Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo Group Layout Challenge for May.

Its that time again, time for the new challenge to start on the blush~n~dusty yahoo group. This time I want to see your pets!! If you don't have one now, show me one you used to have...or your neighbors pet, or even just the "pet" that walks down your street. If all else fails, tell me WHY you don't like pets, if you can't do one of yours or someone else's pet. It can be dogs, cats, horses, goats, or even fish, whatever you love to love!! I would love to see a picture!! Course if it happens to be a snake, be warned, I may run screaming in the opposite direction!!

Here is my layout for the challenge this month. I thought I would do these photo's, my DH took of the cat sitting on the dog's food bucket, when she got caught stealing their food. LOL They were barking their silly heads off, trying to get her off it too. I had to laugh when I saw the photo's, cause it was rather funny that she was curled up on the bucket.

Kit Credit: Romantic Memories and Pet pretties by Lara Payton The paw prints, were picture tubes that came with my psp program.

This next layout shows our barn, in the process of being built, and DH and his sister on the roof of it. The last layout is our neighbors, driving their little red tractor at the parade in town...and another kinda neat looking tractor that was in the parade.

Summer Dreams by Lara Payton. This kit is a $2.00 kit and is part of a mega kit, that several designers put together. You can find out more about the mega kit, and get links to the other parts (that are all priced at $2.00 each) on this blog.

I hope everyone is having a great week. DH had a doctor appointment Tuesday, (and two more coming up this month, not going to be a good month, for our gas budget) and yesterday I got the grass in the back yard mowed for the first time this year. It grew fast, once it started growing! I've always found it hard to start a mower, and its even more irritating, (while at the same time, I'm greatful) when I can work and work, to try to start it and can't, and DH comes and does it on the first pull, even with his bad back! I'm such a wimp. *giggle* I have to say, that was the ONE thing, that was nice about last year...DH's sister did the mowing. Not that I will regret having to do it myself this year, gotta love the better mood around the house these days.

I managed to get a few other things I've been needing to do done yesterday, so hopefully I can get another couple layouts scrapped, for this week. If I'm lucky, I'll be done with 2007 layouts by my birthday...although I won't hold my breath, as not every week, am I able to do so many, and with having to be gone some this month, that's going to slow us down, even more.

Its sure nice to have nice temps some this week, I've enjoyed that! I can't handle the heat, of summer, so not looking forward to that, but do LOVE spring, and the trees are even starting to green up around here finally! There were a lot of tree's in Lincoln, that had flowers all over them, they were so pretty. Our poor little red bud tree, outside my office window is budding. I love those trees, they are so pretty in the spring, ours is still quite little, but its still neat to see the buds, although not as pretty, as the bigger trees. Growing up in Missouri, I saw them quite a bit in the spring, out in the timber. Now I can't wait for the lilacs!! We didn't have any last year, cause of the late frost, so I'm really hopeful we will this year, even though our lilac bushes are small yet too, gotta LOVE the smell of lilacs!!

Well better get this posted, and get some other things done. I hope to see some of your pets, show up in the yahoo group gallery!! :)

I'm getting there!

I just love to watch kittens playing. Love how totally adorable they are scampering around. Grown cats are fun to watch too, but the added cuteness of them being babies, makes watching kittens play, even funner. This is a couple of ours playing in the barn.

Kit Credit: Fresh Beginning add on by Manu...it was a freebie on her blog.

This was Bunny's first baby. He was kinda cute, and Galen called him Pierre, while we had him. We sold him at the goat auction though, as he was a male. Its kinda hard to give them up at times, but we don't need to many males...especially ones that are related to our females, so we have to take them up to the auction, as that gives us some extra money, to be able to buy more females. LOL Maybe someday our goat herd will be a better size, that way.

Kit Credit: Lifetime Moments add on by Manu. It was also a freebie on her blog! I have actually bought a few of her kits, but so far haven't managed to get many of them. I am enjoying using her add on's, so I'm sure I will have to go get some of her others too, when I get around to it! LOL

The Horse Tank, was made by my DH's great-grandpa in 1913. It used to sit on a farm to the south of us, that the family used to own, but since they don't anymore, Galen talked to the owner and asked if he could have the tank, and when he said yes, he and the neighbor went down and got it, so its sitting on our farm now. I remember Galen showing it to me years ago, so I'm glad he was able to get it.

This is Carmel, standing in one of the cedar trees, that the goats have stripped, up as far as they can. Not sure why she was there, other than the fact that she is strange, cause she was just standing there, looking around the pasture. Galen's seen her in it several times, just looking, and said its almost like she is "the lookout". LOL

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Shade Garden by Designs by Krista...another blog freebie.

This shows 4 goats we bought last year, checking out their new home. It almost looked like they had never seen a chicken before, the way they were checking it out.

