Furry Foto Friday: Squirrels & Deer & Ducks, Oh My!

What’s better than seeing game animals🐿 in taxidermy on a wall?

👓Seeing them live, of course!

In spirit of 🎍Texas Independence🎋 this week plus with 💐spring🍀 and 🐇Easter🍳 around the corner to celebrate new 🕊life, I’m sharing a few of my favorite sightings as a tribute to ☝🏽️GOD’s creation of our 🌠Great Lone Star State’s creatures!

 

• 🌰Squirrels🐿 in the 🌳backyard🌲
• 🎅🏽Deer🎄 prancing at 🐂Perini Ranch🐎
• 🐣Ducks🐥 quacking at 🇺🇸Pendleton Park🌴

Speaking of animals…

Happy Early 10th 🎈Birthday🎁 to my 🦁ASIA🐅 on Holy Thursday!

& speaking of birthdays…

Happy 106th Birthday to my 👵🏽Lola Rosa🌹 mañana!

Festive Foto Foodie Friday ~ New Year’s Edition: G is for …

🎁Gift-Giving Soup🍲

From #TitaElaine’s Kitchen (YES~my newborn niece #GRACEdUsWithHerPresence #CHRISTmasDay!): #FeastOfTheHolyFamily #GiftGivingSoup #SoupItUp #SnowDay #TomatoBisque #BowTiePasta #RibbonNoodles #SpinachCheeseTortellini #LeanRedAndGreen #farfalle #cellentani #tortellini #tomato #basil #garlic #oregano #StuffedPasta #spinach #parmesan #ricotta #romano #CHRISTmasMiracle #CHRISTmasBlessing #FestiveFoodie #GoMAVS #GoCOWBOYS #NFLSunday 🌠🎆🎇🎅🏽🎄🎁💝👶🏻👧🏻❄️☃⛄️🏀🏈🏉🏆🍽🍴🍝🍅

🏈Game Grub🏉

#MilitaryBowlOfChiliMac #GoNAVY #NavyBeans #MacNCheese #SnowDay #GameDay #CollegeFootball #MilitaryBowl #PITTvsNAVY #GameGrub #FestiveFoodie #CountdownToMNF #MondayNightFootball #MNF #ComfortFood #ChiliMac #chili #macaroni #mac #TitaElaine’s Kitchen’s where it’s @ #MilitaryBowlOfNAVYchiliMac #football #touchdown #score #CanIHaveSomeMore #DontchaKnowFoShow #StayingHomeInTheSnow #LetItSnow #snow #DISPObustAFlow ⛴⚓️🍲🏈🏉🏆🏅👊🏽👌🏽🙌🏽

😇Glorious Goulash🌽

#WrappingUp2015SouthwesternStyle #BowTiePasta #tomato #BlackBeans #corn #GreenBellPepper #RedBellPepper #southwestern #farfalle #goulash #stew #chili #SoupItUp #soup #TitaElaine’s Kitchen #FestiveFoodie #SnowDay #NewYears #NewYearsEve #HappyNewYear #NYE #HappyNew2016 #savory #hearty #healthy 💝🎀🍝🍅🌽🌶🍲❄️☃⛄️

🍮Gooey Goodness🐿

Festive Foodies from CHRISTmases Past

• 2014 Sweet Treats: S’mores Hot Cocoa Pie & Salted Caramel Pecan Parfait 
• 2013 High Cs: Snow Cat Cookies & Crock Pot Chili + Cranberry Walnut Pie

🎓Grad Greetings & Good News

👶🏻Grace ~ my newborn niece👧🏻

☝🏽️GOD has blessed us with this best 🎇CHRISTmas🎄 🎅🏽gift💝 who shares her 🎊birthday🎉 with JESUS✌🏽

Happy New 🎆2016🎇 ~ the Jubilee Year of Mercy!

Festive Foodie Friday: CHRISTmas Smiles, Family-Style

Merry CHRISTmas!

