Weekly Photo Challenge ~ SUNSET

Wow, it’s Friday again? Already?! This week’s photo theme from The Daily Post is SUNSET.

Again, I tried not to be so obvious with my interpretation with this week’s theme. This is a photo – on of my all-time favorites - from an evening at the roping arena when the sun was just beginning to set over the horizon. I think this handsome lil’ fella was enjoying the cool breeze and nice view of the action. It helped that he was curious and photogenic for the goofy photographer woman-with-a-camera! 

Enjoy. Plus, you can share your own photos at The Daily Post too. I hope you will comment and share your own submission link(s) too!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend, Y’all!

 

It’s a tough life…

 

Say hello to our house guest, Sabbath.

She’s been here since Thursday morning when her mother, and my best friend, Kimberly, dropped her off for the weekend. Within five minutes, Sabbath had confirmed the placement of her litter box and food bowls, located a few dust bunnies in the entryway (totally my fault) and comfortably perched herself atop the couch, ottoman, or the window sill.

 

Sabbath might have used one of her nine lives early this morning when she was sitting on the window sill and fell off. Fortunately, she landed on the ottoman. I found her later under our bed and she stayed there about an hour.

I’ve gotten my camera out a couple of times and she either gives me an evil one-eyed glare or physcially moves so her butt is pointed toward the lens. She obviously doesn’t want to be disturbed.

 

Evil Glare!

In the feline world, this has to be the Hilton!

 

What a tough life!

 

 

Sabbath decided she’d try out the comfort of the Persian rug … I guess she approved.

Note to self: vacuum ASAP!

 

(whispering to not disturb the Queen)

 

Happy Saturday, Y’all

 

Peace, love, and kitty kats,

 

 

 

 

p.s. I’ll be glad to accept applications for future pet-sitting jobs … although Blue is seriously irritated with these small, more compact four-legged beings invading his space. He just doesn’t understand why he doesn’t qualify as Snuggle Material. Poor guy.

Weekly Photo Challenge ~ PATH

It’s Friday and that means another photo theme from WordPress.

Update: I retract all of my references to CHODE as it related to WordPress as the really smart computer people have repaired the issues associated with adding and editing links. Thank you, whomever you really smart computer people are. You rock my socks. Thank you.

Anyway, my PATH photos are below and you can The Daily Post  to see photos from other bloggers.

Enjoy!

 

Nothing like a Kentucky sunset over fields of corn.

 

My parents riding their primary form of transportation around the homestead, garden, and visiting neighbors … a Kawasaki Mule.

 

My favorite: when’s the last time you looked down the “path” of a high-powered sniper target rifle?!

 

Happy Friday, Y’all …

 

Peace, love, and big guns,

I Heart Faces ~ WHITE

I don’t quite understand the direction that I Heart Faces is going with this week’s photo theme, but I’m just gonna go with it.

Here is my WHITE photo….featuring Blue, a.k.a. Mr. Handsome.

Yes, people, I understand my photo is automatically out of the competition because there is not a HUMAN face in my photo. Blue thinks he’s human, so get over it!

He’s white. But his name is Blue.

I’m pulling for strings here, please don’t judge my mediocre photography skills. I’m desperately trying to get better. I promise. Pinky swear!

Be sure to visit 
http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/08/photo-challenge-white/
to see more “white” photo entries!

See y’all tomorrow for another round of Tuesday Truths!

Peace, love, and white horses,

Related articles

• I Heart Faces ~ PETS (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• I Heart Faces Photo Challenge – WATER (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• I Heart Faces ~ The “Eyes” of Haiti (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)

Top 10 Reasons I’m Happy

Reason #10 I’m Happy:

Tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is also an “off” Friday for Husband.

Whoop – Whoop!

Not that we have anything planned, but it’s nice to hang out and three-day weekends totally rock.

Reason #9 I’m Happy:

I’m going back to Kentucky in September.

Photo from Rachel Mathew Photography

My cousin, Lindsey, is getting married to Josh. They are an adorable couple. Josh is a genuinely GOOD guy and he fits right in with our crazy family. Josh has made it clear for many years the reason why he LOVES me so much………my family’s secret recipe barbeque sauce. This almost-seven-foot-tall Good Guy literally drinks the stuff with a straw.

