November Stuff

Hi there everyone.....wow, where did this month go to. My mother was right, "the older you get the faster time goes" yep, now I see what she meant.

November has been a little rough for yours truly. Guess that is why I have not blogged that much. Both JP and I have had Doctor appointments, he deals with a lot of health issues. One of his main issues is his constant arm pains, he's dealt with these pains for over 10 years now. The older he gets, the rougher they get.

Well, 12/2 he has an appointment with a pain specialist....I hope this works as all the other Doctors could not find the root problem. On 12/10 he has a sleep test. Hopefully we will know what his problem is soon. 

               

Even though it is still Thanksgiving....Christmas is not far off. I bought a wreath for the front door. My birthday present to me. It's been a long time since I bought a wreath, at least 4-5 years. I thought it was time. Also, a little decoration for the back door too. I shall have to take some pictures. Not sure how much Christmas decorations will be done inside the house....since JP will not be able to help, he always brings the containers up from the basement.

Do you like the snow flake card above? I think this will be my Christmas card to send out to friends this year. Just have to take some time to get them done. Hospice cards are done and dropped off. So now I can zero in on making my cards for this Christmas.

I love this Christmas card. I wish I could find this die, I did give 3 of these cards to family in Chicago and one to a friend last Christmas. So, I will continue to hunt for this die. Maybe when I get extra $$$ I will search more diligently.

I always loved this card....some day I will make this card also....looks pretty easy, just have to find that happy, jolly snowman.

Gosh, I did not realize, this is my 900th blog today....wowsers. Time flies when we are having fun....right?? I started blogging in 2008....12 yrs ago??? Wonderful days before the Corona Virus. After all these months, I am still not used to the masks and they look so funny on people too. But, I will obey the rules and wear the mask, even though I do not like them.

Oh....when I went to the Doctor Monday...he asked if I wanted a flu shot, first I said no, he told me the pros and cons, especially someone like me with diabetes. I thought about it and decided maybe it was time. So I got a shot. Amazed the arm does not hurt and seems there is no side effects to this shot. Maybe it will even protect me from the Corona. My last flu shot had to be when I was still working at the Salvation Army, and that was over 20 years ago....again where did all that time go???

Well, I think I will close here before November passes us by and I didn't get to publish this blog. Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy those that sit around your table....you are blessed.

Keep looking up, better days are coming....Cheers ~ Louise

Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throune of God."

Revealed Cards from the Party Last Week Part 1

Hi there everyone. Well, here we are, one week into November already. I shall be 71 years old this month....yikes!!! My mind still thinks young but I give myself sooooo much to do, problem is my body is having a hard time keeping up with all the things my mind wants to do. Okay....maybe someday I will figure this out. My mother never told me old age would be tuff.....she always said, "Everything is calm and quiet." I am still waiting for those calm and quiet days!!!!

As promised in my previous post, these are the cards from the revealing party a week ago already. We are starting a new session, but I have yet to receive the name of my new partner in crime.....I already know what images I will be sending for the next 6 months, so it will be fun to see what the new friends images will be.

So in this froggy picture, I did the card on the right and Janine did the card on the left. Ribbit....ribbit...ribbit!!! Janine sent the frog images, so I have 10 more frogs in my image stash....lol!

Janine sent the images of the Master Gardener, garden tools and seeds. Her card in on the left and my card on the right.

I sent Janine 12 bird images. Her card is on the left and my card on the right. I actually like Janine's card....so cute!!!

I sent the Dragonfly images, my card is on the right and Janine's is on the left.

I love this blue heron....so glad he is in my possession. I sent Janine 12 images of this lovely bird.  My card is on the right and Janine's card is on the left.

In the card below, I sent Janine 12 images of the rose and pineapple. My card is on the right and Janine's card on the left. As you can see she cut three roses, very pretty.

I have some more cards from the revealing party to share with you....that will be in my next post. 