@KraftJello #FestiveFoodie #TurtleTDpie #turtle #TurkeyDay #touchdown #7layerPie #GingerSnapCrust #field #pumpkin #pecan #chocolate #hazelnut #caramel #walnut #THANKSgiving #feast #kickoff #Advent #AlmondJoyToTheWorldPeaceOfPie #AlmondJoy #peace #joy #PeaceOnEarth #WorldPeace #almond #coconut #MerryCHRISTmas #CandyCane #Oreo #PeppermintPattyCake 🐢🍛🏈🏉🎂🍰🍮🍯🌰🐿🎄😍🌎🌍🌏✌🏽️🍫🍩🍪🍭🎁💝🎀

As I reached my ultimate goal for this role of Dr. Dispo and approach my next one ~ Tita Elaine ~ I’ve been reminiscing all Advent season-long about those who are important to me, especially my parents ~ who are counting down ’til grandparenthood …

 

my dad, Papa Jun, who from childhood to now has been involved in my projects

• taught me how to compute basic math before I learned it in grade school
• helped me with my Election Day political party coloring map in 6th grade
• caught and froze insects for my bug collection assignment in 7th grade
• took me to my first speech tournaments in 7th and 8th grade
• coached me on the sidelines for my tennis matches in 8th grade
• told me that he’d support me 100% when I applied for my doctorate
• shopped with me for my presentation materials for my public defense

my mom, Mami Aya, who influenced me way more than I realized

• taught me how to read at the tender age of two ~ which helped me articulate
• wore sweet-smelling perfume that inspired my own fondness for fragrances
• worked out to exercise videos ~ which spurred me on to publish about them
• pointed out to me that my conduct affects my own relationships

my sister, Joanne, who has sent good vibes as she prepares to give birth to her first child (boy or girl?)

my mentor, Bishop Mike, who has shared the same home cities as my most recent schools

• Diocese of San Angelo, where he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing before my Master’s comp exams
• Rio Grande Valley, where he was born and raised, plus where I had my first college teaching gig
• Oblate Missions in San Antonio, where he gave me the Pope Francis blessing before my public defense

my bestie, Evie, who while praying and rooting me on all the way, went all out for my dissertation

• was the only one, aside from my school people, who sat through me practicing my presentation
• was, along with Mama Maggie, the first “Early Bird” to arrive to my public dissertation defense
• sat back and center at both my defense and my graduation commencement (ideal for photos)

This handful of special people were my starting five for Team Dr. D, out of a league of supporters throughout my Ph.D. GOD was the commissioner who made sure that I kept going while staying true to Him and myself …

Who needs CHRISTmas presents when I have their presence?

1st Friday of Fall Y’all: TGIF

Thank GOD It’s Fall!

Facing east for the moon rise from my backyard garden … Just another West Texas Friday night!

As much as ☼summer☼ is my favorite season (after all, that’s when my birthday takes place), I’m making the most out of autumn ~ especially going outside for crisp, fresh air!

I’m also all about Starbucks seasonal flavors* ~ from ☼summer’s fruitiness to these comfy delights:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte 

My latest Starbucks Gold Card reward redeemed: Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino!

• Salted Caramel Mocha 

My venti cold cup always comes in handy … for a discount & a drink to last me all ☼day!

• *NEW* Toasted Graham 

Apparently, I was my local barista’s 1st customer to order a Toasted Graham Frappuccino! #StarbucksLovers ♥ #trendsetter

Furthermore, football has kicked off into full swing!

I refreshed my ♥heart♥ & ☼soul☼ with ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel† holy hour at †Church† & with this ☼spirit☼ book + my bod with this Graham Goodness! (Even though I’ll cover up more, I’ll definitely still tone up with whatever energy I still can muster in the midst of working on my dissertation!

Here are a few of my favorite things for fall …

Trunk or Treat: ☼Sunshine☼ (my truck) tailgate was decked out with festive decor that featured ♥A&A♥ when we gave candy to my †Church† students last Howl-o-ween!

