Layouts

I get most of my scrapbooking done when I am away from home. That's why I love scrapbook retreats---or a trip to the Broussard's farm. Of course, I do a lot of reading and lounging around, but still I manage to get quite a few pages done.

 This is a title page I planned. I love this quote---it's perfect for my philosophy---don't ya' think?

This paper was really old and came stitched. All I did was print the quote on a transparency and add the embellishments. I layered concentric circles, crumpled them for added dimension, then affixed with a paper brad.

This was a fun layout to do. Again, I tried a new technique on that sun. To get this patchwork effect: Cut (4) 4" squares; Cut them on the diagonal; Join them on a Cricut mat (I have the "baby bug" so had to trim off the sides); Cut your choice of shapes. The title here is "Somebody's Gotta' Doo Doo It." I often use my blog as journaling for the page. You can find this story here!

On "The Proposal" I decided to layer the banners as a base for the title rather than use them across the top. This was a sheet of banners that you just tear apart. The little ones on the opposite side are stickers. Those little ones mimic the big ones across the page.

Here's another new technique. I saw this idea somewhere (sorry, can't remember) and knew I wanted to give it a try. I used a Heidi Swap mask for the background. Then I used my Creative Memories hexagon punch to cut some pattern papers. Then I just layered a few here and there. This layout is "K" & "L" for my alphabet album.

 Notice that silhouetted photo? That's from the "olden days" of scrapbooking when we did that a lot. I don't do it much anymore---this one was leftover in my photos.

There's not really anything here in the way of technique---unless you consider the little rhinestones I put in my journaling at each of my "4 simple Pleasures"---Kindle, Starbucks, iPhone, Downton Abbey.

More tomorrow!

This Guy...

Is the best! Today is his birthday, so I decided to devote this post to him.

When I met him, he was a tv repairman. But, he had ambitions and dreams. After we got married in 1971, he embarked on a ten year journey to complete his education. At the time, we had a card table and two chairs for our kitchen table and a borrowed bed. Our big splurge each month was the purchase of a $2.00 game from Target. We were always big game players and still are. We ate out occasionally, but that was at McDonald's or Taco Bell. One summer we went to Baskin & Robbins twice in a week---then didn't have the money to pay our phone bill. The budget was tight---I had $15.00 a week to spend on food. That was adequate, but I had to use a calculator as I shopped.

After about 3 or 4 years, we took a leap of faith. He started a low level management job with Central Parking System. He actually took a pay cut! We weren't sure we could afford that, but the company would pay his school tuition and for his books---which is exactly why we did it. Turns out, he rose fast within the company and the bonuses came rolling in. Eventually, he became the CEO until his retirement in 2010 at 58. I'm so proud of him. It's been a great ride---all of these---nearly 42 years! I'm glad he took me with him!

The following pictures are what remain on my laptop. I just did a major purge---8000 photos removed. I was a little too lazy to transfer more from my desktop. This was on our 25th anniversary.

 I think he's still pretty cute!

 I don't remember what year this was. Somewhere in our 40's.

This is him with Victoria. He's so good with the grandkids. Actually, he's good to all of us.

 He still has a lot of bendability left in him too! This would totally kill my knees (ooops, I didn't mean
to make it about me).

Here he is with Morgan. I just noticed, he wears a lot of blue shirts. Stands to reason---that's his favorite color.

If there's one wish I could make for him---it would be to slow down and enjoy the fruits of his labor!!! The rest of us certainly are!! And we thank him!

Weather Maps Confuse Me

There, I've said it out loud---to which Butch replied, "Really?" He then started to explain the different colors to me. Come on, shouldn't there be a key at the bottom to tell you what all the different colors mean. Then, the colors move, swirl and change. What the heck is that supposed to mean.

How in the heck are you supposed to interpret this? I guess the solid brown means there's no weather happening there. I would think that all the white means snow but then, this is June. I seriously doubt there's any snow happening---well, maybe up there in Canada. I don't think I'm alone in this. Do most people understand weather maps? I don't think so.

As it turns out, our weathermen don't know either. They are wrong. A. Lot.

This is what works best for me:

Right on my desktop. Clear and simple. That is how reports should be---easy to understand. This shows the current temperature along with the weather each day, plus the high and low. Perfect. Another thing, I like knowing what's going on with the weather in other cities. When I'm traveling, I'll put that weather up too. Just what I need to know so I can dress appropriately.

