Maria Takes a Vacation

Maria, her mommy and daddy are taking a vacation from the Texas heat to visit some family and friends in Idaho.  I have some cute pictures of my little sweetheart.  Enjoy!

In Honor of the Soldiers Who Defend Our Country

Americans don't always act worthy of your sacrifices, but I am one American who appreciates your service.  So thank you guys and gals for your discipline and bravery in protecting this country.  Thank you also to the families, some of whom, have to love you from such a long distance while you do your duty. 

I know all of you think you are just doing what is necessary and don't really like a lot of attention drawn to how special you are.  I just think we should take a few minutes every so often to remember those who make the American way of life possible.  So I am remembering you today.

I have had two soldiers in my life.  One was my father who lied about his age in order to join the Army Air Corp during World War II.  He was such a young man facing many hardships, but he did his job and he did it with diligence and determination.  I am very proud of the service he gave to his country.

The other soldier in my life is my daughter-in-law who served in Iraq.  I know how it feels to have someone you love be so close to harm's way and so far away from home.  I watched my very brave son, support her in every way possible while she was gone.  She served her time along with many others, many are still her friends even though she is now a civilian.  Today, she is a mother managing a wonderful family.

I just want to say thank you to you all.  You are wonderful and an inspiration to me.

Stitching Challenge

Here is what I made for my stitching challenge.  The fourth of July album should be a fun one to do.  I made this flag to go on its cover.  The stitching goes around the field of stars and around the flag itself.  This is the first time I have sewn on paper.

Here are some of my inside pages.  I am making this in honor of my daughter-in-law who was a soldier serving in Iraq.



Junque Album Entry

Here is my entry into the Junque Album Contest. 

for the contest run by Julie

www.thescrapsofmylifebyjulie.blogspot.com

Junque Albums are meant to keep information in an artsy kind of way.  They should give the owner that little creative nudge every time it is opened.  I know mine does.  I love all the little places in which to put things.  The first thing I am going to put in there is the good news I got yesterday from my son Chris and his wife Amelia as soon as I get permission to do it.  I have decided that you can sit around and moan about the economy and become a bump on a log, or you can see what you can do with what you have.  I am now choosing to be more creative with my life.  I can thank Julie from the scraps of my life for her inspiration.

Easter Fun!

 Easter 2011 almost didn't happen because Cassie was working on two 15 page papers for her graduate level classes, but we persevered.  So at midnight, we decided to take a break and color our Easter eggs. 

The next morning the Easter bunny did come even though I slept in.  Nice bunny!

I found some cute fabric at Walmart and made a tablecloth.  Our spring plates made Cassie quit obsessing about the color brown (our fall colors that had never been changed).  I must say it brightened up the kitchen a lot.  I am thankful to have had a mom that taught me how to sew when I was very young.

What Do You Do When It is Cold Outside? Scrapbook!

Here is an October Project inspired by Laura Denison that got put down for whatever reason.  So, I picked it up and had fun with it.  It tells the story of how Halloween became my daughter's favorite holiday.

Snow Days!

           I was finnally able to get out long enough to take pictures today. Here is the Fairy Garden.  The temperatures since Tuesday have been in the low teens.  Baby it was cold out there!  Today is just around the freezing mark.  We had light flurries earlier, but now there is just a blanket of white over a frozen mat of ice.

Wow a Snow Vacation

It has been three days of ice, snow, wind and rain. You name it and we've had it.  Throw in some thunder, too.  Schools have been closed.  We have even lost our water due to the drop in temp.  Feeding the animals is really a CHORE.  Everything is frozen and cold and about a foot deep in snow.