self-portrait threw me for a loop, as you will see by the end result. After trying to change it numerous times and only making more mistakes, I left it as is.

I do thank you for stopping by my little blog.

Here is my submission for this week, continuing with:

MISSION VAN GOGH #3

This is the final result and as you can see, it was a difficult journey on this particular vg self-portrait. It was uncertainty from the beginning when I seen the direction it was going. It's not a bad portrait but it certainly doesn't look like him. That said, satisfaction has been achieved in doing something planned and completed.

Numbers 1, 2, and 3 Mission Van Gogh

HAPPY PPF TO EVERYONE. STOP BY AT PAINT PARTY FRIDAY TO VIEW OTHER PARTICIPANTS. THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

Early Morning

2012-01-19T08:27:00.000-08:00

It looked beautiful outside this morning. I was carrying my husband's lunch to the truck for him and this beautiful sky beckoned my camera. It's so beautiful to be able to enjoy this God provided spectacular sunrise. It is going to rain today, so the weather people say.

This morn I was stunned

By the surrounding glory

It had to be shared.

Hope you all are doing good, I am doing so much better from the dizziness. Oh it's still there, but it doesn't affect me all the time. I'm good to go!!

I've had to buy a new camera with at least 12 mega pixels. The mega pixels could have been higher but that's all that was needed so that's what was bought. A couple of my paintings sold on FAA and I had to retake the pictures of them. I did, and re-uploaded them and they were fine according to customer service and would be shipped out to the buyer.

I'm still getting used to the new digital Kodak camera I bought (who apparently filed chapter 11 yesterday or today). I like their cameras because they are easy to use with the software provided.

So now it's time to go check the habaneros that are outside in the dehydrator drying. The trays need switching to a different level.

I'm running a dry spell in blogging. You get to a point where one just runs out of things to blog about and sheesh, it's only the first two weeks in January. Tee hee. One realizes that there are so many things to do during the day that spending so much time on the computer can interfere with duties to be done. In other words, limiting my posts to a few a week. Maybe 3 a week or so.

Time to go clean house, plan the dinner menu, feed the little critters, paint a little in my journal, put some socks on because it is too dern cold. Take care and have a wonderful day. I'll and check back later this evening on your posts.

Haiku Hump Day

2012-01-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

HAIKU HUMP DAY

Colors of bangles

Laying quiet in boxes

Hoping for escape.

Happy Haiku Hump Day! Click on the link at the top to join Helen in
Haiku Hump Day. Thanks for stopping by.

Ruby Tuesday 2

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

RUBY TUESDAY 2

These hanging red pots

Both with sparkles of color
reaching out to me.

HAPPY RUBY TUESDAY 2 TO EVERYONE.

Artists in Blogland

2012-01-15T14:38:00.000-08:00

Here is my painting for Challenge One on Artists in Blogland.

It's a mother looking at her child's soulful eyes. The child appears to be looking at her mothers hat in wonderment.

So that's my contribution, hope you like. Have a great week everyone.

Soulful Eyes

Zumba Time

2012-01-13T17:38:00.000-08:00

Went shopping and bought this DVD for the Wii. It's called Zumba. It hasn't been used yet, and it's been here for a couple of weeks. This is a semi-preview of whats on the DVD. Just can't seem to get in the exercise mode. It looks like a lot of fun and dancing is definitely fun. Trying to find a way to work towards it and make it a daily regimen.

If one could just get going with this exercise and moderation of food, one would definitely be getting fit. Did we say that? Yes we did, now get on it
G L O R I A!! Stop talking and do it. I really don't like being told what to do, but one knows it's for one's own good. I could Haiku about it...but that's not enough.

If I Zumba now
Can you promise I'll be fit
Don't break your promise

One can start slowly and progress with each day....if one must.
So this is what is next on the agenda. It's either Zumba or treadmill. I can't run-bad knees, my bike went flat, plus it too hurts my knees, don't want to sign up for a year's contract outside the house, plus how do I get out of being lazy as I've become???? What do you think? What would you do?

Tee Hee and that too is in moderation.
Have a great weekend.

Paint Party Friday

2012-01-12T16:34:00.000-08:00

Paint Party Friday #44. Whoopee! Hi everyone and welcome. Please stop by Eva and Kristin and visit the other participants.

Thanks Eva and Kristin!

I'm posting early because we are off to dinner and more, to celebrate, sort of.

Van Gogh painted this self-portrait called "Self-Portrait with Dark Felt Hat in 1886. During this time he was in Paris living with his brother Theo who he was very close to, and was feeling and looking a little better. He also began using more color in his paintings during this time. It's a lot of fun trying to paint this man whose life was filled with so much turmoil. I find myself getting lost in his world and feeling his presence.

Here I have my version of his self-portrait.

Mission Van Gogh #2

As you can see by his self-portrait below, he has used more color like reds, etc. I actually forgot to put color on his cheeks.

I wish I would have taken pictures during the painting process, but involvement in what I was doing kept me seated at my work desk. Hope you enjoy.

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY.

Today on this twelfth day of January, (Thursday) was my birthday. My husband bought me a beautiful card, and also a gift card for Beverly's, where there are a lot of art supplies and more. I haven't spent it yet because I have to make my list. A nice dinner, cake and ice cream and good thoughts are on the agenda. I've entered another decade.You might say I'm riding over the hills on my horsey now, but surely don't feel it. It's definitely time to do it all. This next decade there will be more accomplishments made. Looking forward to it.

Tee Hee to Mee.

My Food Posts

2012-01-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

Since food for thought Thursdays has cancelled, I've decided to continue on with my usual from the past posts on food, etc. Today it's about oranges and lemons.

Oranges, lemons make a pretty picture. Our trees have given us quite a bit of fruit, and after giving a lot to friends and to a center that I donate too, there are still some left for drying, juicing, etc. This is a yearly thing and you probably saw it last year as well. Here the oranges sit in a bowl after slicing.

Lemons too get sliced and ready to dry.

This stackable dehydrator that my dear dad gave me long ago gets used every year, and my dad is right there with me, letting me know that he is glad I utilize the gift he gave me. It's a Ronco brand and it heats evenly so that the fruit dries faster. At least it seems that way. I dry Habaneros in here too, and then when dry, I crumble the Habaneros in my spice grinder for later use.

Here the oranges and lemons are dry. I'll let them sit out for a bit and then jar them for later reconstitution.

They can be eaten as is or used in cooking or other and even as decorations. Sometimes before drying I sprinkle sugar and cayenne on the oranges and they are great this way.

On another note regarding Mission Van Gogh. Remember last year when I mentioned I would be painting a portrait of Van Gogh's self-portraits? Click here: http://glorv1.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-mission-for-next-year.html

When commitments are made, excitement kicks in and getting started is at the top of the list. So I did get started immediately and just couldn't paint just one painting a month. Just to let you know that I'm done with all twelve. I have posted number one and this Friday will post number 2. With this mission completed, I now have to look for another mission with the wood I have sitting outside. So I'm signing off to go finish reading a great book that Cheryl mentioned. I downloaded it and have been enjoying it for a day now. It's quite interesting with a lot about Diego and Frida.

It's called "La The Lacuna." Thanks Cheryl. In fact, I'm on my way to bed to read. Ta Ta!

Take care, have a wonderful day and thanks for popping in.

My blog books have arrived

2012-01-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

The two blog books have arrived. This is section two from July 1, 2011 to December 30, 2011. 138 pages in total. They are done in sections. Section one from January 1 to June 30, 2011 was received in early July. It's very satisfying to receive these books, because they are well done. This life will go on even after she is gone. What a wonderful trip.

The next one below is for participation paintings on:

Paint Party Friday.

A total of 58 pages. The book has been titled:

Gloria's Blog Viva La Vida- My Paint Party Friday Contributions.

There is credit given to Eva and Kristin for hosting PPF, in the acknowledgments section, but the picture taken of the acknowledgment section was too blurry. It was uploaded anyway so you can try to see it.

(One can't blame the camera when one doesn't know how to take pictures.)

A total of 58 pages. The book has been titled:

Gloria's Blog Viva La Vida- My Paint Party Friday Contributions.

The date on this book below, is from March, 11 to the last Friday of 2011.

How cool is that.

Here's some of the pics in the book.

It's always so exciting when they come in the mail. Another section of what goes on in this life and around in print.

Haiki HuMp DaY

2012-01-10T19:40:00.000-08:00

Who could ever forget the greatest Fab Four. Not me, that's for sure. I have all their albums and beyond. They made an impact in our lives that will last forever, as did some others. Looking at my photos and old posters, I decided to do my Hump Day Haiku on these four guys who brought us some wonderful days afore. This picture is from a poster I have. Thought I would share it. Don't forget to link up with Helen over at her blog.

