Best/Worse and What did I learn today-a visit with friends

My very last post as I get ready to leave...you are all in my thoughts..don't be surprised when you least expect it, I'll be on so I can get my DG 'Holiday Friendship fix'...

Oh, I have tears..I'm going to miss you all!

Wipe my eyes and must stop the snivelling...

One last post...

If you are a lurker and have joined us from time to time...we all wish you and your family the very best this Christmas!

Please join us in 2008....

oh betty, now stop now im crying have a great time now go!

Good Morning!

Betty, have a wonderful time. I am praying you have safe travels.
Will miss you lots. In case you we do not connect...Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! See you in 2008...Much Love-Judy

Merry Christmas Betty! Now go! Waiting to see if you hit up a trucker to use his computer! LOL

Oh Betty, I didn't get to post before you left! Well, I hope you can find that trucker and use his PC!

Liz, the deer was simple! I bought the paper mache' form at the craft store and just used fabric glue to stick all the pieces to it. Then I covered it with the Mod Podge gloss - twice. I also tried to work the fabric so there were greens at his feet so it was like he was in grass and I found a fabric with tiny apples that made his eyes. I also did his antlers in browns. I starting on the second one now - this one is laying down so only 2 legs!

Well, DH and I are wrapping the kids' gifts then we're going to go to lunch!!!

I will check back in later! Y'all have a wonderful day!!!

Jeannine

Betty- We will miss you! Check in when you can. Love and hugs, Rachel

Betty.......have a great trip, and remember that we will all be thinking about you and wishing you well...
Be safe, and wave when you go through KY!!!!
Hugs,
Sharon

Good afternoon everyone.

Well it sure is quiet today...We all are thinking about Betty's trip...hmmm, wonder where she is about now, been driving about 7 hr already. Sure hope she got past the border.

I hope you are all having/had a nice day today. I have been busy getting a big project out, finished so now I can take tomorrow off! my plan is to go shopping and finish it all in one day, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

Shar, did your son and Ethan make arrive safely? i hope so and you are having fun about now.

GG-meant to say how wonderful your deer turned out. Must be alot of fun to work a craft like that. Is it wrapped with newspaper first or do you just start adding material?

...So for your entertainment I have a story, LOL what else is new.
Ok thought of it because I going shopping tomorrow, reminded of it from when my Breenie was just 3 years old.

Julia wanted to go Christmas shopping for presents, she was 5. So we chose one Saturday and I took her to a Dollar store. This way, I figured she can pick out her presents for her little friendas and Teachers. Breenie was in Pre-school a couple of days in the week so thought it would be good for her as well.
So Julia chose all her gifts and I explained to Breenie on buying presents. She chose some thing for her teachers, can't remeber what. Now it was time to buy something for Grandma! Well there was this big round display of those Toilet deoderant hangers. There were many colors and it was huge. Now, Breenie kept going to that display! Julia and I both kept taking her away from it to look at something else and nope our Breenie chose 1 of each color for Grandma! I think there were 6 in all. So we took them home and she wrapped each one up as best she could! Now talk about laughing all these years later...I told her this story and she laughed so hard and asked if Grandma liked them, hahaha, yep she did and used everyone them too!

...Hope that gave you a good chuckle, Got a story tell? would love to hear.

Seed that is a great story, thanks for sharing! Kids do love the bright colors!

Hello all,
I hope Betty got away when she said, as there was a big accident on the hyway 400 about 11am. and they closed it going south. Just saw it on TV..no severe injuries..just a lot of chain reactions.

I chuckle when I think of her approaching a trucker in a rest stop and explaining that she just has to say hello to her DG friends.

Judy..cute story..
I shovelled some snow today..and took a walk out back..

Cheers,
Carol

Carol
Lovely picture, is that a bird nest in it? I'm sure Betty will charm some trucker into it!

Hi Rachie..yes..in the winter you can see all the little nests in the trees.
The apples are still hanging on the trees.

