Valentine Garland

I like to have my hands busy while I watch TV, it keeps me from stuffing something in my mouth and keeps me on my diet. Wich I've had a hard time getting back on since Christmas.

This is a heart garland that I crocheted for Valentine's Day.

Got the free pattern from link

I like how the red hearts looks against the green plant and yes this is the same plant in this post.

27 Years

Just a shot of my gifts from 27 years at big Brown.  I also got a set of glasses, a stadium chair and a black vest. The package car is a replica of the car I drove for 13 years on the Chillicothe metro route.
All this came from my center manager except for the plaque and it came from UPS.  Today, I got a letter giving me a code to order a retirement gift from the company.  I can't decide what I want...too many gifts to select from. I'm shooting for maybe the Kindle...I've been wanting one but I also love their jewelry too. Most all of my safe driving rewards were jewelry. My center manager fixed hotdogs on the grill with chips and a huge cake and then he had this one made up so I would have one to bring home.  I have to admit, I was impressed with how much he did for me...the last few drivers haven't received hardly more than a hand shake. Maybe if he had came along a year ago, I'd still be working...I was starting to like him but I couldn't stand the guy before him and I had filed the application when he was there. I'm still on the fence about this retirement stuff....I don't miss the rough ride or roads but I do miss getting out and seeing all my customers. Maybe when the weather straightens up I'll be happier. Right now, I'm just kind of bored stiff!

Scroll down...I've posted twice today!

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Window Top shelf

After spending the week down to mom's, I completely forgot about posting this.  This is the shelf I made for the woman's gift at our Christmas party.  My older sister got it first but it got stolen by my niece-in-law pretty fast.  She is expecting twin girls in April and stated that it would match perfect with the deco she was doing for their rooms.  Now to get some made for Jerri Ann and I. I have a couple more window tops.  I'm not sure where I would put mine or if I would do it in the white or black...I'm thinking black to go with my four black frames that Randy made for me almost 2 years ago...still don't have them up on the walls yet.  I hope to get them up this winter.  Just need to locate some good photos of the grands to put in them.  I'm thinking more of a warmer color for Jerri Ann's as her house is in warm fallish colors.

Anyway, this started out as the top of a window from my brother-in-laws old 2-story house.  I did nothing more to it except cut it down in length...about 4 inches off each end and then added some brads to hold the trim on the top a little more sturdy.  Striped off the varnish and sanded it good all over.  Painted it with some white paint I had on hand and then sanded the edges and a few other places to give it a worn look.  Then added some antiquing glaze on top.  We drilled holes and added the door knobs from my house.  My house has the original glass knobs in the bedrooms but the two doors off the old kitchen were junked out when we added the bathroom.  I saved the knobs and 15 years later, I found a use for them...LOL...the black hook was bought from Lowes and I sanded it a bit to tone down some of the newness.  Added the bottle that I decorated with chain, an old skeleton key and a charm and some ribbon.  My first thoughts were to add a bottle that you could add water and flowers in but decided I liked this idea better.  The hardest part was figuring out how to hang it and I ended up taking it down to my BIL's and he used his router to made keyholes on the back. I hope it hangs straight...haven't heard from John or Leslie.

Won't this look cute with some pretty little pink girl clothes hanging off those knobs?

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Ice Storm

We got hit by an Ice Storm last night. Got up this morning to see a layer of ice on everything. I finallygot up enough nerve to go out to snap these shots  around 2:00pm. I had to walk very carefully. Didn'twant to fall and bust my.............Think I'm going to stay inside now in front of the fire. 

Wonderful Pumpkin Bread

It has been so rainy and gloomy around here that we almost ate all of this Pumpkin Bread before I could take a snap. I made 2 loafs on Monday and took one to a friend that just had knee replacement surgery last week.
Made Back Porch Soup today and Brent brought his Dad up for lunch before taking him for his eye appointment.
Now that Christmas is over I'm ready for Spring.

Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour
2 2/3 cups white sugar
2 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup water
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup butter, melted
15 ounces pumpkin

Directions:

1. Sift all the dry ingredients together in large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl combine eggs, water, applesauce, butter and pumpkin and mix well.
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the liquids, then mix until moistened.
4. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes.

Got the recipe for the Pumpkin Bread here

 

Happy Birthday,Mary!

Forcing Bulbs

I couldn't resist picking one of these up at Wally World the other day...they had them for 3.33.  Just wish I'd got them a bit earlier...would have loved to seen them come to life.  I expect mine will be blooming in the next day or two...just on the verge of opening up.  I'll have to share a shot of the roots....so pretty.  I thought it was a neat contrast between the January subway art and the new growth...I need to take another shot and make the wording of the art plainer but I loved this shot of the bulb.

I hope this finds you feeling a lot better...I'm starting to worry since I've not heard a peep all week.  I'm almost finished with my woman gift for Christmas this weekend.  Just need to let the last coat of varnish dry and then add the hook and knobs.  I think it turned out great and makes me want to pick my own gift...Jerri Ann says I can't...boo hoo!  Guess I'll just have to make one for myself someday.  I'll post an image of it when its done.

They are giving me a retirement party at work tonight....I don't really want to go but guess since its for me, I"d better.  So far...I'm enjoying retirement immensely!

Sat. morning we leave for my folks for Christmas and then I'm staying down for a few more days to get in some quality time with my mom.  Should be home either Thurs. or Friday.  I'm taking the laptop with me but they don't have internet service so won't be on any.  Just thought I might get some organizing done while mom naps. Plus, I want to print off some of her recipes.  I'd love to make a recipe book of her recipes to give to the family.

Need to get off my butt and get out for my walk...60 degrees outside!  Yippee.

Ok...had to share the roots....I love them....

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Remember All the Alphabet Photo's?

I came across this site and love how she made her picture frames.  Would look cool on a mantle or long table.

Just thought you would like to see.
Photo Letter Frames