Terry's Paper Pantry

Windy in the country!!!

2012-01-16T19:20:00.000-06:00

It was in the 70's here today but windy! Tomorrow it's suppose to only 40 but warming back up again after that...I think I can handle it...Wanted to share a couple of things..one a card I made awhile back...did it for a challenge but I don't remember why now..sometimes the challenge is just to make a card...anyway..I made a little fan for this one. It actually started out to be a flower but fell into a fan which I liked so I used it as fan...

And then this last week were given a pattern to create a nail file holder...or any other thing..we were able to make the pattern any size we wanted which means so many possibilities...but anyway here is mine...I love quotes about dancing so chose this one to put on my holder...

I need to share one more thing and that is the newest addition to our family...we have had him awhile now but I haven't blogged about him yet so I will share...my hubby picked him up for me in the parking lot where he was filling up his truck with gas back in late September. A lady was trying to find homes for a couple little kitties and so he brought us one home...Oh...he knows what makes me happy...one of the best surprises he's given me...he was so tiny when he brought him home riding on his shoulder. He was also suppose to be a "she" and after a couple of weeks or more of trying to figure out a name for "her" we decided on Tilly...only to figure out later "she" was a "he"....and his name is Jack...which he got called sometimes when he was still Tilly...as in "get back Jack" when we didn't want him to follow us out the door...anyway..here is Jack when he first brought him home..and when I post the next time I will post one of Jack today...

Isn't he the cutest? He just fit right into our family...

I think that's it for this time..will be back soon! Until then smile and take time out to "dance"....

Hugs
T

Popping in!

2012-01-15T16:16:00.001-06:00

Just thought I would pop in and write a few things before I go start supper...It's been ages since I last posted but I really am going to try and post more..promise...really....truely...hopefully?

Here it is mid January...can you believe it? We had our first snow last week..enough to cover things white but only stick to the roads on bridges an doverpasses...maybe an inch...but with our roller coaster weather it was all gone by the next day...but boy was it cold...brrr...at the moment we're up hill on that roller coaster...before we plundge again....if that's all the snow we get this winter I would be ever so happy...

At the moment I am working on some swaps for a craft group I am a member of on Facebook. So, stay tuned and I will be posting those soon...so what can I share now? I recently did a challenge on there where we had to make a card for our favorite holiday...one of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July. Why? Maybe because it's in the middle of summer and warm weather...it's usually a no pressure kind of holiday....but then I also love being an American...and am so thankful that I am. I also love red, white and blue as a color combo so this was why I chose to make my card for the the 4th of July...pretty simple...stars were made from my Circut...George cart...It's one that came with my lil cricut but I keep going back to it for basics...sentiment was done on my computer..

I will be back tomorrow....I have a couple of notebooks I made awhile back to share..and hopefully before the end of the week is over with I will have those cards to share for my swap....thanks for stopping by and please come again...until next time ...Hugs T

I Don't Know What Happened...

2011-06-26T18:58:00.001-05:00

I was working on posting the notebooks when my hubby wanted to make a run to Lowe's. I saved what I was working on then thought I could come home and finish it up and post..I couldn't figure out how to keep working on my draft,,,posted it thinking I could edit it..I can't figure out how to do that...If anyone reads this and can tell me how then please tell me..I know I have probably clicked everywhere but where I need to...anyway..I wanted to share the notebook I received from Cindy..so here it is..it's very pretty and I love the flowers...I have to figure out how to make them...of course you know it's prettier in person than it is in my photos...Cindy did a great job!

I am now working on some boot shaped tags for a swap..and I am having problems with them...I think they need something but not sure what...So I may try and get some pics taken soon to share here and see if anyone can help me out...

I think that is it for now..have a great week ahead!
T

Gotta Share!!!

2011-06-26T12:01:00.001-05:00

I have a couple of things to share but first is the suprise my sweet hubby bought for me a couple of weeks ago...I love almost anything chicken or rooster..It's my chicken theme and of course it has to bubble over into other parts of the house..not so much since we moved though..I am trying to keep them penned up and controled...lol...but anyway...my hubby went to town one day to the home and ranch store..not sure what he went for but one of the things he brought home was this beautiful rooster shaped fan..

I just love hime..he's so colorful...he found his home on my side board in the dining room...one of these days I am painting that "dresser" a red an I think he will even look better...He is just the coolest fan I have laid eyes on...

Now to share some crafty things..I have been in a one on one swap on the Cricut Site..It was a Wrinkled Paper Notebook swap..where we were assigned a partner and we each made the other an altered notebook using wrinkled paper..something I hadn't tried yet so I thought it would b a good challenge for me..I really enjoyed doing this and my only problem was knowing went to quit...here is the notebook I made for my partner Cindy..

Baby, it's HOT out there!!!

2011-06-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

The heat is on here...and I know we're not the only ones having an early heat wave...I won't complain about the heat though...I would much rather have it than the cold...like we were having when I last posted...

I am going to start posting more..I have been doing a few things I want to share..I have been in a Secret Sister swap for about a year now over at http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/. We change Secret Sisters every 3 months...and for the last 2 Rounds I have been the hostess...which has been fun but also work...and sometimes frustrating...because people sign up then don't follow through...they receive but don't send out...I can't believe these people do so and that they are fellow crafters...I do not understand how any one can be so deceitful...I know that life happens and sometime the unexpected happens but I don't think that has happened on all of these cases...there has just been too many of them! I couldn't have any fun using what my SS took the time out to either make or buy for me..knowing I didn't send anything out to the SS that was looking forward to having something too...

Anyway..here are a few things that I have created for my secret sisters...

A card using the Cindy Lou Circut cartridge..I love that cartridge!

Then when I sent her that last package of that round I made another desk set...

Along with a card...I really loved this set..and was really tempted to keep it myself..especially since I can't find anymore of the paper I used on the set...

I do have more of the paper I used on the card and i think I will someday make me a desk set using it...It's just one of my favorite paper of all time...

This brings us to the Round I am in now...this is the last month..and I haven't sent my last package out yet so i will do that before I post here...just in case she is one of my follower's...

Along with some scrapping goodies I sent her a set of note cards...they were simple to make...the last card is just one I included with her package...it is a 4 x 4 inch square...easy peasy to put together...

I am also including a couple of cards I made in May one is a Mother's Day card for my Mother n law...and the next one was for my sister's birthday at the end of may...I even did something for the inside which is something I am trying to start doing when I send my cards out...

At the moment I am working on a altered notebook...I am doing it for a swap also..so I will share that when I am finished...it's a huge challenge for me to do this one...but I am enjoying it!

It's that time of day that I need to start thinking about What's For Supper??? I love to cook...but I really don't like thinking of what to have...and then there is the cleaning up afterwards that I could do without too...

Hope you are enjoying the week..

Hugs
T

Trapped in a Snow Globe!!!

2011-02-08T19:30:00.001-06:00

That is what we have been feeling like for the last week…after close to 2 foot of snow and a blizzard on February 1st..followed by several more inches of snow on February 4th…and more snow in the forecast for tomorrow evening that is how we are feeling…every now and then someone picks it up and gives it a good shake…but, there is a light at the end of the tunnel..it is suppose to warm up by the end of the week and be in the 50’s by the weekend..we will think it’s HEAT WAVE….We just aren’t use to this much snow coming all at once and staying around…We were snowed in from Tuesday till Friday…between my hubby’s wonderful brother, an awesome neighbor and the county road graders we were able to get out over the weekend..awww…who knew going to Wal Mart , the Pharmacy and the Grocery Store could be so exciting! And going back to work yesterda wasn’t too bad either..

Here are a few snow photos:

View from the front steps...

Looking north at what I call our roller coaster hills..

Another view...

Snowed in!!!

Just a little snow to shovel to get out of the garage..

And a little to get out of the house....

from my kitchen window..the cicle in the back is where just a few short months ago we were enjoying sitting around on the tree chairs at a weiner roast...

And of course when you know you can't go anywhere you get a craving for something and mine was chocolate so I made this from scratch..with double the frosting...

You would think with all that time spent at home I would get allot of card making done but all I seemed to do was clean, cook, clean, eat, clean..and catch up on the laundry…but..I did manage to get a couple of cards made..one for an 18 old friend of a friend..not really sure what 18 yrs like these days..so I hope she liked it..I do know I liked the outcome of it so I made another one similar to it for my mother n laws birthday.

