The Element of Freedom

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tightly closed in a bud, was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.  This is the element of Freedom" 

Alicia Keys ~ The Element of Freedom

The Road We're On...

It sometimes amazes me just how quickly life can change...just two and a half short years ago I adopted Neena.  At the time I had it all planned out, I'd get this perfect little dog for my perfect little family and we would be perfectly happy. 

Since then I've been learning that life almost never goes as planned lol.  But although Neena isn't my 'perfect little dog'...she is so perfectly mine!  Yesterday I was talking (ok I was complaining) to Sarah about how she never looks sheepish when she's being 'disciplined'...Sarah joked she's a 'spank me harder mom' kinda dog...and I almost died because I can remember saying those very same words to my mom.    

(And ya...I know I just went there.  And I don't really care!)

Anyways, I'm one of those people that believes everything happens for a reason although we might just never know what those reasons are.  However, the reason why Neena's mine is simple...I need her.

I'm not sure how to write this...I don't want to make this a big 'sob story'...maybe like this.  I survived.  And I survive.  We all have things in our lives...hard things.  And we all seem to survive.  But it is Neena that pushes me to keep moving forward every day.  Walk me.  Feed me.  Train me.  Love me.

I know Neena won't be my last dog...but she IS my first 'real' dog.  Its been on my mind for a long time, and I finally asked Sarah to photograph us.  After the past year it seemed fitting to have 'family' pictures...and I especially loved Sarah's idea to photograph us on a 'journey'.  After all, it's Neena who's been with me every step of the way. 

Thank-you so very much Sarah!  For everything!

Where I play Cake Boss

It was my nephew's first birthday last weekend, and his parents planned a three-day party...I mean family camping trip.  I asked (actually, I begged lol) to make the cake; we decided marble would be yummy and I spent some time looking for cake and icing recipes.  AND I found a place that rents cake pans...who knew!  There were SO many options...maybe I'll get the chance try a few more in the future!

I had Friday off (I LOVE compressed work weeks!), so that afternoon I started baking.  Things always start out fairly neat...

And then I have to measure or add the flour and it all goes downhill from there lol.

Not even my camera is safe from the Crazy J baking experience.

Finally I had the batters ready...

I greased the pan...

And got ready to make a big mess!  I thought FO SURE the dispensing of the batter was gonna end badly...but it went pretty good!  Although there were a few drips that wrecked my 'zebra' effect...drove me crazy! 

Next challenge was to not over-bake the cake...you may remember I have the tendency of doing that!

Before I could ice the cake I had to flatten the base, which worked in my favor...TASTE TEST!  LOL!

Now if I'd been reading about how to ice the cake, instead of  just reading yummy icing recipes...I'd have known you get fewer crumbs in the icing if you let it sit a day.  I read this lil nugget of information Friday, so I decided to wait and ice the cake Saturday morning.  In the meantime I made the icing.  8.  That's how many cups of icing sugar I used.  That is sick.  I actually felt bad letting my nephew eat it.  No lie.

Bright and early Saturday morning I was up dying the icing.  And my fingies.

At this point I remembered that I'm a science geek...I can barely draw stick figures, and my writing...well I've had RACERS make fun of it...its pretty bad.  Sigh.  BUT...for the cause (eg. that little boy who I love very much!) I soldiered on...TWO HOURS...that's how long it took.  But I figure it turned out not bad for my first cake boss attempt!

It was a lot of work.  It was also a lot of fun.  Hope to do it again lol!

Sprint Car Photoshoot

Saturday was our first Sprint car race of the season, it was so busy I didn't have a chance to take my camera out of its bag!  I arrived at 3pm and it was non-stop until 11pm...crazay!  We had 27 sprint cars and three supporting classes, when I finally had a minute to catch my breath I figured we had 63 racing vehicles in total.  That's pretty cool.

I met up with TSR earlier in the day to photograph the cars.  Before they went to the track.  Just in case they got...dirty lol!

So, I'll let you in on a little secret.  I'm actually not impressed with these pics.  I haven't really been happy with my racing photo's lately...I'm still turning it over in my head, got some idea's.  Now I just gotta make them into plans!

Anyways, introducing TSR!   There's a story behind the paint scheme...its based on Jimmy Spencer's (a retired NASCAR driver) Smokin Joe car...I don't get why that makes it so cool, guess itsa guy thing lol!  I DO think they look pretty flashy though!

Driven by:

#32 - Sean Moskal

 and #23 - Brad Robertson

Brad had the whole family along...I have yet to meet a racer who didn't like a photo of a little person in his/her car.  I imagine your own kid would be extra fun!

SOOO funny, I'm convinced this is what drivers would LIKE to do when things don't go as planned....

Team Shot:  Car owners, drivers, kids and dog included lol!

Oh ya...I said Brad brought the whole family right?  In my opinion, the racing world could use more pink!

Dancing in Corner 2

Well...this Southern Alberta weather has really not been cooperating with my racing addiction.  Its JUNE...and I just finally got to watch my first modified race of the year!  I'm sure I had a huge grin on my face the first time someone fired their engine near me.  And again when I felt the vibrations from the cars as they headed out for their main event.  Normally I sit in the pit stands for the mains...Saturday I watched the race from corner 2...it was a good idea lol...

