Phos Graphis

woodpeckers....

2012-01-30T15:56:00.003-05:00

these photos were taken through my kitchen window so are not great quality..but I enjoy feeding and watching birds and animals come up to eat in my backyard. I have lived in this location now for 6 years..and have tried all that time to get woodpeckers to come up. I finally have them coming up to eat! I had a red-bellied woodpecker and a hairy woodpecker so far...I am so thrilled and excited! Here are a few shots

giant cloverleaf hot rolls!

2012-01-18T17:32:00.000-05:00

Chocolate Cinnamon Snowball Cookies

2011-12-12T22:36:00.002-05:00

1 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2 cups flour
powdered sugar to roll cookies in

Beat butter, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon with mixer until light, gradually add flour, mixing until blended. Form into balls about 1 inch or so..place on cookie sheet (they say greased but with all that butter in the cookies I did not grease my cookie sheets and it was fine)

BAKE at 350 or a little hotter (they called for 400 degree oven and I NEVER use that hot an oven for baking cookies..I used 350 and bake just till brown on bottom or starting to get light brown...

Remove and let cook only slightly, roll in powdered sugar....cool completely and roll in powdered sugar again!

mini peach pie/cobbler...before and after...

2011-09-18T14:04:00.001-04:00

my second rotisserie chicken...rosemary and thyme....wow!

2011-07-25T11:51:00.001-04:00

it was delicious! I then decided to make homemade mashed potatoes and fresh green beans..I even made gravy from the juices from the rotisseried chicken! It was one of my best meals and the great thing was I had a lot of leftovers!

to grandmother's house we go......

2011-06-26T17:52:00.002-04:00

looks a little spooky no??

homemade tortilla chips...

2011-06-03T19:43:00.001-04:00

Before baking....

AFTER baking...

I think I would prefer CORN tortilla chips...so next time I will use CORN instead of FLOUR tortillas...but that was all I had in stock so I used what I had.

I am sure frying these as most would makes these taste richer but...to save fat and calories I baked mine.

I sprayed a cookie sheet with cooking spray...you can use olive oil or butter...whatever you wish.

I stacked my store bought round tortilla shells on top of each other and cut into pie wedges...

I placed the wedges on the cookie sheet...gave them another spray...added any seasonings...and baked at about 375 till nice and golden brown. They are pretty good..but CORN would likely be a lot better. They taste great with salsa...whether they are corn or flour.

Quick, easy snack and you get a lot more than in the bags at the store and it is healthier for you.

A Time To Share a Memory.....52 Photos Project

2011-06-01T19:24:00.002-04:00

Our prompt was MEMORY....and one memory I want to share is the beautiful sunrise I saw on New Year's Eve morning....it was breathtaking. This is what I saw looking out the top of my tiny window above my front door.

to see more entries side my sidebar for the link to 52 Photos Project!

homemade hamburger buns and my memorial day meal 2011....

2011-05-30T17:12:00.001-04:00

I made homemade hamburger buns (I posted the recipe here a while back..check my sidebar)....and decided to add some chives...chopped onion and dill seed.....then I grilled turkey burgers...and whipped up potato salad and baked pinto beans. Pinto beans cause it was the only kind of bean I had in the house handy...and the potato salad I added ranch dressing and a dab of real mayo with hotdog mustard relish..wow..it was superb! BEST I think I have ever made! Here is my meal...which I am thankful for...and which was delicious!

sharing photos from OTHERs of our recent turbulent weather and hail!

2011-05-30T12:50:00.002-04:00

GIANT tree down the road from us that just got sucked up out of the ground and tossed over....

Hailstones in Brookville, Ohio from my sister's backyard....

More hailstones from Brookville, Ohio

Hailstones from Miamisburg, OHio

More from Miamisburg, Ohio

Centerville, Ohio hailstone...

Parking lot filling up with hailstones in Centerville, Ohio...

Damage done to car in Bellbrook, Ohio...they said the hail had to be falling about 100 MPH straight down for this type of CLEAN HOLE damage to have happened...it was like a bullet being shot!

Bellbrook, Ohio hailstones part 1....

Bellbrook, Ohio hailstones...part 2...

Bellbrook, Ohio hailstones part 3...

I did not take all these photos no....I gathered some from family and the rest from Channel 7 iwitness news buddies online.....

What can I say? We could have had it so much worse..but the rain, wind and hail along with almost continuous tornado warnings recently have been a little stressful! The hail storms we had the other night brought us some of the most damaging winds and hail ever seen in this part of the country ever! Hail that was 2.5 inches here...but 3 to 4 almost 5 inches in other parts of the state. It was just surreal. Here are a few photos of the recent hail....which damaged my sisters' cars....and shredded their screens...broke skylights....just incredible the damage it caused...and the winds...I am very fortunate and thankful it was no worse up here than it was...or anywhere..and we are all okay...and feel blessed we still are intact...in one piece...with our house and roof over our heads!

Homemade Soft Pretzels.....best ever!

2011-05-22T19:14:00.001-04:00

3/4 cup hot water (110 degrees)

1-1/2 teaspoons yeast (I used 1 packet)

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix the above together..till all dissolved.

Add:

2 Cups flour

KNEAD on floured surface for 8 minutes...

Form into ball....place in bowl...put some oil on top of dough...olive or vegetable...your preference...and roll ball of dough around to cover with oil....then cover bowl and allow to rise and rest for 1 hour.

Remove dough from bowl and cut into 6 sections. Roll each section into a very long strip of dough.....rolling it out with your fingers like you are using it as a rolling pin....about 20 inches long....then tie into pretzel shape...place on greased cookie sheet....allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Heat oven to 400 degrees during this 15 minute rest time.

Get a bowl of hot water (110 degrees) and 2 Tablespoons baking soda....mix together.

Place each pretzel from the cookie sheet after its 15 minutes of rest into the baking soda water solution and soak each pretzel for 30 seconds....place back onto cookie sheet.

Melt about 2 to 4 Tablespoons of butter....brush tops of pretzels with butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake till golden brown...does not take long.

WOW they are yummy!

40-minute homemade hamburger buns....

2011-04-20T20:00:00.006-04:00

I saw this recipe on YUMMLY.com ...(Go here for the delicious recipe...I can't seem to get my link to work....but copy and paste it!)

