Merry Christmas

HO HO HO Merry Christmas....I'm going to be very busy the next few days so I'm going to wish you all a very Merry Christmas now. The kids will be here in awhile so I need to finish wrapping presents and finish the last minute baking. I hope Santa brings you all your dreams. May God Bless you and keep you safe during the holidays.

White Christmas

It's finally starting to like Christmas around here. WHOOOOHOOOO :-)
We've had rain all week and it finally starting snowing a little while ago. We have 3" so far and it's still coming.

The kids start coming in tomorrow so it will really start feeling like Christmas around here. I just wish all the kids could be here it would be fun to have all our grandkids at once. This year we get to spend Christmas with two of our 4 sons and thier families. We will miss the rest of them.

Stuffing Recipe

Anyone cooking a turkey for Christmas?

Here is a turkey recipe that also includes the use of popcorn as a stuffing -- imagine that. When I found this recipe, I thought it as perfect for people like me,
who just are not sure how to tell when poultry is thoroughly cooked, but not dried out. Give this a try.



8 - 15 lb. turkey
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is Good.)
1 cup uncooked popcorn (ORVILLE REDENBACHER'S LOW FAT)
Salt/pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush turkey well with melted butter
salt, and pepper. Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in
baking pan with the neck end toward the back of the oven.

Listen for the popping sounds. When the turkey's butt blows the
oven door open and the bird flies across the room, it's done.


Sorry lady's but I couldn't resit. I hope you had a good laugh ;-)

Have a great day!

Glitter Ornaments

Glitter Ornaments are very popular this year so I wanted to share with you how easy and inexpensive they are to make....all you need is

Clear Glass Ornament (I bought mine at Micheals)
Super FINE Glitter (I used Martha Stewart) I tried other types but SUPER FINE works the best
Liquid Hair Spray (I got mine at the dollar store)
Rhinestones
White Self Liner or color of your choice.

I embellished mine with rhinestones I found at Micheals. The names I cut out of with from dollar store white self liner using the cricut

I also made these cute little boxes from the cricut cartridge tags,bags,boxes and more to put them. If you make them be sure and use card stock weight paper. I used double sided so they were just as cute on the inside. I made them on a 12x12 mat. I used the largest setting I could and still stay within the cutting lines.

The little hat is for our newest grand daughter Eliana....isn't it adorable? I'm also making her a white one. Any ideas on what color to make the flower?

Have a great day!

Peppermint Mint Fudge

It's been Cold and Rainy here and we have no snow yet. I'm hoping for a White Christmas so hopefully we will get some soon. Christams Eve would be good then I won't have to worry about the kids driving in the snow to get here. Then it can go away until 2012 LOL. Most of the our kids are coming here for the Holidays. We wish they could all make it but that doesn't look like it's going to happen this year.


I've been busy finishing up Christmas presents,holding retreats,still trying to get unpacked from the move and get Holiday Baking done.

Today I am making Chex mix and Candy. Here is my recipe for

Peppermint Mint Fudge


12 ounce package vanilla chips
16 ounce can vanilla frosting
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
8 drops red food coloring if desired
crushed peppermint candies or candy canes or a smattering of peppermint sprinkles

Line an 8-inch square pan with wax paper. Melt the vanilla chips in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Mix in the frosting and peppermint extract. Spread the creamy goodness into the prepared pan. Drip the food coloring over the fudge and swirl decoratively with a knife. Sprinkle with crushed candies and chill until set.
I promise you won't be able to stop eating this :-) it is so yummy

GYPSY BUNDLE

I Love Love Love my Gypsy so I want to share this great deal with you. Over at Cricut.comThey have the Gypsy portable design studio, a chic gold/black silicone sleeve to protect and adorn your Gypsy, a stylus 3 pack (each a different color), and a vehicle power adapter so you can take the show on the road. All this for $109. This is a great deal for any of you who have been thinking of getting one or maybe you need to let Santa know where to pick one up for you!

Does your family like Rice Crispy Treats who doesn't right. Wells here is a recipe you are going to love.

