Brighthaven Times

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:01:00 +0000

Missing blogger

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:19:00 +0000

I really enjoyed all the customization I was able to do with blogger. If I didn't like the background color, I could change it without paying. I could insert advertisements, music and all kinds of pictures without worrying about formatting to fit wordpress. What to do? Anyone out there having this problem? What I need is a good blogging platform with the style of wordpress and the ease of blogger. Help!

New Etsy Shop: The Vintage Princess

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:16:00 +0000

This month has seen some new inspiration for me. I will continue to upload to and sell "new" items from The Home Gnome. However, I have been feeling the urge for a new line of vintage: The Vintage Princess Line. Check out some of the lovely items available for sale...

Etsy Show Off Day

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:41:00 +0000

I have been trying to think of a good regular post for Mondays. I think we'll be showing off new items from The Home Gnome's Etsy shop on Mondays. I have been adding new things regularly and wanted to make sure you all saw them as well. Enjoy!!

An ode to a chicken

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:30:00 +0000

I was over at Poor Richard's Almanac, swapping stories about chickens, when it occurred to me that perhaps a 150 word comment was better suited to be a blog post...so here it is!

I have only had one extra special pet chicken but her name is giving me the slip right now. It's not that I don't know it, it's just not coming to the surface. I do know her story, though. She was born a factory chicken in East Texas. After a few months of bizarre growing, she was packed into a truck with many of her sisters and on her way to (gulp) her demise. Suddenly, the truck hit a bump and she went flying (probably the only time, ever) from the truck! When I found her, she was contentedly eating bugs in the median of the highway. Now, in defense of what you're about to read that I did, let me just say that many chickens died by falling off these trucks. It wasn't unusual for me to see several white, feathery blobs on the side of the road each day. That said, to say that I made a spectacle of myself while catching that chicken is quite likely a gross understatement. I chased that chicken around the median until she was resting safely in my arms. Then, I carefully stowed her in the back of my trusty station wagon and drove her to her new home.

Finally, I have remembered that chicken's name! It was Druscilla--for no real reason other than that's how names happen around here.

Once our heroine was safely ensconced in my backyard, we began to notice an abnormal growth on her head. My memory is fuzzy as to whether the growth was above or below her beak, but there it was--about the size of a large lemonhead. Our veterinarian (yes, we took her!) removed it and told us Druscilla probably was only a few months old (big shock to us since she was an enormous chicken!) and was otherwise in perfect health. We had so much fun with that giant chicken. Feeding her pizza and other unlikely foods was a much enjoyed past-time. Druscilla was with us for about another year. I received the call while away at college that the big fun chicken had passed away one night in her sleep--quite likely from a heart attack, according to the autopsy report. I'm kidding! about the autopsy. The veterinarian did say it was probably a heart attack, though. My mother found her in her usual resting spot. Peacefully still asleep.

4 Reluctant Entertainers: What's Your Challenge? GIVEAWAY!

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:43:00 +0000

Make sure to visit Sandy for her latest give away. As usual, the prize is lovely. If you've never been to her place, do yourself a favor and check out her beautiful blog, photos and superb ideas for becoming a more natural host.
4 Reluctant Entertainers: What's Your Challenge? GIVEAWAY!

Thursday 13: some of my favorite things

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:09:00 +0000

Big fat lemonheads. This has been my favorite candy since the third grade. Give me a lemonhead over anything else!

Extra sharp cheddar cheese: melted over homemade whole wheat toast--breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Cottage Gardens: hollyhocks, poppies, peonies, bleeding hearts and sunflowers

Old Picket fences

Iron gates--preferably with a bit of rust or chipped paint. Nothing new-looking for me!

Three year olds

Blogging--of course, or I wouldn't do it so much, right?

Shopping for awesome, never before see items at thrift stores and garage sales

Reading: fantasy, history, character driven, classical...

Brick pathways with just a tinge of green moss growing over the edges of the bricks

Pink houses with white shutters and gingerbread trim

People with personality--not just culture or education

Hot, rich, strong and creamy coffee with whipped cream on top

See more Thursday 13 lists here...

Wordless Wednesday: Wide Open Spaces

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Feeling the need for some space...

Somewhere between here and there...

My parents' home in Louisiana

To view more Wordless Wednesday participants, click here...

Zucchini Noodles

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:52:00 +0000

Scrumptious! Take a medium to large size zucchini or summer squash and slice with a vegetable peeler. You will have what appears to be lasagna noodles made of vegetables. These noodles are fairly durable and could easily be used as a substitute for wheat noodles in any dish. Sautee these noodles with butter, garlic, basil and black pepper for a taste sensation. Eat as a side dish or cover with spaghetti sauce and Italian cheeses. Delicioso!