How do you like your weather?

Random Thoughts

Outside my window: I wanted to write this yesterday, so I would have been able to say "a perfect sunny day." Instead, this morning, it's thundery and grey. The rain hasn't started, but it's coming.

I am thinking: About the Lapps visit starting on Wednesday. It's going to be a really fun looonnggg weekend, but it will zip by. Meals are all planned and the weather is expected to cooperate.

I am thankful for: The rain (at least I'm trying to be)---I don't have to spend 45 minutes watering.

From the kitchen: I'll be cooking today for my freezer club that meets tomorrow. We haven't even eaten all the meals from last month. 

I am wearing: Still in my robe. Lest you think I live in my robe, it just so happens that I tend to write my blog posts in the morning---or very late at night which always finds me in my robe!

I am hoping: to get my scrapbook supplies sorted out from my trip to the farm. I'm looking forward to getting upstairs and playing in my room.

I am reading: The Storyteller. It is sooo good. I have about a hundred pages left and plan to finish it today. I sort of feel like it's going to be predictable, but I'm enjoying it so much that it's okay. On the other hand, Jodi Picoult is known for some twists. My favorite quote from the book: "Sometimes all it takes to become human again is someone who can see you that way, no matter how you present yourself on the surface."

I am busy creating: I have a lot of scrapbook pages and a few new techniques to share. I'll get to that in the coming days.

I'm bummed: That it's raining. I know, that's a contradiction---grateful and bummed at the same time. Still, it's the truth. I've only been in the pool twice so far this summer. This is way late for such cool and dismal weather.

I am hearing: tv news.

Around the house and garden: Stephanie and Mindy had friends over to the pool yesterday. I had planned to float for a bit to get some sun---I'm still pretty much "winter white." But, I don't do "public" sunbathing---only immediate family and very close friends---and never any men (outside of the family, that is).

In other news: I've signed up to take a new online class by Heidi Swapp. I was determined to play around with mists and masks this past week. The results were not all that great. I turned lemons in to lemonade, which I'll share. So, it seemed providential when HS's Stencil Magic appeared in my inbox.

One of my favorite things right now: Going to 7:30 a.m. Mass at St. Henry's. This is the earliest Mass   I've been able to find. If we can't go at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (mostly due to golf), then I like to go early. That way, I still have a full day ahead of me.

I appreciate: Satellite tv---even thought it has just gone out due to the storm. Another bummer.

I remember: We were reminiscing at Happy Hour on Friday about how many speeding tickets we've gotten over the years. Funny, I can remember how many Butch has gotten, but now how many I've gotten---I think it's just 2---a few warnings, too.

I forgot: This week, I left my favorite knife at the farm. I've put it on my calendar to remind Karolyn to get it for me when they go over the 4th of July.

I regret : that we're having a hard time getting a date for Steph's wedding. Christ the King Church has been less than cooperative. Stephanie and Nicky have an appointment on Tuesday to get it nailed down.

How the weekend is shaping up: As I write this, I'm in the middle of it. Butch played golf yesterday. We girls met the guys for a very late lunch at The Corner Pub for those fabulous steak burgers they only serve on Saturday. They are fabulous. They also have a wonderful dessert---the blondie---but I refrained from getting it. Now I regret that!

Hope your weekend is going well!!

Recipe Share

Hey All,
While I'm lounging around the farm---scrapbooking, reading, drinking and eating---I thought I would leave a post of a few recipes for you. 

I made these for out pool drinks over Memorial weekend and then for my friends last Friday.
BBC's (Bailey's Banana & Colada)

1 1/2 oz. Bailey's

1 1/2 oz. Cream of Coconut

1 oz. Pineapple juice

half a banana

Mix together and blend with ice.

I---20 times this recipe---one can of the coconut is 10 times. I mixed everything in a pitcher. When it is time to serve, fill blender with ice and 2 bananas---then fill with Bailey's mixture. It will be slightly slushy. If you want it slushier, add less of the Bailey's mixture to the ice.

If you don't mix a batch, it takes forever to do them individually in the blender. I don't know how long you can keep the mixture, but I did have it in the refrigerator until the next day when the family was here. I just stirred it up before putting it in the blender. 

I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds so easy.