Kit Credit: Veranda Breeze by Misty Cato

This layout, and the next one, were ones I did to go with another layout, I had done last year.

This shows my office, as I found it when I got up on my birthday. Galen's sister decorated it for me to surprise me, and she had to do it in the middle of the night, because I had stayed up late, don't think I went to bed before midnight...or even later. I thought it was rather sweet of her to do. Thanks KT! Oh and Galen picked me some flowers to add too it, I love it when he does that. :)

Kit Credit: Blissful Blossoms by Lara Payton

Here is Pierre is again, hung up, on a 5 gal. bucket...don't know how he managed it, but its rather funny. Then I also scrapped a sunset photo with the same kit. I like things side by side, that look like they might go together, ...not always going to be that way, especially probably in 2006, as I wasn't thinking that way, when I scrapped the ones, I've scrapped already.

Kit Credit: Beauty in Bloom by Manu (I actually bought that one...on sale, but hey, what can I say. LOL)

I really am getting closer to the end of my 2007 photo's!! I think there are around 20 layouts left, if I haven't miscounted, or unless I find DH has a bunch, that I just have to scrap. He sends me some of his pictures sometimes, and at others he doesn't. I'm kinda hoping there won't be to many that I need. LOL I really want to get these done. I'm trying to do a bunch today, as I don't know how many I'll be able to do for the rest of the week.

OMGoodness, is this not just the cutest photo? I had totally forgotten that I hadn't scrapped it yet. I was going to use a different kit, but then saw this one, in my stash of free one's I've gotten, and had to use it. I love that frame!! It won't really match the layout that will be beside it, but oh well, this kit was perfect for the photo, so I'll live. This is our niece who was born last year. This is probably my favorite photo of her, least of the professional ones of her, that I've seen so far. They have gotten some since, but not got them to me yet. LOL Makes me wonder now that I say that, if they were taken this year, or last though...hmmm if I get this book printed, then get some more photo's of her from last year, I guess they will have to go in this years book. Not ideal, but its been known to happen, even in my photo albums, that I put together.

Kit Credit: Classic by Designs by Krista Yep, it was another blog freebie!

This photo is one of my favorite ones for the year, if you will remember, when I did my Favorite photo's layout. However while I did put it on that layout, I also want it on its own, for in middle of the book. These were right outside our front door. I'm surprised they wanted them there, and the fact that we would go in and out, didn't keep them from building their nest just a few feet from our head. I'm so glad I got a picture though, cause they are just adorable!

This is our nephew and his little girl (the one above that is so cute! LOL)

Kit Credit for both of the last layouts, Botanical Beauties by Jean Daughterty Designs

Ok, that's it for today, and maybe for several days. LOL I've got some things to do, so don't know if I'll be able to scrap all that much for 2 or 3 days, and then not THIS much! (Although I didn't do ALL of these today, I just didn't get around to posting over the weekend.) Anyway, Have a great week, I'll be back, at least by Thursday, as I have a post all ready to go, for the new challenge for May on Blush~n~Dusty's Yahoo group. Hopefully I can do another couple layouts this week, but we will see. One of these days, I may actually work on another kit....but since I'm on a roll, with 2007 photo's, I think I'll wait till I'm finished with them, before I worry about it to much. LOL

As always, thanks so much for your comments, here and through e-mail!!

Tornado Season

It's that time of year, when we have to be extra watchful for those nasty tornado's. While they can happen anytime throughout the year, around here, spring is the worst time. Last night we had one of those spring thunderstorms come through, and somehow the thunder didn't wake me up like it usually does (told you I was tired LOL). I remember DH getting up, asking which windows I had left open, but I rolled over and went right back to sleep. Next thing I know, he comes in and says we are in a tornado warning, and its right around our part of the county! THAT woke me up! With my heart pounding, and silently praying that God would keep us safe, and even keep the precious home that I love safe, I got dressed, and scurried around getting a few things gathered up, in case we had to run for safety, under the house. Had to keep my camera, purse, cell phone, and EHD safe at the very least, as I'm sure you all know, so I piled all those, and my shoes and a blanket on the washer, ready to grab, on my way by. Then we went and sat in front of the TV, watching for the news on the storm...I stopped worrying a little when we saw that it was most likely east of town, instead of west (we are two miles west). We still stayed up, watching till the worst of the storm was over. Here is a story of the damage that was done in a town to the east of ours. It doesn't sound like it is near as bad as it could have been, thankfully.

I'm so lucky to have a watchful DH, he usually gets up, and makes sure a storm isn't BAD, and lets me sleep (if I can), unless there is actually something to worry about. He is a great protector, at least as much as humanly possible. He doesn't sleep well, way to much of the time, but the nights we have storms, he gets even less. Did I mention how lucky I was? LOL He even tried to call the neighbor up the road, to warn them, but they didn't answer the phone, he worries about them, as they are an older couple, and we love them. I guess they slept right through everything...the storm and the phone, and didn't know there was a storm, or a tornado warning. DH talked to them this morning and found this out. LOL Its a good thing the tornado wasn't right here!!