The inside

So, I am patiently waiting for Spring...the sweet smell of freshly mowed grass, pretty yellow daffodils, the heavenly aroma of lilacs, birds singing in the trees, a nice spring rain followed by a rainbow and awww...warm sunshine againest my face looking at a gorgeous blue sky....

Just a few short weeks...

Until next time take care, stay warm and THINK SPRING!!!

Hugs T

Weekend Ramblings Etc...

2011-01-09T15:42:00.001-06:00

It's been months since i last posted..not suprising...I just can't get myself to sit down and post..it's not really a lack of something to post..just taking the time to do so...anyway..maybe I will make that goal yet again this year...

I noticed the last time it was October and we were having some great weather..well..I wish I could have some of that back..it's been in the 30's all day..and with the windchill it's even colder..brrr...I am sooo ready for warmer days and not what we are going to have this week..which from the forecast it looks like this could be the warmer of the days..snow is in the forecast...not sure how much..hopefully if any not very much at all and not enough to stick to the roads.

I have cards to share...I know Christmas is past but since I didn't get on here intime to post my Christmas cards I will do so..and here they are...

I made them usingmy Joys of the Season Cricut Cartridge..with glitter paper for the ornements..Simple cards..but I made around 30 of them so it took some time..and lots of glue on my hands...

I also am in a Secret Sister Swap over at http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/ and am playing hostess while our dear Christy is taking some time off to enjoy her new lil baby boy..anyway..if you are looking to be in a great Secret Sister swap that is the place to be...we do 3 month rounds and just started a round in Janaury..so if you haven't joined already then check it out and let me know and I can add your name to the waiting list...but what I wanted to share were a couple of things I made for my last SS..just a couple of things that I had been wanting to try out and decided this was the perfect time..I can also post these since she has already received her last package from me...

I made covered a lil noteboo for her and added her intial..then I took a clear desk top photo holder and did the same thing with and made it a sticky note holder..and then I altered a bullnose paper clip as a recipe holder..instead of putting an actual food recipe card in it I added a recipe for life quote I found on the internet..

Still on http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/ I am doing one of their weekly challenges. This one is for CAS which stand for Clean and Simple..something sometimes I have an hard time with.. I always want to add extras to my cards...Anyway, along with making it CAS we also had to make it a thank you card..so here is my card for that...followed by one I made before it because I forgot that it had to be a thank you card..I was more worried about it being CAS...taught me to read and remember all the rules...I used a butterfly and heart punch for the diecuts..a white pen for the fuax stitching and the sentiment is in my own handwriting...couldn't have been easier..I tell you it took my longer to get a descent photo than it did to make the cards...I will be doing this again with differeant color of cardstock..

I think that is all I have to share today but I do want to share a link with you..Over at Sweet Magnolia Rose she is giving away a Cricut Expession with 3 cartridges..plus if you follow some other instructions she's added the chance to win a Cricut Cake Machine...

so go check it out here...http://sweetmagnoliarose.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-dated-giveaway.html#comment-form

Hope everyone had a great weekend and the week ahead even better...

Hugs!

Awesome Weather and My Latest Card

2010-10-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

How is the weather in your part of the world? Well, here I suppose you might call it an Indian Summer..whatever it is..it's just been wonderful..warm sunny days...cool nights...leaves are changing but, falling a little too fast..for the lack of rain we have had. We are suppose to have rain late tonight and into tomorrow..hopefully we will get some of it...we could use a nice slow rain...

I wish you could smell my house right now..I put one of those turkey breast with the bone in it in my small roaster...it smells soooo gooood....I can't wait to dig into it tonight...I also added some veggies in there too...so supper is all done! I love that little roaster....

Over the weekend I went Blog Hopping...don't you just love a good hop??? If you haven't done one yet then you need to! There is always so much talent and insperation to be found when you do..you won't be disappointed...there is normally some blog candy to be given away too...and I actually won one of the goodies on this hop..thanks Emily...This hop was at Simply Scrapping Crafts which is full of talented ladies..if you aren't a member then you should check it out...anyway here is my card...

That's it for this time..hey 2 post in less than a week..hopefully...I will get in the habit of doing this..thanks for coming and please keep checking in...I may suprise you with a post!

Have a great week!

Hugs T

Squirrel Awareness week…

2010-10-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month was Squirrel Awareness week…A few former co-workers and I have been celebrating this for a few years now..it actually started off as a joke for one of my friends /co-worker Rita…go here http://terryspaperpantry.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-baaack.html to see a past celebration and learn more about the story behind why we celebrate…

This year I was actually working with Rita when that time came around on a temporary basis..I was trying to come up with a lunch date with my other 2 cohorts to surprise Rita when she mentioned that she wanted to go to lunch with me before I left. So, she opened the door for me..so the date was set…So, Beth a former co-worker and great friend and Bill (Rita’s and my supervisor) along with his lovely wife Lorrie were already at the restaurant when we walked in…and Rita was totally surprised…Beth and I both had made cards for Rita along with gifts…I had bought mine on our trip to Colorado..it was just something I could not pass up!

I also had bought one for my neighbor who has Squirrels as pets…I will leave that for another story…Here is the card I made..I put my Cricut to good use with this one…I love how it came out too!

We have been doing this for about 4 yrs now and we always manage to surprise her..One of these years she will turn it around on us…
I also been doing some challenges over at http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/ and here is my latest..our challenge was to use black and white with only one other color..so I chose red to use as my other color..I had dreams about this card..and this really didn’t turn out the same as it did in my dream but I still like it…

It's hard to believe that it's the middle of October...We have had such beautiful weather lately..it's been a little up and down tempature wise ..but still so many days full of beautiful sunshine! We could use some rain but are suppose to get that next week..so another perfect weekend is in store for us...I am not looking forward to winter and the cold temps so I am enjoying all of the warm days we are having now...

That's it for me today...

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Hugs
T

Would Love One of These

2010-08-19T19:42:00.000-05:00

I came across a couple of blogs recently...you know how one blog seems to lead you to another and another etc...well..I love my cricut and I have been "stalking" some of the blogs that are more geared towards the using the Cricut..I have been finding so many ideas recently..especially on this blog...
http://www.cricutholiday.com/

Then to this one...
http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

then to this gorgeous thing.....

"Limited Edition Workbox "

http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/component/content/article/6/95-wb-le-cherry

"The Original Scrapbox"

http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/

Would love to win one of these..wouldn't you..well..then you need to follow this link...

http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

You might have to scroll down a post or two to get the instructions..but..it's worth it..and oh..don't forget to enter for the new Cricut Cartridges releases too....

Good Luck!!!

Hugs

We're having a HEAT WAVE...

2010-08-03T17:52:00.000-05:00

It is early August and it is Oklahoma so what else would be having??? Better than a blizzard in so many ways...enough said..

Wanted to pop in and post a couple of recent made cards...one for the challenge on: http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/

On this card we had to use four of the 6 colors..red, blue, pale pink, pale yellow, purple or grey...it was very hard card for me to come up with something that I liked...I'm not really crazy about it...but, then we are our worse critics are we?

and another for my dear friend Jo's aka "Yurt" birthday which was over the weekend and she has recieved it so I can post it...

She likes turtles and I bought this paper to make a card for her in the future awhile back..I love the bright colors..doesn't it just scream summer??? And who can resist those cute little turtles swimming around on it anyway..the turtle embellishiment was done with my cricket..I did it in several layers to get the effect I wanted...

I have been looking at other blogs, joining crafting groups on facebook..and came across this blog here...

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/

Melissa is giving away a Cricut Cake Machine for her 2 yr blog anniversary...so you should check it out..and even if you don't win it you will be a winner because she is very talented..I just fell in love with her creations..and I will be regular follower of her blog now...

Next week I will be working for 2 weeks..it's good and bad...lol...I would rather be home in my craft room...but it will let me buy a few more goodies...like I need anymore...but...a paper crafter can never have too much paper...And I will also be working with my good friend Rita...sooo..I am looking forward to that part of it!

That's all for today..will be back soon!

