Jackson, WY Days 1- 3!!!

Learning to Rappel

Jenny Lake in the background

Climbing - Level 1 mountain school

Hidden Falls

Demo Derby

Carnie!

Old Faithful starting to spew

Morning Glory Geyser

Yellowstone!

Good photo opp!

Bison right off the side of the road!

Aspen Trees

A Moose in Grand Teton National Park

Driving with The Grand in view

Joel and I on Clint's trike

The Teton range and Snake River from the airplane window - GORGEOUS!

Pin It

Watercolor wedding invitation

A couple days ago I was going to trash a wedding invitation that had run it's course posted on the refrigerator when I thought maybe I should try to make it art. I remembered that someone once painted my parent's wedding invitation and it has hung on the wall for years so I decided to give it a try. I found out that the bridesmaid's dresses are lavender and that the bride is going to carry hydrangea in her bouquet so naturally I settled on purple hydrangea. Here are some photos of how it turned out. Since I will not be able to attend the wedding (WYOMING!!!) I matted it and framed it for a gift! Pin It

What does this mean?

Joel and I saw this sign at the entrance of Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama this weekend and were wondering what it means. It is obviously a Save the Cahaba license plate inside of a 'NO' sign? Really? Anyone have any ideas why they wouldn't want to save the Cahaba? Pin It

Doggie DNA test: One of a kind

For those of you that don't know, back in April I sent off for a dog DNA kit. I found this place online and was curious about it. They will send you a kit and all you have to do is swab the inside of your dog's mouth and send it back in the regular mail. Sounded easy enough and it was only $79 (which I thought sounded like a deal to finally know what kind of breeds make up the glory that is THE DUSTY DOG). Well of course it wasn't that simple. I sent Dusty's sample back the same day I received it in the mail (in mid April) and didn't hear anything for over a month and a half. I finally received a letter in the mail saying Dusty's DNA did not match any of the 38 certified common dog breeds of the US so they upgraded me to a bigger package (for free) that would retest his DNA against 100 certified common dog breeds. I was a little disappointed but intrigued at this thought and so I waited. The letter said I would get the results sometime in June. Well, I received them TODAY. I was so excited, I ripped open the folder they mailed me and found a copy of the certificate above. BUMMER!!!! The scientists believe 'the most influential breeds in Dusty's DNA are not represented in the 100 validated breeds.' So here in lies my question... Is this company a rip off or is Dusty just so special that no other dog like him exists in these '100 common breeds?' Maybe he has alien dog DNA! In the accompanying letter, the service sent apologies and a promise of a refund so I don't really know what to think. The whole thing is odd because I was SURE it would come back saying lab and golden retriever (with maybe a little beagle thrown in there - haha that's for you Dad) but I guess that goes to show you - YOU NEVER KNOW. Dusty watched me open the mail today with a little bit more interest than usual so maybe he got a kick out of the whole thing too. I just gave him a hug and laughed. p.s. I just noticed they can't even spell my name right! Pin It

10 more days!!!

Pin It

He(ART) Project

This year I am participating in the American Heart Association Charity He(ART) Auction for the first time. I was given a 4 ft. piece of plywood, pre-cut to the shape of a heart, and allowed to do whatever I want to it. I decided to paint a peacock because it is a beautiful symbolic creature and makes for uplifting subject matter. The materials used are acrylics, modeling paste, powdered pigments and real peacock feathers. Overall, I am happy with the result but hopefully I will have more photos to come when it goes to the art show next month. I am sure there will be many wonderful hearts on display from local artists all around Birmingham. Let's hope they raise a lot of money for a good cause! Pin It

Red, white and blueberries

Homemade lemon blueberry pancakes....Happy 4th! Pin It