Pollywog Pearls

Camp Scrapin'

2011-10-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

I made it back to Springfield for the fall Camp Scrap at Second Baptist Church. It was so fun to get to see all my friends and craft together. This time Becky, Susan, Barb and myself did no demos, table hosting or anything! We were paid guests. I couldn't pull myself together enough to get a scrapping project together so I re-purposed my Trader Joe coffee bean containers and a metal cigar box. I covered them with Christmas flavor papers and added some zing. I plan to use them to host cookies and a few Christmas presents in just a couple of months from now. Does this mean that I am actually ahead???

Wells Fargo Coach Riding

2011-10-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

My friend, Jeanne, works for Wells Fargo Mortgage and today we visited the open house for Wells Fargo Financial. Had some great Jeff City pork steak (it's everywhere!) and some great visiting for our lunch.

Jeanne is all about the Wells Fargo story of the Stage Coaches. She even knows the doggy names! Gabbing with the driver between rides she found out that the two doggies were rescue puppies. Awh!

Jeanne poses for a picture from my phone for her office back on Stadium Boulevard.

Stephanie and I pose for our original Stage Coach photos. It was a very smooth ride but what do you expect when you are on asphalt? I can't imagine days and day in one of these on bumpy roads. Fun Fact: They stopped every 8-10 miles to change horses!

Our first Springfield Visitors

2011-10-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had our first visitors from Springfield, actually they live in Nixa. Mike (Mic), Susan (my scrapping ya-ya) and their two boys, Ian and Ethan. We had a full weekend with Saturday for Susan and I to run the town and then on Sunday, the two grown boys hit the golf course.

Susan and I became antique/flea marketers for the day. It was gorgeous outside but the allergies took us into Whaley's Pharmacy for Susan to get some meds. Old fashioned pharmacy with a soda fountain.

Ian, Mark, Maitlyn, Ethan and Marissa after lunch near the Capitol. The big boys took the kids to the Corn Maize, Sonic for lunch, walking around the Capitol and then they somehow wondered into Yo Yums for frozen yogurt! And here Susan and I felt guilty about grabbing our lunch there! Funny how we were all in there one time or another during the day.

The Jefferson City Corn Maize before the kids entered. They had to wait for 45 minutes for the other group to get done so they goofed around the outside for a while. All had fun in the maize and they all got lost for a bit. They got "corn-fused" so they "corn-cut" themselves out the side of the maize.

The grown ups went out for the evening. We started at the Summitt Winery for a glass of wine and then for dinner we went to El Jimador for a stuffing full of Mexican food. At home we played Spades, a new game that Mic and Susan taught us at their lake cabin. Susan entertained us by her upside down person!

Sunday the boys went to the Eldon Golf Course for a beautiful day of golf. Mic is cleaning his golf balls in this picture. What a great smile! We ate dinner and then our friends headed back to Nixa :( We are so ready for you to come next with Susan and Mic!!

Baby Ella goes on her 1st Pregnancy Care Center Walk

2011-10-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Clarissa, Katy, Ella and I walked the Pregnancy Care Center walk on October 1, 2011. It was a beautiful day to share with three of my favorite gals for a worthy cause.

Clarissa and Katy...Ella too....at the starting point.

Sweet baby Ella on the car ride to Beth's Bake Shoppe for lunch. She just stared at NeeNee for the longest time. I wonder, what those brown eyes are seeing and what that bright little mind is thinking. My hopes were that she was memorizing my face as her NeeNee for life. I prayed that she could somehow see in my eyes the love that I have for her. I guess you could say we were "Eye talking"!

Having a little fun walking around in Gifts From The Heart after we had lunch. Ella had a clothes change (necessary one due to a blow out...sorry Ella) and she was full of fun.

This isn't a great photo but I love the little face and how intent she looks as she looks across the room. I love the time that I get to spend with my girls! This marks the beginning of Fall and Ella's 5 month birthday.

Auntie Clarissa loves baby Ella. Since she lives in Columbia, she doesn't get to see her much but when she does...she always has an outfit or gift for her. Think Aunt Clarissa could get into some serious spoiling of this little girl.

Making Old Look New

2011-10-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Maitlyn's grandparents gave her a desk for her room that has been in the family for many generations. Mark had a fabulous little antique desk that we use for an occasional table in the living room that needed some TLC. So, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon we set out to tackle both desks at once. Mark and Maitlyn on her desk and me on the other. It turned out to be a great Daddy/daughter project with lots of laughs.

Sanding never looked so fun to do. Staged picture of course but they did a great job.

And of course, Maitlyn insisted on getting a picture of my project too.

This little desk started with Mark's great Aunt. As I sanded I found Maitlyn's little girl attempt at carving her name in the side of the desk when she used it as hers years ago. We all laughed at what a little stinker she was, claiming it as her own.

Oh yeah! Time to shake up the stain/sealer. Shake it, shake it Maitlyn!

Adorable picture of Mark and Maitlyn putting on the finish. Beautiful day outside and gorgeous view!

Maitlyn showing off her new spray on tan. Ha ha! She got quite a bit on herself while she put on the finish.

Have you ever used Min-Wax products? Love this stain/finish all in one. Great results! I love seeing old pieces revived and used again as if it were new. These are both new to me! Wish they made furniture like they use to.

She is here! The next generation.

2011-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

On April 27, 2011 Ella Jane Taylor made her way into the world and into my heart. She arrived at 7:30 p.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Never do I believe that I have ever seen such a proud Daddy and a stargazed Momma when I first met Ella in person and hour after her birth.

She was so alert and her eyes wide open for just an hour old. We giggled at how she worked her tiny tongue like she was searching for something in the air. When the nurse unwrapped her to check her vitals we all found out that she was searching for her hands. They passed by her mouth and she fixed in on them. Yep, in the mouth they went!

I love this shot that Clarissa caught of her over my back/shoulder. She doesn't look brand new, does she?

