Mystery Saturday??????

What will happen today?????? As I sit at this computer, it is a beautiful day, the sun is shinning with blue skies. A nice day to get out and do some yard work. Still have 3 bulbs to plant and rake some leaves, cover the rose bushes with leaves, last minutes stuff, I think we will finally be winterized before the first snow hits us. Hummmm, thought I would add a picture of snow....just to get you used to it. Here you can see JP taking Hyko for a walk. The date of this pic is 2/13/11. Sounds like the New England States, NY and PA got hit with snow, in some places they are getting 13".... uge! Will have to check with my Blog friend in Maine and see if she talks about the snow. Tis the season, not ready for this, but living WI it is bound to happen.

Went out for lunch yesterday with a friend, we had "Windy City Hambergers" oh yum they were delicious with lots of french fries!!! Was enough to last all day, ate half, then the rest later on in the afternoon. Have a Doctors appointment on Tuesday, so I guess I better watch what I eat for the next few days.....have to get a blood pressure check, my yearly check in order to renew my pills. Guess the best things would be to lose some weight then maybe the blood pressure would be in check. BUT who wants to diet? Been riding my stationary bike (I try) every day for about 5-10 miles. Hoping that will help during the winter months, must get in the habit now so I don't have to pay later.

Well, I guess I better go get some things done, as this is "Mystery Saturday" not really sure what I will be doing, right now there is dishes in the sink that need to be done. So maybe I shall go wash the hair then do the dishes. So talk to you later. Hope you have a good day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

~ Another Wordless Wednesday ~

Have a great day ~ enjoy the Fall ~ Cheers ~ Louise

New Pieces of Art

Hi there fellow bloggers, how are you all doing today? I am doing fine, been kind of busy of late as I have been working on these pieces of art which I want to also add to my Etsy store, they are as follows: Eiffel Tower Christmas Cards "Joyeux Noel". This stamp caught my eye last week, only because someone from France bought a Christmas card from me......I was so thrilled I had a sale and also that she was my 1st international sale.....so this card is dedicated to "Marinette" Thank you Marinette for your order.

The card was stamped in black ink then I used my copic markers to color in along with my green and red "smooches" gel pen and gold spray mist. Distressed the edges and added "candi" dots on the corners.

This card is a new stamp and folder I bought at a Stamping Rummage Sale. Paid $13.00 for it, at Archivers it is going for $20. There were alot of techniques that went into this card. First it was stamped in black, then colored in with copic markers, then run through the cuttle bug to emboss it. Then I distressed the edges then sponged with white linen distress ink, then sprayed with gold mist, oh and used a gel pen to pop the words, and butterflies. Guess this card should go for about $4.00 cause I used so many different mediums. It is a lovely card though.

I got this idea from an ornament I saw at Shopko and thought, I could make that. Ended up buying the ornament for $6, hopefully I can sell a few to make up the difference. All there is to this is 2.5 circles or scalloped circles folded over, glued and then glued together to form a circle, used speckels to decorate and a strip of cardstock layed across. Calligraphed "Peace" across the strip. Sprayed the ornament with gold spray mist. The following ornament was done the same way only using the word "Love".

"Love"

This card was made back in 2009. Thought I would add it to my Etsy Store and see how it does. The tree can be taken off the card and used as a Christmas tree ornament.

This card was made in 2009 also. Ran the green cardstock through the cuttlebug then colored the trees with sharpie pens, then layered on gold and white cardstock.....very simple.

Well, there you have it, some cards and ornaments I will be adding to my Etsy store, hope you like them, they were all fun to make. Now I have to start working on my cards to send out to friends......a Christmas tree using iris fold strips of ribbon and paper. I think if you go to my Archives you will find a sampling of my Christmas card for 2011 in my first blog for October.

Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

Friday Funday and a Few Creations

Been awhile since I added a few things to this blog that I have made. Really, really, I've been busy creating but not showing off my creations. Was shopping last week and found an ornament at the Shopko store and thought, I could make this! So, home I went to make some circles and glue them together, (thank you Sandi for all the circles you made for me on your machine and for the punch you borrowed me) here is the end result, my rendition of what I saw at Shopko. Of course, their ornament did not have JESUS on it. Ended up giving this ornament to JP for his "spiritual Birthday"The card below is a Halloween card...........not much into making halloween cards as it is so against what I believe. If people really knew what goes on and the many living creatures including babies, children and adults that are sacrificed to SATAN there would be less celebrating and worshipping of the EVIL ONE. It's a pagan holiday that does not belong.........sorry, that is the way I feel.

Anyways, went to Archivers the other day, it's "Tim Holtz"week, made this tag with the fun technique, stamping a tag, with stains, then running it through Tim Holtz's machine (only $199 if you buy it this week) the ribbon was stained and the skull and bat went through the machine also. I thought I would send the tag to my secret stamper so added it to a card and dressed it up alittle. She teaches making cards and is always looking for new ideas.....hope she likes this one. I shall have to make some more tags and do this again, maybe for Christmas cards would be nice. I do have to get on the stick and make my Christmas cards, one more month to get them done...........geez better start getting to work!!!! Need to get a few more Christmas cards in my Etsy store and a few Christmas ornaments too.

Well, time to close this blog for today, need to go pay the electric bill, get some dishes done and do some work outside, time to winterize before the first snow fall...............it's not far away, just peeking around the corner. Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Etsy Tap Dance and Mystery List

Doing the Etsy Tap Dance this weekend and today for that fact. SOLD a Christmas card to a lady in France....so very exciting to me.........FRANCE!!! Estimated it would cost $3 for postage, but I have a feeling it will cost more, as this is my 1st international sale, guess I shall find out how much it actually costs to send a card to Europe. Oh well, if I don't make alot on this sale, at least I had the excitement of selling a card from my etsy store, making that 27 sales since I opened my Etsy store in 2009!!!!! Whew.............that calls for a celebration of sorts.....what shall I do???

Was looking for that Christmas card I sold in my many files, but could not find it. Shall have to take another picture of the card along with a few other things I made this weekend, been pretty busy with all my projects, guess that is good.

If you read my previous blog ~ Mystery Saturday ~ I listed 15 things I was going to do for the day............well, I did 8 1/2 things for that day plus one extra thing not listed. They are as follows:
1. finished the blog
2. made the coffee
3. gave myself a permanant (did not trim my hair)
4. cut JP's hair
5. made lunch and dinner (Popover Unside Down Pizza recipe to follow in next blog)
6. did some dishes (but still have many in the sink as I type this blog)
7. made some Christmas ornaments
8. rode my bike for 2 miles (that was the 1/2)
9. took a ride to Sandi's to pick up my circles that will be used for the Christmas ornament (she has a circuit cutter, so can get more circles made then a punch can...........have LOTS of 2"circles)

I guess the rest of those projects will all be done this week at some time or another, don't know when or where, BUT they will get done.

Well, you all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption drawth nigh!
Cheers ~ Louise

MYSTERY~SATURDAY

Mystery Saturday??????????? Well, I am not sure what that is all about either. Missed "Friday Funday" cause there was nothing fun going on and did not take any pictures that showed me having fun........oh well.

Now as my big "65th" birthday comes leering around the corner, I am not finding alot of comfort in the supposed "Golden Years" either. Seems there is alot more stress in getting old AND I really don't know how to retire!!! You would have thought after 5 years I would have figured it out......nope, nope, nope! Still as busy as ever, but with different things.