Stay cool..and hugs

Oh..to be organized..

2010-07-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I wish I was more organized than I am..but, I think it's too late..the boat has sailed on that one..But, I still try...and lately I have been trying to get my little craft room organized..from the move..Sheesh..I have found stuff I completely forgot I had..Well..it's still a work in progress and probably always will be..because I will want to change it around...I wish I could just shut my eyes and wish it all done...

I have been making a few cards..Thanks to doing some weekly challenges on here: http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/... you should check out their weekly challenges..for both scrapbookers and cardmakers..I have been doing their one on Card Corner.. http://simplyscrapping.ning.com/group/cardchatchallengecorner

Each Wednesday there is a new challenge for you to do..I just started this in July and I am on week 3..our first challenge was to make a card using a sketch..and here is what I a came up with..

I used my Cricut cart In a Child's Year to cut out the images..the paper is mostly Martha Stewart..I have always loved black sillouttes and just love this cart that makes it allot easier than cutting all this out by hand..

My 2nd challenge was to Rock and Roll..with a stamp on an ink pad..A great technique..and this is my card...

I love, love this paper that I recieved in a secret sister swap on the same group..it's 7gypsies zanzibar scrapbook pack.

Our last challeneg was to use a sentimant and the focal point of our card and here is my take..

I had something else in mind when I started this but I have to say I am happy with the end result...

Am looking forward to the next challenge..if you have time and am up for challenge make sure you check it out...

Since my last post we have went on Vacation..to Beautiful state of Colorado...we were gone less than a week but saw so much..there is so much to see...but, the best part is that I got to meet my friend Renee...Renee and I became friends on a Scrapbooking site that is nolonger..it may not be around any more (or in the same form it was anyway)..but we remained friends and have shared allot together through the net and phonecalls so it was great getting to meet here and her 2 "lil men"...Here we are...

After sadly we left her house we were off to see the mountains..

It was all so beautiful...and I took well over 500 photos..ooo...do I ever love the didgital age in photography...

Is it hot where you are??? It is here..90's and heat index up past 100...I don't complain about heat because I hate the winter and cold months..but...I am glad we have a/c....

Guess, that's enough of my ramblings for this time..hope you are staying cool and enjoying summer...

Thanks for stopping by...

Hugs

It's been awhile..

2010-06-02T14:14:00.004-05:00

Since I posted on here...once again I am going to try and do better...I miss sharing my photos, crafts and most of all ramblings...allot has happened since my last post..we fially moved...it took us awhile..and we didn't get the house we were planning to buy this time last year but we got the best house for us in the end..even if it did take awhile..and oddly enough we ended up with the first house we put an offer on back in July 2008.

We closed on January 15th..which would of been my Mom's 77th birthday if she was still alive..so I like to think that she was smiling down on us that day. We didn't pick the perfect time to move but I don't know if there would of been such a thing after being in our old house for 25 years. Perfect weather wouldn't have helped with all the stuff to pack and unpack. Although I could of done without the "thaw" at the old house and the mud we had to track through to move stuff from there. Here it's wasn't so muddy maybe because I think this hill is just one big boulder with lots of smaller rocks on top with just a enough soil to grow grass on top. But, the rocks are another story for another day..
A little over a week after we spent our first night here this is what it looked like:

And now a little over 4 months it looks like this:

We have made some changes inside and out..and it's a work in progress..we decided to paint over the blue trim in white and then replace the blue window shutters with "cranberry" and painted the front door the same color. There is also a 3 car garage with the same blue on the doors and now they are a nice crisp white..made a world of differance and it also made it feel more like it belongs to us now. It took us awhile but it finally feels like we are home.

I'll save more about the house for another day..

I want to share a few cards with you before I leave...

The first cardcard I made for a swap back in late January when the snow was flying...our color them was bright colors...so this is what I came up with

The 2nd card was for another swap and we had to use the colors green and purple together..although this was for a swap my swap partner is also a wonderful friend whose knock name is "turt"..and I had this image I had been wanting to use for a card for her for awhile..Isn't that the cutest turtle?

This was for another friend..easy peasy using a card kit from my local scrapbook store..the "thinking of you" though was done with a cricut. I loved the colors they used on this one...

How is the weather where you are..is it Summer yet??? We have been above normal for almost 2 weeks and although they say we are going to have a cold spell go thru tomorrow it just means it won't be in the 90's but the upper 80's....Summer is here and I'm not complaining...although I could of done with a few more weeks of Spring it's better than the cold winter days...

I will leave you here and plan to seeing more of me...I promise..really I do..

Hugs

2009-10-02T16:36:00.001-05:00

Apologies, Winner Announcement and Lake photos...

2009-07-29T14:57:00.005-05:00

I am SO SORRY!!!! That I haven’t been back on here since the blog hop almost a month ago…No excuses…just didn’t get back here…kept forgetting that I promised some blog candy..would remember when I was away from the computer…went camping for a week…uh…I guess I said no excuses…and there I go…making them…anyway…for those of you that visited my blog during the hop and were wondering about the blog candy I promised and if you won or not..with out further ado…I had my DH tell me a number between 1-72..which is where my count was at the time…and he picked 56…so the WINNER is…Leah…Leah's comment was "I want to say that mine is family picnics at my Grandma Gigi's. She's now passed away, but I remember the special drinks and treats she would make then she'd give us sparklers to light off. We then as a family would go to our local state park for some fireworks. What a great ending to a fun filled day. I also remember Gigi's singing." Thanks for the comment...

I do have to tell you although I didn’t get back on here to announce a winner I did read each and everyone of the post…and so enjoyed reading them…they all brought back such great 4th or summer memories…I had forgotten all about sparklers for some reason this year..we always had those and how could I forget writing my name with one??? Or making stars and hearts??? I had also forgotten about one of my favorites and when we buy fireworks to shoot off here at the house..I still have to buy snakes! Oh…when I read this I almost went out and bought some..Chasing lightening bugs also brought up great memories..I still love to watch lightening bugs in the evenings…going to the lake was another fave although I never went to the lake for the 4th we did take camping trips and always enjoyed them..and for those of you that know me..know I still love to camp! Over all I think mostly what we all remember the most about the 4th or summer is that we spent it with family and friends…that’s what counts in the end.

We just got back a couple a few days ago from spending a week on the lake a couple of miles from where my DH works..so..he still worked but enjoyed the 3 mile drive one verses the 60 miles he does normally …he even rode his bike a couple of days…while he worked I played.. I spent a couple of days with my sister who loves nearby one day my 2 nieces and 3 of grand nieces were also there so it was nice seeing them and catching up…I went shopping a couple of days and made 2 scrapbook stores along with Hobby Lobby..managed to get myself lost…actually I was just turned around…after calling my DH and not getting an answer I finally figured which way I needed to go..I was actually just trying to avoid getting on and off the expressway…Which I did…and where I had made my mistake was at the beginning..I haven’t driven in this area by myself in years and it’s really grown and boy do I need to pay more attention to my surroundings more when I’m not doing the driving…I also spent time with our dogs and did allot of walking…they are such “happy campers”…in the evenings we went fishing, walking visiting with a co-worker of my DH who was also camping…had my DH’s brother,sis n law and nephew who also live nearby over for hotdogs and sausages..it was so nice to get away…and hopefully well get to do it another week soon…I tell ya I could spend the whole summer just "park hopping"...And I think it would be great fun to be a Park Host" when we retire...anyway...I better leave here before I bore you to death but I will leave you with some photos of the lake…

That last one was the view from where I was fishing...no luck in catching any fish but awww...that view was sooo relaxing...

Thanks for coming and again sorry about the delay in posting a winner...

Until next time..

Hugs and Blessings
T

Happy Birthday America!!!

2009-07-03T17:35:00.007-05:00

Happy 4th of July and a great big welcome to Scrapbook News and Review "Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop". As I mentioned in my last post that I will have my blog in a hop..you can find the list of all the blogs involved here… http://snrcardiverse.ning.com/ . It will last till 10 pm CST Sunday night. You will get to feast your eyes on some wonderful “red, white and blue” projects on each blog. You will also have a chance for some blog candy on some of the blogs..including mine... So, if you are starting here then please go there next so you won’t miss out on any of the talent. And if you are coming here from Sandi’s blog www.twinklininkin.blogspot.com then that means you probably started at the top and are just amazed at all the talent you have seen so far..but it's not over so make sure you go to the Ceal's blog at
www.simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com.