Then There Were Two

When times were unsure

A hard days night turned peaceful

Listening to them

Ruby Tuesday 2

2012-01-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hi and welcome to my post for Magical Mystical Teacher's

Ruby Tuesday 2.

Apron strawberrys

Looking ripe and eatable

Don't mind if I do

Thanks for hosting Ruby Tuesday 2. Stop and visit the other participants. Thanks for stopping by.

Gotta love that WOOD!

2012-01-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

My husband surprised me the other day. He was out back chopping down a very old tree that just would not blossom any longer and had seen it's day. He took the stump to the dump and raked up his cuttings. I went out there to see how it looked without the tree and as soon as I stepped outside and saw what he had left for ME in the patio, I jumped with glee.

Picture this: Me, Gloria with my arthritic knees and dizzy spells running or at least trying to run to the backyard where he was at, which is pretty far in my mind. There I was though, like I was Jerry Rice on TV, arms outstretched, as if I was running that football (our yard is 68 x 300) to embrace him and thank him. After almost tripping I reached him and yelled thank you, thank you!! I hugged him, and said: Now will you sand them for me? Tee hee. Not really, I plan on doing that.

Actually I'm going to just barely sand them and leave a lot of that beauty as is. The bark will come off the sides and they will be sanded all around the outside. If I had known that he was going to do this for me, the Van Gogh Mission would have started on this wood. It's going to take a while to get this wood ready so a lot of things will go on in my mind as to what to do with them. If you have any suggestions, please give me hints on what I can do. Already, clocks are spinning around in my head, or outside art, oh so many things. Just wanted to share my wood with you.

I've decided to start posting my Mission Van Gogh series, on a weekly basis instead of one a month. So I'll be posting number 2 on my Friday's PPF. Stay tuned.

Okay, see you next time. Isn't it wonderful entering this 2012 year!! Yes!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

Sweet Saturdays and memories

2012-01-07T10:34:00.000-08:00

My Dad did a lot of baking. When he was in the Merchant Marines, he was the cook/baker. He learned to cook bread from my Grandmother and Grandfather who ran a bakery. My Dad also made bread similar to the picture below. It's called Pan Dulce or sweet bread. Our home was filled with the wonderful smell of bread baking and when it came out of the oven we kids were waiting at the table with our milk. It was usually on Sundays when he baked sweet bread, and then sometimes he'd treat us and make the bread on Saturdays too.

Ah, Sweet Saturdays!

Stop by Diana's and join in the fun. Click on Diana's name or the cupcake above and visit other participants.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

Paint Party Friday

2012-01-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

HAPPY PAINT PARTY FRIDAY # 43, to everyone. It's the first PPF of the year and it's exciting to be here again thanks to Eva and Kristin who gave us a successful run last year. Awesome! I'm so glad to be a part of this. Recently I've started to do Haiku, and am enjoying that too. Okay, last year I ended our last PPF with a current painting and I'm sorry to say that I'm starting 2012 with a previous painting. I've been busy working on another painting.:(

I believe this was done in 2005. I had found a tin can in a yard sale and just loved the painting on the tin and had to try to paint it. I don't know what happened to the tin but it was very old and rusty. The original painter is a mystery or I would give credit, but here is my version. As you can see, I know very little about how to paint the lay of the land. I'm learning though. It's actually pretty big, 36 x 36 on two separate panels of semi-hard cardboard. Acrylics and gesso were used. The people are having tea and since the tin didn't have a title on it, I titled it:

"TEA TIME"

Hope you like it. I look forward to visiting your blogs. Let's have fun!! Stop by the link for PPF above, to visit the other participants. If I missed saying Happy New Year to you, well then Happy New Year now and please enjoy. Stay healthy.

Haiku HuMp DaY

2012-01-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

HAIKU HUMP DAY

Linking with Helen over at her blog for Wednesday's Haiku. I'm starting to enjoy the 5-7-5 rule on Haiku's. Although I don't know much about how to do them, I am slowly getting the idea and it does help to post photos I took and write 17 ~~words~~ syllables about it. Thanks Helen.

Life is good and it is even better with my pal gal Chocolatte. She definitely filled the void when Chorizo, our Shar-Pei/Chow left us in 2007. I missed and still miss my lady Chorizo. Towards her later years in life I called her "Old Lady Dog." She was with us for 14 years. She gave us lots of love.

There is so much love with family pet members. Chocolatte brings life to the household. She is beautiful, has big eyes, is lovable, very nosy, real cuddly, stubborn, sometimes belligerent, and much more, but not necessarily in this order. Tee Hee. So with her in mind, here is my Haiku Hump Day .

Your mouth is set firm

Your eyes dare me to stare back

I do but you win.

HAPPY HAIKU HUMP DAY

Ruby Tuesday 2

2012-01-03T08:15:00.000-08:00

Ruby Tuesday 2 has been continued and that's a good thing. I really wasn't ready but here is a stove I found that makes me want to lounge around in my pj's with a cup of good coffee. Thanks for carrying on Ruby Tuesday for this year. It's appreciated. I don't do it weekly, but it's nice to know it will still be around for when I do visit.

HAPPY RUBY TUESDAY 2 TO EVERYONE!

The red fireplace burns

Her flash of warmth engulfs me

This is where I shine.

Time to ROCK and ROLL

2012-01-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

Today is day 2 of 2012 and before long, half a year will be gone and we will be saying, "Where did the time go?" It's always like that. I do know one thing, the older you get, the faster time goes. I'm loving life tremendously these days and want to be able to live it to the fullest. Fullest for me doesn't consist of money, travel or any of those things. To me it's the joy of enjoying my home, reading, painting, eating, gardening,watching meaningful dvd movies, prayer of course is on top of the list. These are the things that make me happy and fulfilled. It doesn't take much to make me happy.

I'm a down home type of girl who always goes back to her roots. People ask me why I make tortillas and my answer is always, "it's in my blood." Why not just buy the tortillas and refried pinto beans you can buy too, they say, and my mind goes "ugh." They just don't taste like home cooking.

There is nothing like making the beans and tortillas yourself. Your house is smelling great and you feel like you're in your Grandmother's house. My joy is opening the windows when it's not too cold and letting the scent out so the neighbors can smell. Tee Hee.

Tortillas and beans though are not what I'm here for. Since today is day 2 and husband after 10 days has gone back to work, it's time to get back into my "routine." I set goals for myself every year and as always I started a list and seemed to be turned off by it. So I'm rewriting my list of things to do this year. I always say goals and not resolutions because accomplishing goals seems easier to me.

I looked up goals/resolution and this is the description of the meaning:

GOAL

the result or achievement toward which effort is directed;aim; end.

RESOLUTION

a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

So it pretty much looks like they mean the same....except that it looks like GOAL is more like an EFFORT to do something with achievement, where RESOLUTION is almost demanding you to do it. So I will stick with GOALS.

More on goals later. For now I'm headed to my stomping grounds in a little bit, Walmart and CVS. A new electric toothbrush is needed, the other one crashed. I've got $20 in gift card that CVS gave me for shopping there from time to time so I am going to utilize that today as well.

This reads like a boring post but believe me I am totally HAPPY that the year has begun and look forward to visiting with you all. Most though, I look forward to waking up each morning with a smile on my face.

In any event, have a great day and rock on!! Viva La Vida! Thank you for your comments on my previous post.

Mission Van Gogh # 1

2012-01-01T12:48:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Health, Happiness, and Prosperity to all!

Oh I'm so happy to be starting out this new year in a better frame of mind than I have been these past couple of months because of the dizziness. It still exists, but has calmed down some what. Hello peoples and I hope you had a wonderful New Years Eve. We stayed home as is the norm. I made cheese fondue with the french bread and a nice big salad. I did the cheese in Pinot Grigio. It was awesome. Today, it's just kick back time, write my list for this year, or rather our list. I have my own separate list. First on my list was to order my blog books. I did one for July 1 to December 31, 2011, and the other I did for all the pieces I had done for Paint Party Friday as a separate book. I'm looking forward to seeing them. They look pretty good in the preview.

Okay, as promised my Mission Van Gogh has begun. This is the first in a series of 12, one a month.

They are as I have said, my impressions of Vincent's self-portraits. This one is on Strathmore 11 x 15 heavy weight acid free paper. I was going and may still do a couple on canvas like material. This one was completed in late November for January's posting. What I did was do the one and then printed and cut them out and glued on the paper. The original is all one on the Strathmore. I had a hard time with this one and so I wanted to see the 3 different versions on one. Acrylics, pastels, crayons, pens and other were used.

