Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Hallmark movie " Pictures of Hollis Woods"
Local artists teach Sissy Spacek to carve for her latest role.
I SAW THIS MOVIE SUNDAY AND LOVED IT...NOW I WILL HAVE TO CHECK THE BOOK OUT AT THE LIBRARY. I LOVED THE CARVED DOLLS MADE IN THE MOVIE...THE ONE HERE LOOKED JUST LIKE THE GIRL IN THE MOVIE. IT WAS CARVED OUT OF A SMALL SECTION OF A LOG. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO THAT...TO TRY THAT AND END UP WITH BEAUTIFUL CREATURES LIKE THESE DOLLS...
When Hollywood execs descended on the Canadian city of Victoria, BC, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that local artists could provide the support needed to bring their latest film to life.
The finished likeness of Hollis created by Michael Léger.In the made-for-television movie Pictures of Hollis Woods, Sissy Spacek portrays a retired art teacher with a passion for woodcarving. Although Spacek had virtually no prior experience in woodcarving, she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty preparing for the new role.
Pictures of Hollis Woods is based on the Newberry Honor book of the same title by Patricia Reilly Giff. Jodelle Ferland plays the role of Hollis, a young girl who has spent most of her life moving from one foster home to the next. Spacek’s character, Josie Cahill, bonds with Hollis and together they explore Hollis’ artistic talents.
Michael Lèger created working props for the carvings used on the set of Pictures of Hollis Woods.Throughout the movie, Spacek’s character works on several different sculptures, including a likeness of Hollis carved from Garry oak. The in-process scenes required several stages of carvings to be used as props. The movie also required Spacek to know some basic carving techniques for the scenes to be realistic. Luckily for the producers, carvers Michael Léger and Norma Lofthouse were there to lend their expertise. Michael Léger, a film prop sculptor whose work has appeared in X-Men 3 and the Chronicles of Riddick, discovered that producers were planning to shoot the movie in Victoria. As executives arrived to set up their office, Léger stopped in with his portfolio, introduced himself, and told them that he carves wood as a hobby.
“I talked to them, and showed them my portfolio,” Léger said. “They told me that I was a perfect fit!”
Léger created two sculptures used in the movie; a sculpture of Ferland’s character, Hollis, and a similar sculpture of another character, cousin Beatrice. The process of the Hollis sculpture began with concept sketches, then Léger created a 3D model from clay. The script called for the sculpture to be created from Garry oak, a protected species on Vancouver Island. The Oak Bay Parks Department gave Léger a piece of Garry oak from a storm-damaged tree.
“The oak was quite hard,” Léger said, “but at the same time, it takes small details well.”
Despite the hardness of the oak, Léger carved the pieces using hand tools. “This is the first movie that I had the opportunity to carve wood for,” Léger admitted. “Most other movie props are carved from Styrofoam.”
Filming for the movie is not necessarily done in a linear fashion, and the script called for progressive views of the carving, which had to match perfectly. To account for this, Léger made resin casts of the carving at various stages of completion. Oak was grafted onto the casts so Spacek could carve the sculpture on film. The movie’s paint department added a faux finish to make the casts match the original oak branch.
Norma Lofthouse provided specialized instruction to make Sissy Spacek’s carving appear authentic.
Léger demonstrated mallet and chisel carving techniques for Spacek, but the script called for her to spend more time whittling. With Léger’s limited experience in that style of carving, he called on local artist Norma Lofthouse for assistance. The two carvers met while demonstrating at a woodworking event and bonded while sharing adjoining booths. Lofthouse, who considers herself a “whittler,” specializes in caricatures and rustic carving. Léger recommended Lofthouse as a whittling tutor.
Lofthouse, a retiree who spends her time whittling and teaching beginners how to carve, relished the chance to share her skills with an Academy Award-winning actress.
“They checked me out beforehand,” Lofthouse said. “I got a call from the studio, and they asked to come and talk to me. We are working with sharp knives, so they wanted to make sure everything would be safe. They rented some of my tools to have them checked out.”
Lofthouse taught Spacek the basics of carving: how to carve safely with a glove, the basics of sharpening, and the basic cuts (paring, pushing, and stop cuts).
