Camping

Well - camping and rain don't mix :) We left for the campground as soon as I got home from the school bus run on Friday. We had hoped to do burgers over the fire for supper once we got there, but they didn't have any dry wood so I ended up microwaving 3 hamburgers for supper. It had been raining all day, so the wood was all wet. Luckily the campground is on very sandy soil so there aren't puddles for long.

Later in the evening we went into town on the ATV's to get Brad some beer (this is usually the first time in the year that he buys some), and I asked the woman at the store about dry wood. She knew someone down the street with some and off we went. Bought enough to get the fires started so I could cook breakfast the next 2 mornings and maybe sit around the fire in the evenings. (We are drying the wood around the fire)


We go to this campground the last weekend in May every year, probably for the last 4-5 years. Saturday is spent riding with friends. This year Logan came along, Luke had a birthday party to go to on Sat. so he decided not to come along this time.

The plan was to leave the campground at 10:30 am, about 1/2 were ready :) Did finally manage to leave at 11am, with 16 ATV's and 19 people. We had a wonderful day! Because of the rain the day before there wasn't any dust!!

Though we did manage to find a few puddles and some mud :)

We stopped for a break at this cute little hunting site in the middle of no where. Anyone need to use the out house?

After another short ride, we came to Horse Shoe Lake. I will assume that it has that name because of the shape of the lake. Lunch time!

Every year we stop at the Tomahawk Shack. This was put up by snowmobilers. It also has an out house. There is a wood stove inside if anyone is cold. Time to relax (Brad & Logan) While wondering around the shack, someone found this hole in the ground. Look what came out! We got back to the campground around 4:30 which gave us time to change, unwind a bit, and get ready for the PotLuck Supper - always a highlight! (our trailer gets used as the buffet table) Most years we would have about 50 people at the supper, but it seems some people where scared away because of the weather forecast. Still had an awesome array of food: perogies, chili, pulled pork, texas buttermilk salad, potato salad, ham, sausages, pork loin etc.

Usually I will post a bunch of pictures of us riding on Sunday, however it rained like crazy during the night. I woke up at night and listened to the never ending thunder and watched the nonstop lightening for about an hour. Brad and I made a dash for the bathrooms during the storm. Didn't need a flashlight to light the way with the lightening flashing every couple of seconds. It was still drizzling in the morning, so after breakfast we decided to pack up and go home. Just didn't feel like riding in the rain and getting all wet and cold.

We had a great weekend all the same.
And will definitely be back next spring again!!

Friday Feature - Lilith Creations

After deciding to feature shops that recycle - I have found (or they have found me) some of the coolest shops that make the most wonderful items from recycled materials. This weeks shop is no exception. Lilith Creations has the coolest purses, push pins, magnets, items for your office etc! All made from recycled materials.

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from Uruguay (South America), and arrived to the US two and half years ago . I actually live in Miami Beach with my husband and my little ferret. I am 29 years old, I'm working in a company as a Bookkeeper, and I spend my free time enjoying the beach, the sun, my family and creating recycled items.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
I started with this project about one year ago; it was a mix between my crafts manufacturing hobby and the necessity to fulfill my free hours. Then, I found Etsy.com and the business idea come to my mind!! The Shop name was born honoring my Uruguayan Kitten "Lilith". Actually she lives with my mom in Uruguay, but for a long time, Lilith shared many moments with me (happy ones and not so happy as well); so I felt it would be a great way to tell her: "Thank you for the unconditional good moments".

*What got you started in recycling?
I enjoy doing crafts, and the idea to do that with reused materials, such as magazine paper, bottle caps, vinyl records, etc, gave me an excellent tool in order to become more creative and friendly with environment at the same time!!

