Wordless Wednesday

For the Love of Texas!

As I've stated in previous posts, my brother is the coolest guy ever.  Him and his equally-cool wife live in Texas (the lucky dogs), and every year host a Texas Independence Day party.  He's a graphic designer, by the way...hence the kick-butt logo above.  He creates a new one each year. 

 I told you he rocks.

So...Posted on the website devoted to the party (and Texas) was this great excerpt today...reprinted here today...and I tell ya...really makes me sad for Oklahoma youth that don't have a Texas History Month!  

THE SIEGE OF THE ALAMO

Today, February 23, 1836, Santa Anna and the Mexican army began the siege of the Alamo. And on February 12, William B. Travis wrote this stirring letter all Texans know and love:

Fellow Citizens and compatriots;

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna.  I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man.  The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken.  I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls.  I shall never surrender or retreat.  Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch.  The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.  If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country.  Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis 

Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side.  When the enemy appeared insight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

One of the best nights of the year

Yay!  It's my favorite TV-related night of the year...The Oscar's!  I don't care how out-of-touch I am with the movies nominated (and I'm REALLY out-of-touch this year!) I never miss an Academy Awards broadcast.  EVER.  

The Fashion, the Celebrities, the sheer-spectacle is just too much to be missed.  

Now...I had my reservations about Hugh Jackman hosting this year...I mean, what the heck?!  He's not a comedian!  Isn't that a prerequisite? So, I was setting myself up for not really enjoying the awards like I could have.  Boy was I wrong!!  The opening sequence with Hugh was GREAT!  He's got a great singing voice, can dance like nobody's business, and lets face it, girls...he's easy on the eyes!  Uh...and Funny!  

PLUS...the new director's of the awards had the right idea...there were lots of tweaks to this years show that really set it apart from past years' shows.  The crystal curtain, the orchestra ON the stage (FINALLY, A LITTLE LOVE FOR THE MUSICIANS OUT THERE!), the stage decor in general, seating of the nominees...I could go on...but my favorite new feature of this awards ceremony was the way they presented the actors/actresses awards.  I mean, whoever thought this up was a freakin' genius!  For those that missed it, they pulled 5 previous winners from the category to give the award.  Each former winner personally bestowed a lovely "thank-you" and "this-is-why-we-love-you-and-therefore-nominated-you" speech to their respective nominee.  Very heartfelt...I mean very.  I was tearing up! (not that that takes all that much, but still)

SO...way to go Oscar's 2009...Loved it.  

And the fashion...Oh yeah baby...it was a great year for romantic's like me.  This dress was my most favorite of all of them this year.  This would have been my wedding dress had I had the funds, and the figure.  

The fabric, the color, the pleating....*sigh*  Love it!

Now, I am a sometimes-Angelina fan.  Really, I almost always love what she wears, but sometimes she looks really pretty and elegant to me...and other times her face looks really, I don't know, odd.  But, she was really looking good tonight.  Love the dress...but my favorite part is the green earrings and ring she used to accessorize.  That punch of green was all she needed to make this outfit totally chic.  

I am a HUGE  fan of Marisa Tomei...ever since Only You (if you haven't seen it...you gotta).  She has some serious hits-and-misses lately.  But this dress?  Fits her perfectly, and again with the pleating!  This is Mermaid done right. 
And talk about dreamy princess dresses...I was a big fan of SJP's dress.  Absolutely unique, but also absolutely SJP.  The butt-crack part on her hair drives me a little up the wall, but the billowey layers of sparkly fabric, sweetheart neckline, and belt (YAY!) sooooo make up for it.  Yay for Romance!!
And last, but sooooo not least, Kate Winslet.  Oh Kate, I've been a fan of yours from the beginning.  You've wooed me with your brilliant acting and outstanding role choices.  I think you're lovely, and real, and unpretentious.  And Kate, you pick some of the prettiest dresses.  That yellow one that one time?  And that red one last year?  And the one you wore to the Golden Globes? And now this one...Perfection! 

So...such a great year for Oscar.  And I've been saying it for years, but I'm going to do it next year...There will be an Oscar's party at the Colburn House for Oscar's 2010.  And everyone will have to come dressed in their red-carpet attire.  And Oscar's will be given out.  

Oh yeah...this is gonna be good.

New items at my children's boutique!

Just posted some  new items at my children's boutique, Whimsy Daisy.  Check 'em out!

Say it Ain't So...ANOTHER Giveaway?!

For all of you who have entered Dawn's giveaway for one of my headbands at Dawn's Diversions...Yay!  Good Luck!

