Gotta do some spring cleaning

Yep, while I could really use some of that around the house (the spring cleaning that is) I'm actually meaning on my computer! While I was doing my layouts today, my computer informed me that I was running out of space, and that I needed to get rid of some stuff. OMGoodness, I have a 250 GB hard drive, who would have ever though I could more than fill that up? I don't have EVERYTHING on it either, I've done spring cleaning before....I think I need help! *giggle* Just a short 3 years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of filling the hard drive that I had at the time, which was 80GB I think, let alone this one. How times do change. I was planning on taking a short break with my birthday coming up on Monday, and doing a few other things, I may have to take a little longer break, and get rid of some things, at least off my computer HD. Maybe that would make it run faster too, if its not so "heavy", who knows.

Anyway, these first two layouts are photo's from 2006 (my next album to work on and try to get finished!!) of a beautiful morning sunrise, with the mist hanging on in some spots. The kit I used is a new one from Lara Payton, and I think I'm going to have to use it some more down the road, cause I really like it, and only used one of the papers, and there are several really nice ones in the kit!! Isn't that frame with the 9 spots really cool? It can be used for several photo's like I did, or just one photo!

Kit Credit: Antique Beauty by Lara Payton

This is some of our cats, sleeping on a tarp in the barn. Galen was working out there and saw them, and thought they were neat, all piled together, so got their photo. Edited: After seeing it on my blog, I decided I just couldn't live with the background being so close to the color of the tarp, so changed it. LOL

Kit Credit: Nymphs by Microferk Designs A freebie for a limited time on her blog!

We made some cottage cheese today. Not sure if it turned out quite right, but its not to bad, taste wise anyway. I haven't had to much yet...I think DH had a bowl of it, but he is the biggest cheese lover around here, although I love some of it too. Tomorrow we are going to try a cheese spread, was going to today, but the cottage cheese took a while, and we didn't want to tie up more of the day doing cheese, so figured we would wait. Love trying the different cheeses...going to have to wait on the hard cheese like Colby till we can afford a bigger stockpot...that could be a little while. But we can keep practicing on the softer ones, till then.

Anyway, I have some e-mails to answer, and need to post these layouts from Lara's kit around, so I better get going. I hope everyone has a great weekend, doubt I'll be back with a post for a few days, need to do some catching up around here, before my birthday, along with getting some things off my computer! LOL Thanks so much for the comments!!

Oh yeah, speaking of comments, Julie, the software for doing the book with my pic tales was pretty easy to use. The hardest part is the cover, took me several tries to get it so it looked good on the cover in the software....but otherwise I'd say its as easy as shutterfly to use!! You can always go try it out, its free!! :) I'll try to do a comparison when I get my book!!

I DID IT!!!

I decided to work on layouts this weekend, so I could get 2007 done and this afternoon, I finally finished with the 2007 pictures!! Yippee!!! *giggle* I do still have to do a cover, for the book, but hopefully that won't be to hard, I'll do that, once I get all the layouts into the book software. I discovered, yesterday, that the place I was going to have the book printed at, has a 40%off coupon good till the 15th so I'm really glad I've been pushing to get them done, as there is no way I would have been able to, in a week, had I not been so close. I was going to try a new place because they do my size of books either direction (landscape and portrait), without a hole in the cover, like Shutterfly puts, and I can do a custom cover! I hate to spend way to much money, to try out someone new, since I don't know what they are like, but at least this way, the 40% off coupon code, will help out. Hopefully I like how the book comes out, so I can print more there. Course I'll have to take a little out of savings to get it, but hopefully I won't need that bit for a new car....IF the dealer ever finds me one!! LOL I was going to just get the layouts done, then print it later, but hard to pass up a sale, when I don't know how often they have them.

I just have to get the rest of the book (I'm half way through the year, getting the pages in) put together, and then do the cover, and send it off. I don't know how long they take to print, but I will be antsy till I get it I'm sure. LOL I am however really glad to be almost done, so hopefully I can slow down a little, work on Kali's book, and actually do a little more around here. Thanks so much to my wonderful DH for putting up with this obcession I get to scrap, scrap, scrap at times, which then makes the housework suffer. You are truly the most understanding man, and I love you!!

The first layout is a rainbow, over my DH's work shop, and the 2nd one is the sun shinning through the clouds. It cast a strange really neat glow over things.

