Friday My Town Shoot Out (Outdoor food)

MY TOWN SHOOT OUT

TODAY'S THEME IS OUTDOOR FOOD

IT'S SUMMER TIME, EVERYBODY LOVES ICE CREAM.

I NOTICE THAT MOST LITTLE KIDS ALWAYS CHOOSE A COLORFUL FLAVOR.
AROUND HERE, WE LOVE TO PUT TOPPINGS ON OUR ICE CREAM.


MY HUSBAND LOVES CHOCOLATE MORE THAN I DO.

SUN TEA. MY FAVORTIE OUTDOOR BEVERAGE

I thought this challenge was going to be really easy but It turned out to be quite a challenge. Not too many people like to eat outdoors in the sweltering Las Vegas heat. I was hoping to catch some good barbecue cook outs at the park, but alas, no such luck.

I was going to pack some beer into an ice chest and snap a few photos but I didn't want to go get the ice.

Well, I'm disappointed that I didn't have anything better to show. I was determined, however, to post something, even though it isn't what I had hoped for.

I already have a few ideas for next weeks theme of POWER. It should be really awesome.

Please check out http://www.fridayshootout.blogspot.com/ to see others photos and to join in on the fun.

Have a good weekend everyone!

ABC Wednesday -B

B IS FOR BAKERSFIELD, THE TOWN IN WHICH I GREW UP

B IS FOR THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND.

BAKERSFIELD IS FAMOUS IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC WORLD FOR ITS SOUND.

B IS FOR THE NEWLY PUBLISHED BOOK ABOUT THE LEGENDS OF THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND.

BAKERSFIELD IS ALSO THE HOME TOWN OF BUCK OWENS, COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAMER AND THE STAR OF HEE HAW.

BAKERSFIELD HAS BEEN HOME TO MANY COUNTRY STARS SUCH AS MERLE HAGGARD, SUSAN RAY, RED SIMPSON, BILLY MIZE, LEFTY FRIZZEL

MY GRANDFATHER (STEP GRANDFATHER) OSCAR WHITTINGTON, IS AMONGST THE LEGENDS FEATURED IN THIS BOOK. HE IS VERY WELL KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR HIS FIDDLE PLAYING.

IF YOU LOOK AT MY COLLAGE, YOU WILL SEE OSCAR FEATURED ON THE COVER OF THE BOOK. HE IS PICTURED IN THE RIGHT CENTER.

THE SECOND PHOTO IN THE COLLAGE IS BUCK OWENS AT THE KERN COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS.

THE THIRD PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN THE 1940'S OR EARLY 1950'S. MY GRANDFATHER IN THE TOP ROW, SECOND FROM LEFT.

THE FOURTH AND FINAL PICTURE SHOWS A YOUNG BUCK OWENS ON THE VERY FAR LEFT AND MY GRANDFATHER IS THIRD FROM LEFT.

BAKERSFIELD IS AN AGRICULTURAL TOWN AS WELL AND MANY OF THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN MARKETS ALL OVER COME FROM BOLTHOUSE FARMS IN BAKERSFIELD.

BAKERSFIELD ALSO HAS MANY POTATO SHEDS, ONE OF WHICH I OBTAINED MY VERY FIRST JOB AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN. IT WAS REALLY HARD WORK BUT IT WAS FUN.

B IS FOR BEING.

click the link to participate and view other ABC Wednesday posts.
http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-to-round-5-year-3.html

I haven't figured out how to put the badge on yet.

My World Tuesday ~ A Drive To Rejuvinate My Soul

Whenever my soul needs rejuvenating, I drive. Today, I drove to Boulder City. It's a quaint little town just on the outskirts of Las Vegas, also home to the Hoover Dam. I always feel better after visiting Boulder City.

This is my favortie view. As you drive through downtown Boulder, the street curves and this is what it looks like just coming around the corner. I actually got out of the car to take this photo. I do not have an expensive digital camera or super lenses, but my trusty little Casio Exilim hasn't let me down yet. As you can see, LV is a little smoggy right now.

I took this photo facing the other direction so you can see the curve I have referenced above.

This is the main road downtown. I just love it. There are quite a few outdoor cafes and lots of little antique shops.



Boulder City is steeped in history and art. All around town you can discover all kinds of sculptures.

Here's a frog sculpture. I thought it was quite whimsical so I snapped a photo.

