A Relaxing (Busy) Anniversary Week-end

Saturday's Morning Glory Flower♥

I thought this was a very pretty morning glory showing it's true colors.....lovely isn't it? We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. Not exstravagantly, but within our means. Friday was a trip to Neenah, buy a sub at Subway ($14) and sat by Kimberly Point and watched the water, and things around us, was a beautiful day. Even got on a swing for a little while.

Saturday off to the Share program and Festival foods for a $7 box (included lots of goodies, toilet paper, styrofoam plates, juices, candy bars, noodles, sauce, cake mix to name a few) and food at share and order for next month. For our afternoon excursion we went to Krieger Jewelers and pawned JP's school ring, my siam silver and a bronze medalion from 1934. Pay back was $160. I think I will look through my jewelery box and see what else I can find. Found out the ring we bought last year at a pawn shop was worth $599-$799 new...............that was nice to know. Not sure what it is worth now....maybe not as much.

Went to Sam's club to pay a bill and buy some peanut butter and lettuce, tried some samples then off to StevieB's for a pizza buffet........that was good, had salad and about 5 different kinds of pizza. Onions/pepper, Philly/steak, Hamberger/beacon, Taco, BLT.........was very good but filling! Then we went home and I fell asleep for a couple of hours. ($14)

Sunday was Church. After Church we went home, let the dogs out then went out to eat at the Wisconsin Ave diner. JP had pearch and I had a Senior Hamberger, fries and salad. Then we both had ice-cream cones. ($18) We then went to an Estate sale.....nice stuff, got a new bretta water pitcher for $1.50 and some ceramic easter eggs that should have been 1.75, but I think I got everything for $1.75. Went home, got the dogs and went to the Golden Goat and turned in aluminum cans at 60 cents a lb. that was the highest we had ever seen..........so we got $3.12 for 3 boxes of cans....not bad. Then off to KK to the antique shop to try and sell some stuff............maybe awhile before we ear anything. I am selling two hand blown candle holders with candles for $30, JP took two things priced at $14. Every little bit helps......we are trying to get some money together to get our roof patched up so it does not leak.....before the winter, hopefully.

Well, after this busy weekend, we went home and we both zonked out and slept till 8pm....whew that was a busy afternoon and the end of a busy weekend!!!!!!

Somethings we shall do again............1. Go to Kimberly point for a picnic and take the dogs with. 2. Go back to StevieBs. 3. Go to the Antique store to see if our stuff sold. 4. Go through my jewelery and see if I have any gold and silver to pawn. 5. We shall go back to Wisconsin Ave Diner, cause the food is good.....but only if we have a $3 off coupon....it's the only way to go.

Well, time to close..........may not blog till September.......so have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!! Cheers ~ Louise

Our Anniversary Weekend♥

Well.........38 years ago on the 27th we were married by the Justis of Peace at City Hall in Chicago. Not the the most beautiful place to get married but it was what JP wanted. He just could not take time out from racing to get married in a church. So, at 11:00 am on a Saturday we were married and at 3:00 pm we were signing the papers on the closing of our house. By the afternoon we were moving into our little house in Arlington Heights. I had put my foot down, and told JP I would not move into that house until we were married. We lived together for 2 1/2 years before getting married. If I had it to do over again......no, I would not live with someone before being married, some how the beauty of marriage is destroyed, it just is not the same after marriage.

Lighthouse on the point...........our excursion to Neenah.
A visitor dropping in to see if we dropped some food or............would throw some to him/her.

♥

JP took the day off today from work, so we did some errands, then went to Neenah, bought a subway and went and had lunch at Kimberly Point by the lighthouse. We have decided to do this again and maybe just pack a lunch and take the dogs for an afternoon "break away" we really need to learn how to kick back and enjoy..............................♥

Tomorrow the 27th, we'll go out for lunch at Stevie B's, and a steak in the evening some place....not sure as yet where we are going. That is another post I guess.


Well, I guess I will close this blog for tonight and continue on tomorrow. Pray God will keep those in the path of "Hurricane Irene" safe and not many lives will be lost.................Be safe people on the east coast.


Louise

A Vanishing Summer and a Pretty Flower

HELP!!!!!! The summer is vanishing before our very eyes!!!! BUT.........I love this time of the year though. I can feel the crisp fall in the air just around the corner. Noticed yesterday, flowers, shrubs and grass etc. have stopped growing, or maybe they are just drying up for lack of rain, but, sad for sure. Everything comes to an end. Yep.....life also comes to an end. Heard this weekend that the husbands aunt died at 93, now that was a long time to live.....I think she lived well though, she lived a good life. Didn't know much about her or what she did for a living. She and the uncle John lived in California and had two daughters, that's all I know. Oh well, will send a sympathy card in the next few days.