“Sissy was a quick study—a natural,” Lofthouse said. “She’s such a warm and gracious person. She was fascinated by the sound of the knife cutting through the wood. The tactile nature of wood really caught her attention. She told me she would like to continue carving.”
Lofthouse met with Spacek at a studio workshop in downtown Victoria where artists make props and sets. While Spacek didn’t ask a lot of questions, Lofthouse noted that she seemed to absorb everything she taught her. The producers of the film also commissioned Lofthouse to carve a primitive bird in different stages of completion. During filming, Spacek worked on the bird to add to the authentic artistic atmosphere of the movie. “They hired me to teach Sissy to carve,” Lofthouse said. “It was important for me to be as professional as possible. I didn’t even ask her for an autograph.” Lofthouse took home many happy memories from the experience and Spacek took home several carvings as gifts from other local carvers.
Sissy Spacek fills the lead role in Pictures of Hollis Woods, but woodcarving plays an important part in the movie. In the Hallmark film which airs at 9pm EST Dec. 2, 2007 on CBS, Spacek’s character uses art and carving to connect with a troubled youth and to forge a bond that transcends generations.
gorgeous sunset January 16, 2011....
I was walking into my laundry room to do some laundry when I happened to notice some orange glow coming in my back window. When I looked out I saw this most gorgeous sunset...so I snapped a few shots. Isn't it beautiful??
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
made a delicious homemade quiche tonight.....
and it was sooo good. My uncle Sonny stopped by for a bit so I invited him for supper. He loves chocolate so I also stirred up a batch of homemade Baker's One bowl brownies with fudge icing. Fresh coffee....quiche....brownies...snow outside.....cozy inside....it was a good night!
Monday, January 03, 2011
my 2010 full moon dreamboards....
I made a new slideshow of my dreamboards as my first one did not really show my boards too well. This one allowed larger photos....
 |
 |
| Another photo album by Smilebox |
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Illusions...to dust...to vapor...
I spent years envisioning you
an imaginary you
until this past year
when I realized
once again I have been fooled
purposefully conned
diligently deceived
I never knew you at all
you were only what I thought you were
or thought you could be
hoped you might be
but never were
never could be
you were a mere illusion
a dream
purporting to be so big
so voluminous
so perfect
but in reality
so little
so minute
so flawed
so deficient
your vanity encompassed you
smothered you
instead of adding to your power and morality
your enormity
your strength
it paralyzed you
reducing you to a molehill
in my mind's eye you have become decrepit
incapacitated
passive
prostrate
impotent
you are so small
I can no longer see you
or any portion of you
not your imaginary eyes
or your imaginary heart
I no longer hear your imaginary words
or feel your imaginary longings
my incredulity has turned me into a crag
my skepticism into a scoffer
my cynicism into sarcasm
I am slightly Siberian
a bit frosty
almost apathetic
barely breathing
appropriately anesthetized
I complete the motions of my days and nights
I move forward not looking back
my brain rousing from its slumber
engorged with enlightenment
like a water balloon about to bust
meanwhile your brain
and everything you thought you were
lies shriveled at my feet
the size of a grain of sand
mere dust that I easily blow away
Copyright ©2011 man and Sipping The Vast Spring
Oreo balls....not just for Christmas....
I can see these decorated for Valentine's day, Easter, or even July 4th and Halloween...these look pretty simple to make too! AND I think I would prefer calling them OREO TRUFFLES!
ENjoy!
Ingredients
1-18oz. pkg oreo cookies (regular size, 3 rows of cookies)
1-8oz. pkg cream cheese-block
4 oz white chocolate almond bark
Directions
1Add oreos to food processor and blend until fine. 2Add cream cheese to oreo crumbs and blend until dough-like. 3Chill mixture for 15 minutes then roll into bite-size balls. Chill balls for 15 minutes. 4Melt almond bark in microwave according to package directions. Dip chilled oreo balls in melted chocolate using fork so chocolate can "drip off". Set covered cookie balls onto waxed paper and let set aprox. 30 minutes. If using sprinkles or decorative sugars do so before chocolate sets. I usually do a dozen at a time sprinkling after each dozen.
I imagine you can use milk or dark chocolate instead of almond bark if you like.....I think that would be good too!
Sunset....January 1, 2011
CLICK ON PHOTOS to see larger version...
