Signs - The Place to Be!

These are two actual streets in Carefree, Arizona!

For more signs, visit Lesley here.

The Real Meaning of Eye Candy

Cristiam Ramos, 32,  paints portraits of the rich and famous.

But he doesn't use paint.

He uses CANDY!! Cristiam favors M&M's, bubblegum, Gummy Bears, and after-dinner mints. Each of his portraits contains over 5,000 pieces of candy. His largest piece of art, a life-size candy motorcycle, uses over 20,000 pieces of candy!

Hard to imagine, but it's true.

Ramos was quoted to say that "he got the idea to use sweets as a medium for his art four years ago when he was at the park. He saw a dad give his son a piece of gum to soothe his pain, and after seeing the boy smile, he realized that sweets make human beings happy."  That thought led him into thinking about making portraits of famous people with sweets to make people happy. His portraits sell for up to $18,000, depending on size and the kind of treats used. [source]

Beyonce

Michael Jackson

Marilyn Monroe

Watch this short clip about the portrait of Sandra Bullock:




I am amazed to see that this artist is so thin. If I were lucky enough to have this talent, and use candy, I know I'd be chomping on that candy all day, wouldn't you? *wink*

Friday's Funnies #1

Italian Altar Boys Confession

'Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose girl'. The priest asks, 'Is that you, little Joey Pagano ?' 'Yes, Father, it is.' 'And who was the girl you were with?' 'I can't tell you, Father. I don't want to ruin her reputation'. "Well, Joey, I'm sure to find out her name sooner or later so you may as well tell me now. Was it Tina Minetti?' 'I cannot say.' 'Was it Teresa Mazzarelli?' 'I'll never tell.' 'Was it Nina Capelli?' 'I'm sorry, but I cannot name her.' 'Was it Cathy Piriano?' 'My lips are sealed.' 'Was it Rosa DiAngelo, then?' 'Please, Father, I cannot tell you.' The priest sighs in frustration. 'You're very tight lipped and I admire that, but you've sinned and have to atone. You cannot be an altar boy for 4 months. Now, you go and behave yourself.' Joey walks back to his pew, and his friend Franco slides over and whispers, 'What'd you get?' 'Four months vacation and five good leads.'

“I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh.” 

― Maya Angelou

Signs - VIP Burial

I'm joining Signs, Signs sponsored by Leslie. Click here to see more signs.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Isn't that what they say? But TOO much spice causes disarray.

I'm literally talking about spices here, people!

Here are all my spices.

I tried to keep them in alphabetical order, but it wasn't easy. Plus, it was hard to see the spices in the back. The spices come in both small and large jars.

I saw this pull down spice rack at The Container Store. I LOVE this store! It has a container for everything!

I purchased two of these racks.

Then I put it on my "honey-do" list.

Here is my "honey" completing the task.

Both racks are installed. This is what I learned.

1. I had several duplicates. Huh. I guess my alphabetical order wasn't working. Or else I was stuttering when I placed them in the cabinet.
2. I have too many spices (according to my husband). The racks hold 18 spices each, which makes a total of 36. I had 45. I removed the duplicates and placed them beside the racks, along with the larger items.
3. Organization makes me happy. :)

Now, what shall I make for dinner?

Giggle and Snort

The "Middle Wife" 

by an anonymous 2nd grade teacher 

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back. When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.''First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Dominoes man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.) 'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

 'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot of toys inside there. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there in the first place.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.

I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's Show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.

I received this in an email and just had to share it with all of you!

Signs - Beware of Bear!

This sign was posted in Yellowstone National Park. In case you can't read the handwriting, it says, "Carcass in area. Bears may be in area attempting to scavenge."

First off, it doesn't indicate what kind of carcass (does the word carcass always indicate animal or can it mean human? snort!)

Secondly, I truly understood the saying, "looking good enough to eat"! And I have a lot of meat on my bones!

For more signs, please join Lesley here.

Dinner and a Movie

When I make a delicious tasting dinner I am very happy. But when it is an EASY, delicious tasty dinner, I am ecstatic.

I purchased two 6 oz salmon fillets from the fish counter at our local grocers. This is how I cooked them.

- Spray the broiler pan with vegetable oil (Pam)
- Place fillets on broiler pan
- Salt and pepper each fillet to taste

In a separate bowl, mix equal amounts of brown sugar and Dijon mustard. In this case, 2 Tablespoons of each. (If you have more salmon, increase the amount.)

Brush the glaze on the salmon. Put salmon in broiler for 10-15 minutes until the fish flakes with a fork.

This glaze is so tasty, and broiling the salmon makes all the difference in the world!

I don't know if you are a Brussels sprouts fan; if you are, here is a way to make them without piling on a lot of butter.

