Doxie Design's Doxie Archives

This really SHOULD be Monday!

2008-08-19T17:15:00.001-05:00

Meet Yani, our new LGD. LGD stands for Livestock Guard Dog. She is kinda pretty, large, and really friendly. Least she has been to us so far. LOL Probably going to eat us out of house and home, but if we can get her trained the way WE want her, it will be worth it. We got her this last weekend, down in Kansas, she was the first dog to ride in our car, since we got it...our Doxie's are so jealous! *giggle*

Hopefully she will prevent anymore mountain lion/coyote/large stray dog's getting anymore goats. Still not sure what got the other one, just think its odd to have heard a mountain lion had been spotted in the area, the day we found out a goat was killed. We kinda want a 2nd one, as it seems two would have a better chance against something to big, and it would give her company, besides the goats, but we will see how it goes with her first I guess...unless we just happen to come across another free one close! :)

The goats just don't know what to do with her. They didn't want to be around her at all at first, and spent the first two days snorting and stomping their feet in anger at having a large dog in the same fenced in area as they were. They were NOT happy campers! They have gotten better already though, they aren't friends yet, but they will get to within 10 feet, and closer if food is involved. The photo below, is them, that first day, when I went out with Yani to meet them. They wouldn't come up to me for anything, cause I had this large furry thing following me around. LOL They even spent the night in the corner of the pasture, instead of over by their shed, because they would have had to go by Yani....and there wasn't enough room between her and the creek (even though there was probably a hundred feet or so) to get around her, and over to the shed. I wonder what they would have done, had it started raining!! *snicker*

Anyway, as I said in the title, today should be Monday! For two reasons. It seems like I've done nothing but chase goats today, as they seemed to want to get out, and eat apples all day. This morning bright and early, I was sitting here in my office, checking e-mail, and heard Yani start barking. So I informed DH, who was actually dressed, and he went and checked (as I couldn't see anything from the house) and he found the goats were out on the driveway. I got dressed real quick, and went out to help get them in. It wasn't to hard the first time, they wanted the grain that DH had. Then he went walking around, to try to find where they got out, and silly goats that they are...they "showed" him, by getting out again!

It was a little more difficult to get them in this time, till finally DH caught our little "queen of the barn" and drug her to the gate...the other three that were out, followed her and we got them in. The Queen is about to be booted, if this keeps up!! (She is the one in this old photo laying down.) This afternoon, while DH was up at the neighbors, she got out again, this time at least she didn't bring her friends with her, but I told DH, she is LUCKY this isn't Monday, cause if it was, he might have to throw her in the back of the truck, and take her to the sale barn!! So First of all, it should be Monday, with the day I've had, and 2nd it should be, so we could get rid of her, before I get to where I don't want to again. *giggle* She is one of the first babies that was born on OUR farm, so I really hate to get rid of her...and we don't have all that many goats, so hate to get rid of any of them too. LOL However I'm almost mad enough at her today, to want to...so she better watch it, her days could be numbered!!

Wow, all that, to tell one little story about how my day is going...*giggle*.

This afternoon...wanted to this morning, but ran out of time...I made some apple sauce!! Not enough, so will be working on more tomorrow, and probably the next day, but I got a start anyway. I'm not sure how much I need, to fill up the jars I want to fill, with apple butter, but I'm kinda thinking I need at least two crock pot fulls, so it will take me several more days to get all the apple butter done. I should have done two pot of apples today, but didn't have time to...cause then I would have the crock pot full, and started. I need two big pots of apples to make one batch of apple butter, so I'm half way. If all goes well, tomorrow I'll have the first batch cooking. I used the food mill my Mom bought me today, to process the apples into apple sauce, and it was SOOOOO much nicer than what I did two years ago, and WAY faster!! I'm so happy I have it, Thanks again Mom!!! :)

The photo I took doesn't really make the apple sauce look real good, but I'm sure it is....I haven't tasted it, cause it was hot, and didn't appeal to me. LOL I just loved using my new toy though, and had to show you all that I did.

As you can see, I'm not getting any scrappin done, so had to share some photos instead. Maybe by the middle of Sept I can get back to doing a couple a week anyway...if not, then hopefully by October. We will see how things go. I hope all of you are having a good week. I'm hoping mine gets better! LOL DH has fixed part of the fence, so maybe it will slow them down. They discovered they could stand on the woven wire and push it down, and then sneak out between it and the barbed wire....so he has been putting wire between all of them today...but it could take him a little while to totally finish it. Maybe since its fixed close to the apple tree, they won't try somewhere else, before he has a chance to do it all. Since they want the windfalls, they spend time figuring out how to get out to them, even though DH gives them a bunch every day. Darn goats anyway.

Well gotta go get supper now, so better get off here. Have a great week!

My New Car

2008-08-14T20:35:00.004-05:00

I'm really going to have to stop trying to take photo's of vehicles in the evening, they just don't turn out as well as they should. LOL Hopefully they are good enough to show you what I'm talking about though. I was to busy to do it earlier today.

This is my new car!! (new to me) I guess that means I have to stop teasing DH about his truck being mine. *giggle* Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. As you can see....maybe....the car is already dirty, that's what happens when you live on a gravel road. You just can't keep things clean. Least its still pretty, and not to dirty inside...if I can just make sure DH doesn't get it that way, by driving it with yucky shoes! That's one of the joys of living on the farm, I guess. Easy to find mud, or muck, to track around, where I don't want it. LOL

With my wonderful DH's help, I managed to get enough apples in the freezer for 10 pies. I'm so thankful he helped, since I haven't been able to do any before now, and have a ton of things to do, the apples are seeming a little overwhelming right now. Unfortunately, he does have other things he needs to do, so I can't count on his help all that much. I may have to revise my thoughts on how much I want done of canned apples, and apple butter, if I ever plan on getting any of my other projects finished up too. I just don't know how long the apples will last, and hate to waste to many of them, by doing a little bit each day, but can't do them ALL day EVERY day either.

I was rushing trying to keep up with DH today though, he would run them through the peeler, and I had trouble keeping up with cutting them up, and putting the stuff on them for pies, getting them into bags and into the freezer. It made it so much faster having him do that part of it. I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten 10 bags into the freezer today, had he not helped. Thanks Dear!! 10 more bags, and I'll start canning and doing apple butter, for a while, because 20 bags will work unless I have time and enough apples to do more later...course I want to make sure we save some freezer space for some deer, in case we get some more this year! :)

Anyway, just had to stop and show off my new car! Gotta get off here and do some other things, I do hope you have a great weekend, I doubt I'll be posting anymore till next week, so hopefully I can get a bunch done! LOL

Take Care!

Saying good bye...

2008-08-13T22:00:00.002-05:00

...to old faithful. Least we maybe saying goodbye to what has been one of the best trucks we ever had. It just isn't 4X4, which we really need in the winter...or at least front wheel drive. It does have REALLY high miles too, and doesn't get as good of gas miliage as the car should. But its always been so comfy to ride in, (more than anything we have gotten since, including the red truck) and is what we used for the most part, when we didn't use our Expidition, in the winter when it was bad...when we worked on windows and doors. So it really is time to retire it, with its almost 350000 miles, but in a way, its a little sad to see it go. There are a lot of memories in that truck, from all the different places we traveled around the midwest. I'm really happy we aren't still doing that, but I do love the memories of all the experiences we had. That truck pretty much made it possible to buy our farm, which we both love, cause it helped us make enough money, so we had enough for a downpayment. Yep, it is a little sad to see it go.

