Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' : Treats

Showing posts with label Treats. Show all posts

§ Trick or Treat begins....

BAYONET YUCCA
candelabra in bloom

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MONDAY MORSELS

I tellya people, so many of you lifted my spirits this week with your positive feedback, I am pleased as punch knowing that I made a difference in your lives with humor, or a photo share, or a rant...whatever it was that I posted and you enjoyed it or got to thinking strongly on some subject, even for just a fleeting moment, and left a few words for me saying so...I enjoyed your input very much. Now, for just another 'fleeting moment', I'd like to share some words left for me that gave me insight on the fact that there was a time of enjoyment or laughter for you too [just a few....won't bore you much]:

"I adore the way you put your words and feelings on paper and in general avoiding the personal and focusing on life in this 21st century."

"I was laughing enough at the two cats in the litter box but then when I read the joke I was dieing."

"I am still chuckling. Thanks Anni."

"You are a genius with that camera of yours!"

"Ach ja, das Meer und seine Vögel. Gerne hätte ich jetzt Urlaub und würde am Meer sein." [in short translation "I long to be on the sea"]

"I was so enraptured by your header, I forgot why I came by! lol It is beautiful. Love your shorebirds, too."

" I just joined the Howloween Bog Hop, thanks to your side bar link. Your new blog pal"

I just want you all to know, I enjoy and appreciate you visiting, taking time to leave a comment and such positive feedback. Thanks....every comment is noted and I try to repay your visit by spending time in your company at your blogs!!! THANKS!!!

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And, as always, my annual Trick or Treat October Hand out to those who come knocking at Hootin' Anni's door during the month...has begun. Each week, a new treat for you to take if you'd like. Just click and save.

§ The Old Man and the Sea

Shadow [and silhouette] of a fisherman at sunrise
The flock of birds is pelicans

connected to: Shadow Shot 2 [linked button at top of blog]

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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Posting my summary early today...just 'cause. After completing the kitchen floor re-tiling this past week [image here], we took a day off from any house work, and broke down on the exorbitant entry charge for the Texas State Aquarium. Enjoyed our morning walking around and watching the dolphin show. I took many-a-photos with my cell phone camera, but still have yet to get them uploaded to the computer and resized and watermarked for my blog. Jelly fish, sharks, tropical and colorful fish, birds and more along with several of the three dolphins and their entertaining antics at Dolphin Bay in the aquarium's complex. They will be posted eventually, just when tho, I am not sure. LOL A couple of days later, after our sore muscles went back into hiding [you know --we used muscles we didn't know we had type feeling?] from crawling on hands and knees ripping tile and replacing tile, we did go for a couple hours' walk on the beach. So, so serene and peaceful. The beach access road we chose on the island, this time, it was only Bud and me along with one other guy that was flying his remote-controlled airplane...very quiet; which I love. And yet, to think in a little over a month, it'll be Spring Break again and the beaches will be overrun with college students. :::sigh::: One thing I look forward to after the Spring Breakers returning to class, the beach is 'mine' again and soon to be seaweed season where all the drift seeds show up. I love combing the weeds to find my sea hearts and other drift seeds!!

Anyway, I repaid my dear man for all his hard work with the floor, by baking a batch of peanut butter cookies!! The old adage of the way to a man's heart is through his stomach holds true with Bud...cookies'll always get his mojo flowing. And, I must admit, they were gooey delicious with my icy glass of cold milk! I was happy as a pig in a mud hole the other day when I went to our neighborhood H E B's [Texas Grocery Store] and found that Fancy Feast was only 40 cents a can!! Whoa...ask me if I stocked up on it? You betcha!! Also, again...making Bud happy, they had Jimmy Dean sausage [a 12 oz. roll] for $1! Normally, they sell for $2.40---so, I threw several of those in the cart. We won't be going out for our Sunday brunch for a while. LOL So, I went to get some fresh oranges on sale...8 for $1...came home with canned cat food, sausage and oranges. Plus $50 worth of more stuff. I swear, the worst thing you can do is go to the grocery store; hungry. Expecting to pay less than $10 and dole out over $60. The franchise loves ~~suckers~~ shoppers like me. Friday I woke up with a scratchy throat, and yesterday it was mostly a miserable, dry hacking cough. Today, somewhat better, but I think more than anything I need a good night's sleep. Waking up coughing all night is all kinds of wrong!!! I need that - The Nightime, Sniffling, Sneezing, Coughing, Aching, Stuffyhead, Fever, So-You-Can-Rest Medicine. Hmmmmm, H E B's has a pharmaceutical department...dare I go back?