On September 24, I will present Josh with several gallons of the liquid gold.

He will love me even more than he already does.

Smile.

Reason #8 I’m Happy:

The Hooter Hider

Right now, my evil, immature, and sarcastic twin is laughing out loud.

Until today, I had never heard of a Hooter Hider. Thanks to B, a childhood friend of mine, she introduced me this baby-necessity. For the record ~ again ~ I’m not pregnant. But I still want a Hooter Hider!!!

Reason #7 I’m Happy:

I know my Mother is reading this in horror. I bet she’s giving me the dreadful Mother Eye Roll.

It’s totally worth it!

Reason #6 I’m Happy:

Margaret Feinberg is totally awesome.

Earlier this week, she added my blog ~ 27 & Counting ~ to her blogroll. Celebrate!

I received another surprise from Margaret this afternoon……she’s invited me and a guest to a women’s conference in January where she’ll be speaking about her book, The Sacred Echo. I’m really excited to attend this event, and even more excited to share the experience with a friend. Thanks, Margaret!

If you’ve not read Margaret’s books, here are my favorites:

• Hungry For God
• The Organic God
• Scouting the Divine
• The Sacred Echo
• Twentysomething

Reason #5 I’m Happy:

I’m semi-employed as a substitute teacher.

There is peace, tranquility, and sanity in a flexible schedule.

Reason #4 I’m Happy:

I have three ~ yes 3! ~ ladies interested in starting a book club with me. This is monumental. This is pure awesome-ness. I’m still waiting for others to RSVP, but I’m already planning our first meeting and luncheon on September 17.

Reason #3 I’m Happy:

I know really talented people. Most of them claim me as their friend. I’m a lucky girl!

Visit “The Wood Shop” on Facebook ~ these front door monograms are made by Brandy Sutton

Visit Lindsey’s Etsy shop, Petit Cadeau Boutique (that’s French for Little Gift Shop), for these custom textiles…..you can also save 15-percent if you visit right now!!!

Visit Jan at The Diamond E for custom tile gifts.

Reason #2 I’m Happy:

I’m finally going to learn how to use Photoshop. Well, that’s my hope at least. I purchased a Groupon deal today for a five-hour Photoshop class in Arlington this fall. This class is limited to five people so the personalized attention is guaranteed. I think I could be the cover model for the book, Photoshop for Dummies. Obviously, I am the dummy!

Reason #1 I’m Happy:

I have a GIVEAWAY going on and YOU should enter RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

Seriously people, this is the Big Kahuna of Giveaways. Click HERE to visit the giveaway post and enter by simply posting a comment with your name and email address. It’s really easy. Pass the word along to your friends and foes ~ the more the merrier! Contest ends this Sunday at midnight.

Peace, Love, and Giveaways!

 

 

 

 

eezy-peezy DIY project

If you prefer expensive kitchen textiles and decorative items, you’re obviously in the wrong place. I don’t want to be rude, but seriously, expensive is so not cool.

Enter my eezy-peezy DIY project:

DISPLAY STANDS

I “borrowed” this extremely adorable and creative idea from Kate,  The Centsational Girl. Her blog is all about life’s fabulous-ness and home decorating……..for less. I totally dig that about her ~ I wish she’d come and rescue my drab house!

Anyway, thanks to Kate and this post, I was inspired to create my own display/dessert stands.

First, you need to visit your local thrift store. There is a Goodwill exactly 3.8 miles from my house. I’ve been to this establishment many times. I have a frequent customer card. Unfortunately, I never remember to take it with me. Fortunately, I shop on Wednesdays and get everything half-off. Saaah-weeet!

This particular Goodwill store has a very large home goods sections. In fact, there are two aisles of mixed glassware, plates, saucers, and other miscellaneous items. I picked up several different sizes of plates, as well as stem-ware and candlesticks for added height and stability. During my recent GA (Goodwill Adventure), I found a ceramic pillar holder about four-inches in diameter and four-inches-tall that I put under an over-sized round platter. The platter was really large, so it was important the base was extra sturdy.

