T Tuesday

 Hi Everyone!

 

It's Tuesday ( actually I'm writing this on Monday) and I'm joining Elizabeth and Bleubeard for T-Tuesday. 

I was going to get photos outside today but it is storming something wicked out. My driveway is flooded, the wind is gusting at 30mph, so we are watching the fence, and it's cold. I had to turn on a heater. 

 

Today you get AI images and a cookies that really suck. 😁
 

First the AI. I made these last night. As I mentioned before, NightCafe change some of the rules for non paying customers. It does take longer to receive your image. Also they removed style selection, so we only get to use models. However, I'm finding that my images are better. More detailed and better reaction to my descriptions.

 

A week or so ago I asked for well wishes for Mr. M. As hard as we try to keep him in good health his body is just not cooperating. His renal blood work came back with all great results. Then, his AIC came back and he is now type 2 diabetic. In addition that same day his cardiologist informed us that Mr. M. now has AFib. This is all do to CKD. We are OK and over the shock of it all. Have you ever tried to create a kidney friendly, diabetic, heart healthy diet? It's impossible! Some things overlap but what's good for kidney is not good for the other two things. 

 We don't see the dietitian until August. 

In the mean time, we are just going to live life. Stop worrying about every little thing we eat or drink. 

With that said, I decided to make diabetic cookies. YUUUUKKKK. This recipe is horrible. I will make up my own recipes like I do for kidney friendly.

These are spice cookies made with splenda. First splenda does not mix will with no salt butter. The dough was heavy and I knew before I ever baked them that they would not taste great. 

They don't! 

Mr. M. said they were just dry. Uhhh I think he would eat anything I put in front of him. LOL I tossed them.

Later, I gave him some fresh cantaloupe. 

OK for heart and diabetes but I have to portion it for CKD. 

 

My drink for today is hot water. This will warm me up. 

That's it for now. 

Have a great day everyone!

 Nicole 

Monster Monday 6/8/2026

Welcome to

 

There is a movie that I enjoy so much that I have watched it many times. It's called, "The Tomorrow War" staring Chris Pratt. It's a sci fi comedy. I know that goes against all of my morbid nature. However, I do like a good laugh that has great monsters and this film dose. The monsters are called, "White Spikes" and they are of course aliens. The war takes place in the future and that's where it gets interesting. You can watch it on Tubi and Prime for free.

 Oh and there is a part 2 coming out this year. 

But back to the monsters. 

I went to NightCafe and describe the White Spikes and here is what I got. 

None of these look like the real White Spikes but I'm happy with how they came out.

 

Now for some pretties. 

That's it for now. 

Have a fabulous Monday. 

Nicole

 

Sunday in the Art Room SITAR

 Welcome to

SITAR is about ANYTHING art. Your art, someone else's art, writing, photography, the art of cooking, the art of sewing and textiles. Sharing historical art, street art, a story about art. Do you have a question or need help with art? Write a blog post and link it up here. We will all try to help with it. My only rule is that if someone asks for critique it must be done with generosity and consideration. 

This is a place of learning, encouragement and inspiration.

 

  

 An artist by the name of Sherry joined FFO a few weeks ago and I hope all of you have had a chance to visit her blog. 

I wrote to her asking if I could share some of her art on SITAR. She graciously said yes.

Sherry told me she is a self taught artist who now has more time to create since her boys are grown. She enjoys working with all kinds of pencils, such as graphite, pastel, and colored.

Here are a few pieces 

from her blog. 

Graphite 

 

Colored Pencil

 

and my favorite in graphite.

Sherry also loves to crochet and knit making amigurumi animals, 

Here is the blog for these 

 

clothing, blankets, etc. She also enjoys making primitive dolls and holiday decorations, all sewn by hand. She finds the hand stitching to be very relaxing. Other thing on her list is gardening, reading, cooking/baking, and learning new things. 

As you can see Sherry is quite talented and I hope you visit her.