Today we went to Lincoln to look at a car the Ford dealer in town told us about. Its a little more than I wanted to spend, for an 8 year old car, although at least the miles are below 100000. Thankfully we do have enough money for it, just hoped to get a little newer car for the price. Yes I know, I'm just ridiculously cheap! *giggle*

We may be getting it tomorrow, we drove it down here for him, so he didn't have to go get it, since we were there, and tomorrow go in to talk to him and probably sign papers. It will be nice to have something that gets better gas mileage, that is for sure. I do wish it was EXACTLY what I wanted of course, but then I'm rather picky. LOL Its really close, AND its red...or a red, and I have always loved red cars for some reason. There are a couple options it doesn't have, that I really wanted, although one I really had given up on, so basically one thing, and that we can add ourselves eventually...I'm hoping.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll have to post a photo if it actually does become ours tomorrow. If it doesn't, then guess we are still going to be looking for one. Its been almost a year, since we told the dealer we were interested in finding one...so hopefully we can stop bugging him. LOL

Our Funny Doxie's

I have said for years, that I think our doxie's know English, and totally understand what we say. It was that way, with the last pair we had, and is once again that way with this set...Autumn & Rascal. Yesterday, I was saying to DH "tonight its your turn to hand out the goodies" because he hadn't for a few days, and they kept coming to me, for the ones I give them.

Somehow we each have picked out a different kind, that we give them, mine I keep in my desk drawer, and DH's is either in the pantry, or in his office. I used to have a mint kind I would give them, but couldn't find them one day, when I went shopping, so tried a different kind, and Autumn who LOVES mint, loves these even better I think, or at least as well as the others, and Rascal, REALLY loves these new ones lots better. He tolerated the others, but is happy I switched. Since they seem to like them so well, I haven't bought the mint ones for a while now.

Anyway, since DH hadn't handed his out for a while, I figured it was high time he did it for a change, so I didn't end up running out before the end of the month. Autumn must have heard me (and remembered) because our evening ritual is to eat supper while we watch one or two episodes of Star Gate, or Star Trek...we are watching Star Trek now...and then once that's over, we read a couple pages in the Bible, before we get up, and do whatever else we are going to do that evening. The dogs know this, and don't usually stir when we move to grab the Bibles, till we put them down. Last night, Autumn jumped down off my lap, when I moved to get the bibles, and wondered into the dinning room, then back a couple of times, while we were reading.

She was in the other room, when we got finished, and came racing back in when she heard we were done and the way she came racing in, we knew exactly what was on her mind. Sometimes she sneezes when she wants something, then will start barking, last night, she went straight for the barking. Rascal joined in some, although not as much as usual, because Autumn was doing way more than her usual. Naturally they got what their funny little hearts desired, but they had to entertain us a little bit first. It was so funny watching them work us, letting us know exactly what they wanted.

I think that long wait, for the afternoon to end, once I told DH it was his turn, must have been almost to much for our little girl to handle, with how impatient she was, for us to get done reading, and get up and give them some goodies. Its not like they get them everyday, not even between the two of us, but she just HAD to have heard me, and knew what I said, to be that sure they were going to get some. And usually they don't hit me up for some till I'm in my office, so they knew which ones they were getting too. They are just the best little entertainers!! Either that, or I'm easily entertained, I don't know which, and don't care, cause I love how they make me laugh! :)

P.S. They have been known to get one from each of us, in one day...when I don't know DH has given them his...so along with them being great entertainers, they can also be little con artists!! *snicker*

PPS - That was the 2nd time they made me laugh yesterday, the first time was at lunch, I gave them each a corner of a slice of bread, and Rascal did his usual "I don't really want it, but I don't want her to have it" thing. He would pick it up, nibble it a little then spit it out and if she even looked at him, he would grab it again. He finally spit it out closer to her, and wasn't quick enough to grab it before she got it from him. It was so funny, she was looking at us and must have seen it out of the corner of her eye, cause she actually spun her wheels turning, and leaping on it, to snag it. She was fast, and I was laughing so hard. Ahhh the joy's of being owned by a Dachshund!

Well its getting late, and I have a few things to do, before I go to bed, so I better get going. I hope you all are having a good week! Its not really going as planned here, but then, what else is new. LOL

Been awhile

2008-08-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, its been a while, a long while for me...since I usually post several times a week. I guess I took a week off from scrappin. LOL I did finally make myself sit down and do a layout today, before I get some other things done this afternoon. We will see if I do anymore this week, because DH told me that the apples although still a little on the green side, are tasting pretty good, so I need to get some in the freezer, and canned, before they all fall off the tree, and get bad. There are a bunch under it now...and the goats and chickens have been enjoying the windfalls for awhile now.

This layout is to match one I did a while back, with all my niece's school photos on it, up to her senior photo's that is. This page will go beside the other one in her book. These are some of her Senior photo's, I just love most of the ones they took of her, and had trouble figuring out which ones to put on here...wish I could have copies of all of them, but I know that would be WAY to expensive. Least I can enjoy the slide show she gave me, from time to time.

Kit Credits: Craft Scrapbooking Kit, Baby Girl Heart Strings Kit and Snow flakes kit ALL by Blushbutter.

One reason I didn't do much the first part of last week, was because I went to visit my parents for several days. I hadn't been able to get over there at all this year, so finally just went, besides my Dad gave us another billy, since we were down to just the milk billy, which we didn't want breeding our boar goats. Well he planned on giving us one anyway, but we HAD to have him now. LOL DH wanted the billy this month, so we just took off and went over there. It was a good visit, I had a good time and got more pictures to put me behind in scrappin this years photos. LOL I guess that's going to be the story of my life, but that's ok, when I get around to it, I'll have fun scrappin them!

My beautiful niece come over for a few hours one day too, to see us, which was great. Even though I had just seen her a week or two before that, I never get tired of her wonderful hugs. She has been trying to talk to me on msn the last week or so, and keeps missing me...sorry Kali, I've been way to busy. LOL

We made some cheese over there, so they could try it, and I also was able to stop at the Amish and get a larger stainless steel stock pot (its a nice one too, with a clad bottom and full metal lid!!) so now we can make some hard cheese, once we get enough milk built up!! DH has been looking forward to trying some of that. I'm happy with our Mozzarella although am wondering how the other will turn out, so I guess we will have to try it. I'm going to have to get some more cheese making stuff soon though, as we are out of one of the things we use, and getting low on some others.

Mom got me the food strainer I've been wanting too (from the Amish), which will make it easier to process the apples for apple butter. Its also good for making tomato sauce, if we ever have enough tomatoes to worry with doing that. We love eating fresh tomato's and drying them if we have extra, so we would have to have them coming out our ears before I'd make sauce, I think. *giggle* However its nice to have this, for if and when we have bunches!! Mostly for now, I wanted it for our apples.

Once we got home, I was busy trying to catch up, and getting some other things done, so I didn't get back to scrappin. Sunday we went to a tractor show, which was kinda fun, although more for DH than I, but I enjoyed being with him, and seeing the different things, till I got enough of the sun, while I was watching the parade. After that, it was a little much. LOL I should have gone back to the truck for a little while, then went back to finish looking around, next time maybe I'll know better. Course next time I'll know better, and try to get a good seat in the shade, on the bleachers! They were full by the time I figured out I better try for one.

All in all I've had a good week off, even though I was busy doing other things once we came home last week, and didn't get to just play (not that I've had a chance to just play for a while now, would be nice to play with my new program...maybe one of these days). I hope all of you had a great week last week (and are this week), and got a bunch done. I'm off to rearrange the freezer, so its ready for apples...I did the pantry yesterday and got a whole shelf cleared off, well half a shelf, cause the shelves turn a corner and I got it cleared, up to the corner. Just have to corner DH to help me get some things into the attic now that was in the pantry. LOL

Have a good day!

Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo Group Layout Challenge

2008-08-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

Journaling will be at the end of the post. This is my layout for this months Blush ~n~ Dusty Challenge. The challenge is to do a layout of your favorite vacation spot. This was always mine, when I was growing up. It still would be, if my Grandparents still owned the cabin. I do miss going up there sometimes, even though its been years since I've been there. There is a lot of family history up in that neck of the woods, because my ancestors were the first permanent white settlers in the area, so between the family stories, and my own memories it is a special place for me.

My Uncle Orison took several sunset photos (regular readers will know how much I LOVE sunsets. LOL) and this is one of my favorite for some reason. I think I love the soft pinks and blues and the dock in there with the clump of grass too. Then of course the cabin which I actually helped build, and was probably the last roof I was on...since I was so scared trying to get off of it, I refused to get on another one. LOL The cabin was on the edge of the trees, with the lake in front of it, and I always thought it was so beautiful there. I loved the trees all around it, and the long driveway winding down through them. But the first thing I always had to do, when I got there was go down to the lake, gaze out over the water, and enjoy that feeling of belonging, which I always had there for some reason...maybe it was because of all those generations that came before me, who lived in the area all those years before.

Kit Credit: Antique Beauty by Lara Payton & cream doily from August Challenge kit by Blushbutter

Anyway, before I get to sad, cause I miss it, I'll move on! LOL I hope some of you will join me in our trip this month, so maybe I can pretend I'm going on vacation and seeing new sites! *giggle* So come join us at Blush ~n~ Dusty and show us YOUR favorite place to vacation!!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Take Care, and thanks so much for your comments, they do make my day!

Journaling for layout:

Battle Lake Minnesota, is the one place I always
wanted to be, in the summer when I was growing up.
Even now, I long to visit, even though the cabin isn't
ours anymore. I loved the sounds of the loons, hearing
the boats on the water, listening to the water lap against
the dock, while I sunned myself, and smelling the lake
smells, as the breeze blew across the water. I loved the
peacefulness, the family history, and the beauty that was
all around us. I loved playing Othello with Uncle
Orison in the quiet of the evening, talking with Grandpa
and helping Grandma make chokecherry jelly. That
little cabin, by the lake, was always my favorite vacation spot.

Digi Shop Hop

2008-08-01T10:25:00.001-05:00

Its the first of the month again, can you believe how fast this year is going? I can't. LOL I know I usually share the next challenge on Blush ~n~ Dusty the 1st of the month, however that's going to be a day or two late this month...I'll post it, once I get it ready!

This month there is another Digi Shop Hop going on (tonight there is a chat at Hummies world too!!) and you can go around to 12 different designers and collect a huge mega kit, they used school spirit as a theme, and each part of the mega kit is just $2.00. Visit the Digi Shop Hop home page, and click on each shop to see their part, I just LOVE that home page, its got to be the coolest home page I've seen.

With not having kids, I had to do a little searching for pictures, but found these of Kali that I didn't think I would have room for...when I was just doing 100 pages in her book, but now that I can do more (if I have time to), I decided to use them so I could scrap with Lara's part of this kit. I did a two pager the first is actually using a 2nd kit Lara made with the theme and colors, the 2nd layout is the shop hop kit. The photos show Kali's school activities in 2006, she always seems to be busy, during the school year.

Kit Credit for the 1st layout: School Spirit Companion kit & Doodley Daters by Lara Payton

Kit Credit for the 2nd layout: School Spirit mini kit by Lara Payton

I haven't managed to scrap with Blushbutters part yet, have to hunt up some photos to use before I can, but you can go see it here! I haven't gone around and looked at all the rest yet, but hope to find time to do that soon.

I hope you all have a great weekend, if I get everything together for the new challenge, I'll post it this weekend, otherwise I'll be back next week with the details!

Short post for a change

2008-07-31T11:22:00.003-05:00

Ok, after the simple peaceful layout I did yesterday this seems really busy, but I wanted to use several photos and of course these wonderful clusters soooo this is what I ended up with. Again, these are more photos of my niece and her boyfriend on her birthday. This page will go beside the other in my 2008 book.

Kit Credit: Enjoy life kit and cluster pack by GiselaB Designs

Nothing to ramble about so far today, and lots to do, so I'm going to make this a short post! LOL Thanks so much for your comments, here and through e-mails, I appreciate them!

Summer

2008-07-30T16:45:00.000-05:00

Doesn't this photo just scream Summer? A lazy summer afternoon spent fishing beside the cool water of a Missouri pond. Yep, that says summer to me, not that I've ever been a big fan of fishing, but used to love to go out on the boat with my Uncle Orison on the lake in Minnesota. Loved our times together, once in a while he could convince me to fish, but I preferred just lounging, enjoying the peaceful lake and chatting now and then. Its easier to soak up the peacefulness if you weren't busy trying to catch those pesky fish. LOL

Anyway, this photo is my niece on her birthday, with her boyfriend. On her way home from our house, her & her Mom, stopped so she could spend a few hours with her boyfriend, on her birthday. They ended up going fishing, I didn't think to ask if they caught anything, but I do know she had a great time! :) I love this photo, because its so pretty there by that pond, and as an added plus, my niece is in the photo! *giggle* Thanks for sending me these photos Kali, I'll try to do another layout with some of the others you sent soon!

Kit Credit: Enjoy Life by GiselaB Designs

I can't believe this is Wed. already, plus today is almost gone. Where has the time gone, I can't seem to get many layouts done lately, and its not looking good for at least another month or so....apple season is coming quickly, and I'm not ready yet! LOL I still want to rearrange my pantry, get some more things out of it, so I have some more shelf space for some more jars. I'm wanting to can some apples and apple butter, but have no spot for the full jars...so one of these days I have to find time to do that, between all my other projects.

Yesterday was our shopping day for next month...we went a few days early, cause the new SG1 movie came out yesterday, and we just HAD to get it! *giggle* We watched it last night, and of course enjoyed it. I think I kinda liked the first one better in a way, but this one was good too. I sure hope they make more!!!!! :)

Last night, after we came home, Galen noticed one of our baby boar goats was missing, this morning, our new neighbor told him he found it (or what was left with it) over on his land. The first thought Galen had was coyotes, however the neighbor said it wasn't all torn apart, like they would probably do. Then another neighbor asked if we had lost any goats, and when Galen said we had, he said a mountain lion has been spotted around here. OMGoodness!! This is Nebraska! Eastern Nebraska! We are NOT suppose to have trouble with mountain lions!!! LOL Ok, I know some have been spotted around the state, but darn, I was hoping they would stay away from our poor little goats...or anything else we don't want them getting.

DH has talked about getting a llama for protection, of the goats...a donkey would work, but to me, llama's are neater. LOL We may have to be a little more serious about looking for one, much as I hate to. Course who knows if even they could keep the goats safe from mountain lions! I'll have to have DH do a little research, and see which would be more likely to win, (llama, or donkey) should one come around.

Anyway, I've got things to do, so better get off here. I hope everyone is enjoying their week. One of these days, I'll get back to scrappin more! I haven't even done much on the other project I mentioned the other day. LOL One of these days....hopefully.

Take Care.

Cheese Day

2008-07-25T11:10:00.000-05:00

I finally used my newest kit again, and did another page to go beside the last one I did with my kit in Kali's book. This is my Grandma with Kali when she was a baby. I just LOVE these photos, cause Grandma looks so happy to be holding her great-granddaughter.

