Thursday, May 31, 2012

The older I get, the more I get like my...

mother!
My mother saves jars - A LOT of jars!  Whenever I visit, I always try to get her to recycle some of them, telling her there is no way she can use them all.  Well, tonight, I opened my cabinet and found this... my own personal supply of jars.  It appears as if I am well on my way.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Whew!

Today was hectic... take a peek...
This was my checklist for today.  I got ti all done!  I need to do more, but that will come tomorrow.  Tomorrow's activities are "indoor" chores.
The card theme for Sunday's card exchange is "glitter."  I made the following cards - they were not easy - but I am glad I stuck with it and finished ten.

I used Glitter Ritz glitter which is an extremely fine glitter with beautiful color.  I created a polka dot template by running it through a Big Shot.  The paper I chose for the background I already had - an old line by Crate Paper.  The light really picked up the "sheen" in the glitter.  The colors of the paper and glitter really match well.  I love it because it is shimmery yet funky.  I have to say this was an intensive project. I had glitter EVERYWHERE and I mean everywhere!  I had to wash it off my hands and arms, go outside and do a dance to shake it off.  I am still wearing some today.  As some of you may know, glitter can stay on even through a couple of showers.  I was at Cindy's house working on these cards so I had her support through the whole evening.  She patiently listened as I cried and complained my way through these cards.  Would I do it again?  Yeah, probably.
I hope you are having a great holiday weekend - it's not over yet!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Sharing Cindy's Cards

Cindy sent a photo she took of some cards she recently made...
out of 4 8x8" pieces of paper - 6 cards and even a little bit left over!  She sent that text at 12:30 a.m.  She is definitely a diehard!
It shows what you can do with just a little bit of paper.  Very cute.  I have always loved pink and green together.  Thanks for sharing, Cindy.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Peaceful Friday

I can almost hear the breaking of the waves....

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Sometimes I just have to treat myself to a coffee - however, I have to be careful because I would LOVE to stop and get one everyday!  My favorite coffee drive-thru is Dutch Bros. Coffee.  Today was a large dirty chai with a fireball.  Mmmm.
I am sorry this is blurry - it seems I cannot get clear close-up pictures when I take them with my phone.  On the back of their punch cards, it states:

Be too large for worry,
Too noble for anger,
Too strong for fear,
And too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Not a bad way to live. 

Jean

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

This is about my craft room...

I saw this on pinterest and thought how true is that!  I know this was true when I packed up my room to move and it was fun finding things!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Card Exchange - Theme: Flowers

I missed last month's card exchange - and I was behind in getting my cards done.  So this weekend, I got together with Cindy and made my "flower" cards.
These are the cards - in progress
This is the final product.  I used an old BoBunny Easter line and I have to say I take some pride in these cards.  I absolutely love them!  I stamped the flowers using a Close to My Heart stamp set.  I totally fell in love with the separate petal stamps.  See the tiny ric rac?  It was Cindy's idea to feed several through the "X" xyron and it worked wonderfully!  So much less mess than glue.  I have not felt like doing any paper crafts in FOREVER, so this was a nice start back.  Next month's theme is glitter cards.  I need to get a move on.  Have a great Monday!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Chop Suey Sandwich, anyone??

The book we are reading this month in my book club is "The Lace Reader" by Brunonia Barry. 

It takes place in Salem.  One of the characters is going to stop and get a Chop Suey Sandwich.  What?  Yep, a Chop Suey Sandwich.  Now, I LOVE good chop suey, but I have never heard of it being served on a bun.  So, of course, I had to google it.  Here's what I found:
This first one looks okay.  Might be good, but with all of that, I don't see the purpose of a bun.  It just looks out of place.
This one - no way!  It looks like something is about to start wiggling or crawling away.  Couldn't do it.
This one?  Maybe.  It sort of looks like a sloppy joe, only not quite.  I am curious.  Has anyone out there even eaten a chop suey sandwich?  Better yet, made one?
What is the weirdest sandwich you have ever eaten?

Saturday, May 19, 2012

What's Going on Here?