Oh precious little Ella, I so look forward to the cuddling, reading, walking, singing, tea parties, cooking, crafting and just plain ol' learning from each other in the years to come. I love you and I just met you!

Love so amazing!

My family is expanding!

2011-04-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

May 2nd is the due date for Dustin and Katy's little baby girl, Ella Jane, to enter this world. My first grandchild! It so just seems like a few short years ago that I had two little babies of my own.

Being a Grandma is going to be such a treat and another phase of my life that I so look forward to. A new life to love, influence and nurture as she grows into a woman herself. I cannot wait to hold her tiny body and see both my son and daughter in law in her. A perfect blend of two people who so love each other and are like two peas in a pod.

What will she call me? Will she like me? Will I get to see her often? All the questions that go through an expecting Grandma's mind. I pray for her parents and her daily. May this little family grow in love for each other year after year.

Ella Jane Taylor

3/13/2011

32 weeks

Cha, Cha, Cha changes!

2011-04-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

2011 is a year of change....all for the better! I would like to introduce the love of my life and my husband as of February 13, 2011. His name is Mark Nienhueser (pronounced Neenheeser).

We met at my new place of employment, Service Noodle, last June 2010. Mark is the company recruiter/trainer for the company. We became friends and well....you know the ending of this story.

This lead to a physical move for me to Jefferson City, MO the weekend after our honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico. A wonderful week of relaxing, no phones and a lot of time on the beach!

Keep your eyes open and your calendar handy as this mess of a room will soon be hosting a scrapbooking weekend in the Capital City for all of my Scrapping Ya-Ya's!

Mexi-MO....No Bull!

2011-01-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

One of the changes in my life for 2010 happened last August when we moved Clarissa to Columbia, MO to live. She obtained a High School teaching position in the Spanish department. Lots of changes for us all.

Me? Just homesick for Clarissa and the time that we were blessed to spend together for over 24 years.

Clarissa? Just homesick for her family and friends that she too had enjoyed for over 24 years. She also had the first year teaching stressors on top of taking Master's classes! If all goes as planned, next fall semester will be her last before we get to attend another graduation on MSU campus!

For Christmas I officially became an honorary member of the Mexi-MO Spanish club!

I love my new T! In case your wondering what Pah-oo-la means....it's how the children in Mexico have said my name when I went on mission trips there. It's so dang cute! Clarissa is officially Senorita T to all her students. AND.....on the front, No Toro means....NO BULL! How funny! Their school mascot is a bull. The designer of this shirt thought of everything even down to the Mexico flag colors!

I know that pride is not a pretty thing to exhibit but I am so proud of the woman that my daughter has become. When I visited her classroom is was unnerving to see my baby in charge but with so much admiration and respect from students less that 10 years her junior. Her kindred spirit and caring heart flows over into her career.

P.S. You might be wondering why the Mexi-MO? Clarissa studied in Mexico (the country) for two semesters and we were getting friends, stories and traditions mixed up when we talk these days. Now we call Mexico, MO Mexi-MO and Mexico the country it's right full name of Mexico! I always knew that my daughter would end up in Mexico but I NEVER thought that I would be blessed for her to be only three hours away instead of a 12 flight and bus trip. Another one of the blessings that I had never imagined!

2010 Endings

2010-12-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

This year has brought many changes to my life and the loved ones around me. As I said last December..."It will be interesting to see what God has in store for me in 2010". I now look at 2011 and think the same thoughts. He has brought many changes, good and what I thought bad. Once again I learn that for every door that is closed, (or what I thought was a dead end) comes an open door which is much better and unimaginable!

My friends and family have too suffered many trials throughout 2010. From the death of parents and family, to the loss of careers. God has carried us all through the hard times and will continue to bless us with open doors.

Starting the New Year of 2011 I see many blessings in my short range of sight!

1. On or around May 2nd I will become a "GLAMMA" to a little baby girl! So excited!
2. Employment with Service Noodle as it reaches for National status. Me being in on the start up!
3. Major life changes that I will post on a later date.
4. I will be blogging more this year! I am sick when I look at my last posting date!
5. I plan to research and find recipes to try that are from my German heritage. I so want a German Christmas tree next year too! Here is a picture of the Man who started it all....

Meet my Dad! Robert James Stieb who is 100% German. I don't know if we look alike or not. What do you think?

May you all have a wonderful celebration of the New Year to come. Most of all....be safe and sweet!

Wicked Weekend

2010-07-31T08:07:00.000-07:00

Flip that Chair!

2010-06-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

In the beginning...there was a lonely chair that lived in a house where it was lonely, outcast and felt no love

As many of my friends know, I was laid off from my job of eight years at Edy's Ice Cream. To supplement my income and to keep my mind busy the past five months I have been training/working under the leadership of my Mom, Mary, in learning how to work the trade of upholstery. I have developed a passion for "flipping" the old, unwanted chairs and furniture into a beauty that one loves again. I have many favorite tools and "foo-foo" items that make the process easier and add that special touch in the end. My love for nail heads is very popular these days. They come in all different colors, finishes and shapes. The two below are the most popular with customers. I would estimate that 50% of the work we put out has some type of nail heads on them. We buy by larger quantities because of cost and each piece takes way more than you could ever afford to buy at the fabric stores. Someday...I will count them as I install them!

In the end...........
The ugly duckling became a beautiful much admired, wanted and loved piece of the family!

My passion for yo-yo's continues!

2010-06-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me at all knows of my passion for yo-yo's. I am continuously searching for new templates from Clover to make them with. I can make them from just circles and thread but find that I can use the templates when I want to do something mindless while I visit with friends or when I am on a road trip and can be more accurate.

The Clover small green template is the latest addition to my addiction. It makes the cutest little yo-yo's to put on cards, headbands, in a cluster of different sizes on apparel or just about anywhere you would want to add a little splash of color. These templates are becoming so popular that they are hard to catch in stock in the stores locally. I found mine at the link below. Happy yo-yo'ing to you!

