July blogging challenge - Little piece of my day

It was one of those days where you're too busy for your liking, but yet, you're not willing to give up any part of the day.  But I still stopped to smell the flowers so to speak.  Gotta love the kind that grows wild in the ditches of Iowa (much like some of us old-timer country kids- lol).

Silence.. for a little while longer! Photo Challenge

Silence - for the moment.  The football field and the sled are empty for now except for a few robins and me. Hard to believe in a couple of short months it will be football season again.  But for now, I'm more than willing to enjoy the green grass, the cottonwood flying, and the dog days of summer...

Drink up, Little Girl - Photo Challenge

Okay, so you were probably expecting alcohol when you saw "drink up" but I gotta say, she's cuter.  Thanks to our friends, I watched this one demolish a cake and then slurp up her birthday milk.  Too freaking adorable.

Photo challenge - flowers (on the perfect date - lol)

Flowers - Even though we are just now getting our first taste of spring on APRIL 25th, I'm past ready for summer.  And with summer comes good times, good smells, and good things to look at.  Here's a good reminder from last summer!

photo challenge -cold is for the birds

Sure, I'd love to be posting gorgeous spring photos, but as they say, winter is for the birds!  It's April, but it's snowing in Nebraska so I figured I might as well go with my favorite winter bird:  Mr. Penguin.  He always looks a little cranky just like me and he walks wide.  Again...

photo challenge - pet peeves

This week's theme is pet peeves.  My list is too long to even begin to count:  slow drivers in the fast lane, dirty socks left next to the recliner, unparented children, having to pay taxes while other people do nothing and get money from the government.  Needless to say, the list is endless but probably at the very top of it is cleaning!  There are few things in this world that I like less than cleaning and it pisses me off that those dust bunnies start coming back the second you finish collecting them.  Damn those beasts!  And tell me you don't agree! :)

Photo Challenge - One. And done...or not.

One - toadstools are a dime a dozen around here, but I can't help photographing the intricacies of them.  The texture and lines are amazing.  The variation between summer and fall makes all the difference, too.  You can go from ruffly dress textures to volcanic eruptions.

Photo Challenge: Spring and Friendly Greetings

At my house, Spring is all about new baby calfies.  Yes, that's what we call them.  Green grass, baby calves ready to have their pictures taken, and the promise of summer vacation close at hand!

Photo challenge - Early, Much too Early!

Photo challenge this week was Early.  Apparently, it was too early for this guy.  He almost looks nice, but I think I'll leave him to sleep without interruption.  And since we were talking lions and tribes on the tweetchat this week, I thought he had to make the blog!  Happy Napping, Y'all!

Photo Challenge: Broken, or Broke as the case may be

Sometimes, you just don't wanna know...

Either way, it's broken and we'll probably be broke after fixing it. lol.  So it definitely fits the challenge:  broken.  And yes, that's an Iowa license plate.  No place like home...

Photo challenge - Black and White

Artistic wonders - I snapped this one at Artsarben here in Nebraska.  I am always amazed at the talent of others.  Definitely something to be respected.

day 14 - last day - Feb. 14 - Happy V-Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!  Thank you so much for playing along with The Candy-Coated Love Fest! 

As it is the final day, all I ask is that you put a little love in someone else’s heart! 

Today, we are sending free e-cards (Happy Valentine’s Day!!  Thank you so much for playing along with The Candy-Coated Love Fest! 

As it is the final day, all I ask is that you put a little love in someone else’s heart! 

Today, we are sending free e-cards to someone who needs a little pick-me-up! (You can go to Hallmark.com for free ones)  Sure, you can send one to your significant other, but how ‘bout the co-worker who covered your butt yesterday, or the college friend you haven’t talked to in months even though she called, or that little old lady who lives across the street, or what about your mommy because doesn’t she deserve a note from you????

Now, feel free to send it today, or if you’d rather be that good little Pinterest overachiever, make one!  Or grab some candy bars and write “Happy V-Day!” on them. 

Do this however you want to, but let’s do something nice for someone who might desperately be needing a Valentine today.  After all, today is all about love and we need a lot more love in this world!

