ALTERED GLASS

SOMEONE BOUGHT THIS????

2011-12-21T08:24:00.005-06:00

I make stained glass pictures, stones, etc. and sell them at CANDLE SHED. I do take requests and I was asked if there was any way I could make a Day of the Dead type picture. I thought I could take the challenge and do something with it. Because I didn't know much about the Mexican celebration, I thought I would at least *google* it.

It is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1–2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

So this was my one attempt. The size is 8x10 and when you hold it up to the light it kind of glows...

Not sure I will make any more, unless someone asks for one... It was a totally different venue for me.... just thought I would share.

IT IS ABOUT TIME I GET BACK TO THIS!!!

2011-12-06T09:06:00.011-06:00

I have been away from this site for so long, I really didn't know if I wanted to start it up again. Hmmm,,, the word "lazy" comes to mind!!! But I find myself coming back to my page and reading what everyone has been doing. I still visit my favorites, not every day, but often. So I decided I would start being more loyal to this, give it a go one more time. I decided not to post everyday (I think that is where my burnout came from). But I will try to keep in touch more often.....
So what is new in Altered Glass land.... well, I am still doing glass maybe in a more different way. I have been doing pictures; glass on glass method. A few stepping stones here and there. My big project was this past Spring when I did 18 stepping stones for a fund raiser for the youth group of our church. They raised ALOT of money which helped sponser a few kids to go to Costa Rica.

I also did a stone for a grandma that lost her 7 yr. old granddaughter to brain cancer.... so sad...

We got the kids house finished and they moved in end of October. That house was a wonderful labor of love... new life was breathed into my husbands' parents home. This house was actually built 2 years before his father was born. Dad (in-law) was actually "born in this house" literally! He would have been 93 in November.
Kids these days want everything done all at once as opposed to how we did our house, one room at a time. So they took out a HUGE loan and turned this little ole' farmhouse into the house of their dreams. IT IS GORGEOUS WITH ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES! I will have to post before and after pics someday.

We also had major work done to our kitchen. We ended up completely gutting it after a leak was discovered. I used the same designer and contractor as my kids did and now I have a GORGEOUS KITCHEN TOO!... oh my, so many unexpected changes....
Well, I will start posting pictures and I will kick my butt in gear and start devoting a little time to this site. I miss so many of you and before we are gone for 4-6 weeks in January, I have so much catching up to do.... so see you soon!!!!!

CRAZY WEEK

2011-04-16T05:56:00.003-05:00

So I don't understand why when I love my job so much, I have to deal with my age. Ya know, when you are in your 40's you just can do things with ease and then you try to mimic that same activity when you are mid 50's and it just doesn't work so well.

This past week kicked my every-loving gardening rear. I have been working up at the greenhouse now for a full week and "weenie girl" here, is trying to do it like a rock star. I did all this work last year and got by, but this year it feels like I have aged big time. I even worked hard at the gym hoping to combat this very feeling. I'm trying not to complain because this is a chosen job as opposed to a necessary job. In that respect, I am very blessed.

So here are some pics from this year at the greenhouse. I am still one of the geranium people. We take care of 14,000 geraniums. Water, clean and nurture them before heading to the stores.

This is opening weekend and it is rainy, windy and in the 40's, YUCK! But we are toasty in the greenhouse.....COME ON SUNSHINE, WON'T YOU COME OUT TODAY.

Why Yes, I DID FALL OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH

2011-03-23T07:40:00.010-05:00

I know I have been gone for so long and thanks all of you that believed I would be back sometime.... I am back.....

Some major changes in things going on here..... AND MY CAMERA BROKE....

Don't know why I thought I couldn't post without pictures, but that is what I like about posting and reading posts is seeing photos that people put up...

Anyway.... I have finished 3 stones in the past few weeks and have 3 more that I am working on so here are the 3 going out the door this week...

I will try real hard not to be gone so long this time....

I am finding out that the older I get, the shorter number of hours in a day....

Just don't seem to get as much done in the 24.

So I just keep on smilin' because I think that is how life goes....

YEA, YEA, YEA.......

2011-02-24T19:27:00.003-06:00

Okay, I have been home 12 days and I have been running around with my head cut off every since my feet came down in Illinois. Two stones to make, a newsletter to write, staining doors and painting, starting at the greenhouse, etc.etc.etc.
Yup, back to normal.....

I hope to get caught up with each of my bloggy friends soon.... miss you all!!!!

PICS TO GO WITH THE BLOG BELOW...

2011-02-06T22:59:00.005-06:00

I finally got photos to download so these go with the previous blog.....

Alan and I right before takeoff...

See how close my leg is to the opening.... I had a death grip on the bar in front of me until the last 10 minutes of the ride.

A shot when we were about 4500-5000 ft. up. The views were amazing and I took tons of pics.

Coastline..

When we landed, I am actually just glad to be down on the ground. Where the door is is where the pilot sat....

Just one more amazing thing we got to experience in Kauai....

2 DAYS AGO......

2011-02-06T12:23:00.006-06:00

Oh my, we are on our last week and we are in Kauai. B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L ...... I love this place.... we are actually in an apartment in a gorgeous home. Our hosts Conrad & Karen are just amazing and the apartment is like being in your own home. With amazing landscaping.... she grows orchids right outside in her yard!!!! unreal!!!! I will chat about this place later,,,

I got real brave and went with my husband with the DOORS OFF OF THE HELICOPTER!!!!
I can't even describe how scared, anxious, excited, every emotion imaginable I was!
But it was a chance of a lifetime for me. and I did it!!!!

I HAVE TRIED TO DOWNLOAD PICS 3 TIMES NOW WITHOUT ANY LUCK... SO I WILL POST LATER!!!!

TODAY....

2011-02-01T23:05:00.006-06:00

Today, we first drove to Iao Valley State Park. Very beautiful and I won't bore you with a lot of photos that look like the same thing. Pictures do not do this justice. The depth of the valley is amazing...

Then we headed East through Pa'ia to Mama's Fish House.... I had a lobster sandwich and sweet potato chips.... I honestly have never paid so much for a sandwich in my life, but it was delicious and the scenery was just stunning.

The view from our table,,, we sat inside, but outside....

The view below the palm trees in the above picture...

Then we drove up the coast and watched the huge waves roll in...

When driving back, we stopped at another beach, took out the beach chairs and watched the kids on boogie boards and surfers....

All in all, one more gorgeous day!!!! Sorry to all of you who are getting bombarded by the snow storm back home.... 16-20" of snow and 50-60 mph winds.... YIKES!!!

2011-02-01T23:04:00.001-06:00

Kaanapali Champions Skins Game....

2011-01-31T00:25:00.004-06:00

Went to the Kaanapali Champions Skins game in Maui today! Wow.... it was free to get in and free to park. I have watched Jack Nicklaus since I was a little kid. My dad loved watching golf and I remember sitting and watching it with him. Today, I got to see all these pros I have seen on tv tourney after tourney. I took tons of photos.

Jack Nicklaus

Fred Couples

Today was a fun day in the sun, perfect weather and I am in Maui....PINCH ME!!!

COLD & HOT......

2011-01-23T00:08:00.003-06:00

BELOW ZERO..... When calling home to check on things, the kids told us it is going to be -30 possible with windchill.... oh my.... The picture was the day we left for Hawaii, Jan. 12 early morning, Moline International Airport.

FLOWING LAVA...... Yesterday we visited a live lava flow. It had literally taken over the road....moving ever so slowly....

MANY MORE PHOTOS DOWNLOADED ON MY FACEBOOK... JUST GO TO LORI RICKETTS.

FIRSTS..... ON A VOLOCANO....

2011-01-20T00:40:00.005-06:00

First time walking across a volcano!
This was a 4 mile walk,,,
.8 mile down in, 2.4 miles across, .8 back up out of the crater....
and I did it!! It took us 2 1/2 hours without much stopping...
The trip back up was a killer. The air is kinda thin up there.

First time ever golfing on a volocano!

Alan golfed as a single (not with anyone) and I got to ride along.

This was so enjoyable, we both got lots of sun, he had fun and I just got to enjoy the scenery.

First time ATV riding on a volocano! We went for a 3 hour ride through forests and over hills.

We went on private property and got a chance to see things

that a lot of the locals have never seen.

The views were absolutely stunning... and I had a blast!!!

Today is our 8th day here and we have kept ourselves busy each day!

There is alot to do and we have so many more things to see...

Tomorrow... we are heading to the other side of the island, 2 hour drive, to Kona...
Oh p.s. Kona is home to many little coffee farms...

THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD!!!

If I could buy this in Illinois,,, whoa.... I would be one happy girl!!!

I love this coffee... gotta figure out a way to get this at home.....

HAWAII,,, cont...

2011-01-18T23:59:00.006-06:00

The place we are calling home for a few weeks.

Sunrise out our door....

Day 3 - Went to Waimea and met some friends from home in Illinois.

We also went to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Plantation.

Day 4 - Saturday, We went to the Hilo Farmer's Market... huge,,, got some different fruits and picked up some souvenir t-shirts.

Korean pear, Rambutan, and apple bananas..... YUM!!!!

We also went to Akaka Falls.... This is quite close to where we are staying.

HAWAII

2011-01-18T11:10:00.003-06:00

We got here on Big Island January 12th. Stayed one night at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel because we came in at 7:30pm and there is no way we would have been able to drive to our rental in the dark. We are staying on a 24 acre property outside of Hilo. We are here for 2 weeks. 14 miles to town, Hilo. It is beautiful here. Breath taking....

Day 2 - We couldn't check in until 3pm so we went to the Hawaii Botanical Garden that was on the way to the rental. It was a mile cemented walk through a beautiful forest of native growth. There were many orchids growing in the ground, planted there, but obviously growing on their own, unreal!!!

We drove to our rental.... wow..... is all I can say....

I can only post one picture at a time,,,, I will post more pics later!!

UGG... WHAT'S GOING ON???

2010-12-29T06:12:00.003-06:00

I have been trying to download pictures on Blogspot for the past week with no luck!!!
Anyone having the same problem????
I go on some of my usual blog visits and you all have pictures.... so what am I doing wrong????
Any suggestions????

I'M SEEING STARS....

2010-12-18T07:00:00.005-06:00

I have been "nose.to.the.grindstone" working on some Christmas gifts in glass. I saw these stars made on a show THAT'S CLEVER and thought I could figure them out.....

Well,,,,, THAT PATTERN DIDN'T WORK FOR ME,,,, This star is the pattern I got from the program. It was hard keeping all the pieces together. It just looked sloppy to me.

so I made my own pattern and I like them MUCH BETTER...

I used etching cream and my dremel to put a design on the glass before I cut it, then put a rounded edge on all sides and points with my glass grinder so the edges are nice and smooth. Each star has 50 passes on the grinder (that was the time consumer!) Then I used beading wire to hold the pieces together along with some decorative glass beads... These stars are 6"- 8" from point to point.

So this is the ornament of the year for me.

Maybe I will start a new tradition, annual ornament of the year....

