MY FAVORITE NOVEMBER TREAT

     Around this time of year, one of my favorite treats is a pumpkin roll. So...I went on www.allrecipes.com and found this great recipe I'd love to share with you guys and gals. To see the complete info, photo and recipe credits, etc., please click HERE. ENJOY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LIBBY'S(R) PUMPKIN ROLL WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
4. BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COMING AND GOING

The time has come, my friends.

Halloween is over and another time of frolicking in costumes has passed

until it comes around once again.

Vampire coffins are sealed, 

ghouls return to their eternal slumber,

and witches' brews are quiet and inactive.

But never fear, my friends.

They will be back again next year,

reminding us that we might become an adult

but we'll never have to grow up. 



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I FINALLY FOUND IT!

I've wanted to share this photograph for some time now with you wonderful guys and gals, especially around this time of year. This photo's Circa 1985. It was me and two cousins trick or treating at a local grocery store.

Can you guess which one's me?

A VERY SWEET TREAT

A couple days ago, I bought something on a whim. Hey...it was a good payday. My theory is my bills are always paid on time and I have enough extra "just-in-case" money, so why not splurge a bit?

So...that's what I did, with a little Halloween dog whose ears dance to the song, "WITCH DOCTOR".

Needless to say, I bought a cute seasonal trinket and Dandie, our boston terrier, made a new best friend.



ALL TREAT...NO TRICK

     I saw something on the glorious World Wide Web that blew my mind and is perfect for this time of year. Trust me: I'd kick myself if I allowed Halloween to slip by without sharing this with you wonderful guys and gals.
     One word: BRILLIANT.
                                   ENJOY!

THE SKELETON CREW...SOMEWHAT

     Since this October has turned out to be busier...no...CRAZIER than I could've ever imagined, P.B.E. and I decided to at least do something festive for Halloween. After all: it only comes once a year.
     We were originally going for a "Skeleton Crew" theme, where we'd have three more skeletons doing things like ordinary people do. Unfortunately, we've just got one skeleton who looks like Magnum P.I. with a pet raven sitting on a white pumpkin.
    Oh, well. It's not too bad, right?

THE PUMPKIN SKY

     A couple weeks ago, I saw the most beautiful scene in the early evening sky.
     Autumn arrived and with a glorious array of deep pumpkin that dressed the sky. And, in lieu of Halloween being just around the corner, Mother Nature entertained us with yet another "spook"tacular show in the sky--spider and all!

THE COLOR OF PEACE

     Somewhere, far away and into the sky, sits peace with its soft orange hues. It calms us like a cup of tea, a tall glass of Chardonnay, and best friends we've not seen in a while.  

     ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!



IT'S OFFICIAL: I CAN'T WAIT!



     Okay, my friends! It's official. Autumn is almost here. then again, the way it feels outside, you'd think it was already here.

     Autumn has by far got to be my favorite season ever. It's a time when the scorching heat goes away for nine months and cool, crisp air with its bright, mysterious colors enter.

     Yep, it's here, my friends...in 13 days and counting. And I can tell you it will be welcomed by me, and others like me, with arms wide open.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

***(The credit to the photo used above can be found by clicking HERE.)

       

SORRY I'M TARDY FOR THE PARTY

      Hey, highly-favored guys and gals!
      Sorry I've been so tardy for the party lately. I've been finishing up some projects that have needed my attention and others I've been asked to do. They've taken up so much of my time, including the headaches that go along with work.
      So, I'm sorry.
      Coming very soon, I'll be able to share with you some things I've been doing. Nevertheless, Halloween's coming up, dear kindred spirits of Autumn, and I can't wait! Very soon, I'll be back on track with various holidays blog entries coming up.         
      I've been keeping up with all your blogs and I must say I LOVE THEM ALL DEARLY. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to getting back on track soon.

Peace, love, and burritos!

The Favorite Things Guy

LONG LIVE THE FRUITCAKE LADY

     Okay, people! WARNING: My free-willed, rebelious side needs to come out. This is a rare occasion, so don't panic. LOL!
     Does anyone remember this little firecracker? If not, she was The Fruitcake Lady from "The Tonight Show" years ago. She was also Truman Capote's aunt.
     Since I've not done FUNNY FOTO FRIDAYS in a while, this will be a great make-up for that. Also, keep in mind this video might be considered crude (so I'm warning you), but some of the answers she gives are just hilarious! "What's he think's gonna happen? Does he think some one's gonna up and steal it?" LOL!
     ENJOY!

