S&S Sketch #107

Two sketch challenges in one afternoon? I'm out of control!  Actually, these scrap pieces of paper were almost exactly the size of this week's S&S sketch. Here's my interpretation:

Now it's off to a Super Bowl party with friends.  I hope everyone has a good week ahead!

*Oops, failed to mention the stamp is from a Stampabilities acrylic set that has a bunch of great words with definitions. 

Stars & Stamps Sketch #106

It's been a while since I've tackled a Stars & Stamps Sunday sketch.  This is actually last week's challenge.  Even though I've missed the window to post it to the S&S blog, I thought I'd post it to mine anyway.

Stamp from Stampers Annonymous

Patterned Papers: "Lille" from 7 Gypsies and "Stella & Rose" from MME

Two Saints, a John and Paula Deen

My husband and I, along with friends, boarded a cruise ship in Miami.  It was a cruise with "Paula Deen" and most of her family members.

It didn't take me long to jump into relaxation mode! This photo was taken while we were still in the Miami port.

After a couple of days at sea, we woke up in the beautiful port of San Juan. After that, it was on to St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

In San Juan, we found this very friendly dining establishment known for their Sangrias and this yummy tapas platter. Best chickpeas I've ever tasted (in the center, served with steak)!

In St. Thomas we were told the best margaritas and hamburgers were at a new establishment called "The Dawg House." The food was cooked out back and when it was ready, the cook would whistle like he was calling a dog to let the waitress know an order was up. It would never pass the health inspector where I live, but it was a pretty good burger. Just overlook the fact that they don't clean the fish tank often.

Over the span of the cruise, we "Rumba cruised" with Bobby Deen,

Saw beautiful sunsets,

Got plenty of up close and personal time with Paula Deen,

And of course had fruity drinks with cute umbrellas!

Then came home to lots of dirty laundry,

A head cold,

A slight scare with my mom that required an ER visit.
(thankfully turned out to only be vertigo)

And a closet in need of some much needed spring, summer, winter & fall cleaning!

Oh to be back on the "veranda" of that boat again...

Thanks for catching up with me!

Just one?

Two weeks ago I was in Miami with my husband and friends before boarding Celebrity Cruises's ship, "Eclipse" for a Eastern Caribbean cruise with Paula Deen.  We had dinner at Joe's Stone Crab. Since I don't eat seafood, I couldn't resist the filet with a merlot sauce and "homemade tater tot."  I could have sworn "tater tot" had an "s" on the end! It was the first (and only) homemade tater tot I've ever eaten and it was quite tasty.

Ouch!

Today, David and I finished our last round of immunization shots for Hepatitis A & B that we started in July, 2011 before our South Africa trip.  It's really only a total of  5 or 6 shots, but they had to be spaced out over many months.  We are now suppose to be immune for life!

I'm glad that I didn't notice how long the needles were until after I'd received my shot.  I might have cried!

But, alas, I was a big girl for taking these two shots and got a Tootsie Pop for being so!

Wendy

Blue One! (bonus picture)

My nephews heard of this crazy VW Bug "game" where the rules are, when you see one, you shout out the color then punch the person beside you in the arm.  About the second time my sister and I took a jab in the arm, we decided to change the rules!  Now you only have to shout out the color. BUT, someone else has to see the Bug you're calling out in order to get the point.

I find myself playing this silly game when I'm driving all alone.  But this point goes to me...

Have a fantastic Friday!

A New Side Dish

Recently, asparagus has found a place on our dinner menus. We actually prefer white asparagus when it's in season. But when green asparagus looks this good, it's hard to pass it up... especially when I'm looking for something fairly quick and uncomplicated to cook.

Tossed in a little olive oil, salt and pepper, it cooks up in no time.  Tonight we paired this asparagus with sautéed pork chops.  Quick & delicious.

I hope your Thursday is terrific!

My Beautiful Grandmother

I spent most of today with my grandmother (on my mother's side).  She'll be 85 years old this coming Monday (Jan 23).  I will be out of town and unable to celebrate her birthday so I'm spending quality time with her this week.  Her health is failing and therefore she has good days and bad.  Today wasn't an exceptionally good day, nor was it one of her worst.

I love you, grandma, and think you're still just as beautiful ever!

Hope Wednesday is a wonderful day for everyone!

A Cool New Phone

This was the highlight of my day today! Even though it took 2 hours at the cell phone store, I think the upgrade is going to be worth the time invested.

Hope you've had a fantastic day!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow has to offer!

A Year in Pictures

One picture, every day, for a year. Add to that a blog post to share the picture and why I took it.

This is what I've decided to attempt for 2012. I'm excited to try this challenge. My hope is it will slow me down so I might see all the blessings that are given me on a daily basis.

While I hope to post beautiful pictures, I know that's not very realistic seeing how some photos may come from my phone or iPad or the camera flash might not work, etc.  This isn't a photo contest.  It's a personal quest.

I am already aware that I won't be able to post photos daily sometimes due to travel. In those instances I will upload a group of photos in one post when I get internet access.

I hope you'll enjoy this adventure as much as I think I will!

All of that said, it's time to get started.  What better place to start than on a Sunday at Church...

When in town, this is where I look forward to being on Sunday mornings, Harrisburg United Methodist Church.  My sister and her family have been members for a while and I've been attending for a few years. I've not officially joined, but everyone there makes me feel like family.  It's a wonderful Church!

I can't wait to see what moves me tomorrow.  Thanks for coming on this photo journey with me!

Wendy