Kit Credit: Yesterday's Dreams by Doxie Designs

Today is cheese making day here, we haven't made it for a week or two, so really need to get some made, and some jars out of the freezer. LOL So that's what I'm planning for this afternoon, but boy will it be good to have some more fresh cheese!! I think DH is going to try milking twice a day now, that the kids are separated from their Mom's, so we may be having more milk and of course that means cheese! :)

I do want to get a cream separator though, so we can make a few other things more often, like Alfredo sauce (with store bought cows milk or cream, not agreeing with me, we don't make it often)....DH makes THE BEST Alfredo sauce, I used to love to go to Olive Garden on my birthday, cause I love chicken Alfredo, however since DH made me some one day as a surprise, I don't go very often, cause I like his better!! :) I'm so lucky, that once in a while DH will actually cook for me, and when he does, he is WAY better at it than I am.

Anyway, I better get going, I have some things to do, before we start making the cheese, so better get at it! I do hope you all have a great weekend, and thanks so much for your comments!! :)

Our Animals

2008-07-24T10:00:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Lara (of Dusty Bear), she had a baby boy late Tuesday night!! I'm so happy for her. :)

These photos were some that were taken with my DH's new camera...not real happy with it, cause I don't think it takes real good CLEAR photos...they are of my niece and her mom relaxing Sat. evening while they were here.

Kit Credit: My Earthly Treasures by Idgie

We have some silly animals around here, yesterday our goats got a hold of DH's hat, and had fun with it, before he got it away from them...its not all there either. *giggle* Its not that old of a hat, but with it being straw...(DH doesn't like wearing hats, but the doc said he should have one with a wide brim on it, so this is what we came up with...and straw for summer, since its cooler) the goats have wanted to taste it, ever since he got it...now they have. If you want to see a picture of it NOW, DH put one on his blog, now he gets to really look like a hillbilly, when he wears it, cause it looks really tattered, with a chunk missing! Wonder if I can get a picture with him actually wearing it! I think he should go walking around town with it on, and see how many people laugh at him! *giggle* (ok, maybe NOT!!)

Between the goats and our doxie's, we usually can be entertained around here. One of our Doxie's loves fruit, apple season is her favorite season, cause she gets some apple as I cut them up for the freezer, or to be canned. She also loves vegetables, although not as much as fruit. Whenever I make salad, she sits down at my feet, trying to prod me to give her some as I'm cutting everything up, if I don't, she will start sitting up, begging, and when that doesn't work, she will yip. Even if I gave her some as soon as she was finished with the last piece, I doubt she would think I was giving her enough. LOL Our other Doxie isn't really that fond of vegetables, or fruit for that mater. He is a meat lover, but will eat the other stuff. Sometimes though, you KNOW he just doesn't really want it, cause he will sit there watching Autumn eat hers, and then when she gets done, and heads towards his, he will snag it and start slowly chewing on it. Its so funny to watch, last night, he did that with a cucumber skin, and tormented Autumn (even though she had just had several to his one) while he slowly ate it. They do crack me up!! *giggle*

This morning, DH put the two milk goat babies in with the other goats...he has had them and their Moms seprated, so he can milk the mom's in the barn, and with the goats in this new pasture, they can't get to the barn. He wanted to get the babies weened, they are plenty old enough to be, plus if we go to my parents, we plan on taking the milkers, so we can milk them, and so we want the kids used to being without them, before we go anywhere. Its so sad hearing them cry for their mothers though, and watching them want to be back with them. I hope they get used to being seprated soon, the poor things. :(

Well I got a bunch of things I am wanting to do today, so better get at it! Have a great day!!

A short day

2008-07-23T15:15:00.002-05:00

Even though I wasn't lucky enough to receive one of the biggest blessings I feel you can receive in life, I've always considered myself truly blessed. I married my biggest blessing, but I've always considered the 2nd biggest blessing to be my niece. I love being an Aunt, I really enjoy seeing all of our nieces and nephews, whenever we are able too, which isn't often, but Kali has always been extra special. Maybe its because I heard her crying as I walked into the small town hospital, the morning she was born, or because I was able to spend quite a bit of time with her, when she was little, or maybe its because she is the only living niece on my side of the family. Whatever the reason, Kali has always been extra special to me, and I've always loved seeing her, the few times a year, I've been able to. I have so many blessings in my life, and I praise God for that!

I managed to scrap a page of the photo's I took of Kali when she visited us this last weekend. While trying to think of a title (which is the hardest part for me, alot of the time! *giggle*) I got to thinking about what a blessing she has been, so went with Our Beautiful Blessing for a title.

Kit Credit: My Earthy Treasures & a flower from Make it like a memory Both by Idgie

Today is just way to short, so I didn't manage two layouts, I think some of my late, late nights have caught up with me, cause I slept late this morning (even after going to bed early), later than I have for quite a while...I used to all the time, but the last few years its not been unusual to find me up early, even before 7 sometimes...which I would never have done willingly a few years ago. *giggle* Course having slept late, that means I don't have as much time as I need, to do things, so that's not good. Guess I need to try to get to bed before 1 AM more often. LOL I just don't do well on little or no sleep. Thankfully my wonderful DH let me sleep! :)

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" Proverbs 18:21

These two scriptures were quoted (along with others) by Hummie on her blog today, where she was talking about smack blogs, and how some scrappers love them. I have to admit, I've seen some of them, cause I wanted to go see what someone was talking about, but I don't like to see someone bashing someone else all the time, so I don't make a habit of it. Once in a while, I just have to check out a post, and then I wonder how people can be that way ALL the time. I know we all have trouble with it from time to time, but making a habit of it, kinda makes you wonder why those other people can't get their own lives, and stop worrying about what others do, or don't do, or what mistakes others make. Do they consider themselves so perfect, that they feel they have the right to point out every little mistake others make?

Forgiveness is something I struggle with, its always been a hard thing for me, so that first scripture spoke to me alot, and is one I need to remember more often than I do. I don't dwell on all the nasty things people do, but I find it hard to forgive them too. I've always have been that way. Its especially hard, if what I have to forgive, affected someone I love, not just myself. Death & Life is indeed held in the power of the tongue...death because stress can eventually kill..or the needless death of someones reputation, which is frowned on in the bible also.

I think the scriptures Hummie posted are all excellent, and great for life, or for what she was talking about, the online blogs that like to rip designers apart. I myself don't see the point in trying to destroy other designers, which is what it all comes down to, when you blast them on a blog that everyone sees. It wouldn't be worth it to me, to succeed at selling my product, at the expense of someone else. I don't consider the things I play around making as the best out there, but I have fun with it, and it does sometimes give me a little extra to cover some of the things I want to buy, which is great, since we have limited funds for "toys" which all my digital scrapbooking things are to me, cause they are so much fun. If God wants me to sell, I will, but I really don't think God would bless me if I went around trying to put down other designers all the time, especially since I know its wrong.

I personally love the blessings he has given me and hope to continue receiving them from time to time, so do my best to deserve them. I admit, I have way more blessings than I deserve, and am most grateful for that!

Well I better get busy, as I mentioned earlier, I have way more to do today than I should have, since I slept late, and haven't gotten enough of them done yet...and its after 3!! Sorry for the side trip I took today, I just read that post from Hummie and it was on my mind, so that's what I ended up rambling about today. LOL

I hope you all are having a great week! My love, is out side playing with water, washing my pretty truck, so I guess I should look a little more busy myself. *giggle*

Blush ~n~ Dusty QP exchange

2008-07-22T15:10:00.000-05:00

I did a couple qp's for the exchange on blush ~n~ Dusty today, this kit is just SO beautiful!! There is still lots of time to join us, if you would like a copy of all the qp's, everyone makes, the exchange with this kit, goes till the 15th of August.

