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Snowy Inspiration

Happy Sunday, I had so much fun creating and photographing these wonderful words in the snow yesterday and today. I just couldn't wait to share with all my online friends.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,

Tess

P.S. See More Here on my AC site.

Merry Christmas Every One!!!

(Thank You Peggy)

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,

Tess

De-cluttering

Greetings, It's been a while, so sorry I've neglected my blog. I wanted to share a triumph with you today.

OK, so I have a cluttered home. I admit it, I save things. I am a hoarder. I have this corner in my living room. It's near the front door but behind it when the door is opened. It is my magazine corner. I love magazines. Purchased magazines, free magazines, subscriptions to magazines, traded magazines, craft magazines, art magazines, clothing magazines, scrap booking magazines, any magazines. I love to read, browse, hoard magazines. I read them when I'm sad and when I'm tired and when I'm bored and when everything is just fine. Especially when I'm bored, with the tv on something I have no interest in watching for background.

Why am I telling you this? Because I just spent 4 hours sorting and cleaning that corner. I cannot believe I lost that much of my day to my magazine corner. I did not read, not even browse. I started about 11:00 this morning. My Mr. wanted beef stew for supper and mentioned it around noon. I sent him to the grocery store. He brought back chicken wings and stuffed peppers for lunch. I took a break long enough to eat and went right back at it. I tore my name and address from the front of every subscription magazine and then tore out the order pages because my address and account number is likely there too. It's sad we have to worry about this but in this day and age I don't dare throw out that information. I had a big trash bag and when it was half full I could not lift it so we went to plan B. I made a pile and my Mr. tied up the pile with twine. Then I made another. I ended up with 5 good sized piles that are tied up and a trash bag half full of the torn out things and smaller things. Plus I kept only the treasured ones, like Rolling Stones and Handyman and a few US, Weekly, In Style and More magazines for cutting up for collage making. I have trouble throwing things away. A true hoarder becomes ill and even sweaty when facing throwing things away. This is how I usually get; and anxious. I decided to do this today and get it done. No looking back, no stopping, just do it. My corner looks so much better and I can now see the titles of most of the ones I kept so I know what I'm grabbing. Wow! I did not feel ill or get too sweaty at all. And to think this wasn't even all of them as through out the year I usually will grab a bunch and take to the free table at the local library so I can snatch up some new to me from there. Oh I finally got done around 3:00. That's 4 hrs. Geez!

Oh and we won't mention my other magazine pile, neatly stacked in a plastic zippered bag with titles like Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studio, Artful Blogging and the like. They don't get tossed in the corner pile. They are special and handled with care. Like the precious works of art they are. No we won't mention those as I dare think what could happen if I even tried to get rid of any of them. I think I'd give myself a heart attack. I love those special magazines with all of my favorite artists and ideas. ("Someday I'm going to try this", "I must buy try that product", "Oh wow look what she's doing now".) I've found so many of my favorite bloggers in the pages of these magazines.

Are you cleaning or sorting out for the end of the year? What and how?

You all have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays however you celebrate this wonderful time of the year.

Be Happy Be Healthy, Be yourself,

Tess

Hello Blog Friends,

These photos were taken last week just after the big snow hit our area.

This little elf, (or gnome, or maybe he's one of Snow White's Seven Dwarfs,) seems to be hiding under this wash tub. Trying to escape the snow I think. Maybe he's one of Santa's elves watching out for good little girls and boys. I think he seen me feed the birds some bread crumbs. That counts for good, right? :)

This little guy thinks he's hiding behind those thin branches. He stayed right there for the longest time. I waited until I could wait no longer and snapped the shot. I think I like it as is.

I have no idea what is hiding under this snow drift but decided it reminded me of a sand dune. Sand dunes are in the desert, the desert makes me feel warm. Waaarrrrm!!!
Hope you are all are having a good week.

Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and a Merry Christmas to you all~

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,
Tess

Happy Anniversary To Us

Greetings friends,

Today is my 20th wedding anniversary. Have I ever told you our story? It is not unlike others and yet somewhat different/special. It is a story of love found, lost and found again. I fell for my beloved when I was but the tender age of 12. I spied him from behind a bush, the guy next door. I loved his crazy curly hair and Elvis sideburns. And his eyes, I could melt in those blue eyes. I, the little girl next door was noticed, although I didn't really know it then. I had my jr. high friends and he his sr. high friends. He was forever the gentleman. Always sweet, always kind, always mindful of my age. I was a tease, a flirt. So bad, now that I think of it. What he tolerated, poor boy. But even so I blushed as he chased me around the dinning room table for that lucky midnight kiss for the new year of '74. He taught me how to swim and how to skate backwards. He took me on my first car date and to his Senior prom. The only prom I would get. He was my idea of the night in shining armor. I decided I'd grow up and marry him someday.