Kit Credit for both: Citrus Sunrise by Stone Accents It was a freebie on her blog.

This is a homestead we drove by, when we went for a drive on our anniversary last year. The old barn drew me, so we stopped so I could get a picture of it. I can't help myself, I LOVE old barns!! Course I had to take a picture of the old granary and other outbuilding that was there.

Kit Credit: Beautifall by Lauren Bavin

This is a helicopter that flew low over our place last year. When DH was in the service, he worked on them, so he loves to see them fly over...not that they do it lots. He is always putting a name to the kind of aircraft we see, this one happen to be a Blackhawk.

Kit Credit: Savanah by Designs by Krista It was a freebie on her blog. It was a freebie on her blog.

This is our goats last year, when we let them into the new part of the barn, naturally since we were out there, they thought they should get some handouts. They tend to be really greedy!! LOL I couldn't resist putting billy's picture big, even though he died last year. We have yet to replace him...we do hope to this summer, but will see.

This shows the goats looking around the new part of the barn, that we let them into for the first time. I don't know that they really knew what to do with themselves...and didn't stay in there, once we left. This part, will have stalls, if we ever get them finished. DH has way to many projects going on, so who knows when they will be totally complete.

Kit Credit: Woodland Fantasy by DigiZines by Teri Hanson

This is of course where the barn project it just getting started. DH had to take some rafters we had bought really cheaply several years ago at an auction, and put them together, since he wasn't going to have a big huge long beam down the middle of the barn. That's is pretty much the first thing he did, by laying them across the stacks of pallets, he has in the photo, so he didn't have to work with them down on the ground. It doesn't do to well, for him to lean over, or crawl around on the ground, with his bad back and knees.

Here is the barn project really getting underway, with the setting of the poles. DH used a bunch of old telephone poles, that were here when we bought the place. Needless to say, this barn didn't cost us near what it would have, if we had bought all new stuff for it, which is good, since we don't have that kinda money, and needed more space for the goats! Course that's one reason, some people seem to think of this as hillbilly hill. *giggle*

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Lifetime Moments by Manu

Speaking of Hillybilly hill, this is our place, as seen from the neighbors place...think we were at his garden at the time. It sure looks like there are more trees closer to the house in these photo's, but really there isn't. They are mostly along the creak, with a few dotted here and there, mostly hedge if they are further away from the creak, although there is one nice big tree in the goat pasture further from the creek that isn't hedge. (Probably that one that almost hides the house)

This one we are just getting the rafters up, on the lean to part of the barn. The easy rafters, as I could help with them without a ladder!! LOL Thankfully I didn't have to help on the others as the neighbor came down and helped DH and his sister put them up.

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Florentine by Irene Alexeeva I'll link to her blog, as she isn't in a new store yet...she said she will be soon though!

This layout shows a couple of our cats one evening, it was starting to get dark out, and DH took their picture while they were sitting on our truck. The both seem to be possessed by something, with their eyes glowing like that. The only thing is, the one cat was trying to hide it more, since hers were only glowing in her reflection on the truck. I thought that was really cool! LOL Maybe we need to see of SG1 from stargate command will come see if they have a Goa'uld in them. *giggle* (For those who don't know, what thats about, its a TV show we are addicted to watching...even though its not on TV anymore.)

Kit Credit: Get Kitty by Irene Alexeeva It was a freebie on her blog.

This is the father of the groom at the wedding we went to last year. Its DH's cousin. I do hope I don't have to much pink on the layout, or have it looking to "girly" for lack of a better word. LOL I wanted to use the wedding colors, but since they were black and pink, I kinda find that hard to do, for a guy. Maybe since he had on a pink tie, he won't mind so much having a little pink on the page. *giggle* I also hope I didn't blur the background TO much, so that it messes with your eyes. I've never done that before, but wanted him to stand out a little more, and thought maybe that would work. I did recolor some of the elements in the kit, for the layout.

This is the bride and groom, with the Unitity Candle, during the cermony. The last layout shows the "getaway" where they got into the back of the old truck, and went for a short drive around the block, while everyone else went back inside, and then they came back, and made their entrance, to the reception. We really had a good time at the wedding, even though we couldn't stay for a long time, as we had a long drive (4 hrs) back that night. I'm so glad we were able to go.

