OneCreativeCat

Did you ever...

2012-01-25T19:02:00.000-08:00

Did you ever hear a song so good you wanted to share it with the world....I did...it was from a movie Charlie and I watched, they played it at the end and I made him scroll through the credits until I found out what it was and ran to itunes to buy it....
The movie was The Cleaner, it had Samuel Jackson, Ed Harris and Eva Mendes...it was a good movie!!
But this song stuck with me...and I want to share it with you....

Time Flies..

2012-01-21T15:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I have not gotten to the cookies, so hang on for those...I did make homemade chicken pot pies today and will put them on my cooking blog soon!
The cookies are Pizzelles, my friend Tanya gave me a pizzelle cookie press for christmas and they are really neato! The italian cookies, like wafers, yummy! I will make some soon and blog them!

It is cold and windy here today so I am staying warm in the kitchen!

The Cook is in!

2012-01-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

I guess the only thing I like about winter is getting to stay in and cook lots of neat stuff...I am going to make whiskey sliders tomorrow for dinner, from the pioneer woman's blog. I put a cool bang bang chicken recipe on my cooking blog, dang, that was good little chicken nuggets! Spicy spicy, I love it..made with sriracha sauce, which I discovered is awesome on my scrambled eggs and pretty much anything else you want to put it on!
So keep checking the cooking blog, tonight it is just good ole spaghetti!
Oh and I have some cookies to make tomorrow, wait until you see these babies!!
Stay tuned!
Jackie

California....

2012-01-16T07:34:00.000-08:00

I had to travel to california over the weekend, my mom is still struggling to get better in the hospital, still on a trach/ventilator. Very bad stomach problems that they can't seem to figure out how to get her well.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I hate california, after growing up there, I was so happy when I found the desert life suited me better then the cold damp beach life. But I go. It usually rains and it did as we were leaving.

The one great thing about california is I get to spend time with my son (and his very smart & beautiful wife). Travis is such a good person, he is the only person who can tolerate my mom and her over bearing cranky-ness. They have always been close and even more so as she got older and more dependant on him. He checks on her everyday now that she is at a hospital close by him.

My mom cannot speak with the trach/vent so she can only use hand gestures, she saves the one finger gestures for the nurses, but one time when Travis and I were walking out and I was saying goodbye she circled above her head and pointed to Travis, I know what it meant, Travis knows too, Well, she did not have to tell me, my son is an Angel, and I could not be more proud of him for the roll he is taking in the care of my mom, his grandma. I love him.

Travis and his Tow Truck

Bazinga!

2012-01-12T17:53:00.001-08:00

Lazy day!

2012-01-09T06:26:00.000-08:00

I took this saturday and sunday off from all responsibilities. Sometimes you need to do that, so you can re-focus and set new goals.I stayed in my jammies and made silver art clay stuff, cleaned my craft room, made bbq chicken salad (recipe is on the cooking blog).
I made my sister a scrapbook bracelet, she already had one but it broke so I had to make a new one.
I made myself a Big Bang Theory necklace, gotta love "the sheldon" and the soft kitty song!

Only my nerdizzles will understand this necklace!

Hello!

2012-01-04T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Well, guess I need to change my post, the new year has arrived, wow, 2012, I can remember being in grade school and writing 1977 and thinking what will the years in 2000 be like???
It was such a long way off back then!

We have lots of work to keep us busy and that is a good thing. I have just been cooking simple meals and trying to get my house back in order, took down the Christmas decorations last night, so it is cleaning all day today. I got the year end receipts all totaled and ready for the taxman!

I made a simple meal last night but we really enjoyed it so it went straight to the cooking blog, go check it out if you like Chicken broccoli fettuccine alfredo!

This year I resolve to walk on the treadmill more, and keep a clean simple house, free of clutter and junk! That's it for me. No big resolutions....just live a simple happy life.

Happy New Year everyone!

2012

2011-12-29T13:10:00.000-08:00

Well, the new year will be here soon.

It is going to be a struggle for us in the beginning with family members being ill.

But I know it's always darkest before the dawn, and the sun will come out tomorrow,

and life goes on.

Yes, I could go on, but my point is...we are all on this earth to do the best we can - to get through this thing called life, one day at a time. Be kind, be honest, be good and let karma do the rest!

Have a safe and happy and healthy new year and I will see you all next year!

Peace out,

jackie

Santa's gifts...

2011-12-26T07:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning after we had our coffee, I had Charlie open his gift from Mrs. Claus...Yeah, there was a hidden agenda on that gift..my hubby cooked me a belgian waffle for breakfast!! He is really great at making waffles on the hotel waffle makers so Mrs. Claus bought him his own! After that Charlie's family came over and we hung out all day, eating too much and talking. His sister is here from New Zealand (Black Thunder Racing) I will have more about that in upcoming posts with photos.

Oh I can almost smell the waffles now!!

Travis and Rebecca got me the hand mixer to match my big mixer, awesome!!

My new boots! I look dashing in them!

"Chef Charlie" working his double sided waffle maker!

I almost forgot to take a photo, it was fabulous!!

Every year Charlie aka Mr. Claus, gets me the new Jim Shore Snowman with cat,
I love this years!

Hope everyone had a fun day, on to the New Year 2012!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone, hope everyone has a wonderful day.

I am asking for a little christmas gift from everyone, I need some good wishes sent to my mom, who is in the hospital, she is having a hard time breathing on her own and has to rely on a ventalator. Not fun!
I will be travelling back and forth to California for a couple days here, a couple days there until she can get back to her cranky old self!
My son, Travis, and sister, Christy, have been working really hard to get her well and I wish them lots of rest and well being today, they have been such troopers, they are amazing with her!!

Thank you and I hope to see us all happy and healthy next year!

Shop from Home!

2011-12-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

How is the Christmas shopping going? If you are done braving the crowds and want to shop from home don't forget my Etsy shop! I just added 10 new necklaces!!
I also have links on the side bar of my blog of places I like to shop, most are my friends who have online shops so please visit them! I love to shop from home in my jammies with a hot cup of coffee and a big fat cat (sammy) on my lap to stay warm!
I put a nice and easy recipe for my chili on my cooking blog, so check that out as well!

Here is a little sample of some of the new items in my shop:

FreeBird song inspired harmonica necklace

Scrapbook Queen Necklace

Head Banger Necklace

Traveling Photographer Necklace!

Cowboy Christmas!

2011-12-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to Cowboy Christmas with Tanya and her son Louie. We strolled the aisles looking for the perfect pair of red cowgirl boots. That is all I desire this year from my Santa!
We found them and they are nestled under the tree awaiting until Christmas day for their big debut!

I also found this cool necklace to go with them! Red Cloud Chief!

I had to stop by my favorite boot place www.rocketbuster.com One day I will own a pair of these custom made to fit your feet boots (they range from 1000.00 to 3500.00!!! Aw, but which one whould I choose???

Never stop dreaming and wishing for the things you want, you never know when your dreams and wishes will come true!

Doodlebug show was a hit!

2011-12-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun yesterday, talking and laughing with all the nice people!
We made a little Christmas cash too!

I really enjoyed myself and I hope Tanya didn't mind sharing a table with me, I made her one of my famous Bologna sandwiches for lunch, so hopefully that got me in good standing!

Her Vintage Necklaces were bought and admired by many, many folks, they would come by and reminisce by looking at the old photos!

I hope I can join her at another craft fair, I really had a great time!

My section, all but one pin cushion sold!

Tanya's corner table, her vintage dress form was admired by all!

Everyone loved seeing their "old relatives" on display!

Doodlebugs!

2011-12-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

I have been busy working on some items to sell at the Doodlebug fair held in Boulder City on saturday. I will be selling with Tanya, go check out some amazing bead work necklaces she has on her website Bead and Needle She takes old tintype photos and beads around them, then hangs them on hand made chains, absolutly fabulous!
I will be selling my Guitars and some Pin Cushions I made! The pin cusions are great for beading, holds your needles and tools and supplies in the bag, or for sewing, knitting, crocheting, very handy little bags!

SURPRISE!!

2011-11-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Oh they really got me this time!!
Wednesday night, I worked very hard to make sure all was ready for the big turkey day, pies were made and the greenbean casserole was done, the house was clean and decorated, I was very tired and went to bed at 9:00.
Well at 2:00am, charlie comes through the bedroom door and says "Hey, wake up I got you something for Thanksgiving" I said "geez, can't it wait until morning" he says "NO" and there standing in the guest room is....

TRAVIS AND REBECCA!!!

