Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo group QP exchange

Here is my qp's for this months exchange. I really need to start doing them sooner, so I'm not coming down to the end not having them done!! LOL Oh well, least I got them done. You can to if you hurry!!

Kit Credit: Blooming Splendor papers and elements by Lara Payton

Milking update:

I don't think I ever mentioned that we got the other hand milker and its working good! If I did mention it, just skip on over this. *giggle* Now DH can do the milking so I don't have to go out there, which is nice in a way. Not that I minded milking, as long as my hands didn't hurt, it was kinda fun. Its nice to not HAVE to get out when its raining...and I'm sure it will be nice to not have to, when its cold. LOL That is, if we are milking them when it is cold, they may be slowing down by then, so they can get ready for babies, who knows. Anyway, I'm really glad this one works on our goats. If the goats wouldn't mind going back to hand milking now and then, I wouldn't mind it once in a while...but I think they probably do better with the milker, they stand more still anyway. It took two of us before, one to milk, one to hold their feet...Now DH can do it alone.

VA visit-

A couple weeks ago, we went to see DH's usual doctor at the VA, on a special visit, because he had been having a strange pain in his thumb, and we wanted to make sure it hadn't somehow gotten broken. She had them X-ray it, and while they hadn't read the X-rays when we were there she looked at it, and didn't think it was broken, so ordered a brace for his hand, to keep it still. This morning we had to run back up to a specialist she got us in to see, to find out what they said. I think they are a little stumped, because while the X-ray shows a bone spur sticking out...or something like that, it doesn't hurt in that spot on his hand...until they started messing with it. They said he has arthritis for sure, but the area it was hurting in, was baffling to them...they wondered if it was from nerve damage. So they said to wear the brace, at night even, and see if it helps...and to come back in a few months if it doesn't. Least they didn't give him more drugs to take! For that I am most thankful.

Now hopefully the visit to the specialist he has to see next week goes well. He has a strange spot on one of his ears, so the doctor wanted him to have it checked...she briefly mentioned skin cancer, so I'm praying that, that was just the worst case scenario type thing, and that its NOT that! Thankfully I haven't been as worried about this, as I thought I was going to be...several weeks of worrying wouldn't be good, prayer is a wonderful thing!

The neatest part about the visit today, is he got to see a doctor who's last name was the same as my Mom's maiden name. I don't know how common that name is, but gee he could be a long lost cousin! LOL Not that we mentioned it or anything, but just thought it was neat.

Have a great day/evening and thanks so much for your comments!

Template Fun

Today I played around with a free template that Blushbutter sent through the Blush~n~Dusty Yahoo group a week or so ago. I just love the looks of this, so had to look through and find some pictures of Kali, so I could use it in her book.

The first layout is Kali and I the spring before I got married. She really has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. The 2nd one is Kali taking a bath in my Grandma's kitchen sink. She was playing with a toy boat and having fun.

Kit Credits: Template, Baby girl heart strings kit, strip for note from Gentle kit, Bubbles overlay from Baby girl kit ALL by Blushbutter

Well yesterday I decided to go download the new version of the free virus program that I use, and get it installed. I went to the site, and clicked on the link that took me to download it on download.com, and once it was downloaded, I installed it and tried to get it set up. It was giving me some error messages, and I couldn't figure out why till finally last night I discovered it had a virus in it. I guess I trusted the download place, cause I've seen things about them before.