THIS LITTLE ELF.....

2010-12-13T09:06:00.005-06:00

I have some stones to finish and some baking to do today.

This one is done.

This one is getting poured next...

This one, a friend of mine made, but I thought it was so pretty, I would put it in the show!

Hope your Monday is filled with wonder (I'm wonderin' when I'm going to get the baking done!)

Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd - Mary, did you know?

2010-12-09T09:06:00.002-06:00

THIS SONG MAKES ME WEEP.... and yes, I like Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd!!!

THE 33RD YEAR OF HAPPINESS....

2010-12-09T08:50:00.006-06:00

Today my DH (dear hubby) and I celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary. Last year on this blog, I put up pictures and took time to write a nice piece about how wonderful our wedding was. I'm honestly just not feeling it today! Got too many things going on.... Oh, I still love him the same and everything is honestly wonderful (couldn't be any better!!!) but just not feeling the 1 1/2 hrs. it seems to take to download pics and all the blah, blah, blah...
Hubby is actually hauling beans today and I have a list a mile long of stuff to do....
So please go to my 2009 post and know that I am truely a blessed person to have this other person in my life.... love ya all....

46 vs. 16....

2010-12-08T18:53:00.007-06:00

I saw a decoration the other day and they wanted $46.00 for it... It was just perfect for my dining room table and I am starting to look for new ideas for around the house. This year is not going to be a big decoration year, I'm just not feeling it!!! So I studied the decoration (as any crafter would) and thought, "I could make that for a lot less than $46".
I was on the hunt for all the parts and pieces...

I found a set of trees (2 to the box) for $24.95 and the ornaments for $2.00 a box. So each
decoration cost me $16.00. Not bad!!!!

The table runner under the tree is one my mom made me. I just love it and try to use it each year to remind myself of how much my mom loves me and how she is so special to me. She weaved all her love within this piece. I know it took her a long time to do it. I am so blessed to have a caring mom that likes to make me things ♥

Look at all those stitches...

Here you can see the detail...

So that is the only decoration I made new this year. I decided this year I am going stress free. I am not stressing out about baking, decorating, or buying. Just not going to do it!!! and so far, I have found "IT'S OKAY".

I wish you all a stress free holiday...

I JUST DON'T GET IT....

2010-12-05T18:07:00.002-06:00

I have tried to post 3 times now and pictures won't download and the compose page takes on a life of it's own... so don't give up on me yet!!! I am trying to figure out these technical difficulties.

MY LITTLE DIY PROJECT TODAY....

2010-11-07T17:16:00.005-06:00

See this can light. I have been loathing these for a long time and I read somewhere that they were making conversion kits for changing these recessed lights into pendant lights.

So the search was on and I finally found them online at Improvementscatalog.com

I did a little research and thought I would give them a try for $34.95 a piece.

So just by screwing in the adapter, you can have pendant lights. No electrician necessary!!

You can make them basically any length you want...

see how the cord is wound around the little attached arm...

Wow! What a change..... worth the money....

There aren't a whole lot of colors to choose. These were the only colored ones I could find other than white or beige. There were a few different styles. These fit just perfect for what I wanted.

It made it look so much cleaner, more updated with just changing out those two lights!

Glad I did it.

ON MY WAY TO THE GYM...

2010-11-03T08:41:00.004-05:00

One morning on my way to the gym at dawn, I decided to stop on the bridge and shoot the water pics out my window. Going over the Mississippi River every time I "go to town" is always so pretty, but many times I am thinking about what I need to do and how fast I can get it done and get home. This morning a barge was heading for the Locks (We live by Lock and Dam #16) and the sun was just coming up. The pictures do not do it justice.

These are the Illinois side.

This is the Iowa side.

Got home from the gym and we were being attacked by blackbirds!!!!

It is my most favorite time of year... hope you are enjoying your autumn....

HOUSE PROJECTS...

2010-10-24T18:46:00.004-05:00

I don't know why it gets to Sunday night and I realize I haven't posted something new for a week. So here are some pics from a few projects.

DH (dear hubby) and son pulled out bushes before the ground freezes. This big window is where they are putting in french doors. The other door will disappear.

BEFORE

AFTER

The boys are also fixing up a machine shed by the house, having new doors put on.

BEFORE

AFTER

It sure is nice to have a tractor to do the heavy work.

On this day, Ami (d-i-l) and I sorted the last of the furniture. We will be having a consignment sale in November sometime. The house is getting emptied, slowly but surely.

WHEN THESE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED, I WILL ADD MORE PICS.

MY NEW TREADMILL,,, for a few weeks

2010-10-14T18:16:00.004-05:00

I decided to consider walking in this field as MY NEW TREADMILL.... until my DH(dear hubby) plows the ground. The weather has been just that gorgeous fall weather us Midwesterners wait all year to enjoy. Ya know, cool in the 60-70's, sunny, dry, breezy.... yeah, just how we like it!

The soybean stubble is real easy to walk on and the ground is quite level (not like a picked corn field).

I have inclines....

and I have wind resistance..... see my hair blowing in the wind..

All the way to the tree line,,, no cheating. It takes me an hour to and from my back door, perfect!!! If you click on this picture and look on the right hand side, in the tree line, you can see a spot of blue, that's the Mississippi River!

I can sing at the top of my lungs.... and nobody has to listen to me....
(on pitch is not an option)....

I even can do my arm exercises while I am walking and no one thinks I am doing monkey impressions.

Casting Crowns is my choice of music. It is a perfect pace for me. I am trying to walk for 3 minutes, jog for 1 minute. I will increase my jog time, in time....
Everything in moderation I am told.
Anyone want to join me!!!!!

AUTUMN, MY FAV TIME OF YEAR!!!

2010-10-12T06:58:00.007-05:00

There always seems like an abundance of projects to do in the fall. Everyday starts with exercising because I have turned over a new leaf (fall,,,,, leaf,,,,, never mind....).
Here's a few things I have been doing.

Visited Elvis, he is really growing tall, well, tall for a miniature horse.

Made homemade noodles with Pam and Jake.

Took pictures of a barn on our property. Every fall, I love to walk back to the field this barn sits in and look at all the trees turning down the river (pictures in another post). You have to go between crops being picked out and ground being tilled under.

It has been a long couple months for this guy, but the weather has been good and the crops abundant. That makes for a happy man!

I made some jar jewelry for Candle Shed. Working on a few glass projects too.

Cleaned out this old refrigerator. It will be good for the basement!

The rest of the week will be filled with making 8 pies and 6 salads for the Harvest Baazar on Wednesday. Cooking noodles with chicken for 300-400 tomorrow. It is an all day cooking deal! Remember,,,, I am the Noodle Lady...

Then the next project is to can all those pears I picked yesterday. The mums got planted already.

Hope you are having a most beautiful fall. ♥

A LOCAL HERO TOLD NATION WIDE...

2010-10-04T08:21:00.005-05:00

This past week was filled with a somber overtone for many many miles around here. When this story broke on national news, I had no idea how close to home it would hit! On September 21st, a helicopter crash in Afghanistan claimed the life of a local hero along with 8 others.

39 year old Lt. Col. Robert F. Baldwin had just left for his 4th tour a week prior. He leaves behind a wife and 4 children ages 8 - 7 months old. His parents live in a small community, Eliza, IL, 10 miles from me. A very close friend of the family is a very close friend of mine.

I did not know the family personally, but alot of folks here did and it hit hard. Devastated many!

In honor of his service and ultimately giving his life for our country, Lt. Col. Baldwin will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

One man, from the area, Larry Eckhart from Little York, IL (actually 30 miles away) came to honor Rob by bringing these flags. They were 4 ft. flags that were placed every 20 feet for 1 1/2 miles lining both sides of the road going to the community center where they had a memorial service and time of fellowship and food with Rob's parents, Gary and Cherie Baldwin.

I can not stress enough how awesome this sight was. Flags waving in the wind for 3 days. Just enough wind to keep them waving and beautiful autumn sunshine . I drove up this road when I first heard about the display and sat in my car and cried. This was the closest I have ever been to something so moving and heart wrenching.

My neighbor called and asked if I would be able to help take down the flags the day after the memorial and I could not pass up the opportunity to do something. So last Friday, I went and walked the 1 1/2 miles pulling up the flags and rolling them up. It seemed to be the best hour I had spent in a long time, just thinking of the experience and praying for the family and other families who have lost loved ones.

This is something I will never forget!

It reads on this trailer, TODAY A SOLDIER I DID NOT KNOW, DIED SO I COULD BE FREE

Some how a "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough.

So support our armed forces any way that you can.

CANDLE SHED

2010-09-30T06:45:00.005-05:00

I haven't posted pics of Candle Shed in a long time. Piper is all decked out for the fall!

New Fall scents have arrived!!!!

Jars for all occasions!!!!

Candle Shed, where you can find all your

spooky decor.

Bring in your own container and get it filled!!!

Hawkeye Fever

The Piper elf hard at work. Many things in the shop

are all her own designs.

Piper, the multi-tasker, painter, inventor....

You are truly an inspiration to the field of

women entrepreneurs.

WALL JEWELRY...

2010-09-28T07:18:00.003-05:00

I was messing around with some old jewelry trying to figure out what to do with it one day and got a brainstorm.... I poured cement into molds and dropped jewelry in the cement and added a mirror. What do you think?

They are 4" x 4" and hang from necklaces I have incorporated in the cement.

I called them WALL JEWELRY.... they make a nice little gift for the person that loves jewelry, just not to wear!

SOME OF THE THINGS I DID TODAY PART 2, THURSDAY

2010-09-23T15:01:00.001-05:00

Ya know when you can honestly see the end of the tunnel and you start working faster to achieve your goal. I can honestly see I am getting somewhere on this house.

BEFORE

AFTER

BASEMENT (I should have taken a pic before I got to this point)

BEFORE

AFTER

Still got a ways to go but for the most part, the big stuff is done.

Heading to Salvation Army with another SUV full, that will be 5-6 full trips with just clothes, linens, knick knacks, etc.

SOME OF THE THINGS I DID TODAY...

2010-09-22T21:47:00.003-05:00

BEFORE

AFTER

One room cleaned out completely.

Then I needed to fix a broken window that was covered with cardboard!

So I collected my tools and got to work.

The new window in. It's the clean glass!!!!

ADDITIONAL FLA. FUN....

2010-09-18T16:16:00.002-05:00

I almost forgot we went and saw Eat, Pray, Love movie. The first time I have been in a theater in a hundred years. Excellent movie if you like Julia Roberts!
AND
I went to the church my mom goes to and it was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed it immensely.
SUGGESTION: When you are in a strange place, pick a church in the area for something different from what you are used to. It is enjoyable to worship in a way that is different from the norm.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM FLORIDA...

2010-09-18T06:52:00.007-05:00

I flew out early (6:30 am) Thursday, Sept. 9th. The sun was just coming up! Beautiful sunrise...

It was busy in the air

Ate at Gulf View with the Friday Lunch Bunch

Excellent Grouper (fish) sandwich.