Hi Ladies,

I am home already.

Carol, Yep sure hope Betty set on as early as she hoped and missed that accident.

Giggling at the prospect of her explaining to a trucker about using his PC...Bet sh'ell pick a cutie!

Oh my gosh, Your Gardens are splendid in it's winter coat! Lovely scenery.

carol, the garden is so lovely covered with snow
god i miss betty already:(

jeannine, thank you for the instructions it is a great peice

judy great story

Ah, Judy, fun story.........little girls love colors!!!!
OH,,.,Ethan and Alyn were here over the weekend, made it home OK, and will be back for Christmas.

Carol, lovely pictures, makes me want to be there. I wrote today's article on River Birch Bark, and had a bunch of inquiries as to how far north RiverBirch trees will grow.....Oops, hadn't done my homework, since it was all about decorating.......so, Carol......do River Birch trees grow where you are?? You have lots of trees, so I am wondering.

Yep, we all miss our Betty, but she's charming the sox off some good lookin trucker on the way south, so she'll be fine!!!

You all take care, have a good evening, took my daughter shopping today, and just about walked myself down a couple of inches!!!

Hi, Liz.....hope all is well with you today....
Hugs to you and everybody.

lol shar omg can you just see betty doing that!
im good all is well had my talk with fil and he told me to just relax for now so thats what im going to do. so now i have to go paint a few sleighs and work on a couple of things then turn in, how are you doing can you believe carol's place she can ship all of that snow to me lol i'll take it off her hands have a good evening liz

Glad you all enjoyed the snow pics..
Just checked in to see if Betty had found that trucker yet! LOL

Sharran..I have Birch trees growing in my yard..but don't know about River Birch..are they different than ordinary Birch?

Hope everyone is having a good evening. I wonder if Betty realizes most big libraries have computers you can use. Might be more fun using a truckers though! LOL

Carol, they might be a little different. Look at the photo in the article today, it is a very close up of the bark on the one in my yard. Does your bark look like that? Probably not, because it might change in a colder climate, or if it is not a "river" birch, it might not have the curly bark, just the split bark. some birches split horizontally, the river birch splits everywhich way.....anyway, look at the photo in the beginning of the article and you can see the bark really close.

But for decorating, other kinds of birch work just as well.....The cone shaped tree at the end of the article is not river birch, it is a different kind of birch, maybe more like yours. sometime take a photo of yours, I love birch trees, whatever kind, also sycamore trees are whiter and equally beautiful....but all I have is the accidental river birch. I think my neighbor regrets giving it to me!!

Edited to say:
Hi cat......knowing betty, she will choose the truck stop, of course........Much more fun!!!

This message was edited Dec 17, 2007 9:11 PM

Hi,
...Taken a short break, Liz glad things worked out with fil. More sleighs...Woopie, I am working on real special one for MIL. Took my kids baby Santa pics arranged really cute, I am so excited, just keep adding this and that. Sabrina will smoosh the backround since well she's the best at it and Jacob cutting sleigh, then Julia will help embellish it! Then thats it I swear I am done crafting for the season, mmmhmmbeleive that.

Oh Gosh Shar, are you writing each week for the newsletter?? That is just too cool.
Am looking forward to your next article, Birch tree's of any kind are truley beautiful!
...So glad Ethan and Alyn made it home safe.
Might have suprise company next couple of days. Neice and nephew may need a half way stopping point. and WE are it...yippee, haven't seen them in a very long time.

Hi Cat, what have you been up to? Are you having a nice relaxing evening?

Hahah, Carol wouldn't you just love sending Liz alll that snow...hehe or at least some of it.

Glad you all enjoyed my story.

Hope Everyone is enjoying the Evening.