All I could say was "this better not be a dream, or I am going to be really pissed off in the morning if they are not really here!!"

Jeff and Christy

us at sam's town after breakfast friday morning

relaxing after stuffing ourselves with turkey!

Me and Charlie

It was a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Christmas came a little early!

2011-11-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

Charlie had to move his racecars so we decided to rent him his own shop, so Merry Christmas honey, that is all you are getting this christmas, well, maybe a big kiss under the mistletoe too!
As for me, I am happy with a new pair of boots, I will be headed to Cowboy Christmas the first week of December to see if Santa has anything interesting there!
I am preparing for Thanksgiving, so I decided to decorate!
Christy and Jeff and Margaret and Ronna will be joining us.
Travis and Rebecca have to work and cannot come out, I hope I can see them for Christmas, I miss them so much!!! But being newly married they are working hard to build a nice life!

Busy week!

2011-11-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not posted...it was busy here this week.Getting ready for Thanksgiving.
Making stuff to sell at a craft show I have been invited to join...I have my wire wrapped guitars and these fabulous pin cusions to sell.

YOU'RE CUTTING WHAT OFF????

Sammy got neutered yesterday! He stayed in all night but charlie let him out this morning...I will try to keep him in the house at night but during the day he will have to go outside when I leave, he could really do some damage to Toby if they start to fight. Which has happened a couple times, Toby starts it and Sammy finishes it. Boys!

See you back for more later...

How about a little music for monday!

2011-11-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

I love this song, how about you?
AMOS LEE: Flower

Lunch!

2011-11-10T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hey, got a new recipe on the old cooking blog check it out..click on the cooking photo on the right! YUMMY!!

A New Deguevara Has Arrived!

2011-11-09T06:57:00.000-08:00

A nine pounder born yesterday morning!

Ethan gets a new baby brother, Bryce to play with!

I love the little hats!

After Ethan was born he had one on, he looked like a little sailor!

Welcome to the world Bryce!

Bryce

Ethan (he is now 7 1/2 years old!)

A little break!

2011-11-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

I got to run to Ontario to hook up with the Whiney Scrappers! We stayed at the Ayers right in the parking lot of the Ontario convention center. No driving anywhere, just eat, sleep and scrap!
We were happy to see the expo was nice and large this time! People must be getting back into scrapbooking! The shopping area was very busy!
It was Me, Christy, Mary NR, and Mary F, and we have a new whiney scrapper: Merissa, she came and played with us!
We had fun shopping and hiking to Marie Callendar's for saturday night dinner.
What a fun little getaway!

Friday night Wine tasting/Scrapbooking!

Sister Scrappers!

Mary NR, Me, Mary F, Merissa all down the row!

The fun never ends in Vegas!

2011-11-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

I took Charlie to see a show, Anthony Cools.
If you get to Las Vegas and you have an open mind and don't mind a little dirty humor..this is a show guaranteed to make you laugh out loud!
Don't worry about being picked from the audience, you can only hypnotize the willing, so it is all volunteers that go up....and when in Vegas, people want to try new stuff and do crazy things so he has no problem getting people on stage!
Funny, funny man!
I won't let on what he does...you just gotta see it for yourself!
Charlie and I cannot stop laughing!

Life goes on...

2011-10-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well, the Rangers did not win the world series, but they came awful close! The determination and heart they showed was outstanding, they gave more then anyone could have asked for, but somethimes that just is not enough.
We will come back stronger next year!
I hope it is the Cardinals and Rangers again! That would be so much fun!
I bought a nice green carved bakelite bracelet for Tanya, I lost the bet and paid the price.
I should stick to quarter keno and bingo, I do not gamble on other stuff and now I remember why!

Anyway on to other stuff...it is going to be a cold winter, so I will snuggle in and sew and scrapbook and make jewelry! Look for new items in my etsy store soon! Great place to go Christmas Shopping, free shipping always and you can shop in your jammies!

See you all for spring training!!

CURSES TO THE BASEBALL GODS!

2011-10-28T06:47:00.000-07:00

Napoli, I am glad you are ok, now get the job done tonight!!!

That was the longest, most heart wrenching baseball game I ever watched!!

The Rangers had that game in the bag several times and the Cardinals just kept coming back!!

Did anyone start crying when they thought Napoli broke his ankle??? (raising my hand!)

That was scary!!!

I just hope the Rangers can dig down deep and fight back one more night, one more night of baseball and it is all over...just one more fight left...LET'S GO RANGERS!!!

Everybody say a little prayer!!

World Series!

2011-10-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, have you been watching the world series, these games have been so exciting! I have been wearing my Napoli jersey on game days. I have followed him from the beginning in Anaheim and he is doing great in the series with the Rangers!
I hope we can win tonights game and win the world series!
My friend Tanya lived in St. Louis for some time, so her family is rooting for the Cardinals and I am rooting for the Rangers...how funny that our teams both made it to the world series! Well we decided to make things interesting, if the Cardinals win, I buy her a bakelite bracelet, if the Rangers win she has to make me a purse, I get to choose the fabric and pattern!! So let's all say GO RANGERS!!!!

My Ranger jersey!

My Angel jersey!

Mike Napoli!

Take your president to work day!

2011-10-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

I had a fun 1/2 hour at work today...The President had to drive down Sahara to go to the east side of town to speak somewhere (they would not tell us where)..so we got to watch them shut down all the streets and block all the driveways with cop cars...this took about a 1/2 an hour, then a ton of motorcycles went by then The President came by and Charlie snapped the photo!
I wonder if Mr. Obama saw me standing there and said "Wow, I like her boots" Hee-Hee!!
Anyway, it was a fun "take your president to work day"...ok, back to work everyone we have taxes to pay!

Mr. Obama

Cooking!

2011-10-19T18:22:00.001-07:00

I added some stuff to my cooking blog..check it out..link is on the right!

Busy Busy

2011-10-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I have been working a lot with the hubby, we got busy the last couple weeks!

When I get home I have been getting some sewing done, I made a new purse to go with my western boots this winter. Same Amy Butler pattern as the last purse, but with some slight alterations, little smaller on the bottom, let's just say I got creative with the directions! I did the quilting on the handles but had to consult a pro for the bottom pieces, I paid her with a dinner at Bahama Breeze and a fun night at the Don Henley concert! She said it was a good trade! I am going to attempt the next one strictly on my own, no help!

I am also making a quilt this is the pattern but the fabrics are blue batiks and cream background...So stay tuned for the creativecat is going to be creating lots of new goodies!

Commercial music

2011-10-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

Is anyone enjoying the commercials as much as I am?
I love the Elton John Rocket Man commercial, People are singing what they think Elton is saying in the song, too funny..then at the end they tell you the real lyrics...Uh, That's what he is saying?

Oh and Allstate, Mr. Mayhem commercials, geez, you just gotta love the bad boys! Mr. Mayhem is so adorable as a raccoon tearing up your attic!

And tonight while watching the Rangers play baseball, I see this new car commercial, the kids in the car start singing Crazy Train by Ozzie! Love that!

I must say commercials are getting a little more entertaining! Especially while watching Mike Napoli hit homeruns!

This is good...

2011-10-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is my life...right now...

Sunday night at Boulder Station???

2011-10-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

We love to go to Boulder Station on Sunday night..it is our little ritual...we go have dinner at the Mexican restaurant, where everyone knows our name, then we go to the bar and watch football or baseball depending on the season, have a couple drinks and play some keno.
We are home by 9 to go to bed and go to work.

Well, this week Charlie came to me with an unexpected expense, he needed to help Joe pay to get his car fixed, after all they have a new baby on the way, so I decided, no Boulder Station to make up for the expense. Instead I made Boulder Station come to us!!

How is this for creativity??? Yes, they call me creativecat for a reason!

Boulder Station has Paper Keno:

Live Keno on my laptop, and printed keno cards to play with!

Boulder Station has a bucket of beer, glass of wine and chips and salsa as soon as we sit down at our favorite table!

Boulder Station has Live Keno and Baseball and Mexican music playing!

Boulder Station has Carnitas Tacos and refried beans and gaucamole!

Charlie was very impressed that I recreated our favorite hang out here at home! We had fun playing along with the live keno, eating our tacos and watching baseball!

Don Henley and Scrapbooking!

2011-10-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Friday night we got tickets to see Don Henley at The Joint in The Hard Rock Hotel, I knew Charlie liked the Eagles music and thought this may be one concert he enjoys, I was right, he really had a great time!
Don Henley was great, he sang all the hits from the good old days...It was so fun to see Hotel California performed live, and everyone in the audience sang along! I loved to hear him sing Sunset Grill, one of my favorite songs.
What a nice night out that was!