Here is a sample of an art sculpture made from something really old.

It sure is hot today. I think the high is around 110 degrees.

This is the Boulder Dam Hotel. It is a historical landmark. I think it is very pretty. They have a restaurant and an art gallery inside. I've eaten there only once.

Below is a view of the sign out in front of the hotel.

Below is the antique shop where I went shopping today. I bought several vintage postcards, the earliest one dating back to 1909. My post yesterday is what inspired me to go to boulder city today. I was hell bent on getting some vintage postcards and letters.

The sign below, is just inside the double doors of the antique store.

Through the brown double doors takes you to the general store and the old time candy that I used to get as a kid.

Ah, Grandma Daisy's old fashioned candy and ice cream. You can't go in and expect to come out empty handed. Scroll down to see what I bought to satisfy my sweet craving.

The inside is very colorful and cozy, with just enough sitting room for two. Isn't that cute?

I love the old fashioned candy sticks. I usually reserve buying those for when I visit the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Of course, that's only once or twice a year because the nearest one from my house is in St. George Utah. It's about a 3 1/2 hour drive for that treat. If there were more to look at on the way, I'd probably go more often, despite my conscious effort to eat healthier.

Now, to the good part. Seeing all of that chocolate just made me want to splurge. So I did. Scroll to the next picture to see which chocolate candy melted in my mouth.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Keep going.

Okay, I guess that's enough suspense.



Toffee is the flavor. Cashew toffee with chocolate on top. YUMMY! And all the candy is made right there in the store. It is not shipped off to a factory.

Another piece of random art on the street. Not really my taste or my kind of art, but I appreciate the creativity and the artist.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. IT SUCKS GETTING OLD.

JUST A LITTLE WHIMSY ALONG THE WAY TO ADD A DIFFERENT VIBE TO MY ROAD TRIP, AND YOUR EXPERIENCE FOR COMING ALONG WITH ME.

I DID NOT HAVE THE PLEASURE OF ENTERING THIS ANTIQUE STORE. I'M SURE I WOULD HAVE FOUND QUITE A FEW TREASURES.......BUT I'LL DIG FOR THAT GOLD SOME OTHER TIME.

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LET'S TAKE A DETOUR OFF THE BEATEN PATH

NEXT UP, LAKE LAS VEGAS

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Again, taken from my car as I'm driving. This is the entrance to Lake Las Vegas. It is very beautiful and serene here. One needs to be quite wealthy to afford a house in this neighborhood, which boasts several golf courses, a couple of hotels/casinos and lots of different housing communities within this community.

Upon entering Lake Las Vegas, this is the view from the driver's seat. So peaceful.

Hotel and Casino Monte Lago

Roof top parking at the hotel Monte Lago, looking down into couryard. It's like being in a morrocan country. It feels worlds away from the fast pace of Las Vegas City Life.

The same view, only zoomed in. Remember this is taken with my Casio Exilim camera. Not bad, eh?

http://www.grandmadaisys.com/



http://www.montelagovillage.com/index.htm




http://www.bouldercity.com/

To participate in My World Tuesday, click on the following link.

http://starnitesky.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-world-tuesday.html

Ruby Tuesday

A BARREL FULL OF FIREBALLS.....with a few strays in the mix.

Does this work for Ruby Tuesday? Hmm.... not sure. I'm just assuming that the purpose is to photograph something red.

To participate click on the following link. http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2009/07/ruby-tuesday_27.html

Mosaic Monday~ Vintage Mail & Such

Yay! My first mosaic. I know it's late, but I had to figure out how to create a mosaic. I really wanted to participate because I think it's really cool. I've seen some great mosaics today. If you'd like to participate in this meme click here http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ to find out how.

My inspiration for this mosaic came from all of the blogs about vintage postcards that I discovered yesterday. I dug out my collection and snapped a few photos of some postcards, letters, and a vintage music book. The earliest postmark is 1911 and I have another one postmarked 1919. Oh, the picture in the middle is a reproduction hat box that I store all of my postcard collection in.

Remember, click on the photo to enlarge.

I also wanted to thank Redlan, Gordon, Cafe Chick, RetiredEagle, and Noe Noe girl for all of your wonderful comments on my previous post. It is greatly appreciated. You all are wonderful.

