AAM Monday: Project Life Week 44

Halloween week when he went down south for a couple weeks in anticipation of the satellite launch. Before that trip he had a guys dinner which went well. Food and fellowship is always a good idea.

Early voting for me while he had an absentee ballot thinking he'd be in Florida this/that week. I voted for Hillary and by then was done with all the anger and hate associated with this election. Fortunately,  I had a USNA 'concert' actually a Halloween show in the Navy chapel. It was like nothing else I had seen and gave us some laughs as everything built up to the election.

Wordless Wednesday: October 26, 2016

It's That Day! Beware!!!

Friday Funny October 16, 2015

Not sure where I found this but most cats I know would be highly upset to be dressed like this. Dressed at all.

In any case, it's my new screensaver for the week.

5 Autumn or Halloween Ideas That I Could Make

Fall is coming! September 23 is almost here and that is the day. In anticipation here are some ideas that I've enjoyed and hope you will too. Now I'm not saying I'm going to make any of these but I might. I definitely could. But you know I'm really thinking about it ...



1. Fall Banners -  click HERE for link

2. Cutie Pie Mask - click HERE for link

3.  Skeleton Feet - Click HERE for link

4. Edible Mummies - click HERE for link  (and 60+ more healthy Halloween snacks)

5.  Fall lights - click HERE for link

It's TIME!

original from Cathy Zielske

Wordless Wedsnesday: Better with Candles

It's that time of year, and I'm burning this candle down this year. Kind of hard to do but it's time.

Monday Memory: Don't Open This Door!

I don't even know if this London building still exists, but I sure wouldn't open that door this close to Halloween! Would you?

It really is amazing to think of buildings so ancient standing in the present day. I know when I first moved to England, I could not get over the fact that there was a pub not too far away that dated to the 1100s. Can you believe it??? A lot of my 'old' only went back to Revolutionary days in the United States, or perhaps seeing Jamestown as a child. What I recall most of all about Jamestown is the incredible heat and humidity down there that summer. It was even worse than the Washington DC area where I lived. Heat and humidity have never been my friends. Still aren't.

But this building? I doubt that heat has ever crossed that threshold. Cold and damp? Oh yes! I have no doubt. In fact just looking at the image gives me chills. But my advice? Don't open a door like that, should you ever find one. Just sayin'. I'm just sayin'.

Oh Them Bones

Not a Halloween post but rather one about my dh's achy bones. He has had pain in his neck off and on recently and today it appears to hurt a lot. I suspect that while I am out on a prospective high school visit with my granddaughter, he will be spending the day with a heating pad.

 As for me, it would be pretty hard for my bones to get in this position. My one knee does not like to kneel at all, so I'll have to say my prayers for him sitting down.  I imagine that will work just fine.

Cake with Intelligence

I saw this baby back in May and thought....oh yeah, I like this!



You know you need to make this for some party this Halloween. The ladies over at Homemade Mamas show you how. Use your brains...hehehe...and creep someone out!

Creepy Night

(click to enlarge for reading)

Wordless Wednseday

Dishing the Week

Last week. Somehow a lot of nothing got done yesterday, and that made it a damn good day. I feel so totally relieved not to be tutoring till January - maybe. As much as I love it, and I really do, it just got tiring. I think my student's constant yawning greatly contributed to that feeling. But enough about jails.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW - the sky is overcast and the bamboo is drooping.

I AM HEARING - the tick tick tick of the clock and the click of the keyboard.

I AM WEARING - my first Halloween socks of the season!! Oh yeah, other clothes too. Like black pants and the tan long sleeved t-shirt. It's almost a uniform.

I AM THINKING - that I should finish up the picture sorting today while I have the kitchen table free. The man has gone to the dentist and then has a meeting.

I AM THANKFUL FOR - all of it.


I AM CREATING - order, or at least I'm trying.

I AM GOING - try and catch up with my digital classes today.


I AM READING - The Children's Book. This was a slow start and boy does she love detail.

I AM HOPING - that all goes will this week for Bekah's BMT (bone marrow transplant).

FROM THE KITCHEN - there are good leftovers from last night's dinner and a halibut soup to be made.



ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS - lately is having Sebastian keeping me company in the studio. I know it's not me; it's the heated cushion but I'll take what I can get from this boy.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK - keep on keeping on with the classes, pack up the scrapping things for my trips to Baltimore, visit the Railroad Museum in Baltimore with Artist Way peeeps. Get myself to Target before the purple stuff is gone.

12 Days of Halloween - Day 9

Serious thought should be given by now costumes, and I know if you have children, you have all theirs ready and waiting. You DO don't you!?!?? Since my children mostly grew up in lands where Halloween was not celebrated, this mom was off the hook usually.

But what about other family members? You know, the 4-legged kind?



Pinch My Salt didn't neglect the family pooch. What canine would not be happy with a skeleton coat?

12 Days of Halloween - Day 8

A decadent treat is called for if you have been the one preparing your household for Halloween.

How about Cheesecake Pops?



Originally these were made by scooping cheesecake balls from a cheesecake. Daring but sensible bakers decided squares were quite fancy enough. I have to admit I love any cheesecake frozen, but this idea can also be used without the sticks as I've read that you have to eat them quickly.

(Are there people who have to be told this? And are they wasting damn good cheesecake while standing around with a stick in the air? If you know some of these people, just give them a glass of gin instead. Save the cheesecake for serious eaters who recognize a Pop-Into-the-Mouth when they see it.)

Once you peruse the instructions, get yourself some sprinkles and nonpareils in orange and black and knock your socks off decorating those sweetie pops. IMHO, I'd forgo the sticks entirely and/or make some out of styrofoam just for pretty. Do the pops as petit-fours. Tell me how yours come out!

12 Days of Halloween - Day 7

Now this one appeals to me and reminds me of funny things we had at parties when I was young...the kind of thing that had us giggling and acting as if we (girls!) were appalled. Of course we enjoyed it but we had to pretend to be scared!



For all the directions for an eyeball machine, go to Michaels' for the project sheet. Not too many things needed and the skill level is 2 - one step up from the Huh? level.

12 Days of Halloween - Day 5

It must be time for some Halloween food...real food...meaning pumpkin desserts. I think any decent cook should make some now just to test out before the Halloween rush! In truth, this one is such a production it may take you until Halloween just to contemplate the whole prospect. This would be perfect for an adult party or for teenagers. "Parental Guidance" suggested.



Barbara can give you all the directions, and they aren't that difficult, but all in all I think I'll pass. If you can stomach it (pun intended), go for it and post your pictures!

12 Days of Halloween - Day 4

Are there wee ones in your house who still like coloring? Well, you can find pictures like this over at DLTK .

In fact you just might want to make one for yourself, especially if that Witchy Woman longs to emerge about now!

12 Days of Halloween - Day 3

Now everyone needs a craft or two to make the holiday new. How about some creepy spider napkin rings?


You can use these all October in the future unless you are one of those people skeeved out by spiders (and I know who you are!!). Making Friends will show you the how to. Just don't eat those spiders!

12 Days of Halloween - Day 2

You still have time to get Halloween postcards to send to those little ones who will have fun with mail Just For Them. But for older folks, how about these vintage postcards from Dover Publications ? They also have electronic ones you can send.