WOOHOO!! They are here

I couldn't say anything about our visitors because Isaac reads our blogs. Karen, Brian and the babies are here to see us, they drove in today as a surprise to Isaac. I have some pretty good photos of Olivia doing a hula hoop, and stringing 2mm silver beads on a pink poodle pendant I made for her.....to match her dress I got for her.

They had a water fight the first thing after they got here with Uncle Isaac. Then we had Rib Eyes for dinner along with'fluff' (watergate salad) baked potatoes and whatever else we could find. Tomorrow I am making pies. Pecan, Pumpkin and chocolate.

Tomorrow Great Grandpa Carnes and Great Grandma are coming. Karen always called them Grandmna and Grandpa Horses..........because they had horses and Steve's Mom divorced so much and remarried we could hardly keep track of her last name. So the stable grandparents were attached to what they had that was fun............HORSES!!!

We'll have homemade noodles. Then on Wed. the girls are going to the tea party and the boys are going to see the new Transformers movie.

I'll try to keep you posted. Our computer is in the spare bedroom where Steve is sleeping to get up and go to work tomorrow............or I would post photos.

Summer Arts Festival

I love the Summer Arts Festival. This year Isaac was able to go with us, he got this dragon mug. He bought one that wasn't as ornate last year, but it got broken. THis one is so neat. I love how the tongue hangs out the side of his mouth, it is on the top of the mug. I liked the blue one, but I didn't buy it, so we got the black one.

Recipe Friday June 26, 2009 Broccoli Salad

What to make, what to make. Sonny is finally home for his summer break. He is asking for his favorite foods. Some of them are already listed here on the site. Ham loaf, pasta salad, homemade noodles, cream puffs, meatloaf (no recipe, I am a tosser when I made meat loaf) I'll try to get pictures of the dishes as I make them so you can see the fun.

Steve and I buy this salad at the deli quite often. We love it, I had lost the recipe until I went digging in my old recipe file for it tonight. Lo and behold, it wasn't lost, only misplaced.

I'd love to find that old poppy seed dressing I used to use on it, all I remember is it came in an ugly green bottle at the store. Nothing fancy, but it was the best one to use.

I think the deli makes their own dressing for it, but I have no idea what that recipe is. If you have a dressing recipe you like for this, please let me know, I'd love to have it.

Broccoli Salad

3 Bunches Broccoli
1# bacon fried crisp and crumbled
1 Med. red onion chopped
3-4 oz. package sunflower seeds
1 c. golden raisins (+ or -, to taste)
16 oz. jar poppy seed dressing

Mix all together, it will fill a 5 qt ice cream bucket. Best if made the day before.

Clearance should be my middle name

I love to shop, but hate to pay full price for anything. Today I was at Burlington Coat factory looking for new pillows. My sister (MICHELLE) wants new ones, but they are pricey other places for good ones. I found Laura Ashley ones for $7.99/each. And Ralph Lauren for $9.99.

I always wander to the kids clothes, the dresses at Easter were to die for........ Here is one I found (not an Easter one, obviously) on clearance for Miss O..........












I want to make some beads to go with it so she'll 'match'.

And a transformer shirt for Noah that lights up. When we go visit Karen next week, the boys are going to see the new movie. WOOT!

Beauty of a small town

I live in a tiny town. It has relaxed standards for homeowners, city workers, pets, etc. When you live in a small town you overlook some of these things. The town is so tiny that you can tick off somebody and make an enemy for life, you never know if they might become your next door neighbor years down the road. All transgressions are generally remembered.

Relaxed standards:::: One example would be the local newspaper. The grammar and spelling in it is totally appalling.

My sister took it to college when studying to be a teacher as an example of grammatical errors, the benefits of spell checker, etc.

I just sigh, it is an example of having low standards and getting what you pay for in terms of employees.

Tea Parties and little girls

There is a place that does tea parties for little girls, a place where they can dress up in pretty clothes and hats. I'm dying to take my granddaughter there. It would be so much fun!!!

The next time they are home, we are sending all the 'boys' to the movies and we're going here!!!!

Added blog feature

You can now search the blog for anything you want, Lisa, that means the raspberry pound cake.

I wonder if I should take off the labels now that I have the search? What say you????

Exchange beads are done!!!

I am done with the 20 floral beads for the exchange. I am mailing them tomorrow. It feels good to get them done, but I am not doing another exchange any day soon. It took 45 min. or more per bead to get these done, I could have spent the time making product for the show I am doing. However, the benefit to doing these is getting a technique down pat, or to let the ideas flow. I had some great ideas while making these florals. It also helped me to get my wire wrapping perfected. I made them all into pendants for each participant. It was so much fun!!!!!