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/40-Minute-Hamburger-Buns-Recipezaar

for homemade hamburger buns...and they looked so delicious...and it was such an easy sounding recipe...I thought I would give them a try. I only had enough ingredients to make half a batch...but WOW..they were the best, easiest, quickest recipe for any type of homemade bread I have ever made. They MELT in your mouth and would be good to use even for a hot roll!

INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of warm water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp salt
3 to 3-1/2 cups flour

1.In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.
2. Add oil and sugar and let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Add the egg, salt and enough flour to form a soft dough.
4. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 3 to 5 minutes, adding flour to get rid of excess stickiness.
5. Do not let rise.
6. Divide into 12 pieces and shape each into a ball.
7. Place 3" apart on greased baking sheets.
8. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
9. Bake at 400° for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Remove from pans to wire rack to cool.

weird looking electrical wires on poles....never seen any like this before

2011-04-18T10:31:00.007-04:00

almost looks like a rigged up job...

old tombstones.....

2011-03-30T18:18:00.001-04:00

I went to see some family gravesites the other day and found these in addition to others I knew were in my family. I am not sure about these 4 graves so will post them here and see if my dad or anyone else in my family knows if these are part of our family tree?

stepping back in time.....

2011-03-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

Friday Noah and I along with my uncle Sonny ran to Richmond, Indiana for an outing. I had run out of work so was able to flex my time and took some hours off in the daytime to enjoy a nice outing on a gorgeous day weather wise! After making a pit stop for coffees and snacks prior to our departure...haha...our first stop was Webb's Antique Mall in Centerville, Indiana. WOW we had a blast. I got some wonderful things there....I saw a gorgeous cedar chest that would absolutely match my bedroom set....would love to get it...my bedroom currently is so small...but the price is excellent on this waterfall cedar chest...I may have to go back and get it before someone else grabs it up!

My son had been admiring these old retro cars for a long time...so he finally bought the vintage Lincoln...

I found my marbles....normally the price on these old jars with marbles or buttons in them is SUPER expensive...I got these GIANT marbles all very old and wonderful condition in this old jar for under $5.00! This photo does not really show how wonderful they are...or I am just nuts...

I have a thing for SUN faces and moon faces too...but SUNS really draw me. I found this wonderful iron sun face....had to snatch him up...

and this cool retro suitcase....I love this style. I may redo it and gift it or keep it and make it into a cool makeup bag/kit for home...

I am redoing my bedroom to make it look vintage...a retro look....all vintage items when possible...I have been finding some wonderful things for it. I got my entire bedroom dresser sets at Webb's Antique Mall in the past there...a wonderful waterfall set....round mirror...vanity seat. I posted pics of that before. My uncle bought me this cool vintage lamp and picture from our local Goodwill to put in my room...

Then he called me from Goodwill Saturday and told me about a cool old cabinet that would look perfect in my living room....and it does....the price was excellent...had to get it...

but back to Webb's Antique Mall....I got a BUNCH of RETRO/VINTAGE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS! Like 2.00 an entire bag!!!! I grabbed them all. I am afraid a couple may have gotten chipped on the way home. They stuck them into a big grocery bag and I think well...they are fragile. The 2.00 a bag was well worth it...I mean some of these are super old...and the little Santa faced ones adorable. Cannot wait to make a vintage tree for my bedroom this year.....and/or a wreath too....I have seen some amazing handmade wreaths using vintage Christmas ornaments...

I found this vintage picture for my bedroom at Webb's....and I will probably GOLD LEAF the frame.....it is the same type of antique/vintage look that my uncle got me with the other pic above....

I was having a great day finding amazing deals..something usually only my Uncle does....I mean most of my items were only a few dollars each!

I got this candle holder at Good Will for 1.49...it actually would look super nice with that pic above if I left the frame black...hum.....have to think about it. OR gold leaf them both....

I love Lassie...always have...always will. I saw this retro pic of a scene from Lassie and I had to get it too....I know I know.....but it is so cool.....takes me back. My mom got me a Lassie book years ago...which I still have....and I loved reading that book....it brings back wonderful memories for me...

When I saw this cake carrier...I instantly thought of my grandma C....as she used to have one very similar to it. I had to get it....It makes me want to make a big double layer chocolate/fudge cake and take to someone's house for a treat!

I found a retro 1936 Mickey Mouse book....

I got these at Goodwill...the hobnail light will go in my kitchen..I like leaving a dim light on at nighttime in the kitchen....and the vase was just gorgeous. I love the glaze...these BOTH were under 2.00.....together!

this is the type of thing I have started to get and stick in little corners or unexpected placed in my house or outside....this will hang...it is so cute...very tiny....

I could not leave without getting some of their wonderful jelly and jam...I actually love blackberry jelly or jam WITH seeds...but seedless is easier on anyone's intestinal tract!

Then I figured after filling my shopping cart I better check out and stop. I did not even spend 75.00 for all my stuff...can you believe it? I got amazing buys....and will use everything I got....everything makes me smile.

We then went back to Richmond to go to Fazoli's for a late lunch/early supper....we had a wonderful meal and visit there....

by this time my uncle and I could barely walk...but we managed to get into the car and drive BEHIND Fazoli's to the flea market!!

AN AMAZING flea market!! I thought it was called Trader's World...but I think it may be Liberty Bell? I have no idea for sure now...but wow....I had never been there before and IT IS FANTASTIC! SO MANY things and SO CHEAP!!!!! We had a ball...and I got another cart...

They had an entire dollar section....found some more vintage stuff there.....vintage table cloth...wish it was material and not plastic....vintage organizers....so cool....

it will go perfectly with this 1.00 wicker lunch basket I got at Goodwill!

I love homemade soaps....I used to order these types of soaps from a woman on Ebay....I found the same types of soaps at the flea market..and they smell amazing....

Noah LOVED this flea market...he found Hot Wheels everywhere...and he had been looking for some Treasure Hunt hot wheels for forever...and guess what? He found a TON of them at the flea market...so he spent some of his birthday and Christmas money and got 5 of them! I know we will be going back a lot...so many amazing things there....prices great!

One of my favs he got was this cute beetle one...

I never thought I would like a yellow car but I even own one...and love it...mine is also yellow and black...well..an SUV/truck more than a car....

well I guess I had cake on my brain...cause I found another vintage cake carrier...had to get it. I just love them....and like them better than Tupperware ones.....and you can use it for more than cake....now I need to bake something..this was super cheap!

this one had latches which I like!