Here is my card: I am letting it do double duty since I made it originally for my June DT assignment for http://letsscrapdesignteam.blogspot.com/.

I found this image online and just fell in love with and thought it would make a great card..

Cardstock- Blue Cordinations
White-GP
Paper-Stars-Karen Foster
Denim- The Paper Patch
Embossing-Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss
Glitter Stars- Darice
Star Sticker- K& Company
Rick Rack –Paper Studio
Lace-Unknown
Ink-Stampabilities
Sentiment-Computer-Cotillion Font
Image- http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/4th-of-july.shtml

Do you have a favorite childhood 4th of July memory? One of mine would be when we were kids way, way back..pop wasn't something that we had very often...it was a treat to us..and one of the times we did get it was for the 4th. We also didn't go to a fireworks show or anything like that but we did have our own fireworks at home. Living in the country there was no rules or laws otherwise..So, we would go down to the grocery store where we would pick out our favorite pop..mine was Strawberry..back when it still came in 10 oz "glass" bottles...and also buy our fireworks all at the same time. My favorite fireworks were the little ting "snakes". You lit the end of a little round black "pill" size disk..it would puff up and grow like a snake...They still have them but they don't seem quite as big as they were when we were kids...I suppose nothing ever does..But, they do make great memories.

So, please leave me a comment telling me your favroite childhood memory for the 4th or just a summer time memory since I hope to have people from all over the world visiting my blog today...I'll have a drawing for my "blog candy" on Monday...

Thanks for visiting and I hope however you celebrate today that it creates a great memory!

Hugs
T

July Already???

2009-07-02T11:30:00.006-05:00

Okay, where did April, May and June run off to? Why do those 3 months seem to go faster than January, February and March??? Or is it just me? Because I LOVE Spring and could really do with out Winter…

Well, last week we had 100 plus degrees for 6 straight days..this week has been cooler..mid to upper 90’s…but the humidty wasn't quite as bad..today it is trying it’s hardest to rain..hopefully it will get it done..and it’s cooler than it has been in quite awhile at this time of day..but it’s not to last..if the clouds go through then it will be in the 90’s by afternoon and it’s suppose to be 100 again on the 4th…

Speaking of the 4th! Any plans? I don’t think we have any this year..maybe just take it easy…For some reason our little bitty town holds the counties fireworks. They have had their own for years now but awhile back the larger town in the county that did hold fireworks display (is that what you call them?) was undergoing so construction work at the high school where they were held..so everyone came here to our little towns..more people donated to it etc..and the other town said they wouldn’t be able to afford it or something along those lines..anyway…we live about a mile or so where they are held (if you cut across the pasture and not go the road) so we can sit out at the end of drive and watch. It's more relaxing that way..don't have to worry about finding a parking place nor a perfect seat...we have it...at the end of drive..

On the 4th I will be in on a huge “bloghop” called…"Oh Say Can You See" 4th of July Blog Hop and you can it starts from here…http://snrcardiverse.ning.com/. But, I will be back here early on the 4th posting more about it along with my “red, white and blue” project. There are about 95 blogs involved and each one will have a project to share..There will be a list of all the blogs at SNR/Card Universe and on each blog there will be a link to the next blog. So.."hop" on back here over the weekend and I will have a card to share…

My brother brought us some fresh yellow "grean beans" the other day..Oh, my! Next to potatoes green beans are my favorite veggie and fresh out of the garden beans are just hard to beat..add in some red potaoes and I am in heaven..so I was happy to finally feast on them last night...oh...I could make a meal on them..add some fresh garden tomatoes and you have a feast in my books..I love summer and it's fresh garden veggies..YUMMY!

I am going to try and download some photos from our camping trip to Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Mo way back in May..maybe things will cooperate for me this time…Isn't the river pretty? It's not huge or anything but it's just a peaceful place to be...

When got to the camp it ws full and we had to wait on our campsite to pack up and leave..of course they were one of the last to go..but by the next morning this is what it looked like in both directions...

And here is our "baby" Gidget waiting on us to pack up..her sad look says it all....

Well, that is all for today..don't forget to come back over the weekend and check the bloghop out..until then enjoy whatever you love about summer the most..

Hugs
T

Woohoo it's Friday!

2009-06-12T13:33:00.003-05:00

Even though I don’t work anywhere now I still look forward to the weekends..spending time with my hubby….No plans this weekend..depends on the weather…There is rain in the forecast so we’ll see..would like to go fishing but don’t know if that will happen. We have had thunderstorms this morning. We missed the worse of it I guess, no hail or bad winds like some areas had..we did get a little over a half inch of rain..added to what we got earlier in the week brings us up to about 3 inches for the week. After all the rain we received last month we hadn’t had any to speak of in June so it was much needed. Keeps me from having to water my “patio” garden..It’s about 15-20 degrees cooler than it has been at this time of day all week..so the low 70’s are a welcome..I know it won’t last..although it would be okay with me if it did for the rest of the day.

Well..we are still no closer to getting into the house as we were in my last post..they keep telling us 30-60 days..now they finally have said that it will probably be the end of August..not acceptable…my brilliant hubby wrote all those involoved that we had e-mails for a letter yesterday..thanking those that have worked so hard for us and shaming those that haven’t…not naming any names…funny…he received responses from those that knew they were being thanked and nothing from those that he shamed..again…he didn’t name any names. He also gave them to the first of July to give us a date..by then it will be 6 months since we signed papers starting this nightmare…although at the time we were so happy…I don’t know if I can go through even making an offer on another house..this was just so all uncalled for..if you don’t have a clear title then don’t put the house up for sale..and if you are the bank that now owns it then you should know better..as my hubby said “shame on you”…okay..enough venting!

Last month we did get away for almost a week..we really needed to get away and it was great. We took the travel trailer to our favorite spot in Missouri..we just love it there and I tell ya it was soooo hard to leave…we had brilliant weather..after having rain for weeks we finally had a break from it and it was wonderful. We just relaxed..did allot of walking..since we took the dogs we had to take them for walks..I’m sure they were happy to be home so we wouldn’t be putting the leash on them everytime they wanted to go out. But, they are so good and it’s nice to have them along on the trip. We went down into Eureka Spings, AR one day and did more walking..But, guess I needed it since we stopped off at the fudge shop there..it’s so addictive..we’re sooo ready to go again! I'm not having any luck with downloading pictures today so I will try and figure out what I am doing wrong and post some another day..

Did want to send you to a link to a blog I came across today...I love her cards..and she is giving away some wonderful stuff today too..hopefully if you are interested then you will have a chance to go there and play along..and if not then just go and have a look at her work....http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/

Well...it's trying clear off and it's warming up so I think I will try and get some housework finished up before it heats up..hope everyone has a great weekend...

Hugs
T

Rain, Rain, Go Away Come Another Day…

2009-05-05T18:16:00.004-05:00

We normally get a little over 6 inches of rain in the month of May..we almost have that now. Most of which fell in a few short hours last Friday. Causing flash flooding and other flooding in nearby towns. I saw on the news earlier that we have had 11 straight days of rain. Today was just a slow drizzle at best after a foggy start of the day. I hear thunder in the distance now but it’s not suppose to get too severe in my area of the state. Good news though we’re suppose to have a dry day tomorrow! Before the rain returns late the next day. Hopefully we’ll have some sun tomorrow too..I did get a glimpse of sun early yesterday morning before the clouds returned. I know if a few short weeks we’ll be complaining because it’s too dry..we’re never completely satisfied for very long are we….But..I think I am beginning to grow web feet!

I am itching to do some gardening but between not being able to move and the rain I have yet done anything yet. I have decided to plant some squash again in the containers we did last year. At least we can move them when we move. I had planned on getting some hanging baskets this last weekend but it was just too wet to enjoy looking so I put it off. Maybe I will try and get that done tomorrow or the next day. Again something we can take with us. And the hummers always like it when I have hanging baskets out. Not sure what I want yet…at least one petunia because they smell so sweet in the evenings. Probably, some begonias because they tend to do well in the heat.