Oh, I did love your story, Judy...great fun.
I only write a couple articles a month for DG....they just happened to be very close together this month. Probably won't happen like that again, but since they were both sort of seasonal decorating, they were placed before Christmas. A lot of the writers are very serious plant oriented folks, excellent information. Mine are a bit lighter, more for fun and craft, but still garden related.
You all have a good night....have to leave bright and early to get Ashley to Nashville for her flight. will be a basket case when I get home, so you all need to be prepared for tears and wailing and weeping. She has been here since September, won't be easy to be without her.....

Sharran..another great article..learned something too..after doing a bit of Googling about River Birch

http://ontariotrees.com/mondaygarden/article.php?id=152

I think the Birch I have are the Paper Birch..I have some out front of the house too.

We cross posted..Sharran,
Hard to have Ashley leave just before Christmas..
We'll be here to chat to.and to send hugs (((((( )))))))

Betty will be pleased..I can imagine her saying.."Just chat amongst yourselves while I am gone"...
LOL

You do have paper birch, and they are beautiful....mine is not as white, more colorful, but with white patches. Mine though, as I said, was an accident....took several years for it to start "peeling" and then I realized what a treasure I had.

the site you found is excellent....Boy!!! I should have looked it up before I started writing, but wasn't thinking of the botany part of it, just the decorative part. some of the writers get really technical, but I mostly write about crafty garden things.

anyway....thanks, Carol....I love your yard!

Morning!

Waiting to see where Betty pops in from!

Got more cleaning to do since DS didn't get his room cleaned. Will work on the upstairs today. Got candies made yesterday. Not all but a good start and some cleaning done. Not to bad a day.

Sharran enjoyed your article. I like the not so serious articles. We have Paper
birch here but I would like to get some of the others. But DH hates trees in the yard. If he had his way the yard would be bare and in my eyes it almost is! Sorry your daughter has to leave just before Christmas. Come and cry all you want.

Liz You have a good day at work. I go
back tomorrow just in time for truck.

Starzz are you done crafting?

Have to go and finish reading and then really get my day started.
Vicki

morning all,

shar, wish i lived closer i'd come vivit you for tea and bring you a cut out sleight to paint
will be thinking of you today hope you are ok now when will she be back?

just tired finished another sleigh, started another beaded bracelett dh is going to assemble two requested tin men i saw him on the hobby lobby how to page and now i have to get ready for work
so have a great day liz

vicki, crossed posts lol
did i hear candy mmmm what kind did you make boy did you get my attention lol
i cant wait to hear bettys road side story ...
we didnt order anything last week except for the few special orders and got our load yesterday 21/2 pallets were almost there checking it in.

i love birch trees but dh would love to bring a tractor home and plow down everything so i dont dare plant that lol wonder if he would buy the excuse its always been here ...

carol, your pictures are just lovely really enjoy seeing them

cat, i would think your card instructions should be there today or tomorrow

everyone have a good day

Ves..I don't do crafts..at least not the way most of you all do.
I just did the Santa plaque with the material Betty sent.
I did go out and get some grapevines yesterday and just did a swag and put the peanut butter,oatmeal, seed and shortening mix on it. I just laid it on the snow on the deck till I get it hung up..so much snow to plow through. looks like a raccoon enjoyed it..I can see his footprints this morning.

Liz..glad you enjoyed seeing the photos of our snow.

This is the back of my yard where the wild grapevines grow. Got some more red dogwood branches too to put in my planter out front.

Liz I did the easy ones yesterday.Love your tin amn and the bottle tree. I have a vase tree. We just don't have the bottles up here! I have to make one of those tin men. or 2. I think I have the cans for it.

Clock wise. Choco basket weave pretzels. Almond bark covered fudge cookies.I had to different brands of almond bark for 2 bags of butter stick pretzels. I was just trying to find easier ways to do the pretzels instead of dipping each one. Very time consuming. As it was this took about 2-3 hours. I had to come and check out DG's once in awhile! LOL

I found a fudge recipe last year that is very close to The Hershey Fudge recipe off the tin but easier to make.

