The Beat Goes On

Yes, it does. I had given up on posting on the regular until that holiday was over. I was getting more hours at work, so when I got home, I just wanted to eat and go to bed. But... it is over until the end of 2019. My schedule will get back to normal and I can do some serious creating. Got big plans for 2019. Still getting things sorted out. This morning I finally wrote my 'unfinished projects' list. Not as many as I thought there would be. Some will take a day or two to finish while others will take a bit longer. But I can still work on them along the way. I will have to. One is a roombox.

I have eaten so much stuff these past couple of weeks. Candy, both homemade and store bought; cookies, scones, did I mention cookies? Pie. Chocolate covered nuts. And then I was able to make it to my mother's for Christmas. She fed me. Ribs, mashed taters, and stir fry veggies. Yum! Stopped by my cousin's and she had homemade spaghetti. It was so good. I don't think I brought back enough as leftovers. Another cousin grilled (hey, this part of MI had no snow, not that that matters for grilling) and brought over ribs, chicken, prawns, and crab legs. So for breakfast, after starting back to exercising, I had pie for breakfast. The last of the bean pie. And lots of coffee. It will be difficult to break the sweet habit, especially when the roomie has it all over the house. My will is strong.

I didn't draw that much during the month except little things on the calendar that hangs on the fridge.

I made my roomie a pair of flannel lounging pants with little kitty cats all over. She loved them and the flannel was so nice, even after pre-washing the fabric. I hadn't sewn anything life size in awhile and I enjoyed it, so I will have to do more.

I got a really cool prop for some upcoming show. I'm thinking of making some creepy pumpkins and some skellies to go with it. It's kind of cool.

Having some tech problems, so I will post more later.

Blue Ridge Adventure Part II

 Fog.

 Sometimes when we would come out of fog from around a bend, I'd be waiting to see a headless horseman or some spooky specter. Nothing.

 Things being boarded up for the winter.

 This was a unique picnic area. There was a meandering stream throughout the park and tables were set up around.

 In a couple of spots, there were these stones in the stream so you can cross over to small islands. I did cross here and got wet. Cold but fun.

The water wasn't that deep and I didn't get wet until on my way back. We also saw a small herd of deer. From Asheville, we drove to Blowing Rock and stopped at Kilwins to get caramel apples. Not just any caramel apple, I got a turtle caramel apple with pecans and chocolate. Oh my goodness! I love Blowing Rock too. It's a very nice little town. I love the small shops and eateries. Then we headed to Boone where we had dinner. I love fall and I love the mountains. I really could live in the mountains. We got back home around 8 on the PM and we were beat. But I was invigorated creatively and ready to take on my next artistic challenge.

No Pictures

I was supposed to do this yesterday but I didn't. So here it is today. Just when I think I'm getting back on my creative track, I get derailed again. Seriously. The life tests continue. I don't think they'll ever go away, they'll just be waiting around a corner, ready to pounce at any time. To keep me on my toes I guess. I think I've got enough character, maybe I don't. I'm still waiting on that big break though and my angels, guardian faeries, and muses are still at the pub.

Monday night is my applique workshop and we had a wonderful storm. Got to my truck and it would not start. It was a good thing my instructor was still in the shop. She was so sweet to wait for road service with me. She was calm and appliqued. I was a wreck because I didn't need this. Yes, my truck is old, being held together with Michigan rust, dirt, dried leaves and cobwebs. It was doing the same thing it did last year when I had to get a new battery. My instructor, bless her heart, said not to worry that it's probably something simple. She doesn't know how old my vehicle is and she does have a husband who can get her to her next destination if need be. It's difficult not to panic when you have to be somewhere the next day and you have no one to call. The road service guy came and gave me a jump. At least I got home and knew I would have to take the truck into the shop the next morning. Whether it started or not.

Not. It did not start. It was pouring and I called road service again. I think it was the same guy from the night before. He got it started and I got it to the car shop. Told the guy that something other than the battery was the problem. I was praying it wasn't the starter. I sat in the waiting area, soaked, and freezing from the AC. It was the connector thingies from the part of the car that goes around parts of the battery to get juice. Yes, there is a technical name for those parts and I forgot what is was. They showed me the parts that were very corroded and I wasn't charged because they put the battery in last year. Whoever put the battery in probably should have changed the defective parts too. But he didn't and that was good for me. While I was there, I did pay for an oil change which I've needed for some time now. Maxwell is now purring like a kitty that's been smoking for awhile but he's working. Yay!

