History

                                                

                                 No, it's not a lesson... But this year is history.  Think back on this past year and you'll see, it's all part of your history.  What were your highlights?  We spent more time with family.  Birthdays, dinners out, dinners in and football.  We went to Disney World..twice!  Only two lowlights for us, my bout with Covid (Jim we assume had it, just not as bad) and finding out we'll have to move from this campground.  I really hate moving...

So how was your year?  We have a place to call our own, food to eat and a loving family.  What more do we need?

Woke up to rain that started during the night.  Fog was prevalent, then clouds most of the day.  We both had a nap.  Seems I'm napping more often.  Sometimes it's just because I get up so dadgum early.  Other times I guess it's my age.

                                 Handmade cards Because

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

>>>>517<<<<

Country Floral Lane is a new Suite from Stampin' Up!  Available January 5th and perfect for Valentine's Day but also for sending bright, cheerful notes to anyone you care about.  

The colors of Sweet Sorbet and Balmy Blue are Spring like colors.  The Gingham DSP pairs well with the DSP

I already have someone in mind for this card

I found a couple unfinished projects 

Easter is coming soon and I like this simple card.  The stamp set is called He is Risen from Stampin' Up! 

Happy New Year to all of you!  I hope 2023 is fabulous!

All is right in our world.

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Below Freezing Temperatures

             I hope our 'winter' is over!  Several days and nights of below freezing temperatures is not normal for this area.  We did have our water filters freeze up.  Probably our fault for not having the water flowing more.  Minor inconvenience compared to those in the mid west and up north.  We just don't like it!  and even south of here a lot of Florida was complaining.

Did ya'll have a good Christmas?  We spent some time with Sonsearae and Chris having dinner and opening presents.  We are loved...Sonsearae fixed a lovely dinner of glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, sautéed squashes and onions, rolls.  I brought some brussels sprouts and eggnog spiced muffins.  But the star of the dessert table was the cheesecake! And yes I partook of everything...and it was yummy. 

Right before the big freeze I picked the last of my veggies.  The plants looked awful and these were not the biggest peppers or tomatoes I picked this year.            

We've replaced the outside and inside water filters.  Christmas morning I discovered the kitchen sink had a draining problem.  As in draining from one sink into the other and slowly draining from there.  Obviously it wasn't an emergency but Jim made calls on the 26th and discovered a lot of folks were off for the holidays.  But he persevered and someone came out today and fixed the problem, installed our new kitchen faucet and water dispenser/filter.  All was working...except the drains!  A plunger to the rescue!  Everything is in working order and should last for awhile

                     

                                                Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

511

Abigail Rose in monochrome

Introducing Dainty Flowers DSP from Stampin' Up!  Available free with a qualify order in January.  This DSP is gorgeous!  Perfect for any type of card.  And in the new Mini Catalog there are matching stamps and dies, also available in January.  These three cards were half of a 12x12 sheet of paper

Another sheet of paper has 6 of the ovals and two of the sprigs

Using the stack and shuffle technique I made these four cards to show the reverse side of the DSP

Our weather has gotten more normal the last couple of days.  Sunny skies and jacket weather.  We both prefer this type of winter!

All is right in our world

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Brrrr I did it! Brrrr

It's Christmas Eve day!  Are you ready? I need to wrap a gift and do some baking, oven has biscuits for our breakfast.  And to warm us up...20 (feels like 13) degrees outside which isn't much by northern standards, but it is here.  Tallahassee area doesn't normally get this cold or have below freezing temperature for hours on end.  The sun has just topped the trees and while her heat will help, our forecast high is 36 degrees.

We were told to run the water last night to prevent pipes from freezing.  We did and Jim also put our space heater in the compartment near the main water valves to keep them warm.  No problem with our water overnight!  I would hate to have to deal with frozen/defrosting water lines!  I set the furnace at 55 and it did come on during the night and I'm sure it will run a lot today!

I guess we'll just have to have a cold Christmas!  Sunny clear skies so no snow.

We had to replace one of our main propane tanks.  It was an original so it was past time.  Popped into Ace Hardware and told them what we needed.  So we have a full tank as a spare for our Winter of a few days.  Hopefully we'll get back to normal after this blast of Arctic air. 

                                Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

                                                     500 +

I used Texture Chic DSP from Stampin' Up! to make these notecards.  

For a challenge we were asked to pick our favorite paper from the current catalogs to make cards.  I chose Abigail Rose!  I embossed the  panels with Timeworn Type, used alcohol markers to color the rose in Fresh Freesia

Pulled out a February 2022 kit from Echo Park to make a couple birthday cards

A challenge over at Club Scrap is responsible for these two wee cards.  I'm almost out of this paper

So there you have it.  At times I wondered if I'd make my goal of 500 cards.  I love playing with ink, stamps and pretty paper!