Starzz the birds are going to enjoy your swag if the raccoon doesn't eat it all first! LOL

forgot to insert the picture! LOL

Good morning everyone. I'll let you know when they get here Liz. And thanks again!

I don't think I know what a "relaxing" evening is anymore! LOL. Seems there's always something to do, or places to go. I'm trying hard, but seem to be leaning towards the bahumbug spirit this year! Too much going on. I keep telling myself if I can just get thru this weekend, I'll be home free! My kids and folks and I always do our Christmas get together/meal the weekend before Christmas. Then we can just relax and stay home on Christmas day. It works out really well.
I just found out yesterday I have 3 more people to buy something for. I normally keep a few last minute things for last minute surprise gifts. But this is for 3 small boys. 2,3 & 5. and nothing in my "stash" will work for them. That's ok though, I'll enjoy finding them something.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Cat what fun shopping for 3 little boys! This year it is hard to get into the spirit. But I keep plugging along and there are sparks here and there!

Yes it's the small ones that are the most fun. And these little guys don't get much, so anything I get them will be a biggee to them. I think I'm also going to do them each up a stocking and fill it with little stuff and candies etc. I'll have to be careful about the small ones. It's easy to forget NOT to get them things they can choke on!

Good Morning!

Vicky, wonderful chocolates, yum made me hungry, lol
...with all the wrk youv'e been doing for Store, I am sure makes it much more exhausting to get in the Spirit...So glad you are little by little, enjoy all that can.

Cat, how fun to make stockings for little people! They will love it and you know each little item will be quite alot in their eyes, How sweet of you! Hope you get to relax soon too.

Shar, Know it's hard to bye. But wow you will be getting to see her before you know in Ft. Lauderdale. Hugs to you, come and chat, will have some tea brewing in a bit.

Laura, How was your day? Hope good, Hey been meaning to ask how your CD for DH is going?
Have you finished it...surely he will love his suprise.

Carol, just enjoying your scenery, I think it would be lovely to sit and watch the critters enjoy your vine wreath! Ha, those raccoon sure are greedy, hope thy left something for the Birds. Now are using Sharon mixture...how fun.

Tropi...Haven't seen you in a while...Hope your holiday season is fun.

Rachie, how are you today...Busy, busy i am sure.

GG Hope you are enjoying your time off, get all those gifts wrapped?...or are your still snuggled on your new bedding?

Hi Liz...Oh gosh the Tin Man is awsom!! I love that he even has the little red heart. Hope your day is going well.

Ok gang, i am outta here!! Got a shopping mall calling me. Got my list, and all that I have to mail so off I go in hopes to finish it all.

...Maybe by then we will hear From Betty, you know should have told her to call when she was in hotel, lot cheaper in the states, hmmm maybe she will.

Have a wonderful Day/Evening.
Smiles for all.

Just a quick stop in. Don't want Betty to think we can't talk without her! LOL

I have made a dent in the upstairs room! The burn pile is huge! Some for thrift sale and what doesn't sell gets sorted and to thrift store.This spring.

back to work I go!

Liz- Love your tinman and bottle tree.

Ves- The candy looks delicious! Good luck with the cleaning, sounds like you are really making a dent in it!

Seed- Have fun shopping!

Cat- Shopping for the little ones is always so much fun! I can just picture stockings full of Hot Wheels and candy!

I'm meeting some girlfriends today at one of our local nurseries for lunch and shopping. Chat later! Rachel

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

BEEN YELLING LIKE THAT ALL THE WAY FROM NASHVILLE....DID YOU HEAR ME????

This house is wayyyyyyyyy too quiet!

HELLOOO!!

my watcher keeps dropping the threads and i get lost and forgotten!!!
argghh!!
i didnt even know where the thread had gone!

OK i have a story.
went to shelly beach the other day and i told my hubby to climb up on the rocks and i will take a photo.
so there he posed and what do you think happened?

OPPS, sorry honey!