Happy Halloween All!

Just wanted to post a quick Happy Halloween to all! Halloween is when the veil is thin between the two worlds (living and the dead) according to tradition. If you keep your ears open you just may hear an ancestor calling out to you. :) Last night I had candles burning on a little table that I created this Halloween to honor those that have passed on before me. I have pictures of my grandparents, my pets and my father. I know my father has been with me this past week. I had a very vivid dream about him earlier on in the week where we held hands and visited...we walked through the city together. It was so comforting. As if he had just popped in for a visit with me. :) Well, during the week I've had some very odd things happen. One evening I came home and opened the garage door with my automatic opener and once inside the garage closed on its own. I had not even made it to the other side of the garage to push the button. Things have been flying off shelves (well okay, falling, lol). Last night the cats were acting strange. Mainly Quincy. He kept wanting to sit by me or stay next to me which is uncharacteristic of him. It was raining...and I could have sworn I heard drums in the distance. Hmmm..I'm thinking maybe a small Halloween festival nearby? So I opened the window to get a better listen. The air was still, the rain fell quietly and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind kicked up and blew through my window. Something had fallen behind me. As I turned to see what had fallen....I noticed it was one of my pictures. It was my father's picture. No one else's picture had fallen but his. I knew then he was here. :)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween all! I'm headed out today to have a Halloween tea with the gals! Yay!

Gothic Candleabras!

I seriously can see myself buying one of these beauties and putting one next to my bed. My ex sister-in-law always had the most elegant bedroom. Large puffy down comforters in white, canopy bed draped in sheers....and the one thing that stood out the most to me was the large, elegant, beautiful candelabra she had next to her bed. I mean it just made the room. I guess you could call it an "accent" piece. Now I want one. So, for the Fiberdoodles party today I am presenting some very elegant yet gothic candelabras for your pleasure. :)

I love these candelabras!

Shabby chic candelabra.

This candelabra is oh so romantic!

This one belongs in the Haunted Mansion.

Ready for Halloween? :)

The Phantom...

has to be one of my favorite "monsters" and Gerard Butler did a great job in the movie! Yum! :) Don't forget to turn off my player to hear this beautiful music!



Hmmm..the other has to be Gary Oldman in Dracula. *sigh*

The Fiberdoodles Halloween party continues! :) Yea, I would be the girl in all these movies choosing to stay with the monster. LOL.

Happy Vintage Halloween

More of my favorite pin up pictures for Halloween! :) The Fiberdoodles party continues! Swing on over and see what Sharon is cooking up in her cauldron for this fun party! Thanks again for hosting, Sharon!

I think there's a little witchy pin up in all of us. Happy Monday all! :)

Spider Hurricane by Martha

As the Fiberdoodles party continues...so do the spooky crafts! :) First off, sorry I have been terrible about posting lately. The last few days have been hectic as all heck but I haven't forgotten you! I decided to do a quick craft by, you guessed it, Martha Stewart! Her spider hurricane is spooky, easy and quick. You know how I like easy and quick. Take a look yourself! And if you wanna try one of your own, go here. :)

Did it spook you? ;)

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I know you all know this already BUT I thought I'd post a recipe to make your mouth water and inspire you to roast those seeds when you carve your pumpkin. The Fiberdoodles Halloween Blog Party continues!

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat oven to 300.

Combine 1 T oil or melted butter plus ½ t salt per cup of seeds. If you like, you can add other spices like pepper, paprika, and/or garlic.

Toss seeds with oil mixture until well coated.

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet.

Bake until golden, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let cool on paper towels and ENJOY!

Dessert for Fiberdoodles Halloween Blog Party!

I'm a little late on this but only by an evening! I've been invited and am participating in Fiberdoodles Halloween Blog Party! Come join the fun and see what others are doing for this fun, fun holiday. :) To kick things off on my end I am bringing some yummy dessert....pumpkin chocolate chip bread. You know I love baking and chocolate so I had to add the chocolate. :) So, let's begin this party and allow me to SCARE you with my baking. Okay, cheesy...go ahead, say it. Well, you never know....once you taste it, it could be scary. Lol!

Isn't it just yummy? You can make your own by following this recipe!

PUMPKIN BREAD WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla pudding
4 large egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring just until moist. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into 2 (8 x 4-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack, and remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

Now don't forget to stop on by Fiberdoodles to see where this party will lead you. It may lead you to some dark creepy corners so watch your back! ;)

Pampering.....and another award!

These days I have been feeling like pampering myself. I look back at my daily routine (yes, I'm obsessing about it, I know) and realize I just don't pamper myself enough. So, last night my friend Bryan and I went to have a bite of sushi for dinner and headed over to NW 23rd here in Portland. The street is lined with adorable boutiques and fabulous restaurants. I maybe get down there about once or twice a year. So, while down there I decided to stop in at Lush and treat myself to some food for the tub. I just need to remember not to eat the stuff! :) This has also inspired me to get back into soap making. I know, I know..I've mentioned that before. Well, my social calender is slowing down a bit now that winter is approaching and this will be the perfect time for me to start again. So far on the agenda, bath bombs, bubble bars, hand cream, tub truffles. :) My creative juices are flowing!

This soap actually came from a store in Whitefish, Montana I went to with sis and niece. Oh this smells lovely! Clean and fresh. I can't wait to use it. Don't you love the dragonfly?

Also! I got my very first horse award from my wonderful friend Kacy over at All Horse Stuff. This is an award Kacy created herself so I am SO, so honored to be the first few to receive it. What a beautiful award. Thank you so much sweet Kacy! I don't say this much about people I have just met but as soon as I met Kacy I knew she was genuine and truly had a heart of gold. I can't wait to go riding again!