Last of Graduation Celebrating

2010-06-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well after graduation we finally had a date in common with everyone so that we could celebrate Nikki's graduation. We had aunts and uncles and cousins over for a hamburger cookout feast. Banners were handcrafted by Clarissa complete with yo-yo's and TLC.

Nikki's gift from big sister Clarissa and Piper was a coffee maker for her dorm room. It came complete with two coordinating coffee mugs, a frother and the coffee make itself was white and orange to match her colors.

These two pester each other relentlessly when they are together and have done so ever since the day they met eight years ago. Dustin actually gives the smile that shows how he really feels about his step-sis Nikki....proud of her and what a good gal she is to him.

This gift from me was a project that I had worked on since last November's scrap at the lake with my scrappy friends. It was a book of all the plays that Nikki had been since she began in eighth grade. It was really fun to see her look at every page in detail.

Nikki's cake that Clarissa designed and her friend Anna, who works with her at Beth's Bake Shop, decorated. We loved it because it says, "Nikki is Wicked Awesome!" We are taking a girl's trip to St. Louis to see our favorite musical very soon...all 12 of us (sorry Allen, 11 gals and one dude!)

After all these years and she still claims me as one of her Mommas. Watching her graduate was such a thrill and now she will be on her own soon. She is holding her bedspread and pillow sham that I made from the fabric she chose at Urban Outfitters online. Little birdies, their cages and lots of orange. I just took the panel of fabric and cut it to size, selected a coordinating fabric from JoAnn's for the backing and off to the machine quilter that I use in my area. When I got it back I bound it with orange/white polka dot fabric and made a pillow sham to match. I can't wait to see it in her dorm!

I love the conversations that we have now that she is a young woman making decisions on how she would like to see her life unfold. The most recent saying is WWPD....What would Paula do? We have been talking a lot about situations that she might get into dating in college, what to look for in a future mate and what God fearing men look for in a mate. I now pray for her as an adult child instead of a teenager!

Nikki Graduates High School

2010-05-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

Grandma Lack and Nikki after graduation. They are to be future Sweet Adelines together real soon. Nikki and her friend Hannah are thinking about joining the group to keep their voices in tune.
Clarissa, Nikki and cousin Samantha are all such beauties. They had so much fun hanging together at family functions.
Nikki gives her Senior speech at graduation. Five students were selected from the students who tried out to give a three minute speech and she was one of them that made the cut.
Nikki without her robe looks like a superhero here. The thumbs up is a sign of "check-done".
Paula Mom and Nikki get a shot together. Watching her the past eight years pass through the grade levels to graduate has been a great journey. I have never had a step-daughter before but she pretty much has been the best and I count her as my own daughter! I can't wait to see what God has for her future. Off to MSU in the fall to pursue a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre.

The great outdoors!

2010-04-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

Clarissa and Nikki enjoying the sun after taking a spin over the country roads and river valleys.
All that was left is the watering after all is planted. Note the long wood firebox that Dustin installed over the past few weeks. Him and Katy will be toasty warm in their home this winter with lower electric bills.
Dustin supervised the planting. No, kidding aside, he tilled the garden, added fertilizer, tilled again, fetched us rakes and then supervised! He is just a busy bee worker just like his Momma.
Katy plugs in the garlic and onions. We planted the starts that she grew from seed and threw down some radish and green bean seeds. Her garden will be the perfect sides to go with that famous beef from their cattle. Yummy dinner time and yes, I will be there for that too!
Clarissa, Nikki and buckets walk to get the T-Rex from the barn to ride and let the "dust" run through their hair.

It was the most pleasant afternoon that I have had in the new Spring. Dustin and Katy live on a hill of 50 acres with the most scenic view of trees and the river. Their winding drive will soon be like driving through a tunnel of leaved out oak trees. Next weekend...we are staining the deck, cleaning out the oldest cellar built with rocks ages ago, burning the bonfire and going to their church in the country the next morning. Praying for clear and sunny weather.

Camp Scrap

2010-04-10T17:03:00.001-07:00

Camp Scrap at Second Baptist is a bi-annual event that is a great ministry for me and my friends to serve at since scrapping is ONE of our common bonds that tie us together. Great relationships have been created throughout the 5 1/2 years of Camp Scrap. (We miss you Becky, come back to us!) Here is Lexi, Suz, Julie, Barb and me as we make sure and get a photo together before the craziness begins. I love these ladies! They are great friends and have touched my life with their love and support.
Julie and I get some Burt's Bee action before our picture of the gals. You know you are great friends when you can share a tube of lip gloss between each other. :)

Our night began officially at 5:45 but some of us were there all day (Julie) and a couple of us came at 4:00 (Lexi and me) to cut up fruit for trays and set up for the make-n-takes that we were responsible for. We had over 250 women in attendance...a sell out crowd in only a few days.

This ministry is truly a blessing for those who attend and for those of use who get to serve.

Easter Saturday

2010-04-04T18:17:00.001-07:00

My Mother's side of the family celebrated together on Saturday with a meal, volleyball and then we watched my nephew play his last game of the all day tournament. Here are the girls waiting for the guys to retrieve the ball from the geese and join us.
My little baby nephew is now a junior in high school. He did a fantastic job at bat, running them bases and his position of first baseman. It was fun to cheer him on even though they lost by one measly point.
The stands were filled with the volleyball stars (family). Just a day at the ball park. The sun was a shining...then it went down just about the time that Clarissa and Chelsea got back from a Starbucks run for 10 frozen fraps (except Missy who was smart and got a hot one) which didn't make the chilly air much for the summer clothing we all had on. Brrr.
After the volleyball game we took a moment to get our Mommy and daughter picture for Easter. Now you know where Clarissa got them crazy eyes!
My first ever lemon meringue pie from scratch. It was heavenly but not much for looks. Turns out that I only made enough meringue for one pie instead of the two that I stretched it over.

All day I thought of how Mary and Jesus's family and friends were feeling just the day after watching Jesus so unjustly put to death in the most in human way ever. Grief must have stricken their very being. All throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday they exhibited steadfastness through their journey between suffering and sovereignty. May I always do the same. Our savior lives.

