THANKFUL THURSDAY: Thank You Willie

I'm super sad right now. 

I finally sat down to relax and got around to reading the paper while watching the World Series with the Hub.  There is an article about Willie Snow.  Some might remember  Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire of '77 in Southgate, Kentucky.  It tragically claimed the lives of 165 people and over 200 injured.  It was thought caused by faulty wires and a group of survivors are trying to show evidence it was actually arson.  Terrible tragedy.

Willie was an employee and rescued numerous people while risking his own life that night.  By coincidence, 11 years later he happened upon the scene of the Interstate 71 Bus Crash that killed 24 children and 3 adults.  It was actually a church youth group on their way back from a fun day at Kings Island and was the worst drunk driving accident in U.S. history.  Here is a survivor documentary.

William Snow

Willie lived to be 80 and recently passed.  After his life of heroism you would think his funeral would be filled with lots of friends, family and grateful survivors he saved.  People paying their respects and showing him love.  Unfortunately that didn't happen at all.  No one claimed his body and a Mason Funeral Home stepped in to give him a proper burial after a lifelong friend brought it to the public's attention.

What I want to know is "How could this have happened?!"  If someone saved my life it's guaranteed that I would keep in contact.  I didn't know Willie Snow, but I want to thank him for his bravery. 

I have a feeling he's in heaven now STILL being an angel to those in need.

COSTUME FAILS

I'm not going to waste a ton of space with talk on this fabulous and glorious HALLOWEEN WEEK. Instead let's highlight a few of the gazillion costumes out there that make you say, "Whaaat?"  This is one of the long list of reasons that I adore this holiday.  Imaginations are in full force this time of year...more than any other.  Props, parties, contests, clothes you would NEVER wear, wigs and make-up.  If you can dream it, they will come.  Or something like that.

So here we go kids...
  10 So Wrong Costumes!

(that I would love to see in person and make use of my pointer finger)

Creep Factor Score:  A+

INFLATABLE ANIME ON VIAGRA? 

Let me put my chin in my palm and ponder that for a few minutes.

This is a great example of the "HEH?" that I was talking about.

THE BALL PIT 

Taking literal meaning to a new level.

 

THE SNAKE CHARMER

Loved by drunken frat boys across the land.

Who doesn't love any costume or joke about Balls? 

You just read the word "Balls" and smiled right?

(see what I mean?)

THE SNICKERS LADY

Uber scary.  Reminds me of the Cat Lady.

PIMPED OUT SCARECROW 

Maybe because it's out there in the field all alone

instead of someone's porch, it really kicks the creep level up. 

It's just hanging out all, " I'm a scary alien thing.  What's up?"

PREGNANT SEA MONKEY

Brilliant! 

           Dial "O" for the Operator.

Waaait a minute...after scrolling through this selection, I see that the majority are costume creations focusing on the genitalia.  That wasn't a theme I was going for you know.  Really.  They just happened to be the most Creeptastic and IN YOUR FACE.

 

MONDAY MUNCHIES: Halloween Suprises

In honor of the almighty Halloween Week, I'm bringing you a few of the easiest and most unique creeeepy treats out there.  I might have to extend this wonderful holiday until Easter so I can try them all.  There's nothing like jello shot eyeballs to steal the show at a birthday party...probably a MALE party though.  Fun food just makes me so happy.  I don't care if it's a simple cupcake flag that says "Be Happy" or a full blown themed out dinner where all the food looks like Elvis.  Not to mention it's so fun to serve the unsuspecting visitor or take a suprise dish to parties.  You know, for the shock factor.  Or for those of you that read my last WTF Wednesday post.  To make people say, "Heh?"

Intestinal Pastry

by the Canary Girl

So simple.  Yet so effective.

Peach Jello Brains

by treedork

Meringue Bones

(made with only 5 ingredients!)

Gross Halloween Recipe's

 Kamikaze Eyeball Jelly Shots

Jelly Shot Test Kitchen

This is only a smattering of examples available on the web.  Look around.  Make up your own!  Find a picture and tweak the recipe to YOUR taste.  The main thang is to have fun doing it and creep out people while doing it.  Happy Halloweenie and get your cook on.

