A Few Pictures During Our Winter Blast

Dog Christmas, ... putting my dog to shame

And why can't my dog at least pick up after himself.
thanks Dawn

The Art Of "Man-Scaping"

I ripped this off a site... but it's so true about cheap razors, and how to get a good shave. Hope it helps.    

The Art of Shaving

Proper shaving has become a lost art. Shaving is one of those glorious
male traditions that used to be passed down from father to son, but
somewhere along the line, when shaving became more about cheap,
disposable razors than a nice, precision-made metal tool in your hand,
it became a brainless routine to rush through in the morning without
even thinking about it.

A dull disposable razor dragged across a layer of foam or gel on your
cheeks was a step backward not an improvement. Now that men of all
ages are paying more attention to their appearance, it’s no wonder
that the hottest trend right now in male grooming is a return to the
traditional wet shave and millions of men have been shocked to
discover that the old fashioned method of shaving they thought went
out with the Hula Hoop is actually the best quality shave you can get.

Shaving should be a simple morning ritual that you enjoy and which leaves you feeling refreshed and revitalized. A superior shave is best-achieved using quality shaving products and techniques.

Prepare


Never attempt to shave without first having a hot shower or bath. Hot water and soap softens the beard, opens pores and cleanses the skin. Facial hair is some of the toughest hair on the entire body. A dirty face can be the cause of infections and razor rash. Massage a soap or facial scrub that contains natural ingredients into the beard and leave it there for a few minutes to prime the hair follicles and remove dead skin cells.

Shave


Fill a sink with hot water, dip the brush into the hot water, give it a shake then dab into shaving soap-crème. Rich in eucalyptus oil, this shaving soap is designed to protect this skin and provide a close, comfortable shave. Glycerin provides good slip and protection while the other ingredients do a great job of moisturizing and forming a creamy lather. A small quantity is enough for a rich creamy lather. Apply the badger brush to the beard using a circular motion to hydrate the shaving soap. This will whip up a thick moist lather, lift each hair and protect and lubricate the skin. Use slow, short strokes during your shave. 

To get best results, you should take your time as you shave. Always shave with the grain (the direction the hair grows and check your neck to see if it grows in the same direction as your face). Avoid applying too much pressure on your razor since this is often the cause of razor burn and skin irritations. Always glide the razor gently over your face. Rinse the safety razor in hot water after each stroke. Use slow, short strokes during your shave. To get best results, you should take your time. Use one hand to hold the razor the other to hold your skin gently taut to create a flat surface for the blade to glide over. For an even closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly across or against the grain.

Protect

Rinsing your face in cool water to close pores and tone the skin. Apply aftershave balm or gel that contain vitamins, natural oils to moisturize and aloe vera to help heal the skin. Do not apply aftershave lotion or spray, the alcohol will sting and cause redness. Apply your own scent to chest area and shoulders.

Maintenance

Look after your equipment, the badger brush should be rinsed in hot water and hung upside down. If the razor felt like it was starting to drag, replace the blade for next time and whilst your at it give the safety razor a wipe with a clean cloth or towel. Never clean the razor with a blade in.

Welcome to my life

Galactic Mail from Asterokid on Vimeo.

Spicy Three-Bean Chili - Meatless and Possibly Vegetarian

Three-Bean Meatless Chili from Foodwishes on Vimeo.

OH YEAH !!!

I'm Back !!! Wahoo

"The Killers"- Human

I've had this song suck in my head the past few day.  

Great live video, But what's up with the feathers?

 

The Killers - New Music - More Music Videos

sorry the blog has been having some issues and I been to lazy to fix them. BUT things will change!! Mark my Words!

on a cool note, i posted this from my ip-od.

Hahahaha. I Love it!

The Fall

This might be one of the best movie I've seen all year! I would highly recommend it. 

 

It keeps reminding me of something else but I can't put my finger on it...  Like the beauty of "Pans Labyrinth" cinematography, mixed with the story line of the "Princess Bride". 

Killin' time

Well.. I now have some time set aside for blogging. I'm so happy! I'm trying to get into a metal arts class tonight, If I get in I'll have two nights a week to wait around till class starts. plenty of time to catch up on a few shows online, and BLOG. 

... sad day.

Well, my little sister left for school today. Just wanted to wish her luck! 

... Remember to keep you nose and underwear clean.  

Ahhh... Fudge !!!!

It's been cold and crisp in the morning, Fall in defiantly in the air.  which has lead me to thinking about thanksgiving dinner. One of my favorite holidays!! Food and Family... usually in that order. Well I tried to make something different last night for a change. And pumpkin fudge seemed like the best idea.  

Let me just set the stage... everything went perfect. I had everything ready ahead.  No lumps, I didn't scorch the pot, or burn myself with molten sugar.    I got my mixture up to the right temperature.    ... and lets just say... I made a lot  to share with everyone! 

The perfect recipe for disaster. 

...I made a fatal error. 

I grabbed cans of sweeten condensed milk, instead of evaporated milk (which makes this recipe set up).  So I now have about 5 lbs. of pumpkin goo frosting.  But, the flavor is amazing if you like pumpkin pie!