When Van Gogh painted this self-portrait 1888, he had yet to live with Paul Gauguin in the Yellow House. He dedicated his painting to Paul Gauguin. Here is the master with his famous work.

Vincent's Vincent 1888 (from the vvg gallery)

step 1

step two

step 3

step 4

step 5

step 6 and the final version. I've added Sunflower petals to the background. Mission Van Gogh #1 completed

Enjoy the month of January and I'm happy that we continue on. I wish you all the best of everything for this year. OooooHah!!! Happy Sunday!

A few pieces that were posted in 2011

2011-12-30T17:19:00.001-08:00

The end of the year has come. It's onward to the next. This is my last post for this year with a very small few of the paintings done. Thanks to Paint Party Friday I have painted like I've never painted before. I hope to continue in this manner next year. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! See you on January 1, 2012 which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. I have so much to say and so little time to say it in, so I'll wait till next year. Now it's on to publish July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 of

"My Life As A Housewife Blogger"

There were so many other paintings. These are twelve, one from each month. Happy New Year!

Paint Party Friday

2011-12-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY #42

Thank you to Eva and Kristin for the Fridays of fun and sharing, and thanks to all my bloggies friends for heartwarming posts and comments.

This is the last of this years PPF, and hopefully onward we go to the next year of lots of artistic talent from all the ARTIST'S that participate. I have had lots of fun participating and have met great people and made more bloggie friends. I hope your new year will bring you much happness, health, and well being. I look forward to next year with gusto!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone on blogland, one and all.

So to end 2011 here is a piece I started a few days ago and I thought it was done until I looked at it and realized there wasn't a nose on the face and left it out. So I titled it:

"A FACE WITHOUT A NOSE"

....but why do I need a nose anyway, I've

got eyes to see and ears to hear.

I dream in color, therefore I am colorful as the new year is going to be.

I'm a canvas with acrylic paint, pastels, pens, a lot of doodling with Letraset Metallic markers that make me glitter and shine, and even without the nose, it matters not. Sometimes things are better left unsmelled. (tee hee)

So we end this year.

We shared, we loved, we partied.

We sing Auld Lang Syne.

*******

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and auld lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !

and surely I’ll buy mine !

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine ;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine† ;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !

And give us a hand o’ thine !

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hump Day Haiku-Silence

2011-12-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

Thought I would link up with Helen for her Hump Day Wednesday. On a recent trip to San Jose, this ranch beckoned and we stopped and I got out and listened to absolutely nothing, except for one sound. It was awesome. Stop by Helen's and join the fun. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday and I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Silence is golden

It lingers here every day

Ah, I hear a moo.

Our Sky-Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

Today at about 1:40 or so, this was the sky at it's beauty. The gray/bluish white clouds threatening but really just teasing. This photo makes me want to try to paint it. Next year I will attempt to give it a stab. When I see the sky, my eyes open in awe and a feeling of calmness washes over me. I love life. How good it is to be living now.

Many in my family are gone now, and very much missed. My mom at 89 is still doing okay, living alone. She wants it that way and she wants to grow "old" she says, in her own home. "leave me here, she says." "Just come to visit." Okay, I say. It won't be long though before I will find myself there in her home tending to her needs. I will look at the sky, the same sky and pray for her and remind myself that life is short and that one has to enjoy each day no matter what.

Yes in life, the sky is the limit. Right now I'm reaching as far as I can stretch my arms to let "our" sky know that I am here. I'm thankful for having met you all and listening and learning about you, as well as sharing. There's a calmness in the air.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

There is calmness here

The tree without leaves hovers

I feel I'm floating

HERE'S A THUMBS UP TO YOU ALL.
YOU ALL ROCK!!
SEE YOU NEXT FRIDAY.

Paint Party Friday

2011-12-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well, there is one more PPF for this year and that is next Friday. This of course is the 41st PPF and I'm happy to say that my participation has been since the beginning and am totally happy with all these Fridays. I think I missed one Friday. Thanks to Eva and Kristin we have shared in our works. 3 cheers for both. Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! I know, I know, I'm kinda crazy like that. Stop by their PPF and enjoy.

So here is a painting that was lots of fun and hope you like it.
I've titled it:

"THE INTERPRETATION"

I've done one in light and one dark and it's on material that I ordered called: Jube Fabric 100% cotton, it's almost like canvas but not as thick. I've used acrylics, watercolors, Pitt pens, and even pastels.

Enjoy the rest of the days in this year!!

Food For Thought Thursday

2011-12-22T11:11:00.000-08:00

EARLIER TODAY

Cold morning and it's going to be cold throughout the day. It's cinnamon toast and coffee for breakfast and a peek into the colors of Vincent. The holiday season has finally taken over and I'm pretty much done with what had to be done. I'll be making some "Empanadas" this weekend in the spirit of the holiday and also since my dizziness has ebbed a little, I will be making tamales as well. Linking to Robin's Food For Thought Thursday. Stop by Robin's and join in the fun.

Cinnamon Toast and coffee plus beautiful book made for a fine breakfast earlier this morn.

Enjoy the rest of the day and of course the holidays! Take care.

WOYWW

2011-12-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be fun to participate in WOYWW for one last time before the year is over. Just doodling and making a big mess. Spending time indoors because even with the heater/fireplace in the studio, it still is too cold today to leave the house and go out back. Have a great rest of the week.

Happy What's On Your WorkDesk Wednesday!

Hump Day Haiku-Tamale

2011-12-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd pop in for a few seconds and then I'm going to do my head exercises, take my meds, and go finish painting something for PPF. I'm trying to learn to paint scenery but it's very hard for me. Hope everyone is enjoying the pre-holidays. I thought I would do a little post on Helen's Hump Day Haiku, just for fun. I don't know anything about Haiku except that it's 5,7,5 syllables??? So I'm trying. Have a great Wednesday and join Helen in her Hump Day Haiku's. I just happened to stop by her blog and decided to give it a try at this one time.:) It's all in fun. Enjoy. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The Tamales cook!

Smelling the bounty earth scent.

The thought just melts in my mouth.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Paint Party Friday-Works In Progress (wip's) ahead of time

2011-12-15T17:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Paint Friday... Week 40
Stop by ~~Robin~~ Kristin and Eva's and join in the fun! (sorry Kristin) I guess Robin was on my mind with her delish pancakes.:)

Hello to all and here's hoping you are having very Happy Pre-Holidays. I seem to be getting a little better and not as dizzy as before. My Mission Van Gogh has begun and here are a few sneak previews on what has been going on. None are complete so only the eyes are being shown along with the "Master's" self-portraits.

This is going to be a long journey at one painting a month so I thought to get started early that way it won't be a hurried thing. It's really a very difficult challenge but I like commitments that challenge. Van Gogh painted the majority of his self-portraits and many masterpieces a couple of years before his death. It seems he was in a hurry to produce during the last couple of years of his life. Most were done between 1888 and 1890 when he died. I've learned a lot about this man and continue to learn more. So here are 3 of the wips I've been working on which are done on 16 x 20 hard pressed paper, acrylics, watercolors, crayons, pens, some pastel and a sealer. A mixture of all.

My Vincent, and Vincent's Vincent

I'm liking this mission because it "makes" me do what I like most and that is of course:

PAINTING! Peek a Boo says Vincent.

and a little peek at one of my ladies from the Unibrow series done on 9/16/2010:

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS. I think I'm repeating myself but HAPPY HOLIDAYS anyway, and again and again.

Food For Thought Thursday

2011-12-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

FOOD FOR THOUGHT THURSDAYS#7

Lemons, mild chili, oranges that we picked from the garden. There is a plastic clothes hamper full of oranges. I'm packing some in baskets and taking them to a center and also taking some to a friends house. I use the lemons every day. I squeeze the 3 tablespoons of lemon juice usually in a nice sized lemon into my water. It's much more refreshing. I also make a hot tea, glazed rinds, lemon jam. The chili's are going to be used for sauce for tamales and of course the oranges gets used every day for juice or to eat them.

This morning I made my husband a sandwich for his lunch. He also likes the hot/spicy soups that come in a bowl. I keep telling him there is too much sodium in those bowls, but he doesn't listen. He still wants them for his lunch. What am I supposed to do?

So I looked at this sandwich early this morning and it had roast beef, mayo, and lettuce but I get queasy when I think of the meat. I've really cut back on eating meat a lot but when Christmas comes around there is nothing going to keep me from those tamales. Unfortunately I won't be making any this year, still dizziness going on and I can't stand for long. We will have to eat someone else tamales this year. Who knows, I may still give it a stab if the days ahead get better. So there you go, my FFTT. If you get a chance stop by Robin's, she recently started this blog and she welcomes everyone to join in

the fun. Enjoy the days ahead.