But, you wouldn' t want yet another chance to win one would you?  Really??  You WOULD?!  I don't blame you!  

Puhleese visit one of my favorite blogs Simply Designed and Etsy Finds run by an incredibly inventive Graphic Designer (they are close to my heart...my bro is a GD) from here in Tulsa!  She is offering a giveaway through Sunday as well...the winner gets to pick one headband of choice from my shop.  

And while you are there...Please check out her fantastic Etsy shop Studio71.  You'll LOVE the paper dolls!

Does the free fun ever end?!

Giveaway!

You see those CUTE headbands to the right?  Yeah...just over there...riiiight THERE!  Want to win a free one?  A free one of your choice?!  

Well then...it's your lucky-ducky day.  Visit my friend Dawn's blog and follow her instructions on how to win one!  

And if you get the chance, visit my Etsy shop where these lovely headbands are featured at www.featherbyfeather.etsy.com

I bet you'll find one you like!

This could be very bad...

Allright...I'm now going to impart upon the world my recipe for the world's best (and easiest) Cherry Cheesecake.  Now...if you are a Cheesecake purist, then please stop here...for this is not what many would consider a true cheesecake.  However, me being the Lactose-Intolerant lady that I am...THIS is what I call cheesecake.  So here we go...

No-Bake Cheesecake

8oz. Cream Cheese (softened)

8oz. Cool Whip

1/2 Cup Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

Can of Fruit Topping of Choice

1 Graham Cracker pie crust (store-bought, baby)

Blend the first four ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy dreamy.  Dump into Graham Cracker pie crust, top with can of Fruit Topping.  Chill in Fridge for 2 hours before serving.  

That's it!  Oh yeah...Can't get any easier than that.  AND...you can very easily adapt this cheesecake to a "lower fat" version by using low/non-fat Cream Cheese and Cool Whip.  It is not an overwhelmingly sweet cheesecake (which I love), so the 1/2 cup sugar gives you all the sweet you would need (as well as your desired fruit topping).  

So..do yourself a favor and make this delightful treat TODAY...NOW in fact.  You won't be sorry.  And you can, like, totally fool your friends into thinking you slaved over this cheap and easy little lovely.  It will be accompanying me to bible study on Tuesday...what better way to Praise God than reveling in that which he has created?!  

Let me know what you think after you've made it!  It's okay if you feel like you need to give me your first-born.

Meal of Love

Marinated Steak

Mashed Potatoes

Crusty Rolls

Cherry Cheesecake

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This is why my man loves me.

(Happy Valentines Everyone!  Hope yours was as yummy as ours!)

The Ballet!

I have a weakness for the fine arts.  Perhaps that can be attributed to playing the French Horn for almost 11 years...regardless, I enjoy everything having to do with theatre, Symphony, or Opera (on occasion).  

I wish to impart this love onto my kids, and so my mom and I took Hannah to the Tulsa Ballet's performance of Cinderella.  The dancing was incredible, the Stepsister's (played by men, appropriately enough) where hilarious, and Prokofiev's composition was just lovely.  If you are a classical fan...and you don't know Prokofiev...you're missing out!  And you probably know him even if you don't...he's responsible for Peter and the Wolf.  

Hannah actually sat through all three acts with minimal fidgeting (which was a small miracle), and really was enamored with the costumes and stage effects.  

After the ballet was over, we got to do the coolest thing...for a mere $25, you could purchase a ticket to "Cinderella's Ball", which bought you the chance to go up on stage after the show, have some refreshments, get a picture with the Ballerina and Ballerine that played Cinderella and Prince Charming, and some goodies.  This was VERY COOL.  One of the goodies that each kid got was an autographed ballet pointe shoe worn by Cinderella!  And it was a used pointe shoe!!  I may have gotten a bigger kick out of that than Hannah did.

I ran into one of my dear friends and her daughter at the ball, Jennifer Edwards of Jennifer Edwards Photography (www.jenniferedwardsphotography.com).  She is an incredible photographer...check out her website!  

My mom, being the rule-breaker that she is, totally snuck the girls inside the carriage to get pics (I was only slightly embarassed, I've had years to get used to her).  

It was the most wonderful afternoon...and you can bet your sweet bippy we'll be there again next time.  

Lawsie

If I am ever want for humor, all I really need is pictures of my Mom in the 1980's.  

Holy Perm, Batman!

Or the occasional chunky picture of me...

But most especially great pics of my brother Dennis.  I love that guy.