Yesterday I had the best time playing for about an hour. I got side tracked on my way to work on tags for product. I am so glad I did! Smile.  I wanted to have a special wrap for a gift of perfume. My mother and I always wore the same kind of perfume. For years we wore Estee Lauder Private Collection. How we came to love this fragrance is a future post perhaps. For the last few years, however, we have been wearing Lou Lou, a French perfume. My mother was given a bottle by a French friend. Did you see the film Ya Ya Sisterhood? My girlfriend, Suzanne, smelled my perfume and loved it. Her husband ordered her some for her birthday. We started calling ourselves the Lou Lou sisterhood. Smile. Anyway, I wanted a special wrap for a bottle of the perfume I am sending to a friend. Having supplies in two geographical locations can be a challenge at times. I did not have any appropriate wrapping paper in Pinetop. I saw the perfume lying on my table to be wrapped and decided instantly it was time to do something about it. My friend that I am mailing the gift to had expressed some heartache over a family occurrence---- well, everyone that reads my blog knows I can certainly relate to family heartache! I wanted to make the receiving of the gift a smile for her heart. Below is what I came up with for the presentation.

I took one of the Paris file folders I purchased at Mystic Paper and sewed the sides together, with vintage lace in-between the front and back covers. This would now be the pouch that held the card and perfume.

This is a picture of the box of Lou Lou Perfume

I had several of these little pouches already made. I used to sell them at Merchant Square, in Chandler Az., with my soap line. I make them out of handmade vintage crocheted or knitted bedspreads that need a new purpose. I slipped the perfume inside the bag and tied it with more lace.

I made a card to match the file folder by color copying the folder onto card stock. I then sewed the twill tape with the saying , The Gift Is Small But The Love Is Great along the edge. I cut one piece of the tape with the word Love on it and sewed it above the stamped Paris.

On the inside of the card I glued a pearl type flat button. I also found in my stash of STUFF some Seven Gypsies tissue paper of cities around the world. Of course Paris was one of them so I tore it out and glued it under the button. On my last trip to Mystic I had purchased some of the new transparencies by Seven Gypsies. One of them happened to be perfect for this card. On the computer I created the saying I wanted and wrote the date below so it would show through on the transparency. The date is hard to see in this picture.

Hidden underneath the transparency and saying is this paper heart that I misted with Tattered Angels spray. Love sometimes is hidden from immediate view.

Here is the finished gift in it's entirety. The file folder houses the perfume pouch and card.

Now, I must get it in the mail!

When I was finished with the project I went back to what I started out to do in the first place. I forgot, however, that I had not taken the file folder I was copying, to make the card, out of the printer. When I went to print the tags I had created on the computer, in black, the file folder printed instead. I loved the black and white image! Well, now. I couldn't let this go to waste!!!! Below is what I created from my forgetfulness.

I took the stencil area of the heart I had sprayed and tore it out. I cut out the middle of the heart so the Paris would show through. I sewed vintage lace to the edge of a piece of black card stock. I had a scrap of the twill saying left over so I sewed it to the top. I then sewed the black card stock under the black and white image, creating a pocket. Now I just need to go to Paris!

Simple Weekend Treasures

My Hydrangea Plant is Coming Back

I had about given up on it and was about to buy geraniums to go in the whiskey barrel. Was thrilled beyond control when I saw the green sprouts. I bought this Hydrangea last year and loved it. 

I planted red geraniums in the vintage wire baskets hanging on the vintage trellis on the side porch. My favorite place to sit outside is on this love seat.

We heard and saw the first Humming bird of the season. Randy filled the Hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar for them. I haven't seen one eating yet but it will happen soon I know.

My Peony's have several buds about to open.

Chandler and I, once again, made homemade pizza, for supper.

____________________________________________

If I could take a picture of quiet I would. The house is quiet, except for the ticking of the clock, the sound of the washing machine, and the ice maker every now and again. Randy and Chandler got up early to go fishing. I am having my cup of coffee, answering emails, and posting with no interruptions. Lovely Treasure---Quiet.

The Choices We Make

 

Once again, on the, Scrapgirls.com site, I have read a muse by Ro, the owner of the site, which tells a tale of our humanness. It also talks about a message that I hold so dear to my heart:

We have the agency to choose what we do and how we respond to every situation.

            Life Muses by Ro: Life is a Tangled Web

Life can feel like a tangled web of push and pull between our own actions, the actions of others, the forces of nature, our frail human bodies, and acts of God. What we choose affects ourselves and others. The choices of others affect them and those around them. Communities are affected by acts of God and nature. We get sick. We die. On the surface, it appears that we are so subject to the influence of others and influences outside of ourselves that we have little control over our own lives.

