Exploring
They say not to go there.
They don’t say why.
Could it be the cob webs?
The creaky floors?
The rusty nails?
A ghost! That must be it.
Giggling, we go anyway.
We dare each other late at night.
“How long can you stand to stay?”
They say it’s dangerous.
But they don’t say why.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
Moving In Winners!
I’d like to thank those who have read ten or more episodes of Suzie’s House. I love you all. *mwah!* You are all welcome to come back and read any time you like. 😀 Your copies of Moving In are going out tonight. Check your email.
Linda Hendersen
Andrea I
Pam S
Jessica Deratany
Aik
Guta Baur.
and Btittany Morrow
Misha Mathew, you are ONE short. Come back and read one more!
How is it Coming Along?
I missed my intended deadline – to have it completed as of yesterday. Still, I might be able to finish it before this contest is over. I thought I’d let you watch my progress.
As of last night, I’d more or less settled on a final lay out.
I’ve got all the heart flowers pinned and have settled on the top of the ugly flower and the position of the three main elements. I’m still not entirely happy with the roses or the background for the ugly flower, so will probably make some more changes before I stitch them.
Meanwhile I’m waiting for Mr. Al, who works nights, to get up so I can get at my sewing machine.
Rough day. I got two of the central panels done, and changed my mind about the one in the middle. I think you will like the new background much better. I’ll take pictures first thing in the morning so you can see.
By the way, did I mention that this quilt is machine washable? All the material I’m using is good to go. Machine was cold, tumble dry. But don’t do it real often or the stitching will come loose.
I’m sorry the picture to the right is a bit blurry. It’s been a rainy day. Makes it hard to get a good shot. Anyway, I said I’d take one in the morning, and I did. I just didn’t get a chance to post it until now. This is how it looked this morning.
And now here is the central panel now. Wait until tonight when I get the other two panels in. It really does work much better.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a385/AliceAudrey/Blog3/Quilt60.jpg
The roses were a pain in the patootie. It took me two weeks to make them and four hours to attach them and I won’t tell you how many needles I broke, but my machine is not happy with me. Still, they came out great. If only the picture did them justice. Can’t help the off color. It’s what comes of taking pictures at night.
So far today I’ve gotten the edging cut out, some more seams put in, and a machine fixed. Not as far along as I’d hoped, but still progress.
I was supposed to close down the contest last night, but since I got the dates confused, I’m letting it run until tonight. Hopefully I’ll have the quilt done by then. It will take me a couple of days to tabulate the winner.
The Making of The Quilt
I’m sure this is more than anyone really wants to know, but for those few intrepid souls who are interested:
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As you can see, I have plenty of scraps to chose from.
Crazy Love Blogmania Giveaway
If you haven’t been to my Welcome page, then head there first. That’s where you’ll find the complete list of everything I’m giving away. Check back each day as I will be giving away more stuff as we go along.
The main thing I’m giving away is a quilt, which I am still working on as I type this. When I showed it to my husband this morning he simply said, “Wow.” I think you’re going to like it. For a complete description of what it’s like, go here.
A lot of wonderful authors are contributing something to my giveaway. Give them a good looking over. I have all prizes in hand, so I’ll be sending them out direct next week. I’ll announce the winners in my sidebar.
Here’s how to enter:
List what you would like in order of preference here on this post . Commenting on the Welcome page will count as an entry, but only if you also comment here. If you don’t really want the quilt, simply don’t list it. If any book is fine, say so. If you prefer one Love Note Kit over another, say which you like. This automatically enters you into the drawing. It gives you one entry. You can come back later and change it. I’ll go by your last list.
Each additional comment you make on any part of my blog will give you another entry. You can comment on ANY post, but you have to say enough about the post that I know you aren’t spam.
Be one of the first ten to leave a comment on a post, and I’ll give you two entries for that comment. Be the very first and I’ll give you three entries for that comment. For each comment you leave on Suzie’s House I’ll give you four entries. Comment on ten or more Suzie’s House episodes and I’ll send you a free copy of Moving In, regardless of anything else you might win.
