§ An Annual Reposting of My Favorite Commercial.

You didn't think I'd go without publishing this blog from way back when, did you?  Why do I continue to post this each year? Only 'cause at the end of the commercial....the house....it is near a replica of my grandparents' house.  And the tree-lined, snow covered, country, lane is exactly what we had to get thru to grandma's house...yep, this continues and will ALWAYS take me to my own days of yore, with tears of great memories and wishin' to go back in time ....I have so many thoughts. And Christmases with my parents from my childhood up until they passed away....it's ALWAYS IN MY DREAMS!!!!  I wish the beer company would bring this back to television.

It's been 25 years since it was filmed on a snowy night in the Mad River Valley of Vermont. Every holiday season since, starting around Thanksgiving, the ad returns to television screens. "It stops your heart," said Gaelic McTigue, who owns one of the shops seen in the commercial. If you've never seen the ad, its action and emotional momentum are pulled by a workhorse, the kind built for drudgery and known as a hackney. That's no name, however, for such a combination of grace and power. The animal's head and neck bow into the bracing cold, and it surges ahead as six simple notes strike the keys of a piano. The melody flows right into the limbic brain. We don't need the lyrics; they're wired in like smell or wind. I'll … be home … for Christmas … The music is important.

Of course, the clipping from the online article states 25 years.since filming the commercial.  In 2021, as I type this up, it's many more years now.  Read the whole story of the making of this commercial here....it'll warm your heart.

 60 SECONDS OF PURE CHRISTMAS

§ This is Suggestive?

So, we watch Jeopardy if we can, each afternoon before the local news comes on. And as usual, several commercials break the game up. Most days, there is at least ONE "Liburty Mutchual" on. I always tend to giggle when the one with the guy in the cellphone costume is broadcast. It just hits my funny bone. One day I had to ask.... 

But let me back up a bit to our morning ritual. I am the first one out of bed most often. By the time Bud gets up, my cellphone 'work' is done. I check my blog feed and visit those that show up. Bud gets up and turns his coffee pot on. While that is brewing, he too checks his cellphone. And then gets his cup of hot coffee. By the way, this first cup doesn't wake him up fully. And, in my estimation, he spends WAY TOO MUCH time perusing the news and media online! At least a good hour. And, god forbid if I interrupt his concentration as he scrolls and scrolls and scrolls!

One morning, recently, the commercial and the guy in the cellphone costume came to me. I said to Bud:

Anni: "I think I should go to Party City and see if they have a cellphone costume for me. Then maybe you will turn me on!"
Waiting for a response and I get nothing.
But I'm relentless, I continue...
Anni: "You could stroke me up and down ever so gently and precise, open me up if you find something of interest."

He's listening I know, but nada.

Anni: "...push some buttons and find where the shortcuts take you."

He then stops a minute, grabs his coffee cup, sips in silence...

Bud: "I could also put you on vibrate!" 

 

I am speechless but for only a second and respond...
Anni: "Plug me in and charge me up!"

 

Gives a whole new meaning to Sam Sung!!

by the way, I copied the commercial screen shot from a google search, and then, super imposed my profile image to replace the "Liburty Mutchual" dude.  No infringement intended.

§ If Only In My Dreams

My annual tear-jerker commercial. Why do I continue to post this each year? Only 'cause at the end of the commercial....the house....it is near a replica of my grandparents' house.  And the tree-lined, snow covered, country, lane is exactly what we had to get to grandma's house...yep, this continues and will ALWAYS take me to my own days of yore, with tears of great memories and wishin' to go back in time ....I have so many thoughts. And Christmases with my parents from my childhood up until they passed away....it's ALWAYS IN MY DREAMS!!!!

It's been 25 years since it was filmed on a snowy night in the Mad River Valley of Vermont. Every holiday season since, starting around Thanksgiving, the ad returns to television screens. "It stops your heart," said Gaelic McTigue, who owns one of the shops seen in the commercial. If you've never seen the ad, its action and emotional momentum are pulled by a workhorse, the kind built for drudgery and known as a hackney. That's no name, however, for such a combination of grace and power. The animal's head and neck bow into the bracing cold, and it surges ahead as six simple notes strike the keys of a piano. The melody flows right into the limbic brain. We don't need the lyrics; they're wired in like smell or wind. I'll … be home … for Christmas … The music is important.