The above picture is an orgami flower I made........pretty huh? I just learned how to make them a month or so ago.....taught a class also, guess I am not a very good teacher though, only two ladies got a handle on making the flowers, the other 3 ladies were scratching their heads as they left...."how did she do that? I don't get it?" Oh well, I guess we all can't be teachers. I have to come up with another idea for a card....not sure at this point what I will do.

Well, I guess I better get this show on the road and start my week. May be going boating this week with Sandi and out to lunch with Shirley. ALSO out to dinner with JP cause it is our 38th anniversary on Saturday.......WOW where did that time go????? Seems like only yesterday we were young and wild and living our life the way WE wanted............life sure does not slow down for anyone!!!!!!

Cheers ~ Louise

Blooming Hibiscus and A Poem

What a lovely bloom.
The creativity of God is unlimitless in the biggest things down to the littlest things.

Here is a poem I wrote on July 23, 2011 ~ I was actually singing the first couple of sentences while doing dishes, then thought, maybe I better write the words down so I don't forget them. So here are the words, the song completely escapes me, maybe you can create your own song. Enjoy.

"Stand Strong"

Stand strong, stand strong
Until the very end,
Stand strong, stand strong
Till you see your reward.

Be brave, be brave
Though you see no end to your pain,
Be brave, be brave
For your joy will come in the morning.

Stand strong and be brave
When the dew is fresh and the birds sing,
Stand strong and be brave
And Bring Glory to God.

Louise Gatti

Boat Ride on the Lake

This is one of my favorite pictures to take on our little excursions....a seagull sitting on a bouy.
Would like to get a pelican on a bouy someday, but they fly away to quickly!
We were anchored down and having lunch on the lake, what peacefulness.

The water was so smooth and quiet.
You could skip a pebble over the water.
In the Menasha Locks, we were being followed by "Anna".

Here we go.....taking off to who knows where!

Captain Tyler.....at your service! Enjoying the view. Fun was had by all, these mini vacations are just what the Doctor ordered!!!! Next outing is next week, depending on the weather of course.

Have a great day and enjoy these summer days....not many left!!!!

Cheers ~~~~~ Louise

My 2010 Hibiscus Plant

Pretty Hibiscus flower!!! I think this plant might be one of my favorite flowers. Bought this plant last summer and managed to nurse it along through the winter months down in my basement. Along with this plant I had bought a chartruse pink hibiscus, that one did not make it. But this plant weathered the storm and made it through.

There are 5 more blooms on it, maybe this week it shall show it's beautiful colors again. God sure can create some beautiful things, there is no way this pretty flower comes from the "big bang theory" nope, sorry!!!!! I think God takes great joy in creation. Just as He created you and I, He creates beautiful things for us to enjoy AND He gives us the creative ablility to also create beautiful things to enjoy. Such a blessing!!!!

Oh, guess what, on that same line.....creating flowers. I am going to become a part of a group, we make cards and teach the others how to make that card, bringing along all the supplies needed to do it.....my first teaching project with be the folded orgami paper flower. Although it is not a card, the lady organizing the group wanted me to show how to make the flower. As that has been all that I have been doing lately....I said okay. So I guess I am looking forward to doing this and then learning other different ideas in making cards and such!!!!

Cutting this blog short for tonight, talk to you soon on some other subject.

Cheers ~ Louise

♥Happy Birthday Tilda was in a Treasury Today♥Plus an Interview with the Wisconsin Crew Team Blog♥

Go take a peek at: http://www.allthingstangled.blogspot.com/ then follow her link to Etsy.com which will take you to her treasury on etsy.

Watch tomorrow, for I will be featured on the Wisconsin Crew Team blog. Address to follow. Okay....here is the address for my interview http://wist-etsy.blogspot.com/2011/07/fridays-featured-fabricator-cards-4-u.html probably will be there for a couple of days at least, some thoughts were changed and some words too, but the idea is still there. Thought I had all my punctuation fine-tuned, but alas, when your interview goes through a second person, things said get changed alittle, kinda like the "telephone game". Oh Well, that's life!!!

See ya...Louise

A New Addition to My Cards on Etsy

A new addition to my Etsy store. Learned how to make this lovely little flower from a magezine from the UK which I bought from JoAnn Fabrics. Have made quite a few and gave 3 away. If I could tell you how to make it or do a teaching video, I would. But, alas have no video camera to do it.