TOASTED CANDY BAR RICE CRISPY TREATS

Ingredients
12 Cups Rice Crispy cereal
2 10.5 oz bags mini marshmallows
6 Tablespoons butter
1 Cup chocolate chips
3 Cups mini marshmallows
10 mini Twix candy bars, chopped
10 mini Snicker candy bars, chopped

1. Prepare rice crispy treats according to directions on the cereal box, make sure to DOUBLE the recipe. Press into a buttered 9X13 inch baking dish.

2. Preheat oven’s broiler and position top rack in middle of oven NOT the top (if rack is to close to the broiler, the marshmallows will burn). Sprinkle chocolate chips over rice crispy treats. Sprinkle 3 Cups mini marshmallows over top. Broil just until marshmallows start to puff and turn golden brown.

3. Remove from oven and press chopped candy bars over toasted marshmallows. Let cool for at least 1 hour before serving. Hope you enjoy! It doesn't last long aroung here so before and get some before it is gone!

Have a great day!
Bonnie

I saw this over at Cookies and Cupcakes and knew I had to make it for my grandkids for Christmas. Go on over to her blog for detailed instructions.

Hot Chocolate Cones

Another favorite are these cute stocking stuffer. They're great for the kiddo's both big and small! Who doesn't love hot chocolate!

Hot Chocolate Cones

Ingredients

Plastic Piping Bags, hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips or peppermint candies crushed, mini marshmallows, chocolate kiss


You need two bags per cone.

1. Add the drinking chocolate to one piping bag -- I put in about 4 table spoons. Tape or tie off the top of the bag with an elastic band and snip off the top of the plastic leaving about 1/2 inche of plastic above the tie.
2. Insert the drinking chocolate cone into your second plastic piping bag.Hold formally round the top so the chips don't fall down the side.
3. Add in chocolate chips (just as much as you think looks good).
4. Add mini marshmallows on top
5. Add a Chocolate on top of that. You could add a gumdrop, after dinner mint,crushed candy canes or peppermint candies ect. Then just tie it all of at the top with an elastic band.

6.Add ribbon, and tag and a little how to on the bag of the tag (snip of the end of the cone to empty the chocolate into a cup - add chocolate chips, milk and water. It's so so Easy, Hope you Enjoy!!!

These cones are also adorable filled with different size and colors of gumballs,jellybeans,skittles ect.

Christmas Stocking Tradition

Our stocking tradition started 32 years ago when I made these felt stocking for my boys.











Since then I have made over 20 more. Here are a couple of the others












My daughter-in-law Jessica is the one who started this. She wanted me to make one for her and then everyone wanted one. LOL I now try to have one done for each child on their first Christmas. After many years and stockings later we now have walls covered in felt stocking. The stockings all stay at our home. One of the first thing the kids do when they get for here for Christmas is look to see where their Stocking is hung. Even if they can't read they know which stocking is theirs :-)

We want to hear what are some of your families favorite Christmas Traditions?
Have a great day!

Swedish Cream Waffers

This has to be my all time favorite cookie recipe. I don't think I am the only one in my house either....they are gone before I can even get them frosted!

Swedish Cream Wafers
makes: 5 dozen

1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
granulated sugar
Combine the butter and whipping cream.
Add the flour.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375F.
On a floured board, roll out 1/3 of the dough at a time to 1/8 inch thick.
Cut with 1-1/2 inch round cookie cutter.
Place lots of granulated sugar in a shallow bowl.
Coat cookies with the sugar on both sides.
Place rounds on ungreased baking sheets.
Prick each round with a fork about 4 times.
Bake 7 to 9 minutes.
Let cookies cool.

filling
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 egg yolk, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla
food coloring, optional Make the filling by beating 1/4 cup butter, powdered sugar, egg yolk and vanilla together.
Tint with food coloring, if desired. I use red and green for Christmas and add peppermint instead of vanilla


When cookies have cooled make sandwiches by placing some filling between two cookies.