I can't bring myself to throw it away, and after a few helpful suggestions, I now have some ideas to salvage it.  So be forewarned that you may get surprised with something pumpkin soon.  

I think i'll try it again, after I get rid of this first attempt. 

Here is the recipe if your feeling daring. 

good luck. (please let me know if your turns out.)

Pumpkin Pie Fudge.

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 Tbsp corn syrup
2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
9 oz white chocolate, chopped
7 oz jar marshmallow crème
1 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted * optional
1 tsp vanilla extract

Stir together first 6 ingredients in a 3 1/2-quart saucepan. 

over medium-high heat, slowly cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft-ball stage).

Remove pan from heat; stir in remaining ingredients until well blended (stirring this is a work-out!). Pour into a greased aluminum foil-lined 8-inch square pan. Let stand 2 hours or until completely cool; cut fudge into squares.

Katie's Wedding

Well it's only taking me a week, but here are a few shot from the wedding.  

Here is Katie and Justin, ... Now that's done, Let's eat some CAKE !!!

Audrey my cousin. I've heard she like doughnuts 

My few of my favorite Girls. Audrey, Ashley, Amanda, Vanessa, and Taylor 

To bad it's "Cousin Love", Thanks Ashley for the thought. 

Just Vanessa and me keeping it real. Thanks for letting me be your arm candy. 

.... We'll always have Portland

Night Class

Contrary to poplar belief, I'm not dead. So here is some proof

I've been taking a Metal Sculpture class at night. It's a lot of fun but a ton of work. For my large final project I had planned on a big fountain. But I've decided that I like the form to much to make it functional. The over all shape and form look simple, but it's taking a LOT of work to keep it from looking like crap. (If you make it look easy, then you know you've done a good job.) ... oh, everything has been made by hand. My Hands.

Here are a few quick snap shots, it's still in the rough right now. (and never mind the tape holding things together.) Right now I'm trying to decide what type of finish it need or if it need anything added. So if you have any suggestion, please share.

The Fourth Of July

New Gnome Sightings

These are just flew in from Costa Rica!!! 

Thank you so much Jessie, you're awesome!

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

I just found this and thought it was just profound. 

Dog Days of Summer in "P"-town

Well yesterday I took Buddha to the Portland Saturday Market. It was tons of fun.

It was so hot, I think it topped out around 100. ... Too bloody hot. 

We ended up parking on the East side of the river and walked over. 

-"Good idea, Bad idea." It was a nice walk, ... but the homeless came out from the shade, and wanted to pet Buddha. It kind of hard to say no when their already down on the ground petting him. At least they didn't hit me up for money. 

We finally made it to the market where he found a water bowl and drank everything up. 

and then I saw one of the many public fountain down in that area. I took Buddha over and splashed some water on him, he was so happy to cool down.  but he was still so hot, so i looked around and said, .. heck with it, "I'm in Portland and anything weird goes". So I picked him up and tossed him in the fountain. It was quite funny, I got a huge cheer of the surrounding crowed, and everyone laughed and then grabbed their dogs and put them in. 

"Oh, My happy little Buddha". I had so many people come up and hand me dog treats, it was crazy. 

We walked around for a few hours, until it was so hot that Buddha couldn't walk because the ground was so hot, poor guy. We ran from shady spot, to the next shady spot. 

Over all we both had a great day! 

Tired Hot Wet Dog 

 

Here are a few I snapped while walking over the Hawthorn Bridge.  

I love this one for the fact that I was able to catch the girl on her bike.

Woodland Parade

Well, I found my camera again!!! So I have some new pictures to post!

Here are a few from the one of the near bye local small town parade last weekend. 

I'm not a hyper masculine man or a huge military "fan", but it's cool to drive around in a rare piece of history. 

(It is a little weird to driving around and have the old ladies try and flirt and whistle at you.)

This one was in the staging area, right before the parade started. 

-General Patton would be scared of these stone face killers. 

Amanda and I had tons of fun spraying the little kids, and unsuspecting adults with our Super Soakers.  I think my helmet makes me aerodynamic. (I really want to paint one plaid)

Okay, I love the outdoors and have never been hunting. (It's just never appealed to me.) And I don't mind the idea of people who hunt, too much. 

But I saw this float and was a little disturbed. 

All I can say is .... Wow, "Redneck Float of Death" 

Lobster Boy

Well, this one is for Amanda,... 

I'm not really sure how to explain myself, so I won't.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

This is about how I feel

Buddha

Well, I'm not dead yet. .... I'm a lot better then yesterday.  I finally got some sleep last night after taking some Nightquil. (Great stuff)

Here is a Great picture of Buddha with a frisbee "ring thing" , at the park the other day. To bad he doesn't fetch ... at all! 

I'm Sick !!

It's officially Summer and nice out, and ... I'm Sick. Yes I will finally admit my defeat.

I have the runny noses that hurts to touch, and a head ache the would drive a crazy man to sanity .
I don't get sick a lot but with my fibromyalgia I feel like I could curl up and die when I do. That and I'm just a huge baby when I'm sick.


