Splish Splash!

I got me some new backsplash!

They are done and look awesome! Now when HGTV comes to check out my place they can not say my kitchen could really use a backsplash!

White subway tile is the main tile, with some black bars framing multicolored glass tiles. Tile all came from Home Depot.

With a great contractor, same who did my bathroom, a day later you get a great kitchen addition!

Adhesive Capsilitis

To you and me, that is a Frozen Shoulder and that is what I am currently dealing with!

Unfortunately, that IS NOT my xray pictured. You know how I love to post my body parts in the form of xrays (knees, teeth, heart) but orthopedist was first visit. I will get them some day!

So what is frozen shoulder? Frozen shoulder is characterized by pain and loss of motion or stiffness in the shoulder. It affects about two percent of the general population. Frozen shoulder most commonly affects patients between the ages of 40 and 60 years, with no clear predisposition based on sex, arm dominance, or occupation.

Frozen shoulder is the thickening and contracture of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint.

Today I got a steroid shot. . .BURNED LIKE A MOTHER! That and along with some physical therapy should do the trick. If not better in a couple weeks, doc said we will look inside me via an MRI!

Let's hope it clears up!

FIGures!

I am having a bit of an affair with figs. Lovin' them!

Used to love the ole Fig Newton! But have not had one of those in a long time. Actually have not eaten many figs at all.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was at a party and someone made a goat cheese and fig spread. OH SO GOOD!

Then on Iron Chef America they had Battle Fig.

And the other night I took some inspiration and made a pork tenderloin stuffed with couscous, figs and apples. WOW!

Bought some dried figs and love em as a snack!

FYI! Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber. According to USDA data for the Mission variety, dried figs are richest in fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamin K, relative to human needs. They have smaller amounts of many other nutrients. Figs have a laxative effect and contain many antioxidants. They are good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. In one study, a 40-gram portion of dried figs (two medium size figs) produced a significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity.

My FIRST Cover!

Yes, I have won several design awards. It is as much fun seeing my work in print as it is just printed.

I just received the most recent annual of American Graphic Design & Advertising 25 that includes some of my work. But to my delight, a poster that I designed, and that won an award, is shown on the cover. . .the COVER I said!

Now granted, it is the back cover, but it is the only cover that shows a mere 13 samples of the many pieces included in the whole annual. The poster I designed for the Earthquake relief effort for the Sichuan Earthquake is mine, and if I can add, the LARGEST of the samples shown!

Color me proud!