Something for Sunday

So, yesterday, I had a craft day with Stephanie, Mindy, their friend Bonnie, and my friend, Jenny (Nicky's mom). I do not particularly like crafts. I am a storyteller and scrapbooker. That's my "jam"!

I took a class in January called "Loaded Envelopes" by Jamie Pate. This was my first class with her and I really enjoyed it.

There were lots of fun techniques included, like covering a slide mount, and making a shaker pocket. The whole thing took about 2 hours. Then we had lunch. I think I said it was "over" at about 12:30. 

 

We all had fun. I'm planning on using mine for my April AYM layout. Can't wait!

Scrapbook Saturday

I did most of these layouts a few weeks ago on our scrapbook retreat. 

I decided to let the picture of Butch and his buddy, Jack in front of the Panama sign be the title for the layout. I printed the picture in 8x10, then cut the bottom off, trimmed and matted it--then mounted it on top of the remaining photo--the sky. I like how it turned out. There are 12 pictures on the left side--stacked on top of each other. The right side had a large pocket for all the miscellaneous and Butch's trip journal--always at least 5 pages!

These are old pictures from the 1990's. I cut out the canoe by hand and ran it through the printer for the title.

It's kind of hard to tell, but I popped up the canoe and then put the clear, dimensional product to make ti look like water. 

This was my AYM layout for January. 

I made the layout about my birthday--January 11th. I used pictures through the years. I did some hand-stitching around a few of the balloons.

This is our Mother/Daughter trip to Charleston.

I noticed that I hardly ever bother with pictures of the "sights" anymore. It's all about the people and stories to me anyway.

This layout is another using old pictures. 

This one will go in Mindy's album. 

I've just about scrapbooked ALL of my old pictures now. It's only taken me 26 years!

Friday Funnies

Four Things Thursday

Last week, we had our "Circle of Friends" journal group meeting. We were at my friend, Susan's house. She had her table decorated for Easter. It kinda' made me feel bad since I haven't even thought about Easter. I'm not sure I want to bother since we don't have anything planned. 

Still, I enjoyed seeng her beautiful table.

She has the fabulous collection of Easter houses. This one was of particular interest to me because it's a darling little teapot.

They all open up to reveal cute little scenes inside. Baby bunny is in the tub. You can see mama bunny opening the window.

This is the backside of the teapot where mama bunny is looking out. 

They are all so cute with so many details. It makes me want to get my Easter things out, but then I decide it might be more effort than I want to put in. I still have time. I'll think about it.

Thanks Susan for making lunch so special! And a delicious lunch it was! She makes the best salads. And then, she made a chess pie for dessert. I had planned to resist dessert, but it's been ages since I've had chess pie. It was sooo good! I took tiny bites to make it last longer. The girls must have thought I was crazy! I just really wanted to savor it! 

I get to look forward to another good lunch at Susan's since we'll be back at her house for AYM at the end of the month. Always fun!!

What I Buy Wednesday

So, when I was scrapbooking a few weeks ago, my sister told me about these tomatoes from Sam's.

I bought them. I happened to have some grape tomatoes at home. During the winter, grape tomatoes to me always seemed to have the most flavor.  I couldn't wait to compare them.

Well, I did and these "Flavor Bombs" are amazing! No comparison. Butch said that I was just being swayed by Jeanne. That is until he tried them and said that he agreed. They are "the bomb!"

We also saw these at the grocery store. 

Sugar bombs vs Flavor bombs. I can't wait to try and compare them. I'll pick some up this week and keep you posted.

Also, while at the store, I saw these:

They look like albino strawberries. I have never seen these before. Perhaps they should have samples.

They aren't even strawberries at all. I've never heard of pineberries. So, I just had to look them up. You know I want to know everything!

Pineberry is a white strawberry cultivar with red seeds and a pineapple-like flavor. Pineberry. 'Florida Pearl'

Now I'm intrigued. I might have to pick some up to see what I think. At least the price is pretty good. We'll see.

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...It Ends with US!...And I'm not talking about the movie!

I've been thinking about this for a long time and it really bothers me. What has brought it to the forefront is that my cousin, Chrissy is leaving St. Louis.

We have been "besties" since we were kids. But, it wasn't until she was in 7th grade and I was in 8th that we started spending many, many weekends together. Distance wise, we were probably about 40 minutes apart in St. Louis. It cost money to call each other--known as "toll" calls. We were at the mercy of whoever would drive us. In fact, we traded babysitting for rides with her sister (also my cousin), Judy.

All that to say, we've always been very close. When I fly to St. Louis, she would pick me up and we'd spend as much time together as possible. That was always priority for us. 

Well, in late January, she told me she was moving. Her husband had passed away around Christmas. Her two daughters live in Springfield, MO, so they convinced her (and it didn't take much) to move there. I get it. I would want to be close to my daughters too. But, of course, I only thought of myself. I knew I would never see her again! That's a strong statement, but it's true. She doesn't like to drive on the highway, or fly. It was always me coming to St. Louis. Considering I only get to St. Louis a couple times a year, now I have one less reason to go.

I sunk in to a funk for several weeks. I tried to talk myself out of it because I knew that in the same position, I'd do the exact same thing. 

I'm realizing that we're "at that age." My grandmother and her sisters (all 4 of them--one of which was Chrissy's mom) were very close. They spent so much time together on a daily basis--until their children started moving them away. I remember when it started happening. Once Aunt Stella was moved by her son, she- never- saw- her- sisters- again. That's when it began. How sad is that?

I started thinking about how hard it is to get all of us together--especially the cousins. Not my other cousins--I can't remember the last time I've seen any of them. Now-a-days, it's just funerals. There's only one old person left--well unless you start counting us.

What I'm talking about and sad about is my children and my siblings' children. They never see each other. We started the mother/daughter trips a couple years ago--which are so fun. But, the truth is that when our generation is gone, they will never get together. The ones in St. Louis still might. But even now, it's not that often. 

Anyway, it's just sad to me. Family has always been everything. And now it's just fading away. 

I'm going to miss you Chrissy! I love you girly!

Me on Monday

For years, Butch has been saying, "Ladies, it's not a fashion show!" Usually that meant we (all of us girls) needed to get a "move on" OR, we needed to pack lighter for trips, OR we needed to dress for the occasion--throwing fashion to the wind.

Well, I finally get it now:

Our house is so cold, I have to go for warmth! Once I get settled, I can pull my pants legs down. Still, fashion show or "no"---I wouldn't be caught dead going out like this!