I started to create unique and customized items specially directed to the conscious consumer, making it much more special.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
One time I found this phrase: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” and it’s a huge inspiration for me and I also think it should be an important motivation for everybody helping to reduce waste and preserving natural resources. Usually, we don’t take the time to think that the products we buy every day make a difference, and the power to make a change begins with the individual consumer. We don't have to eliminate the products and luxuries that are part of our lifestyles, we have to seek alternatives that satisfy our needs in a healthy and ecologically sound manner and enjoy a lifestyle in harmony with our Planet. A good start for example, could be to use only reusable bags when shopping, and reusable sew-through and lightweight bags to buy vegetables in the supermarket.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
I don’t have a favorite item, but if I have to choose one it would be : the "Magazine Paper Purses".
Usually I produce the purses while watching T.V. with my Husband, because this craft allows me to relax ; the action of folding magazine paper and then wove it together, turns pleasantly my time. I don’t need to think while I am doing that, it's almost automatically, I could do it with my eyes closed.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?
You can find me at:
Etsy: http://www.lilithcreations.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lilith-Creations/366622531220
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lilithcreations

Planting Planting Planting

Canada just had a long weekend. We all got Monday off. It was sooooooo nice! Haven't had a long weekend since Easter and that feels like months ago :)

We had a very busy and productive weekend. I finally managed to get my 3 flower pots planted. This year each pot has a white Trailing Double Petunia in the center with 3 orange Calibrachoa plants around it. Hopefully this year I remember to go out onto the deck every day and water them :)

We also planted 155 little trees - 80 evergreens and 75 green ash. This is what they look like now.
Hard to believe that in 15 years they will actually look like something :) This is where they are planted, even though you can't see them.

Sure will be a lot of hoeing and tilling! Also got the bedding plants into the garden. The seeds were planted 2 weeks ago - but nothing is up yet. The garden sure doesn't look like much right now does it.

We are going camping this weekend. So I will post the Friday Feature tomorrow, but then you won't hear from me until Monday!
Hope all my American Friends have a wonderful long weekend!!

WW - Friends Forever!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser for the week:

"Which means that the only things we have left to explain are: number one, why Tara would be willing to take the fall, and number two, why she would bruise up her own face in the process." Brad says this with excitement and a sense of finality. I can tell he's relishing the task of trying to implicate the commonwealth's attorney.
Page 223, "Self Incrimination" by Randy Singer

This is another Christian Fiction, but a mystery also. Haven't read any books by this author before, but I am quite enjoying it! Will be looking for more books by Randy Singer at the library :)

What are you reading this week?

MMM: Craft Room + Blog of the Week

Blog of the Week!
Don't ask how I found this blog - I have no idea :) It's a fun blog, all about The travels of Sullivan McPig! I LOVE PIGS!! They are just too cute! Sullivan lives in Groningen, Netherlands. I've been there :) The Netherlands is one of my favorite Countries! The people are wonderful, and so are the pigs obviously! Sullivan has beautiful photos of his town and country. It's a wonderful blog to visit!

Craft Room!!
We are getting closer to moving everything back in :) Brad and I worked on the floor yesterday and got it done. LOVE that click together flooring! It sure works much easier after reading the instructions LOL. Here are the Before and After photos -

BEFORE (after carpet and linoleum was removed):

AFTER:


Isn't it pretty? We measured the room a couple of times before going shopping for the flooring and we were very sure about how much we needed. Well - we have one 15 inch piece of flooring left! Not bad! Hopefully tomorrow we can put the baseboards on, then the paneling on the other 2 walls and move everything back in by the weekend!! WOOHOO!! Crafting - here I come!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Chinese Proverbs to make You Think

A hundred men may make an encampment, but it takes a woman to make a home.

Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think.

Love your neighbors, but don't pull down the fence.

Those who do not read are no better off than those who cannot.

Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher.

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.

If you want 1 year of prosperity, grow grain.
If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees.
If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Deal with the faults of others as gently as with your own.

If you want happiness for an hour--take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day-- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month--get married.
If you want happiness for a year--inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime--help someone else.

Do not use a hatchet to remove a fly from your friend's forehead.

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends whom we choose.

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.

If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.

If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

Rag Rugs and More Recycled Goodness!