So anyway, I uninstalled the program, and went and downloaded it from the actual site that made the program, and it checked out fine, so I installed it, and had it check out my system. It takes forever to check everything out, because I have so much stuff on my computer, so I finally left my computer on, and went to bed...something I don't usually do. I ran another check this morning with another program, and I think I'm fine...still have to run spy sweeper before I breath easy again. I hate how slow it makes my computer when I'm running them, it takes so long to do anything on it, which has made it hard for me to get lots done, took me all morning to do these to layouts...even though they were with templates. LOL

I haven't answered e-mails, cause they go out so slowly I didn't want to sit there waiting for them to get out, before I sent the next. Nothing major urgent in the e-mail, so I guess that's ok. Anyway, the moral of my story is even if you trust the place where you get a program, you really should check it out, before installing it!! We will see if I remember that, the next time. Sometimes I'm kinda slow learning. *giggle*

Nothing else of major interest going on around here, it is warmer today thankfully (almost 70). Yesterday was a little on the chilly side. I hope all of you had a great weekend. Thanks so much for your comments!! :)

All abuzzzz

I didn't get any scrappin done today, as you can see, but I wanted to share a couple photos instead. After I got done mowing this afternoon, DH was working on a gate, down by an old apple tree that was here when we moved here. He came in and told me that there were a bunch of bees in the tree, that is just COVERED with blossoms. So I went out and got a few photo's. I sent him a couple too, so its possible later on tonight...or whenever the next time he blogs is....that he will have a couple more on his blog. I think the blossoms are so pretty, especially when there are some little pink buds close by.

It was fun trying to catch the bees with my camera, especially with its lag...and it being hard to see for sure if I'm pointing in the right spot, on the little tiny screen, but I got several neat shots. I couldn't believe how much pollen some of the bees had on their little legs. You can see here, the big chunks of yellow pollen, on its legs. I think our tree...or trees, as there is another one closer to the creek but it doesn't usually have many apples on it...has more blossoms on it, than it did a couple years ago, when I thought it was covered, is just beautiful, and while I don't like bees, cause I hate getting stung, it was cool listening to all of them buzzing around the tree. They weren't interested in me at all, with all those wonderful smelling blossoms around.

My photo book news:

I do want to say that I'm impressed with the customer service of mypictales.com so far. I didn't have lots of time to be on the computer today, but the owner has contacted me, trying to set up a time when we can get together and try to work out my problem of not being able to upload my book to their site, so once we can get together, hopefully we can work something out. I sent them a list of times, so I'm sure I'll be hearing from them. They also assured me, that even if I miss the window of the 40% off coupon, they would let me have it for that, since I wasn't able to upload, so I'm not so worried about getting it done NOW as I was. I'm just really glad they are willing to help...my luck, it will turn out that I did something stupid, and caused a big ruckus for nothing. *giggle*

If you have hard water, you HAVE to try this!!

Speaking of being impressed....I read about a product on Pioneer Woman's blog a few weeks ago (I don't remember which section it was in, I used to just read her cooking blog, because she has some yummy recipes on it, but she pulled me in to reading the rest of it after a few weeks, so now I don't remember where I see what)that sounded wonderful, and like something that IF it worked, would be something that was a MUST to keep around. Its called Lemi Shine and is suppose to help get the hard water film off your dishes, in your dishwasher. I'm an extremely skeptical person, especially when it comes to removing hard water film/drops/stains from anything, I've tried things in the past, that said it would, but they didn't work. However since she was raving about it, an since I was having a HUGE problem with the film being left on everything I decided to try some this month. My poor plates had white film all over them, and some baking dishes I had, were grungy and never looked clean...I mean REALLY grungy, rather disgusting, which had I not been so busy working on my book, I would have broke down and scrubbed them to try to get at least some of it off....and I HATE scrubbing! LOL

Anyway, the first time I used the stuff, I noticed a difference in things, the silverware was shinier looking as well as a few other items. I then ran the dishwasher with nothing in it, but some of the lemi shine, to clean it, and then the next time I ran it, with dishes in it, I had my clear plastic steamer basket in it to wash. Now this poor thing looked pretty bad too, all cloudy and scratched looking, but when I opened the dishwasher to put the dishes away it was sparkling back at me from the bottom rack....REALLY actually sparkling!! I tell you, it looked like it was brand new!! I couldn't believe my eyes, and had to go running to tell my DH all about it! HE was even impressed!!