It started Thursday, but there was no way that I was going to cancel go up to Tacoma. She doesn't know, but I feel terrible for Julia my friend I met up with. Most of you know I'm kind of quite and revered at first, but it doesn't take long until I really open up and you see the weird eccentric part of me.
Well, Thursday I tried to show my laded back and random personally, but it's not easy when you feel like you've swallowed a bucket of sand. ... I really I'm much cooler, ... I think, I hope.

Friday, I tired to pass it off as allergies again.
Saturday, I didn't care because I got to squirt kids while in a parade and eat candy. (I'll post those pic's soon)
Today I'm paying the price!

Trying to sleep when your sick is the worst. - I always sleep on my side, and I hate when all of the snot collects to one side of my head and I turn over to get comfortable. And all of the thick mucus detaching and fall to other side, ahhhhh....the sound and feeling is enough for me to gag.

I guess I need to apologies if I've infected any of you !!! I didn't mean to, I swear!

Tacoma

This one is from the boardwalk in the bay, I think... maybe it's a lake.  I do know that the old smelting plant that polluted the area is in the background. don't eat the dirt...

 

The Botanical garden. - This was my favorite place during the whole trip. The colors of the flowers were just amazing, and the park that surrounded it was really nice too.

I would love to take my water colors in for a day and just paint. "but not like grandmas bathroom art, I do have standers"

This one was at the Glass museum, on the bridge.  I think this was my best shot of the day. 

Amanda's No-bake Cookies

2 cups Sugar 

1/2 cup margarine  / or butter

1/2 cup milk 

1/4 cup Cocoa 

1 tsp Vanilla (or more) 

3 cups "Quick" Oatmeal 

1/2 cup Peanut Butter (or more :])

Slowly bring the sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa to a boil. (you want the sugar to dissolve) Once to a boil over medium heat ... boil for 3 three minutes. Stir Stir Stir!

Take off the heat and add vanilla, then oatmeal, and then peanut butter. (Add ingredient in that order) 

Stir together mixture, and place spoonfuls on wax paper. Allow to cool 

For the longest time I thought, I was the only one who made pictures in dirt while I cleaned. (It just helps me past the time faster while doing crapy house work) ... NO, Im not a freak, and Yes I am house trained !!
This guy does some amazing work. I love to see the before and after results of cleaning something grimy. Maybe its why I want to go into the field of Art Restoration and Conservation.

It almost make me want to pressure wash my driveway today ... almost.
hope you like

JELL-O

How cool is this !!!

Chicken Crescent Squares

   -Chicken Crescent Squares- 

Filling-

3oz. – Cream Cheese ... or more :]  

2 tbsp. – Melted Butter

2 cups – Cooked Shredded Chicken

¼ tsp. – Salt

1/8 tsp. – Pepper

2 tbsp. – Milk

1 tbsp. – chopped chives / green onions work too 

Pinch – “Lowry” Seasoning

2 Cans – “Quick” Crescent squares rolls ( i like the jumbo rolls)

I like to sometimes added a little garlic too, but not too much. 

Mix all ingredients together well, but rolls.

Carefully unroll dough. – (keeping dough together)

Use two pieces to form squares. (Places on cookie sheet)

*Lightly spread and flatten dough

Spoon ½ cup-ish of Chicken mixture into the center of each square. It just depends how big your squares are, and how much filling you have.

(Try to not to over fill, and keep the edges clean)

Place a second “square” of dough on top. Seal corners and edges together.

Bake @ 350° on cookie sheet.  20-25 minutes – light golden brown

4 “Squares”

* Good with a light chicken gravy/ sauce over the top 

I'm not that sad, ... am I?

check this site out-  garfieldminusgarfield.net

18

Today is Amanda's 18th Birthday 

Josh and I took her to Portland for the day, down near 23rd. We walking around looking at the shops, to find her a cute pair of shoes for a new dress. (We didn't want to scare her yet with some male strippers, and we all know josh would have stolen them anyways. :] ) 

We found a little boutique and had amanda tried on a ton of stuff, but we ended up with some funky 70's booty shorts. Oh, we had some great mexican food, and then went to Voodoo doughnuts for dessert. I can barely move, I'm so stuffed. ... It was a good day.

I had a conversation the other day with someone about turning 18. We were baffled that when you turn 18, you can joining the Army and kill someone, but you can't drink. (Not that I'm condoning either one)

My Fabulous Brother, Josh!!

This pic is a little old, but still great.  That night we were sitting outside one of my favorite restaurants, the Montage.  Make sure you save some food for leftovers, you'll see. Good times!  

Things that freak me out

Now that I'm not technically a "kid", more childhood things give me the creeps that never bothered me before. Here are a few in no particular order.

Unicorns - I don't know if it's because their part horse, or the weird "Dungeon and Dragon" stereotypes that go along them. ....I might have a picture of one, if it was painted on the side of an 80's van with a wizard!! Dolphin art. (Not dolphins themselves, just the art.) yes, I'm an Art snob.

Clowns - "It's all fun and games until the evil clown upraising occurs". ... mark my words.

And the last one for now. Porcelain dolls - I don't know if it's because their eyes roll into the back of their heads, or they look a little too human.