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.

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!!

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!

Lunar Eclipse and the Blood Moon

Well I did a two page layout this morning, I couldn't believe it! LOL I'm cured!!! *giggle* Ok, probably not, but it felt good to get two pages done for a change....even though I kept them simple. I wanted them simple, so the photo's were the focus, not the elements. Course I'm sure there are much better photo's out there of it, but since I just have a point and shoot camera, and have not taken many night photo's, I thought they turned out better than I figured I would get. I have to say, it was interesting watching the moon, and seeing it turn the orangish red instead of totally disappearing.

Kit Credit: Digital Essential Frames PK by Blushbutter and Blissful Happiness by Manu

I really LOVE those stamp frames from Blushbutters frame pack, they really worked well with these photo's. The colors in the kit I used did pretty good with the colors in the moon to, so over all I'm fairly happy with these layouts! I really wanted to keep up this year with my photo's, so figured I better get these done.

Our goat FINALLY had her babies!!!!!!! Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the night, and one didn't make it (seems to be the story of our life! LOL) but we have a little girl who did. She is adorable, and has really LONG ears. I got a few photo's of her, when DH brought her in to show me early this morning. The dogs were going crazy, and just HAD to sniff her all over too. I'm so glad she was a girl, there is a good possibility that she is from our Billy that died, so at least we may have one we can keep, from him. I'll have to try to do a layout of her, in the next few days. Maybe tomorrow if it warms up nicely, we can let her and her Mom out, for a little while, and I can get some more photos!!

Well I better go get some more things done around the house, did a little this morning, but actually felt in the mood to scrap, and that went well, so I kinda left some of my chores undone, so I could get these two pages done. Have a great weekend!!!

A Good Day

I have been trying to get this layout done for several weeks now, but kept putting it away, cause it just wasn't coming together for me....no idea why. I finally pulled it back out yesterday, and did this too it, then today while we were traveling to Omaha, came up with this title for it, so I finished it when we got home. This is the last of my ice storm photo's, from Dec.

Kit Credit: Snowflake kit and Cream Digital Round frames by Blushbutter

We had a good day today, it's the first time in months, that I've had a good day....when I had to do our monthly shopping! LOL Ok, well that may not be totally true, but let me put it this way, that I ended up THINKING it was a good day, because I didn't go OVER my budget. We actually got more than was on my list...didn't HAVE to mark things off, and shopped at some stores we don't go to every month, and STILL didn't go over the budget! I'm so happy about that!! One of the "extra" things we got, was some paint for the porch floor, so hopefully in the summer, the "smell" won't come back, AND it will look better!!! Course it has to warm up some to paint it, while it doesn't get below freezing out there as far as I know, it still isn't warm enough for paint. We almost didn't get it this month, because we knew we couldn't paint for another month or two, but it was on sale so figured we better since we could save 10 bucks.

I entertained my DH quite well today. I had tears rolling down my face even, when I said something that came out wrong. (REALLY WRONG!!) *giggle* DH won't let me forget that one for a while I know. Then a little later something else came up, and I actually snorted. That's not something I do all that often, except for a few months ago when I did, laughing at something that happened, it had been several years. DH always laughs at me, when I do, because back before we got married, when Mom, Dad, Uncle Orison, and I came up to meet DH's family for the first time, at a family reunion, DH and I were sitting outside one evening on lounge chairs, talking and laughing, and at one point he said, "better be careful, or you'll snort" I told him I don't snort (because I don't usually) and then....yep you guessed it....promptly snorted! I haven't lived that down to this day, and that was 17 years ago, at the end of May! So naturally if I do happen to be laughing so hard, that I do snort....we remember that time before we got married, and laugh all the more.

This all happened on the way to Omaha, so we were really glad I wasn't driving, or we might not have made it....I was laughing so hard, I was having trouble catching my breath for a little while, and DH was laughing at me, and saying "breath....breath". Oh the fun we can have at times...I've always gotten into laughing fits, from the time I was little. I haven't had as many of them lately it seems (except that one 2 or 3 months ago, where I snorted for the first time in SEVERAL years), but today sure made up for it. Needless to say, he teased me about my unfortunate remark, all day long.