You do NOT need to come back here to tell me you got extra entries. I’m keeping close track. (I love you Suzie’s readers! Such nice comments.) I will not count comments in which you point out your other comments toward entries, unless you totally crack me up.
Yes, I will ship internationally.
The Association Meme contest is a separate contest, as are my regular, first-Monday-of-the-month book give aways. You’re welcome to participate in them, too.
When you’re done, go here:
Having trouble finding the stupid comment button? It’s right under this, in that bar at the bottom.
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The contest is now closed. I am currently tabulating results.
Gourmet SPAM
As those of you who read my Thursday post know, my family and I stopped off at The SPAM Museum during our vacation a few weeks ago. It is quite the wild and crazy place. The entire way through, we were told there were a couple of flavors of SPAM that could only be purchased at The SPAM Museum. These specialty/collector’s items were not for the general public, but only special people like us savvy enough to come drifting in from the highway when we saw the billboards.
I purchased the Garlic and Mr. Al selected the Hot and Spicy. Actually, we were served several samples of the Hot and Spicy as we went. Still, even if we hadn’t already decided it was good, Mr. Al would have gotten it. It has his all time favorite seasoning – Tabasco.
The whole time I was getting my SPAM I was thinking about the gimmick of it. I mean really, collector’s SPAM? They were kidding, right? Right? And yet there I was going out of my way to find the stuff. Although I like SPAM, I’m hardly a collector. I suckered in on the elitism of it.
Would you have?
Crazy Love Blogmania Giveaway – Pre-Entries
Have you been watching me make the quilt? Drooled over some of the books offered on my Welcome page? I hate to give new readers a better crack at winning than I do my regulars, so I’m going to make you a special offer. List what you’d like to win in the order you’d like to win here on this post. You can update your choices later as I add more stuff. I’ll count each comment you made in the last two weeks toward entries in the contest and each comment you make during the contest as double. After all, you’ve already done what I’m going to ask others to do.
BTW, wondering how I’m doing on the quilt? It’s a last minute crunch, that’s for sure. This picture is the most recent, but is far from up to date. I have all the roses done and have made big progress for the top part of the top section. Now it’s just a matter of getting everything put together.
The Corn Palace
The Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota is an interesting diversion. I’d call it a tourist trap, but they don’t really work that hard separating you from your money. For a few decades now (40? I’d have to look it up) they have been gluing various parts of the corn plant to the outside of this building to create murals. Every year they scrape off the old one and put up a new one. That’s pretty much it’s entire claim to fame.
On the inside is a wide, arching hallway. It doesn’t cost anything to get in, which is a good thing because there’s not much there. The hall has a few display cases, and the side halls the corny footprints, but the corn murals on the inside of the theater/basketball court are the only big things.
In previous years the curtains over the stage were pulled back and booths set up in both the stage and the basketball floor. Local artisans sold their stuff – the usual run of pottery, textiles, candies, etc. This year we got there on a Sunday evening, and were lucky to get in at all.
There are a few gift shop type places across the street, but otherwise, that’s all there is to the Corn Palace. It’s not far from the highway, and easy to find. Worth a drive by, anyway.
Small Steps
Your grand schemes
Will come to not
If all you do is dream.
I tell you to study
Because it is
The first step
In your journey.
Will you only talk?
Or will you take a step?
Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Under a Rising Star
Jill: So, are you ready?
Jack: Ready for what?
Jill: For the anniversary thing.
Jack: *panicked* The WHAT? Is it our anniversary right now? I thought that was in March.
Jill: No, no, it’s right now.
Jack: Darling, I’m sorry. I didn’t get you anything.
Jill: Get me anything? What are you talking about? I’m talking about Annie’s poetry reading – her verse-ery.
Jack: Oh. Annie’s verse-ery.
Today’s theme is anniversary
Previously in Jack and Jill: Hot Topic
The rules for Photohunt can be found here.
Be sure to visit the home page.