Well, Cindy just got a ScrapBox!  Remember my own story about that - it is huge event.  And then my moving it twice in the last year, well, not fun.  Cindy was able to buy her Scrapbox from someone in the Phoenix area, through Craigs List.  So here a few pictures of arranging her Scrapbox...
 These are just some of her empty containers.  
 Here is the Scrapbox in the process of being filled.
This is her guest bedroom - it seems she pulled everything out to organize it and then put it back in her craft room.  
Congrats, Cindy!  I know you will enjoy it!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Peaceful Fridays

I have decided on Fridays - for awhile anyway - I would post pictures of peaceful, tranquil places/things.  So, enjoy...
I would love to be there, snuggled up with a good book and simply relaxing.
Enjoy your weekend and I hope you are able to find some quiet time.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Poor Little Jack

Poor little Jack had to get his rabies shot last night.  I have never done this before, but I went to Petco because a vet comes in, you stand in line, and they get their shots.  It is the way to go, very economical.  It cost $16.50.  That's even cheaper than the Arizona Human Society.  Lots of dogs were crying as they waited, although I don't think they really knew what was happening.
Jack was just happy to be held and get some one-on-one attention.  Oh, yes, and he enjoyed the treat he got at the end of his visit.  Kimmy went with me not because he is hard to handle but because in the car, Jack becomes a maniac.  He wants to sit in my lap while I drive and I DO NOT ALLOW THAT!  So it's a struggle.  Good thing we didn't have to go far.  Okay, Jack, we'll do this again in three years!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Remember that plate?

The one I did at As You Wish with Kylee and Kim?  Well, I have a friend who has asked me several times about the finished product.  So, here it is...
I was happy with how it turned out.  I know what I would do different next time, but still, it is a pretty plate.  Since there is only one like it, it has become MY special plate.  Of course, it's only me at my house, so no one else tries to use it.  The dogs can't reach the cupboards.  I received a gift card to As You Wish for Mother's Day and I am already thinking about what I will make next!
Have a great day!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Weekend Update

I helped my friend, Adriana, at her garage sale this last Saturday.  It was a hot day, but she and her sons did all of the hard work.  I just went to help organize and re-fold, that kind of thing.  While there, another friend, Holly, made a surprise visit to pick up a high chair.  I was so excited because this is the first time I had seen her baby boy.  He is a doll...


He likes his chair!

Then, Sunday, of course was Mother's Day!  I called my mother on both Saturday and Sunday to wish her a happy day.  My girls, Kate and Kim, took me out for breakfast.  We had planned to go to Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe, but when we got there we learned that it was a champagne brunch at $32 each.  That's not what we had in mind, so then went to Ncounter on Mill Avenue in Tempe.  It was really good and reminded me a great deal of Liberty Market in Gilbert.  

Kim and Kate
My breakfast - two eggs, fried potatoes, rye toast, and sausage links.
Kim got an omelette and Kate ordered bananas foster french toast.  We all enjoyed our breakfasts.
The best part?  Spending time with my girls - we sat and talked for a little bit and made a list of our "must do's" for our upcoming trip to New York and Pennsylvania.  I have never been there, so I am extremely excited!  
I hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

What's that song again?

Oh yeah - feel free to sing along to "Where, oh where, has my little dog gone?"

Where, oh where, has my blogger friend gone?
Where, oh where, can she be?
With her daily stories and fun photographs,
Oh where, oh where, can she be?

Well, I have been busy it seems.  At least I think I have been busy.  After getting back from Oklahoma, I then went to Orlando to take care of my parents for 8 days.  They are 86 and 87 years of age and currently live on their own.  That kept me very busy - and tired - and they don't have internet, so I was totally cut off from the world (except for Fox news, which they watch every day, sometimes all day).

I was able to spend one evening with my sister, Gail, and her family in Mims, Florida.  I got to meet my new great niece, born in February.  Meet Addyson...
Addy has the most beautiful blue eyes.  And man, is she ever cuddly.  I could have held her forever.  Her mother is Rachel and that is my sister, Gail.  Gail hosted a dinner one night after working a full day, just so I could see the babies.  Now, meet Caleb (Addy's big brother)...
These pics are blurry because this kid is fast!  I could not get him to sit still for a moment.  He was so cute on this little tractor and he amazed me by his driving skills.  Plus, he is a handsome little guy.

The trip to Florida was bitter sweet because my dad just got out of the hospital and was very sick and weak when he came home.  I looked at assisted living facilities, which marks another phase for my parents, and our siblings.  There are so many things to consider.

In Phoenix, my daughter, Katie's friend, Sondra (the girls actually call her my third daughter), had her first baby.  Meet Isaiah...
Meet Sondra and Katie... and Isaiah (in the blue cap, of course). 
Here's a close up.  I just had to take a picture of him in his new cap even though it was way too big.  Welcome to our world, Isaiah!  Sondra looked great and I know she will be the best mom ever.  Congrats to Dave, too, Sondra's husband. 

Thanks for reading again.  I will do my best to be more diligent.