Kit Credit: Unicorn & Fairy Kit by Blushbutter

I've not been scrapping as much lately, I have another project I'm working on, and if I'm in the mood, I do that, instead of trying to catch up on my layouts for Kali's book, or my own. One of these days I'll tell ya about it, but till then, guess I'll just not be around quite as much. LOL Course I really am going to try to get back to doing several layouts a week, AND working on that project, but we will see how it goes. I do want to keep up on working on Kali's book, and it would be nice if I could try to catch up on my own too.

Speaking of Kali, I had a wonderful time with her, when she came to visit. I got a few photos, that I will have to get scrapped, and really enjoyed spending time with her. Her Mom came with her this trip, and it was good to see her again, as we haven't seen a lot of her the past few years, since my brother divorced her. We may not agree with everything she does, or her us, but we both agree to disagree, and move on, and not let that cause a HUGE rift between us, its to bad that can't be the way it is, more often with family members. All in all it was a great weekend and I had a lot of fun talking and laughing with both of them! I just wish it wasn't so long between visits, as the last time Kali was here, was last summer.

I got to see Kali's Sr pictures...on a slide show, and WOW they are just beautiful!! LOL I think I want one of each of them, or at least one of a lot of them!! I saved the slide show to my computer so I can watch it again, but I would sure LOVE to be able to scrap most of them, for this years book, she is so beautiful in them, but oh my, the prices to buy them are outrageous!!

My DH did put a really neat photo on his blog of her, its not one of the Sr pics, but is really neat. Feel free to go see it there! That's another one I haven't managed to scrap for my book (or her's) yet. LOL I wish I could show you the slide show of Sr pics, but don't know if its even possible...I don't know what program it was made in, or anything like that. Just take my word for it, they are beautiful!!

Well I better get busy! I hope you all are having a good week so far, try to stay cool, for those of you in the middle of summer, its way to hot here! LOL

Wonderful News!!

2008-07-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

Before the wonderful news I have to tell you, I'll talk about my layout that I managed to scrap today finally, with my new kit. This is my Mom holding Kali when she was just a couple months old. I've been busy working on other things, getting ready for Kali's visit, and getting my new home page finished so I haven't had a chance to scrap. This will be it for this week, probably, as she comes tomorrow!!!! :)

Kit Credit: Yesterday's Dreams by Doxie Designs

If you have tried to get to my blog, by way of dapperdoxie.com, and it said it wasn't available, that's cause I've taken my domain name and pointed it to another site, for a home page, that has links to the different area's you can find me at. It takes a little while for it to settle down, and decide to work all the time, so just check back later. or use the blogspot address to get to my blog.

Now for the wonderful news part! I'm going to make a short story, long btw! ROFL

Way back at the turn of the century *giggle* we were really hankering for a farm, so we could get back to our roots, and enjoy the country, like we did, when we were both growing up. We didn't want a large farm, we knew it would be to hard to care for it, and we knew that if God gave us custody of some of his beautiful land, we should do our best to take care of it.

We were looking pretty much all over the east half of Nebraska, because at the time we still had our business, and traveled, and knew we could pretty much live anywhere God wanted us to. Finally in 2001 we found out that DH's brother was wanting to sell part of his farm, the farm DH used to live on as a child, so we talked to him about us buying it. We told him we only wanted 30-40 acres but he wanted to get rid of lots more than that, and wouldn't break it up, so we decided to do all of it, and closed on it, in July. We have had the pasture rented out, since then, to help pay our taxes.

The taking care of 100 acres has been the really hard part, at first, we didn't have time to spend here much, with traveling, but then we got the house, just for paying to move it, and our farm life started. We've been happy here for the most part, yet unhappy that we couldn't get the land cleared of the pesky cedar trees that had taken it over before we got it, they just kept spreading on parts of the farm, although DH and the neighbor was able to get some of them cut down.

We finally came to the conclusion that we should try to sell part of it. With the rising cost of living, the payments were hard to deal with, since we didn't have our business anymore (because I couldn't do it myself & DH got so he couldn't always be lifting or climbing ladders) so we put it on the market last year. Strangely I was the one DH had to convince, not the other way around, cause I just LOVE the back part, of what we are selling, its out of the way, with some beautiful cottonwood trees, that I adore. I would have put the house back there, had we been able to afford a drive way to it!! LOL Anyway, he finally convinced me we needed to try to sell it, to get a smaller loan and loan payment, so we could continue buying Gas and food. *giggle*

Our wonderful news is....*drum roll*.... that we just had closing today, for the part we were selling (you had to KNOW I would ramble on, before I told it. *giggle*), a couple from the Omaha area bought it. They seem like they will take good care of it, and enjoy it, so I'm happy about that. It certainly deserves some tender loving care. We kept 35 acres, and have some of those tall beautiful cottonwood trees on ours, so I won't be to sad about loosing some of them. At least now we have the amount of land, that we wanted in the first place, AND in the process learned ONCE AGAIN that God knows best. He knew we would need to sell the extra, to help us get out of debt faster (not that it covered all we owed, however it took a big chunk of it away, so we can refinance and lower our payments, so I'm thankful we listened to God's nudge, and bought all of it, way back there at the turn of the century! :) (*snicker* ok I think I'm finished with the turn of the century comments....for now.)

Needless to say we are having a good day today! Least so far. I hope all of you are having a good day, have a great weekend too, I'm all set to enjoy my beautiful niece. Her birthday is on Sunday, she will be 18, she is excited about that! LOL Thanks for listening to my long ramble, I couldn't help myself....this time I'll blame it on the excitement! *giggle* Oh and if you have been able to see my new homepage let me know what you think of it!! :)

Doxie Designs Yesterday's Dreams kit

2008-07-13T14:50:00.005-05:00

I know I said I might not finish this till August, however I got to thinking about the fact that I have several things going on this next month or two, including a family reunion and my beautiful nieces visit (coming up next weekend!!!!) so I figured I better get it finished, before I have trouble finding time to keep scraping some pages, let alone, finishing a kit.

So here it is, my latest kit, once again using some of my favorite colors. I'm thinking I may have to see how many totally different looks I can get using a variation of my favorite colors! *giggle* What can I say, pinks, purples, and greens, with some blue, yep, can't go wrong with those beautiful colors, I know I need to branch out...but hmmmm I think I do better when I am playing with those colors.

I had fun with this kit, the book was my least favorite thing to make, because I was being lazy and didn't want to spend so much time on one element, however I think it turned out pretty good, and was quite proud of it, once I was finished with it. I got to play with the burn tool again, which is something I really need to work with more, so I get better at using it. Both the closed and open book turned out to be a couple of my favorite things in this kit, even though I do love my lace. I also managed to do all the papers in ps, which is a first for me...I'm slowly learning it, and one of these days, maybe I'll graduate to it totally....we will see. I think the papers turned out pretty too, and you can see a better preview of them, in my store.

Feel free to let me know how you like this kit, and if your getting tired of the colors I have been using. LOL You can go purchase this kit (and/or any of my others) in my store here.

I got a couple more layouts done!!

2008-07-11T14:15:00.000-05:00

I didn't know if I would take time to do anymore layouts today or not, but I really wanted to, so did. Will do some of my other things as soon as I post this, and hope I have time to finish what I need to finish today. LOL I really need to get so I'm in the mood to scrap in the afternoons, instead of mornings, so I can do other things FIRST! LOL

These two layouts are for Kali's book again. I just love these photos. The first one, Kali was tickling my feet, when we were all at my Mom & Dad's house, and the 2nd photo Kali is imitating me...although I didn't know it at the time the photo was taken, so when I saw it, I had to laugh. She is just SOOOO cute in both of these photos!!

