Snow Adorable

Our little "Snow Bunny" enjoying a walk in the park in Rockport, Texas. This little Bichon, Brady Nicholas, is the joy of our lives.

Penny

As you can see from the journaling, this is Penny. She is our sponsor dog at the Animal Defense League (a No Kill shelter) in San Antonio. Sadly, she has been there about a year. All of our other sponsor dogs in the past few years have always gotten adopted fairly quickly, even blind and deaf dogs. Penny is very shy, and that is why she keeps getting overlooked. Her human passed away last summer. She is so beautiful, she's 4 years old, and 53 pounds. I pray that she gets her Christmas wish soon to have a forever family.

Universal Studios

Exploring the magic of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 2003.

Cranberry Orange Cookies

I made Cranberry Orange cookies for the Christmas holidays. They seemed to be a big hit with Bill and my family in San Antonio. I will definitely make these again. Here is the recipe if you'd like to try it:

Cranberry Orange Cookies

1 C. butter, softened
1 C. white sugar
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated orange zest
2 T. orange juice (I used concentrate)
2 1/2 C. All-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.

3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes (mine were perfect in 12 min.) in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

4. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

Snow Angel

This is Maisy, who is enjoying dashing through the snow just before Christmas. She is a part of Terry and Christine's family, our friends who live in the United Kingdom.

A Sister is a Forever Friend

What a great time I had in Pennsylvania for a week visiting my sisters. It had been seven years since I had last seen them. What a wonderful reunion and an awesome pizza party we had.

My Friend Reno

A heartfelt moment with my friend, Reno in our back yard.

Chelsea

Beautiful photos of my beloved Chelsea from 1997 when Bill and I lived in Portland, TX. She was certainly the love of my life, and I will cherish her in my heart forever.

On Santa's Lap at the Christmas in Alaska Store

When I noticed a Christmas in Alaska store in Ketchikan, Alaska, I couldn't wait to see what wonderful things I would find inside. Upon discovering Santa in the store, I went over to talk to him, and he asked me to sit on his lap. I felt like a little kid, and really enjoyed talking to him about Alaska and the Northern Lights.

Seaside Serenity

Our first day at sea on the Grand Princess. Ports of call were Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. This was our 10th anniversary Caribbean cruise, and we were enjoying every moment.

Memories

This is an old photo of my mom (on the left) and her sisters from 1946. They were dressed up for Easter Sunday. They look so beautiful in their lovely suits and hats.

Best Friends

What beautiful girls! My granddaughter, Sydney (on the left) and her best friend, Emory. Sydney was very, very sad recently, because Emory moved to Abu Dhabi, and will be there for 2 years. I just hope they don't forget about each other. So far, they are keeping in touch via email.

Class of 2009

Bill completed Module II of the Leadership Command College in Denton, TX in May 2009. He will finish Module III in June 2010 in Huntsville, TX. The Leadership Command College is offered through the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas.

Beautiful Conn Brown Harbor

Foggy morning in Conn Brown Harbor, Aransas Pass, TX - 11/5/09

Life is Pure Adventure

Adventurous, Mischievous, All Boy, and Hunter --These are the words we use to describe our Reno. He is such a big hunter that we decided his middle name should be Hunter. Also, he is so comical, he always keeps us in stitches.

Princess Captain's Circle

What an elegant and special evening. We had fun at the Princess Captain's Circle Member's Cocktail party even though I was a little seasick.

Picture Perfect Memories

Taking a moment for a photo on our first formal night on the Star Princess. What a fun and festive evening.

Our Halloween Boy, Reno

Our beautiful boy, Reno, with his Halloween bandana after his last grooming. This page was a mix and match experiment from different kits, and free chipboard elements. I really love the fall flowers and colors.

Boo

Wow, daughter Penny and Dave sure do go all out for Halloween. They scared me just putting this page together.

Kaylee and Sydney

My lovely granddaughters, Kaylee and Sydney. My daughter, Jodi, was the photographer who took these great shots.

Quick Chocolate Mousse

Here's a quick, delicious dessert recipe that I made this evening that couldn't be easier:

Quick Chocolate Mousse

• 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 (4-serving size) package chocolate instant pudding mix
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Beat sweetened condensed milk, pudding mix and water in a large bowl. Chill 5 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into serving dishes; chill. Garnish as desired.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this light treat.

Bee My Honey

Enjoying a moment on our cabin balcony while on the Star Princess. We almost always saw something interesting to photograph from the balcony, such as a lighthouse, dolphins, an occasional whale, a cabin, or mountains.

Proud Peacock

Being under the weather since the Alaska trip, I wasn't up to putting a scrapbook page together. However, I did want to post a new picture from a little over a week ago. I thought this colorful peacock was so beautiful, I just had to share. This magnificent bird was wandering the grounds at Lakeside Kennels in Ingleside, Texas.

Candy Cane Coffee Spoons

I realize it's not yet Halloween, but I wanted to post this cool recipe before I completely forget about it. I made these the year before last during the Christmas holidays for co-workers in my department. They were so pretty and inexpensive. Just stir one in a cup of coffee. Here it is - Candy Cane Coffee spoons:

• 1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 candy cane or 5 peppermint candies, crushed
• 12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in Christmas colors

1. Put candy in a baggie and crush with a rolling pin.

2. Melt chocolate.

3. Dip spoons into chocolate to fill.

4. Sprinkle with crushed candy.

5. Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet to cool. Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbons for gifts.

Hope you enjoy.

