First Pleasures

I'm one day closer to regaining what may be left of my sanity. I should have titled this post, "We're not gonna take it" with a little picture of Dee Snyder in the courtroom. I guess I know how Vlad the Impaler felt....after fighting that long battle against the Turks for the Christians, only to be cast out after cursing his wife's death. (Okay, so maybe that's the Bram Stoker version, but it's still good). Why are we fighting to begin with? Was Jesus a wealthy politician who wore sweater vests, always used a coozie while wearing Wayfarer shades? Was He always on a golf course, or a pleasure cruise pontoon down at the lake? Did He prefer Las Vegas showgirls and casinos? What about a member of some fraternity or service organization? I wonder if He ever sat "Chairman" of some church committee. I wonder if He ever made a woman feel uncomfortable.

I don't think so.

I know Jesus was a humble soul with a heart made of something beyond solid gold, something we'll never understand. I know He befriended folks who wouldn't be allowed in church. I know He would be my friend. I know he would understand, and I know He wouldn't hide, cower, or lie. He would speak the truth (while turning over a few tables at the same time).

My first experience working at a "church" has been almost a sort of investigation, a project to see "Do they really put HIM first?" Or is it about the politics, the money, the power?
Yes, it's about those three. Granted, there are good apples among bad. I'm just learning that a bad bunch can sour the taste of any good ones left.

So long hypocrisy and deceit! I'm heading for greener pastures--shooting the breeze with a really cool carpenter who won't mind stilettos, tattoos or piercings.

All things British...

It's a new year. It's time for a new show for people who hate tv shows. That show is Masterpiece Classic's Downton Abbey.

Maybe it's the post-traumatic stress stemming from Harry Potter in all its finalty, or maybe it's just my abnormal preference for brilliant British acting, but I am in L-O-V-E with this series.

I've been a fiercely loyal member to team Bates from Season 1: Episode 1. This just made my Sunday nights so much more appealing. I always dreaded the long and gloomy evenings that began the downward descent into human loathing for the "Monday morning". Now, my Sunday evenings are spent basking in the sparkling English countryside alongside flesh and blue-blooded aristocrats and their loyal underdog team of Edwardian servants.

I'm also adding my very first "back-to-blogging" top-shelf hottie for 2012, Mr. Brendan Coyle!

Speaking of hot Brits, happy birthday to the Duchess today! (Kudos to his hotness, Prince William, who shares my love for Downton Abbey )

all the little things

It's already April and I haven't blogged very much since my birthday. Since we left the frigid heath of Illinois, our toes have thawed almost completely as well as the water lines on the camper.

We're still trying our best to sell the RV, which is a challenge in itself. I think our last resort will be eBay, where we will most likely lose our ass. Sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.

Since our departure south, I finally talked my old man into a Florida trip. We visited the gulf one sunny Saturday afternoon on my birthday weekend. We visited Grayton Beach state park and then drove through Panama City. Of course we hit spring break in full force, so after a relaxing hike we headed north again for Alabama. We've enjoyed lots of local activities here including a friday night horse auction which rivaled even the best of vintage Saturday Night Live skits. We stopped by the Pike County Cattlemens Association's first annual ranch rodeo where we found wholesome entertainment in the bizarre form of "wild cow milking". Heith decided to trick the truck a few more turns by adding front and rear Ranch Hand bumpers (much to my own dismay). We visited Patsy the weekend of my birthday as well, and had a nice dinner in Greenville with the parental unit. Most of our free time we spend way down yonder on the Chattahoochee. Dolly loves to swim at the dam and scout for squirrels. Our campground is within biking distance of the local post office which makes for excellent stretch mark erasing.

My boxwood bonsai tree is enjoying the warm temperatures. We should hit 90 degrees today, with a gentle gulf breeze. All the pleasant weather has helped me finish two books in the last three weeks. I'm delving through the Lord of the Rings trilogy right now. All is not lost on the recycle front as I sold 30 ornaments last month and had one order this first week of April. I'm hoping to join the Spartanburg Junior League Santa Shoppe this year with a trove of light bulb treasures.

Cocktails with Strider

Happy birthday to a special little twenty-something -- a toast from your very own hot toddy!

Viggo - NYC 1980

Hang up the hard hat...

The Mighty Task is Done

By Joseph P. Strauss, Chief Engineer
Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District

Written upon completion of the building of the Golden Gate Bridge in May 1937

At last the mighty task is done;
Resplendent in the western sun
The Bridge looms mountain high;
Its titan piers grip ocean floor,
Its great steel arms link shore with shore,
Its towers pierce the sky.

On its broad decks in rightful pride,
The world in swift parade shall ride,
Throughout all time to be;
Beneath, fleet ships from every port,
Vast landlocked bay, historic fort,
And dwarfing all--the sea.

To north, the Redwood Empire's gates;
'To south, a happy playground waits,
in Rapturous appeal;
Here nature, free since time began,
Yields to the restless moods of man,
Accepts his bonds of steel.