Saturday found me scrapbooking all day at Sweet Retreat in Henderson, this was a crop put on by Chel at www.sweetretreatweekend.com This was a fabulous day of scrapbooking, she had games and prizes, lots of goodies and even fed us hot dogs and more! It was all halloween themed and so much fun!

This is the candy table set up, all the goodies you can eat!

We played bingo for some really good prizes, but I did not win. We also played music trivia, yes, my table won that one...it was all scary movie music! Can you say Ghostbusters and Thriller??

Chel puts on a great crop!

Old School Jam!

2011-10-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

As part of tournament week, Justin Timberlake hosts an annual concert benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children.
This year's concert theme was "Old School Jam," with artists who have influenced Timberlake.

Tanya, Erin and I went to this and had so much fun going back, way back to "Old School".
The concert line-up featured Earth, Wind & Fire, Charlie Wilson (Gap Band), Vanilla Ice, The Commodores, the Sugar Hill Gang, Sister Sledge, Turbo B and Color Me Badd.

It was a real treat to see Earth wind and Fire perform, and Vanilla Ice, and Charlie Wilson was tearing up the stage! Yeah, you Dropped a Bomb on me! That was so much fun! Oh and to hear Sugar Hill Gang sing Rapper's Delight...Oh my gosh that was great, the very first hip-hop, rap song ever and I was there when it first came out!

It was intersting to see that these bands really did influence Justin, you could see his moves and style just from watching the older bands entertain!

We stayed for all the songs hoping Justin would sing us one..but he was having fun hosting and telling jokes with Wayne Brady, they were having a blast up on stage. That was a real treat, JT is a funny guy all the time anyway. So just seeing him on stage was great!

The concert finally ended at 1 AM !! What a fun night out! Thanks Tanya and Erin for "Jumping on the Party Train" with me and "Boogie-ing on Down with me!
Hahahahaha!!

Bathroom Redo!

2011-10-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

I have been busy the past 3 days because I got the bug to redo the guest bathroom! I just could not take that pea soup green any longer!
So here is the new bathroom, it matches my bedroom, with the aqua and brown. I really like it in there now, I just need a little plant in an aqua planter for the corner of the sink. I love the Better Homes and Gardens towels and shower curtain, from Walmart. Very pretty! And it looks a lot bigger with creamy walls! The stained glass cats were gifts, the large one from Maureen and Ralph, the smaller one from my mom.
Sorry, if the photos don't show the colors right I bought a new camera and they come out yellow and I had to photoshop them, the room is Dove White on the walls, aqua and brown linens, and polished nickel accessories! Ok, I am done painting for the next 10 years!

Kitchen Items

2011-09-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

I wanted more of a vintage feel in my kitchen, so I found this old chalkboard in Etsy and grabbed it, I hope it arrives soon!

These little cuties, were found by Tanya on an antique trip with her mom, she named them Quackie and Chuck, they are very old from occupied Japan. Too Funny!

Here is a vinyl wall quote I found at Joann's on clearance, I love it!

I love my kitchen! It is still a work in progress but I am thrilled with it so far!

The winter blues....

2011-09-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

Really, I am fine with the seasons changing, I do not have the winter blues, yet!
Actually, living in Las Vegas, you do get all 4 seasons.
In California, you really don't get the seasons, you get overcast and rain, overcast and rain, smog, oh, and then you might get sunny for a day....Trust me, I lived there for 36 years!!

So, on to why I named this post winter blues: TA-DA!

I made a purse! Well, I had to get some help from the purse guru, Tanya, but I really tried to do it all by myself. It is an Amy Butler Pattern called Birdie Sling, and I would say a medium level pattern, you have to quilt the bag, add pleats, box the corners so I am not thinking easy. I am speaking from a not so great of a sewing person (beginner). For an experienced person, super easy, probably!

I am so excited to be sewing again, it is so much fun! I will still make jewelry for my Etsy shop, because I love having my own little store! I don't think I will be selling purses though, you really need to be a perfectionist to sell sewed stuff!
I have so much more to share this week so stay tuned!!

The yuckiest day of the year....

2011-09-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Fall. I hate this day of all the days of the year.

I am going to try and be happier but I really enjoy the warm weather of Summer.

Fall only marks the beginning of the cold season.

One good thing, I get to wear my beautiful cowgirl boots again!

All 8 pairs or however many I am up to now!

And Cowboy Christmas is just 2 months away, where I will get to choose a new pair for under the Christmas tree!! Oh Joy!

Thanksgiving will find good food on the table and Christmas will find new boots under the tree!

Hmmm, maybe Fall ain't so bad after all!

Cajun Chicken Pasta!

2011-09-20T18:11:00.000-07:00

Oh mamacita! I made Pioneer Woman's pasta recipe tonight, I had issues, let's just say I had issues, but my hubby came to my rescue and it was fabulous!!!
You must make this dish!!
All the details are on my cooking blog!

Pizza means LOVE!

2011-09-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

My work of Art!

I made homemade pizza tonight, it is all on my cooking blog..click on the link on the right side column. You won't be sorry.
I was checking recipes on pioneer woman blog and she was giving away one of her custom mixers by www.un-amore.com I went to the website and found this beauty...my god I would give up, uh, I would give up, uh, something for this mixer!!!
But it was a promo she did for a company so it is not for sale: Yes, I cried...

This would look so good in my kitchen, I can't stand it!!!

Ok, I am over it...check the cooking blog and make homemade pizza dough and pizza's for dinner tomorrow night, you won't be sorry!! It was divine!

This is not funny...

2011-09-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, this had to have been the shortest summer of my life! Where did summer go?? Bring it back, Dang it!!

Rain Rain Rain

Downpour over the patio cover! Like a waterfall!

Tuesday it started thunderstorming and raining...which is cool, as long as I can stay home and bake and cook and clean. I did have to go to work at noon but it had died down by then. We had our bedroom window open all night and woke up a couple times to heavy downpours. The weather is cool in the low 70's. Today much of the same, very cool, and raining off and on.
I miss the sunshine already...UGH...it feels like california to me, yuck!

Freedom...

2011-09-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

I did not get a chance to get online and post about 9/11 yesterday, I was busy running around all day doing this and that, running errands, shopping etc...
But let me just say...THANK YOU to everyone that keeps this country safe and free, so I can have days to run all over town and to get up each morning and go outside and take pictures of the desert clouds rolling by....Yes, Thank You, Thank you very much!!

Elvis show!

2011-09-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Elvis Show

Last night I ventured out with Tanya and her mom, Barb, we went to see the Elvis cirque show at the Aria. We started out at Margaritaville with Charlie and dinner, then just us girls headed to the Aria to check it out. It was not a very user friendly place, very crowded and hard to get around in. I like hotel/casinos that have a theme and a route so you can eat, play and find your room...the Aria was just one big mess, it actually felt like an international airport terminal! Very modern and contemporary. Yuck!

We got to the theater, it was actually very beautiful inside, the show was really good and highlighted Elvis's life in song and dance and acrobatics, the only weird part - when the dancers/acrobats dressed up as superheroes and jumped around to "Gotta a whole lotta love" that was strange and needs to be replaced. I loved watching the old movie pieces of Elvis and Pricilla together.

Well, another fun night with two fun people! Thanks for hanging out Tanya and Barb!

Oh, I got an Elvis lunch box for 5.00 in the gift shop, gotta love clearance sales! Barb brought 2 little pigs for my kitchen from Colorado, Thank you Barb!!

Boxing kittens and Piggies!

Lunch box/Junk to jewelry class box!

September already!

2011-09-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Where did summer go???

I am trying to enjoy my pool but fall is creeping up too fast....

I decided to come home from work and soak up a few more rays of sunshine before it leaves for the winter....

I just love the view from where I sit on a sunny afternoon!

Doughnuts!

2011-09-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

I made doughnuts this morning...check out my cooking blog

(link on the right, click on cooking blog photo)

Well, it is about time!

2011-09-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have been cleaning and organizing my craft room, it's an obsession, I know, I have a problem, let's not discuss it...I have two folders I keep on the wall for organizing my paperwork, on is all the trips I take the other is for misc. stuff, reciepts, important papers, address sheets, stamps for birthday cards and my mailing labels...well, last night I decided to scrapbook up the folders....so here is a little of my scrapbook work, I love scrapbooking but it is odd that I never really share it on my blog..??? So I have decided to start sharing some of my scrapbooking with you...I will try to post more, maybe a favorite layout a week that I have made?? We will see, but for now, here are my folders, I just love them!