I found this wonderful summery tea light candle holder..will be very nice outside on my patio table this summer...

On our way home we stopped and got an ice cream cone....at the best little hometown ice cream shop....

I forgot to take pics of everything but snapped a lot regardless as you can tell.

And then we hit up Goodwill again before ending the day. It took me a couple days to recover ...my legs/feet that is. I mean I am actually supposed to get a knee replaced...but am trying to hold off as long as I can...so..I was feeling it to say the least...

We had a wonderful day together..so much fun....I could have used a scooter to get around by the end of the day....

Now I have to get back to laundry....take all the stuff off my bed I drug in to snap pics of and find places to put them for now.....and get with it. The day is almost over!!

Dayton's News Source :: Where You Live - It's Where You Live: Abe Lincoln, the blogger

2011-03-08T12:33:00.000-05:00

My dad was interviewed on tv....pretty nice clip...you can watch it here....give it a chance to load

Dayton's News Source :: Where You Live - It's Where You Live: Abe Lincoln, the blogger

a dog named Joe....another update

2011-03-06T22:25:00.002-05:00

Wen my son and I first moved back to Ohio from Colorado a few years ago....we moved in with my grandma until we could find a place of our own. She has neighbors next door beside her house who have a couple of dogs and cats...but their one dog Joe has always been put outside by himself in a pen behind their garage. His name is Joe....

Joe has lived through all sorts of conditions....rain, sleet, snow, extreme sun and heat....is usually by himself all day long...and has no interaction with anyone or anything except perhaps the few brief moments his owners spend when they drop off food or water in his bowls. No one from that house seems to play with him or spend time with him...take him out of the pen....care for him properly...nothing.

My son and I fell in love with Joe....even after all the neglect he was such a loving dog...always wagging his tail and so excited to see us...not a young dog but still so playful...and seemingly happy to always see us coming or going. We always made sure to go over and pet him...give him treats...throw a ball to him for a bit...etc.

I soon realized though just how bad Joe had it. His pen was mostly dirt...and his own urine and poop. While not chained...he was in a pen of filth. He had a dog house that was too small that sat over a huge hole he had dug in the dirt....which he probably dug to give himself more room to fit in the house because as I said..the doghouse was too small for his body. I think Joe has only tried escaping once....and they got him back...and he was stuck back in the pen again.

We soon could tell no one came to ever clean the pen....never clean up the poop...never put fresh sod or straw down for him to walk on or lie down on. These same neighbors had another dog INSIDE their home they treated like a king...as well as 2 cats...but Joe remained outside in the filthy pen. This is how his pen would look when it rained.....

I would find Joe out there in subzero temps....in that frigid water....freezing....his legs shaking and shivernig in the cold...because his back end would be covered with wet muddy/poopy water.....he would get sores on his legs from standing in the deep dirty water. I had to do something. I wished I could take him somehere else to live..but at that time I myself did not even have a place of my own to live.

I called the Humane Society...I complained...I sent pics in...movie clips in...of the conditions Joe lived in. I turned to 2. The Humane Society of Darke County sent someone out. She did not even get out of her car the first time. She apparently notified the owners they had to put straw down...make sure Joe always had fresh water and food...but otherwise...they could really do nothing...blah, blah, blah. I was stunned...not believing they could somehow think this was acceptable standards for a pet dog to be living in.

The conditions deteriorated...I called and emailed again to complain. Someone else came out again....the people put down a bit of straw ONE time.....never cleaning the poop and crap up before they even put the straw down. They also never came back to clean the dirty, poopy straw back out of the pen ...I soon discovered the only way the poop was ever cleaned out was by natural erosion from the rain and snow...no one ever came outside to talk to Joe or clean up his pen. He had to walk, sit, eat in his own feces and urine.

I was so disgusted..I continued to make complaints. Was finally told they were working with the neighbors to take care of the dog..that they had a statement from the vet that the dog was in good health...and he was getting fed....etc....there was nothing they could do. The owners did start to let Joe inside the garage sometimes after that in bad weather.

During the summer the weeds would get so thick in his pen...he could no longer even see out of the fence..or over it..or get air through it. My uncle went in and trimmed the weeds down for him numerous times...so air could pass through the pen...and Joe could see out of the fence again. The owners never said anything about this...never came out to address it themselves..nothing.

One day I was coming home from somewhere....back to my grandma's house...and I had gone over to Joe and was hugging and kissing him...and giving him a treat...when as I went to walk into my grandma's house....here came the neighbor lady coming around the corner to cuss me out and accuse me of being the one turning her in all the time for not taking care of their dog Joe. She started to tell me she would call the police on me if she ever caught me on her property again....I told her the alley was not her private property and I could be in the alley and talk to Joe anytime I wanted. I then asked her why she did not ever clean up the poop in his pen or put straw down for him...spend time with him....take better care of him..etc.

She looked incredulously at me and said as if I were some idiot, "It is only DOG POOP and it is on my property and if I want to clean it up I will and I don't have to if I don't want to!" I told her it was not healthy for Joe to be like that...walking around in his own poop and pee....eating nearby it..etc. I went in to all the things that had been bothering me...so of course she knew it must have been ME who had been calling and complaining about her treatment or lack thereof..of Joe.

After that my son and I were not supposed to go over to see Joe anymore....and I was afraid he would think we abandoned him...had forgotten him....so we would still sneak over to pet him and give him a quick kiss or treat.

BUT soon the neighbors out of spite ...decided to yank down the end section of fence between the alley where Joe could look across and see us...and us him...and they instead put up a BIG section piece of privacy fence.....so Joe would no longer be able to see us..but mostly so we could no longer see Joe..or the conditions in which he lived.

Of course this did not stop me...we could still squeeze in the corner gap and see him...talk to him...but not often....and we could still see the conditions he lived in...but it became very apparent to me Darke County Humane Society sucked as they were doing nothing to ensure Joe would get better living conditions.

This brings me to tonight. I have been thinking about Joe...every time we get rain or a lot of snow...extreme temps...etc...I think of Joe. I pray for Joe to be okay and safe and healthy. Tonight when I dropped my grandma off at her house after taking her with us on a family outing.....we got to see Joe. I did not get my camera out to take a picture of him. My son had yelled to me that he looked bad. I went over to take a peek in the crack of the fence....what I saw shocked me.