This last time I ran the dishwasher, I washed those baking dishes that I was talking about. I was busy so didn't even think about it, but when I went to put the dishes away, there they were....yep, sparkling like new on the bottom shelf of the dishwasher. They were SOOOO bad, I really thought it would take more than one time to get them back to looking good, but nope, they are almost all clear, and sparkly just like when they were new. Just a couple little spots, that didn't come off, but I'm sure they will next time. Again I had to tell DH, he is probably getting tired of me raving about how cool that stuff is, and saying how much I LOVE it! LOL My red and white speckled enamel plates that I love, that DH bought me years ago for my birthday, had a white film on them....but no more, they are pretty and shinny and new looking again! I'm so happy, that I can now love my dishwasher again, because I really don't like washing dishes by hand, and avoid it as much as possible.

I think Pioneer Woman mentioned using it for other things like getting the hard water stains out of your toilet and all, but so far I haven't managed to try it for anything else, but I'm sure I will. I found it at Wal-mart, but I think there are other stores that sell it too...or you can buy it online... if any of you have a big hard water problem, and want to try it. It really is worth it, even if you don't use it every time, least you can use it now and then, to get rid of that horrible white scale that likes to collect on your dishes. FINALLY something that is suppose to help with hard water problems that actually works for me!!!

Anyway, now that I've rambled on, I better quit, I need to go start some peas, for supper, as the rest of it is almost done. I hope everyone is having a good day!! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments. :)

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.

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!! :)

Another no news day

I did a couple quick and simple layouts with photo's from last year today. The first one is one of our Doxie's, she has a problem now and then, with thinking she just had babies, so she takes and "mothers's" her toys, protecting them from our other doxie, and generally being silly. I love her to death, and know its not her fault, but during that time, she can drive me crazy, with her wondering around the house, crying. She is more cuddly then though, which of course is nice, since I love cuddling. If you look close in the left photo, you can see her nose wrinkled, cause she was snarling at Rascal. The toy she is "mothering" is the red thing behind her.

The 2nd layout shows my rolling pin, and the holder that DH had finally managed to make for it. My Uncle Orison made that rolling pin for me, before I got married, and he fashioned it after one that my Great-Grandma had, had. (The small photo is Great-Grandma's) I've wanted to hang it on the wall for years, so it could be out where I could see it easy, yet out of the way, and finally got DH to make me a holder for it, so I had to get a picture.

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

Am I taking simple to a whole new level? I mean, I really didn't use much on these two layouts, I know I sometimes find it hard to put a lot on a layout, but its getting ridiculous. *giggle* Ah well, it leaves me room for journaling, which I like to have, if I can think of any, because these are for my yearly albums, and they tell the story of our year...so having some journaling is nice for the story. And as "simple" as the layout is, it still looks better than a plain white page, with a bunch of photo's on it, like I used to do...before I found Digital Scrapbooking. NOT that I mind the plain photo album's I used to make, but I like these, however simple, better.

Anyway, as you can see, I have no "news" again today, so I'm just rambling on...don't ask me why, but I'll stop now! LOL Thanks so much for all your comments, both here on my blog, and through e-mail!

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!

Milkin and Scrappin

I did the layout for Kali's Dad's letter to her to go opposite the one from her Mom. I used several photo's of her and her Dad as she was growing up, along with one that Dad took this weekend at her prom.

Kit Credit: Grandcestors by Idgie's Heartsong There is so much more in that kit I want to use, but I'm so slow lately at getting things done. LOL If I ever get back to my favorite kinda layouts....heritage....I'll be using more of this kit for sure.


I was going through this years pictures and seeing what I had and hadn't scrapped, and also looking at the layouts for this years book, and seeing what needed a layout that looked good beside it this morning. So when I saw that I would need one beside the last layout that I did of Kali's Prom Dress, I decided to use the other photo I had of her trying on her prom dress. Hopefully I'll manage to get caught up with this years photo's in the next few weeks, now that I've decided what I have left, that needs scrapped. Then I can maybe get back to last years photos...course they need organized too, so I can see what I've used, and what I haven't.