Well, so much for today, getting kinda tired right now and want to add this cute little gem to my Etsy store tonight. Have a good day. Louise

My Friend Died Today

June 24, 1947 ~ July 17, 2011

She died after a 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.

She will be missed dearly, but I know she is with Jesus today. That is by far a better place to be. Sad for us, but happy for her, you were a blessing to know.

We did alot of fun and wild things together. Trips to Kansas and Door County, Church, praying together, waving flags, letters to Jesus, visions, music and singing, long talks on the phone and in the car and after church, eating out, celebrating birthdays, Christmas, and whatever else came up.

Friends come and go in our lives, and then there are friends that will be remembered forever!

That is you Chrissy dear, rest in peace!!!

Enjoy eternity with your best friend, Jesus!!!

♥Happy 11th Day of the Month♥

Hi everyone........well, it's the 11th day of July....where is this month going to???? Winter starts December 21st.......are you ready? Hahahaha.....laugh now pay later!!!!

Was looking for some winter pictures from the last couple of years.........mmmm can't seem to find them, once I do, I will put them up in this blog.....just a little reminder of the way things were and what is to come. So I say, enjoy the summer and sun and warmth, it may end all too soon!!!!!!

May be going out on the boat with Sandi this week. We went out last Friday and I got a bit of sunburn, forgot the sun lotion, which reminds me, when I go to Wal-mart must get some. Sandi took some pictures of me on the boat (I forgot my camera) here is one.

Look at that beautiful water, so calm and serene. My face is getting a little baked.....yikes!!!! Notice you only have my head.....we decided to leave out the bottom half...hahahhaha! I have started another diet, maybe in a few months the bottom half will be toned down a bit. You know, turning 65 can be a piece of HELL!!!!! It is said that the years of retirement are the GOLDEN YEARS........Ha!!! I heard it is called the TARNISHED YEARS!!! Guess it is all in how you look at it....I am not sure at this point......I will let you know in a few years.

I mentioned starting another diet....this one will be about fruit smoothies in the morning and juicing vegetables in the afternoon or there abouts. Maybe I will do this for about a week or so. I saw of documentary about this guy in Australia that juiced for 60 days and lost 90 lbs, don't think I will be that radical, but he found that a lot of meds he was on, he did not need after a couple of months cause he was getting all the nutrients and vitamins needed, course he exercised also, I shall just walk and bike.....and go boating with Sandi!!! Here is the website: http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/ check it out, saw it on http://www.netflex.com/

Here is a recipe for a delicious fruit smoothie:
Handful of blueberries, 3-4 strawberries, 3-4 pieces of cantaloupe, 3-4 Tbls water, blend then add blueberry yogurt and blend again.....mmmmmmmm good!!!

Have a great day and will be back with some juicing recipes....cheerio ~ Louise

Happy 4th of July and More Flowers from the Garden Walk

God's Fireworks in the natural

White Columbine
A closer look at the White Columbine

Daisies
A mature Smoke Bush.....I would like one of these in the front of my house someday. A Beautiful burgandy, purple and red bush shimmering in the sun.
White PioniesPaprika Yarrow ~ cute huh?
So there you have it a tour of the Garden Walk and also God's Fireworks in the natural. Have a great day and remember those that went before you and died so that you may be FREE!!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

More Garden Walk Pictures

A Yellow Hanging Bogoina plant in the midst of a beautiful garden.
This is a picture of the side of the house with a rain barrell that catches the water for all the plants. I wish we could do this but the water that comes off the roof is black from faulty cheap shingles.

This waterfall is at the High School in the court yard. Made by the students.

I love the sound of a water fall.

This is the center of the court yard. the plants, walking stones, most everything is done by the students.

I got this picture of a REAL Dragon Fly in the High School Court Yard.....cool huh? He stayed long enough so I could catch him on my camera.

Now this is a picture of a Dragon Fly walking stone made by a student in art class. If I could figure out how to make something like this, I would like to try. Well I hope you like the tour of the garden walk. I have a few more pictures but they are of flowers and bushes....maybe in the next blog I will show just the flowers I took. Have a good day and take 'er easy and stay cool!! Cheers ~ Louise

185 Days Till Christmas!!!!

Yep..........just found this good news on another blog today. It just so made my day :) Not that I was looking for it, but just the fact that it was there........plastered at the top of the blog I visited. Oh well, it only tells me that time is going FAST..........Never wish your life away, it goes fast enough!

