Apologies, Winner Announcement and Lake photos...

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!!!

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???

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!

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…

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

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

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...

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...

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...