Kit Credit: Box of Quilling, Victorian Wedding kit and Good Men kit by Blushbutter.

Except for the wind, yesterday was a beautiful day. It was warm, and I've had the furnace turned off since yesterday...which is the longest so far this year!! I also had some of the windows open all night, which was wonderful...it got a little cool by morning, but sure was nice to be able to have that fresh air, and listen to the night sounds...which actually was mostly the wind. LOL I did shut them this morning, as I get cold when I'm not under all our blankets, but so far haven't turned on the heat...hopefully I won't have to. Today isn't suppose to be quite as warm, but its still not as bad as last week.

I'm still milking, the hand milker we got didn't work to well, so I would still have to milk at least half the milk, so it was just faster all around to send it back, and do it all myself. We are planning on trying another one, which is the one I wanted in the first place, but it was so much higher, DH convinced me to try the cheaper one. (He KNOWS I'm a cheap skate usually, so it didn't take much to convince me. LOL) However once we get the money back from that one, I guess we will have to order the other more expensive one, and pray that it works. It has good reviews, and DH can only find one person who didn't like it, so least that's something. I really hope it will pretty much milk out the goats, so there isn't more than a couple squirts left...my left hand cramps up bad when I have to do it all...and even my right does some, just not as bad. However its nice to have the milk, so as long as I can, I will milk by hand, if that's the only way we can manage it. We still haven't managed to get enough in the freezer for a nice batch of cheese...but we are getting there.

I do have to admit, though, that I would also love to have a milk cow, cause I would love to be able to make my own butter...never been to fond of cows, cause they are so big, but having fresh butter all the time would be wonderful. Unfortunately cows are way to expensive...so unless we can "scrounge" one for free I don't suppose we will be so lucky...least not for a while. A couple of milk cows, and a bull would go nicely in our back pasture...once we get the fence done, and provide us with lots of butter...prob to much. LOL I know what your thinking, the bull won't give us much milk...however he would make sure the cows could keep providing us with some by making sure they had calves now and again, so that's why I included a bull in the mix, although I don't know if I would really WANT a bull...least not if he is the least bit mean. Since DH keeps saying he has milked a cow, but not goats...maybe he could manage to milk them. I on the other hand, have never milked a cow...so I would use his excuse on them and say I can't! *giggle*

The "training" for milking is going well...least for the goats. When they get done eating and start stamping their feet, or sitting down or whatever they do, to make it impossible for me to milk them, I give them a little more feed, and hurry up and milk some more. Yep, its going good for them, not so much for me though! LOL I have no idea how people who have well behaved milk goats do it, but I sure wish I knew. I know I shouldn't let them train me, but I just can't milk them when they are sitting down, or moving around so I can't hit the opening on the bucket, so what else can I do, but dole out their food a little at a time, to try to make it last till I get done milking. It is REALLY annoying to say the least, but I can't say that I hate going out there every morning...wish it could be afternoon, instead of morning, as it would fit into my usual schedule better, but someday, I'll get a new schedule figured out. Till then, things will just not get done, if I run out of time...not that that is really anything new. *snicker* Course come winter, I'm not so sure I'll enjoy going out every morning and freezing...can't milk with gloves on, and as warm as two fingers would be on each hand, cause they are in contact with two warm teets (two fingers is all I use, as they are so small), the rest of my hand could freeze...but maybe in the winter we won't have to milk as much, cause we will be expecting babies.

Anyway, enough rambling, I need to go find lunch, and get some dishes washed...and any number of things, that probably won't all get done. LOL Have a great day everyone, and go say Hi to Blushbutter at DST, she is Queen for the day there today!!! She is also giving away some goodies...so look all the way through the thread!

Praise God and Thank you.