Of course, the clipping from the online article states 25 years.since filming the commercial.  In 2018, as I type this up, it's many more years now.  Read the whole story of the making of this commercial here....it'll warm your heart.

 60 SECONDS OF PURE CHRISTMAS

§ "Shun"....t i o n words

EMOTION


© 2002 Budweiser - grab a tissue before viewing this tribute to those fallen

* * *


OBSESSION


Pink: it's my new obsession...
Aerosmith Lyrics



* * *


ADOPTION




* * *


DECORATION

A few weeks back I stated I'd like to find and buy a Halloween Witch for my collection that has yellow instead of the usual purple, black, and orange I find at Tuesday Morning each year in my frenzy to add to it all. Well, over the years, I have never found any so the next thing to do is have a bit of the color I want and do my own creation!!...

I chose one of my witches I already had and started my own projection of what I wanted to achieve...

...before:



Added some yellow and now I have a new "addition"!! - - -

- - -after:

§ Thursday...thru...Sunday

It was a busy weekend, but still nothing much got accomplished. There was some celebrating here and there, some driving around, a bit of yard work and all in all time flew all too quickly. Here is a small recap of what we did...

Thursday, our 49th anniversary, we went to Niko's Steakhouse...

...and Mother's Day was a day of quiet celebration!

"and I'm reading that book called "The Genius of Birds" that I blogged a little bit about -- it gives much of the same kind of information about birds -- you'd enjoy it..." Sallie at Full Time Life recently added in her comment to me that this would be an ideal book for me to read...I mentioned it to Bud and he found it at Barnes and Noble .  My mother's day gift from him....

Our lilies are in full bloom...they were gorgeous in the sunlight!!


...a perfect, balmy, day on Sunday.  A good day for a stroll through the park!

...along the boardwalk, a 56 second video I took with my phone:



If you're curious, the mama and chicks breed is Common Gallinule [aka Moorhen]



- - - -

...then, there was my all-time favorite baseball player. And he happens to be a retired NY Yankees shortstop! I read over my smartphone of a special tribute commercial composed by Budweiser. You know the old slogan they used long ago..."When You Say Bud-d-d-weiser, You've Said It All"...this commercial is the epitome of the slogan ---

Of course, if you're a fan of baseball [the game was Houston Astros vs. Yankees in a double header on Sunday], I had to wear my Jeter Shirt and we went to a sports bar to watch and celebrate his number being retired...it was a bitter-sweet ceremony. Now my own MLB official shirt will also be retired. Bud thinks I should find a frame for it. Maybe some day...

§ For the Helluvit....

LUNCHEON
As of this writing [Thursday] the traditional Presidential Inaugural Luncheon for Donald Trump is gonna be? ---
HERE
This inaugural luncheon has been tradition since 1879
...ask me if I care?!!!


_ _ _


WHAT? NO BATHTUBS?

Okay, I'm sure you know the commercial with the two claw-footed bathtubs. Well, you won't see 'em here!! When I saw this couple on the beach, it's the first thing I thought of...But, guessing their ages, I then changed my thoughts to this:

C. Alice: [texting her mate] "Dick? Did you take 'em?"
Dick: [responding] "I can't remember!"

ps...In 1942, when she was born, her mother named her Clarabelle Alice. As Clarabelle grew older, she legally changed her name to C. Alice 'cause everyone made fun of her name, Clarabelle!! Now...unforetold, her name change to C. Alice is giving her fits!! Should she get the courts to reinstate her birth name? What a dilemma. 

_ _ _



MOVIE QUOTE
"I'm the king of the World!"



_ _ _

NOSTALGIC and SALTY SWEET!
We have one Target store here in a strip mall. I was walking back to the car and their door opened to allow someone to exit, and the fragrance of their delicious popcorn made me stop, enter, and order a bag to munch on while going home. Well, I didn't eat too much 'cause I needed to pay attention to the traffic and keep both hands on the steering wheel. When I got home, I thought "Why not make what's leftover into popcorn balls?" I haven't had a popcorn ball in decades!!! In fact, I'm thinking the last time was for a Christmas holiday when my mother was still alive; she traditionally made two full recipes and added red food coloring in one batch, and green food coloring in the 2nd for seasonal colors...it had to be in the 1980s. So, I got out the ingredients, used my mother's recipe card that's been stashed away in a cupboard for a long time, cutting the recipe in half, and made me four popcorn balls!! Delicious. Sugary. Probably not all that healthy, but mighty tasty.  They're easy to make, very little time needed [about 10 minutes from start to finish].  Here is my mom's recipe:

POPCORN BALLS

Popped popcorn [about 6-8 cups fully popped]

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light Karo™ Syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 - 1/2 teaspoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar [to be added later]
food coloring [optional]

Mix all ingredients except cream of tartar into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. When full boil, add 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, mix well. Pour over cooled popcorn, stir until all popcorn is well coated.The secret to make balls simple and not sticky on your hands...keep your hands moist with tap water...form into balls.