This is the view of the Gulf from their window

Saw a bald eagle by the lake, went home (to my mom's)

and got my camera. These birds are HUGE!

Went to Sharon's on Tuesday and made cards with the gang

(my mom's gang)

Thanks Sharon for all the fun.... you guys are a HOOT!!!

(ONLY 97 DAYS TIL CHRISTMAS)

Sharon demo'd how to make this candle.

I had wonderful one-on-one time with my mom, which is always special and a wonderful visit with my brother. I love spending time with both of them. We also went SHOPPING, ate out a few more times, went through my picture album my mom is making me, worked on finishing a jigsaw puzzle, cheered on our pick for America's Got Talent, solved the worlds' problems.

got Sweetie (mom's grey cockatiel) to eat Cheerios

Flew home Thursday, Sept. 16
Now I am home... Went from 96 one afternoon to 49 yesterday morning.

And now Fall is in full swing. Corn is being picked, crisp air, machinery running

I LOVE THE FALL IN THE MIDWEST

THANKS EVERYONE (DALE, CAROLYN, SHARON, MARY LOU, MOM, PATRICK) DOWN IN SUNNY FLORIDA FOR ALL THE FUN, BUT I AM GLAD TO BE HOME.

FLORIDA

2010-09-12T06:49:00.001-05:00

I am in the land of the heat "FLORIDA" until next Thursday with a full schedule. So won't be posting much til I get home... thanks for visiting.... hugs to you all...

THE HOME OF ELVIS...

2010-09-03T05:49:00.004-05:00

This is the road to the Home of Elvis... Graceland.......

NOOOO.... "Graze"Land....

Elvis was born a few weeks ago. He is a miniature horse!

Hey, breakfast time, not camera time. Annie was very patient with a stranger in the shed taking pictures of her new baby. Elvis was only 5 days old when these were taken.

I honestly have not seen anything cuter than this miniature horse.

He was only hmmm... maybe 15" high and 20" long. (I'm guessing)

Sooo tiny, but full of spunk!!!!

HONESTLY!!!!

2010-08-30T21:40:00.007-05:00

Honestly, I am not ignoring everyone and no, I did not fall off the face of the earth. I'm in the middle of cleaning out my mother-in-law's house. She passed away the end of June and we are just getting started on cleaning out the house. This is a beautiful home. My husband's father was born IN this home in 1918.
1918, can you believe it????
It was only a few years old at that time!
It has gone through many changes and now, it is about to go through another one.

from the gravel road in front of the house

front

back

side facing west

These two happy campers have put their house on the market and are moving back to the farm. Their beautiful home is close to my son's work and close to college for my d-i-l, but it isn't like being on the farm. They are so excited to be getting out of the city, even if it means a 40 minute commute to work and classes.

This is wonderful for us... who wouldn't want their kids to move back home, not home, but in the neighborhood. The house is only a mile away on our property.

So after 65 years of accumulation, we are doing the daunting task of cleaning it out so the kids can move in when they sell their house.

We took all the dishes out of the cupboards and started packing them.

They ripped out the 60+ year old carpet....

They have big dreams for it's future and I know grandma and grandpa are smiling down, knowing that the blood line continues and they will be breathing new life into this home.

I couldn't be happier ♥

PSST.......... I will be taking pictures of the renovations. They are gutting the kitchen and redoing 2 bathrooms at this time. They are getting bids and want to start soon...

M&M's.... OF THE PEANUT KIND...

2010-08-20T12:13:00.003-05:00

A few of you know that I decided to bite off a new project. This is the year that I am going to get healthy. My doctor told me to say this as opposed to I am going to lose weight. I have been wanting to start something like this for a while and just impulsively one day went and joined a gym and signed up with a personal trainer. I started last Monday. She is wonderful and I think that we have a great start together. She explained to me that if I watch "The Biggest Loser" (and I do), she is a Bob, not a Jillian.....

Whew.... that made me feel tons better, before I even began.

So this week, I went "cold turkey" on caffeine, cut out salt and sugar, started counting calories, started circuit training (resistance machines) along with riding a bike, using a treadmill, and an elliptical machine.

I am also keeping a food journal... That's where the problem comes in!

For 25 years, I have been blind to things that just happen to find their way to my mouth.

It is a disease, I just know it...

M&Ms is one of the foods (it is a food isn't it) that I must go into a trance when I buy them, eat them, hide them or whatever I do with them!

They are the one thing that I haven't been able to ignore....

They haunt me...

I start making excuses for them.... Ohhhhh, just a few.... surely the yellow ones have less calories than the green ones.

Then I blame my mom.... she has this disease too!!! It is hereditary, don't ya know!

So this is my new challenge... getting off the Peanut M&Ms.

It is an addiction, worse than the 2 cups of coffee a day, worse than the potato chips...

I am telling myself..... I am strong, I can do this!!!!!!

WISH ME LUCK...... I'M NOT BUYING ANYMORE...... HONEST........

KIDS ARE COMING and COOKING....

2010-08-14T12:45:00.011-05:00

Today is a wonderful day because the kids are coming out to the farm. This is the oldest of our two. He and his wife have been married for 2 years, but have been together for 7. They live about 45 minutes from us in the Quad Cities. They are both very career minded right now. She is finishing up her degree and he is an engineer.

We usually see them a couple of times a month. If we haven't seen them for awhile, I try to lure them out here. I love to cook so, I will usually fix lunch.

Today on the menu is marinated mesquite chicken, new red potatos and garden green beans. Deviled eggs and mandarin orange jello and for dessert, Mamma Mud Slide (a name my daughter gave this concoction I dreamed up one day).

I may have been raised in the city, but I have been a country girl for 32 years.
My mother-in-law taught me some old family recipes early in our marriage.

I honestly think she wanted to hone my skills with her son in mind.

One of the family staples in the summer, was green beans out of the garden.

This is how I was taught.

First you needed to pick them

then snap them

then cook or can them.

Cut up 4-5 slices of bacon and brown it right in your pressure cooker (mine is one that goes right on the stove, not electric)

throw in 1/2 onion cut up; cleaned snapped beans; a pinch of salt and 1 cup of water.

put your lid on, lock it down and regulator on top.

When your regulator starts bobbing and your pressure button is sealed, set a timer for 5-6 min. (I do 5 minutes).

When your timer goes off, run cold water over the lidded pan and cool until the pressure is released, open and serve.

Mandarin Orange Jello

2 small boxes of Orange Jello

1 small box of Instant Vanilla Pudding

mix together in big bowl

2 cups of boiling water, whisk until all dissolved

1 large can of mandarin oranges, juice and all.

Stir into jello mix, chill.... mmmmm.....

Mamma Mud Slide

2 small boxes of Instant Chocolate Pudding

2 1/2 cups of milk

1 container of Cool Whip

1 Angel Food Cake

chocolate syrup

butterscotch syrup

1 Hershey's candy bar, cut up into small pieces

Mix the Jello with 2 1/2 cups milk. While the jello is not set up, break Angel Food Cake up into "bigger than bite size" pieces. Put in with Jello and by folding with a spatula, coat all the pieces.

Next, get a container that you can layer this dessert in.

1st layer, 1/2 the jello and cake mixture.

2nd layer, some Cool Whip

3rd layer, some chocolate syrup, butterscotch syrup and 1/2 the Hershey bar sprinkled over top.

Start over with 1st layer.

I usually just make 2 layers of each.

I smush down the top so they are packed tight by tapping on the bottom of the container with my fist.

Cover with lid and keep refrigerated.

I find that this is better if made the night before.

I do this in a lock n' lock and it keeps for a few days....

What is a family staple you learned at a young age and still fix today? or what kind of meal says SummerTime to you? SHARE WITH US!!!

NAME DROPPING, RECIPE, AND A FEW FAVS...

2010-08-14T09:18:00.004-05:00

I have started making my version of a granola bar. My family loves granola bars and eats them on a daily basis. But for all the calories and processing, I just knew there was something healthier out there in Recipe-world...

I have tried many different recipes, and this one is a big hit!

Paula Deen's Monster Cookies
Recipe courtesy Donna Haney as adapted by Paula Deen
Show: Paula's Home CookingEpisode: Southern Holiday
Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate it Read users' reviews (341)

RECIPE
Cook Time: 10 min Level: Easy Yield:3 dozen
Times: Prep 10 min Inactive Prep 3 min Cook 10 min Total:23 min

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar (I use evaporated cane juice)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter (Jif is the best flavor)
1 stick butter, softened (I use real butter, marjarine makes them spread too much and mushy)
1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup raisins, optional (I use chopped dates)
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

(I usually mix this all up with just dates(instead of raisins), scoop out 1/2 the batter in a bowl and then add the chocolate pieces so I have two different kinds of cookies).

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. (I use an ice cream scoop, only 6 on a sheet, these get huge)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags.

I use sandwich bags and pack them individually. This makes it easy to grab in the morning.

SO THERE IS THE RECIPE, NOW FOR THE FUN KITCHEN GADGETS.. A FEW OF MY FAVS

My sister gave me this measuring cylinder,,, love it!!!! I measure out dry ingredients first, then wet. It holds both with no leaking... The company that made it made a big mistake, no name on this gadget at all and I of course, threw away the packaging.

Hot pads from Sur La Table. I discovered this place in San Diego last year and have been online ordering from them every since.

Silicone pads for everything....LOVE THEM!!!! I use these all the time. Then stick them in the dishwasher (top shelf). They are great for a 9x13 pan too... I got these from QVC.COM

I just ordered these oven liners for the ovens in our church basement. These slip right under the heating element and work wonderful. I got mine a year ago and LOVE IT!!!! Clean up is a breeze.

HAPPY BAKING ♥

THE BIRTHDAY BOX....

2010-08-07T14:17:00.007-05:00

On August 11, 2010, my dearest best friend will be celebrating a milestone birthday, 80!!!

My mom LOVES celebrations.... but when it has come to her own birthday, she would rather skip the day. Maybe I should say, skip the association of an age with the celebration. I keep telling her 80 is the new 70, and she can party with the best of them. Recently, at my daughter's wedding in June, Betty (my mom) was out on the dance floor all night, keeping up with all those young ones! It was good to see her just having fun.

Well, since she lives in Florida and I live in Illinois (and I wasn't able to fly down this year) I had to come up with something special for Birthday Betty, but nothing in the stores was doing it for me. This is a woman who has been very blessed and doesn't really want for anything.

Soooo, I came up with "THE BIRTHDAY BOX"

My mom is an excellent card maker and loves crafty little ideas

(that's where I get it from, I am positive!)

So I knew anything would be better than a store bought card

AND I HAD TO BE CLEVER!!!!!

So I picked up a bunch of stickers with the intentions of using them on pages.....

BUT I THOUGHT ONE BETTER....

INCORPORATE THE STICKERS IN THE PAGE WITHOUT STICKING THEM...

that way she can use them on her cards.... kind of a gift within a card......errr... box...

So here are a few of the 12 pages that I came up with,,,,, cheesy,,, yes!!!