We had an appointment at the VA today for Lab work, to check and see how DH was doing after 3 months of less stress, and being a little more diligent on what he is eating (and I just have to say, I didn't nag him much at all...I did a little, but not all that much...you can ask him if you don't believe me!! LOL). We weren't suppose to hear anything until the Dr called on Friday to talk to us. This is something they do some, instead of having us actually see her, I guess it saves time, and lets them do a check on his blood work, between regular visits. So anyway, we were doing our monthly shopping...killing two birds with one stone, or should I say one tank of gas...when his cell phone rings. It was the nurse that was assigned to work with us and talk to him every week or two, to see how things were going. Now not expecting to hear from anyone from the VA till Friday morning, and just having had blood work done, getting an unexpected call from them was a little alarming for a moment, till we found out why...both of our minds went to the worst case naturally, instead of thinking it could be good news (shame on us).

Praise God it was Good News!! The nurse said she just HAD to call and tell him that his A1C (blood sugars) was down to 6.0....from 9.2 three months ago!! Yippee!!!!!! *giggle* Naturally the relief that it was good news not bad was wonderful. The knowledge that even though we ended up alienating a family member, when we " got rid of the stress" at least we know for sure that it worked, was good too.

His A1C being 6.0 is actually lower than it ever has been, since he first learned he was Diabetic, I think that's because of the extra drug they put him on, to help lower it faster, which we will request they take him off of, or at least drop the dosage this time and if he is still good in 3 months, then take him off it, because he hovered around 6.5 before the stress, and extra meds, and they always said that was good, so I would rather he go back to where he was and be taking less meds if he can.

Anyway, we are both REALLY happy about this news, we knew it would be down, because his morning sugars were down, however I didn't know they would be THAT low. To God goes the glory, and our heartfelt thanks!! Also I wanted to say Thank You to all of you friends and family members who have helped us pray for a good outcome!! Thank you so much, I know prayer is powerful, but I really LOVE it, when I get to SEE the results. Thank You so much.

Now I need to stop rambling and get on with telling about the layout! LOL This is DH's Grandparents on their wedding day...(almost sure it then anyway) and the couple behind them (we think) is his Grandmother's sister and hubby. Now I know, in family history research we should KNOW things, before we document them like this...however with Digital Scrapbooking, its SOOO easy to delete the existing journaling if we later find its wrong (since I keep the layered version of the file along with the flattened one) so I wrote it as DH told it to me, and if we find out something different I will change it. I don't have his family history as well documented as my side is, because no one on his side did as much...least not as far as I know, as my Uncle and other relatives did on mine. And naturally I haven't been concentrating on doing it either, since I discovered digi scrappin! LOL

I have to thank DH's oldest brother for this photo, and several more that he scanned in, and put on disk for us. I love this photo, and the coloring and shading on it. I did a few adjustments to it, tried to get rid of some blemishes, and took a little of the fog away, but I'm really not great at fixing photo's, so if you look close, you can still see some smudges, and or scratches on it. But still, its a beautiful photo I think. Thanks Bill!!

And just LOOK at that quilling!! LOL Can I gush, or would that be to embarrassing? Blushbutter just got her "box of quilling" into her store yesterday, and I downloaded it, and just HAD to do a layout real quick with two of the quilling corners she had made, because I knew we would be gone today, so I wouldn't be able to play. I didn't have time to try to put my own together with all the beautiful quilling pieces she included in the kit, but I doubt mine would have been as beautiful anyway. I also didn't have time to post it last night, so it had to wait till now.

What is it about quilling that I've always loved? I remember seeing some at some of the craft shows I've been do, decorating poems and the like, in frames, I never bought any, but I always admired it. Now I can make my own...granted you can't reach out and feel it raised on paper....but it sure looks like you should be able to, and if its behind glass in a frame, you wouldn't know it anyway! :)

Kit Credit: Quilling box of paper filagree, Victorian Wedding Kit and Digital Lace frames ALL by Blushbutter

I better get this layout posted around, and answer some e-mails, so I can get to bed, I was up way to early this morning (woke up a little after 5, and since I had to get up at 6 anyway, I just stayed up) and I'm really tired right now! Thanks again for all your prayers and your comments.