I really had to lighten the cermony pictures...the other ones some too, but just not as much. We were sitting towards the back of the church, so I was lucky to get as good of pictures as I did...would have been nice to be sitting on the aisle, but I managed. I'm not great at getting the pictures to look good, when I have to lighten them so much, but I don't guess they turned out all that bad.

Kit Credit for the last three layouts: Victorian Wedding kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings Kit, and April Challenge Kit ALL by Blushbutter

Well if you made it all the way through this post, you must have some staying power! LOL I know its long, with so many layouts, but at least for a little while, maybe the posts will be shorter...unless I ramble a lot. We will see. Have a great week everyone, and thanks for your comments, both here and through e-mails!! :)

The Call of the frogs

This was taken on our way home from my cousin's funeral last year. I loved the look of the sun, over the water. It was a very peaceful looking place. We had actually stopped to take a picture of the pink that was showing up, in the sky to the south, but this was actually my favorite picture, even though there wasn't any color in the sky. The other pictures didn't turn out as good as they should have, because the camera setting had gotten switched and I didn't catch it. But I was still happy enough with this one, I had to scrap it.

This is some of the family that was at the funeral, the cousin's daughter, and some grand kids. We had a good time, seeing family, even though it was a sad occasion. Jr (as I always knew him as) lived a good long life, and was loved by many.

Kit Credit: Sweet Surrender by Lauren Bavin

This is our nephew, his girlfriend, daughter, and girlfriends daughter (I'd say step daughter if they were married, but not sure how to say that since they aren't. LOL) They make a nice little family.

Kit Credit: Box of Quilling, Easter Basket kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings Kit & Cardboard Frames All by Blushbutter. The wordart was a freebie at DSP by Kerri Erickson

This is our house, as seen from the direction of the barn. The trees we planted out front a couple years ago, haven't grown all that much...hopefully they take off one of these days, and start looking like they will someday be big! LOL I love this old house, I never thought I would want a one story house, with some of the rooms being a little on the small side, but I fell in love with this one, the first time I saw it, and feel blessed to have been able to be the ones to move it to our farm, instead of someone else moving it to theirs.

This is the Barn, and DH doing a little dirt work, around it, with his tractor. The chickens were enjoying him digging in the dirt and uncovering bugs for them too. Its a wonder they didn't get ran over, they sure seemed to be in the way a lot.

Kit Credit for these two layouts: Summer Dreams by Blushbutter This is one of those $2.00 kits too, so better go get it!! Least it is for this month, not sure after that. The ink bottle in Our House is from Easter Basket kit by Blushbutter

This layout was going great, till I got done with the papers, and pictures, then I had to try to figure out what elements to use, and where to put them, and I stalled out. LOL So I didn't put much on this one either, I don't know if I looked at it to long, putting all the pictures and stitches on there, so I got used to having less on it, or what, but I finally gave up, and this is the way it will be I guess. I like it, it just seems a little bare. Oh well, anyway, this is my niece's school pictures from kindergarten to 11th grade. I'll do a page with her Sr pic's for beside it, once she gets them taken, and to me...later this year.

Kit Credits: Craft Scrapbooking Kit, Baby Girl Heart Strings Kit and Snow flakes kit ALL by Blushbutter. The Arrow I did myself.

National Scrapbooking Day (NSD):

I hope everyone will have a great time celebrating NSD!! I didn't do anything here in my store, as I'm so small, I can't compete, and ummm I've been so busy working on layouts that I didn't try to think of what to do. Sorry!! There are lots of sales going on though, and I've managed to get in and buy a few things myself...I was planning on getting a few kits this month for my Birthday, so I just went shopping a little early. So Happy Birthday to me!! *giggle* Gosh, I had way to much fun, and got some beautiful kits, to many, as I hadn't planned on spending so much, (3 or 4 kits was what I was going to stick to) but just couldn't stop myself, I think I ended up buying 7 kits...if you count the two from Vicky as two, they are more like one BIG one, as they match. LOL. I had trouble deciding which of Manu's kits to buy, and which to wait for later for.