She will find some time to pass out the extra horns and poppers!!!

So I found a shoe box and wrapped the top and bottom separate (that was a challenge!)

Stuffed everything inside....

and made a pretty bow

In all my years, I have never been one to get cards or gifts in the mail on time, let alone early.

I mailed this priority and she got it in 2 1/2 days, that is amazing!

She called me and said she loved it.... Happy Birthday mom on Wednesday!

SOMETHING TO READ THAT WAS SENT TO ME..

2010-08-06T14:43:00.002-05:00

(THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND,,, IT MAY HAVE CIRCULATED BEFORE, BUT GOOD INFO TO KNOW)

This is something for all, not just the women. That is, if you don't have an AK-47 or something like it when you stop. On the way to Canton , driving on Michigan Avenue , on Thursday morning, I saw an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I called the Canton PD and they were going to check it out. This is what I was told... "Several things to be aware of .. gangs and thieves, are now plotting different ways to get a person to "stop" their vehicle. "There is a gang initiation reported by the local police department that gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in it...waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the baby. Note that the location of this car seat will usually be beside a wooded or grassy (field) area ...and the person - woman - will be dragged into the woods- beaten and raped- usually left for dead.

DO NOT STOP!!! DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW.

"IF YOU ARE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND EGGS ARE THROWN AT YOUR WINDSHIELD. DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPER AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER BECAUSE EGGS MIXED WITH WATER BECOME MILKY AND BLOCK YOUR VISION UP TO 92.5% YOU ARE THEN FORCED TO STOP BESIDE THE ROAD AND BECOME A VICTIM OF THIEVES. THIS IS A NEW TECHNIQUE USED BY GANGS.
PLEASE INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. THESE ARE DESPERATE TIMES AND THESE UNSAVORY INDIVIDUALS WILL TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET WHAT THEY WANT."
Please talk to your loved ones about this. This is a new tactic used and I would hate for anyone to fall victim to this kind of crime.

BEAUTIFUL SILVER....

2010-08-02T15:00:00.004-05:00

We are getting all prettied up here with SILVER colored paint, outdoor bin paint.

You didn't think I meant anything feminine like jewelry or maybe shoes or a purse perhaps....

Nooooo.... SILVER OUTDOOR PAINT!!!!

I am so glad people like these guys come around because you wouldn't catch me on top of one of those bins painting. I am t-e-r-r-i-f-i-e-d of heights and no, I don't want to climb a bin to even try to face my fears!!!

THANKS to these young whipper-snappers, we now have 3 beautiful, rust covered, silver bins...

GALENA....

2010-07-30T06:18:00.003-05:00

We decided to get away for a few days and headed north to Galena, IL. I love to walk downtown and see all the little shops. We had not been there for a really long time. The three hour drive there is very scenic and we were curious how bad the flooding was from a dam breaking up further. The news said water went up 25 feet in an hour. There were some flooded fields, but the news said it went down as fast as it rose.

It was a beautiful day.

We ate at Benjamins and Alan decided to have a Raging Mary, a Bloody Mary with a garden on top! Yes, those are all marinated vegetables on top!

Lots of fun little shops line the street...

It was a good day! We were going to stay, then decided just to drive home. What a wonderful day trip!

MY PERCEPTION OF LIFE....

2010-07-28T22:43:00.003-05:00

This is a writing I did on FaceBook today -

My Perception of Life....

Each morning you wake up...
YOU GET TO CHOOSE whether it is going to be a good day or a bad day.
YOU CHOOSE whether to be grateful for what you have or be disappointed in what you don't have.
YOU CHOOSE whether to help others or be blind to others' needs.
YOU CHOOSE whether to worry about what isn't going right or rejoice in what is.

YOU GET TO CHOOSE.....

IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!!!!

I CHOOSE GOD TO LEAD ME DOWN THE RIGHT PATH,
TO HELP OTHERS,
TO BE GRATEFUL AND REJOICE IN WHAT I HAVE ♥

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

NEW STONE....

2010-07-22T07:45:00.006-05:00

I have not accomplished much in a month and I am trying to get out of this funk. My creative juices were just dried up, nothing, nada.... So I needed to just push through it!
I had a few orders for stones from my greenhouse friends and thought now that it has been
2 1/2 months since I was done with work, better get going.

One was this marker for a furry family member.

I do love how it turned out. I am getting better about cutting numbers and letters.

It did take some time to figure out how much pressure I can put on glass
before it SNAPS!!!
Oh... I have had my share of that..... It usually doesn't break until I am just
a-l-m-o-s-t done, and about my last turn of a letter or number....

SNAP!!! AARRGGHH!!!

I have learned to have more than one copy of my design, so I can start over again quickly. Otherwise, it is back upstairs to the computer, find the pattern, make a copy....
to me that is such a waste of time....

So here are some pics of some letters in stones I have done.....

If anyone is interested in a design,,,, you can email me.... or leave a comment and I can contact you.
I have sent stones all over with excellent success. Start to finish is a month. That allows time for it to cure and get sealed.

I am by no means a professional at this. Imperfections are guaranteed. But I will not send out something that I am not pleased with and I have been known to make two stones because I was not pleased with the end results.

I don't know why I like doing this stuff so much.... I JUST DO!!!!

WREATH MAKING....

2010-07-19T22:03:00.004-05:00

I went to the cemetery today to see if the flower forms were still there from my mother-in-law's funeral June 25th. This form, in the picture, had fresh flowers from my kids. My husband is an only child so our two children and their spouses are her only grandchildren.
We have a very small family actually on both sides.

I knew I had a few bunches of flowers and some ribbon. I cut the flowers so they were all singles, spread them around the form, attached them and pinned the ribbon around the form. I made a bow and wired it.

Mom always loved flowers, so I think this would please her just fine!

I will take it back tomorrow and hang it....

POTTERY...

2010-07-17T07:27:00.007-05:00

I love pottery! Wheel thrown pieces.
It all started with going to The Beau Arts Fair in Davenport, IA one year.

There, I bought my first piece! This berry bowl...

I brought it home and used it everyday. I would leave it on the counter just to be able to look at it.

I was hooked!
So I got on Ebay and started looking for pieces.

There I found these bowls... loved them, bought them.

This artist I found next and bought several pieces from her. Her Ebay name is sissy422. I LOVE the colors she uses and she packs and mails everything with real loving care. Visit her sometime. She always has something new on her site.

This is kind of a signature color that sissy422 uses... This picture does not do it justice.

This artist no longer lists his work on Ebay, so I am glad I grabbed the two pieces I have when I did. I bake pies in this...

Oh, and you can go to Hobby Lobby and pick up some pretty little pieces too! These are my everyday plates for the time being. DH (dear hubby) and I are trying to alter our eating habits a bit so I went to using 8" plates for our meals. I think we tend to not eat as much using them (diet tip from someone, can't remember who!)

But when we eat salads, we use these plates.... big 12" plates for a BIG SALAD!!!

I do still have the Corelle from long ago in the cupboard and we do still use it. But it sure is fun to set a table with lots of color!

Beautiful Morning...

2010-07-10T06:18:00.002-05:00

It is 6am, I have been up for a while and it is a beautiful morning, again, a new day. Going to the Farmers Market with one of my kids. I haven't done much since all the funeral stuff because I haven't felt like it. But today feels good, and I am ready to get out there. I WILL TAKE MY CAMERA. Pictures to come later...... to be continued.....

NOT VERY PRODUCTIVE....

2010-07-08T07:56:00.003-05:00

I just can't seem to get myself going on projects yet. Maybe it is the rain, maybe it is the heat and humidity, maybe just the whole month, but I did manage to go out this morning and take some pics of the flowers that keep amazing me on a daily basis.

This little dwarf asiatic lily is a new addition this year. What a beautiful color.

We have been bombarded with rain for the past 5 weeks. Which has made it nice not to have to water, but everything is so overgrown. This is a space outside my back door that is just that,,,, overgrown. I can see I will be doing some thinning this fall.

And amoungst all those flowers, I found this. Is it a pumpkin, a gourd, I don't know, but will let it grow and see.

This lily is about 5 feet tall and absolutely beautiful. I put the hummingbird feeder at the back of it so I can take pictures from inside the house.

This was taken from a window right above this. Can you see the hummingbird on the right side of the feeder. I have about 15 frequent visitors and I love to watch them. I have 3 feeders just like this one and I am up to mixing 12 cups of sugar water a day! I never knew these little things can drink so much!!!

IT'S A NEW DAY, A NEW MONTH, A NEW BEGINNING

2010-07-02T06:35:00.003-05:00

Balloon Flower

I HAVE been gone for a while, but I haven't forgotten my blog! It's time to get back at it. I want to thank all of you who sent well wishes and condolences my way...

I love you all ♥

newly planted hydrangea

I walked around the yard yesterday and just could not believe how crazy the weeds have grown in with the flowers. I feel like I blinked and the weeds took over. DH (dear hubby) literally mowed off the garden as I couldn't identify anything in it. A few tomato plants, pumpkins, gourds and of course, zuchinni were saved, but that's it!

So I thought I would share flower pictures with you....

new dwarf asiatic lilies

I think I will be weeding for quite some time....

oops..... remember the post on making the rhubarb leaf cast... well, back to the drawing board with it. I guess I didn't make the cement thick enough and next time I will reinforce it with chicken wire. This was that huge one 24" big.

Dang,,,,, stronger cement maybe....

a new favorite little zinnia, I have them as a border.

All the rain has made my hostas gigantic... this one is 4 feet wide...

Time for the phlox to bloom...

Hope your 4th of July weekend is spectacular !!!!!!

uGG

2010-06-26T21:22:00.002-05:00

need a few days to figure out what just happened between March 13 and June 25.... I'll be back.... Hey has anyone heard from the Texas Woman... She has been on my mind lately.... send her just a little message or prayer if you can. She is battling breast cancer... I miss her....
hugs, Lori

JUNE 21ST....

2010-06-21T15:11:00.002-05:00

What a glorious joy it would be to hear the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

I am sure my mother-in-love heard these words last night after she passed. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes.....

SAD DAY....

2010-06-17T08:23:00.002-05:00

It is a sad day... dealing with hospice for mother-in-law, who we have lived a mile away for 32 years. My husband is an only child and has been really the best son to his mom. This struggle has been going on since June 2nd, 3 days before the wedding. Oh how I just want her to have peace.... I know her and my God will take care of that.... Thank you God ♥

A FEW PICS...

2010-06-14T07:10:00.004-05:00

I can't hardly wait to get the pictures back from the photographer.... Last weekend was our daughter's wedding. Here is just a few of my favorite pics. Oh, I will be sharing more....

Pre-wedding pics.... she was just stunning.... of course, I am partial....

One of my weepiest moments....

I just love my new son and our new extended family. We will be making so many new memories.......

YOU CAN NEVER GUESS A DAY....

2010-06-11T10:24:00.001-05:00

I will be away from bloggerville for a bit. Too many crazy things going on... just can't take time to type and I do have soooo much to share, just hang in there and check back soon.... love ya all...... miss you all...... Lori

RHUBARB LEAF IN CEMENT....