Nine Fine Fall Flaves

1. Favorite Candle: my Bath & Body Works‘ Salty Caramel that I used to light up my *Dallas Cowboys* jack-o-lantern and Advent †cross† (I’m also all about BBW‘s Pumpkin Pecan Waffles/White Barn‘s Thanksgiving Morning)
2. Favorite Lip Color: toss-up between my red Ardency Inn ♥Love♥ Cat lipstick from Sephora or purple Vera Wang *Rockstar* lip gloss from ULTA (c/o my Bestie Evie)
3. Favorite Drink: please view above {Exhibits B-E}
4. Favorite Blush: the ones from my KleanKolor Double Rainbow palette, plus I think that I’ll try Dulce Candy‘s tip on lip colors in a pill box for cheek colors!
5. Favorite Clothing Item: my birthday gifts ~ specifically the scarf/shawl ~ and my recent online finds plus my Target scores ~ particularly the jeans and booties!
6. Favorite Fall Movie: no new releases, so I’ll go with classic football flicks: Varsity Blues (came out my sr. yr.), Friday Night Lights (with a cameo of my h.s.), Remember the Titans, Any Given Sunday, The Longest Yard (including the original)
7. Favorite Fall Show: Grey’s ♥Anatomy!!! I’ve been counting down for the Season 12 premiere since the Season 11 finale ~ as a loyal fan for over a decade since the very beginning with the previous seasons on DVD
8. Favorite Thanksgiving Food: I’m not going to lie –> my Cranberry Pie #DISPObustAFlow
9. Favorite Halloween Costume: now how about I have y’all pick? My personal faves include when I rocked out my abs live, No. 5 … I won our contest in 2013 as Lone Ranger‘s Tonto and in 2014 as my Nurse Mom who was fine in 1969! Will I make a 3-peat??

Actually, please allow me to add a 10th item:

Sweet Annie

My #1 Favorite for Fall: my ✌two✌ ♥cute, cuddly companions♥ with whom to softly snuggle for cozy comfort plus who keep me company while hard at work and welcome me home after hard at play!

Sassy Asia

CHEERS to this time of year!

Sunday Fun Day: F These

Close-up of mi Gringa: my white girl with green eyes

HBD, ♥Sweet Annie♥!

Stats Cat is on the prowl with no growl…

Today is the Annie-versary  of my Stats Cat‘s birthdate!

Cat in the Box! Cute things come in Target packages!

So, that’s F for Feline …

I can’t leave out Grad Cat! These Baby Blues are here to seduce! ♪I am Siamese, if you please♫

& F also is for:

Quick Cat Comedy / Feline Funnies: Since our bathroom has dual sinks, Big Asia likes to jump into the right one & “drink out of a fountain” ~ the other day, I turned on the left faucet & noticed her trying to sip from the right! {repping our *Dallas Cowboys* by sporting my TS dress from my fellow cat ♥lover’s collection + headband, earrings & paraband from my speech student‘s son + St. Benedict scapular jewelry from my blessed bestie}

* Food * ☼Flowers☼ (still in season) –> * Fall

How sweet of Mami Aya to bring us Mocha Tres Leches for Annie‘s birthday!

I never thought that 2 of my fave flaves could be combined … 1st: Choco-Flan. Now, Mocha Tres Leches! #SweetLife

Annie leads the purrfect life because she’s easy to please …

Still in full bloom from the ☼summer☼

Content Angel Annie in her natural habitat: soaking in the ☼sunshine☼

Spring showers helped this baby blossom!

My tiny tea cup cat’s fave hot spots: the windows! Here she is at the window behind my piano peering out into our garden…

Part of our backyard view complete with lush green grass (most definitely the best-mani on the block, hands down)! We’re enjoying the summer ☼sun☼ while we can before autumn officially starts soon. After receiving more precipitation at the ½way point this year following our previous full year’s totals, I wonder how much we’ll get next season?

Heavenly Hibiscus: My private elementary school student‘s science fair ~ that won honorable mention ~ flower that we started growing without ♪music♫ (his share with) last winter has blossomed during past ♣spring♣ showers & reached full bloom this ☼summer☼ at 1½’ tall by this fall!

+ F also is for: ☼ † ♥ ✌

* †Faith✌ * ♥Family♥ * Football

Now that football season has kicked off, this sports spirituality book will do just the trick to keep my soul on a roll while I keep working on my own sports study (been investing 12-15h/day on it lately ~ ’til this weekend so I could focus on my Church readings)!