But, as does sometimes happen life got in the way. He went off to college, left me behind to finish growing up. And then my parents separated. I was taken away from family, from home, from him by a cad of a father. Life was not as it should have been. It was not ideal, it was harsh and cruel. I cried often wondering if he ever thought of me as I did of him. Over time we get on with our lives, especially at such a tender age. I learned to be a survivor. He finished college, followed his favorite bands overseas, became a sailmaker then returned home. I too returned 13 years and two children later. You don't forget old friends, especially the adults that were a good influence on you. I visited his mother often. She had cancer, had surgery, was doing fine. We'd visit over coffee now and then; in the same kitchen I remembered so well. Then one day, she tells me not to leave, he'll be home soon. He'll be home soon? For months I had been visiting and thought he was still back East. He was there all along, he'd come home to his ill mother. Was here in town all along. He did not look anything like I had remembered. I didn't recognize him at all when he came through the door. I admit it. We spoke, I felt it was awkward. Then his dog dies and he stops ion on a cold wintry night to tell me he;d held his dutchess in his arms and she's dies. I didn't even have a hot drink to offer him. He settled for a warm hug. Long story short we seen each other again, and again, and again, until one day I realized I had fallen in love with him all over again. The new him, the now him, not just the memory. He knows me, he knows my story and he loves me and it's all good. I would not give these past 20 years back for anything. They have not been all fun and games but then life is not that way. But we have traveled these 20 years together side by side. He is my friend, he gives me unconditional love. This was/is his promise to me:

A friend is one

who knows you

as you are

understands where

you've been

accepts who you've

become

and still gently

invites you to grow.

~~~

Happy Anniversary Honey, I Love You!

~~~

And to all my blog friends,

Be happy, Be healthy, Be yourself,

Tess

Happy Birthday Travis

Greetings Blogland,

Today is my nephew's birthday. How is it possible he is already 13 years old. Officially a teenager today. Wow!! I made a collage of some of my favorite pictures of him. They sure do grow up fast.

Happy Birthday Travis. I love you!!!

Tess

THAT'S SO CUEGLY!: VINTAGE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY!!!

Have you been over to Linds blog lately? She is giving away a beautiful necklace with fabric flowers she made just for one of us. Stop by and take a look. She is so creative and her blog is so much fun. Go ahead and tell her I sent you (I'm sure she has no idea who I am as I'm a fairly new follower to her blog). LOL!
Be happy, Be Healthy, Be Yourself,
Tess

THAT'S SO CUEGLY!: VINTAGE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY!!!

R.I.P. Tony, R.I.P. Dennis, This Holiday Over - Another to Come

Greetings, This has been a very traumatic Thanksgiving Holiday. One that we all will not soon forget. For starters my cousin DeAnna was found unresponsive during the night on Wed. night. She is a severe diabetic. Her husband could not get her mouth open. She registered zero blood sugar at the E.R. Long story short she spent some time in ICU and is now home with her family and doing well. This just a few weeks after heart surgery.

My cousin Sara's husband was found shot on Thursday morning. Both Tony and Sara are Illinois Highway Patrol Officers. We still don't know the whole story but are being told it was a self inflicted wound. Sara is young, early twenty's. Their marriage was young, maybe 3years. They have a baby boy. They need a lot of prayer.

Thursday evening my youngest daughter called to tell us her best friend since 1st grade father died. She called him dad too. Dennis had been ill for some time but this was not expected. His family needs your prayers too.

As always we all try to go on with our daily lives in the face of death. It is harder for some, Tony's wife, Dennis's wife and children. But we all try. Sara is with her sister. Dennis's family is coming together. My youngest even called my oldest just to talk. This year of trials and illnesses has brought them closer together. For this I am thankful.

Then to top all of this off of the 14 people that were at my house 9 were sick with the flu by Sat. At first we thought it was food poisoning but could not narrow it down. Then we found out one of my nieces had the H1N1 vaccine at school on Wed. The CDC informed my sister anyone receiving the vaccine is contagious for 48 hours after. Hmm! Why then administer it the day before a holiday? Luckily we all got the seasonal flu as it only lasted 24 to 48 hours. I hear everyone is all better now. Thank God!

I found a heart shaped potato. I wish I had photographed it before peeling. But still it shows it was heart shaped.

