Changes!

If we haven't visited your blog recently, we are sorry :(

We are trying to get caught up, but things have been a little screwed up in our house this week. Chris got laid off on Monday and we are trying to get back into our old routine again. Things seem to run smoother around here if we follow a routine. Last time he was laid off, it was only for 2 days, so we don't want to get into too much of a routine. Neither of us are spur of the moment kind of people. One of us is a planner and needs to know what is going on for the week ahead of time. The other doesn't really plan ahead for much and just goes with the flow.

Can you guess who is who?

We had a little visitor this evening. Mommy was bowling and Daddy had something to take care of. So we had Baby J. for about an hour and a half.

Don't you just love that smile?

Shining Snowflakes !

Click on pictures to enlarge

A Winter Surprise

Last night while I was sleeping

The snow came softly down

And slipped on all the shrubbery

A shining snowflake gown.

I guess that every little bush

Felt startled with surprise

To find itself a cotton plant

On opening up its eyes.

--Solveig Paulson Russell

#3

I got the 3rd stitchery done this weekend. I only have 3 more to go. I am working on a special stitchery for someone right now. I will start on # 4 after I am finished.

After that, I will have to start working on the window frame. It will need sanded and painted before I can put the stitcheries in it.

If you missed the other 2 that I have already finished, click on the links below to see them.

One Done!

Two Done!

No Rules Today!

Another

Sunday!!

We made Vidalia Onion Dip today.

Click on pictures to get a close up of all the yummy goodness

2 Cups chopped Vidalia onion

2 Cups shredded Swiss cheese

2 Cups mayo

Mix together in a large bowl. Put in an oven safe dish. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 40 minutes at 325. Serve with Wheat Thins or Triscuts.

Soft!

Our niece, Baby J. loves to play with SOFT toys. These are some pictures of her playing with her Aunt Laurie's snowmen. She usually has a hold of one of them with one hand and her other thumb in her mouth. She just couldn't decide which one she wanted to play with. Maybe by next winter she will be able to go outside and play with a real snowman!

We Have A Winner...

We had eleven women in our drawing. We put every ones name in this little box.

We pulled one name out.....

The winner is.....

Ann from A Mother's Minute !!!!

Congratulations Ann!!!

Please email us with your mailing information at c_l_1968@yahoo.com

STEW!

Chris made venison stew today. He makes it early and cooks it most of the day. Then he takes it in to work and shares it with the guys. Here he is browning the meat.

This is what it looks like after it cooks and he thickens the juices. He puts in carrots, onions and potatos. I'm sure he put all kinds of spices in. It cooked in the crock pot for almost 12 hours. The guys seem to enjoy it.

I made two kinds of cookies a couple nights ago because I was tired of the guys at my work saying "You never make cookies anymore." or "When are you going to make some cookies?"

I made white chocolate chip and milk chocolate chip. Chris took some in to work too. The guys had some after their stew.

In the bag !

We were challenged by Dawn to show what is inside our purses. She asked "Are you a minimalist?" or "Are you an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink type?" Why not play along and show your purse/bag and the contents......just for fun...?!? If you choose to play, please leave a comment so that I can come over for a visit.

Mom also did the challenge. I think you can see and figure out everything in my purse except for the white blob. It's a Kleenex. I have allergies so I have to have at least one or two of these in my purse at all times.

If you haven't already, check out our post from Tuesday and see what we are giving away for our 200th post!!

Ouch!

A year ago today, I was in a car accident. It wasn't my fault. I was in a turning lane and a woman in a Cadillac hit me in the drivers side of my car.

I was very lucky. I really didn't get hurt. She hit the front fender and bounced off and hit the back door.

I believe that some one was watching over me. I could have really been hurt. The insurance company totaled my car.

We were going to buy a new car in the spring. We just had to get it early. I got to choose anything I wanted. We spent a lot of time test driving and I finally got what I wanted.

We bought a Red Kia Sportage.

Click HERE to see it and read about what happened.

200th Post!!!

Today is our 200th post!

Wow! It doesn't seem like that many.

We are giving away a stitchery that Laurie made.