Kit Credit: Mystical by Trish H Designs This is the kit I picked, when she rak'd me, for posting a thank you for a template (I think) on her blog. It was full of my favorite colors, so I just had to pick it. LOL I really enjoyed playing with it, thanks so much Trish!!!

Well I better get off here, without a long ramble again today, I got quite a bit done yesterday, that I wanted to do, even some backup dvd's!! However as usual, I have lots more that I need to do today. So have a great weekend!! Thanks for the comments, I really enjoy reading them here, and through e-mails!!

Time

2008-07-10T14:20:00.001-05:00

Time, where does it go? Here it is, Thursday, and I'm just now getting some layouts finished up. My niece left me a comment saying I was getting kinda slow on layouts, which I translated to mean, "Get your tush in gear, Aunt Deb!!!!!" *giggle*

So I used a kit, that had some clusters already made, and made a couple layouts, it could be considered cheating, but since I can't manage really good clusters like this, it lets me get these cool clustered layouts, the only way I can, and also lets me do a couple layouts, and still get some other things done, since I seem to be to busy doing other things to scrap layouts this week...or is it month or two? LOL I was doing so well there for a little while...need to get back to that, but I think it's going to have to wait a little longer. We will see if I manage any more tomorrow or not...next week I doubt I'll be doing much, cause of my niece coming for a visit, and I still need to dust, and will have to mow...and who knows what all will come up, so if you don't see a post next week, you will know I once again ran out of time. LOL

These two layouts are of course, of my niece. The first one is her and her mom and grandparents going to an old family cemetery. Kali is really into genealogy, and loves to go visit this old cemetery. The 2nd layout is her, fishing with her grandpa. I don't know how I'm going to like the light and dark layouts side by side in the book, but I tried to do light behind the first one, and it didn't look near as good to me, and I had to have light behind the 2nd one, so the blended photo would show up...so that's what I ended up with. LOL I'm sure it will be ok, just maybe not quite as good as I would like, for side by side pages.

Kit Credit: Purple Dream kit and layered edges by GiselaB. I SO LOVE her clusters!!!

Well I'm going to leave you all for now, I need to get off here and try to get rid of the headache I woke up with, as well as finish up the laundry I'm in the middle of, and clean the kitchen....hmmm any number of small pesky tasks. I do hope you all have been having a great week!! Thanks so much for the comments!! :)

Playing with a trial version of a program

2008-07-07T14:10:00.001-05:00

I've been working on a new kit this weekend, don't know when I'll be finished with it, it could be a while, maybe even into Aug...at the rate I've been going, since I have several other things I need to do too, but it's been fun. I also was looking at a few tut places online, and came across some info on a new program...well ok, new to me, as I hadn't ever heard of it. Since I found something about it on two different sites, I just HAD to go download the trial and play a little bit with it. I think I'm going to fall in love with it, it has a ton of brushes for making things, along with textures. I may have to download the free version, till I can afford to buy it...although I heard the free version you can't use the textures...but if I can use the brushes I'll be pretty happy.

For the most part, that's all I've gotten around to playing with in the program (the brushes that is), and between that program, and psp, I made the butterfly you see in the picture above. Its not perfect, but I thought it was kinda neat! I put it in the kit I'm working on, and from that picture (which is just cut out from the preview of what I have finished so far) you can tell what colors I'm using in my new one....getting tired of purples? LOL As you can see, I"m not. *giggle*

The name of the program is Twisted Brush Pro Studio, I have no idea how long its been around, but it looks like a lot of fun, and I'm not going to have near enough time to play with it in the next little while, with everything going on here, but I guess that's the way it goes. However from the little I've played with it so far, I can tell you, I'm going to want it!!! I can't draw to well, but some of the stuff, you don't have to be real good at drawing.

Anyway, I just wanted to show you what I've been up to the past few days. Feel free to let me know what you think of the butterfly, and if you have used the program, let me know what YOU think of it!!

Hopefully I can play some more later, but need to do other things for now. I'm hoping to add some more things to my new kit this afternoon, and then tomorrow get back to working on layouts...between a little cleaning...need to get rugs washed and some dusting done cause next week my niece and her Mom are coming for a few days! (Can't wait to see that precious niece of mine!!!) Course, I may just decide I don't want to clean...that's been known to happen before. But its not really all that much, to wash rugs, and dust a little. All the other dirt, can stay here, for them to see. *giggle*

I hope you all have a great week, and get lots done....unless you just don't WANT to, then I hope you can get a lot of relaxation in! LOL Thanks so much for your comments...and Kali, it just wouldn't be as fun, if I couldn't scrap your photos, even if it does embarrass you! LOL Someday you may actually like the fact that I did...till then....I'll enjoy them, and giggle all afternoon at the comments you leave, like I did last week. *giggle* I love you Kali!! :)

Still no rain!

2008-07-02T15:00:00.002-05:00

I just had to use this photo, but I think Kali may disown me. *giggle* This is Kali when her and her parents came out to one of our 4th of July get togethers we used to have, when we lived in Kansas, when we were first married. Kali was being potty trained at this time, and Uncle Orison managed to catch it on film....so I could scrap her all these years later, and make her want to smack me, by posting it on the net for all to see!! *snicker* She certainly didn't look to happy about having her photo taken, at the time, but I still think she is adorable! :)

These next photo's were taken later that same day, when she was "dancing" with one of our nephews (on DH's side). LOVE these photos too!!

All but one of these photos were already black and white, since my Uncle took a lot of his photos with black and white film, and developed it himself. I just changed the one photo that wasn't, to black & white, to go with the rest of them. LOL

Kit Credit: Unicorn & Fairy kit by Blushbutter. I just LOVE this kit!!!

My Dad is the featured selling on the home page of Etsy today...and maybe for two or three days, I don't really know how long. If anyone is interested in seeing his interview, you can go here, and scroll down a little to see the featured seller section, but you better hurry, before they put up the next featured seller!! Congrats Dad, for being the featured seller!! :)

We still haven't had any rain this week, I'm so surprised!! I thought we were only suppose to have 3 or 4 days of no rain, but its turning out to be more than that, not that I'm complaining, because we have had enough for a little while! LOL It is rather hot outside, and its always possible we will get some later, but the fact that it hasn't since late last week, sure is nice.

Just in case I don't get anymore scrappin done, so I post here again, I hope all of you from the US has a GREAT 4th of July!!! Ok, all of you from other countries, have a great one too, even though its not a holiday for you! *giggle*

Well gotta get going, need to do some other things!! I hope everyone is having a good week, I'm happy to say ours is going great so far!!!!! (Praise God!) :)

Thanks so much for your comments!

Layout Challenge for July on Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo Group

2008-07-01T10:15:00.004-05:00

Its already time for a new Layout Challenge to start on the Blush ~n~ Dusty Yahoo group. Where is the time going, I can't believe how quickly this year seems to be flying by. This month I thought we could do layouts about why we scrap. Everyone has a reason, be it for family, to leave a legacy, or just because its SO fun! So come join us at Blush ~n~ Dusty, and tell us why YOU scrap. A small amount of journaling is required on your layout, as well as the use of Lara's new attached alpha, which you can get for free if you have the coupon code, that can be found in the group! I just Love this alpha, its so neat, and I'm sure you all know I don't use alphas near enough, as I have a hard time thinking of what to do with them. LOL However I do try to some, and this one was a joy to use!

