Friday, May 30, 2008

Grey's Anatomy Fourth Season


The complete fourth season DVDs of Grey’s Anatomy is available for pre-order from amazon. The set comes with five discs and includes never before seen footage, exclusive bonus features, bloopers, audio commentary, extended episode – “Forever Young,” and more. It costs $38.99 USD and will be released September 9, 2008. Also available in 4 disc Blu-ray.






If you missed other seasons, they're available, too.
Sounds like a good way to ease the way through the summer without new episodes - or a good way to catch up if you've never before watched.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Garrett

Here's my friend Chris's little guy. If you're a regular here, you'll remember The Hairy Eyeball.


Now Garrett's so cool, he has to wear shades!

Monday, May 26, 2008

A Rhubarb Patch, or Hog Heaven

I've tried several times to get a crop of rhubarb growing, but I'm going to have to try harder. Whenever I'm blessed to have someone give me rhubarb, I cut and freeze it and use it sparingly.

After working on the kitchen today we went to LeighAnn's. Jay had made a couple of shutter doors for their circuit boxes in the lower level they just finished, and we took them up. It's a nice Sunday or holiday drive, as they live in a small gated lake community surrounded by farmland. As she and I were sitting out back and the guys were installing doors, I noticed the neighbor's rhubarb gone to seed.

LeighAnn said the neighbor had told her come get it any time. That was all the invitation I needed! Adam went with me and cut off leaves after I pulled out stalks. Now get this - his mom trusted him with dad's sharp blade, but not me. What's wrong with this picture? Think it has anything to do with the time I wiped out on their dirt bike and traumatized my children? LOL

So anyway, we got a basket full, and it took me over and hour to wash and chop once I got home. I have five gallon bags full in the freezer! Whoo hoo! Of course I'll be taking rhubarb crunch to Erin's graduation party next Saturday.

And I'll be posting rhubarb recipes, so check the recipe archives.
LINK IN THE RIGHT SIDEBAR.

Indie's Fedora

Stephen Delk's Adventurebilt, used in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, $350; adventurebilthats.com. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)


A hatmaker goes digging to create an iconic topper fit for the world's most famous adventurer — and the most discerning city dwellers. By Michael Frew

Stephen Delk's Adventurebilt, used in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, $350; adventurebilthats.com. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)
In the movies, as in life, clothes define character. And with Harrison Ford's iconic archaeologist and adventurer, Indiana Jones, it's all about the hat. Having worn hats all his life — growing up on a cotton farm made them a necessity — Stephen Delk, a soft-spoken grandfather from Columbus, Mississippi, always appreciated good headgear but was too busy with his job as a custom cabinetmaker to indulge his inner hatter. Then, around 1991, a friend showed him a 10-year-old film on VHS, conceived by George Lucas and directed by Steven Spielberg, called Raiders of the Lost Ark. Delk remembers thinking, "That is the coolest hat I've ever seen." After spending $7,500 on hats that never quite matched his imagination, Delk made a fateful decision: "Heck, I could learn how to make these things."

Three years of trial and error — "Hatters don't share much," he asserts — and Delk, using arcane instruments like tollikers, brim flanges, and crown irons, had the Adventurebilt: a thirties-style brown fedora made from the finest beaver felt, with a 5 ½" straight-sided crown, dark ribbon, and a dimensionally cut brim (2 ½" sides, 2 ¾" front and back).

On his quest, Delk discovered a crucial secret: It was the block shape of the original Raiders fedora, found by costume designer Deborah Nadoolman at the Herbert Johnson hat shop in London, that made Indy's lid so distinctive. So like the old-school bespoke hatters who stretched raw felt bodies over worn wooden blocks, Delk carved out a properly shaped form by hand and got to work.

While many of his customers are Indiana Jones fans, 80 percent of Delk's business comes from purists, those rare souls who still appreciate a handmade hat. He insists on doing all of his stitching by hand, taking over eight hours in his backyard camper workshop to produce each one.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Movie Classics: SOAPDISH


Sally Field portrays Celeste Talbert, the long-time star of a popular daytime drama The Sun Also Sets. Sally isn't an academy award winner for nothing, and when it comes to comedy, she is unrivaled. It's all in her delivery, the timing, the voice inflections -- and of course that wonderful crying, which she does a the drop of a hat.


Her pal in the movie is the show's writer Rose Schwartz, played by none othet than Whoopi Goldberg. The show's producer, David Seaton Barnes, is played by Robert Downey, Jr. Supporting player and bombshell Montana Moorehead (Cathy Moriarty) connives to replace Celeste Talbert as the lead, stopping at nothing. She shines in the villainous role, promising sexual favors to the producer.