The last one ended up being a complete pain, the coordinator was a real snot, judging beads sent in by a selected few in the group, making public comments about how bad they were, etc. She also had the nerve to threaten people, telling them she was going to send all their beads back to them if she got mad at them,etc. It was a real nuisance while it was going on. The glass bead world has some real drama queens in it.

I'm getting ready for the Lauritzen Gardens show coming up in Aug. We'll be making glass beads so the general public is aware how the beads are made. Some think you can just sit down and slap a little glass on a rod, then ask for outrageous prices. Never ceases to amaze me! I would never walk up to my friend Mary Sneed and suggest her paintings were too expensive, or ask her if she 'really' gets 'those prices for THAT'

So, out to the studio in this sweltering heat to melt some glass. I am usually a real pansy when it comes to the heat, but in my studio I don't seem to notice at all.

Only 4 more days and my son is home, I can hardly wait to see him! He called last night to visit with his dad, he's so homesick right now.

Have a good day.

ALMOST THE END OF AN ERA

It's almost over, the college world series, that is. I can't wait. The festivities tie up traffic in the Omaha area like nothing else. It plugs up the bridges coming from Iowa into Nebraska. It is mass chaos.

Next year will be the last year at the present location, Rosenblatt Stadium. Nebraskans, esp. those in Douglas County are getting a new ball stadium. Never mind that the voters didn't approve it, the wise city council decided that for them, and along with it they got the added bonus of an increase in their taxes. Just ask me how happy I am that I live in Iowa!! They are taxed to death in that state, this isn't going to help. To top it all off, they are also building another stadium in the next county west of them, and Bellevue is now discussing building a stadium.

Can you say WOW..............the city of Bellevue just announced they don't have enough money in the budget to hire the extra 12 police officers they need to keep the community 'safe'. So weird.

I truly believe Moms should make decisions like this. They would run down a logical list of what the 'boys' wanted and what they need.........there would be no ball stadiums built with no money to build them. (Sound a little prejudiced? Sorry, this is my BLOG....LOL!) It falls in the same category of your kids wanting ice cream, no money in the food budget to buy it, we need milk instead, which one would you buy??? See, when you put it in those terms it is quite easy. But that is too logical for the government types to 'get'.

Recipe Friday June 19, 2009....Sidewalk Paint Recipe

Homemade Sidewalk Paint

This environmentally friendly sidewalk paint takes the place of the traditional sidewalk chalk. Its also very, very inexpensive! You can make your standard shades of red, green ,yellow, and blue; or, mix and match to create other shades.

SUPPLIES:

¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup cold water
6 to 8 drops of food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

1. Put cornstarch in a small plastic bowl and gradually stir in the cold water.
2. Add your desired food coloring and stir.
3. If the paint still feels too dry, just add a little more water until you get the consistency you prefer.
4. Repeat the process to create different colors.

This sidewalk paint washes off very easily and will not harm plumbing or plants … cornstarch is all natural and biodegradable.

Because this paint is so inexpensive, you can use it to paint larger canvases of art compared with traditional sidewalk chalk which is quickly used up. You can also get more detail in the pictures by using different sized paint brushes.

If you mix these in small, recycled butter tubs or other airtight containters, you should be able to keep the leftover sidewalk paint from one project to the next … assuming there is any left. If you find that the sidewalk paint has gotten a little dry, just add water to get the desired consistency.

Getting busier

Isaac is schedule to come home in a week, I have so much work to do, making pie crust, making homemade noodles, getting the extra groceries, etc. The only thing that would be better is if Karen and the kids could come back to see him while he's here.

Need to get the car detailed, I really really want a new car, but have to wait at least a year. Thinking of keeping mine for Isaac when he's done with school.....it's a wagon, but it runs, insurance will be less for him since he won't owe any money on it. It will help him get settled faster.

Here's what I have been lusting after, there are no rebates for them yet, none of our local dealers are willing to push or give deals........so we wait, might change our mind next year, we'll see. Kia Soul !......I love the color, they are very cute. I wanted a SCION, too......but Steve hated them, too boxy he says. This one is way cuter, Steve test drove it with me and agrees, this is much better for head room.











I figure if I wait a year, we'll have more information on them, and you never know, they may improve them or make them different and we'll be glad we waited a year.

Bird Seed visitor

We had a raccoon that has been getting into our trash can where we keep birdseed. Steve has tried various things to deter him, but that birdseed is pretty tempting.