Once you have a variety of thrifted items, you will need three more “ingredients” to complete your DIY creation: primer, paint, and silicone. I found all three at the Home Depot, pronounce Dee-Pot, cuz I’m cool like that.

I describe this DIY project as fun, cute, creative, and cheap. Including the GA items and paint supplies, I spent less than $35.00. I splurged a bit by purchasing multiple colors of paint because I plan to use different colors with tablescapes at future get-togethers. Besides, plain and boring monotone colors don’t cut the mustard.

aqua, red, white, purple, pink, orange, and black

Once you’ve got your collection of materials, the rest is eeezy-peezy.

Remove any price tags and hand-wash each item with soap and water. Rinse and dry completely.

I found a package of large writing boards in the garage. I placed one of the boards on the bed of Husband’s gooseneck trailer and that provided a clean work surface to paint these display stands. I promised Husband I would keep his beloved (and rusted) trailer clean with this paper. It makes for easy clean-up too.

Who needs a Craft Room when you have paper boards, wood scraps, and a gooseneck trailer?!

Who needs props or a fancy studio when you have half-ton hay bales and a step stool?!

Prep the surface by spraying an even coat of primer on all exposed areas.

Wait at least 30 minutes.

Then, apply a second coat.

When the primer is dry, arrange items on a hay bale then stand on a step stool to snap a cool shot with a horse trailor in the background.

Consider yourself uber-cool.

Once the primer is dry, liberally apply your selected paint color.

Hold the can of spray paint a few inches from the surface and use long, even strokes. I paint the surface from left-to-right, then up-and-down. If you like geography, pretend you’re painting the four compass points: from North to South, then East to West. 

That’s your social studies lesson for the day.

Wait an hour and apply a second coat. Let dry for several hours, preferably overnight.

Unless you live in Texas where it’s 3,409 degrees with a breeze ~ I call it Living In A Hairdryer ~ and your items will dry in less than an hour.

When the pieces are dry, you’re ready to assemble into display stands.

Apply a liberal amount of silicone sealant to the edge of the glassware or flat edge of a candlestick.

Carefully arrange in the center of the plate.

Wait at least 30 minutes to one hour before testing the silicone seal. When it’s completely dry, you can do the Lift Test.

 

VIOLA!

 

Congratulations, you can now make your own creative, cute, and oh-so-cheap display stands for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, dips, whatever you want!

I call this the Halloween Collection.

Make your own set and send me photos at nicole.m.hutchison (at) gmail.com. I can’t wait to see your creations!

Happy Thrift Hunting and Spray Painting!

When you are ready to use these display stands, be sure to use a sheet of wax or parchment paper, or one of those lacey-fancy paper sheets under any food items. It is NOT a smart idea to have food come into direct contact with paint. Just sayin’.

Toodles, Y’all!!!!!

 

P.S. Have you entered my Celebration Giveaway? If not, you’re totally missing out on a set of wonderful gifts. Click HERE to enter the contest; simply post a comment with your name and email address. One random winner will be chosen and announced next Monday. This contest ends Sunday, August 21 at midnight. Good luck!

I Heart Faces ~ The “Eyes” of Haiti

This week’s I Heart Faces photo challenge is Beautiful Eyes. My recent mission trip to Haiti provided many opportunities to capture beautiful shots of a beautiful country with beautiful people. Besides a Haitian’s smile, their eyes are striking features.

I know it’s against the rules to post more than one photo ~ and I know I’m out of the running to be selected as a weekly winner ~ but that’s something I can easily live without.

Besides, I can’t choose just one.

 

I can’t choose one set of eyes.

 

I can’t choose one child over another.

 

If it were up to me, I would have put all these precious children in my pocket to keep forever!

 

To see more “beautiful eyes,” visit I Heart Faces or click the icon below.

 

 

If you have not done so already, visit my Celebration Giveaway for a chance to win a myriad of great prizes including Haitian artwork, Target giftcard, books, mongrammed textiles, and Scentsy products. You must include your name and email address in the comment line. Contest ends Sunday, August 21. Good luck!