Paint Party Friday and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all.

2011-12-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY TO ALL AND HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING FUN FILLED DAYS AND EXCITEMENT IN YOUR LIFE.

Please stop by Eva and Kristin (s) to join in the fun.

This is a piece I started back in late summer going into September but haven't gone anywhere with it, it's still undone but I like it the way it is and have titled it:

"KEEP THE FAITH"

Perhaps one day I'll go back to it and finish it. Watercolors, pitt pens, acrylics on canvas.

This little Frida mermaid with her barely visible eyebrows was done in acrylics on tar roof black paper. I wish I could have had something recent to share with you but haven't been able to accomplish much. Soon though I expect to be back in full production, says she. :)) Have a wonderful weekend and take care.

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY!!

I will be taking a break for a few and hope to be back soon. I've scheduled a few posts while I'm gone. I wish everyone special days and nights on this journey to the end of the year.
May your holidays be filled with Happiness and Joy.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A quick hello to all my bloggie friends and FFTT.

2011-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I can't believe I haven't posted since last Friday. I finally found out what is wrong with me. It's BPPV and other than medication there isn't much I can do except the exercises for the head that I've been doing and taking the medication. I don't require surgery but there are things I have to avoid in order for it not to worsen. So that's pretty much it. Stress I have to try to avoid and hopefully I can do it. Hope everyone has been okay and you are enjoying the pre-holidays. I may only be here a couple times a week but always you are up there in my mind. Hoping to post tomorrow for PPF and now I leave you with what I had for lunch yesterday.

If you get a chance stop by Robins, click on the picture of all these beautiful veggies and you'll be there to enjoy.

I decided to make a salad with greens from the yard, an apple I had, avocado from our trees, little cute tomatoes, pineapple, crackers, V8 juice, sprinkle of lemon, and thoroughly enjoyed it without stress.

Today I am going to celebrate life and how good it is to be alive. VIVA LA VIDA!! Have a wonderful day and go do your thing!

Just me, Gloria

Beautiful Women in the prime of their lives at Advanced Style

2011-12-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

This past year I found Ari Seth Cohen's blog through another blog and have been visiting and having so much fun when I go there. This is a video produced by filmmaker Lina Plioplyte and directed by Ari Seth Cohen. Lina wanted to do some tapings on Ari's beautiful women that he photographs and they came up with this "short." Stop by Ari's blog, you will enjoy his posts and all the beautiful women he photographs. I promise.

I think that this is really SWEET and so I'm linking it to Diana's blog which always posts something SWEET on Saturdays. Happy Saturday everyone.

Paint Party Friday-Eyes From The Past

2011-12-01T19:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Paint Friday #38

and Happy New Month of December to all. Please be sure to stop by Kristen and Eva's, our gracious hostess for each week and the other participants and their beautiful works of art.

I've been lost in keeping doctor's appts., my Mission Van Gogh that I've already started for next year, and my ongoing dizzy spells. My time hasn't been my own lately, so my contribution will be EYES, and because it's about eyes, and these eyes are from drawings of the past, it's title will be:

"EYES FROM THE PAST"

Her name is Morgan #10, and I'm borrowing her eyes and others eyes, for this post. She seems to be telling me, "Are you sure Gloria? Don't you think you have undertaken too big of a commitment for next year with your Mission Van Gogh?"

I say to Morgan that my time has now been committed, and even if I didn't stand a chance on achieving a likeness of Van Gogh's portraits, at least I will have attempted the goal. There will be no perfection on the portraits. What you will see is my soul at work.

This is Natasha #5 and her eyes are telling me that she feels ignited by the next goal. She wishes me luck, of which I happily accept with my spirits rising and tell her that I love the gems above her eyes.

Valeria #1, has and is the positive thinker of all these women, and she too gives me a thumbs up. I smile at her and tell her that I appreciate her support.

Mindy #17 is perplexed as to why I would undertake such a challenge.

Mindy, it's something that I have to do. My soul has been touched by someone and the need is there to let out feelings.

Finally Alice #16 who has moved from place to place and has yet to find contentment gives me a look of woe but says, "Don't worry, no matter what happens in the year to come, we'll all still be here."

Thank you Alice.

All these ladies are from my Just Faces Unibrowed

1-40 faces, which was my goal of last year.

That goal was accomplished , and sure do hope to say that again on December 31, 2012. So this is my contribution for this week , hope you enjoyed it.

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY TO ALL, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

I'll be by your blogs. Thanks for stopping by. You're the best.

Reading, writing, and semi-painting

2011-11-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I have totally immersed myself in anything. Since I have been reading/studying about the master,

Vincent van Gogh, things have gotten intense. It's like getting lost in his Starry Starry Night when I read the letters he wrote to his brother Theo. Years back I was very much into Van Gogh but never read a lot about his life, as I am doing now for my "mission" for next year.

Finding out a lot more than I knew of this man in my research. After tearing up that first practice piece, here is the start of the next one for January, and will be using his colors. There will be orange going in there and a darker blue. That's as far as I've gotten on the new version of his self-portrait. Nada yet! :))

Then all this info to study from, including the Internet. I'm just amazed and also very saddened by the lonely life he led.

Then I ran across this video which is totally awesome. Don McLean and his interpretation of Van Gogh's work. Outstanding!! I guess we all have our own interpretations, and that's good.

This will be my final post until Friday for PPF, although I don't think I have done anything, it may have to be an older painting. Have a wonderful week. I go to the doctor on Friday for tests. Take care.

Paint Party Friday

2011-11-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A BEAUTIFUL THANKSGIVING.

Happy Paint Friday #37 to all.

Prepping the canvas with acrylics and gesso, leaving an outline for a face, hopefully.

Face starts to appear with pastels rubbed in.

Some how she's ended up in what looks like something circular around her head.

Before long it becomes this. Changed back to acrylics and Pitt pens.

She may be crying because she ate too much turkey.:)

No matter, she is complete...no more no less.

She appears to be trapped in that circle that keeps going round and round and she wants to get out, so the title for this piece is:

"Circle of Hope"

Stop by at PPF and visit the other participants and thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting. As I said, hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Peace, over and out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T10:00:00.000-08:00

(Not my turkey, just a picture)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS AND YOUR FAMILY. ENJOY!! I'm thankful for everything and also for my friends in this cyberspace world.

Ruby Tuesday

2011-11-21T15:58:00.000-08:00

Stop by Mary's at her Happy Ruby Tuesday to view the other participants. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and I wish you all right now a very Happy Thanksgiving just in case I'm not around till Friday.

HAPPY RUBY TUESDAY AND A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL.

Beautiful seeds of Sunshine sitting on a plate waiting to be frozen. Pomegranate's from our trees out in back and this year they have been so kind as to give us a little bounty.

What could be better than a morning fruit drink full of vitamins.

and so deserving of a poem....

The Pomegranate

Khalil Gibran

Once when I was living in the heart of a pomegranate, I heard a seed

saying, "Someday I shall become a tree, and the wind will sing in

my branches, and the sun will dance on my leaves, and I shall be

strong and beautiful through all the seasons."

Then another seed spoke and said, "When I was as young as you, I

too held such views; but now that I can weigh and measure things,

I see that my hopes were vain."

And a third seed spoke also, "I see in us nothing that promises so

great a future."

And a fourth said, "But what a mockery our life would be, without

a greater future!"

Said a fifth, "Why dispute what we shall be, when we know not even

what we are."

But a sixth replied, "Whatever we are, that we shall continue to

be."

And a seventh said, "I have such a clear idea how everything will

be, but I cannot put it into words."

Then an eight spoke--and a ninth--and a tenth--and then many--until

all were speaking, and I could distinguish nothing for the many

voices.

And so I moved that very day into the heart of a quince, where the

seeds are few and almost silent.

HAPPY RUBY TUESDAY AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING, SEE YOU SOON.

MY MISSION FOR NEXT YEAR....

2011-11-18T20:04:00.000-08:00

MY MISSION IF I DECIDE TO ACCEPT IS:

ONE VINCENT VAN GOGH SELF-PORTRAIT PAINTING A MONTH

2012

(If you play the music while you read, it's exciting. I think so anyway. :)))

Always been mesmerized by Van Gogh's work, and having tried to "copy the masters," my plan for next year involves doing one painting a month on Van Gogh and his self-portraits. In fact one year I did join an online blog called Copying The Masters where we submitted our version of our favorite master's work. Since these plans are for next year, getting a head start was on my mind. Practicing on Strathmore 11 x 16 just to get the feel. I also ordered the Van Gogh oil crayons, pencils, and other inspirational goodies, plus I printed out the pictures I want to do. Tomorrow Beverly's Fabrics is on my list to pick up some Jute fabric, 100% Cotton. Van Gogh used this fabric to paint his masterpieces while he was staying at the Yellow House with Paul Gauguin as his house guest in Aries, South of France back in 1888.