Kicked up Paper Christmas Tree

Do you remember making Christmas Tress out of Reader Digest or some other old magazine? I saw these on someones blog and I am so sorry I don't remember who's. If anyone knows please let me know so I can give them the credit they are do.

Anywhoo....Aren't they gorgeous? Click on picture to enlarge. Guess what I will be doing today....Yep. I already have my magazines ready so while I'm watching the News I will be folding my magazines. My DH brought me home spray paint last night so I'm ready to go :-)

For those of you who have never made these they are very simple. Take your magazine and break the spine now take the top of the first page and fold it into the spine then fold the bottom of the page up into the spine. See how it resembles a tree. Continue until all the pages are folded, decorate as desired. This is a great project for the KIDS!

Banana Stuffed French Toast

Over the next 25 days I thought it would be fun to share some of our families favorite recipes,traditions and gifts.

Here is a favorite breakfast recipe. I don't remember where I got this recipe but I've been making it for years now. It is one of my husbands favorites it's also a great recipe for Christmas morning since it can be made the night before and popped into the oven to cook while the kids are opening their presents. ENJOY!


Banana Stuffed French Toast
8 slices of texas toast
3 bananas
4 eggs
1 small can evaporated milk
1 tbl vanilla

Tear toast and put in bottom of 12x9 pan. Mash bananas add milk eggs and vanilla pour over bread and soak overnight.

Streusel Topping
1/4 cup butter melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecans chopped

mix together and pour over bread mixture just before baking. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Serve with powdered sugar or syrup


What are your families favorites? Let us know....we'd love to hear from you! Have a great day.

Free Class

Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for the Inspiration Everywhere class by Jessica Sprague! You have until midnight tonight to register. Oh, and did I happen to mention that the class is FREE!


There's no reason to miss out on this one....it's going to be a great class.
click hereto register

Unpacking

We finally got all moved....now if we just get unpacked. I don't have to many boxes to unpack but finding somewhere to put this stuff is another question. We really didn't need to bring anything to this house, but you know I couldn't get rid of my crafting supplies. I do think I am going to have to get rid of some of it though or maybe I just need to have fewer hobbies LOL! Moving is definitely no fun in my book.


Look who woke me this AM



Do you see him in the top of the tree? This city girl now country girl woke up to a woodpecker pecking on her house. I couldn't figure out who was knocking on my bedroom door until I opened the door and saw the woodpecker fly off. What a relief I surely didn't want someone to see me with my PJ's on and my hair uncombed. LOL I don't think I like being woke up at the break of dawn thinking someone is at my bedroom door only to findout it was a bird. Of course he flew away when I opened the door he probably went to take a nap ;-) Anyone know how to get rid of this little pesky bird without hurting him? I definitely don't want him waking me every morning or pecking at my house.

Knee deep in boxes

For the past month we have been packing to move. I am so tired of seeing boxing. I have been in this house for over 25 years. YIKES there is so much stuff to get rid of. It's amazing....every time I think I'm done packing I find more stuff LOL! We have our stuff,my parents, our kids and now some of my mother-in law's and our nieces stuff also. Oh Calgone please take me away ;-)

I have to get back to the boxes. A huge Thanks to our wonderful son and friends who have stopped by to help. I don't think we would have made it this far without you!

Have a fantastic!

Stay Tuned

We are going to be having a lot of exciting changes around here. Don't have time to fill you now but be sure you stay tuned in.

Fall

Whooohoow it's Fall. I love this time of year. The leaves are starting to turn and the night air is cool and crisp. It makes me want to be in the kitchen cooking all day.I love the smell of fall....Cinnamon,Pumpkin,Apples,Carmel and Hot Spiced Cider YUMMMM does it get any better!

I'm making cinnamon rolls tomorrow morning for breakfast. I found a recipe on Pioneer Women that sounds Delicious. I can't wait to try it. Want to stop by for some hot cinnamon rolls and coffee?

Cricut Imagine

How many of you watched the launch of the Cricut Imagine last night on HSN? I have to say I was one of those people. I couldn't help myself ;-) I was glued to the TV for hours!