I have always been afraid the extreme temps one day would probably kill Joe...I mean he is getting older and I doubt he can handle dampness and rain/snow too much all the time outdoors. I was always afraid he would die out there and no one in that household would even know it....he could be dead for days and I doubt they would know it....

But tonight...here came Joe....looking like a dog zombie. In less than 2 years he has aged...looking like a ghost of the dog he had been not even a year ago.....his back end was full of wet, muddy water...and his hairs were all frozen and matted down..his tail did not ever come up to wag....and he was cold...shivering...looking like he was trying to get into the garage but they must have had it blocked off. Anyway here he came over to us...but his eyes looked funny.....he did not perk up his ears...and he acted like he could not see us at all..or only parts of us..maybe shadows...I think he may have cataracts...but in all honesty his eyes looked like a zombie dog...like his spirit has finally just been so broken ...that it had left the dog body and gone somewhere else entirely. He did not seem to know who we were...and yet sort of acted like he knew he should know who we were. He tried to sniff our fingers we stuck down in his pen...but then backed away and not sure....almost acted like he wanted to take a nip at us. He smelled a lot....trying to remember....but it was so pitiful....

Now I feel worse than ever. All my efforts have done nothing for this dog. His pen looks the same now as it did in the pics above...no straw down...mud and poop everywhere...he is all wet,muddy, poopy and shivering in 30 degree temps....outside....and now he is older...cannot get around well..and appears to be blind...and broken. I almost feel like maybe he thinks his last hope...us...abandoned him and he just finally gave up.....and now he has escalated to this condition...in a very short, fast period of time.

I want to call and complain to someone to do something. I want to take Joe away from the pen to live with me....but now I think he is afraid...cannot see well...and may be bitter and if not able to see well..nippy. He deserves so much more than the life he has known his entire life....which is one of isolation....and deprivation...and neglect. And yet through all this..he had always continued to be such a loving, sweet dog.

Some say his living conditions meet the conditions of LIVESTOCK standards for the state..so there is nothing that can be done....I think something has to change...this cannot possibly be considered an acceptable STANDARD for anything living...dog or other livestock. Maybe that is where the distinction needs to begin. This is someone's pet dog....and they are treating it more like livestock....and while it would not be a good life even for livestock....I definitely do not see how anyone could possibly think it is acceptable standards for a pet dog.

The Joe I know is no longer in that dog's body...or mind...or eyes...or spirit. I feel so horrible about this all. If I had kept my mouth shut...at least the fence would not be there and he could have continued to see outside....interact with us...etc.....and maybe his spirit would be better today than it is now.

I still pray for Joe....I pray for him knowing it will not do any good....not at this point....unless he can be removed and have cataracts removed from his eyes if that is what is wrong with him...and I am not sure about his mood anymore..if he can be or is even stable. This story is a sad one ...with a very unlikely happy ending.

I love Joe...I feel so bad for Joe...and I feel like I have really let Joe down. I Hope he can forgive me. I don't know what else I can do....I have called...emailed....and turned to local television stations complaining. I have contacted DOGS DESERVE BETTER...I got no response from the TV station or Dogs Deserve Better...I get a run around game from the Humane Society...they do nothing....very little...warn the people...fine them perhaps...and the neighbors only do the least amount possible...which is so very little...since as I saw again today...no straw is down in Joe's pen again....the conditions are the same.

It has been 5 years now since I have been back to Ohio....5 years since I have known Joe up close and personal....and in the last 12 months or so...he has aged 100 years. It is depressing and makes me sick. I am thankful that karma will get that lady/owner good one day. What goes around comes around..you do reap what you sow...and one day that lady may need people or a safe place....not isolation and deprivation..and that is exactly what she will get. Joe will be smiling and happy again on that day...or at least I will. I know that sounds bad...but I do find comfort knowing she will get hers one day. She told me that day she confronted me how much they LOVED Joe. I told her she had NO idea what love was....that was no way to love an animal.....no way to love anything. Not sticking them in a pen all by themselves all the time...no interaction...no proper care....never cleaning up their poop...etc. It went in one of her ears and through her hollow head back out the other side.

I have a movie clip of Joe...standing in this muddy, poopy water shivering with sores on his legs..I also sent that to the Humane Society...nothing....nothing done.

SO I end this for now..with no updated pic of Joe. It was depressing. His eyes and gaze to me reminded me of that movie that time called the Dark Crystal..when the life force is sucked out of that one main character....that is how Joe looked...even without a photo it is an image I will never forget....

AND on an end note...I got chewed out from a follower on my other blog for this posting...being accused of sitting behind a pen and not taking any action for Joe. I want to clear the air even here...and make sure everyone knows we DID take bedding over for Joe...we DID take him food and water....we DID play with him and love him...we DID what we could for him in the pen....at that time I was staying at my grandmother's house....next to these people who owned Joe...I had NO WHERE I COULD have taken Joe if I had stolen him from that pen. Once I got a house I was renting that house and not allowed to have pets. I still had no where I could take him. YES I DID try still finding him a home....and I would have taken him from the pen and given him to a good home if someone had stepped forward to say they would take Joe. NO ONE ever told me they could help out. So I guess I have not made the scenario clear here...the woman living there is a crazy lady...calling police on us if we even PETTED JOE...she did not want anyone showing Joe any love or attention....or chopping weeds down in his pen...etc. Too bad this particular blogger would not have opened their mouth before now and stepped up and said I can help you out and come and gotten Joe.....see....easier to say than to always do.

Opie.....snoozing.....lazy cat day

2011-03-02T17:44:00.002-05:00

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise this morning!

2011-01-17T11:18:00.001-05:00

gorgeous sunset January 16, 2011 in Darke County, Ohio

2011-01-16T20:12:00.001-05:00

I was walking into my laundry room to do some laundry when I happened to notice some orange glow coming in my back window. When I looked out I saw this most gorgeous sunset...so I snapped a few shots. Isn't it beautiful??

Quiche...it's what's for dinner

2011-01-12T21:31:00.002-05:00

Sunrise...January 2, 2011

2011-01-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

Sunset January 1, 2011....

2011-01-02T09:56:00.002-05:00

CLICK ON PHOTOS to see larger version...

We have been having some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets the past couple of days. This sunset was January 1.....have you noticed it is staying daylight a little longer at night?