But, here is the truth of the truth of one of the few true truths of our lives. We have the agency to choose what we do and how we respond to every situation. And, ultimately, we will be accountable for our choices.

It would be easy, at this point, to launch into a discussion of the world's ills and how they have been caused by poor choices. After all, the trouble that is brewing in the world has largely been caused by the unfortunate choices of people.

However, discussions about such matters usually focus on other people- how the poor choices of someone other than ourselves have made the world as it is . It is far more difficult for us to chat with ourselves so that we might examine the choices we have made.

I will admit to you that I often find them difficult - these daily chats I have with myself about my choices. They are often filled with sorrow and regret. They are sometimes hours of tear - filled prayer. Occasionally, they are quiet celebrations that I made a correct choice during a difficult situation. They are always opportunities fro growth and hope as I have observed that when I humble myself and ask God for help with such things, the weight of my frailties lifts from my shoulders as hope that I might make better choices in the future fills my heart.

This was not planned to be the topic of my post, but upon reading it, I wanted to share. Instead of paraphrasing and giving credit I thought it best to share it with you as written by Ro.

I think it is more often than not human nature to blame someone else for what is going on in our lives. How can we possibly be to blame when there are so many factors out of our control? By focusing on the blame we miss the opportunity to see the choices before us. There are always choices. Sometimes they are obvious and sometimes not. Sometimes they are easy and sometimes they are very difficult. Sometimes we choose not to make a choice because by not making a choice we think we don't have to take responsibility for the results of the choice made. We foolishly think that we can just let whatever happens happen and then we are not responsible. Silly, when one stops and examines this mode of thinking. By not making a choice we are making one! Because of this post, I have some choices I am going to make today, be them the right ones or the wrong ones they will be mine and I will own them. 

How Much Trouble Can A Husband Be In

   A Lot!

My favorite show in the entire television realm is American Idol. I have even expressed to friends that at this stage of the competition I start to get a little depressed because I know it is not long before the season will be over. I know, I know, ridiculous but true.

  Last night we went to Native New Yorker for wings. Remember the thrifty part of my mom learning's? Wings are thirty five cents a piece on Tuesday nights compared to fifty five cents on other nights. Need I say more? Tuesdays have become Wing Night. After wings we were coming home and watch----of course----taped American Idol. Well, need I say more? Seems my husband had cancelled the regular version to tape the high definition version. Soooooooooo, what did we get to watch? The no version at all. He does not know what happened. High Definition? Who Cares????? Regular show--all I expect!!! I did not get to vote!!! I just finished watching the performances twice, on the computer. I also listened to the judges comments but could not be sure who some of the comments referred to. I wish they would show the entire program like they show regular shows. Well, anyway, all the performances looked great to me. I think this is the best season ever. I like all the finalist but still think Adam deserves to win based on each and every performance being top notch week end and week out. Regardless of who wins I think they all have wonderful careers ahead of them and it tickles me for them.

My husband assures me the tonight's show is properly programmed. I do not think I will be taking any chances. Come eight o'clock tonight you know where I will be. Hope you are where you want to be at eight o'clock too!

I finished reading from cover to cover the latest edition of Artful Blogging. It is the first edition that nothing was said to irritate me ! It was full of suggestions about blogging and each person's own journey in the blogging world. Thoroughly enjoyed the read. It isn't that I did not enjoy the earlier issues , it is just most of them seemed to be only about the fluff.  In my opinion, there also seemed to be some criticism of being real.  Life is art. Each person's journey is art. Sometimes it is filled with beauty and sometimes the beauty is hard to recognize amidst the chaos. Sort of like the Coat Of Many Colors. At times all the scraps of life, in and of themselves, don't look like much of anything. Weave them all together and viola, a piece of art. 

I didn't mean to get off on a philosophical subject but it is what I often do.  Anywho, as my blogging mentor, Jack and Cat Curio would say, today I am taking a piece of advice from Artful Blogging . I am sharing with you something different, for me. Cooking has always been a big part of my life. Each year, in my Christmas letter, I usually share with my recipients what I call the Recipe of the Year.  It is a recipe that my family has particularly enjoyed over the course of the last 12 months. The following recipe has not been featured before but could have easily chosen. As is shown in the picture above, I made two of these for the shower of the couple I featured on my last post. I must tell you, Cheese Cake is much like Pizza to me. I have never really had one I do not like. For some people though it is a very personal thing! This Cheese Cake is more of the New York Style. A former teacher friend , Diane Kerr, made it for me one year as a Christmas present. It has been on our family favorite list ever since. I hope it brings your tongue as much pleasure as it does mine!