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MY SATURDAY CAMERA CRITTER POST...it's here: 'If I Could Talk to the Animals' :o)

§ Silence!!

MACRO MONDAY entry, below the Halloween Treat

This is week 5 of October...Come Sunday, it'll be Halloween! So, in regards to all the wonderful comments from all the sweet visitors and time taken to say 'boo' to me for the month, I give you this....the last of my Halloween Treats!!!----

You've all been
PURRfect Guests!!!

Thank you

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click Macro button to join

a roseate skimmer
[dragon fly]

I am using one of my photos that I posted on my photo blog [link in bold text]. If you'd care to see more of 'him' in the macro setting....just click .... It will open in a new window.

END MACRO MONDAY
if you'd like to skip over my Monday Morsels...

COMMENT HERE

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Monday Morsels

Yesterday in my Sunday's Summary section, I was 'talking' about my future book reads....ironic. So, I got an email from Jeff Dunham [I signed up for and requested to be notified if he'd return to Corpus Christi with another comedy show]. He stated, or advertised, his upcoming new autobiography that is going to be on the shelves the first week of November of this year. Bud? Are you listening to me? Ahem....a Christmas gift under the tree for me? *hint* Anyway, there was a link with a couple of excerpts from his new book. I don't think it'll hurt any, or infringe on copyright issues if I share. It IS helping promote sales for him, right? I love the guy's performances to almost being a fanatic. Especially with Achmed and Peanut!! The book is called "All By My Selves". In case you didn't know, Jeff is a ventriloquist. And his shows are super funny. Not to mention, Bud has a little bit of Walter in him. It will definitely be one to read. I highly anticipate it....hope it's as good as his Comedy Central, and his live shows! If not, I'll be sorely disappointed.

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With no baseball games yesterday....:::sigh:::, I started a new painting. I know I won't get it done in time, but it's a start for next year. Come on Wednesday evening!!! I'm thinking what'll I do after the World Series? I'm gonna be lost 'til I figure out something. roflmao Oh and by the way...today is 10/25/2010....just TWO months from Christmas.

§ Gnarly Dude Macro!!!! And Local Haunted History cont...

MACRO MONDAY entry, below the Halloween Treat

Another week has come upon us...which means a new treat to hand out---
The next of five for October --tantilizing as you are, h-e-r-r-r-r-e's number four!!

After today, the treat will be found on
my sidebar!! One more to go. Come back
next Monday....

click Macro button to join

On a walk in the park, I happen to notice this...do you see what I see? A serpent in a tree? Probably not...but I did, so I had to click away.

A Gnarly Mesquite Tree along the pathway

Upon closer look, I happen to notice TWO FANGS at the end of the snout! Along with the two eyes watching me---

END OF MACRO MONDAY
You can skip the rest of my Monday post if you'd like---

COMMENT HERE

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MONDAY MORSELS

As I stated in Sunday's Summary, I planned on completing the posting of the rest of the photos from the "haunted" cemetery here in town. I have nine other pictures to share. Before I get to the photo posting, I have a bit of my thoughts regarding the 'burial' of the mine cave-in that took place over two months ago, in Chile. And how the miners survived the ordeal. The media is likening this trauma to it being like 'living on the space station'---small surroundings, cooped up for months, and little air space. Well, I think not!! Not even close. The space station has windows to look out, sun -night and day...different 'surroundings' through the windows, etc. I just can't think how in god's green world this is even 'remotely' close. They, the ones in the station, have a bit of serenity... of knowing they are not [at least highly unlikely barring a catastrophe] doomed. I couldn't help but think while the miners were trapped that just one speck of earth could begin to fall....burying them for an eternity. THEN!!! The most profound thought, that kept returning to me, the one most deeply imprinted in my mind I have had with this ordeal...why on earth, with American corporations so prosperous through history, and humane through everyone's eyes with the help of labor laws and labor unions --why do 'we' not build a secure room in OUR mines/for our miners for such mishaps? A place the miners can go to survive and wait out the time for rescue? Is it all because of the almighty dollar? Is it because the owners of the mines have no feelings for the hard workers that in turn make the huge profits for them? Why, oh why? Our country, it seems so these days, is built on greed, with absolutely no indulgent and unselfish efforts to save the 'little people'.