New Year Eve's Sunrise 2010-2011

2010-12-31T08:38:00.002-05:00

This morning I noticed an orange hue outside my closed window blinds. As I walked past my front door windows I saw this gorgeous sunrise. I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy, prosperous, and blessed New Year!

CLICK photo for full size!

my mini breakfast casserole.....

2010-12-06T18:03:00.000-05:00

This is easy to make:

butter a small casserole dish and toss in about 9 or 10 tater tots

add in minced dried onion, chives, anything else you might want such as crumbled bacon bits, pieces of other meat or not meat, and some shredded cheese. Mix 2 eggs (I use only ONE yolk) and add about 1/2 to 2/3 cup milk...pour over mixture in casserole. Put in 350 to 370 degree oven till center comes out clean when stuck with knife. Let cool...serve. SO GOOD and easy to make!

Homemade cheese crackers.....

2010-12-01T18:29:00.000-05:00

a great way to use your mini cookie cutters...or larger ones..or make cheese straws that look like French fries. I made a batch for the first time tonight and WOW...they are the BEST gourmet tasting cheese/spicy cracker I have ever had! I doubt I ever buy store bought crackers anymore! These are soooo good....the house smells so wonderful...and you could make so many varieties! I added cheddar cheese, American, Parmesan and dill seed to mine....AND pepper flakes. WOW!! Here is the recipe:

Here is the main recipe but feel free to change it up to suit your taste!

Cheese straw dough/cracker recipe:

•1 1/2 cups (about 4 ounces) grated cheddar cheese
...•4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
•3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
•1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
•1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
•1 tablespoon half-and-half

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt and red pepper and process in five 5-second pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half. Process until the dough forms a ball, about 10 seconds.

(I do not have a food processor but you could use a mixer and/or bread machine ....I just cut in the butter like you do for pastry using a fork)

3. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8-X-10-inch rectangle that is 1/8-inch thick. With a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into long, thin strips, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide (dipping the knife in flour after every few inches ensures a clean cut). Gently transfer the strips to an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving 1/4 inch between them. The straws can be any length, from 2 to 10 inches.

4. Bake the straws on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the ends are barely browned. Remove from the oven, and set on a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OR USE your cookie cutters as below directions!!

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s 1/8-inch thick, and cut as many leaves as you can. Transfer the leaves to a baking sheet lined with Silpat®, and chill them in the fridge for three minutes. Then bake them at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are barely browned.

When the crackers cool they’re intensely cheesy, buttery, spicy, crunchy, addictive, drool-inspiring, and yes, lovely.

OH MY ...I cannot describe how GOURMET these crackers taste and how quick and easy they were to make! I did not use half-n-half as I did not have any..I used 2% milk and I used regular cookie sheet with NO Silpat...they still turned out soooo yummy and did NOT stick to my cookie sheets.

anyone care to guess what THIS is????

2010-10-27T21:13:00.002-04:00

cool PHOTO project being offered by Art House

2010-10-06T10:52:00.004-04:00

CLICK ON PHOTO for direct link to take you to Art House for all the details.
Sign up to receive a disposable camera from Art House, choose a theme that inspires you, and share your interpretation with the world.

Use one of our cameras to capture 27 frames on a single theme and then send us the results. We'll collect your contributions into a traveling exhibition and send them on a journey from coast to coast.

Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can participate in the project.

A Million Little Pictures from Shane Zucker on Vimeo.

Rules
Project overview:

After you sign up for the project, we'll mail you a package containing a customized Brooklyn Art Library disposable camera, your selected theme, a return envelope for your prints, and detailed instructions.

Themes:

Participants select a theme of their choosing. One you pick a theme and finish the sign-up process, that theme cannot be changed. Please choose carefully! If you select the "random theme" option, we'll let you know what your theme is when you receive your camera. The themes are intended to be a jumping-off point, not a burden â€“ so feel free to interpret it as you wish.

Exhibitions and the Permanent Collection:

At least one print from each participant will be included in the traveling exhibition. The project will be installed into Photomobile, our custom-built library on wheels. Photomobile will exhibit the collected photographs at galleries and events from coast to coast. We'll also be digitizing select photographs and producing an expanded Web site that will launch next year.

Although we will continue adding tour dates, please note that all dates and locations are subject to change.

Photographs:

Please note that due to the design of the exhibition, we cannot return contributions to this project. Please make duplicates for yourself before mailing your photos to Art House.
Participants must use the camera provided by Art House.
Photos must be exactly 4x6 with no border.
Photos should be printed on glossy paper.
Each participant is guaranteed AT LEAST one print in the traveling exhibition.
Mailing your work to us:

Please postmark your work by June 15, 2011.
Please do not send mail that requires a signature. We will do our best to receive all work in person, but we are not responsible for items returned to sender.
We try to check in all contributions as quickly as possible. However, it is a long process â€“ especially as the deadline approaches. Please note: we will check in all work at least one week prior to the first exhibition date.
Unforeseen issues:

Art House does everything possible to keep your work in tip-top shape. However, stuff does sometimes happen. Unfortunately, we cannot replace work that is lost, stolen, damaged or eaten by bears. We will work hard to make any unforseen situation better, but we are not responsible for these occurances.

Copyright:

Your work is your work. We will never ever sell your work without your permission. We will, however, use contributions in promotional materials, web ads, print ads, and the like. We will also publish your work in a companion catalog for the project. We reserve all copyrights to the published materials.

Contact:

We will always do our best to respond to any questions or issues in a timely manner. To help us assist everyone quickly and efficiently, please read through our FAQs and the project rules before emailing us.

Updates:

Stay informed! Sign up for updates from Art House and check back with the AMLP Web site to stay in the know as the project develops.

Radio Flyer Car!

2010-10-06T08:25:00.002-04:00

CLICK ON LINK HERE FOR ARTICLE!
RADIO FLYER CAR: Valley couple's Radio Flyer car turns heads - ktuu.com

Opie and his reflection

2010-08-23T13:49:00.001-04:00

I thought this was a pretty cool photo ....of our cat looking through the back window...and his reflection was in the glass.

Melissa's macaroni and cheese.......

2010-08-18T17:05:00.000-04:00

what's that? the great pumpkin?

