Beautiful Pictures

Good News! I have gotten my diabetes down into the normal range. It has taken me almost a year. I've lost 20 lbs and have totally changed the way I eat. It hasn't been much fun. But I'm finding great new things that I can eat all the time!! Today was so nice out. I decided to do a little trimming on the ground cover that has covered my front bench. Here is a before picture. Then I tried to get Buddy to sit on it so I could take a after picture. Ha! That was a joke. A little to close to the street for him. I tried once more! He wouldn't look at me. Oh poo! The bench does look better a little trimmed back. And I added a chicken pillow (chicken of course). lol It was a relaxing day. Yesterday I went to a memorial for one of my sweet friends son. It was very touching and I my heart just breaks for her. Knowing what it feels like to only have one son. But I can't imagine the pain she feels. She has lots of support and 3 wonderful daughters. Mona we all love you!! She's the one in the middle. Always with a great smile and a kind word. I'm blessed to have her as a friend. So hopefully beautiful pictures are coming out of this darknesss. Hugs to all and always with great color!

Purrrr fect Day!

Today was very much a outside kind of day. I took my morning bike ride and then enjoyed the outside!! Notice how big my Hydrengea is getting? It has tons of buds. Everything is in full bloom.

Purrr fect place for sitting! Buddy was enjoying outside also.

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather! And always with great color

Lovely Day!!

I woke up this morning to the most lovely day. Just had to get outside. Even though I had lots of house cleaning to do. I couldn't resist taking pictures of all my roses and flowers in bloom. Mother nature is busting out all over. The birds are all out building nests.

Buddy was pretty excited to get outside also. He sure did want those birds.

Look how big my hydrangea is! It's full of buds. Can't wait till it starts to bloom!!

There is something so calming about working in the yard. Getting your hands muddy and watering. The patio just felt great. Here is another picture of my old bread rack that I spray painted.

I can't really sit out on my front bench now that the ground cover has taken it over. But I haven't had the heart to trim it all back. I guess I should. What do you think?

Later in the day I BBQ'd. All the neighbor's were out enjoying the lovely evening. And always with great color!!

Compassion

I hope everyone had a great Easter. Mine was very relaxing. That morning I was packing away my Easter knick knack. When Buddy ran out the door. He saw a butterfly and took off after it. There were three little boys playing ball outside. They saw Buddy run out. One of the boy's said "Look a skunk!!" I cracked up!! Yes, he was crawling down low toward the butterfly. And Yes, he is big and hairy. I just looked at the boys and said "No he is a cat. Just big and hairy." Poor Buddy. Now they think he's a skunk!!!

I've been thinking alot about our relationships with each other. What really shows a good person? Not just a kind, honest, hardworker. But a person that can show compassion for people. I think this is an important trate to have. When you feel compassion for people you won't mouth off and say stupid, unkind things. It shows you actually have a heart. You think of how this will effect others. You love other's as you would want to be treated. As the Bible says. Do unto other's as you would have done unto you. Good words to think about. The said, words can never be taken back. It can cause so much damage to children, wife, husband, family, coworkers, everyone. Have compassion for each other and we all won't be going around with no self confidence or self esteem. Build each other up! Show compassion!!

Back to Easter .I had a really great day over with my daughter and her fiance. We had the best dinner outside on their patio. It was a gorgous day!! We relaxed after eating and watched some TV. Here is a pic of them. We almost all feel asleep. I love a day with family relaxing. It was the best!!

And always with great color!

Headboard or Art?

I've been going back an forth in my mind.....Do I want a headboard on my bed or a cool piece of art. When ever I'm looking at pictures or out shopping, I try and find ideas. Hum? Couldn't seem to find a painting with the right colors. In fact I was almost thinking of painting something myself. (Oh dear that's a scary thought). Then I was shopping at my favorite store Ross (of course). And there she was!!!! I still had questions in my mind. So I wandered over to Kohls. There she was again!!! At twice the price!!!! Of course I still wasn't sure.

I went home to think about it. And think, and think. Ok, after work I new I needed her. I went to my more local Ross and YEAH she was still there. I like the crystal's on this piece. They will go with my "S" that I just crafted. Since I'm going for a more girly look, it will fit right in. The mirror in the middle is bevealed also. I love it!! In case your not sure......The white is the cardboard box it is in.

Now which color should I paint the walls?? Tan or light grey blue?? Which do you think would look good behind my new art?

Of course Buddy had to have a look at himself in the mirror!!


And always with great color!!

Happy Birthday Dancing in the Dark!

I can finally show the lap throw that I've been working on. It was for my Sister's Birthday. I love the colors!!!
We had a great day together. Lunch was a yummy Mexican place. The day was beautiful. Of course it warms up right when I give her a blanket. Oh well, I think she had a good Birthday. Love ya sissy.

Buddy has aways loved to go on the computer with me. I think he likes Frontierville!
So if my Frontierville looks a little off. It's because Buddy is playing it.
Gotta love him.

Look Out!

Watch out Buddy. Mom's got her vacuum out! Do you think she sees me here??

Maybe if I duck down!
Awww shucks she knows all my hiding places. But this green lawndry basket is pretty cool.
Maybe I'll just take a nap. And always with great color!

.....Zen Cooking.......