T-shirt quilt

2010-03-31T09:41:00.001-07:00

How many t-shirts do our kids get while in High School? One for every club, sport and town that they visit. What do you do with them after they graduate? I collected Clarissa's t-shirts that were still in good shape and made her a quilt. This picture is of the top before I took it to the quilters. If you would like me to make you one for that special graduate, leave me a comment and I will get back with you on the number of shirts, material yardage and pricing to set it together. For all of my friends approaching the big graduation day, sit back and enjoy the ride. Relish this time with your student before they embark life as an adult. Get out the kleenex!

Trained by the Master

2010-03-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

All finished and ready for delivery.
All the webbing has been replaced to make it a stronger couch.
Before I tore into the old fabric. Rusted couch bottom from the coils underneath.
Removed the bottom piece and started taking off the welt piping. Trim pieces removed.
My mom is showing me the ropes of how to remove trim work. She is teaching me step by step how to upholstery with her. She has a waiting list that extends out a couple of months. I am going to help her get to her clients faster and make some money myself while searching for a real job. It's really hard on your hands and I don't know how my Mom does it so much. There is alot of heaving around furniture which will make your arm muscles stronger too.

Polar Bear Plunge

2010-03-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

This morning I filled in for the Headliner News because the reporter, Emily, wasn't able to come. I just took photos at the request of Nikki. Don't get too excited....no reporter am I.

The plunge took place at 9:30. The sun was out at least which made it seem warmer. Nikki was the first jumper which meant that she was wet and cold the longest. They pulled in alot of money for their donations to their charity organization.

Weekend at Barb's house

2010-02-25T14:06:00.000-08:00

Magnets made with circle paper, circle punch, stamps, glass blobs, and magnets. This the major part of my Friday night project...besides eating and gabbing with Barb, Lexi, Kelly, Suz and Mary.
I chose to do just a few layouts this weekend. Two of which were designed to help me in morning two important things that I have lost in the past year. This layout holds my old name badge from the job that I lost last September due to Nestle's Sales Reorganization. I love the old watch face which represents the 7.7 years that I was employed at Edy's.
Can you tell what I sold at Edy's? It was a job that put a smile on my face every time that anyone asked me what I did for a living. How could you not smile about ice cream? Out looking for that perfect job that will make me smile again to replace it.
This is Halo, one of Barb and Gary's Jack Russell terriers. She is such a cute beggar. Imagine bunny ears on her....doesn't she look like a bunny statue?

Barb is the hostess with the mostess. She rearranged her basement to accommodate us all, fed us all weekend, provided bedrooms for us to stay in and opened up her scrap and sewing room for us to invade. Thank you again Barb!

Headband Creations

2010-02-20T16:14:00.001-08:00

As you know, I love yo-yos and antique buttons! I made these yo-yos out of gold satin for one headband and some print chiffon for the other. I sewed the yo-yos and buttons onto headbands that are fabric covered.

I ordered a butterfly yo-yo maker yesterday! I will show you what comes of it!

New Creations

2010-01-31T18:37:00.001-08:00

The little tree of things important to me. The little birdie metal brads are from Oriental Trading and the butterflies are cut from a strand of trim that I had stashed in my ribbon box. I drew the tree with a brown Sharpie fine tip and the "heart" of the tree was a button from my button box.

My favorite little owl finally gets to roost up in a tree. She looks joyful and wise, doesn't she?

You might have recognized these canvases from a previous post but now....the finished product.

Let the wings of love take you where your dreams are. I love this Basic Grey stripe paper for the base and pink felt wings were sewn by machine onto cardstock. The tulle "fluffy" under the white scallop circle was made by basting a strip of pink tulle down one of the long edges and then....PULL to gather into a circle.

Thanks to my friend Julie for this title. It's funny, true and fits on this wallhanging. The house found it's roofing materials from stips of brown scalloped paper layered upon each other. The owl came from Susan's Slice and the brown heart is Thickers with some red embroidery thread to anchor it to brown gingham. This probably describes alot of our creative spaces.

Special people can make your heart sing and fill you with such joy. The same joy that I felt in creating this little wall hanger. Love the little ball trim, bling and the red chipboard heart that I stamped with Stays On ink.

Valentines is just around the corner! I loved using my marshmallow glimmer mist for the first time. I a light coat over a scalloped circle mask and then drew around the scallop with black ink. The "love" is from a set of stamps that my friend Julie gave all the November birthday girls at our lake scrapping last fall.

Meet Priscilla Partridge who was born Friday, January 29, 2010 in Branson, MO. She is a little sassy and has the eyelashes to prove it. Great for holding pencils, pens, or whatever you have on her backside.

Waking up to a blanket of Snow

2010-01-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Our annual Branson scrap started earlier because of the weather to come. Barb, Julie and Susan and I headed to the Radisson on Thursday night instead of Friday night to beat the storm. This is what we woke up to this morning. It looks really pretty from this view but we are wondering what those on the road are thinking. The schools in Ozark and Nixa are out today and the Springfield schools are letting them out early. It is suppose to snow all day leaving behind a predicted 6-10 inches. What a winter wonderland! Glad we are staying until Sunday. I will post pictures of the creations.

Belated Christmas 2009 Girl's Night

2010-01-10T17:03:00.001-08:00

Poor Norma had to work until 9:00 but then she cuddled up on the couch to watch the crazy movie we watched with the phyco Auntie that ended up trying to kill everyone!

Alexis came over earlier as her parents were having a weekend in Branson. She stirred up the beer bread for us and then studied for her finals at school. She got caught by the camera.

My CRAZY sis-in-law, Missy, always entertains us and keeps us in stitches. Lindsey joined us and I think that Piper has a new Mommy...ha, Clarissa!

Clarissa messing with her puppy, Piper. She just moved into her apartment a week ago and she graciously offered to have our annual Girl's night at her almost unpacked and organized place.