I love rag rugs!! They are so amazing, I just have to figure out how to make them :) I introduce to you Georgia Anne Jackson a wonderful rag rug, pillow and quilt maker on Etsy.

*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I guess the best way to describe where I'm from is to say "the central time zone." I grew up in Lake County IL, spent an extended time in Milwaukee WI working in Marketing for a lighting manufacturer and have now settled in Nashville AR, to be nearer my family, and working for myself.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My shop name is my name, Georgia Anne Jackson. I've spent years developing my personal/professional brand, and as the only designer and bottle washer it just makes sense. I am committed to quality, and I want my customers to know I am responsible for their satisfaction.

*What got you started in recycling?
Since my kids were small (many. many years ago) I always carried our cast offs to the major NFP Thrifts - Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. A couple of years ago, I had to drive behind one such store and could not believe the carnage! Clothing, furniture, small appliances, you name it, and they laid busted around an overflowing dumpster. I had an Epiphany... I was angry at the NFP for discarding people's donations and I was ashamed of the wantoned consumerism that paved this path to the landfill. I want to make a difference by reclaiming materials and raise awareness by creating only functional, relevant products.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
My supplies are donated or "rescued" from dumpsters (diving). I don't have a favorite color or type - I'm just excited to know that the materials are coming to me rather than being fed to a garbage truck.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
My specialties are rag rugs and quilts - these talents come from the generations before me. I've been making rugs since I was a child. I can't remember the first thing I ever made. Sewing and crafting was always something we did together. My Mother and Grandmother taught me, as did their mothers and grandmothers before them. My Grandmother, who I was very close to, taught me about my Native American heritage. We are descended from the Choctaw nation, although undocumented. She shared with me the trials of and hardships of assimilation experienced by the generations before. This history is important to me, and I use Native American symbols in my quilt patterns. The fall of the buffalo and other fur bearing animals along with the relocation of the native population, quilts took the place of fur robes in tribal ceremonies. I try to bring that history to life in my quilting projects.

*Are there other places on the net we can find you?
On twitter I am _georgia_anne.
Facebook is Folk Art by Georgia.
I am on flickr and in the Brooklyn Art Project as georgia anne jackson.
I also have a blog at georgiaannejackson.com

And lastly, I accept donations from friends/ family and several of the businesses here in Nashville, AR. But, some business just don't get it, and throw away materials that can easily be refashioned, reclaimed, and definitely reused - so from time to time - I dumpster dive.

My Favorite Ice Cream Place!

We have a wonderful ice cream place that is open from March-Oct every year. Every baseball team goes there after a game, Grandparents bring the grandchildren, boys bring the girlfriend etc. They have the most amazing flavors of ice cream and wonderful treats.

Usually when we go Brad & I will each have a flurry. It's like a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Yummy!! This time I had a Cookies & Cream flurry, but sometimes I'll have a Skor flurry. Brad almost always gets the Clod Hopper one.

While I was eating my flurry I was thinking about what would make a really good one. I'm thinking that it should have chocolate ice cream, chunks of brownie and cherries! What do you think? What's your favorite ice cream treat?

WW - Happiness is . . .

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week:

When I'd finished, she held up a key. "I found this too. What does it open?"

I couldn't be certain, but I was pretty sure I knew which key that was.

I went for my Coke and used the time it took me to drink it to stall and collect my thoughts.

"Well?" Tessa demanded. "I'm waiting."

Page 159, "The Knight" by Steven James

This is a Christian Fiction, however still a thriller/mystery book. It's the 3rd in a series about Patrick Bowers an older FBI Agent who is raising his step daughter after her mother passed away. I read the first two in the series a few years ago and saw this in the library the other day and had to pick it up. It's a really great series.

The first two are The Pawn and The Rook. It looks like a 4th book in the series is coming out in August! It's called The Bishop. He must like chess :)

MMM + Blog of the Week!