So I started using pastels, no pens, just working the fingers

to get a face on paper.

It seemed to be coming along....

....or so I thought it was looking okay

I put Van Gogh's painting alongside to get a better feel and continued with the pastels.

Yes it was coming along and I was happy and felt connected somehow to this very lonely and alone man who was really a lost soul and for a few moments forgot about my dizzy spells.

At this point I made the mistake of starting to add some oil crayons that were nearby and the rest is history, rather the piece is history.

I worked at it and won't show what happened with the crayons but as things happen....one does not mix pastels with oils. tee hee.

Here is the final result of what I did with this 11 x 16 Strathmore watercolor paper.

You can see where I started adding the oil crayons to pastel and it turned into a blob of messy gooey sticky stuff all over his face. See all that white??? On his cheek? There was no remedy. All in all it was good PRACTICE and it got me in the mood for more preparations. I know I shouldn't have torn it up but for some reason there was this feeling of failure and loss. Tearing it up made me feel good, I'll save the remnants as a reminder and pick up another piece of paper and keep practicing before I do anything on the Jute material.

So there you have my MISSION for next year.

Okay I'm going now, just wanted to share what's going on. Take care, have a great weekend.

Paint Party Friday

2011-11-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY 36
November 18, 2011

Moving Right Along- 1

Moving Right Along- 2

"Moving Right Along- 3 with a speical visit from the Monarch's"

Mixed media piece, acrylics, cut out flowers from an old tablecloth, and hearts from old material, paper butterflies. Background mostly watercolors, various pens, variety of acrylic paints mixed together with some sparkles.

Thanks to Eva and Kristin for hosting. Stop by PPF to visit the other particpants.

I want to wish my little lady a Happy Birthday in all of her 4 years of age.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHOCOLATTE' MY LITTLE LADY,
and although PPF is mainly for ART, I do think that this little tyke is in her own way:

"A PIECE OF ART"

Love you, love you little doggie.

and here is the little critter asleep while I take a picture of her on her fourth birthday, and when she wakes she gives me a dirty look as shown right under this picture.

Leave me alone lady, can't you see I'm sleeping.

CHOCOLATTE' SAYS, HAPPY PPF EVERYONE.

Food For Thought Thursday

2011-11-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the pix being blurry. That's actually how I've been seeing things lately, in a blur.

So for lunch yesterday the 16th., it was salad stuffed into a wheat pita bread.

Salad consisted of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red loose leaf lettuce, olive oil, s and p, and a squeeze of lemon and then it was stuffed into the pita bread.

Coffee, salad, pita salad stuffed bread, and a few blackberries. Yay salad!

Stop by Robin's to check out the other participants. Thanks for hosting Robin.

Ruby Tuesday

2011-11-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

A Happy Ruby Tuesday to all of you.

Candle on table, and candy in bowl

Stop by RUBY TUESDAY AND JOIN IN THE FUN.

Paint Party Friday

2011-11-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

Hello happy PPF'ers. I sure did miss out on last week. There were so many wonderful participants.

Paint Party Friday 35 and welcome. I haven't been feeling up to par lately, and the only thing I could do was paint circles. That is because that's how it's been lately, dizzy and going round in circles. So this is what you see in front of you. Round and round she goes, where she'll stop, no one knows.

I've titled it: Dames de vertiges, or in good old English, Dizziness Lady.

Dames de Vertiges.

Have a wonderful Paint Party Friday and enjoy your weekend. Don't forget to stop by at Eva and Kristin's to visit the other participants.

La vie est merveilleuse!

Heureux Paint Partie Fendredi!

(tee hee. I'm working on my French. Life is marvelous, Happy Paint Party Friday)

Food For Thought Thursday

2011-11-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Food For Thought Thursdays #4

prepared on Wednesday.

I found this old cookbook in a yard sale a very long time ago and there was a recipe in here that I loved. I know you aren't supposed to copy a recipe out of a book and say it's your own and I'm not doing that. I am just sharing this page of the book and a picture of what I cooked for myself today. The recipe I followed is called:

BLANQUETTE OF MUSHROOMS IN CASSEROLE

(Couverture des champignons dans le plat)

This is the old gray book the recipe is in.

and here is a picture of the dish prepared in the cookbook. Credit is given to the photographer of course.

(Cooking With Style, Charlotte Adams 1967/Christian Delu for the photo)

It was one of those days when one is somber and reflecting on past events, plus thinking about those mushrooms in the frig that have to be cooked. Quickly I recall "the book" and go searching for it. I'm sure there are many recipes for mushrooms and do have my own, but this one is a humdinger. With the decision made to make myself something nice for lunch, I found the book and proceeded to cook this delish concoction that is only a few minutes in the making.

The mushrooms are washed, sliced and put into a pan. White wine is added to almost cover. You add the one bay leaf, salt and pepper, 2 tbsp. butter and cook until the mushrooms are tender. I added some shredded habanero to give it a jump. Once the mushrooms are tender, they are removed from the pan and the sauce is thickened with corn starch or flour and I added a little half and half. The mushrooms are put back in the pan, and just cooked until the sauce has thickened. You can sprinkle with a little parsley. I decided to spoon it over polenta which I had leftover from yesterday. Yummo.

This is my lunch dish for today.

This tableware I found at an estate sale and just love it. It's so much fun using on a special day and today I felt special. Can you see the orange zest in the dish?, that's habanero chili. Hot, very hot. I just used a little. Green tea was the choice of drink.

All in all, it was a fun day to treat myself like a lady of worth. I felt good as I ate slowly, enjoying each morsel. I couldn't eat the whole thing though, but it was worth the effort. So Happy Food For Thought Thursdays to you. Stop by Robin's who is hosting FFTT where you can visit the other participants.

Je suis en amour avec des champignons

(I am in love with mushrooms)

It's a little difficult to draw a male figure, then there was this: These Feet Were Made For Walking....or something...hehehe

2011-11-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time sketching/drawing the male face. I'm working on improvement though. Here's the latest:

Handsome Man Posing For Picture

Bel homme posant pour image

(trying to learn French with the French translator, tee hee)

and then there was this:

These Feet Were Made For Walking

My friend Nicole over at Beadwright had a post the other day about these feet and I just had to borrow this picture from her post. I mean look at these hairy feet. The feet are very colorful and they do have the sandal part already attached to the feet?? Wonder how they did that. If I had these feet there would be no worry about shoes. I can think of a lot of things to do with these feet.

In any event I looked at them wishing I had a pair of these hairy feet. I mean they can be used for all kinds of things. For example:

Excuses to not do something

Oh hun, my feet are aching, I really don't want to go.

Hun, can you trim my toenails please, ah I don't feel like it.

I've been on my feet all day, don't really feel like cooking.

Oh dear, I don't have a headache tonight, but my feet are feeling monstrous

...and I suppose the list could go on and on.

Excuses to make your husband do more things

Hun, I swear if you don't help me wash clothes, next time we go to the store, I won't wear socks, or I'll greet visitors with bare feet,

or maybe I'll just sit outside in front and dangle my feet over the rail and wave at the cars (with my feet of course) or

take a walk with a sign on my back saying I'm your wife.

Maybe I'll just dangle my feet in your face.

heheheheh, how funny that would be.

Are these feet not cool? Hehehehe. Have a wonderful day.

Happy week to all.

2011-11-07T07:36:00.000-08:00

Just a quick hello and then I'll be going out the door. It's strange when you don't post and visit blogger friends. It's like you've been gone for a while and are now a stranger. It's almost like you don't belong? Tee hee. I'm here but not in a very good way.

I missed PPF 34 this past week and that was a bummer but it gets hectic when there are things going on in one's life. I have to see the doctor today for some dizzy spells I've been having. It's weird because I go to get up out of bed and the room starts spinning almost as if I am going to pass out.

During the day I have to walk slow because I feel as if I am in a daze of some sort or am going to faint. Even laying down, if I move too fast, my head starts spinning. This has been going on since Thursday of last week. I'm thinking what could it be and it's a little scary.

Who wants to be sick, right? Even right now as I sit in front of this screen my head wants to go round and round. We'll see what happens.

Have a wonderful day, be healthy, and enjoy your week.

An outing early today to the junior college

2011-11-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

Earlier today I went to the junior college. The were having a Dia de Los Muerto's event and had gone there the previous year as well. To enjoy the free pan dulce as well as other goodies. There were a few ofrenda's set up and this was one of them.