While I was scrappin' this morning, I happen to look out my window, just in time to see some of the goats crossing the creek, that runs through the pasture they are in. I thought it was comical, how they would jump up in an high arch over it, especially the baby, that I watched. It was high jumping, to stay out of the water, and was really cute. Then along comes our little laid back billy, ambling down to the creek, I'm sure he must have gotten in the water some, cause he jumped a little, but not much, to cross it. While there has been a nice amount in it all spring, now I'm sure its bigger, after the 3+ inches of rain (according to our neighbor, as our rain gage still isn't out after the winter) we got last night.

Ok, guess I did my rambling first, instead of telling about the layouts! LOL These are all photo's, from last year. The first one shows our barn cats, sitting on a shelf, that's in the barn, waiting for their breakfast.

Kit Credit: Cherished by Lara Payton Sorry I couldn't find it in her store, so I can't link to it.

The 2nd layout is about finally selling our old house in Polk.

Kit Credit: Craft Scrapbooking kit by Blushbutter

The 3rd layout is about the death of an old family friend/babysitter of my DH's.

Kit Credit: Taste of Romance by Monica Larson

The 4th layout (5th one I did, but not going to post the 4th, as its of a nephew, and don't need to give his grandparents an excuse to complain, that I posted his picture on the net) is of a couple goats my Dad gave us.

Kit Credit: Happiness add on by Manu. It was a freebie on her blog. (One good thing about trying to catch up quickly with past years, is I'm using more of my freebie's I have gathering dust on my computer!!!)


The 5th layout here on my blog, is the chickens eating the cat's food. They aren't suppose to, and I shewed them away, as soon as I took the picture, but I just had to get one, because Galen has the cat's so well trained, that they don't keep them away from their food. He didn't want the cats to catch the chickens and eat them, so he would get after them, whenever he saw them stalking them, so now they usually try to avoid them...unless they are trying to eat, then they just share! LOL

Kit Credit: Sweetness of Smell add on and Happiness add on, by Manu. Again, freebie's on her blog.

The 6th layout is of a huge chicken we were given last year. When I cooked it, it was like cooking a turkey.

Kit Credit: Grandma's Kitchen, and Grandma's sitting room by Tina Williams

Layout number 7 (Home) is our Farm. Actually the view from the top of our hill (Hillbilly hill as some would call it). There may be a few changes, like different buildings or something, as we added on to the barn, since this was taken, but still the view, with all that green, is beautiful!!

Kit Credit: Twilight Vows by Irene Alexeeva She is no longer at DSP, and as far as I know, not selling anywhere else just yet. So instead of linking to her store, I'll link to her blog, so you can see what she is up to, if you want. She has some freebie's there too!!

Well I was hoping to do one more layout today (I know, 8 layouts in one day, however simple they are should REALLY be enough *giggle* Least I like most of these better than the ones I did yesterday!), but I had to catch up on e-mails, which took me a while, and now its 10 and a wall of tired just hit me, so I better quit, and go to bed. Hopefully we get to sleep all night tonight, and not have any storms keep us awake!!

I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for your comments, both on my blog, and through e-mails!! :)

LOTS of layouts.

I'm trying to get caught up, on this years photos...so here are some more layouts with photo's taken this year. I have to admit, I didn't spend as much time being picky, and rearranging things because I wanted to get more done. As you can see, I was on a roll yesterday...cause that's when all these were done, along with the ones in yesterday's post.

This first one is our doxie's snuffling one of the new baby goats. They love to sniff them all over, and just won't leave them alone, till they go back outside. The next layout is DH drying the ears of a new baby, so the ears don't freeze.

Kit Credit for the 1st two: Denim Delight by Jean Daugherty Designs

Then we have our cat, that likes to come inside. She seems to be camera shy, least when she is playing with a toy we bought her, cause I snuck one picture in, but its not real good...then she would stop and sit there all pretty, when I tried to get close enough to get a good photo. Its like she was trying to pretend she wasn't doing the silly thing, of playing with the fake mouse! LOL I did this to go beside a layout I did a while back, so that's why you don't see one that looks like it "matches" here.

Kit Credit: Stories of Yesteryear by Doxie Designs

I got a letter in the mail yesterday, telling about a family reunion this summer. Last time we went they said it would be every 5 years....that COULDN'T have been 5 years ago already, could it? LOL I know it probably has been, it just doesn't seem possible, and makes me wonder where the time has gone. I am hoping to go, but we will see how things are going, by then, it COULD be just a day trip, although it would be a long day, but we will see how much Gas is...if the ford dealer has gotten me a car, that gets good gas mileage...and if I can talk DH into going too. *giggle* I certainly don't want to drive in the BIG city, myself, if I don't have to, since living on the farm, I've gotten used to less traffic. (I know, there is ALWAYS an excuse for me not to drive! *giggle*) It should be fun, if we get to go.

