Friday Face OFF 1/23/2026

 

 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. There just needs to be a face in your blog post.

Next week, Jan. 30 the FFO challenge will be time to show your face.   

  

 Hi Everyone!

I can't believe it's Friday already, but glad it is. Yesterday, I had to drive to Springfield to have a PET scan. 

The results were in before I got home. 

Some good some not so good.  

 However, I just don't want to think about it right now. 

 

So let's look at art. 

This is my face for this week. I gave a peek preview on SITAR a few weeks ago. She starts like this. 

I started with the ear.

Then a bit on the face.

And then finished.

A few weeks ago I was going through art paper and discovered this face. I truly can't remember when I drew this or why I stopped and hid it away. 

I will work on it to see if I can bring her to live. 

Here is some of my recent AI that I create on NightCafe.  

 

It's time for some features

 

Tom from Back Roads Traveller 

 

Leeanna Not Afraid Of Color

The new challenge is to create a portrait of anyone you want. It can be your family, friends, actors, faces you find on the internet, or a perfect stranger that will allow you a photo to work from and to show with your portrait. You can work in any medium, except photography, meaning you can't just show a photo of a face. For this challenge you must create a face.

In addition the challenge is optional, I still want to see all of your faces though.

 

Don't forget to join in for Sunday in the Art Room, "SITAR" Anything art. Please don't forget to link back to my blog. Thanks 

 

That's it for me. Now it's time to show me your face.

 Nicole   

Really?

 Hi Everyone!

I would like to know what effin' world these people live in?  Oh, I forgot for a minute. The mega rich world. 

Today I speaking about Brook Rollins, who's net worth is about 15 million. The latest BS from her and RFK Jr is to flip the food chart and to tell the American people they can eat a meal for $3.00. 

I will get to this clarification in a minute. 

First in 1992 the USDA put out this food chart. Making a pyramid eating foods from the bottom up.

See a problem here? Another subject about the food industry in our country. I will tackle this one in a later post. Just a note though, the US government subsidizes farmers to grow certain crops to produce processed foods that "they" make sure are on our tables. 

Back to the rich who don't do their own shopping and certainly don't eat what everyday Americans eat and don't have a clue what food costs.

In 2005 another chart was introduced.

The same BS as the first one, only in a different style. 

Do they think we are stupid? 

Rollin's said and I quote, "A budget-friendly meal could include "a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla, and one other thing, would cost about $3.00."

She didn't specify what the one other thing would be. She said that the USDA ran over 1,000 simulations to come up with this meal. Really? Would she eat this? Never once did they think to include or even interview actual Americans. It's just another one of the "thing's" economic illiteracy that will hurt the American people trying to stretch a dollar to feed their families.

Because these numbers will cut the SNAP program even further and monies to Food Banks.  

The "thing" who has assembled the wealthiest cabinate in US history,

( you can see it here) has said that it's best to take economic advise from a rich person. This is moronic, since rich people don't know what real life is all about. The "thing" has said that American people should sacrifice and buy less stuff. Has to do with his tariffs, that affects food.

After the backlash Rollin's received over her obtuseness, she came back with this statement. Her regret was not emphasizing "robust" enough explaining she meant "LARGE pieces of chicken and broccoli, plus other items like a baked potato or bread to meet daily calorie need. She clarified that simulations showed meals meeting the guidelines could cost $15.46 per day, emphasizing the affordability of components like poultry, beans, potatoes and frozen vegetable." 

Sooooo she wants people to eat one meal a day? (snarky) 

Is there proof?

Based on reports from January 2026, there is

no publicly released, detailed data or raw documentation verifying the "1,000 simulations" mentioned by Rollins to prove her $3-per-meal claim. I think in her brain stumped head that was a good number to go with.

The Wall Street Journal did their own shopping in Boston and New Orleans and found they could achieve a "Rollin's" meal.

Notice how small this plate is? Personally I wouldn't eat this. 

Not served like this anyway.

Critics argue that the simulations likely use UNREALISTIC or highly specific, low-cost scenarios (e.g., buying single items rather than bulk) that do not reflect the reality for the average, time-crunched American consumer.
I don't know about you but in my stores I can't buy just one piece of chicken. 

A USDA spokesperson did not respond to direct questions regarding how these 1,000 simulations were actually conducted, according to a report from January 21, 2026. 

Independent price checks in lower-cost areas (e.g., Omaha, NE) suggest that while individual servings of these ingredients can mathematically equal roughly $0.50–$1.00, critics argue these "simulations" ignore the reality of bulk purchasing requirements and food accessibility. 