Allow to dry out somewhat before storing in bags. OR BETTER YET....eat 'em all gone in one sittin' for a sugar high you won't soon forget.

One full batch will make about 8 balls depending on the size* you form. And you thought I'd say the size of your balls didn't you. I think not. I'm not that uncouth. I do have some manners to follow [sometimes!]

_ _ _



DESCRIBING
I see this pond and think: Icy Pewter


Predawn:
Grayness and silence surrounded my world.
A hush of reticence and calm...
Quietude, forbidden, and taboo in shadow
Still poetic, sacred; a veiled psalm -
In the distance a rhythmic current twirled.


Daylight:
Dark to Dawn as sunlight dribbled upon the water;
A gentle draft hoisted a faint scent of juniper
Drab and colorlessness soon evaporated,
the silence was broken...
The living around me awaken
Pond is silver, and diamondesque,
A new day unfurled
Birds sang their chorus in my world...
From me, another night was taken!

ICY PEWTER
© 2017-
Hootin' Anni

§ Was she a Spirit, an Angel?

Without cable for TV any longer [which I don't miss at all!]...the other day I was watching NCIS New Orleans online and the commercial just made me giggle....such cuteness ever!!   Of course, the cellphone was on my desk and snap away I did!! I think the song in the commercial is sung [or was a long time ago] by Sonny & Cher, right? Yep, Sonny & Cher! [I had to Google this....whoa 1966. That's 50 years ago!!]

Little man, when you stand by my side
Then I know I don't have to hide from anyone
And I pray that we'll stay just that way
'Till the day comes along when we catch the sun.

Watch the commercial here.


- - -

TripAdvisor has this restaurant in town [there are two...one south and the other north] as a 5-star ★★★★★ establishment. We stopped here the other day for a quick lunch. I ordered the Taco Spud. It is a one pound potato with taco seasoned beef, a sprinkling of melted cheese, mild salsa. As an extra side order I had them add sliced avocado. It was delicious. And I am going to make this again at home from my own pantry/freezer. Very filling, and not as 'heavy' as it looks. I was satisfied without being bloated. Of course, I didn't finish it all...one pound of potato is too much for me. Bud got the leftovers to go with his grilled turkey sandwich. Prices are reasonable, service was very congenial, and restaurant was exceptionally clean!  Oh, and a salad bar that was incredibly huge with a 'world' of variety, kept nicely chilled on ice!!


- - -


Oftentimes when I don't feel like driving much distance to go photograph birds, I stop at the largest cemetery here in town. The area is literally a live oak and palm tree 'forest'. And of course with paved lanes throughout all the sections, it makes a very pleasant walk. And it's a 'birding hotspot' according to website lists for birding along the Coastal Bend of Texas. Walking in silence the other afternoon, listening for the calls of different birds....in the shadows of a large cypress tree was a pretty massive headstone marker. At first, I was startled, then realizing she was more than likely alone and by the side of a family member, I had come upon an 'apparition'....



...in respect of her privacy and prayer, I immediately turned away in silence and walked from her. I couldn't help but turn around and photograph her beauty, being where we were at the time, perhaps I'd seen an angel!!


- - -

Our backyard has been invaded by Redwinged Blackbirds. The lawn is a blanket of black at times!!  When I go out to refill the feeders and suet stations, it sounds like a tropical forest with all them anxiously awaiting to be fed again. Their song is so nice. But, lately, 50#s of seed and 10 suet cakes in a month!! I can't keep up with them. I do know that when they leave for more comfortable, northern climes, the hummingbirds will begin to show up. And I'll then be kept busy mixing the sugar nectar for their feeders!