Girl's night included Piper the girl Westie. She made the circut of gals for rub downs and any food that they wanted to watch her catch. She has a 75 percent catch rate!

My sweet step-sisters, Teresa and Sandy, came for a few hours of girl time. They didn't spend the night but we say that someone always has to be the party poopers! Love em bunches.

Nikki was one of the last ones asleep! Way to hang Nikki after your first time of donating platelets today. Had the needle in her arm for over two hours and wants to do it again.

So thankful for the time that we get to spend with the women in the family especially since all our kids are getting old enough to hostess and share in the grown up gal talk. We stayed up until 1:30 and I really think it could have went longer. Everyone brings their favorite snack and what they want to drink. We had quite a variety....no thinking that I should have taken a picture!

Oh Baby It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-30T18:48:00.000-08:00

These two snowbunnies came after they got off work and I hitched a ride home with them after a stroll in the park and some purchases at the Taffy Shoppe. Clarissa and Sarah have been best friends since high school. They are quite hilarious together and fun to hang with.

I know that this picture of me and my friend Becky make it look as if the sun is bearing down on us but.....no go! Instead look at this picture like we are snuggled together because it's so cold! Miss having my friend in Missouri! Had a great day with her, Amy (her daughter), Mya (Amy's daughter) and Skylar (Becky's granddaughter).

I just couldn't resist taking this picture. So cute of Amy and Skylar just chatting away!

Skylar found some crazy hats to try on. I thought that this one was the funniest of them all.

Mya as we enter the park. She is snug as a bug in a rug! We laughed at how stiff her arms were.

Sweet little face after eating Teddy Grahams! All snug and cozy in her layers of pink!

My Mom's friend was gracious enough to ask if I wanted four FREE tickets to Silver Dollar City. We in the Ozarks call it, "Steal Your Dollar City". My friend Becky was in town visiting over the Christmas break so we all piled in Amys car and headed to Branson for the afternoon. There weren't many rides open but we did get to ride the Flooded Mine and of course the train! The lights were incredible and our customary funnel cake and skillet dishes were so yummy. I loved getting to spend time with Becky and two generations of her gals!

Christmas Gifts revealed

2009-12-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

Clarissa...aka Vanna...poses for a Christmas morning picture for Mom. Her recipe box rests upon a little antique table I found at a flea market and spray painted to match her future bedroom. It might be her night stand or she said maybe a table for her printer. It has the two boards that lay at an angle to each other on the lower part of the table to hold books somewhat vertically. P.S. I think that the spray cans are holding less and less paint each year they are produced.

We are a little out of order here with the pictures but you can just scroll down to see the whole finished project. I had to put at least one YO-YO on this as they are one of my passions. The brown "flower" is from a fat quarter that I plan to make yo-yos from but thought it would just be cute to make a circle and draw up some stitches for a raised effect.

I covered this little metal box that I got from Oriental Trading with some Creative Memories papers and matching ribbons. The chipboard letters were painted with acrylics and embellished with dots and dashes of the same.

Here is a shot from the top. Can you make it out with all the ribbon in the way? It says, "Mom's recipes". I made a recipe file for my son and his wife for their wedding this summer and since Clarissa is moving out next week I thought it would be fitting to make her one too. The recipes inside are mostly family recipes from some great cooks! It will be fun for them to have as we pass through generations and sometimes lose the recipes we love most.

Here is the finished canvas that I gave a preview of weeks earlier. It was part of Clarissa's Christmas package of things for her new apartment. What do you think? Do you think it would be a marketable thing for Etsy? I have three other canvas projects going and will share as soon I can call them finished. I have scripture picked out for them but am waiting for inspiration.

Album debut

2009-12-23T20:03:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite pictures from the wedding album I put together for Dustin & Katy. It's an 8x8 album that opens like a set of shutters with four 2x3 windows for pictures on the front. To all my scrappin buddies....can you believe it's done? I bet you were sick of me dragging it out everytime we got together to scrap. One more day before you see what else I've been up to!

Roxie getting a bow, a rub down and a hug from her Momma, Katy. Think she loves doggies!

Meet Buckets the Jack Russell who is what we decided is 7 years old here in his Christmas vest. He is truly loved and enjoyed by Katy and Dustin. He's also VERY entertaining but what else would one expect from a Jack? Full of energy and great moves.

Dustin opens a movie that his sister, Clarissa, got him for Christmas. We had some laughs talking about how they used to irritate each other when they were younger. I laughed because Dustin still likes to pester his sister! See the little stinker twinkle there in them eyes?

My newest daughter, Katy, who I love for her sweet nature, calling it like it is and the way she fits perfectly with my son. I sincerely look forward to the future with her as we get to know each other better and make alot of memories.

Tonight Katy and Dustin had us over for dinner. Notice that I put Katy first in the last sentence? That is because we all know that the woman of the house most usually is the one who does all the cooking and preparation needed to have company. She made some really tasty chili with hominy in it....I LOVE hominy. Then for desert there was this platter of snickerdoodles in the middle of the table. I made a little vacant spot. Ok, so I ate three of them while we sat at the table and took one to go. They were so good! You know, the kind that are thick and still soft.

We opened presents with them which meant that the wedding album that I made them had it's debut. It was fun to watch them look through it and make comments. We also got Katy her first sewing machine. She made a quilt for her brother at the Monday nights at Grandma Bulldozer's house. Love the idea of passing down an art/passion that is fading with every generation.

Miss Merry Christmas presentation

2009-12-19T18:25:00.000-08:00

Nikki and proud Dad.

Nikki and proud step-Mom.

Erin, Nikki, Brooklyn, Parker and this is so bad but I don't know her name?

Nikki and her escort John Hilton.

Tonight in between the JV and Varsity Basketball game the court of Miss Merry Christmas was presented. Nikki was a senior canidate. They actually voted and crowned the winner four weeks earlier so that she could ride in the Christmas parade....if your thinking that you've seen this before.

Nikki looks gorgeous in her pretty off white dress. Clarissa did her makeup and hair and made her headband. Nikki's got her own private beautician! Her escort is John Hilton.