This is my layout for the challenge. I scrap for family, to get my photo's into books/photo albums, and so I actually do something with my photo's, instead of letting them sit around on my computer doing nothing. LOL The biggest reason I started, was because my Uncle taught me to get my photo's into albums, and get the names and dates on them, so at least that much would be known about them. So when I discovered digital scrapbooking, I figured that would be the perfect way for me to accomplish that goal, since I loved working on the computer with my photos'! LOL

Kit Credit: Antique Beauty and Attached Alpha by Lara Payton

Have a great day, and thanks so much for all your comments, here and through e-mails!! :)

Blush ~n~ Dusty QP exchange

2008-06-30T13:14:00.004-05:00

Here is a preview of the qp's I did for the qp exchange on Blush ~n~ Dusty this month...it goes till the 15th of July, so there is still plenty of time for you to join in!

Kit Credit: Antique Beauty by Lara Payton. I just LOVE this kit!

We managed to get our hay done this weekend!! We have been waiting impatiently for the forecast to look good so hopefully it wouldn't rain on our hay, and finally this weekend it happened. Our wonderful neighbor came over Sat, and cut it, and then yesterday afternoon he bailed it and helped us get it in the barn. I really don't have the stamina to buck bales a lot, but I did quite a few, plus moved the truck to the next stack...I'm just thankful we got it finished before more rain came!! We just have to help the neighbor today, get what he cut finished up and into his shed, and then if it has to, it can rain some more. LOL

Its been just beautiful here, not TO hot, we've actually had the air off, and the windows open, enjoying the fresh air. I'm sure that will change before to long. The mornings have been REALLY nice and cool, perfect for getting outside, not that I managed that as much as I should have.

I hope everyone had a great weekend, I better get off here and do something else. Thanks for your wonderful comments!

I managed to do a little more scrappin today!

2008-06-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

I'm amazed I could concentrate, with some things that's happened today, but I did, least enough to finish up these two layouts I started Sunday night! Course they aren't to die for layouts, but I've done worse. *giggle*

I just decided to do one page each for the years 1999 & 2000, since I didn't have a bunch of photos of Kali from then, and yet I wanted to use what I had, and not skip over them. So here is the layout for 1999. The large photo is a outfit I bought Kali, and the other three smaller photo's, is one time I was over to Mom and Dads, and got permission to go see Kali for a couple hours from her Mom. We spent some time playing in her room. I hadn't seen her much that year, so it was really nice to get to.

Here is a general layout for the year 2000, it was the year we lost my Grandpa, the one photo with Kali and Grandma, lower right, was taken at his funeral. The top photo's are of her and my DH playing outside, on a hot day. And then the large cut out one, is her sitting on my parents porch swing with a new dress I got her, on. I always had to get her photo with the new outfits on. LOL

Kit Credit for both of these layouts: Brouhaha by Microferk Designs

Well its hot today, and worse than that, really humid! It probably wouldn't feel quite so bad, if it wasn't so humid, but when I got up, early this morning it was already almost 70, (its been cooler than that in the mornings for the most part, lately) and I went outside, and thought to myself, "Its already way to HOT!" LOL I'm certainly thankful for our central air today, course I may not be quit so thankful when we get our electric bill this next month.

Our EZ milker broke this morning...so I'm back to being the milk maid, till they can get a replacement out to us. They said they had a little bit of trouble with some of their older ones, which went out to stores, to sell, so we just got lucky and got some of the older stock, I guess. At least they are replacing it for us, thankfully!! I guess they had the people who make them for them, redo their plastic formula, so it would be stronger...lets hope it works, because I would sure like it to last WAY longer than two months!! They aren't real cheep, and seem to be going up in price, fast, (they are $30.00 more now, than when we got them two months ago!) so I really don't want to actually have to buy another one to soon. I'm just extremely thankful that they are replacing it for us, cause it works good, and makes it so DH can do the milking without me, and makes it so my hands don't have to hurt like they did some days, when I was milking...well extra, cause once in a while, I still have trouble with them hurting.

I did notice when I was over by the barn, how FULL the apple tree is! Its just covered with little apples, the goats are going to LOVE it when they get ripe and start falling, cause they usually get the windfalls, and probably some of the others too, once I have used as many as I want, for freezing, apple butter...and who knows what else I can come up with. Hmmm speaking of apple butter, I need to try to remember to check at the Amish next time I go, for the food mill I want, and try to save some money for it...like that will prob. happen...Mom....DH wanna try to remind me to do that now and then? LOL I need to really stock up on QT and a few pint jars too, bummer! Between apples, lime pickles (if the neighbor has a few extra cucumbers)and maybe a few deer if we get lucky this fall, I will need more of them.

I got rak'd today, surprised me when an e-mail came in from Trish H Designs, with a coupon that is enough to cover one of her kits. She thanked me for commenting on her blog, too, which must have been how she found me. I got one (or several) of her templates the other day, and left a little thank you. I guess that just goes to show how saying Thank you can pay!! Now I have to try to decide which kit to get! LOL Thanks so much Trish, that was really kind of you! Last year I was Rak'd by Microferk Designs, so its not the first time, but still surprises me. (BTW, for those of you who may read this and wonder what Rak'd means, it means Random Acts of Kindness.)

Well I suppose I better get off here, and get some more done around the house, been doing some in between messing on the computer, it goes better that way, unless I'm hot and heavy into a layout and can't get myself to stop, but I wasn't today. I just added things here and there, doing other things in between, with not being able to keep my mind on it, cause I kept thinking of other things. LOL

Have a great day, and thanks so much for your comments, both here and through e-mails!!

More of Kali's layouts.

2008-06-24T15:45:00.002-05:00

I'm so bad! I really do love the rich red/maroon colors that Blushbutter used in her newest kit, BUT with those bubbles in the kit, especially the big one, with the tail, like its just coming out of the bubble wand, I had to use it with these pictures of Kali, blowing bubbles at her Dads wedding, which also meant I had to change the reds in the kit, to purple. Naturally I also had to do that to the layout that goes beside the wedding one, that was taken about two months later, with her wearing the same lavender dress. So both of these layouts are using Blushbutters newest kit, but with the reds changed to purple. The only reason I still have psp 11 on my computer (since I can't use it, with it freezing up on me to often), is so I can take advantage of their color change tool, so I don't have to change the whole project to the purples, which worked good in this instance, because the paper tears could stay their own color, as well as the swirl on the 2nd page. If there is a way to do that in X, then I haven't figured it out yet (or in ps for that matter). LOL

I like this first layout the best, the 2nd one is nice enough, but its more simple, and I just couldn't think of what else to add to it. Course really, the first one was kinda simple looking too, till I put the bubble overlay on it, then it seemed to fill in some of those empty spots. LOL

Anyway, the photo of Kali blowing bubbles, in the first layout, isn't really that good a photo, its a little on the blurry side, and grainy, but I still had to use it. Its also not from a digital camera, so the quality of the photo wouldn't be as good and clear, as the digital's usually seem to be...but it seems worse then usual. LOL However as soon as I saw the bubbles in this kit, I knew I had to use it for these photos. I was going to use one of the wands too, but since Kali has a little one in her hand already, I thought it would be kinda cool, to have the bubble look like it was coming out from it. I also thought it was neat to put a photo "in" the bubble. Then that bubble overlay, with all the bubbles around the edge, is just beautiful! I did take a few out of the middle, as they were covering some faces, but I just had to use it, so had to. Isn't this kit just wonderful? Course that's not unusual, as all of Blushbutters kits are!!

Kit Credit: Unicorn & Fairy Kit by Blushbutter. Purple backgrounds and flowers on swirl, were recolored.

I hope to play with it more, cause there is lots more I want to use it in, but this will do for today! LOL I do need to go finish up the two layouts I started the other day too, before I totally forget about them. :) Hope you are having a good week, its raining here again, as usual, so no hay can get done...sure hope it gives us several dry days during the week, all in a row soon!!!

