A Sexy TGIF

     Another Friday, another link up with Jennifer. The summer sun is finally here and it has been hawt outside. And I'm not just talking about the temperature. This week a SEXY link up. That's right, read on if you dare.

     Here's the back story. What seems like ages ago, when I was first blogging, I stumbled across a list of awards on someones site. I have tried in vain to re find that site, one because it was hilarious and two because I'd like to credit the creative genius behind this post.

     I'm assuming the list was of fake awards, I've never seen any of them and they made for a very entertaining read. One in particular stuck in my head.

     Since then I've been trying to figure out how to make it an award in truth. A back spasm later, hours of  boredom free time and voila, I give you the coveted  "Sexier than a Garden Gnome" award.

<a href="http://theossingtonkitchen.blogspot.ca/2012/06/sexy-tgif.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u397/pdcraig/sexierthanagardengnomecopy.jpg" /></a>

     How does one win this sexiest of awards?

      It is bestowed on those deserving few who post awe inspiring pictures of their gardens. Actually, it really is a celebration of the great outdoors and Mother Nature in all her glory so any pictures at the park, hiking, at the beach, amazing sunsets,  hell throw in some pictures of actual garden gnomes. It's all good.

The Rules

1 Graciously accept. Feel free to gush in my comment section how I have changed your life by granting this most discerning of awards to your deserving self.

2 Find one other person who deserves to be honoured. It can't be the person who gave it to you, no backsies and preferably not someone who has already won. Let's spread the happy around.

3 Link up the post/picture that won back here in the Kitchen. (It will go until Halloween, the absolute outside edge of my growing season) There may be voting and a final grand prize (or two) awarded.

4 The fun part. You can choose to either, use my button to pass on the award or create your own version.

     That's right, let your imagination run wild and get those creative juices flowing. I've seen a lot of mad skills out there, have fun with it. If you choose to make your own, link it up as well. If there are enough we'll judge the awards themselves and the winning pictures. Sound good?


     Now to get the ball rolling, the first recipient. Drum roll please........RoryBore over at Time out for Mom for the picture of her gorgeous poppies, or maybe the bi coloured columbine. Although the forget-me-nots aren't too shabby either. Yes, perhaps a little garden envy going on, I'll admit it. Finally, some recognition for being the dirty girl you are Rory. Congratulations. Feel free to slop sugar all over her and you may be next.

      That's what's making me happy this Friday, the anticipation of summer fun. Dirty or otherwise.

TGIF, the May 2-4 Edition

     It's been a long time since I linked up for a TGI-Friday post over at Jennifer's place. The fates conspired to make today just about perfect so...

1 It's the May long weekend, Victoria Day on Monday. Unofficially the May 2-4, as in a 2-4 of beer. I have 4 of them. Oh yeah, a patriotic Canadian.

2 I extended the long weekend, no work today or Tuesday.

3 My car had actual keys. No ignition lock, no muss, no fuss. Okay, it took a minute to figure out how to unlock the trunk. No trunk release, it was part of the door release then a little button on the trunk. Weird and not exactly straight forward but I managed.

4 Gorgeous weather forecast for all five days.

I need to do a little painting

Yes, chainsaw oil, there will be some wood cutting as well

Hoo rah, manly power tools

5 I got to spend the whole morning doing my favourite thing, cruising the home improvement stores. All alone and unhurried, I got to look through Rona, Home Depot and Canadian Tire. I didn't end up buying much but I did save $50 on the range hood I was looking for, mine broke the day after the warranty expired. I didn't have to shower or even brush my hair. And no one batted an eye. Perfect.

New light for the fountain

(I dropped the old one and it just isn't the same without illumination)

Goofy little flame less tea light dragonflies

They change colour too!

6 I have most of my plants for the garden and avoided the chaos this weekend will be. For added entertainment value, I got to watch the fireworks early. Husband and wife arguing about where to park. Door slam, angry stalking through the gate. Glad it wasn't me.

Plants for the garden

Over half are for eating

     On a small side note, two minor annoyances. Last night, there was a young woman crouched down beside my car, right outside my back gate. I was making a movie run and almost ran into her as I was leaving. It was pitch dark. She startled me, but quickly went on to explain she was a neighbour, didn't realize the gate opened, it was quiet, she liked sitting under my tree, blah blah blah. I responded, " I don't give a crap, get off my property, sit in your own freakin' yard." Insert appropriate cuss words. Who does that? There are two parks within two blocks of my house.