I found another lovely blog with some great cards..she’s also celebrating her birthday by giving away some great Craft Candy…see photo below…and she is adding to it for every 100 comments..here the link http://www.corrosivecreationsbyjanet.blogspot.com/ so please go visit if you interested and leave a comment for your chance to win. Good luck!

I am also entering her Birthday Card Challenge on her challenge blog http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2009/05/challenge-10-happy-birthday-to-me.html with this card..

Card stock DCWV and Bo Bunny
Scallops are _nestabilties
Stamp-Penny Black
Colored with Marta Stewart Glitter pens
Ink is Stanzon
Flowers- Hobby Lobby
Sentiment- Computered Generated with Mufferaw Font
Rick Rack-Unknown

A couple of more cards to share that I made for friends.

And the last one for Lets Scrap Design Team

Every have one of those mornings? This morning I get up as normal when the alarm goes off..after letting the dogs out, feeding the cats I go to put together my DH's lunch..we had grilled shrimp and veggies last night for supper. I put the rest of the shrimp and some of the veggies in a container to send for his lunch. In another container I put the rest of the veggies for my lunch..I get a call about 11:30 my DH ( laughing)asking me if I had forgotten something? I thought no..I put in everything I needed..and then he ask about the shrimp...yes, you guessed it I put the wrong container in his lunch..and no I didn't have it for mine..he'll have it tomorrow...I would of felt too guilty eating his shrimp although he told me to go ahead.

Well...it's time for Dancing with the Stars...so I think I will go fix something to drink and watch it. Only a couple of more shows after tonight..and then I will go into withdrawels..I love this show!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs T

2009-04-29T11:24:00.003-05:00

I know it’s been awhile again since I have been here..for those who come often I am sorry..I keep promising that I will do better but not keeping them at all…All I can say is I am working in it.

This trying to buy a house is till stressing me out and I don’t seem to get anything productive done. It’s one thing waiting but not knowing why your waiting just about puts you over the top. But, after a not so e-mail to the sellers realtor a couple of weeks ago we have a few more answers but still really doesn’t get us any closer to a closing date. But, we did get another name to contact and can annoy her till maybe something will be done. Our realtor is also doing the same..Sooo..guess we’ll be signing another extension this week..uh..that makes 5??? Please tell me this isn’t the norm these days….

I love dogwood trees although we don’t have any here at the house..tried trans-planting some but they didn’t live. So, it will be a tree we will add when we move..they are just gorgeous this year both in yards and especially growing wild in the woods. Earlier this month we took a drive so I could find some to photograph. There was no problem finding them but the problem was finding them were we could park and take pictures. Finally found one in a state park and oh was it a gorgeous tree…so here are a couple of photo graphs

Our apple tree was loaded with blossoms this year too although we did have a freeze while they were blooming so I don’t know how many apples it will produce. But, it was beautiful while it was blooming and the bees were happy!

So I will now share a few cards I have made recently..They are Easter ones so they are late but since I didn’t share earlier thought I would now..

I love this ladies blog..she makes some of the most adorable cards! And right now she is celebrating her blog anniversary with somee “blog candy” that I would love to have..it would be like Christmas if that would arrive at my house. This lady is also very talented with her cards and even if you don't win her give away you will be going back to see her lovely cards. If you are interested please visit her blog and see how you can have a chance to win.. Here is the link. http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html Hurry because it ends tomorrow.

Well, the washer is calling so I better get back to the laundry…I hope everyone is enjoying a sunny, blue skies, birds singing, flowers blooming Spring kind of day!

Hugs
T

Taco Thursday

2009-03-12T14:06:00.002-05:00

Yep, I think it’s gonna be a tacos for this Thursday night…not sure what else but that’s a good start. I love, love tacos..pretty much any Mexican food. Wish I could find some good tamales or maybe I need to learn how to make them myself. Because they are hard to find they always seems too dry and just crumble when you hit em with a fork. We have bought some frozen ones and the good ones we never see, to be able to find again. Or they are just a little pricy in my book…So, maybe one day I will take the plunge and figure out how to make them myself.

We received sad news from several friends this week..some say things come in 3’s. Well, they did this week from a friend of mine having her first grandchild be born with problems, another friend loosing yet another family member to cancer. I never met this cousin of hers but he was a fighter to the end and if he’s anything like my friend then he was one terrific person. My DH’s co-worker f-n-l was found dead by another family member. He was 80 something still lived alone and he lived a full life but it was still unexpected. My prayers go out to all these families.

I have an internet friend that another friend and me have been “arguing” with about winter and spring. She is a winter lover..we both are SPRINGY kind of gals..So, on our little forum (Nana’s at the right) we have been telling her about Spring coming for about a month. Now, that it is just a little over a week away I think it’s time to really pour it on..So, yesterday I posted another picture of my dafs..can you believe she had nerve to tell me that the one I posted earlier this week were from last year??? It’s all in good fun of course and she can give it as easy as she takes it. That is what makes it so much fun. So, I am going to show a few more pictures I took this week. And dedicate them to her..she knows who she is…

A few cards to share..

I have been “peeking” in at this wonderful card site .. http://icsketches.blogspot.com/
for a few weeks now but didn’t take the plunge to try one of the challenges..but I thought this one was a perfect one to start with…I liked how it came out..

Using sketch #7 here is my card..

Yellow cardstock is BoBunny
White is- Paper Studio
Ribbon-unknown
Cupcake is – Cricut –Cart- Doodlecharms
Scallops is- Nestabilties
Stamp- Inkadoos
Glitter glue is unknown

And here here my latest DT card for: http://letsscrapdesignteam.blogspot.com/

Go there to see what supplies I used...

I have a couple of more cards to post but I have to wait till next week to do so..

I want to thank everyone that has commented on my blog recently. I have a couple of new followers..which I think might just help me want to blog more..when I know someone is taking the time to log on here then they should be able to read something from me more than what I have been doing . Maybe…just maybe I am finally getting this blog thing..

Not sure if I will be till after the weekend so if not then I hope you have a great one.

Hugs to all!
T

Monday Rambling...

2009-03-09T13:30:00.006-05:00

So, did you find a time to get that extra hour of sleep that we were to loose because we had to turn our clocks ahead over the weekend. We may have lost a hour of the weekend but I don’t think we lost a hour of sleep at our house..we actually went to bed earlier than normal last night. I love the fact that we have an extra hour of day light now in the evenings…

Are there signs of Spring where you are??? With our warm weather last week we have flowers blooming all over, the pear trees are loaded with flowers, and I swear some of the trees are turning green..sad part is that it’s going to turn cold again this week. Just hope that it doesn’t freeze enough to kill things.

Here’s a photo of some Spring in my yard with my cat Slim walking into the picture…followed by one of him in a box…silly kitty..

Okay, I was at Wal-Mart last weekend when I saw this awesome turtle for the yard. It was love at first site. But, I held back..didn’t buy it..but then later in the week I came to face to face with it again..okay, not the same turtle because I was in a different Wal-Mart but the love was still there…still held off..and then this weekend I couldn’t stand it any longer and in my cart it went.. It is huge! So, the 2nd picture shows just how big it is…

We were out and about this weekend..driving down the highway when all of a sudden this wonderful aroma came flooding through the car…It was just wonderful and sure sign of Spring being in the air. No it wasn’t all the beautiful daffodils blooming along the roadside but the smell of freshly and I do mean freshly plowed soil! So, fresh the farmer was plowing the ground as we drove by. I love the smell..it reminds me of planting the veggie garden in my bare feet..my Mom was a believer in if the ground was warm enough for you to be barefoot in the garden then it was time to plant..if not then hold off…I’m sure it came from one of grandparetns and probably theirs before that.

Seeing a farmer plow, disk , plant and harvesting always makes me wonder what they are thinking while doing so. I can’t imagine going to a great big field and seeing all that ground that you need to cover in the days or weeks ahead. It must be a great feel of accomplishment when one of the task are done. They must love what they do so to come back year after year. I’m sure most wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

Oh, I need to show you some cards that I have made recently for http://letsscrapdesignteam.blogspot.com/

Also please check out our online crop tomorrow…
http://letsscrapdivas.ning.com/

A couple are from last month..I never made it here to post them..but wanted to share them anyway..and here is the latest which should be posted on Lets Scrap DesignTeam Blog…

If you would like a chance to win some cool things please visit the blogs at the upper right here on my blog (if I figured out how to post them there anyway)...tell them I sent you too..