I picked up the phone several times to order it then stopped myself. There is a part of me that wants it and a part of me that keeps saying wait. I'm very picky when it comes to printed material so I decided I needed to wait until I could actually see it in person. I need to check out the quality of the printed material. I will say however it looked great on TV.

I couldn't believe what all it can do....not to mention you can still use your old cartridges. I was really impressed by this new machine. If the quality of the printing is what they say and it is a cheep to print as what they were advertising I know what Santa will be bringing me for Christmas if I can wait that long LOL!

I just don't know where they are getting 12x12 paper for a nickel a piece....even if it is only white. I want in on that deal!

Let me know....did you order one. If so can I come play ;-)

It's been crazy busy around here this week and I leave for the retreat tomorrow. We have a 4 day weekend. It should be a lot of fun. Hope you have a fantastic week.

Remembering 9/11

Where were you?

Do you remember where you where on this day? It's a day many of us will never forget. I remember waking up thinking it was all a bad dream only to realize it was all to real. I spent the whole day in front of the TV in total shock.

I just wanted to to take a moment and say thank you to all those people who gave their lives for us that day and to those of you who had to go on without your loved ones, and to the many brave men and women who went there to help. I can't even begin to imagine what you went through I just know for this American I will always be grateful. Thank you and God Bless

Apple Dumplings

As some of you know Mark's Dad passed away a couple of months ago. Since then we have been packing up the house and getting his Mom ready to move to St. Louis. It's been a really hard month around.....but things are finally getting back to somewhat normal around here.

I've started new project yesterday that I am so excited about. Mark's Mom gave us a dress and I decided to refinish it. I found a night stand at one of the thrift stores when my girlfriend and I were out junkin on Sat. I just can't make up my mind what color I want to do it in. I have the one dress and one night stand sanded now I have two more night stands and a dress to sand. I want to put a broken china mosaics, a.k.a. Pique Assiette top on them. I have never done either one before so it will be interesting to see how they turn out. I am my worst critic so I'm hoping I like them when I get done LOL. I have been wanting to try the mosaic top for a few years now. They are so beautiful!

Today I tried a new recipe from Pioneer Women....it was sooooo yummmie.


Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples
2 sticks Butter
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 t Vanilla
Cinnamon
2 cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
a 12oz can of Mountain Dew.

Start by peeling and coring 2 Granny Smith apples. It doesn't matter if they’re a little bruised and battered. My boys used these to play racquetball earlier that day, and they worked just fine. Next, cut the apples into eight slices.


Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. open the can of crescent rolls and unroll the dough, roll up an apple slice in each of the crescent rolls.Now lay each one into the buttered baking pan.


Sauce
Now, melt 2 sticks regular (salted) butter in a saucepan. Dump in 1 1/2 cups sugar…

And here’s the kicker: just barely stir together. Also add in 1 teaspoon vanilla…

And barely stir. You definitely want the mixture lumpy and grainy.



Now pour the mixture over the top of the dumplings, making sure to thoroughly coat them. Now, the recipe calls for a 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew, pour Mountain Dew all around the edge of the pan. (I used the whole can I would suggest trying half a can it was very syrupy)

NOW. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes, watching to make sure they don’t get too brown. (You’ll definitely want them golden brown and crispy on top, though.)

Serve it with vanilla ice cream (cinnamon ice cream would be perfect, too), and don’t be afraid to top the whole thing with some of the sweet sauce from the bottom of the pan.

My son was here when they came out of the oven and I wasn't sure there was going to be any left for when Mark got home ;-)

Care Packages for the Military

I am helping Angie over at The American Homemaker get packages to our troops over seas. These packages are for men who are in the most dangerous of the dangerous places and have no one back home sending packages or letters.

Let's show our military that we support them. If your interested please Email me at bonnie@scrap-n-away.com and I will send you the info.

Drumroll Please

I know I'm a day late....but please give me a Drum roll for......................

Sandy

Sandy said...
I want to win. I have so many things I need to get done...thanks for the chance.

Please e-mail your information so I can get your gift certificate to you.

Been super busy. My Mother-in-law is moving out of state so we've been trying to help her. Mark spent all day over there yesterday helping them with their moving sale. Still a lot to do before them moving van comes. Does anyone have a fairy wand or fairy dust they could use to help us. LOL

We have out of state company coming this month. I'm so excited I haven't seen them in over a year. Not sure how long they will stay but it will be great having them.

Here is a cute inexpensive gift idea for that reader on your list

I'm sorry I don't remember where I found this but thought it was a really quick and simple gift to make for anyone who likes to read.



Materials:

•2 feet of Waxed Linen Cord
•1 Charm
•Assorted Beads – about a dozen with holes that just fit over the linen
•Clear Nail Polish
•Scissors
Steps:

1.Tie the charm onto one end of the cord, trim and set knot with clear nail polish.



2.Slide a grouping of beads onto the cord and tie a knot after the last bead. (Use an awl to get the knot close to beads if needed).



3.Determine the length of cord needed for the type of book (less for paperback more for hardcover) and tie a knot were the beads will start.



4.Add beads to the tail of the cord and tie a knot after the last bead.



5.Trim the excess cord and set knot with clear nail polish.

Cricut Imagine Machine.m4v cartridge prices

There is some concern about the price of the cartridges for the new Cricut Imagine Machine.m4v. Here's what I've heard the image cartridges will be the same price as regular cartridges around $89 and the ink cartridges will be around $39. The price to print isn't suppose to be anymore than with would cost if you where buying it already made. I think this sounds amazing....just imagine no more trying to match the colors for your papers and embellishments all you have to do is select whatever color you want and print away. OH I'm thinking I really need this machine. I've already started hinting to the DH. It's available on HSN Sept. 14. Any bets on if he'll get for me LOL

Cricut Imagine Machine.m4v

Have you seen the new Cricut Imagine Machine.m4v





I'm not sure if I want one or not....what do you think?

Head on over to According To Kelly's blog to see the tutorial on how to make these adorable Rustic Cookie Bags.


What a great gift idea for any occasion. Wouldn't these be cute at a birthday party....I can just see a cute little princess (0r whatever your party theme is)on the front and them filled with party favors.

Christmas in July Giveaway

Here is a layout I made with the cricut lite cartridge Celebrate with Flourish. This cartridge has so many cute things on it.

I have several new cartridges I just got that I cant wait to use. Have you bought any of the new ones? If so what is your favorite. I'm still trying to decided. I love the two new seasonal Halloween ones but now I want the new Happy Haunting. I have to admit Provo Crafts is killing me with all these new cartridges they are coming out with. I want them all.

I am off to use some more of my new cartridges. Hope you have a great day and remember to leave a comment. We are giving away a gift certificate for a 3 day weekend to Scrap-N-Away.

S'mores on a Stick

These are so easy even the kids will have fun making them. You can make them for any holiday by changing the colors. I make them with orange chocolate melts and dip them in black sprinkles for Halloween, for Christmas I use white choclate and dip them in crushed peppermint. Anywho you get the idea so have fun.




Ingredients
sucker sticks
chocolate chips
graham cracker crumbs
marshmallows

Melt the chips either in the microwave or on top of the stove. Put marshmallows on sucker sticks and dip in chocolate then roll in graham cracker crumbs.

These are also great at kids parties!

Hot Chocolate Cones

Here is a cute stocking stuffer for the kiddo's both big and small! Who doesn't love hot chocolate!

Hot Chocolate Cones

Ingredients

Plastic Piping Bags, hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips or peppermint candies crushed, mini marshmallows, chocolate kiss


You need two bags per cone.