     The other happened as I returned home from my chill shopping morning. Someone was parked in my driveway. I was now illegally parked to unload the car because some one was illegally parked behind my house. WTF? I was sorely tempted to flatten all four tires but I resisted. Aren't you proud? LOL

     What's in my long range forecast? Lots of working outside in the garden, barbecuing, fires at night and beer. And there will be lemon squares. It's the little things.

     What's making your Friday great?

TGIF

     Praise the Lord and pass the tequila, it's Friday again. Time to link up over at Just Jennifer and share some random happy to end the work week.

Where to start, cuz there's a bunch this week?

1 It's a long weekend thanks to Family Day here in Canada on Monday.

2 I've had some great guests in the Kitchen this week, here and here and more coming too. The Social Media February has been my best idea so far.

3 I now feel completely justified in my fear of spiders. It could happen and it explains why my house looks like it does.
http://youtu.be/uA1K4KG4_WM

4 I'm getting all caught up on lots of things so this weekend I'm taking some advice and I'm just going to take it out and play with it. Not really my comfort zone but that's what everyone has been saying so... I'm taking my new camera out for a spin. I got a great new little DSLR for Christmas and am finally going to get to test it out. Hopefully pictures to follow, after I get the huge fingerprint smudge off the lens, the first thing I did trying to get it out of the box. Maybe there won't be pictures???

     Three days of bliss, nothing on the agenda more strenuous than beer, blogging and playing with my new toys. If only every weekend was like this.

     What's got your happy on this Friday?

TGIF

     Another Friday, how to end the work week? Wait, I have to work not only this weekend but next as well. That's not happy. Where to go for a boost? Just Jennifer for the TGIF link up.

     Even though I have to work on the weekend (sucks) there is still a lot to be thankful for this week.

1 I have Internet access again. With my modem dying last week, waiting for the replacement etc I spent 7 days without, shudder. The horror, the horror. It did give me a change to clean the "cave" though, well I started, kind of..... Moving on.

2 This is a close second, my Google account is fine, for now, for ever I hope. I got shut down earlier this week. No idea what happened other than panic on my part, a day's worth of deleted comments on others blogs and some general mayhem. Between 1 and 2, all is right with my universe once more.

3 Another cousin has contacted me with information about one of the families I research. I always love when that happens.

4 Stardock, contacted me and....... I got a free game. I purchased one from them a while ago. As any new release, a lot of bugs and glitches. Panned in the reviews, yada, yada, yada. I like the game. Okay, maybe wasn't all that and a bag of chips, but it was fine. They have given me the new version for free. Not an upgrade, a fully reworked new version by way of apologising for a crappy release. How cool is that? Even if the new game is crap, I've got to say I'm pretty impressed with that kind of concern over customer satisfaction.

5 Last but not least, I've received not one but two awards from a fellow blogger, Susi over at Boca Frau. I can't say I know what I did to deserve them but am thrilled she thought of me, blush. Please stop by her corner of the interweb and show her some love, she deserves it.

Awards come with rules, which I'm terrible at, but here is my attempt.

The first is for blogs under 200 followers. A way to recognise the efforts of others out there. I'm supposed to link to five other blogs. I tried, but out of all the blogs I read (not that many) almost all of them don't qualify or have not one but both awards already. Here are my four, I know I'm one short.

My cousin Carly over at Tried, Tested and True Mommy. That's right, another of us free on the Internet with a fourth to follow shortly. Web domination Bwahahahaha

Kara over at Scattered Joy. Who else can say they've offended the thong wearing world? LMAO.

Gretchen over at He Sows, She Sews. Our lives couldn't be more different, but I love to stop by and see what she's up to.

Greta over at Not Enough Patience, Never Enough Jewellery. She makes me laugh and think. I can't add anything more to that.

So for this one I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself. Hmmm, what to share?

1 I'm terrified of spiders. I used to have nightmares of them crawling all over my bed. Trivia, the average person will eat about a dozen as they crawl in your mouth while you sleep, nightmares again.
2 I love to dance even if I look like I'm having some sort of seizure.
3 I love to sing even though I can't carry a tune in a bucket. No one writes melodies for us baritones.
4 I read constantly and have anxiety attacks if I forget my book somewhere.
5 I love, I mean love bad movies. I can't help but watch even as I'm thinking these are two hours I'll never get back.
6 I have a terrible temper, like incandescent, shaking, unable to speak, rage, kind of temper. I have struggled to keep in under control all my life. I have completely lost it three times in my life and regret each one.
7 I sleep with a light on. Not for fear of the dark, I hate not being able to see. I know, what can you see while you're asleep but I hate waking up to a dark room.

Now I'm supposed to link to 15 other blogs I like. I'm gonna cheat. I couldn't pick 15 because I think everyone has something to offer, even if what they offer is how not to do or be something. Everything I read has some affect, something to say. Here is me cheating, click here for a list of 58 blogs I drop by for information, inspiration and a good laugh. I could go on with this one but.....

     Don't forget to drop by Jennifer's to see what else has us all happy this Friday.

Holiday Ramblings

     Okay, I'm a day late posting but, still a TGIF post. I thought about it on Friday, that's good enough. Hop on over to Just Jennifer to see the rest.

    
     Where to even start? At the beginning I suppose.

     I left for the 'Valley on Friday the 23rd, at 11:40 pm despite my best efforts to get organised and on the road early, Ha. Got home around 3:30 am, unpacked the car, ate and finally got to bed around 6 am. Mom came bursting in at 8:00am looking for something, I had none of my presents wrapped, yelled "Don't look" "Get out". Now awake, I joined my parents and Katie for coffee. Two whole hours of sleep.

     I decided to drop off the gingerbread houses, "I'll be back early". Ha, again. I arrived back at my parent's place by 4:30 pm. I started at 10:30 am. Craig male, no concept of time. Helped Mom with prep for Christmas dinner, ate, wrapped, in bed by 1:00 am.

My cousin with her grand daughter

The look on her face is worth a little sleep deprivation

Just in case you though it was all sugar and spice in my kitchen for the holidays

Serial killer and lingerie gingerbread cookies

A big hit at work (Who are these co workers of mine?)

Inspired by this picture

Rorybore's Mom sent this to me with this caption

"My cookies got thrown out of the church bake sale again"

A fiery red head with that glint in her eye,

You know the one I mean

     Christmas morning, up by 7:00, opened presents with my cousin, back home opened presents with my parents, more prep-35 people for dinner, then off to my grandparent's for a quick visit and to drop off cookies. Ferd scored doughnuts, my mom and cousin ate them on him, back to my parent's and a house full of Mom's family. It even started to snow just a little. A picture perfect day.

     There was food everywhere. We even hooked up the deep fryer in the garage so Ferd could make spring rolls. A huge hit again this year.

     An enormous meal, topped off with Mom's smooth as silk Maple Cheesecake, my aunt Barb's Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cheesecake (there aught to be a law) and several other assorted cookies and squares. Good thing I kept that belt. A few mulled ciders with spiced rum and I was out by 4:30. Back up a bit later, more food, dominoes then time to say farewell.

     Boxing Day, a longer visit with my grandparents, more food, quick nap, dinner, then out to my aunt's to see my cousin from Halifax. We laughed so much I thought my jaw was going to fall off. Dominoes again, back to my parent's by 3:30 am.

The Keith's care package my cousin got me

I do love my Keith's

     The 27th, a trip to Ottawa for a gift exchange, more visiting various relatives, yet more dominoes, more food, bed by 1:00 am.

     Final day, more hurried visiting with relatives, more food, then all too soon it was time to load up the car and start back to the city with the haul. I got lots of great gifts, fresh salmon, venison and moose courtesy of the hunters in the family, another care package of cookies and squares just in case my blood sugar ever levelled out and my favourite, the photo Christmas cards.

     Don't hate me, people continue to send them because of people like me. We usually don't do Christmas themed, matching outfit cards, just pictures.

How else would I know these three

Are now the three young men here

Or how much these two have grown

Or that these three are still as adorable as ever

Or that these two really do stand still,

At least for a photo op

     A spot of tea with my aunt on the way out, permission for a project I have had in the planning for a while then a quick ride back to the city. A bit too quick according to the nice officer and the speeding ticket. It could have been much worse, thanks for that. Back to Toronto by 3:00 am.