We have been having some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets the past couple of days. This sunset was January 1.....have you noticed it is staying daylight a little longer at night?
Friday, December 31, 2010
sunrise on New Year's Eve morning....
This morning I am trying to do something new...getting ready to really honestly sit back and reflect all that has come to pass in the year 2010 in my life. I want to reflect on what has happened, what I did, what I learned, and what I would still like to do or perhaps have done differently. There is always a lot to contemplate this time of year ...and I think that is one reason many get depressed.
But seeing this gorgeous sunrise this morning reminded me of how bright the future can be...our next days...my tomorrows, your tomorrows. We only have to take a brief moment to find a bit of beauty and light already within our immediate environment, each of our small little worlds. I just happened to be walking by my front door and closed window blinds when I noticed an orange hue peeking between the cracks..and when I looked out this was what I saw. Hope of a new, bright day.
So as we head into this new year, I want to remain focused on that. Lightness, beauty, brightness, hope.
I want to wish you and yours a very happy, healthy, safe, prosperous, and blessed new year!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 2010 Full Moon Dreamboard - the Full COLD moon....
I guess I have been feeling a little of the COLD aspect of the Full COLD Moon this month. A few things have happened this year to really snap me back to reality in regards to people and how many are not whom they try to portray themselves as being. You would think one would learn this and remember it for future use...but...I guess I still believe in giving one the benefit of the doubt....or believe in honesty and integrity....truthfulness...only to find once again I know few around me that understand these qualities and characteristics. SO...I have had my eyes shaken open and now they are WIDE open.....my sense of dreams feels like a bug that has been stomped on...left with broken legs and body to wiggle around on and not get anywhere. Things are weird right now and I have a lot of things that have been left unsaid....for there is really no reason to say them other than to make myself maybe feel better....as it will not change a person....or reality...or even me. It changes nothing but wastes a lot of energy. Maybe I should record it on tape and burn the tape or something...I don't know. Part of me is a little ticked off ...not at the entire world...but a definite select few. I am over it though at the same time....because I realized it is their problem and only mine if I allow it to be and it is so not worth it. Life is too short....life has too many possibilities to allow creepiness and crap to seep in.
So...after spewing out this first December dreamboard....I went back to attempt another...one to maybe help me see my way into the coming new year....
okay...here is my second December moon dreamboard.
I know I still believe in magic and dreams and that I am the one in charge of creating my own reality. This is a very magical time of year and I absolutely refuse to let anyone destroy that for me. This next year will be a time of growth for me....of making dreams come true and accomplishing goals....of determination and hard work...of changes.....and to be honest...I am tired of waiting around for my life to sort of happen on its own....I gotta make whatever happen happen if I want it to....so look out 2011!
Monday, December 06, 2010
Christmas is coming ...the goose is getting fat....
and wow...I have not eaten meat for a week! I have been craving more veggies ....and enjoying eating them more. It is very odd for me because for years I have been the opposite of a vegetarian...more a carnivore. BUT recently after thinking about animals again and how they are raised and killed and seeing some pretty horrific video feeds....and well...just NOT craving meat as before since I have been taking my prescription strength vitamin D....I have gone meatless.
I have had more energy had less heartburn and generally felt much better since doing so.
NOT sure I will become a 100% veg head.....but.....I now know I do not have to eat meat all the time and I am fine and feel good.
Meanwhile I got our Christmas tree up and decorated...my son's tree up and decorated....now to clean up the house a bit this week...and we are going into the holiday season simple.....slower...and enjoying it more. I am not overdoing the decorations....we are doing more local holiday events...and watching more holiday shows on television and listening to more holiday/seasonal music.
I have been accomplishing more at home...and slowing making huge changes. I am thankful.
My body is a little weird now...and I am still anxious about a few things pertaining to that...but I know longterm all will be okay regardless..one way or another.
How are you coping so far this holiday season??
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
November 2010 Full Moon Dreamboard - The Full Frost Moon
I am not sure what this board means....I just went through and picked some items that appealed to me....I see some magic in there....a few memories from the past....snowflakes..snow...glitter...snowmen....wishes...I have had a really hard time lately with my attitude and trying to hold onto the magic that I usually always have...especially this time of year.....but I think the DISJOINTED snowman is sort of representative of how I have been feeling emotionally lately...though I have not given up on my dreams and the magic of life itself....I do however realize there are a lot of people in the world who are just crap and do crappy things and well..enough said.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
LISTING OF HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES!
and they list a few older ones too...a great site for information!
go HERE and check it out!
HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES
Monday, November 01, 2010
Be Present.....
You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.
Only in the awareness of the present,
can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.
Only in the present, can you savor the aroma,
taste the sweetness,
appreciate the delicacy.
If you are ruminating about the past,
or worrying about the future,
you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.
You will look down at the cup,
and the tea will be gone.
Life is like that.
If you are not fully present,
you will look around and it will be gone.
You will have missed the feel,
the aroma,
the delicacy and beauty of life.
It will seem to be speeding past you.
The past is finished. Learn from it and let it go.
The future is not even here yet.
Plan for it,
but do not waste your time worrying about it.
Worrying is worthless.
When you stop ruminating about what has already happened,
when you stop worrying about what might never happen,
then you will be in the present moment.
Then you will begin to experience joy in life.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Sunday, October 31, 2010
October Full Moon Dreamboard 2010- The Harvest Moon
What can I say? I have a lot of issues going on in my life right now...many pertaining to things regarding my health that I have to take care of. Something I don't normally have any problems with...or at least not for a very long time. One big issue dealing with my bones....so bones have been on my mind a lot. My house and things I have to do with it have also been on my mind..and wondering if my body will be able to keep up with all the requirements of things needing done around here one day. I have always been able to do anything that needs to be done and always felt I would....but I do wonder now. All the while the ever present time/clock always tick tocking in the background.
I really feel the me I used to know has died multiple deaths...and a new me always emerges.... Sometimes better...sometimes not....and then usually at some point along the way that NEW me passes on too.....and another new me shows up. I continue to change and hopefully evolve...but there are times I feel like I am being slowly erased away. I feel like I am falling/failing in multiple areas of my life right now....not really doing all I can...and yet I take refuge in my home, in my room, in my bedroom, in the comforts I surround myself with in my environment that I am also slowly changing.
I love the moon and how it always seems to look in on me and make me feel better when I see it. It grounds me. I have talked about this before. BUT right now in my life I have many journeys to face, a couple of probable surgeries, and some major life decisions to make...all the while as I continue to transform my house and STUFF as I also transform myself. ALL hopefully for the better!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
wonderful, delicious homemade CHEESE crackers!
a great way to use your mini cookie cutters...or larger ones..or make cheese straws that look like French fries. I made a batch for the first time tonight and WOW...they are the BEST gourmet tasting cheese/spicy cracker I have ever had! I doubt I ever buy store bought crackers anymore! These are soooo good....the house smells so wonderful...and you could make so many varieties! I added cheddar cheese, American, Parmesan and dill seed to mine....AND pepper flakes. WOW!! Here is the recipe:
Here is the main recipe but feel free to change it up to suit your taste!
Cheese straw dough/cracker recipe:
•1 1/2 cups (about 4 ounces) grated cheddar cheese
...•4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
•3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
•1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
•1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
•1 tablespoon half-and-half
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, salt and red pepper and process in five 5-second pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half. Process until the dough forms a ball, about 10 seconds.
(I do not have a food processor but you could use a mixer and/or bread machine ....I just cut in the butter like you do for pastry using a fork)
3. On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8-X-10-inch rectangle that is 1/8-inch thick. With a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the dough into long, thin strips, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide (dipping the knife in flour after every few inches ensures a clean cut). Gently transfer the strips to an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving 1/4 inch between them. The straws can be any length, from 2 to 10 inches.
4. Bake the straws on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the ends are barely browned. Remove from the oven, and set on a wire rack to cool. Serve at room temperature.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OR USE your cookie cutters as below directions!!
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s 1/8-inch thick, and cut as many leaves as you can. Transfer the leaves to a baking sheet lined with Silpat®, and chill them in the fridge for three minutes. Then bake them at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are barely browned.
When the crackers cool they’re intensely cheesy, buttery, spicy, crunchy, addictive, drool-inspiring, and yes, lovely.