Grateful to my fellow bloggers

Before I started my blog, which has only been a few weeks, I was lost in facebook. Now, I am completely and utterly absorbed in the blogosphere. I still check my facebook and spend a little time reading my friends posts, but it just doesn't hold my interest like it used to.

The blogs I follow and discover here on blogspot captivate me. I am so mesmerized by the creativity that flows from the pages In which I land on, that I could sit here all day long, without taking a break and just read. I immerse myself in the experiences of my fellow bloggers. It's mind expanding, and though I'm sitting idle amidst my blog hopping, my brain is being exercised to full capacity.

Today, I discovered several blogs that blog about postcards. I thought that was the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Collecting and viewing vintage postcards, modern postcards, letters, and the like is something I have always been passionate about. Whenever I go into an antique store, that is the first thing I always look for. I prefer postmarked, written postcards, but they are all worthy of my attention. To discover bloggers that blog about nothing but postcards was to me, very exciting.

Honestly, I am thrilled to be a part of something bigger than myself. That's how I feel.

People are honest and raw and real here. It amazes me that so many people are expressing themselves and writing with truth, and telling stories with pictures and art. Really, the creativity astounds me. I believe we all are talented. We just need to sow the seeds and nurture it and watch what grows.

Did I mention how excited I am to be a part of this blogosphere? Well, again.......I'm excited!

Who knows, maybe I'll make a friend or two on my journey here.

Oh, and in case your wondering........ I read every single new post on the blogs I follow. I may not make a comment, but I do read every single one of them. I adore all of you and I am fascinated with your experiences. It doesn't matter if you're young or old or male or female, or brown, or black or white. I adore you all and I learn something from each of you every time I visit.

So, I guess that's what I'm grateful for in this moment.

Saturday Alphabet Scramble (Old Kinky Vixens)

The other day I was skimming through The Pocket Muse, a cute little book that is meant to inspire you to write, and I came across this excercise that I thought would be fun to post here every week.

I'm looking for others to join in with me every Saturday.

The challenge is to choose ten random letters of the alphabet and write them at the top of a blank page.

I'll use my random letters as an example and as my final sentence.

O K V Q C W M B N A (this is going to be really hard)

Using words that begin with these letters, in the same order, write an opening sentence.

Here is what I came up with. Believe me, it wasn't easy.

Old kinky vixens quibble contankerously while mimicking bloated, neo-catholic asses.


If you'd like to play along with me let me know you stopped by and I'll come and check out your blog to see what you came up with.

The idea is for everyone who participates to use the same random ten letters.

Also, if you have suggestions or different ways we can do this every week, please feel free to express your opinions. I love feedback.

So, go make a sentence with the letters, O K V Q C W M B N A

And don't forget to let everyone know.

My Town Friday Shoot Out~ Reflections

MY TOWN FRIDAY SHOOT-OUT: TODAY'S THEME IS REFLECTIONS

If you would like to join in on the fun every week click the link to join. www.townshootout.blogspot.com

The following pictures were taken yesterday around 6:00 a. m. in my neighborhood park. We had a monsoon rain the night before, so I found some of the reflections on the wet sidewalks. The best reflections are at the end so walk with me to see all the beauty I have captured.

The following photo shows the reflection of a palm tree bouncing off the wet sidewalk. Nothing spectacular.

(you can click on the photos to enlarge image)

This next picture shows the reflection of a stop sign and a bus in the left side of the building's glass. This was an accident, because I was really taking a picture of the white bird with the red beak. I'd never seen one of those in the park before. I'm not sure if it's a duck or a chicken.
I love this next photo. You can see the reflection of the trees in the water quite clearly. My favorite is the reflection of the ducks necks and heads.

Here's a great reflection of a pole, some trees and the sky reflecting off the water on the sidewalk.

This reflection has been disturbed by the ducks gliding into the water quite quickly, as they were trying to get away from me and my dog. I like the ripples though, so I threw this in just because I wanted to share.

Here's another section of the pond.

A reflection of the gate and some trees.

The next two images are very clear. Look at all the trees and the sky reflecting off the water.

Isn't it pretty?

I hope you enjoyed walking around the park with me.

I wanted to get more elaborate with this subject, but I just didn't get out there and do it. I loved this theme. It was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see everyone else's photos.

Thanks for stopping by!

Queen of Quotes

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes. ~unknown author~

I call myself the Queen of Quotes.

