Looooooooooong Time Since I Posted!!!!

Sometimes life just gets in the way and I rarely have time to sit down and post. I sometimes think that I should give up the blog and just maintain life in keeping up my daily journal. However, there are so many things that I really want to post about and either the pictures aren't uploaded (and we know without pictures-no fun), so I am going to try and post to the blog at least once a week with my thoughts, projects I am doing, traveling, and just plain "stuff" I like. I think I will try and make those posts on a Thursday as Friday seems to be a little hectic for me and because I have every other Friday off, it may not get done if I take off for the weekend. So I was going to upload a beautiful picture of Maui, where I will be taking off to in about three weeks, but I can't get the picture to upload onto the blog. I will have to work on getting pictures on here. Remember to craft, sew, stamp, scrap, antique and thrift store hunt for those treasures...until next time!

The Girls Celebrate..

I can't believe how quickly the granddaughters have grown. They started school over a week ago and turned five this past Monday. The babies are growning up quickly! The other day I was shopping at the thrift store and found a vintage Twister game. I thought I would introduce the girls to a game that was not hooked to the TV. We will be trying it out this weekend-I can't wait to see them (and their parents) playing this game on the front lawn!!! I like introducing the kids to the old school things that we use to do when I was growning up, twister, croquet, running through the sprinker, chalk sidewalk drawing,and sidewalk hopscotch with just the right marker piece. I think sometimes we need to get the kids outdoors and enjoy the simpler things in life. My weekend is starting to shape up to BUSY-tomorrow morning (before it gets to hot) I want to fill in a dirt patch off the patio with sand and pavers-the dust is terrible in the dinning room with all of it blowing around. I need to finish patinting the doors on the hoosier cabinet, and reorganizing all the seasonal dishes and put them away. I also want to recover a couple of the family antique chairs with a quilt that is falling apart, but will look great on the chair seats. The antique breakfast table and chairs are what is in my creative place (room) and the colors will go well, pink, blue and green with all the white furniture. On Sunday is the annual garage sale at the stamp store, so I will be sure to be there (like I need anything else!). That's about it for me, I will be back soon to upload some pictures of projects I am working on. Have a great day--

It Appears That...

I wasn't real good at keeping up with my blog, I am going to try harder and even get some pictures posted on here. So many things I have been trying to do and accomplish over the last months. I am trying to slow my responsibilities and my life down just a little to take the time, and breathe. Hopefully, over the next few days I will be able to post pictures of things that I have been doing, and also some of the projects I have accomplished. Stay tuned....

I Think I Am Finally Back on Track

I know I have been away a while, so many thing have happened, I think it's called life!  My mother was diagnosed with Vulvar Cancer. She made it through the surgery, she spent some time in recovery in a home, and I brought her home for the week between Christmas and New Years.  Unfortunately, the dimensia had gotten so bad I couldn't take care of her and work also, so back to the home she went.  She appears to be happy and healthy there and since the home is only a couple of blocks from the house I can visit her often.  I have even taken the dogs there to visit.  Then at the end of January, I got what everyone else seems to have gotten, it lasted a week, I came back to work for a week and then I was out again for another four days this week-I even lost my voice this time, a little frustrating. 

With mother in the home, the good news is I now have my own stamping and craft room.  Since I only started cleaning it out and putting in the furniture a week ago, it has a long way to go but this gives me an opportunity to clean out and get rid of those things that I have been holding on to for a long time there are of no use.  I will post pictures soon of some of the projects for the room I have done so far.  A slow process, but I am going to enjoy it once it gets done, and the fact that it will be organized and I can find things will be even better!

I have also been to a couple of antique stores and bought some really neat things.  I will post pictures of those also.  Among my favorites; vintage valentines, a rusty old tonka truck, and a 1950's baby doll crib! 

I just joined this Easter Swap and can't wait to play!


That's it for now, I have challenged myself this year to be a better blogger!

I Have Been Away Way Too Long...