Showing the love on Thanksgiving Day is my daughter, brother and nephew. Silly bunch...



Our town does a Christmas Parade every year the day after Thanksgiving. This year we participated with a Cub Scout Pack instead of just on-looking. It was a good distraction and a lot of fun.

Yukon Cornelius and The Bumble were there too.

I've posted more pictures of the Parade Floats on my Associated Content site. You can see them if you go here.

I apologize if I seemed to ramble in this post. I just had things to get out and I know you all would understand.

On a happy note today is my husbands birthday. Wish Chuckie a Happy birthday for me will ya!

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be yourself,

Tess

Happy Thanksgiving

There's nothing quite as magical as kindergarten art. Raven's turkey from a November past is here to wish you all a safe and Happy Thanksgiving Day.

I am Thankful for:

Unconditional Love

Family

Friends (both near and far)

Artistic Friends (that graciously share their talents)

My job

A Mortgage Free Home

Modern Medicine

And So Much More

What are you thankful for?

Be safe, Be happy, Be yourself,

Tess

Happy Birthday to My Bobbie...

Greetings

Yes, as you can see by the heading and the cake with candles, today is my first born child's birthday. Bobbie wished me a Happy Mothers Day today. I told her it's not mothers day, it's her Birthday. Her reply made sense. For years she has wished me a Happy Mother's Day on her birthday (I love that she remembers this) because as she puts it, "today is the day you became a mother". And she is correct at that. :)

She had a fun night out with friends last night and then we surprised her with lunch with us and her grandma and new pa-paw as she is calling Henry. (He grins so it must be ok with him.) We took her to her favorite local Mexican food place for her favorite fajitas meal. My granddaughter told them it was her mommy's birthday today. We expected the big sombrero and the singing but what happened during the singing made the day perfect. Take a look:

Open the tunnel here comes the train.
Oops! Missed, I better even it out.
Her favorite waiter got her good! I thought my mom was gonna fall off her chair laughing, or maybe Bobbie. She was so shocked I don't think she even had any time to think about being embarrassed.
Grandma to the rescue, she helped clean her up.

The staff had the whole restaurant serenading her. The patrons were willing and it turned out the couple sitting behind us personally new both my hubby and Henry.

It was so worth seeing this beautiful smile and hearing her laughter.

I realized today that her brain tumor removal was 9 months and 5 days ago. It's fitting she had a wild weekend to celebrate her birthday. 9+ months ago we weren't so sure she'd see this one. See it she did and on her own two feet and aware of everything. What a wonderful day it has been. I am so thankful to all of you out there that prayed for her and continue to pray today. You are all wonderful people. Thank You, Thank You and Thank you again.

Be happy, Be well, Be yourself,

Tess

Hi, I can't believe it's almost Friday again. I've been so busy I've hardly had time to visit my favorite blogs let alone post one. I admit I've been playing in my Teesha journal too.

I just had to cover up that big forehead. I still need to do soemthing with that hair sticking out on the right. Hmmm! I don't think she needs feet. Her legs are too pretty. I once new a girl with one blue and one brown eye and she was a bit cross-eyed too. I always thought it would be cool to have two different colored eyes. If I remember right my friend said she didn't like it as a kid but loved it as a teen. She wore sunglasses a lot as a young adult. And loved takling them off in front of strangers. Most people thought one was a contact, but really it wasn't.

Mz. Bambi here loves the outdoors and the city life. Can you tell? I am imagining so much fun I can do with this image.

And, well, there is Face Book also. I'm finding Face Book can be addictive. It can also be so much fun. I miss my favorite bloggers though and I so wanted to share these two pages. I want to play more on the others from my previous post also.

I did find a wonderful Black Friday Giveaway over at Stacey's Primarily Primitive's blog. Do stop by and check it out.

Well, I am off to a Cub Scout Pack meeting. The Cubmaster had leg surgery yesterday so hubby is her stand in for this evening. Fun things to do and I bought her one of those BIG cards from the Hallmark store. The kids will love writing in it and Linda will love it too.

Tomorrow is Friday, Woo Hoo!