The only "bad" thing is, we still have to go back to Omaha to the VA again...and probably at least two more times. I'll sure be glad when these trips are over. Least these that are all bunched together. I don't mind going up there now and then, but it gets expensive traveling up there several times in one month. Thankfully our not going over budget for Feb with our monthly shopping, means we still have a little breathing room. Yippee!! *giggle*

Strangely enough, we met ANOTHER cousin when we were shopping today! If you remember last week, I said we met an Aunt and cousin of DH's when we were eating...and that the chances of meeting family or even anyone we know, in the city was slim, even though DH has several family members who live around that area. Well we had discussed it on the way, and wondered who we would meet this trip...although we were joking, and didn't really expect to, so we were quite surprised, when we actually did. Twice in the same month, and all the other trips we have made to Omaha over the years, we didn't meet anyone! STRANGE!!! LOL

On another note, I got a call the other day, saying my DVD writer was in, and she was e-mailing the tech who was suppose to come put it in, and tell him to set up an appointment, but I haven't heard from him yet, so may have to call and find out what's going on. I don't mind if he can't make it for a few days, but at least setting up the appointment would be nice, so I know when to expect it, especially with all the other appointments we have coming up. Hopefully I can get it soon, and start doing those DVD backups I wanted to have done!! I have everything on my computer AND my external, but I guess I'm paranoid, and want it on DVD too....and the past few months worth of photo's, layouts, and kits aren't on dvd yet. I hear about people loosing things all the time, and I don't want that to be me, so I guess being paranoid is ok! LOL

Well DH just came in here, saw me typing away, and asked how I can think of "that much stuff to say everyday" so I suppose I should stop....I have rambled quite a bit! *giggle* My fingers just run away from me a lot of the time. Besides, I really need to post my layout around, and then go answer the e-mails that came in today. I haven't managed that yet, since we were gone ALL day!

Have a great night/day!! I'll be back tomorrow, with the new layout challenge at Blush ~n~ Dusty, and my layout for it!! Thanks so much for your wonderful comments!!

Summer Memories

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

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

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

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

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

Take care and have a great week!!!

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

The new Challenge is up at Blush ~n~ Dusty's Yahoo group. This time I chose to use our favorite photo (or photo's) of 2007. Mostly because when I'm putting my photo's...or from now on my layouts with photo's from that year....in a album, I always pick one of my favorite photo's for the last page of the album. So I decided I would use that concept for this months challenge, that way I could kill two birds with one stone, have the last page of my 2007 album done, AND have a theme for the challenge! LOL Lara Payton supplied the mini kit for the challenge, its downloadable in her store, but is password protected, and you have to be a member of the yahoo group, to get the password. The challenge lasts all month, so there is plenty of time to join us!

Here is my layout for the challenge...although I'm not elegible to win of course LOL...I included a couple other photo's, this time, besides my favorite one. This year my Favorite photo wasn't a sunset (or sunrise) picture, which is amazing, as the past several years they have been. LOL I love sunset photo's, with all the colors!!

Kit Credit: Jan Yahoo Group Mini kit and Journaling bundle by Lara Payton

If your not a member of the Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo group, come join us, its lots of fun, besides this layout challenge every month, there is also a quick page exchange each month, that goes from the 15th to the 15th. I still need to do mine for this month, guess I better get busy! LOL I love how friendly and helpful everyone is in the group.

I hope everyone had a safe New Years eve! Happy New Year (again! LOL) Thanks for all of your comments, both here and through e-mail!

Busy week

Well I know I haven't posted for several days, and it looks like it could be several days before I do again. These layouts are pictures my Dad took, of the ice at his place. I love the frilly lacy effect the ice has on his trees, its really beautiful!!

Kit Credit: Snow Flakes and Digi Frame Pack by Blushbutter I love how Blushbutter put a drop shadow on her paper snowflakes. It makes them look like they are standing up from the page, like paper snowflakes will do, unless you glue them down, and it makes it so I don't have to try to get that effect, She is better at it than I am!! LOL I suppose there could be times when you wouldn't want the drop shadow, if you were wanting to alter it or something, but so far, I've been loving it!!

We went and got my new printer on Friday, needed a few other things too, so just decided to do it. I have to say, that so far I LOVE IT!! I've been able to scan, without fighting to get a picture, and I've used the copier, which is really neat, to be able to in color AND black and white, and of course printed a layout, and it looks as good or better than my old one!! I had to move things around a little in my office, because its a bit bigger, and wouldn't fit on the shelf above my computer, but I kinda like where it is better, so that's OK. I still have more room on my shelf now, so it doesn't look so full, plus I can put some more books up there if I want.