Anyone who leaves a comment on our 200th post will be entered into the drawing. Your comment must be posted by Friday 2/23. The drawing will be on Saturday the 24th. We will post the winner on Saturday.

Presidents Day!

It may not be a major holiday for most people, but when we were growing up, we always looked forward to Presidents Day. Mom always had Mondays off, so we got to spend the day with her.

We always had a picnic. We packed hot dogs to cook on the fire, hot cocoa and chips and we went to camp. We had so much fun at camp. It didn't matter what the weather was like, we always had our picnic and went for walks in the woods.

This huge rock is back in the woods and "poppy" could never find it. He told us the rock wasn't there and that we were crazy. We took pictures to prove it was really there.

One year we even made snow people that reminded us of Poppy Bill and Aunt Irene. They went to Florida for the winter, so we sent them pictures. What a laugh they had. Well the camp has been sold since then, but if we could, we would all take the day off and go still. What a great time we had. It's amazing that some of our greatest memories didn't cost a thing.

Thanks Mom!!!

It's Race Day!!

Today is the Superbowl of nascar. We are ready for the race to start!! It seems like we have been waiting forever for racing to start again.

We've got our special "Race Day Pants" on. The surround sound is on. (There have been some Sundays that we don't hear mom knock at our door because we are so engrossed in the race)

GO!!!

GO!!!

The chicken wing dip is ready and so are we!

Antique!

When you look at my right hand, you may just see a ring. When I look at it, I see memories and love. This ring was given to me for my 16th birthday by my mother. It was my grandmothers engagement ring. My mother had the original stone (a diamond) removed and made into an earring. She had my birthstone (alexandrite) set in the ring. I really love the ring.

Answers!

Sue's Question: I just love this particular type of embroidery. It looks so homey! Do you just stitch over a drawing that you've done?

Click to enlarge.

1. Find a picture on the Internet that you like. Enlarge it to the size you want. Print it out on regular paper.

2. Trace over the picture with a sharpie.

3. Place the picture on a light box or a window. Put muslin over picture and trace onto muslin with a pencil.

4. You are all ready to stitch.

Pea's Question: Which program is he using?

He makes the different layers using ArcSoft Photoimpression. He is using Microsoft Picture It to make the Blinkies.

He made the two above pictures. The only difference between them is the borders. When put together, It looks like it is moving.

Ann's Question: I like them and I like your Valentine heart background. How do you do that? and how do you make a banner for the top of the blog page? I see other sites that have custom banners and I'm confused? Any help would be appreciated.

Do you know what you would like for your background? Maybe I could help make it for you and then explain the steps. I am going to have to think on this one. It is kind of hard to explain. I will get back to you :)

Liar or Fibber??!!

This is what we woke up to Valentines Day.(8-10 inches of snow) Chris drove me into work and told me he would call his work and tell them he was going to be late. I had to work a full day and I wasn't sure when I would be able to leave. He came up to take me out to lunch. He didn't talk much. Little did I know he was keeping a secret!!

This is what was waiting for me when I got home. I guess he wasn't going to work?! He made a candlelight dinner for me. He made Black Angus strip steaks, baked potato's, rolls and a salad. What a nice surprise. But he still didn't tell me the truth. He took his floating holiday at work. (a day off when ever you want and you get paid for it!)

Look how pretty my Roses are. My husband arranged them and even made the bow!

I also got a tulip to plant outside.

Why...

Because it's purple!!

This is ALL Chris got the poor guy!!

He was soooo... proud of himself because he finally got me. I usually know when something is up, but being so busy at work, I missed it.

Happy Valentine's Day

Chris and I took these pictures of Baby J. on Saturday night. We bought her a Valentine's Day outfit and she just had to try it on. She also said she wanted her picture taken, so of course we took a few.

We thought they came out pretty cute!!

Busy!!!

We are sorry we haven't been able to visit much this week. Laurie is working a lot more hours because of Valentines Day. She even had to work the weekend which she hasn't done in years. She is trying to get everything ready for the big day!!
Chris has also been busy doing stuff that Laurie hasn't been able to do this week. By next weekend things should be back to normal. We are trying to keep up with bloglines but we are a little behind. So if you don't hear from us be patient we will be back !! :)