Barry Rocked the House!

2011-09-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

My friends had been teasing me about going to the Barry Manilow show, I told them, "no way would I go see Barry Manilow" but then everyone was going and talking about how great it was, and I thought well OK, I will go and see it, just so I can say "I saw Manilow" when he had a great run in Vegas.

Charlie and I, Tanya and Colleen ran up to the Paris and saw the show, Charlie was not happy but sat along with us. I have to admit Barry Rocked the House! It was a great show, I am so glad they talked me into going to see him. If you get the chance go to the Paris (my favorite hotel!!) and see Barry, he tells his life story in song and it is so cool, who knew!

Colleen was kind enough to sit with me at while I ate my favorite meal at LeProvencal restaurant, Yes, the brown butter raviloi's!! YUMMMY!! (recipe can be found on my cooking blog) Tanya was not able to get there till later and Charlie wanted pizza, so thanks Colleen for sitting with me and having your salad and water...I love those ravioli's!!

Have a great weekend!

Baseball in Texas!

2011-08-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

Dang, it was hot and muggy! I had booked a weekend getaway for Charlie months and months ago..so we could go see a baseball game in Texas. We want to go to a different ballpark each year. This year was Texas Rangers in Arlington.
Nice but not as nice as Arizona where we like to see the Diamondbacks play!
We were a bit stressed out, as Charlie's mom had to go to the hospital right before we left to get a kidney stone removed, we could not cancel flight and hotel without losing all funds about 1000.00, and then we paid 280.00 for two days worth of baseball tickets...we decided to go and hope that she would be in the hosptial for a few days resting and we would fly back first thing sunday, well, turns out she did not need us, as she drove herself home sunday without even telling us! Mordern medicine is a pretty fascinating thing I guess! She is doing fine resting at home.
Saturday morning we rented a car for the day and drove to downtown Dallas, YUCK! Don't bother. Then we headed off to The StockYards in Fort Worth, now that was more like it! You could walk around and the street is like an old western town, we went on a stagecoach ride, ate bbq at Cooper's, don't bother, yuck again!
Got back to the stadium in time to see Saturdays game, this time we headed to the Cuervo Club, an airconditioned lounge, we dined on chips and salsa and beer and wine, after the sun went down we went to our seats and enjoyed the game. I got to see Napoli play friday and saturday, he did great!
All in all, it was an ok weekend, I wished Charlie could have relaxed more, but maybe next year will be better, we will try San Diego or Seattle!!

READY TO SEE THE GAME!

READY TO GO FOR A RIDE

GUS GIVES KISSES

BIG CHEIF CHARLIE

YUMMY CHIPS AND SALSA

NAPOLI BATTING

NAPOLI CATCHING

Sewing Class and Sammy!

2011-08-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

I took my class to make a purse today at SewObsessed! Wow, that was fun! But it is a lot of work! Class was from 11:00 to 4:30!! I still had to topstich my handles when I left but came right home and got them done!I chose Vintage Kitchen fabric as the main fabric...I just love this and I learned so much!!

I really love how well made this is, thank you, Tanya, for teaching me I could make a purse! Everybody in class had a different spin on the purse and they all looked fabulous!

P.S. Just an update on Sammy, he is still hanging out, he loves to show up for breakfast then dinner and come in and lounge around the house, but then he wants to leave becuase he has business to attend to, I am hoping to get him to the vet to get clipped and checked out next month!

He is such a lover and a lap kitty, he loves to jump up on my chair and sit with me after breakfast! I have tried to collar him 3 times with breakaway collars but they last 1 maybe 2 days and they are gone, not sure if someone is removing them or he gets into tight spots and loses them. Anyway, Toby still hates him and makes it known he is not welcome here...Toby is such a grouch! I should have named him Oscar!!

Sewing and much much more!

2011-08-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

I love to take classes, I love to learn new things, I love being in class, I love homework, I love reading!
I know well into my senior years I will continue to take classes and learn new stuff. Which brings me to my latest adventure...sewing again!
I started sewing at a quilt store in costa mesa, called piecemakers, I took classes and made many quilts that I gave away or sold, I loved every minute of it. I got my sister involved..and then she found scrapbooking with Creative Memories, from there we went to workshops and I became a consultant, I had workshops in my home in Anaheim...from there we found stamping and card making, we had wonderful workshops with Pat and Janet....

I moved to Vegas but never turned loose of the scrapbooking, I wanted to sew but there was nothing here for me...I liked to travel and scrapbook too much..then I found Jewelry classes with Colleen, and a whole new world opened up...I have an etsy store, I make money at this jewelry thing, I can make gifts from jewelry within minutes...I love it.

But then my friend and fellow Quilter, Tanya decided to take up teaching sewing again...so here I am full circle...next saturday I am taking a sewing class to make a tote bag with Tanya, I am excited to sew again, I really missed it...so tonight I sat down to make a pin cushion from www.sweetwaterscrapbook.com they have a club you sign up for and each month they send you a pattern to make something...it is perfect for me...got me back in the sewing mode...Oh, they send little iron on labels for each project, one will have your name on it!! Here is my little (but large) pin cushion! P. S. it is filled with Lentils, cause I could not find crushed walnuts!!

Summer Reading!

2011-08-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

A successful novel should interrupt the reader’s life, make him or her miss appointments, skip meals, forget to walk the dog. - Stephen King

Ok, Ok, I finally caved in and decided to read the Harry Potter books.

I am buying them in paperback at wal-mart, I have 1-4 already and I just finished #1, which was a very entertaining and fun little read! So, I think once I am done with all 7, I may watch the movies. I prefer reading the books to the movies, although, I think all the Stephen King movies have been excellently adapted to TV. Stand by Me, Green Mile, The Shining, Cujo, IT, Oh, and we cannot forget Christine!! I hope Harry Potter lives up to my imagination!

I have never been a serious reader, I like to read for fun, I like the books to be light and funny.

I have always preferred reading a series, so Potter was a good choice. My favortie series of books I read when I was young were written by Scott Corbett, they were the "trick book" series. Very fun and entertaining. He had 12 in the series and I am in the process of collecting them all, I have 5 so far!

I am glad I started to read again, it is so relaxing to curl up with a good story!

The first Scott Corbett book in the Trick series!

What is a blog and what is it for?

2011-08-14T18:46:00.000-07:00

I was accused once of blogging for self adulation and self promotion....but that's not it at all, in my eyes.Self-promotion and self-adulation..... Self-promotion is the art of spreading ideas, concepts, and a greater vision. Self-adulation is just the promotion of accomplishments, deeds that have already been done.
Hmm, maybe I leave it up to my faithful readers...I am not sure what I am guilty of?

I feel my blog is a way to let my friends and family know what I am up to, what has been going on in my life..I also love to share new ideas and concepts. I have always kept a diary since I was 16 years old ( I am now 46), I used the old hallmark yearly calendars to keep track of things, I have them dating from 1982 to 2011. I feel my blog is my diary now, only it has no lock, you are free to read along and see my daily activities.

You can learn from my mistakes, gain knowledge from my travels and experiences...I love my blog and all it and I stand for.

Peace, Love, and Happiness, is all I ask for in this screwed up, messed up, world we call earth.

So, as another 24 hours passes by and another day gets chalked up to history,

I ask you what have you done today? Have you made a difference in someones life today? Have you done the right thing?

I feel I have done all I can today to make it a good day, I told my husband that I love him and we are so good together, I taught my grandson to dive for quarters in the pool and that new york is far away and oregon is up the coast all along the ocean, using the quarters as a guide. He made 2.00 and I hope I taught him a little about the united states.

I also learned that life is short and you better not waste one single minute.If you think I am lying, please go ready this blog post: For Mikey!

Oh and after you read that post, I may not be making a peanut butter pie but I am making something special for a friend who survived a bank robbery last friday, thank the lord for sparing the life of our friend Andre, he is such a nice guy and such a big hearted family man, he has 2 beautiful little daughters he loves so much!

Thank you to who ever is responsible for today and letting me blog about all that I did today... It is my honor to type away, And to all that read it, thank you for taking the time, to read my thoughts and my cares and my actions.

Oh and Thank you for today.....I really enjoyed it!!

For Jennie and Mikey:

Bell Bottom Blues

2011-08-12T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, How cool are these jeans? Tanya helped me make them, well she did 99% of it, I may have sewn a seam or two but she figured out how to make them..I just love them...I always wear casual hippie type clothes..it suits me just fine! Tanya came up with the idea to make bell bottoms before we went to hippiefest, but she couldn't find the time before the concert..so we took time the other day to whip up a pair...So Groovy!