I didn't realize how much time had passed since I last posted!  If I had waited a couple more months, I would have made it a complete year!

I have done and completed a lot of projects this year but I haven't uploaded the pictures to the computer from my phone.  I have set myself a goal to have something posted (with pictures) in the next couple of days.  In the meantime, I have included a yummy receipe that I found on Pinterest-light and easy for summer.  I don't know whose original receipe this is-if it is yours please let me know, as it is fabulous! If you get a chance to try it-Enjoy!

BLT PASTA SALAD
Ingredients

• 12 ounce corkscrew shaped pasta
• 1/2 cup milk
• 12 ounces lean bacon
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup mayo (i used 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup greek yogurt)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons chopped chives
• 5 heads Bibb lettuce, quartered, or 5 cups chopped romaine hearts

Directions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water as the label directs. Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper.  Crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for garnish. Toss the remaining bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.

Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and 3 tablespoons chives with the pasta until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lettuce; toss again to coat. Garnish with the reserved bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon chives. Serve at room temperature.  

I Think I'm Ready!

It seems that Christmas is coming way to fast this year and I actually think I am ready!  Just a quick trip to the grocery store and the pet store (gotta keep the poopies happy!) and I think that will do it!  I have the menu planned for Christmas Eve dinner (lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and cannoli).  I get so burned out with turkey and ham by this time of year, I try to find alternative things to eat!  For Christmas morning I will be doing a crockpot breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit salad and for the rest of the day just snacking.  I have lined up the fresh veggie platter, crackers, cheeseball, summer sausage, a couple of other dips, a fruit platter and lots of homemade goodies.  Ohh, and I can't forget the special "egg nog".  At Thanksgiving we made the bourbon, pumpkin milk shakes (really good!) and I was thinking of how I could do an egg nog shake along the same lines-haven't figured it out yet and that may have to wait until next year.

I am looking forward to the week between Christmas and New Year's to relax, visit friends, and work on some projects that I have had in mind since I moved in Sept/Oct.  As always, my list is three pages long, but I am hoping to complete at least five projects during the week. 

I wish everyone a very happy holiday season and the best in the coming new year!

Things Are Progressing and Holiday Pictures of the Boys!

Packages are mailed, the decorating is almost done, and the Christmas baking only has a little to go-I'm almost ready for the holidays!  I have to quit browsing all the special edition holiday magazines as I get more and more decorating ideas, things to look for, and more recipes to try-I need to start this stuff in June to be on top of things! 

I finally received some current pictures of the boys at one of their holiday parties, (Jake is in the 92 shirt and Matty in in the green and black striped shirt).  It has been over two years since I have seen them-they are getting sooooo big!  The day is coming closer when I can fly them from east coast to the west coast, gather their twin cousins,  and pile in the van and head to disneyland! 

Yesterday, I had to be in a different area with an hour to waste before a meeting and what better way to spend my time then to thrift!  I ended up spending about $12.00, this after I said I wouldn't buy anything again after the move!  I ended up with a tin santa plate and bowl from Hallmark, with the prices of $10.00 and $5.00 still on them-I paid .50 and .25, a complete set of stampin up Christmas stamps (5) for .99, two bags of vintage bulbs, one .99 and one for .49. a Boyds Bear statue (I collect them) for .99, a set of christmas burner covers for .49, a german glass ornmanet for the main tree for .50, two jingle bears, one small for .75 and the large one for 1.00, two sweaters for 1.00 ea, a Thomas the Train calidiscope for Matty (he loves Thomas the Train) for .50, 4 packs of 20 ea plastic page covers for my notebook of collected recipes for .25 ea, and some genuine silver Fender guitar pick earings for 1.99-I think I did pretty well for just needing to burn a little time! Once I go home I put a fire in the fire place and spent the evening wrapping gifts-I haven't finished but a couple more nights and the task will be complete. (For me this is the part I like the least!)

Slowly checking things off the list while sipping a little egg nogg-hope your days leading up to the holidays are joyous ones!