Not much happening the rest of the this week. We are still raking leaves and getting the yard ready for winter. So much to do and winter is right around the corner. You all have a great night and keep looking up, better days are coming. Cheers ~ Louise

Last Day of November

Hi there everyone. It's me, just peeking in for the last day of November.....where oh where did this month go???? According to my calendar....it was a busy one, something going on everyday. No, don't want to repeat it. Wish I was a duck and everything would just slip off my feathers and not penetrate. Just frolic in the sun, playing in the water with not a care in the world....yeah, it would be nice.

Went to Sam's Club today and picked up a few things. They have the best hot dogs....so I picked one up for JP and I for lunch. You get a tall drink all for $3.10....such a deal!! So I got some olive oil, chicken breast, Red Quinoa and Chia Seed Chips, cheese, kielbasa, frozen Mango's and baking potatoes, oh and fig newtons.

I love Sam's chicken breast...they are so big, definitely enough for two people. Now I am looking for a recipe to bake using them....think I have some marinade in the cabinet, shall marinade it and bake.

Tomorrow, is another shopping day. Picking up my new glucose monitor at Shopko, take Kylie to the groomer, then pick her up. Get some eggs...1 1/2 dozen for 68 cents and a $10.00 box of dented & broken bags of food (if it's there for the taking). Oh and some bread and JP's LaCrox water.

Friday is Hospice meeting and we are meeting at Denny's for breakfast, then pass the cards around to look at. We meet once a year at Denny's and Hospice pays for our breakfast. For all the work we have done to make cards for them.

After Denny's I need to go to the Christian Book store and pick up two vials of "Rose of Sharon" anointing oil for Pastor Ron. Walmart, Bed and Bath, Hobby Lobby (better get my coupon before I go) Whew....tired already.....thank goodness Saturday is around the corner.

Well, now that I have completely bored you.....I shall close here and go marinate my chicken breast.

Have a great night and talk tomorrow maybe.....have to finish up my cards for Hospice and put the inserts in....then I am done. Have a great night and keep looking up....better days are coming.
Cheers ~ Louise

Cards and Blue Apron Steak and Apple Salad

Hi there everyone. Oh my, was it not a BEAUTIFUL day today??? Tomorrow is going to be even warmer and sunny....hard to believe this IS November!!! But you can bet....by the 21st of November, (my birthday) there will be snow....some place and most likely there will be snow here!!!

Been working on some cards lately. I got this idea from Lydia @ "Understand Blue" her address is: http://www.understandblue.com I fell in love with this card and the technique she used with distress ink, water and brush. My card does not quite look like hers.....but that is okay...no two cards can be a like. She did not use sequins and I did. I think it turned out nice, probably will make some more of these for Christmas this year. This card, will be going on my Etsy store tonight. Will be selling this for $3.50 + shipping.

This is one of Tim Holtz's birds...I just love them and they can say anything you want. He is pretty fun, colored him in with Copic markers and sponged the edges with ink. He too, will be going on my Etsy store for $3.50 + shipping.

This is another Tim Holtz stamp set. The leaves are from Stampin'up.  The technique used was shaving cream and alcohol inks. After the card dried then I stamped with Tim's stamps. The leaves are gold embossed to add a touch of elegance. Putting this card in my Etsy store for $3.50 + shipping.

Okay...this was another tasty meal from Blue Apron. "Sumac-Spiced Steak & Honeynut Squash with Pickled Onion & Apple-Walnut Salad"

I loved the apple salad, so simple but tasty. One apple was cored (skin left on) and diced small, toss with the juice of 1 lemon wedge to prevent from browning. The rest of the lemon was zested, and added to the apple salad. Also added to this salad was 2 tablespoons of chopped up walnuts, 1/4 cup feta cheese and mint, finely chopped just before adding to the salad. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Yep, this is a 5 star salad!!!

The steak was a little tough and the butternut squash was good, but I put too much spice on it to make it a little too hot.....guess it was the sumac seasoning (ground up sumac and crushed Aleppo pepper), salt and pepper would be just fine. The squash was sliced, drizzled with oil, salt and pepper and roasted in the oven for 20-25 minutes till browned....yep, this was good too.