Peace Love and Music, can you dig it?

2011-08-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, baby...I was there at Hippiefest 2011!! Wow, the lights and the music and the groovy tunes, we couldn't get much higher..(on music that is!).

Ok, it was no Woodstock, it was a couple of old singers from bands long gone, singing the old hits...we were at the Hilton, you know the Hilton is turning into such a dump, those spoiled girls need to put some money back into the family business or they will be out of business and penniless! We won't even eat there any longer, we eat at home first then go to the concerts. When you get fish bacon with your meal, it is time to give it up.

Back to the music, I really enjoyed hearing Dave Mason from too many bands to mention, and Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad, they were still right on with the sounds...Please go to Mark's website and give support to his son Jessie...last year Jessie was goofing around and jumped off a picnic table to do a backflip (to impress the girls) and broke his neck, he is now a quadriplegic. www.markfarner.com

Urban Escapes 2011

2011-08-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here is our group photo from the retreat, wow, Kari really put on a great escape! I can't wait to go back next year! It was fabulous!
If you want to join us next time sign up with Kari at www.my-urban-escape.com

TOP TEN REASONS.....

2011-08-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

TOP TEN REASONS TO HAVE YOUR SISTER VISIT:

1. Private jewelry class with Colleen, complete with Fabulous Lemon Cupcakes and Bracelet making!

2. Meeting up with your old high school buddy, Debbie!

3. Swimming pool and Pina Coladas!

4. Staying at the Fabulous M Resort!

5. Scrapbooking with My Urban Escapes 24/7!

6. Going to the Peter Frampton Concert on the beach at Mandalay Bay!

7. Pasteries/Orange Panattone from BabyCakes everyday!

8. Breakfast Quesadilla from Hash Hash a Go Go!

9. Bloody Mary's and Bingo!

10. The Top 10 reason for having your sister visit is spending time together!

You know those emails....

2011-07-28T06:41:00.000-07:00

You know those emails you get with all kinds of tips and tricks and household hints, usually from the 50's when all they had was 3 kinds of cereal to choose from and there were only 3 kinds of asprin on the shelves you could take and they would cure anything, unlike today, where we have a whole aisle just of cereal and there all billions of medications..it is really overwhelming sometimes, so I tend to try home remedies first, most really work.

I received an email from my friend, Tanya, it was about putting egg whites on burns, I checked it on snopes, and they didn't say it works, but they didn't say it didn't, so I figured next time I burn myself in the kitchen, I will give it a try.

Last night I grill some chicken in my grill pan and popped it in the oven, for 15 minutes, took the pan out and used tongs to place the chicken on a plate and tented with foil, turned back around and the grill pan was sitting on the stove, I grabbed the handle thinking it was cool, and lifted the pan then dropped it and ran to the sink, I ran cold water on my hand for 20 minutes, reached around to the fridge, thank goodness I have a small kitchen, grabbed an egg, cracked it open, one handed mind you, put the egg white in a shallow bowl and dipped my burnt hand in the white...I continued to coat my hand with the egg white solution, I used two egg whites over the next 2 hours, dipping and coating my hand.

Within in the first half hour, I had no more pain, my hand was coated as if I had stuck my hand in elmers glue and let it dry, well, by this time it was bedtime, so I just left my dried up hand alone and went to sleep, still no pain at all...

This morning I wash my hand in cold water, got all the egg white off, AMAZING, you can see where my hand is burned, I even have the line from the pan handle burned into my finger, but there is NO PAIN and NO BLISTERS!!
I can tell my hand is burned when I touch stuff (dead nerves) but no pain and no blisters????

Even Charlie said he could not believe what he was seeing, as he saw my hand and the blisters that had started to form when I burned it.

Wow! I will always put egg whites on a burn, I am a true believer now!!!

Ethan Bortnick Piano Prodigy!

2011-07-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

We got tickets see Ethan Bortnick perform here in Las Vegas at the Hilton, so we made it a little girls night out (me, colleen, tanya) with our chauffer Charlie.
This little boy is amazing, he is so full of life and love of music, my favorite part of the night was when we was telling the story of his meeting with Elton John (lucky kid!) Elton had asked Ethan if he played any Chopin, Ethan said "no, I never have"...so Ethan says to the audience, "when Elton John says you should play Chopin, you go learn Chopin!! And he did, then he played it for us and it was amazing!! Here is a video that sums up Ethan's life so far, remember he is only 10, he started playing at 3!

Beat the heat!

2011-07-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hey, I made some Gazpacho today, what a nice cool refreshing soup, head on over to my cooking blog (click on the link to the right) or onecreativecook I am sorry so many people are having a hard time with the heat, perhaps a bowl of cool soup will help! Enjoy!

Chris Isaak on the Beach!

2011-07-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Went to see Chris Isaak last night, it was Me, Charlie, and Tanya. We had dinner at the cafe, then hit the beach for some great music by one of the best!

This is a photo Charlie snapped on his phone as Chris Isaak sang and danced right past us! Then he went back on stage and sang all his great songs! If you have never seen Chris in concert, go, he is so much fun and his music never gets old!

This concert was at Mandalay Bay, they have a beach and you bring a towel and sit on the sand and the water is right in front of you and the stage is above the water. You are real close, and since it is after the sun goes down and the water is there, it is nice and cool to be outside for a concert!

I just love this venue!

More in store...

2011-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am on a roll..5 necklaces the other night and now 4 more up and selling in my etsy store...here is a hint...lady gaga, a christian and a scrapbooker are in a bar.....hahahahaha!

Go Anna!

2011-07-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ok Charlie and I have got sucked into watching America's Got Talent....Some people have no talent (raising my hand)
My votes are going to this little girl, her first audition she sang Alicai Keys and blew me away, second go round she sang Adele, Rolling in the Deep, mine and Charlie's favorite song right now!
Well I looked her up and found this song and WOW, I love it, it could be a hit right now! And she wrote it herself!! UGH! Some people get all the talent!! Anyway, she is going to be a star, even a SuperStar!!!

My friend went on vacation...

2011-07-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Tanya went to colorado for 3 weeks, well, she went lots of places in those 3 weeks, check out beadandneedle to see where she went....She went to see her parents, who I can say are two of the nicest funniest people I have had the pleasure to meet! While with them, she went antiquing with her mom, Barb, and Barb decided she wanted to get me a little something for my new kitchen...Mr Hambone, a bank, probably from the 40's! He is very, very, vintage..and looks so sweet on my little shelf in my kitchen! Thank you Barb!! I just adore him!!

Tanya ended up driving back through Arizona and New Mexico, I am so glad she stopped in Pueblo, New Mexico because she bought me a Zuni Fetish!!

Here is some information on what a Zuni Fetish is:
The Zuni are an Indian tribe who reside on the Arizona / New Mexico border, along the Zuni River. Physical evidence of permanent dwellings date their existence in the region back as far as 700 C.E.

Although other tribes produce fetishes, the Zunis are arguably the most skilled of all at carving fetishes. Tribes like the Navajo use Zuni fetishes to guard livestock, among other functions. Zunis also sell unconsecrated fetishes and fetish necklaces to tourists and collectors, and many individual artists have become famous for their work.

Fetishes are employed to ask for help with treating disease, farming, gambling, hunting, fertility, rain, personal problems, and protection from witchcraft or one's enemies. They bring good luck, protect households, and play a role in tribal initiations and curing rituals. But only a pure heart and an honest appeal will get the desired results. They can belong to an individual, a secret society, a clan, or a tribe. Their power lies in the spirit dwelling within the fetish, not in the fetish itself (Pagewise, 2009).

Many fetish carvings include "offerings," also known as power packs and medicine bundles. They are added to the carving, usually with sinew, to placate the spirit of the animal and to add to its power.

Here is the fetish I recieved from Tanya:

He is a Bear made from Picasso Marble, made by Jeff Eraicho, he has a "Power pack" on his back made of turquoise, and he has a fish in his mouth. I still need to put a little cornmeal in his pouch to feed him, that is what you should always do, offer food and water. Take care of your fetish and they will take care of you!

	The Bear = Strength, Introspection, spiritual journey though life.

I can't wait to travel to New Mexico next year and pick up a Zuni Fetish for Travis and Rebbeca, I want to get them a Buffalo one, that is kept for: Endurance to overcome, great emotional courage provider to all.

Thank you Tanya for my Gift, I will carry him with me always!

500!

2011-07-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

This is my 501st post on my blog!!
So I am going over to Blog2Print and getting my blog printed into book form!!
I started my blog back on June of 2007, it has been a great 4 years of blogging!
So on to the next 500 posts!!