Just go out there and make someone’s day a little more lovey-dovey!  And feel free to tell us the lucky winner of your e-card if you want.  Otherwise, have a great day!

day 13 - Feb. 13 - stupid cupid gifts are for adults!

Lucky or Unlucky, it’s Feb. 13!  It’s the day before the night before Valentine’s Day!  And I hope you’re ready for the big day!

Today, I know you have Valentines to make and plans to arrange, so today is simple. Pretend that Cupid is somewhere between the Easter Bunny and Santa.  What should Cupid bring you tomorrow to make you feel the love?

Are you in desperate need of chocolate, a new iphone, tickets to Lion King, a trip to Bermuda, a bottle of whipped vodka or hours of snuggletime with…your pillow and blankey?  How 'bout ice cream, a dozen roses, or a kiss on the cheek?  What can Cupid do to make your V-day special?

Let’s hear that want list!  

Day 12 Feb. 12 - roses are red, beer cans are blue...

Boys and Girls, it’s Feb. 12 and that means we are just 2 days away from Valentine’s Day!

I hope you’ve got your candy, your wine, your spa packages, and hate mail ready to go!

But for today, Love-Festers, do you want to be the voice of love, hate, wine, or comic relief or or or…? 

Guess that’s up to you. 

All you have to do is finish this handy-dandy little verse with the cutest, funniest, ugliest, gruesome, weirdest, nicest or whatever else –est thing you can think of! 

So bring on the endings to:

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

____________________________

and _________________________________!

Address it to something, someone, or make it general for just leaving it out there for all to be inspired by!

Can’t wait to read your oh-so-poetic commentaries!

day 11 - feb. 11 - keep your hands off my love!

Happy Monday!  I say that knowing there’s rarely such a thing, but I’m trying, people. J

Today we are all about the what’s, not the who’s!  (No, it’s not Seussville, but I like it!)

WHAT do you love?  In other words, WHAT do you talk to, pat, and protect like it were a child?  

Is it your coffee mug, your car, your iphone?  What do you get edgy about the minute someone else gets near it? 

Break out your phone camera and snap a shot or profess your undying love to it in a post.  Heck, write an ode if you want to be that writerly type.  Just tell us WHAT makes your day brighter!

Happy Monday!  Happy Feb. 2/11/13!

day 10 - feb. 10 - we're expecting you on the love boat!

Love-Festers, I’m hoping I’m not going too old-skool for some of you!  If I am, I think you have some Googling to do! 

Today, we’re headed to Mazatlan or Puerto Viarta via The Love Boat!  Exciting and new, come aboard, we’re expecting you at The Candy-Coated Love Fest! 

Isn’t that what we all need?  Who doesn’t need a little cruise?  A little reminder about the meaning of love? 

For those of you new to Love Boat, a few normal people showed up on the boat with some famous people with drama to ensue.  There’s model discoveries, jewelry heists, nude magazine playboys, and a whole lot of love connections, a few re-connections, and some serious confessions of love/quickies/proposals/flirtations, etc, but the best part of all is everyone leaves the boat happily ever after!

So, who are you taking on the Love Boat with you?  Pick at least 5 of your Facebook friends to hop on board and then at least 4 celebrities to make the voyage.

I’ll go first so you have an example! 

I’m taking Tori and Dean since, after all, Aaron Spelling created the show!  It seems necessary.

Plus, I’m taking Beyonce and Jay-Z as I’m sure they need a little get-away after her lip syncing scandal and a newborn!  I envision a little rapping in the lounge and Beyonce singing to some dufus about putting a ring on it NOW!  Oh, there will be some “re-kindling!”

And, you’re gonna love this, I’m taking Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake so they can have that deep philosophical break-up discussion they never had so Britney can find her way to a normal, nice guy passenger. Lol.

For other passengers, my sister, Mischa, gets to go because she wouldn’t miss a cruise!  And I figure she can talk to Isaac at the bar while he makes her drinks!  Casey gets to go so she can finally meet Gerard Butler who is destined to be at the Captain’s table with her!  And I’m taking the Loop – Sara, Melissa, Kristin, Jenny, Julie, and Trisia because you know there will be comedy and drama there.  I kinda figure Sara will get the 5 carat bejeweled flower stolen from her hair by a kissing bandit!