I bought Vicky Morrissy's Beautiful Blossoms Roses 1 & 2, its just beautiful!! I've been wanting it, but with not doing much with my heritage photo's, and figuring that's what I'm use it for the most, I put it off, but a couple weeks ago, I promised myself I'd get it for my birthday, even if I don't get to use it right away. LOL Course when I saw it on sale, I had to get it early, so I could save a little bit of money...and then end up spending it at Manu's store over at SBG. *giggle* Also I tried out a new designer, I saw her stuff a couple weeks ago, and while I know she isn't NEW she is to me. LOL I bought one of GiselaB Designs kits plus picked up her new cluster frame freebie while I was there. Needless to say, I'm broke now, but have more kits to finish my 2007 photo's with, and then some. LOL Speaking of freebie's, I got the add on to one of Manu's kits on her blog too, and she has a 2nd one, that hopefully she will tell us where is, once she knows. Also speaking of Sales, Blushbutter is having one too, so its a perfect time to go grab some of her kits, if you have been wanting them. You KNOW you want to! :)

Now whats going on with the weather?

DH sent me a link to a news report this morning, about some bad storm damage close to where we used to live in Indep. Mo. I still have some family down there, so hopefully they are all ok. I'm wondering if the house had any damage or not, it was Grandma and Grandpa's house for 60 years, so while we did buy it from them and live there for a few years, it's always Grandma's house to me. I saw on a video that just a few blocks away, a restaurant was totally destroyed...really hope we get to go to that family reunion, so we can drive by "Grandma's" house, and see if its still there.

In other strange weather news, Western Nebraska got more snow! I can't believe it, its just not suppose to snow, least not around here, in May!! Granted that's west of here a ways but still. Sure hope it doesn't come here, I know DH talks about there being snow on his oldest brothers birthday, which is in May, but I personally don't remember ever having snow in May, and would like to keep it that way! *giggle* Thankfully we didn't move west, when we were thinking of looking for a place in the country!

Its been beautiful here the last several days. We did get some rain in the night and today, but don't think it was lots. Its not been sunny much today, but after the last several days I don't mind as much, and after the news from around the Midwest, I really don't mind, because at least we didn't have snow, or high winds!

Moments like this (below) is one reason I LOVE the country.

Last night, I was sitting here at my computer, working on a couple of these pages, listening to the frogs sing outside my open window. It was just starting to get dark, and the longing to go outside and listen to them because strong, almost as if they were calling me. Now usually it takes a bit, to get me away from my computer, when I'm actually getting a bunch done, but I finally gave in, and went and sat on the patio for little while. It wasn't to dark out, so I could still see things, not just the outlines, but actually see them. But because it was getting dark, the sky was more of a gray blue, than a blue, with thin wispy white clouds in it, along with a few of the brightest stars twinkling already. I sat there listening to the frogs serenade me and smelling that cool night smell that was wafting towards me, on the slight breeze. I swore I could smell the hay field, even though there wasn't any hay down in it. It was pure heaven, and even Rascal sat and enjoyed it with me for a little while. Just before we came in, the coyotes started yipping in the distance, to add to the magic of the country evening. The coyotes are another sound from my childhood, that, while not as endearing as the frogs, it takes me back to my growing up years, and the happy memories I am so lucky to have.

Have a great weekend everyone, don't spend TOOOO much at the sales, and thanks for your wonderful comments.

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!! :)

More 2007 layouts

Ok, three more layouts...not real fond of them, but sorry to say, don't care to redo them, so they will go into my book for 2007. Are any of you getting tired of farm layouts yet? LOL Since I'm trying to catch up and at least get 2007 photo's done soon, you will see some more comming up...just hope I do a little better job, so I at least like them better. This first one is my favorite of the three...don't ask me why...maybe because I'm in that super simple mode, and its all straight lines.

The first and 2nd layout shows our billy who died late last year, and some of the other goats, as well as one of my favorite chickens...because I LOVE that color of a rooster, and of course my favorite cat. Gotta have my kitty in there, cause even though she spends a little time inside now and then, she is still a "Barn" cat. LOL Thats where she gets fed, and where she can be found most of the time, except when she is visiting us inside.

Kit Credit for Drab Winter: A Touch of Yesterday by Manu

This last layout shows a flock of wild turkeys that walked through our front yard one day. Its not the first (or last) bunch that have, we see them now and then. We have a lot of wild turkeys around here, and hear them all the time. This particular time a couple of them came up almost to my office window, they wern't very far from the front of the house, and DH and I were inside watching them, and had to get their pictures.

Kit Credit for the last two layouts: Belief by Tina Williams

Well, I'm tired, so I think I'm going to get off the computer and get to bed. Thanks for the comments!

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!