Merry Christmas!  I hope this holiday is filled with wonder and joy as we celebrate the Birth of Christ

                                  All is right in our world                                                              ...except this freezing weather...

 I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Family Time

                                It's Christmas Week and I hope all of you are able to spend time with family this time of year.  

Yesterday Jim and I enjoyed time with Sonsearae and Chris...Maui too!  When  we arrived we were met at the door by Chris and Maui...then into the kitchen to be hugged by Sonsearae and observe the goodies all laid out on the island.  Sliced meats and cheeses with crackers, celery, peppers and carrot for dipping into a peppery cheese dip.  And chocolate!  Sonsearae had stuffed some dates and drizzled (coated) with chocolate!  Leftover chocolate sprinkled with nuts and salt to make bark.  Rum balls, a recipe handed down from me, who got it from a friend many years ago.  These are made with dates, nuts and rice crispies then rolled in powdered sugar.  She also prepared some chicken wings (?) in the Instant pot and French fries baked in the oven.

We ate and snacked off these while watching football.  Saints Win!  She and I made an oil free granola.  Then Sonsearae got busy making cookies!  She likes to make her gifts and I'm telling you the cookies are my favorite...me wuvs cookies!  Snickerdoodles and a coconut cookie made with what tasted like shortbread.  We brainstormed how this recipe could be enhanced with chocolate bits, maybe some nuts.  I'm thinking the coconut could be toasted... Of course we came home with some cookies!  Yum

On the way home we stopped and picked up a bag of lemons gifted by a friend of Sonsearae.  I made some limoncello a few weeks ago that should be ready for Christmas.  Now I can make more.  As if I needed it.  But what should you do when life gifts you lemons?  Lemonade and limoncello!

                               Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

490

Using some of my pretty Stampin' Up!  DSP I made four cards.  The strips of paper are embossed to give some texture

Inside of tri fold card

First fold

Two cards using Woodland Card Kit from Club Scrap 

We had a forecast of freezing temperatures for last night.  Not sure that came about as I didn't see any frost this morning.  Still chilly outside.  Ya'll in the rest of the country are much colder!  Stay warm

All is right in our world

 I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

It's winter again

                               The past couple of days we've just hung around inside.  Only heading outside when necessary.  Jim did supervise Scotty when the door locks were being fixed on the truck.  Over time the fob was not cutting it and we had to double check to make sure the doors were locked.  All is good now.  What can I say?  the truck is a 2000 model and parts are getting tired.

We made a Walmart run today.  Lo and behold it must be Christmas season...there were at least 6 registers open!  And the self checkout was three or four people deep.  Still had to wait in line for about 15 minutes.  Personal care items and cheap meds...

Brought Subway sandwiches home for out lunch.  Tomorrow we head over to Sonsearae and Chris'...two days of no cooking!  Me like....

                               Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

484

Club Scrap Woodland Christmas card kit, these cards a wee bit bigger than I'm used to making.  The kits come with instructions but I don't use them.  So these were made for a challenge using an idea sketch

                        I just love the print and colors of this kit

A OSW from Jessica.  Stamp and color your own DSP, well I colored my black and white DSP and made these...all Stampin' Up! 

Another Club Scrap Kit, I believe it's called Roost.  Pretty colors and great cut aparts

                           Are you enjoying cold weather?  It seems like most of the country is getting snow, wind, ice and freezing temperatures the past few days.   So far no freezing here just upper 30's overnight.  I did pick a wee tomato today...cutest little thing!  There's another on the plant even smaller. 

                                  All is right in our world

 I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place an order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Holy Cow! I'm 75!!!

 

I celebrated my 75th birthday on December 8th.  The day started with breakfast at Sonsearae and Chris' house.  They fixed a French toast, bacon and fruit breakfast for us and even served mimosas!  Afterwards I received presents!  A Peter Pan T-shirt, homemade perfume, a Saints bead for my Pandora bracelet and a gift card for Soma.  I am blessed with generous children.  

Once all the fun was over Jim, myself and Sonsearae headed to Panama City Beach where Chris arranged for our Hotel. My dear son had to remain behind to work.   But first Sonsearae wanted us to stop by Latitude Margaritaville.  What a nifty community with several sizes and price points for homes.  She wants to live there.

Once we checked into our hotel we headed for the beach.  To cold for swimming but we enjoyed the salt air and surf

The sunset was perfect, especially so because when we arrived there was sea fog blanketing the coast!

Dinner was at the Grand Marlin and we all enjoyed some delicious seafood.

Since it was my birthday they brought out this decadent dessert.  the cup is like a praline, filled with a scoop of ice cream, topped with chocolate syrup, fresh fruit and chopped nuts.  Of course we shared it but once we all tasted it we dove in!

The original reason for going to Panama City Beach was to renew my military ID.  Couldn't get an appointment but we just enjoyed the area.  We also did some shopping at Pier Park.  Always fun wandering through stores with tropical clothes and goodies.