Don't forget!

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:44:00 +0000

I'm now blogging over at BrightHaven Times! Come join me there. The place is all bright and shiny and I'm posting more than ever. I'm learning a lot of things and will be blogging about them as the days progress. Thanks for reading and stopping by. Hope to see you over at the new place soon!

The big change

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:52:00 +0000

You see, when I make a change it usually seems to be abrupt. Of course, that's because I usually just mull it over in my own mind before I mention it to any other folks. I made a change a few days ago and have been getting comfortable before I mentioned it to you all. I'm actually blogging at a different location now. That's right, I switched over to WordPress. All my old posts and comments from you all can now be found at the new home of BrightHaven Times. I like the look of the blog and it seems to be quite easy to use. I hope it stays simple.

So, if you have a chance, hop on over to the new place and look around. There are some new photos and links. Let me know what you think!

Wordless Wednesday

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:30:00 +0000

Without spiritual preparation...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:33:00 +0000

Man oh man. It just feels like one of those days, weeks, months when everything speeds by in a whirl. I can't seem to get my bearings on the new week before it's gone and I'm trying to start all over. I feel like things are due for a serious overhaul.

How different, when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day come upon one!
--George Mueller

With all that has been going on with family (James' dad was in a bike accident and broke his hip, James was rear-ended, ElfGirl, etc...) I have kind of been in high adrenaline mode for the last few months. It feels like the time for simplifying and meditating and devotion is upon us.
Perhaps with the advent of this new season, I will be able to keep up with blogging more. Some of my favorite blogs have gone unread for the last few weeks while I keep my head above the water. I know you all have been busy planting and sewing and generally being brilliant. Hope to be back in circulation before too long.
Do I have pictures for you!

So, it's not June-Bug...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:04:00 +0000

Hope you like it anyway. This is one video that I think is hysterical. Not quite as good as Medieval Help Desk but right up there with it!

What I would've named them...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:20:00 +0000

When I was in college, I decided that I wanted to have twelve children. I thought it would be such fun! I'm sure some of this decision was influenced by reading Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. What mattered it to me that I wasn't even dating, much less in child-bearing mode? I was more geared to writing philosophical essays and competing in public speaking tournaments. Nevertheless, I longed for those twelve children and I named some of them. I'm still getting that list of names ready and adding to it on occasion. For this week's Thursday 13, I present you with

What I would've named them...

Marilla Jayne. Tops. Firstborn girl right there.
Jael: pronounced yah-el, though I have heard it pronounced jay-el
Jubal. Blame it on Firefly for starting that one...
Fate, short for Lafayette. After my PawPaw Harrington's Cajun Cowboy father
Bella. And don't tell me the kids will all tease her and call her Belly. She will be a ninja.
Lisbeth. I don't like the name Elizabeth or Liz, so it's either Beth or Lisbeth. Period.
Hannah. We have friends who just named their sweet baby Hannah Love. Precious, isn't it?
Samuel. In case there wasn't a girl, I had a back up plan for naming the boy Samuel. Seemed fitting to me. As of now, my oldest dog is named Samuel.
Starr. I knew someone named Starr at one time. What a beautiful name.
Joy. Plain and simple but says so much.
Sterling. This wasn't really a name choice of mine but was a young boy's name who is now a teenager, I am sure. In colonial times, people named children after virtues they found appealing: Prudence, Faith, Charity, etc. I like that idea.
Millie. Again, not an exact choice, more a throwback to the 1920s when names like Millie and Hattie and Johnnie were popular girls' names. Yes, I'm old-fashioned and unashamed...
I'm stuck here. As usual. These lists are so stinkin' hard for me. Plus, the original plan was only for 13 children, so I didn't think ahead that far. How about Micah, in honor of my dad and sister? That's a good family name.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this month's (since I'm not so regular at it) Thursday 13. Join us tomorrow for another installment of June and Johnny. I must get on my my beautiful spring day! There's planting and weeding to be done...

Welcome to my Garden

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:32:00 +0000

Here's a pictorial journey through the gardens here at BrightHaven. Enjoy!

The requisite lady bug larva

Lovely birdbath from Granny, complete with Mountain Aster and Gladioli

Amazing Amaryllis from Mrs. Faye down the street. Does anyone know the variety?

Don Juan rosebush from Dr. Hobbs in Milton

Ruby Red rose from a nice lady. She called it a Seven Sisters but since it doesn't match my image of a Seven Sisters rose, I named it after her. Oh, the lovely blooms and sweet smell!