Ok, back to some more layouts.

This layout called Spring Mud, shows our rock pile we had dumped in front of our barn. Thankfully DH and our neighbor was able to get it spread out. I really hate mud, so its sure been nice having a lot of it covered by rock, even if it didn't go as far as would have been nice. This layout was done to go beside one I did a while back too.

Kit Credit: Frou-frou frames & Flora Fun by Lara Payton

These last two layouts, I used a couple qp's that I picked up on a blog, and just put a background behind it, that was from the same kit, that the qp's were made from. I thought they would look ok with the pictures, and since all these were done yesterday, along with the two in yesterday's post, I had about had it with scrappin, but wanted to get a couple more done! LOL 8 layouts in one day, is the most I've ever done, even if they were ones that I didn't take as much care with. However I only have a few more layouts to be done with what I've taken so far this year, so that makes me feel much better. LOL Then I can try to get back to doing some from the last two years...once I get organized, so I know what photo's I have left to scrap.

Anyway, these last two layouts are of our chickens...the first one shows the ones we bought this year, and the last one shows a couple hens sitting on eggs. Nothing spectacular, however they will be ok to tell "our story" for this year.

Kit Credit for the last two layouts: Sundance by Designs by Krista It was a freebie on her blog, when I got it, which is why the link goes to her blog...I think it may still be available, but you better hurry, as she doesn't leave her links active for long.

Yesterday afternoon, DH worked on a way to make it so I didn't have to give the goats just a little bit of food at a time, in order to slow them down eating it...and make it stretch out over most of the milking time. This morning was the first test, and it did work much better. We put half the food in at a time, and on the first goat, she is a slower eater, and easier to milk, so I was done, before she finished the first half of her food. The 2nd goat being a little harder to milk, and a much faster eater, finished all of hers, before I was quite done, but it was still better than stopping every little bit to give them more feed. He still has to perfect the new "invention" but least it will help with the milking.

Other than that and the family reunion news, that's about it for this time...as if 6 layouts in a post isn't more than enough. This weekend, I'm going to try to work on organizing the last two years pictures and layouts, so I can know what I still have left to scrap, since I'm almost caught up with 2008 photo's. That way once I have a couple layouts each week for Kali's book, if I want to, I can do more for mine. Plus its stopped raining, and suppose to be warm, so I'll want to go outside some too. I hope everyone has a great weekend, enjoy the warm weather, if your lucky enough to have some!

Grandparents pages

I worked on Kali's grandparents pages today. The journaling isn't on the layouts because its private. I included each set of Grandparent's wedding photos, along with a photo of their kids, and of course them WITH Kali. I kinda like how they turned out.

Kit Credit: Vintage Vibrance and Rosey Recollections by Lara Payton I think Rosey Recollections was discontinued a while back.

We had a good weekend, and its lots warmer so far this week, than it was last week!! Course today, its windy, but that's not really unusual for Nebraska. Its sitting at 70 F. right now, so I'm going to have to go out and see if I can get some sun, without blowing away.

Kali said she had a good time at prom, although it was over way to soon. Once the professional pictures come in, I'll have to get those layouts done, but I'm waiting, so I can look at all of the pictures, and decide which to use. I have a ton left to do for the book anyway...just can't seem to get busy and get them done! LOL

When the Dr called DH last Friday, the first thing she said, was he could drop the extra med she put him on last time, since his blood sugar was way down, so I was happy we didn't even have to ask!! She was very pleased that it was down.

That's all the "news" I have, so I better get off the computer, I have to start some rice for supper, and go outside, till the bedding I've been washing is done, so I can make our bed. I hope everyone is having a good day.

March's Layout Challenge on Blush ~n~ Dusty's Yahoo Group

Well with March here, and spring just around the corner (I hope!) I thought I would have this months theme be what you like the most about spring. I KNOW there are quite a few of you who are soooooo ready for spring, I know I am, even though with it comes the mud, especially after having so much snow. So come join us on the Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo group, and show us what you like the most about spring!! You can get the mini kit from Lara Payton FREE, by using the coupon code, that you can get in the group.

This layout uses that free mini kit, and I showed some of my favorite things from spring in it. The baby goats dancing around the pasture, the song of the frogs in the creek, everything turning green and the beautiful flowers.

Kit Credit: Flora Fun by Lara Payton Alpha pack 1 by Blushbutter

I think this spring, we are destined to not have those adorable baby goats dancing around the pasture. We lost the one that survived yesterday, last night. DH came in this morning and told me it looked like Mom crushed it. She was in a separate pen, and had plenty of room, but still had to lay down on it. I don't know if this was her first time having babies or not, because we just bought her last year, but I had really hoped that she would be able to raise that one up....I guess we aren't meant to have a reminder of Billy.