Have a great weekend,

Tess

My Teesha Journal

Happy Friday everybody,

These are images from my Teesha Moore journal. I am having so much fun with this. I'm not so sure about the pan pastels. I'll need a lot of practice with those. I think the shading on the cover is too dark so I tried to lighten it with the white. I've done step 1, paint; step 2 collage and I've started step 3, penwork. Except I admit not all pages are collaged yet and some have no shading yet. I was so anxious to try every step so I got several pages done with each step and then moved to the next. I am thinking I may journal with white or silver on the cover since I think it's too dark. That will lighten it up a bit. I love how my bird girl has turned out. She is somewhat of a curiosity, or maybe she is a curious type. Oh and her hair is from a cat. I loved that idea. She scalped a cat (Oh my I hope my cat babies don't read this.). Can you tell she loves the great outdoors?

I tried taking a pic of the journal with my new camera but it didn't work out too good so I used my scanner instead for the rest.

This little monkey is thinking of sunshine, can you tell? She's also headed to the library to look at books about warmer climates. I tried to convince her she liked Kansas but she insisted a warmer climate would be much more to her liking. I love her mismatched shoes, they remind me of my granddaughter.

This rollerskating princess loves to dance to her favorite tunes. She knows that laughter is the best medicine so I think she's listening to funny songs. Hey, is she winking at you?

I'm not sure what her story is yet. I know she needs altered a lot more as she's too obvious. I will add more altering to her and the rollerskating princess after lunch. I'm off to visit Billie today and buy more tape. The Prismatic markers seem to be working fine but no white. I'm going to get white also.

Have a great Friday and a fun, creative weekend.

Tess

Doing Lots and Lots To Do!!

Hi all, I've been so busy I forgot to post here. So sorry!

I have always loved Teesha Moore's artwork and through Facebook came across her 16 page journal tutorial. I watched and then watched another and another and decided I just had to make one. Last Saturday I went looking for supplies. I finally found 90 lb paper and the pan pastels at Varney's Book Store in Aggieville. I know she said to use 140 lb. paper but it wasn't in my budget. This book store is right near Kansas State University. I'll go back for the heavier paper next time around. I made the entire journal in one setting. Oh and I did not have the type of thread she used and when I mentioned it to hubby he told me about how when he used to be a sail maker they waxed their thread with bees wax. I just happened to have a beeswax candle and so he showed me how to wax my thread. I used regular embroidery thread. It seemed to work just fine and besides it's just experimenting and just for me. So far I've painted all of my pages and have started collaging the cover. I'll take pictures later in the week, I scheduled a few days off from work to play. (I've already decided I want the 140 lb. paper for Christmas.)

I took the new camera out for a spin again today and caught these images. The weather here has been unreal, it's been way too warm for November and I am loving it.

I decided I liked the imperfect and rusted look of these silo's and the shadow of the tree that looks to be another tree but isn't.

These hay bales look like giant dirty marshmallows to me.

I also added a few more pictures to imagekind this weekend.

Hope you all had a good Sunday and will have a wonderful week ahead.

What creative activity have you been up to?

Tess

A new camera and a walk in the cemetery...

Greetings to you all this fine November evening,

Can you believe it's November all ready? I don't know about where you are but here the weather has been gorgeous these past few days. Nice enough to not have to wear a coat and that is very unusual for this time of year. I am loving it. I got out my sweaters and long sleeved items and can wear them and am comfortable, even in the wind. I hate wearing a coat. How about you?
So what have I been up to....

I bought a new camera, or I should say We bought a new camera. He reminded me it's his too. LOL! It's a Canon Powershot XS10 and I love it. I haven't begun to use all of it's features yet. On November 1st the weather was so nice after I took my granddaughter home from her sleep over with us I took the camera and headed to the cemetery to take a walk. We have 2 here in town, The Highland Cemetery and St. Mary's cemetery. There are several country cemeteries I wish to visit with camera in hand next. Here are a few of the shots I got:

I liked the carving on the stone above and the message on the one below.

I counted 5 of these Unknown markers and I didn't even walk the whole cemetery. They made me feel sad. I stopped and spoke to them. Do you ever do that?? Speak to the dead when you don't even know who they were? Thinking about it now I guess it was a bit strange but at the time if felt right. "Hi there, just passing by. Put in a good word for me up there ok." Then wipe away the leaves. "Bye now." Ok so I'm strange, who cares!! :)

I love the eery shadow of a long faded carving on this one. I thought it would make a great background for a piece of art. The date was 1887 and 1889. There was another but I couldn't read it.
I love this statue. It is in the St. Mary's cemetery and there are stone benches near her for sitting and praying or reflecting. I met a lady there and she said she likes to sit and reflect on her day each morning during her walk. I liked that.
I also stopped and took a few pictures near Homer's Pond. I put a few of the pictures on Imagekind. Including the one above and below. I love how the one below turned out. The sky was so blue and this is a tree with these things (pods) on them. So does anyone know what the name of this tree is?

