Slinky Snake

15 May

Keep your eyes peeled when you take a walk because the snakes are out!  I was walking along the road, checking out all the bushes and flowers in bloom when I noticed something in this tropical like plant.  What is that?  Oh my goodness!  I quick grabbed my phone from my armband and took a picture of this coiled up brown, black and green snake.  How cow!  This thing is creeping me out, but I was quiet enough to snap the picture, until he moved slimingly down through the plant leaves.  Then I screamed and ran away.  “Oh it’s just a Garter Snake”, my husband sends via text after I sent him the picture.  Garter Snake or not they still give me the heebie jeebies!  Nature at it’s best!

Garter Snake

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It’s a Dog’s Life

8 May

The other night on ABC News, they aired a story about people dumping their pets outside of their cars along a busy road leaving them to rot.  You can watch the story here: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8632778 How can these scumbags live with themselves after doing something like this?  They should be fined, incarcerated and the money should go to the local animal shelter.

If anyone wants to get rid of their pet, all they need to do is contact their local animal shelter.  Unfortunately people are lazy and do not have the brains to figure out how to do the “right” thing.  Quakertown, PA just opened a new SPCA: http://www.bcspca.org/general/new-facility-in-quakertown-now-open.html  Donate, whether it is 5 dollars or a can of dog food, every little bit counts.  Another way to contribute could be your wedding favors.  Instead of supplying each one of your wedding guests with some chocolates that they will probably throw out, tell them that their favor was a donation to the SPCA.

I am a proud dog owner.  After this sad story aired, I told my boys how fortunate they were to have a Mommy and Daddy who care for them like my husband and I.  Your pets are not just pets, they are your family and should be treated as such.

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Green Thumb

30 Apr flowerpower

 

Saturday and Sunday were frosty mornings here in Quakertown PA.  Unfortunately, there have been a few casualties of the frost.  My brother lost his tomato plants.  My bell pepper leaves are a little wounded, although they seemed to have survived the cold blast.  But the frost is ending and we can plant without fear!  When the sun finally warmed everything up on Sunday, my mom and I headed to Sulkes Produce out on old 309.  They have a great selection of plants, shrubs and vegetables.  I picked up some cute flowers to put out front.   I happily planted the flowers then sprayed my finger nails with the hose to get the dirt out.  After I basked in the sun with my four-legged furry comrades dreaming of a big red roto tiller and fresh vine ripened tomatoes.  I’ll plant the tomatoes and my husband can do all the roto tilling work though.  I’ll take pictures and bring him iced tea.

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Dole Shakers

23 Apr

This morning I picked up a Dole Shaker.  I don’t know if it’s the people shaking the crap out of this thing on Dole’s commercials that made me want to buy it or the fact that I just really liked smoothies, whatever the reason I felt inclined to share my review of the Banana Strawberry Shaker.  To start off, I didn’t realize, or maybe the commercial didn’t emphasize enough that you would need to make sure you bought juice (your preference, I chose orange juice) in conjunction with the Shaker.  So I grabbed an 8 ounce Tropicana (with Calcium and pulp).  When I popped the top of the can, it looked like that frozen dot ice cream.  Okay.  I read the instructions, add 6.5 oz of juice, or to the fill line.  So I added all 8 ounces because I clearly follow instructions very well.  Then I closed the lid really tight and shook it.  I shook it like a shake weight.  I didn’t really dance like the Dole commercial, but I made a mental note to play music next time which might inspire some theatrical shaking.  I unscrewed the top and took a whiff, smells good (first good sign).  Took a swig, yum!  Snaps for Dole.  Looks like I’ll be shaking it up some more soon.

