Hey Girl!

Honeysuckle

2009-05-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

I really want to paint this!

Photoshop helps

2009-01-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

Pioneer Woman showed another easy technique to use in Photoshop and thank goodness Elements has this ... Enhance Adjust Color Adjust Color Curves

Shelley's Christmas Card

2009-01-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

I didn't get a card from Shelley (gift... yes, card with photo... no!)

So, I decided to post one for her. She's busy teaching young minds about science so she won't even notice!

Cookie

2009-01-09T18:55:00.000-08:00

I love reading Laura Courtemanche's blog "A Dozen Eggs", it's all about her cookie making biz in Vermont and she also happens to like her some JCrew... me toooooo!

Anyway, you can read about her churning out the cookies and see how awesomely talented she is here at www.adozeneggs.com/wordpress/

Ok so yesterday for Madi's Bday I told her I'd bring some cookies up before lunch for her to share with some peeps.
These are not even close to being my best work in the cookie dept. but hey, I had to do them start to finish in one hour! It's a big cookie cutter and I figured it would substitute for a cupcake! I took this pic to post for you Laura!
The icing set so fast I couldnt' get the sprinkles to stick!
Ok so then, the tricky part. You see one is not allowed to bring in food to SHARE with others in Middle school! Horrors!
(Seems to me things might get a little more bearable around there if they would allow it but whatever. I'll bring that up at the next principal's coffee.)
So I had to smuggle the cookies in to her in a lunchbox. Dropped it off in the office and felt very guilty that the uber nice lady who runs the place thought it was Madi's lunch being dropped off for her.
All for the sake of sugar I guess!
Thanks Laura for all the pics you post and I love your JC outfits! I frequent the outlet near me waaaay to often!

We'll Miss Him

2008-11-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

Wicked Pony Farm

2008-10-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Rider below sign... broken leg with crow eating it.

Sign is lighted and glowed at night.

Yes, we won Most Creative for our decorations at the horse show! What a job it was to pack up even more crap than we already take to a show. But, worth it. The kids really got into it.

Several people asked did I get the list off the internet for "Lovelies from our Farm". No, we thought them up with our creative barn minds. We used barn animals or animal by-products we are not particularly fond of.... rats, birds, cows, snakes, dog by-products.

Dog slobber- water and marshmallow fluff

Giant Fly Poop- rice crispies

Lost Teeth Found in Arena- corn

Bird brains- hominy w/food coloring

Bird Poop-canned blueberries w/Fluff and a drop of green color This was the MOST realistic one.... really.

Ring Worm- cherio's w/pink color

Barn Rat Brains- brussel sprouts w/green color

Rat Intestine- rotini noodles

Cow tumors- beets

Snake Eggs- black olives

Doggity Doo Doo- if you don't know watch "Caddie Shack"

Here goes... "Lovelies from our Farm" photos taken by 9 year old, I think she has a future in photog!

And finally a photo of some of the girls in the costume parade. Rider needs a hairnet!

Paper Source

2008-10-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

Sent the care package down to the hurricane survivors and included a bag of goodies each for Brooke and Sam.
Chip board tags from Paper Source, stamp and silk ribbon also.
Love these tags as you can put many layers of paint and ink on them and they hold up.
(Also like the price $1~)

Freak OUt

2008-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Took the camera to the barn yesterday to get some pony freak shirt shots of the pony freaks in the pony freak shirts.
Sean had to show her favorite pony Rammy some lovin'. He was agreeable but wanted to eat his hay.

PaPer Makes Me HaPPy

2008-09-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

Project #1
Mother-IN-law needs some little stuff for a school craft show so made up some orange stuff for her as those people will buy anything orange!

Not traditional colors but still, orange and basketball ribbon.
Project #2

Matchbook notepads

These are tiny....Cut heavy paper size you want.....add a small stack of paper....staple....fold done!

oooo, wouldn't these be cute for Christmas w/family photo on it??

For some Gouls I know.... and this is how the "vols" pads are made...

"Scratch Pad" 12 pack from Office Max (3"x4")
12 x 12 sheet heavy scrapbook paper
glue stick
ribbon
stamps and stuff

cut the paper in 3" strips. fold for binding over pad and then also fold the bottom edge to make a cute pattern on the inside.
punch two holes for ribbon or not.
add what you want! luv!

my alphabet stamps have so much dried ink on them they hardly stamp! time for new ones

Inside flipped open from top... this is double sided paper, see the fold over of the dots?

glued down.

NEW TEES R here~

2008-09-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so, here go the new shirts. I am so thankful for Steven and Meredith at 8241 Ranch for their awesome printing. Their website is on the sidebar too.

You can check out the tees by clicking on the sidebar to the left on Etsy.

I'm sure I'll find plenty of models at the show this weekend so new photos of the shirts next week.

Purple

2008-09-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

More CowBELL

2008-09-11T11:57:00.001-07:00

Friday night lights graduate to Saturday afternoon tailgates, sending this to Shelley today.

Ike

2008-09-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's starting to look like our beloved Surfside, Texas is going to be hit pretty hard by Ike. I can just see the tanned, tattoo'd, locals at Kitty's Purple Cow... sipping their ice cold beer and talking about not leaving.

Um

2008-09-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is for Shelley as she claims to have never seen this breathtaking photograph of this beautiful human being before................

photo by Annie Leibowitz, posted without permission.

For Pammy

2008-09-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

There are certain people who are soooo easy to give to! I put this together for Pam as her tiny Bday is coming up Friday and it's time to get some Halloween decor going.

We share a love for ice tea, beer, mexican food, nature, and craft. And even though Pam is a Hippie from Arizona, we're both on the right.

I loooove these big jars with the metal lids. They seal when you close them and the knob on top is just big enough to tie anything on! You can find them at Target and "the Walmarts."

The bead/berry garland was way too boring for this so I poked holes in beer caps and VIOLA! Pam loves beer caps too.

We missed YOU!

2008-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

Thank God Lance is coming back!

It was a Hot One

2008-08-31T19:55:00.000-07:00

so long august, move over and let september cool us off!

They Grow up Fast!

2008-08-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

Zeta, a few weeks old in April...

Zeta August! Baby girl you are a looker!

Ahhhhhh Texas, Friend

2008-08-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

So, we drove south, out of the hot concrete and retail that is Dallas. Crossed into cow country, Madisonville, Navasota and descended on Shelley's hometown of Brenham as the O'Neills had already arrived.

I love this shot of Shelley (in yellow dress) crashing Brenham's downtown square summer night concert. John is hanging back like secret service, letting the Texas girl have her space, as usual.

