New on the TDIPT Merc...

My latest offerings are these large 14" mache Santa masks - they are available on the TDIPT Mercantile, as we celebrate more Christmas in July!

The Crossroads District

Word on the street is about the new life being pumped back into the the Crossroads district of downtown Kansas City. Disheveled buildings have turned into hip art galleries, while run-down businesses have morphed into trendy restaurants.




So yesterday, Me & Hubs and Darby & Chey decided to take a drive to the Crossroads district to check out a restaurant called Grinders and boy howdy, we weren't disappointed! Known for their pizza's, philly cheese steaks, calzones and more, we had some great fun checking it out the menu and filling our bellies.

The restaurant was packed - with folks coming in the front door quicker than any were leaving, so there was standing room only for most customers until a booth or table would be vacated and cleared off for the next hungry soul.

The Crossroads KC @ Grinders features a very diverse array of musical groups, from rock to reggae and bluegrass to hip hop too! They have a complete lineup of great talent with some groups that we'd love to make plans and check out.

After our meal, we were heading back to the car when my eyes spotted something quite intriguing ....

As we entered this magical place of great creativity - the proprietor explained that he was getting ready for a big private show that night but we were welcome to wander around and take in the sights of some wonderful talent on display.... so that is exactly what we did!

But the most interesting piece to capture our attention was a horse made from all sorts of metal - old discarded metal train and other toys, license plates, soda pop cans and more. The closer you gazed on this unusual piece of art, the more was revealed to your eyes. It was such a magnificent piece and when I saw the price tag of $13,000 - I knew my pics were as close as I would get to having it in my home! :)

After getting our fill of culture, it was back on the street and heading for the car.... and you know Cheyenne couldn't resist a quick peek to see if it was a he unicorn or a she unicorn ♥

And then...there were NINE!

After my news yesterday about sweet Madison passing on, my spirits were lifted by another long time friend who shared news about her new puppies!

These are Catahoula puppies. Haven't heard of them before? Neither had I ... but Dawn was telling me about how amazing they are when we reconnected a few months back - and she has a wealth of information about them on her website - check out her Catahoulas!

If you are interested in adopting one, don't hesitate to get in touch with her - I'm sure they will be spoken for quick as a wink!

Very Sad News

I received a text message today saying that Madison passed away this morning.

I had the pleasure of meeting Madison on our recent trip to Tennessee. She was one of 3 boxers that belonged to our cousin's son & wife, Troy and Mandy.

You would not have guessed from the way this girl got around, but she woke up one morning totally blind and that never seemed to slow her down! She had the sweetest disposition and really stole my heart the minute I met her.

It was very sad news for me, but I know that her life here was filled with love and great caring. She never suffered and passed quietly without any pain or suffering and for that, I'm quite thankful.

I'm so glad I met her - and my heart goes out to Troy and Mandy as they adjust to the deep void left behind.

Rest In Peace, Sweet Girl ♥

7 + 9 = Heaven

We spent the 4th of July with friends in the country and what a day it was!

I took my camera along, to capture plenty of moments to share with you all and dope that I am, didn't realize till I got out there that my battery was dead with no backup battery!

I only got one photo before it went belly up - but this is a perfect representation of the serenity of this lovely farm -

For 7 awesome hours, I was surrounded by 9 kids with fireworks ... it doesn't get any better than that, folks!

Yesterday, Tuck is pretty much living what I was feeling!

Happy Birthday, America!

"Far and away the best prize that life offers

is the chance to work hard

at work worth doing."

Theodore Roosevelt

America, the Beautiful....

Land that I love!

Wishing you a wonderful

Independence Day!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government

George Washington

Got a hankering for some fresh baked goodness?

With fresh blueberries, these won't last long!

You may want to double the recipe:

1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 well beaten egg
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
1 cup blueberries
Sift dry ingredients into bowl, make a hole in the center, combine egg, milk and oil. Add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir quickly just til dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in 1 cup fresh blueberries. Just barely mix. Muffins do not like to be stirred too much. Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees about 25 minutes. Makes 12.

ENJOY ♥

Shell, My Belle

I first met Michelle when she was 11 yrs old and living in the Boston area with her family.

Her mom sent her to Kansas City to visit her cousins, who were in the youth group of my church. Hubs and I also happened to be the youth leaders of that group, and were planning a weekend missions trip to St. Louis to work hand in hand with Marty Zide / Midwest Messianic Center - a wonderful ministry to the Jewish folks there.

Michelle had lost her father to a terrible accident just a short time prior and the moment I met her, I knew she was special. Maybe because I had lost my mom at just about the same age, or maybe it was just fate - but whatever it was, we bonded in an instant and have remained close in heart ever since. Michelle went on the missions trip with our group and oh, what fun we had!

She emailed a couple of months back to tell me some wonderful awesome news.... she and her husband Ross are expecting their first child and I'm so happy for them, I can't stand it!

Shelley is such a caring, compassionate soul - and I know this child is going to know love divine!
These are the most recent pics of Shell - don't you think her radiance is glowing?

I think she is beautiful!

My Pal, Thea ♥

Yesterday was a GREAT day!

My best friend and I had lost touch with each other over the last 20 years or more. I can't really say how it happened... it just did. We met during our freshman year in high school through another friend and instantly bonded. We were 2 peas in a pod and everywhere one was... you would find the other.

Thea was born in Holland and moved to my town via Indiana. She was as "international" as anyone I had ever met and if her birthright wasn't impressive enough, she had 4 middle names! (she was named after every aunt in the family tree, I think - and when I would introduce her, it was always as my bff "Thea Corida Theadora Ingrid Jaqueline...."

This was high falutin' stuff for a small town midwest girl like me - and oh, the shenanigans we got into would make any mother's mouth drop. We graduated high school and went on to live together for several years until I met my future hubs and moved to Colorado. Even after that, she was living in Florida and moved to Colorado to live with us for a good amount of time.

I happened to be on facebook and did a search not knowing if she was going by her married name or maiden name or if she was on there at all. No "Thea" was found on the search - however her son popped up and through a course of messages, Thea and I connected and yesterday we finally were able to meet.

What a grand afternoon it was too - full of a gazillion "remember when we..." moments and the best thing of all ? Her boyfriend and she ride - so we not only got to sit around and reminisce, but we took a nice long ride in the country too!

I don't remember a day when I laughed so hard and smiled so wide. I probably looked like the village idiot to passersby, but I'm sure they would understand my joy if they were ever reunited with someone so dear.

And the icing on the cake was walking in our nice cool house after a long day in the sun to find my Tuck posed on the steps - just waiting for our arrival. Sorry, I really dont play favorites, but Nip was busy in the kitchen crying to be fed and would not sit still for a photo session!

Hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Johnny

Those words will always bring a smile for me!

I grew up with the Tonight Show - every night I would watch the latest antics of Johnny Carson and his faithful sidekick, Ed McMahon.

So when I found out late this afternoon that the greatest second banana in show biz history died Tuesday in Los Angeles, my heart was sorely grieved. It marks for me the end of the legend of late night entertainment.

I'm so glad I was able to be a part of the best out there - Johnny always thought of his guests first, showing such grace and kindness. And Ed was a true and trusted friend both on screen and off.

McMahon liked to say that he was "one of the very fortunate people who grew up to do exactly what I spent my whole childhood dreaming of doing -- even if no one is quite sure exactly what it is that I do."

Yes, we lost another great one folks - and Ed McMahan's death marks the end of a dynasty of late night greatness for me. If you have never taken the time to rent The Best of the Tonight Show (on 4 dvd's) I would highly recommend it... but be ready - they will have you rolling on the floor and laughing till you cry.

There will never be another Johnny and Ed ♥

Wheee, Its a Giveaway!

Blondie / Vintage Primitives is having a "Blogaversary Party" and to celebrate, she will be giving away a brand spanking new pattern she has come up with for the cutest prim dollies! Along with that, she's throwing in a cute lil pincushion -

and all you have to do is post on her blog to be in running!

Make tracks - there's plenty of fun to go around!

GoForth Creek

One day, we took a drive up to Bald River Falls, which had a winding road that followed the most awesome streams - and the view of the falls themselves were simply breathtaking.

But after we left there, we were driving along when our fearless leader literally pulled off the side of the road to show us this:

As I got off the bike and took a look from the street - I admit, it was not that impressive and began to wonder if Larry was teasing me a bit more about all the pictures I was taking. The view was very nice ... as pools of water go :)

But as we got closer to the stream, my curiousity was piqued and I began to climb the rock and follow the water deeper up the mountain.

With each new rock wall I scaled, the falls got more gorgeous and the surroundings became more serene. I was so glad Larry stopped to show us this jewel hidden from the street and all the cars whizzing past us. Many probably thought like I did that it was a nice little pool of water!

I was so captivated, I was lost in what each next turn brought and was suddenly brought back to the here and now by the sound of honking horns. I didn't realize exactly how far I had climbed into GoForth Creek until I had to navigate my way out. I thought I could sense a bit of relief from Larry when I emerged ... and he explained there had been several bear spotted back in the woods but no matter, it was an awesome experience for me!

After coming home and googling it, I discovered that GoForth becomes a kayakers paradise in the spring when it fills with rushing white water! I'll take the low tide, thank you very much ♥