Need a good book

I love this weather, I caught myself looking through the same 2 magazines yesterday because they had fall decorations. I want a pot of mums, corn stalks , dried sunflower and pumpkins. I had the door open at the shop yesterday and the air conditioner too. (I am not crazy) Trying to catch alittle of the fall breeze, smell of pumpkin pies cooking and the crunching of the leaves underfoot. I have the bug, the fall bug. I even pulled out a few candles, pumpkin spice. But along with fall comes cool relaxing days with a good book. I need one. I realized it has been several months, maybe even 4 or 5 since I read a book. I use to always have a summer read, for vacation. A romantic novel, written at the beach. I choose my reading material around my activities. Do you? Well, my question to you is...What books have you read lately? I would love a few suggestions.

I know, I know, I have been a bad blogger the last few weeks. Well, last weekend was the Crop 2 Help Retreat , and it was great. I love hosting this event but I love more visiting with all my buddies. I talked, laughed, cried and hugged. Some of us have drama, in our lives, but for one weekend we forget or we talk about it. It is like therapy. We renew old friendships and discover new ones. I never complete alot on these retreats. I think it is the fellowship that brings many of us together again each year. We did have one funny event this year. We had a few new ladies to join us this year. One, had a 4 month baby at home and when someone dropped a plate, she slid in on her knees with a paper towel ready to clean up the mess. Almost like sliding into home plate, see there was two of us standing there trying to take care of it but Mrs Mommy is always ready. I wanted her and everyone else to relax and enjoy there time together. Leaving all the cooking and cleaning at home. Mommies need a weekend off every once in a while. And on Sunday afternoon, we said our goodbyes, back to our children, grandchildren, husbands, and work. They survived a weekend without us, my daughter had dinner started, house didn't look too bad and hubby was glad to see me. Oh, and I was maybe a little calmer, not so stressed, ready to take charge, maybe after a nap.

Today's challenge~ What is one thing you enjoy doing during the fall season?

I get all excited about the fall/Halloween decoration being in the stores, on the blogs and created in the magazines. I always want to decorate for Halloween. Spooky, skulls with snakes that are crawling out of the eyes. People that jump out and scare you. It is all the thrill, the rush of feeling scared on Halloween. It is fun, it is what all children should experience. This does not mean, I believe in the evil world of witches and warlocks . I want to be a kid again, when you dressed up in a costume you and your mom created. Out of old clothing, rags and sheets. And went door to door and scared your neighbors. Jumped out and screamed. Do you remember?

Days Gone By

Do you remember watching the telethons?

Watching the children and adults that was brought on to share their story.

The way families would sit for hours watching and not wanting to miss each tote board tally.

It was, in our family, a family event. We sat in our living room

watching every minute. The whole family watched.

We didn't contribute every year, but we watched and cheered for each and every penny that was given.

Children that went door to door, or had lemonade stands to raise money for Jerry's kids.

THEN, we had time, time to sit as a family and watch.

Time to go door to door, time to have a lemonade stand.

Today I am going to watch, if only for awhile to Jerry's Kids.

So take the time, on this Labor Day to Celebrate with Jerry.

Just some funny photo's of the grandsons. I brought them these from Nashville, they are suckers.

Have you ever bought candy or anything else that would make a photo op. Then you are a true scrap booker. Hope you have a funny

Labor day, and don't forget the camera.

CKU and a Tornado

_____________________

CKU was outstanding, everyone should go at least once. I have quit saying this is a once in a lifetime trip because I am going back in a few years. Jeanette and I have new best friends, I am sure you know Ali Edwards and Tim Holtz. Everyone was so nice and signed autographs when ever we ask.

One day while we were gone my sister-in-law called to check on me. Her daughter had been through Cleveland after the high winds ( per the news) and was stopped by police. No one was to go through there was too many trees in the road and impassable. I was in panic mode until I got in touch with home and all was well. This tree is now in my side parking lot of the shop. No one was hurt just a little damage. Check back for pics of CKU fun later this week. Washing and unpacking today, back to work tomorrow.

Just a quick note, I am getting ready for my CKU Nashville trip. Nothing new, just cleaning and packing. Sat and watched on The Food Network Top 5 Comfort Foods. I did not totally agree, so I got to thinking ....What are my Top 5 Comfort Foods

1. Mama's homemade mac and cheese
2. My Potato soup
3. Ice cream
4. Warm chocolate chip cookie
5. This homemade bread ( cheese and onion) ,
Cecelia, A friend makes it for me every once in a while.

What is your top 5????

I have been TAGGED!

I have put this off because anyone that reads my blog, know all there is to know about me because, I am a talker.

Do you Agree?

Anyway, here it goes, the good , the bad and the ugly.

1. I am a avid collector, of junk. This is a nice way to say I am a pack rat.

2. I think too much, I dwell on a subject. Ask my hubby.

3. I love pretty flower, use to like working in the yard but now I don't. Give me the air conditioned house.

4. I an insecure, it comes with being over weight.

5. I have a short attention spans. If I am not interested.

6. I see dead people,

no not really . But I have your attention again.

7. I Don't except change well. Give it to me slowly.

8. Only a few people know this-

I eat paper. News print. I know it is nasty.

But I always have. I know I am lacking in something,

and it is not a brain. not a lot just a small piece here and there.