Looooove that our kids love to hang out together... the girls have certainly grown since their play days in Norfolk.

Tate loves to torture that boy..."your big boy" as she calls him.

Enough said.

Warning: adorable miniature ponies ahead...
The spring babies were weaned the very day we were at the monastery. Have you ever heard the heart wrenching whinny of a tiny pony removed from it's mother for the first time? It's..... heart wrenching. Madi named this one Twinkle Toes.

This grey was soooo beautiful, look at that color! Black stallion was playing in the water, it was hot!

Cullen and Sean try to coax the flaxen mane beauty and her baby over to the gate.

Cutest little paint mare and baby, come here and let me pet you dangit!

If you're passing thru Brenham TX, stop stop stop!!! at the Buccaneer (Shell station) on the 290 bypass and get some gas, head for the tea then stand in line sipping your tea and order some BBQ (Big Daddies BBQ). Dang dang dang, it's so dang good. Here is my cousin holding the Tater Tot a little close to the pits in the back. I mean, it just doesn't get any better than this people, just ask Shelley. Store is only about 5 miles from Shelley's parents' house so I texted her real quick about the breakfast tacos so they could get some on their way out of town to Maryland...

OhMaHGa... this cattle auction cafe cracked me up. My favorite sign of the trip. Of course if you're really from here you would never say "cattle auction", you would simply say "down at the cafe" or "over at the auction barn".
Love it.

Welsh Show Marshall TX

2008-07-15T05:58:00.000-07:00

I'll just show the sequence of Tate showing for the first time. This show was so long I felt like I was in a dirt/heat bubble for 4 days. Any show after this will be a piece of cake. But what fun and the people were the best.

A catch rider is usually an experienced person who will be asked to ride a breeder's entry... Tate and Buggie were asked to ride in the 4-8 age class lead line. Luckily we had the duds and the attitude to pull it off. Tate grabbed 2 blues and lots of prizes. And fell in love with the pony from Mississippi.

Here goes...

Braiding Tate's hair... as you can tell she is just about to freak out with so many hands around her.

Watching and waiting and talking to dad about it...

Waiting to "catch ride"

Go get 'em girls!

This is your class judge

Tate usually brings Madi a drink but this time it was cute to see that reversed.
She looked like an old pro. The gloves crack me up.

There they go...

Tate leading "Doone" in the Pet Pony Obstacle Class...

Madi "holding" sisters Doone and Classic Rock. These ponies could load and drive themselves to a show they are so smart and tame.

The ponies Vinny & Karots and their support! As soon as this was taken, ribbons down, get in the truck.... let's roll!

HOrse CrazY Pony LOveR-Freak-Girl

2008-07-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

It's my fault, I gave them their first Breyers. I found the barn for the lessons. I have to give up fighting it. They are completely obsessed and so are their friends. And if they aren't doing this....

....they are doing this!!!

Surfside Beach Texas

2008-07-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

Time to hit the beach!

Going out to Surfside Beach from Lake Jackson, you pass Dow Chemical. Well, you don't ever really pass it. It's so big you just drive beside it like it's a mountain there on your right. However, when you see this bridge in the distance, standing straight up over the Intercoastal Waterway, you know Surfside is just over it.

At the top of the bridge, this is what you see, the Gulf of Mexico!

Tate is becoming a card shark. And this is the eating area at the house, unless you want to eat on the deck.

While we were at the corner store, this pulled up next to us and a boy about 17 jumped out, dressed in shorts and work boots. He left his girlfriend inside w/the music and A/C blasting. When he came back out I asked him if Tate could take her pic with his truck and he said "Yes Ma'am", all the while chatting on his cell. I wonder if he knows he's the envy of most American teen boys? Monster truck, girl, beach...

Kittie's Purple Cow

Wall behind register...

When you open the "trap door" on Mr.Muscle, a horn goes off in the dining room!

We love Kittie's Purple Cow!

Sean brought her lacrosse stick to the beach and practiced her catching and scooping. See that yellow house behind her? It's for sale! The house we rent looks over to it and it has the perfect porch all around it.

Girls' caught about 2 pounds of shrimp Sunday morning and I baked them in beer/butter. They were good sports about putting the heads off and peeling them, after about a pound, it got too gross. But they learned what really truly fresh shrimp tastes like.

It's very hard to put into words why I drag my family to Surfside. When I was growing up, we went to Lake Jackson once or twice a year to see family. I craved the beach but there was rarely time to go out there as we had to "visit". If I was lucky I'd get a ride to the mall and go to a real surf shop (that was before you could buy surfwear in anytown-USA. Now that I have some control over my travel, driving 5 hours to this quiet beach and staying a few days in a tiny house that was built probably 50 years ago... I'm out of control with it! And I can visit with my cousin and aunts and uncles to catch up on those years we were in Virginia. I just wish my grandmothers were still there. I'm still absorbing the family reunion and will try to put that into words later.

Chill Baby

2008-07-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm dying to post the beach pictures but only have a minute so here is a recipe for you...
With my favorite beer being Sol over ice w/a shot of real lime juice, oh and several shakes of Twang salt, seeing all these new beers on the shelf w/lime added made me say "yeah right". Afterall, I always have to do it the hard way.
Well, at the beach, it's all about being easy. And the "Chill" is reallly tasty!
(don't tell Butch)

Pour one "Chill" beer over ice into a styro cup (it must be a styro cup for the proper insulation factor)
add lid and straw....
walk to beach
plop your body on the beach
sip thru straw
quickly you will think, did a seagull just drink my beer? it's almost empty!

The 1st of Many Many Lessons

2008-06-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

Tate's evaluation ride to get her ready for Horse Camp... Sean, the old pro, stepping in to give her some pointers.

Gloves are such a necessary pain of English riding, at least when you are 6!

Never a shortage of nice big girls to help us out...

Tate, please tell me you hated it and only want to play tennis. There isn't so much dirt at the tennis courts, the skirts are cute, the boys are tan.... the cost is about a third.... please, tell me you hate riding!

Not a chance.

It's ALL a BluRRR

2008-06-06T09:40:00.001-07:00

Just to prove we do go to school around here and not just horse shows, although Madi was out at the barn by 1 yesterday... no pics of her at school in 7th grade that I know of.

I'm not sure why, probably b/c of improper setting on the camera by me but so many pics this week were blurry! And probably b/c that's how I was seeing things thru all the tears!

Kinder... a beautiful blurr of a year for Tate and her new friends and awesomely sweet (Aggie) teacher!

