Silent Retribution

I always knew it could happen...but NEVER to me.

My house lies in a constant state of "stand still" while I'm sleeping...or so I thought.

Perhaps they were just biding their time...waiting and stalking and synchronizing their fangs until the right moment they can strike.

And my last post was the straw that broke the camel spiders back. It was the confession that I use bug spray and Off! to kill spiders and any other vermon that would threaten my relaxation while camping and laying in my hammock.

I woke up a few days ago with a red bump on the inside of my upper arm. I gave it my best nurse's inspection (as I am 1/4 nurse now that 1st semester is behind me!) and moved on.

Day 2, the reddened area was four times larger and the center was blackish/brown. Fleeting thoughts ran through the recesses of my mind that perhaps it was the calling card of a nocturnal visitor...an unwanted visitor. I quickly shewed the thoughts away.

Day 3...cue doctor. Indeed my thoughts and fears were confirmed. My fingers gripped the arms of the chair as the words so flippantly poured past his lips. "Ooooh, let's take a look a that! It's a spider bite for sure." (Could this man seriously be enthused about this?! Does he not know what this means?! There was a spider. In. My. Bed. On me! While I slumbered. Navigating my person as if to be on a midnight hike through the tundra.)

Unacceptable!

I literally shuddered in the chair in the exam room as he continued to talk. I verbally notified him of my severe (and over the top) fear of all things arachnid. He tried to make it better by reassuring me that it was not a brown recluse bite. I would not have returned home if he would have said otherwise.

I'm sad, I know. But seriously, I killed three black widow spiders in my backyard in the past two summers. I can't take any chances!

I think I need a bubble suit to sleep in.

Summer Fun: Camping

Unfortunately, this camping trip is not a recent one. This dates back to summer 2009. A weekend trip with my brother, sister-in-law, two nieces and of course, a very, very excited Daisy Lou.


It is a favorite thing of mine to pitch a tent, hang the hammock, start a fire and lay or sit beneath the canopy of trees.


And a camping trip with any one from my family proves to be a fun adventure! We always know how to make things interesting. On this particular trip my brother Eric waged a contest to see who could get a fire going first. From the start, he didn't lay out any rules or mention items we couldn't use, therefore, I made my way to my hiking pack and pulled out the following items: My survival knife, fire starter sticks, and a lighter.

If my memory serves me correct, I do believe he gave me a hard time about the lighter and fire starter sticks once he saw them, and I politely reminded him that he never said what we could and couldn't use. His method involved tree sap and striking flint. (which I'll get to the tree sap in a bit.)


So guess who got a fire started first!? Yep. I was never a boy scout (for obvious reasons) but when it comes to the outdoors, I'm always prepared.

My brother had success with the tree sap, and Punkin sure enjoyed burning and charring things just because she could! But before long, with the combined efforts of all our flames and charred kindling, we had a blazing fire just perfect to start dinner with!


Another fantastic thing about camping in this family, is that you're sure to eat well! I can remember dad cooking up fried potatoes, eggs, bacon, and sausage for breakfast and roasts with carrots and potatoes for dinner, or pork chops...it was and is always a culinary delight!

My brother made a delicious Low Country Boil, minus the shrimp this time but chock full of cajun seasoning!

The picture above is proof of how much of a weenie I truly am...I must confess that although I speak highly of the outdoors and praise a Mighty God for His beautiful creation, the one thing that can send me running and screaming like the girl I am is a spider. Go ahead and laugh or chuckle or shake your head in disbelief, but before I can even get one foot in my hammock I spray the perimeter with bug spray. If not, I have these visions of laying quite comfortably in my hammock, swinging ever so slightly and watching the tree tops dance in the wind and it all being brought to a halt by eight legs and two beady eyes. So yes, I am a weenie. But I'm okay with that.

Okay, so now for the educational portion of this post. My brother taught me something, that my other brother taught him. Tree sap makes a great fire starter! Above is a picture of Punkin scraping sap from a pine tree. When lit, sap will burn for quite a while, and in the process will also ignite small kindling and leaves. Below is a shot of some sap burning.





And to continue on with the fun educational portion of this post, I also had to get a little inventive on this trip. I've reached the age where I can no longer sleep on the ground when camping, I (and my joints) prefer an air mattress these days. I had let a friend borrow mine so I searched my house for the next best thing. I have a self-inflating mattress, but it doesn't do the trick for me, but I found a pool float in my laundry room and figured I would give it a try.


I ended up sliding the pool float down into my sleeping bag to keep it contained and from shifting out from under me. I had a quilt with me to cover up with so it all worked out perfectly! I slept so well that night, that the pool float is now and always will be a permanent fixture in my hiking pack. Much lighter than an air mattress and takes less time to inflate too!