Lovely hollyhocks from Linda

Anyone know this variety of lily? Reminds me of bright lipstick.

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:38:00 +0000

Kathie over at Two Frog Home posted a great article about frugality and our culture. I wish you would go over and check it out, if you haven't already.

Use it up, Wear it out, Make do...

The Garden Party

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:54:00 +0000

Thanks to everybody who helped make it wonderful!

Social Spark can help you!

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Find more bloggers willing to send a bit of business your way! In exchange for a bit of filthy lucre, lots of bloggers are willing to write a small blurb for your company. Looking for a 50-250 word advertisement, including a link? Check out social spark!

My Social Spark profile:

Click on photo

The Harvest Begins...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:04:00 +0000

Remember all those potatoes I planted back in February? Okay, so maybe I never told you about the potatoes. The fact remains, I planted three different types of potatoes back in that month. I wish I could tell you one of the varieties was a blue potato, but I didn't have it available to me at Pensacola Seed and Garden, so I made do with two reds and one white. Or, was that two whites and one red? See, I don't know. No one here knows, so why did I bother? I guess that's just one of the things we gardeners do. Grow things just to see what will happen.

Anyway, with the advent of the first potato harvest, I am feeling a certain largess of spirit. I want to give away potatoes to everyone I meet. Wait. Give them away??? Haven't I been trying to start a farmer's market around here for the last three years? What gives? Maybe it's just something about the concept of being able to grow my own food that has my generosity kicking in. Whatever the case may be, I'm about to knock down my unsuspecting neighbor's door and rain some potato bounty down upon him. Wish you all were closer...

Thanks Hollis and Alice...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:15:00 +0000

The most beautiful rainbow

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that
wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You
will have your heart broken probably more than once and
it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so
remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight
with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things
an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast,
and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too
many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never
been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset
is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be
afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Today has been rough and I have wasted several 60 seconds. Mr. Hollis Baker and his Alice forwarded this to me...

Kind of troubling...

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:25:00 +0000

{RANT}

By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer

SAN ANGELO, Texas - More than 400 children taken from a ranch run by a polygamous sect will stay in state custody and be subject to genetic testing, a judge ruled Friday. State District Judge Barbara Walther heard 21 hours of testimony over two days before ruling that the children be kept by the state. Individual hearings will be set for the children over the next several weeks.
Child welfare officials say they've had difficulty determining how the children and adults are related because of evasive or changing answers...

Does anyone else think it's kind of scary that the State has done this? Sure, I'm not all about polygamy and underage marriage (what is of age, anyway?) but I am concerned that several hundred people have had their lives turned upside down by a phone call from a person who cannot be found...

I had friends here in Pensacola who were practicing polygamists. Let me tell you, it rocked my little sheltered world when my friend (the second wife) told me the truth. What do you say? I think it's mostly: what do you think? Eventually, this family was turned into child authorities and went on the run. By the time they came back, our relations were too strained to be able to resume the friendship.

My point is: it's weird and is considered immoral/illegal by some standards. But, if your standards aren't the same as the conventionally recognized one--how can you be judged by the conventional standards? Okay, my real point is: what if something you are I are doing and considering normal goes against a set standard? Will our rights be violated because someone else does not agree with them?
{/RANT}

Singin' and a Dancin' with Miss Carter

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Someone opened Pandora's Box

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:31:00 +0000

I discovered Pandora sometime yesterday and now we can listen to wonderful music all the time. For the Garden Party next Friday, I have already been able to make a 1920s music compilation. Gee, I wish Pandora was paying me for this mushy commendation. You can sign in to Pandora, type in a particular song, artist or composer that you fancy--and the Music Genome Project will intuitively select other artists and songs that resemble your selection. Think a song doesn't fit? Let the program know and never be bothered with said tune again. It's pretty wonderful. Check out my musical selections by clicking on the link below...

Becca's Music Selection

By the way, I don't listen to The White Stripes, though they are kinda funky. That's James' station.
Here's a snippet from Pandora's Website:
Q: Why did you choose the name "Pandora"?

The name Pandora means "all gifted" in Greek. In ancient Greek mythology, Pandora received many gifts from the Gods, including the gift of music, from Apollo. She was also, as we all know, insatiably curious.

Unlike those gods of old, however, we celebrate that virtue and have made it our mission to reward the musically curious among us with a never-ending experience of music discovery.

It's also important to note that at the bottom of Pandora's box was Hope...

Wordless Wednesday with "Real" Mower

beccanise@yahoo.com (Becca) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Yet another reason for using non-powered machines...
To view more WW participants, click here...