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Splash it

13 Apr

Adding a backsplash in your bathroom is easy.  All you need is tile adhesive, tile, grout, a trowel, spacers, a sponge and patience.  Depending on your dimensions you may need tile snippers or a wet saw.  A wet saw is surprisingly easy to use and not as dangerous as you think.  I still have all ten fingers.  Once you smear the tile adhesive on the wall with the trowel and adhere the tile then set your spaces in between, the waiting game begins.  I waited at least 24 hours before I grouted the tile especially since bathrooms tend to be high humidity, moist areas and it takes a longer time for things to dry in there.  About 15 minutes after grouting, I took a damp sponge and wiped off the tile to reveal a clean surface.  Once the job was done, I felt a great accomplishment until I looked at my vanity, which is going to need to be updated to a bigger and better one to match the tile backsplash.  Home Renovation never ends!

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Porch Wreath

4 Apr

I finally made it to Joann Fabrics and Crafts to get some of the mossy ribbon to decorate a wreath for my front porch.  Since the moss ribbon was not long enough to wrap around the entire wreath, I cut it down the middle to have 2 strips.   Then I twisted it around the twig wreath like a candy cane.  I added 3 faux flowers to the right hand corner and attached them with brown wire.  The moss ribbon is sort of like a long thin brillo pad with green hairs covering it, so be sure to handle this stuff in your basement, outside or someplace that you won’t mind getting dirty.  The green mossy hair will make a mess.  Use brown wrapped wire to made a hook in on the back of the wreath and hang it where desired!  I do not think the mossy ribbon is water proof, so make sure it is protected from the elements.

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Cast Art

2 Apr

Since Karen’s fractured hand last week, we haven’t had anymore broken bones at the office.  I don’t wish broken bones on anyone, but it would be nice to have a full leg cast to work with! :) Karen’s cast art below:

I also updated Jen’s boot design since the last design was starting to peel off.

 

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Black Velvet

27 Mar

Mat Stacks just keep getting better and better.  They now feature velvet designs and embellishments on their card stock.  Not only does it look good, but it feels good too.

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Das Boot

22 Mar

Injuries seem to be on the rise here in Horsham PA along with the rising temperatures!  At my work, Spring time injuries are running rampant.  My co-worker’s wife broke her foot and now Jen, who sits in the office next to mine, has fractured her foot as well.  She has been forced to wear a very bulky black boot for several weeks until her foot has healed and is strong enough to stand on its own.  This heavy contraption is too large for her foot, so she must do the Frankenstein hobble to the kitchen, bathroom and such.  Although entertaining, Jen needed a mood lifter from this drab black boot!  I decorated the boot’s profile in an intricate pattern with sparkly puffy paint, and Jen’s frown turned upside down.  Amen!

Hoping we had reached the limit of injuries for the month, our dear DBA Karen (Database Analyst) has returned from vacation in New Orleans with a broken hand.  Cast art!

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Blooming Bulbs

16 Mar flower power pivot

I can’t believe it is only March 16th, and I have already seen daffodils in full bloom!  Spring time flowers are gorgeous in Southeastern Pennsylvania, especially when it’s been cold, gray and dreary the past 3 months.  If you want these fabulous arrays of color in your garden for the Spring time, Fall bulb planting  is a must.  When planting bulbs, be sure the temperature at night is around 40-50 degrees, and try to plant approximately six weeks before the ground freezes to allow sufficient time for rooting.  Bulbs will root best in cool soil and once rooted undergo natural changes that keep them from freezing.  You can plant them in bunches with a spade to dig the holes.  Bulb size is crucial.  Large bulbs need to be about 8-12 inches deep while smaller bulbs can be 4-6 inches deep.  Water your bulbs after planting to help them start the rooting process.  Once the ground freezes, cover your bulb beds with about 2-4 inches of mulch.

Now that you did all that work to plant the bulbs, they need an anti-theft system from the squirrels.  Unfortunately squirrels find tulips and crocuses delicious, but they snub daffodils.  By planting the bulbs deeply in the soil, patting the soil down well, and tossing a few leaves on top, it helps discourage squirrels from getting their greedy little paws on them.  For diehard squirrel thefts, you can put chicken wire around the planted area, shoot them with a bee bee gun or have your dog chase them (& sometimes catching them accidently).

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