Well, I think that is enough of my ramblings for one time..thanks for stopping by and come back soon..
Hugs
T

Finding the good and goals...

2009-02-16T16:40:00.002-06:00

I can’t believe it’s the middle of February! I don’t mind one bit when the time flies this time of the year…just means Spring is that much closer. I could be a bear and be happy to sleep right through winter…but, I’m not so I have to try and find the good parts of winter…some days it’s not easy when there is freezing rain and sleet outside. But, even then there is the nice surprise to find like the photos I took below last month of what I call freezing fog…but my good friend Nana told me there was an actual name for it… hoar frost, or pogonip. Thanks Nana! We don’t have this very often but it’s always something to see when we do.

Plus, some gorgeous sunsets…

I don’t make resolutions..maybe I should but then I would probably break them faster than I made them. But, I would like to be able to accomplish some goals this year. Other than the normal loose weight or find a job I would like to be more organized, and have lunch out with friends at least a couple of times a month. Oh, nothing expensive mind ya..just be able to get together and catch up. I thought at the beginning I was going to be able to do it once a week. Wasn’t anything I planned mind you. Just sort of just happened…started at the end of the year when I got together with my friend D for our Christmas together although it was almost a week later. Then, my friend B and I had lunch the next week, my sis (who is also my friend) the next, my sis and 2 nieces the next..I was beginning to enjoy it and look forward to it..then the weather got in the way…so it had been a couple of weeks then I was able to work one day last week and my boss asked me to lunch along with my friend B (also a former co-work) again the next day…now this week I am having lunch with R (aka squirrely) . I would love for this to become a habit or whatever you call it..It would be nice to do it once a week but I know that’s not going to happen so if I can do it once or twice a month then I would be soo very happy.

So, that is one of my goals, another is to be a better friend to those I can’t get together with in person, those long distant friends. Those that I met in letters so many years ago, those that I maybe knew here at one time or another and they moved away, and those that I met on the internet a few years ago or just recently. Write more letters, e-mail more than just forwards, answer more than just questions on a forum, pick up the phone once in awhile and if nothing else keeping up with my blog better than I have been.

Now, to accomplish that organized thing…I’ll play Scarlet O’Hara here…” I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.”

Bye for now and I promise it won't be almostt 2 months before I post again...

Merry Christmas!!!!!

2008-12-24T19:42:00.003-06:00

Can you believe that it’s here? Are you all ready for the big day tomorrow? Are you still wrapping gifts? Or have you already started unwrapping them? We are doing both…still need to wrap some. I use to love wrapping everything but not so much anymore. Actually, I don’t mind it once I get started..it’s just sitting down and starting it. Digging everything out..like the tape that has been in the drawer so I would be able to find it. Then when I go to get it, it’s not there! And I only I have myself to blame..so I look through all my craft drawers for another roll…there is always another roll or two in there. No, nothing there so I’m bring a box out of my craft room to use to put a gift into. Sit the box down on the coffee table and spot my tape..didn’t I just look there? Guess not! So, I sit down on the floor to wrap..I loose the tape..didn’t move anything but my arms and hands…and leave it to me to loose something. I do the same thing with ink pens..Oh, I also have help..no not my dh but our little dog..only she really doesn’t want to help but she wants to play ball…keeps picking the ball up and putting it in the middle of my wrapping..sometimes I think she’s jealous..LOL oh, well…she’s so cute.

Here are the Christmas cards that I made this year..of course I also wait till last week to get those done…mailed at the end of the week, this week and some not mailed. Where did the time fly to??? Dunno…it sure got away from me this year though.

Thought I would show a few pictures of our tree..well, not the tree but some of the ornaments. I don’t do a theme..Oh, don’t get me wrong I think “themed” trees are beautiful. I have always wanted to do one…but just don’t have room but for the one tree and I have too many ornaments that we have collected over the years. We also always add one each year. From the first two that Dh’s aunt bought us for our 1st Christmas together 24 years ago (he was still in the Navy for the actual first one floating around in the Indian Ocean somewhere). One ws a Krackle bar and the other is a Mr Goodbar. Aren’t they cute? Some my Granny made me probably when she was in her 80’s and those I had before we were married. Some my Mom bought me others she also made. One year she bought me a set of ornaments tof snowmen…one for each month of the year. So there is a snowman with bunny ears, one with swimming gear on, another for Halloween. One for mothers day wearing pearls which reminds of my Mom since her name was Pearl. I have a collection of Campbells soup ornaments . Others friends gave or sent to me..from all parts of the world. And then there is probably one of my favorites..I found it years ago when “sock monkeys” weren’t in. My Granny made me a sock monkey when I was a baby ..I think Mom said I wore more than one out. He’s just the cutest..

I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years!!! Thanks for coming and see ya again soon!

A Year Ago

2008-12-12T10:12:00.004-06:00

This time last year we were into our 3rd day of the ice storm, 3rd day of no power, 3rd day of keeping warm in the day time with a kerosene heater and each other at night…brrr….but we survived better than some. At least we had water, the heaters and our camping stove etc to use. Yea, we “ruffed” it for a few days but it could have been worse. We did get our power back after the 5th day where some were without for weeks. And it also made us appreciate it more when it did come back on. When I came home from work that 5th day and heard the heat on before I got the front door open it was the best sound in the world! And oh, did that warm shower feel good later that evening! I also didn’t even mind doing the wash that night. I guess the worse part of the storm for us was the damage to all of our beautiful trees

.

We had freezing rain the other day..a year to the day. It was suppose to be snow but no it was ice on my car windows, ice on the deck..but the roads were okay. Next week another winter system is coming our way..geez..and it's not even winter offically yet! SPRING......

Otherwise, I did get to work a couple of days this week. More lay offs there, cut in pay for others not good at all.

Now, I still need to do my Christmas cards..get them out by monday is my goal. Got my one swap mailed, ready to mail the other 2 and then I will be done with swaps till next month. Will being doing something different other than a card for January on

http://letsscrapdesignteam.blogspot.com/
Not sure what yet though! Will keep you posted.

If you have the time check our little group out on Ning too..there are is a forum, chat, challenges etc...

http://letsscrapdivas.ning.com/

Time for me to finish up those Christmas cards and get ready to go to the post office later. Until next time take care, stay warm and remember to take time for yourself a few minutes each day.

Hugs
T

Merry December!!!

2008-12-01T18:43:00.003-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did although we spent two days on the road it was worth it to see our families. The food was great at both houses and I brought home some leftovers from my sisters so I was able to enjoy it the next day. Yummy…her turkey was soooo good this year…

While in the one town where my Dh’s brother lives I stopped at the LSS and browses for a bit..Picked up some gorgeous deep blue paper..and this new knife…

http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_fingertip-craft-knife.aspx

as you can see you fit it over your forefinger..so far I love it! I used it today on several things and it worked great. I have to give credit to my Dh for finding it for me though. I had already looked over it…Okay…I’ll take back what I was thinking when he went in with me…LOL

Since I did allot of housework yesterday I got busy with some Christmas crafts today..I have a 12 days of Christmas swap do this week. We were given a partner to get to know through e-mails for 4 months and then buy 6 small things, some chocolate and some socks..I have everything bought almost except for the chocolate. I figured she has a better chance of getting it if I leave in the store for as long as I can. Then we need to make 6 things…of course I put it off. I had so many ideas of what to make just couldn’t make up my mind. I can’t show them here yet..cause she might be peaking..but I will take pictures and show them after we open..one each day the 12 days before Christmas. I hope she likes everything I send her. I always enjoying doing these swaps and buying for other people. I’m in a couple of other swaps too…and I’ll post more about them once we send out our gifts. They are also secrets…I am not good at keep secrets like this…so it’s been hard on me. If you tell me something and tell me not to tell anyone I will do it but when it’s for fun and gifts are involved then I want to sing like a canary…

It’s going to be a busy month and I hope I can get on here more than I did last month but if I don’t then please take some time to enjoy the season and don’t let it get you all stressed out. In the end as every year it will all work out. Sooo…have a Merry December! Thanks for coming!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-26T16:38:00.005-06:00

I can’t believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. But, I am looking forward to sitting down with dinner with my family. We’ll be traveling the 70 miles or so to my sisters house. There will be 6 kids and 10 adults so 16 total. A nice little crowd. Then on Saturday we’ll be traveling again this time about 50 miles to my dh’s brothers house. Not sure how many will be there but if everyone comes there should be around the same amount. There we’re not having the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I think the meat is suppose to be smoked brisket (that may have changed) and not sure about anything else but the potato salad that I am taking. Doesn’t really matter, all that matters is being with those we love.

