Saturday, July 30, 2011

Saturday's Scavenger Hunt Photo Bit

Happy Saturday morning, blog friends!
So far, I have ten of the 21 items on Rinda's Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt. My Saturday morning submission is a little bit somber, but warrants some nice reflection...

#8 - My country's flag
This is the Arizona State Capitol building with the US flag in the middle, Arizona state flag to the right, and MIA/POW flag on the left.

I took this photo last weekend during my downtown Phoenix excursion and by the time I got to the capitol the morning was really heating up. I sat on the lawn across the street waiting {wishing} for a nice breeze to come through and unfurl these flags. I finally had to settle for a little breeze that took them from hanging-straight-down to showing-just-a-little-bit.

#13 - A cemetery of historical significance or with an interesting story

This photo was taken through the fence of the Pioneer Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Phoenix. What a hot and dry and desolate place, but I suppose back in 1846 there weren't many options so there you have it. Here's another photo, listing all of the different events that could have led to being laid to rest here:
Haha...and this one that made me giggle {softly because this was a serious place...}
Hm...too bad...Doug and I have been looking for a new camp site...

Enough of that...let's get serious again...

 #20 - A handmade roadside memorial or shrine
And I do mean serious. In May 2006, one of Carrie's best friends was killed by a drunk driver on a Sunday just after 12 o'clock noon. Sean's life was taken at the age of 17, less than a mile from our house. There were tons of flowers, candles, and crosses for the longest time, but all that remains is a bunch of silk flowers taped around this light pole. I know this photo wouldn't win any photography contest, but when I read "roadside memorial" on Rinda's list I knew it had to be this one.

I kind of hate to end on that note, but that's life in the big city. I'll remember Sean's goofy personality and if you'd known him you'd be smiling right now too.

Blessings to each of you this weekend and always.

PS: Don't drink and drive.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Just a quote for Friday







"Excuse me is a nice
way to say
MOVE!"

~ Carrie @ 3
(Learning to mind her manners.)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Graffiti Art - Scavenger Hunt Photo

#15 - Graffiti art
The next thing I've checked off my list for Rinda's
* * * * * * *
I ventured into downtown Phoenix all by myself last weekend, parked my car and took a walk. These are photos I took within a two-block radius. It's probably not the best part of town to be alone in, but there really was no one around on a Saturday morning so I felt alright.
{Note to Carrie: Please do not go here alone. Ever. Thank you.}
 
 The mural above is a parody of our local government.
Controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpiao
and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.
Pretty amazing stuff, right? The majority of the graffiti in these photos is painted with the consent of the building owners. Though it's in a seedy part of town, the artwork is really something to see!
*****
Do you have graffiti art in your town?
How about graffiti that's not welcome?
{We have our share of that too!}

Monday, July 25, 2011

My weekend.

Happy Monday, everyone.
How was your weekend?
Here's how I spent Saturday and Sunday:

I made yummy iced tea,
and ventured out for a photography scavenger hunt...
 ...in kind of a seedy part of town.
Went to our state capitol building {to take some photos},
...and took a cool bubble bath when I got home {with company}.
Saw this cactus,
made this salad {yum!!!},
and did some more packing.
Yes, as a matter of fact, Whiskers,
that box
does make your butt look big.
* * * * *
Bless us all this week.
xo

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Arizona Castle - Scavenger Hunt Photo

Tovrea Castle
Phoenix, Arizona
USA
#14 - A castle

So, I went and got myself involved in Rinda's summer photography scavenger hunt, and I have been obsessing about taking pictures of this local landmark as part of the challenge.

The photo above is the one I'll use for the challenge,
but here are a few more for your viewing pleasure:

Rinda's list for the scavenger hunt included "a castle," and the only one I know of around these parts is Tovrea Castle that sits up on a hill overlooking the city of Phoenix. Oh sure, it doesn't look like your average mid-evil-castle-with-lush-landscapes-and-moss-growing-on-its-sides. And its only saving grace for me was the romantic story behind it. But then I found out that my version of this castle's history {that I'd always heard to be true} was quite different from the real one.
My version: Once upon a time there was an Italian rancher who loved Arizona and longed for his love to join him in the desert. In order to entice her to move from Italy, he promised he'd build her a beautiful castle, high on a hill, and it would be shaped like a wedding cake. { So, the fair lady traveled from afar to join him, only to find that what he had built and where he had built it wasn't exactly what she had in mind. So, she returned to Italy and left Senor Tovrea alone in his cake house.
You can read the real story here, though I promise it's not as fun as mine.
;o)
I thought it was cool that I could see Camelback Mountain from where I was standing. It's rare to have a view of the entire mountain from city level. {See how it's shaped like a camel's back? The camel's head is to the left, blocked by shrubbery.}
Photographing this castle was a bit tricky because it's closed to the public and there was no parking lot for me to safely land in. I had to pull off the road and walk a little ways in order to peer over the fence and take a few pictures.
 And, Mom, if you're fretting over this, wait till you see my graffiti shoot.
Happy weekend, everyone!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Just a quote for Friday.

"If mama ain't happy,
ain't nobody happy."

{unknown author, but smart}

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Oh, look out you rock ’n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you’re gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time

{Lyrics by David Bowie, 1972}

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Pass the Book Winner {and Ranch Dressing}

Part I - Pass the Book

Happy Sunday everyone!
Today is the day I announce the winner of the next round of
sponsored by my lovely Irish friend, Sian.
So without further adieu, the winner is...lucky number 13!!!
Congratulations, Margaret!
I will package up this little goody and send it your way.

Part II - Ranch Dressing

Ah, the things we take for granted. Like assuming that just because ranch dressing is popular where I live, everyone on the planet must know what it is. ;o) Not the case.