I have this problem with the tail's of the black and tan doxie's we have I think. I remember when we were traveling a lot with our business, I was holding the one we had at that time and had to get something out of the middle console in the truck, and didn't realize that his tail was hanging down so it was in it. I shut it when I got done, and got his tail, the poor thing. After that, he could be sleeping in my arms, but if anyone opened the console, his tail would tuck up against him, it was actually pretty funny. Anyway, last night Autumn came up and wanted one of the mint treats I keep in my desk drawer for them so I got the package out of the drawer and had it in my hand, with her standing on my lap with her nose as close to the bag as it could be. I reached down to shut the middle drawer of my desk...which has to be open just a tad bit, to open the side drawers...and all of a sudden, Autumn yipped, and jumped up into my arms. I had to laugh, cause it was funny how she did it, but the poor thing had her tail in the drawer, and when I shut it, it got pinched! I think our dogs, especially if they are black, should really watch their tails, when they are around me!!! *giggle*
Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday, so I thought I would show the card I made him, and wish him a very happy birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy!! I hope you have a great day!!!

The photo's on the card, are ones Dad took. I thought the fact that he caught the kid, leaping off the Donkey was cute.

Kit Credit: Junk Drawer by Shadow Scraps

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Summer Memories

This could be the only post this week, depending on how things go. I have to do some major backing up of things along with doing some other things, so I don't think I'll have time to scrap much. I do however plan on getting back to scrapping next week, if all goes well, and may even get started on that other project I mentioned earlier, not that I'll be able to share it here.

This layout has some butterfly photo's I took last summer. I felt like having a warm looking layout for a change, because I would love for the snow to melt, and spring to come. At least having some warm weather in the 60's or 70's for a week or two would be nice!! LOL

Kit Credit: Dainty kit and alpha from Blooming Splendor By Lara Payton

My brother is here helping DH tear down a barn. They both like to scrounge items that they can use later, and this barn has wood and tin that they each can use. I'm sure they would rather it was a little bit warmer too, but least they aren't sweating a lot while they work!

DH has also had a little success with bringing his fasting blood sugars down already! It still has a ways to go, but it gives me hope that we can get it back under control. The biggest "stress" is now gone, and while its sad that it had to end the way it did, (trust me, you would NOT have wanted to be here Sat morning!) if that's the only way we can get his blood sugars back to normal, then so be it. I love him dearly and would move heaven and earth....and "stress".... to get him better. I thank God for his help, and all of your prayers, AND my wonderful hubby! Thanks so much for your comments here, and all of your encouraging e-mails, they really have helped me the last several days!! You all are the BEST, and I pray that God will bless each and every one of you!!

Take care and have a great week!!!

A 3 page spread.

I finished scrapping my riverboat cruise pictures today. Rather simple layouts, I'm in that simple mode again! (I know, when am I NOT!) LOL Anyway, these photo's were (mostly) taken on the boat, as we went up and down the river. The top picture in this first one, shows some swallows nests, then the next one is just a picture of a distant hill, showing fall color. Lots of utility poles and wires in the foreground, so it wasn't a real pretty picture. Then a picture of my DH sitting inside the cabin of the boat, listening to the commentary. The bottom round picture is just a campsite along the river. I love the bigger picture, of the river, it was really neat looking up the river as we went along.

The first picture on the 2nd page shows the bridge we use to cross the river when we are going to my parents house, it was really cool to see it from a different angle. An angle I never would have thought we would see it from!

The next picture is a couple guys fishing along the banks. They watched us go by, just like most people on the boat were watching them. LOL

Then you see the landing where we docked, and the inside of the boat, and of course the outside of it, after we got off. It was a great trip! Journaling from this layout is at the end of the post.

This last layout has a picture of my DH, a picture of the eagle we saw, and some pictures of the trees along the river. I loved looking at the trees.

Kit Credits: The backgrounds are from Courtship, Fern from Dainty, Stitching and folding frame from A Vintage Season 1, Anchor from By the Shore, journaling tag on the first layout from Journaling Bundle and round frames from Crumpled Framers ALL by Lara Payton.

Journaling:

More Scenes from our Riverboat Cruise. I loved
the trees lining the banks a lot, and the little signs
of life, like the camp site with the two white chairs
sitting empty, waiting for their owners to come
visit again. The look of the river spread out
ahead of us, and the fishermen sitting enjoying
their afternoon. The swallow's nests were neat,
there were a lot of them. I hadn't realized
that they had mile markers along the river,
but I guess that would be really helpful.