5th grade, movin' on to middle... the kids hug their teachers at the top of the ramp then come down to a waiting throng of squashed parents, only for some reason this class ran! All this to the music of "I hope you dance" and "somewhere over the rainbow". It was joyful, and tearful. The music kept playing well into the last bell, I felt like I was walking thru a music video.

Equest SHOW

2008-06-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

The show on Sunday was at Equest, near Lake Ray Hubbard. Wish it had been IN the lake with as hot as it got!

Early bird gets the freshly groomed arena...

And a first, the first arena we've been to where you could also shoot hoops!

Karots is diggin' this! After the early morning ride over he's ready to kick up some dirt!

"Are you hot in that wool jacket Madi?" DUH... you know those stupid spray bottles with the fan on them, I make fun of people with those... well, it was a prized posession around 2 pm.

The girls "warmed up" in this grassy area, they were in heaven and thought they were doing a cross country course. It was a fun show benefiting Equest. They have beautiful grounds and really nice people!

After the storm

2008-05-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Wheat field in Prosper. By this time next year it may be all houses.

Lightning Bugs

2008-05-27T20:32:00.001-07:00

Here they are, captured....

IT's HOT Mamma!

2008-05-23T14:38:00.001-07:00

Alllll together now... it's not the heat that gets ya, it's the humidity!

Cam Jam 2008

2008-05-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

So who is the luckiest girl in Allen Texas? Cami, that's who. Joey and I made up these killer shirts for her RockBand party tonight.

And this is what happens with a little bit of clip art and a little bit of Illustrator knowledge...
Rock on Sista!

Pushing Shirts

2008-05-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Spring '08 Product/Promo Pages for SpankyBrand went out yesterday to 18 stores around the U.S., mainly on the East Coast and a few in Texas. If I stopped long enough to think about sending "my stuff" to so many stores so far away I wouldn't have done it so I didn't think about it, I just printed, labeled and stuffed. Then mailed them off into the wild blue yonder.

This is the Spring '08 Promo Pony...

I have to say that without the internet this wouldn't be possible. These are family owned stores (not chains), tucked into communities with interesting names like Colt's Neck, NY.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for orders to come.

You haven't recieved my first e.newsletter because I've been trying to be my own webmistress and it's not going so great so just check out my website, this is your formal invitation... to the left there is SpankyBrandTees, click there.

And, to order totes or shirts, email me or click on the words "Etsy Shop" to the left there on the side bar. Etsy is a killer site that features all kinds of wonderful art, clothing, etc.

Just Looked on my Bday Calendar!

2008-05-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Purple

2008-05-15T20:24:00.001-07:00

I've been zooming by these purple thistles for a week now without my camera. Today I pulled over (major mud on my tires and shoes to get these shots!) and walked up to the thistles. They are about 6' tall, I'm not exagerating!

The doctoring I did was only using auto enhance, then Ctrl/J (just like Pioneer Woman told me)to create a layer and then I just pic whichever selection under "layer" looks best. It's so easy it's criminal.

There's a large wheat field behind these and the tops of the wheat are just beginning to turn brown. With the storm clouds, there was this yummy yellow/pea green showing up!

Two honeybee girls working...

I love this one b/c I had no idea a bee was on her way!

Shortest Dog in the World

2008-05-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is Harley, Lauri's dog. His legs are about 4" 'long'and Madi wrote a story about him for English class. He loves these Jolly balls and it's hilarious to see him chase one down. He also waits outside horses' stalls and hopes that one will fall off it's rope and he can bite it!
The thing about Harley is... you never know if he is going to let you pet him or bite you when you try to. In Madi's story she wrote "I was looking up (I'm always looking up). It's too funny.

Ears back, looks happy!

At this show, he was tied to the table w/Lauri as he had recently escaped from the barn.

He likes rocks as much as Jolly balls so Tate was teasing him with one here.

One More

2008-05-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here is the really cute vase... would be even cuter full of flowers!

And my orchid decided to bloom, finally.

Nicholas Mosse Pottery

2008-05-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law goes to Ireland quite a bit. Sometimes, if I'm lucky, MiMi brings me a piece of Nicholas Mosse pottery. And wow, after being her daughter-in-law for 15 years, look how my collection has grown!
The purple flowers on this pitcher are my all time favorite. It's full of sweet tea every evening from 6 to 7, then it's empty.

She just brought me this super-sized pitcher that she bid on for me at an auction. Can you see it full of sangria? Me too! Or at Shelley's house full of flowers for a centerpiece for a luncheon....

I tried to get it all in but I'm not into set styling this morning. The only thing missing is a large platter, oh and a really cute vase.

Beth, your turn to post your collection!

Happy

2008-04-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Soooo, this picture is huge in many ways.
This is the moment on Sunday when my first shirt design was seen in public! and almost the same spot 2 years ago where I first had the idea to think up horse designs and put them on shirts!

AnneMarie is such an awesome girl. Can you see her swolen finger on her left hand? She had just broken it that morning at the show when her pony spooked and she took a fall, gracefully I'm sure! The shirt looks fabulous on her and I'm so happy she would model for me.

Can you tell she adores Major?

Can you tell Major adores her?

Thanks AnneMarie, you rock.

Photoshopness

2008-04-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just want to thank The Pioneer Woman (see my side bar links) for posting tips on Photoshopping pics. I used her advice to brighten up this photo of Tate in the "Spring Baby" shirt sample.

This design will get printed later this week.

The "photo shoot" happened at Prospering Farm and consisted of me putting this shirt on Tate and telling her "go stand by that shovel". She wanted to go play with rocks.

PonyFreakness

2008-04-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

I'm trying not to have a favorite of the 4 designs that are coming out on the shirts soon but I'm leaning towards this one.

Playing with GraFICS

2008-04-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

Playing with Illustrator all day and got so much done on the shirts. Then experimented with photos.... ha.

Show (again)

2008-04-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

The show pics are all starting to look alike. But next weekend we'll be at a pretty barn that has trees and lakes in the background so I can't wait to get some better shots.
Here's Madi getting a blue for The Flat, which she rarely does so that was great!

Sean and Ladybug with her ribbons. Isn't Ladybug pretty? and she's so sweet and easy for Sean to tack up/down even though she's big and Sean is not.

Luke was out and has turned so light after losing his winter hair. He's getting worked with almost every day now. Can't wait to see someone on him soon!

Round Top/Warrenton

2008-04-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

So I'll start off with the last place I stopped, The Antique Rose Emporium outside Brenham. So pretty.

Close up of the swiss chard. I bought these, baby bok choy and lettuce.

Lots of poppies there too.

I don't know how they make these clay arches!

