** This 'n That on a Monday Morning **

*  Happy March 1st everyone! I feel quite "springy" this morning. The weekend weather was lovely, the birds are chirping, the coffee is finished brewing and all is well in my little corner of the world.
 *  My terrific writer friend, Tammy, has a fabulous contest on her blog! She is giving away some "Chicken Soup for the Soul; What I Learned from the Dog" books!! Go to her site, read all about it, and leave a comment!!

* Don't forget about my upcoming interview with Judith Ryan Hendricks. I should be posting that in the next week or so. It's going to be really interesting and informative!

* I have 2 more contests in mind, too, that I'll be posting soon.

* Random thought: Have you ever stood close to a large mirror, looked into it to observe the room you're in, and feel like you're looking at a totally different room? Like Alice in Wonderland? I remember doing that as a young girl, and it still happens today! The room might look larger or prettier. I might notice the little things in a different light. Just wondered if I'm really weird (although, I already know the answer to that!) or if any of you have experienced the same feelings. It's looking at it in a totally different perspective. Maybe that's why I'm happy most of the time. Maybe I notice all the little things and appreciate them so.

* Speaking of beautiful rooms, 2 of my blogger buddies have exquisite homes. One is Susan of Between Naps on the Porch and the other is Michael Lee West of Designs by Gollum. They both are fabulous ladies!In addition to being a superb designer, Michael is also a fantastic writer! I bought her first book, "Crazy Ladies; A Novel", when it came out and just loved it.
     * In honor of decorating, I'm posting a photo of a wall grouping I did in my dining room. A couple of the plates were my maternal grandmother's and some were just fun finds at various gift shops or flea markets. The tea pot clock is a Royal Albert, Old Country Roses design I bought at Dillards years ago. The "half" tea cup is a real favorite of mine! It's so pretty and unique. I bought it at a gift shop in old St. Charles on Main Street, also a few years ago, and I've never found another one like it.

* Well, that's all my thoughts for the moment. I've got a zillion things to do today, and I've already used up quite a few zillion minutes. Have a fabulous day, everyone!

"There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it." -- Edith Wharton

** HAPPINESS 101 **

My blogger friend, Daisy, recently posted this meme and invited anyone who was interested to accept the tag and name 10 things that make them happy. This is the first time I've done one of these, and I even had to look up the definition of "meme". Sounds way too scientific to me! But I get the idea. Just "keep it going"!

So, I'll do this the way Daisy did. I'm not going to "tag" any particular people. If you'd like to join along, just grab this photo and post it on your blog. Then write the 10 Things That Make You Happy. Daisy wrote hers in a poem. She's so talented! She's on my Blog List, so check out her lovely blog, "Dancing With Daisy".

I have one thing to add and this is not a "rule", it's just a thought I had. Since most of us would say our family and/or friends, and name specific people, I'm not going to use such generaliztions. Since I have hundreds of things that make me happy, I shouldn't have a problem with this!

1. Writing
2. Laughing
3. Dancing
4. Singing
5. Reading
6. Candles burning
7. Learning
8. Chirping birds
9. Walking on my trail
10. My dog, Tiger (especially watching her let out a heavy sigh, while laying on her quilt)

Okay, there's my Happines 101 List! If you'd like to write about the things that make you happy and continue this meme, please consider yourself tagged and take the logo back with you to post on your blog.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

** Part 2 of Yesterday's "To Be Continued" **

My apologies for not continuing this last night!

Well, I did sing and dance my way around the house yesterday for awhile, and that helped my mood considerably. But, what really got me back into my Writing Zone, was a documentary on HBO Family last night. It was almost half over when I happened upon the station, but those few moments were rejuvenating. It was "Hard Times for An American Girl: The Great Depression".  The following is the description on the website:

"The very young and the very old teach and inspire each other in this documentary focusing on what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression. Children interview folksinger Pete Seeger, artist Faith Ringgold, poet Philip Levine, and others, and learn about how the 1930s changed their lives. Mixing archival films, photos and kids discovering history, this half-hour film is a meditation on happiness and survival during very hard times. Directed and produced by Amy Schatz."

As soon as it was over, I marched upstairs to my office and got down to bidness on my book! I settled down, settled in,  and accomplished quite a bit. I'm feeling great today and I pledge to continue....feeling great and writing my book, that is!

Thanks so much to all of you who left such encouraging comments yesterday! They meant so much to me!

"A friend is someone who knows the song of your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." -- Anonymous

** Thursday's Thimble of Therapy **

Okay. I'm feeling a little bit rowdy today and I'm not really sure why. I was up until 2:00 am last night (er...this morning) writing and submitting something that meant quite a lot to me. I woke up "bright eyed and bushy tailed" about 6:30 am and I've been doing various tasks around the house ever since. Knowing my medical history, my temporarily energetic self will be hitting the wall soon and I'm sure to need a nap. But right now, I'm quite the opposite and feeling a bit hyper.

I have no idea why the word "rowdy" came to mind. I've never described myself by that word, ever! But it's the perfect word for how I'm feeling. I'm having some writing issues. I'm agitated. I'm discombobulated!

In fact, I probably need to get away from my laptop and go do some physical work. Not a problem! I have laundry to do. I have an entire room that needs decluttering...but do I really feel like doing those chores? Heck, no! Okay, I know what to do. Turn on some music and turn up the volume, and dance, dance, dance!

