Tastes Like Chicken

Sometime earlier this year, I set out to try something new each week and then blog about it.  Yeah, well...you know how that's gone so far. But having an early dinner with friends on Saturday, I had an opportunity to try something new.  Wait...I'm getting ahead of myself.

Leanne over at From Chaos Come Happiness was participating in a craft fair at her old high school in Burbank.  This craft fair was HUGE!!  Some of it run of the mill craft stuff.  Nothing to compel us to buy.  Well, except for a couple of things.

Like this artwork by Leanne.

I must be in red phase, because I seem to gravitate to red lately.  (I'll bet a shrink would have an answer for that!!).  Actually, my PG saw it as soon as we walked in and asked me about it.  So I think he fell in love with it first. And, of course, I needed more altered journals!  For me and for gifts.  And the cutest picture frame!  Also a gift...so I can't show you here.  But take a side trip to Leanne's Etsy shop to see what she has.  You're sure to find something!!

And then there's this glass necklace/earring set made by Liesa Davis at Jewels2U.

PG loves when I have jewelry that makes me happy.  And I walked past it three times, but kept coming back to it.  If I find the right outfit, I might accessorize with this for a wedding I'm attending in December.

So after the craft fair PG and I went to an early dinner with Leanne's sister, LT and her husband, CT (a.k.a. SB during our Scrap Cellar days).  We had to check out Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe, which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. And this is where I tried something new...Fried Alligator.
 

Yep, I tried it.  And here's proof that I tried it.

And because they bread it...it tastes like chicken.  Only chewier.  Worth it?  No.  But at least I can say I tried something new!  

O

Happy Birthday, Christine

She's a mom, 

a daughter, 

a runner,

a teacher, 

a sister, 

a wife, a niece, a cousin, a rebel, a friend, and a source of a whole lot of pride in her mother.

Happy Birthday, Christine!!  

I'm so proud of the woman you've become!  

Honoring Angels - 9/11/12

Just some mixed media art
on an inspired day.

Sometimes, even I am impressed with the words that I am able to get from my heart to my hands.  I don't believe I can convey my feelings any better than I did on this day two years ago.  So I share that post with you again.

As I sit here thinking about what I want to say in today's post, I'm overwhelmed.  How do I say something unique to honor those who lost their lives nine years ago?  What I want to say has been said so many times, by so many people.  It feels trite.  But to not say it seems disrespectful.  

You see, I feel the way to honor each of those lives ended on 9/11/01 is to allow each of those angels the opportunity to create the peace in this world that we so desperately need.  

This may seem simplistic but if you don't mind, follow with me for a short journey.  Imagine you lost a loved one that day.  (I know this is not such a stretch of the imagination for many of you).  Think about the things you did, the fun you had, the way they made you feel when they walked into the room.  When you think of that, are you filled with peace or anger?  Chances are you feel the joy of that relationship.  You feel the peace in your life that your guardian angel would want for you.  You feel the peace that this world needs. 

The news media these days certainly throws a lot at us to stir up anger.  Whether it's about building a mosque at Ground Zero, or burning Qurans in Florida, it seems they want to keep those fires burning.  Sometimes, the best way to extinguish those fires is to turn off the news.
Today, I choose to honor those angels who are working double time to combat all the anger in our world.  Today, I choose to live a peaceful life.  Today, I choose to thank those whose lives were given involutarily so that they can be the angels that remind us that peace in our world starts with each of us individually.  Today, I choose joy and peace.  And today, as always, I will not forget.

May you live in joy and peace and gratitude today.  God bless us all.

Party time!!

Birthday party today.

Guess how old the birthday boy is...

The call this morning went like this:  

Grandma:  So, today is your birthday party!

Mr. C:  Yes!  Are you coming to my party?

G:  You bet I am.

C:  Did you buy a present?

G:  Yes I did.

C:  Did you wrap it yet?

G:  Yes I did.  But I'm not going to tell you what it is.

C:  I know, Grandma.  That's what makes it a present.  

I love that kid!!