The pickled onions were very tasty on the steak....I would do the onions again, but less sugar. The pickled onions were made with onions, sugar, a pinch of salt, the juice of a lemon and 1/4 cup of water. Heat to boiling on medium-high. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onion has softened and the liquid is slightly reduced in volume. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside to pickle for at least 10 minutes.

Well, time to close this post for today. Need to get a few more cards made for Hospice this Friday. It's been 4 months since my last meeting....been a while. Will be fun to see the ladies again.

You all have a great day and keep looking up. Cheers ~ Louise

A New Year Begins With a Fresh Pumpkin Pie

Hi there everyone and Happy New Year!!! Hope you had a good first day of this New Year!!!

My day was relaxing. I finally cooked up that pumpkin I bought back in October. Had plans of making a pie with it in November but, it never made it to the oven. Neither did it make it to the oven in December.

But here it is...January 1st and that cute little pumpkin got cooked up.....sorry no pictures in it's original state. Here it is all cooked up. I put the pumpkin in the oven for about an hour. Took it out and let it cool down a bit. Peeled off the outside shell, then sliced it and scooped out the seeds and stringy stuff.

Then I put the pieces of pumpkin in the blender and added some water....it became very creamy (Thanks Biz for the blender). See the pie shell crust? I tried something new, using a spoon, turned it over and pressed down on the crust-ridge making a different kind of design. Think I will do this from now on.

In this picture is the recipe I followed from www.cooks.com , the pie shell and the pumpkin liquid all mixed together.

Here is a closer look at the recipe....hope you can read it.....tis very simple.

AND.....wah lah....here is the pie all baked up....my crust got a little burned, next time I will add some tin foil for protection.

Here is the end result of that pie....OMG...guys was it ever delicious....this will be my "go-to pumpkin pie" for now on. YUMMY I want another piece but my blood sugars might be too high tomorrow morning, so I will reframe from having another piece tonight.

New Years dinner was hamburgers, mushrooms and cheese, potato hash browns, beans and salad. Simple but delicious. Well, time to close. I am recording "The Taste" so I want to get downstairs and watch that. (gee, I wonder if I could get the taste on a spoon of what we had tonight...that would be a challenge.)

JP is sleeping right now, he had the day off. Sooooo, my schedule changes quite a bit when he is home. Can I say, I enjoy my evenings when there is just me and Kylie. Well, you have a great day and I shall post again when something exciting happens...or not. Cheers ~ Louise

More Christmas Cards in My Etsy Store

Hi Everyone, how are you all doing this fine day.....the last day of November. Not exactly sure where this month went to, but it sure did fly by. For me, it went pretty fast, as it is my birthday month. I always look forward to Thanksgiving and a wonderful turkey dinner and all the trimmings. Hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed day.

Well, today I have added some cards I have been making for Hospice, Etsy and for my personal use to send out to friends and family for Christmas. Hope you like them. For Hospice, I am donating them. On Etsy: they are selling for $3.00 + postage (about $1.50 cause I always add an extra card.) If you are friend or family, you'll be seeing one of these cards or one like it in your mail box in the next few weeks. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

This is one of my more prettier cards. I made this one last year, but kept it for a sample and made a few more this year. I like that blue shimmery background which I ran through my cuttlebug then embellished with the tree and gems and my new Merry Christmas stamp.

In this card I used the same cuttlebug folder but turned it on it's side and embellished with snowflakes and gems.

I got the idea for this card from a fellow stamper on blogspot. Becky @ http://www.scrappin'andstampininGJ.blogspot.com I visit her daily. She likes to use Washi tape, as do I. A very simple card, one that can be produced pretty quickly. This was a good card to make for Hospice. Check her out, she always has some great ideas. Thanks Becky.

This card was fun to make and I could make quite a few at one time. I cased the idea from Brenda @ http://www.inkspiredtostamp.blogspot.com Thanks Brenda.

This Christmas Tree Washi tape card....ummmmm...not sure where the idea came from, but I cased it from someone. So, whoever you are Thanks.

My last card is my gingerbread man. Have lots of gingerbread men, maybe I should make more of these for Hospice. They go pretty fast.

Well, there you have it, more cards from the inventory of http://www.cards4ubylouise.blogspot.com and http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise