Its Easter Duck Time!

Yep its that time of year once again!  We dont have him up yet but he's going up hopefully tomorrow.  I thought I would be able to post at least once a week, but life is still keeping me running.  I so miss keeping up on here and visiting blogs.  I could say I will be more regular but it seems every time we say that, something eats up our time again.
I'm still working full time and still praying for part time.  I have to say though with this icky economy and gas, it is such a blessing to have extra money.  It helps me help my kids and also get things for my business that I would not be able to afford.  I'm still adding new products very often and loving every minute of it.

We are longing for warm temps here in Wisconsin, they are still eluding us.  Its quite frustrating because at this time of year we are craving to be outside. 
I hope everyone is doing well and I'll be around to check out your blogs!

Twins have arrived!

My oldest son and his wife Tashina gave birth to their twin daughters this Friday.  Both babies and Mom are doing great.  Each baby weighed 6 lbs even.  Eleana and Elin are their names.  Its really neat seeing twins all over again, and even neater to think I had twin girls and then our oldest son also did.   They came home today, to their older sister Ms. Ellie (4) and brother Eli (1).   She will be busy! 

We are having another winter storm today, not anywhere close to what we had a couple of weeks ago, but enough of one to keep us housebound.  Spring cant come soon enough!

A Black Squirrel, something you dont see to often in this area.

This morning as i was almost out the door for work, i saw this black squirrel on my deck.  Actually, there were at least 10 squirrels robbing the bird feeders and then I saw this little guy.  I rarely see them, in fact I think this is either my first time or 2nd, but thats it.  He was adorable and just as naughty as the others robbing all the feeders.  Hopefully if you click on the picture you can see him better.  I tell ya, if I didnt work full time a good portion of my time would be enjoying Gods creatures.  One of my favorite pastimes is watching the birds and the squirrels.  I've been lucky a few times to also see deer wander thru the yards at night.  Thats rare for here also because of all the traffic.

Wisconsin is having some early Spring temps right now and its so refreshing.  The snow is melting fast and its so nice to only need a sweater again.  People are saying dont get excited because it will not last, but at least at this time of year, we know its coming to an end soon.

Packers, Superbowl Winners!

Our neighbors a few houses down put this tribute up for the Green Bay Packers.  My picture is not the greatest but the idea is awesome.  He puts his Green Bay Coolor out in the snow each time the packers play.  The first time I saw it, I thought "cool someone is throwing a packer cooler away, I'll just grab it and give it to my grandson Eli for his room and toys". My husband says, dont take that, there is no way someone is throwing that away.  So I left it and noticed each time they play the cooler is in the snow.  Well tonight he added an outdoor patio light so it looks like an eternal flame.  I couldnt stop laughing.   We all know the Packers are gonna take it, so I'm just posting this picture to celebrate their victory!  Go Green Bay.  (I dont even watch football or know the slightest thing about it lol)

Blizzard of 2011

This first picture is of this morning after the blizzard.  Baldyman snowplowed a path to our sons house and then of course so Genie could get out and walk around and find a place to do her duty.

This picture is what you see when you open our front door.  This is before Baldyman shoveled. 

This photo is last night before the blizzard hit full force. 

This also is of last night before the major winds and snow hit.  We have to snowplow a maze out for Genie, otherwise the snow is up to her neck.  She has heart problems and sometimes when she treds thru deep snow, she collapses so I want to make sure she can get out there and play or due her duties.  For our area we didnt get as much as they predicted but with the drifting we surely have areas of well over a foot of snow.  Now the fun comes, wind chills below 20 and high winds.

New from Pottery Barn!

I still have to get used to learning this new photo download and how to post.   Anyhow, I thought I would show you my new sofa from Pottery Barn.  Its PB Comfort, one of the most comfortable sofa's I've ever sat on.   Actually that is what got us!  I love the store but find it quite expensive so I waited for a sale and then jumped on it.  After the sale and the 10% gift card you get when you use the Pottery Barn Charge, its actually not that expensive at all.   The first photo is of the new couch.  I got brave and ordered it in Red or Burnt Sienna is what they call it.  The covers are removable for washing which is very atttractive to probably all of us homemakers!   We got the linen cover which so far I'm very happy with.

With the 10% gift card you get when you use the Charge I was able to go back and get the middle pillow and the large candle lantern as well as the candles that go with for no extra charge.  That was great!  I would never pay what they want for that pillow but I loved it, so it was great to get that.   That cover is also removable for washing. 

The picture above is from Kirklands, something I've had my eyes on for years.  The Hand of God I beleive is the name of the painting, from which God touches Adams hand.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE that also.  I've been redoing my living room-stepping out and getting bold in my old age.  I will post the curtains later.   If you havent been to Pottery Barn, you have to check it out.  While its pricey, if you use that charge you get the 10% card back and of course pay it off quick and the interest wont affect you!

And the snow continues!

We have had another snowstorm in Wisconsin today.  This time we got probably around 5-6 inches.  It was snowing so much I left work at 12 today.  I went into a panic, actually felt like I was getting flu pains.  I think the problem is that when we had our snow and ice storm several weeks ago I lost control of my car and went into a huge ice snow bank that literally ripped the entire front fender off my car, tore off the wheel well cover.  I am still in the process of getting the car fixed.  Can you believe the car told my husband he thinks I should wait for the fender until Spring in case I do that again!!!!! I was going thru roundabout which forces you to go slow anyhow--but the nerve of him...insinuating I dont know how to drive lol.   I'm 52 and only have had one small accident in my life.  Anyhow, I came home early and enjoyed the afternoon making candles and updating Etsy and then of course you cant have a winter snow day without a big pot of Chili!

I should get some award of some sort--this is my 3rd post in the last 3 days.  I'm amazed.  Oh and the picture, is of Genie coming in from a potty break covered in snow. 

Small SnowStorm in Wisconsin

Hopefully you can see the snow falling if you enlarge the photo.  Last night we had a small storm by Wisconsin Standards.  I woke up to about 3-4 inches of snow this morning.  It was very pretty when I went to bed, in fact I left my bedroom blinds open so I could fall asleep watching the snow against the pretty outside lights we have left up. 
The temps here in Wisconsin havent been to bad as of late, high 20's to low 30's which is actually great for us this time of year.  Most days all I need is a sweater and a scarf.  January is usually a very brutal month for us with many days at 0!  I thought maybe we were going to escape that this year--but I just found out next week, the 0 temps are going to arrive which means at night--wind chills of well below 0!  NOT FUN!

Valenties Day--Lucky N Love!

I just listed this in my Etsy Shop today.  I made this this morning and this product is devine!  Its a sugar/salt body cleansing scrub with the Lucky n Love Scent.  I'm really enjoying this new scent for the month of Romance.  I also made this in Soy candles, shower gel, body lotion and body spritz.  If anyone is interested let me know!  The scent is made up of Wisteria, Greens and assorted clovers, you wont be disappointed!

Well now that the holidays are over, life is slowing down somewhat.  There really isnt much to do in the colder months so its a nice time to fluff up your home, relax alittle more, and for me experiment with new products.  I'm also beginning to plan our vacation.  We would like to park our camper on the ocean somewhere warm, so if anyone has some tips on beautiful places to park your RV ON the ocean send em my way.

Next month we also anticipate the arrival of the twins!  My oldest son and his wife will be expecting the twins, and they are girls towards the end of the month.  Its a very exciting time.  Its strange to me that I had twin girls and now my oldest son is having them.  I'm just secretly glad its not me, lol.  It was a great experience, but not something I would want to do twice!

I hope your all enjoying this winter time of year and i'm sure most of you just like me are eagerly awaiting Spring!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone in blogland!  I wish everyone a safe, loving and peaceful Christmas.  I said Happy Holidays to someone the other day and i felt immediate sadness.  It wasnt intentional at all, it just came out, but the pain I felt of not saying "Christmas" was swift.  It is Jesus's birth and thats the most important of all in this special day!  Soooo, Merry CHRISTMAS to all of you!

I know I've posted this before...but heres another one!

This is after I attempted to resize them.  Looks like crap lol.  I"m  trying to learn all this for Etsy and I'm finding I'm NOT good at all at this type of thing.  I cant even figure out postage lol.  I think my mind is in to many places at one time.  I'm trying to balance full time work, family, grandchildren, marriage, my business and I'm thinking I"m sinking.   My goal was to be out of my full time time soon, but to be honest since some recent changes happenned at work, I'm not feeling so frustrated and so I'm going to continue on.  I do like what i do overall,,,and i LOVE my business but fact is--I am still putting into the business and not making anything.  Its done mostly out of love and joy of what I do.  Besides I have some personal goals I want to meet.  

One good thing --I've received my new sofa from Pottery Barn!  First time ever hubby and I custom ordered anything and waited 2 months for it!  We love it, and I stepped out of my comfort zone and went with RED!  I will post pictures after I get it all set up.  Right now its got funny tiny pillows on it and its not flattering at all.

My soaps are in a store now in my little town and so far doing very well.  I'm excited about that.  Once I get this Etsy thing figured out I will work on that also.   Anyhow, I hope everyone is having a great winter so far and looking forward to the approaching Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

glitter-graphics.com 

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones!  Good food, good company and so many reasons to be thankful!

Shooting Star

Last year I came across this Christmas Shooting Star in the Grandin Road Catalog from Martha Stewarts Collection.  I decided not to buy it because its kinda of pricey but also because I wasnt sure of where I would put it or if I wanted one more thing to put out!   This year when I saw the Catolog again, I decided to go for it.  It came the other day and baldyman put it out back in between our trees.  I think its well worth the price, it shines very brightly and its quite a nice size.   You can see it from our bed at night and also it lights the backyard very nicely when sitting in the hot tub.

I've got about half of my Christmas Decorations up.  This year I'm going for a more elegant festive look.  I've redone what I've done on the fireplace mantel for years.  I would really like to hire someone but its not in the budget.  So, I've been doing alot of magazine reading, and checking out what is out there and then just being brave and going for it.  I will post more pictures later once I'm done.  

I'm off to visit the blog land and catch up with all of you!

Fixed, well almost fixed!

Here are pictures of the new Refridgerator, sure looks nice dosnt it?  I like it just as well, maybe more. I dont have all the fancy stuff on the outside, but this one has more room on the inside, an icemaker and water dispenser on the inside of the fridge.  

Okkk, now for the almost fixed part!  When they delivered it, they cracked the freezer door handle AND dented it above the freezer door.  The NEW one is on order and wont be here for a couple of weeks.  Sooo, once again we will have to move everything out and re do it--this will be our 3rd time.   What a mess.  Anyhow, I do like it, makes the kitchen look nicer and its very nice having more fridge room, less freezer room.

An elephant in my kitchen!

I should have taken a photo of before so you could see what a mess we have going on right now.  We had a small white refridgerator that came with the house 8 years ago.  We decided we wanted a new fridge, complete with all the bells and whistles and one that belongs to us.  So what did we do?  We went shopping, after going to 3 stores, opening up everyone and then some, we both opened this and we heard the angels sing.  Sooo we bought it.  Come home, and waited for delivery.

Heres the delivered fridge!  It dosnt fit.  I have an elephant in my kitchen.  Neither of us thought to measure.  All i knew is that we both loved it.   I also know i want a freezer on the bottom and a larger space for everyday things.  

Well, we had to call the store--go back to the store which where we live is a distance.  We werent even smart enough to buy locally.  Anyhow, we measured this time...and the new one comes tomorrow.  For now, I walk around this HUGE item.  I'll post another picture once the other one is in and hopefully it will all go well.

Its not to soon!

This is my Table Setting for Christmas 2 years ago...I loved it! Yesterday I bought my first Christmas gift, I was so excited. I saw something, knew it would fit a person in my family and bought it. I'm thinking I'm going to wrap it, and begin placing gifts around the house. After all, right after Halloween, I begin decorating for Christmas..its really not to soon!