Anyways, we all knew the track was 'under water' from all the rain...but driving out and seeing it for real was a little jaw dropping.  

The track...well, the infield has been dubbed on the racing forum as "Lake Hadnagy".

These little guys are enjoying the water though!  It is a funny coincidence they hatched on race day!   

Just like the trucks, lots of the mods had make-overs in the off season...

John Barber was one of the drivers I watched race in Vegas last November.  And now I've done it...played favorites...he gets 2 pics...betcha I hear about it my 'gun-shy to comment' reader too!

Ok I lied...he gets three...but this one has a rainbow!  LOL!

I always mean to get more pictures, but then I get busy or I get side-tracked and before I know it the light is gone!  These are a few of my funner (but sometimes still a little fuzzy...sigh) 'random' shots...

P.S.  I didn't forget!  I've got plans for Lime Green's Big Reveal ;)

All grown up and stuff!

*FYI*  I was informed by one of my 'gun-shy to comment' readers that my mower actually has a toe problem...not a camber one.  My bad *eye roll*.  And THAT'S what happens when you let racers into your blogging circle of trust lol.

I like to joke about how I'm now the 'man of the house.'  In the last year I've cleaned eavestroughs, thawed water lines, killed spiders, fixed dryer vents and made plans to buy a lawn mower this spring.  A couple weeks ago the grass was getting pretty long, I knew I was running out of time, when I came home to find that someone had mowed my lawn.  At first I thought maybe it was the neighbors but their yards still needed cutting...I was totally stumped...had no idea who had done it...was like the lawn mowing fairy had come!  It was a relief, and it also made me laugh!

My best guess was that a mowing company got the wrong address, so last week I bought a lawn mower.  And I realized that I had never cut the grass here.  Ever!  Pathetic!

Anyways, I'm pretty proud of my lil mower...isn't she a beaut!  Here's sending a thanks out to my Dad for making me do wheel-move, starting this puppy is a piece of cake compared to the mover motors!

It crossed my mind that my lawn mower is fenderless.  Like a modified.  Uh huh. 

And I also realized I have some camber issues going on lol...

As I was mowing away I decided guys have this all figured out...it is totally liberating to mow YOUR grass with YOUR lawn mower. I feel all grown up and stuff. And now I want a garage.

Although I did giggle when I finished, I guess I cut grass like I shave my legs...accidentally left a few strips!  Eeek!

Guess this gal's lawn mowing skills are a work in progress too lol!

So last night after the races James and I were having a heart to heart and when I mentioned I'd bought a lawn mower he says to me "Why'd you do that!"  AH HA!  Organizer of the lawn mowing fairy revealed.  In all honesty, I am truly blown away, every time I think about it I get this lump in my throat.  Somedays it gets a little overwhelming taking care of everything by myself...and that someone cares enough to think about ways to make my life just a little easier...wow.  But that is James & Kathy for you...they have hearts of gold and I have no doubt in my mind they would do anything for me.  They are a BIG part of my racing family and I love them both very much.

Did you know I have a green thumb? *snicker*

I actually find it a wee bit embarassing. I'm a farm girl. My dad is a pretty fantastic farmer. I really enjoy playing in the dirt, and I like growing things...but honestly, I'm not that good at it. I consider it a work in progress...by the time I'm 70 or so I betcha I'll be a stellar gardener! For now I'm always making do...with limited funds, limited space, limited light and crappy soil. But even to me that sounds like excuses lol!

This is my 3rd summer playing gardener...oh dear...here we go...

I started these plants from seed...they are either black eyed susan or purple coneflower.  It'll be a suprise when they bloom.  Guess I coulda kept better track of my seedlings lol.

I'm sort of a random gardener, for instance, I planted this Creeping Jenny last year...because the name makes me giggle.  

Forgot until today that I ever planted a fern...unfortunatley, this lil bugger's going to have to be moved...poor guy!  I'm gonna kill him one way or another...

I LOVE peonies.  I'm so excited, this will be the first year this plant blooms!  Did I mention that gardening takes a lot of patience? 

Lamb's ear's and lilies make me think of my Grandma Peters.  She was a fantastic gardener, I wish she was still around to give me advice...but this is one way I keep her close.

I planted this hydrangea the first summer I lived here.  Did I mention that gardening takes a lot of patience?  I was really hoping to finally get some blooms off it this year...unfortunately she had to suffer through the 'Big S' last summer, I guess I should be thankful she's alive at all!

Speaking of the 'Big S'...this is my itty-bitty backyard.  For several reasons I thought putting sod back here was a bad idea.  I was vetoed.  I was right.  AAAAAND I'm done now.

I really wasn't lying...I am a terrible gardener...these are my seedlings from this spring.  Yikes!  You have no idea how terribly embarassed I am.  BUT I have a sense of humor...and I also find it terribly funny!

I bought a few plants...I'm not sure why, but today I'm finding this plant especially funny...

This one too...

Small things for small minds I guess.

I'm notorious for making a big mess when I'm in the middle of a project...you should see the kitchen when I'm baking/cooking.  Or my bathroom when its 'girls night out'.  Same deal when I'm gardening...

BUT I always clean-up after myself!  

Very excited to have a few BBQ's out here this summer!