MYSTERY SATURDAY
Now what could that entail...................I don't know. Maybe a list of things I would like to do today? Or a list of things I HAVE done, guess that would have to come at the end of the day. People talk about a bucket list......I've not made one up yet and probably won't. I just live each day as it comes, waking up each morning wondering....."what day is this one.....aaahhhhh yes, Saturday, what will I be doing today???? Well, let's see..........here is my list for today.
1. finsh this blog
2. make some coffee
3. do the dishes (I always have dishes in the sink to do)
4. maybe do a little crocheting sometime today (making a pink doily)
5. give myself a perm and trim hair
6. cut JP's hair
7. make some cards, actually I have 3 projects going
~~~~~a. making orgami bridal bouquet
~~~~~b. making my iris fold Christmas cards
~~~~~c. make some more Christmas ornaments
8. rake some leaves
9. plant 3 "allium gladiator" bulbs
10. wash some clothes
11. straighten the house and sweep the porch
12. ride 5-10 miles on my stationary bike
13. ah yes, cook lunch and dinner (which always puts dishes back in the sink)
14. maybe take a break with another cup of coffee on the porch (wishful thinking on my part)
15. take a nap or go to bed.........

Whew, after that list, I am TIRED!!!!! Retired??????? I don't think so!!!!! Well so much for Mystery Saturday........I will finish this off tonight, or tomorrow or whenever I get back to it, cause I am not sure how much will be accomplished, maybe nothing, maybe just partly.....who knows at this point, ONLY GOD KNOWS THE BEGINNING AND THE END of my list!!!!

Cheers ~ have a great day!!
Louise

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Have a good day ~ Cheers ~ Louise

Tale of A Roof and a Washing Machine

SOOOOOOOOO here is my tale of a Roof and a Washing Machine. The washing machine came at 12:00 noon (3 hours past the due time........but it finally came). OOOOOOOH could hardly wait for it. Was getting to the point that all we could do was fill up the machine, let the clothes soak then spin the water out, no washy, washy, washy. NOW it is here, first have to clean up the area cause alot of things had to move in order to get the machine to it's new resting place. Following are some pictures. Our new-used machine is a white Maytag, hopefully this one should last awhile. Our Speedqueen came with the house and we have been here 20 years, so I guess that was a good machine too, to have lasted so long. We still have the Speedqueen dryer, so when that konks out, we will go to Hoarshs for a used dryer. They will deliver, hook-up and take away the old one.....hooray!! don't have to worry about getting rid of it ourselves.
The roof was done last Tuesday and Wednesday during that wonderful weather we have been having. We had to get a loan for the roof to the tune of $1200, I guess that is not bad, but there was alot of damage after leaking 8 years. Joe said if we had not gotten the roof done before winter, the snow and ice surely would have collapsed the roof. Hopefully this will fix the problem for awhile. Now we have to figure out where the money is coming for the kitchen ceiling, guess I can live with that for awhile cause now it won't be leaking like as if someone turned on the faucet. The money for the washing machine came from our selling some gold and silver jewelery that was laying around, stuff I had from my mother and grandmother. I won't miss it, may as well put it to use.........we needed a washing machine, now we have one.

Well I shall close here, and get some wash done......HOORAY!!! & Praise the Lord!!!
Cheers~Louise

"Friday Funday" ~~~ Boating on the Fox & a Colorful Fall!

Friday Funday.......we all had fun yesterday (Thursday) on the boat, riding on the Fox River. Such beautiful trees and a beautiful day, I know now why I love Wisconsin, couldn't ask for a better day. These are my 4 hour ~ Mini~vacations at Sandi's Retreat on the Island. Fun was had by all, plus there were treats, cheese and crackers, natchos and salsa and zuchinni bread....yum!

The trees were absolutely beautiful, like this one along the river.

Here is a beautiful, fancy house secluded and hidden behind the trees.

Such beautiful scenery along the Fox River.

Here is a big fancy house, nice huh?

And.....here is Miss Vicky taking pictures of her shipmates. There you have it a day out on the boat, going to try for another one weather permitting before the boat gets pulled out of the water for the winter and takes a rest till spring. The lox in Menasha open up May 2nd 2012, seems like a long time away.
Well, you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the weather. See you again on Monday with a few more cards. Cheers ~ Louise

~ Wordless ~ Wednesday ~

Cheers to you all ~ Louise

New Cards For My Etsy Store