- - -


Oftentimes, either here at Hootin' Anni's or at my bird photo blog, I'd Rather B Birdin', I've mentioned the Salt Flats at Charlie's Pasture on Mustang Island. There is a two mile boardwalk that meanders through the salt flats, with a mixture of chaparral and water vegetation for a great variety of land and water birds. Most times there is water for the wildlife [where we have often seen tracks of raccoon, rabbit and deer], other times the flats are what Bud and I call 'popcorn fart' dry! A few months ago, this is what we saw out walking the boardwalk...



...then, we had the heavy rainfall in one day. It replenished the dry parched land!



When it's Springtime in Texas. If you don't like the weather one day, just wait 'til the next.

§ Memories of Christmases Past...

It's been a chilly blustery few days this past week and...rainy, misty, dreary on Monday!! With trying to get back to a healthy body after this cold, I have become a bit stir crazy. Usually around here, if the weather leaves a lot to be desired one day, the next day it's all well and good again. Not so this week. I've been reading a small soft-cover book that Bud found for me at Half Price Books...it's all about ME?!!! No, not really, but it's about the winter blizzard[s] of 1948 and 1949...of which I came into being during the blizzard that ran amok over most of the central plains states and farther south. VERY interesting. Tho, the author moves around from state to state a bit too often, the life-line stories of some of the survivors and the loss of livestock in Nebraska [the state in which I was born], the torture, fears, phenomenal stamina those folks dealt with is, to say the least, riveting. The book goes from day to day, the snow fall records, the generosity of country residents taking in and harboring those in need of shelter...a great historical value for me. And the family stories I heard as I grew up, brings this  narrative to life for me.

Okay, so then, more stir crazy adventures. I did put a halt on the cobalt blue crochet project while Erik was here for the few days. And I have yet to return to working on it. No, I haven't given up yet, but I am taking a break from it all. In the meantime, I took my scrap yarn carpet bag out of the closet the other day and began a simple, new project. For my cell phone. I saw these cute little boogers on Pinterest quite a while ago, and bookmarked it after finding the instructions online. And of course, I did a little tweaking on the pattern; instead of round circular wings I made two smaller triangular wings to look a bit more 'real'. With a little buttons here and there, I have a new owlet cellphone carrier. I will add a couple more things before I use it: two belt loops on the back side and I plan to line it with some material so the button-nose won't scratch my cellphone screen, along with adding an interior pouch to carry my ID. That way I won't be needing to lug anything around my shoulders or neck when birding and having the binoculars and camera strapped on me. No need to tote around with me, any excess 'luggage'.

Our annual viewing of Polar Express DVD came about this past weekend also. It's my all-time favorite holiday movie...surpassing any of the classics. We still have GRINCH to watch, then, Christmas can come to our home on the 25th. LOL The theme song from Polar Express is a favorite of mine also. Tho, my #1 Christmas Carol is "I'll Be Home For Christmas"...always has been since my parents are no longer with us on this earth. The dreams and memories come forth full force when I stop and listen to the lyrics of this song. AND --the 1980/81 Miller High Life Beer commercial with the instrumental "I'll Be Home For Christmas" always makes me shed a tear or two...the farm house in the commercial looks just like my grandparents' house, not to mention the huge red barn at the beginning ---memories of playing in the hay loft on a cold winter's day and the warm, sweet scent of the hay below as I jumped off for fun.  
How I wish I could go home again. :::sigh::: Oh, and Bud came home the other day with a new released DVD...Red 2. Will watch that this evening during our dinner hour, probably.


...the year was 2009 and I composed a post of questions other bloggers asked of me. With Christmas coming so near, I thought I'd re-share this particular question that Pea @ Pea's Corner [she no longer blogs] asked: Here question- " As for a question for you....what is your very favourite Christmas memory? "