 

 

Day 3 of Haiti

This photo doesn’t mean anything to you. Afterall, it’s only a fence.

Actually, it’s a green metal fence shielding the Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

But this photo represents my precious ~ intense ~ moment of indescribable emotion in the three short days I’ve been in Haiti. 

I rested the lens of my camera on the iron fence to get a better shot of the palace. As I did this, a hand gently rested on my shoulder and a voice quietly whispered in my ear.

“I’m here with you.”

You see, the hand that rested on my shoulder and the voice that whispered in my ear belonged to Rodney, one of our interpreters and employee of the Methodist Guest House. While I was never afraid or fearful while standing in the square next to the Palace, it was the most sincere, comforting, and genuine moment of human connection with a divine touch.

I will NEVER be the same.

Today was indescribable.

 There are no words to describe the emotion, the devastation, and the HOPE that’s in Haiti.

I am blessed beyond measure.

Obviously, the Presidential Palace was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.

Presidential Palace

Presidential Palace

Weekly Photo Challenge ~ BROKEN

I can’t believe it’s Friday again, this week has gone way too fast. I began the week with my folks in Kentucky, returned home in Texas late Wednesday night, and now I’m unpacking only to re-pack early next week for a mission trip to Haiti. Needless to say, it’s a busy time at our place. But, alas, it’s Friday and that means The Daily Post has a new theme for the Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s them is BROKEN.

 

A couple of weeks ago, Husband purchased a small bumper-pull trailer for a great price but it needed a new floor. Luckily, his wife is awesome (tee hee hee) and helped him install a new floor. But the pile of wood that remained was a sight for sore eyes. Seriously, the original floor was in bad shape. But a little elbow grease and team work, we successfully installed a new wood floor and it looks so much better.

If you’re looking at the doo-doo-brown grass around the pile of broken wood, that’s what our entire yard looks like. It’s dead. Obviously. I haven’t mowed since the first Saturday of May. The mower has a dead battery and flat tire. I’m in no hurry to repair either. Fortunately, the grass in the pasture is taller because Husband did not shred in the spring. That was a GENIUS moment for him at the time. Because of that, Blue has some sustenance, but we’re searching for hay and will need it within a week or two. We need – desperately – rain but there’s none in sight.

Happy Friday!

Nicole

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• I Heart Faces Photo Challenge – WATER (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge ~ OLD-FASHIONED (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)
• Weekly Photo Challenge – SKY (mrshutchison.wordpress.com)

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge – WATER

Thanks to Jan over at The Diamond E, I’ve been introduced to another photo blog site, I Heart Faces. Each week, they invite amateur and professional photographers to submit their photos that fit a particular theme. If you’ve been following my blog, you’re sure to have noticed the Weekly Photo Challenge hosted by The Daily Post (a sidebar of WordPress.com). Now, I get to add another one of these to my blogging schedule.

So let’s get to the photo.

This week’s I Heart Faces theme is WATER. I’ve been in Kentucky the last two weeks (returning to Texas tomorrow) and I captured this photo of my dad with Emma (one of the neighbors along Shady Grove Knoblick Road) as they were feeding the fish.

While Emma’s face is hidden, Dad’s is visible - I hope this counts in the contest…..guess I’ll find out if my entry is deleted.

I think it’s a great shot of these two in action, especially the pellets in the air and Emma’s little fingers. It’s definitely turning my maternal clock a bit faster, as I know my parents would love to become grandparents. Besides, my own grandmother is instructing me to “get on it” so she can see her only granddaughter become a mother and embrace another great-grandbaby. Yes, my grandmother is encouraging Husband and I to hurry up.

Anyway……….I hope you enjoy this photo and I look forward to participating in future I Heart Faces events. Check out their site, there are lots of great photos for this theme, as well as others.

Thank you, Jan @ The Diamond E, for introducing me to this site. You’re the best blogging friend a blogger could ask for ~ now if we could just meet in person, considering we live so close to each other!

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