This was another. Really very nice.

This was another that had explanations on how to build an altar, what to add, etc. This was great, because there are so many students who really don't know what this day means.

Here's the sweet pan dulce that was FREE

Here some of the students are making sugared skulls. They are being taught by the young lady.

It's been 2 years since receipt of my AA in English, and really hadn't been back in the Rotunda that houses different offices, the cafeteria and lots more. It felt good being there.

Looking around remembering my years here and how long it took to get that AA. Do you know that it took me forever to get an AA degree. Reason being is that one class at a time was taken, per semester. I didn't want to have a full schedule because I knew it would be hard to keep up with. It didn't matter because it wasn't for a job or anything, just for my own satisfaction, and to keep my brain active.

Coffee where they sell Starbucks coffee. Of course I was always there.

To make a long "outing" short, my sitting there reading on my Kindle and playing a word game and just drinking coffee, eating my pan dulce (sweet bread) really got me to thinking. Suddenly motivation hit me, and it felt like being a lot younger than I was and got up too quick and twisted my knee and then remembered I wasn't a young whippersnapper anymore. It was all right to feel like I was, just take it easy lady.

I headed for records and inquired about returning to classes in the Spring semester. It's all done online now she says. I have to fill out the application again and be sure to add that I'm a returning student and then I wait for an email from them.

So the question is if I am going to do this or not. It's running around my head and causing me an energy of sorts that I haven't had since last I attended MJC. This will definitely be thinking hard time for me. For those of you who have been with me for a while, you know how I used to complain about the instructors and how much work it was. You always told me, "You can do it, stick with it." I did and got my AA degree, 60 college credits in English and now if I go back I have to try for an Associate of Applied Science degree, I think.

English was fun, I enjoyed all the poetry, literature, etc. I'm looking back at my post and seeing all the "I's" used and that's not a good thing. Any hoo, that was my outing and now it's time to do deep thinking.

Thanks for listening, have a great rest of the week. I may not be doing Paint Party Friday this week, there is nothing on canvas. Soon to return.

What I won from Pam's blog

2011-11-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

What I won at Pam's blog. I just barely got around to posting about it because of Dia de Los Muertos. In fact I will be posting this probably at the end of the week or maybe today this evening. It is a decoration that I will be hanging on my tree. Double-sided as well.

Here's the other side, it's so very cute. Thank you Pam, I will keep it always.

Look at the little hands reaching up as if to say, "Now wait just a moment, I was here first." tee hee.

Love it Pam and thank you very much.

I also have another post that I will be doing after this on outings. This is the "winnings" list and the other will be the "outings" list. Who really cares??

tee hee.

Okay Pam, thank you amiga. I really liked it and appreciated it.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2011

2011-10-31T22:52:00.000-07:00

Bienvenido's todos!!

VIVA LA VIDA

Para aquellos que nunca olvidaremos...

For those that will never be forgotten

FOUNDATION OF LOVE

Dedicated to my Son Valiant and his girl Lydia, Dad Joseph, Step-mom Celia, Grandma Mary, Grandpa Louis, Grandpa Clemente, Grandma Martha, Uncle Louie, Uncle Zeke, Uncle Ruben, Uncle Pastor Daniel, Family Pet Member Chorizo, Family Pet Member Sister May, .............(it goes on)

People often mistake Dia de Los Muertos with Halloween because they fall a day or so from each other. It doesn't have anything to do with Halloween. All I will say is that it's the belief in the circle of life in which death plays a part and is not feared. The message being that death is a symbol of continuance and not an end and that the life of those gone is to be celebrated.

The "Calavera" or skull is the key symbol of death and symbolic of life.

VIVA LA VIDA

A sign I made in honor of Dia de Los Muertos

My son, always at the head of the altar

Parents and Grandparents gather not just in pictures, but in spirit.

Family Pet Members are a part of the whole. They loved, gave of themselves and never asked for more. Bless them.

Grandma and her teapot/coffeepot.

My father in his youthful days

The Flower-Cempasuchitl/Marigold-They say that this flower aids the spirits to wander back to visit and celebrate with us.

Prayer all around

Dressed in orange

Feeling the spirit, ready to dance in the night

Little boxes of love, each holding treasures

and more little boxes of love

Frida has her space as well

The four main elements- Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire

EARTH is represented by the crop: Placing fruit or favorite family dishes on the altar provides nourishment for the beloved souls. Lots of food to fill the souls with glee. Chili, more chili por favor.

Nopales with hamburger meat and lots of red chili

Homemade tortillas, Val and Dad would eat them up

Homemade tamales, here today, gone today

Everyone will enjoy Ham Hocks with Beans

Papas con Chorizo

Of course we have to take out the beautiful Talavera dishes that have been sitting in the dish cabinet waiting for that special occasion to be used. Today they will be hold the COMIDA, my FAMILY is coming over.

We of course need something to drink, lots of coffee, tea, champagne, tequila, cerveza

The pretty place mat is a gift from my friend Mely.

Some of Grandma's cups, coffee, champagne and of course the tequila.

WIND is represented by a moving object: Paper- Mache is commonly used to represent the sound of the wind.

WATER is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long awaited journey to the altar. Water is also used for the means of purification.

FIRE is represented by a wax candle: Each lit candle represents a loving soul, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul. You can really use as many candles as you wish, I always do.

My father's eating plate to the right of this picture. He ate his meals on that plate every day for as long as I can remember.

Incense is burned to commemorate Pre-Columbian history.

The Skull - The common symbol of El Dia is the skull which is celebrated and represented by decorative masks called calacas. Sugar skulls are also created and can be inscribed with the names of both the honored and living recipients on the forehead as a means to remind us of our own mortality.

Then the Catrina, happy as a lark.
The "Upper Class Mexican Woman," who waits for the music and dons a new hat, dress and heart tattoo's on her lifted leg for you to see. She's ready to dance the night away.

La Catrina

Lifting her leg for you to see.

La Catrina's Hat

THEN THE ALTAR WHERE EVERYONE LINGERS

So here is my shrine and ofrenda for my now gone FAMILY members, friends, and pets who will always live on in our hearts and on this day gather around to enjoy "THEIR" festivities. Somewhere in this photo I snuck in some snacks for the family pet members so they can eat with us.

I also want to take the time to celebrate our bloggie friends who have lost family members recently or before. Our hearts are with you.

God Bless Everyone-Salud!

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 2011 hosted by STEPHANIE , and this year REBECCA is helping to host the event. Click on the Dia de Los Muertos link at the top, to go visit more participants.

I now believe that when a butterfly comes to visit my garden, it is the soul of loved one's now gone. -glv

This post can be viewed on another page where there are no sidebar pictures etc. Trying something different this year: You can click on the link below if you'd like to go see it. It does appear roomier on the other link. Thank you for sharing this day.

gloria

Sweet Saturdays and The Art of Remembering

2011-10-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I thought to join in with DIANA over at her "Sweet Saturdays" blog to just post about a little sweetness this morning. If you get a chance, stop by her blog and visit other participants to see what sweetness they have cooked up. Thanks Diana for the invitation. I probably will link this as well to Rebecca over at: The Art of Remembering for Sunday, since this has brought memories back.

Pancakes have always been one of my favorites and every single time I make them the reminder of my dear dad engulfs me with such sweet memories of him hustling about making pancakes on Saturday and Sunday morning. He'd toss some on the two griddles on the stove and say, "How many you want mija/mijo?" I'd hear my brother's saying, me too, me too. Tee hee. We'd all gather around the table waiting for our homemade pancakes that never ceased to please us. We'd splatter butter all over them and get our glass of milk and dig right in waiting for more of those soft melting in the mouth treasures to cover the plate.

I remember my dear dad just looking at us with that beaming smile of his. "You like them, want more?" God Bless My Dad!

It was a good thing this ritual of my dad's, pancakes on a Saturday and also Sunday morning, because it is continued today even if there are no children in the house. Husband and I devour them like a feast at hand.

Have a wonderful day and yes indeed, these pancakes were delicious.

Stop by Diana's for some sweetness and also Rebecca's for The Art of Remembering.

Paint Party Friday

2011-10-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY to all. Number 33 and buzzing. 8 months already???

UNBELIEVABLE! Be sure to stop by and visit the other particpants. Click on the linky poo above, and you are there. Any way....for this week:

My friend Mely sent me 4 placemats with different embroidered beautiful works of art back in June and I posted about them and a couple of other items received. They are wonderful placemats and have used them once on a special dinner and was afraid of staining them so they were put away for now. Then the decision to try to paint one of them changed my plans, so one was brought out. The vibrant colors, which is why Mely said she sent them to me, "because the colors reminded her of me." What touching words to say Mely and so appreciated. Here is one of the placemats that I will try to paint.