Terri Hatcher is a member of the soap cast, as well. Dr. Monica Delmonico, I think - and her hair is piled ten inches high in an over-the-top 80's 90's do. Just as skinny as in her Housewives role, but a whole lot younger.



Twenty years previous, Celeste had a falling out with fellow actor and boyfriend Jeffrey Anderson (Kevin Kline), who was discharged at Talbert's request. He is reduced to playing roles such as Willy Loman before crowds of clueless elderly people at a Florida dinner theater. I adore Kevin Kline in roles like this--another fave is frech Kiss--and his melodramatic egomaniacal character is still loveable and vilnerable, because it's Kevin Kline at his best.



Talbert's niece, Lori Craven (Elizabeth Shue) wrangles a role on the The Sun Also Sets as a destitute deaf-mute. The two meet on the set playing a scene where Talbert serves soup to a line of homeless people.

Anderson is called back to the show under dubious circumstances (his character had been decapitated in a motor wreck), to needle Talbert. He and Craven spark up a relationship which Talbert unaccountably finds offensive. It turns out Craven is her daughter by Anderson, not her niece. The ensuing fallout leads to all three actors - Talbert, Craven and Anderson - to demand "They go or I go."




In a climactic conclusion, the actors head into an episode aired live where they must read their lines from a teleprompter. Craven's character is set to die because of Brain Fever. The actors begin to ad-lib when Nurse Nan arrives and suggests a brain transplant. Talbert's character chooses to save Craven via the proposed brain transplant.



A brain transplant?
"I'm the donor! Take my brain!" says Sally Fields' character.

"I don't think you realize how serious this is," replies Kline. "You will not have a brain when it is complete!"

And as actors on the soap opera, they go through with a brain transplant in a restaurant - adlibbing the entire thing. "Sterlize the area!" I can't tell you how many times I've laughed at this movie.




Craven's character speaks at the last minute and requests Talbert not leave the show. Craven chooses to allow Talbert and Anderson be her parents in more than biology. A Dr. Frans Brow, played by Shwartz, from the sex change clinic in Maryland arrives and dictates that Nurse Nan was formerly Milton Morehead of Long Island. The film ends with Craven, Talbert and Anderson winning daytime soap awards, and with Milton Moorehead performing Death of a Salesman at the same dinner theater Anderson performed at earlier in the film.

Warning: Sally drops the F-bomb once in this movie.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The New American Idol!

WHOO HOO! I'm a happy camper tonight.

David Cooks sings The Music of the Night

This was one of my favorite performances of the season. Not to be missed.

Season End: Dancing With the Stars

Any Dancing With the Stars fans out there? Kristi Yamaguchi was named this season's champ on last night's season finale, becoming the first woman to win the ABC dance-off since its inaugural season.



The gold medal winning figure skater came into the final contest Tuesday with a perfect score and bested fan favorites Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente to claim the mirrorball trophy. I always thought Kristi had an advantage, being an athlete used to chorography and all. She was so good that I believe she could have a second career.


I admire Jason for overcoming his size and learning something foreign and challenging and excelling at it.

Christian I could have watched cook dinner or brush his teeth, you know. Yowza. Not only is he a stunner to look at, but what a nice guy - and a true champion for hanging in there good-naturedly with a serious injury. The actor ruptured a tendon in his biceps while dancing on April 28, but delayed the surgery necessary to repair it so he could continue in the contest.

I posted more pictures of Cristian, because seriously, who would you rather see, Kristi or Christian?

"It's about wanting something in life and going for it," he said. "In this case it was a dance show, but it can be anything that you're afraid of. Go for it. Do it. The reward that you get when you put your heart, your soul, everything you've got in something, it's priceless."
I liked Cheryl Burke better this season. Did you know she and Gerard Butler are an item?

And what about Shannon and Derek? I guess he liked her bod, but what a whiner. Derek, honey, you can do better.

Not that I have an opinion or anything! LOL



I always feel bad when my favorite pro dancers get stuck with a dud. Poor Julianne didn't stand a chance, but she was a trouper. And she had plenty to keep her busy this season, what with her new CD released and presenting on the country music awards.

Is she just an all around doll or what?

IDOL PREDICTION

I stand by my prediction that David Cook will win American Idol Season Seven. America has disappointed me in the past - Clay and Doughtry for example. David Archutela can undeniably sing. Ballads. And more ballads. Ballads on end. But change it up and keep us from falling asleep after one or two? Huh uh.