Not much is going on here, it's been raining alot, rain, rain and more rain. Hard to get out and work in the gardens. Also, our roof leaks and we have to put buckets and towels on the kitchen floor to catch the rain drops..........gosh I hate when it rains. But I guess it could be worse, our house could be under water or floating down a river. When you look at your own circumstances, they might be rough and hard to deal with.......but someone around the corner always has it much worse.

I am still trying to get some plants planted and it is almost the end of June. Ordered some Deep Dark Cherokee Purple Tomato seeds June 4th............they are still not here yet. It's getting alittle late to plant, but these are heirloom seeds (should last for 100 years), I shall try "one" seed and see if it sprouts and plant it in the front of the house so it gets lots of sun.

JP and I went to a garden walk last week-end, was lots of fun and we got lots of ideas. We would like to impliment some of those ideas, hopefully the money will be there along with some good weather. This year I have the time, as my merchandising job got phased out.....I guess I am too old. Following you will see some of the gardens we visited.
The garden above is one we visited on Saturday, this is her front yard and she has either zuchinni or cucumbers planted in those old coffee cans. I have a zuchinni and heirloom tomato plant and some radishes planted in the front yard.
In this garden walk is a lovely "1895 Circa" house. I have always admired the house when I pass by on my way home, finally got to see it up close.....I love this blue bottle tree. The whole back yard is dabbed with blues.......like a lovely painting. In this lovely garden the woman has over 400 different hostas planted in her gardens. I liked the way she organized this little area.........she also had a door with little pots on it, it looked really cute, wish I had taken a picture, cause on the way home we found a door and took it home to decorate the back area of our backyard garden.

Well, I think I will close this blog for now. Have a great day in the Lord ~ cheers ~ Louise

Garfield's Scale is Back!!!!

Tis' true, finally stamped and colored with copic markers, 8 "Garfield's Scale" cards. Made this one tonight, took a quick picture, not very professional though. Will be putting up in my Etsy store tonight also. I found that these cards moved pretty fast, am hoping that will happen again. Check out my store at: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com

Well, this will be a short blog tonight, have a great day and watch for more cards in the next week.

Cheers ~ Louise

New Set of Cards Listed Today

Finished these cards the other night and just listed them in my Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/listing/76107609/set-of-6-everyday-cards There are 2 Happy Birthday cards with the seagull, 2 Happy Anniversary cards with the roses and 2 Thank You cards with the lighthouse. The technique is called "Direct on paper" where you take an ink pad and swipe it across the paper, then stamp the image and saying. I used the copic marker to color the lighthouse and roses. Didn't color in the seagull as I thought it looked fine as is. Perhaps I might color just one in just to see what it looks like. Made lots of these cards and may make more as the technique is quite fun.

The Lighthouse

The Seagull

The Pink Rose

Hope you like my cards. Please leave a comment. Thanks for stopping by. Check me out at http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Cards4ubylouise/ should take you to my facebook page, "like me" please. For Twitter go to http://www.twitter.com/louisellen/ Have a great day ~ Cheers ~ Louise

♥My New Lemon/Lime Stamp♥

I made a stamp last night.......a lemon/lime/orange and grapefruit stamp. Maybe it is too small for a grapefruit, but the possibilities are still there. Saw a video on making this glass of lemonade and just felt I needed to have a lemon/lime stamp, so I made one last night. (confession.....I did order two lemon/lime stamps off Etsy yesterday, but that was BEFORE I made my own stamp). Doesn't this just look like the most refreshing and tasty little card you have ever seen???

I got the idea from another blog "Stamp and Scrape by Frenchie". I suspect it is okay to copy her ideas, otherwise she never would have made the video showing how to make this card. Although, my card is just a little bit different then hers. That's the beauty of making cards. Each person has a different slant on card making and you can take that same card and place 10 women in a room and each woman will make that same card different.........hahaha......sort of like the telephone game. Whisper in the ear of the first woman, a comment, by the 10th woman that comment has changed 10 times and has become a question.

Well, I still will be looking forward to my two new stamps, will have lots of lemons and limes to make even iced tea.......what fun this summer will be and very refreshing.

Well, you be blessed in this 90 degree weather and stay cool. Relax with a glass of lemonade.
Cheers ~ Louise

♥A Few Father's Day Cards From My Etsy Store♥

Above Father's Day card called "The Lighthouse" could also be a birthday or thank you card. And below the "Golfer" he too can be a birthday or thank you or whatever your desire.

Below is my Father's Day "deer" card, which can also be for a Birthday or Thank you. Actually all three cards can be for either or. All you need do is convo me through Etsy and let me know what you would like stamped on the inside of these cards.