A BRAND NEW GIG

     Hey, everyone! This isn't a blog entry that's "the norm" for me, but I thought I'd share some exciting news with everyone. As any blogger would do, I have to share any--and I do mean any--going-ons with my fellow blogger buddies.
     So, here goes. 
     I received a wonderful opportunity to be a columnist and couldn't be happier. It's The Volunteer Times, an online paper in its infancy with the most awesome publisher and crew I have the immense pleasure of working with.
     Please check out my first column entry by clicking HERE. Also, be sure to check out the other wonderful stories and places on the site. I promise there's a little something for everyone.
     If you have Facebook, I'd love for you guys and gals to leave a comment on either my story or anything of interest you like. If not, leave one here and tell me what you think.
  

BEFORE AND AFTER

     It's good to be back, people! I've missed sharing the facets of my life with you. I think my browser needs updating. So, thank you all for being patient with me...BUT, as the old saying goes: "The show must go on."
      During my hiatus, I actually took some time for myself. I started walking everyday and now I'm pleased to present the new and improved FAVORITE THINGS GUY who's 30 pounds lighter and dropping...

Wish me luck, my friends! There's more miles to go.

PLEASE STAND BY...

      Please stand by, my friends. My blog is messed up and I have no idea why. I suppose this is what happens when 
human beings try to fix something that wasn't broken to begin with.
    Oh, well...
    When they get it "fixed", I'll return for more entries. Until then, I'll figure something out and let you know.
    UGH!!!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

A handful of old men walking down the village street
In worn, brushed uniforms, their gray heads high;
A faded flag above them, one drum to lift their feet-
Look again, O heart of mine, and see what passes by!

There's a vast crowd swaying, there's a wild band playing,
The streets are full of marching men, or tramping cavalry.
Alive and young and straight again, they ride to greet a mate again-
The gallant souls, the great souls that live eternally!

A handful of old men walking down the highways?
Nay, we look on heroes that march among their peers,
The great, glad Companions have swung from heaven's byways
And come to join their own again across the dusty years.

There are strong hands meeting, there are staunch hearts greeting-
A crying of remembered names, of deeds that shall not die.
A handful of old men?-Nay, my heart, look well again;
The spirit of America today is marching by!

 --Theodosia Pickering Garrison

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

     Some while back, someone graced me with this award:

I don't really know the official way of doing this kind of thing, so I'm just going to do it like this. If you see your blog listed below, please be the recipiant of this award and paste this badge to your wall of awards. Every one of you inspire me more than you know.

HERE'S THE WINNERS... 

Welcome to Lavender Dreams

A Bitch Called Mom

Appalachian Treks

Be Happy!

be yourself...everyone else is taken

Bear Me Out - the mind of a bear

Beautiful Crazy

Beverly's Back Porch

blue cupcake

Can U Relate?

Cathy Santarsiero The Christmas Corgi

Cause of Our Joy

Celebrating The Seasons

Christmas Forever Favorite Christmas Records

Christmas In The Forest

Christmas Specials and Cartoons

Chuvisco de Verão

ClassicsForever

Cottage Garden Studios Market

Country Bumpkin

Country Lane Cottage

Cute Stew!

cutest little things

Depois de muitas luas...

Dottie's World

Dragonmamma's Den

Dying for Chocolate

Enchanted Revelries

Everyday is a Holiday

Flint Gap Antiques

Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum

George The Lad

Good Morning Mary Sunshine

Halloween Night

I am Santa, a Miniature Schnauzer

I Dream of Halloween

Its a Wonderful Movie

Journeys and Journals from our Galaxy.

Just Livin' Life

Laura's Sweet Memories

Live, Love, Laugh With Leslie

Living the Swell Life

Mr. Macabre's Hallowe'en Cerebrations

My Aimless Infatuation

My Favorite Things

My Favourite Books

my happily ever after

Nenzito, contador de histórias...

Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue

Octoberfarm

Old Fashion Halloween

One Fine Day

Orange and Black

Pics and Letters

Pretty Little Rough Patches

PumpkinBrain

rockstar diaries

Schnauzer and Schnauzer!

SECRET FUN BLOG

See Val Run

Smile Blog

Spooky Hollow Lane

The Candy Corn Chronicles

The Gourdqueen

The Halloween Tree

The Palomar

The Shabby Hag

The Well-Fed Spirit

These are a few of my favorite things

Traci66

Vanessa Morgan



   

MY FAVORITE SONGS OF THE SUMMER: PART THREE

     This song doesn't really need an explanation or introduction. In fact, I love this song so much that it's my ringtone on my phone. It's special to me, because a local DJ used to play this song whenever school would let out for the summer months, and it has stuck with me ever since.