2010-05-27T06:26:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine, Laura, said we should get some rhubarb leaves and make some cement castings.... You can imagine my excitement!!!!
Something I always wanted to do, but didn't know the procedure....
and my rhubarb leaves were HUGE this year!

So, even though I have my hands completely full with trying to get my house clean for company, doing wedding stuff and trying to get yard stuff done,
I was all into making a birdbath with a rhubarb leaf!

Our first attempt, 2 of the 3 castings broke. We needed to get the cement thicker where the veins are sooo thick. So yesterday, I made two more and thought I would take pictures as I went along.

FIRST... mound up sand (we used damp sand from Laura's grandson's sandbox.) When the sand is dampened, you can shape it to fit the leaf.

SECOND.... cover the sand with saran wrap so it does not stick to the leaf or cement.

THIRD... fit the rhubarb leaf over the mound of sand taking care to make sure the saran wrap is under the whole leaf. Make sure all edges are laid out flat.

This leaf was huge. I measured it 24" from side to side and 23" from top to bottom.

Use portland cement and mix it with water, the consistancy of like brownie mix. I just put one handful at a time down on the edges first, being careful to shape and form the edges of the leaf.

Make extra sure, that all holes are covered. I probably mixed 3 different small batches and just kept layering the cement. I needed to build up where those heavy thick viens were.

Then when you are all done working the cement, cover it with saran wrap again.

Let it sit and dry for several days. I left mine sit for 3 days. I didn't move it at all.... Then I turned it over and let it sit for 3 more days before peeling off the rhubarb leaf. I took the pressure hose to it (not full blast) and it scraped that leaf off quite well.

Here is one from the first batch I did. (The others will be done in 5 more days!)

I LOVE IT!!!! I hope to get some paints and paint it some pretty colors or maybe even just green. and then seal it.... I have a masonary seal that I use with my stepping stones that I will use. (Thompsons Seal for masonay work).

AND THE SKY OPENED UP.....

2010-05-26T07:43:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, Tuesday... the sky opened up and just dumped.... and dumped....

For two hours, it went through this siege of water deluge,,, never really letting up... just changing directions...

After just two hours we were left with 4" of rain

lakes in the corn fields

3 sump pumps running full blast in the basement....

This front ditch hasn't drained off that much since last night. This ditch is 3-4 feet deep from the front bank.

AND THEY ARE CALLING FOR MORE RAIN TODAY.....

Where's an ark when you need one!!!!!

I LOVE COPPER YARD ART....

2010-05-25T06:55:00.004-05:00

I just love copper. I like to make stuff with it and stick it in the yard. So here is my new little yard art thingy. I saw something similar to this at the Home and Garden Show and couldn't pull myself to buy one because of the simplicity of it. As I studied it, I was thinking my most famous words, "I bet I could make that!" I had all the supplies at home.

Well, I did pick up some bigger beads at Hobby Lobby. Glad I did, they show up better and if I make another one, I will tweak it a little, but for now, it is glistening amoung the hostas.

Look what I found in the machine shed the other day. They are about a month old and mamma kitty happened to be over by the food bowl, so I took a peek! My daughter (24), who was home for her final fitting of her wedding dress, took one look at them and started picking them up, naming them, and choosing which one she would love to take home (just like when she was living at home).

Sometimes, I love to see the little girl I once knew come out in her...

ONE OF MY MOST FAV BLOGGY FRIENDS..... TAG

2010-05-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

So I was reading Debby's post (I do everyday) at Just Breathe and since I can't think of anything new to put on today, quickly, I grabbed her 10 Q's and filled in the blanks. No, I won't tag anyone either, just if you have nothing of your own ( brain freeze) copy the 10 from Debby and fill in the blanks. Do let me know if you are participating.... Thanks

So here are Debby's 10 Qs.

How often do you change the sheets on your bed?
once a week or sooner if were are having really hot weather. I love clean sheets on my bed.

Do you wash your hair everyday?
I used to because I had really oily skin, but as I have gotten into my 50's, I think I am drying out! So sometimes I will skip a day, but sometimes I wash it twice a day if I am outside working and I am filthy from gardening or mowing the lawn.

Have you ever told a white lie to get out of doing things when people ask?
ahh.... yea..... but not for a very, very long time. I learned it was okay to say "no, thank you".

Do you like to talk on the phone or send emails to communicate?
yes, and yes.... my immediate family is scattered in different states, so it is essential.

Matthew McConaughey or George Clooney?
George, he is just so handsome, but not sure re: the personality... I think I will stick to thinking about my husband :)

I have know people who take a new towel each day after they shower. Are you one of those people?
Yes I am... sometimes I shower twice a day, always in the morning and sometimes at night. Yep, clean towel each time. I don't mind laundering towels so, yes.

Have you ever been on the news or had your picture in the newspaper?
maybe

Do you buy new cars or do you always buy a used car?
new and used, done both

Do you have a green thumb when it comes to house plants?
No indoor plants. My cat would eat them.... green thumb outside....

Where would you like to live when you retire?
We have kicked around several places. I just want to live by my sister. We haven't lived near each other for 30 years and I only get to see her once a year, and I miss her.

So if you want to play, I will make it really easy. Just take Debby's Q's and delete my answers and insert your own. Go to her blog and copy the Q's. It's easy!!!!
Thanks Debby, my wonderful bloggy friend. Love ya!!!

MAKING WEDDING DECORATIONS...

2010-05-22T07:12:00.007-05:00

For my son's wedding in June 2008, I made the flower decorations that were on each side of the arbor. My daughter-in-love had Gerbera Daisies as her flowers and we couldn't find anything remotely decorative in Gerbera Daisies. So I bought all the parts at Michaels Craft Store and we put these together (saw an idea like them at Michaels! Not totally my idea ).

Now, two years later, June 2010, we were trying to dream up something for the table decorations. My daughter liked the white hydrangeas and her theme is butterflies. Her colors are royal purple, black and white. So this is what I came up with.

\This is the first one of 15 that I need to do, so it is still in the tweaking stage.

My daughter liked them and that's all that matters.

I have rented the glass containers, however, I did buy one to practice with. These will be sitting on a square 16"x16" mirror along with purple crystals sprinkled around it. The table service is all white with black napkins folded on each plate.

Again Michaels Craft Store has been the recipient of my dough. They had all the components except for the butterflies which I ordered online because I needed so many of them.

Thank you Michaels for the coupons online also! That saved me a bundle!

Oh, I did buy the material at Hancock Fabrics also.

It was perfect, quite a stiff material and only 98 cents per yard.

FAVORITE FLOWER FRIDAY...

2010-05-21T06:35:00.003-05:00

I have planted so many new flowers and I thought instead of putting them on the blog randomly, I would start FAVORITE FLOWER FRIDAY....

Today's flower is a Dahlia.

I discovered this when working at the greenhouse. I never had planted Dahlias. It is a new thing for me. The back of the tag says it provides a summer-long display of showy blooms atop strong stems. Perfect for containers on patios and decks as well as in the border. Makes an excellent cut flower (I did put mine right in the ground). Care: Plant in rich, well drained soil to slightly dry between thorough waterings. Apply fertilizer once every two weeks during growning season. FULL SUN.

Lift and store tubers in cold climates. BONUS... These can be lifted and planted the next year!!!

I THINK I HAVE A NEW LOVE IN FLOWER LAND, AND THE COLORS ARE BRILLIANT!

A FEW NEW STONES...

2010-05-20T07:34:00.005-05:00

I was talking to a girlfriend of mine a while back. She wanted a stained glass stepping stone for her yard. I told her to trace her granddaughters' hand prints and we could put their names and hand prints in cement. This is the results!

Aren't they just the cutest!!!

If anyone is interested in something like this and the name isn't too long (the longer the name, the smaller the letters). I would be happy to make them, of course, after June 5th (daughter's wedding). All the color parts are cut out of stained glass.

I have mailed them up to Cohagen's Chronicles, Montana. I think it was under $20 to mail it and she received them just fine. They do run $50.00 because of the detail of cutting the letters. I can usually come close to a color you might like. The grandaughters picked out the colors in these stepping stones.

BITS......

2010-05-17T07:36:00.005-05:00

As I am getting things done in the next three weeks, ticking off the list, we have FINALLY finished planting the garden, between the rains.

It has rained 4+" in the last 10? days.

The drainage ditches are full, the river is rising, the fields had standing water and it has been cool, in the 60's so nothing is drying out fast enough.

We need warm weather and dry days!!!

Saturday, I was missing my greenhouse buddies and needed a few filler plants for some spots in the ground. So I headed up to Hilltop Greenhouses for a bit! Oh my, the geranium house looked so bare. To think she raises 15,000 geraniums for the season and how I watered soooo many, this was what I saw going into my little spot of employment.

THEY ARE ALL GONE!!!!

It WAS a good season!!!!

While there, I remembered to pick up the ONE plant I was wanting to get and had forgotten.
An Osteospermum.

This is from one I had before, 2005, I took this picture. It came back for a few years and then I moved it, big mistake... I lost it.

So this is one of the new ones I picked up. The Lilac Spoon was blooming when I brought it home, but the Spider Pink hasn't bloomed yet!
Oh how I love surprises in flower world. Can't wait to see the flower.

I also found one of my most favorite Spring pictures from a few years ago. This one is for Dale. Last year, she had baby birds in a hanging planter under her carport and I told her I had taken a baby bird pic, but of course, could not find it in my folders. Well, I found it!!!

Happy late Spring everyone ♥

WHEW!!!! WHAT A 3 WEEKS.....

2010-05-14T06:19:00.004-05:00

THIS IS THE RETAIL GREENHOUSE AT HILLTOP GREENHOUSES

Okay, so you think I have fallen off the face of the earth...... Well, not really..... but I did disappear for a few weeks. It was necessary! This is what has been happening...

MOST OF THE CREW, A FEW ARE MISSING.....

I was working 8-9 hour days at the greenhouse. Now I am done, my season is over. I loved it and hope to do it again next year. I learned alot and it was good exercise, got a suntan and lost 17 lbs. It was all good!

LAURA, WE WERE THE GERANIUM GIRLS!

Working on wedding stuff!!!! Two trips to the cities,,, got a dress (actually two dresses, could not decide. I am still not 100% thrilled over my choices).

Made a stepping stone for a wedding gift. This couple was married in 2007. The husband was deployed right away. So now that he is safely home, they are celebrating their marriage.

Had to have surgery, girl surgery yesterday.... felt like ick yesterday, but woke up this morning feeling like a million bucks!!!!

Ready to hit the world, but promised my mom, I would lay low for a day (but only for 1 day!)

Now my mind is racing to work on the yard, the house, paint a hallway, do decorations for the wedding, however, I promised I wouldn't go crazy today trying to make up for lost time.

Dear bloggy friends, thanks for thinking of me. Thanks Kathia (Pink Little Cake) for emailing me, wondering about me. That was so thoughtful! love ya,,,,

9 DAYS......

2010-04-18T07:03:00.005-05:00

I can't hardly believe it has been 9 days since I posted last. what have I been doing....

review....