I had to go back home and change clothes. I was chilled to the bone and was an hour late to Olde Mill Eclective. It was my turn to man the shop. I told myself that I was going to have a good day regardless of the vehicle snafu. I was able to work on voodoo doll pins, sketch the monster veggies for the zombie bunners, worked on answers to questions for being Featured Artist-of-the-Month in October, and I started knitting a throw. You can never have enough throws or blankets and I believe we're going to get it this winter.

Maya brought be a Wicked Mocha from one of our local coffee places, Krankie's. Oh my goodness! Friends are great when you're working hard not to fall into a mental hole. It's got three types of chili peppers and local chocolate from Contempo Chocolates. It was so good, I really wanted to lick the inside of the cup. It will be one of those special coffee drinks because it is a bit expensive. But to get one and go walking when the temps really dip would be awesome. I love supporting a local business that supports another local business.

I am back on my creative track, a little more secure right now. Lots of Halloween stuff to finish and more to make. I'm very excited about that. Stay tuned!

My Birthday Pic 2012

Happy Birthday To Me, Happy Birthday To Me!
Two days into my New Year and I'm feeling pretty good. I've been busy, even though I'm still celebrating my birthday. I've gotten back to editing my kid's manuscript and I've been writing new material. I've sketched some new dollies, and I am content.

My good friend Maya took me out for a birthday dinner and it was so yummy. I even had a martini. Haven't had one of those in many months of Sundays. We went to Bonefish Grill because they have a gluten free menu for Maya. We had a wonderful shrimp and sun dried tomato appetizer. I had a cup of corn chowder, which was oh so yummy along with fresh bread and fresh basil with the best olive oil I've ever tasted. Maya had a chicken dish with fontina cheese, and I had a huge pork chop with mushrooms, cheese, proscuitto, and marsala sauce. We shared a huge macadamia nut brownie with homemade ice cream, and a raspberry sauce. Even the coffee was tasty. With every bite there was a different flavor. I felt like Ratatouille when he was eating the strawberry and cheese. I got a small box of chocolates and was serenaded by our waiter who sang opera on the side. It was great!

Wine Flights

On Saturday I went with my gal pals to Raffaldini Vineyards.

This was the sight we saw as we drove up.

We had our wine flight of five wines, then we got cheeses, meats, and fruit. We sat on the patio overlooking the vineyard and all the grapes. The day was wonderful, sunny, light breeze, not too hot. Gorgeous.

The view of the mountains didn't hurt either. We laughed, and drank, and ate. Yes, we did have a designated driver. Oh, I forgot to mention the yummy chocolate.

Afterwards, we hung around to take the garden tour.

This is an Asian Dogwood. Can't remember the exact name.

The smell from the rose garden was so intoxicating. I wish I could've bottled it.

This is a huge lavender bush. That smelled wonderful too.

A nice little waterfall.

We had a great day. It was nice getting out of the apartment and being around other human beings with massive senses of humor.

Goodbye July

Another month gone. I can't believe how fast this year is going by. The heat and humidity isn't helping either but the year is zooming by. I've accomplished a lot of things so far and I'm about to rev things up a notch. It's been a good month for starting my year long celebration up to my next birthday. Each month I will do something really special to celebrate my time on this planet. This month has been wonderful.

I finally walked through Heavy Rebel weekend, I visited Old Salem, saw a movie (X-Men the Beginning), went to a floral arranging demonstration/wine tasting, got chocolate from Haute Chocolates, had lunch at a new restaurant called Hutch and Harris, and went to my first National Park, Pisgah National Forest. Not bad for month one.

An old mill along the way to our destination for the day.

This is looking down the stream where we, my friends Maya and Amanda, decided to have lunch.

This is looking up stream.

This is where we parked our chairs, right in the stream. The water was chilly at first but then felt oh, so wonderful. We had veggies from gardens, smoked pastrami, corn chips, watermelon, and chocolate. While sitting in the stream, small light blue butterflies landed on my hands. It was great. Very relaxing. I also took a walk up and down the stream with Amanda and I didn't fall in. It was a great way to end and celebrate the month.