Soap.Com Find Ease Of Shopping From Home!

A little over a week ago, I happened upon a wonderful new new shopping site called Soap.com. On the day I ordered they had a special promotion of half off on Pantene products, and also buy any Aussie product and get an Aussie styling product free. They only ran this special for one day!

My order before promotion code was $25.85 so it qualified for free shipping. I purchased a 25.4 fl oz Color Preserve Volume hair condition, a 25.4 fl oz Color preserve shine conditioner, a 12 fl oz color preserve smooth conditoner, a fine hair anti-breakage detangler 8.5 0z, an Aussie catch the wave mousse, and received a 10oz Aussie hair spray for my free product!!

The cost of one 25.4 oz Pantene hair conditoner went down to $3.78. I usually purchase my hair conditioner at Walmart, which is running these same hair conditioners online for $5.97. A savings of about $2.20 per bottle at Soap.com. I received $10.00 off my order because the promotion was for up to $10.00 off Pantene products. Still for $17.00 I made out like a bandit, and was able to stock up on our favorite hair products!! The biggest plus, I did it all from the convenience of my own home, and with the price of gas to travel 10 or more miles one way to my nearest Walmart was a huge savings in itself!

I receved my products in two days as promised, each product exactly as I ordered. I had a mix up with my free Aussie product and emailed their customer service. They got back to me almost immediately and called me to straighten out my order. I was very pleased with their service, and most of all the savings I received from their great promotion!!

Soap.com run by Marc Lore, and Vinit Bharara was created in 2010 "to make life easier for people." Soap.com has a 1-800 number for your convenience, a liberal return policy, take manufacture coupons, and offers free 1- 2 day shipping on orders totaling $25 or more. What more could you ask for in an online shopping site.

You can bet, I'll be searching for more tremendous deals to stock up on Soap.com!!

*This was not a paid review, but a shopping experience I wanted to share with you!*

Southern Alleghenies Ligonier Regional Juried Art Exhibition Photos 2011!

Upon leaving the 2011 Ligonier Icefest last Sunday, we headed over to view the fine art displayed in the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Featured there was the 15th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition. The exhibit was a beautiful delight to the eyes, and below is only a handful of my favorite pieces in this exibition. Click photos for larger view!!



*M4d0nn4,* by Artist Sam Howard was my overall favorite. A wonderful Oil painting so full of vibrant color, and the madonna like portrait girl resembles my sweet niece Megan right down to her pouty lips and puppy like eyes. Could definitely be her twin!! This equisite art piece grabbed me as soon as I walked in the door. The photo is 24x 18 and Not For Sale!!


Another stunner was *Regal Duo* done by Elizabeth Asche-Douglas. Excellent facial textures added wonder dimension to the faces in her portrait. Photo 12 x 12 done in Ultrachrome ink w/acrylic platform and is for sale at $750.00.


*Jackie* by Norma Rowley also grabbed at my heartstrings, as I've a deep softspot for Labs, and this baby reminds me of my beloved Sampson RIP. I apologize for all the reflections as the lighting at the museum is very bright, and bounces off the glass of the portraits. The photo is clean and sharp, right down to every hair on Jackie shinny fur coat. Photograph is a digital photo-enhanced like the majority of the photos I take here on Literally In The Moment. Photograph measures 13 3/4 x 13 3/4 and sells for $250.00.

*Kamala's Flower* by Karen Ferrick touched on a femine side with her lovely pink lotus flowers, and gorgeous green reflections. A grand size photo done in devine pastels, measuring 40 x 19 and sells for $1,200.00

In conclusion *Passion Flower* by Melinda Myers Grass was another awesome flower portrait to draw my eyes into. Pretty pastel colors and finest detail of the flower stamens and stigma!! This oil on panel portrait measures 12 x 16, and sells for $500.00.

The exhibit features many more talented artists, and I highly recommend a trip to the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. You'll be very pleased at the exhibit, and who knows you might want to buy one or two for your art collecting pleasures!!

I'm excited to report, I received my new red camera last week, and will be tweaking and studying to get the right shots I desire!

Stay tuned to Literally In The Moment for more exciting photographs and stories.

*All Photographs copyright of their prospective artists please do not use without permission from the talented Artists.*

All Portraits ~Photographed by Jo ~

View another Exhibit I photographed at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art here:

Impressive Art ~ Portraits of the Eastern Frontier

Ligonier PA Ice Sculptures 2011 Ice Fest Photos!

Zero degree windchills didn't prevent folks from attending the 20th annual Ligonier ice fest. The sun was deceiving today on this frigid Sunday afternoon, where the professional ice carvers from DiMartino Ice were busy creating their amazing ice sculptures, displayed on the Diamond in Ligonier PA. Folks were bundled in their warmest winter clothing, braving the cold to gaze at the glass like creations.