Graduation Day!

2009-12-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

Uncle Jimmy, sista Nikki, step-daddy Shane, Clarissa, Gma Norma, Aunt Missy & Gma Mary.

Clarissa and her largest fan/cheerleader, Mom.

Definitely a double thumbs up kinda day.

Oh to be so pretty, have a degree and be young enough to do something with it!

A long awaited day has finally arrived. Clarissa graduates from MSU today. She has a major in Spanish and a minor in Sociology. In January she will start graduate classes to get her MAT to teach Spanish in High School. Now we have another "walk" to look forward to.

Kudos to her for all the hard work! Such an accomplishment!

Your never too old for Santa

2009-12-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Tuesday afternoon was spent in town running errands and doing a little Christmas shopping. Last stop, Wal-Mart for groceries and such. As I was walking in this cute little couple were in front of me and when I was leaving they were in back of me. So, I grabbed them for a picture with the BABY (me) in the middle! It's so fun to see this cute couple running around making others smile. Their next stop was to a resturant called Ziggy's. If you are local you know this place but for you foreign to Springfield, it's a resturant that stays open 24/7. You can get a wide variety of foods on the menu there and the customers vary even more. It can really be entertaining there late at night just to people watch.

Volunteer Opportunities

2009-12-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

It's a cold dreary Saturday that makes it very hard to climb out of my warm bed. But, this morning I had motivation! I was in the Battlefield Mall parking lot (with a primo parking spot) at 7:45 this morning headed in to wrap gifts for the DCO (Developmental Center of the Ozarks). The marketing coordinator, Denise, co-teaches the 12th grade girl's Sunday School class with me so I thought it would be fun to volunteer for a five hour shift making gifts look pretty while making money for the center. What great fun it was to work with such beautiful papers, handmade bows (made at the center), spools and spools of ribbon, double sided tape (industrial strength) and some good company of gals that I had already known and some that I had just met there. The time went by very fast.

Then right afterwards Denise and I walked down to another entrance of the mall to meet our Sunday School class gals to ring the Salvation Army bell for an hour. It was raining off and on and a little windy but we had a fun time doing it. We sang a few corky songs (well, I was backup) and tried to tell everyone who entered Merry Christmas. It is sad to say that there were some grumpy shoppers out there but for the most part everyone gave a Merry Christmas back at us. We even saw some bills go into the pot.

Tiffany Art Group Christmas

2009-12-11T18:17:00.000-08:00

December 10th was the second Thursday of the month which means it's Art Group Day! For our Christmas Party we met at the home of Marylou Touth. We were to bring to the luncheon either a salad or a dessert and a Christmas item valued at $20.00. I chose to make a pasta salad. It turned out great for a recipe that I had never made before. I put it in an antique glass bowl for a special touch of flare. The leftovers were put in a plastic container for the family to eat.

I arrived a few minutes early to what I thought was Marylou's home only to discover that I had everything except my pasta salad. So I called Marylou on my way out of the subdivision to tell her that I would now be a few minutes late because I was going back home to retrieve my salad. Being the sweet hostess that she is, she told me to turn around and don't worry about the dish as we would have plenty of food. I arrived back to what I thought was Marylou's home at the same time as another one of our club's members so we walked up to the house together. We didn't even ring the bell but just walked in like we do every month at each other's homes. The house didn't look familiar and just about the time that it was about to come out of my mouth the owner of the home came around the hall corner! We were at the wrong party! Turns out that the owner and one of her guests go to my church! Funny thing is as we headed out the door, several other of our members were pulling into the same "wrong" drive! What a hoot we had when we got to Marylou's (2 doors down) because no one was there yet and we all came at once from the other party house.

The pictures are of Marylou (hostess maxima), the table with some of the other members and the piano player in the background, the awesome homemade desserts and of course, the pasta salad that was left behind. Thanks goes out to Marylou for being the best hostess, best gift exchange hostess and party planner!

Christmas Gifts sneak peak

2009-12-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

This little orange canvas is definitely still a work in progress. I am still collecting ideas and materials to bring this one together. It may have to find it's way into Nikki's Christmas for her bedroom.

Loved this fabric that the groomer sent Piper home in as a bandana. I took one look at it when I got her to the car and thought...that there material is MINE! She told me that she was alot more comfortable without it anyways. Ruff-ruff!

"WHO" knows what will turn out of this owl. I got the pattern from Suz at our November Cabin Scrap. Finally finished the needle work and now he just needs a tree to roost in.

I'm loving canvas this year. I first was inspired by my new friend Jodi ,who I met on my latest trip to WA. I painted four canvas 9 X 11's in colors of Clarissa's apartment bedroom linens. It turns out that all four may not go into her apartment now. SHHHH! It's suppose to be part of a little Christmas...the blue one that is.

I will post the completed ones after I decide who and where they will go. It may have to be after Christmas so to not spoil the surprise.

My adopted/stand-in Christmas House

2009-12-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

On the way home from grocery shopping last Sunday night I spied these two wonderful trees that seemed to reach to heaven with white Christmas lights. I said to Shane, "Get me to that house. I want to see the lights!" We drove in and out of dead end streets, wrong turns and winding subdivision streets. Finally, we made it. There were a stream of cars that pulled in to the culdesac behind us to view this amazing display of lights.

This is my adopted/stand-in Christmas House for this year. Did you put up any lights? Send me a picture so I can adore yours too!

Teaching the future

2009-12-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Our women's ministry at Second Baptist started a mentor program for our college gals. The kickoff was a major event complete with all the trimmings. The girls wanted to get together before the New Year so a plan was devised. This is where I came in because they wanted to do some cake decorating.

I am sharing a few pictures of the girls and their handy work. They were the best students I have ever taught. Their flat icing was awesome for newbies and the imagination that they extended was beyond my train of thinking. I think that they really had done this before?

