Saturday, June 18, 2011

Memories of A Great Dad

In memory of my Dad, I thought I'd post some pictures of a few pages of an album  that I made to take to a family reunion a few years ago.  This was the first vintage album I had done and thoroughly enjoyed working with the old pictures.  My dad was a hard-working man who dearly loved his family and his God.  After he retired,  he taught himself to play guitar which proved to become an avid hobby for him until he died.  In his earlier years, as a young boy, he loved cars.  As an adult he spent a lot of time restoring old cars and entering  them in car shows.  He worked in an auto parts store, eventually buying and operating his own tire store until his retirement.  My dad was a sensitive man and was not ashamed when a special story or memory would bring a glistening tear to his eye.  He left behind a wonderful legacy which lives on in his daughters and their families.  We miss you Dad but know you are so happy to be celebrating another Father's Day, your 5th one, in Heaven with your Lord. 



My dad being held by his mom and his dad.

 An elementary school picture on one page with copies of report cards on the other page.

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My dad holding me.
Dad with his first car.



Scouring the junk yard for that gem in the rough.

 

Dad (center front) with some of his music buddies.

This saying was on a plaque outside my dad's hospital door.  It seemed so fitting for him and his love for music.

Dad's obituary surrounded by pressed pansies (his favorite flower) and some ribbon I saved from a funeral flower arrangement.

 This was a poem I wrote after dad's death and I felt it had to be included in his album.

I hope this will inspire you to put together your own memory album of a special person in your life.  Don't forget to scrap pages with those special things that may not include photos but make a special page for your album just the same.  A little hint, when working with vintage pages, layering is important.  The more elements you put on your page the more story you tell.








Saturday, June 4, 2011

Summer = Refreshing Treats of All Kinds

Hello Blogger Friends.  I thought I'd share a yummy, cool salad with you today.  It looks as though the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us.  With this kind of weather, it seems the cool, refreshing foods are always a welcome treat.

A few weeks ago I saw this recipe on The Nate Berkus Show (yes, I am an avid fan of Nate's).  A bit skeptical, I was, but decided I can try anything once.  Since then I've made it several times and just got finished putting another batch in the fridge for this week.  That's the nice thing about this salad.  It will keep in your fridge for a week.  A great snack or a great side to those grilled burgers and steaks you are sure to be feasting on.  This is definitely a hit in our house.

20110506_1148_Salsa_604x340
Black Bean-Mango Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced
*½ cup Italian dressing, any kind you like (use fat-free or low-cal)
Two 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup chopped red onions
1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small red pepper, seeded and chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
In a food processor or blender, take ¼ cup of the mango with the Italian dressing until smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the remaining mango with the beans, red onions, and peppers. To the bean mixture, add the mango puree.>
Season to taste with salt and pepper, and chill until ready to serve.

*If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that carries "Grandma' Cool and Zesty" dressing, that is what I used.  mmmmm

Oh and I forgot to mention it makes such a pretty dish.  If you have no idea how to choose a mango or cut one up, search the net.  There are a lot of tips and even "you tube" videos out there.

I hope you enjoy trying this summer treat.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Life Can Change in an Instant

I haven't been on here for a while but wanted to drop in today to ask everyone to remember those in Joplin, Missouri, who were hit by a tornado yesterday evening.  There were many lives lost and a lot of property damage.  This disaster serves as a reminder to the rest of us...Life can change in an instant!  For those whose lives were lost, I can only hope they were ready to meet their Maker.  For those who remain, may we always be ready.  I'm sure when those people of Joplin woke up yesterday they weren't prepared for the way life changed for them before sundown.  Possibly there were angry words spoken during the day that hadn't been forgiven and now the time has past and there is no longer time for that conversation to set things straight.  Too many times we put things off thinking we will get to it tomorrow.  Maybe we need to stop and think more often "What if tomorrow doesn't come?"  Don't put off that kind deed, that kind word.   What  things would you change about your life right now if you knew "life would change in an instant" by sunset this evening?  Something to ponder today. 

Continue to pray for the people of Joplin, Missouri.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Warm Fuzzies

All of you out there who have had children can relate to my thoughts and memories today.  My "baby" is 31 today.  I can hardly believe it.  The day of his birth remains so clear in my mind.  So many details, so many thoughts, so many feelings about that day will stay with me forever.  Born at 11:54 a.m., April 28, 1980.  It was a beautiful, clear, sunny spring day, much like today.  My little baby boy, all 9 pounds, 7 ounces of him filled our hearts and arms with joy that day and for many days to come.  Yes, gals, 9-7, and that was before the day of the complimentary epidural that is offered today...and no I did not have a C-section.  I will always remember the Doctor saying he was losing a heartbeat, thinking the cord was around baby's neck.  After a fast and hard 4 hour labor, I was exhausted and just thought I'd give up.  But my ever-supportive husband told me otherwise..LOL  He put his arms under my head to lift me up as I pushed again and all the while he was praying for me.  I can still remember looking over at the sunny window covered with venetian blinds and the five student nurses watching my delivery (yeh, I know, stupid, stupid..I'd never agree to that again..lol)  Later, one of them came to my room and told me she had never seen anything like the way my husband prayed for me and encouraged me during the birthing process.  I guess some good came out of having the "observers" in the delivery room with me.  God answered my husband's prayer that day and our healthy baby boy was born.  Now, 31 years later, our "baby" is getting ready to have a baby of his own.  He and his wife are expecting a little girl in June.  Many happy memories of that exuberant, busy, rowdy, little boy in our home.  And today, we are reminded that time marches on but so thankful for those memories and the promise of making more with his little girl.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Cricut Give Away

For all my scrappy friends, here is an awesome give away you need to know about.  You really should check this one out.

http://www.cricutholiday.com/2011/04/enter-here-to-win-new-cricut.html

Friday, April 22, 2011

Great Sacrifices

My little nephew (well he isn't so little anymore) is graduating from basic training today in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  He is an honor grad, excelling in all areas of training the last nine weeks.  Because of this honor he was invited to lunch with the Colonel (exciting for him...I would've been a nervous wreck LOL)  I'm so glad my sister and her family were able to be there for this special time for their loved one.  What a sacrifice, not only for the soldier, but for the family.  I cannot imagine sending my son off to the Army, in peace times or time of war.  My high school sweetheart (now my husband) joined Army Reserves during his college days and I will never forget the hurt in my heart when we said good-bye.  So the thought of sending off my flesh and blood, well I cannot quite fathom.

But to my nephew, Spencer, I want to say a big Congrats!!!  We are so proud of you and your accomplishments and know you will continue to do well.  Our prayers go with you as you move forward, on to AIT (Advanced Individual Training).

Thank you to all our service men and women today and their families for the sacrifices made to protect our beloved country.  Remember to thank them and always keep them in your prayers.

Our heavenly Father made the greatest sacrifice of all, sending his only Son to take on the sins of the world, dieing on the cross that we might be saved and have eternal life.  Don't forget amidst the Easter egg hunts, bunnies, peeps and jelly beans to give thanks for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus.  Happy Easter to all my blogging friends.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Check out My Pink Stamper

If you ever thought you might want a Cricut machine, you need to check out this give away.  While you are there, check out some of Robyn's projects.  She is very talented.

http://www.mypinkstamper.com/2011/04/cricut-expression-2-machine-giveaway.html