2010-08-01T14:15:00.002-04:00

I had some squirrels take seeds from pumpkins I set outside to decompose from my yard over to the neighbor's yard and bury them. Check it out....plants came up in her flower beds by her shed and pumpkins are coming on!!

My birthday cake.....

2010-07-26T21:07:00.002-04:00

Dayton Dragons............

2010-07-24T20:37:00.001-04:00

4th of July

2010-07-06T21:22:00.001-04:00

Nothing says it better than grilling hotdogs and brats...and of course a red/white/and blue cake!

2010-06-30T08:23:00.000-04:00

Sunsent in June ...2010

2010-06-21T20:04:00.001-04:00

thinking back on the blizzard on this hot day in May

2010-05-24T12:46:00.000-04:00

summertime has begun.........

2010-05-16T12:18:00.000-04:00

summer is just around the corner

2010-04-24T18:54:00.000-04:00

sunset on the railroad tracks.......

2010-03-10T14:29:00.002-05:00

I tried to take a shot of one of the most gorgeous sunsets as the big sun came down and looked like it was sitting right on the tracks...but my camera, while capturing it, in color made it look all purple and pink, not the true reddish orange it was. It had a big glare...so I turned it into black and white. I think it looks better, but, it was so beautiful in color and I wish there was some way I could have captured it! BUT here is the BW version.....

Winter at Englewood Dam, Englewood, Ohio Feb 14, 2010

2010-02-15T22:17:00.001-05:00

we have gotten a lot of snow......with more on the way tomorrow!

2010-02-08T13:13:00.003-05:00

I love winter...I love snow....we have been getting a lot lately and more will be following soon! We were on a level 3 snow emergency until yesterday so even if we wanted to go anywhere we would not have been able to. Today we are down to a level 1...just in time to stock up on a few more supplies and run a few errands. Here is some pics of the snow we have now......after shoveling out.

wintertime, January 2010

2010-01-04T19:51:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-23T18:23:00.001-05:00

python........

2009-12-15T19:19:00.001-05:00

Sunset one evening December 2008 out my back window

2009-12-06T12:53:00.001-05:00

Click to enlarge

adorably cute playful kitten

2009-11-29T21:52:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2009-11-24T09:38:00.001-05:00

skeletons..........can you guess or read what animals they are?

2009-11-18T06:43:00.003-05:00

cake anyone??

2009-11-11T14:48:00.001-05:00

PLEASE consider sending this little dying boy a Christmas card.......see story below...and link to video

2009-11-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

Diana Biorkman needs your help in making her son's wish come true. She has a 5 year old son, Noah, in the last stages of a 2.5 year battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer. The family is celebrating Christmas next week and Noahs request is to get lots of Christmas cards. Please consider sending cards to:

Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountian Viewcircle
South Lyon, MI 48178

here is a link to the video......

NOAH BIORKMAN

Please send whatever you are led to send. Thanks so much!

a litte more fall........

2009-11-04T19:55:00.002-05:00

a bit of fall.......

2009-10-14T18:41:00.004-04:00

my version of Tandi's Tomato Pie......so delicious!

2009-10-07T17:28:00.002-04:00

CLICK to enlarge photo!

OKay....I had seen this recipe in Country Living awhile back and today I decided to test it out. I substituted a few things. I used little grape tomatoes from my garden cut in half for the plum tomatoes....and basically just added as many as I wanted to fill the bottom of the pie crust and then another layer on top. I also do not have mayo in the house so I used some salad dressing....I think it was Sweet Valdia Onion or something like that. I used a Pillsbury refrigerator pie crust...and it may have baked a tad too long but was it so yummy!!!! SO sweet. I used onions from my garden too......and between those carmelizing a bit with my grape tomatoes....wow! Here is the original version of Tandi's Tomato Pie recipe you can try if you like!\

Tandi's Tomato Pie

1 baked pie crust
4 medium plum tomatoes (I substituted a ton of little grape tomatoes cut in half)
1 Cup chopped white onions
dash salt
dash pepper
2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh basil (or from a spice jar)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I substituted liquid salad dressing my choice)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Bake pie shell.

Mix mayo and cheeses together to form a cheese mixture.

Place 1 layer of tomatoes or about half in the bottom of the pie crust. Add 1/2 the onions and half the spices. Try to spread 1/2 the cheese mixture over this. Add another layer of tomatoes, onion, and spices and top with remaining cheese mixture. Slice a big tomato on top for decoration and add additional cheese if needed (which I did need to do) to fill in gaps on top.

Bake in 375 degree oven for about 30-45 minutes until golden brown. Cool 20 minutes before cutting to serve.

I think other cheeses would be good to try too like smokey cheese and gouda or Swiss...I do not normally eat any cheese but Parmesan on occasion or string cheese. BUT I have been wanting to try this recipe for so long now. I would HIGHLY recommend you try it sometime! SO delicious and simple to make! MEATLESS too for those veg heads out there!

a few vintage cars from the local fire parade Saturday........

2009-10-05T15:38:00.001-04:00

my homemade pizza............it is the best around

2009-09-17T15:24:00.000-04:00

some fair videos.......from the 153rd Great Darke County Fair

2009-09-01T23:17:00.004-04:00

time for a quick nap at the county fair........

2009-08-26T18:06:00.001-04:00

Santa's Magic Watch..........CLICK TO ENLARGE FOR BETTER VIEW!

2009-08-13T20:44:00.000-04:00

Ominous clouds in Darke County.......

2009-08-09T12:58:00.001-04:00

I happened to notice the sky in the parking lot when I had to run into Staples a few weeks back......some amazing storm clouds were brewing!

After losing access to my blogs for a couple of days I am back!

2009-08-02T21:19:00.002-04:00

There must have been some glitch with Google/Blogger as I and MANY others lost access to our blogs for a couple of days. SO tonight I am thankful!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Cloudy skies.........

2009-07-26T01:21:00.001-04:00

Giant hornest's NEST!

2009-07-21T18:59:00.001-04:00

I got myself a little travelocity gnome!

2009-07-16T23:10:00.002-04:00

There is just something about these little guys that I like. I have wanted to get myself one for a long time now. I decided to get this little guy from Big Lots as it was marked way down already for end of summer sales. I did not put him outside for fear someone might steal him. I put him in my kitchen for now....and he looks perfect and I can enjoy seeing him there every day where I could not if he were sitting out front or back.

good morning sun! (CLICK to enlarge)

2009-07-09T22:09:00.002-04:00

Cracker Barrel had some wonderful items for the home and garden on sale a week or so ago when we went there for breakfast. I loved this so much I got one for my uncle for a thank you gift but also got myself one. I stuck mine in the kitchen window for now where the sunlight catches in the sun's face and looks beautiful. CLICK on the image to see it big and up close!

Full Buck Moon July 7, 2009! AWESOME raspberry colored moon!

2009-07-08T06:21:00.000-04:00

WOW...did you all see this moon last night as it was rising? It was awesome! SO LARGE and SO RASPBERRY in color!! A few Indian tribes have also called the Full Buck Moon "Full Blood Moon" or "Raspberry Moon" or even "Red Berries Moon" because when it rises it appears reddish in color. I could not believe I had the chance to see this moon exactly like that as it first rose last night!

The Full Buck Moon is known as such because it is the time when buck deer sprout velvety new antlers. It can also be known as the "Full Thunder Moon" because thunderstorms are more frequent during this month. It symbolizes a time of harvesting and enjoyment of crops of the season. To some this is the "Blessing Moon". Energy moves into creation. Opportunities for self-reliance and confidence, unity and balance abound. It can also be known as the "Hay Moon" or "Meadow Moon" because the meadows are at their greatest point of growth in this month and it is a time for hay cutting. Some have even called it "Ripe Corn Moon," "Herb Moon," "Grass Cutter Moon, and "Hungry Ghost Moon."

THANKS EVERYONE!!

2009-07-07T07:44:00.002-04:00

for all the birthday wishes! I spent a quiet day at home with my son. I never even got out of my pajamas the entire day! It was nice....

Full Buck Moon, July 6, 2009

2009-07-07T07:43:00.001-04:00

in the garden after a rain.......(my parent's backyard)

2009-07-07T07:35:00.001-04:00

The Moon Sunday night...at dusk....June 28, 2009

2009-07-01T06:30:00.002-04:00

I was sitting upright in a regular lawn chair.....using my Lumix point and shoot camera......NO tripod.....zoomed in 40x....

the moon was so pretty

Lily pad......

2009-06-24T12:37:00.001-04:00

the moon Tuesday morning around 2:30 a.m.

2009-06-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

one of our wild bunnies napping by our overturned kiddie pool... CLICK photos to see him up close!

2009-06-11T14:03:00.004-04:00

we have a few bunnies this year in the yard..this tiny guy has been the newest to make an appearance. A much larger one also is hanging around. The two will chase each other around the pool and under it and then fight over this same sleeping spot. They each take turns napping there. I had to try to snap a few through my kitchen window. He is adorable.

Weight Watcher's Spinach and Cheese Quiche (3 points and 139 calories per 1/12th slice)

2009-06-08T15:48:00.001-04:00

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

1 (12 ounce) can fat-free evaporated milk
1/3 cup low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 Basic pie Crust baked and cooled (recipe to follow)
1 box frozen spinach thawed, drained and squeezed dry (10 oz box)

Basic Pie Crust (SUPER good pie crust - 114 calories, 3 points per 1/8th slice/section)

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8th teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cold butter, unsalted, diced
2 Tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 to 3-1/2 Tablespoons ICE water

Mix flour, sugar, salt together. Cut in butter and shortening. Add vinegar....then ice water stirring just till ball forms. Flatten to patty and place in plastic or foil and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Roll out as you normally would with flour or between plastic wrap. Place in 10-in pie pan.....price sides and bottom with fork and bake till slightly brown...about 15 minutes or so in 400 degree oven.

COOL crust.

Meanwhile for filling of quiche:

WHISK together the evaporated milk, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs and egg whites, salt, and pepper.

On top of cool pie crust sprinkle spinach......pour liquid mixture above over spinach......place on cookie sheet or baking pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees.....turn oven down to 350 and continue baking until center comes clean with knife. Mine took longer than recipe said ( they said 20 minutes longer) but mine took more like another 30 minutes longer. Allow to cool. Cut into 12 slices or 6...but if 6 remember to double points and calories if you are counting those.

This was actually very good and pretty simple to make. I think what would have made it better would be tomatoes added to it....so next time I have a slice I am going to slice up tomatoes on top. I also think fresh spinach would be better than frozen and you CAN use fresh. You just have to steam about 8 cups of fresh washed and trimmed spinach leaves for about 2 minutes till wilted...then chop up.

ENJOY!

Sunset in Darke County, Ohio (CLICK photo to see full size)

2009-06-04T21:16:00.003-04:00

Check this out.......I can see so many ways this could be used to help autistic kids learn social skills too!

2009-06-04T11:04:00.001-04:00

The technology being developed in the video world today is amazing. Check out this video clip of technology already available.....and think of the LIMITLESS possibilities this means in the virtual world of interaction!

the Great Blue Heron showed up at our local park again,,,,,(CLICK to enlarge if you like)

2009-05-27T10:44:00.002-04:00

Noah with the Jerseys at Young's Dairy Farm in Yellow Springs, OH

2009-05-23T06:35:00.002-04:00

the bunny and the squirrels and birds all get along together.....

2009-05-20T22:54:00.004-04:00

and come up with the chipmunks all at the same time to eat at the same spot in my backyard. So far Mr. Hawk has not made any appearance since winter.

These were taken through a clean spot I found on my kitchen window. The last shot is amazingly clear for being taken through a kitchen window. CLICK TO ENLARGE IT and check it out!

what does your garage look like??

2009-05-18T09:24:00.000-04:00

driving home in Colorado and the local pumpkin patch in Colorado.........(click to enlarge of you like)

2009-05-15T05:04:00.001-04:00

Update on Joe the dog since many have asked.......

2009-05-11T14:38:00.004-04:00

the situation has not changed for Joe. The neighbors HAVE put up a high privacy fence section at the end facing my grandmother's house so now we cannot even see Joe when we look over there and he cannot see us. I feel really bad about this......and miss him a lot....and feel he probably thinks we abandoned him or forgot him as he can still see our car pull up and "hear" us but we do not go over ....except in passing down the alley we then roll our car windows down and yell out to him.

I don't want to cause more problems for my grandma so I do not go over and try to still pet or talk to Joe up close and personal since the neighbor told me to stay off her property or she would call the police. My uncle however still DOES do this. I am glad at least he does and I wish I still could. I miss hugging Joe and still try to see him if I can up close when we leave our grandma's house in the dark.

If the world were perfect I would have long ago gotten myself a house outside of town in the country a bit...not too far out though....but on some land and I would have gone and taken Joe to live with us. He deserves so much better than what he has.

His pen situation has not changed......the conditions are the same.....and the neighbors still do not really spend any time with him. It makes me cry every time I think about it or see him over there and it makes my stomach feel sick.

I contacted that Dogs Deserve Better agency but if they have ever contacted the family they have never contacted me to let me know about it. This is one of those situations that unless someone just goes and takes Joe.....apparently no one can do or will do anything about it. It makes me sick to think people can get away with having a pet dog in those conditions.

So anyway.......there is no good new news to share about Joe. I wish there was.

Continuing with more from Bear's Mill........click to enlarge if you wish

2009-05-11T09:56:00.002-04:00

a couple more from Bear's Mill...click to enlarge photos if you want full size....

2009-05-08T08:02:00.001-04:00

Before even thinking about getting a flu shot....you should reread this......

2009-05-02T14:09:00.002-04:00

click on this link to read a prior interview with 60 Minutes on the 1976 swine flu scare and tactics used to get people to receive flu shots and then what happened to them afterwards....

60 MINUTES EXPOSED SWINE FLU VACCINE LACK OF SAFETY

I caught Opie in a strange position the other day.......

2009-05-01T09:48:00.001-04:00

yeah....let's take a closer look.......

the waterfalls at Bear's Mill........Greenville, Ohio

2009-04-28T12:19:00.002-04:00

BEAR's MILL

gratefulness....

2009-04-18T08:15:00.001-04:00

the moon this morning around 5:30 a.m......

2009-04-12T08:30:00.001-04:00

taken with NO flash......NO tripod......with my Lumix camera.......nothing fancy but I thought the moon looked incredibly filled with craters....much more so than usual.....and so bumpy! AND the angle almost made the moon appear oval instead of circular. Very odd but very nice. The morning was cool and crisp...with frost on the ground and 2 large bunnies in my front yard.

clouds.....

2009-04-09T06:08:00.001-04:00

CLICK TO SEE FULL SIZE

Opie in the plastic file cabinet drawer........

2009-04-06T22:02:00.001-04:00

not sure how he managed to squeeze his big body into that little 12 x 12 drawer.......

but he did........he is double jointed I think!

chipmunk and red-winged blackbird through my kitchen window......

2009-03-30T17:15:00.003-04:00

these were taken THROUGH my kitchen window at 40X zoom so they are not ideal or very clear......this chipmunk came up and started to shove the bird seed on the ground into his pouches so fast and so much he was like a sweeper. His little pouches were filled and his head looked HUGE by the time he was done. I don't know how he could move let alone lift up his head and keep walking around. He pretty much laid on his belly the way it was with his head to the ground and sucked the seeds up into his pouches like a sweeper!

The red-winged blackbirds make appearances in my backyard every so often. I found that very interesting as you usually only see them out in the country on fences, or at least that was the only place I normally would see them until I started putting seed out in my backyard and they started showing up here too. Only a couple or handful come at a time...sometimes only one as in this shot.

Opie lying on his new camouflage mini cat afghan Grandma C. made for him.........

2009-03-24T15:08:00.000-04:00

Not the best pic in the world.....and I think he looks sad.

He is a stinker.....biting me hard again today on my arm above the elbow inner side..for no reason. Through my shirt...made me bleed and a bruise/knot. Not sure what sets him off other than I think he really would rather just be OUTSIDE all the time. Noah wants to keep him in...I am ready to let him OUT.

sigh......

Tom-Kat

2009-03-22T12:48:00.000-04:00

none of us looked too thrilled in this shot did we?

2009-03-18T06:39:00.003-04:00

this was in my backyard when I was a kid....dad took the shot. I can remember being that age and those times as if they were yesterday though. I am on the end, right side looking at the picture. In fact...there is something black sitting beside me on the bench.....can you guess what it is??????

OLD SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SEEN BEEN DEMOLISHED.......

2009-03-14T08:08:00.004-04:00

WHY WOULD ANY CITY DEMOLISH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL OLD SCHOOL IN THE PAST INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MAINTAIN IT AND KEEP IT AS PART OF THEIR HISTORY/HERITAGE? THIS SCHOOL WAS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS AND I WISH IT WAS STILL THE SAME SCHOOL HERE TODAY....BUT IT IS NOT. IT WAS REPLACED WITH A MORE MODERN SCHOOL BUT THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO SO EVEN THAT SCHOOL IS NOW OUTDATED, AND OF COURSE IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THIS OLD ONE. I LOVE THIS KIND OF ARCHITECTURE AND WHILE THERE ARE STILL MANY PLACES AROUND TOWN SIMILAR TO THESE OLD SCHOOLS TODAY....I WISH THERE WERE MORE. I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN ONE WOULDN'T YOU?

HERE IS ANOTHER SCHOOL IN THE SAME COUNTY....ALSO BEAUTIFUL..ALSO NOW GONE. SO SAD TO ME.

THIS ONE REMAINS TODAY BUT HAS BEEN MODERNIZED...ALL THE FANCY ARCHITECTURE IS MISSING...AND THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN ABANDONED. IN FACT..IT WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF SOON. I PRAY THEY ALSO DON'T JUST DEMOLISH IT. I HAVE SEEN THE INSIDE AND IT IS STILL VERY USABLE AS A SCHOOL...OR SOMEONE COULD TURN IT INTO A LARGE HOME I SUPPOSE. I PERSONALLY WISH IT WOULD BE TURNED INTO A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS.....BUT DOUBTFUL THAT WILL HAPPEN.

Daylight savings begins Sunday.....set those clocks up 1 hour!

2009-03-07T20:22:00.001-05:00

Opie checking out the birds outside the window.....

2009-03-05T09:17:00.000-05:00

Mr. Hawk was looking right at me!

2009-02-28T08:31:00.002-05:00

These shots were taken with my Lumix zoomed 40x but through my kitchen window so they are not super clear. BUT I was so happy I got a pretty good shot of the hawk staring right at me taking his picture! I don't think he got any of my birds this time...he was watching this one squirrel that came up....but he did not attack it.
CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS.....