Practicing w/camera and light on a path. The grounds are big and wind around.

The climbing roses grow up these sculptures.

Even the bathroom is pretty!

OK, down to Warrenton. Here's a fun "golf cart".

These are barb wire, if they could blow in the wind, that would hurt!

I wanted her last year and I wanted her this year! Maybe next year.

They always have good stuff at this tent.

Waiting to pay at Junk Gypsies saw this sign. Told them they all look younger in person. They were tired.

Dang, that's pretty!

Cool Pots

Mel found her utopia.

Love this truck door.

Dang goat trying to eat my tire.

Wanda, is that you?

Lunch Box

So this is the back of The Lunch Box. An Airstream trailer outfitted as a kitchen and pulled up next to Clutter. Fab ice tea and a chair for when you are tired. Shelley got the oatmeal cookie w/salt on top and lurved it.

Her sign, would this be instead of fake?

Clutter is by far, my favorite place down there. So much to see and ideas for display.

Inside clutter, can you see all the bags of stuff pinned on the wires?

Me and Wanda inside Clutter. Behind us the wall of treasures. Too cute to resist, I bought 2 bags.

Looking into Clutter from the eating area.

They even have a sink so you can wash up before eating your cookie.

Window of The Lunch Box.

There are more, will post later.

Spring Break

2008-03-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Last week over in East Texas for a break from the suburbs and some BBQ.
The weather was great and there were a few things budding out so I did get to play with my camera (Nikon D40).
The night before this photo, Dad had gotten a delivery of honey bee queens. I should have photog'd them I know but forgot. Anyway, they come in this little honey comb thing and when they are ready to hatch, they crawl out. Well on this day, he put a queen larva in each of these small boxes and was then going to add a frame of bees to hopefully raise the queen after she hatched. I told him they looked like bee condos.
He is pouring a sugar type syrup in a holder inside to feed them because, look closely, the door has a piece of wood nailed over it. There's no getting out of this hive! You must feed the queen!!! Get the syrup and feed the queen!
Here's one of the working girls... all workers are female. They work until they can't fly anymore then they walk off and die. The drones don't work and get kicked out of the hive. It's brutal.

Now he's got his 1/2 suit on and is going to buzz on out to the pasture to set up the condos. He said he was hoping at least one would make it. Not good odds when you are an insect I guess.

Onions getting going. Maybe the red dirt will make them sweet!

Same working girl...
her wings looked good so I wondered if she was young.

My new favorite blossom, the blueberry blossom. I love the little bell. There were big fat black bees working these, no honey bees.

Pear blossoms. This tree is probably as old as me, not prehistoric but at least 30.

Oh, now out to the pond to catch some tadpoles.
Growing up I never knew what the biological name for many plants were but in Range Science class I learned that long one there is Brushy Blue Stem. (or Big Blue Stem?) And when will I ever need that knowledge?

They started out in tennis shoes...

Then Madi ran back and got their boots.

This is evil! EVIL! It gets all over your car and all up your nose. And makes people miserable and their eyes water, enough said.

The pond isn't that big and was the same when I was growing up. It always goes dry so to see this much water in it means there's been alot of rain. The girls call it a lake which makes me laugh out loud when they do. This is where I did the majority of my swimming growing up, besides Lake Tyler. Madi won't even get in a lake, city kid.

The tadpole eggs were there in that little inlet at the bottom of the photo.

We brought 3 home and they are still alive but not much bigger.

That's all for now, I've successfully avoided folding clothes tonight!

Two of my Favorite things.....

2008-03-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

I took this pic for you Shelley back in Feb and lost it on my computer... well it is found now. As I was waiting in my car, I looked up and saw the flag and realized I had my camera to capture two of your favorite things together..........
ha ha!

Cuteness

2008-03-23T16:35:00.001-07:00

So, I am probably the worst at abusing the word "cute". That's so cute! Look at that! How cute! Yeah, that looks really cute on you. Aw, he's so cute! That baby is cute!

Well, do you want to see something really really really cute?
Are you sure?
Are you really really sure?
OK, here he is...
Sleeping....

Scratching.....

Meeting new friends...

Hanging out with mom while it's still cool to do so...

Barn Fashion

2008-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Kiowa

2008-03-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Awwww. Is he the cutest colt ever? Well, he is to us! Hey little dude!

Kiowa wouldn't get out of the trailer the whole time we were there so I don't have any pasture shots of him. Here's Sean waiting to see if he might get out. He did get out later.

Sean's Bday

2008-03-15T20:46:00.001-07:00

Here's Joe, being good!
Sean blowing out the candles. We didnt' go too far out for this one because she wanted to just hang out in the game room and play Wii and chill with the chicks.

I took composition books and covered them with Martha Stewart bandana paper. The girls dressed up in a disguise and I took their photo for the cover. Then they decorated the covers and made silly names for themselves and numbers etc. We used all stickers and it was so.... NOT.... messy! took me a while but I learn. Here's Madi's book and her photo was one of the best b/c she looks like a spy!

Martha banner that comes with extra circles to add a name.

Betty Crocker and a pastry bag w/extra large tip plus jelly bellies and pink sugar.

Ta Da!

Secret Agent Girl Group Photo shoot, see ya!

Dang I forgot a pic of the gift bags. Cartons w/chicks all over them filled w/sunglasses, candy, gum and bubbles. Tag said "hey chikie, thanks for coming to my party!" and it had glitter all over it!

hi

2008-03-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Shelley, Hi Beth
I'm not up for typing so will post some pics from a few weekends ago.
This is not w/the new camera.
For some reason this one cracks me up, Sean is leading the parade....
Kayla, my favorite teenager, warming up Annie. They were FLYING. This is the first good jumping pic I've ever captured.

Kirby and Tater jumping Kirby's mamoth dog.

Madi awarding Sean her ribbon from Flat class. Cute pony is Jack "Hocus Pocus"

I went around and shot thru the opening in the stall w/the sun behind me... now that's a thought! She's trying to tighten the little sucker's girth as he blows up like a frog.

Krewe of CrawDaddy

2008-02-22T14:37:00.000-08:00

It's crawdad season! Here the guys in the foreground are in my party and they are going at it like they are in the Peelin' Olympics. Had no care or idea that I was taking their pic.

Guys in the back there in a serious strategy session after their shrimp Po'Boys.

This is the counter at the Ragun Cajun on Richmond in Houston.

Played w/photoshop and this one looks a little old.

See that hot sauce, Pepperdoux?

Dang, that is the best sauce I have ever put on a cracker.

Ordering a case.