All this talk of camping really has me wanting to make haste to the great outdoors, but alas the school and work schedule will not allow it most likely until next summer. Reminiscing is the next best thing : )

CUT IT OUT

So...obviously I'm beating the heat by spending a bit of time on youtube...okay, okay, I've essentially wasted two hours. But here's another MysteryGuitarMan video if you need a quick break from the day!

Phone Book Samba Stomp

I came across this dude on youtube, not sure of his story, but his videos make me laugh! Oh, to have that much creativity! I wouldn't know what to do with myself...other than use my house to make videos for youtube all week. Anywho...here's a fun one....

Heat Wave Silliness

Since it is just about too hot to think here in the Ohio Valley, (although I did trim the hedges, plant two blueberry bushes and hit a photo assignment in this heat...) I've spent the rest of my day snuggled up to the air conditioner and cruising through youtube videos. Probably not the best use of my time, but my mind needed a break from all the thinking. I won't complain about my medical microbiology class, but I REALLY wish there would have been a way to avoid such scholarly endeavors in the summertime! Anywho, here is the final entertaining little video I came across. Sit back, rest in the coolness of the AC and chuckle along...or shake your head in disbelief that I can find such things to be entertaining! Whatever floats your boat!

The New Toothless Grin

Oh the sweetness of the six-year old grin!

And the sweetness of the six-year-old face in general : )

I walked into my mom's house where Little Lauren Bug scurried into my arms. We talked for a second and then I saw it. The square hole in her mouth where a front tooth once resided. With an award-winning dramatic flair, I dropped her to her feet, raised my hands in the air and asked, "What happened to your tooth?!?" "Where did it go!?" She giggled and then immediately realized she forgot to show her Nana her new toothless grin! As fast as lightning she was off to the other room calling for Nana.


Aunt Amby had to celebrate the occasion with an impromptu photo shoot of her precious smile. Because before too long she'll be sportin' braces and running with her middle school friends and no longer scurrying to jump into our arms.

I told my sister-in-law I wasn't sure where they got her, but she sure is fun! She is a character for sure.

Friday Night Photo Assignment

Gotta love these Summer Concerts in the park!

I was commissioned to photograph Skip Bond and the Fugitives as they took to the stage this evening. To my delight, these fellas are from Bowling Green, KY., a town dear to my heart as I lived there for five years some years ago. Great to talk about a town I adore with actual locals! : )



The concert was on an hour rain delay, but that gave rise to some fun umbrella shots. These ladies were fabulous and willing to wait how ever long it took to see the band. They are big fans.

And these are some of my favorite images! While standing in front of the crowd taking shots of the band, a nosey little bug made it's way down my shirt! I thought I kept feeling something on me but could never feel or find it so I didn't pay any attention and kept shooting pictures. Finally I cornered the little bugger between my hand and shirt and then it bit me! I quickly made an escape behind the stage to try to get it out and hopefully not be seen wriggling and squirming and looking down my shirt by all of Henderson! After I gathered myself I looked up to see this....


What is neat about these pictures is that you can see the rain falling when the picture is enlarged. I like back-lit silhouettes anyway.

So aside from the pesky wardrobe invader, it was a fun night! Now, off to piddle with the sewing machine and a dress that is in the works before hitting the hay and then another photo session tomorrow with one of my favorite clients!

What To Do When The Stress Hits The Fan?? Sew!

Wow! Two posts in one day?!?! So this is what can happen when I feel better and I don't take a nap! Haha!


Look out folks! I have my first pair of pinking shears...and I know how to use them!

Summer time always puts me in the "project" frame of mind. Recently I dove in headfirst and brought my sewing machine with me.

Some friends of mine have been making pillowcase dresses and I wanted to try my hand at it...especially while little bugs is still small enough to wear one!

So this is my first pillowcase dress!!


I used the instructions found on this wonderfully creative blog I visit frequently. I couldn't get past the fact that every time I looked at it, I could see nothing more than a pillowcase. Soooo...I did a search for video tutorials on youtube on how to make bows and taught myself kind of quick to add these cute little green bows on her dress. Here's the before and after pictures.


I'm diggin' it a little more now with the bows. And here's a funny outtake of Bugs flexin' her muscles. I gotta give it to her...she's got some guns for as scrappy as she is!


Well, so that was my first sewing project, and now that I know I can actually produce something that is wearable...I'm on to new sewing projects!! No more dresses made from pillowcases, but I do plan on making a few more dresses for the other cutie pies in my life. Here are some of the fabrics I chose...
CANNOT wait to get this^^ dress made! I LOVE this fabric! The one below is for a halter top my mom wants me to make for little Bugs. Should be cute!

And I haven't figured out what I'm going to do with this fabric below but I fell in love with the pattern and the animals. I'm gonna thump the 'ole noggin and come up with something crafty and creative to do with this one!

So apparently when I get stressed out, the best thing for me is to put my hands to work on something fun and let my mind zone out for a while. And sewing does just that for me!

As The Mercury Rises

So...here's a question. Is it hot enough??