In my town prices are ridiculously high. I'm very frugal and on a tight food budget, I wish I could feed us for NE prices. I have to drive to Eugene to shop at Winco where the prices are at least half of the 2 grocery stores here. I guess what I'm trying to say is, this administration will say, (lie) do anything to hurt the American people and do it with a smile.

 

 Done ranting for the day 

Nicole 

  

 
  

Do you like Lasagna?

 Hi Everyone!

Last week my brother Tom and his wife Linda came for a visit. They live about 2 hours from me and it was pretty much a good bye visit. They have sold their home and moving back to AK. They were only here for a few years to take care of Linda's dad. Now, they will move back home. I will miss them very much. 

So, back to my title question. 

Do you like lasagna? 

We do and that's what I made for dinner for all of us. Not kidney friendly, but as the dietitian said once in awhile it's OK to eat what ever you want.

I start the sauce the day before.

I only used ground beef, leaving the sausages out. For Mr. M. That's a little too much on the bad kidney. Lot's of good seasonings and home canned sauce.

The next day I start with the cheeses.  Grating mozzarella and monetary jack for this part. The Ninja works perfect for this. 

 

I love the way this Ninja grates.

To the grated cheese I add ricotta and cottage cheese.

Since all of these cheeses are bland they get a lot of seasoning.

 

Mix it all up and then partially cook the noodles. I only partially cook the noodles because I really dislike over cooked noodles. 

 

Now for the fun part. 

Layering. I put a little sauce on the bottom of the pan. Then some noodles.

 

Lot's of dabs of cheese mix. 

 

Be generous with the sauce and repeat until all the ingredients are in the pan. Bake until the cheese is bubbling and hot all the way through.

 

Everyone was hungry so I didn't get a photo of it coming out of the oven. Plus we were having so much fun I forgot.

 

Seriously this was maybe the best Lasagna I've made. We didn't miss the sausages at all.

Hope you're hungry now. LOL 

Nicole 

 

 

Monster Monday

 Hi Everyone!

All of my monsters are made with AI. The program I use is NightCafe. I have tried others and for me this is the best. It's free and you can create just about anything. As soon as you sign up there are things to do to earn credits. Then everyday you earn more credits. It's fun try it out.

I have some really creepy pieces in my NC gallery but I thought they might be just a bit much. So these are more tame. ha ha

 

 

 

Now for those of you who need to see some pretties. 

That's it for now.

Wishing all of you a nice Monday.
 Nicole

Sunday in the Art Room SITAR

 Welcome to 

Above made by me with NightCafe. 

Today is Sunday in the Art Room. 

As mentioned in previous posts, I'm opening up this day for artists that create in ANY medium to come on by and just talk art. Write a post about what's on your mind in the art world. It's a place to ask questions on your blog where other's can hopefully answer. Or share your videos, your techniques, tools or even what type of camera you use. So, you say you can't draw but you can write.... that's art baby! AI creations are welcome as well. Since this type of art is taking off to main stream. Let's say you think you are in no way artsy. But you love art. Show murals, historical, art, your friends or kids art and talk about it.  

I would like this to be an all inclusive way for artist to share, whatever. 

My only rule? Criticism with kindness. 

If someone asks to have their art critiqued it must be done with the generosity and consideration. 

This is a place of encouragement and inspiration. 

As you can see my Saturday post and Sunday post got all messed up with scheduling.  

 

Hi Everyone!  

I have a lot of art in my house. Not all mine. Two places that I collect art from are Japan, and Africa. I have art from other countries too but these are my favorite. 

My brother S, that lives in the state of WA., is always thinking of me. He and his wife were at an art fair when they came across a vendor that is from Africa. They spent a lot of time there, when they came across a hat. S, looked at his wife and said, "Ohhh Nicole would love this!" He was so right.

He sent me this beautiful Fulani Hat. 

Also known as noppire

The workmen ship is masterful. Boys gather the grasses for the hats while men do the weaving and embellishing.

These hats represent wealth and status, particularly for nomadic cattle herders.
Of course these elaborate hats are worn during festivals. Fulani men wear them to hopefully attract women.

They are a key part of men's traditional attire, often worn over a turban.  

 

I have several photos like this in an African book I own, however, it is packed away so I took this one from the internet.

A few more or my cherished African pieces are 

My squeeze drum also know as a talking drum and my African sand bead rattle. 
I do play my drum. Here is a video to show you how it sounds. 

The sound moves my soul.

 

 Now one more item. My Son sent this to me about 20 years ago. 

There are many styles of this effigy but the meaning is the same. In Brief, it represents fertility, lineage continuity, spiritual protection and a nurturing bond.

You see why I hold this dear to my heart.

 

Do you have any favorite art from other counties? Or even the country you life in?