We also had to get new cell phone's, because DH's was dieing, and we were out of warranty on it, so it was cheaper to just renew and get new ones. Not that I wanted to spend the money, but I like to have both of ours the same, cause that way we know how to use them, as DH doesn't read the book and figure it out, he just hands it to me, to do...and I don't want to have to learn two different ones at the same time, so we both get the same kind. This is the first cell we have had, that has a camera on it....we don't need phone's with a camera, but most phones do anymore, so that's what we ended up with, and since it does have one, I wanted a way to get the pictures off the camera, if we take any, so we got the memory cards for it too. LOL I guess its a good thing we had to get them now, with Christmas, as the cards weren't that expensive. So now, we can take some not so good pictures with our phone, if we don't happen to have our camera handy. Naturally I had to play with it, and get a picture of my DH holding our two doxie's for my "wallpaper" on the phone. Its not real great of a picture, I think I need to learn more about how to do it, but kinda neat to have a pic of my wonderful hubby and our babies to look at, when I pick up my phone. We also can put songs on the phone....like we NEED that, since we are at home most of the time, and can use our computers, or the stereo to listen to music, but I had to figure out how to put some on the phones, so we could have our own ring tone, as the ones that came on the phone kinda sucked. I wanted to use my favorite classical song, but it wasn't loud enough, so for now, it has a country music song for the ring tone...maybe eventually if I wanna play, I'll find a different one. I don't know why they can't just make phones, without all the added gadgets on it, but I guess if I were traveling, and got bored, it would be fun to play with.....maybe....if I wanted to use up the battery power, and not save it for phone calls. *giggle* I guess that last statement kinda ages me, cause I know my niece loves the "gadgets" the more the better, but I guess since I'm not a kid anymore, they don't mean all that much to me. Yeah, Yeah, Kali, I know, your NOT a kid.....*cough, cough, sputter, sputter*....your a young lady, who isn't quite an adult yet. *giggle*

Anyway, I don't know yet for sure about that "job" I mentioned that we may have, but if we do it, we probable will towards the end of the week, so I may not be posting here again this week. I have to start getting our tax info gathered up, and the farm books done, so will be working on that probably instead of layouts, when we are home. Sooo if I don't manage another layout this week, and/or a post, I hope you all have a great week, and weekend!! Thanks so much for your comments!!

Oh and don't forget, there is still time to do the Layout challenge on the Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo group, if you want to, just join the group, and the info is in the archives...or ask and I'll tell you about it (or someone will, if I'm gone)!! A new one starts next week!!

Busy, Strange Day

I managed a couple more layouts today. I used Blushbutters beautiful new kit called Snow Flakes, (you have GOT to check it out, cause its BEAUTIFUL!!) and can't wait to do more with it!! She has some paper snowflakes in the kit, along with embroidered snowflakes, lace snow flakes, and a really beautiful silver one with gemstones and pearls. I just LOVE snow flakes and I didn't use that many of them in these two layouts, so you can rest assured I'll be doing more! LOL

These pictures are naturally more from our ice storm....if you couldn't tell! LOL I used one of the paper snowflakes in the 2nd one, for a frame, cause I took way to many pictures, and figured that would work, to get several of them on the page. I'm afraid there has been to many distractions around here today, that I really shouldn't have been working on layouts, because I don't feel like I can do as good a job then. BUT.....*drum roll please!!!* with these two finished, I can now say I reached the goal I had, of doing 365 layouts this year!!! Yippee!!! LOL Now any other ones I do, are just extras....*note to self, don't set a goal like that again!!* LOL I have to say, it makes me happy to be done with that silly thought, cause I can slow down if I want to...well I shouldn't, cause I still need to catch up, and get 2006 and 2007 pictures scrapped, but least I can take a day or two off if I want to, without thinking I should be scrapping so I can get enough done for the year. Next year, no goals, if I manged a bunch, great, if not, oh well!! :)

