Countries, Miss Universe 2011 and a little honey

tere paevast

(Estonian for 'good day')

Miss Estonia - Madli Vilsar

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

As I am continuing to feature the 46 countries that have viewed different pages on my blog*, I thought I might also add in some photos of the same countries'

Miss Universe 2011 Pageant contestants.

*since around April, 2011

Just for fun, you know!

I am quite aware of all the controversy that has swirled around this pageant,

 and all beauty pageants since they began.

And yes, I have opinions.

But for today, we will just show some photos of some beautiful women,

with oh-my-gosh-great-fun earrings and necklaces.

Truly, they are quite outstanding.

Also, in some of the photos you get a peek at the incredibly fancy beadwork, embroidery and lace on the dresses they are wearing.

Miss Ireland - Aoife Hannon

Miss Universe 2011 pageant contestant

Another thing I love especially about the International competition is the costumes.

Wow.

They have a section where the different contestants come out in a costume that represents their country.

It truly is amazing.

Of course, the Miss USA is decked out in some form of red, white and blue.

But think sequins, spangles, and outrageous!

I still remember Miss Puerto Rico's costume from a past year.

Miss USA - Alyssa Campanella 

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

The United States has made the most page views of my blog.

That is only normal, since it is an English language blog,

and I live in the US.

Thanks!

Miss Canada - Chelsae Durocher

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

But every other country that looks at my pages is just a delight to me!

Canada is pretty much always in the top 4 countries that look at pages every day.

I am looking forward to returning to Canada someday.

When I was in my teens my family made a road trip

from Arizona to British Columbia, Canada.

I have (somewhere) a picture of our dog playing in the snow in Canada.

Rare treat for a dog that spent the last couple of years in Phoenix, AZ!

Miss Great Britain - Chloe-Beth Morgan

Miss Universe 2011 contest

My page views list The United Kingdom as one country,

but every so often, at the whim of that great blogspotter poo-bah,

I will get views from Ireland, Wales and Scotland!

I need to brush up on just what the United Kingdom represents.

For another day.

Today I am sending a BIG THANK YOU to

Sri Lanka -

Miss Sri Lanka - Stephanie Siriwardhana

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

and

Finland -

Miss Finland - Pia Pakarinen

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

and to

Croatia -

Miss Croatia - Natalija Prica

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have already featured Brazil, the Czech Republic and Japan in previous blogs.

But today, I would like to recognize them, and say

THANKS for reading and sharing my blog.

Miss Brazil - Priscila Machado

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Czech Republic - Jitka Novackova

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Japan - Maria Kamiyama

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I have previously featured paperdolls that were from these countries; they have also viewed my blog -

THANKS

Miss Netherlands - Kelly Weekers

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Denmark - Sandra Amer

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Germany - Valeria Bystritskaia

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Turkey - Melisa Asli Pamuk

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

I will be featuring paper dolls from other countries in future blogs.

Here are some of the countries, who have also checked out my blog!

Miss France - Laury Thilleman

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Argentina - Natalia Rodriguez

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Sweden - Ronnia Fornstedt

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss Spain - Paula Guillo

Miss Universe 2011 competitor

Up next, a big THANK YOU to Australia and to New Zealand for checking out my blog on a regular basis!

Miss Australia - Scherri-Lee Biggs

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

Miss New Zealand - Priyani Puketapu

Miss Universe 2011 contestant

  

Well, I have run out of blogging time.

I have a room to paint with Michael. I picked a really nice, fairly bright yellow color, for 1 or 2 walls. I like it. I hope I like it as well when it is up on the walls!

I have had 46 different countries check out my blog,

so you know I have a few still to feature and say

a big thanks to.

I had hoped to fit in a little about

September is National Honey Month

But that will have to wait for another day!

Have a wonderful weekend.

I will take pictures of the finished room,

but don't expect it tomorrow!!

:0)

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com

It's a Green, Green Day

Dev baro dis div

Konkani - 'May God bless you with a good day', informal

painting by Mr. Ou Yung, China

So, you ask, who speaks Konkani?

The Konkani people are  a group of people

that live mainly on the Konkan Coast of Western India.

With the end of the British and Portuguese Empires in India,

the community has made significant strides.

Kokanis are well educated and most speak at the minimum 2 languages.

This is because they do so much commerce with different language speakers.

Today, almost half of all Kokanis live outside India, with many in the Arab states, and English-as-the-main language countries.

So, who might we know that is Kokani?

I must admit, I only recognize 1 of the names posted on Wikipedia 

as being Kokani - Freida Pinto.

The others featured are Vijay Mallya, Amrita Rao, and Deepika Padukone,

Leander Paes, Genelia D'Souza and Prakash Padukone. 

So that's our interesting history note for the day!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the info.

bottlecap magnet, ooak by inkspired.etsy.com

Today I look out my window and see green

Green grass, green trees,

green weeds.

All the rain we have been receiving, and then the really HOT days have encouraged mucho green growth.

My dear friend Shelly sent me a bunch of funnies about being SO HOT!

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You break out into a sweat the instant you step outside

- at 7:30am.

You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

swamp pond mermaid, unknown artist

So today I celebrate GREEN!

Everything today will have some kind of green featured.

Spring Green Glamour

Collage Art Doll, ooak by inkspired.etsy.com

For some summer fun:

Get that bottle of green food coloring you have,

leftover from Christmas, or St. Patrick's Day.

Time to get a little GREEN-CRAZED!

Bake a cake, but before pouring batter into a pan,

put 3 drops of green food coloring into the batter, mix well.

Not green enough? Add some more drops!

Bake as directed.

After cooling, get that nifty can-o-frosting out,

white of course (cream cheese is my favorite).

Tint with just a couple of drops of green food coloring.

You can always add more,

but it's REALLY hard to tone down a green-in-your-face color.

Unless that is what you are aiming at!

Sprinkle with those cute little sprinkles, and serve!

I even have some sprinkles that are little green leaves....ooooh!

c.1916

It's so hot -

You can make sun tea - instantly.

You learn that a seat buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them

from laying boiled eggs.

Here is a lovely cool green dress for Liana's paperdolls:

"Grace"

from Liana's Paper doll blog

I have recently updated the address I have for her website,

on the right of my blog.

The link should work fine now.

and one of her Mermaid Mondays costumes:

Mary Poppins and Bert, dancing at the tea

"Conservation means

the wise use of the earth and its resources

for the lasting good of men."

- Gifford Pinchot



Monet's Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, c. 1899 

justtoocute.com

Here is a wonderful Frog Iris Folding Pattern:

The designer has added this next pattern for you to cut the aperture in your card!

Check out my Iris Folding Tutorial blog to refresh your memory on how to iris fold.

It's so hot -

the potatoes cook underground,

so all you have to do is pull one out,

 add butter, salt & pepper,

and of course sour cream,

diced onions and a few spoons of GREEN chili

"As you sit on the hillside,

or lie prone under the trees of the forest,

 or sprawl wet-legged by a mountain stream,

the great door, that does not look like a door,

opens."

- Stephen Graham

www.canadiangardening.com

'Horse Food"

original Collage Art Doll

www.inkspired.etsy.com

It's so hot -

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is,

"What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement

and cook to death?"

Wicked Witch of the West and Dorothy Gale,

'Wizard of Oz'

"The poetry of the earth is never dead."

- John Keats

one of a kind (ooak) recycled bottlecap magnet

www.inkspired.etsy.com

'little bird hiding'

Denver Zoo

It's so hot -

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

You discover that in August it only takes 2 fingers

 to steer your car.

Arlington Cemetary

Vittskovle Castle, Sweden

It's so hot -

The cows are giving evaporated milk.

The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.

c.1919

Well, I'm thinkin' that might be enough green for the day!

Looks like we might get some rain this afternoon.

Oh goody.

Hot and humid!

:0)

'Fairyland'

...and my favorite one:

It's so hot

the birds have to use potholders

to pull the worms out of the ground!

Have a wonderful

GREEN

kind of day!

Mother Goose, c.1907

inkspired

http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

dominoes@myinkspired.com