 

That's if for me. I look forward to seeing your Sunday in the Art Room

Nicole 

It is all wrong here

 

 Hi Everyone!

 Just a note. Yes, the posts got messed up so some of the comments I had to copy and past under my name.

 Living in the US now is just a scary place. All thanks to the "thing" in the white house and the reprehensible people that do his bidding and those that voted for him. With him wanting to start WW3 and taking over countries that will benefit him, we also now have him talking about cancelling the midterms. He started taking about it in January and then again during an interview with Reuters. 

This is one of many things that I knew would happen sooner or later and it is happening now. The "thing" doesn't just talk out of the side of his neck. Once he starts talking about something it soon happens. The president has no constitutional authority over federal election administration, this belongs to the states.  Some Red states will just do what he asks. Other Red states will be paid to halt the midterms. Blue states will be threatened with losing federal funding if they don't comply. I can see this to be the real beginning of civil war in my country. 

With voting in mind, according to 

NPR's congressional retirement tracker, as of Jan. 8, 2026, there are 58 current representatives and senators who are retiring or running for a different office — 11 senators and 47 House members.

So who will be running for these places? Or will the "thing" just say let's not have a congress? Something to think about. 

 

1. Immediate Legal Challenges

• Lack of Authority: Under federal law and the Constitution, the President has no unilateral power to cancel or postpone federal elections.
• State Control: Elections are administered by individual states, not the federal government. For an election to be halted, a President would theoretically need the compliance of all 50 states, which is considered a "virtual impossibility".
• Supreme Court Intervention: Any executive order attempting to suspend voting would be immediately challenged. Experts suggest the Supreme Court would likely rule such an action unconstitutional, as the timing of federal elections is set by Congress, not the Executive Branch. 
• I wonder about this Supreme Court.

2. Constitutional Deadlock

• Expiration of Terms: The Constitution mandates that the terms of all 435 House members and one-third of the Senate expire in January 2027.
• Loss of Quorum: If elections are not held, there would be no legal mechanism to fill these seats. Congress would effectively cease to function due to a lack of members, preventing the passage of any laws, budgets, or presidential appointments. 

3. Political and Civil Unrest

• Impeachment Risk: The "thing" himself has acknowledged that the midterms are "existential," stating that if Democrats win control of the House, he will likely face immediate impeachment.
• Civil Resistance: Experts warn that attempting to halt a bedrock democratic process could lead to mass street protests, civil disobedience, or even domestic conflict.
• International Backlash: Such an action would likely lead to a total cessation of foreign tourism and severe economic instability as global markets react to the collapse of the American democratic process. 

4. Alternative Tactics for Interference

Rather than a total halt, analysts point to other methods the administration might use to influence the 2026 outcome:

• Federal Policing: Reports suggest the administration may consider deploying federal agents (such as ICE) to "patrol" polling sites under the guise of security, which critics argue is a form of voter intimidation.
• Voter Data Access: The Justice Department has already sued multiple states to gain access to private voter data files.
• Redistricting: The administration has pushed Republican-led states to undertake mid-decade redistricting to maximize GOP congressional seats before the November vote.  
•  
• This no longer feels like my country. 
• Nicole 

 

Friday Face OFF 1/16/2025

 

 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. There just needs to be a face in your blog post.

 

Don't forget to join in for Sunday in the Art Room, "SITAR" Anything art. Please don't forget to link back to my blog. Thanks 

 

As you know I have been creating art more than usual. All I want to do is create. Wearing glare free glasses has helped with doing this. I started wearing them for the retina thing and I think I will continue to wear them. They soothe the eyes. Do you wear any kind of glare free glasses?

 

Yes, these are yellow tint but they work for me. 

 I have quite a few drawings completed and this week I'm showing a very strange colored pencil piece.

I guess I don't have any beginning photos. 

I get to this point. 

and the next thing I know I have it finished. 

I had to soften his face a bit. Shrink the jaw, adjust his eyes. 

He is definitely a strange looking guy. 

However, I like the colors.

 

Here are some AI pieces I made with NightCafe.  

 

 

It's time for some features.

 

 Maria A great gift and watch the videos.

 

Andrea Old photos are always so much fun.

 

Louise. A must read post

OK, it's getting close, January 30th is the FFO day to show your challenge portraits.

The new challenge is to create a portrait of anyone you want. It can be your family, friends, actors, faces you find on the internet, or a perfect stranger that will allow you a photo to work from and to show with your portrait. You can work in any medium, except photography, meaning you can't just show a photo of a face. For this challenge you must create a face.

This challenge is optional, I still want to see all of your faces.

That's it for me. Now it's time to show me your face.

 Nicole