Jane Beck helped me in the preparation by baking, making batches and batches of icing and teaching. Did you know that the mixer at our church will make AT LEAST three batches of icing at a time? It makes my big girl blender look like a sissy!

A good time was had by all. A message was delivered by Michelle Howard on how to make your "cake/life for Christ" as pretty on the inside as it is on the outside.

Power tools

2009-11-25T15:05:00.000-08:00

As I have spent the past two days in the kitchen preparing for Thanksgiving and a little get together scheduled for next week, I look at my two favorite "power tools" of the kitchen. My good ol' standby is the Kitchenaid mixer that is approaching it's 12th year of life. I love this mixer because it has the power to make loads and loads of decorator icing and I don't have to babysit it as it can go on forever by itself. My other jewel is the Cusinart food processor which replaced my Hamilton Beach one about five years ago. Talk about chopping, blending or slicing in just seconds. It literally takes longer to wash the thing than it does to perform the functions that I need it to do.

Today we kicked out two pumpkin pies (yes Tami, it's a Pillsbury crust :), a sour cream chocolate cake (which I called a 10 bowl recipe...the #of bowls that you dirty in making it) and a pumpkin cheesecake. All these goodies need tomorrow is some whip cream for the cheesecake and pie and some chocolate shavings for the choc cake. Don't worry, I am taking a broccoli casserole tomorrow too!

Yesterday was the pumpkin bread which is over half gone. Although it is low fat (only 140 calories per slice) made with yogurt and whole wheat flour, I suspect that my hips may show who has been sneaking a bite here and there when passing through the kitchen! No really, I did give one loaf to my neighbor as she has thirteen family members staying with her for four days and could probably use the viddles!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends that are spending today cooking and cleaning for company in their homes tomorrow. May you take a few moments to see what you are thankful for! I am thankful for you!

Ozark Christmas Parade

2009-11-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday was the Ozark Annual Christmas Parade. Nikki was a candidate and got to ride in the parade. Isn't she gorgeous?

Clarissa made her headband, did her hair and makeup. You could say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the creative department but not the hair and makeup. She got that from???

After a stressful time getting there in traffic we were able to get these shots of our candidate and then we walked down to the beginning of the parade and enjoyed the show. Does this mean that Christmas is near? Somebody please wake me up as I missed the summer!

Lakeside scrapping with friends.

2009-11-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

The drive is beautiful, the weather was amazing and the company...undescribably wonderful. It was a weekend of scrapping with my November (we make believe it's February for Julie :) birthday friends at Suz's cabin on the lake. BTW, happy birthday to our sweet Lexi who just turned...well, you will have to just guess on that one unless she wants to tell! You know how we women are about telling our age! We ate lots of great food, drank different concoctions of hot and cold coffee, watch movies, listen to Christmas music, visited and slept very little. Why is it that I can stay up so late to scrap? Suz is the BESTEST hostest ever!

Alot of pages/projects came out of that cabin last night as we forced ourselves to pack and make the mass exodus back to our families 1 1/2 hours away. I had fun just doing some pages of my favorite pics, started a felt owl that I want to put on canvas and wound down with putting letters and Christmas papers behind glass blobs that will be receiving some magnets on them very soon. So looking forward to the next time that we can get together.

Take time to remember

2009-11-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

I finally visited a local paper company's blog (Nikki Sivils) to view her new line of paper for Christmas. She was suggested by a very talented friend of mine who loves her papers.

Nikki had a challenge on her blog to create a page using her papers. Here is my feeble, rushed and trying to pack for a weekend of scrapping attempt!

A day too late!

2009-11-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

My sweet father in law came for a visit last weekend. He usually has what he calls bagels and I call cinnamon rolls from our local grocery store. This time I had big plans to make him some myself! The weekend simply got away from me as our church hosted a Fresh Grounded Faith conference that I attended.

So, last night I finally got them done. Problem is he left for home in CA yesterday morning! Too bad because they are sooooo good!

Dressing my serger.

2009-11-08T19:24:00.001-08:00

My serger finally got her matching dressing just like her sister, the sewing machine. I finally got to sew her final seams today after I put away the costumes for good...hopefully! I appliqued some felted wool pieces to the background fabric with a blanket stitch of DMC thread. I love this technique. I have the bug to make some more penny rugs now.

Not finished yet!

2009-11-07T06:10:00.000-08:00

I went to practice last night to view the costumes and take a few pictures for a contest that I am entering. Picked up a few more projects to sew/finish so fire up the sewing machine!

Just a few sneak peaks at some of the costumes. Sorry for the blurry shots! I am going to Tuesday nights dress rehearsal complete with lighting and curtains down for the final shots.

It's going to be a really good show. These kids have amazing voices! I didn't realize how fast they have to change costumes and sets. I would be in pure panic if it were me!

How do you say FINISHED...I think!

2009-11-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Today I put the last sashes, head coverings and hats together for the play. I THINK that I am all done. It felt so good to pack up the left over material, thread box and misc stuff so that it can go back to the costume warehouse at school. My sewing room and our bar area are once again ours!

Here is a shot of what supplies I used to make the little hats with the rims. They didn't turn out as deep as I would have liked but they are cute, huh? My favorite is the barrel hats. I did notice when I was carrying them up that I orginally meant for the gold trim to be on the top of the hat. That is my signature on most of the things that I turn out of my sewing area. Almost everything has an "oh well" moment.

Tomorrow is the test drive for the costumes and the cast potluck dinner. I'll post a sneak peak of all the costumes then. How do you say relief?

Scrappin' in Washington.

2009-11-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

It's been almost three weeks since I have returned from visiting my BFF in Washington State and I just got around to unpacking some of the scrapbooking stash that I took to work on. I recovered these two layouts to ad some sewing on them as I had brown thread in the machine while I was finishing up a brown vest for the play.

It's amazing what you can throw together with just a pizza box full of papers and embellies! We did have a guest teacher show us how to make the darling flower that I put up in the right hand corner of Maci's, our Parson Russell doggy, layout. I ended up taking advantage of the punches that she brought to make several flowers to use later.