This is my Christmas card for this season. A simple background embossed in gold then the tree was cut out and strips of red, green and gold papers cut to make the iris fold. I will be adding this card to my etsy store this week sometime. This will come as a set of 3 for $10 + postage. You will also receive one free bonus card and thank you card. Each one of my cards comes with an envelope and clear plastic sleeve for protection.

Little Fisher Boy was listed on Saturday, no bites yet but still hoping for that "hook, line and sinker" to go under the water and catch that big one.

This pretty card is called "5 Roses for Your..." could be a Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, Thinking of you what ever your hearts desire. It's not on Etsy yet, but sometime this week.

To see all my cards at Etsy go to: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com Have a great day and see you on Wordless Wednesday ~ cheers ~ Louise

"Friday Funday" ~~~ Mushrooms Anyone????

Now this is a really good recipe, if you are a mushroom lover. I found this recipe on one of the other blogs I follow and read, she has some wonderful recipes, but this one is my #1 favorite. The above picture was taken after everything was mixed together and ready to put in the oven.

This picture shows the end result.......yummy is all I can say. I ate half the casserole, sure hope the calorie content was not too high!!!! Well, maybe the mushrooms were not the problem, but the seasoned bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Will have to check the next time I make this little side dish. Here is the recipe:

1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced (I used the Baby Bellas, but I am sure white mushrooms are fine)

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (I used fresh Italian parsley)

2 teaspoons minced garlic (I used the garlic in a jar)

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated parmesan

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup extra virgin oil

2 tablespoons white wine

In a baking dish toss mushrooms and parsley and garlic. Add 1/4 cup bread crumbs and 1/4 cheese and toss. Drizzle wine and oil and toss together then add remaining bread crumbs and cheese on top. Bake 350 for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!!!

There you have it, a wonderful side dish of mushrooms. This will be my favorite for many years to come. Here is where I got this wonderful recipe, http://smokymountaincafe.blogspot/2011/09/mushrooms-parmesan.html

Cheers ~ Louise

~Wordless Wednesday~

Cheers ~ Louise

Rain, rain, GO AWAY!!!!

This is what our ceiling is looking like now, see the water dripping, just as if someone turned on the faucet, gosh I am disliking this very much. I want my kitchen back. Oh, see the buckets in the cabinet, they need to be emptied every couple of rains.
Dripping into the buckets below, towels all over to catch the splashes. The bucket needs to be emptied every couple of hours when it rains this much.

Lately it has been dripping down through the cabnets where my dishes are, catching lots of drips on the counter...........oh please God, I have had enough!!!
Well, I hope you all are having a great day.........fret not and trust in God!!!! Cheers ~ Louise

A Little Bit of Comfort Food

Started the week off with "a little bit of comfort food" Mac and cheese with little smoky sausages for spice!!! Was delicious to say the least. Here's a picture after the fact. Just followed the instructions for a box of mac and cheese then added the sausages, no special surprise ingredients added to this little gourmet treat. Will keep the husband happy for the day. Dinner tonight will include fish, salad and the mac and cheese dish, (if there is any left).

Not alot going on this week, high points are going to Betty's tomorrow to make some cards with a few ladies, Social Security check comes Wednesday, so shopping for food. Making a new recipe, either Italian Beef Stew, or Chicken Paprikash. Thursday, I go to Sandi's to make cards with a few other ladies. Share program on Saturday.

Need to work out in the yard this week sometime and get everything "Winter Ready" Next spring will have to be a little different, need to back off on buying plants and such, there is too much shade in the back yard so vegies don't want to grow. Oh well, guess it is alright, we are getting older, so the less work there is the better off we will be.

Well, time to shut this blog down for the day........watch for my next recipe, should be delicious also.

Cheers ~ Louise

A Bor-ing Blog

Yep........that is what this blog is.....a Bore (not even sure if bore is spelt right) who cares, no one reads this blog anyways!!! This may be a very short one.....have no pics and no ideas to write, guess I am leading a boring life right now.

We're trying to get some money scrounged up to pay for part of the roof that leaks into the kitchen....looks like we may have to sell some stuff, like gold and silver laying around the house, which is not much. Oh well. I am tired of this leaky ceiling, 8 years of aggrevation, thanks to Steven Carey, because he cut corners to have more money in his pocket we have been living with a leaky roof!!!! Hopefully it gets fixed by this winter.