This ice carver was so intense in his creation, yet I went ahead and snapped a shot of him adding his beautiful finishing details to his ice sculpture. I'm amazed at the talent which goes into every piece they work on. Below are a few which caught my eye, but there a many more gorgeous sculptures displayed throughout the wonderful section of town!


The Zebra was a stunning piece which grabbed my eye right away. Notice the excellent detail on his mane!!

The squirrel was one of my favorites too. Adorable tail and face!!

The masquerade mask was another gorgeous ice scupture decorating the walkway. Check out the feathering and mask detail totally amazing!!

The guys always create a huge piece to sit on, this year it was a magnificent sleigh. Of course I had to grab a seat. I dressed in four layers, but forgot to wear two pair of gloves so my hands were frozen taking all my pictures. As you see, I'm wearing our Steeler colors!!! Isn't the sleigh extraordinary!!

We were so cold, we ducked into Abigales Coffeehouse to grab a hot chocolate, and tried to get warm. The chocolate chip cookies were luscious.

Another favorite of mine was the angel holding a dove. Isn't she just precious?

The four hawks above were a massive and awesome display on a storefront ledge!!

The penguin was also a nice touch to a storefront display of our Pittsburgh Steeler Spirit! Hubby couldn't wait to get home to watch the game, which the Steelers won. Way to go Steeler Champions!!

Last but not least was the Gazebo Grand finale, an astonishing, gigantic bird and heart ice sculpture which reached almost to the top of the gazebo. I don't know what the 90 represents, maybe someone will comment and let me know, so I can share it with you all!

If you're in the Ligonier area, be sure to take a drive or walk on the Diamond. The scuptures should remain in tact for awhile, as our PA weather has been stuck in freezing mode since the beginning of December. Very unusually cold for so long, but perfect weather for the beautiful ice scuptures to survive!! Thanks to the talented ice carvers from DiMartino Ice for another awesome display of their beautiful ice sculptures!!

Been busy the last 3 months, sadly lost a loving member of our animal family. Will post about it sometime in the future as our hearts slowly heal. My camera has been on the brink, I fear this is the last post my camera will take. I ordered a new one should come this week. We also stopped at the museum after the ice fest.

I'll have to make another post of the art exibit we saw, so stay tuned and stay right here Literally In The Moment.

View More of my Ice Fest photos from the past two years here:

Ligonier PA ~ Ice Fest 2010 ~ Photo Featured Ice Sculptures!

Ice Sculptures ~ Ligonier PA Ice Fest Photos 2009!

URGENT LA, CA!! MYA Female Blue Pit Bull Terrier Needs Adopted or Rescued ASAP!!

**URGENT**Mya Id#A1129051 is a beautiful female blue Pit Bull Terrier in need of adoption or rescue. Maya is very sweet dog, walks well on a leash, takes food gently, and is good around other dogs per LA Animal services! Maya is 6 years old, and weighs 67lbs. HURRY Contact ASAP For Maya Id#a1129051~ You can tell Mya has an incredible personality!! Mya lived with a family for 5 years!!! Here's Mya's wonderful Video:



If you can help Mya please contact immediately:

LA City Animal Services -
West LA 11361 West Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 213 792 5811
Name: Samantha Westbrook
email: ani.newhopewla@lacity.org

Dogs In Danger Link: http://www.dogsindanger.com/dog.jsp?did=1280953914049 "Make sure to include ID#a1129051 for Mya!!!!"

I've contacted a hundred wonderful rescues for Mya, but have had no luck in finding anyone to step up for her yet! I've been networking Mya on facebookfor awhile, with no sparks of interest!! Mya is very urgent, and out of time! Feel free to pass her information along to anyone who may be able to help her!

Mya is in a kill shelter, and running out of time as we speak! I want to make it clear, that the LA Animal Services has taken every opportunity to help Mya find a forever home. There're just way too many dogs in kill shelters and rescues.

Please if you can help donate, become a sponsor, adopt, foster, or volunteer, contact your nearest shelter or rescue. As the economic downturn continues, so does the plight for thousands of homeless animals!! I'm passionately trying to get their stories out there, they need an extra voice to help them!! If you're looking for a new pet, look no further than your local shelter, or rescue.

Thankful to these wonderful shelters, for supplying me with more information to pass along! They take excellent photos, and make videos to help each dog get the best exposure. Most of these folks are volunteers who devote their time to helping these animals get adopted!!

Look at Mya's cute face, how could anyone resist her. We can't let Mya be put down! Please help me save Mya!!!

Photos and Video courtesy of LA City Animal Services!!