I stayed outside taking photo's, but Galen
went inside, to listen to the commentary. I
would have loved to hear it too, but the
speakers weren't working where I was standing.
It was however worth missing out on what
was said, because of the pictures I could
take. We even saw a bald eagle which
was really cool! All in all, it was a
wonderful trip. I'm glad we were able to go.

More layouts

I have gotten several more layouts done, Yippee!! LOL Wish I could do this many every week, I'd get caught up on my photo's quickly then.

This first layout is of a tree that grows in my parents pasture, just down from their barn. I took the photo when I was over there for their 40th Anniversary, because I had my camera, and have always loved it. I think it has such a pretty shape, and always enjoyed looking at it when I was growing up.

Kit Credit: Cookery Corner, Frou-Frou Frames and Ribbon Flowers All by Lara Payton I really love these ribbon flowers of Lara's, they are big, I made them a lot smaller for my layouts, but maybe sometime I can use them large, cause they really are pretty!!

This next layout is my niece with her Mom on Mothers Day this last year. As you can see I'm really behind on my scrapping, since I'm just now doing the Mothers Day pictures!! LOL Oh well, I jump around so much, with what I scrap, its no wonder, but I guess I just have to do them as I get inspired to, if I want them to turn out half way decent.

Kit Credit: Blissful Blossoms, Ribbon Flowers, Dainty, and Folded Frames by Lara Payton

This third layout is another photo from a few weeks ago. I saw a church steeple over the trees and wanted to stop and take a picture.

Kit Credit: Beautiful Fall by Lauren Bavin. I got this kit on sale last Friday for 50% off and will get another kit for having done this layout and posting it in the gimmie more gallery at DSP. Can't beat that price, basically a buck a kit! I don't think I have ever gone into DSP, when they had a 50% off sale, I was really surprised, I figured it would be their normal 20-30% but figured least it would save me a little on that kit, and so when I got there and it was 50% off, I was shocked! LOL I could have spent major bucks in that store, but didn't have the money I wanted to spend like that, I did go find a couple others ones though, I just couldn't pass up the chance to get them at $2.00. I don't shop there as much as it would be nice to, cause they do have some really NICE kits, its just they are so tiny, I hate to spend the money on them. *giggle* I know, $4.00 isn't to bad, but when your used to the size of Blushbutters and Lara's kits, the ones at DSP really are tiny. What can I say, I'm a cheap skate through and through!

This last layout is my brother with my niece. It has a photo of the gift my niece made for him for Father's Day, and the journaling contains a letter she wrote him, which she included in the frame (gift). Journaling is below.

Kit Credit: Blessing by Tina Williams

I hope you all have a great weekend! I doubt I will be doing layouts this weekend, so probably won't be posting! Take Care, and hopefully the winter storm that is suppose to be here tonight, isn't really bad! LOL Thanks so much for all of your comments both here and through e-mails!

Journaling for the last layout:

Dad,

I love coming to your house. I enjoy
every bit of work you have me help you
with even though I don't show it. I love
carrying in the firewood for the stove
and building walls for the basement.
I have so much fun with you no matter
what we do together and I love that
about you. You are so much fun to be
around no matter what we do. One of
my favorite things to do with you is
watching movies and eating chocolate
chip cookie dough ice cream. I hope you
have a very happy Fathers Day this
year and that you have many more
to come.

I Love You Dad!!!
Happy Father's Day
June 17, 2007


The letter above was written by Kali
and put in a frame with this photo of
the two of them, and decorated with
leaves for Fathers Day. I thought it
was a wonderful gift, so thought I
would put the letter, and picture of
her gift to her dad, on here with the
picture of the two of them.

Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I have always loved the traditions of family get togethers, and wonderful foods, most of which you don't get to have but once or twice a year. Even in later years, since I've gotten married, if we aren't having a family get together I enjoy preparing our traditional Thanksgiving goodies for my wonderful hubby and I to enjoy. The last few years, we have had trouble enjoying Thanksgiving to the fullest, so this year, I'm hoping nothing happens to ruin it. My wonderful hubby and I will be alone this year, to enjoy it but that's ok, there are a few family members I wouldn't mind having come join us, but as they aren't able to, I'm thankful we can have some time to spend to ourselves, and enjoy the peace. I hope all of you are able to have a great thanksgiving too.

Last thanksgiving we lost one of our fur babies, she was a wonderful companion for many years, and has been missed. Last year was also the last thanksgiving with my Grandmother, we didn't know that she would go downhill so fast, after thanksgiving, although we knew she wasn't doing so well. She was gone by Christmas.

The Thanksgiving that I am most grateful for, is the subject of these two layouts. Its the last time I saw my Uncle Orison alive. We lived in Kansas at the time, about a half hour west of Topeka, and that year we planned on having Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Several family members were planning on coming, along with my Uncle and Grandparents. However a winter storm came that week, so we thought all was lost, and we would be dinning alone. I was so disappointed, because I was really looking forward to it. Thanksgiving morning my Uncle Orison gets up, and decides to load up my Grandparents and head out to our house 2 hours west of theirs, because he didn't want me to be left disappointed for Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful to God, for getting them out there safely, and letting us have a good visit, especially since as it turned out, it was our last Thanksgiving with my Uncle, as he died in Minnesota early the next year at age 39. It was the last time I saw him alive.