I plan on taking another walk this weekend with my new camera and I've told Bobbie it's about time we have a photo shoot. So many of my blogging friends prayed for her and I told her some of you still ask about how she is. I want to show you how she is. She is doing really well and has more good days than bad. And that thick hair of hers sure has grown back. :)

So, what have you been up to?

Happy Day,

Tess

HaPpY HaLloWeEn

Greetings ghosts, ghouls and goblins,

Here they are, my first Trick or Treater's of the night. Two of these little ones are almost always my first visitors of the evening. My niece and nephew make my house their first stop and then off to grandma's house they go. Usually a 35 minute drive for mom and dad but now she's only about 15 minutes down the interstate. We like that.

This little witch is my Angel,

and Travis is none other than Darth Vader. I think he will forever be a Star Wars fan.

This is my oldest niece, Christina. Chrissy is my brothers child from a prior relationship. Bad things were happening in her home and she is now in foster care. My brother has stepped forward and the system is now integrating her into their home. Things are going well and she is loving getting to know her younger siblings better and learning to trust more. We are praying that soon she will be permanently placed in their home. We would be grateful for your prayers.

We had lunch at Pizza Hut today with Bobbie and our granddaughter. I love Pizza Hut's buffet. They went off to visit friends until the witching hour. In our terms that is 6:00-8:00 p.m. being trick or treating time. She will trick or treat our house last and stay the night so mommy can go hang with friends. We are going to watch the comedy Young Frankenstein with Gene Wilder. I love that movie. I had some fun playing around with pictures today and came up with these.

Creepy Monster Face...

My version of Mona Lisa...

Uhhh, I don't know...
Too cute to be scary...
Screeching cat!

Happy Halloween everyone, Be safe and have fun!

And Happy Harvest to those that don't do Halloween.

Fall is such a nice time of year.

Tess

Today's Message is:

Life is short,

Break the rules,
Forgive quickly,

Kiss slowly,

Love truly,

Laugh uncontrollably,

And
never regret anything that made you smile...

******

OK, I admit it. I got this from a forwarded

e-mail. But I thought the message was well worth repeating.

Today is Wednesday, hmmm, humpday.

So have a great day cuz' the weeks half over.

(That could be good or bad depending on your to-do list. Take it as good, ok.)

Tess

Brixton Lane Paperie: 31 Days of Fall {B-Day Giveaway}

Greetings All,
Do fly by and wish Jessica a Happy Birthday. Enter her wonderful birthday giveaway too. Tell her why you are thankful. I knew immediately what I was thankful for. God's gift of health to my Bobbie Jo.
Brixton Lane Paperie: 31 Days of Fall {B-Day Giveaway}

Later,

Tess

A Fun Day at the Zoo

Greetings all,

It's been a quiet Sunday here. I've had a chance to look over some pictures taken yesterday of my granddaughter and to write another article for AC. Hubby and I had a movie date this afternoon, we seen Saw VI. For those of you that like that type of film you won't be disappointed. Laundry is about done too. It's been a good day.

Please go read "Black Cat Halloween Costume How To" over at my AC site. It was so much fun to put together. The tutu took me a week to make in my spare time. Seems I don't have much of it anymore; time that is. Not since I found Face Book anyway. I must learn to watch the clock while on there or Face Book steals my time away. LOL

Careful now, there may be animals hiding in the tall grasses.

My granddaughter wanted to be a Fancy Black Cat for Halloween so I obliged. It was fun browsing around the internet looking for ideas and then getting together all of the things that would be needed. We did a trial trick or treating run yesterday. The local zoo had a trick or treating day yesterday and I took my granddaughter in costume. She is 10 now and getting close to the age of not being accepted as a trick or treater and yet she still loves dressing up and meeting new people. She really showed interest in all of the little kids and loved all the different costumes she seen. We even seen a Grouch in a trash can. I didn't get a picture and wish I had. We seen lots of animals and she even got to touch a few lizards and a big snake. Yuck!! Fearless she is when it comes to animals. This is the little gal that held a baby alligator, remember. Fearless!! So hear are some of the pics. Do go to your local zoo as it's a wonderful stage for beautiful backgrounds for photos with all of the beautiful fall colors.

I wonder what species of cat is sunning itself here?

We got to see a baby too.

There's that black cat again.

This wizard told wonderful stories about the creepy crawly things.

She really did touch this snake. It took two "witches" to carry it around.

Beautiful!!

Trick or Treat


You all have a good week now, ya' here...

Tess