9. I am allergic to bees, Wasp. But only since 2000.

10. I am running out of things to tell you, so I am going to challenge you.

Create a page about a item that triggers a child hood memory.

I know #5 is really kicking in right now, but anyway. I drank something the other day that triggered a memory. So I am going to create a page. I will post it later.

And now you have been tagged.

Oh My Goodness!

I was ( sorta ) mentioned on Teresa McFaydens blog.

Or at least the Charity crop was.

www.teresamcfayden.typepad.com/minutia

Check it out!

I found this little diddy on e-bay ( I think) made out of coin wrapper. Nice little album for Quotes or Journaling a special event.

As many of you know I also took off Tuesdays during the Summer, along with my usual Sunday and Mondays, to get caught up and relax. Well, all good things must come to a end. And yesterday was my last Tuesday. I don't think I accomplished alot on my days off but I was always ready to go back to the shop on Wednesday.

Well, the supplies are bought, new school clothes have been purchased, shoes too. We met the teacher, took all the supplies, seen his desk and had a hair cut. Forms are still to be filled out, but tomorrow is the day. And nothing will keep grandson#1 from starting 4th grade tomorrow.

I will make sure of that !!!!!!

Busy ! Busy! Busy! I am hosting a Baby Shower/ Ice Cream Social on Sunday afternoon. The new mom is having contraction, I have bought everything you can think of to top ice cream. Ready and waiting.

Decorations are simple and fun, check out Martha's web site for folded paper bowls. I found lot's of ideas there.

All that colored vellum, I bought and have not used, I have cut into circles and will lay them on the white table cloth for a polka-dot effect. I will take pictures.

So I promised her a scrapbook, hope to get started on it today at the shop. Let's see today is Wednesday and shower is Sunday. (5 days)

Wish me luck, it wouldn't hurt to ask the man upstairs to give me energy, and ideas....

Trash To Treasure

Well, this was made out of necessity. I was throwing my receipts in a drawer. So I took 3 used business size envelops and embellished them. I love it and it is handy and didn't cost a thing.....even better.

World's Longest Yard Sale

As some of you know we traveled this yard sale on Thursday and Friday.

I can only describe this adventure in one word

"HOT"

The next few pictures are items I bought to put in the store. And I found a 1800 photo album to alter at Jerri's Christmas Jubilee this year. It was a good thing.

This is the Altered Canvas that I made to donate to a silent auction for autism at CKU. Only 28 days till we leave. I am getting excited....

This was the sky yesterday when I was on my way to the book signing of Maelynns new Doddle Book. I believe GOD was guiding our way. The light was so bright that, I had to slow down and fumble for my camera. Inside I found friends and alot of fellowship. In this picture Maelynn is showing off Jeanette's published layout. Way to go girlfriend!!!!! It was so good to see all my scrappin buddies. I believe there is a few books left at Scrap Mania, ask when you go in. Congratulations to both Maelynn and Jeanette. So Maelynn, when is the next book coming out?

? Going Green ?

I watched a Show on Discover tonight about a Green Wedding. And I am more Eco friendly than I thought I was. But to tell you the truth it is because I was raised in the country and have the use it up up-bringing. We eat alot of what we grow, including beef. Well,I buy it. We eat vegetable in season. Put somethings in the freezer or can for the winter. We recycle alot. But this is because I am cheep. The wedding dress in this show was made of hemp and organic friendly material, but they touched on the fact that there is shops in NY that specializes in used gowns. You use a previously worn gown and donated it back. Is this not what Goodwill and Thrift stores are in the South. I would not go as far to say I am going organic. I like my burnt red hot dogs and a good beer every once in awhile. So I think if all this natural stuff is good for us then, fine and good. Let's all eat farm fresh vegetable and fruit. Support our farmers. They need it. I heard it quite a few times, at the strawberry patch, farmers make more $ selling their land to developers than farming. Our grandparents did it, but could we? Can you tell it is getting late and I am babbling. Think about it, Green or not.

This is a shell I found while at the beach. Some would have throwed it back, I on the other hand thought picture frame. Thinking outside the box, once again. Waited for the perfect picture and added tacky glue and instant frame. So I challenge you to find a " outside the box" frame this summer.

This little girl had on a new dress at church today, that looked just like Elsie paper. Don't you think so? Busy day, maybe more tomorrow. Have a great Sunday.

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Auction

We have been to auctions the last two weekend and I have no camera to show all the goodies. Camera is only 3 months old and is at the shop, more on this subject later.

But I will try and tell you about all my treasures.

I seem to buy in trends, like some days are bottle days or wooden boxes. Two Saturdays ago it was a paper day. Old pictures, old letters from the 1800's, news paper articles, maps, and ledger paper. A old playpen that I see as a set of corner shelves. I will take before and after pictures of this one. It was a good day. This Saturday, was a good day too. I got old vintage Valentines, a box of trim for altered projects and a old handmade wagon toy. I got 3 bookshelves for $5.00 each and a old primitive green potting table. I always go crazy over paper items and old black and whites. I even sometimes sell them in the store.

It has been really busy around here this summer and it looks like this next months is no different. Stay Tuned.

So many pictures and i can't decide which ones or one is my favorite.....I guess i will just have to hang them all on the walls of my heart.

I found this little diddy last year, I keep hanging on to it for the next photo session.

HAPPY WEEKEND!