     Please enjoy my favorite song of the summer #3: The theme song from the movie, "A SUMMER PLACE" by Percy Faith. 



TEN THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ME

EEK! The unthinkable happened. I've been something called "tagged"...LOL!

When you are "tagged", you have to tell ten (I was gonna do twenty-five, but there's just not that much to tell) things about yourself many probably don't know. Instead of doing the norm, I'm going to do it in this format. I hope you either enjoy it or find my life more fascinating than I do!

So...here goes:

#1. I was born on September 19, 1977 in LaFollette, Tennessee and named Jason Eugene Bolton.

#2. My parents are David (deceased), and my mother Judy is a nurse.

#3. I am the oldest of four kids.

#4. I am with someone who's 100% the love of my life.

#5. I share something in common with Stephen King and Joyce Carol Oates. We all three had the same first book editor.

#6. My political viewpoint is middle-of-the-road Independent. I am more conservative about certain issues than most, and I am more liberal about certain issues than most.

#7. I am a HUGE Disney/Mickey Mouse fan.

#8. For every birthday, my cake is always a birthday cake with a cartoon character theme.

#9. I love antique cars, the TV show "GLEE", and Diet Coke with Lime; and Autumn is my favorite season of the year.

AND #10. My favorite food is Thai.

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

(Comic by Gary Larson, creator of  "The Far Side."

I love these comics! Many more to come.)

MY FAVORITE SONGS OF THE SUMMER: PART TWO

     As I've shared before, I'm a huge fan of big band music, especially of Glenn Miller. There's something about the music of that era that really takes away your worries and simply puts a song on your heart.
     When I worked as a hotel clerk years ago, this song came on one summer and it was special. It has that Summer vibe, where you can see in your mind many people of a community in the 1940's--aristocrats, perhaps--getting together in elegant gowns and men wearing tuxedos with top hats, dancing to this song under magnolia trees. See? I told ya I have a vivid imagination.
     Here's my favorite song of the summer #2: "INDIAN SUMMER" by The Glenn Miller Orchestra.
     ENJOY!

    

MY FAVORITE SONGS OF THE SUMMER: PART ONE

     Oh, how I remember this song fondly!

     When I was a kid, it often reminded me of the Summer months. Even though there's a couple more songs I'll share with you, this one always told me what the tropics would be like. When I went to Florida for the first time a few years ago, it was pretty much dead-on, depending where you went.

     Also, I always thought the tune itself showed the real elegance and sophistication I always felt 80's music possessed. Now, without further adieu, here's Bertie Higgins singing, "KEY LARGO".

     ENJOY!

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

SIMPLE, YET SATISFYING

     A few days ago, I took this picture. There's nothing extremely special about it. It's just a picture of a cloudless day and trees, lush and full of life. The wind blew gently in the 70-degree weather.
     It was a great compliment to my tall glass of raspberry iced tea and favorite porch swing. Yes, my dear friends, it wasn't mind-blowing or anything newsworthy, but everything just seemed right with the world when I marveled in its radiance and tranquility. Then again, this should've been newsworthy. Everyone needs this kind of news.
     I know...Today's top story: Simple, yet satisfying.

MUSIC TO MY EARS!

     I love to go on the blog sites of my fellow bloggers, those I follow, and those I just see for the first time. And when I read their blogs, I read EVERYTHING on the page: doo-dads, trinkets, and what-not.    
    One of my fellow bloggers, Halloween Spirit, has a very interesting...no...fascinating widget on her site: 

     And let me tell you: THIS SITE IS AWESOME!
     I'm a huge fan of radio shows. Unfortunately, they don't really have those in existence anymore in my area of the world. When I clicked on the link, I was taken to every genre and station you could imagine. And, of course, when I find a new favorite thing, I have to share it with everyone.
     Check it out for yourself! Go to www.live365.com, or click HERE.   

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

MONKEY FACES

     When I was a child, pansies were always my favorite flower. I think it was because they were so easy to plant, not to mention the first flower my aunt taught me to plant. Even today, when I see a select few or a large group gathered in all their glory my breath is still taken away.
      In fact, I loved pansies so much that I gave them their own special name: monkey faces. I'm not sure why I'd give them such an unlikely name. Perhaps it had to do with the inner colors forming the face of a monkey. All I knew was every Spring, I'd ask my mom if we could plant monkey faces and she always agreed.
      And as far as my flower garden was concerned, the rest was history, as monkey faces showed up every year to bid me a warm, Springtime welcome.