First I cleaned them, pulling off the first layer of leaves and cutting off the hard "root". Then I placed them in a pot of water, adding a good handful of salt AND a crushed garlic clove. I boiled the water until the sprouts were done (I could poke my fork through them) and they were still a dark green color. Drain them, place in bowl, and sprinkle lightly with salt.

I did NOT add ANY butter to them, but they TASTED like butter. It must have been the combination of garlic and salt. They almost melted in our mouths.

I also served some brown rice, which was kind of dull, compared to the two other dishes!

All in all, it was a fabulous meal. Jim and I kept moaning the whole time we were eating it! It was that good!

Coincidentally, later that evening we watched the movie, "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen".

Here is a clip for you:



This is a smart comedy featuring Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor. I pretty much like any movie that Emily Blunt is in, and Ewan McGregor? Sigh! Easy on the eyes! Here he plays a fish expert from Scotland (love that brogue!) working in England. He is asked by the Prime Minister's press secretary, Emily Blunt, to help bring salmon to the Yemen on the request of a sheik.  McGregor's character thinks the idea is absurd and unachievable. He has no choice but to go along with the plan. Along the way he begins to take a good look at himself and his life and sees the need and benefit to go against the flow just like the salmon.

I think you will enjoy the movie.

I give it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Smart Phones Do NOT Make Smart People

I mentioned in a previous post that Jim and I finally purchased smart phones. What can I say? We're a little slow on the uptake.

Anyway, we had to go to the Apple store because I was having some problems with my phone. If you've never been in one of these stores, let me tell you.....it's mobbed with people. ALL.THE.TIME. You can not just walk in and have a "Tech" look at your phone. You have to schedule an appointment. Granted, it could be within the hour (one time we had to wait 2 hours). Most people just mill around and either play with the store's equipment or just talk. There are only a few stools available, and those apparently are reserved for the "training" table for the customers who purchased new equipment and needed some tutoring.(I observed that most of the customers WERE young and didn't seemed bothered by standing around for a long time.) I have some physical issues, so standing for any length of time is not good. I swiped a stool as soon as one was available, and Jim did likewise. One of the workers looked at me kind of funny and I told him that I couldn't stand. He seemed okay about it.

While we were awaiting our turn, I watched an elderly man sitting across the table from us getting tutored on his new purchase of a Mac Computer. It had a very large monitor. When the lesson was over, the old man began packing up his computer. I looked over at him and smiled. He smiled back. I turned my head the other way, then glanced back and he was standing RIGHT next to me. I let out a little scream and said, "Oh! You scared me!"

He laughed and said, "All this technology! I think for OUR generation - it's harder to grasp! This younger generation! I think they have a special compartment in their brain to deal with technology!"

I laughed and said, "Yes, my granddaughter likes to play games on my phone and she's 4!"

Jim commented how he has problems with the keyboard because his fingers are too big.

We all laughed and then he walked away.

After he packed up and left, I leaned over to Jim and said, "Can you believe that guy thought I was from HIS generation? C'mon, he was a LOT older that me! He was a LEAST YOUR age!"

Plus, I was feeling pretty smug. I knew my way around the computer. I have a blog. I'm on Facebook. I'm on Pintrest. I email. I thought I WAS pretty "techie", you know?

And then the "tech" came back with a new phone for me.

She said, "Can I put your case on this?" (Meaning, could she take the case off my old phone and put it on the new phone.)

And do you know what this smug, tech-know-it-all replied?

"What? You want to put my FACE on it? NO!"

I thought she wanted to take a picture of my FACE and put it on my PHONE for the wallpaper.

Uh, yeah.

She said, "No, CASE. Can I put your CASE on the phone?"

"Oh my gosh, I thought you said 'face'."

She said, "That is really funny!"

I'm sure she was thinking, "This woman is really stupid!"

I said, "I am so embarrassed! It's hell getting old!"

Apparently I AM old enough to be in the old guy's generation!

Signs - Now THAT'S a FISH!

This attention-grabbing building is a shop that sells tackle and bait. Located in Grand Marais (pronounced Muh-ray), Minnesota. This beautiful little town is located on the farthest northern edge of Minnesota....next stop Canada. It sits on the shores of Lake Superior. Grand Marais is an artsy-fartsy town....lots of artists come here to paint. I loved all the little shops and of course, sitting by the water and watching the sailboats. This photo was taken a few years ago during the summer.

I'm hooking up with Signs, Signs sponsored by Lesley here. Come join us.

Am I on your list?

I am a big list-maker.

I think that's why me and Santa are like this.

Because he was always "making a list, and checking it twice." My kind of guy.

I like to write down my "To Do" list, just because it feels so good when I cross things off once I've accomplished them.

Of course, I could be like my sister's friend who writes down things like get out of bed, brush teeth, shower, etc. Heck, I could have a LOT of things accomplished before 10:00 am! Okay, who am I kidding! Closer to 11:00 am!