My Day Off!

I have the next 3 days off, just about the last of my vacation time. I'm spending it at home. The UPS arrived today with my newest ingrediants for a new project I'm wanting to try. I wanted to make soaps for boys with toys embedded in them..perhaps a Christmas Gift. Anyhow, here is the result! Now only does he have an alien in him, he glows in the dark. Its just a clear based soap, scented in Buzzy Bee fragrance and I think he turned out really well.
You can get an idea of how he glows from this picture. It actually glows very well. I dont have any products for kids really, so I'm working on learning soaps because that seems to be becoming quite popular. The soaps I've made so far last very long and are very soft for the skin.

I plan on making more Fall and Christmas candles as well as continuing to decorate my house in more elegant and deeper tones. My decluttering is going well. I'm not missing anything and I'm enjoying the "sparseness" around the house.

Monday and Tuesday I worked 18 hours, and I was thinking if I was only part time--I'd have all this time each week. I'm praying "hard" God provides me with a part time job after the 1st of the Year. I really need the income but I also really want the time at this point in my life. Not sure I've mentioned it yet,,,but March 8th, my oldest son is expecting twins. That will make me a grandma of 7 at 52! I really want to help them out as well as enjoy being a Grandma and also catch up on things like lunch with freinds, and who knows maybe even alittle show in the afternoon. Today was so nice, the time didnt zoom buy like it does at work and I had time to smell the roses. Full time work is just not for me anymore!

Farewell to Summer

I got to see alot of this, this summer. My husband Baldyman bought this little boat from one of our neighbors and the grandkids used it in their pond. The dog (Phoney) lives in that pond literally from Spring until the water is to cold to go in. He is in it so much, he's not allowed in the house until Frost. They have a sofa and place for him to sleep in the garage where he comes and goes. He chases the fish all day long and never tires of it.

I asked the girls yesterday if they've been swimming and they said they tried to on Friday but the water was already to cold for them. September here in Wisconsin, came in with a roar,,the temp change was immediate. Its time to put away the rafts, swimming toys and get ready for the ice skates!

Alittle early, but BOO!

Yep, it got chilly here in Wisconsin and I got happy! I dug out my Halloween decor and started decorating! Also, I made Apple Crisp, Chili, lit the fireplace, it was all good. At night we've hit the 40's already and thats low considering only a couple days ago we were well into the 90's.
This is one of my new Halloween monsters this year. Mr. Bones. I placed him at the table, he's waiting for someone to feed him. The broom on the table plays witch laughs and scary music and goes around the table and when it reaches the edge it goes back. I cant get enough of that "fun" stuff this time of year.

I've got the "itch" to move., to look for a house to buy. This one is to small and I feel overpriced. I've been blessed to live here for 8 years but I'm feeling like I need to begin searching for a place that gives us more room, maybe more privacy and quiet. We looked at one today in the country, but its more pricey than we can afford also. Its a hard time of life, kids are grown, yet we are still young enough I dont feel like going into a condo or anything. Hopefully something will come up that fits my needs and wants and also the budget.

Dosnt feel like the end of summer.....

Here is a picture of the Mississippi River we took while we visited one of our State Parks a few weeks ago. I believe its Wyalusing State Park. The views were unbeleiveable.
This picture shows a neat cloud that just took my breath away. Sometimes the sky is so pretty all you want to do is capture it and stay there forever!
And this.....I'm going to get this enlarged this afternoon. This is a photo of my grandson Karson's hand and mine. I love it! He is 1 now. My summer has gone fast like they always do, but yet I'm ready to say goodbye. Its been HOT, HUMID and a Mosquito Summer here in Wisconsin. I've gotten bit so much you would have though i should have lost weight. The humidity and me dont get along...I dont like feeling and looking like a drowned rat. Hopefully next summer--I will be either not working or working part time and can get back to things such as this...I really miss blogging. I hope your all doing well and its time to check out a few blogs!