WELCOME TO TEXAS!

All you junkers...

collectors...

and antiquers...

Welcome to Texas!

Looking for something to do

before Warrenton/Round Top?

I have a suggestion!

Lets travel the back roads!

Have your ever been to Palo Duro Canyon?

Palo Duro is south of Amarillo...

in the Texas Panhandle.

Well, here is a picture...

oops...sorry...

looks like a big cat is using

nature's cat box!

Lets take a closer look...

What is that?
Rattlesnakes!
Check out that rattlesnake hole in the ground!

Having fun in the sun?

Just walk away slowly...
No quick movements...
Oh, hell, RUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But you don't have to go to Palo Duro Canyon
to find these!
They're everywhere!
You are in Texas!

Tired of travelling the back roads?
Well, park your RV for awhile in Sweetwater...
home of the world famous...
Rattlesnake Round-Up!

Yes, you heard me right! Sweetwater is the home of THE WORLD'S LARGEST RATTLESNAKE ROUND-UP! It happens every year on the second weekend in March. The date this year is March 12th so you have ample time to enjoy this event before you head out to Warrenton!

The Rattlesnake Round-Up began 50 years ago as farmers and ranchers conceived the idea in efforts to clear their land of rattlesnakes which were overly abundant! Any idea how many rattlesnakes they have rounded up since the conception of this event?

123 Tons!

What do you need to bring...besides your Nervine? Well, if you want to hunt, you must register with appropriate hunting license, etc. You won't be able to hunt alone. You will be accompanied by trained rattlesnake hunters. According to the Sweetwater Jaycees official Rattlesnake Round-Up website, you will need:

1. Container to hold live rattlesnakes - Jaycees normally use Rubbermaid™ trashcans, you may use the same or any other type of container you feel safe using. 2. Hand Mirror
3. High top boots - Jaycees usually wear snake boots which are knee high, other people wear regular boots and chaps.
4. Snake bite kit
5. Snake hooks or Tongs

So, if you don't feel the need to wade knee high in a writhing pit of rattlesnakes... with a trash can in your hand... what are your other options? Don't worry! There are events for sissies too! You can attend:

1. The Rattlesnake Parade
2. The Snake Charmer Pageant
3. The Rattlesnake Dance
4. The Cook Off where you can eat deep fried rattlesnake!

5. The Snake meat eating contest
6. The Gun and Coin show which includes crafts, curios and snake products

You could even rent a booth space at the Gun and Coin show to highlight your own unique snake creations! Forget the doll heads...your display will feature snake heads! Create vignettes with vintage snake oil signs, a pair of vintage snake skin cowboy boots, a pair of antique chaps with antique rattlesnake fang marks poked in them, snake oil soap made right in your own kitchen, and your famous vintage pickled snakes in a bottle rescued from your high school science lab!

Now, doesn't this all sound like fun? And for those of you who are "upset" by the thought of "cruelty" to the rattlesnakes, let me remind you of this one little fact: Female rattlesnakes do not lay eggs...they give LIVE BIRTH! And the rattlesnake babies are TOTALLY self-sufficient at birth! In other words, once they are born, THEY DON'T NEED THEIR MOTHERS ANYMORE!

I thought you would see it my way!

Oh, come on! You've got time! You know you do! Spend some time in Sweetwater or Palo Duro or some other great places in Texas before you head off to Warrenton! I've got other suggestions...but that's another post!

Friday Favorite Family Foto!

My Two Favorite Snow Bunnies!

Madisyn enjoying her first snowfall of the year!
Tango slipping and sliding on the ice!

---Madisyn and Tango's Winter Poem---
We are used to dirt and brown…
What is this stuff upon the ground?
It is white and cold as ice…
And trying to walk is not too nice!
There’s not enough to roll a ball…
There’s just enough to make us fall!
We are used to dirt and brown…
What is this stuff upon the ground?
Can’t make an angel…it’s too hard…
Why is this stuff upon our yard?
No riding bikes or roller skating…
This icy stuff is aggravating!
We are used to dirt and brown…
What is this stuff upon the ground?

To share your favorite family fotos,contact Deborah at:http://www.picturespotspens.blogspot.com/

Pop Test Today!

Okay, kids...

Put your books in your desk...

Keep your eyes on your own computer...

Hands on keys...

This is a pop test!

Directions: Multiple choice answers...you are responsible for answer D.

A. The girls enjoy a good time at the Zapp Hall Blog Party!

B. All the ex-wives join together to celebrate Larry King's birthday!

C. The Ladies' Guild discusses the ups and downs of sex after seventy!

D.

Wacky Wednesday...Never-Ending Story!

It is Wednesday...
So it must be Wacky Wednesday!
So let's write the...

Never-Ending Story!

Directions/Instructions/How-To:

1. I will post a picture and then begin a story with 3 to 6 sentences...

2. Then I will stop in mid-sentence...

3. The next person picks up (in mid-sentence) where the last comment left off and will then add 3 to 6 sentences to continue the story...

4. And then she/he/it will stop in mid-sentence

5. Don't end the story...it is a never-ending story

6. You may post as many comments as you want to continue the story!

Let's Write!

Sadie and Beulah were inseparable. No one could remember when they hadn't been together. The two women shared the little white cottage on Bloomers Lane. Sadie and Beulah liked the same foods, went to the same optometrist and finished each other's sentences. But there was something else they shared. They shared...

I Come From a Long Line of Them...

Last week...

Irish Gumbo gave me the...

I'M A WIENER AWARD!

Well, I already knew that because...

I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF THEM!

How do I know this?

This vintage family photo from a few years ago...

How about 30 years ago?

Shows the family ritual!

Aunt Mildred, Dad, Yogi, Mom, Malisa and Ty...

around the campfire in Red River, New Mexico...

roasting the family wieners!

Friday...Catch-Up Day!

Favorite Family Foto Friday

In anticipation of...
the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...
I present...
more of my favorite cowgirl!

Ridin' the bull!

My shirt says it best...
"Wild Child!"


Madisyn in awe of the cowboy!

Madisyn lovin' on a goat...
"Can we take it home, Dad?"


I do apologize for being late with my post today.
I promise to be early next time!
Hope you enjoy the photos of Cowgirl Madisyn!


To share your great family fotos,
contact Deborah at:
http://www.picturespotspens.blogspot.com/

************************************************************************************

You Gotta Go Here!
Check These Out!

Both of these featured items were posted 2 days ago...



My Sweet Savannah featured this interesting post:
"What Does Your Name Mean?"
http://www.mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/

Linda Jo's Obsession featured this wonderful video:
"Who's Your Tara?"
http://www.lindajos.blogspot.com/

************************************************************************************

YaYa Chique's

Fantabulous Jewelry Workshop!

Yesterday, Karen, Malisa and Monkey Wench

attended the Junkin' YaYa's

first workshop of the new year!

Monkey Wench making new friends!

My three favorite monkeys!

Monkey Wench found the chair of her dreams!

Monkey Wench spent most of the evening practicing to be America's Next Top Monkey!

Monkey Wench was pooped after the runway work! She crashed on a big stack of beautiful pillows before the end of the evening!

We had the best time, Debbie!

xoxo Karen, Malisa and Monkey Wench

Wacky Wednesday...Never-Ending Story!

It is Wednesday...

So it must be Wacky Wednesday!

So let's write the...

Never-Ending Story

Directions/Instructions/How-To:

1. I will post a picture and then begin a story with 3 to 6 sentences...
2. Then I will stop in mid-sentence...
3. The next person picks up (in mid-sentence) where the last comment left off and will then add 3 to 6 sentences to continue the story...
4. And then she/he/it will stop in mid-sentence
5. Don't end the story...it is a never-ending story
6. You may post as many comments as you want to continue the story!

Lets write!

Heidi was a simple country girl when she fell in love with Billy. While others saw Billy as an old goat, she saw him as her delightful baaad boy! As he left that morning for work, Heidi said...

"You Can Be Whoever You Want To Be!"

I talked to my 5 year old granddaughter tonight. Madisyn is in kindergarten. I asked what she learned in school today. Remember that Madisyn understands the importance we place on education since both her Grammy and her Grande are long-time educators. Madisyn's few words just summed up my feelings about the last two days!

Me: What did you learn in school today, Madisyn?

Madisyn: We have a new President...and his name is Obama...and we got to watch a movie about him!

Me: Did you get to watch the inauguration on tv?

Madisyn: Yeah, it was cool!

Me: Good, baby! Did you celebrate a birthday yesterday? Did your teacher tell you who had a birthday yesterday?

Madisyn: Martin Luther King Jr!

Me: What did you learn about Martin Luther King Jr?

Madisyn: Well, a long, long time ago...way back in the sixties...(yes, she did say that!)...there was this guy named Martin Luther King Jr...and back then, the blacks had to stay with the blacks...and the whites had to stay with the whites...and Martin Luther King Jr. came along and made this deal with some people...and now, blacks can be with whites...and whites can be with blacks...and everybody can be with everybody!

Me: So what do the last two day mean to you, Madisyn?

Madisyn: It means you can be whoever you want to be!