†Reverent† Annie sits still before *Game Time* to read religiously!

#HBD ♪ #SweetAnnie ♫ #CATchOfTheDay #Birthday ♥ #GameDay #DallasCowboys #CowboysNation #DC4L #CowboysFan #CowboysFam #CowboysAnn #Birthday Grrrl #PURRfectMoment2PAWS✌ #PURRfectMoment2PRAY† #PURRfectMoment2PLAY #PurrfectSunday☼ #PAWsitiveForeCAT #PAWsitiveCATitude #GameCountdown #Touchdown #BirthdayScore #BirthdayCat #JerseyCat #StatsCat #HolyCowcat #Catcow #Meow #CATholic #AnnieRosary† #DISPObustAFlow

Go, *Dallas Cowboys* against your NFC East Rivals, those Philly Eagles today!

☼Sunday☼ Selfie: While my Holy Cowcat reps our *’BOYS* I rep the purrty Bday Grrrl with this Hello Kitty cupcake tee + cat earrings & cupcake helix (ear cartilage) ring in addition to this *Dallas Cowboys* headband

Foodie Friday: Photo & Scholar Mode

I kicked off my 🏤school trip🚘 with 🌇Sunday 🍹brunch🍳

🌇Sunday Brunch🍳 Sippie🍹 Selfie: CocoRita tickles my fancy! #salud

CocoRita + DosRita = Lifting Up These Pinay’s Spirits! 🍹🍸

Sopa de Fideo y CocoRita a Rosario’s 🍜🍹🌹

Followed by a cool down from my grad photo shoot at my fave Irish🍀 🍺pub🍻

Storm from Pat O‘s hits the spot! #salud #refreshing 🍹⚡️☔️

Selfie S is for … * 🌇Sunday Sippie🍹 Selfie * Storm that tastes as yummy as it pairs well with my dress #ColorCoordinating 🍹👗

Then I grabbed my 👓study📚 grub and more from 🌠💸☕️Starbucks!

A java perk exclusively for iPhone users: we’re the only ones who can order Starbucks to save ourselves a wait in line! 📲📱🌠💸☕️

Knocked 2 birds with 1 stone: picked up the latest Cosmo for Blogilates & my iPhone order @ SA’s B&N Starbucks! 📲📱🌠💸☕️📖💞💓

C is for … Crafted especially for Yours Truly * Caramel * Cocoa * Coffee * Coconut * Coolness 📲📱🌠💸☕️🌰🍯🍫

Caring is sharing: Mocha Swirl Drizzle ~ E to the Dizzle #DISPObustAFlow

My baon (portable meal) for school, straight from Starbucks! #itsAWrap 🌠💸🍱

When I returned home, I hit another university where I’m approved to research and lucked out because its library has more 🌠💸☕️Starbucks love!

Knocked 2 birds with 1 stone: Computer company at the library + Starbucks for a scone! #DISPObustAFlow

Foto Friday: Cam ♥Loves♥ Canines

Since today’s snow day reminds me of the holidays, how about I show off the dogs who I’ve professionally photographed for season’s greetings?

First, I was fortunate to have two well-behaved French poodles of my doctor friend ~ with Kool-aid smiles!

Prada & Dior: French poodles, designer names ~ flashing their pearly whites

Then, I took (many takes later) my sister‘s family’s card pic, complete with her Yorkshire terrier*!

Coco & the Cooley ♥Clan♥, †CHRISTmas† 2014

Hope that you’re all staying safe & sound + warm & toasty, with your cozy cuddle buddies!

Photography is a sport that I lettered in

* Happy 4th Birthday, COCO, this ☼Sunday☼!

Foto Friday: Fam Cam ♥Love♥

For my own photography

Engagement © ♥Elaine Dispo♥ ☼Pho†ography☼

I love to use this ♥heart♥ theme as my trademark

Family © ♥Elaine Dispo♥ ☼Pho†ography☼

to show that families center around ♥love♥

♪I swear … By the moon & the *stars* & the sky♫ © ♥Elaine Dispo♥ ☼Pho†ography☼

Picture-purrrfect for ♥Valentine’s♥ Day and always!