Thanks so much for your wonderful comments, they make my day!

Playing with Blushbutter's newest kit.

2008-06-23T13:36:00.003-05:00

Blushbutter put out a new kit, I saw the ad for it, when I got up this morning. I just had to play with it, this morning, because my SIL likes Unicorns, so I found an old photo of her, that I could cut her out of, and did this layout. I figured someday she might want a copy of it...or not, who knows. KT you are welcome to come for a visit now and then, and if you remind me, I'll even print this out for you. Anyway, I had fun doing it, can't wait to have time to play some more with the kit!! Don't know if I'll manage it today, cause I have some things I have to do, but we will see!

Kit Credit: Unicorn and Fairy Kit by Blushbutter

This new kit is so pretty, she has some pretty lace, cool pockets, nice bows, flowers, frames and bubbles in it, naturally the Unicorn, and another one, that has a fairy on its back. I love it, and its going to be so fun, when I can play with it again! LOL I had actually started a layout last night, that I didn't get finished, but when I saw this kit today, I had to play with it, instead of finishing the layout I had started, with a different kit. I'll get back to it, I'm sure. :)

I hope everyone had a good weekend, we did here, actually did almost nothing yesterday, strange, but kinda nice. Should have gotten a few things done, but oh well, guess I can do them now. LOL Have a great week, and thanks so much for your comments!!!

A little play time

2008-06-19T13:54:00.001-05:00

I took some time to play this morning, as I've been missing it. I have often wondered what the fascination with templates are, I like them to help, with ideas, but never got into actually using them, unless they were exceptionally cool, like that one Blushbutter gave away in her Yahoo group a few weeks back. Then a few weeks ago, I read a tutorial on how to use them in ps, and the light clicked on, as to why they would be cool, if I were using ps. So this morning, I got brave and tried a couple layouts with a couple templates I had gotten and I used PS to do them!! I now could get addicted to using them too!! *giggle* I like doing my own thing, but when I'm having trouble thinking of anything new, these would be a great way to do a layout, and have it look good!

I never knew how cool it was, using them in ps, psp isn't as easy to use them with. I learned a few things about ps doing these too, which is a plus, since I would like to know more about that program. I did a couple pages for my nieces book, one page about her loving dogs, and one page about a vacation that she took last year, with one of her Aunts.

Kit Credit: Templates by Misty Cato, and kit is Poppycock by Microferk Designs

I may have to go out looking for some more free templates since I can't afford to buy any right now, because these were way to much fun to play with, and I have to admit, I'm having a little trouble right now, coming up with my own ideas. Could be a little stress related, I don't know, but I would love to get more of Kali's book finished, yet am finding it hard to get ideas for it. Course finding free templates could be tough, especially ones that have several photo spots on them...which I need for a lot of Kali's pages. Granted I'm kinda slow even with using the templates, but maybe if I got used to ps more, I would speed up. I'm sure I'll get back to doing my own thing soon, but least I can have fun playing while I'm waiting to. I have gotten several templates over the years, figuring I'd use them like a sketch, if I needed to. Now I can use them like they are meant to be used, and learn more about ps! Course feel free to leave me a link to places that have some free templates, cause I'd love to find some more, especially if they are for multiple photos!! *giggle* And I hope you don't mind if I "cheat" some, and use some more!! :)

Some of the things I learned in ps this morning I like better than psp, and then again, some things I don't. I guess its all a matter of what you get used to, and all. However I'm just really glad I managed two layouts (even if they are with templates) in ps for a change! Yippee!!!! *giggle* I do need to learn about how to get good drop shadows in ps, I love those layer styles, they are cool, just have to figure out what will LOOK good. I'm sure it will come with time.

For those of you who like templates, I do know there are 4 available for a short time on Connie's blog. She is saying goodbye to the scrapping world, so they will only be available till the end of the month, she said.

Well I better get off here, I have several things to do today, and have played to long! But its been fun, so I just don't care....as usual! *giggle* I hope you all are having a good week, and not getting bad weather! Take Care.

Latest news

2008-06-18T20:10:00.006-05:00

I used one of the qp's I made out of my last kit, for this photo I took a week or so ago, while we were sitting out on our front porch, enjoying the beautiful, peaceful evening. The bird has a nest right over where we were sitting, and would venture up to it some, but at this time she was sitting over on one of my flower pots. I thought it was kinda cool, how things are a silhouette instead of being able to see them clearly...it WAS starting to get dark, and would love to have stood up, to try to get the sunset in the picture, but then the bird would have flown away, so I didn't.

Kit Credit: Remember When by Doxie Designs This is also in a two pack, of QP's which you can find in my store also. 8.5X11 AND 12X12

Health News for friends and family:

DH had yet another Dr appointment today, for another trouble he has been having, and we found out he will probably have to have surgery, to repair a tear, in a place he has never had surgery before. We got referred to a specialist, so don't know for sure, but the Dr didn't figure this would heal itself, although sometimes it can...this just was worse than some. Also this could lay him up for a month or more,(and I'm talking sitting around the house doing nothing, not just not being able to work on fence or hay or things like that) much worse than his knee surgeries did, and this is really a bad time of year for that to happen. Well not in that I would much rather have to go out and take care of our animals when its not snow and ice out, but it will really slow us down on doing fence and all. The neighbor will help us with our hay thankfully, we already talked to him about that, so as long as it stops raining so we can cut it, at least we may be able to have hay for our animals this winter...hopefully nothing happens so our neighbor can't help.

This is going to be tough, because its not easy for DH to just lay on the couch all day and do nothing at all, and while for the first week or two or more, he may not even feel like moving, after he gets so he can move around without to much pain, getting him to not do to much, will not be fun!! *giggle* I always hated it when he was sick, because he wouldn't rest, he always had to get up and do something. I just hope they can get him scheduled for surgery, if that's what they are going to do, before it gets so bad that he can hardly move, because of the excruciating pain. Prayers that all goes well, and he isn't in to much pain, would be appreciated!

Needless to say, this could slow me down a bit with my computer time...we will see how it goes. Hopefully I can at least manage to keep working on a couple layouts a week, and possible more some weeks, but we will see how it all goes, and how much he can do or not do. Since we haven't seen the specialist yet, we don't really know to much, other than he isn't suppose to lift much. I kinda doubt I'll be working on a kit anytime soon, unless I manage to get some layouts done, and have time, because I don't want to get to far behind on those layouts, so I can't get Kali's book finished in time. And here I've been almost wanting to try to start thinking of what to do for another one...oh well, in time I will be able to again.

I do know, the gas prices are killing us, with the trips we have had to do back and forth to the Dr...and that was just to Lincoln, now that we have to go to Omaha we will be in even more trouble...hopefully we won't have TO many of those trips! LOL I will have to start praying extra hard for the ford dealer to find us a car we can afford, that gets better gas mileage, at this rate. I've not been TO worried about it before, but maybe a few extra prayers are in order now. I'm sure God will help us manage, he always does, but prayers never hurt!

Weather:

The rains have slowed down a little here, not enough to put up hay, but least its not been an every day affair. Hopefully they have slowed down where you live too! Course did get a little over a half inch last night, and there is a 50% chance tonight, and 30% chance tomorrow, so we will see what happens. I've been thankful for lack of really BAD storms, and pray that continues!! :)

I hope all of you has a great week, I better get off here, cause I've had a headache lurking all day, and the computer isn't helping. Even if my computer time is cut (if I'm lucky, it won't be cut enough to slow me down to much), I will try to keep up on any e-mails at least once a day, so if you have problems or questions about our blog stores, feel free to e-mail me, and I will help as soon as possible! Thanks so much for your sweet comments!