We are trying to decide if we should get a new printer around here. DH's isn't feeding paper right, he finally got it so it would work kinda, today, but it still crinkles it up some. I found one that I would kinda like to have....it won't print 12X12, but those are expensive, so I gave up on that idea....it is an all in one, that will scan, and print, and it will scan negatives, so it would replace my scanner, that seems to be giving me fits lately. I have to fight it to get a picture to scan. I want to stick with a Canon, because I love how mine prints, and I have lots of canon photo paper, and I like the separate ink cartridges. Now why you ask, am I getting the new one? Hmmmm well probably because I print lots more than he does, on the good paper, so want the best printer....and I could use a new scanner, so if we got the all in one, it would have to be mine...since I am the one that uses the scanner the most too. LOL Aren't I the lucky one. The only thing is, being the cheapskate that I am, I would like to put it off if his will work good enough for a while longer, except that I found the one I am looking at has a rebate offer on it, at circuit city, that would make it alot cheaper, once we got the rebate back. My luck, I would decide to put it off, and a couple months down the road, it would totally die, and we would have to go spend full price for the one I want. Sooooo if any of you have any opinions of what I should do, let me know!! *giggle* I'm looking at this Canon printer, here. On the Canon site, it says it does negatives, and I called them, and he looked and said for sure it did. That is a must for me, not that I use it much, but if I get a new scanner, it has to do negatives, in case I ever get around to doing some of ours, or my Uncles.

In other news, we got a call from one of the window companies we used to do warranty work for, before DH had to quit, cause of his back and knees, and the ladder work, and lifting wasn't helping them. They had a job they wanted us to go look at for them, because its in Nebraska, and the next closest person is in Texas. We don't know for sure if we got the job yet (wouldn't be surprised if we don't), not sure how soon we will know, but we did tell them we would be willing to go check it out, because its basically just an inspection (I can probably do most of it myself...although DH will go....I do hate driving! LOL), to find out why some doors aren't working. Course there are like 70 of them that aren't working right, so it could take a while, but least there wouldn't be ladders involved (which I DON'T do), or lifting, and the extra money would come in handy, especially if we end up getting that printer! LOL It was a shock to see a window company's name and number on our caller id, let me tell you, as its been several years since we quit. How they found our new number I don't know, since we moved since they last worked with us (to a different part of the state too), but I have to say, its cool that they took the time and effort to look us up, even if they don't end up giving us the job. Least we know they liked working with us, when they did. Its nice to be thought of, but its also nice that this is just a one time deal! LOL As nice as it would be to have extra money now and then, I've gotten used to being at home and not traveling, so would hate to have to travel all the time again.

Well I just discovered that its 5 pm, and supper isn't in the oven...which means it will probably be a little late!! So I have to run, thanks so much for all you comments, and have a great weekend!! (I don't know if I will manage another layout tomorrow, so had to say that tonight! LOL) Take Care all, and for those of you who get to see family this weekend, have fun!!!!

A 3 page spread.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Journaling:

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

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

We have snow!!

Its white outside! The grass is almost all covered with snow already, and its still snowing. Its really pretty out! I guess the forecasters were right this time! :)

Going from winter to summer in this layout, is a switch! LOL This is one of my iris pictures I took last year. It was the first time it bloomed, and I had to get some pictures cause I really loved the white and purple mixed.

Kit Credit: Blooming Delight by Doxie Designs (Thanks to Lisa, my kit has a name now!! Thanks Lisa!!)

The 2nd layout shows our attic, now that its kinda organized....I didn't get any before pictures, I guess I didn't want to remember the mess it was in! LOL Now at least we know what section of the attic to start looking in, for what ever we go looking for....mostly.

Kit Credit: Dahlia Kit and Cluster frames set 5 by Doxie Designs

Well got some more stuff to get done today, so better get at it, I hope everyone has a great day! Thanks so much for your comments!

Does anyone need a dog?

I thought I heard something outside of our big window in the living room earlier this evening, but just figured it was a cat, because sometimes our cats are out on the front porch. But later I was sitting here in my office, working on my computer, and I heard something outside my office window, plus I swore I heard a dog wining, but it was so low, I thought I maybe was hearing things, especially since I could hear SIL's tv, and DH's tv. I finally became convinced I wasn't just hearing things, so went and told DH I thought I heard something outside, and it sounded like a dog, so he gets a flashlight, and goes to the front door, opens it, and there she was, wanting in.