Ok, last night I watched a good documentary on Zen cooking. It was with Edward Espe Brown. It really made you think about what you put into cooking. People don't seem to think about what they cram into their bodies. And the love from the heart that is put into each homemade meal. I wanted to show my cookie sheet. It's old, stained and bent. But so am I!!
And I'm worth much more with my wisdom and worn out body. Then a youngster with no wisdom lines (wrinkles). We have worked hard to get to this age. We have knowledge of many things. Not just the newest CD's and tennis shoes. Old things tell a story of life. Be it a human or an old cookie sheet.
I decided to make up my own cranberry,orange zest scones. So here we go.
Since I prefer to do things quick and easy, I used Good ole Bisquick. Plus I like the flavor of it. I just used the Biscuit recipe. Added cranberries, and since I only had a tangerine and not a orange. I added tangerine zest. lol
Then I dumped it out to roll and cut. Notice my little Buddy helper?
Then they were placed on my good ole worn cookie sheet. Which is an old air bake sheet. Still works wonders!
And WalLa!!!
I brushed them with butter and sprinkled sugar on top before baking. They are so tasty with coffee or tea. Aren't you glad this ole fart can still bake from the heart?? Love ya all and always with great color!

Sleep Over!

I told my sweet Sister that while peanut is on winter break, I would have her over to spend the night. A good ole fashion sleep over. We had such a good time. She is such a sweetheart. Here is a picture of her playing Xbox Kinect. She love love loved it. My sis, her grandma said she had sore legs the next day. lol We made hot chocolate with mini marshmallow's and watched a movie. She took the couch and I took the floor. UGH!! Man the floor is hard. Next time I'm sleeping in my own bed. But she wanted me close this time.
Peanut loved playing with Buddy too! The next day she played with some of the neighborhood kids. I think she had a good time and it gave Grandma a nice break. Hope to have her stay again. Hugs Peanut!

Christmas is over!

Christmas was great! Food, food and more food!! Here is a picture of Brandon and Melanie opening presents. They look kind of tired from the night before. lol I'm still not working so it was a cheap Christmas. But we still had a house full of love. I did bake some. And I gave most of it away!!!

Here are some of the cookies. On Christmas Eve we went over to Melanie's family's home. They are so much fun. One thing really touched my heart. Melanie's brother picked up a homeless man off the street. After he had a good meal, he got a haircut, shave and bath. They packed a backpack full of clothes and personal care items for him. It was such a joy to see these kids giving to someone in need. Thank the Lord for them all!!

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without Buddy playing in the wrapping paper. I went and spent Christmas afternoon with my Sister and Peanut. Her son and family also were there. What a lovely time we had. Christmas dinner was soooo good!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all. We wish everyone happiness and goodwill. Make this a great year with family, friends, and always with great color!!

New Chair and Christmas!

Ok, I inherited this sad little chair from my parents. It had cracks and repairs all over it. But it does have memories. So I went to work repairing and painting. Lot's of sanding and about 3 coats of white paint and WaLa.
Now here is a question. The whole time I had plans to paint it with a Damask Design. Maybe green like my walls or black. Should I just leave it white? Or try and paint a design on the white??
Then it was time to decorate for Christmas. Man! I ran out of energy quickly. My sis Dancing in the Dark and Peanut made a trip to Tai Pan Trading Co. It's like a fairy wonderland of Christmas trees. We had a blast and got lots of cool ideas.
So here is my finished tree.
Here in the kitchen I filled my glass container with Christmas balls and decorated with ribbon!
Of course Buddy had to help with decorating the tree!! I will be finding balls all around!!
Have a great Holiday!! And always with great color!

Yeah Finished!

Finished the Camo lap throw today. Just in time. Almost ran out of yarn. I like the way it turned out. Buddy seems to like it too. It has given me something to do while my back is getting better. I threw it out about two weeks ago. Don't know what I did. But I guess sometimes we just move wrong. Sometimes I sure hate getting older. And dang it I had a birthday right in the middle of a painful week. Didn't help the getting old feeling. Oh well, I'm getting better slowly. I guess life just throws bumps in the road sometimes. Here's a smooth spot. My sister (Dancing in the Dark) gave me this beautiful yarn bag. I love it!!!! It's green!! She also hand spun me some yarn. I need to make my next project something special!! She's so dear to me, My bestest friend! Here is a pic of it!
I also got a great gift from my daughter. A beautiful wall decoration. Words that are like stickers. But when applied they appear almost to be painted on. I know these words speak the truth. Even though sometimes we don't agree on things. I hope she will remember that Families are everything and deserve respect. I placed this above my buffet in the dinning room. What do you think?
Always with great color!

Looks like Fall!!

Wow it's sure turning into Fall. I love it!! Got out all the Fall things that I have. Can't seem to pass up anything leaf or pumpkin. I'm not to into the scary Halloween things. I like things that can last through Thanksgiving. Buddy likes all the decor. So I thought I would make a blanket throw for my livingroom. I needed a project. And I picked a couple different greens (of course)and a carmel color. My son came home and said "Why are you making a camo blanket?" Ha ha ha I didn't even think of that when I bought the yarn. But I guess it kind of looks like that. Anywho, I love it.
So get out your tea cups and mugs and start to drink warm apple cider and hot chocolate. Fall is here!!! And always with great color!
Buddy get out of that new yarn!!!!! Such a little helper.

Done!

I finished the blanket and made a small cap for the baby also. Melanie took it to her sister. Shortly afterwards my son got a text and picture. Well baby Vincent's brother Augustine had stole the cap and was wearing it. He's almost two!! Oh well at least they are enjoying it. And with the cool weather we are having they should be able to use the blanket also.
I need another project now!!
It's been cool so Buddy has been curling up and trying to keep warm. A big no no is laying on my son's Brandon's bed. Well look what I found. I told him I was going to take a blackmail picture. He kind of sneered at me. lol He does look cozy!!