OH MY ...I cannot describe how GOURMET these crackers taste and how quick and easy they were to make! I did not use half-n-half as I did not have any..I used 2% milk and I used regular cookie sheet with NO Silpat...they still turned out soooo yummy and did NOT stick to my cookie sheets.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
ART HOUSE (the Sketchbook Project) also offering a PHOTO PROJECT
CLICK ON PHOTO for direct link to take you to Art House for all the details.
Sign up to receive a disposable camera from Art House, choose a theme that inspires you, and share your interpretation with the world.
Use one of our cameras to capture 27 frames on a single theme and then send us the results. We'll collect your contributions into a traveling exhibition and send them on a journey from coast to coast.
Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can participate in the project.
A Million Little Pictures from Shane Zucker on Vimeo.
Rules
Project overview:
After you sign up for the project, we'll mail you a package containing a customized Brooklyn Art Library disposable camera, your selected theme, a return envelope for your prints, and detailed instructions.
Themes:
Participants select a theme of their choosing. One you pick a theme and finish the sign-up process, that theme cannot be changed. Please choose carefully! If you select the "random theme" option, we'll let you know what your theme is when you receive your camera. The themes are intended to be a jumping-off point, not a burden – so feel free to interpret it as you wish.
Exhibitions and the Permanent Collection:
At least one print from each participant will be included in the traveling exhibition. The project will be installed into Photomobile, our custom-built library on wheels. Photomobile will exhibit the collected photographs at galleries and events from coast to coast. We'll also be digitizing select photographs and producing an expanded Web site that will launch next year.
Although we will continue adding tour dates, please note that all dates and locations are subject to change.
Photographs:
Please note that due to the design of the exhibition, we cannot return contributions to this project. Please make duplicates for yourself before mailing your photos to Art House.
Participants must use the camera provided by Art House.
Photos must be exactly 4x6 with no border.
Photos should be printed on glossy paper.
Each participant is guaranteed AT LEAST one print in the traveling exhibition.
Mailing your work to us:
Please postmark your work by June 15, 2011.
Please do not send mail that requires a signature. We will do our best to receive all work in person, but we are not responsible for items returned to sender.
We try to check in all contributions as quickly as possible. However, it is a long process – especially as the deadline approaches. Please note: we will check in all work at least one week prior to the first exhibition date.
Unforeseen issues:
Art House does everything possible to keep your work in tip-top shape. However, stuff does sometimes happen. Unfortunately, we cannot replace work that is lost, stolen, damaged or eaten by bears. We will work hard to make any unforseen situation better, but we are not responsible for these occurances.
Copyright:
Your work is your work. We will never ever sell your work without your permission. We will, however, use contributions in promotional materials, web ads, print ads, and the like. We will also publish your work in a companion catalog for the project. We reserve all copyrights to the published materials.
Contact:
We will always do our best to respond to any questions or issues in a timely manner. To help us assist everyone quickly and efficiently, please read through our FAQs and the project rules before emailing us.
Updates:
Stay informed! Sign up for updates from Art House and check back with the AMLP Web site to stay in the know as the project develops.
wow..this is soooo cool! Radio Flyer Car!
CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR ARTICLE AND MORE PHOTOS!
RADIO FLYER CAR: Valley couple's Radio Flyer car turns heads - ktuu.com
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Full Moon Dreamboards - The Full Corn Moon - September
I know this board looks a little cluttered with leaves...and doll heads without bodies....mismatched and upside down....pages waiting to be written....doodles waiting to be scribbled....plans waiting to be drawn up.....new creations and life for me waiting to be born. At times I feel buried under so much.....and yet I try to still always see the light and feel the warm glow of the beautiful things that continue to surround me. I have been drawn to dolls and doll heads and bodies recently..especially antique vintage dolls...and old fashioned teddy bears...candles that glow...fires in fireplaces....glowing jars....paper.....fall...autumn...gold...especially shiny gold color. This is a time of harvest...yet for me...it seems to be a time I am sort of going into hibernation. A time of rest...which I guess would be appropriate after a harvest...but I have much work yet to do. My body however is not always cooperating right now...sometimes I am unable to move it much at all....I know there is rebirth for me soon....but right now I walk around sort of half present...trying to still slowly accomplish all that needs to be done before the fall season turns into the holidays and the holiday season into a new year. I know once I start to cross things off my giant TO DO list and take care of my body I will be reenergized and experience a rebirth. I hope so..or at least get to a point where I can sit back and rest this fall season and winter after I get the basics around here finished. I love this time of year and the upcoming winter season as well. I always feel a huge sense of coziness.....glow.....even if I am not that much of a bright light myself right now.