I only made one card this year for Thanksgiving. It got here before I knew it! And I hope to get in some time this weekend to start my Christmas crafts. Something I should have started already of course. I want to make a few small gifts for friends and I need to get those made so I can get them in the mail soon. But, anyway here is the card I made!

I got the stamped image in a swap last year so I don’t know what it is. The paper is from Hobby Lobby, cardstock is DCWV and Bazzill.

Lets not forget to give thanks and remember our TROOPS along with their family and friends that give up so much for us.

American Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the holiday,
to God we give our thanks.
Thanks for founding fathers;
gave us our right to speak.
Thanks for all the blessings;
free travel and assembly.
Thanks to God for America;
free religious liberty.
Thanks for all our families;
of friendship, blood or faith.
Thanks for food that’s plentiful;
we hunger not, nor thirst.
Then again to God our thanks;
Christ’s death washed our sin.

by Roger W Hancock

Again I want to wish everyone a Happy (and yummy) Thanksgiving!!!

Smell!!!

2008-11-04T09:17:00.004-06:00

Can ya smell it??? Autumn that is! Normally when I talk about this season I refer to it as “fall” but somehow when you are talking about how beautiful it is or how wonderful it smells “Autumn” seems like a better name for it. Don’t you just love the smell of “Autumn”? Can’t describe it…maybe a bit sweet?…spicy?…not really sure. Just know that it’s one of those “smells” (like lilacs in the Spring) that no matter how they try they just can’t reproduce the real thing.

Still can’t believe its November, maybe oh, I don’t know August? September? But November??? We’re still having “Indian Summer” here and I am loving every moment of it…I think we’re suppose to even have a thunderstorm in the next day or two. The rain will be nice to settle all the dust on my country roads…

Halloween is over, the election (almost!), next will be Veteran’s Day next Tuesday so don’t forget to thank a Veteran and keep the men, women and their families that are serving in the military now in your thoughts and prayers..then next will be Thanksgiving! One of my favorite holidays..oh, I love turkey and dressing…yum, yum…My fil was not only a Veteran of 20 years in the Navy serving during the Korean and Vietnam wars he was also born on Thanksgiving. This year Thanksgiving is on November 27th and his birthday. He’s passed away now but we can’t have either day in our house without thinking of him a little more. He was a wonderful man and I am thankful for having known him and also for having married one of his wonderful (the best) 5 sons.

Oh! Speaking of Halloween and my dh....well, I mentioned that he loves to scare the neighbor boy on Halloween??? But, had been so busy and not feeling good and didn’t know if he would be able to come with anything to scare him? Well, he just didn’t think of anything nor have the time. But! Since he had been warning him for over a month that he should be prepared to be scared so, when he came to the door with is little brother and parents he was sort held back…not knowing what to expect. His Mom said he was waiting for dh to jump out from behind or under something and that he didn’t eat very much supper because his stomach was in knots not knowing what to expect…it couldn’t of been better. Then when he was leaving we kept asking him if he was going straight home? What time was he going to be home then? Of course by now his Mom was warning us that we were going to have him for the night if he didn’t sleep…It couldn’t have worked out better.

Thanks for coming and I am going to leave you with some “Autumn” color.

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T12:54:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween!

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. Living in the country we don’t really get trick or treaters. Except for our neighbors 2 boys and sometimes another neighbors grandkids but I don’t think we’ll see them this year as they are probably getting too old for it. But, we will have our neighbors 2 little boys…My Dh enjoys scaring the oldest who is 8 now. I remind him that one day he will get even. This year I don’t know what he’ll do as he’s been busy with some home improvements and also fighting a terrible cold. He may just not have it him…but, he’s been telling him that he better watch out..so maybe that will be the “trick” part…nothing. But, I’m sure he will come with something before the day is over.

We’re having “Indian Summer” here and just some wonderful sunny days…that’s after it was down in the 20’s earlier this week though…It’s so colorful around here now and I need to get my camera out and capture some of that color on my camera before it’s too late. Not wanting to think about all the leaves gone from the trees and the drab days of winter sitting in. But, then it’s also that much closer to spring!!!

Since it’s Halloween I saved these photos to share of “spiders” I took a few weeks back.Call me crazy but spiders don’t scare me..well, as long as they are outside and not inside the house. Outside they fascinate me…their webs intrigue me, I stand in awe. I can’t imagine how they do it. Over and over again too. So, I leave you with some spiders in their webs…Hope they don't scare you away....

Monday Already???

2008-10-20T14:31:00.002-05:00

It always seems like it’s Monday..and the start of a new week. The weekend seems to fly by and I am left with trying to catch up on things in the house on Monday. Since, I’m not working at the moment I can push things off to then. But, then on Monday I ask myself why did I do it???

We had a nice weekend here although it did seem shorter than normal. Dh had to work Friday night and didn’t get home till around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. And I stayed up till he got home..just got to watching TV and writing on here..catching up with other computer stuff. I was up early but J slept in (he also had been called out to work Thursday night or was it Friday morning? ) till about noon..of course he still didn’t get his 8 hrs of sleep. He never does…he normally gets about 5-6 a night. We did some shopping and then came home to his brother J waiting on us. He had let his son off at a cousins house while so they could deer hunt. It was youth hunting weekend or something…J had been out the day before and most of the day and needed a rest. So, he took refuge here for a couple of hours. DH grilled some fish and I made red beans and rice for supper..By then it was time to go pick his son up.

Sunday, it was my turn to sleep in…I think the last few days had finally caught up with me. After I got up I made breakfast (brunch?) and then we headed off to Lowe’s and Wal -Mart. Mostly just looked around at some house projects we are debating doing. Then we came home and made Cajun Etoufee…never had it before I don’t think..But, we had picked up a mix the weekend before and decided to make it. It was good and we will have it again..I went online this morning to find some recipes so maybe one day I will try making it from scratch.

The weather was just beautiful again all weekend..I’m getting very spoiled with all the wonderful weather and don’t look forward to the colder temps coming and staying. The Lowe’s and Wal Mart we went to is by a lake so we drove down close to it..aww…it was just beautiful. We need to make a picnic soon and spend some time there..or maybe pack up the trailer and go camping one more time before it’s too late.

Last week I did a swap on www.swap-bot.com and made this card to send along with it.The paper is DCWV and the cardstock is Paper Studio .I had the flip flips from a grab bag of ribbon I picked up at Wal Mart. I think it was meant to be an iron on but I have been saving it for a card although it was hard to let go of that cute little pair of flip flops. Made a matching envelope to match. Hope she liked it!

I think we’ll grill some pork chops on the grill tonight and scalloped potatoes sounds good to go with them and something else. So I guess I will go put them together and see what else that something else might be.

Again thanks for coming! Have a great week!

T

Another Party and Card

2008-10-18T09:44:00.004-05:00

My last day at work last week was also that of my friend BT. She was leaving to go to another job. So, we had to have another party…cake, gifts, and a card…

Oh, my goodness was this cake ever beautiful and also yummy inside again. Another lady at work made this for her..she makes the most wonderful cakes. So, gorgeous and the colors she puts together are just too beautiful. This one had an Victorian look to it. The white was actually more of an antique white than it shows in the photo. Plus, underneath all of that were two layers of chocolate frosting…a light and dark..then she had white chocolate pieces thrown all over…oh, and the cake was also chocolate..a chocolate lovers dream...she really outdid herself…oh, was it ever so good…

Then I made a card to go with the gift that I was elected to shop for…she is also my scrapbook/cardmaking friend so I was happy to shop for her. I couldn’t find a gift bag that I liked (or wanted to give the price of) so I bought an 88 cent pink bag and decorated it to look like the card. I used my Walk in My Garden Cricut cartridge on both. Card stock was DCWV and the pearls were some I took off lace trim that I had in my stash.