So now all these years later, I still have to pause each Thanksgiving, and send my thanks up to God, not only for all the wonderful things he has given to me during the past year, but also for the wonderful gift he gave to me that year in 1993, of allowing me one last visit from my Uncle. One last hug, one last time of knowing he thought I was special, one last special day with one of the most wonderful men I have known. There's really only two other men that are as special, my Dad, and of course my wonderful hubby.

Kit Credits: A Vintage Season 1 and 2 and also the 2nd layout used a frame from Crumpled Framers All by Lara Payton

Well its a beautiful day today, so I better get these posted around and go out and enjoy it. It could actually snow later this week I have heard, so I want to enjoy it while I can. Hopefully I can do another layout or so tomorrow, before I have to buckle down and cook for Thanksgiving! :) Even though I have pretty much said all that's in the journaling on the first page, I will post it below. Have a great Day, and thanks so much for your comments!!!

Journaling reads:

One of my most precious thanksgiving
memories is the Thanksgiving before
my Uncle died. Its the last time I saw
him alive, and we almost couldn't get
together that day, because of a winter
storm. However even though my
parents couldn't make it as planned,
Uncle Orison loaded up my Grand-
parents and drove the two hours out to
our house, so as to not have me totally
disappointed that no one could make it.

I have been so thankful to God, for that
last thanksgiving together. Especially
when it was looking like it wasn't going
to happen, till Thanksgiving morning,
when they decided to chance coming.
I praise God for those last wonderful
moments I had with my beloved
Uncle. Its a memory that I have taken
out over the years, and held close to my
heart. November 23, 1993

Lara Payton's new kit

I managed to get one layout done today with one of Lara Payton's new kits. She made a two part Christmas kit, that can be used for more than Christmas!!! That makes me really happy, cause then I can play with it to! LOL Gosh I love the ribbons she has in it! Going to play with it more later...either today, this weekend or next week if I can squeeze it in between cooking for Thanksgiving.

I used some photo's for this layout that I took when we went down to Kansas last year, to help my DH's brother move...well brother, and nephew and nephew's girlfriend and daughter. These photo's show them taking a break to eat and watch Husker football....something they can't miss! LOL If you will notice in the photo of my BIL that is a little bit under the frame at the top, one of our Doxie's is sitting in front of him, hoping for food! LOL I thought that was cute, and so had to put that photo in there not in the frame, as I would have had to cut her out to fit the photo in the frame, and still have my BIL in it. Actually she is also sitting on my DH's lap looking right at me as I take the photo, so she has red eye, or in her case they look kinda blueish....makes her look like she is a devil dog, or something, I left them like that, cause at times she has been a little on the devilish side!! *giggle*. Not sure it will show up in the smaller version as much though.

Anyway, don't you just love those ribbon flowers? And she has some other ribbons I still hope to use in the kit...or actually both parts of the kit. Kit Credit: A Vintage Season 1 by Lara Payton

We went into town and got the rest of our Thanksgiving Dinner supplies today. There was a three day sale going on at the store, so I wanted to get in on it. I got the fruit for one of our traditional fruit salads...got really green bananas, so they won't be black hopefully by the time Thanksgiving gets here. I have to remember to get the turkey out of the freezer this weekend and put it in the fridge to thaw...I cook it early, because I like to enjoy my Thanksgiving, and its hard to do, if you have to cook everything that day....and take the extra meat off the bone. Oh and I got several boxes of our favorite brownies because they were less than a buck a box when usually they are almost $1.40...I put them in the freezer, so I'm sure they will last for several months that way, we don't have them lots, but can now and then. I do hate spending full price for them! LOL (I know, I'm such a cheap skate!) Anyway, I'm glad we are pretty much ready for the baking for Thanksgiving!

I still have to pin my DH down on what kind of pie he wants, we looked at mincemeat, but its really expensive, so guess he will make do with a fruit pie or something. (the mincemeat was over $7 a jar! And it looked like a small jar to me, so probably would have had to have two for a pie...I couldn't believe it!) He would have been the only one eating the mincemeat, cause while I always liked my Grandma's green tomato mincemeat, it didn't actually have real meat in it, and I'm not sure I could handle a REAL mincemeat pie. Course I'm sure he would love the fact that he got it all! LOL Oh well someday, when we want something extra special....and have more money to spend, I will get him some. Its been a while since he had a mincemeat pie. I just can't see spending $15 for a little ol pie right now....even $7 something is high, when you have to go home and make it still! Course that could just be my cheap side talking again! LOL

Ok, I guess that's enough rambling on the food subject! I need to get some things done around here anyway! LOL Guess I will post this layout around later! Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Happy Birthday Jamie!!

