Good & Good for You!

Lookin’ for delicious doughnuts? Do I really have to ask? Who doesn’t love frosted, fried dough delights? Especially when they’re as pretty as these?

I got these pink beauties to celebrate Nat’l Pink Day a few weeks back, and they tasted as good (if not better) than they looked.

Wait. What’s this? One of the doughnuts came with a bite taken out of it?!? Who would do such a thing? Okay, so I was trying to wait for Cor to get home from work before indulging, but I just couldn’t resist sampling. I left the mystery bite unexplained with Cor, so please don’t spill the beans.

For my readers outside of UT, I apologize for teasing, but I couldn't resist sharing the source of these local yums. Do you have a favorite snack shack in your town (doughnuts, snow cones, cupcakes, etc.)? If so, I'd love to read about it here. I'm always looking for new tasty hot spots to visit, both here at home and on the road. Please, drop me a comment and tell me all about it.

Cheers!

Celebrating Freedom, Lake City Style

Happy Fourth of July from Lake City, Colorado! Cor and I are here, enjoying the festivities with our family. There’s something to be said for celebrating in a small town. For some reason, it feels more patriotic and all-American. Probably because I can’t step out the front door without hearing laughter, music and celebration. It all started this morning with a parade.

As a former band nerd, I'm always drawn to the musical acts, and this float of performers did not dissapoint.

One of the best parts of the parade is all of the candy that's thrown. Here's Mom in mid-catch. Let's hope it's bubble gum in that hot little hand of hers.

Don't forget to stand and acknowledge the flag as it passes you by today (and always). We were a bit saddened by all those who failed to stand at attention as our nation's symbol made its way down the parade route. Are people really that disrespectful these days?

Like so many others in town, we parked our pickup along side the route and set up our chairs to watch the show. We really didn't have to, however, as the parade lines up right in front of Mom and Pop's house to get started, which is a fun thing to see out the front window.

You can’t turn a corner here without seeing someone decked out in the colors of our flag. Naturally, Cor and I were right there with them. (Yes, his Yankees shirt counts, despite what many around here may say.)

I even whipped out my beads and made a few necklaces to help us dress the part.

I made this one for Schmom to wear.

I'm sporting this one, made with red, white and blue glass beads.

And, this chubby R, W & B bird is cut from a cute line of American Crafts paper and placed behind a glass pebble.

Maybe next year I’ll take my wears to the Lake City Craft Show—a fun little gathering of creative peeps.

And what’s the Fourth of July without some B-I-N-G-O? Sadly, we didn’t win, but we sure had a good time-o!

We plan on concluding this beautiful day under a night sky of color. Boom boom pow!

However you choose to celebrate the birthday of our nation (my US readers, that is), I hope you have a wonderful time letting freedom ring!

Happy 4th!

Free is Good!

Happy July, y’all! I thought I’d welcome this, our hottest month of the year, with a few hot deals. Consider it my summertime gift to you. I know, I know, my generosity is too much at times. ;)

Here’s a nummy way to cool down as the temperature goes up. Jamba Juice has a buy-one-get-one-free deal through July 12. Plus, they have a promotion right now where you can check their website for the word of the day to get $1 off a smoothie. Fun! Thanks, PK, for sharing the love.

And, the longer days likely mean you’ll be taking more photos, so why not get a few them printed for free? Riteaid is offering 15 free digital prints with the purchase of 50. Hurry, this offer ends July 4.

Enjoy the deals!

Blog Candy Winners

Pinka dinka do. I have my Nat’l Pink Day winners. According to Random.org, my lucky ladies are comments #3 and #8. Congrats!



The winner of my pink apron is:
Rae: “Happy pink day to YOU!!”


The winner of a pink button ring is:
Tami: “Those are the prettiest donuts I have ever seen! My favorite color is celery/pear/apple green...but I think you already knew that.”