A CELEBRATION OF THE IRIS

     Last Saturday, the 42nd annual Iris Festival in Lymword took place. I'd never been to any sort of themed festival, so this was the perfect opportunity to slip away from the real world and head back to Lymword.
      The picture did not do the decorated town justice. There were iris flowers everywhere. Business windows, personal front yards and even the fountain located downtown was filled with such a gorgeous sight of iris: light purples and deep yellows--every color you could imagine.
      Then, there was the annual contest, where various townspeople enter their potential winning entries. They're certain they'll win but still celebrate their fellow competitors. The winner was a dark red hybrid mixed with a hint of royal purple and a few slight streaks of yellow. 
      STUNNING!  

HAVE A BLESSED GOOD FRIDAY, AND A HAPPY EASTER!

EPIPHANY OVERLOAD

     First, I would like to apologize for my hiatus. It was both involuntary and well-needed.
     I went on my hiatus for a number of reasons: overworked, overtired, and the fact I felt just plain numb. The first reason's understood, and the second reason justifies the first, but the third reason took me on an unforgettable journey. You know what I mean by "journey"; it's those places we really don't wanna go, but when we finally get there we leave with the most awesome lessons imaginable, leaving us understanding ourselves better than we could've ever dreamed.
   On and off, for the past three weeks, I've been somewhat angry...well...to put it bluntly: pissed, because it just seemed like every belief I stood upon was challenged every single time I turned on the television.
     First, there was Victoria Jackson ranting on national television, and I quote, "Muslims hate God and the gays hate His word." What verse in the Bible backs this statement up? If I recall, didn't Jesus himself visit among those the world considered outcasts; people considered not good enough for His Love via the viewpoint of all the religious leaders?
    Hmm...another jaded wolf in sheep's clothing putting words in God's mouth. Read Hebrews 13:1, Ms. Jackson! You might learn something about what God's Love is really all about. 
    Then, there was the Westboro Baptist Church's rants about how God practically hates American soldiers. It just seemed like the majority of these people who claim to be Christians possess so much hate toward anyone who isn't like them. And what kills me is we live in a country where the high office in the land allows our American soldiers to be treated with such disrespect and malice. IT JUST KILLS ME! (And, by the way: I'm practicing and protected under my First Ammendment Rights to freedom of speech.)
    Then, it was irritating to find out the government was taking a big chunk of what my household makes to take care of people, who refuse to take care of themselves and find it easier to live off our hard-earned tax dollars. Don't get me wrong: if someone needs Federal assistance and are doing the best he or she can, that's a different story. I am glad to help him or her out...BUT... if someone's on Federal assistance because he or she chooses not to work, have oodles of kids to get more money, and there's jobs available to them, THEY ARE WRONG AND ARE STEALING FROM HARD-WORKING AMERICANS!
    I'm sorry, but right is right and wrong is wrong.
    So, I turned off the television and sat in my chair overwhelmed but not only a heartless world, but a group of heartless followers for Christ who are supposed to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
     Of course, it didn't stop there. there were even people I knew who were doing wrong and nothing was done about them. UGH! I wanted to throw my television out the window, pack up my household, and move to Gilligan's Island.
     Then, reality finally sat in. I suddenly realized something important. All these people will always do what they wish and be right in their eyes, but they'll never take anything away from me unless I let them. They can't take away any of it. I also realized how much I love my little corner of the world.
     Yes, these are a few of my favorite things no one can take away...

THE SIMPLE, YET SUBLIME!

     No one and nothing can steal this away from me, not an organization with their own motives, not someone who's a mere wolf in sheep's clothing--absolutely nothing!

     My world's full of seashells and the anticipation of beach time, flowers and various critters that adorn my flowerbed and where I live, the unconditional love of God, the "babies" and the love of my life, wonderful family and close friends, tall glasses to cool me down during the Summer months, and warm mugs to tuck me in during the Winter months.

     It was an overwhelming few weeks, but if I had it to do all over again, I'd do it all the same and still walk away with the feeling that all might not be right with the real world, but it sure is close enough to perfect in mine.

    

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

TEA TIME IN LYMWORD

     I'm sorry I haven't blogged regularly in the last few days. I've had more irons in the fire than I can even count. Oh, well...I wanted to at least give you all the details about last Tuesday's tea time in the town of Lymword.