Oh, how I love The Love Boat!  Let’s hear what’s happening on your voyage!

Promising fun for everyone…

Day 9 - Feb. 9 - Heart of .... Gold?

TGIS!  Love a Saturday!  And because I’m hoping you have a little extra time in your day today, I picked today to be the day you show me your heart!  Plus, it’s a contest day!!

Congrats to Trisia Roth for winning the conversation heart contest with Be Someone Else's!

But now it’s your turn to win!

So bring on the pictures!

Show me your heart photos – on a pocket, in the sand, out of M&M’s, the cutest boy in the world, or a magnet on your fridge!

Take that picture or scan in something from ancient days ago!  But let’s see what you can make look heart-tastic!

Feel the love!  

Day 8 - Feb. 8 - Crushin' Hard

Hello, Love-Festers!  TGIF!!  Hope you’re as ready for the weekend as I am!  And I am so looking forward to seeing your posts today! 

Woo-hoo!  It’s gonna be a fun one!

Today, day 8, we are talking childhood crushes!  So, let’s hear about one of your childhood loves!  Who did you draw hearts around?  Whose name did you use for your last name? 

Was your childhood crush the girl/boy who kissed you in kindergarten?  Was it your favorite hunk/diva on your favorite TV show?  Was it your best friend’s older sibling????

We’re dying to know!  Who were you crushing on as a kid????

Post your story, a picture of the lucky little snot, or a YouTube vid if it was someone famous.  Feel free to tell us where they are now, too, if you wanna!  

Day 7 - Feb. 7 - Get your groove on or your love on

Lucky number 7!  We’re half way to V-day!  So, Love-Festers, I have a good one for you today! 

We all love our music!  It marks some specific memories I’m sure.  And we’ve all had that song that stayed on repeat for an eternity in which we belted out the words constantly until someone told us to stop or die! J  (Hey, it happened to all of us!)

In honor of Valentine’s Day and love/lust/hate/depression, let’s hear your favorite love song, or if you’re on the hatin’ bandwagon at this point, break out the ironic love song choice!

Think Chicago, Journey, any of your good hair bands, or mix it up with some nasty, dirty R. Kelly or Marvin Gaye and Get it On!

Me – my theme song was Desperado for years.  Now it just applies to my writing mantra. Lol.   Then again, I think I played Save the Best for Last a bajillion times in the apartments.  Bet the people upstairs are still haunted every time they hear that song!  But today, I have lots of ideas!  What’s yours?  Make a post or head on over to YouTube or Pandora and share your fave tune for the day!

Oh Oh, we’re livin’ on a prayer…Oh oh, we’re half way there… to Feb. 14, baby!

Day 6 - Feb. 6 - Your Imaginary Plus 1

Feb. 6

Today, we’re talkin’ character connections!

And it’s perfectly okay that we have our weaknesses.  We might even have an “If Ever” list with a few celebs you get a hall pass for.  We’re not here to judge.   But today is all about who we love in our imaginary worlds, not celebs but characters that have been written to perfection – at least for us.

So think books, TV shows, movies, zombie apocalypses!  Who do you love?  Who melts your heart?  Who would be your imaginary +1? 

Would it be Christian Grey, Mr. Darcy, Tim the Toolman Taylor, Jethro Gibbs, or Indiana Jones?  Or for you guys, would it be Jessica Rabbit, Mrs. Robinson, Robin Shabotsky (Robin Sparkles – lol) or…

Well, take your pick.  Then post a note saying who you wouldn’t kick out of your imaginary bed, or even better, find a great YouTube of your fave character and share it with us!

Happy Thoughts!  Happy 6^th! 

Feb. 5 - Day 5 - Cupid's Quiver!

Feb 5.

Hello, Love-Festers!  Day 5 and guess what?  You get to play Cupid today!  (Or for you Greek Mythology buffs – you can be Eros!) 