Oh Hail

2008-02-18T06:34:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning around 5:30 we awoke to a sound so loud I thought it could only be.......

a dinosaur-size woodpecker, 1000 roofers with sledge hammers or the end of the world pounding on our roof.

It was just hail. Big hail! Sean and Catherine didn't know they'd be working as hand models or would have gotten their nails done.

It was lightning so bad I couldn't get out to get any good shots of it but it lasted about 5 minutes. No broken windows but I do not know how.

Your Mama Don't DAnce and Your Daddy Don't Rock N RoLL

2008-02-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

I am evil..........do not show this to the admiral.

These BoOtS

2008-02-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Shel, I played w/our boot pic. Let's take another of them at RT! I'm going to print one of these out for you, large. Is that a squashed Skittle? and....didn't we just walk 10 miles across the UNT campus? tired boots.

Wanda

2008-02-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Hey Shel, playing with photoshop. Many more to come, one of our boots that is so great.

Again

2008-02-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

These are the kind ring shots I get so I'm sticking behind the scene photography...

Kirby checking her lead...

Madi going over the course.

Mini Marshmallows, breakfast of GrandPrix Champions... ok, so as you can see I brought everything but the kitchen sink. I got an idea to make a tailgate cover that slips on there and then hangs down around. Kind of like a fitted tablecloth?

Dover Catalog pose.

Tate dogsitting Harley

Madi and Kirby are very serious about showing.

They really concentrate and study the course before their last division.

Uh, girls, I think Kristen needs you.

See that professional by the fence? ha

Friday

2008-02-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

There's Luke saying hi to me as he does each day. Not really, usually he doesn't even look up from his hay when I yell at him from the car, but I pretend.

So the excitement for Madi and K last week were the new ponies that showed up. Taco, later renamed "Mia" and Golden Boy or "Goldie". After a long day of 7th grade, there's nothing better than to crack a whip at something and watch it RUN! Gotta get their "wiggles" out as they say in Kindergarten.

RUN! you beast!

I think their wiggles are out.

It's Friday and I'm about to ride a pony. Life is good.

Fat Tuesday

2008-02-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Market Street had their entire cookie case full of King Cookies. Hilarious. Happy Lent.

Krewe Of BArkus Parade

2008-02-11T07:46:00.001-08:00

You know how growing up in a small town, parades are what you do? Growing up in Whitehouse I was always in the parade, Christmas, Harvest Day. Riding my horse or marching in the Middle School band in my white Levi's and maroon jacket pretending to play my alto Sax, but never on the cheerleader or princess float! I would see my parents somewhere along the route but never thought much about what they did besides pick me up at the high school when it was over.

Anyway, enough about the old days, the stars finally lined up and gave us a weekend to get downtown and BE in a parade! What could be better for a kid that to BE in a parade? With your dog!

Krewe of Barkus was last weekend and the theme was Rock 'n Roll. Perfect for my chix. Here they are with one of our best chik friends Catherine. Check out the guitar/tennis rackets.

Lil' Joe is yawning but it looks like he's belting one out! I think that guy wants an autograph.

We are still working on our mohawk skills, she looks kind of like Alfalfa.

Lots of waiting, like horse shows. There's the dad, waiting to assist any of the chix in the band.

OMG, Elvis made it!

I think Dolly had a late night and there's Porter Wagner hiding in the shadow. She made the Sunday paper I saw yesterday.

Here they go! Parade is starting!

Georgous Italian Greyhounds, the girls had on pearls and the boys colored beads.

There they are walking in the street. I told them, don't just walk right behind the people in front of you, turn and wave and sing and play air guitar! They did, they sang a Naked Brother's BAnd tune the entire time and threw beads!

They are approaching the square and see Spoons there on the corner? And look at all these people! Something to do before the Super Bowl.

Sean and Catherine in front of Sharla's.

Smallest dog in the world. Sean stopped during the parade and went over to see this tiny dog.

So I figured out what my parents did while I was in the parade: find parking, try to watch said parade, people watch, dodge same people and pray they found me afterwards!

To Show You

2008-02-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

Ok so i'm showing you some pages I worked on for the opening page of the website, I would like to have a "spring 08" that can then change to "summer"... and on and on but not crazy about the font or where it is on the page. This one is so bright, might be better for August...

This one I did this morning and really like showing the girls, so far I like this the best for the first page ever... maybe another color for logo font.

This is Madi and Jessica riding a few Christmases ago... it's not too springy but I could leave that line off for now.

Foggy Horse Show

2008-01-31T13:18:00.001-08:00

So when we started out Saturday morning, this is what it looked like around 7 a.m. She must really love him, this shot taken after he ran off, a lap around the property then she finally ran him into an empty pasture. His hooves were full of black gumbo and of course she got it all over her show pants.... the chain on his halter is to go between his teeth when you lead him, he's a little run-a-way.... I have other names for him but I can't write them here.

Saddle oiled, soaped, oiled...

Man clean, brushed...

It's still foggy!

I took this shot around noon, and I was still freezing. Down coat and flannel quilt wrapped around me, oh and knit hat and gloves. It's really hard to take pics and eat granola with gloves on...

Horse shows are about two things: ribbons and waiting

"riders' canter your horses"

Tall boots hurt so this is always the fashion at a show...

Two big winners, both named Madi, both really sweet too!

Gap Cords

2008-01-18T11:45:00.000-08:00

I purged a bunch of clothes but saved a pair of cords for crafting.... sewed up a snowman to go on the front wreath.

NO Glue! All sewn! I did use my new KandyKane rhinestone setter for the eye centers and on the banner. Couched down yarn and wool for face. Oops, just realized I forgot the nose!

His/her arms are zinnias that I didn't pull up after they'd had their day. With all my supplies in the walk-in attic, it was hard to go dig for anything last night as it was so cold in there so I just worked with what was on the table.

Greeting

2008-01-09T11:07:00.001-08:00

This ornament can stay out all year.

Cheaper than a Real Pony

2008-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Tate's big wish was the full size pickup and double horse trailer. It was a very Breyer Christmas.

Tate's Note on the Door

2008-01-01T16:11:00.000-08:00

Lucky 13

2007-12-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

Madi's bday always sneeks up on me, exactly on week after New Year's Day. She wants to have a hang out afternoon w/3 friends over next Sat. So far the Theme is: LUCKY 13

The girls will be here from 3 to 11 so we are thinking maybe tie dye a shirt, food, 13 Going on 30 movie, any ideas??

Thanks....

STUFF!

2007-12-21T15:22:00.001-08:00

Ok so here goes....
this is super duper easy if you like music and like to Burn Music! Easier than cookies for sure!
Here is how I packaged it.... Tie a ribbon or string around the CD...

