A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

November 3, 2012

CASology #17 ~ Screwball and Sugar

Happy Sat Yer Day Down!

It has taken me to the wire to participate in week #17 over at CASology, where the cue word is sugar.


I was going to do cupcakes or candy or honey, but then I remembered the stories Mister would tell about the neighbor couple who lived next door to his aunt and uncle in New Jersey. 
 
They were a feisty Italian couple who fought like cats and dogs in a barrel.  They had nicknames for each other, which you could hear them using up and down the street.  He affectionately called her "Sugar."  She called him "Hon" during the first eight years of their marriage.  For the next four decades, however, she switched to the the less-affectionate nickname of "Screwball." 
 
So I sent an email to Mister's cousin Roxie and asked her if she had any photos of Screwball and Sugar that I could use for my card.  Turns out the two couples flew to San Francisco and visited Pescadero State Park one summer.  Roxie sent me this photo, taken then, which I made into a card.
 
 
Her back is to you, but there you have "Sugar."
 
They had many happy moments like that in their 59 years of marriage, as evidenced by their 11 children.  Still, I would be remiss in my reporting if I didn't tell you that there were less than 10 derness moments in the long-tooth years of their union.  Roxie also sent me this last snapshot she got of them, taken during Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982.
~~~

We have another new friend to welcome today!  I'm so happy to introduce you to Linda of SUch is Life!  Clever, huh?  I think you will enjoy having her on our journey and visiting her creative place in Blogville!

Enjoy your day!  Please continue to remember the Frankenstorm victims with your prayers, your donations, or your time if you live nearby.
 
As always, thank you for stopping by to visit.  Special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower or leave a comment!


Paper:  PTI white; SU! brocade blue;
  Stampland glossy
Stamp:  SU! Summer by the Sea
Inks:  DI; SU!; Memento
Tools: brayer; Kleenex; corner chomper

27 comments:

Bonnie said...

Sugar and Hon look so sweet enjoying the beautiful sunset!

Redanne said...

A lovely but funny story Darnell, Sugar and Hon look happy enough in the sunset on your gorgeous card. With 11 kids I don't imagine they had much quality time together....... Crafty hugs, Anne x

Ardyth said...

Oh, Darnell, how you make me giggle! Love your unique take on Sugar, as always with background story to match. Marriage is a funny thing, ain't it?

scrappymo! said...

Gorgeous sunset card!

Carol L said...

I love the image you used for the challenge, and your story is too funny :)Ever since I saw the challenge I've had that song in my head.....Sugar, honey honey! You are my candy girl... etc.

Karen M said...

I love your gorgeous sunset card and the lovely story to match! I have had a lovely time reading your blog today and seeing the cards I have missed - all fabulous by the way! Your blog always makes me smile - Hugs x x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous card and as always a funny story :) When I read the name of your blog post, I thought it was going to be about some new funny drink. Happy weekend, Shirleyx

Michelle said...

I love your card, Darnell. The colours are beautiful! I also love your story. I think I lived next to Screwball and Sugar several years ago. I spent a lot of time with old Mr Italian from next door, me in my back yard with my tiny vege patch and he in his backyard which was entirely food crops. He used to pass me chilis, figs, chicory, tomatoes, and more. When he wasn't in the backyard (refuge), the street was treated to fiesty Italian arguments. They used to make me smile.

Ivanka said...

Beautiful card and lovely story to accompany it!!

Tracey McNeely said...

As usual I love both your post and your card. Great take on the cue word. Thank you for joining us this week at CASology!

Geri said...

Darnell, you rock, your card rocks, your story rocks, but most of all your creativity ROCKS!

I am sitting her in awe of your ability to weave such an enlightening story and then top it off with this beautiful card!

lostinpaper said...

LOVE your take on the sugar inspiration, it's so clever and the colours so vibrant! FUN story too!

The-crafty-corner said...

I love the card and the cartoon made me LOL !! sooo funny-Have a happy Sunday :) xx

Amanda said...

This story makes me wonder if everyone has nicknames for their loved ones, I sure do and yes after 20 years of marriage it occasionally has other words in front lol. Fab card too. Hugs, Amanda x

Suze Bain said...

I wonder what I'll be calling my husband if we make it to 59 years! Great thinking outside the box on this challenge Darnell, a beautiful romantic card. xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Darnell ... I love the gentleness and warmth of this card ... both in the sunset and in the delightfully sweet embrace of the 'fiesty' couple. Also, I want to say you how much I'm enjoying following your blog and being part of your world ... you never fail to hit the spot, no matter what ... you're awesome! Thank you for sharing! Anita

Jen W. said...

Definitely the most creative take on the cue word I've seen so far! Love the gorgeous sunset you created and it pops off the blue perfectly! Thanks for playing along with CASology this week!

shirley-bee said...

Pure genius - the card and the story!

Rosemary said...

an absolutely inspired take on the cue word, darnell!! i love that you always include a "back story" to explain your thought process!! thank you so much for making CASology that much more fun!!

Benzi said...

Great card and what a post! I enjoyed reading every word and having quite a laugh. The cartoon is really funny.

Jean said...


Great card ~ funny story ~ fantastic sponging!

Allisa said...

Congrats on your CASology win!

Kelly Griglione said...

Yay HOORAY!! So excited on your challenge win. Love your totally unique card, and the SWEET story that goes with it!

donna mikasa said...

Congrats on your HM win at CASology! What a unique take on the cue word and such a sweet story, too!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad I found your blog through CASology, because you gave me a big smile with your story today! Your card is gorgeous with those beautiful sunset colors. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your incredible creativity here!

Lyndal said...

LOL Darnell!!! Huge congrats on your CASology HM too :) :) :)

Deborah Frings said...

LOL!!! This really made me smile and cheered a dull morning! Love the story and "photos" of sugar and hun!! Particularly their later years :) Congratulations on your Honourable Mention - well deserved!