To Theme or Not to Theme

To keep myself on the blogging track, I'm thinking of theming it out.  Seems to be all the rage.  (and since I'm such a follower...not)  I don't want to be toooo cliche and rhymie though.  Here are some thoughts:

Western Wednesday:  Well I don't really know much about the old west.  John Wayne is kind of cool.
Whimper Wednesday:  I could just complain and whine.  You know...in a quiet kind of way. 
Washington Wednesday:  Politics and more politics!  Yeah?  Nah...politics makes my nostrils flare.
Whishy Washy Wednesday:  I'd just hee haw around.  Sort of talk about stuff...but not really. 
Woopdidoo Wednesday:  Rant about things that bore me.  "That new movie?"  "Woooopdidoo!"
Weirdo Wednesday:  It has a good ring to it.  Plenty of subject matter.  I appreciate weirdness.  Hmm.

Settled.  Wednesday's will celebrate weirdo's.  The reason I will be able to easily do this is because there is an overflowing folder and bookmarked sites with questionableness that I have on the desktop.  They make me smile.  I'm not a huge fan of completely normal.  Weird art.  Weird crafts.  Weird toys.  Weird people.  Weird food.  Yadda yadda.

Here is a small sampling of what I mean:



Nature's Toothbrush for Your Colon!

"He was just outside wandering around.  Can we keep him?"

The REAL Gangsta way of showing you're a true Italian.

I need more friends like this dude.

So in closing...there will nevah evah be a shortage of weird people and things in this hilariously grand world of ours.  Thank Gawd!  That means my Wednesday's from now on are going to be pretty easy around these parts.

FREAKY FRIDAY: Halloween Decor

Let me first say that typically I'm a lover of kitschy, cutesy, vintage and magical goodness.  Most of the time. 

French singer Sliimy

(LOOOVE HIM!)

Now THIS time of year is a completely different story.  The darkness in me bubbles to the surface.  Not that I myself am scary, but my imagination kind of takes a turn into creepy town.   Jekyll and Hyde stuff.

Some houses might be decorated with happy little pumpkins, some witchy silhouettes and maybe a few strands of orange lights.  And like I said, that's my mind set around 10 months out of the year! 

That route is all good and sweet, but in our household it's gore galore. 

Mannequins in every corner watching.  Contemplating. 

Cobwebs, disturbing dolls, skeletons, props, apothecary jars filled with discarded limbs. 

It's quite a sight for these few months around here!  That's before everything is transformed into an over the top Christmas Wonderland of course.  But for now it's blood splatters, faux weapons, snarls and all around creepy goodness.  I really should have went to school for theatre because I love decorating so much.  This season I want to learn to use Mister Hubs miter saw to make my own "structures."  You know...coffins and such. 

Little Baby Clown holding a "Come Closer" sign

Last year was a Carnival of Carnage theme with Killer Clowns.  Let me tell you, it's not just the little kiddo's who are afraid of clowns.  Adults are equally freaked out.  We had a lot of laughs.  This month is going to be an Insane Asylum and I'll post the mayhem in November. 

                                                                  
                                                         "Bwaa ha haaa."

                           We wouldn't have it any other way.

Halloween 2009 / Zombie Apocolypse

(I was hongreee...poor dollie)

RECIPE: Salted Caramel Cheesecake

I've had a hankering for something sweet lately.  Something Fall-like.  I'm also a huge fan of the sweet and salty thing.  You know...where you take a big bite and your tastebuds say, "Whoa!  Is this a dessert or salty snack?"  So after browsing some of my favorite sites, this delicious looking recipe caught my eye courtesy of Donna Hay.   Take a minute to check her out and you won't be disappointed.  Lots of great DIY's and yummies.

I'm planning to make this tasty treat over the weekend or my next get together in a week or so.  A concoction of ricotta, golden syrup, ground almonds, sweet shortbread biscuits, etc.  Mmm...