Finally the QP's for the exchange on Blush ~n~ Dusty

I finally got the qp's done for the exchange...just a week before a new one starts. I've been planning on doing them, just hadn't gotten around to it before now. LOL If you are a member of the Blush ~n~ Dusty yahoo group and make a least one qp out of this kit by Blushbutter, and send it to our hostess, you will get all the other qp's that people make, including these too...for this month, I think this puts us up to 20 so far. That's a nice album all ready for your pictures!!

Its raining today...probably not getting lots, but just enough to get wet if your outside. Least its rain, and not snow!! Our grass is loving the extra moisture though, its greening up nicely...not growing lots yet, but that's ok. I enjoyed listening to the rain hit the window during the night...not as good as listening to it on a metal roof, like I grew up doing, but it can still be soothing.

We have used our hand milker several times now...finally today we tried a little bigger part on it, and it worked a little better, but I've not been as happy with it, as I had hoped to be...but maybe now that we changed a part of it, we can get the hang of it and it will work better. If not, we will have to return it, and I'll be stuck milking by hand, which isn't a good thing. LOL One of our goats managed to have it milk her out mostly this morning, so that's a first and gives me hope.

The dogs cornered the cat in DH's office last night. The cat likes to go in there an eat the dogs food, if they aren't around...they must have heard her, cause while we were watching stargate last night, they went tearing off of DH's lap and stood in his office barking their silly heads off. DH went in there to see what was going on, and quiet them down so we could hear the tv, and got a couple of pictures of the cat sitting ON the container he has the food in, with the dogs barking at her. I haven't scrapped them yet...but if you want to see the pictures you can do so here on his blog. The dogs didn't want her eating their food I guess, I thought it was funny she was on top of the food bucket though! LOL

Well I have some things to do, gotta shopping list to make since DH has a VA appointment tomorrow, and dishes to put away...and other indoor things so I better get going. I hope you all are having a good week!! Thanks for the comments.

Sunshine!

Yesterday was such a dreary day, and for some reason I was longing for some warm cheerful sunshine. The week seemed to have been more dreary than I wanted I think, and while things got done, it seemed to take forever and not leave much time for anything else. Today however the sun is shining, its 55 degrees out, which is warm enough to not need a coat, since there isn't any wind, its really a beautiful day out side! I was out earlier, we even managed to figure out where to put our cloths line...that I MAY finally get this month. I would have tried to talk him into getting the poles in today, except he had to go somewhere this afternoon. Oh well, for sure this month, if all goes well!!

I started this layout last night, after supper and stargate, because I all of a sudden got an idea for it. Its the page that goes opposite the one I did yesterday, so I wanted it the same....but different, you know same colors and all, but a different layout. So since I actually got an idea for it, instead of just having to come play around with things, I worked on it and got it almost finished last night. That made me happy, cause I had more time today for other things, yet got my two layouts for Kali's book done this week...even if that's all I manage, I can be happy about that. Anyway, this is my niece, with her Dad (my brother). I cut the quilling corner that I used in my last layout up, for this layout, so I didn't have to have it on a corner. I thought it worked pretty good, and love the flowers around the photo's too. Of course I used the ferns yet again....can you tell I love those ferns! LOL I've used them in 3 out of the 4 layouts I've done with this kit so far. Wonder how many more I could use them in! *giggle*

Kit Credit: Easter Basket by Blushbutter

We got our hand milker today, so I can stop having to milk the goats by hand fully, which will hopefully make my hands ache less!! I've noticed my left hand doesn't do near as good a job of getting the milk out as my right...but that's probably just because I am right handed. I can't wait to see how the milker works, and how the goats like