ABC Wednesday, Watery Wednesday, Seven Days - Seven Answers, and an announcement!

ABC WEDNESDAY - I IS FOR INTRICATE
This is an extremely INTRICATE gingerbread replica of the Ca d'Zan, made by the chefs at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Sarasota, Florida.  It was on display at Christmas time.

Here's a shot of the real thing

The intricacy of the details is just amazing - remember, this is gingerbread.  To read about the Ca d'Zan, please go here.

WATERY WEDNESDAY
Here is a shot of our local dog beach.  There is a small fenced park before that, then you walk to the beach.  It is quite small, but they just had a meeting last week about extending it to the south.  It is a VERY popular place.  None of my dogs care for the moving water, so it's not very popular with us - we prefer the really big dog park, with no beach.  But it's fun to go and look

SEVEN DAYS - SEVEN ANSWERS
Just found out my Romeo and Juliet story was a winner last week on this mind bending meme.  That was probably my consolation prize for my DUH moment : )  Anyway, here's today's challenge
Wednesday, March 17, 2010

All Irish
Now What?: Write what comes next.
Today is St. Patrick's Day!
How do you celebrate, if you do? Or if you don't, how would you respond if someone tries to pinch you for not wearing green?
And here is my answer:
Oh the angst of growing up an Orangeman!  I tried to ignore it and just wear some green and let it go, but I had trouble not being true to myself.  Well half of myself.  I know that half of me is Irish and I love it and I'm proud of it and I wanted to celebrate it.  But I'm not Catholic.  So I am, traditionally and historically, known as an Orangeman.  I think those two groups are still fighting wars over that aren't they?  Through the years, as I matured, I went through the many different phases we all experience.  Sometimes I was very belligerent - that's when I wore orange.  Sometimes I just gave in - and wore green.  Sometimes I was a sissy about it and said "Ooops, I forgot". And still other times, I just decided perhaps the other half of me was Irish too and Catholic, and wore the green : )  Here are some of my Irish ancestors who came over on "the boat" (not the baby or the one on the left, she's my grandmother)

Here's how I celebrate it now:  (a) I eat Ricepatty's Irish Soda Bread and (b) I plant my peas.  I was always told while growing up that St. Patty's Day was the day to get the peas in the ground.  Exciting, huh???

AND NOW FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT - WHICH NOW THAT I THINK OF IT, I COULD HAVE CALLED IT AN INTRODUCTION AND USED IT FOR ABC WEDNESDAY

TAKE A BOW, JOY

This is our new Greyhound girl, Joy.  She came to us Monday night.  She's wonderful!  She's so beautiful and part of her beauty is that she's not perfect - she has a short little Roman nose, an underbite like a bulldog, a big ginker in her tail, very long legs, the funniest little ears that can do oh so many things, a wonderful soft pretty coat, she's the first non-brindle Greyhound we've had, she's as sweet as can be, we love her already.  And the eyes - oh the eyes are just delightful.

To join in on any of the fun memes above, please click on the appropriate button to the right - and enjoy!  Happy St. Patrick's Day, whether you wear green, or orange, or your birthday suit - doesn't matter, just celebrate life.  And don't forget to get those peas in the ground.  Peace.  B : )


I would be honored if you would visit my new on-line store and see some of the cards I have been making. Feel free to purchase some if you would like : )
http://www.shophandmade.com/store/justb

ABC Wednesday - C is for CiCi of Course!

There are many Cs in my life, one big one being Color, but the biggest bestest C for me is the little girl I call Ci.  It's CiCi, our youngest, most recent adoptee.  Here she is the day her foster mom brought her to PetSmart up in Sarasota so she could begin her life with us:

This is so NOT Ci!  She is NOT a girly girl.  This is her later in life, same car, Ricky's car seat, the REAL Ci:

OMG am I a sucker for a shaggy dog!  Here are some more:

Christmas, in front of the tree:

Who me?

Out in the Craft Room with me:

Close up:

Rolling in the frost-bitten grass.  She loves to scratch her back!

That's my girl.  Sorry if you got bored : )  Hope you have a great C in your life.  If you'd like to see others, please click on the ABC Wednesday button to your right.  Peace.  B : )