I answered as such: "That's difficult since I love 'em all. I want to say equally...I've loved 'em all equally. Let me begin by saying when I was single, my parents made Christmas a very special day. We always went to church on Christmas Eve so the actual day was family only. All day long. I loved waking up to the wonderful fragrances coming from the kitchen. Mom and Dad both would get up before daylight and begin cooking while we kids were still asleep. I shared a bedroom with my older sister. As the light of day would start peeking through the windows, the two of us would be heard giggling with anticipation of the day. [SHE was my Santa...what I mean by that is...when I was a kid getting gifts from the big guy...and I'd get out of bed and rush down the hall to the tree, the gifts from Jolly St. Nick would be there for me with huge tags with my name on it!! If I hadn't one time verbally recognized my sister's hand writing on the tags...I would still be getting presents from Santa!! I just KNOW it!] I guess what I'm trying to say is, I remember the year I found out all this. And on my own. No one came right out and told me...I figured it out and blurted that it was my sister who was Santa to me. That year, I got what I wanted too...a huge doll...a doll in a wedding gown I had seen at the store while shopping for other gifts. I wished for that for weeks before Christmas. I can still see the room where the tree stood in all its holiday glory and beauty. The fireplace lighted and glowing and crackling its warmth for everyone. I can still smell the turkey roasting...and doorbell ringing continually as other grownup brothers and their families arrived for the big day! Oh and by the way....I still have that doll!!! She's continually packed away with other 'toys' of mine. But, I know just where to find her...I brought her out of hiding just for you Pea!! By the way.........the year? 1958!! I haven't had Santa visit me for over 50 years and I still believe..."

Lastly, I had mentioned that I had to retrieve my Santa Boot that I fill each year; with Rice Krispie Treats. I cleaned it out from it being stored for a year's time, and made my usual double batch of treats, wrapped them individually, and filled the boot!! Ho ho ho....





sidebar linking to THURSDAY THOUGHTS & Friday Random 5

§ Whatever cranks your gears [literally]...

first, let me get this out of the way, I couldn't resist--'natural' gas- of course you know where my mind was on this one....

connecting to:

Outdoor Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

_ _ _

HODGEPODGE

Joyce has these questions for us this week:

1. So, when did you last take a walk in the woods? A stroll along the beach? A drive going nowhere in particular in the car? We do this most every day of the week if possible. Either in the wooded areas of certain birding parks that lead to the bay waters, or take a drive to the beaches and walk.

2. Are you sending Christmas cards this year? About how many do you send? Photo card or something more traditional? How do you display the cards you receive? I've slowly, over the years, stopped doing so many. This year, it'll be the first year I'm NOT sending ANY. The ones we do receive, they're usually on the hutch in the dining room or on the entertainment center in the living room....actually, wherever there IS room.

3. What's a word you've heard too much of in the past week? Fiscal  or Cliff or both!  But it's not 'hearing' it's reading.  What I've heard a lot is "What's there to eat, I'm hungry".  Like a growing toddler Bud is....and he's growing leaps and bounds...in the middle.  {insert wink}

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan? Plain or flavored? Marshmallows or no marshmallows? I'm not a 'fanatic' about it, but I do like it. It has to be a cold day to really enjoy it, which isn't often where I live....and definitely NO MARSHMALLOWS.

5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season? With it just being the two of us, it's not that hectic. The only thing that is 'big' is decorating. I still decorate the house and will always as long as I am able-bodied.

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet? I have t-shirts that have sparkly touches. One of my favorites is a black one with gold and diamond-like fleur-de-lis, and a purple one with a sparkly kokopelli*.

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol. Oh my....I think I like 'em ALL except for one that they call a Christmas carol and it's definitely NOT. Never will be in my opinion [Something about a Grandma and a Reindeer?-----ya, that one!!] But to answer the question...since my mom died in 1990 and my dad four years after her passing, I still miss them. Especially around Christmas since it was a tradition to have the whole family at mom and dad's house!!! Trust me, the house was filled with gifts, food, love, and family!!! So my favorite line from a Christmas carol ---I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams!!! -circa 1980 [check out my sidebar at the bottom...there is a video commercial that remains here 24/7] ---it reminds me of the holidays at home and brings tears to my eyes. I play it often during the year..

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm so glad that the Houston Texans are doing so well tho they lost to the Patriots Monday night....but finally-------------the Dallas Cowboys [which team I so dislike; always have] are not so good. FINALLY!!! Go Houston!!!!! And speaking of 'finally'....we got a cold front that moved in. Yay, finally some 'wintry weather' without snow. It'll be a tough one if Broncos and Texans have to play for a spot in the Super Bowl...what a dilemma that would be for me. I'm not sure how all this works out in the end of the season; don't even know if it'd be a possibility. Broncos I've followed since I was a kid...Texans since they began their franchise in 1997/98.