Cut 2 pieces of scrapbook paper bigger than your cd or measure a cd box.

Sew around these, 1/4" allowance.

Use a big punch to punch out a notch on top or just cut w/scissors.

Insert cd, the string tied around it will help pull the cd out...

Here it is! So fun don'tcha think? People have freaked that I have given these to. (I know that's a preposition.)

This is the perfect gift card holder. Cut the scrapbook paper a little larger than the tiny brown bag you can find at scrapbook store or (egads WalMart). Glue the bag on the card then stamp it.

Here's the finished product with Starbux card enclosed....

Here is a bunch of CD's ready to go...

Ok, my most favorite ornie in the whole world to make I saw on a tree on a holiday homes' tour about 8 years ago. It's a felt skate w/paper clip for the blade.

This is a TExas size paperclip....

Close up... make a template, cut felt, sew around on machine, punch paperclip thru the felt. Use DMC to lace up the boot. Done...

The blue skate is the Texas size, the red is the small one from a normally large paperclip. With pompom on toe...

Before I had kids I saw a Santa at a craft show and asked the girl how to make it. You use the paper mache that you add water to... form it around a toilet paper roll. It'll take at least a day for it to dry. Then paint it, rub with antique stain, then spray w/clear coat. I must have made over 100 of these Santas back in the day. My mom's friends saved their toilet paper rolls for me for years.... I still have a few and I can't imagine that you dont' have one.

Oh, and also I made one of these Santas for a lady's store in Alexandria VA. It was HUGE, 3 ft tall. For the base I used chicken wire formed into a cone. He had jewels imbeded all around his had. It hung in the window of her store. Wonder if she still has it...

Back in the day (that means before kids) I made at least a hundred dog and kitty angels. The kitty angels were so cute b/c they had whiskers. Unfortunately I didnt' keep one but here is an angel doggie...

I like to make ornies for friends who are in a new place for Christmas or if we've gone somewhere for Christmas.... this was the year us, the O'Neills and O'Briens rented the big beach house in Duck NC. Bitter cold, Better fun! Sewing machines on the tables, it rocked. Toddlers everywhere. Fun....

It's closed now but there use to be a killer cross stitch store in Virgnia Beach. You could not NOT spend money in that store. This is from a Santa series....

I made this Santa in preschool I think. Suntan hose over a styro ball for his face. Love him. He has moved alot.......

And this is just a set of random nativity things I bought on ebay. No Mary but I'll find one. They are chalkwarish. Gotta go ....

DoGGieS

2007-12-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

Joe's sister Daisy came over last week to take a photo with him and steal a bone!

Daisy Mae was rescued one day and Lil' Joe the next. They still know each other after 2 years and are very opposite in personality.

Aren't they so cute?

BUY Bye BUY

2007-12-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Click on the link to the left that says "Buy Bags" and it will take you to the Etsy shop where you can purchase the bags.

The website isn't up yet so didn't mean to mislead you!

But SpankyBrand MYSPACE is chugging along!

Try this... http://www.myspace.com/spankybrandtees and George Strait will sing to you!

ToTeS

2007-12-05T13:18:00.001-08:00

So here are SpankyBrands' first three products!

Please see the Etsy shop to purchase!

www.spankybrandtees.com

More PICS

2007-12-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post some pics for you to see from two weeks ago... the judge checking Sean and Rambo out... Sean giving "Wilbur" some love....

Tate w/"Harley" the shortest dog in the world, this is the one that snapped at Cullen when he tried to pet him... he chases rocks.

I think Madi and Cooper could be twins...

All this instead of getting out Christmas decor..............................................

FooTbALL

2007-12-01T09:58:00.001-08:00

It is a miracle girls. I created a document, saved it as an HTML..... AND remembered where I saved it. Call Pope Benedict.

It's FOR REAL

2007-11-29T08:16:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this is the hang tag for the bags and shirts.

First products being printed TODAY....

That's Banjo racing by... he was mad that no one was riding him!

What do you think about "tack for girls"?? I get it but do you?

Dust Devil

2007-11-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what you call this but out of nowhere came this mini tornado yesterday while we were at the barn!

We Don't make the Note Pad...

2007-11-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

...we make it better.

Shelley, you get the credit for that, you are waaay more witty than me.

Here are the 2 notepads I whipped up this a.m. Got the idea from the scrapbook store but didn't have time to take the class. Who needs a class? Just go for it!

This first one is for Tate's teacher. These little people remind me of the cross stitch designer A Bird in Hand characters. Looooove them!
This is the front cover w/rub ons... This is the inside and the flap is glued at top and bottom so you can keep a note in there.

Decorated the one below a little more... really you could go to town on the front and inside of these things, I hope to this weekend as Brian will be doing his weekend warrior service so we can trash the kitchen table with abandon.

The inside for keeping "stuff"...

Top binding covered... I know, just too cute! Oh, pad is 5"x8" and a stack of 10 is about $3 at Wallyworld. My new favorite gift for '07!

When Wanda & Co come Callin'

2007-11-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

As you can tell, Tate doesn't quite know what to think about Crazy Wanda.

The visit was fantasically forever unforgettable and I'm so tired I cannot type.

Happy aNNiverSAry

2007-11-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

So who has a photo of themselves on their first date?? I do! We were headed to a movie (ended up seeing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it was horrible).

You know the whole story, but this was while I was visiting Joey and Brian was living in a house full of Jr.Lt's AKA the Snake Ranch near Mare Island.

This was 17 years ago, Memorial Day weekend.

Our 15 year anniv. is today. No time to celebrate until the weekend.

CanToN

2007-11-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

Ok so Canton, Tx is the home of the World's Largest Trades Days held the first weekend of the month. I usually go on Fridays but the weather was so great yesterday, I had my girls bring a friend and we met GaGa over there. It's opening weekend of deer season too and growing up w/2 brothers and a dad that hunts, mom and I were left to a big shopping weekend and Mexican food each year at this time. Above are the girls going down to meet Mom.

Below is Corey in her best overalls...

Below....This is the Hula Hut. Melissa has different stuff each month. This month for some reason she had tons of Coca Cola crates. She always has tons of signs and was in the back painting. I didnt' go talk to her but she always has great Country music playing and usually has a beer or margarita handy.

Here's more of her stuff...

The girls were tired and took a rest. This is all at the outside stuff, we are now heading towards the junk area. Time for another sno cone....

Here is an isle of junk... an old postage box...

Remember these????

By Sunday afternoon, lots of vendors load up and leave...