1. working - 9-10 hour days (not every day, but many) cleaning, watering, packing in boxes and hauling to carts, geraniums for the stores that this greenhouse supplies.

2. Took a day to drive to Cedar Rapids in order to finalize flowers and cake for wedding.

THEN I CAME DOWN WITH SINUS INFECTION....

Oh my, this sidelined me big time!!! Down,,,,,, chilling in the house,,,,,, can't go out...... I finally had to go get an antibiotic. I don't know if it was the concentration of flowers in the greenhouse or just that everything is blooming all-at-once outside, but I haven't been this sick since a bad case of pine pollen in Florida, 2007.

Last night was the first time I slept in 3 days. I get too clogged up laying down, so it has been sitting up in a chair, waking up every hour choking.... to death!!!!

I do think today will be better. I have had 3 days of drugs and hopefully with staying down today, I will be able to go back to work tomorrow. I LOVE MY JOB, hopefully I will get to finish the season....

A beautiful day in store for us. 65, sunny, little breeze..... absolutely beautiful...... I will be spending it inside, trying to get over this curse called sinus infection.

So while I was outside, opening up my lungs from waking up with the croup this morning,

I grabbed my camera and took a few yard pics.

I love the Spring flowers that are blooming right now

(well, I love them from a distance right now!)

FINALLY DONE!!!

2010-04-09T07:15:00.004-05:00

You may have noticed that I have been MIA from blogland lately. Well, the greenhouse has been a big part of it and this little project right here is the other reason. All free time for a week straight was spent putting together wedding invitations. Bride-to-be lives too far to just zoom home to help and her work schedule made it impossible to get together. So, since I have evenings off (she doesn't), I volunteered...

I will say these were a huge money saver! $350 vs. $60 and some ink. Oh, but they were a time consumer!!!! I WOULD do it again though....

We picked these up at Michaels Craft store....

Printing part.... printed the directions cards, response cards, mailing labels, return envelope labels, and the invitation...

I could not get the templates that they have you use on the company's online site to work. So I had to dream up a way to get the information on those little cards for response and directions. I ended up getting packaging labels and printing off those with the response and directions info. and sticking them to the cards!!! Kind of a hassel, but it worked!

Then they all had to be assembled, three inserts, double stick tape to the invite, tie a ribbon, seal with a sticker. It was STICKERAMA!!!! I counted 7 sticker parts to each invite. Thank goodness only 60 total were sent out.

Daughter in love came to the rescue for a few hours one afternoon...

She is always smiley.... me,,,,,, not so much!!!

Then it was off to the post office..... Finally Done!!!

T-SHIRT HUMOR AND 40 DAYS PROGRAM....

2010-04-05T19:29:00.004-05:00

A girlfriend of mine came into work the other day with this shirt on....

I died laughing..... and then I thought, "I can relate!!"

So we started our 40 Days and 40 Nights, self-improvement program tonight. We all weighed in and by using a number system, the nurse is going to chart our improvement on weight and exercise. Along with all this our pastor has made some handouts fitting scripture to our efforts. There will be recipes also...

This was a great idea for all of us wanting to get back in control of the issues we let go wild.

Anyone can join us. One of my close bloggy friends from Texas is doing it! I am emailing her the information and she is emailing me her weight and exercise plans each week.

If you are interested in doing this also, email me! lrick4444@yahoo.com....

I will get you set up and it's only for 40 Days.... Heck! you can do it!!!!!

NEW BLOG, CHECK IT OUT!

2010-03-29T06:04:00.006-05:00

I am teaming up with Maria and trying to get this blog off the ground.

Hilltop Greenhouses.

Check this out! If you love plants, gardening, tips for the garden, ideas for baskets,
this may be beneficial to you.

http://hilltopgreenhouses.blogspot.com/

We will post a few times a week. We would love to hear from you and if you have any questions, we will try to answer them. We are in the Midwest so our tips and growing info might not be suitable for your area. Come join the blog and share with us your passion for green!
Pass this on to other green lovers!!!!

TODAY....

2010-03-28T14:30:00.002-05:00

Today.... you might say I didn't do much, but the few things I did were important to me.

I did my children's sermon on parades; the correlation between parades these days and one parade in particular about 2000 years ago in Jerusalem. The day that Jesus rode a donkey down the street and the crowds of people that gathered, waved palm branches, and shouted Hosanna! Celebrating Palm Sunday.... it is the start of a week of sooo many events in a Christian's life. This to me, is the most important part of my Christian walk, the celebration of Easter.

As I enter this week, I feel my heart being jerked in different directions and emotions. I just can not imagine what my life would be like without being Christian based. Thank you God for all you have done for me, I am eternally grateful.

SPRING....

2010-03-22T06:42:00.004-05:00

I'm out of time already. Woke up late! But here are a few signs of Spring that I have found in recent years!

Come on Spring!!!!!!!

The snow is gone again and we are just left with mud. We need some wind to dry it up. OH, and some warm weather!!!

WHAT SAYS SPRING TO YOU???

SETTING MY SIGHTS.....

2010-03-21T07:26:00.005-05:00

Okay, so I am trying to watch what I eat, not over do it... After all, there is a wedding in June and anyone that knows me, knows I have struggled with this issue most all my life, or should I say, since I have had kids. Yeaaaa.... the kids are 24 and 26. I was a little skinny minny when I got married, then POOF!!!!

I have no desire to be this small again, but just healthy...

Soooo, I have decided to exercise more, watch my carbs, write down what I eat.....

EXERCISE MORE!!!

Stay out of sugar (this is a biggy)

EXERCISE MORE....

Our church is going to start a 40 day program.... 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS....

I am excited to participate....

Wish me luck!!!

With the physical activity of the new job, getting the garden ready, and watching what I eat, I should be able to be successful!!!

I'm excited!

FRIDAY... REALLY???

2010-03-19T18:15:00.002-05:00

About 4pm, I went on my blog and thought, how on earth did it get to be Friday and I haven't posted since Monday... Where did this week go....

So I thought I would recap the week....

Monday, work
Tuesday, work, laundry
Wednesday, work, do dishes, yuck! Bake carrot cake, yum! Do more dishes, yuck!
Thursday, work, clean, dust, yuck!
Friday, work, nap, pizza, yum!

Last week, work was kicking my patootie.... this week, it was better. I am getting used to physical labor again. It really is a good thing!

It has been sunny and 50's for the last few days and I am listening to the weather guy and he just said, tomorrow, 30's and 1-3" snow..... WHAT???? Come on.....
leave us alone Mr. Snowman......

IT'S MONDAY,, SMILE,, IT'S NOT THAT BAD!

2010-03-15T06:19:00.001-05:00

I need to be to work in just a bit, but I need to get some bloggy therapy first!

Today, I will be doing alot of this....

planting, planting, planting..... in the indoors.... 70's and humid. This is not a job for you if you are concerned that your hair will turn to mush! The upside: great exercise, great people, good clean (ahhh,,, dirty) fun!

Ohhhh, you little flower, you have got to go....

watering geraniums, debudding (I know, I hate to pick off the pretty buds, but that is the way to get the leafage to grow!)

I love my job!

Have a great happy Monday! It is what you make of it!!!!

CURIOUS, STRANGE, I WONDER WHAT CHANGED!

2010-03-14T19:48:00.002-05:00

I have found as I have been posting blogs since April 2009, that I have met some of the most talented wonderful friends. The people that leave me comments are people that I never would have had a pleasure in knowing, but through this blog, they have become some of my most dearest friends.
Others stop every once in a while and honestly this is how I view blogs too. I have some I try to comment on daily and others, I skim through every once in a while.
I try to get everyone on my follow list, but I have to admit, I have not been so diligent in the last few months to honor my bloggy friends by posting their blog names on my sidebar. This is just an oversight (okay, kind of a little part of laziness). I truly do not mean it to be offensive to some.
So I have a question, how did my followers go from 60 to 58? Now this didn't bother me at first. But the more I thought about it, I started taking it personal.
Did someone remove their name? did the computer do it for them? did I offend someone? Was someone offended because I professed to be a Christian? Two days ago, 60... today, 58....
I don't get it and I don't know how they did it???

ANY ANSWERS....ANY SUGGESTIONS.....

AND IF I HAVE OFFENDED SOMEONE, I DO APOLOGIZE.....
I treasure all of you...... hugs from me.....

EASTER.... WHAT IT REALLY IS ABOUT TO A CHRISTIAN

2010-03-12T19:06:00.004-06:00

This is a song done by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans.

Easter isn't too far off now, this video will serve as a reminder that the holiday was not about bunnies and eggs. It’s about the ultimate sacrifice OUR LORD made for us. The song, combined with video from the movie Passion of the Christ, is extremely moving.
(taken from the Kim Kamando Show)

BIRDIE HOUSE

2010-03-10T06:22:00.006-06:00

It has been rainy and ugly outside. The snow is melting at an astronomical rate causing so much mud (maybe the frozen snow was better!) Check out another part of the US regarding mud! Cohagen Cronicles, Mary, is dealing with the same issue.

So, since we are still doing inside projects, DH (dear hubby) decided to put together his Christmas present (well, maybe I actually bought it for him) the other day.

We both enjoy the birds in the area and noticed some Purple Martins last year, close to the barn yard. I found this Purple Martin house last year and thought, let's give it a try.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE PURPLE MARTINS IN THE SPRING????

ANY TIPS???

I WISH I WAS AN OWL....

2010-03-10T05:58:00.002-06:00

I wish I was an owl, an owl I'd like to be.....

I could fly above the fields, finding mice just for me......

The snow is almost gone and the cats are starting to venture out of the barn.

This cat, different cat from the other post, decided to jump up on this fence post and just stare into the field...

I whistled to get his attention. He turned for just a second, that's all, because he was on a mission.

I WISH I WAS A BIRDIE....

2010-03-05T06:50:00.002-06:00

I wish I was a birdie, it's what I want to be.....

They get to fly around all day, ohhhh what fun that would be....

I looked out the kitchen window and this kitty found an easy way get up in the tree, thanks to the snow bank. So this has been a favorite spot for several of them, in fact, last eve there were three of them up there. It has become a new play spot!

Well, off to work early!!! I will visit with all my bloggy buddies this weekend (only working M-F).

MY NEW JOB!

2010-03-03T05:48:00.002-06:00

Many of you asked what my new job was. Well, last fall I was asked to work in the Spring at the greenhouse. I was ecstatic. I have always wanted to work in plants perennials and annuals, outdoor plants!

I love it. I started on Monday and couldn't be happier. So, know that I will be posting about my experiences and as soon as I get going, I will also post on hilltopgreenhouses.blogspot.com.

It will be a few days, but then, I hope to bring you pictures, tips, and a flower of the week!!!

If you have any questions about a plant or flower, ask! There are several employees that have been doing this for years and I would be glad to try and find an answer for you. I'm not guaranteeing anything, but I will try!