Pajama shopping?? Head to Etsy!!

2011-07-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

I love to shop online, my favorite place to shop is Etsy.com
I love to buy handmade and support other creative artist's like myself!

Here is a fun sign I picked up for 5.00 from thekeepsakechest :

Here is a fun Tag/Bookmark I got from: kilkennycat :

The best part is, you can shop in your pajamas while slurpping coffee! You don't have to get all dressed up. Yes, I am still one of those people who get dressed to go to the grocery store.

I do not go to the store in slippers and pajamas like the rest of society is doing...that is just disgusting!

I take a shower, get dressed properly (clothing that covers at least 80% of my body), put on a little makeup, jewelry and go shopping. People could learn a lot from me.

So if you are one of the people who enjoy shopping in your jammies, head on over to Etsy.com and be sure to visit peaceloveandartshop I just added 5 new items to my shelves!
I have Dog Whistle necklaces, Glass Guitars, and My Mini Harmonica necklaces are there too!

Enjoy!

We have been adopted!

2011-07-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Sammy has been hanging around about 3 years now, he has a girlfriend and another buddy that have been living on the streets as well. But Sammy loves our backyard and it seems the more I fix it up the more at home he gets!

Sammy hanging out!

While Charlie and I were working out there all weekend a week or two ago, Sammy lounged under the motorhome and never moved even though Charlie and I were back and forth walking around working, he never left just napped the day away. Usually Sammy and Dogface (his ugly girlfriend) and Buddy (an orange scruffy cat) run from us. But lately Sammy has decided he likes us and wants to tolerate us.

You can rub my belly!

I really am nice, I just look mean.

You Talking to Me??

So today I walk out on the patio and Sammy walks right up to me and starts talking/meowing and rolls over and just being as friendly as he can be. Maybe the hellacious storm that ripped through here last night has got Sammy thinking he needs some friends to shelter him??
So I finally gave in and feed him a can of food and told him he was more then welcome to live in the backyard!
So his first day on the job he kept me safe from a stray catapiller while I cleaned up the aftermath of the storm.

It's a catapiller!

I'll save you!!

Got it!!! Lunch anyone??

Welcome home Sammy, I hope you can stay and keep me company while I enjoy my little piece of paradise!

New recipe on cooking blog!

2011-07-03T14:32:00.001-07:00

Made a cheesesteak sandwich for dinner, Yummy!!
Recipe on cooking blog! click on photo in the right hand column!
or head to: http://www.onecreativecook.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

Happy 4TH of July!

2011-07-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone stays safe this 4th! I will be in my pool relaxing and bbq'ing some ribs!

Bring on the birds!

2011-06-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ok I saw this really cool birdhouse online..but with a 60.00 price tag, it was out of my reach...I thought maybe I can make my own??? I am onecreativecat after all....
so I bought a blank house at joanns..and got to work...
I think it came out pretty good!
It has a nautical theme to it..funny how I grew up 10 miles from the beach and hated it, but now I am drawn to all things pertaining to the sea...crab guys, mermaids, seafood....hmmm?? Go figure?

Shade!

2011-06-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is all painted and finished, our shade for the BBQ area. I painted our old patio to match the new one. I still need to paint some green on the fence and under the eaves but I am really tired of painting! I will take a break this week and finish up this weekend!

My little piece of Paradise!

Oh Happy Day!

2011-06-21T07:40:00.000-07:00

SUMMERTIME is here!!
Today is my favorite day of the year...no more sweaters, I can actually wear shorts and tank tops everywhere I go, the sandals are awesome! I saw a pair in the paper this morning that I am dying to go buy at Dillards! I don't have to change into jeans and jackets at night because it is still 98* at nighttime, how smoking hot is that!! I love it! I am doing my happy dance....and this is the song I chose to celebrate today, I play this when Charlie and I are at Boulder station, playing the jukebox, watching baseball and playing keno:

Get out and enjoy some sunshine!!

Sew What???

2011-06-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

I had a pattern to make one of Tanya's fabulous purses, I have not sewed in years and was not too sure I could do this, but her pattern was very easy to follow and I think it came out pretty good! When I saw this fabric I knew I had to make a purse for Christy (my sister) She is a Vet Tech and dog lover in California, I have 3 purses from Tanya so I figured Christy needed one too! It is really hard to find dog or cat fabric that is not all cutesy and cartooney, so I found this fabric and went for it! I had to quilt around each dog! I put lots of pockets inside! I love the button, I chose!

I really like it and hope she will too!! It was a fun process to sew again! May have to try it again!

Summertime!

2011-06-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we all know how excited I get when the first day of summer arrives! It will be here next Tuesday!
So, I decided to change the colors on my blog to more of a summery feel! I think of blue skies and lemonade in summer! So I think my blog reflects that now!
Enjoy!
I will be hard at work this weekend and will have photos of the backyard to show off!

The Cuff...

2011-06-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here is the cuff I made in class yesterday...Lots of folds and texture!

I love the process of making copper jewelry, it is so much fun to bend and shape the metal..it starts as a bright flat peice of shiny copper and by the time you get done, it is turned in to a work of art!

I never liked the Beatles music, well, until Colleen (my friend and jewelry teacher!) took me to see the Love show here in Vegas, if you come to town make sure you see that show! They did the music so wonderfully that it made me an instant fan!
But the version I like best of "Let it Be" is Kris Allen's version from American Idol, so beautiful and haunting!

Keeping busy!

2011-06-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Been working on painting the backyard, I will have to work about 2 hours each morning due to the heat..7-9 is good then shower and off to work.
I can't wait until it is all finished back there, the new patio cover, the brick enclosure, more garden decor!
I will post photos when I am done!

I put a new recipe on the cooking blog (Italian beef sandwiches) and if you are looking to have a great summer dessert check out Mandy's blog at AWhimsicalFleaMarket, it is fabulous! I just made some to take to my copper cuff class I am taking today!
See you back here later for more fun in the sun!
Jackie

Happy Anniversary #22!

2011-06-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

22 years ago, charlie, john, debbie and I drove up to Lake Tahoe so charlie and I could get married!

We had a fun time and it was a beautiful ceremony, although I was so nervous I do not remember a thing!

22 years ago we promised 1 thing to each other and so far it has worked out pretty well,

It was "you take care of me, and I will take care of you".

Every marriage has problems and "speed bumps" as we call them, but we always go back to "our promise".

There are other tricks to staying married a long time, we always say I love you everyday,

and we always stay affectionate, hold hands, kiss, etc.

We try never to say anything mean or hurtful, and treat each other with respect, compliments go a lot further then smart ass remarks. Although we do love to joke around and play,

we know never to get serious and hurt each others feelings.

It has been a long winding road of ups and downs and twists and turns

but we learned to enjoy the ride no matter what!

Happy Anniversary to the man who makes me smile every day,

I hope we make it to Hawaii in 3 more years!

Boxing Kittens!

2011-06-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

I like to surf the internet for vintage kitchen items,...Once I saw this little set of salt and pepper shakers on etsy, I knew I had to have them for my kitchen shelves!! Oh, how dang adorable are these two? Duking it out for a place on the table???? I could not resist!! They now have a happy little home on a shelf in my vintage kitchen!
Someday I hope to hit a jackpot big enough to get me a vintage stove so I can have a "real" vintage kitchen...can you see me making pancakes on sunday morning on this.....I sure can!!

Noise Pollution!

2011-05-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

Our pool pump equipment is soooooo loud! I hate it!! So I decided to give up one of my paychecks to have a brick enclosure put around it. I got estimates and went with sierra masonry, for 1050.00 they built an awesome enclosure and cut the noise level from 100% loud to 30%!! Once we put a lid on the enclosure it will be cut to about 10%!! What a big difference!
They did a wonderful job!
In 2 weeks I will paint it green and it will blend in to the background, you won't even know it is there! I will be painting the new bbq cover and our old patio cover brown too!
So lots of work to still get done...but we are almost done with this years projects!!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER!

Bbq coverage and more!

2011-05-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

Charlie and I were going to work on building a patio cover for over the bbq this weekend..Traivs and Rebecca were here this weekend so it worked out for Travis to help out, Thank you so much!!
We just have to add the roof and paint which I can help with that..the framing is the hard part so again Thank you to Travis for all his help!
It is going to be so nice to bbq under some shade, umbrellas are ok but when it is 110* and the grill is going the umbrella just don't cut it and you have to keep moving it to keep up with the ever travelling sun!