I think the only other person who loves quotes as much as I do is Oprah. I have this vision of my dream house having a reading room--- a humongous library with one or more walls painted in black, layered with quotes painted in white. Or to add a more feminine touch, I'd paint the walls a chocolate brown and the quotes would be layered in pink. This would be my sanctuary; my place for inspiration. This is where Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, Julia Cameron, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, and all the great writers would whisper to me. This is where all the great people, the best motivators would inspire me to learn and to get excited about all the possibilities that I have growing inside of me. This is the perfect room for the quiet side of me. I dream, and it makes me smile.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~Mark Twain

A lot of what we think of as neurosis in this country is simply people who are unhappy because they're not using their creative resources. ~Julia Cameron.

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Still trying to get my ass out the door.

Last night I made a list of things to do today. I thought if I made a list, it would motivate me to actually get out of the house and so something. Well, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. as I do every morning so I can make a smoothie for my husband and I. Since that's already a habit, I didn't need to put that on the list. I had great expectations for today and I slept through the ideal day that I had conjured in my mind. My first mistake was logging on to my computer to check facebook status', read my horoscope and to check for new blog posts from all my fellow bloggers.

Yep, that did me in. Blog hopping is like bar hopping. There are so many interesting people to meet that you don't want to go home because you might miss out on something. Ugh! It's addicting.

Do you see the red boots in the picture? Well, they were first on my "to do list". I need to take them in for repair so that I can wear them at the Wild Horse Saloon which is where I will be on August 9th. I can't hardly contain my excitement. I love Nashville, TN.

During my computer addiction, my eyes got really sleepy so I decided to take a little nap on the couch. Well, my little nap turned into 5 hours. I can't believe it. I had such high hopes for the day.

I didn't have much on my to do list, but enough to make me feel like I accomplished something if I checked off every item.

Yes, I still have the rest of the afternoon, but I still need to take a shower, do laundry, unload the dishwasher, etc. I feel like my whole day is shot.

Yes, I know. You're thinking I should get off the computer ASAP and just get my ass out the door.

That's just what I'm gonna do......unless somebody has posted something new within the last 30 minutes.

Ugh! I think I need help.

Have a great day everyone.

Just So Buggy!

I have a friend whose screen name is justsobuggy. It's cute. Lil Buggy is a nickname she acquired as a child because she liked lady bugs. Lady bugs are nice and cute and harmless. I don't think I've ever met anyone who's ever had a problem with ladybugs. I know I don't. In fact, I like them. But I'm not here to blog about lady bugs or nicknames. I'm here to blog about all the creepy crawlers that are creeping me out around my house.

The other day, I leaned over to pet my dog and I saw this bug with all these legs trying to make a quick get-away. It was a centepede. (See above picture) Now, I've known about centepedes, but this is the first one I've ever seen up close and personal. I shivered with slight fear. I believed the myth that centepedes are dangerous and deadly--that is, until I did research on-line after my close encounter. Boy, did I feel stupid. (Even though I was alone) I feel more at ease about the centepede, but I still don't like bugs crawling around inside my house.

It surprises me that I'm blogging about bugs. I've never had an interest in them whatsoever. Well, maybe just a little--like when I'd find myself sitting outside and I'd spot an ant carrying a heavy load. That would mesmerize me and I'd be spell bound for several minutes watching in awe at the wonderous job of the ant. And there was that time back in the 1980's when my ex-boyfriend and I collected a black widow spider, kept it in a jar and then dumped it into another jar that held a scorpion so that we could watch them fight to the death. I don't recall which one lasted the longest. But it was captivating to watch

I was walking around my backyard a couple of days ago and I was startled when I saw the bug in the picture below. It's not really a bug, but a shell of a bug, like whatever had inhabited this shell had shed it's skin. It almost looks like a giant bee with pinchers, or some sort of beetle. I don't know what it is, but it sure is weird and it really creeps me out. I took several pictures of these because I found them all over the backyard on the block wall, on the trunks of trees, and in the limbs of trees. Quite unsettling.

Oh, and here's a picture of a pesty fly. It just happened upon me as I was investigating the weird shell of a bug.

This is just a blob of a bug I spotted in the drive-way. I should have cropped the picture and adjusted it before I uploaded. It's kind of weird looking also.

Well, it's all just so buggy! And they say, the South is filled with bugs. I'll trade my desert living for southern living any day.