Ranch is Doug's salad dressing of choice, and we also like to order a little side of it for French fries when we are eating out. And it's always on hand for dipping whenever there's a vegetable tray.

A quick internet search provides a bunch of links for homemade ranch dressing recipes, and I was delighted to see that The Pioneer Woman has this one posted that you can try if you are so inclined. It sounds yummy, but also sounds like a lot of work when the bottle or a powdered mix is just so easy. {Ok, I'll admit that TPW's recipe probably tastes WAY better than the pre-made stuff...}

Anyway! This gives me an excuse to send a little love in the form of salad dressing to my international friends who may be curious. I'd love to send you a packet of dressing mix if you'd like to give it a try. If you'd like to have one sent your way, be one of the first three readers to leave a comment here saying you'd like to give it a try.  :o)
Peace and love.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Photography Scavenger Hunt - Part One

Good day, cyber-friends. It's going to be a busy weekend here in TurtleLand, but before I get going I thought I'd post a few photos. I'm participating in Rinda's Summertime Photograph and Snapshot Scavenger Hunt and these are the photos I have so far:

#10 - A wooden bridge
If you look closely, you can see a large tree root under this little foot
bridge in the front yard of a house in my neighborhood. What
a clever way to cover up a large crack in the sidewalk.

#16 - A building made of metal or glass
We were in downtown Phoenix last night for a baseball game and this
building caught my eye. I should have taken note of what it was, but for now
it's just my submission for item #16 on this scavenger hunt. ;o)

#17 - Rain
Good ol' Arizona summer rain. The sun was shining, but there were pockets
of rain that I drove through on my way home from work that day.

#21 - A rooster
You might expect my kitchen to be covered in turtle fair, but instead
I have roosters. Seventeen of them to be exact - kind of an
accidental collection if you will.

This is the first time I've participated in a scavenger hunt of sorts. It's a lot of fun so far, and definitely will require some thinking outside the box. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve...stay tuned...

And have a blast this weekend!
xo

Friday, July 15, 2011

Just a quote for Friday


You make all of the fashion statements
just by dressing up your mind.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Potato Salad and Pass the Book

Hello, blog friends!
            ♥

So, a few weeks ago I was the lucky recipient of a round of "Pass the Book" from Beverly's blog {that originated from Sian's blog...}.

Yes, I'm a lucky girl, as this is my third win in the "Pass the Book" series! When it landed in my mailbox {beautifully wrapped by Beverly, I might add} I plopped myself down on the couch and started reading.

The last two books I'd received took a while for me to get through. There were tons of beautiful photos that I looked through over and over, and each of those books called for a bit more studying than this recent edition.


What a pleasant surprise this book was! Molly Wizenberg has such a knack for telling stories about her recipes and the memories they conjure up for her. It's a fun and easy read, and within no time I was half way through the book and had a dozen sticky-notes tagging pages with recipes that I want to try. {You might want to check out Molly's blog where you can enjoy her lovely writing style, as well as the recipes she shares there.}

The very first recipe Molly shares in her book is her father's potato salad. Personally, I think that potato salad is one of those things that pretty much always tastes the same - no matter who makes it, wraps it up, and brings it to the family picnic. But when I read through Molly's version of the recipe I immediately wanted to give it a try.
The ingredients are basic, simple recipe fair, but the addition of fresh dill and some Ranch dressing caught my attention. This is the best potato salad Doug and I have ever had. Hands down.
There are many more recipes in "A Homemade Life" that I will try in the future, but for now, this book is up for grabs. If you'd like a chance to be the next on the list for passing, please leave a comment. I'll draw a name and Pass the Book on Sunday, July 17th.

You want this book!
Good luck!
:o)

Molly's recipe for "Burg's Potato Salad":

For the salad, prepare the following and allow to cool completely before adding the dressing:
1 3/4 pounds red waxy potatoes - cooked and cubed
4 large eggs - hard boiled and chopped
8 scallions (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced
1/4 t. salt, plus more to taste

For the dressing, mix the following then toss with salad ingredients:
3/4 c. mayonnaise
4 tablespoons bottled Ranch dressing
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
1 to 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional) {I opted not to use caraway seeds...}

Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Monday, July 11, 2011

This weekend I...

...took a bunch of random photos.
Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.
:o)

We're still cleaning up from the crazy dust storm we had last week.
"Chip" {my pretend pet turtle} got a much needed bath.

And so did my car,

and our patio.

I bought myself some flowers. :o)

And I listened to the new mix CD that Carrie burned for me.
I love it! Random songs by Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Hanson,
and The Beatles to name a few. And I love that it's on a CD that
looks like a vinyl record. Thanks, Carrie!

Made some hard-boiled eggs that were really yummy. I tried a new way of cooking them and they peeled really easy this time! {Cover eggs in cold water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes then remove from heat. Let stand for another 5 minutes and then rinse with cold water. Perfection.}

 Made some yummy cookies - white chocolate chip and pecan.

Cooked a bunch of meat because the freezer in our garage decided to take a break {GFI switch flipped...} and thawed stuff out. Saturday I cooked {and then wrapped and froze} two pork tenderloins and four chicken breasts, and yesterday I cooked a turkey. I used our roaster oven and cooked it all out on our patio so as not to heat up the kitchen with the conventional oven. {I thought that was pretty smart of me!}

Took an early morning walk and enjoyed this beautiful sunrise.

 Did some packing with a little help from my friends.

Enjoyed lots of Arizona storms. Friday and Saturday nights were dry -
thunder, lightening, and more dust {though no where near last week's
dust storm}
. But last night we got some much needed rain.
Everything smells so nice and clean this morning!

How was your weekend?
xo
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