Here is what the award is all about!

This Award is dedicated to those Horse lovers and riders that inspire others to go deeper in ability, knowledge and understanding of the Equine(s) they have been entrusted to.

The good of the horse is the ultimate goal apart from pressures to achieve ribbons and fit into lesson schedules.

These riders are fearless, when it comes to weather conditions and the forecasting of them...being with their horses, fills these folks' soul and takes the cares out of daily routines.

They are unconditionally loving to the horse and may have rescued it from known ailment or living condition. Others have researched and purchased/ acquired their horse, to find a difficulty in temperament or a physical burden within the animal. Yet, Being dedicated , they have persevered to proudly be in partnership with their horse, lovingly striving for deeper awareness's between them.

They might have been riding for years and suddenly had an accident that takes them away from the great joy and freedom they have, being aboard such a magnificent animal. They have allowed the healing horse to rise in their hearts once again, and beckon them back

~INTREPID RIDERS FACTION ~We strive to go where others only dare to go with our horse loves...healing, riding, playing, camping, jumping, swimming and traveling down the trails of life. . . . with the horse in Heart~Overcoming many obstacles and sometimes weather, to ride!

Thank you again, Kacy! We need to get together really soon! Miss ya.

Hope you're all having another wonderful weekend. :) Plans for mine...tonight another paranormal investigations from 5 p.m. to midnight and Sunday, the cat shelter and going to the movies with Bryan to see Paranormal Activity. Supposedly the scariest movie out there right now! Can't wait to jump in my seat! :)

Oh yes! Baking, of course. I'm headed out to get my ingredients for what I'm baking up today. Stay tuned! Pictures coming up!

Serious Cuteness!!

I accidentally found this on YouTube the other day. Now Michelle, you DO NOT need another kitty. No, I'm not getting one but I can still say awwwwwww when I see these kinds of things! This gal must raise Himalayans. In her other videos you can tell how much she loves them by the way she talks to them. Lol! This is baby's first sight. Don't forget to turn off my music to get the full effect. :)



You gotta admit this baby is too adorable!!

Hmmm...I feel some holiday baking coming up this weekend! Already have a yummy recipe lined up! Stay tuned!

Skin Care Routine....Come On Let's Dish!

I feel as though the week just flew by since getting back from Montana. I'm still catching up on sleep from the ride on the way back. I wasn't able to get a cabin for myself so sleeping in a seat was tough. Anyhoo, like any girl would do when looking at pictures of herself, I started analyzing pictures of myself from the trip with a fine tooth comb. Ugh! Where do those wrinkles come from?! Note to self, do not smile that big, yes you're happy, but not enough to show those "happy" wrinkles. In the last week I have started really thinking about my skincare and makeup routine. I need more color, less wrinkles, more highlights in the hair, more eye makeup..oh the list goes on and on. ;) Maybe turning 42 (or heck turning 40) brought out all those insecure thoughts (aka midlife crisis) Lol!

So, what I want to know is what is your skincare routine? Do you have products you can recommend, can't stand, will swear by? Come on gals, dish! I know Randi over at Beauty Be Good will probably have some great advice. Oh and Randi....I need help with the eye makeup. Should I wear more? What can I do to bring out my eyes. :)

I know sis...I can hear you now. I am beautiful just the way I am. I am so lucky to have such an encouraging sister. It was fun this weekend. She showed me a few makeup tricks and even some products she uses. I miss spending more time like that with her but hey, the little time we can get like last weekend, the more I cherish and appreciate them!

Back from Montana!

Hey everyone! I'm back! So glad to be home but unfortunately as soon as I walked in the door I noticed Emma was in an asthma attack. *sigh*. I no sooner put my suitcase down then threw her in a carrier and rushed her to the vet again. They got her in the oxygen chamber and more steroid shots and after a few hours and an afternoon in the emergency vet she was stabilized. This time they sent me home with the inhaler and a chamber they made out of a toilet paper roll (the cardboard part) and a dixie cup taped to the end that will go around her nose. I'll squirt the inhaler on the other end, let it dissipate a bit and put her nose in the dixie cup. Lol! Poor thing! I will be bringing her into the regular vet Friday to see the naturopath. She is home next to me, happy and doing fine. In the meantime, here are a few fun pictures from Montana!

Downtown Whitefish.

The ranch owner's cabin right across from ours. Isn't it just adorable?

Look at beautiful scenery!

That's my brother-in-law out there trying to catch some dinner!


Isn't this store adorable? I bought a few things from here to bring home.

Me and Tank. One of their seven sweet dogs in his "show" pose. Lol!

Tank and Hemi checking out Friday morning snow!

Relax time for these two!

Squeegy and Paris. Squeegy is my niece's favorite horse at the ranch.

Friday morning snow! It was typically 25 degrees during the day at 10 or less at night! Burrrr...wasn'st ready for that.

I rode Ricki on the only trail ride we were able to get in before the cold front hit!

Big 'ol Tank sitting on our doorstep.

Coconut saying, pleassssse pet me!

Paris enjoying a ride on Surprise.

Paris and Nancy (owner of the ranch). It was just the three of us!

Turning leaves in Montana.

Paris riding the barrel.

Me and Tank again.

Sis and Tank. Tank got his fill of pictures if you can't tell. Brother-in-law was taking most of these pictures!

Me and sis! Best friends!

Good morning! Where's our treat?

One of the many beautiful deer we saw.

At a reigning event.

Ride 'em cowboy!

The horses....relaxing.

That's all for now!