We worked saturday morning, stopped at noon for pooltime and carne asada and margaritas, Colleen stopped by and brought Harvey Wallbanger cupcakes, they were awesome and she got to meet the kids! Thanks for that C!
At night we went to the casino and played a little then went to the movies and saw Hangover 2, those movies are hilarious!! Everyone was laughing so much! This morning we finished up the framing and I made Chorizo for breakfast and the kids headed home, thanks again for a fun weekend!! Hope to see you in July!

BEFORE

Working together!

Becky, Travis, Me!

The Crew!

Concert at the Beach!

2011-05-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

We scored tickets to see the GoGo's at Mandalay Beach last night! Travis and Rebecca came to town, so Rebecca got to go to a Girls Night Out! We were missing The Boss, but she just got home from a California vacation so she opted out.
It was Tanya, Erin, Me and Rebecca. Travis and Charlie stayed in the casino and gambled and drank beer.

The venue was real nice, the weather was cool and being out by the water was real nice, the breeze was blowing the cool air off the wave pool and the GoGo's music was great for a pool party!! You sit right on the sand on your beach towels! Fun place to people watch!
It was 8pm to 11pm concert and the Las Vegas nights are so beautiful here!

What a fun night with fun people!! Thanks Girls!

Fun for my Kitchen!

2011-05-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

The goodies we found: a little red enamel teapot, (the shelf above the sliding door will hold all little teapots), a pie crust trimmer, a turquoise/white old timer to go with my red/white old timer, an old glass bowl with red trim and the best dish of all, this fabulous aqua with clear dots glass, oh dang, that is gorgeous! Thanks to Tanya for a great eye in finding that one, but I still owe you a lunch! Oh, and see the straw holder, Colleen McG gave me that, it would not fit on the shelf because the top was to high, I replaced the silver cap with a aqua bead and now it fits fine and looks right at home!
My little found objects are sitting happily on the shelves! What fun to treasure hunt!!
This coming weekend will be the opening of the pool, Travis and Rebecca may come out!!!
So stay tuned for more fun in the Las Vegas Sun!!

Birthday fun!

2011-05-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ethan turned 7! Wow, can you believe that? Charlie atteneded his party at the bounce house, I had a antiquing trip planned, but I got to see him for a birthday dinner on Wednesday..

Happy Birthday my little knucklehead!

I love you!

TODAY IS MY HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY!

I am taking him out for new shoes, breakfast and a movie!

Happy Birthday to the Man! I love you!!!

Cooking and more!

2011-05-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Now that the kitchen is completed, I will be cooking more. It is such a joy to be in there, it really seems bigger! I can get to my pans so much easier now that they are in the big drawers, no more crawling on the floor digging all the pans out to get to the one I want!

Keep an eye on the cooking blog: click on the photo in the right hand column to get you there! I just put up a great summer recipe for Grilled Chicken Greek Gyros! In a day or two I am adding Meatball Sandwiches, one of Charlies favorite foods, I just learned to make them, yes, it only took 23 years! They were fabulous!
This summer will find us in the pool on Sundays and grilling in the backyard, I hope to learn to master that grill!
See you soon, I hope to have more exciting news from Las Vegas!

Summertime...and the living is easy!

2011-05-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it is not that easy..we drained the pool, it was time for fresh water..you have to change the water every 3-5 years..it was 4 for us! While it was drained, charlie decided to do some sanding on the rough spots..we think the salt is making the plaster rough, so next fall we will look into pebble tec-ing the pool! I can't wait..I am looking at midnight blue pebble tec!

Our pool water...way too bright!!

I love the color of this water, it is midnight blue pepple tec! Nice pool too!

Shout out!

2011-05-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hey, gotta give a shout out to my friend Tanya over at Bead and Needle Blog she is always so generous with her sewing, she made me napkins and dishtowels for my new kitchen, not to mention the fabulous valance!! So please go visit her blog and etsy store, Bead and Needle Etsy Store she finally put one of her awesome bags/purses she makes in her store!! I own 2 of her purses, and a laptop bag and they are so wonderfully made!
Here is the summer purse for sale in her shop!! WOW!!

It is all in the Details!

2011-05-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

I cleaned up charlies bathroom saturday before he returned from california, my little gift to him for my beautiful kitchen. I used up the last of the white paint and then spray painted the accents, black....he got new towels and wash cloths, gray and black. I hung racing pictures...as always, I will continue to add little details to finish it off....but you get the idea! He was very happy with it! I love the diamond plate look on the plug and switch plates!

Every room has now been repainted or remodeled! All I need to do is relax out by the pool all summer and dream of my next project to work on!

TA-DA!!!

2011-05-07T07:11:00.000-07:00

I guess this is it, I still have little bits and pieces to add and decorate, but I will never be done with that! So here goes:

Before

After!

Stove side with place setting of my new red dishes from better homes and gardens

I got one! 30.00 for the vintage fire king bowl! The one piece that inspired the whole kitchen! And there next to it is a vintage bread box that Tanya got for my birthday.

Built in sink, no more grout to clean, I love this solid surface stuff!! Hey and about that new faucet! I still need a dish washer valve cover in polished nickel.

My little cutting board they made me with my counters, hanging on my rooster hook, that hook has been with me for 20 years!

My mother sent me these vintage little pans from her childhood, so retro and perfect for this kitchen!

So there you have it, my new kitchen, I love the red in the kitchen it really makes you happy in there!

Thank you to all my friends for their advice and support and gifts! But most of all Thank you to my husband Charlie, who after 24 years together, still wants to give me everything and anything I want, he continues to make my dreams come true, I love him to the moon and back, I can't wait to make him a fabulous dinner in my new kitchen!

Oh and one more peek at the photo that started it all:

Almost there!!!

2011-05-05T06:51:00.000-07:00

We had a little snafu yesterday with the counters! One piece had the wrong measurement so the new piece should be here today. Plus the plumbers could not get here until this morning...so we are down to the home stretch, I hope you stayed with me..we spent about 6000.00 total for dining room and kitchen makeover. I just love my new kitchen!
Here is a little something I did yesterday:

Made my own chalkboard in a frame, the chalk holder is a drawer handle turned upside down! Now when I run out of something I can jot it down right then!

Here is the wall, my little kiss the cook picture...I cook with wine plaque, and chalkboard. My red mixer is at home in the corner and that is a little cutting board that matches my counters they gave it to me yesterday with the install, I thought that was a nice touch even though they messed up measuring!
Ok stick around, hopefully tonight we will see the complete kitchen!!

San Diego Scrapping!

2011-05-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

This weekend I flew to San Diego (DelMar fairgrounds actually) to attend Scrapbook Expo with Christy and Mary NR. The hotel was not the smae one we had last year and it was horrible, never stay at the Hampton inn by the fairgrounds! It is a nightmare for parking and other stuff!
But we figured we are here just to sleep so deal with it!
Went scrapping friday and saturday then flew home sunday, I was sick with a sore throat the whole time..will have to see a doctor as it has gone to my ear so I will need antibiotics for that mess!
But I did try to have as much fun as possible...we had wonderful dinners each night, Milton's, Miltons, and The Fish Market. That was yummy, clam chowder, steamed artichoke and bay shrimp cocktail!
They had some make and takes where you can paint a canvas with water colors and the money goes to charity, this year it was for CHOC the childrens hospital in OC. I made one for my craft room, one for my kitchen and brought home a blank to make for a gift!
Thanks to my sister and to Mary for travelling with me and going to these scrapbook functions, I hope they have as much fun as I do! We sure missed Mary F and Marlene!
Well I hope we all can be reunited in November for Ontario expo!

Mary and Christy.

Me!

Mary bought me this wine glass, uh, that was made for me!

For my kitchen!

For my craft room!

Dining room is done!

2011-04-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

My date for counter install, should be May 4th! Next wednesday! Yahoo!
But for now...the dining room is done! Freshly painted and only my porcelin/enameled signs are up. I have room for a couple more in case I find some that I can't live without next time I am out antiquing with the girls!
I bought a bottle opener for charlie's beer, it was red and white so I could not resist, we mounted on a blank plate that holds phone cords that we no longer need as we do not have a house phone! I covered the chairs with a nice red and white plaid last night, Charlie is really impressed by the whole kitchen redo! I am really loving the red in here!
I have a scrapbook thing this weekend so stay tuned for more fun in the sun and in my new kitchen!

Happy 5k Easter!!

2011-04-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it! I trained for it on my iphone using couch to 5k app, it took 9 weeks but this morning I ran 3.107 miles at 4.5 mph, A 5k!

