Happy Thanksgiving

I hope y’all are making memories today.  Be thankful for all your blessings.  Family, friends, food and festivities abound this time of year.  But the memories last a lifetime.

We’re doing good.  Our health is not getting worse at the moment and for that I’m thankful.  We’re together with a roof over our heads and food on the table. Life is good.

Our weather is overcast and cool today as another cold front passes through. Not complaining! This is ever so much better than howling winds and snow.

Last night we had a wonderful time with family. Some we haven’t seen in a long time. Some we’ve never met.  SaraJane and Jerry hosted the Blythe family cousins with a BBQ.  I should mention that all of these family members are from Jim’s side of the family. Cousins, second cousins, spouses etc etc etc.  I didn’t count but it was a full house. A tradition of sharing this holiday rotates each year. And they travel from far away. 

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

or shows off a tweet on the fridge

or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

For the year of 2019 I've challenged myself to 500 cards think I can do it?

 28 November 2019 276 cards

These cards were fun to make using a template for 6 inch paper.  Of course some mixing and matching with other bits and pieces helped a bit.

Love how this turned out.  Stampin' Up! supplied the paper, stamps and dies.  Though it's difficult to tell, the frame is a rope die, very fiddly to cut and glue onto the card

this card is another one using bits and pieces

This Paper Pumpkin kit and so many elements that I'm still making the cards I sent out for Thanksgiving.  Perhaps you got one?

Look another same paper, bits and pieces.  When I say same paper, I mean both sides of the paper are pretty.  You can also see the dry embossed design on this one

Using up Let It Snow DSP from Stampin' Up!

Young Livings Aroma Siez Essential Oil Blend is probably an oil that you've never heard of.  A blend of lavender, peppermint, basil, marjoram and cypress and it smells divine!  Mix with a carrier oil and use for circulation and pain relief.  Great for long car drives or flights.  Your legs will thank you! Soothing enough to lower your blood pressure....are we there yet? 

Head over to my Site to order yours today

All is right in our world

A bit of this and that

Did Y'all enjoy that Arctic cold front?  I'm not sure why, but we ignored the predictions and our pipes froze the first night.  I guess it got colder, quicker than we thought it would.  Good thing we have a Keurig, I was able to have my coffee.  Jim too when he got up later at 0800 and they were still frozen.  No matter, life is an adventure and we've had our excitement for the month.  I just couldn't do laundry, bummer!

When we have these cold fronts we usually have rain.  Such was the case this time.  It was awesome to see the ice on our truck and wooden steps.  Even had some itty bitty icicles.  

Today we have abundant sunshine.  Temperature is around 58 as I type.  Jim is outside taking care of the black tank and I've been busy doing laundry.  While outside he's also doing 'yard' work.  My plumerias and tomato plants have been in the garage, so they're enjoying some sun.  They'll have to be put back in as the low tonight is 32 degrees.  

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

or shows off a tweet on the fridge

or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

For the year of 2019 I've challenged myself to 500 cards think I can do it?

 15 November 2019 267 cards

These four cards are from a monthly 'kit' I get.  For a set fee you're given blank cards and some embellishments.  It comes with a pack of 6x6 papers, Christmas in this set and Wendy throws in some goodies in the way of embellishments, ribbon and in this kit candy! .  Each year Stampin' Up! offers a bazillion Holiday stamps and paper packs.  I can't afford all nor do I need them but these kits allow me to get a sample of the pretty papers

November OSW is all about special folds on the cards.  I chose a Nautical theme.  The left card opens by taking the ship to the right then the inner flap opens to the left.  The card on the right opens by flipping the ship up, then lowering the inner flap.  Pretty basic.

This card was a bit more fiddly.  It opens right and left.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

We decided to enjoy one of the many offers for Veterans Day.  San Antonio is Military City with a huge contingent of Air Force personnel.  Many retirees settle here and when ever you go out you see ball caps from all branches.  Needless to say all the eatery's had offers of free food.  We chose Fish City Grill where we enjoyed a fabulous meal.  Jim had a trout entree while I chose a stuffed flounder.  We both cleaned up our plates, no leftovers. These entrees were free.  We also ordered beer and an appetizer and key lime pie for dessert which we paid for.  

I'd like to add that when we left the house it was 71 degrees outside but we dressed for colder weather.  While we dined the front came a knocking!  We had our jackets in the truck and put them on.  We made a quick stop at Sam's Club where the wind was so fierce that it blew my cap off!  Jim to the rescue, he chased it down for me. While inside we got a call from Sara Jane inviting us to Max's Roadhouse so we could visit.  We only had beer and much to my shame, I could not finish mine.  

Once home we pretty much stayed inside because it was cold outside.  We did venture out yesterday to visit the library and pick up some groceries.

All is right in our world

I told you I’ve been making cards

The past few days have been pretty nice.  Milder temperatures so no need for the furnace.  But more cold air is coming!

I stay busy with chores and making cards.  Jim reads and plays games.  And he’s an excellent chauffeur.  When we venture out he does the driving and sneaks items into the grocery cart when we shop.

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

or shows off a tweet on the fridge

or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

For the year of 2019 I've challenged myself to 500 cards think I can do it?

 2 November 2019 260 cards

I’m still working on Christmas cards.  Some will actually be used for Christmas but most will be just winter themed note cards.

Four of these cards, just pretty pictures, are plain. The lovely Stampin’ Up! Paper speaks for itself.  And then there’s the festive snowman!  I don’t keep a lot of Christmas stamps so cutting the snowman from the SU paper made this card easy.

All paper is Stampin' Up! Mix and match. A little embossing to add more texture.  Bling because I like shiny things.  Stamped flower is Sizzix colored with SU Markers

I love the simplicity of this card.  What are you thankful for?

Different colors for me.  All Stampin' Up!

Top three are much the same as the previous snowmen cards.  The two bottom cards are done with fancier foiled paper.  The stamp is Sizzix

Another cold front is arriving this morning.  We have drizzle and grey skies.  The ac ran yesterday and I'm pretty sure we won't need it today!  

My plumerias didn't bloom this year and pretty soon I'll have to protect them from the elements. They don't care for temperatures under 40.  I whacked my tomato plant way back and I'm pleased to tell you that it looks wonderful.  Blooming and there's even one itty bitty tomato!  We'll see how long I can make it last...maybe have home grown tomato for Christmas.

All is right in our world

Freezing Temperatures

The last couple of nights we've been in the thirty's and Jim is not a happy camper!  It was actually 28 yesterday morning when I got up...Or was that today?  No matter it was cold.

Not much going on around here.  When it's cold and rainy we just hunker down and stay occupied inside.

Can you believe it's November?  We've been here a year now and we're comfortable here but I wish we were traveling.  But I'd rather travel without the rig!  It's gotten to be a hassle for me.  I know Jim would rather be in a warmer part of the country.

Handmade cards because:

No one displays an email on the mantle

or shows off a tweet on the fridge

or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures

For the year of 2019 I've challenged myself to 500 cards think I can do it?

 2 November 2019 242 cards

Been into Christmas cards lately.  Using Stampin' Up! Designer Paper makes it easy

I think I have all my Thanksgiving cards finished.  These are from a Paper Pumpkin kit

Do you have any hobbies to keep you busy?  I find my crafting keeps me out of trouble...most of the time!

All Is right in our world