Okay, I got that off my chest...it's been bugging me since day one of this ordeal!! Now for the rest of the story on the cemetery---

From reading online, the history of this particular cemetery, once known as Mt. Calvary---
"Located at Up River Road and Palm Drive just off Leopard in Corpus Christi. Mrs. Katherine Bray, who is buried in section K, donated to the Catholic Church 10 acres of land which she had purchased from H.L. Kinney in 1851 for the price of one dollar. In 1866 she deeded two acres to Rev. John Gonnard and the Catholic Church, then in 1869 she sold the remainder of the property to Right Reverend C.M. Dubose, Bishop of Texas.(Deed Book I, pages 289-290) The oldest part of the cemetery was known as Mt. Calvary. It is now included in, or known as, the Old Holy Cross Cemetery. Some older cemetery maps show that it was closed by law at one time due to a yellow fever epidemic. Many of the tombstones bear record of tragedies in the local history such as diseases, the Civil War, and the hurricane of 1919, and reflect birthplaces of England, Ireland, and Mexico. The names of approximately 6450 people buried in this cemetery were determined. The earliest birth date found on a tombstone was 1797, and the earliest death date was 1855."

§ to quote: "Nevermore"

FIRST: Another week has come upon us...which means a new treat to hand out---
The next of five for October --haunting as you are, h-e-r-r-r-r-e's number three!!

After today, you'll find my newest Treat-fest Treat on my sidebar. Just click on it, enlarge it, and save to your hard drive if you'd like!! Boo, scared'ya didn't I?!!

What's really scary tho, is yesterday it was October 10th, writing in this fashion 10/10/10....the scary part? Well, today is the 11th. [LOL]

click Macro button to join

MACRO MONDAY

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MONDAY MORSELS

....And she said to me, not many days afterward, tranquilly dying, that, because of what I had done for the comfort of her spirit she would watch over me in that spirit when departed, and, if so it were permitted her return to me visibly in the watches of the night; but, if this thing were, indeed, beyond the power of the souls in Paradise, that she would, at least, give me frequent indications of her presence, sighing upon me in the evening winds, or filling the air which I breathed with perfume from the censers of the angels. And, with these words upon her lips, she yielded up her innocent life, putting an end to the first epoch of my own.

Elenora

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It's been written that Edgar Allan Poe's famous work, THE RAVEN, was penned with inclinations very much so that this 'raven' was his departed wife, "Lenore". It's quoted many times that he chose the raven speaking throughout because birds can and are known to be able to pick up speech and mimic words----as he sat weak and weary, the tapping on the door...the questions he pondered - was he 'talking' to his beloved wife [1st cousin] who died of tuberculosis at the age of 24? Was she actually 'giving indications of her presence to him' this very night as he wrote the poem? Perhaps. I'd like to think so.

October is a month I always bring out my books by Poe [and another author of "Halloween lore" I really like, but I'll mention about that story in another blog]. It always seems so fitting. The eerie tales he penned seem apropos for the season. And, THE RAVEN is one of my favorites. Along with Lenore...again, if one knows a little of his life and love of his long-suffering wife, LENORE could also be a love story; depression of losing and loving so deeply. Most read and come to the conclusion that his works are dark, sinister, and eerie...which they are...but, I also like to delve between the lines of the prose as an undying love that perhaps sent him over the edge when he lost everything he lived for during the short time with his [in real life], Virginia.

Photo: On my computer desk, the bust of the Raven and ghost candle holders

§ No metal detector needed when finding this kinda 'money'....

click Macro button to join

FIRST: A new week...a new treat to hand out---
The 2nd of 5 treats for October is out of this world scrumdillicious!!

After today, you'll find my newest Treat-fest Treat on my sidebar. Just click on it, enlarge it, and save to your hard drive if you'd like!! Happy Haunting!!