Last night we set the live trap and got him, Steve relocated him this morning before he went to work. I left the house early this morning for a 6:30 appt. It was too dark to get a picture, but my grandkids would love to see it.........so I snagged a photo off the internet, which explains dead leaves in the middle of June.......he was a little leary of me when I poked my head thru the gate to say good morning. I had to tell him we were on to him the whole time, and if he would have been good, we would not have had to move him. I was surprised that he didn't react more when I walked out to fill the fountain with water, I also gave some of my flowers a drink that don't get rain on them. He just sat and watched me while I worked.

Recipe Friday June 12, 2009 Puppy Chow

This is Karen's favorite snack. Next time she comes home I think I'll make it for her.

Tonight we're going out to dinner with Ron and Linda. I took care of Linda's mother 3days a week for about 8 years. I went to her home and bathed her, changed her bed, etc. Sometimes before work, getting up at 4:30 am to get this work accomplished before I went to my real job. Sometimes I did it after working 12 hour days on teh floor. I can tell you, there's no way I would be able to do it now. She passed a couple years ago, but I still love to get hold of Linda and Ron to visit and go out to dinner. They are the most wonderful of friends. Ron has an ornery twinkle in his eye, and Linda is 'hip' she's on the internet 24/7, orders from ebay and is into all the things I am. She has exquisite tastes in clothes, jewelry, dishes, etc. She and I both love dishes, and I love to see what she's getting off ebay all the time!!!

Puppy Chow

9 cups Chexs cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Miss O's wishing flower

Miss O has been wishing on a flower for a Tinkerbell bike. There's nothing standing in the way of getting her that bike for Christmas right now, never mind it is sold out everywhere.....

She'll wish on a flower, then ask her Mom all day if she thinks it worked. Then she'll wish again and ask if she thinks it worked. She's out in their yard or Grandma Sandy's yard looking for 'wishers' to blow on to wish yet again for the bike...

Miss O never asks for anything in the way of toys, dolls, etc. She's pretty content to play with her brother's things or to just hang out in her room listening to music on her CD player. She's a funny little soul, and so much like her mother at that age. Karen's only request for her Birthday at age 5 was to get a transister radio. We got her one, it went with her everywhere she went. Half her college fund was spent on batteries to keep it going for her! She listened to it all the time.

Bead Swap

I participated in a bead swap on the internet. I was a stand by, I had to make 30 charms from Friday after work to Sunday night, have them wire wrapped and in the mail on a Monday a week or so ago..........I got mine tonight. Here they are. I didn't get one back of my own, so I put one of mine that is a larger size on the photo so you could see the style:













once I get another one of my own made, I will make a bracelet and remember all the folks that participated.

WORK and fun

I can't wait for Isaac to come home the 26th. I'm thinking we may need to drive up and see Karen and the kids. That way they'll get to see him and spend time with him. Since I took a whole week off while he's here and steve took off a few days, we could make it a nice long weekend.

Got to think about it for a few days.

Nothing much going on here, just work and yardwork, making beads and enjoying the mild weather.

I need to get 2 more chairs for the back yard so we can sit out there when Isaac is home and enjoy the fountain and the flowers.

Recipe Friday June 5, 2009

This is a family favorite, served often when we are having a get together. Should be made the night before so the flavors 'marry'.


Pasta Salad

1 16 oz. bag rotini pasta (spiral noodles)
1 med. Green pepper, diced
1 med. Red onion, diced
1 can black olives, sliced or chopped
4 oz hard salami diced
¼ to ½ c. parmesan cheese
1 16 Oz. bottle Kraft Italian Dressing

Directions

Try to make the night before so the flavors have a chance to cozy up to each other, get familiar, then marry before daybreak.

Boil pasta according to directions on box. I boil mine about 7-9 min. Sometimes it’s a little chewy, but the dressing helps with that. Pour into a colander, run cold water over the pasta until it is cold.

Place all the cut up items in a bowl, mix in about ¾ of the dressing and the parmesan cheese. Stir it all together, then add the cold drained pasta. Stir all together until the pasta is coated. Store overnight in the fridge, I generally stir it once or twice during the evening. The next day I add the rest of the dressing.

Wilton Classes coming to town

The instructor that teaches for Hobby Lobby just called me, she is willing to drive down to teach the classes. She'll take no more than 10, but will come for whatever we get signed up.

She thought our coffee shop was a little bitty thing. wherever she teaches she would require electricity.

First class is demo's and she tells us about supplies for the next classes. She also gives us the course books for each course. There are 4, usually done in 2 hour segments once a week.

However, she's sending me all the information and we can figure out how we want to set it up with her. So far the people interested:

Cindy
Leslie
Phyllis
Suzanne
Wendy
Janella
Linda P

HaHA, I bet more would come. Just got to get the word out. Leslie, think I should put up flyers or put something in the shopper??????