5 Minute Jello Salad:

1 8 oz container of low fat Cool Whip

1 4 oz container of Strawberry Jello

1 12 oz container of fat free Cottage Cheese

1/2 pound of Strawberries, sliced

1 Banana, sliced

Put the cool whip and jello in a large mixing bowl and whisk until they are well blended and most of the jello dissolves into the cool whip.   Next fold in the cottage cheese, strawberries and bananas.  Stick into the refrigerator until you are ready to eat!

And lastly, by the time you read this, I will have already made these Creamed Corn Butter Dips. I got this recipe from one of the blogs I follow. You can see it at Plain Chicken. They always have good recipes.

Creamed Corn Butter Dips

1/2 cup butter

2 cups Bisquick

2 eggs

1 can (14 3/4 oz.) creamed corn

Preheat oven to 350. In an 8x8 pan, melt butter. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients and pour on to melted butter. Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly and cut in to squares.

It can't get any easier that that!! I only do easy things these days. That's why I like to share the recipes.

Sandy's Birthday

I just wanted to give a "shout-out" to Sandy as it's her birthday today. She is so precious to me. I can't wait until they come back to Nashville next week!

 And look what she got for her birthday!! Definitely better than her 9 year old van with 150+K miles on it!! She loves it already. Everyone's fighting over who gets to drive it.

You know how much I have not loved my car? I think it's a beautiful car with great features---but it's just too big. I was afraid of it for the entire first year. I'm not anymore, but I've always loved Jeeps. I've had three already. I just might be getting a new one sooner than I thought. Sandy says I can drive hers when she gets here. There are so many new features, I might not be able to resist.

This Past Week

It's that time of year---crazy busy. Wait, I guess that's pretty much any time of year.

This week, there was a lot of activity at the pool. It's still a little chilly, but once you're in, it's not bad. On Thursday, I came home to this:

It's kind of hard to see as I took the photo through the window, but Morgan had 14 people over. She did check with us first. We're happy to have them around. I was trying to take this photo without them knowing. 9 boys, 5 girls---great odds for the girls. They do a good job of cleaning up, but I'm going to have to set a few ground rules. I don't mind washing towels or providing refreshments (although they brought their own on this day). It's sort of a "catch 22." I love to have them around, but it also drives me crazy. I like the music, but they are going to crack our speakers by having it so loud. I want Morgan to be the only one messing with the sound system. Plus, when Morgan leaves for work, they need to leave too. I don't think that's too much to ask. The newness will wear off soon and then they'll only be over once or twice a week. Jordan only comes with her friends about once a week. Plus with all the teen work schedules, this summer might be different.

I talked to Jeanne as she filled me in on what's been going on in St. Louis. I asked her to send me a couple of pictures. Travis turned 1 year old in April. He's adept at stairs, but they are worried about him on their deck. So, they put up a gate to keep him from going up and down. Now he's learned to throw his ball over the rail. Seems like he's taught Jeanne how to play "fetch!"

 Jeanne is so smitten with him---and I don't blame her. He is so cute. She said that now when she goes to Angie's house, he doesn't want her to leave. When she picks up her purse, he runs over and holds up his little arms for her to pick him up. She loves it!! Finally---someone in "awe" of her!! She deserves to be idolized! That's the best part about grandchildren---they just love you!

 Mindy spent Memorial weekend in NOLA. She stayed with her friend Drew. She texted us these pictures. The Blockbuster down the street went out of business, so he bought a movie rack that he has in his living room. Great idea!

He also bought the candy counter---including the candy! Who does that? So funny---I guess if you have the room. I'm not so sure about that. I don't think it's a good idea to have that much candy around. But it's certainly a conversation starter---"hey, you want to meet me at the candy counter and then pick out a movie?"

 We had AYM this week. The challenge was to scrapbook your month. I narrowed it down to just what I do in the way of scrapbooking each month from planning classes to putting together kits.

 I couldn't resist snapping a shot of this. Talk about garden art---this is the ultimate in recycling. It's an old gas tank painted pink and has wings. I never understood that saying: "if pigs could fly." I guess it means the same as: "when hell freezes over."

Thursday night, I very sneakily, snapped this shot of Vince Gill and Amy Grant at the theater. We were seeing My Fair Lady and they sat in front of us. It's not a good picture because I was pointing it from behind my purse and couldn't really tell what I was getting. I had to take it because my sil (Chris) is a HUGE Vince Gill fan.

I'll fill you in on the weekend later---lots went on.

I'm leaving for the farm to scrapbook this week tomorrow. Think that through!!

Later...