I make my judgement vote according to whose CD I would buy. Hands down it's David Cook. In fact I already have itunes CDs made of David Cook's performances. Phantom of the Opera and You'll Always be my Baby are a toss up for my favorites.

Sing Phantom of the Opera and give us goosebumps, Archuleta, I dare ya!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Month of Erin

Thanks to Pat for letting me know you're snjoying the month of Erin!

Erin has always been a colorful girl. This was her green phase. How she got any sleep in this room I'll nevr know. LOL
You can't tell here, but she has braces in this pic, too.

And this is her 18th birthday. She's wearing her one of her brothers' shirts.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Guest Blogger


Click here: The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills

I am the guest this time! I'm blogging at The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills this weekend and would love it if you came by and left me a comment!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Columbine



This beautiful columbine blooms in a bed between the front walk and the garage/driveway, so I see it everytime I go in or out the front door and when I look outside from the front door.

Erin Month




Thursday, May 15, 2008

Graduates



This is Erin and Alex. Her folks call Alex "her little fella."

It's May!


The bleeding heart on the north side of my house. It likes the shade.




This tree is on thesouth side of the house. It's the one I picked out for me when we first moved here.




This bush is in the corner of the backyard. I love the green before the flowers turn white.

chives are ready to flower


I love chives. We eat them in salads, on baked potatoes, in mashed potatoes, in tuna and chicken salad, and sometimes just on sandwiches. I've divided them several times, and still have two huge clumps in the back and one in the front.

David Cook - one of my faves



How do I decide who to vote for? If they had CDs for sale right now, which one would I buy? David Cook hands down. This song is one of my favorites by him.

Time Management Tips: 10 Things You Can Do To Be Effective With Your Time

If you find yourself constantly frustrated at the end of the day, with a pile of things that need to be done and wondering why you weren’t able to do it, you’re not alone. Plenty of people suffer from an inability to make the maximum use of their time, but there is a solution! By implementing these simple time management tips in every area of your life, you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish – and how quickly things will get done – every day.

1)Know what you want – set goals.

Since you can’t change time itself, you need to change how you work with time. This can be done by making small personal goals to start with, moving to larger goals as you progress in your time management skills. For example, set a goal to not check your personal email while at work for one week. At the end of the week, evaluate whether you achieved that goal and add another one or try again.

2)Do what you need to – create a plan.

This is a more overarching goal, but something that can be implemented as part of a plan for time management success. For example, your plan for trying these time management tips might be to increase your productivity or to lower your stress levels.

3)Learn about yourself – where are you losing time?

For a week, track what you do every day. Take note of your activities, how long they took, and even the breaks you take for a personal phone call or for lunch. After a week, look at the areas that took up your time, and evaluate where you wasted time that could have been given over to more productive activities.

4)Use the available tools – write it down.

Time management tools are an effective way to give concreteness to your goals and the tasks you need to accomplish. Whether it’s through a daytimer or a computer program, physically manage your time by listing the tasks you need to do now and in the future.

5)Keep perspective – prioritize.

Each morning, look at the tasks you need to accomplish and prioritize them. Figure out which ones are urgent and which ones can honestly wait if you don’t have time for them. Do the important things first – don’t put them off, or you’ll be stressed and rushed at the end of the day.

6)Keep moving – create a routine.

If you have an established routine, you’ll be more able to complete your goals each day. When crises arise, move with them and deal with them – but don’t let them distract you for the rest of the day. Once you’ve dealt with the problem, get back on task.

7)Don’t dawdle – set time limits.

If you only need an hour to check your email, set a timer for an hour until you can get used to that amount of time. A day can be easily wasted on one thing if you let it, so this will ensure that you don’t waste extra time surfing around that could be spent on other projects.

8)Ask for help – delegate.

You don’t need to do it all yourself – no person is an island! Allow others to carry some of the burden for you, but be willing to help them along the way – that way your creative hand is still in the pot. You need to decide to delegate, and then just ask. What’s the worst that could happen, someone would say no? It’s not the end of the world.

9)Know yourself – don’t waste time waiting.

Whether it’s standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, or even if you’re sitting in a lobby waiting for a meeting, realize that you don’t need to spend that time waiting. With a task list set out, bring something with you at all times that you can work on – a report to read, a notepad, your checkbook, or your PDA to check your email. Keep moving, keep working on those tasks. Don’t let a moment go to waste.

10)Be realistic – don’t get discouraged.