1. Add the drinking chocolate to one piping bag -- I put in about 4 table spoons. Tape or tie off the top of the bag with an elastic band and snip off the top of the plastic leaving about 1/2 inche of plastic above the tie.
2. Insert the drinking chocolate cone into your second plastic piping bag.Hold formally round the top so the chips don't fall down the side.
3. Add in chocolate chips (just as much as you think looks good).
4. Add mini marshmallows on top
5. Add a Chocolate on top of that. You could add a gumdrop, after dinner mint,crushed candy canes or peppermint candies ect. Then just tie it all of at the top with an elastic band.

6.Add ribbon, and tag and a little how to on the bag of the tag (snip of the end of the cone to empty the chocolate into a cup - add chocolate chips, milk and water. It's so so Easy, Hope you Enjoy!!!

These cones are also adorable filled with different size and colors of gumballs,jellybeans,skittles ect.

Peppermint Candy Box

For those of you who don't own a cricut. Look what I found in my Christmas file last night when I was looking for things to make. Wouldn't that Peppermint Bark look cute in this box? Click on the picture to enlarge.

Peppermint Bark

I thought it was time to give you something yummy to try. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. The best part is that this is good anytime of the year so you don't have to wait for Christmas. Give it a try now and let me know what you think!

I think your going to like it ;-) it's soooooo YUMMMMMMY!



Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:
20 ounces white chocolate, coarsely
chopped, divided
30 peppermint candies, crushed, divided
10 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:
1. Line a 9x12 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Melt half of the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering

water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid

scorching. Spread the white chocolate into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the crushed

peppermints evenly over white chocolate. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate, heavy cream, and peppermint extract together in the

top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just

melted. Quickly pour the chocolate layer over the chilled white chocolate layer; spread

evenly. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, melt the remaining white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just

barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just melted. Spread quickly over the

chilled bark. Sprinkle with the remaining peppermint pieces; chill until firm, about 20

minutes. Cut or break into small pieces to serve.


This makes a great gift when packaged in a cute gift box. Your cricut cartridges have some adorable boxes you can make to package it in. ENJOY!


Don't forget to leave a comment so you can win our GIVEAWAY. For those of you who haven't heard we are giving away a gift certificate for a 3 day weekend to Scrap-N-Away!

Christmas in July- Holiday Wreath

Some of you where up early this morning. Thanks for the comments it's always nice to hear from you. I am getting ready to go for a walk at the beach but wanted to post your Holiday idea before I left.

Here is an idea I found on Living with Lindsay's blog for a wreath made out of old books. Go on over to her blog she has great directions. I'd love to see pictures if any of you make this wreath.

I was thinking with all the paper us scrapbooker's have we wouldn't even have to use old books we could use up some of that old paper we have stashed. I don't know about you but I have tons of paper that I'd like to get rid of so I can buy more. LOL

Hope you have a great day. Don't forget to leave a comment to win the GIFT CERTIFICATE for a 3 day weekend at Scrap-N-Away.

Christmas in July

Christmas in July anyone? No I haven't lost my mind. I just realized that this year is over half gone and Christmas is just around the corner. I was thinking it would be fun to start showing you Christmas projects for the rest of July. I will try to post a new idea everyday.

In honor of Christmas in July we will also be giving away a 3 day gift certificate to Scrap-N-Away. All you have to do is leave us a comment wishing us a Merry Christmas and let us know what you're planning on making for the holidays. Good Luck we hope you win!

If you want to get started making some holiday ornaments go on over to Bake it Pretty she has a great little recipe for making these adorable Retro Cupcake Ornaments

Eliana Rose is here!

We have new Grand daughter Eliana Rose Guess....isn't she beautiful! She was born on June 25, 2010 at 1:11pm and weighed in at 5 pounds 14 ounces and measured 17-1/4" long. We can't wait to meet you Eliana!

It's beautiful here on the mountain. You couldn't ask for nicer weather....it's sunny and warm during the day and cool and breezy at night. The wild flowers are all over our side hill, and the wild animals are everywhere. Look at the size of this rabbit.....it's the size of a medium dog. I think it's on steroids

Quickly whats been happen

Ok yes I have to admit it my taxes are still not done. I have no idea where the past few months have gone. I just know they have flown by. A lot has happened some good some not so good. Here is a quick run down

We are having another GRAND DAUGHTER :-)in July. We are so excited!