     As you know, Miss Catherine hosted the monthly tea time at the Emerald Isle Bed & Breakfast. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the attendance level, but you wanna know something? Everyone turned out, and I was pleasantly surprised.

    They had every tea you could imagine: regular, Earl Grey, lemon, raspberry, black cherry, you name it! My favorite by far was the mango.

    When you first walked into the parlor, there were scones, cookies, and everything you can imagine. During the evening, some of the local musicians gathered together and play various tunes. It was adorable watching the small children "dancing a-jig", as Miss Catherine called it.

    When it was finally time to leave, everyone swore to gather together soon. Just like sheer poetry, the teapot was empty, and the laughter and music scattered in the wind, destined to come back next month.

    And so did I.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

     This past week, I visited the town of Lyword to check on Miss Catherine and her rose garden.
     Remember Miss Catherine? She owns the Emerald Isle Bed & Breakfast. And let me tell you: the food, fun and stories at the annual St. Patrick's Day dinner were absolutely wonderful!
     I was all-too curious as to how her roses were holding up, despite the chilly weather. As you can tell by the picture, they're still blooming nicely. The really neat thing is her entire backyard is covered with so many roses that you can even smell a hint of them when you walk outside.
    We sat in her den, and she told me and two of Lywords other citizens, who visited with her the same time as I did, that every last Tuesday of the month she hosts a community tea time. It's a way for new friends to connect and for old friends to reconnect. Miss Catherine also said if the weather is warm enough, tea time usually takes place in the backyard among her prize-winning roses.
     I'm kind of excited. I've never been to a community tea time. In fact, I had no idea places still did that, especially since we live in a world where most people go into hysterics if their cell phone goes haywire or the Internet stops working for ten minutes.
     For Wednesday's entry, I'll give you a complete report on community tea time in the town of Lymword.

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

CYBER SERENITY

     Hey, guys and gals! I've found something I think you'll love, especially if you have beach fever like I do. And you know how I am. If I find something and love it, I have to share it with everyone.
     There's this really wonderful website called www.oceanreefresorts.com. They have this awesome live web cam of The Gulf of Mexico along the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach. You can see the live streaming footage of this slice of paradise by going to the website and clicking the "BEACH CAM" option on the menu, or directly to the web cam by clicking HERE.
      I watch this web cam for at least ten minutes a day, and it really does wonders for my mind after a stressful day. Check it out, but watch it especially just before the sun sets of an evening. AWESOME...
      ENJOY!

SPRING IS HERE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My garden blazes brightly with the rose-bush and the peach,
And the koil sings above it, in the siris by the well,
From the creeper-covered trellis comes the squirrel's chattering speech,
And the blue jay screams and flutters where the cheery sat-bhai dwell.
But the rose has lost its fragrance, and the koil's note is strange;
I am sick of endless sunshine, sick of blossom-burdened bough.
Give me back the leafless woodlands where the winds of Springtime range --
Give me back one day in England, for it's Spring in England now!

Through the pines the gusts are booming, o'er the brown fields blowing chill,
From the furrow of the ploughshare streams the fragrance of the loam,
And the hawk nests on the cliffside and the jackdaw in the hill,
And my heart is back in England 'mid the sights and sounds of Home.
But the garland of the sacrifice this wealth of rose and peach is,
Ah! koil, little koil, singing on the siris bough,
In my ears the knell of exile your ceaseless bell like speech is --
Can you tell me aught of England or of Spring in England now?

--(From the poem, “IN SPRINGTIME” by Rudyard Kipling)

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

"For 'tis green, green, green,

where the ruined towers are gray,
And it's green, green, green,

all the happy night and day;
Green of leaf and green of sod,

green of ivy on the wall,
And the blessed Irish shamrock,

with the fairest green of all.”

--Mary Elizabeth Blake

A TOUCH OF THE IRISH

     I visited Lymword earlier today and witnessed the town getting ready for St. Patrick's Day. And let me tell you: the flurry of towns folks getting last-minute greenery on every corner was a real sight to see. Despite the store display windows, front doors, and the "KISS ME, I'M IRISH!" shirts that align the shelves like a mighty army, there's one place in particular that really caught my attention.
    The Emerald Isle Bed and Breakfast, located in the heart of downtown, is owned by a true Irishman...or...Irishwoman, that is. Catherine Rose Cole (maiden name, Kennedy), was one of the first families of Lymword, and her parent's were full-blooded Irish. They came to this country and decided to build their first American home in this particular part of the world. The home has been restored since then and is now the Emerald Isle B&B.
     Interesting, huh?
     When you first pull into the driveway, you instantly see a white picket fence and neatly-pruned shrubs as far as the eye can see. Every spring, Miss Catherine, as the locals call her, is famous for her Irish roses that span her entire backyard. Every St. Patrick's Day, she opens her home to the locals for the annual St. Patrick's Day dinner. 
      Here's a sneak preview of tomorrow night's table setting...