I am ready for pumpkin spice coffees and creamers and lattes!
OH WHERE oh where in the stores are the flavored pumpkin spice creamers? The pumpkin spice flavored coffees? I am soooooo ready for them!
Monday, September 27, 2010
unsuccessful blood draw.....no blood to give??
yeah...today was my annual physical....they needed to draw 8 tubes of blood...3 different nurses or phlebotomists tried....no blood ever came out of any vein they tried. NOW they are sending me to the LAB...when asked what they could do differently they did not know. Gee...what happens if they can't get any blood to come out either? I mean they tried multiple areas to stick me...heat....I think personally I was dehydrated...so that did not help. I did not even SEE the veins in my arms I normally see. SO now I get to fast and go through it all again in about a week!
fun times!
My son was in the ER last night .....both of us got little sleep to say the least.
Today is so much like fall though....I LOVE this weather!
Monday, September 13, 2010
August Full Moon Dreamboard - The Full Sturgeon Moon
well I have had a weird month....most of the time I don't feel like doing much of anything...I have not been sleeping well if much at all...I have had a short temper at times...and have not been able to get the simplest things done. I have things I need to do...things I want to do...and yet I do not do much. Everything has been an effort...to just hang on and keep on going on has been a struggle for me. I do...I want to....I see a light at the end of a long dark tunnel...I do. I know it will get better and better....but wow. I have been zapped. We were asked what we would like to SHINE this month....well..I just want that light to remain on at the end of my dark tunnel...so I can find my way back home.
Friday, September 03, 2010
I decided to make some chili and cute pumpkin shaped corn muffins
It is supposed to get chilly this weekend and after a lot of super hot summer days and tons of humidity I am looking forward to that. I saw a commercial on TV last night for chili and it put me in the mood for some. So today I stirred up a batch and then decided to make some sweet corn muffins...and use my pumpkin muffin pans! They turn out so cute.....and the chili was delish!
Fall is on its way!
My son found this leaf lying on the ground outside our library on Monday. I would say fall is soon!
Monday, August 23, 2010
my quiche......
I was craving one so Saturday AND Sunday I made quiches...they were delicious with lots of variety of cheese, onions, chives, and some of my home grown cherry tomatoes. I was out of spinach so I tossed in some green peas! YUMMY!
The Great Darke County Fair....
has begun and we will be hitting it up from time to time. We stopped by yesterday for a bit...saw most of the exhibits and animals...had a good time. Did lots of walking! I am always amazed at all the things they judge in the exhibits. I noticed in the candy section some homemade buckeyes....I have to say I think mine look even better than this first place winner's does...but...I enjoyed looking at everything regardless. This year we saw where they put in decorated cakes. I have never seen those before...but maybe they always have them and we somehow missed them. There is so much it is easy to miss things at this fair!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sunday, August 01, 2010
squirrels can plant pumpkins too...
after last fall we had 2 pumpkins left that we had not carved. Sometimes we don't have the heart to carve them up. SO I sat them outside in February or so...to let nature take its course and allow them to decompose or the squirrels to eat their seeds. We actually got 2 pumpkin plants one year by doing this but NO pumpkins from the plants. The plants died.
BUT I happened to look behind the neighbor's shed a few weeks ago and noticed some large PUMPKIN PLANTS growing in her fertile soil...flower beds she has all around her shed. Now she does not ever plant anything there. There are flowers that come up every year...wildflowers and she trims them back I think sometimes....but she does not really pay attention to anything back there. She pays someone to come mow her yard so I am not sure she even knows anything is growing back there...
Guess what? The other day I saw something big and orange...and figured it was a pumpkin...and I was right! IT is growing pumpkins! I guess the squirrel decided to take some seeds next door and bury them in her flower beds! There is one pumpkin so far ....and it is very good size! I wish they were on our side of the fence....but they are not. I told Noah we will have to grow some of our own properly this next year or something.
Anyway...this really made my day to see this pumpkin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)