Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011...

    The world lost another great actor yesterday.

                                          Dame Elizabeth Taylor....

Image via Wikipedia

   Ms. Taylor was great at her craft, with the movies. She proved that over 70 times and awards to prove it. She was a beautiful lady and made a beautiful bride. She proved that one seven times.

 

One of my favorite movies of hers was Cleopatra.

Image by mharrsch via Flickr

What was your favorite movie of hers? 


 

Wish list Wednesday...

   Since last weeks wish list was postponed due to the electric going out and frying the modem, it got me thinking about emergencies, power falures and *SHUDDER* hurricanes.

   So my practical wish this week is....




   Aladdin Mantle lamps... they put off a lot more light than candles and other wick type lamps... or so a lot of bloggers out there have told me.  With the lights going off during storms.... or when the power company trims the trees and knocks it out by accident....these would we great to have around.







   You should see the collection they have.  If you think they are too expensive for emergencies only, plan a lights out family night.  Light the lamps, pull out the boardgames, and reconnect with those strangers  who live under your roof.

  Of course I already have candles, flashlights and wick lanterns...but would you just look how these look. Who wouldn't want one.











    Of course my all time wish for this situation would be....



   Lights go out a minute later... let there be light.  It should even keep the modem up. Oh and the freezer going, that is always a good thing. 

And lets not forget the coffee maker...




I guess I need one of these until then.








    What would I wish to learn....

    How to knit. My Aunt Darla taught me when I was little but I forgot.  I really would like to learn again and get good at it. 



The types of yarn out there are so great. The colors are pretty and the varieties.  Wool...what kind? Alpaca, cashmere, merino, washable wool, blended.

   Of course, I can crochet and I love it. But the patterns you can create with knitted stitches are so great. I would love to be able to make my own funky socks and sweaters.







   Who do I wish I could have lunch with this week, hmmm....

     How about Ron Howard... yep, Opie, Richie Cunningham...him.

Image by New England Secession via Flickr

   And of course, my last wish is that the DSL is never down and my muses are always up.

Signs of Spring...

   I went out walking the other day with my camera. I was looking for signs that the weather was making a turn to the warmer to stay.  Not just tease us then freeze again.

   Okay the weeds are starting to green up but there is still a lot of dead looking stuff.  I guess I need a closer look....

                                Wait that looks purple. Maybe...

 
                                    Yes, the red bud tree is in bloom. 

And look what else I found...

         Carolina Jasmine...I thought I caught its light fragrance on the wind.

                           The trees are just starting to bud out.

            The wild dewberry vines are blooming. I've got to remember were these are, so I pick the berries later.

    I'm not sure what this bush is, but the bees sure like it.

I think Spring is getting dressed and about to make her royal appearance.

Soon it will be time to take a ride to see the Bluebonnets and other wildflowers in bloom along the roadways.

AHHHH! Spring and right on time...

Happy St Patrick's Day...

   Okay I just made it.  The power went off yesterday and the surge blew out the DSL modem.  So my wish list yesterday didn't happen.  But I made St. Patrick's Day... barely.

   So here goes....

                  Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone

drawing by Pamela Jo

    In honor of the day here are a few things Irish for your reading pleasure.

   Just about everyone has heard of Irish Coffee, but do you know it origins...

    Irish Coffee was born on a miserable winter in the 1940's.

A group of American passengers on a PAN AM flying boat landed in Foynes port, County Limerick*.  The chef at the restaurant and coffee shop was Joseph Sheridan.  Seeking a way to warm the freezing passengers, he added a measure of Irish Whiskey to their coffee.  The grateful passengers enjoyed their drinks and ask if it was Brazilian coffee.  Joe quickly informed them no it was IRISH coffee, and the legendary drink was born.

Pam AM Boeing 314 Clipper

    I have found 14 different recipes for Irish Coffee on line, but this one is the original ....

                                  The Original Irish Coffee Recipe

1) Preheat a stemmed 6 oz. whiskey goblet or Irish coffee glass with boiling water. Pour out the boiling water.

2) Add one jigger of good Irish whiskey.

3) Add three sugar cubes.

4) Pour in strong black coffee. Leave an inch below the top. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

5) Gently pour in some very lightly whipped heavy cream to the brim. You can pour it over a spoon so it won't mix in with the coffee.

Image via Wikipedia

   Here are just a few Irish blessings to brighten your day...

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And heaven accept you.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.

Image via Wikipedia

  And I will end with an Irish Ghost ....

    Ballygally Castle in County Antrim, currently a hotel owned by a major chain, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the country. Lady Isobel Shaw, whose husband built the castle in 1625, is said to knock on doors at night and then disappear. While alive, Ms. Shaw was locked in her room by her husband and starved, until she leapt to her death from a window. 

   Check out this fun site here for recipes, games, and many things Irish.

THE DELUSIONAL DOOM BLOGFEST...

   Today is the 15th of March. Also known as the ides of March. If you know your history this is the day Julius Ceasar was killed in the year 44 BC while attending the Roman senate. In honor of this day Hart at Confessions of a Watery Tart is holding THE DELUSIONAL DOOM BLOGFEST. 
   Here is my humble offering. Don't forget to check out the other stories. There are sure to be a lot of great ones.

   Hey, put down that knife right now.  The death is suppose to be fictional.  Jeez, you take everything so literal don't you.

  
   Voice over radio anounces:


    The evening news is being brought to you tonight by Wee, Barrie, Um and How. The place to call for all your underground needs.


  The top story today is the death of Ambiguous They, his wife Them and son Theirs.  The family's bodies were discovered when firefighters extinguished a blaze at the family's home.
   The cause is still under investigation. An unnamed source with the medical examiners office said it appears the family spontaneously combusted while eating dinner.
   Arson investigators found the remains of voodoo dolls in a bonfire in the back of the property, but said this couldn't have caused the house fire.
   Police detectives have confirmed that there has been thousands of threats on the family's life, and that if the deaths were found to be a homicide it would take sometime to narrow down the list of suspects.
   Our reporter contacted Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau to find out is the presents of voodoo dolls on the property could have a standing on the deaths.  Ms. Laveau giggled and stated that those dolls are her best sellers, but refused to answer any other questions.
   Neighbors of the family have said they didn't see anything suspicious last night, but stated it was just a matter of time before something happened.
   Ambiguous They runs the company “Their Fault” that set up all the protocols, laws and rules for the world. He also is in charge of whether or not those rules can be bent or broken.  He has been grooming his son Theirs to take over the family business when he retires. The new banking and tax laws were Theirs.  Them is the treasurer for the business. All monies collected goes to Them.




   In other news today...