Please e-mail me at M2E2G@aol.com with your full name and mailing address (put “blog winner” in the subject line), and I’ll get your goodies in the mail. Tami, please be sure to include which button ring you want. You can find more information on and close-up images at http://www.happinessonastring.com/. Thanks!

And, thanks to all who participated in my little giveaway. Let’s do it again real soon now, ya hear?

6 tips on how to be a bad dog, as told by Jack

Wuf! Hi! Wuf!

I’m Jack, Megan’s four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier (I came with the name “Jack,” BTW. Mom likes people to think she’s more creative than that. I, on the other paw, am relieved I came with my name, as she creatively named my older brother “Kisses.”)

This is a little note to all the dogs out there who’d like the tricks of the terrorizing trade. You see, I’ve been up to some mischief lately and know that my antics are excellent ways to make your people nutty. Hahahawufbark!

It can be done in 6 simple steps!

Step 1: Fixate
I see something, be it a bird, a cat, bird eggs, anything small and furry/feathery, and I obsess. My people think they can get my attention by calling my name in a stern tone. Nope. They try bribing me to come in the house with milk bones. Forgettaboudit! I am in my hunting zone and the only way I’m leaving is if they carry my dog ass in the house.

Step 2: Dig
My digging started in the yard and around the trees—rookie mistake. I quickly learned that I should be digging along the fence if I ever wanted to get anywhere. Mom keeps sticking bricks and boards up around the fence, but I have ways around those, which leads me to…

Step 3: Undo Obstacles
Brick in the way of progress? Move it. They’re not that heavy. Heck, I’m only 15 pounds and I can drag them out of their carefully positioned spots. Wood fence boards interfering? Eat them. Wood is soft and can be destroyed with teeth.

Step 4: Make the Most of Your Surroundings
I’m in the backyard but I want to be in the front. I’ve got a hole, I’ve moved the bricks, now I just need some leverage. Ah wuf hah! There’s a hose. Look for areas of opportunity and tug. Tug with all your might. And when your mom catches you, carries you inside, goes back outside, pushes the hose back through the fence and replaces the brick, simply go out and do it all again the next time you’re let out. Trust me, this will get her blood boiling every time. Hahawufwufwuf!

Step 5: Bark
This is an especially good tactic if you’re smaller, as your bark is yelp-y. Bow wow wow! Say it with me! Do this any and every time anything is the slightest bit different in and around your yard. Is the neighbor out minding his own business? Bark! Are the kids in the yard behind yours on their trampoline AGAIN? Bark away. Do you see a cat perched on the porch across the way? Tell that cat who’s boss. Heck, I’ll even bark at the top of my lungs if the wind decides to blow in a slightly unique direction. Use those doggie lungs and make sure you completely ignore your people as they pound on the door and yell “quiet” from inside. Make ‘em come out after you to shut you up. It’s heeee-ruf-larious!

Step 6: Look Cute
I have a surefire way to save you once you’ve pushed your limits and have your people ready to snap. Simply give them a cute look. Tilt your cute doggie head to the side, maybe jump up in the air a few times, and definitely get a few licks in. They’ll immediately forget about your “wrongdoings” and maybe even show you a little petting love. Works every time!

I hope you’ve learned a thing or two about how to be a “bad dog.” As we all know, it’s the people who are really bad. They’re the ones sleeping in the nice beds while we're on the floor at their feet in some flimsy excuse for a bed. They’re the ones who eat delicious food, all the while serving us the same puppy chow every day, three times a day, for years! They’re the ones who won’t let us chew on their shoes and slippers, despite their tasty appearance. My tricks are meager in comparison, really, but it’s the least we can do to hold our ground.

Good ruf luck!