Thank you Mely, you are the best.

The painting was started with pens and inks

added acrylics, and watercolors, more pens

with gloss

without gloss

I've titled it:

YOU TALKING TO ME?

I personally like the last one with the gloss because it looks like stained glass in the light. Faces are my thing to paint so I surprised myself with what looks to be two birds of a feather who are flocking together.There you go! Another Friday, another Paint Party Friday and we

party hardy. Look forward to seeing your work, I'll be visiting.

Have a great weekend.

Before I go, I wanted to share these mushrooms that are growing outside. Are they not beautiful? Of course they are NOT EDIBLE, but they make a wonderful picture.

The first one above looks like a flying saucer.

Food For Thought Thursday

2011-10-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hi and welcome to my FFTT, thanks to Robin who is hosting this weekly event.

Today I am cooking easy as that is what I have been trying to do recently. This simple dish is called:

Queso Fundido Con Champinones Y Rajas de Poblano or to make it simple:

Melted Cheese with Mushrooms and Chili Poblano Strips.

Ingredients are chili poblano's that have been roasted, peeled and cut into strips, a little olive oil, 2 tbsp butter, S&P, mushrooms that are sliced, I add bell pepper and onions, and garlic, although the recipe doesn't call for it, cheddar or Monterey cheese is added and once cooked I sprinkle Queso Fresco on top.

It's cooking process is basic: The veggies are sauteed, the Monterey cheese is added once the veggies are tender and I transfer to individual bowls and pop in the oven or one of those little ovens for just a few minutes. The queso fresco is added and tortillas warmed. You just spoon into tortillas. This dish is a lot better with homemade tortillas but today I didnt' feel like rolling. Tee hee.

Here it is cooking

Ready to eat and a nice Mexican cerveza (beer) would go good with it.

There you go, my FFTT #2. Stop by Robin's blog to visit other participants. Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day. Someone once said:

"We Eat To Live," but if I did that I wouldn't fit on this chair I'm sitting on, heehee. lol.

Take care.

Vincent Price Memory

2011-10-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Vincent Price's death, October 25, 1993 and I forgot to add a little something in honor of his memory.

Birth: May 27, 1911

Death: Oct. 25, 1993

Parents:

Vincent Leonard Price (1871 - 1948)

Marguerite Willcox Price (1874 - 1946)

Cause of death: Lung Cancer

Burial:

Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea.
Specifically: Ashes scattered over Point Dume in Southern California

I remember how he joined Michael Jackson in that special hit called Thriller. Here are Vincent Price's words in this hit:

This is Price's rap on the Thriller hit. (words from San Jose Mercury News)

Darkness falls across the land

The midnight hour is close at hand

Creatures crawl in search of blood

To terrorize y'all's neighborhood

And whosoever shall be found

Without the soul for getting down

Must stand and face the hounds of hell

And rot inside a corpse's shell

The foulest stench is in the air

The funk of forty thousand years

And grizzly ghouls from every tomb

Are closing in to seal your doom

And though you fight to stay alive

Your body starts to shiver

For no mere mortal can resist

The evil of the thriller! (cue maniacal laughter)

and of course I could not end this post without that special video that grabs us all.

REST IN PEACE VINCENT PRICE and of course MICHAEL JACKSON

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TOMORROW! VIVA LA VIDA!

My new Ipad2. Post

2011-10-26T09:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog friends, hope you are doing well. This keyboard on the iPad is very touchy and you can't type fast or you'll hit the keys and have a lot of mumbo jumbo on the page. I've noticed that I can't scroll down on my reading list if I want to see who has posted. I'll have to figure it out and hope I can. This is my first time posting with the iPad. I haven't uploaded pix yet, just trying it out. I will be back later, and hope everyone has a wonderful day. I will try to post now. Take care.

Sincerely your Blogger friend,

Gloria aka glorv1

Ruby Tuesday

2011-10-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Ruby Tuesday

One of my paintings called:

India Lady

and then I found this great sticker on a Yahoo search

Stop by and visit: http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/ for other participants posts.

Lotus

2011-10-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

A blogger friend Lotus

has unfortunately lost her husband. Please stop by her blog, she needs all the friends she can get right now. A lot of my followers also follow Lotus, so please stop by and wish her well. Thank you.

"I knew it would happen"

2011-10-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening as I was watching a movie called Seraphine on Video on Demand/Amazon, my husband ran into the room saying, "I knew it would happen!" What? What?, was my response.

"The dog next door got hit by a car!" My heart fell to my feet and I jumped up. As I ran to the door, my feet turned a little and a pain shot up my knee so painful I cried in pain. After reaching the door I looked out and the owner's were picking "puppy" up off the street, limp and obviously it was gone. I went out there to say something but they were gone by the time my shoes were on. I later found out puppy didn't make it, and they had buried him out back

It was at this time after seeing the puppy's limp body being picked up that I started bawling like a baby and really bawling out loud. The tears were falling so hard and just couldn't stop crying. Our house is fenced all around front and back and the front is always closed so that our family pet members cannot go out into the street. I had to pick up my Chocolatte and hug her tight. I quickly brought Chippy in from the back and she went to her bed in the washroom. She was happy to come in and I was happy to have her safe as well. Chocolatte was in her daddy's arms.

The next door neighbors pretty much stick to themselves as we do, so they don't say much. The next day I heard their little son say he wanted to know where "puppy" was buried. The dad kept saying he would get him another dog and the son wailed he didn't want another dog, he wanted puppy.

Very sad moment and something that will stay in that child's mind for a long time. My husband always said he knew it would happen because the puppy was always out walking the street instead of being in his yard. In fact I once told the neighbor that his puppy almost got run over of which he almost did. So he quickly put the pup in his backyard. This was another time where he was out in the street.

It saddens me much, so I cried and woke the next morning with my eyes swollen. We love our family pet members so much because they are just that, part of our family and when we lose one.....well.

Rest in peace little PUPPY.

This is not him, but a picture of how he looked. This picture here pretty much looks like how Puppy next door looked

Irene, Gloria, Mary and Ofelia (fifi) the foursome.

2011-10-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm sharing this for: THE ART OF REMEMBERING

It seems like a long time ago and it was, rock and roll was the thing, Elvis was freshly hot, the song "Goodnight Irene goodnight, was in, and the "Hot Spot," and Mel's was the place to be. I definitely am showing my age, but what the heck. I don't feel it, look it, and in my heart I'm still that young girl "hanging around" with these gals. We were a foursome and what a foursome. Everywhere we went, heads turned, Irene who was sexy with her long brown hair, green eyes and tall full body, Mary her sister, serious girl with long dark hair, another tall full bosomed body and searching eyes that went right through you. Ofelia we called her Fifi, with her dimpled chin, long brown hair, and brown sad eyes that were deep and lined upper and bottom, and there was Gloria, barely filling out, long dark hair, always acting silly and making jokes, and sad hazel eyes that were always looking around and seemed to catch the eyes of a few.

Now if I had pictures of those four girls and how I wish I did, I would post them. In those days no one could afford a brownie camera, let alone to have the pictures developed, so the memories in our minds are the only things left. Irene is no longer in this world, nor is her sister Mary. They died at a very early age and Ofelia is still alive and lives somewhere in the Bay Area. As for Gloria, here she is typing on this keyboard and wondering where those days went. The Hot Spot was the place where you went to dance and dance we did. It was rock and roll time. The Crest Theatre was the show to go to and meet everyone from school there. There was a store called Hartfields on First Street in San Jose and everyone hung around there during cruise time. We'd watch the cars go by and wave, laugh and act like teenagers which we were.

Sometime we miss, sometimes we wish we were still there.

Enjoy and remember how good life is, Viva La Vida.

IRENE and MARY, bless their souls, are now gone, and I suppose that is why I am offering this for THE ART OF REMEMBERING, because I am remembering friends now GONE. Stop by Rebecca to visit other participants in

THE ART OF REMEMBERING.

Paint Party Friday

2011-10-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

PAINT PARTY FRIDAY Week 32 and growing.

Thanks to Kristin and Eva we have been enjoying 32 weeks of great art provided by YOU, US, the participants.

i am doing this sentence on my KINDLE because my modem went out

I have to admit that sometimes I don't have anything, but I try to provide some work from the past or something I'm currently working on. I'm currently working on my Dia de Los Muertos Ofrenda/Altar and am almost done with it. Today a journal page:

I never named this page. but of course it is Fridaish, the eyebrows are always there on all my ladies.