1) In January I did a review/give away on my other blog for Steward Bags. They sent me a bunch of their Reusable Produce Bags which I shared with friends :) We all LOVE them!! About a month ago they emailed again and asked me to do another review/give away for their newest bag. They sent me two of their European Market Bags, one for me and one to give away. Well - I'm giving both of them away and purchased 2 for myself! They are amazing!!!! Go HERE to enter! It's open Worldwide!

2) This weeks feature blog is:
I'm an Organizing Junkie!! I do believe I found this blog on a Monday, where she posts a menu plan for the week - always need help with that! She has great posts on organizing your house/life - all things I need help with :) "Organization" was my word for 2010! One post I found really interesting was Clothes Purging. I think we probably all have a terrible time "letting go" of some of our clothes. Great tips and ideas here.

3) My little apple trees are finally blooming!! By the looks of the flowers we should have a bumper crop :) Apple pie here we come!

4) I got to know Cara about 1.5 years ago, and have been buying her soaps, lotions etc. ever since. Her shop is Bovine Bubbles & Hogwash on Etsy. For my birthday she sent me this amazing Bath and Shower Dough in Grapefruit/Vanilla Scent. This is my first time using a "dough" in the shower :) It's almost like a sugar scrub, but nicer. The sugar scrubs I've used are either a little oily or make you feel like there is a thick lotion left on your skin. This washes off clean and is actually helping with my dry elbows. Plus - I smell great! I noticed she has the shower dough in a Lemon Poppyseed Pound Cake scent - you know I LOVE lemon!!



HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL WEEK!

Andy Rooney on Women over 40

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, this is what Andy Rooney thinks about women over 40:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all.
Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night
and ask, 'What are you thinking?'
She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game,
she doesn't sit around whining about it.
She does something she wants to do,
and it's usually more interesting.

Women over 40 are dignified.
They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera
or in the middle of an expensive restaurant.
Of course, if you deserve it,
they won't hesitate to shoot you
if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved.
They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

Women get psychic as they age.
You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two,
a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest.
They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk or
if you are acting like one.
You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons.
Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal.
For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40,
there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants
making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress.
Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say,
'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?',
here's an update for you.
Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.
Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying
an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Andy Rooney is a really smart guy!

Saturday Swapping!

In February Heather from the Notes from Lapland blog started a Secret Post Club. At the beginning of every month we get a new swap partner and have great fun picking out items just for them and sending the package in the mail. Hopefully they get it by the end of the month!

This month I got my package from Keri at The Hidden Domestic! What a wonderful name for a blog!! Keri took the time to look at my blog and see what types of books I like to read and sent my this one by Steve Perry! I've been eying his books at the library, but haven't picked on up yet. Now I have no excuse not to read one! She also included a wonderful card, bookmark and some very pretty rub-on transfers! THANK-YOU KERI!!

I had also joined a Postcard swap. Received my first postcard this week, from Australia! This was a family themed swap, and my card and the cute little booklet about Australia were made by Mackenzi and Connor!

There should be 4 more postcards coming and they could be from anywhere in the world. I sent two to the US, one to England, one to Australia, and can't remember the other one. If anyone would like to swap postcards - just let me know!! It's been quite a bit of fun :)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

Friday Feature - Beautiful Mosaics

I would love to learn how to do this one day! Reclaimed Designs Mosaics & More has some of the most beautiful mosaics & wonderful designs!

I live in Rhinebeck, NY, which is 100 miles north of NYC, and on the banks of the Hudson River.

Reclaimed Designs is all about using vintage and junk finds to redesign into something new, all featuring a mosic design.

I started my business to do something with all of the mosaics that I was creating. I have always been a collector of rusty, bent, cracked, distressed items, and I love shopping at flea markets and garage sales searching for objects to recycle into useful and decorative mosaics.

I love delicate china designs, and bold colors. I have to control myself from collecting so many pieces of vintage silverware,china, hooks and skeleton keys. I am most inspired by nature. My designs are never planned,they happen as I make them.

I have enjoyed making every mosaic in my shop and those that are not posted yet. I have to be satisfied with what I make, otherwise I won't put it in my shop.