To Be Continued...........

"I know Kung Fu, Karate & 47 other dangerous words." - Unknown

** My Blue & White Chicken Cookie Jar **

I noticed recently that Kathy of "Oregan Gifts of Comfort and Joy" had photos of her decorative chicken collection posted on her blog. It reminded me of when I decorated my kitchen with a chicken motif. It was years ago and in a different house. I had a cute chicken wallpaper border, and a chicken spoon rest and other knick-knacks, but my favorite item, by far, was this gorgeous blue and white cookie jar! It sits proudly on the baker's shelf in the kitchen of my "new" home, which we've lived in for seven years already. I'm so happy that I kept it! (It's probably obvious that Chicky isn't resting on my baker's shelf for this photo! I set her on a chair by a window for a better background.)

*Note: If anyone has manufacturing-type information about this cookie jar, please let me know.  I was so sure it was part of the "Auntie Em" Collection by Treasure Craft, but I can't find anything about it. I spent way too much time online last night, searching for photos or info about it. I have an "Auntie Em" Collection spoon rest, with the same colors and a chicken painted on it, that I'm sure I bought at the same time in the 1980's. And I'm pretty sure I purchased them at Dillards. I just cannot believe that I can't find another one like it! I Googled it and looked at all the various sites....but nothing!

I feel so blessed to have "met" so many new friends through my blog. I look forward every morning to reading the newest posts and viewing the newest photos!

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” -- Dale Carnegie

** Various Thoughts on a Sunday Evening **

Hey Everyone! It's been a fun and busy weekend. I actually had some laptop withdrawals this afternoon because I'd been so busy with other things!

I got some awesome house cleaning accomplished yesterday; due to having friends over for the evening! I don't normally "clean" anymore for friends....hey, we accept each other for who we are, right?!... but a new couple also joined us, so that was cause to get out the old dust rags, put away the clutter, and vacuum! It looks lovely and I hope we can keep it that way!!

Once again, congratulations to Kathy of the Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy blog for winning the Bread Alone book! I'll be sure and get it mailed tomorrow, for you, Kathy!

In case anyone wonders how I handle the random drawing, I am happy to explain! I asked a blogger-friend how she handles her contests and she told me about http://www.random.org/. It's a fascinating site, but I've never spent a lot of time browsing through it. I just type in the number of contestants in the True Random Number Generator, click on Generate, and voile'......The Winner is chosen! (Also, I read through all the comments about bread making, starting with the first one, which was Linda O., and so she was Number 1, etc.etc. And the person with the number that came up was Kathy.) Just so everyone knows it is Fair & Square! I do not "choose" who wins....the computer does!!

How many of you are watching the Winter Olympics? My husband and I have really enjoyed so much of it. We are big fans of Apolo Ohno and watched last night as he earned a Bronze Medal, to break the tie he had with Bonnie Blair. What makes him such a fan favorite, too, is his inspiring story. Here's the link to his official website, but it takes forever to load, probably due to millions of people trying to read it! I finally gave up! http://www.apoloantonohno.com/.

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." -- Tommy Lasorda

** AND THE WINNER OF "BREAD ALONE" IS......**

Good morning everyone! It feels a teeny bit like spring here today......birds chirping,  rain in the forecast, and predicted high temperature of a balmy 45 degrees! (I could do without the rain, though.)

And, now to announce the winner of the contest.......drum roll please.....tah da......It's Kathy at Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy!! Congratulations, Kathy!! You have won a fabulous book, to add to your roomful of books!! The first edition, autographed copy of "Bread Alone" by Judith Ryan Hendricks!!  Please send me an e-mail with your address and I'll get it mailed on Monday.

Thanks again to everyone that took the time to enter. I really enjoyed reading all the comments.

"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done." -- Stephen Wright
   

(I've used this quote before, but after reading Cathy C.'s blog this morning, I just had to use it today!)

Bread Alone Contest & A Runaway Zebra

(photo: Harper Collins)
Bread Alone: There's still some time left to be in my contest that ends tonight at midnight CST. Just leave a comment about making bread in the post of February 13th. It's that easy! One lucky person, to be randomly chosen, will be the winner of the autographed book, "Bread Alone"! Tell all your friends, neighbors and fellow bloggers!

“If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens.” -- Robert Browning


Runaway Zebra:  **This is part of an e-mail from my niece in Atlanta. I hadn't even heard about the poor zebra that was trying to run away from the circus.**John and I were on the interstate with the runaway zebra yesterday!!.... at 5:00 and we were headed to Bremen.....We got on the entrance ramp to the south bound connector and all of a sudden a zebra ran past the car...right next to me! I could have touched him. Bless his heart, he just does not want to be in the circus! Luckily, it was during rush hour and people were inching along so I felt like he wouldn't get hit. He was safely caught and treated for bloody hooves. He's now having some R&R time before he does another show. He was singing his heart out as he ran past my car...♪♫♪..Born free, as free as the wind blows ♪♫...as free as the grass grows...♪♫...I know he was thinking about the Kapiti Plain! *Aww..that poor zebra. I feel so sorry for him *

"Look there daddy, do you see? There's a horse in striped pajamas.
No, thats not what it is at all. That's an animal people call a zebra.
I see, but it still looks like a horse in striped pajamas to me."
(courtesy http://www.allthelyrics.com/)