WORK,,,,,naaaa,,,,,, I look at it as getting paid to do something that is fun, enjoyable, and very interesting. A big thanks to Maria for letting me enjoy work!!!

OUTSIDE.... INSIDE....

2010-03-02T06:33:00.003-06:00

OUTSIDE.....

Okay, I got to get back to the idea of getting up EARLIER, in order to get a few things done before I head off to work!

I haven't been "off to work" since May of 2008. Woman of leisure for 2 years. I have turned into a sleeping-later marshmallow!!!!

As I am excited for work, I JUST NEED TO ADJUST...

So, I am unable to stay on the computer reading blogs this morning, honest, I will catch up with you all.

Here are a few pics from yesterday. It was cloudy so the pics aren't bright, but you will get the idea.

INSIDE......

DONE.... FINALLY!!!

2010-02-26T21:54:00.003-06:00

So yesterday was a huge success! Got TONS done in Cedar Rapids regarding the wedding and got to spend quality time with kids and future new mom....

Today, I just needed to finish THE PROJECT!

How the sewing test came about!

My precious daughter-in-love asked for an apron on her Christmas list. She had picked one out and when I looked at the picture, the first thing that I thought of was, "Oh my, I can make that so easy!!

So I asked her to pick out some material and I would whip it up in no time. (A few hours, I'd be done, easy!!)

Got the pattern, got the material and extras..... easy!!!

Got it cut out.... 5 pieces.... only 5 pieces... Well, I kinda forgot that I haven't sewed anything for awhile so had to do the minor adjustments on the sewing area, clean off the table, set up the iron (had to find the iron) ya know.... all the details...

Then I thought I would just TWEAK the pattern a little! That's where I should have said to myself, "STICK TO THE PATTERN!!!!! HONESTLY, STICK TO THE PATTERN!!!"

So, long story short and two, yes two, days of sewing, this is what I came up with. Now you might say, "It looks like the pattern to me, minus the pockets (she didn't want pockets)."

BUT, I made it reversible!!!! Oh yes I did!!

Now for all you sewing geniuses, this would be no major feat. But for me, the one who hates to follow the patterns and who can't stay focused on a project for more than an hour at a time, This is ONE MAJOR APRON!!!!

So now I have a whole new respect for all those contestants on Project Runway!

HOW DO THEY DO IT????

HI HO HI HO....

2010-02-25T06:34:00.005-06:00

It's off to Cedar Rapids I go... I get to play today...

Well, not necessarily play, but to do wedding stuff...

with these two...

(since we are still buried in snow, I will use any opportunity to show a sunny, warm pic)
I have a list a mile long and I am determined to get a bunch of things done.

Has anyone heard of a bridal lariat necklace? This is a necklace that a person wears down the BACK, not the front. Love the idea, something different and daughter's dress is low in the back.
Yeah.... might be the project of the day.....
I may be putting one together because I really have no desire to pay excessive cha ching for it....

So this list: cake, flowers, venue, rooms, decorations, LUNCH, invitations, NECKLACE.....

I actually love days like this...
Okay, gotta go,,,,,,,,,, DAYLIGHT IS A BURNIN' !!!!!!!

I'M SMILIN'....

2010-02-24T07:41:00.003-06:00

So I stopped at the greenhouse yesterday and wow!!!! I am so excited... Bright, cheery, great people, green things.... I love the green things! Lots and lots of green things.... Oh I just can't wait to get started...

These pictures are from last summer, but I have a hard time saying "the greenhouse" without posting pictures.

As soon as I get started, you WILL see more posts of work, people, what makes this place tick!

COMICS....

2010-02-21T19:01:00.004-06:00

I am not one to read the comics very often, but I have always liked BC. Here was yesterdays..

So I think from time to time (when I can't come up with anything else) I will show you a BC comic that tickled me....

BLACK AND WHITES....

2010-02-21T14:24:00.009-06:00

I have some favorite pets on the farm. They are strictly outside pets and actually quite wild. There is only one in the bunch of 11 that I can get close enough to pick up. They ARE fed well, but keep the mice population down nicely, the black and white kitties on the Ricketts Farm. My daughter, Tracy, came home from Cedar Rapids for the day and said,"my, how many newspapers do you have out there?" huh???? (I didn't get it)

ya know mom... kitties... black and whites....

Ohhhhh!!!

There are actually 3 litters, just no color other than one,,,,,

he's gray and white (can you spot him?)

They sure were cute when they were just kittens..

This one is appropriately named "Leg-rubber". She is the only one that I am able to pick up and she well lives up to her name!

Some of you have indeed shared your furry children with us,,,,, but some have not....

Tell us about your favorite someone with fur, feathers, scales, or .......whatever....

GARDEN DREAMS...

2010-02-19T07:51:00.005-06:00

Okay, so anyone else got garden ITCH going on? Ya know, this is February and this is when I start getting all excited about the garden! I have looked through all my seed catalogs, my eyes are all glazed over from looking at all the pictures of huge vegetables and gorgeous flowers. My little heart gets all pumped up for some dirt (oh yeah, not dirt,,,, it is SOIL) action.

To me a garden is kinda like childbirth. In childbirth, women forget about how much pain they went through and how miserable they might have been.

Well in a garden, a gardener forgets how many weeds they had to fight and how grassy it got; how miserable it got.

I am all excited because this year I may have a gardening partner. My husband always helps when he can, but this year his cousin wants to put in some vegetables. She is a master gardener, but lives in town. We always have a good time when we get together and have a lot in common. I know she loves to dig in the soil too. Should be fun!

So time to start planning, get that garden thinking going and pray the snow goes away soon!!!!

YAY......USA.....

2010-02-18T07:50:00.003-06:00

I have been glued to my tv watching the Olympics and oh my, yesterday was a very good day for the USA teams, alpine downhill skier, Lindsey Vonn, gold; men's speed skater, Shani Davis, gold; snowboarder, Shaun White, gold. There were others receiving medals, but these are the three that I watched.

I was reading Yahoo Sports article and it was exciting all over again.

I think my perception of snowboarders has changed a bit! I used to see them as the young, hippy-like, carefree kids that have nothing else to do but spend their days on the mountains, spraying snow in the faces of people like me just trying to stay up on two skis.

Okay, okay,,,,, I haven't been on skis since,,,,, hmmm,,,, really,,,,, that long ago? and when we were out in Colorado that little skateboarder (not size little, he actually couldn't have been even.... 6!) about wiped me out!

Well, last night I was sitting there watching these snowboarders doing things that were AMAZING in a half pipe... I could not believe the courage these athletes have, to fly in the air as they did and then add flips and spins to their flights THEN land on solid ground (ice) only to go up the other side and do another death defying trick! UNREAL....

Way to go U S A!!!!!

Hey, go to Lovella's blog! She actually got to go to the Olympics yesterday. How exciting!!! To be there, feel the excitement, be amongst the amazing people. She posted some pics.

Oh and yes, I had to watch American Idol first, before the Olympics....
Wow! What a talented group of singers... This year is going to be EXCELLENT!!!
The 24 have been picked and I will be watching....

TIME TO BUCKLE DOWN.....

2010-02-15T07:54:00.002-06:00

So we got home last Thursday and I have been real random in getting anything done, but yet I have been busy. How does that work????
So when I get this way... ya know,,,, random....
I tell myself I need to BUCKLE DOWN!!!!!

I will make...THE LIST....

surely I will be able to keep track of my duties with....THE LIST...

Wedding Stuff
Dentist appointment
a stained glass project
a spare bedroom to clean out
laundry

THEN.... I heard that clock again.... tick.... tick.... tick.... tick....

Oh gotta go, too many things to think about and all I REALLY WANT TO DO IS,,,,
read how my bloggy friends are doing.... so I am going to do what Colleen at Main Street Memories does....
She gets up REALLY EARLY, reads blogs (she says for about an hour in the morning)
then gets ready for work...

Okay, a timer, I need to get a timer....

Okay, gotta go for sure this time!!! Later everyone! Wish me luck!

Okay, Lori, stay on task....

TWO DAYS AGO ..... TODAY

2010-02-12T07:49:00.002-06:00

TWO DAYS AGO....

TODAY....

TWO DAYS AGO....

TODAY.......

We came back from our vacation last night... Got out of Atlanta just in time too. Airtran just cancelled 62 flights out of Atlanta. Delta just cancelled 800 flights. Atlanta is calling for snow and everything just shuts down ...... wow!!! Glad we got out and glad to be home, despite the snow waiting for us!!!

TICK,,, TICK,,, TICK,,, TICK,,,

2010-02-01T16:06:00.003-06:00

Do you ever hear this clock going off in your head and feel things aren't getting done as fast as you would like and this overwhelming feeling says there is not going to be enough time to do all that you want to do..... yep,,,,, I'm there. It is only the 1st of February and I feel I don't have enough time to plan a wedding in June. Now we all know, that is ridiculous. After all, my mom planned 2 weddings in 13 days! and everything was great!!!
This is on a bit bigger scale than mine though and it is an out-of-town wedding.

So we got the venue, check....

and we found the dress, check.....

and I am just going to keep going down the list! There is a wonderful site, The Knot, that helps you get completely organized.
I did make Tracy a notebook to keep all info in...

and WE started to think about all the parts and pieces of the reception. Now we just have to find an officiant. Since the wedding is in the ballroom of a convention center, we need someone that will come there instead of an actual church.... Hmmmmm..... I will have to think about this one.... Got a few ideas though...
So on with the planning and with God's help, I will stay calm and collected....
Oh so her colors are black, purple, silver and white... I said okay???? as I thought this could be VERY ELEGANT orrrrrr...... HALLOWEEN DRAG,,,,, HMMMM.... LET'S STICK WITH ELEGANT!!!

TRAVELING COMPANION.....

2010-01-29T07:31:00.006-06:00

As I was reading blogs this morning and came across Keetha's (I just love reading her blog) about her laptop, I decided to let you in on how wonderful it was to have a new travel companion with me. We go everywhere together anymore. I can be in touch with the world at a moment's notice all because of one little teeny tiny gadget. Prepaid Mobile Broadband.... you heard me right, see the box! No long term contract!

Sure there is a start up cost,,,,, there always is, but I now can take this baby anywhere and I don't have to rely on anyone else to provide me with service. And as long as you have a firewall installed, I think it is safe to use anywhere. (of course, I don't keep vital info on my lappy anyway). I know this isn't new to some of you, but the idea of no contract might be.

Oh glory days!!!!

LIGHT N' CREAMY CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL

2010-01-27T20:29:00.004-06:00

I haven't done a post regarding any type of food for quite a while. So, since I was having a craving for chocolate, but I am trying really hard to stay half-way away from large quantities of calories, I chose this recipe from Cooking Light.

FYI: I honestly would much rather have homemade Angel Food Cake and make my own whipped topping but for the sake of this recipe, I purchased the products that the recipe called for. It actually did taste just fine.