Remembrance For A Beautiful Poet Friend~ James C. Hartsell ~ Wintersong

Celebration

The morning sun burns through the gray,

billowing clouds majestically

and all those winter days

when fog crept thought the flats,

like sorrow,

yield in celebration.

My nostrils suck the pungent smells

of green-grass fields

and winter's brown decay.

My soul soars high,

an eagle circling earth and sky

in self-enhancing rapture.

And in this mystic place where all things rush,

like prayers,

the world is such a lover.

@James C. Hartsell ~ Wintersong

Excerpt from Jim's book ~ Visions From The Trail

I wanted to celebrate the vast work of a beautiful Poet friend, who I met years ago on the Lovestories forum. Sadly Jim passed last Spring, totally immersed in networking urgent dogs to rescues, I just got wind of his passing. The poem above is a favorite of mine taken from his book Visions From The Trail, which Jim sent me years ago. Jim always went by the pen name Wintersong.

Jim was my mentor, every writer's friend, and celebrated life in his humble and wonderful artistry of words, stories, and photography. Jim had an uncanny eye for imagery, beauty, and a wonderful humor that left a smile to all of us here in the internet writing world. Jim had many admirers, including me who was like a kid with candy reading all his new writings.

Jim was an inspiration to many poets, and will be sadly missed by all his writer friends. He had a special way of seducing words to draw you into his exceptional free spirited mind. You can read more of Jim's beautiful work here at his last writing stomping ground The Peaceful Pub ~ The Poetry of Wintersong Also the beautiful memorial pages created for Jim by The Peaceful Pub here: Wintersong's Memorial Pages Some great poetry and memorials wirtten there from some old and new friends!!!

In 2004 I wrote a poem for Jim, and had the pleasure of posting it on the Gypsywriter's forum. You must let people you love know how you feel about them. Never let a day pass by, and not tell someone how much they mean to you. I was very inspired by Jim's talent, and I let him know that he was special to me as a Poet friend. I'll never regret that, he was grateful as usual for any praise of his writing which he truly deserved.

My heart goes out to Jim's family, knowing he is still missed and will forever be! Here is the poem I wrote for my Poet friend Jim~

The Maestro

His
voice
speaks
tongues
of gold,
glimmering
sweet refrains,
painted from memory.

His
eyes..
seek
depths
immeasurable,
in perfect
sculpted metaphors,
integrated silver linings.

His
wisdom..
inspiring
literary
incantations,
eloquent words
of gifted verse,
eternally..
quilled upon my heart.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2004
In Loving Memory of my Poet Friend
James C. Hartsell ~~ Wintersong

Jim will always be that "eagle soaring earth and sky," and now he's flying in Heaven blessing the whole dang universe with his humorus, artistic and talented verse!!

Summer's Final Reflection Photos

With Summer steadily winding down, comes the climax of many beautiful reflections. I hardly know where to start with my own. First my bountiful vegetable garden has yielded many lovely treasures. I layered my perfections on metal skewers pictured above, creating a splendid barbeque feast for our dinner tonight!

Mouth watering cherry tomatoes, zucchini, green bell peppers, pearl onions, and carrots, were all my garden veggie delights surrounding chicken breast chunks. I used a special dry rub sent to me by my good friend Nazarina, paired with a terriyaki marinade. To say the least, I couldn't grill them fast enough to fill my families plates.

I've had an abundance of greenbeans, which are still coming strong! I've frozen a good bit of these vegetables for my soups, sauces, ect for the Winter months ahead. I started drying out my sunflowers to make sunflower seeds as in the past.


My daily walks with Sierra dog has given me wonderful solitude, gazing along the countrysides of my farmer friends farm. Isn't the view just breathtaking? The corn is about a good 6 to 7ft, ready to harvest shortly. This farm goes on for miles, carrying into another farm.


The sun was setting on an evening this past week, when I shot this photo at a different angle. The soybean field directly in front of me, and the rolling hills that Pennsylvania is know for far off in the horizon. Farming is a unique and beautiful art in itself, these great folks work hard to keep this farm looking immaculate as it does.

My flowers seem to always look their most beautiful at the end of Summer, and through most of Fall. The flower plants are at their fullest and most brilliant color. My hotpink petunias just light up my flower garden with their elegant and delicate presence.

I only had one set of my purple coneflowers come back this year. These beauties are one of my favorite flowers. The birds love pecking and eating the centers out of the daisylike flowers.

School is starting in a couple days, and the nights are growing cooler. It's been a hot and humid summer, and I look forward to cooler nights walking with Sierra dog.

Soon the flowers will fade, and the leaves will start turning. But I won't rush a moment, not too fast or hastily. I'll take them as they come and revel right here Literally in the moment!!

Stunning Minature Rose Photo & Haiku

A real stunning photo of a minature rose from my beautiful flower garden!!