The girls are digging thru old jewelry...

Tate found some cameras...

This just goes to show, when you tell someone they can buy ANYTHING at Canton, you mean it.

We took a turn and went into one of the many many long pavillions. In the summer these are stifling but yesterday they were perfect. MOm liked this rug...

Tate got the camera from me and took this shot...

As soon as she took the pic of the jewelry, we turned around and this lady was carrying a baby GOAT! She had bought it at the Animal Part of the Trades Days.... as soon as we took it's photo it said "bbbaaaaaaaa!" So cute! It's leash had rhinestones on it...

This guy was gettin' down w/his fiddle... next to the candle vendor!

GaGa and Tate Chillin'

Bet my dad can weld some of these stocking holders...

Emily showing her school spirit with watchful eyes behind her. We didn't make a mess, promise.

These should have been on clearance.... there's always next year for us Ags.

Shelley, this shots' for you... no that's not my butt.

Back outside and heading towards the car, this was very cool!

Please do not notice how dirty her pink Crocs are! Egads! Camera battery died here...

Got home around 7 and by then SEan had a raging fever and cough and sore throat. Back to reality!

Happy Halloween

2007-10-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the party in the woods. This is pretty scarry at night!

Cowboy Coffee

2007-10-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to get a shot of this new coffee stop in my hometown, Whitehouse. The "chain" is called Yahooz and this location is called "Hoss". (I watched Bonanza after school each day at 4 pm then went outside to play.)

The one in Tyler is "Lone Ranger" & has an eye mask painted around it & then there is another w/a black hat & I forget it's name.

In the morning there is steam coming out of the coffee cup!

at the Cabin!

2007-10-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

So this was Friday night. Joey's dad started out by saying, "in 1911 my mother and dad were married in front of this cabin". It was so adorable!

Time for a Weddin'

2007-10-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

This is the wedding day photo of Earl and Olive Brown, 1911 in Buncum Texas.
She was 16, he not much older. Both their sleeves are rolled up like they've been working. Notice they aren't even holding hands but he has a smirk on his face! They had 13 children...

Joey and Cliff will tie their knot in front of this same log cabin tomorrow night!

Her dad's house now sits about where they are standing, there is a creek w/a bridge over to the cabin. They are going to stand on the bridge for the ceremony!

We are putting up lots of white lights and some on the porta potty too! Yes, many pics on Monday!

FRiDaY

2007-10-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

I took my camera with me today then left it in the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ran over to downtown McKinney to get ribbon for Joey and picked up some for myself. Vintage seam binding that is (above). Also ran in The French Mix and low and behold she carries PaPaYa cards/etc!!! (see Anahata Very Cool over on my links) I grabbed the postcard set and told the owner (who's name is also Lara!) how much I loved that she's carrying the line. She just returned from RT.

And here are the new boots. So comfy, really! Lucchese, what else?

My view...................

And then stopped at Brookshire's (east side of course) and picked up some fall snacks. If anyone is hungry this weekend this is about all I'm "cooking". Oh yeah, got the sugar skulls out so we can decorate this weekend.

Tate asked if she could eat one. I said no, they are made of sugar though, and I made them when you were a baby. She got down on the floor and reached up like she was a baby trying to reach them saying "goo goo"! HILAR!

sPooKy & GaMe RooM

2007-10-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

So here is the "spooky" pillow. It's one of those things that I made a year or so ago but gave them all away so am going on what I can remember to make them.

Decided to use netting and strips of check for the trim, it's time consuming but easy and fun result.

The one above is not stuffed yet and i will add the rusty wire for hanger, maybe an old key or something too...

This one was one of the firsts and just has yarn w/the fabric trim.

After 2 months of moving kids out of this room and bags and bags of stuff, we now have our real game room/work room. There is also a door in the corner that goes into the walk-in attic. There are rows and rows of Elfa shelving filled w/my sewing stuff.

Here is the sewing side of the gameroom and the tv/wii set up.
Below is the new couch from....BIG LOTS! I know, I'm such a snob! And it hasn't been sat on much b/c you can't sit for long when playing wii!

Below is the work tables at the end of the room for Spanky. The wall to the left is now covered in tshirts w/designs for inspiration. Drawers hold tshirt blank catalogs, horse magazines and dover clip art books. Can you see my light box? Mel gave me that about 10 years ago. Oh and a file box for my folders so I can try to stay organized and keep up with the taxes!

Below is the building material I found at Home Depot, $7 for 4'x8' stryrofoam coverd in silver! Instant bulletin board! Love it!

GrEEn

2007-10-05T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is part of the pasture I drive by each day when taking Madi to riding. I think this is Broomweed but not sure. I do know that's a bois d'arc in the back, see the Horse Apples? That means it's a female tree, ha.

This broomweed is about 3 feet tall, usually there is a small herd of cattle in it looking for some bermuda grass but this day they were down in the creekbottom.

The color is just so happenin', I can't get over it!

sHoW TiMe

2007-10-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

These ribbons were just for the first half of the first day of the show. By Sunday afternoon the wall was covered. Our barn rocked!

See the green lead rope on the bench? That's connected to Bear who was chillin' out under there!

Of course my battery died by the time Madi showed!

YuM

2007-09-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is better, the taste or the georgous lavender container you see when you open the freezer!

We will have to ask Betty how they keep the crust crispy in the cream.

Pottery Class

2007-09-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

House is about 12" tall, very thick walls. Very fun to make. I didn't really plan anything out before except a paper pattern to cut the walls and roof.

When it was leather-hard I cut windows and a door, very very carefully!

See the wire in it's "force rust" can??

So here's my flower box. Terra cotta clay w/white wash glaze.

The texture on the sides is suppose to be grass, then also little ball feet.

The girls asked is it a butter dish? Sure...

And that's all the show and tell I have today from pottery...

FootBall

2007-09-20T17:03:00.001-07:00

My Aggies are playing on ESPN tonight against The 'Canes.

I HATE it when the announcers favor one team over another, and it ALWAYS seems to be who can "ignore" my team the most.

Which reminds me that when I was there as a student, having waaaay too much fun, we would watch the away games on tv with no sound and have our radio on TxAggie Radio. Wish I could do that now!

The Preppy Pony

2007-09-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

I know, wouldn't that be a cute name for a Tack Shop??

Madi is riding the sweetest thoroughbred in the entire world, his name is "All That" a.k.a. Johnny. It is impossible not to wrap your arms around him and hug the horsey out of him when you see him, seriously.

Anyway, almost anything and I do mean anything, is cheaper than actually buying a horse. So Madi dropped her cash at the tack store last Monday when the barn was closed.