Well, I am going to close this short and sweet blog for now. You have a great day!!!! Cheers ~ Louise

♥Giving Thanks♥

Hope you are having a Great Memorial Day and giving thanks to God for all your blessings! We are a blessed Nation, blessed by God in every way. (As long as we bless Israel, we will be a blessed nation, but when we begin to curse Israel we will be cursed.) But yet, many have turned their backs on God and Israel and now wonder why their lives are being turned upside down. They question everything about God and doubt that God even exists. Sad commentary.

Man thinks he is all wise, all knowing and the healer of all. He can pass laws into being which he does not have to follow, but expects those under him to follow them to the Tee. To me, that is a little ego-centric and haughty. How can man think he is better then God who created everything? I have a very hard time understanding how man thinks at times.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord." And "My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts". (Isaiah 55: 8,9) So, where does man get off thinking he knows more than God? Why do some religions think their "gods" are better than God The Creator? How do all these other religions get off thinking they have all the answers, when all these religions are just men's agenda at playing God!?!? Life sure can be complicated and two-faced at times!!!! Could the answer be that they have "given heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devels"? I wonder........food for thought!

On Memorial Day we are to think of all those who gave their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. Think of what Jesus did, he gave his life so that we might have life and have it more abundantly plus have relationship with God and live eternally with Him in heaven. There is a doctrine going around that there is no Hell, that it's all made up.........guess that is for those same men who have their own agendas. "As for for me and my house we will serve the Lord"!!!

Well, guess I will get off my little soap box for today..........every now and then I like to rant and this seems to be my place to do just that. You can agree or disagree that is your choice. For isn't that why this country was founded on? That we could have "Religious freedom" and think for ourselves, no one really has the right to tell another what to think, doesn't that become a socialistic country then? We are still in a free country......for now. Thank God For That!!!!

Have a great day and Cheers ~ Louise

Newest Friendship Card for Etsy

Here's my newest card that I shall put in my Etsy store today.....been awhile since I last posted on my blog so thought I would put this "Friendship card" up today. I got a lot of the paper, vellum and cardstock from the "CTI" paper company on Friday at their annual sale. This is what I came up with, just piecing it altogether. I am very happy with the outcome and am thinking of doing a set of cards like this.............but not with the inside, as seen below. Maybe a set of 6 cards "Friendship, Marriage, Celebration" Those are the three stamps I have that could be used for this card. Thinking, thinking, always thinking.

The inside of this card with done with folding the paper, first to each corner, then one fold across, then the 4 corners were folded, a little confusing at first, but when figured out, turns into a really neat card.

Well, I think I shall close this blog for tonight and go to Etsy and post this card there. If you would like to see it got to: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com/

Have a good day and cheers~Louise

♥A Deer Father's Day♥Our Lives a Vapour♥

Here is that "Deer" card I had told you about in a previous post. Made 12 cards and each one looks different, guess it was in the way I colored them with my copic markers. In making the card, laid a stencil down and taped it then spread white "Dreamweaver" paste over it. Pulled off the tape and stencil which left a raised layer of paste. Let it dry overnight. Then colored in with copic markers. The cards were then layered on black, white and brown cardstock. The white cardstock was run through the cuttlebug with an embossing folder.

Father's Day is just 5 weeks away.......June19th!!!!! My own father died in March of 1961 ~ 50 years ago, seems like only a "vapour" ago. He was a good man and I loved my father very much, I still miss him to this very day. Growing up, he gave me alot of wisdom that I still remember many things he told me. My only regret, I don't think he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Have you ever watched smoke come out of a chiminy? I have, often. This verse always comes to mind. "Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away." (James 4:14) Our lives are like a vapour, here today and gone tomorrow. But in this verse the Bible comentary says "that making plans without God proclaims the fact that we consider ourselves to be our own master and if the Lord does not guide our lives, then all is a waste".

Certainly is food for thought isn't it? I wonder how much of my life was lived without asking God to lead and guide my steps? How much of my life was lived according to the agendas of other people and what other people thought I should be doing? How much of my life has been lived without even thinking about God and doing my own thing? Would I be where I am now if I had asked God for his direction? Would my life not have been full of regrets if I had "asked God"? I don't know, guess those are questions that shall have to wait to be answered, maybe in eternity???? And, also if my earthly father made it to heaven?

Well, guess it is time to shut this blog down for the night and go over to Etsy to see if any cards sold. Check out my store at: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com/

Cheers ~ Louise