    Why thankful? I can finally get some freakin' sleep. LOL

     Off to a friend's "Nice and Steezy" New Year's Eve party tonight. How does one dress for "steezy"? Tomorrow will be quiet, vewy, vewy quiet.

     Hope you all enjoyed the holidays as much as I have, and am still enjoying, mine.

TGIF The night before the night before

     Whoo hoo, Friday again. The night before the night before Christmas and another TGIF post to share over at Just Jennifer.

     Ah bliss, the gifts aren't wrapped, the holiday baking isn't done (cookies in the oven even as I write this) the house looks like the elves after party and four hours of late night driving ahead of me. Why so thankful?
By this time tomorrow I'll be back home.

     Even though I live in the city, my parent's farm where I grew up will always be home. I'll be back surrounded by family. Lots and lots and lots of family. My mom is expecting 35-50 people for dinner on Christmas Day. A hop over to my grandparent's place and another gathering of my father's family, equally as large. I'm thankful I have a family to go home to, not everyone is so lucky.

     There will be lots of food, laughter and conversation. Lots of merry. Sure there will be some gifts, but they don't take centre stage. I'm thankful my family still remembers it's the gathering and sharing that is important, not who got what or how much.

      In a time when things aren't so certain, we have enough. For the most part everyone is healthy and happy. Although we aren't straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, we are a family. And we truly are blessed. That's why I'm thankful, not just today, but every day.

    Have a happy and safe holiday season.

DIY for TGIF

     Yeah, it's Friday, time for TGIF over at Just Jennifer. How can you not like to end the work week on a positive note?
    
     DIY, Destroy it Yourself, that's what that stands for right? I'm not sure why, subliminal messages in the Christmas carols I suspect, but this is the time of year that brings out everyone's inner "crafty-ness". Normally sane and sedate human beings are suddenly all a whirl trying to create those "Do It Yourself" masterpieces.

     People who can't boil water are bustling around in the kitchen baking batches of cookies or other home made treats. Those who don't know the difference between a pine cone or a pine nut are creating elaborate winter wonder-scapes in their homes. People who have never held a wrench are staple gunning decorations to the porch. Parents who think a hex key is something they saw in a Harry Potter movie are assembling toys for children. We all seem to fall victim.

     I'm no different. I have some compelling examples that feed that delusion of "handiness".

     First off, I can cook. I'm not a great cook but I know my way around the kitchen. Hell, every year I create these.

Gingerbread house, from scratch might I add

      I have a fully stocked tool chest and a chainsaw. I created this after all.

I really made that mirror, faux gilt finish and all

It's massive

All found objects except the actual paint

     I have that "eye". You know what I mean. I can look at something and see it as something else. Something wonderful with a little time and effort.

My liquor cabinet

It was painted a brilliant orange and missing one of the bottom doors

It turned out okay I think

     I can sew. I've given my father jeans, I've made luxurious plush terry cloth robes. My Christmas gift to my friend Terri used to be her New Year's dress. Sorry, no pictures of any of those.

     I am a freakin' domestic god. Martha move over, the boys are back in town. Then reality hits.

     I have a batch of slightly singed Christmas cakes, for the third time, to inflict on share with the family.

     That lovely transformed hutch took three years to complete and would still be in my basement but I needed the space. The rather impressive mirror represents the only project of its type that was a success. 

     As for the sewing. There is still a plush terry cloth robe waiting to be put together, for 4 years. My living room drapes still aren't hemmed. It's only been 7 years and that plant stand hides it anyway. Terri's last dress, a beautiful wine velvet, low back, plunging neckline, fit like a glove creation-until I lined it. We had to cut the lining out so she could wear it. Thankfully she got married and moved to Vancouver, tradition ended.

    

     My last festive centre piece looked more like a hedge trimmer accident than a winter wonderland.

     Okay Martha, your seat on the throne is secure.

     Why the TGIF? I'm thankful I have finally learned my lesson. Christmas can be stressful enough with out taking on any new projects. Sticking with the tried and true this year. Well, except for trying to re create my grandmother's mince meat recipe. Oh, and those stained glass cookies for the gingerbread houses.

     How hard can that be??

     Are you crafty? Drop me a line or a link in the comments and share your favourite holiday craft ideas. Successes or maybe not so much. Pictures would be great too. I won't feel quite so alone. 

     Have a great Friday.