Launched midst a thousand hopes and fears,
Damned by a thousand hostile sneers,
Yet ne'er its course was stayed,
But ask of those who met the foe
Who stood alone when faith was low,
Ask them the price they paid.

Ask of the steel, each strut and wire,
Ask of the searching, purging fire,
That marked their natal hour;
Ask of the mind, the hand, the heart,
Ask of each single, stalwart part,
What gave it force and power.

An Honored cause and nobly fought
And that which they so bravely wrought,
Now glorifies their deed,
No selfish urge shall stain its life,
Nor envy, greed, intrigue, nor strife,
Nor false, ignoble creed.

High overhead its lights shall gleam,
Far, far below life's restless stream,
Unceasingly shall flow;
For this was spun its lithe fine form,
To fear not war, nor time, nor storm,
For Fate had meant it so.

Vaya con dios

I never thought I'd write this post. Never say never. My first born, Ruthie, is now officially for sale. She's not exactly "on the market", she's just being introduced to our small circle before we break out the big guns and meet all the Chevelle owners out there who are salivating to own her.

If by chance, any of my readers are interested or have a cousin's husband's brother's nephew's Grandpa who might want to take a test drive--the photo collection is here. Serious inquiries only.

I'll take a Bale with that bath!

In honor of the Lent season fast today, I thought I'd pour on one last hot toddy until next month.
I'm showcasing the uber hot bod of Mr. Christian Bale...better known as Bruce Wayne, Melvin Purvis, or Patrick Bateman, whichever you prefer. Scruffy and tough, or squeaky clean...Bale gets a 10 in AND out of the shower!

The Big Easy

The Enchanted Owl found its way into the heart of another fellow blogger today! Sarah at Magnolia Surprise is featuring all things Mardi Gras in honor of Fat Tuesday, which is right around the corner. She included my recycled light bulb Mardi Gras ornament in her fabulous collection! Check out her blog here and visit her on etsy as well!

More special features...

The Enchanted Owl is proud to be the newest feature on the Official Jewelry by Tara Blog today!
Tara specializes in unique hand crafted jewelry and a love for all things Alice (in Wonderland that is!). Visit her etsy shop here to see her fine collection of altered art, banners, and more.

Thanks so much for featuring my shop Tara, I appreciate all the exposure I can get!

The Sweetest Gift

It's that time again guys & gals--I'm hosting another fabulous giveaway from my etsy shop The Enchanted Owl. This time we're joining in the Valentine's spirit by gifting one of our creative ornaments to one lucky winner!
Enter your name for a chance to win one FREE ornament (of your own choice) by emailing me, leaving a blog comment,or stopping by our facebook fan page!
Winner will be chosen on Feb. 7 just in time to receive their ornament by Valentines 2010. Good luck to everyone! XOXO

Sweet Idea

I finished up the first Valentine addition to the etsy shop this week. Here's a preview, click on the photo to visit the shop.
My debate for this uber cute ornament is A. there's no fear of calories or fat so put that Godiva box away, and B. this ornament doesn't require water everyday and a trash can at the end of the week, so put down the phone before you call that florist.
These can be completely customized & personalized per request. Hope everyone celebrates a very sweet and very recycled Valentines day!

Tweeting...well, in our case, hooting.

The Enchanted Owl is officially on Twitter as of today. According to Etsy research, the bigger your audience, the better your sales. Feel free to check out the most up to date "tweets" (I'd really rather call them hoots as it seems more fitting.)

I've also added some new creations, and I'm in the process of finishing my first Valentine themed ornament. I've had a lot of fun painting the traditional Mardi Gras mask on this Fat Tuesday ornament (which is Feb. 16, 2010 by the way!)


Many thanks to all my friends and blog buddies who have helped spread the word about the Enchanted Owl. I appreciate each and every one of you!

Migraine #3

Today I endured my third migraine of the new year. My first being on January 1. Last year I opened 2009 with one of the worst migraines I've ever had...I was even reduced to vomiting after my morning coffee. This year was somewhat of a repeat, except I could only manage to make myself gag over the toilet. No real vomit this time.
If there's one thing I could wish away for this year, it is hands down the head wrenching headaches that have plagued me, myself and my brain for almost four years.
Take me back to the good ole days of high school when I really never knew what a headache was. If any readers have any, ANY, suggestions for home headache remedies, I'm all ears.

My first day

My first day of the year. Clean sheets, clean clothes, my first shower of the year, and my first ornament...and last. Well, the last time I EVER agree to paint "Lilo and Stitch" whoever they hell they are. Wait, did I mention my first migraine of the year?

Split End of the Year

I've been staring at this white screen through a tangled mass of hair for the last fifteen minutes. This seems to be a recurring habit of mine, picking my split ends by the computer screen light. I think I do this while I'm pondering titles and I usually can't come up with one until I've finished an entire post.

