SHOW YOUR PLASTIC CHALLENGE - Week #1 Results

Show Your Plastic Challenge!! - Intro.

Foodsaver Demo - Refried Beans

February Goals, Zero Waste and Potato Cleanse update

The Potato Cleanse - My Favorite Recipes

Vegan Recipe: Butter Beans w/Garlic

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

                                        


                             CHRISTMAS!

                 Yes, Kaylan got me hooked on peppermint mocha coffee this season.  We call it
                                                      "Christmas in my mouth!".

      This is often my beverage of choice while getting some "work" done from my spot. Yes, it's hard                                                work working on Cyber Monday while I enjoy a spot of tea!!

                  I love the glow in the two pictures above. I think my favorite decoration of all is                                                               twinkling white lights! Who needs more?

 I decided to make these wooden birch ornaments. So far, these are the only things on the tree...and it                                                           may stay that way! (You know, with Red and all...)

Yes, I love my new Jingle Bell pillow that I added to my collection this year. I do have to make sure                                                it's outta Red's way. I want the bells intact.


     So, you may be asking, "Christmas already? Where's Thanksgiving pics?" but you're probably not since I'm probably the only one reading this.  Well, I just uploaded my Thanksgiving pictures and they will be in the next post. I must say though, I believe it was the best Thanksgiving yet. The truth be in the pudding, I mean, pictures.

Later, 
              Aimee

A Day in the Life

     So, another entertaining day with Red. He makes the mundane so much more fascinating!! Moving his head to the wiper blades in the car, chasing a moth around the living room, seeing a computer screen reflection on the ceiling, bulldozing his nose through the morning's first snowfall. These are just a few...they are too numerous to account for at this moment! He is such a delight. Yet, he can be such a terror!  Hey, I remember when we told Dawn, the breeder, that we didn't mind getting a hellion! He can transform from Dr. Jeckyl into Mr. Hyde in a flash of an eye... Here's the latest of my day with him.

 He's not quite sure what to make of the snow, yet. Won't be long...

   
 This was taken right after he received a free munchkin for the DD window. The girl just thought he was too cute and needed one. Oh no, his first taste of sugar!

     
     While putting away groceries, he got tangled in the shopping bag.

     

                                           Who can resist this face??

I call this "crash and burn"!

     So, how are my grandkids, you ask?? Well, let me tell you, that's reserved for another blog post. One thing at a time here, ok?

     Til then, may your mundane be a little more exciting,

     Aimee, (Red's mom)

He's a Part of Us, Now

Has it been 3 weeks already? or Maybe 4? It seems like alot longer than that! But, our life has changed. I can only sleep in on the weekends and during the week I'm up at 5:30!!  Ouch!
Redington is definitely a handful. Really cute, especially when he's sleeping. The rest of the time he's a chewing machine! Just like the Energizer puppy. The Vet doesn't have tranquilizers so we have to just deal with his manic episodes! Lol.
     We LOVE him so much!

By the way, above is his first puppy toy box.  Look who got into the beer last night! So, it's being replaced by the plastic bin in the back.
     Here's to another day in puppyhood...I'm tired already!
   

Awaiting our New Family Member

Here's Redington, Red, Reddy and/or Redding! 

3 more weeks and you'll be home with us.  So looking forward to that day!

     Ok, I"ll admit it but sometimes I like a cloudy, cool day.

It gives me time indoors during a hectic, visitor-filled summer here at the lake. A break from the heat and sun. I need a time to spend indoors, collecting my thoughts about future indoor projects and what's to come in September. It can also be a creative time spent with my journal and planner. A time for Pinterest and Instagram (yet again...).
   
     This past week (Monday - Friday mid day) has been free of visitors to our lake house. It has been wonderful

     I'm TOTALLY looking forward to establishing a "loose" routine this September. Morning routine, detail clean, power walk, art/journal time, lunch/internet, errands, create time, dinner prep, etc.  I believe I will really enjoy retirement!
 
     So, til later,
                           Aimee

A Little Bit of WILD In Me

     I'm sure you've read a book that speaks to you. Reminds you of your younger life and brings you back to revisit your actions, thoughts and feelings. 

     Whether happy or sad, it reminds us how far we've come. This happened to me as I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I instantly found myself thinking about a younger time, probably age 20 or 21. A very free and happy time in my life. We were hiking/biking for a week straight until the rain took over. We traveled from home, up through the Kancamangus Highway with all our gear stowed in our bike panniers and backpacks. I remember sewing those panniers at home on my sewing machine, hoping my machine would hold up to velcro straps and canvas. As I sewed, I planned our trip in my head, how to cook on the trail and what to bring. I read camping books and cookbooks. I was a regular at EMS. Located in Mamaroneck, NY, while I lived in Westchester at the time. I knew about sleeping bags, closed cell mats and single burner stoves. I learned how to cook an egg in a brown paper bag, how to fashion a camp oven and even bake on the trail. (I don't remember doing this though). I dreamed of NH and our weekends together but especially this trip ran through my mind as a symbol of freedom and a return to nature.
                             