Cheesecake

Graham Cracker Crust: Combine 1/4 cup sugar, 11/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 

                                      and 1/3 cup melted butter. Mix ingredients thoroughly and pat                                       in the bottom of spring form pan. ( Or use your favorite                                                   graham cracker or other cracker crust )

16        oz.     Ricotta cheese

11/2    cups   sugar

4                    eggs,  slightly beaten

1/3      cup     cornstarch

2         Tbsp.  flavoring of your choice ( I used lime juice )

1         tsp.     of vanilla

1/2      cup     butter

1         pint     sour cream

Beat cream cheese and Ricotta on high until well blended and creamy. Blend in sugar, then eggs. Reduce speed to low. Add cornstarch and flavorings. Add melted butter and sour cream. Blend using low speed on mixer. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour and 10 minutes or until firm around the edges. Turn off oven. Let cake stand in oven 2 hours. Remove and cool completely on wire rack. Chill. May be frozen. ( Sometimes I make this before going to bed. I set my oven cook time so the oven will go off and then I just leave it in the oven until I get up in the morning. I then transfer it to the refrigerator.

I Do

This Foot Belongs to Angie

I Do Will Be Said on July Eleventh

To This Foot Belonging To Chris

Randy and I also married on July Eleventh. We are hoping Angie and Chris's marital walk is as happy as ours.

Ramblings From Pinetop

You will see this picture in a grouping below. Yesterday more wall art finally got hung.

I wanted to have this one first in my post as it really is what posting is all about.

Thank you to each of you that visit me. Thank you to each of you that share your blogs with the rest of the world. Thank you for the Joys of Friendship.

The flowers that were seen in the darling blue and white striped basket given to me by Janell are now living in the wishing well out front.

This week we hung the hammock out back. My neighbor tells me the squirrels might devour it for use in their nest so I wanted a picture of it in all it's glory before it becomes the home of another!

Spring had finally sprung here in Pinetop. The porch cushions came out of winter hiding.I have also been warned to watch for the squirrels. Seems they will rip the cushions to get to the stuffing for another nest product. All those little squirrels I so love, I am told, might not always evoke happy emotions! We will see. 

The flower tin, clock, and little picture ( featured above) was hung yesterday.

Kim, of Sweet Sage Vintage, gave me this tin a few months ago. I might have already shared this. Doesn't matter. It is one of my favorite things hanging in my bedroom. It is deserving of being posted over and over again. It is one of the representations of the Joy of Friendship.

The architectural piece was another hung item yesterday. I have been looking at it this morning and have come up with an idea I think I want to try. I am thinking I should collect some crystal prisms and hang them across the bottom. It would add a little glamour and go nicely with the chandeliers in the area. Another project added to the to do list but this is a lovely one to savor. Yes, I think I am really liking this idea!

I will be rambling this morning. I have wanted to post more often but for some reason or another it just has not happened the last couple of days. So instead of this post being one subject it will be many and I will just call it rambling.

Yesterday I had a very difficult hour encased in the late afternoon hours. I have just realized, for you to understand this happening, I will need to revert back to some events which have taken place in the past couple of weeks.

Last week, my daughter, communicated with Ria she would indeed sign a quit claim deed for her half of the house to us for the sum of $5,000. In earlier posts I have indicated my family has around $70,000. invested in this house. Said house is close to being in foreclosure state. This money is beyond the $10,000. which was put on our credit card without permission. My husband told her we would pay $2,500 at the signing of the quit claim deed and then $2,500 more at the time she vacated the premises. I was still in the valley when this took place. Once again, my husband is the one dealing with the emotional proceedings. I could not have handled this. He had to pick up Amber and drive her to the bank. I would have had the paper work handled by an attorney and sent a cab for her. My being is too fragile and broken to handle seeing her in person. Anyway, the first part of the transaction took place. There is more legal mumbo jumbo to this deal but the bottom line is the process is moving towards Ria moving back into the house. This means Chandler will have his trampoline, his basketball hoop, his this and his that which go along with being in one's own home. We are not sure where Amber will go. She has been supposed to be looking into subsidized housing for some time. Ria has given her money towards the paper work, etc. That is all another story.  Back to tying in the exchange of money for the deed.

With some of the $2,500. she was paid, Amber purchased an old truck for transportation. She has had no transportation since the last arrest involving the rental car. We still do not know why her P.T. cruiser was never returned to her. BUT, she now has wheels again. Consequently,  she made arrangements with Chandler to pick him up from school yesterday afternoon and take him to his ball game. Originally in the plan making he was to spend the night with her. When he came in off the porch with this news my heart was crooked. I say crooked because I did not really know what it was I was feeling. I felt mixed up. It saddened me that our buying her part of the house off allowed her to purchase wheels which then gave her more control of him, which then put him possibly in harm's way. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh--He asked me if we would still come to the game and bring his treats. It was his turn to supply his teammates with treats for after the game. I told him Grandy and I would have to talk about it. Chandler asked me to just talk about it when he was not around. He does not want to hear the sad stuff ,as he refers to it)  We told him we would bring his treats and we would sit in the outfield. 

Now, remember he was to spend the night with her? Well, yesterday morning, Amber text ed Ria that she would have to leave the game at 5:45 as she had a Dr's. appointment at six o"clock. Said she had to get blood work and shots as she has a treatment for her stomach cancer today.

Alright, means he is going home with us. Alright, good. 

Amber also text ed Ria the water had been turned off again and she had better pay to get it turned back on or she would pick up Chandler and Maria would never see him again. ( This text was before the text about the Dr. appointment )

Bottom Lines:

1. Maria told her no, she would not pay for the water.

2. No idea, still, if cancer is real or not.

3. No idea if she really had to go get blood work at six o'clock or if she made plans to go party since it was Cinco De Mayo.  Wouldn't one think that she would have known the day before about the Dr's. appointment, when she first made these arrangements with Chandler to have him?

4. He was not upset at leaving the field with us and the change in arrangements, or at least he did not show it.

My hard part yesterday was this. Grandy, Ria and I sat beyond the outfield and watched the game. Amber sat in the stands, on the top row, for the time she was at the game. Last year, at all of Chandler's games we were together as a family. We watched and cheered as a united family. Amber was the  score keeper for the team. A year later we are a broken family and my daughter is someone that is a person I would never choose to be associated with. I think some of my most sorrowful times are the ones in which I wonder if I have ever known who she is. After the years and years of  turmoil until she seemingly got her act together at the age of 20 until now--looking back I wonder did she ever really have her act together or was ????

Our counselor helped me this past week by telling me Amber had been a real learning lesson for him, in the early years of our seeking help. He told me he had never had a patient, then and since, that was capable of lying and manipulating the truth and deceiving others as much as Amber. He shared with me she was so good at this there were times, early on, that even he was feeling sorry for her. Somehow it helped me understand it is no wonder I struggle often with my emotions. Couple this with the bond a mother has with her child and well----- it is hard. It is just plain hard. BUT, once again, I am grateful for each tool I have acquired over the years for coping. And one of those is hypnosis. I spoke of this in an earlier post. I will expound on the subject a little now.

I was afraid of hypnosis in the beginning. After all, I had watched people being hypnotized on television and made to do things very embarrassing and out of control. Rediculous things and again, being out of control, was what conjured up inside of me at the mention of hypnosis. Luckily I listened to another side of what hypnosis could do for one and is often the case, when one is in pain, one is more open to exploring all avenues which will relieve some of the pain. It is important to trust the person that is hypnotizing you and I think it is important for the person to be trained. When I was first hypnotized I really did not believe I had actually been hypnotized. You see, you really do know everything that is being said to you. It is not at all what I had witnessed on the television. I almost felt like a fake when I was in a session as it seemed I was not hypnotized at all. I always felt better during the time following a hypnosis  session though. Always. And for me that was good enough. 

When I stopped smoking ( let me interject here, probably for the fifth time of trying to stop smoking! ) I came to understand I was indeed hypnotized. I used Nicorete gum to help me quit smoking. I had gotten down to three pieces of gum a day. Any one that has smoked probably knows right this minute when those three pieces of gum were consumed---after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just was not able to give the gum up. I decided to try hypnosis. Guess what- I never chewed another piece of gum. I never wanted another piece of gum. I was convinced. And so it is I am now utilizing self hypnosis to help me stay balanced.

I am tired of not having more font options. Oh how I wish I could post using any of the fonts I have in my collection. 

Today I have the morning to myself. Randy dropped Chandler at school and headed on to the golf course to play golf. I have just had the best of times sitting here rambling. I am off to finish some laundry, work on my June deliveries, take a soak in my clawfoot tub and maybe sneak in a nap on the couch before going to pick up Chandler from school. He has requested homemade pizza for supper so that is on the later afternoon agenda. As I go about the rest of my day I will be relishing in the Joys of Friendship. Thank You!