* In case you want to know about the kokopelli ---Kokopelli is a prehistoric deity depicted frequently in ancient rock art, estimated to be over a thousand years old. He is often described as a fertility God in some American Southwest tribes; even today.

connecting to:

Wednesday Hodgepodge

§ I'm gettin' geared up....'tis near the season---

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS

FIRST & FOREMOST...I want to thank each and everyone for all the wonderful birthday wishes in the past few days. You guys, my bloggin' buddies, are top in my book!!! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. Y'all definitely know how to make this ol' gal feel really special.

The Super Bowl is over, I was pleased to have the Giants win. Very much so. But now....it'll soon be MY time of year for sports. Following professional baseball!! Soon, I'll hear the crack of the bat...see the home runs, and root for my favorite teams. D'Back, Rockies, Astros, and of course my all time favorite, the Yankees!! It's gonna be an odd season for me and the Yankees, tho. Jorge Posada retired a few weeks back. Not surprising because of his turmoil and 'bad' season last year, but still he's been with the team almost 'forever'. I love what he did, I just plain 'loved' him. Anyway, it's now coming up on Spring Training... and I read that the one time Spring Training ballpark in Tucson [one of two---the Colorado Rockies no longer train there either], the AZ Diamondbacks used to train in Tucson at Tucson Electric Park. But, I read that it's now had a name change...Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium [pronounced KEEno]. Tho, the D'backs train elsewhere as do the Rockies, I'm happy to hear that the bond issue that we passed when we lived in Tucson...that the ballpark is going to be used by the Chicago White Sox here and there a few times. At least the money spent decades ago isn't going to waste on the huge park. March 2nd and 3rd are the scheduled 1st games of the season. "PLAY BALL"

The Kino name as mentioned above is named after Father Kino [a Catholic Missionary for the Pima tribe in and around Arizona] - also he's connected with the history of the San Xavier Mission just outside Tucson on the reservation.





The "White Dove of the Desert"

The Super Bowl Commercials...well, at least the one I picked WAS part of the top ten. [if you want to watch the commercial, click on hyperlink & scroll down] But, the #1....so darned political, even NFL dropped it from you tube? Unbelievable. It made a statement. The corrupt American government, the people who suffer...the country in HALF time. Needing to go forth for the 2nd half and win!!! I kinda liked it actually. Thing is tho, it's really sad to have the need to use this time slot to make a political point so strong and yet it's all about ONE auto maker? It should have been more about the American People who suffer with no jobs, etc. etc. and leave it go at that. Another point, Americans know about the economy...they know HOW to be strong; it's the government that's weak. Top Ten commercials list here.

connected to: Friday Fragments [linked button found at BOTTOM of blog page]

PHOTO ART FRIDAY & Friday Favorites, mingled in together this week with Floral Friday Foto Memes


I used the photo of a church in our city -- one that is located atop Upper Broadway...on a bluff overlooking the Bay. This is the original photo - with that image, in my Paintshop Pro, I used these techniques:

"Define Filter"
"Edge Art"
and
"Custom"
"Frame and Texture"
"Gold Nameplate" *Corpus Christi* [in English: Christ's Body]
making it turn to a monochrome watercolor...





And then, this one that ties into part of the post below...



PaintShop Pro

EFFECTS used:
Pastel filter
Hot Wax
Edge Glow
Wrinkle Emboss
Color Adjustment
crop/paste behind frame
Gold Nameplate: "Luck of the Iris"






connecting to: PHOTO ART FRIDAY meme

*

I was invited to join in on the meme --Floral Friday Foto, and with this blossom/plant being one of my favorites I thought I'd combine this with, of course, Friday's Favorites. You see, when I grew up in Colorado, my father, the man with the greenest thumb ever...had acres of flowers, fruit trees, and a vast vegetable garden!! One species of flowers that he had bordering his property lines, along the split railing fencing...was IRIS. Tons of colors in the Rocky Mountain Springtime!! Relocating to Tucson after Bud retired, iris did not grow well. And I've never seen anyone's yards around here in the sub-tropical Texas Coast have any iris blooming either. I figured it was too wet or something. But then, one time when we were in Lowes Improvment stores, they had bins of different patented iris. I spied a blue one!! I took it home an planted it. So far, in the last eight years, it's only bloomed once!! Then, Dawn, a blogger from near my hometown in Colorado sent me some iris bulbs to plant. One is thriving!! It has bloomed every Spring. As it is right now....PURPLE is a favorite color of mine, and IRIS is a favorite flower for Springtime-------








connecting to:


and

§ Misty morning...Shoreline Shadows

SHADOW QUOTE: "A dream itself is but a shadow."
- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, 2.2



