Thursday, January 31, 2013

Thursday Evening...

Good evening, everyone!
 
I hope everyone is warm and dry with all the strange weather happening...
 
Tuesday night we had tornado warnings...(it had been close to 70 degrees that day) ~
 
We actually took the kitties to the basement,
 
 since they would be heck to catch in a hurry, if we all needed to go downstairs!
 
The storms passed us with no damage here; it's been super-windy all week, though...
 
late this afternoon it SNOWED again for about 15 minutes,
 
and the temperature is supposed to be in the teens tonight...
 
No wonder folks are sick!
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Today would have been my Daddy's 92nd birthday...

Here he is at 6 months old...isn't he a cute little fellow?

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My favorite photo of Daddy with Ring, his Great-Grandfather's dog...
 
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His graduation photo from Mizzou (University of Missouri) in 1942.

When Daddy passed away I found his original diploma; still in the cardboard tube, pristine.

I immediately had it matted, but had not yet had it framed; of course, it was lost in the fire.

When my youngest son Jonathan was sending his high school transcripts

 to several universities a couple of months ago,

I went to the Mizzou website to get their address, and on a whim e-mailed one of the

under-graduate "helpers" for newcomers, telling her about the diploma.

The next day I got an e-mail from the registrar, telling me they would be happy

to issue a replacement diploma for Daddy, at no charge.

I thought that was so nice, and unexpected!

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Happy Birthday, Daddy! ♥

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Okay, here is one of the "arty things" I promised! ;^)

Another Fairy House ~ this one is the home of "Godiva the Chocolate Fairy"!

I did it all in "chocolate" colors, from the darkest "dark chocolate" to

"milk chocolate" to creamy "white chocolate"...

 
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I had such fun trying to make the polymer clay look like candy!

This is the first time I've ever done anything in a monochromatic color scheme...

and you know, it was so strange...

I kept wanting to smell it ~ especially when I was making the "chocolate roses"...

like the clay had somehow transformed into chocolate!

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It has found a home with the Chocolate Gypsy Queen herself,

Wendy of Victorian Chocolate Molds...(click here to go her wonderful website) ~ ♥

I hope she loves it!

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And... here's a new one that I'm working on tonight...

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Since the gourd "roof" didn't have a curly, "fancy" stem,

I added some polymer buds, leaves and tendrils...

More pics of the progress on this one tomorrow, I hope!

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One more thing; a question for you...

This bean pot was my Mom's, and now it's my daughter Mandy's ~

I thought it was mainly decorative (in my house it would be!) ~ ;^)

Do any of you know about "bean pot" cooking?

(Please share if you do!)


Have a good night, all...and a creative Friday!

Love,
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26 comments:

  1. My gosh, Anne. Your Daddy was a handsome man..and a darling little boy! I am so glad you were able to get a replacement diploma.

    My mother ALWAYS used a bean pot. Here is a web site that tells you how to use one.
    http://www.ehow.com/how_5071039_cook-bean-pot.html

    And, I LOVE your little houses- you KNOW I do! xo Diana

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  2. Oh, Anne! Love the pics of your daddy! What a cute little tyke and handsome man he was! And, oh my gosh! ! ! A CHOCOLATE fairy house! . . . I die! :)

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  3. aww sweet picture of your daddy..
    and chocolate fairy house..yum yum..
    love for you x

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  4. A chocolate fairy house, how wonderful it is. Just magic. And how handsome your daddy was. Beautiful photos of him! xx

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  5. Adore the old photos and happy birthday to your Dad! The chocolate fairy house is amazing and I was just thinking it looks good enough to eat so I understand you wanting to smell it!

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  6. A picture of a boy and a dog is hard to beat. Your Daddy was a handsome man.
    And you can use crock pot recipes to cook in a bean pot. Just put the pot in the oven set on about 250 and use it in place of the crock pot. But, crock pots are easier to handle and easier to clean, so I think it would be better to use the bean pot as décor. Or - keep it filled with fresh baked goods on the counter. It would make a great cookie/muffin jar.