Then I have this shelf closet that I painted, added pictures, added some of my mini paintings and glued them on, and then went crazy with the paint brush on one side.

and to conclude a few of my paintings that I have glued on board that has been been sanded and painted black. I glossed the fronts and added wire.

To conclude, a little peek at a picture of the part of the altar/shrine I'm working on:

I hope you'll stop by my blog on November 1/2 to view my post for this special day.

my modem went out

Okay, I hope you enjoyed my PPF post and please stop by and visit the participants. Click on the Paint Party Friday link above and there you go.

HAPPY PPF!

Food For Thought Thursdays (FFTT)

2011-10-20T06:31:00.000-07:00

I'm linking with Robin on Food for Thought Thursdays just to share a picture of food and the thoughts behind it. Today I'm making an easy meal that I've made many times. Bell peppers green and red, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, chili, spinach and pasta. When we are staying away from meat, I found that this is very easy to make. The vegetables are all sauteed in olive oil and spooned over pasta and it's a meal in one. I serve it with french bread.

and there you go, our Food For Thought Thursdays. Stop by Robins to do a little FFTT blog hopping. Have a great day everyone.

(published using the new interface, just for my info)

GOING BANANAS

2011-10-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, today is a better day. Okay so I thought I would post on the new interface and start getting used to it. I complained, got it out of my system and lets see how this goes. I'm very happy today because I'm not going bananas, I'm getting bananas.:) Want to know why? I'll try to upload the picture of our banana tree.

Yay it worked! This tree is out in front. We have quite a few out in back, planted and in buckets but none have given bananas. I hope these bananas come to fruition.

Then the avocados, our very own. So far we have gotten 3, but there are a few more on the trees.

The first one I tasted melted in my mouth. It was delicious. How do you describe a good avocado? It was so good knowing it came from our backyard, that I can only say out of this world.

Then the Pomegranate's are giving as well and I can hardly wait for these beauty's to turn red.

and then look what was on my door on the way back from out in back. I forgot what these are called?? Someone help me, maybe I am going bananas because I can't remember what these creatures are called.

I came back to add this and thanks Valerie for letting me know it was a DragonFly and now that I have read the symbolism behind a dragon fly, am I in for a CHANGE and SELF-REALIZATION?

Well I got through this post and so far it wasn't too bad. I still have to preview before I print it. Okay I shall print now and I didn't have a hard time understanding how to use this new interface, so I may have to take back my gripe. I don't know yet. Everyone have a good day, enjoy.

VIVA LA VIDA!!

Trying out the new interface

2011-10-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I am here today to gripe. You know me and how I am when things aren't going right. I gripe and let the whole world know. I did a post a few minutes ago on the old interface to let the world know I wasn't liking the new set up that Blogger is giving us and which we will have no choice but to go with it in two weeks. So I will voice myself of what I just did and try to upload a picture to see if I can work with this or not. Hold on while I read.....Okay...so I was able to upload a picture and it landed up there where you see it .... hmm...Okay so they are landing one right after the other. Have to try moving my cursor to another area and see where the pic lands.

Okay, I think I am starting to see how it works. I was able to preview easy enough and spell check as the little red lines go under the words if it is misspelled. Okay I will now publish this and see how it comes out. Sorry for griping. I'm still not sure I will like the new set up.
Have a great day tomorrow.

Have you tried the UPDATED BLOGGER INTERFACE yet???

2011-10-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

I do NOT and please let me repeat, do NOT like the new "updated Blogger interface" and the unfortunate thing is that we will all be switched to it automatically in two weeks whether we try it out or not. I've been trying it and even had to change to Google Chrome and it is terrible. I like the old blogger and don't know whether I will get used to the new format or not.

I just hope they don't switch us over before I post my DIA de LOS MUERTOS post because I probably won't know how to post it or upload the pictures. Why do they have to change things. I always say leave well enough alone. I may have to start doing a search for a different blog site if this new "stuff" doesn't work out. It's awful the way things are laid out. It's like looking at one of those old fashioned spreadsheets. Gads. Please let me know if you have switched yet and what you think of the new interface. It's like going backwards to me.

I just switched back to the old interface so that I can post this. I may try posting something on the new.

Ruby Tuesday

2011-10-17T15:23:00.000-07:00

Ruby Tuesday and my contribution

My blog books, except there are eight now.

HAPPY RUBY TUESDAY!

The Art of Remembering

2011-10-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER I bought 2.5 days ago and am going through the book in no time. I learned of it at Stephanie's blog when Fran at http://redondowriter.typepad.com/ recommended it to Steph. I won't go into details because here's wishing you pick it up too. I d/l it on my Kindle and glad I did. Thanks Fran.

The spirit has been lifted to the art of remembering why we plant a garden/gardens like we do.

Walking out the door this morning a rush of sensations enveloped me and I knew they came from the connection with this book being read.

Prayer's to be said, thanks to be given, all were done and still was in a rush to hurry and get back to reading and filling my soul with jubilance. I apologized for rushing my prayer's but knew God was an understanding God.

The plants from the summer losing their life but they keep getting watered in hopes of longevity. They will be gone soon...

...in it's place on the other side of the garden, there is new growth for the Winter months and we so look forward to it, replenishment and inspiration.

The newest in the garden this year has blossomed and given us the fruits of our labor. Our very first avocado in our home trees, of which are many. The bounty will be many in the coming years and sharing these wonders will bring light and happiness to us. All this wonder and beauty because we remember why we are planting,

TO KEEP LIFE GOING

That is why when we celebrate our families this year on Dia de Los Muertos, we will dedicate all the growth we have had and our Father's will be proud because THEY were the gardener's of growth in their time and would be very happy to know that we have carried on tradition. A glimpse of my very first

CATRINA

or a part of her. She is about 4 feet tall and is part of the:

CELEBRATION OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS

KEEP ON REMEMBERING AND HAVE YOUR SPIRITS LIFTED IN DOING SO. VIVA LA VIDA! Don't forget to hop on over to Rebecca's where there is a wealth of remembrance waiting to be read.

What will I do Today???

2011-10-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Saturdays I like to watch Rick Bayless on Mexico One Plate At A Time and also I watch a couple of other cooking shows. Today I will do that but will pick one room to really clean good and that will be the living room. I'll vacumn, dust, try to move the furniture so I can clean under it (it's gotten a little hard to do that), and maybe throw some other throw covers on the couch and chair instead of the ones that are on there now.

That is my plan, to clean the living room, first and foremost.

Feed my family pet members and freshen up their water.

Then I will be making some chicken soup (for dinner) with all the veggies in it.

Make tortillas for the soup

Make some apple bread, I got the recipe from Heather, the girlie chef

Tidy up the kitchen and mop the floor.

Proceed to the washroom and do the load that's there.

Clean the bedroom and open window.

Take a break with coffee and think about wanting to be in the studio doing "stuff."

Oh there's more to do I'm sure but for now that's some of what I'm doing today.

Better go before I forget what I have to do.:)) Have a wonderful weekend.

Cooking I love, but as far as housework, this is what I have to say:

Free cartoon downloads

Ooops sorry, that's not for you but for housework. Look at her finger. tee hee. Sorry, didn't mean to cuss. I'm going now. Take care and have a great weekend.

Paint Party Friday

2011-10-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I first want to remember my family pet member Chorizo who on the 14th of October 2007 left this earth. She was with us for 14 years and she loved us and we loved her and still do. I see her eyes in this picture and think about what the meds were doing to her. She had to take pain meds. How she suffered and I with her.

Rest In Peace My Girl, Momma Loves You

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Wow, it's here again and I thought I wasn't going to have anything but was able to do a quick paint job just for today. Happy Paint Friday 31 everyone, and thanks Eva and Kristin. Can you believe that it's PPF 31? Hard to believe that time has gone by so fast and here we are almost at the end of the year. Wowza!!!

I do look forward to each Friday and am very busy working on my El Dia day. Just click on the link to go visit other participants. For today though, this is what I have.

I asked permission from my amiga Lisa if she would allow me to "try" to paint a photo of her and she said of course. Well it didn't come out as

"Priti" as she is. Priti Lisa has such a pretty face and this piece I did doesn't compare to how she really looks, but it's an impression.

Not as "Priti" as Lisa, just an impression of her.

A darker effect

Cartoonish Effect and I like these effects because mistakes fly out the window. Tee hee.

Sunshine effect

 and a little more serious look it seems.

Lisa if you see this, please be advised that I honestly tried and it's not as pretty as you, so please don't be offended. You gonna KICK me?? Tee hee.

Happy Paint Friday everyone, and enjoy your weekend. I'll be visiting you ALL shortly. Don't forget to get your "M," cancer awareness month.