Halloween Pictures

So, I've been hearing good things about a little photo editing software called Picnik lately. Then Mrs. Fussypants decided to host a little contest after you try the stuff out. A contest and pictures? Count me in.

Here's me in what would have once been a dream come true. (I used to read Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles all. the. time. I read Bram Stoker's Dracula in one night. At midnight of course. Silly me.)

And then, because I love my husband so, I decided to do our wedding pictures as zombies. I don't know that it succeeded too well, but it was fun to try.

If you like playing around with your pictures, let me remind you to always save your new creation as something other than your original photo, or else you will have a true nightmare on your hands. (Trust me on this. I'm speaking from experience.)

Happy Halloween!

Hugs,

Melinda

Handel's Messiah

I am singing in the KC Symphony's 93rd performance of Handel's
Messiah. You know, "Hallelujah. Hallelujah."

I haven't sung with a choir/chorus since the spring semester of 1995.

Boy, does it feel good. :D

Hugs,
Melinda

Sent from my iPod

Jack-O-Latern

I carved our pumpkin yesterday. Special thanks to Family Fun magazine for the idea. I couldn't get over how easy this pattern was.

Here's our scared pumpkin with the lights off.

And a picture showing WHY he was so surprised.

And a close up. I love it.

It was so easy to do. I love Family Fun magazine. They always have great ideas.

Hugs,

Melinda

Cooking rules

Yes, there are cooking rules. Heather at Home-Ec 101 is having a giveaway for a book that explains the reasons behind some of those rules.

My example would be.....

And I lost it again. Pardon me, I'm having one of those kinds of day. Go here for a chance to enter.

Melinda
(who is ready for a nap. or some chocolate. or to go back to bed and start the day over again.)

Testing

I'm trying something new. If this works, I may remember to post a
little more often.

Hugs,
Melinda

Sent from my iPod

Fabric Giveaway

There's this fabulous giveaway on Pumpkin Patch Primitives. You have to post about it in order to win. I haven't had a chance to look too much at their site yet, but it looks like another fun fabric place to look at and dream about. :) I do know that the giveaway fabric looks yummy. :)

Good luck to all entrants!
Hugs,
Melinda

ETA [My mistake. I thought it was a quilt shop, but in reality, it's a blogger. It's still cute though.]

Music

So I seem to go in spurts when I'm posting. I don't mean to. It just ends up that way.

Music. It soothes the savage beast. It calms a baby, warms a heart, moves you in ways you never anticipate. Some say the universal language is math. I say it's music.

I am participating in a production of Handel's "Messiah." If you ever have the opportunity to do the same, you should. I have been so out of practice, and it's been really nice singing in a choir again.

But to the real point of this post. My friend Jeff is in the middle of his Master's capstone project. As someone who was always involved in music in school, you wouldn't expect his Master's to be anything less. Today, he "released" 3 of his songs.

They are amazing. Simply amazing.

Not only has Jeff's voice matured over the years, his lyrics are extremely thought provoking. His style is a little bit of everything I like rolled into one, and I'm actually shocked that I didn't remember he plays the piano as well.

Go to his blog, read the lyrics, listen to the music. Be prepared to be moved.

Hugs,
Melinda

P.S. I put a music player up in my sidebar. Hopefully it works. ;)