We lost Mark's Dad a couple days after Easter.

Some of Mark's family stayed with us at the Retreat after his Dad passed. We had a house full! It was nice having the family together.

Grandson Jason is playing baseball. We got to go to a few games...loved every minute! Wish we could have made them all.

Our Grandson Tyler graduated from Kindergarten yesterday. It was the best graduation I've been to all year....what could be cuter than a room full of 5 and 6 year old children. It was their teachers last year so it was very emotional. She had something wonderful to say about each child.

Tyler,Mrs Miller and Josh










Now your up to date. Let me tell you what my 3 year grandson Josh did yesterday. I took him and his brother Tyler to Mc Donald's to celebrate Tyler's graduation. They have a playground there so I let the boys play for awhile. When it was time to go I asked Tyler to get Josh. He says Grandma I can't find him....we both start calling his name. No answer. I looking everywhere in that playground for this kid I don't see him anywhere. Now I'm thinking how does a kid get lost in there. Ok I'm starting to panic a little....all right maybe more than a little. I can't imagine telling my son and daughter-in-law I lost Josh. I started asking some of the other parents if they had seen him come out. No one had seen him. One of the other parents even went and checked the bathrooms to make sure he wasn't in there. We had all the kids get out of the playground. Still no signs of Josh (and yes I have butterflies in my stomach at this point) so we had all the kids go look for him inside. Pretty soon this adorable little boy come out and tells me Josh is all the way at the top and he said he is not coming down because he still wants to play. Ok at least I can settle down a little now I know he didn't disappear. I had Tyler go in and try and get him to come down....he is still won't come. Luckily one of the girls in Tyler's class is there and they started playing a game to get Josh to come down. She get him to the bottom and he's having a great time until he saw me. Oh he couldn't get those little legs to start climbing back up fast enough. Grandma was still to quick for him and caught him by the leg. It was a good thing everyone knew I was with him or they might have thought I was trying to kidnap this kid. He was screaming bloody murder. He was making it clear to everyone he wasn't ready to leave. Oh it will be a long time before I take Josh to the Mc Donald's play ground again. It's funny now but not so much when it was happening. Needless to say he got a good taking to. His poor little heart was broken when I told him he couldn't go with us anymore.


In the midst of all this I have managed to get a little scrapbooking done and made a few pieces of jewelry. I'm hoping this summer is a little more relaxed We have retreats booked,family visiting,grandkids coming to stay for weeks at a time and whatever else life brings our way. Gotta love it. Sound relaxing?


I Think I need to book a weekend at the retreat....anyone want my job for a weekend?

Tax Break

I had to take a little break from blogging to do my taxes :-( I'm only about half way done. Yikes will the piles of paper ever get smaller LOL.

I heard this news and wanted to let you all know. This really saddens my heart....this was a company that looked out for the small guys. They only sold to local scrapbook stores and refused to sell to large chains.

RUSTY PICKLE PRESS RELEASE


This past year has been incredibly tough on Rusty Pickle due to the economic
situation. We feel that we can no longer survive as a company; consequently we have
decided to close Rusty Pickle. We would like to thank all our customers who have
supported Rusty Pickle for the last 7 years.

Rusty Pickle will be liquidating inventory. We now offer everything at half price.
On Rustypickle.com, everything is now 50% off - prices are as marked. The warehouse
is also now open to shop. Call or email to find out more of what we have. (801)
746-1045 or email jeri@rustypickle.com
Warehouse Hours 9am-2pm
Rusty Pickle

I have to get ready for the retreat so I best get going. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

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Snow Pictures

AND THEY CALL THIS SUNNY CALIFORNIA :-)

My PHOTOS are famous

My pictures were on the local channel 23 news this afternoon. Here are the pictures I sent in.





Here is what it looks like at 11:30 today. The sun is gone and it's snowing again.