I like to write down a "Honey-Do" list for my husband. He doesn't mind fixing things around the house; yet I have to remind him several times to do things for me. But as soon as I hand him a list? Wha-lah! Things get done. He must like the feeling of accomplishment too!

I used to keep a tablet on the kitchen counter so I could hastily scribble down things we needed to get at the grocery store. Then my husband stepped in and printed out a fancy-schmancy grocery list that has the items listed by the aisles that they are in at a particular store. This is all fine and dandy, but the list isn't complete. Then I waste time trying to figure out what aisle a particular item SHOULD be in. It's a pain in my pattootie!

NOW we've just entered the millennium by both getting smart phones.

I know, better late than never.

It has some kind of app for grocery lists. I think you just scroll down the list and then check off what you need. Then you will have your list with you at the store, assuming that you carry your phone with you at all times. Taking this one step further....my husband found out that you could SPEAK your list and the "app" would find the item on the list, then check it off.

I decided to have some fun. I said to Jim, "Let me try."

Then I got closer to his phone and said, "Stud."

We had a good laugh and watched while the phone's brain tried to figure that out.

It couldn't. Apparently there are no "studs" available at the grocery store.

Obviously they haven't seen the bagger in lane 3. KIDDING!

But I digress.......

My point is, I am good at making lists to get things done.

What I DON'T do is write a list of where I've put things.

For instance, when I dragged out my Christmas decorations, I packed away my regular items, like pictures (in frames). Now, one would think that when I put the decorations away, that said items would turn up in those boxes.

Uh, no.

I can NOT find several family photos that I had displayed on my bookcase and hutch.

What the?

They have GOT to be somewhere in the garage.

I am also missing two boxes of Hershey's chocolate. I bought these to keep in the house in case someone stopped by unexpectedly with a gift; I'd have a little something to give them back. I put these in a safe place so that my husband wouldn't find them and eat them.

Do you think I know where that place is now?

Uh, no.

It's not like I live in this big mansion, either. It may be 900 feet on a good day.

So somewhere I have an elf eating chocolate and gazing at my family photos!


I recommend you writing a To Do List every morning (or even the night before), and don't be afraid to make a long list. You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish! And then, at the end, this will be the only thing on your list:

Start the year off right.....with laughter!

In remembrance of my wonderful winters in Mesa, Arizona!

SENIORS IN ARIZONA 
Where it is sunny & wonderful!
We live longer & have young ideas!

Getting old in Arizona

Two elderly ladies are sitting on the porch in Yuma doing nothing. One lady turns and asks, 'Do you still get horny?' The other replies, 'Oh sure I do.' The first old lady asks, 'What do you do about it?' The second old lady replies, 'I suck a lifesaver.' After a few moments, the first old lady asks, 'Who drives you to the beach?' 

************************************************* 

Three old ladies were sitting side by side in their retirement home in Yuma reminiscing. The first lady recalled shopping at the green grocers and demonstrated with her hands, the length and thickness of a cucumber she could buy for a penny.

The second old lady nodded, adding that onions used to be much bigger and cheaper also, and demonstrated the size of two big onions she could buy for a penny a piece..

The third old lady remarked, 'I can't hear a word you're saying, but I remember the guy you're talking about.

*************************************************

A little old lady was sitting on a park bench in The Sun Lakes, an Arizona Adult community. A man walked over and sits down on the other end of the bench. After a few moments, the woman asks, 'Are you a stranger here?'

He replies, 'I lived here years ago.'

'So, where were you all these years?'

'In prison,' he says.

'Why did they put you in prison?'

He looked at her, and very quietly said, 'I killed my wife..'

'Oh!' said the woman. 'So you're single...?!'

*************************************************

A man was telling his neighbor in Mesa , 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but it is state of the art. It's perfect.'

'Really,' answered the neighbor. 'What kind is it?'

'Twelve thirty.'

*************************************************

A little old man shuffled slowly into the 'Orange Dipper', an ice cream parlor in Gilbert , and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool.

After catching his breath he ordered a banana split.

The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?'

'No,' he replied, 'hemorrhoids

**********************************************************

Life is short, and we can't stop the clock. Why not enjoy life and embrace our age? In 3 more years I'll be 60. (SO hard to believe!) Isn't 60 the new 40 or something like that? I'm glad that I'm not younger because if that formula works, let's see....50 would be 30, 40 would 20, 30 would be...10?.....uh, no. I'm fine, thanks!

Signs - Mighty Mississippi

A sign at the beginning of the Mississippi River, in Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Here is a picture (from the internet) that gives you a better idea - you can either walk across the stepping stones or wade through the water. It's only about a foot deep here.

image by plmiller

For more signs, visit Lesley here.