First of all, I have to wish my friend, Jamie, a very happy birthday today!!! There is a post in her forum at Scrap Lair for birthday wishes, you can go here, to leave her your own birthday wishes!!! I'm sure she would LOVE to hear from you!!!

Kit Credit for the birthday card and the layout of my DH: Crumpled papers - Browns, Fancy Frames and Classroom Memories elements and papers (for the green paper, and the stitches)

Speaking of Scrap Lair, I want to remind everyone that the Grand Opening 50% off Sale is ending soon!! It only goes through the 14th, so if you want some wonderful kits, for cheap, you better hurry over and get some of them!!! Also don't forget there are some free qp's in the forum, but you have to be registered, and logged in to see them. And don't forget that every 50th person who registers in the forum, will get a free kit of their choice in the store!!

This layout is my DH planting his corn this spring. Mostly he was just having fun with his tractor I think! LOL He loves that kinda thing. Credits for what I used in the layout are the same as the card and are listed (and linked to) above! I did recolor the ribbin, that she had stapled to the frame so it matched the background color.

Well tomorrow is DH and I's 16th anniversary, so I doubt I will do much scrapping, which means I probably won't have anything to post. Our plans for the weekend are still on, so far, so will probably be gone one day this weekend....so may not post again, till next week!!!

Have a great weekend!

Young Love

This layout has a couple photo's of my DH and I before we got married. I didn't have shoes on, and had gone out to say bye to someone (I can't remember who at this time) and then had to get off the rocks after they left. I never have been good at walking on rocks in bare feet, so my darling wonderful soon to be fiance let me squish his toes, and walked me off the rocks. LOL Course it was fun and a good excuse to be close in front of my Uncle's camera. *giggle*

Kit Credit: Courtship by Lara Payton (oops, guess it helps to put the credits on here! LOL Forgot them the first time around)

I can't believe that was 16 years ago. Next Friday is our 16th wedding anniversary, it just doesn't seem possible. Can't wait, as we have a few plans for one of the days that weekend, God willing!! Not telling though as its a secret getaway for the day!!! We haven't had one of those for a while, just a carefree day with just the two of us. Hopefully we can manage it, and hopefully I will remember my camera! LOL Its nothing major, but will be nice to have a little fun away from home for a change.

I hope everyone has had a good week, and will have a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments!!!

Life is getting in the way!

LOL well in the way of scrapping anyway!! I guess I'm not going to get caught up on things (cleaning and scrapping)this week! LOL My parents who had told us they were probable going to come for a visit this weekend, decided to come early, and will be here this afternoon!!!!!!!! So needless to say, I doubt I will be on the computer all that much. I took some pictures yesterday, and really wanted to get a layout done with them but unless I manage to do them this afternoon, doubt I will for a few days, so one of these days I may get back to posting more....but don't hold your breath!! LOL

This layout has some pictures from late spring on it. The beautiful view we see when we are standing behind our barn. The one fence is our line fence so most of it is other peoples land, but we still get to enjoy it! I was just thinking how God paints the most beautiful scenery that we get to enjoy, when I was doing the layout, so that's why I titled it God's Paintbrush. I so love the fresh GREEN of Spring!! (Not that I don't also love the beautiful colors of Autumn, that should be starting soon!!)

Kit Credit: Courtship by Lara Payton

Anyway, have a great week, and I'll be back to posting more regularly someday! :) Oh I did managed to start a kit this weekend....who knows how long it will take me to finish it, but at least the papers and a few elements are done on one...that's a start! LOL

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

Tomorrow is Mom & Dad's 40th anniversary, but since we have had a little family party for them today, and have given them their gifts, I thought you all might be interested in seeing the special layouts I did for Mom & Dad's anniversary. I made a shutterfly book for them, and wanted to keep it a surprise, so couldn't share the layouts I made for it, as they were square, and they would have known something strange was going on! LOL I put all the layouts into a slideshow, so I hope you will enjoy watching it! Its not to long, as I only got the 20 page book. (22 pgs with the cover)

I used Blushbutter kits on ALL of the layouts with an item here or there from Lara Payton, and Tina Williams. One piece of lace is my own.

If you would like to see the pages a little bigger, and see credits for each page, you can go here to view it in my picasa album. The album is set on private for now, because I didn't want Mom & Dad to see it to soon, so untill I get around to switching it, you will have to use this link, not the one listed under my galleries.

I Have to say I am so impressed with the book!! I really love it, and hopefully sometime I can make more of them. Course I don't think I would be as happy with the 8.5X11 size, because the cover is a stock cover (and has a hole in it, which I think is worse than a stock cover