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MACRO MONDAY

A broken sand dollar in the grasp of seaweed. Newport beach access on Mustang Island, Texas. The smaller, whole dollar, I found near Padre Island National Seashore on, yep....Padre Island, Texas

Most often while beachcombing you'd find them broken like the macro photo above, but when lucky you may find one whole. The Sand Dollar. Sand-dollar is a name used for many species of extremely flattened, burrowing sea urchins. Seldom you may chance upon one not so 'flat' as these above. If so, they're then called sea biscuits. FROM wikipedia: ...the typical remains found washed up on beaches [the skeletal remains, the hardened sandy outer "shell", is called TEST]. The living animals have a skin of motile spines covering the test. Movement is accomplished by the coordinated action of the spines. Like other sea urchins, sand dollars have five paired rows of pores. The pores are arranged in a petal-like pattern. These pores are perforations in the endoskeleton through which the podia, used in gas exchange, project from the body. Each 'flowerette' petal arrangement is as different as a finger print! To see a sand dollar urchin that is still living and breathing....click HERE

END MACRO MONDAY
if you'd like to skip over my Monday Morsels this week, you may--

COMMENT HERE

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MONDAY MORSELS

Well, baseball season has come to a close. The regular season that is. Of course as you can tell with the lack of commentary on my part, the one team I follow in Texas [The Astros] didn't do well at all. In the middle of the season, two 'star' players were traded. One went on to the Phillies, and the other went on to the Yankees. The pitcher that was traded to the Phillies faired well, while the other, the 1st baseman...well, let's just say he was booed off the field at the Yankee stadium once. LOL Anyway, the 'home' team for me...the Colorado Rockies held promise there for a while...I was quite thrilled, then---bam!! Only 3rd place in their division at the end of the season. And the Arizona Diamondbacks? Well...let me tell you, they were so disappointing. At one time during the season, the schedules and playing skills just reeked with rot!! And the owner was fed up with the mess and fired the whole shebang...the whole coaching staff that is. Much to my dismay, the team players didn't improve throughout the remaining season. I always get disgusted with the high paying wages they earn and give us fans nothing to show for supporting them. And I continually say "There's always next year"...but, pfffft!! How many 'next years' are there? The only team I really root for in the American League is the New York Yankees [I'm a die-hard National League Supporter when it comes to being pitted against each other during the interleague games and World Series...unless it involves the Yankees]....they, at least, are going to be in the play-off season. Yet, I've seen 'em play better in other times. Still, there is hope. The Fall Classic will be upon us shortly, and I'll be there watching....hoping the Yankees will be part of another history in baseball!!! Then, I'll be counting the days 'til Spring Training in 2011 while 'suffering' through another losing season of my football home team, the Denver Broncos. Maybe the Houston Texans have a chance? LOL Pro'lly not.

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to change the subject:

Between emails with another blogging friend, we shortly discussed the fact that Muslims are exempt from the healthcare with our present president. It irks me to no end that Christians cry wolf on this. Let me reiterate that if anyone who is sore on this subject and believe in their own religion...let me also make note to you that they are not the only ones who are exempt!!! Do some research before backstabbing people!!! Amish, Christian Science, and the Church of Christ are among others. America was built on religious freedoms. I also point out that the churches of this country are TAX exempt...is that fair to anyone who owns property and pay their property taxes? No, but it is still a fact. Some say they fear the extremists. Think about it...your own neighbor, be they black or white or any religious denomination [or atheists] could easily go ballistic and terrorize the neighborhood. Heck, if you think about it...if the twin towers were 'attacked' by a Christian group of Mexican descent, or a Brit maybe, would that mean that they're ALL terrorists? I try not to judge people...but when others decry people's beliefs I have to rant. It always seems that god-loving Christians are the first to claim everyone else's religions are wrong. I don't understand how they think sometimes....I just don't understand.