Baby it's cold out

Here's what it looked like coming up our street yesterday. It took Mark 6 hours just to plow the driveway. We never did get my truck up the driveway....it is still stuck at the bottom of the road.




This is our deck, anyone want to sit out in the sun LOL

WINTER WONDERLAND

It beginning to look a lot like a winter wonderland here in Frazier Park. We have over 3' of snow. It's so beautiful out. I would show you pictures but I had to leave my camera in the truck down the road. Neither one of our trucks would make it up our road. Mine is down at the bottom of our road near the stop sign. Mark got his to the driveway. He is out shoveling snow ...did I mention he can't get the snow blower to start :-( Poor guy.



We didn't get to come up until this morning because the 5 was closed yesterday afternoon when we planned on leaving. They closed it again today while we were on it. It's been years since I've driven in this kind of weather. Now I remember why I left New York LOL. I have to say it really wasn't that bad until we got to our street. The neighbor said they haven't plowed our road in two days. Both our neighbors our out with their snow blowers trying to keep ahead of the snow. I think it's a losing battle.


I was surprised to see all the stranded cars along side the road come up Frazier Mountain. One even had it's door left open where they had crawled out. I can't wait to get my camera out to the truck to take pictures. We've been here over 5 years and this is the most snow I think we have ever had and it's still coming down. If it keeps up like this all weekend we may not be leaving on Sunday.Don't you wish you were here snowed in with us. I will post pictures later.

POTD

I had a chance to take a few pictures today while I was waiting for Mark. I couldn't believe how dirty the shore line was today. Here are a couple of pictures I took this afternoon in Ventura. The water was so dirty there wasn't a surfer to be found from Pismo to Ventura....very unusual especially with waves as big as they were.

The 5 was closed today so we didn't make it to Frazier. We are going to get up early in the morning and leave. We are hoping it will be open tomorrow. They did reopen it tonight around 6. So we are hoping it will stay open.

No POTD

POTD is Photo of the Day. I haven't been feeling well the past couple of days so I haven't taken any pictures. I must really not be feeling well....I am at my Son's helping out since he just had surgery and I haven't even taken one picture of my grand kids. I've usually taken 500 by now.

Mark called me last night and he took off Thursday so we are heading up to the retreat today so I am heading to Ventura at noon meeting him and driving to the retreat. I hope the roads aren't to bad that's over 6 hours of driving for me. Good thing I like to drive.

I have to load up the truck and go pick up my grandson from school so I better get going. Thanks for stopping by hope you have a great day.

Driving in the Rain

WHOOOHOOOOW it's raining! I love the sound of rain. We don't get a lot of rain here in Southern California so when we do I get very excited. Some of my favorite things to do in the rain are bake,read by the fire, or go for a drive. What do you like to do?

Today I get to drive to Pismo Beach. I am going to my Son's to help out for the week. He just had arm surgery and isn't suppose to be using it and of course he is....do men ever listen when a doctor tells them something? My daughter-in-law is hoping he will relax a little more if I am there to help. We'll see....the good news is I get to see my Grandkids :-)


I am going to have fun getting my POTD today. We are suppose to have 30' swells at the beach today. I can't remember ever seeing the surf that high here in Ventura. I am going to stop and take a few pictures on my way out of town.

Have a great day I am headed out to play in the rain.

Possessed House

I think our house is becoming possessed. Every time Mark fixes something something else goes wrong. Maybe it's all the gophers. Look at how they are taking over the yard. You know Mark is usually out there hunting them but he's been so busy fixing other things he hasn't had a chance. Calling all Elmer Fudds we need your help to come hunt gopher's. We pay per gopher LOL

Sorry I never got back to put up my POTD I've been busy helping Mark. Here are a few photos I've taken the past couple of days.

There is a lLittle snow left on the mountian....until this week when we are suppose to get hit with a big storm. We have a group of people who are coming next weekend and bringing the kids to play in the snow. I don't usually hope for snow but I hope we get enough so the kids can go sledding and the parents a can relax :-)


I'll have to finsih the rest later. The house is acting up again LOL!