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Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Freddy's 2015 Antics - Final Days

Freddy's time here in the southern U.S. is almost up but he wants to have a little more fun

December 18th
Freddy loves playing with Army men.


December 21st
Freddy knows that Michael likes chocolate

 




 
December 22nd
Time has come to say goodbye until next year (click on the picture to read the message that Freddy left for Michael)

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Freddy's Antics - 2015 Version

In 2013, I started a new tradition with my boss, only  he doesn't know it is me (at least I don't think he knows it is me) - My boss, Michael, has he own personal Elf on the Shelf, named Freddy!

I posted all of Freddy's antics back in 2013.  However, last year...well...let's just say it was an awful time last Christmas - I was out on Family Medical Leave and I didn't get to help Freddy with his adventures (Luckily my awesome friend and co-worker took over for me so my boss still had his daily elf visits).

I was a little hesitant to let Freddy return this year for various reasons but my co-workers thought that he was ready to come back and have some Christmas fun.

So...here is what Freddy has been up to so far this month.
(Remember, you can click on the photos to make them bigger)

December 1 - He came back into town so he just made his presence known.

December 2nd - Freddy must be a fan of Jack Nicholson and/or Stephen King because he decided to recreate a famous scene from the movie, "The Shining





December 3rd - Freddy loves magnetic games - I guess because of his magnetic personality


December 4th - Silly Freddy - playing with a novelty push pin toy


December 7th - It's Monday - guess Freddy had some extra time over the weekend and made Michael some Elf-sized cookies


December 8th - Nothing like a good sip of fresh Orange Juice to give a busy elf some energy!


December 9th - Playdoh is fun!  Freddy loves to make Christmas Trees with Playdoh.

December 10th - What is this?  Freddy had some Team Elves join him for a friend came of Elf Football.  





December 11th - One of Freddy's elf friends, Teddy from Tennessee, decided to stick around a extra day.  He must love games - yesterday was football and today is Twister!!


December 14th - Look at this!!  I guess Freddy had such a nice time riding his bike in this nice weather over the weekend that he decided just to ride it on into the office Monday morning.


December 15th - Hmmmm - Freddy told me I should have taken a picture of him with one of Michael's favorite candies - Junior  Mints, but I forgot.  Michael left a note next to Freddy to explain what happened to them.



December 16th - Colorful Elf Jacks


December 17th - Freddy had a BLAST at the J. A. G. (Joyner Art Gallery) - He saw so many famous paintings...


The Mona Lisa
American Gothic
Starry Night (which happened to capture Santa and his Sleigh)
and The Scream

Freddy says this was his favorite day so far, because he loves art !







Saturday, November 14, 2015

I'm Still Here & I'm Still Coloring

I know I haven't been posting much lately.  Just seems like I am so busy with work and life.  Plus, the past year has just been really rough, emotionally, and while I have a lot to say about that, I just am not in a place to share it with anyone.

I am generally a happy person - at least I use to be.  I believe and still believe you are responsible for your own happiness.  But when tragedy hits your life, it is hard to bring yourself out of the sad places, no matter how hard you try. 

I hope to get back to regular blogging.  I have tried some new recipes but haven't been crocheting/knitting lately.



I have been coloring some though.  It is the latest trend for adults to color.  However, I have never stopped coloring.  I didn't have adult style coloring books, like we have now, but kids books worked just fine.  I've colored my whole life.  The friends that use to tease me about coloring, now are coloring themselves - haha!

Here are a few pages I've colored recently.




Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Whatcha Reading Wednesday

Normally I have W.I.P. (work in progress) Wednesday but I say "normally" as if I have been making regular WIP posts, which I haven't.  Why?  Because I haven't been working on any crochet or knit projects lately. 

After all I went through last year, I just can't always find the joy I need to do crafty things.  I have 3 projects in the works and one of them just needs to have squares sewed together.  It was a mystery CAL, which I didn't end up liking much so I have set it aside.  I guess I will piece it together, maybe next week I will start - I will probably gift it to my friend's dog to use as a blanket.  I have sworn of mystery CALs forever...I have only done 2 but didn't like either of them and decided I don't like mysteries.....except for mystery books

(how did you like that lead in)

I just finished reading "Jaws".  I have seen the movie a gahjillion times - yes - a gah-jillion times but never read the book so I decided to read it (when I was at the beach no-less)

 


The basic storyline was similar to the movie but there were some differences.  Some minor, some major.

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
(STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW)


First of all, in the movie, it appears Chief Brody is somewhat new to his job - maybe a year or less but in the book, he has been sheriff for about 17 years, very well seasoned.  The characters in both books are about the same but the Chief Brody in the movie is a bit more physically fit. 

In the movie, Chief Martin Brody and his wife, Ellen, have 2 boys (about 12 and 6).  In the book, they have 3 boys ranging from 17 to 10.

In the movie, lovable Richard Dreyfuss plays the character of Hooper, the marine biologist, with a great interest in sharks.  He is fascinated and excited to be on this journey to catch the Great White.  In the book, however, Hooper is kind a yuppie - grew up kind of wealthy - tall, blond and tan. 

As it turns out, in the book, Hooper and Ellen have a past.  She use to date his brother when she was in high school.  She is quite attracted to Hooper (in the book) and flirts with him big time.  Not only does she flirt with him, she sets up a rendezvous' !!  She sleeps with Hooper and gets a little afternoon delight at a local motel.  Ugh! 