Out of the mouth of babes. I couldn't have said it better, baby!

America's New Hope!

Welcome, Barack Obama...

Welcome, Joe Biden...

Welcome, Hope...

Thank you, Sweet Jesus!

The Love Machine!

Trash Talk...

I present my design ideas for...

The Excessive Machine!

Yes, you guessed it...

Canned Ham ala...

BARBARELLA!

Can you see it now?

You and Cat Daddy flying through the countryside..

Just like Barbarella and her angel love partner!

After the long trip to Warrenton...
play time in The Excessive Machine!

Yes, The Excessive Machine now has wings...

Just like your angel!

You step inside your Sex Machine...

(yes, that is what The Excessive Machine was)

to the touch of...

fake fur!

After a hard day of shopping or selling...

You and your angel put your feet up...

in this...

or this!

Your bed is a mattress...

Covered with these!

And with the feathers left behind...

from your love angel...

you make and hang these...

Or place these by your black leather chairs!

Need additional lighting?

How Barbarella!

How about some Barbarella...

curtains?

This fabric is too cool...

Or do you prefer this one?

Like wow...

Too many choices!

To round out your perfect Barbarella look...

May I suggest lounge wear...

for The Excessive Machine?

Always greet your love angel with...

and...

To be the best Barbarella you can be,
place a pair of pyrex bowls...
on your breasts!


Girl, you got the Barbarella look going on now!



Trash Talk and Cat Daddy...
Hope you like your new digs!
And about the name...
You could call it The Excessive Machine...
but that is a bit excessive!
Or The Sex Machine...
but that is a bit suggestive!
Or The Love Machine...
because that is what you two are about!

For those of you too young to remember Barbarella...

go to: http://www.youtube.com/

For those of you who don't understand this post...

go to Debbie's contest at:

http://www.talkingwhitetrash.blogspot.com/

Family Favorite Foto Friday!

In anticipation of...

the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo...

I present...

My favorite cowgirl!

My granddaughter, Madisyn, and her pink boots were at the end of a long night of rodeo activities. Her mother captured this precious photo! It is one of my all time favorite pictures! To celebrate the upcoming Houston Livestock and Rodeo, I will posting pictures of my favorite cowboys and cowgirls on Favorite Family Foto Fridays. Check back each Friday to see some yee-haw, yipeoo, cute photos!

By the way, if you are planning to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, you need to visit Debi at The Junkin' Yaya. She has the most wonderful handmade hat bands and purses you have ever seen! Check out her wonderful works of art at the following address: http://www.thejunkinyaya.blogspot.com/.

To share your great family fotos,

contact Deborah at:

http://picturespotspens.blogspot.com/

BREAKING NEWS...

Debbie at Trash Talk...

is having a CONTEST!

For "rules", go visit Trash Talk at her blog:

http://www.talkingwhitetrash.blogspot.com/

THIS WILL BE FUN!

Please tell Trash Talk that Moonlight Hollow sent you!

We Would Like To Thank The Academy...

Please excuse this mess of a post. I am having a heckuva time with my computer tonight! Can't get some blogs to link to their web addresses, so will include the web addresses for convenience. My spacing won't work either. I give up...now to continue...

This is first award! Everybody dance now! Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! Can you see us? Karen and Malisa dancing in celebration! Everybody dance now. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! Can you feel it? Did the earth move for you? Well, it did for us...when TWO of our blogging buddies honored us with this special award! We would like to thank the academy...with special thanks to our two special presenters:

Theresa of GARDEN ANTIQS VINTAGE...Thanks for being behind us since the beginning...you have nurtured...you have backed us....you have introduced us to others...plus you have bought lots of good stuff from Karen! Thank you, Theresa!

http://www.gardenantqs.blogspot.com/

Debbie of TRASH TALK...Thanks for having such a wonderful sense of humor! We would say that Debbie has been behind the scenes as our comedy writer...but anyone who knows Debbie knows that she would never be behind the scenes! She is the star! Thank you, Debbie!

http://www.talkingwhitetrash.blogspot.com/

What is this award, you ask. Well, we assumed that you were asking...unless you could read the foreign language used on the award. Well, the "Proximity Award" is given to blogs that believe and invest in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! I am to pass this award on to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly written text into the body of their awards.