I hate writing the same old shit. The same old shit everyone else writes "Oh, where has the year gone? Time flies by so fast...blah blah blah". We know this. I'm reminded every day as I pass my wedding portrait in the hall (okay, so it's not a hall it's a ledge). So time flies by too frickin fast. Okay.

Enough about my weirdness. Where did 2009 take me, my old man and my dog?

Our New Year celebration began with our old friends in Georgia, who we regret we won't see for this coming year's soiree. We were so happy to be able to finally spend a New Year's with people. Real people and noisemakers and hats and hors d'oeuvres. It was my first real New Year's party and I'll never forget it!
We spent January through August parked on Saint Helena Island in South Carolina. This of course accumulated many rodents, creatures, and cobwebs that I was very happy to be rid of by the time we hooked up again. Shaking off the sand, our coach headed north to Virginia where we stopped off for a couple of months before our journey to New England and my favorite stop of the year, Connecticut. I fell in love with this state and the entire area, and I didn't think I could love anywhere as much as I do Saint Helena. I find myself homesick for hardwood forests, owls, and acorns quite often.
We left Connecticut in early November and drove to Kentucky for one week, there we packed once more for our final destination of the year...Illinois. Yes, I dreaded even typing the name. However, this "end" of the state seems to be somewhat milder (in climate and attitude) than Chicago. We're on the outskirts of St. Louis in a big cornfield beside a dairy. The wind blows, it rains. The wind blows, it rains. And I dream of a house, a big warm brick house with shutters and a fire place. A big leather sofa and a blanket...warm socks and--sorry, where was I?

I'm daydreaming again, but that's bound to happen when you live in a "Day Dreamer" which is still for sale by the way.

This year opened some new doors for me. I'm so thankful for my extremely teeny tiny success on etsy and all the Christmas trees across America that proudly displayed my handiwork. I hope that 2010 brings more business and some new ventures, as I'm sure it will.

If our Lord feels we are deserving in this new year, I hope to be typing to you next December from a cozy den beside a crackling fire inside four brick walls...with no wheels underneath.

Happy New Year to you all!

Happy Birthday Blogster!

It's been five whole years since my first post on the Backcountry.

Five years ago this week, I had just returned from a trip to Las Vegas to watch the National Finals Rodeo...I had just purchased my very own home and began the process of moving and unpacking...and I sat down at my new Apple laptop and created this little blog known as Backcountry Research.

Happy birthday old friend!

Happy Dezember!

This is the winning lightbulb ornament design..."Peace, Love, and Bugs"! This design was inspired by Kay Larch, who is the winner of the November giveaway. I had such a fun time painting this ornament and it's certainly one of my favorites! Kay is my favorite local artist and I hope to score some of her killer work for the holidays myself. Check out her blog to see some of her wicked painted mosaics!

No worries readers, since I had such a great response with the contest, I've decided to host another giveaway for December. Starting today, if anyone is interested in winning a free ornament, just email me your name & your ideas. Winners will be announced December 15 (in order to receive their ornament by the holidays!) Good luck everyone!

We have a WINNER!

Congratulations to Kay Larch, the winner of The Enchanted Owl free ornament giveaway! We did this fair, and I drew her name from a bowl full of wonderful ideas & designs. Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway and emailed me with their creative suggestions! I now have an entire shelf of ornament design ideas thanks to you all!

Kay's idea included a 60's flower power theme, so I ran with it. I hope she likes what I've concocted, it's groovy baby!

Don't worry, I will host another giveaway for the month of December!

I miss being a kid...

Maybe I'm still kiddie because this has been one of my favorite ornaments to paint so far! The pictures don't show it, but the little cowboy is holding a stick horse, and the paisleys came from a bandanna design that I used for the background.

Traditional Disaster

Last year, my border collie (the Donk) ate all of my turkey before it was even cooked. I came home to find her and the bird lying on the floor in a pool of turkey juice.
I ran to the post office this morning after finishing up a pretty large order of ornaments (something to be thankful for) and when I walked in the door...two loaves of bread opened and already half eaten. She was hiding under the kitchen table.
I don' get it. The bread stays out all the time, and she's never touched it. Today she found some wild hankering for loaf bread and hamburger buns, so she made it her business to tear into the plastic. Keep in mind that she had to put her paws up on the counter, lean up to the toaster and grab the bags with her teeth (this is all how I imagined it went down).
The good news, she ignored the fresh pound cake that was cooling on the counter beside the bread. I guess she didn't want pound cake, but she got a hefty spank anyway.

I baked my first pound cake today for my small and lonesome Thanksgiving fest tomorrow. The old man, Donk and myself will celebrate in the camper with the wind howling all around us. We have all of the appropriate trimmings, and now a fresh citrus pound cake for dessert!

P.S. Friends, stop by and visit my newest follower on her blog "Heartsong"!