Who has the best daughter in the world?

I do that's who!

Last week, my daughter, Amanda, called me to tell me that her and her boyfriend had bought me a birthday present. She said she knew it was early but wanted to make sure I got it in time. The catcher was that even though it was coming early I wasn't allowed to open it until my birthday. OK so I deserve that one, I certainly tortured her enough making her wait to open gifts.

Monday when I got home from work, I pulled in the driveway and spotted the box sitting on my front porch. Oh great, that means I have 13 days to sit and stare at this box and wonder what's inside it. I got a little closer to the porch and suddenly I was doing a happy dance. Well, an internal happy dance. I didn't want anyone driving by to think I was on drugs or going into some kind of seizure. Just take a look at what I saw.

And here's another side of the box.

Can you believe that? I give her a call and our conversation goes something like this

Me: I found a box sitting on the porch when I got home today.

Her: I wonder who that could be from

Me: Um, I hate to tell you this but I know what it is without even opening the box.

Her: What do you  mean you know what it is?

Me: The outside of the box says Provo Craft, description Cricut Create machine

Her: We told them it was a gift, it was supposed to be descreet

Me: Well when we get off the phone I'll take a picture of the box and text it to you.

Lucky me, I didn't have to wait....lol 

She bought me the machine and her boyfriend Ian, who by the way is the bestest also, bought me an extra cartridge to go with it. 

I lost track of how many times I told her she was the bestest daughter with the bestest boyfriend. I had to keep asking if I had told her or not. She said that I had but she didn't mind hearing it.

Now I can't wait for the weekend so I can really do some playing. Isn't she just the best?

The camera doesn't lie but sometimes pictures do

I just love it when I get one of those pictures that is totally NOT what it appears to be. Most of the time when we take pictures, we stand in front of the subject and shoot. But when you mix things up a bit, shoot from above or below the subject, you can sometimes get a much more interesting picture.

My example for today is a picture I found while searching the old folders for something interesting, entertaining and in this case, maybe even a bit controversial.

 

I don't remember the exact situation, but I do know for a fact that Wade wasn't kicking the dog. Because of where I was positioned when I took the picture it sure does look like it though. The icing on the cake is the expression on Duke's face. It sure looks like an "OUCH that hurt" expression if you ask me.

I posted another example of interesting angles in this post, This one looks like poor little Lydia has her finger in the flame of a birthday candle. 

Be assured that no dogs or babies were harmed in the process of taking these photos.

On another note, I was doing my blog visits earlier and came across the sweetest post on Christine's blog Jaz Creations. If you've never been there you really should go. She creates the most beautiful fractal art. Loved the post Christine, you're the sweetest.

Discovery

I've never been one to watch the Discovery channel but I do love it when I make a discovery of my own. I found an amazing blog recently that I have to share with you. It's called Shadowhouse Creations.  The author of this blog is Jerry Jones, a self taught Photoshop digital artist. Let me tell you, his work is amazing. Aside from being very talented, he's also very generous. He offers textures, brushes and tutorials.

I picked up a couple of his textures the other day as well as a mask and did some playing around

 

This next one I used his mask and a texture. 

 

Of course my two example can't even compare to what you'll see on his blog but I had to show them.

Go on over and check it out. Shadowhouse Creations.

Something from the oven

I got the urge to bake. Why I would want to do that at home when I bake 40 hours a week at work is beyond me but I did. Wade has a thing for shortbread cookies so I thought I would make him some.

I gathered my ingredients

 

Before you say it, I know, that's imitation vanilla. It's also super cheap dollar store vanilla. I can't help it, remember "thrifty".

I got out my ancient hand me down cookie press.

I haven't used this thing in ages. I'm sure one of the new fangled ones would be much easier to use but this one works.

And here are my cookies.

These did not last long at all. He had them eaten in no time.

Shortbread cookies

2 cups butter 

1 cup sugar

2 tsp vanilla (feel free to use REAL vanilla if you must...lol)

4 cups flour

Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla. Slowly add flour. Put through cookie press. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Before I go I want to send a big THANK YOU and hugs to Audrey at Audrey's Country Crafts. I was checking out her blog earlier and what a surprise it was to see that she mentioned me as the blog of the week. What a sweetie she is.