Picture from Donna Hay magazine issue 58

Salted Caramel and Vanilla Baked Cheesecake

B O M B S H E L L S

How would you like to wake up one morning and while sleepily driving through downtown you were smacked in the face by a magical wonderland?  I know! 
The Bombshells of Cincinnati made their mark again on an almost mile strip of grassy median on Central Parkway this week.  Per Channel 9 News:  "They're putting their own blend of non permanent and non destructive fiber creations on some of Cincinnati’s statues and other fixtures around town.  Yarn bombing is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted cloth rather than paint or chalk.  The group says they “aim to soften the edges of an otherwise cruel, harsh environment.”  The Bombshell’s are a group of ladies, and a few lucky gentlemen.  For more information on The Bombshell’s Yarn check out their blog. "

 

I immediately turned into an 8 year old and circled the block  v e r y   s l o w l y... making sure to back up as much traffic as possible.  You know, to make the ones imprisoned in their bubble of life and stress take a second look.  No one honked though.  I think most were in awe.  There were some head tilts too (like a curious doggie - Heh?) which made me smile.  Wish I would have gotten some pics of that too.  So off I went to grab my camera from home, a good friend and lots of parking meter quarters.  We walked it inch by inch.  V e r y  S l o w l y.

"Ooooh girl...look at this one!"
"Awww...that's tooo cute!"
"Whoa...what is that?  How cool!"
"OMG...I HAVE to make that."

You get the idea.

I'm inspired by the Bombshells' and all the volunteers / partners hard work and obvious dedication to beautifying our neighborhood.  And of course drawing attention to the Arts in that area. (and in general)  Especially ArtWorks.  WELL DONE TO ALL!!!

Oh - and for you dudes out there that say, "All this is just a little too girly for me."  I'm here to inform...you certainly don't need lady bits to enjoy fiber arts!  Here's the proof:

Could easily pass as the Imperial Navy's Twin Ion Engine Fighter. 

Pictures of Hot Girls!

Dirty joke possibilities waiting patiently JUST for you.

 

There was even a Super Hero on the top of a building. 

I'm not real sure if it was related to the Yarn Bombing,

but random buff guys in capes are cool nonetheless!

Here is the whole set of pics I took that day.



GOING APE

In previous posts I've mentioned how super fun Etsy Treasuries are.  Here is another random and humorous one from a fellow Etsian that included my King Kong Face earring dangles.  It was such a nice suprise to find today.  Click the link below to check it out.  Enjoy!

 We've Gone Ape

King Kong Dangles

I N S P I R I N G

When you look around and really pay attention to the details, you can be inspired.  Here are a few recent things that have inspired me in the last week:

• a neglected bicycle on a curb
• a pile of colorful ties my husband left on the bed
• my magnolia tree in the front yard with blossoms
• the 'cut in the hill' on the highway at dusk (total view of Cincinnati)
• a cute stray cat perched on my porch stoop
• my nieces screaming down the waterslide at The Beach Waterpark
• the smell of rain and rolling thunder in the distance
• my baking station with little tidbits of promise
• watching my husband paint
• someone telling me I'm smart
• a little snail that lives on a tomato plant in the backyard

So, these small things make the merry go round and round.  I try desperately to live in the moment.  To take notice of little things and the beauty that Mother Nature and Human Nature has to offer.  Otherwise I would be consumed with ugly things that have to happen in life. 

Nah.

T R E A S U R I E S

I've recently been introduced to the wonderful world of Etsy Treasuries.  Let me just take a moment.  **sigh**

What is an Etsy Treasury?  Well, Etsy is the greatest site on the planet (one of them) and it brings artisans, crafty and creative types together to buy and sell their little pieces of heaven.  I can't get enough of handmade anything.  It's special.  It's unique.  It's thoughtful.  All things wonderful.  I've always crafted as a small hobby from the time I was a youngun, but when I caught wind of the Handmade Movement I jumped on like you would to a beautiful kite that was let out in a wind storm.  Woo Weeee!

It's fun to wander around the site and time can surely get away from you.  "Heh?  It's 5:30?  Crap, I need to make dinner!"

Back to the treasuries...it's a place for inspiration...a neverending combination of 16 hand picked products by a neverending supply of creative people!  It's awesome.  I could go on and on, but the reason for the post was to brag that my little shiny disco earrings were listed in one recently.  Right on!

Here it is.

For Sale on Etsy

   "Dan-cin'...dan-cin'...Dan-cin!"