Rain

Its been raining the past two days...well day and a half so far anyway. LOL It started early yesterday morning, and while its mostly not hard, or even ALL the time, its enough to make it difficult to do anything outside, without getting wet. Its also kinda chilly this morning. DH is over at the neighbors, since he can't be fencing...helping him, and yesterday we did some running around, since it was raining. I had hoped to get some more scrappin done yesterday, but with being gone in the morning, the day disappeared in a hurry, and I didn't get around to it.

However I did manage a couple this morning, before I go do a little cleaning. The first one is our Froggy Haven...our creek. LOL The 2nd one is my DH building fence. He is much slower at it than most people, since he can't work on it ALL day without resting, with his bad knees and back, but at least he does manage to do some when its not raining. Its good that he does what he can, so he gets a little more exercise, as that can help his blood sugar too.

Kit Credit: Vintage Garden by Jean Daugherty Designs The little frog is from my Signs of Spring kit.

Jeans kit is only $2.00 right now, its one of the monthly specials they have so if you like it, better hurry before it goes off sale...least if you want it for that price. :) Jean Daugherty was the CT manager when I was on the CT team at DigiZines, but she has now moved on to designing. I really like her kits!

Not much else going on here. I splurged and bought a couple more African violets yesterday, I haven't bought any for a couple years, and now that I have my plant stand back, I thought I would add more to it. I'm not good with plants, but IF I'm going to manage to keep something alive, usually I can African violets. LOL My Grandmother loved them, and had some as long as I remember, so maybe that's how I manage to keep them. Anyway, I need to get those in different pots and get the kitchen cleaned up...that seems to be a never ending job around here, working on the kitchen. Probably cause if I'm not at my computer, outside, or watching TV with DH I'm doing something in the kitchen. So have a great weekend everyone, and thanks so much for your comments!!

Fun in the Sun

I scrapped some of the photo's I took yesterday, while we were being entertained by our goats. We were all enjoying the fact that it was in the 50's and sunny. One of the new little babies was laying in the hay that was scattered on the ground, and rolling in it. I caught one of the "rolls" with my camera...this time I think her antics got away from her, and she rolled all the way over. *giggle*

Kit Credit: Faith by Tina Williams Designs.

In the 2nd layout you can see our three boar babies together on some rocks. I just think they are so adorable, and their feet seem so big...especially one of them. They love climbing on the big rocks DH has around the water tank. When we first went out there yesterday, one of the new babies, jumped into one of the water tanks, that had some ice on it, but she got out in a hurry, cause the ice broke. LOL The goats don't like to be in water.

We haven't tried milking our new goats yet, we want them to get settled in good, plus with the kids on them all the time, I don't know how much we would get from them. In another few weeks, we can separate the kids at night, and milk them in the morning and we will get more. We will however have to start training them to milk soon, even if we don't get much. I was hoping to get milk goats that were already trained, but we couldn't pass these up, since we got several of them for the price. I've never trained a goat to milk....can't say I'm looking forward to it, but hopefully it goes well! Hopefully they aren't to stubborn, and want to sit down, so I can't milk them, like the last one I tried to milk did! LOL

Its another really nice day out today (mid 60's!!), I took Autumn (one of my Doxie's) out with me to see the goats, and she wasn't real happy about being around them, she was standing by DH and one of the Mom's came up to her, and was probably going to try to butt her, but she didn't give her the chance to before she snapped and snarled at her, cause she was getting to close to daddy! LOL If he hadn't of been there, I don't think she would have stood her ground as much, she would have left. She wanted held most of the time we were out there, cause of those big monsters, who were so much bigger than she was. The babies didn't bother her as much, as they were closer to her size. LOL Poor baby (my doxie, not the goat) was traumatized I think.

Well I better be getting busy, need to get supper ready for the oven, so I can spend the rest of the afternoon doing chores...if I don't find something else funner to do! LOL.

I'm going to try to work on figuring out what photo's to use of my niece, if I have any computer time tomorrow, (figuring out what to scrap of her, isn't going well....I have to many photo's, and am having trouble figuring out which ones to not use! *giggle*)so I doubt I will manage any layouts...unless I just have to do some, to get away from trying to make up my mind! So have a great weekend!!

The Newcomers

I managed a couple layouts today, with the photo's I took of our new goats, yesterday. I have to get caught up on this years photos! LOL course that means you will be seeing more goat layouts, cause I have some photo's of our new boar babies too.