Is this the cutest saddle pad you've ever seen? Also wraps (for his legs) to match! I'll get a pic of him all decked out for her lesson on Thurs.

(when you ask yourself, why is Lara blogging so much? the only answer would be...she must have tons of laundry and a dirty kitchen she is neglecting!)

Explaining a Chili Cookoff to 5th Graders

2007-09-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

I hate writing much on here but since it's just to you Shelley and Beth I will!

Sean & Tate's school has a carnival in Oct. This year they are adding a Chili Cookoff. As Room Rep for Sean's class I thought it would be fun if her class (5th gr) entered the compitition and I would make the chili and the kids would be at the table and think of a theme, decorate, etc.

The teacher, he's from NYC bless his heart, presented it to the kids and they were just a little confused. He told them they would have to set up, be at the table, etc. The only thing they wanted to do was COOK the chili and EAT it! They didn't really get the "competition" idea.

So he sent me a nice email letting me know that only 3 kids were truly interested and that one of them was my daughter. He said I should go ahead and enter myself.

I think I'll let Sean and a few friends take it and run with it. I'm sure they can think of a great name and theme for themselves....maybe "Hot 'n Freckle Red"??

I'll keep you posted!

For Jordi

2007-09-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

So I started with this little fat frame and covered it w/a good coat of pink.

Next just glued the photo on it and let it dry really good.

The laughing in this photo is due to Catherine (on the right) having lost the bottoms of her bikini on the boogie board course at Schlitterbahn and Jordi letting her know how fun it was watching it happen!

Velvet ribbon around.

Painted lettering and used a gold marker to dress it up. Also some rub-on's and the glitter glue called "Stickles", very addicting!

That was her bday present along w/some candy and cute notebook.

However, I'm not too confident she's gotten it yet. She told MiMi that she didn't have an address and even if she did she wouldn't know where to go to get the mail!

MiMi LoVes HeR somE HaLOWeen

2007-09-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

I had this entry all written and pics added... and then took another photo of this on the black cabinet, so here are some pics w/no description, keep scrolling...

So this is the Halloween version of the Christmas House Card I didn't make last year. I got the supplies from signing up for the class, I was sick so friend Pam went and got directions and stuff for me. I pulled out a pic of the Christmas House then got to work on this one.

I'm trying to be more free and creative w/lettering...

All I used was paper, ink and markers. Glue stick, duh.

Ok so I also used "Stickles" which is this addictive glitter glue they sell at Recollections, has a tiny tip so you have major control, not over buying it, just when applying it!

AND............google eyes and white crayon.

Can you see that it spells "SPOOKY"?

The orange house says "The girl next door is a real witch"

I painted the back incase it shows when she prominently displays it in her entryway.

All that and it's only noon!
Plan to make another but plan better and draw iron fences w/different patterns across the houses.

Then maybe put it on eBay since my PayPal is dry.

Damn Rabbits

2007-09-08T17:07:00.000-07:00

The bunnies ate ALL of my sunflower seedlings, except this one. My lone "bunny resistant" red sunflower. The bunnies are on all our bad sides here in the neighborhood.

Below is the very cute concrete shell I brought home from Knoxville. Planted some thyme in it and it loves the shady side of the front porch.

A few years ago I had this cool shamrock plant. It died and I threw the dirt out in the front bed. A few months later, viola!(Ve-Ola in Tx) They are always there despite the Texas weather, scorching or freezing.

Bartender, Cut Me OFF

2007-09-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

Ok so after some sad news this morning I headed out to the scrapbook store (Recollections) to get 10 pieces of caramel colored cardstock for a friend's project and a "perk me up". This is what happened:

Rub-ons, cat-eye inks, google eyes for Halloween, very cool cut-outs, huge clothespin to decorate, Aggie stickers, tiny envelopes, flip-flop stamp, too cool paper and this...Artful Blogging. I know, why buy a book on blogging but.... must I justify? Brian is on a 2 week Asia trip, it's Friday, I did a load of laundry...I need it?

Then at Joann's (could they get some decent help in there??) all the home dec fabric was 1/2 price! YES! AFter a loooooooong patient wait (I didn't have a toddler w/me for the first time in 5 years).....Got this yummy cheeta print and the brown softy softy below to cover all the stray freaky pillows in the "new" gameroom.

Target had these killer green/brown trays etc. that just happened to be on clearance and that just happen to match perfectly....well, I hate it when things match perfectly but.... you know what I mean!

The girls are in the gameroom now jumping around w/the Wii, they could care less that it looks like a garage sale up there....

The animal print is more green that it looks here. The walls of the gameroom are pretty green too! Oh, and this wood platter, that's for the kitchen but too hard to resist.

Action Shot

2007-09-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

It was so much darker already outside than what shows up in this photo. New camera was set on "twilight" and I guess the shutter stayed open for awhile. I think it's pretty cute!

Her new Room

2007-09-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

I spent two months moving girls around, painting, cleaning out clothes and broken toys. This is Sean's new room. In the above photo I purchased the fanciful frame(it's plastic) at Ikea, painted a piece of cardboard gold and added criss/cross ribbon so she could display photos.

Blythe waited patiently for Sean to return home from her grandmother's house. All her clothes are stored in these way cool cigar boxes (Blythe's clothes not Sean's). Table coverlet a gift from Melody and the Middle East I think.

This bed was given to me with the agreement that I would make the giver a quilt. That was 7 years ago. I haven't forgotten. The duvet cover came from my sister-in-law's "clean out day" and the light contraption is a wire lampshade with a glitter-star thingy I so luckily found last FEb. Where's yours Shelley?

2007-09-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

you know you've been gone too long when you forget your user name and password! here's pretty much what I've been up to for the last 2 months, until last week when I had to start getting up early and making lunches...

Sorry We Missed You

2007-08-02T04:49:00.000-07:00

Will Return in September!

Water Water Everywhere

2007-06-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Great shot of the sky by Madi.

Good Stuff

2007-06-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

I spend so much money on sunscreen and it all stings my face so then I get burned anyway.

I found this one last weekend and was hoping it would work. Love it! Not greasy, not smelly, not pasty, just lotion-like normal.

I took it to the dermatologist and asked her if it was good and she said yes, it's great and... if you look carefully on the back it says "helps reduce wrinkles". She said they can say that b/c it has Alpha Lipoic Acid in it, which is the ingredient that's suppose to help reduce wrinkles! Then she said, but you know, wearing sunscreen prevents wrinkles in the first place. haha

Yeah, got that! (my first product review)