If you’ve set realistic goals and you’ve followed the tips outlined here, there may still be some days that you just can’t get everything done. That’s okay! There are only 24 hours in a day, and all you can do is work with them and manage yourself. Time doesn’t change – you can, and that’s really the best thing you can do. Realize that some days will be successes and others may be a little more disappointing. That’s life – and tomorrow is a new day!

ADAM THOMPSON
Published At: www.Isnare.com

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Idol Prediction

I don't think anyone missed the Idol prediction for this week. It was unfair of the judges to come down hard on the contestants - especially Syesha. It was a no-brainer. It wouldn't have mattered what she sang - she was going home this week.

She could have sang like Alicia Keys and the two Davids could have sang with their mouths full of crackers, and she would have gone home tonight.

Syesha really grew and did well the last few weeks. Seeing all of them at their home towns was great.

David Archuleta played it very smart with the teeny bopper song. Did you see the crowds of little girls in Utah? Holy cow! Do NOT underestimate the tween vote! Look how many Hannah Montana concerts are sold out. He has a huge fan base.

Kristin downloaded Davis Cooks's song for me.

It will be really close. I predicted the battle of the Davids, and now I predict David Cook as the winner.

But I've been disappointed in America's voting before....

National Wear An Apron Day

In America this unusual holiday falls each year on the first Wednesday after Mother's Day. While I was growing up my mother and grandmother wore aprons all the time.

My mother wore housedresses, and didn't have Spray'n Wash or Spot Shot, so I suppose protecting her clothing was necessary.

I keep several aprons in a drawer in our antique sideboard. One was my grandmother's and one was my mother's. One isn't good for anything except looking pretty. I tend to like the practical ones with the big pockets.




Click here to learn how to make an apron from an old skirt.


Here's a link to a great article on aprons.


And click here to read Linda Broday's great blog on the history of aprons.


*lizzie starr sent me this link to a store in Lincoln, NE that sells an assortment patterns for beautiful aprons. There's an online store.


*lizzie gave me this link to The Paisley Pincushion, another source for wonderful apron patterns.


Do you have any aprons? Do you ever wear an apron? Do you have memories of your mom or grandma wearing one?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Mother's Day Brunch


Here's Kristin, me and LeighAnn. Sometimes we can get LeighAnn to stay wake for these things, but not always. LOL

I bought a Photoshop book, so I'm going to learn how to make her eyes open in pictures.

ERIN, Month of Nostalgia

As you can see, she didn't stand a chance. That's me in the driver's seat and her parents are the two on the right - I think this must be BEFORE she was born. ON top of the truck is Jennifer. from left to right in the bed of the truck: Kristin, LeighAnn, Brad.



Here I am with Erin on my shoudlers when she is about 2 or 3.




And here is Erin asking, "Are you sure those are my grandparents?"

Newest Angel Cheeks

Introducing the newest members to my Angel Cheeks family.

The one on the left was from Kristin and the one on the right was from Elijah. Kristin ordered these online to get just what they wanted. Aren't they adorable? Now it's going to be a challenge to get them all in a banner for my header next time, but I'll give it a shot.

I got two new ones for Christmas, too, so I have thirteen!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Sex and the City Trailer

Has anyone gone yet?







ERIN and the Month of Nostalgia

It was a very sentimental weekend, with Mother's Day and Erin's graduation. And wouldn't you know it, OF ALL PEOPLE I forgot my camera!? So while I'm waiting -- did you hear me say WAITING? for daughters to send me pictures, I got nostaglic and found a few to post in honor of the graduate.

In fact I believe this will be the month of nostalgia. Yes, it's official. If it's in the post label, it's a done deal.

Here she is, day one, minutes after being born into our waiting arms.
Yes, that's me. No, I didn't need glasses to see her. And to be honest I did a double take when I found this picture, but after noting the ring I am never without on my middle finger, confirmed it was indeed me.



And here she is with her Papa. Eighteen years is all it takes for dark hair to disappear, imagine that....



Ain't she sweet? Erin's lying on a blanket I made. Her hair was dark for a few weeks and gradually got lighter and lighter.


More to come........

Friday, May 09, 2008

Winners of Beaded Book Thongs


Okay, it's after 10pm on Friday and I promised to announce winners of the bookmarks I made. You guys did great with your lists! Thanks to all who posted.

And the winners are:

CONNIE - blue
PAT COCHRAN -green
BETSY - purple

I'll go to the post office at the first of next week and mail them out, so send me your addresses at SaintJohn@aol.com