She seems like a real sweet dog, but we DON'T need any more dogs! LOL We have two, and DH's Sister has two, and that means we already have to many dogs in this house. The first thing she did was find the Dog food, and chow down, although it doesn't look like she has been starving for to long, cause she isn't to skinny. She does seem use to being inside, and was probably thankful to find a house, with it cold outside. Not sure what we are going to do with her, will probably call the vet in the morning, and see if they know of anywhere we can take her. If they don't, we may have to put an ad in the paper and see if anyone lost her, or just wants her. She does have a collar on, but it didn't have any tags. She is kinda cute, and I love her big huge ears....but she is a little bigger dog than we want (she would make about three of our doxie's), and truly, we have way to many in this house now....but if we wanted another dog, and didn't mind one being that big, she would be a good choice I think, cause she seems to be an inside dog. And she is kinda cute, with her big ol sad eyes. (Course not to sure how safe our Chickens would be from her! LOL)

I think the winter storm they were forcasting for here, was wishful thinking. We had a little bit of ice when we woke up yesterday morning, but it quickly left. No snow today either. The photo I used in this layout was taken in 2006. We actually had some snow then, although not much. I was just playing around yesterday making a few things for a kit, and ended up making this quick layout, cause I wanted to see what it would look like if I did a black background to match the silouette, so it looked like it was part of it, and had to put the snowflakes in there since it was a snowy picture. Kinda like how it looks like kids playing in the snow in the picture.

Well the visiting hound dog, is still laying here beside me, like she was in the picture above, only her eyes are closed and she is sleeping. I just have to keep telling myself...."your not going to get attached, you're not going to get attached.....*giggle* I don't think I will get THAT attached, I just think she is kinda cute, and sad looking, course that kind of dog always is sad looking I think! LOL

Well I better get going, just thought I would post about our visitor! LOL I hope everyone has had a good weekend!!

More layouts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kit Credit: Blessing by Tina Williams

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

Journaling for the last layout:

Dad,

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

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


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

Been Busy Scrappin

I managed to get started on this double layout last night, and finished it this morning, along with the 3rd layout below. Once I get these posted, I have to get busy around the house though, got several things I need to do today! LOL But I was on a roll, so hated to stop, till I got these done!!

The first two layouts are photo's of making rope that I took when we went to Brownville the weekend after our Anniversary. I remember making rope with my Grandpa once, and thought it was interesting, and had fun watching it being done again. In the 2nd layout, when the guy was burning off the "hairs" left sticking out, I almost missed getting a picture of it, cause I was so into watching! LOL I knew he knew what he was doing, but I was kinda amazed he didn't burn the rope up, when he burned off the hairs! LOL Isn't his outfit really cool though, I loved it! Reminded me a little of my Dad, when he would dress up, for his craft shows, although he didn't carry a gun like this guy had...if you can see it peeking out from under his arm, behind the frame. Journing is below! Edited: I forgot to say that I got a little long winded on my journaling so put the tabs under the frame, and wrote on them...got that idea from some of Blushbutters layouts, which you can see on her blog!

Kit Credits for the first two layouts: Victorian Wedding Kit, Baby Boy Heartstrings kit, Baby Girl Heartstrings kit,Digital Silver Heritage Frames, and Various freebies All by Blushbutter. The straight rope on the 1st layout is from By the Shore by Lara Payton.

The last layout, is a country landscape I had to get a photo of, that we saw on our drive in the country, on our Anniversary. I do love neat farmsteads! Kit Credit for that layout is...ummm no name for the kit yet, but its one I'm working on myself! LOL (I really am not good at coming up with names of kits! LOL)

Well I better get off here and get some things done, I will post to my other galleries sometime later today! LOL Gotta start some lunch right now, I promised my DH some pizza burgers, I made the pizza sauce yesterday, so it shouldn't take to long, hopefully!

Have a great day!!

Journaling for the 2nd layout:

While wondering around Brownville
Ne, at their Autumn fest, we saw
these men set up to give some rope
making demonstrations. Galen started
talking to them, and they roped...
*giggle*...him into helping them.

He had to walk the length of the rope
making sure all the little hairs didn't
start getting twisted up into the strand
next to them...that is until they wanted
them to, of course. At the end, when
they were putting all the strands together,
I had to do Galen's job, so he could take
the piece of wood holding the strands
apart, and slide it down to the other end,
to join the strands.

In the photo to the right, the guy
is singeing all the "hairs" that were left
sticking out of the finished rope. He
then taught Galen some neat knots.
It was interesting!!

Just one layout today.

I only got one layout done today, but it had so many little pictures in it, it took me awhile. I need to get some other things done today, so I'm stopping with the one! LOL I do like how it turned out though! I got the idea of putting them in the pocket from one of Blushbutters layouts!

I'm going to use this as the first page in my 2007 photo album. There are just a few of the pictures I took this year.

Kit Credit: