The Outlawz Friday Coloring "Color/Photo Inspiration" Challenge and Wendy's Birthday Card

Well, I'm back, hopefully with a little more chatter than last week. Golly, that was a short post for me. I felt incomplete all week, just knowing I was depriving you all of my wit and wisdom...yeah, right.

But I do feel so much better. Of course, I did have to develop a new cold sore on Monday, which makes three this year so far. What the heck? I have no earthly idea.

And then I awoke Tuesday to a message from my credit card company, saying there was a fraud alert on my account. Oh, goodie. And, yes, some numbskull was using my card to charge a few hundred dollars at places I have never even heard of. So that card number was closed and they are sending me a new card, which should be here today. Joy...this is a first for me, but it has happened to Gary three times now. I guess credit account theft is big business, huh? Not sure how they got my number, but I suppose they hacked into something online. I wonder how old these thieves are. Do you suppose they are teenage Einsteins? Or career criminals? Inquiring minds want to know...

Anyway, the end of the week seems to be better than the beginning was, that's for sure! I would be ready for another vacation, but I would settle for some swim time in our pool. The crazy weather here has caused the pool temps to fluctuate so much that it is still chilly. And then there are the baby birdies. Yeah, remember the nest on our patio? Well, this bird couple managed to raise four, count 'em (4), babies, that are about to take flight. Not soon enough for Gary. We have tried to avoid being outside much, so we didn't disturb the growing family. It is time for them to leave the nest. They are cute little stinkers though, sitting up there flapping their wings. Wish they'd use them to fly the coop, so we could have our backyard and patio back. To say nothing of all that darned bird doo-doo that they are dropping on our travertine. It is getting stained. Sigh...

Well, aren't I chipper today though? Perhaps I should just go back to bed and try this over again. Nah. It would take far too much of my precious time. And I know how much you all love hearing me complain. I would hate to deprive you of that.

BTW, Gary and I did go out for dinner on our anniversary last Saturday. We went to The Dhaba, and had a delicious Indian meal. Yummy spinach dumplings, naan, a fabulous appetizer combo, and some wonderful chicken masala. Really great meal, washed down with their tasty Chai. Ahhh...now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Then on Sunday, our darling daughter took me to Ko'sin at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort for an out-of-this-world Mother's Day brunch. So reminiscent of the food at the 5-Star, 5-Diamond "Kai"--the restaurant upstairs at that same resort. Great food plated beautifully.

We started with a fabulous soup: Potato Leek with caramelized shallot, toasted sourdough, micro celery and truffle.

Our second course was a fantastic salad: Heirloom Tomato with charred sweet corn, Crow's Dairy goat cheese, zucchini, and crispy prosciutto.

For my main course, I chose scrumptious Dungeness Crab Benedict with avocado, heirloom tomato, spinach, soft poached eggs, and a roasted pepper Hollandaise.

I was full by this time, but still managed to finish my dessert course: a Lemon Tart with corn sable, Meyer lemon curd, poppy seed streusel, ricotta semifreddo, fresh berries, and basil. (Good thing I didn't have to take a drug test after eating the poppy seeds.)

Guess we raised our daughter right, if she would take her mama to such a place for Mother's Day, huh? Absolutely fabulous food, great service, and we even had a complimentary Mimosa. Ahhhh.....

And we have Restaurant Week starting tonight. It actually used to be a week, but now goes for 10 days. More time to pig out on wonderful meals. I don't know how many times we will go out. We are retired, after all. But I should hope we get to try a couple of new places that we have been wanting to visit. We shall see. I want to wait until next week, so that my lip is healed, and I don't look like Frankenstein's wife.

OK, on to our theme for this week. We are doing a Color/Photo Inspiration challenge once again and here is our color palette:

Pretty, isn't it? I had fun using another Sweet Pea Stamps image, by Joanne Schempp, called Dusty Rose. These colors just looked like they would work with this image.

And, remember, we are sponsored again this month by Sweet Pea Stamps, lucky you! A prize of 3 digis awaits our randomly-selected participant. You will have so much fun shopping for them!

I printed Dusty Rose on X-Press It BC, and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E51, E53, E35

Hearts/Flowers: RV21, RV23, RV25

Beads/Leaves: BG70, BG72, BG75

Top/Tail: V12, V15, V17

(I have gone back to E04 and R20 for skin colors after experimenting with some other tones. I am still not completely happy with the results, but will just have to think on this for a while.) I chose DP from the Prima All About Me collection and paired it with Stampin' Up CS. Then I added some bling from my stash and called it a card. Well, a birthday card, actually, as it is going to Wendy, Gary's SIL, for her birthday at the end of the month.

I hope you will play along with us again this week! Do check out the fab inspiration by my very talented teammates: Carla, Kathi, Vannessa, and Karen! Then color up an image using our palette and any medium you wish for your entry! 

In the meantime, have a great weekend!