Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Scrapbooking for Breast Cancer Awareness

Scrapbooking also can, besides getting together and just visiting and being creative, also raise funs for charities.    Our daughter had a Breast Cancer Awareness crop.  She gathered gifts  to auction off and I might say one of my paintings went for a very nice price.  It was fun to donate because we knew it was going for a wonderful cause.   A lot of us won special gifts that were given hourly and we all got a wonderful goodie bag.  Now we have gone to conventions of big companies and not gotten have as good  of a bag as these were.   Of course there was food, isn't that part of scrapbooking?   Now if you look closely at the group picture I am in it.   I took the picture but then inserted myself in there.   I am not the tallest person in the world,  vertically challenged is a term I have heard used.   Ok, I put myself in there and later, like a few days ago I noticed I have no legs in there,  just a floating head.   Oh well, guess no one noticed but myself.     

Vickie has these at their diner, not open to the public just a 50's style diner.  A fun place to have these crops and parties if you are a member of the family or attend one of their Antique Car Club Meetings.   You will see int he background a large, and I mean large canvas of a movie banner.   So their cars look like they are at the drive in.  Biggest thing I ever painted, but it was a challenge.   Especially because I didn't really have a place big enough to hang it to paint.  One half of it hung and the other half on the floor, when that half finished being painted we just ooched ( is that a word?  Maybe a Texas word) it up and I finished it.   

Here we are at the diner and a great group this was.  Oh, Sam's Bird Nest is what it is called.  Why?  They have several T-Birds but other makes of cars have wiggled 
 their way in. 


We had to show the yummy cupcakes Vickie made and the cookies someone has made especially for the event. 


I uses a printed vellum over the solid paper just to give some softness to the background paper.    You always have to remember to journal, be it lots and lots of words or just a few.  You want someone to see your pages and  know what you are doing and playing without having to explain what it is.   I try to make at least two page spreads so the album flows a little better.  I have made two page spreads out of one picture.  It was a challenge, but fun to do.   There is just so much pretties to play with in scrapbooking but I try not to make them the stars.  After all it is the photographs that are the main story teller.


Thanks for stopping by   Annette's World.  

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Memory making of Scrapbooks

Several years ago I started scrapbooking.  When I first heard of it, I thought oh my I don't want to do this, piles of "stuff" in a book.  I was remembering when I use to make our daughters scrapbooks and how cards and mementos were put in a book.  Well, did I ever get an eye opener.   I was first introduced to Creative Memories.  A group of ladies and a consultant met,  visited , had a good time and cut and paste.  Not the computer kind but skills you learned as a first grader.   Of course food was also a big part of the togetherness of the ladies.   When I first started I used a black pen, archival of course, and made one sheet of archival safe paper for maybe several pages.  I used them just as accents.   Now, oh has my style changed.  I use, sometimes, several sheets and styles of paper for one finished page.  You are listening to a lady who had put together 27 albums.  Some are giant size and hard to lift.  I know I should divide the pages and make smaller ones, maybe one day.   

Today there are conventions and conventions for scrapbookers.   One of our daughters even go to Arizona to the Great Escape, choosing the artists by lotto.   Yes, lotto.  She has been chosen for two years.  Of course they do one day as a spa day and shopping is a big part of scrapbooking also.   I use to say whoever has the most when they die wins.  Well, scrapbookers may win this race.   There are also retreats you can go to for several days, like the ScrapinPad in Oklahoma.
Here we are at one of the conventions and check out the crowd, part of it.  So many walks of life and ages all enjoying the same thing.   Something to say about this.  

We are at Arlington, Texas here and as you can see my wonderful purse is not scrapbooking material but a purchase at the scrapbooking convention.   
 

The paper I won, maybe $3 worth but hey I was a winner and so excited!


I believe one of the unwritten rules is don't keep up with what you spend because it will blow you away.  Just buy it and use it and have fun.  

One daughter says it is fun to be around creative, funny and talented ladies.  Scrapbooking lets you leave all your other worries behind and usually it reminds you of all the good memories you are scrapbooking.   One sweet friend of mine is scrapbooking her son that is a survivor of cancer.   He and she are such warriors and they both conquered this nasty disease.   I have made a heritage album of my Eldon's family.   I hope one of our daughters or grandchildren will enjoy it in years to come.   My family?   That is a great challenge to find who any of the ancestors are.  

There are so many people doing this and I don't say just ladies.  There are lots of men out there also and they have such a different way of scrapbooking.  One is Tim Holtz, oh such a talented young man and shares all his talents.   Magazines galore  such as Creating Keepsakes,  Memory Makers and Simple Scrapbooks.   Probablly one of the best heart warming things I remember is I had several years, yes years, of this mag and one of my photography clients had just started scrapbooking.  I gave her all the magazines and you would have thought I had given her a million dollars.   

I do have to recommend  you get a good album that you like working with.  I personally use Pioneer Photo Albums.  I have met them personally and a super nice group of people.  Guess maybe that was an ad but just had to say it.   

 Lots of new things going on including digital scrapbooking.  There is a lot to be said about that.  I know probably quicker but there is something to be said about our first grade skills and touching all the paper and "little things" that go with it.    Besides I am on a computer all the time and it is a break to be a first grader sometimes.  

Your style of scrapbooking will change as it should.  I don't scrapbook like this much anymore and my first ones are not very pretty at all.   Oh my, I do need to go back one day and change them.   One day.  


Well there is so much to say about this subject and I won't wear your eyes out but will be back with another post.   


Thanks for stopping by and seeing what is going on in Annette's World. 

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Digital scrapbooking with smile box

Hi,   you know the title of my blog is Welcome to Annette's World, it changes every day.
 I wanted to share and talk about scrap booking.   

You know scrap booking has been around for years, I have been doing it for at least 14 years.   There is something to be said about getting millions of ladies and gentlemen together and share memories and fun.   They are of all ages and walks of life.  I and wonderful daughters have gone to conventions and workshops and it just keeps growing and growing.   I thought  this might be a fun way to do scrap booking digitally, but you know there is something to be said about cut and paste.  You know, the kind you learned in the first grade?   Not the computer kind.   Pam, a friend of Vickie's and mine did this and I just wanted to play with it and maybe give someone the way to play also.   This little show is of our wonderful grand daughter, I have photographed her since she was born as well as her handsome brother.  Now I know I am sounding like a proud Nana but hey----- I am and I will admit it.  Please enjoy this little show, some of Allex's senior pictures we did.   You noticed I said some.   


Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook: Allex part 2
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Summer Sausage

Hello Dear Hearts,

You know sometimes you just forget what you know.  Be it in art, which such great teachers as Karen Bonaker, Marilyn Sholin and Jeremy Sutton, my digital teachers help me remember my art training of many years ago.  Life in general and we all help each other with this task.  Who helps me remember about the past things I have cooked and why I started cooking them?   After a nasty week of Eldon getting better with a bout of onion salt in some summer sausage we purchased,  I did remember ------- I have a recipe of SUMMER SAUSAGE  without any of the ingredients he is deathly allergic to.

Please enjoy this recipe and as a note at the bottom I put a little foot note stated it is ugly but really good.   I can't remember where I got the recipe but thank you whoever for it.  I use to make it all the time and now have a batch in the refrigerator  doing what things do in there before they cook   

Here goes:



SUMMER SAUSAGE




2 lbs of lean hamburger  ( I use 93/7 mix)
2 T. Morton's quick cure ( now called Morton's Tender Quick)
3/4 t. crushed red pepper
1/2 t. minced garlic or powdered garlic
1/2 t. peppercorn
1/2 t. liquid smoke
1 t. mustard seed
2/3 c. water


Mix all ingredients together and let stand 24 hours in refrigerator.  Be sure and cover with foil tightly or it will smell the refrigerator up quite nicely.  Make into 2 rolls and place each on piece for foil shine up .  Seal and make 2 slits in bottom of rolls.  Place on trivet in shallow pan (aka broiler pan).  Bake 2 hours at 250 degrees.  Cool and wrap in saran wrap and foil.  Store in refrigerator and it also freezes well.   To serve slice and serve with crackers and cheese.   


Like I said it looks ugly but really yummy.  One of the goodie packages I gave our mail man one year had some of this in it.  They loved it.  Their kids wouldn't eat it because it was ugly.   


Had to share this with you and hope you try it and enjoy it.   


Thanks for stopping by and see you in the next post.  

SUMMER SAUSAGE

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The Purpose of a Dog from a 6 year old.

Hello all, now usually I don't do a lot with emails but our daughter sent this one and it is soooooooo   good and true.  Please enjoy reading it and don't tear up like I did.   



A Dog's Purpose from a 6 year old



Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10 year old Irish wolfhound named Belker.  The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker: and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for 6 year ole Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.  Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefullyaway.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.  we sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.  Shane, who had been listening quietly, piper up, "I know why."

He said," People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life-like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"
The 6 year old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.


Remember, if a dog was the teacher, you would learn things like:


When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.


Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.


Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.


Take naps.


Stretch before rising.


Run, romp, and play daily.


Thrive on attention and let people touch you.


Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.


On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.


On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.


When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.


Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.


Be loyal.


NEver pretend to be something you're not.


If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.  


when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.


Enjoy every moment of the day!!!!!




Monday, January 11, 2010

Libby the rescue dog



                                                                 Hello to Libby. 

This is the sweetie that we rescued from the pound in November 2009.   After going to Pet'smart  many many times, they have dogs for adoption there every weekend, and going to a home of Pit Bulls called the Haven we had almost given up finding Jewel a friend.  Charlie dog, her friend of many years died this summer and we thought she needs a friend.   Someone told us that Lubbock does have a pound.  We couldn't believe they didn't have one.  So about the 5th or so of November we finally found it and there she was.  Probably the  most dirty dog you have ever seen.  Those beautiful eyes just looking at us, tail wagged ever so slightly.  We got to take her out of her cage and she was so happy and laid on her back to pet her tummy.  We were wanting an older dog and she just fit the ticket.  Doing the paper work and everything for her to come home with us was pretty uneventful.   We did get a big discount being as she and us were older.  

We had to take her to the vet and have her spayed AGAIN!!!!! they said they couldn't tell if she was or not.  Poor thing to go thru that twice.  Seems like it is a law when you adopt them.  So we did what we had to do.   After the two weeks for everything to heal we took her to the groomer and out came the most beautiful dog.  So well behaved and happy to be with us. As we were happy to have her as well as Jewel.  They get along so beautifully.   Libby does know that Jewel is the boss.   So had to get everyone in their pecking order.  Lots of playing  and Jewel cannot keep up with Libby on the running.  Runs so fast the fur just flys in the wind.  We have an acre so there is plenty of room to do this and Jewel sits and watches and sometimes runs as much as those little legs lets her.

I know someone has lost a wonderful dog but we will take good care of her and she has a home


I heard on TV yesterday that if we lived or behaved like the dogs it would be so good.  One thing I remember is always greet  others happy and like you mean it and that you are glad to see them .  

We had not had a dog for 25 years but when Charlie and Jewel came to live with us it was such a good thing---for them and for us.  Now Libby is with us.  Can't get any better than that.   Well, I do wish we knew what she knows, she is very well behaved and has been taught things.  If we only knew what.  



A friend suggested we name her Libby because we liberated her from the pound.  Sounded good to us.   


Thanks for stopping by and see you on another post.

Mom, you haven't posted a thing about Christmas!!!!!!!

Hello and hope all will have a great 2010.  Seems to come around quicker and quicker every year.  You know I use to hear that the more fun you are having the quicker time seems to fly by or time flies the older you get.   I am not sure which one is true, how about both of them?   Sounds good to me.  


Our daughter Vickie says I haven't blogged about Christmas or the snow or even my cooking.  So Vickie Denese this is for you.  


Snow, oh my did we ever get it a blizzard for sure, especially for this part of the country.  It snowed and then the wind blew this a like old father north can.  You have seen the pictures of the clouds looking like an older gentleman blowing the winds?  Well this was it, even nearly a month ago and we still have snow on the south side of the yard knee deep.  Course the dogs still romp in it.   We didn't make snow ice cream though.  That is just the best and the memories that go with it.  My thinking was after the snow the wind blew the snow  in drifts but the drifts came from the back yard and that is where the dogs are and do their business.  Hence that is why we didn't make snow ice cream.  I have always heard don't make snow ice cream with yellow snow.






.                                      Scenes from the yard



The weather was so bad here but our wonderful grandson came and we had him to ourselves on Christmas day.  He commented that is was a mini Christmas dinner.  I only made enough for three, didn't see any reason on making enough for an army, to many left overs you know.  So we had our Christmas and then he left the next day, but was such a great visit.  Grandchildren are the best you know.   I bet every grandparent will agree 100%.  We celebrated Christmas in Midland a few days early, Vickie and hubby didn't want us out in the bad weather and other daughter Dedria lives in Oklahoma and they got the snow .


Addison and Eldon making it a little safer with the snow and lots of ice underneath.                        Thanks Addison for the help.   



Addison with Jewel, she is our rescue dog.  When they moved she got to live with us.  Isn't she a cutie and so full of personality.   We couldn't do without her now. 
 

New Years eve came and we semi celebrated it with dear friends of 33 years.  We were going to celebrate Nova Scotia  time.  This would be 10:00 PM central time.  Eldon and I stayed up until 1 AM. so probably saw the new year in for several time zones.   It is here and we will see what it will bring.

Making resolutions is such a waste of time, who keeps them?  So we saved ourselves time and didn't make any.   I could make a list, being as I am a list maker, and then throw them away but didn't do that.   I guess cleaning and getting the office ready to tackle the new year would and could be a resolution being as that is what I am doing at the moment.  I could say lose weight but the same weight just hangs around like little butterflies floating around and waiting to pounce on a flower.   Sounds better that way doesn't it? 


Well, that is my thoughts on the Christmas, Jesus birthday, and the 2010 welcoming.  


This sweet little nativity scene, we have had this since 1967 and purchased from Sears and Roebuck.  Probably didn't give $12 for it.   Funny how we hang onto precious memories such as these. 



Thanks for dropping in.  Will write some more but don't want to wear your eyes out.