Kit Credit: Junk Drawer by Shadow Scraps

Journaling:

We have been wanting some milk goats, and Galen heard
that there was a whole family of them for sale...one
billy, 2 nannies, and three babies. So we went and got
them, they aren’t Nubian like I would have liked, but we
will see how they do...they are Kinder goats. They
are cute although I still like our boars better.

In the large photo, two of ours are looking over the
pallet, to see the newcomers. I thought that
was kinda neat. LOL

Jamie, of Shadow Scraps now has a blog!! She just got it set up today, and has one post in it, but I thought I would put a link here for any of you who would like to visit it. I know she is planning on posting her newest mini kits in there, just for a start, but she hasn't had time yet. She still has some other things she wants to do to it, before it will be fully set up, but least she FINALLY has a blog!! *giggle* I've been trying to talk her into one for months, even telling her I would help her learn how to set it up....but she wasn't ready for one till now I guess!

Also all of her kits (and Lynn's too) are 50% off at Scrap Lair through the end of the month!! So don't forget to go check them out, if you have a little extra spending money. Shadow Scraps has several pretty floral mini kits, that are only $1.50 (as well as the kit I just used for these two layouts) so don't let your chance to get them at that price, get away from you.

Today has been a pretty nice day outside, its been in the 50's and not to much breeze, so while not able to be out in just your shirt sleaves, (well I couldn't anyway) I did spend some time outside, in the sun, with the goats. It was good to be out there.

We let the newcomers out to meet the others, and had to block off the barn, while we were out with them, cause they kept wanting to go back into it. They stayed away from our other ones, as much as possible, well except for the billy. The billy, had to go check some of the others out, and then hung around us bugging us. He is such a friendly billy, which in a way is good....except I don't want the billys, especially the milk goat billys, so friendly they want to almost be in my lap. LOL Anyone who has been around billy's in the fall, knows WHY I'm sure. I DON'T want to smell like they do...and the milk goats are worse, that the boars, and the boars are bad enough.

The billy...we don't know what we are going to call him yet, I said he looks like billy goat gruff, but I don't think DH wants to call him gruff *giggle* and I don't want to billy, cause he isn't like our last "Billy" soooo guess I have to keep saying the billy for now....kept bugging me, trying to taste my clothes, fingers, and even my hair (he gave it a good tug, till I yelled "Hey!!" LOL) till I got tired of it, and started shoving him away. Well hmmm that didn't work, he came back for more, only worse. DH tried to get rid of him, and pulled him back quite a ways, but when he let go, he went around him, and came right back to me. I don't know if he thought I was playing or what, but knowing how he would smell later, and knowing how some billy's can even butt you when you arn't looking, least some growing up would, I figured I better get the upper hand right away so I handed my camera to DH and tiped him (the billy, not DH!) over on his back. I didn't hurt him, but wanted him to know who was boss. He isn't big enough that it was that hard, although he is taller than our other billy...just not as wide. (course our other billy seems like he is rather short)

He got right back up, and started toward me again, so I stuck out my finger and said "Hey, you want me to do that again, with all these Ladies watching?" because by that time, several of our other goats were watching him. He stopped, turned his head and looked at them, then came back for some more fun. DH and I had to laugh at that though, cause it was like he knew what I said, and had to look at them to decide. I tipped him over again, and he had a little harder time getting up, cause he was trying to roll downhill, as he was trying to get back on his feet uphill, so I nudged him so he could get back on his feet. He got up, shock himself off, looked at all the "Ladies" who were quietly laughing at him, and wondered off, not to bother me again, till I was leaving the barn, and he wanted a handout. I almost felt bad, cause I know he was probably embarassed, but I don't want him trying to be top goat, with me...or DH....or being so friendly, I have to smell like him this fall, cause he won't stay off me. DH said I may have to do it again, to "remind" him so we will see. He is kinda cute, although I think our other billy that died last year, was cuter. But in the Billy Goat Gruff way, he is cute. I don't mind them comming up to me, as long as they learn what no, and go away is....and stop trying to taste me and my clothes. LOL I may have to get a water gun for this fall, and see if it works at keeping him away, as well as it does for my parents goats.

Ok, I better get supper started, so I'll shut up now! *giggle* I promise, I won't rattle on about the goats all the time....they are just so fun for us! LOL I hope everyone is having a good day!