the topic for

this month's art group challenge is light.  Here are a few of my takes on light.  I have more ideas that I'll eventually get to.

This is a statue at church.

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This is the entrance to the Brazoria County Historical Museum.

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This is me lighting a candle.

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yesterday was a lazy

lazy day.  Did I mention lazy too?  I lounged around, napped and ate while an Ice Road Truckers marathon was on.  By the way, Bolivia is so much prettier in HD.  (I apologize for the next few photos.  I know I often use my phone's camera but the ones from yesterday were really not the best quality.)  While I was having a less productive day, I can say the same for Strat and Lucille.

Warning: cat pics to follow.  (What do you expect when they are my only "willing" subjects?)

I figure Strat was scoping out the presents to find an easy way under the tree.

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Then I figure he couldn't find a good route and gave up.

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Lucille was looking for affection, as usual.

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Approximately two minutes later she was dozing off.

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Approximately 50 seconds after that she was out.

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And that was how Sunday was around here.

you may recall

photo 286 and if you don't, scroll down and see the white Coke can for Christmas there.  Did you see it?  Good because it's gone.  Classic Coke has gone back to red.

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I'm pretty sure if the white can could talk, it would say, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." Is that a little overdramatic for you?  Yeah, same here.

i wonder what

could possibly be in this box...

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I actually know what it is because I ordered it.  I emailed a link to Cosme a while back, letting him know which mixer I want for Christmas.  I wasn't feeling good on Saturday and was in bed.  I was replying to a text when Cosme came busting through the door telling me not to read that text.  Too late.  He let me know the link for my mixer was giving him problems and that text was to have Eric check at Target or Walmart for it.  I'm so glad I caught it.  I got on the computer and ordered exactly what I think I want.  Now I just hope I can leave it in the box until Christmas.  I'm sure Cosme won't mind if I open it though, he already suggested last night that I take it out of the box and make cupcakes.

the cats are

taking over.  I don't let the cats in our bedroom and Cosme didn't close the door all the way this morning. I walked in and Lucille was in there.  I was out of biscuits so I ran to Shipley to get Eric a kolache.  I came home and Strat was sitting on the end table.  I came over to my computer, where my camera sits 80% of the time and I noticed bite marks at the end of the strap.

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Maybe they aren't taking over but have actually already taken over.

i went to walmart

yesterday.  I was picking up some charcoal and saw this little kennel in the corner.  I guess Walmart has a pet cat.  I thought it was weird but kind of interesting.

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yesterday morning

I saw a preview of a report to come on the evening news.  This was a special on The Blood Type Diet and how each body reacts differently based on the blood type.  Not able to wait, I searched the diet online and saw my type A should avoid lots of meat, beans, dairy and soft drinks.  Oh, the humanity!  These are all of my favorite things!  Anyway, I saw a link to the news report online this morning so I clicked and watched.  First they talked about type O needing lots of protein and low carbs with lots of high energy exercise.  Meh... I could go for the high protein but I really love my carbs and I'm not big on the high energy exercise.  Next was type A.  They said to go easy on the meats but to have lots of fruits, vegetables and carbs.  Oh yeah, carbs.  Although they did say that dairy was not the best for type A, the last part makes it all better.  Type A's don't need the high energy exercise but something along the lines of yoga or golf.  I think I'll go eat a clementine or two and maybe go for a walk.

Just when I thought the Photo Booth fun was over, I did it myself.

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The effect is Chipmunk so I don't know what made me imitate a rabbit.

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and the stockings

were hung by the chimney with care...

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But I can't say that so much about the ribbon on the tree

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or the ribbon on the wreath.

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I definitely need to make some adjustments to the ribbon.  Actually, I think the tree's ribbon is off because I was messing with a few ornaments.  As for the ribbon on the wreath, I guess I just wasn't paying attention.

For the record, my two obsessions this holiday season are obviously baking and ribbon.  Also, if anyone needs a real wreath, Costco has them for $15.  That's cheap.

And another Photo Booth participant.  (I was not hurting him, only holding his head still.)

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it's like a bug

or something.  I can't quit baking.  Sunday was the banana bread.  Since Earl liked it, I took the extra loaf over there yesterday... along with a pan of cinnamon rolls I baked yesterday.

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Monday it was just a simple batch of cookies.  Today I'll probably start the dough for a coffee cake.  Right now I have coq au vin in the oven and it smells good in here.  It started with the bacon I had to fry up, then with the 1/2 cup of cognac I had to pour, then with the onions, carrots and garlic I had to cook for 10 minutes

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then I had to add the browned chicken, half a bottle of wine and thyme.  Like I said, it smells good in here.

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I don't know if the wine actually smells good or if I'm thinking of how it'd probably warm me up right now.

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I was doing some Christmas shopping online last night and Lucille wanted attention.  I picked her up and started playing with Photo Booth on my computer.  I was having a great time but she wasn't.

Mom said it best, psycho kitty.

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mean Dr. Seuss-like kitty

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time warp kitty

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it's beginning to

look a lot like Christmas, kind of.

A few presents are under the tree but one is actually part of Dad's birthday present while another has since been opened.

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Coke has their new white Christmas cans out but they're putting an end to them because too many people are complaining about the cans not being red and looking too much like Diet Coke cans.

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I've been in the baking mood but that isn't necessarily a Christmas thing.

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For the most part, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Let's get back to the baking part.  I made banana bread for the first time yesterday.  My plan was to make it earlier than I did and make several small loaves.  As it turned out, I laid around on the couch most of the day but did end up with three medium sized loaves.  I'd wanted to keep one, send one home with Mom, take one to Cindy and Earl and find homes for the rest.  I baked three so that would have been perfect for the original distribution plan but Mom had already left.  I got one to Cindy and Earl last night and our loaf is almost gone.  (Sorry, Dad.)  Now I'm left with one loaf of bread and about to start the dough for cinnamon rolls.  I guess I'll just have to snack on the extra loaf while I wait.  One thing I noticed though, while I usually have to be in the mood to eat a banana, I can't say the same for banana bread.  I think it always sounds good.

the other day i

rode with Mom to Missouri City to meet up with a lady that was placing an order with her.  We needed wifi and after finding out Chick-fil-a didn't offer it, we headed to Starbucks.  I realized something that evening.  I don't like Starbucks.  It's so obnoxious in there.  With the people everywhere working on their computers, I figure they must not have coffee makers or an internet connection at home.  It wasn't comfortable.  It wasn't quiet.  One guy was sitting there playing cards with his kid.  I don't know, maybe didn't have a table and chairs at home.  I just wanted to hurry and leave.  I wanted to hurry and get on my computer at my own table.  I don't find it necessary to pull all my stuff out to be seen looking busy in a coffee shop.

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i volunteered to

make two desserts for a friend to pick up this morning.  Since I usually can't stay up late, I chose to do the baking this morning.  I woke up at 4:00 and didn't know how I was going to get moving.  I was so tired I even put Eric's glasses on.  It had to get done so I just got busy.  Two and a half hours later, they were finished, wrapped up and ready to go.

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This is where it gets good.  (No, I didn't break down and make one for myself... maybe later.)  At some point during that baking session, I woke up and had a burst of energy.  I washed clothes, washed my sheets, got the dishes washed and now I'm about to find something else to do.  I like mornings like this.