BASEBALL ANIMATION from Glitter Graphics

§ "...tis now the very witching time of night"

CLICK EITHER BUTTON to join

My show n tell will follow my Halloween Treat - Flash Fiction 55 follows Show n Tell-----

It's now my favorite month of the year. Well, ONE of my favorite months. I love everything Halloween. And for decades...practically my whole life I've celebrated with decorating, parties in my youth, costumes and CANDY CANDY CANDY!! So, to begin the month of All Hallow's Eve, I will be giving out weekly; a TREAT. This is the third annual Trick or Treat-fest for me at Hootin' Anni's!!! Today, my first treat, is this:

If you'd like to grab the treat you're more than welcomed to it. Click on it...when the page opens with the Halloween Goodie, right click and save it. Next week, I'll have a new treat. Five in all. A new one each Monday. A link back would be a sweet treat for ME...but not obligatory.

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SHOW N TELL

I like the cute, AND the 'gory' of Halloween. This time my project is a bit on the latter. It's all from the Dollar Store...total spent, $6 with tax. I found a rattan wreath and then brought it home and 'washed it' with light gray acrylic paint. Not overly done, just in places here and there. I also bought a roll of wired ribbon with deep blood red and orange metallic edging. Along with a skeletal 'reaper' and a pumpkin. For added color I purchased two picks of Autumn flowers. After the gray paint dried, I wrapped the ribbon around the entire wreath and used what was left over to tie a bow to add later. Then the placing of the reaper. I had glued his hands to the pumpkin and allowed that to dry first, then used craft wire to attach the pumpkin and reaper. The next step was to place the flowers at random and lastly adding the bow....

HAPPY OCTOBER -HALLOWEEN!

title: William Shakespeare's Hamlet

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FLASH FICTION 55

Walking the back roads of Edinburgh one day; a hike--
I met one lad with a doodle sack.
You'd expect a bag full of crayons or the like...
Take another guess, 'nother whack?
A windbag ...
You wonder; who's polluting the air, him or me?
'Tis a bagpipe.
I kid you not...
indeed, quite melodic...yes-sir-ee!!

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Well, there IS an Edinburgh Texas....but more than likely nothing NEAR Scotland.

Join Here

This is just a small wooden sign with witch shoes as the pedestals. I found this for a couple of dollars at Kirklands in the mall this month. For as much as I love witches, I thought it would be an appropriate addition to my collection. LOL Hey? You know the saying, if the shoe fits!!! If you enlarge the photo you can see the witch's shoes -the dowels are the legs.

I just found this this past week on sale at Walgreen's Drug Store! Naturally, it's a witch clock! With a haunting graphic in the background of a witch flying across the moon. And the clock's hands are orange of course. But the nifty thing of it is, it chimes on the hour. After adding the 3 AAA batteries in the back battery encasing, I could set the chimes by pushing and holding it down --in five different intervals. There are four different chimes. But, not all at once...each hour the chime is different. One is a witch cackling, another is wolves howling, and another is distant bongs, while the fourth chime is cats fighting! Awesome!!! And fun.

This is a small resin Victorian style shoe that I found at the Dollar Store [one of many around the city]. I immediately saw "Witch" with it. So, I bought two. Proceeded to take them home and start a little painting project to make them colorful with Halloween colors.

Since the trim was already black, I took orange acrylic and started painting. When they were completed, I thought the orange was just a bit drab and I thought it needed a finishing touch to make them a bit more 'glossy'. So I grabbed my trusty paint brushes just for craft projects, and took out the gloss finish for acrylic paints. The bottle I have has diamond dust added to it. So, as I brush on the gloss finish, there are also sparce areas that glisten with sparkles....

...and this is one of the finished pieces.

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It's all Halloween.
View my home...
Two slide shows that will open in separate windows...

The first is HERE.

The second is HERE.

Happy Halloween to all, and to all a GHOSTLY, ghoulish, fun Night!!!!

~...end Show and Tell
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip the stuff below]

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Below are the Halloween Treats I've handed out the whole month of October, AND another gift I received in snail mail this week. PLUS there is a Halloween Bash going on at Pea's Corner.

I received this sweet, sweet gift from Pea at Pea's Corner this week! Isn't she the most precious cutie pie? I love it!!! Thanks so much. I'm ecstatic with her...she now flies over our dining room table! I can't tell you how pleased your generosity was felt over the miles!----you were so kind! I LOVE it!!

---But, if you didn't get one of my treats through the Month of October, and you want one, they're all here today for you to grab!! If you did, and you'd prefer a different one OR ALL...they're yours ---