Spring break has arrived!

It's official, spring break is finally here! You have no idea how happy that makes me, it's a much needed break.

The boys had today off but since it was a professional day, me and the hubster both had to work. Right after work I headed downtown to pick up my daughter from the bus drop off. She's home from college for the weekend. What a treat to kick off our break!

I had mentioned having some health issues last week. So far all my tests have come back fine. I'm curious to see just how different my symptoms might be after having a week off of work. I suspect things could be stress related and just plain physical exhaustion. If not there will be referrals to specialists and more tests - keep your fingers crossed for me!

We have lots planned over the break, not sure how much I'll be around to visit, but will try to check in to see what you are all up to here and there along the way. Who knows, maybe I'll even have a chance to spend a day or two vacationing in blogville just lounging around in my virtual hammock all day. Sounds like the perfect vacation to me!

Have a great weekend! :-)

Header Challenge: Dolphins

This week's header challenge theme is Dolphins. It was my turn to pick the theme, and my chance to get a little payback for some of the previous themes like roosters and snowdrops - any idea how hard it is to find either in a beach town?!

Welcome to Sarasota Florida!

This little guy is my all time favorite - this is Mooch, aka Beggar. He's a well know dolphin that lives in the bay in my neighborhood. He loves to swim alongside the boats and seems to really be drawn to kids. It's almost like having a pet dolphin. Isn't he adorable?

The team of Headbangers are Tom, imac, Tom-Ass, Darla, Gailsman and me. Be sure to check out all the great "Dolphin" headers and entries today!

Header Challenge Time!

This was the initial header posted on Wednesday for the Head Banger Header Challenge. My status - runner up this week ...


The Head Banger team tried to pull a quick one on me this week, the theme is "Snowdrops." Of course we haven't had any snow dropping here in Florida lately. I have heard of a flower called a Snowdrop, but not any that I know of around my area. Besides, I wouldn't know what one looked like if I saw it. It was time to pull out my secret weapon - Food!


Yep, just for the header challenge I made Chocolate Snowdrop Cookies. My hubby and the kids got the chocolaty benefits :-)

Head over to my food blog Seaside Simplicity for this super simple recipe!

The team of Headbangers are Tom, imac, Tom-Ass, Darla, Gailsman and me! Be sure to check out all the great "Snowdrop" headers and entries today!

I wish I would have realized we were posting on St. Patrick's Day. I would have done the background on my header in green instead of red - too late now, the cookies are long gone!

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Cheers!

What's up?

Seems I've been neglecting this blog lately, we can't have that now can we? Tomorrow is the Head Banger's Header Challenge already, can't go the whole week without at least one post in between! Besides, I had some medical tests today so I'm at home instead of work now. I call a blog catch up afternoon! :-)

What's been going on you ask? Things have been very hectic lately. I'm taking care of my 82 year old mom along with the kids, hubby, the house, cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, errands and working full time. It's no wonder I ended up in the doctor's office with an extensive list of tests to be run - stress is powerful (I started to say stress is a killer, but I'm hoping my issues aren't that serious)!

I haven't had much to post here, just no time to get out to shoot any new photos, and of course it's been a long winter with uncooperative weather besides. I've had only two choices, blog about home or blog about work. I can't blog about work - well I could, there's actually tons to tell, but then I'd get fired. Hey, if I got fired I could be a stay at home blogger - but if I got fired I wouldn't have a home either. There's just no winning, ack!

That leaves home. What happens at home that's blog worthy? Food of course! I enjoy cooking, I have to do it daily anyway so why not blog about that? There has been some good stuff going on over at my food blog Seaside Simplicity...

So, when you are missing me here at Menagerie (and I know you are - you better be anyway! ;-) why not join me over there? Come on over, you know you want to!

If that isn't enough Martha for you, I am still hosting the Color Carnival photo meme every Friday evening, Motivation Monday at The Motivation Station along with our new Show and Tell photo meme every Saturday, and also Simple Saturday at Our Krazy Kitchen. There now, that should keep you busy while I get caught up on your blogs!

I'll be back tomorrow for the Head Banger's Header Challenge at 4pm. Have a great day!

Header Challenge Time!

The header this week...

This week's header challenge is "Underwater." I really had to dig deep into the archives for these. All were taken at Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota Florida. Please excuse the old and inferior photography.

Cute little Seahorses

Big octopi

Same big guy

Scary giant eel
This guy was as big around as my leg! Yikes!

The team of Headbangers are Tom, imac, Tom-Ass, Darla, Gailsman and me! Be sure to check out all the great "Underwater" headers and entries today! :-)

Award Time!

A BIG Thank You goes out to Carolyn of Ford Family Photos for giving me this cool Spotlight Award!

I'd like to offer this one up to all my blogging buddies. I think each and every one of you deserve to be in the spotlight!

I hope everyone will pop over to visit Carolyn if you aren't already a regular over there. Carolyn plays on a lot of the photo memes and challenges each week, she's a terrific photographer!

Carolyn, when I stopped by to pick up the award I noticed you have reached 100 followers. Congrats! I'd like to offer you this little "100" award in celebration ...

Speaking of 100, there is another celebration going on - Happy 100th edition of Camera Critters!

"I can has blog too?"

Go on over to Camera Critters and bring over your favorite critters too!

Color Carnival

Don't forget to come play along at the Color Carnival
The fun starts at 6pm sharp!

Peace and love my peeps :-)

Header Challenge Time!

The header for this week...

The entry...

These weeks "buzz" by much faster than I can keep up lately! I'm in a bit of a rush to get things done so just a couple shots of my Mexican Sunflowers from the archives to go with my header for today.

These really make me long for the warmth and beauty of spring!

The team of Headbangers are Tom, imac, Tom-Ass, Darla, Gailsman and me! Be sure to check out all the great "Yellow" headers and entries today!

Enjoy the rest of the week :-)