Of course this week I had a cake withdrawal…and my clothes don’t fit so good either so maybe it’s a good thing there were no more parties and cakes this week. But, then some of that may be because this is October and Halloween is in two weeks and it's hard to resist the candy aisle...

Well, I thought I would get an early start of this today...It's still a little cool out for me this a.m. but the sun is shining about as bright as it can with the clear blue skies...Thank you God for sending us such a beautiful day.

Now, it's time to go get ready and do some grocery shopping. One of the stores is having it's 12 hour maga sale and there are some things on there I want this time. Otherwise, I try to stay away from grocery stores on the weekend. But, with these sales they always have extra help so it goes about as fast as a regular Saturday when they only have 1 or 2 cashiers..Thanks for coming!

I'm Baaack....

2008-10-17T17:59:00.003-05:00

Where did the time go? I can’t believe it’s been over 2 weeks since I took the time to sit down and write here…It’s been one of those times when I could of used a “double” of myself…That might be a scary thought to some…I did get to work for 8 days and that was it..my boss wanted to keep me but her boss said they couldn’t afford me..so that leaves that office with only one other gal other than my boss…She now has to do it all…what at one time took 4 full time. Granted they have laid off about 70 or so people since then but still yet there is over 170 people left...I was replaced my an automated phone system. Or that was the plan anyway…When I left last Friday it was still in the works…Not my problem anymore. Actually, it just wasn’t the same as it once was. Several friends are gone, everyone is in a down mood all the time. Either because they don’t know when the ax will fall on them or that they are now doing their work and that of at least one or two others. So, I was happy in one way to be leaving and sad in another…Who knows I may be going back yet.

Anyway! While I was there my friends BT & BH celebrated National Squirrel Awareness week with our friend R. I bet you didn’t know there was such a week? And you are also asking why we celebrate this week? It all started a few years ago when R had some problems with squirrels in her drain pipes.. You know the kind that cost you some money to get fixed. So, being the good friends that we are we had to harass R about it…we would leave pictures of squirrels posted on her office door, changed her computer wallpaper to one with a squirrel, put a stuffed squirrel in a piece of PVC pipe and give to her as gift, send e-mails etc…And each year we would celebrate this week at least one day with such things…so, this year (isn’t it weird that this was the week I was working there too?) we decided that we would kick it up a notch with a party in the lunch room. So, I made a card and some little paper acorns (that was spread in her office (by BH) from her desk to a filing cabinet to her computer etc) and BT had her Mom make a cake like the one she does at Christmas every year shaped like a log..who knew that it could be so much fun and tasty too. I had been taking my breaks with R since I had came back so she thought nothing of it when she walked in to the lunch room . Although she was a bit surprised when she saw the cake and card…Of course you know when there is chocolate involved that there will be more come to the party that planned…so what turned into a party of 3 was more like a dozen. She took it all in good spirits and couldn’t believe we would go to so much trouble. Trouble? Never! It was fun…and besides what are friends for? And we plan to do it again next year no matter where we all might be…

Here is the picture of the cake…talk about YUMMY! A chocolate lovers dream. Followed by pictures of the card. I used my Cricut cartridge Stretch your Imagination for it. Card stock is Bazzill and paper is by Provo Craft.

I have more to post but I will save it for another day..hopefully it won't be another 2 weeks plus before I do that.

I hope everyone is enjoying some beautiful fall weather. We dipped down into the 30's this morning which is way too cold for me..not sure if we also didn't have our first frost..but not the killing kind at least. Leaves are changing and it's just a wonderful time of the year weather wise...I hope also that everyone can get out and enjoy it this weekend. I plan to grab my camera, DH and enjoy it a bit myself.

Thanks again for coming!

Good News!

2008-10-01T23:06:00.001-05:00

Good news this week! Got a call yesterday from my friend B and former co-worker asking me if I would be interested in working this week? I of course said a quick yes! Since, I have been putting off getting serious about looking for a job. It’s not that I don’t want to work I do. But, I just hate having to “sell myself” so to speak. To walk in, and hand someone my resume. Never knowing if it was handed to the right hands, ever looked at or just hit the trash can before I drove out of the parking lot. And if it was looked at then what did they think? Did they think I was serious about handing them my resume and working there? Anyway, I was thrilled when B asked if I would be able to work for a few days. Only to find out that she will be leaving there after next week for another job. I am happy for her because this is something she has wanted. We all need a change in our lives no matter what it miht be. Maybe it’s just something as simple as having mustard on your hamburger instead of mayo. Maybe it’s a different hair color or style (by the way B is the QUEEN of the changing hair styles and they all look good on her), or maybe it’s something bigger like a new job or a new house.

This leads me to this. We have been looking to move for awhile now. Some houses we know aren’t for us by the price of course, some their location, some we have had to go out and drive by, and others we have had taken the plunge and made a appointment to look inside. Some homes have been vacant others still have owners living in them. Some owners will burn candles so it smells so good you never want to leave, some clean from top to bottom, others can’t even be bothered to sweep the kitchen floor while others are somewhere in the middle. One we looked at not only had a wasp nest at the front door but a snake skin…yep you read that right. To be fair they probably used the back door and rarely used the front but still a snake skin??? I could say more but we’ll leave it at that..we were more interested in the 10 acres that came with it than the house or we wouldn’t of bothered…I would much rather look at a house where the owners have already found a new home…then I don’t feel like I am intruding. Where I can look in the closet, drawers etc without my sweet dh asking me what I am doing? He too feels like he is intruding. And of course he is more interested to see if there is cracks in the wall, the brick work outside etc…While I am looking around wondering if our king sized bed will fit in the bedroom along with the rest of the furniture. Or what color I would paint over that hideous color they have it painted now…Luckily he understands all the ins and outs of the legal stuff and I think he could have a 2nd career as a real estate agent. Stay tuned more to come on the house hunting!

Back to me working again…it was much more exciting yesterday when B called me into work than it was having to get dressed up and go in at 7 a.m. this morning after having 6 months to the day off…The first day is always the hardest. Will be working all next week as well and then we’ll see…At the moment I will take what I can get…and at the moment that is saying a whole lot for this place of employment that has laid off for 6 months from me as just a wee temp to people that have been there for over 30 years…Yep…I’ll take what I can get and be thankful..

Copy and Paste

2008-09-25T17:51:00.003-05:00

That’s what our weather has been this week..just like the weatherman said it would be. Copy one day and paste it to the next…With temps in the mid 80’s, sunny skies with some clouds here and there…you know those big white fluffy kind…just doesn’t get any better than this…Can’t believe it’s fall though…love fall…would love it more if winter didn’t come right afterwards..but, that’s hopefully 3 months away so I won’t start complaining just yet…then comes spring!!!

Where did this week go...I saw something on TV where this was National Stay at Home Week...or something like that..Seems like we have been gone almost every night this week for one reason or another. So, I think we need a week called something else so maybe we can spend it at home. Still wanting to go camping one more time before it's too late..Hopefully, we'll get the chance.

Been out taking some pictures this week. Thought I would share one I took this afternoon of a grasshopper. I"ll save the spider for another day...

And something a little prettier...

and something I did last week with my Cricut cartridge "Walk In My Garden"

Thanks for coming again...now, it's time for me to catch up with "Grey's Anatomy"...

Okay! I'm a blogger!

2008-09-21T19:08:00.002-05:00

Not sure how I feel about being a blogger...Still kind of all new to me..Although I am a major "blog lerker"...and maybe with a few I might be close to a stalker! Mostly, those that have paper crafts and mainly cards...I am just in awe...of so much talent that is out there. So, as I learn my way around here I wll be adding links to the blogs that I do stalk uh..lerk at..

As it says in my heading this is a place for my crafts, photos ( by no means am I a professional but I do love to take photos!), my ramblings...about whatever is on my mind at the moment..and whatever else I might want to add. Hopefully, I won't bore anyone...and if you find me boring then the next time you can't get to sleep then just come by and visit...

I'm glad you found me and I hope that you come back...