I hated that part in the book because I love their relationship in the movie - very close and supportive.  In the book, Brody is suspicious of Hooper and Ellen but his suspicions are not validated. Thank goodness, he never finds out and part of the reason why is because....Hooper dies in the book!!  Ugh!  I didn't mind that the book Hooper died because I was mad at him for sleeping with Ellen but I was glad that the movie Hooper didn't die because I loved the movie Hooper.

Steven Spielberg totally changed the Hooper character and I am glad he did - Hooper is likeable in the movie - you cheer for him.  In the book, you don't like what he does with Ellen - other than that, he isn't really a bad guy but you don't feel too bad for him when "the fish" as they mostly call it in the book, ends up eating him out of that so-called "shark-protecting cage". 

As for the character of Quint.  Robert Shaw played him quiet well in the movie - very much like the book character but with less cussing (thank goodness - the book had a lot of that).  The only bad thing about the book though - is that Quint doesn't really become involved until about the last 70 pages or so - he isn't in it very much.  He dies, like he dies in the movie. 

The movie had kind of a "brothers in arms/buddy" feel to it - these 3 guys with nothing in common that come together, become friends and kill a great white shark!  They don't bond like that in the book - they get along alright but they are not "buddies" by any means.

As you most likely know, the end of the movie is spectacular, when Brody blows the shark up into a billion pieces and you just want to stand up and cheer.  He doesn't blow it up in the book, he  harpoons it, he kills it and then kicks back to shore holding onto one of those floating barrels.  It was not a big dramatic ending like the movie.  Of course there is no soundtrack to the book so that probably helps the movie too - haha!

All and all - I give the book 4 stars.  It was a really good read - I would have given it 5 if it didn't have so much cussing (the book was more violent than the movie too if you can believe that but you do expect that in a book about a killer shark). 

If you never read it, you should give it a chance.


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

The Weepies

This song is several years old but I was listening to it this morning and thought I would post it today for no particular reason.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015

Funny Friday - in the First Degree

 
It might take you a second to get this one - Have a Great Friday !

 



Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Crab Crescent Loaf

I came across a version of this recipe the other day and for the life of me, I cannot remember where.  I didn't pin it or write it down, I just looked over it and got the feel of what it was.  The original recipe had dill in it.

I DO NOT LIKE DILL !
 


So, I think I just skimmed the recipe and went on about my business. 

When I was at the grocery store, I thought about that Crab Crescent Loaf that I saw and decided to make my own version of it.  I know the original didn't mention cheese but I love Crab and Swiss together so I got cheese.

Disneypal's Crab Crescent Loaf

1 can of Pillsbury Grands Big & Buttery Crescent Rolls (personal preference, I suppose any kind will do but I like Pillsbury)

1 6 oz. tub of spreadable Garden Vegetable Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread (could you plain or chive flavored or jalapeno flavored but I wanted to try the Vegetable one)

8 oz. imitation crab (flaked into small pieces)

8 slices of Swiss cheese (or shredded Swiss, I just didn't want to take the time to shred it)

Unroll crescent rolls, place 1/2 of crescent rolls on a non-stick baking sheet, sealing the seams together with your fingers.

Spread with flavored cream cheese

Top with flaked imitation crab meat

Top with Swiss cheese

Spread a little more cream cheese on top, if desired and cover with the other 1/2 of the crescent rolls, sealing the edges with your fingers.

Bake at 425 degrees F for about 20 minutes....until crescent rolls are lightly browned. 

Cut and serve. 
 Yummy !!


Monday, July 27, 2015

Music Monday - U2

Most people that know me, know that my favorite band is the OSMONDS but I hold them in a category all of their own.  Other than them, my very favorite band is U2.  I've seen them in concert 8 times! (not enough if you ask me). 

Anyway, this morning on the way to work, I heard an oldie but goody on Sirius XM - Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World from the 1991 album - Achtung Baby!




Friday, June 5, 2015

Funny Friday - Surprise

I think the geeks (like me) will appreciate this one.
Have a great weekend!!



Monday, June 1, 2015

Lego Monkees

How cute is this?  This video was made by an 8 year old boy - he re-created the Monkee's TV show opening using legos and other toys.


Monday, May 18, 2015

First Aid Kit

I really like the group "First Aid Kit" - I have them marked on my Sirius XM so that whenever they are on (any station), it beeps to let me know so I can listen to them.

Very talented Swedish sisters,Johanna & Klara Söderberg just have a wonderful, clear folk sound that I love.  I like everything I have heard from them.  Here is one that really stands out for me.  If you have never heard of them before, check them out - you won't be disappointed.


Sunday, May 17, 2015

Day Seven - Annual Knit & Crochet Blog Week - #KCBW6DAY7

Today is the last day for the 6th Annual Knit & Crochet Blog Week.  You may notice that day 6 was missing.  We were to do a survey/poll that day but honestly, I didn't know what kind of survey to do nor do I know how to post one on my blog..so I skipped yesterday.

I've had fun writing about my hobby and reading other blogs that participated this week.  If you type #KCBW6 into Google, you can also see the other bloggers that participated.

Today's topic is Your Time, Your Place:
#KCWB6DAY7

My favorite place to knit and crochet is on my sofa, right under the light while I am watching TV. 


I like to keep my hands busy and feel like I am kind of wasting time if I am watching TV and not doing something else.  I prefer to knit or crochet when no one else is there because, well...I would rather talk and visit with the person in the room.  But sometimes when I go out of town to visit my mom, I will take a project along with me.  I can crochet and carry on a conversation just fine...However, I need more concentration when I am knitting since it seems to require more counting in my head.

If you have read my blog this week - thanks for reading along...Keep those knitting needles sharp and those crochet hooks a-moving.