    I intend on paying these lovely folks a visit tomorrow. I'll wine and I'll dine, and I'll relish in Miss Catherine's stories of the Old Country, and it shall be a moment in time I'll never forget.

WHERE I WAS FOR A WEEK



     There are those who wondered where I went during my week-long hiatus. Well...without further adieu, here's your answer.
     For the past week, I discovered the beautiful, Americana-type town of  Lymword: a small, secluded Parrish close where I live with a population of maybe a few hundred. The funny thing is I've lived a few minutes from the town for only the past few years, but I've never noticed this little slice of Heaven before. I haven't told many people about it, because not many know exactly where it is...or so they think.     
     The news in Lymword isn't noteworthy to the ears of critics, except for those who long for a simpler time. For instance: Miss Snodderly, who owns the local bakery (you've got to try a slice of her famous apple pie), told me the town council finally replaced the old sign that was rusting with age and becoming too hard to read. And trust me: I'll be by there within the next day or two. They're getting store windows ready for St. Patrick's Day, and I hear it's really something to see.
     Each time I go back, I'll bring you along with me via this blog. And once you'll visit for the first time, I'll doubt you'll want to leave.  

A VICTORIAN BEAUTY

     She sits outside in the flowerbed. She's Victorian and rustic, reading a book, and watching the world go by. Every time I walk outside she truly catches my eye. Her name could be Eleanor, or Andrea, or perhaps Victoria. I just call her mysterious and beautiful. 
     Perhaps, we were soul mates in another place in time. Perhaps she was an older sister I looked up to. Or maybe she's my role model; someone who knows the secret of life and how to find the best in everything. Either way, she adorns my flowerbed, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

I'LL BE BACK SOON

     HEY, GUYS AND GALS...

     I WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS AND GALS KNOW I'LL BE BACK IN A WEEK. I'M GOING ON A LITTLE HIATUS / R & R / GET MYSELF BACK INTO KILTER / ETC. BREAK FROM EVERYTHING.
     HOWEVER, DO NOT FEAR! THERE'LL STILL BE NEW POLLS TO VOTE ON AND OTHER THINGS OF INTEREST. 
     BUT UNTIL THEN, PLEASE BE PATIENT AND I'LL BE BACK AND AS GOOD AS NEW BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. WHEN I GET BACK, I'LL HAVE JUICY TIDBITS TO SHARE WITH YOU. I CAN'T WAIT!

     HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND I'LL SEE YA SOON!  

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

"HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL..."

     I was in the store buying groceries, and there he was in all his glory: Peter Cottontail.
     At first, I thought it was odd but then realized Easter isn't that very far away. I know this isn't officially the Easter season yet, but please allow me the liberty of digression.
     Ever since I was a child, I loved Easter. Now that I'm older it's about the true meaning but I still love it all: the bright pastel colors, the sign that Spring is just around the next corner, and the altogether hope that plants and flowers that were once dead and barren will soon become lush and beautiful.
     And all it took was Mr. Cottontail making his first public appearance of the season to remind me the best really is yet to come.
    
    

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

     This photo doesn't do today's blog entry justice, yet it's the perfect backdrop to what happened just the other day.
     I was headed home one day after running errands and noticed quite a few people gathered in the distance, staring in awe at a group of trees. The first thing I did was park my vehicle, got out and walked over to the small crowd of spectators.
     An older gentleman walked over to me and said while pointing to some trees on the distance, "A bald eagle's hovering over that area." And sure enough, it was. I'd never seen anything like it. It was a ways from us, but I could tell it was definitely a bald eagle.
     Being the intrigued passerby I was, I drove to the area where the eagle was hovering over and walked into the woods. It was about a half-mile, on-foot journey but well worth it. At the area the eagle appeared to be hovering over were some nests high in the trees. It might've not made the front page of the newspaper, but considering this day and time when there's nothing but bad news to report, it was kinda nice for a change.
     Just thought I'd share this with everyone. Hope you like it and find it just as fascinating as I did.

IT'S FUNNY FOTO FRIDAY!

HAVE A FANTASTIC FRIDAY, EVERYONE!