I have a new piece for the kitchen, the valance. I had to commission Tanya to sew them, I just did not have the time or energy with all the work I have been doing around here....

How cute is that valance?? The fabric is little cherries! Thank you Tanya, I owe you a few more breakfasts and lunches!
The painting is pretty much completed! Whew, I hope I never see another paint brush as long as I live, but the dining room is a nice crisp white, I will start hanging my signs tomorrow. Photos to follow! Stay tuned!

A Little Break!

2011-04-23T06:41:00.000-07:00

Charlie surprised me with tickets to see Santana last night! Wow! I had told him that Santana was in his last leg of shows here in Las Vegas and perhaps forever, he may be retiring for good. And that I had never seen him live, So when I got home from getting my hair done, just a cut and a little color. Charlie took me out to dinner (claim jumper) and then over to The Hard Rock to see the show.
The music was wonderful, but if you expect to hear Carlos sing, forget the high price of the tickets, he only plays his guitar and he has 2 other guys singing for him. But, with that said you really want to hear him play his guitar anyway! It's Beautiful!
The sound and the lights and the music were amazing, but the kids on American Idol could have sung better then the two bums he had singing for him. Oh and try dressing up for the concert, you guys! With Carlos's line of clothing those two singers could have looked real stunning, but just old t-shirts and jeans, it was like they were in rehearsal, not doing the show! That was a disappointment!
But all in all, I saw a legend and I can put that in my scrapbook forever!
In other news:
I have not heard from the counter guys, but I was told 5-7 days so I am waiting patiently, you can bet on Tuesday I will be on the phone!! I am painting the dining room this weekend so stay tuned for more kitchen photos!

New Cabinets!!

2011-04-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

I love the little sign they put on the lawn this morning!

The 2 guys worked from 9 to 3 and they did a wonderful job, they even fixed some floor moulding that they did not have to do, it was wrong from the botched floor installation job we had done a few years ago. The whole wall thing around the fridge came out wonderful, I will have a shelf to put some decorative items on, I wish I had those bowls in my inspiration photo, the fire king with red dots, but boy, those are going for a pretty little penny!!

The only problem that happened was, we had one shiny silver knob in the pack, so I have to go exchange it for the polished silver. Ok, counter guy will be here in the morning! Stay tuned for more fun in the sun and in my new kitchen!!

Kitchen is ready!

2011-04-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to remove the sink side!

The new light, wow, it is nice and bright in the kitchen!

My whole kitchen is in my craft room!

More stuff in the craft room!

All finished painting and new white switches and plugs are in with new polished silver plates on top!!

The new mouse moved in and my kitchen is ready to recieve the cabinets!! I am beyond excited! But mostly I am exhausted, I know we saved a lot of money by doing the painting and removing of old cabinets ourselves, but whew, that was hard work!!

I just love the color it is so retro aqua, you really have to see it in person!! Too cool, and when I add the red accents, it will look so groovy wild!!

See back here in a day or two!!

The Boys are Back!!!

2011-04-12T20:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the new season of Deadliest Catch!
In Honor of Captain Phil, whom we lost last season, I made Crab Legs, and Crab Cakes for dinner!
I have never made crab cakes and I must say I did good!
I put the recipe on my cooking blog, so check it out!
Go make something with crab this week and support your crab fishers, it's a deadly job!!

The Feast!

Taylor, Sunset, Steaks, Crabs, Bowls and Kitchens!

2011-04-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

What a whirlwind weekend...It started saturday morning, Tanya met me for bingo at sunset station, no winners, had breakfast then headed to the empty bowl benefit...I chose one bowl for my kitchen and one for my craft room to toss tidbits and trinkets in!

I headed off to check in to Sunset Station casino/hotel for the night, since we were going to a concert I figured I might as well sleep over, no driving at night and I was able to have a few cocktails, mainly baileys and coffee, as that casino/hotel was freezing inside! I was able to get a room cheap with a coupon for locals!

I went down to the sports bar to watch the Texas rangers lose a game, I will be travelling to Texas this summer to see Napoli play his old team mates, I can't wait for that trip!! My Rangers jersy is on it's way, 25 Napoli on the back!

At 6:00 I met Tanya back at the steakhouse, we had a coupon to eat 50.00 worth of food for 25.00, the filet mignon was fabulous, we paired it with a good salad, I had cesar, she had a blue cheese wedge. Then we headed off to the concert venue to see Livingston Taylor (James Taylor's brother).

He put on a cute little concert with his funny little songs he writes!

That ended my mini little vacation, I was up bright and early to head home to paint my kitchen!

It is coming along great! I had removed most of the cabinets Friday night (Charlie was racing in california this weekend). I am really excited to see the end result! But I think we are looking good and once I add the white paint it should really start looking like my inspiration kitchen!

Don't forget that The Deadliest Catch starts again this Tuesday night! I will be making Crab Cakes, and Crab Legs for dinner! Recipe to be put on my cooking blog Tuesday! Yum!!

I have a busy week ahead...so stay tuned for more fun in the sun here in Las Vegas!!

Be Happy!

2011-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

I took a class today with http://www.beadmetaler.blogspot.com/. She is my good friend, Colleen Mcgraw.
I needed a new copper cuff and she was offering this class to put texture on metal using a rolling mill....here is my finished product:

I really like it. I am always reminding myself to be happy, to be in the moment, so I chose these words. Life is very stressful and you have to take one day at a time. You also cannot let people judge you and mold you. You have to be yourself and always be true to yourself. I can't make people like me and I can't get mad when they don't like me. They have their own choices in life to make. I have to live my own life and Be Happy with the choices I make. I have many friends who love me and accept me for all that I am because I think deep down they know I am always ME, what you see is what you get.

It also helps that I am a Happy person, but that is because I remind myself daily!

I love my new cuff and will wear it proudly, a reminder to Be Happy, life is what you make of it, and I want to make it fun!

Kitchen is moving right along!

2011-04-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

Cabinets were delivered today, so we will be living in our living room for a week and a half. My install is scheduled for April 18th! That gives me and charlie a week to tear out the old ones and paint the walls!
It is really coming along and I can't wait for the finished kitchen!
Have a great weekend! I know I will with painting and moving my kitchen into the spare room!

Scrapadoodling!

2011-04-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend, my friends (Debbie and Mary NR) came to town to scrapbook with Ginger from http://www.downtodetails.net/ Ginger holds a spring crop and a fall crop each year in Henderson. We headed to the Fiesta hotel down the road from the convention center on Friday to have a relaxing weekend of scrapbooking.

Friday night we had a nice dinner at the steakhouse. Saturday morning we were off to scrapbook from 9-9.

It was fun to scrapbook with the girls we had met last year, Beth and Laura our dog loving friends!
Laura's sheltie was actually competing at a show saturday over at the dog park, the Fiesta Hotel allows pets so anyone headed to Henderson or Las Vegas and you want to bring your best friend along give them a call! I shared the elevator with the biggest Boxer dog I ever met! Wish Christy would have been there she would have had fun with the dogs in the hotel and talking with Beth and Laura.

Sunday morning Mary had to get on the road early so we said goodbye and she headed home.
What a fun little getaway right in my own backyard!

Working and more!

2011-03-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, I tried a new recipe tonight so check it out on my cooking blog..just click on the photo in the right hand column! Wow, it was fabulous!
Other then that, I have been working on my kitchen..I have walls to paint and more...My cabinets will be delivered between April 4th and the 13th!
Lots to do!
I went to a birthday lunch with some of the march birthday girls, we had fun over at the yard house!

From left to right: Pat S, Colleen Myler, Ronna, Kim, Jackie, Tanya!

I hope you get out and enjoy life a little...time is ticking by, and the world is in peril. Take a moment each day to reflect, remember not to sweat the small stuff...enjoy every moment we live and breathe, you never know when it will be stripped from your grasp. Life is short, be happy today because tomorrow will be too late!

Peace, Love and Happiness to all who read my blog!

Make today the best day of your life!!

Jackie

Spring??

2011-03-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Raining in the desert. That is our spring. It rained all night and we had big huge wind gusts.

I love the rain but only when I can stay in and bake stuff or make soup, I made Zuppa Toscana soup on Saturday. It was so good!

Charlie was at the race track, where they lost yet another race car.

They are on a losing streak or bad luck streak or something with the racing,

so we need some good juju sent their way!

In other news...today is day 10 of my 5k training..today I will have to jog for 5 minutes straight, during training, ugh!!

But I am determined to do this!

Well, enjoy your spring day whereever you are and just think we are only 93 days away from SUMMER!!

Yahoooooo!!!