...from the many extending gazebos along Shoreline Drive, step in the shadowed alcoves and enjoy the views---






One Sunday morning in the recent weeks, after our going out for an early breakfast at daybreak [a favorite time of day for me], we walked the distance - about two miles along the seawall from the church, in and around where the shrimp boats come in, and then past 'em until we reached the end...at the art museum and arts and cultural complex. As above, I will now show you the 'rest of the story' [mouse over captions on these following images]---








connected to: Shadow Shot2 [linked button at BOTTOM of blog page]



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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Well, I learned something new this week. The car's license plates were up for renewal for the year, and we've had the plates for seven years now. In fact, I had the letter/number combination memorized...which is highly unusual...but, that's not what I learned. LOL I renewed them online and paid the fee, only to my surprise a few days later, the mail delivered was a nice long, flat package, instead of the common window sticker with expiration date and VIN/plate number. The package contained new plates. But, I didn't ORDER new plates!! So I went out online to the Texas State Revenue Department and found out that after seven years, it's required you are issued new license plates! Hmmmm. Of all my years owning a car, I've never experienced that before. In Texas, it's a state law. What'll they come up with next? So now I have the newly designed state registration plates [I like the old ones much better --with the Space Shuttle on it] and a whole bunch'a new numbers to memorize. Geez. Oh, and in case you're curious as I was...the reason given is because the plate's reflectiveness fades after so many years. Hmmmmm, I'm thinking...use a better quality of paint? Guess not. Gotta keep those inmates busy to justify the taxpayers' money supporting them. Agree? Only in America. I also learned that there are an estimated 21 million registered vehicles in the state of Texas [with the population of nearly 24 1/2 million, that's nearly a vehicle for every man, woman and child!]...lord love a duck, that's a lotta traffic jams. [90 % of that number just hasta be in Houston...*kidding*]

OLD VERSION          NEW VERSION

Bud and I watched online the pilot show and the first two following programs of ALCATRAZ [starring Sam Neill] --whoa. Keeps you in suspense to be sure. Anyone else watching these tv shows on F0X network? From the pilot program, we all know that Sam Neill was a cop back in the 60s, a young rookie, and he is now much older and stashing all the 'live' prisoners from "The Rock" that disappeared long ago as they shut down the prison in '63?!!! Is he a corrupt scientist maybe? I am now hooked...need to continue watching this to find out. Just hope it doesn't turn into a jumbled mess like the long drug-out, LOST© Series from a few years back. It's my understanding that the writers for LOST© are also on the writing team for this new program. You can enlarge this screenshot image I borrowed and cropped to read the synopsis of the TV show; if you're interested. [no infringement intended]

Tuesday was just one gorgeous day. In the high 70s and a perfect morning for walking on the beach. We spent a couple hours walking along the shore - early it was quite foggy, so we were just about the only ones there. In fact the sand on the beach was quite dense and way too soft, so we parked on the access road and walked to the shore instead of parking on the beach. If you've ever been stuck in sand, it's not fun. LOL. I did take the camera along with me and got a few pictures. And on the way home, spotted an osprey high above us on the causeway's lighting system. We then got home and took advantage of the good weather and weeded the back yard, trimmed the roses back [they're getting new Spring growth], Bud trimmed the pyracantha and I cleaned out the winter kill under all the hibiscus. Wednesday, it again was thick with fog in the morning hours [which I love fog]. Thursday and Friday, for a while, I worked on my mini-daffodils and mini-[Dutch] Iris - I planted 22 new Dutch Iris bulbs in amongst the rose bush box. Most of the rest of the week, it was quiet and peaceful --


Of course, Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. The thing I always looked forward to seeing were the new commercials. Yep...big thing for me. And since we probably won't see much of the game this year, unless I can find it streamed, live, online somewhere, I wanted to see a sneak preview of the ads....I'm a Chevy fan [GM more like it], so this one is my favorite I've seen so far. And the suggestive aspect of TWINKIES is a hoot too. The dog strapped in with the seat belt, the song....this one has MY vote for best in 2012: [you may have to 're-click' play button]

License plate samples found on Texas State DOT website
PROJECTED POPULATION 2012 --State of Texas
[with a breakdown of anglo/black/hispanic] found here
Chevy commercial courtesy of Yahoo News [embed iframe]