Last night I took Daisy out so she could stretch her legs and do her "deed" in the field as I always do before heading to bed. Our evening routine has become a fun one for me, especially since the lightning bugs have come out to put on their display.

So as Daisy Lou scurried around I started scanning the field. To my dismay, there were no little yellowish/green glints of summer joy to be found floating on the hot, stale air.

I walked around the side of the house to look in the backyard and I waited quietly, almost holding my breath. I don't know why I was quiet, it's not like they can be spooked! Anywho, finally after a few seconds of waiting, one bright little beacon of summer hope lit up near the bird sanctuary. A smile graced my face and relief washed over me. That one little bug made me feel better!

It's rather silly but there were a few moments where I had thought that perhaps the extreme summer heat had done the poor little critters in or that the season for lightning bugs had come to a close! I've honestly never considered how long they hang around for a Kentucky summer. I don't really give much thought to summer, seeing as I tend to bloom in winter. BUT, I am trying to enjoy this season and the bounty it brings. Lightning bugs are a part of that bounty.

Blueberries, crafts and garden veggies are also!

Okay, so to the main point of today's post. I've REALLY gotten behind in the posts I've planned to make. We can all blame this on my medical microbiology class I'm taking this summer. Let's blame it together in our slowest and best sing-songy voice....THANK YOU med. micro.

That's better.


The summer hasn't been a total loss. I have managed to pick 11.5 pounds of blueberries (Thank you Aunt Kayla!) and make all sorts of yummy goodies! Starting with blueberry jam!

: ) Yum! Yum! Yum! ( :

Here's my recipe:

5 cups fresh blueberries
2 tsp. cider vinegar
2 1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground clover

Method - Combine all ingredients in a large stainless steel pot. Cook to jell point or desired thickness. Stir frequently.
Ladle into clean hot pint jars leaving 1/4 inch head space in jar.
Process for 15 minutes in boiling water bath at altitudes of up to 1,000 feet.
Yield - 5 half pints

And then, the best part! You can decorate them up with fabric scraps and nifty bows and give them as Christmas gifts, birthday gifts or simply just because! The one below was given as a hostess gift to a special family as a "thank you" for their hospitality.


In other summer fun-ness...I made a few purchases at The Big Peach, a great little farmer's market off Hwy 41 in Indiana.


The sweet corn is for my first attempt at freezing the golden kernels of goodness so I can enjoy it in the splendor of winter as well! Farmer Brown, I am not, therefore I will buy the corn from those who do have the time to devote to digging and plowing and weeding. I basically just used a knife to gingerly* cut down each side of the ear of corn to cut off the kernels. I placed them in a ziploc freezer bag and viola! Instant sweet corn from the freezer. I'm all about easy.

* disclaimer - I can't have any of you dear readers lopping off a finger at my direction. Please, let's try to keep all appendages in tact!

And then finally, summer's goodness and The Big Peach also brought fresh greens beans to my household! These were not frozen or canned as they are now all gone and made several appearances on my dinner table over the course of a few days : )

So there you have it! I've been very mindful to not curse these Summer days and the heat that accompanies them, but to enjoy them and know that sweater weather, snow and the possibilities of cross-country skiing are the horizon!

Now it's your turn, what kinds of things have you been doing to enjoy the summer? Any new recipes, crafts or activities that I could add to my summer-time shananigans?

Going to the Dogs...

It has been a perfect July day in my book. The windows are open on the house, it's hovering around 80 degrees with little humidity and a breeze that causes me to pause and be thankful each time it makes it's way through the quiet house.

I have been quite entertained by my little dog Daisy Lou these past couple of days. And of course today is no exception. And while most bloggers are posting pictures of their adorable kiddos enjoying this hot summer weather, I will post some pictures of my little pooch. Seeing as I don't have any kiddos yet, and Daisy has yet to make her official blog debut!

In a recent trip to visit my brother and sister-in-law, to Daisy's delight she got to come along too! You see, Daisy has two cousins Bentley and Crumb that she has come to adore! The relationship used to be that she merely tolerated their presence, but she has now come to accept that she is not "top dog" and must learn to share her human and environment with 3 other Douthit dogs.

Here you see Louisa (one of Daisy's numerous nicknames) with her new little hedgehog buddy. He was a gracious gift from Aunt Amy, but Daisy, acting as if she were a two-year-old, latched on to this little critter and claimed him as her own the entire weekend!


Aunt Amy, just so you know, she is EVER so grateful for your generous gift! ^^I believe it was love at first sight between the hedgehog and Daisy!

A little siesta with the hedgehog....

A little roughhousing followed by some cuddling....


still more cuddling the next day...


and a thank you to Aunt Amy, Uncle Jason and her cousins Bentley and Crumb....


My little Daisy Lou is the greatest little pooch. We have enjoyed a lazy summer day and I have found great enjoyment in bursting into fits of singing "My buddy and Me" as Daisy carries her little buddy all around the house.