LIGHT N' CREAMY CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL

Cake:
3 TB.unsweetened cocoa
1 pkg. angel food cake mix
Cooking spray
1/2 C. powdered sugar

Filling:
2 (1 ounce) bars unsweetened baking chocolate
1 (8 ounce)block 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1 C. powdered sugar
1 (8 ounce) container frozen fat free whipped topping, thawed
1 ts. unsweetened cocoa

To prepare the cake, combine 3 tablespoons cocoa and cake mix in a large bowl. Prepare the cake mix with added cocoa according to package directions. Coat a 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan with cooking spray; line bottom with wax paper. Pour batter into pan.

Ladies, if you haven't purchased one of these new beater blades for your Kitchenaid,,, oh you must! It is quite the treat when mixing. It is like a new best friend!!

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool the cake in pan 5 minutes.

Loosen cake from sides of pan, and turn out onto a dish towel dusted with 1/2 cup powdered sugar; carefully peel off wax paper. Cool the cake 1 minute.

Starting at narrow end, roll up cake and towel together. Place, seam side down, on a wire rack, and cool completely (about 15 minutes).

To prepare the filling, place baking chocolate in a glass bowl; microwave at high 2 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after 1 minute. Cool. Place the cream cheese in a medium bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the melted chocolate and 1 cup powdered sugar, beating mixture well (mixture will be very thick). Gently stir 1/2 cup whipped topping into the filling, and gently fold in the remaining whipped topping.

Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread filling over the cake, leaving a 1/2 inch border around outside edges. Re-roll cake, and place, seam side down, on a platter.

(this was my idea.. I rolled a plastic cutting sheet around this roll, put rubber bands around it, then chilled).
Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon cocoa. Cut the cake into 10 slices. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired.

Yield: 10 servings

O.H. S.O. G.O.O.D!!!!! chocolate crave cured!!!

3rd POST OF THE BLOG-A-THON THANKS FOR THE AWARD

2010-01-25T10:41:00.004-06:00

Thanks Kathia for the award!!!

Here are the rules for the award:
-List 10 things that make you happy
-Tag 5 blogs ( I am not sure if is 5 or 10 Blogs, I choose 5)
-Put in a link to their blogs and notify them.

Okay so short and simple:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Food

4. Travel

5. God

6. Flowers

7. Funny stories

8. Friends Candle Shed

9. Sunshine

10. Kitties

I will pass this on to some newcomers to my blog. They are wonderful people that I am just getting to know. Go to their blogs and get to meet them too.

1. T's Daily Treasures

2. Places with Character

3. Daily Photo Barcelona

4. The Middlest Sister

5. Ballet News

These blogs are very interesting to follow, very interesting content. They have become daily reads (or I should say I try to read daily). I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!!

CONTINUATION RE: AWARD!!!

2010-01-25T09:23:00.007-06:00

Debby at Just Breathe sent me this award just before I left for San Diego and I didn't get to properly finish the post so here is continuation from that January 10th post.
I was supposed to list 7 things about myself, and pass the award along to 7 beautiful bloggers.

1. I LOVE COFFEE!!! No, I don't think you understand, I L-O-V-E coffee....
2. I have a real passion for kids.
3. I love to do crafts of all sorts.
4. I love God.
5. I come off as being organized, but in truth, NOT AT ALL!!!!
6. I like to travel, but I thought I would like it more.
7. I am a procrastinator and a throw-n-go kinda girl. So then I have to finally stay home and get
everything put back in it's place.

Okay, now for 7 bloggers, in no particular order. These 7, I try to visit daily as you would maybe like a next door neighbor or a close friend.

1. Sweet Repose, bestest friends in blog world and in person.
2. Main Street Memories, please go to her blog, Colleen will have you smiling in no time.
3. Cohagan Chronicles, Mary and I have become wonderful coffee buddies.
4. Pink Little Cake, Love, Love her work... Her children's cakes are the best.
5. Common Ground, Debra is such a positive, uplifting person. I love to read both her blogs.
6. A Joyful Chaos, I just love her blog. Interesting, a wonderful read.
7. SimplyIowa, Barb and I have a wonderful love for so many of the same things. She is such a
sweetheart!

I have such wonderful friends in blogworld and I wish I could just list each and everyone of you. But honestly, my computer time is just gone, so anyone reading this, please take this award and pass it on to others. Hopefully you will visit the blogs I have listed and enjoy a few of my best friends like I do.

BACK FROM VACA,,,, PART 2

2010-01-25T08:34:00.004-06:00

Continued from last post.....

We went to Balboa Park

Went to Moonlight Beach

watched the surfers

Went to CBS Studios and got a personal tour. GOT TO SPIN THE WHEEL!!!!

(Yeah.... ignore the face.... I only had one picture)

Got to drive by famous streets. (sing with me and Sheryl Crow, You know the song!!)

We can't wait to go back, see some more stuff.

Thanks so much for such kindness from family, great conversation, great food, wonderful weather, just an amazing trip with pictures of a lifetime. Holt family, you made our trip unforgettable, something we will always treasure!

BACK FROM VACA.....

2010-01-23T19:23:00.005-06:00

Well, we are back from vacation in San Diego. I took tons of photos and can't wait to share them. But of course, since tonight I have time to do this post, for some reason I can't download pics. WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!! I have tried to get this thing to work without any luck twice. One more try.....

whew!!!

We got to San Diego, picked up our car and headed up to Encinitas. The Garmin (GPS) became our best friend. It led us right to our destination. This was a part of the highway with 16 lanes total going in all directions.

We visited with family

went to the beach

took a harbor cruise.... more to come..... the weather must be affecting my computer, so after working on this post for 1 1/2 hours when it should have only taken 20 minutes, I GIVE UP!!!!!

MORE TOMORROW

WOOHOO!!!! BLOG AWARD

2010-01-11T07:51:00.002-06:00

Debby at Just Breathe has just sent me an award and I am so thrilled. Please stop by her blog and read. Go back to her Christmas post, you will see one of the most amazing trees I have ever seen. Worth the stroll on her page. Also visit her other blog FOR YOUR TEARS . She has a real passion to let women know others care! Go to her June 21, 2009 post in order to understand her mission.

Okay, I am to post 7 things about myself, and pass the award along to 7 beautiful bloggers.

1. I LOVE COFFEE!!! No, I don't think you understand, I L-O-V-E coffee....
2. I have a real passion for kids.
3. I love to do crafts of all sorts.
4. I love God.
5. I come off as being organized, but in truth, NOT AT ALL!!!!
6. I like to travel, but I thought I would like it more.
7. I am a procrastinator and a throw-n-go kinda girl. So then I have to finally stay home and get
everything put back in it's place.

Oh my, ran out of time.... so I will post 7 names later.... gotta run, 8:07am, yikes!!!!

BLOG POSTING MARATHON....

2010-01-07T10:18:00.011-06:00

Since I have been crazy busy lately and have neglected my posting duties, I decided to go on a blogging marathon! So go grab a cup o' joe, sit back and relax. This might take a bit.

SNOW

Well, we have been snowed upon once more. Our deck is under there somewhere! Look at the railing. That is how much has fallen in the past few days. Now, I know some of you in the Northern Lands are thinking, haaaa,,,,, that's nothing compared to what you have been dealing with since October! But it has been quite an accumulation for us....

On the flip side of this,,,,, this morning I was feeling about 10 years old and just wanted to go play in the fluffy white stuff... so I did! I even looked up to the sky with my eyes closed and tasted the snow as it fell... what fun it is to be a kid again (in my mind)!

So as the road equipment goes by my driveway, I just ignore the noise and enjoy the scenery!

The snow must have fallen straight down as the bird restaurants even have roof snow caps.

ICE SCULPTURE

These Ice Sculptures were in a yard close to my daughter's house in Cedar Rapids.

(Double click on picture to look at them in detail)

I can't imagine the amount of time it must have taken to do these.

EXTENDED CHRISTMAS

So we packed a car load of Christmas presents up and headed to our daughter and fiance's house for our belated Christmas get together. Between the weather and their jobs, this was the soonest we could do this (January 6th). It was a hard holiday as we have always celebrated Christmas Eve with everyone home and Tracy and Tony could not make it because of the weather.

We had fun just watching these two "kids" open presents as if it were Christmas morning. All in all, I think they were very excited over the surprises!!!

My daughter has an uncanny way of knowing just what to get me.... She and Tony were on a quest to find me these "icebergs". I have an extensive collection of Snowbabies and the icebergs helped in displaying them.

Can you see them under there??? They worked perfect!!

And my most prized possession.... My daughter has taken up this passion for painting. She is self taught and can't get enough of it. She received some paints and supplies for Christmas from her love (he is very good at present picking out) and she painted this for us (me). Being the kind of artsy person that I seem to be, I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS!!!! It is a 16x20 canvas. I want to get it properly framed. I have it hanging in our dining room for now. This truly makes me smile every time I walk past it.

I love the detail in the colors... good job Tracy...

DECORATIONS

So as we know the apple does not fall far from the tree.... and my daughter has been testing her creativibility!!! We bought all the stuff to make this wreath and I turned her loose after a few instructions. SHE DID AWESOME! This picture does not do this justice. It is as cute as can be!!! Oh I am so proud of my little apple!!!

Again, pictures do not do this tree justice. It was bright and cheery with huge splashes of color!!!

Her home looked so festive with all the decor. I just know now that she is getting that art/craft itch, there is no telling what she will come up with next.

FAMILY HERE FOR A VISIT....

2010-01-02T07:20:00.011-06:00

We had the wonderful pleasure of sharing our home with my niece and nephew-in-love along with one of their furry children for 3 days. They are from St. Louis, MO, 5 hours away.

I'm not sure who enjoyed their time more, Jake and Jenn, just for getting away; their dog, Song, who got to run around, eat snow, and explore all the unknown on a farm; or me, just enjoying my time together with all 3 of them.

A week before they came, my niece asked if there was anything she could bring me from St. Louis. I said no, can't think of anything.... eeeerrrr.... I know, can you bring me The Arch???

(I should have known she would figure some way to induldge me my request!)

Here is a picture of Song, pit bull mix, and I. I fell in love with this furry friend. She is maybe 6 or 7 and she is the best behaved animal I have ever seen and what a little lover. Her mom and dad have trained her and she obeys commands like none other. We were instant pals.

They had a chance to relax, go exploring in Muscatine and the Quad Cities, go hiking in the woods to The Grotto. My son and his wife had us over for visit and supper.

And we had 2 new games to play!!

(These 2 have become favorites and are highly recommended)

Then they had to go home....

I didn't want them to go.....

I think they had fun and hope they will visit again.......

A FEW GIFTS I MADE....

2009-12-29T07:44:00.002-06:00

These two pieces I made for Christmas gifts....

There are so many things going on right now, lots of company.... love the company!!!
So I won't be starting anything new until next year..... oh wait, that is in 4 days!

Wow! a new year in 4 days....

Are you ready for a new year?????

P.S. Thanks Mary for the wonderful Christmas Card picture.... What a good pic of all 6 of you!!
Twilla, Hope you had a wonderful first Christmas with your new family!!!