Lets, see what else.................guess I will close this blog for now...................who will read this, I wonder, be sure to leave a comment. Well, it is 12noon, the sirens are sounding ~ cherrio!!!!

A New Fall Card a Mini-Vacation and 9/11

My new "Autumn Leaves of Fall" card just listed in my etsy store, go take a peek at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81503505/autumn-leaves-of-fall-1

Yes, those are my feet!!!

We took a mini-vacation on Saturday, a ride on Butte Mor and Lake Winnebago.....was a very beautiful day for a boat ride.

Then we dropped anchor near High Cliff (maybe 5 miles out) and ate chips and cantalope....aahhhhhh, yes that was my kind of day, for sure!

Any problems you might have just seem to fade away. Yes, that was a piece of heaven on earth!!!!

Here is JP and I enjoying our day out on the boat.

Probably like you, I watched some of the Memorials and stories that went along with 9/11 today. I remember where I was that day....had just started a new job at the church, maybe about a month previous. So things were still pretty new to me. Don't remember who came with the news, but instanly the TV was turned on in the conference room and there we all stayed, transfixed by what was happening in NY. A hard day to forget, forever engraved in our minds. It should have been a day that caused many people to come back to Jesus.....(and maybe it did) but just like everything else....we cry out to God for help, He helps and we soon forget that He was there to help!!! God Help The USA ~ a Nation slowly dying because of it's sin's against you ~ Have mercy of us a sinful nation!!!!!

Well, you all have a great day ~ Louise

Locast and "Hurricane Like" Wind Storm

Locust...........you hear them all around you during the summer months, but never see them. Well, here you go, I found one up close for you to see......ugly little chap isn't he/she???? How I came upon this lovely locust.......was cleaning up a little after the storm and brushing the leaves off our car and WA LA a locust!!!! I ran for my camera and took a bunch of pictures. I think God placed this bug on my car.......I know, I know sounds kinda crazy.......but, a few nights ago as I was letting my dogs out and waiting for them, was listening to the locust and thought....."how come you never see them God, only hear them?" I believe this is my answer from God.......

Years ago, when I was 7 or 8, remember leaning up against a tree......and BUZZZZZZZZ...leaned up against a locust, scared me alot, but I remember what it looked like to this day. I have always loved the sound of locust, but maybe seeing the damage they make, may not like that.

So here are pictures of the damage done in our back yard after the storm hit. Two large limbs came down, one on my little swing and the other on our roof. The limb on the roof caused more damage to our "leaking ceiling" cause after the limb hit, the "drip, drip, drip" became a steady flow of water. Gosh, I get so angry at the roofer who supposedly "fixed" our roof. Because of HIS greed and wanting more money in HIS pocket we are paying for HIS neglegence. There is no recourse for us, he sold his business and we don't have the money to sue........so here we sit with a leaking roof that just gets worse.

Oh...another thing that happened during the storm, the electricty went out....from 9:30am, off till 1:30am....16 hours, gosh we sure are dependant on electricity aren't we? Well, I brought out the candles, and got the Fondue Pot going for coffee......funny how you crave certain things when they are taken away. Any other day I could go all day without a cup....but yesterday, no sireeeee! I started to worry about the frig and if things would stay frozen and cold. I took some chicken out to defrost in the frig to keep things cold in there. Fired up the grill about 6:30pm and cooked some sausage, a small packet of chicken and a hamberger and 3 small potatoes. Just in case JP ran out of food to eat. When he was about to come home I got the Fondue pot going put some chicken soup in it and the chicken, sausage and potatoes. (the hamberger was eaten by Louise) So, it turned to be a good meal......just as JP was eating, the lights came on.....what magic!

Another picture of the limb on our roof.......I am hoping we can find a good samaritan that will come with a chain saw, needing free fire wood to come take the limbs down for us, we can pay for the gas. But that is it, cause we really need to get our roof redone and you know........finances just are not there at this time and the mortgage needs to get paid yet......Thank you Mr. Obama for all you help!!!

Well, you all have a good day ~ Cheers ~ Louise

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