Our time at the beach was over and we headed home driving highway 98 along the coast.  So still got to see the Gulf and beach communities.  Stopped for some lunch and all to soon we were home.  Fabulous way to spend the day, but us old folks were pooped!

Thank you Sonsearae and Chris for making me feel so special on my special day!

                                   Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

459

Paper Pumpkin November Kit

all tags 

This lovely Wonderful World Paper is retired and I wanted to use it for a OSW

11 cards from one sheet of paper!

Using Texture Chic DSP and Christmas to Remember and Texture Chic stamps from Stampin' Up!  Silver foil is SU also

Card Sketch challenge

Another card sketch challenge

I am very close to 500 cards for the year.  Think I'll make it?

All is right in our world

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place and order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Disney and Cards

                                                                        Hello!  

I'm back to let you know we're still hanging in there.  We're both good.  Jim is still walking daily as much as he wants to.  Me too!  but I don't want to, so I don't get much walking done.  😀 

As I mentioned in my last post, we went to Disney World the middle of November.  If I remember right, Adventure Land and Animal Kingdom.. Matters not because we all enjoyed the visit.  Sonsearae and Chris got to try a new ride.  Jim and Sonsearae had fun on some roller coaster rides.  Jim, myself and Sonsearae did some less 'violent' rides.  So we all had fun.  Of course we ate some fabulous food and walked ourselves to death.

They were all decked out for Christmas and I've included some of my favorites

                                 Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

445

Love these Gnomes from Stampin' Up!

Some of you will get one soon!

Using banners makes for some quick and easy cards

We are still enjoying beautiful weather!  I hope wherever you are your weather is suitable for the season.  Christmas time should be cold...except in Florida.

All is right in our world

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place and order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

Time escapes me sometimes!

 I find it hard to believe that the end of November is at hand.  

I hope ya'll had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had a sumptuous meal of Smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, sautéed squash and canned cranberry sauce for Jim.  Oh! Also, dinner rolls and homemade bread from neighbors Margarite and Jose.  It was a proper sit down dinner at the table.  For dessert we had cherry and pumpkin pie plus an almond pound cake (made by Jose)

We actually ate quite well for several days.

While at Disney earlier this month I over indulged in some yummy food and spent several days battling gall stones.  Got over it just in time for Thanksgiving!  Jim caught a cold and he's about over it.  If it isn't one thing, it's another!

Changes are happening at Wildwood.  They've been cutting down trees at the golf course and it looks so bare.  Now they're draining the pond and I'm sure the turtles are not happy with that!  Here at the resort new management and we just got an updated list of rules.  That is a step in the right direction. 

                                       Recent sunrise

Handmade cards Because:

No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

432

Echo Park, you can never have to many Christmas cards 

I like die cutting and making cards with the elements.  Stampin' Up!

Texture Chic DSP scraps.  Turned out pretty, right? Stampin' Up!  Made for a challenge

Also made for a challenge.  Painted Poppies from Stampin' Up!

Are you looking forward to the rest of the year?   I hope it passes slowly so we can enjoy all the season.

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place and order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

All is right in our world

Hurricane Nicole

 Today was a perfect day to stay indoors and do laundry. I stripped the bed and tonight we'll sleep on clean sheets.  Ate leftovers for lunch as I'm trying to clean out the fridge.  We're heading to Disney Sunday.

Hurricanes are always a pain in anyone's life.  It starts with watching the reports, several days in advance of the event.  Should we stay, should we evacuate.  Check and see if we have supplies to weather a power outage (our power did flicker!).  and the worry and stress.  The size of this storm, 600 miles wide caught my interest.  The prediction of where it would make landfall and eventual track covered the whole state of Florida!  Of course, not everyone had the full force of this category 1 storm.  Like us.  We are dry, we have power, so what if we had to stay in all day.  There is a lot of wind damage, power is out and flooding elsewhere.  A1A along Flagler Beach is closed.  The surf was that high!  Of course a lot of the state is still working on the damage from Hurricane Ian.

I got a haircut yesterday.  And we had lunch with Sonsearae at Pepper's Mexican Cantina.  There are quite a few Mexican places to eat in this area.  I don't think we've tried all of them.  We're working on it!

                          Handmade Cards because: 

                No one displays an email on the mantel

or

Shows off a tweet on the refrigerator

or

Saves a Facebook Post in a box of treasures

Total for 2022

420

Whenever I make cards, there is always paper that isn't used.  It's to pretty to throw away so I keep strips and when you have some that match you can make a pretty card!

Same for wider strips and squares.  Using dies creates visual interest 

Rustic Harvest DSP from Stampin' Up!

I am an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. Teaching quick and easy card making. Follow me here or on Facebook:  Card making with Linda for more detailed instruction. To place and order, head over to my website to view the digital catalogs

https://lindagoudelock.stampinup.net/

All is right in our world