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  7. What great old pictures. The one of your dad and the dog could have been an advertisement photo -- just a classic.

    Love the little house. It really does look like chocolate!

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  8. These photos are so precious! and the chocolate pics make me hungry:)

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  9. Really enjoyed this post sweety. Your dad was such a cute little boy, and a very handsome man. Happy Birthday to him. I love that fairy house, awesome.

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  10. Holding you in my heart as you are thinking of your Dad today. The houses are delightful. Yes, I can understand you wanting to smell the chocolate. You make such pretty things. Bonnie

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  11. Wow your dad must have been a heartbreaker! Love the house, but it made me hungry!

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  12. I have cravings after that fairy house! Happy birthday to your dad.
    Here in Greece we like to make chickpeas in those pots a lot. With bayleaves olive oil and onions. We just use less water than we would for the soup.

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  13. Your Dad was so handsome..Houses are darling...

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  14. A very special tribute to your father, Anne.

    Now - about bean pot cooking. All I know is that one must use caution when cooking in pottery/crockery. There is some sort of material in the composition of some of them that creates a hazard for the food that might be cooked in them. That is all I am able to relate to you, as that is all I heard. Can't tell you what it is that crates the problem. That is a wonderful bean pot, though! It may be just fine to use. I have used one in the past.

    Weird weather all around, but no snow here.

    Stay warm and safe!

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  15. What great photos of your dad! So sweet :)
    Susan

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  16. Wonderful photos and memories of your Dad! I enjoyed seeing the lovely projects you've been working on too.

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  17. Tornadoes and snow? Crazy weather. I presume you're fine, I sure hope so! Love the chocolate house - made me want some chocolate. Handsome dad you had there. Best wishes to you in your thoughts about him on his birthday.
    Oh, and I did not miss the change in the header and background. Wonderful! Ooh and Ahh!
    Take care! Jenn

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  18. First of all, your precious Dad was movie-star handsome!!! So much warmth and kindness in his face...
    A very touching post, dearest Anne...

    And your Fairy House! WOW!
    I would be smelling too, if not licking it!! :)))
    AMAZING!!!

    Regarding the bean pot, I once had to check on one in a neighbor's oven, but have never used one myself...good luck, dear friend!
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  19. Wonderful pictures of your dad. Your mom and dad were both very good looking.And from what I see of your child hood photo's you look like them. I thought your chocolate fairy house was made of real chocolate. It is an amazing piece of art work. The weather lately is definitely keeping everyone from getting bored with it . :)

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  20. Dear Anne - catching up on your posts. Your chocolate fairy house looks good enough to eat (too bad I can't -lol) - I have seen those bean pots before but I haven't a clue about how they cooked in them. Hugs Pixie

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  21. Hi Anne. Stopping over from Bird Lady Blog. Thanks for becoming a follower! I love your fairy houses!!! I created a little gnome garden last summer in one of my whiskey barrels. It was so fun. These little fairy houses would be great in my gnome garden! You are very creative!

    ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

    http://www.birdladyblog.blogspot.com

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  22. What a treasure of old photos! Your dad was indeed a looker! Again, I say, your works of art are wonderful. What a talent you have dear!

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  23. your dad is so handsome! aloha, angi in hana

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  24. I have a bean pot too, that belonged to my MIL...I've used it one time,and it makes very good beans...it's heavy material of some kind. Thank you for stopping at my place, leaving a comment and joining along..it is so nice to meet new creative people. And you paint...I aspire....I have both oils and acryllics...I need to start..a jump start....

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  25. Thank you for sharing your daddy--a very handsome man for sure. The bean pot was used when I was growing up to cook baked beans in and some time chili or lima beans or just brown beans--thus the 'bean' pot. we used to put it in the oven and cook the beans on low for most of the day to be ready for dinner.

    I LOVE your fairy houses---they are so magical and perfect.
    what imagination
    catie

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!