Pink Day & Prizes

I like pink. Duh. Could I possibly make a more obvious statement? As if my pink craft room, my pink clothing, my pink sewing machine, my pink accessories and even my pink doughnuts (more on that in an upcoming post) weren’t enough to clue you in, I have decided to do a blog post in honor of this cheerful color... Okay, another blog post. ;)

But there is a method to my pink madness. You see, today is Nat’l Pink Day. That’s right, blog buds, there’s a day dedicated to a color. First Nat’l Doughnut Day and now this—does it get any better? Oh, I know. Pink doughnuts! I guess it does get better.

So, in honor of my favorite shade, I’m going to give a few pink pretties away. You interested? How does a pink polka dot apron from one of my favorite stores, Hip & Humble, sound? Well, this cute number can be yours (minus the matching owl).

Also up for grabs is a bit of pink sparkle in the form of a handmade button ring. My winner can choose from one of the following. And all of these are currently available over at my little jewelry shop, Happiness on a String.


Before we get to the nitty gritty of the giveaway, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite pink things. This pic of me with a few of my favorite pink posessions was taken for the Paper Crafts magazine blog a few years back. Even then I was doing “Happy Pink Day” posts. I spy with my little eye a Cheshire Cat snowglobe. Do you see him?

Speaking of Pink Day blog posts, my pals over at PC mag are giving away a delicious pink prize pack today in honor of this special ocassion. Click here to enter.

These shots were taken for a little pink mini album I created for Mini Albums in an Evening, an incredible special issue from Simple Scrapbooks magazine. I spelled out "pink" in a bitty key chain album, with a favorite pink item illustrating each letter of the word:

P: Peeps

I: iPod

N: Nailpolish

K: Kitty

A bit nerdy, sure, but it made me smile and I had fun putting the project together. I suppose that's worth the nerd fest. ;)

And for my current magazine, Creating Keepsakes, I had my entire pink craft room featured in our June 2009 issue. How fun is that? You can see close-up shots, how-tos and more on CK’s website. (There will be a link to it on the slideshow that runs on the homepage. You just have to wait a minute for it. Wait for it. Wait for it...) If you have time, I’d love your feedback. This was a doozy of a project but I’ve enjoyed the outcome.

Over the top? Perhaps. But I find happiness in this hue, so why not surround myself with it? Now, if I could only get my hands on the new and fabulous pink printer combo from Canon. One day…

On to the Pink Prizes

Okay, let’s talk prize specifics. To be entered into my drawing for an apron or a button ring, please leave a comment about your favorite color and why you love it. Maybe it’s yellow because it reminds you of sunshine. Or perhaps seafoam green is more your thing. Whatever it is, I’d love to read all about it. You have until Saturday, June 27 to comment. I’ll announce my winner right here on Monday, June 29, so please check back.

Now, in celebration of Nat'l Pink Day, I'll leave you with this fun Jason Mraz video - "Geek in the Pink." Fairly fitting way to conclude this post, don't you think? I'm the geek in the pink, y'all!

Enjoy!

Geek In The Pink - Jason Mraz

A Father's Day Note

I did a Google search for “father quotes.” The result – many lovely sayings, most of which accurately describe the feelings I have for my Pop…but it didn’t feel like enough.

There really aren’t words to express the love I feel for my Dear Ole Dad, especially words from another’s mouth and heart. I mean, how do you show appreciation for a person who always believes in you, always jumps to your rescue and always loves you unconditionally? I’m a lucky girl, to say the least.

Happy Father’s Day, Poppy. I love you!

And, as if having an incredible dad weren’t enough, three years ago I gained a second loving father – my father-in-law, Don. To this day, Don always opens the door for his wife. He’s great with a crossword puzzle. He adores his family. He warmly welcomed me into his family long before Cor and I ever tied the knot. And, he raised an incredible man who’s going to make a top-notch father himself someday.

Happy Father’s Day, Don. I love you!

I don’t know what I did to deserve not one, but two wonderful fathers, but that’s exactly what I have. On this, Father’s Day, I want to acknowledge both of them and thank them for making my life better by giving selflessly, loving unconditionally and living fully.