Remember my new friend who lives in the stone house? I did these pages at her place. Must have been where the creative juices came from! Tami, I miss you and the fun we had at your house!

We're golfing in November! Only in Missouri!

2009-11-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

One day is rainy and drab and the next is sunny and warm. This only happens in Missouri. The ol' saying goes, " If you don't like today's weather, just wait until tomorrow".

Hubby took me golfing today and thank heavens it was the sunny day and not the rainy one. The trees are losing most of their leaves but several hard maples were still sporting their beautiful veil of brilliant yellow, oranges and reds. Ahhh, I love the colors in the trees and will miss them until the bright green of spring.

All the things that make an afternoon of golfing in summer weather perfect are: stainless water bottle filled with iced tea, iced water from the clubhouse, orange golf balls are alot easier to spot in the leaves, orange tees to match the orange ball, Blackberry to entertain myself while in between holes and last but not least....some chocolate! Hubby laughs because I also keep lip gloss in my bag and I put it on periodically (when I have licked mine off from stress) during our 18 holes. I say that if you aren't good at golf, you might as well look good! Hope that we can catch a few more days like this before ol' man winter clamps down on us. Yes, this is what unemployment looks like!

Turning the big 90! Gma is Queen for a day.

2009-11-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today we celebrated my step-Gma's 90th birthday at her church. She looks so pretty! She said that she felt as if she were a Queen which is just how we wanted her to feel.

Sandy, Norma and I got together yesterday to make the table decorations. Sandy might have a few blisters from cutting the tops off of ten pumpkins...one of which she thought was almost petrified! I volunteered to make the cake because I had envisioned a three tiered cake from the start. Clarissa helped my design and she decorated the top tier.

The day went fast with all the family and friends coming and going. I think that Gma really had a good time today and I am really glad as....This Woman Deserved A Party! She asked me today if I thought that she would make it to 100 and I said, "You Betcha".

Saturday happenings

2009-10-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

Before the sun rose for the day Clarissa and I were on the road (5:30 to be exact) towards Jeff City, MO. Thus the reason for the weepy eyes in the pic!

We attended the first ever MO Republican Women's Conference that started at 8:30. We first feasted on fruit, lots of coffee and after some deliberation...a big fat filled, chocolate filled donut!

There were plenty of amazing speakers. The main draw was Liz Chaney, past VPresident Chaney's daughter. What an eloquent speaker. She even made the word "thugs" sound like music. She's a very knowlegeable and pretty woman too!

The challenge for the day is to make a difference and inform seven ladies in your everyday walk of life. Help the undecided's to decide with factual information on four points; taxation, health, environment and economy. Do you want your government to rule all of these? Seven votes can make the difference in who becomes the state representative that is elected in your state to serve you.

One week ago....

2009-10-22T16:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I struggle to remember what I have done just the day before but......

This house, it's contents, occupants and it's occupants siblings will forever be in my favorite memories file.

What a lovely time spent with a dear friend as she shares her life and gal pals in WA with me. I have watched and waited so long to finally meet The Lady in the Stonehouse and her AWESOME photographer sister. Both just as sweet as the treats we snacked on that night.

Pumpkins galore

2009-10-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

As I get older there are just some things from childhood that I still love to do. Carving pumpkins is one of them!

This year I got to try out a new style of pumpkin carving while visiting my dear friend, Becky, in Washington state. Despite the rain, we selected just the right size and shape for our project.

Here are our creations that were taken from the Home Life magazine. We let the pumkins dry while Becky prepared a wonderful...and warm...dinner. We then drew our designs and carved just deep enough into the pumpkins to remove the darker skin revealing the lighter. We used a paring knife, art knife, potatoe peeler and her son, Jason, even took a try with a chisel from the garage! Ta-da, finished! Happy Fall!

Costuming the OHS Play

2009-10-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

One of my new endeavors is creating costumes for the Ozark High School plays. My step-daughter, Nikki, is a senior this year and is very involved with the Drama Department. My Mom and I got involved last spring when Nikki needed help creating some costumes for the production of "Alice In Wonderland".

This fall I am costuming for the production of "Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat". I am letting you catch a sneak peek at the back of you know who's jacket! There are alot of fun costumes in this play. Nikki is Potipher's wife so you can only imagine the boldness of this costume. Another fun one, yet to come, is the costume of Elvis/Pharoah who is played by.....my hubby!

The play runs November 12 & 13 and tickets are $5.00. I invite you to come see Nikki and Shane perform and to catch a eyeball full of costumes!

Scrappin' away at Susan's house.

2009-10-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Just thrilled to share the pages that I got done last night at Susan's house. Poor girl didn't get to join me (at her house) until after 8:30 because of shivering at the tennis tourney for her Greenwood girls.

Love getting to complete these pages along with alot of work completed on a secret Christmas present! I had bought these papers on clearance when I was shopping to put together a travel gift basket for Camp Scrap at church. I loved the colors and the double sided paper! I snatched a couple punches of butterflies from Susan's lovely punch supply and this red flower that backs the brad that I had bought in KC when we were together a couple months ago. It's so much fun to use some of the things that don't come together but look as if they did!

I fell in love with Archiever's Sony picture machine and went collage crazy....which leads me to these two wallet sized picture layouts. I love em' because I can use so many pictures and still have some blank space (which is such a new technique for me).

Taking the plunge into the blogging pond!

2009-10-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

It certainly is a grand day as I create and post on my first blog. Bear with me as I am "wading" through all this new information.

I wanted to share one of many of my uncompleted projects! I love to start projects but then find something even more exciting and well..... I have a hard time checking DONE on the previous ones that I started.

This one is near the finish! All that is left to do is the construction of the serger cover. All the applique work is done thanks to the time I had at Camp Scrap. I used scraps of wool that I washed in hot water and dried in the dryer to "felt". I then created a pattern and cut out my pieces to blanket stitch onto the cover pattern pieces that I made from the plastic cover that originally came with my sewing and serger machines. Do you like?