The Land of Melting Shadows: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

SEHA BOOzaar

Love Halloween?

Can't get enough of it?

Need more Halloween Art?

Then check out the SEHA BooZaar!

Click here to go to the BooZaar!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Cat Tales ~ Daily Dose of Cute!

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Purz and Catnip Dreams ... Gomez

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Typewriter Art

The Art of Keira Rathbone

Click Here to see more!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Cocktails for a Cause

My DIL, Tracy - she's the wife of the Angel (click here to read that post) - belongs to a unique and fun group, LUPEC.

LUPEC stands for Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails. This group works tirelessly to breed, raise and release cocktails that are endangered or even believed to be extinct. Now, how fun is that!?!

Besides ensuring the renewed enjoyment of classic cocktails at functions throughout the year, the Denver Chapter of LUPEC raises funding to support local and national organizations that look out for the health and welfare of women and children in the Denver Metro area.

While I was visiting a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending LUPEC's "Breakfast for Boobs" event. A fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate in Denver. Earlier this year LUPEC Denver held an event to raise money to buy Prom dresses for girls in need.

There are chapters of this fun organization all across the country. Click here to learn more!

And here are a few recipes for your sipping pleasure....

Bond and Lovage

5 strawberries, hulled and halved

2 oz. lovage infused Rum

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

1 dash bitters

1 lovage leaf for garnish

Muddle the strawberries in a cocktail shaker. Add the rum, lime, simple syrup, bitters & ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Red Bell Pepper Cocktail

3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice

2 basil leaves

5 chopped seedless grapes

1 slice red bell pepper, approx. 1" thick

2 oz. vodka

3/4 oz. Creme Yvette

1/4 oz. simple syrup

Muddle together lemon juice, basil leaves, grapes, & bell pepper in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, Creme Yvette, & simple syrup. Stir and strain into a cold old-fashioned glass with ice.

And now for my personal favorite. There is almost always a carafe of this in my fridge!

Gin and Sin

1 1/2 oz. gin

1 oz. orange juice

1 oz. lemon juice

1/2 tsp grenadine syrup

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake well and serve.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Cat Tales ~ Meow-Meow Meme

Miss Bella and Sele, two very seductively sleek felines, over at The Year of the Cats have tagged Me in their recent post Meow-Meow Meme.

Bella Sele bed 1 original 400x160 Miss Bella and Seles Two Paws Meow Meow/MeMe

Do stop by and say HI when you are out blog hopping. These two sweet Kitties and the human they own - Wendy - are fun, friendly and serve the best Tea! And for those of you who are wondering, a Meme is a list of info about one's self. So here goes...

Favorite Hang-Out ~ Mommy's lap (of course!) And weather permitting, the flower garden.

Favorite Scent ~ Fresh Cut Catnip (not to worry, Me has a medical scrip for it!)

Favorite TV Show ~ Swamp People (watching it takes Me back to Me kittenhood growing up on the bayou where I wrangled ~~gators~~ crawfish. Well, some of those crawfish were as big and mean as gators!)

Favorite Movie ~ The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Me can identify with Aragorn - We's both handsome and brave and very much ~~lusted after~~ admired by the Ladies. And did I mention We's both handsome?)

Kitty Crush ~ Me's too busy keeping my part of the World safe for Democracy to have a crush. And besides, Me's a confirmed bachelor.

Kitty Wisdom ~ Keep Catnip by the Garden Gate, Enjoy Sun Puddles Whenever You Can, And Always Cover Up After Using the Litter Box.

Purz and Catnip Dreams... Gomez

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Street Installations

The Art of Mark Jenkins

Click Here to See More!

Friday, May 20, 2011

The Angels of Sanchez Park

I would like to share with you a story about two individuals whose love for Nature and Mother Earth go beyond recycling. These two people take the time to try and make their part of the world a better place - not only for them but for others as well.

These two individuals live very near the heart of a Big City. They have a very nice but modest home which they share with a lovely Lady of generous heart, a Dog of strength and nobility, and a Cat named Gaia. Their yard is well cared for and nurtured. Not far from their home is a large Park. A place of trees and grass. A small but lively stream runs through this Park - this place of trees and grass.

Quite often these two people - these Angels in disguise - can be found at this Park - enjoying the peace and tranquility and marveling at the wonders of Mother Nature and her mysteries. But like so many places in or near a Big City the rubble and refuse of Mankind's castoffs will find their way to this Park - littering the grass and clogging the stream.

But these two individuals, these two Angels, do their best to keep the Park clean and clear of the rubble. These Angels take trash sacks with them on their trips to the Park to collect and contain the rubble they find. The oldest of the Angels will climb into the stream to remove old tires, pieces of wood, or other large objects. The smallest of the Angels watches and learns the valuable lessons being taught.

And I am very proud to say that I know these two Angels quite well. They are my son and grandson.

A Mom couldn't be prouder........

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Updates, Observations, & Neko

I am now back in the land of (what-seems-like) never ending wind and rain. While I was away, the wind blew and blew and the rain poured and poured (or at least it did if you were to hear Gomez talk about it). I do believe the household members here at WildWoods Manor are ready for a drier and less stormy climate.

I had an enormous amount of fun with all the grandchildren. Amazing how quickly children can grow. My DIL is doing well. She did have surgery to have a plate and screws placed over the break in her collarbone - the brace she had been wearing didn't do what was needed. But she is doing quite well and should be back to normal in no time. I would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to everyone who sent prayers, well wishes and healing energy her way. It worked. Thank You from the bottom of my heart!

I made it home in time for Hubby's college graduation. A wonderful moment! Hubby graduated with High Honors and received an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology. He also received a Technical Certificate in Computer Forensics and one in Database Application. And a Certificate of Proficiency in Information Systems Technology. I'm so proud of my Hubby, the Computer Geek. Now comes the job hunt. He has a couple leads that we're hoping will pan out. If you have a moment, could you please send up a positive thought, a prayer, or even maybe light a candle that Hubby quickly finds a job in his newly chosen profession. Thank you!

And wouldn't you know it. As soon as I get home, the video card in my computer decided to start acting wonky. I'm so glad Hubby knows how to work on these silly contraptions!

And I made a very interesting observation while in the Big City of Denver. People were so nice and friendly. It was the kind of friendly that you find in a small town. I observed people here in the small town of Mena upon my return and was dismayed at how unfriendly the people are here. It was then that I realized that "Small Town" is a state of mind - no matter where a person lives.

And now for Neko. Isn't he the cutest? My youngest son, his wife and their son gave me Maneki Neko (the Wish Cat) for Mother's Day. This version of Maneki Neko is holding a crystal ball which symbolizes bringing all the wishes to the owner. Neko now watches over my desk - reminding me of all the wonderful Family and Love I have in my Life.