Nature's Color Palette

We watched this brightly colored blue crab come out from underneath a board and crawl on top of the board. Bill seized the moment with his camera just in time before this beauty went under the water again. This shot was captured in the Port Aransas, Texas wetlands.

Dessert Buffet

This is my lovely friend, Florine, whom I met on our Alaskan Cruise from 9/13 - 9/20/09. She was also my neighbor in the next cabin. We were given so many desserts by the servers at the dessert buffet (some we asked for, and plenty were just put on our plate.) We just said, "Bring it on!" We will diet when we get home.

Beauty In Tracy Arm

A wonderful friend and email buddy of mine who is a digital designer in California, designed this layout for Bill and me. She posted the layout on her layout blog, and in her digital design shoppe.
I was very honored that she chose to do this for us. The picture was taken on our Alaskan cruise (on the Star Princess) while we were enjoying scenic cruising through Tracy Arm Fjord. It was a breathtaking experience.

God's Artistry

We went to Port Aransas while the dogs were getting groomed in the morning, and saw plenty to photograph. I saw these colorful dragonflies, while looking for alligators, and captured the moment. God's artistry is certainly in nature everywhere we look.

Yellow Warbler in our Yard

What a wonderful surprise to see a Yellow Warbler in our back yard this summer. It was the only one we have seen all year long.

Love

It's always a fun time when we go to The Big Fisherman in Rockport, Texas. We had a great time with Dianna, Patrick, and our granddaughters, Faith and Teresa Grace.

Coastal Bend Ibis

What beautiful scenery in the Wetlands of Aransas Pass, Texas. After researching the Ibis, I discovered these are very young birds because of the colors. I believe they may be white when full grown.

The Evening Before the Cruise

A couple of memories of our evening at the Double Tree hotel in Seattle WA on 9/12/09. We were so hungry after traveling since 8:00 a.m., (and only having peanuts and soda on the plane) so we were delighted to see a Denny's across the street. We ate breakfast at about 8:30 pm. It was more expensive than a Corpus Christi Denny's breakfast (and gasoline was $.82 more per gallon than Aransas Pass), but oh, getting real food was Heaven.

Long Forgotten

While driving through Weesatche, Texas, we had to capture this old building. It's not often you see buildings like this anymore.

Stormy Conn Brown Harbor

The storm clouds were rolling in early in the morning. The rains will be a welcome relief to a parched south Texas. Not a scrapbook page, but quite a lovely panoramic view.

Well, only two days left before we leave for Alaska. I have so much to do before we leave, so I have no time to be creative with a scrapbook page. So, hopefully you will enjoy the simplicity of this stunning pelican. It will be fun to start some scrapbook pages when we return with new pictures from our vacation. We will get back on 9/21. Please leave me some comments if you get a moment. Would love to hear from you.

Picturesque Pelican

We think this is a really young pelican because of his size and coloring. What a stunning beauty! He was spending his day in Conn Brown Harbor.

Morning Moon

One last moon picture while the moon is still full. This one was taken this morning at 7:08 a.m.

The Sandpiper's Story

What a great story this Sandpiper had to tell on 8/24/09. Check out his story; you'll love what he has to say.

Regal Redbird

We have seen such an abundance of Redbirds/Cardinals in our yard this year. I never tire of watching them, and hearing them sing. I loved the way this beautiful bird had his head turned in the first photo.

Peaceful Morning Stillness in The Harbor

Rosy and peaceful morning in Conn Brown Harbor in Aransas Pass, Texas. The stillness makes me wish for time to stand still for many hours.

Beautiful Reflection in the Looking Glass

Isn't this photo of Bill's mom just the most adorable baby picture! It's great having such a lovely memory of her.

Baby Green Heron

Fuzzy soft baby Green Heron in our backyard on N. Houston Street. Bill had called Tony Amos with the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas to come and check on this baby. He told us it was unusual that he would be in our yard, and also said the mama had a nest in the tree between our house and our neighbor's. Tony took the baby heron to the Marine Science Institute sanctuary until he was old enough to be on his own. We were quite excited about our little visitor.

Magical Moon 2

Another wonderful photo of the moon. Bill and I waited patiently the last couple of weeks for the moment when the moon would be full, which was 9/4/09. Thank goodness he took this great photo on 9/3, because tonight, 9/4, the clouds are so thick, the moon is not visible at all, and we are getting a little bit of rain.

After the Sunrise

Perfect silhouette of the Aransas Lighthouse in Aransas Pass, Texas just after sunrise. What a beautiful reflection of the sun on the water. The pelican on the channel marker was the crowning touch.

Coastal Kaleidoscope

While we were out on the Memorial Day weekend, we stopped to take some pictures of the pelicans at Ingleside on The Bay. As we were taking pictures, we stopped for a picture of the kayak rental building, which we thought was the epitome of coastal views and colors.

Magical Moon

Bill did a great job with this shot of the moon on 8/28/09. I love the craters on the left side.

My Mother's Smile

My lovely mother when she was a teenager. How about those capri type pants? Pretty stylish indeed, Mother. Her beautiful smile just warms my heart.

Leapin' Lizard

This is the little visitor who came up to our back patio to say hello.

Sunrise over Redfish Bay

If you're ever fortunate enough to be fishing in Redfish Bay before dawn, this is what you can look forward to. A mama and baby dolphin etched in the clouds is God's assurance of another beautiful and bountiful day on the sea.

Early Morning in the Harbor

This photo of a graceful pelican was the result of Bill's early rising before heading to work. I think this view is amazingly captivating.