 

I have not forgotten all of the very talented artists that join FFO and SITAR. Over the rest of the year I want to feature all of you.  You are my inspire and make me want to be a better artist.

Someone that has always impressed me with her tiny art is Christine. 

I do believe that Christine and I met during Paint Party Friday so many years ago. Christine has been bloging since 2007 and has a website where she sells her unique and beautiful art. 
Not only does Christine feature art on her blog but she has some great recipes too. An art in itself.

I hope that you will visit both of these artists.
 

Here is some other art I really like all black artists who didn't get their recognition. You can see the website here.

 

Charles Alston

 B. 1907, Charlotte, North Carolina. 

 D. 1977, New York

 

Untitled 1963 

 

Camelle Bilops

 B. 1933, Los Angeles. D. 2019, New York.

 Betty Blayton

 B. 1937, Williamsburg, Virginia. D. 2016, New York.

 

I hope you enjoyed today on SITAR.

 

That's it for now.

 

I'm joining

 Gillena for 

 

Looking forward to seeing your arty post.

Nicole

 

Dentist woes

 Hi Everyone!

 

I'm just ranting. 

As most of you know I went to the dentist yesterday. Am I just living in the twilight zone for prices on EVERYTHING?

 

I had a comprehensive exam a few months ago and everything was fine. That doctor retired. I stayed with the people that took over the practice. 

Today I had to go in because my upper partial was too tight and making my back tooth hurt. I fixed the partial myself. But wanted to make sure the back tooth was OK.

I'm scheduled to get new partials in 2 weeks. I have saved for that. 

 

Today's visit cost me $358.00 for them to take 2 exrays and look at my back teeth. He said the back tooth is fine and I most likely upset the tendon. However, the tooth next to it has a small cavity right at the cap line. He showed me the exray. Fortunately I do read exrays, and sure enough there was a problem. He said he would have to remove the cap fix the problem and put a new cap on. Are you ready for this?

$3,000.00 Yes, 3 grand.

Then the partials are another 2 grand. 

Lord have mercy. There is no way I can do this. Mr. M. says, just bite the bullet put it on the credit card and we will deal with that as we can. 

It just seems ridiculous that everything costs so much.  

OK, I'm done ranting. 

I hope all of you have a really wonderful Saturday.

Nicole.
 

FFO Show me your face

 

Welcome To Friday Face OFF (FFO)

This is the place to show off your face art.

You know, ANY type of face, nature, the face of a flower, photography, drawings, paintings, AI. There just needs to be a face in your blog post, a link back to my blog and please use the image below. 

Thank you.

It feels like a long week. This morning I had to go to the store early for just a few items that are on sale. Then over to the dentist. Uhhhggggg.

 

I did get a face finished this week. One I really like. 

It started like this. But I didn't like the all of the body.

 

So I cut it off to this. 

 

I finally ended up with this. 

It actually looks better hanging on my wall than it does here. 

 

Now for a few AI beauties.

 

Are you ready for the features?

Lisca  Post cards and a lovey trip.

Mae There is always something good to eat there.

 

Kwarkito such interesting posts 

 

That's it for now 

Be sure to join in for 

Sunday in the Art Room  

 

I'm joining Gillena 

 

Now it's time to show me your face.

Nicole 

Thursday garden

 Hi Everyone!

It's over cast today with spurts of rain. Good for my garden. 

I showed, a few weeks ago, how my garden lupine was blooming. Well, it was a quick bloom and after the flowers dropped these appeared. Soft but firm and fuzzy. Not quite like pussy willows.

 

My radishes are doing very well in the little container. 

 

and spinach, is already coming up.

 

The lettuce is starting to show and the beets are good too.

 

These little white flowers come up every year in my yard.

 

More foxglove in white. 

 

This is what we call the natural area. The barn used to be there. We just let it go wild. I do throw flower seeds in it and a lot of garden soil went it too. In fact there is celery and potatoes growing there.

I love all the different grasses that have grown.

 

Well that's it for now.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

Nicole.