That’s right – you are going to play Cupid/Eros today!  According to the Greeks, Eros had arrows of love and arrows of indifference so I guess you get to pick, but either way, it’s your day to play!

Who would you strike with an arrow?  Do you have a friend who really deserves to be loved?  Do you have a co-worker who needs a little indifference?  Do you have a famous couple you’d like to break up? 

Let’s hear who you’re shooting at today!  Post a note or post a picture of your target!  Maybe we can even make some love matches happen! Lol.

Happy Day 5!  Happy Tuesday!  

Day 4 - Feb. 4 - Monday Inspiration

It’s Feb. 4, Love-Festers!  And since we’re all moving a little slow on this Monday morning, I’m making it easy today.  Whose love inspires you? 

Johnny and Baby, your grandpa and grandma, or your sister and bro-in-law that put up with you?

 

Let’s here it!  Or feel free to show us a picture!

Oh, and I need you to go vote.  Yesterday’s contest was too hard for me to decide a winner so I’ve narrowed down and I wanna hear who wins from my finalists.

Happy Monday!  Happy Feb. 4!  Happy Recovery Monday!

Feb. 3 - Conversation Hearts - Whatchu got to say?

So it’s February 3^rd and lots of people will be talking the Super Bowl today, but we’re talking conversation hearts!

Not only are we talking conversation hearts, we’re talking a contest and a prize for the lucky winner of the day!  Yes, that’s right.  You heard me!  So are you ready to talk candy hearts with me now????

Some people love conversation hearts.  Some people think they make better chalk.  I’d agree with the chalk theory.  However, I happen to love the premise.  Who doesn’t love having candy say what they can’t put into words?

I mean there’s so much to say, good or bad.  For instance:

                B My Anna Steele! (sexy style)

                U 8n’t 4 me! (ghetto style)

                Purdier than a tractor! (farmer style)

               

So here’s your chance.  Tell me what should be on a new conversation heart in 15 letters or less.  Best one according to me (and I can be swayed!!!) wins a prize!  I’ll let the winner know and grab an address then. 

You’ve got all day!  Get that brain goin’!  Happy Super Bowl Sunday, all!

Feb. 2 - Show me some Chocolate-covered Love!

Okay, Love-Festers, you made it to Day 2!  Way to go!  Loved hearing from all of you!  But today's a new day - it's Saturday!  Woo-hoo!  

So what do we all love about Valentine’s Day??? Well, that’s obvious!  We love CANDY! 

Don’t lie.  I know you have a stash!  So let's hear what's in or break out that camera phone and snap a pic of your fave sweet treat!  Or if you're at the store, just take a pic of the cart! lol.

Whether it’s those nasty chalky hearts, the SweetTart gummies, or the gigantic Russell Stover’s cardboard box, as long as it’s not carrot sticks – we’re all on board!

So whatcha lustin’ for?  And I do mean of the dessert/snack/breakfast-but-don’t-tell-anybody variety of CAN-DAY!

The Candy-Coated Love-Fest - Feb. 1 Day 1

Okay all you candy-coated love festers (get it festers - lol), we're starting off easy!  Gonna make it a sexpot Friday going into Super Bowl weekend!  No tough stuff today, just a day of fun and a little bit of Nelly "hot" in here hot-sauce to get your party started.  

Today, your job is to post what you think is sexy.  Let me give you some examples:

Sexy is...

            a shirtless, tan guy mopping my floor.

Sexy is…

            Marilyn Monroe in a one-piece bathing suit eating cake.

Sexy is...

            a back massage on a snowy night while the kids are at grandma's.

Sexy is...

            rockin' stilettos on date night

Sexy is...  

Okay, I bet you have an even better one so post it or a photo on your fb page or on The Candy-Coated Love-Fest page with the label "Sexy is..."

Happy Feb. 1!  Thanks for playin'! 

MJ Metal - Photo Challenge

And the theme this week is metal!

My niece has this fantastic bracelet that screamed out to me.  

She has a love for Michael Jordan.  

I have a love for color.  

So here's my attempt at honing my inner Andy Warhol. :)