A Kinda Scavenger Hunt.....

I am so late to the party and I still don't have everything I need to complete the hunt this week.  So this is gonna be kinda a Scavenger Hunt Sunday and I am also joining in with my blogging bud, Kathy for her new meme Song-ography.

This week's challenges which I kinda have are:

• Inspiring Person
• Relaxing
• Written Word
• Memories
• Best Friend

OK, let's just dive right in.  The first on the list, inspiring person, just stopped me dead in my tracks, literally.  And then I thought about a conversation I had with a girlfriend who I was with last night and the subject of Paula Deen came up.  I might get myself in trouble for saying this, but I gotta admit she is rather inspiring in how she picked herself up as a single mother and built a cooking empire extraordinaire.  Maybe her recipes are not that healthy, after all she is from the south, and there is not too much healthy cooking coming from the South, aka butter and fried foods top the list, but it sure is good.  But lately after her diagnosis of diabetes, she has cleaned up her fat content quite a bit.  Unfortunately she made a mistake, how many of us can say that we have NEVER made a mistake in our lives that we have regretted.  Personally I think her penalties have been a might over the top for something she said years ago.  Prior to all this, she was the Icon for Southern cooking, and inspiration to many....just sayin'

Last night a girlfriend and I went to an outdoor jazz concert in a close-by suburb and was thoroughly entertained by some wonderful performers.  We spent a totally relaxing evening listening to some wonderful entertainment, along with about 3,000 other people. Ginny and I had 3rd row seats, so we didn't miss a thing.....how sweet is that.

After the performance we strolled into a few shops, all stayed open hoping for business and being one to help the local economy (who am I trying to kid, I just like to shop)....I found a couple of treasures (little) that came home with me.  The first one fit into the category of written word, loosely I admit, but fits.  This piece of wisdom is now on the back porch...perfect!!

And the 2nd sweet find (really doesn't fit any category, but felt the need to show it off) was this cute little vase....I am such a sucker for vases.  Fits right in on the back porch table....(flowers are from my garden)

There are many, many images that I have that fit into the category of "memories"...some I am not going to bring up, too painful, but this one not only fits the category of memories but segues right into Kathy's very first prompt  in her new meme Song-ography...."Homeward Bound".  This was a pic from last summer on one of my jaunts with Catherine.  Unfortunately Catherine and I don't go out jaunting anymore, she is too busy with her work and her life....but I do miss those fun times and fun memories.

                                                        

Finally....best friend.  Mac has spent the last 4 days with me, but today Mac's best friend, Sam came home....Mac was a happy camper (PS, so was I)

That's it...that's all....have a good week everyone.  Keep enjoying summer, it will be over before we know it.

Until next time....

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - The July 7, 2013 Edition

It's the weekend again....but this week is different.  There was a break in the middle while we celebrated our nation's birthday....hip hip hooray for the red, white & blue.  And this week's challenges for Scavenger Hunt Sunday are perfect....

RED

WHITE

BLUE

SPARKLE

STARS

This regal looking red building was part of the DuPage County (in Illinois) courthouse before moving all of the government facilities to a brand new location a few years ago.  Since that time they have converted this into condos.  I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at a house walk that toured one of the condos a few years ago and all I can say is it was gorgeous.  Those big tall windows let in so much beautiful light, the kitchens were state of the art, trust me it was spectacular, drool worthy. 

While at the French Market on Saturday I came upon this cute white dog, Cody.  He is a Wheaton Terrier, and he was giving his owner quite a bit of terror.  The market was not the place for him...too many people and way too hot, but he sure was cute.  

Sammie loved marching around the yard carrying her red, white & blue flags on the 4th...!!

Oh yum, cookies with sparkles...

This little vase wrapped with a star, sets on my windowsill holding a snip from my garden.  Added texture, lightened, darkened, played around with...don't ask, can't remember.

Hop over to Ashley's blog and enjoy many more reds, whites, blues, sparkles & stars.

Until next time.....

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - The June 30, 2013 Edition

Been missing this lately....blame it on the summertime, lack of motivation, too busy....I don't know, pick one.  But this week I'm in....so join us at Ashley's for this week's challenges:

• Tools
• Motion
• Sweet
• Dots
• Stripes

I am supposing at one time this was a farmer's tool for assisting him with his crops....and since I am definitely not a farmer, maybe not, but I'm calling it a tool.

The clouds were definitely in motion on this day, bringing in a mighty storm later in the afternoon.

I did a family shoot yesterday and thought this was a really sweet picture of a really sweet couple...

Did someone say dots???

I love this little stripe vase, perfect for a sunflower or two....

Well that's it for another week.  Come and join in on this weekly challenge...it's fun!!

Until next time.....

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - A Little Different Edition

Yesterday was my daughter's (she is the dance teacher and studio owner) dance recital dress rehearsal for her June production of Shrek.  What a cute show....lots and lots of characters and fun music and dance.  So since it's "anything goes" on Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday....it's dance photos for me.....nothing posed, all taken during the show.  When I finally decided to come to the dress rehearsal to take pictures until waiting for the night of the performance became an aha moment for me.  Why it took me so many years to figure that out is beyond me....it certainly doesn't take a genius to realize that by coming to the dress rehearsal I could stand right next to the stage to take shots and nobody would tell me to sit down. Like I said....an "aha" moment.  And nobody said you can't teach an old dog new tricks....proof positive right here.  And oh....by the way, there are way more than 5 photos.  This is just a drop in the bucket.

I love to see the joy on these children's faces and know that my daughter has brought this into their lives.

"Dance as though no one is watching you, love as though you have never been hurt before, sing as though no one can hear you, live as though heaven is on earth."  ~ Souza

Until next time....

Scavenger Hunt Sunday The May 19, 2013 Edition

Oops again, have missed a couple of weeks.  Either I wasn't motivated, or no time...probably a little of each.  Last weekend was very busy and I am surprised I managed to get it together this week, altho some of mine are a bit of a stretch.  I should entitle this Green Scavenger Hunt Sunday because every image I have is predominately green.  This week's challenges are:

• Three
• Hand(s)
• Fence
• Cuddly
• Sign

First up...this ivy that grows all up the side of my house has three lobes on its leaves.

It is going to take many hands to get rid of all the dandelions in my yard this year....PS, this is kind of a stretch.

The flowers from the Bridal Wreath bush are hanging on the fence.

Mr. Rabbit is all cuddly in his bed of ground cover....(but it looks like one is growing up his nose, snort)

When the red markings on the rose leaves begin to show it is a sure sign that roses will follow soon.

Linking to Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday ,Madge's Weekly Top Shot.and Jill's Weekend Garden Party  See I told you everything was green, all taken in my backyard where it is really green.

Until next time.....

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - The May 5, 2013 Edition

This is really hurry-up...wasn't going to participate this week, but I missed last week so was starting to feel I was missing the party.

The prompts are:

• Background
• Spotted
• Weather
• Motion
• Sweet

Here goes......

You can see the surburban sprawl creeping up to this farm in the background.

Pansies have the cutest spotted faces...

Yesterday, the clouds began to part and we had beautiful weather for the rest of the afternoon.

My young nephew in complete speed motion...he likes to be referred to as DASH!!

My brother-in-law and his dog Sophie, make such a sweet picture.  

He loves Sophie!!  

OK, that is it, in a big hurry.  Hop on over to Ashley's Blog to see other interpretations (I am sure that took more time than I did).  Have a great week, we are predicted to be in the 70's every day this week....hip hip hooray!!  Happy Cinco de Mayo for those who celebrate!!

                                                             

****And don't forget about my giveaway in 5 days....see details here.

Until next time.....