So which bloggers do we pass this award on to? You might notice the bloggers we recognize with this award are all cut from a different cloth. They are not alike...they have different interests...they speak to different audiences. These are the bloggers who make us smile, laugh, cry and think:

THE JUNKIN' YAYA...We have to have our daily fix of Debbie's blogs...yes, she has several...and they are all interesting! Debbie has given us good advice...has been a good friend...and has served as a mentor. She is a charming, gracious, Southern woman...and a Cajun! We are so excited aout getting to know her in person! Her blog is full of inspiring finds! We love you, Debbie!

http://www.thejunkinyaya.blogspot.com/

I NEED A MARTINI MOM ...Deborah is a kindergarten teacher, the mother of "that" teenager, a recorder of tender moments....and a laugh til you pee your pants comedian! Deborah provides us with our daily dose of laughter and tears! She has a huge following....once you read her blogs, you will understand why!

http://www.waitresswheresmymartini.blogspot.com/

IRISH GUMBO...Kevin is a writer. I think we can describe him a little better. Kevin is a WRITER! He should publish his posts...they would make a bestselling collection of short stories! You may not always like what Kevin has to say...but you will always like the way he says it!

http://www.irishgumbo.blogspot.com/

THE TEXAS WOMAN...Cher is a true Texas woman! Cowboys...leather...dead animal heads on the wall...cowboys...boots...horses...gambling...did I mention cowboys? Cher is one of a kind! You know one of the best things about Cher? She lets us read her novel...online...one chapter at a time! Yee-Haw!

http://www.thetexaswoman.blogspot.com/

2CHIPPYS...These two gals from Georgia are a hoot...a collective hoot! You better tighten up your drawers (Texas slang for underwear), cause this duo will make you laugh your pants off! Laurie and Lulu...and their band of baby doll heads...are always pulling pranks and causing havoc!

http://www.2chippys.blogspot.com/

WOMAN IN A WINDOW...This Canadian writer will chill you with her words...and warm you with her heart. She writes the things that every woman thinks! Her words will punch you in the gut while tugging at your heart strings. Just read one post and you will be hooked. By the way, we have told her over and over to get out of that window...but she won't. Thank goodness!

http://www.womaninawindow.blogspot.com/

A DIVA'S HAMMER...THE MUSE ...If you are a lover of all things beautiful, this is the blog for you! The Muse is a multi-talented woman. She is a writer...a designer...a farmer...an artist! What is her blog about? It is about romance...about poetry...about word games...oh, my! You will be glad you visited her romantic blog.

http://www.adivashammer.blogspot.com/

Pictures, Pots, Pens...Deborah welcomed us to her blog family when she invited us to join her in her weekly feature: Family Favorite Foto Friday. Her blog provides the perfect opportunity to post your favorite family photo, vintage photo...or just your favorite photo! If you are intersted in participating in her Friday fun day, just contact Deborah...she will welcome you to the family too!

http://www.picturespotspens.blogspot.com/

While we have your attention, we would like to share our theory about the unusual number of people named Deborah, Debbie or Deb on the blogosphere! Seriously, out of the 10 people we have just mentioned...both presenters and awardees...4 are named Deborah! This theory merits research!

If you are not already reading the blogs we have mentioned, please give 'em a try...and please leave a comment that we sent you over! We love them and think you will too...after all, we all do have that one common thread!

Thanks again to all our blogging buddies!

Malisa and Karen

Wacky Wednesday...Never-Ending Story!

Trash Talk said she was ready for a game...

So lets try this one...

(This is a game that Karen and I

play on our cells phones!)

Never-Ending Story

Directions/Instructions/How-To:

1. I will post a picture and then begin a story with 3 to 6 sentences...

2. Then I will stop in mid-sentence...

3. The next person picks up (in mid-sentence) where the last comment left off and will then add 3 to 6 sentences to continue the story...

4. And then she/he/it will stop in mid-sentence

5. Don't end the story...it is a never-ending story

6. You may post as many comments as you want to continue the story!

Lets play!

Charles and Marjorie were young and in love. At least, Charles was young. They escaped to Europe for a few days of privacy and love making. With all thoughts of home behind them, they hopped aboard the tour bus. They were totally unaware that the bus driver...

How I Used Antique Ceiling Tiles...

I used them as inset...

in my kitchen cabinets!

Years ago, a dear friend from Far West Texas gave me a box full of antique ceiling tiles. I love tin tiles...but I especially love these because they were originally in an old store in Balmorhea, Texas...I love Balmorhea! (Balmorhea is this tiny desert town which is located in the foothills of the Davis Mountains...and is home to the famous Balmorhea State Park's famous artesian pool which is fed by San Solomon Springs.) So several years ago, when we are were renovating our kitchen, I decided to make our kitchen special by having our cabinets built around the tiles! Tin tiles could also be used as an insert or cover for glass front cabinets.

I just included this picture because I thought the

reflection of the chandelier was interesting...

Now when we move...

I will want to take my cabinets with me!