BlogFest Give Away
Sorry for any confusion. My Blogfest give away is much more humble than my Blogmania giveaway. At least that’s the case this time. I have big plans for the next Blogfest. At any rate, This is what I have to offer for BlogFest:
He had once been her cherished childhood companion, and then the man she lusted for in secret, but Georgiana Wilde hasn’t seen recently widowed Quinn Fortesque since the day he married another woman and shattered her heart. Then fate intervenes and brings the man she dreams about each night back to her… Returning to the estate on family business, Quinn would like nothing more than to turn the land over to Georgiana and leave the memories of his former life behind. But then the brooding marquis finds himself under the spell of the beauty he once left behind. With her barely concealed passions, Georgiana melt his cooly guarded heart. Suddenly his well-ordered world is in danger of crashing down. And it all began with just one kiss…
The future of Charlotte Harris’s finishing school is in jeopardy when a charming Spaniard – world -famous magician Diego Montalvo – arrives to turn the bordering estate into a scandalous pleasure garden. Valiantly ignoring his wicked flirtation, outspoken Lucinda Seton vows to derail his plans and save the school, unaware that Diego’s true mission is to spirit the long-lost heiress away to Spain for a handsome reward! But before long Diego’s heart is playing tricks on him, and Lucy is falling under the illusionist’s spell. How can the Master of Mystery go through with his devilish scheme when all he wants is to make the lovely heiress his own?
Why is the notorious Duke of Blackstone ruining Mary’s well-laid plans to marry his brother, the handsome Viscount Wetherly? Every time she turns a corner, he is there – tantalizing her, teasing her… and the more she tries to ignore him, the more insistent he becomes. Mary knows she must make an advantageous marriage, but surely Blackstone is the wrong man for her. Isn’t’ he? Blackstone is not about to let his brother become bewitched by some wily blueblood pretender… even one as deliciously tempting as Mary. But until she came along, no women has ever resisted his smooth, well-practiced seductions. Could it be that he’s actually falling in love with the infuriating chit?
Orphaned beauty Meg Amberley never planned to pose as Lord Cade Byron’s fiancee. Caught in a snowstorm, she takes refuge at his estate. Stranded together, Meg soon finds herself falling under Cade’s spell. When the roads clear, she intends to leave, but fate intervenes. Haunted by his past, Cade Byron has buried himself in the country. Then Meg – with her lush curves – invades his house and his life. With her reputation compromised, he proposes a pretend engagement and a London season where she can find a husband. But as their charade deepens, Cade can’t let her go… vowing to tempt her with a kiss that just may lead to forever.
Thank you to all who entered. This contest is now closed. I’ll announce the winners in my sidebar tonight.
I’ll be drawing four names, one for each book. Simply say in the comments which you’d like.
Suzie’s House 181: Tick, Tick, Tick
“Did you see the way she looked at me? I’m telling you, there’s something wrong with Gene’s girlfriend.” Miranda closed the door to their room, then gave the lock a decisive turn, as if it were perfectly normal to lock their door.
“Girlfriend? She’s just a buddy,” Vin scoffed. He sat down in the chair next to the bed and unlaced his shoes.
“Girlfriend. Buddy. What’s the difference?” She gestured impatiently as she drifted to the bed, then back to the door.
I can be wowed.
She is very sure of her opinions.
For every amazing feat she finds
a flaw. For every excellence,
a short coming.
Her taste is impeccable.
But can she be amazed?
Can she savor the sublime moment
when something unexpected
changes the color of the world?
I can. I make it a habit.
I like to be wowed.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
13 Pictures of The Spam Museum
In our travels we chanced upon a billboard advertising The Spam Museum. Though not heavy Spam eaters, we couldn’t resist. Here is a quick tour of the place.
1. The Spam Museum is attached to the Spam plant in Austin Minnesota. It’s free and open to the public.
2. When you first walk in, you’re in what appears to be a simple hall until you turn around. This display is made of cans of Spam. My first thought was thank Gawd it didn’t collapse as I was walking under it.
3. Right behind the receptionists desk is what looks like the bar of a diner, complete with Formica counter with a number of computer stations set up. Look closely in the bottom right corner and you will see a place mat with a round ball for an egg yolk and a pat of butter sticking up. This is the mouse and clicker. The only place they take you is Spam’s official website. The kids spent a long time playing Spamalot.