             

     Cheryl called her pack, "Monster", and how she felt it was an appendage of her body. She packed rather heavily but everything had a purpose. She could repack all her gear into it in record time, knowing all her belongings and where they fit like a puzzle. I remember putting a lot of thought into "just the essentials" and packing them efficiently. I even had a good luck pickle pinned to the outside of my Kelty exterior frame backpack.
     Strength, muscle, sweat, cold, wet,  joy, speed, euphoria. These are what I experienced. I miss that. I can still feel that feeling.
     Would I go back? Could I go back?
      Let me just keep this idea in the back of my mind. Maybe I'll pull it out later to work on it or maybe I'll just keep it stashed away. It definitely is a part of me, woven into one of the many layers that have made me what I am today.

     Sometimes all it takes is a good book.

A Day to Recharge

     Sometimes you just need a day. A day to get back on track and think about your direction. A day to take stock and move forward. This is one of those days. 

     We've had an unusual two weeks. "A' has been in the hospital and is now recovering at Mass General. Heart surgery to fix a valve and an artery. She is recovering today and will probably be coming home later in the week? We went to Steve's (Selig) funeral yesterday. So sad to see the family he left at such a young age (71). He was so active and full of life, it's hard to believe. Spent the afternoon at the Winni Yacht Club talking to family and friends. I think the kids kept everyone smiling. David is so darn cute!! And Ella is learning about heaven and how she can't talk to Pappa Steve again. My heart goes out to the family. Watching my son, Chris, searching for Tammy in the throng of people. Giving her comfort and reminding her to "take deep breaths", etc. She always feels like she constantly has to be responsible and pushes past her feelings. She is great for Chris and I believe they complement each other.

     So, on another note, I've been a bit creative in the past few days. That always feels good. I just finished a new project. Something different for me. An altered vintage suitcase! It was so much fun and it turned out beautifully. Not sure how to do the outside but am getting ideas from my YT viewers. Here's a picture of the inside. I LOVE it!

     Below is the process video.

     I'm attempting to create more and keep posting on this blog more regularly. Wish me luck!

     Til Later ~

                       Aimee

Busy Times & New Visitor

     We've had a very busy week this past week. "A" is in hospital, waiting for surgery now that they finally found out what her problem was. We have had Samantha ALL week and it started out Horribly! Cat was cranky and Sam was always yapping and requiring Dave's undivided attention. Day by day, it has gotten better. She is learning about us and we are learning about HER and all of her quirks!
Needless to say, she needs alot of exercise and human contact! So, this is what happens each night around 8:00 pm.

So, today is our last day with Sam. She really does love us now and will be super excited when she sees us again, I'm sure!

     On another note, I've been digging into my social media more fully. lol! And have recently posted 3 You Tube videos!  One is of the weekly Farmer's Market here in Wolfeboro and the next one is of the Annual Hospital Street Fair and the vintage goodies I picked up.  Enjoy!
Off to Trader Joe's tomorrow. Post a haul??? Depends how tired I am.
     Here's to a fun, productive, creative week!  

            Aimee   :0)

New Beginnings!

     Ok, now I'm retired...I used to think that's just what old people. But for me, it's the beginning of my new life! I don't feel old at all, in fact I'm only 60. I am fortunate enough to have been a teacher for 30 years and my husband a teacher for 39 years!  Between us we'll get a decent pension and live happily. Ready to explore and have the time to do it!

     So, that being said, I'm now ready to persue all my passions. Scrapbooking, journaling, planners, knitting, blogging, vlogging, and You Tubeing, etc. etc. 

     The video below is my reintroduction to You tube after several months away. I have quite a few new subscribers along with my lovely regulars so I don't want to let you guys down. I want to share what I'm passionate about and hope you'll enjoy and maybe even find some inspiration along the way.

Welcome back!

     

          Aimee

This Week on my Desk - mixed Media!

OK, so you could say I'm a newbie to this. Mixed Media. I've been an artist my whole life but...this is different. Messy. Fun. Carefree. Here's what I've been up to:

This is Week #4 from DLP (Documented Life Project). It's incorporating one little word. Butter.
It's kind of a spoof for all those good New Year's intentions. But, remember, life is good with a liddle bit of butter. Lol.

Here's Week #3 where we had to incorporate an envelope from our mail.

So, my desk is a little bit messier, my fingers a little more stained, but I'm having fun. And that's what matters.

Another Art Journal Day!

     Yes, today is Sunday and I made a point of getting things done before the weekend. I made this Sat. and Sun. my art journal weekend! And...what fun I had.  I completed my journal covers and they should be dry by tomorrow. I'l post a pic of the journal coming soon. Meanwhile, I completed the 2nd challenge: To include a selfie in my art. So, here's my creation titled "Change is in the air..."
More to come... Stay creative, friends.

Moving Ahead

     Made some changes in my craft room today. LOVE my Raskog cart! Put all of my Project Life supplies in it and now I have space for other projects. One such project is my Life Documented project. It is a planner and art journal all in one. I prepared all the pages, adding watercolor paper to each week.

I had 2 challenges so far. Opening the New Year, we had to incorporate a door into our art work. My door represents new possibilities for this year.

  

     So, it has been fun. I also completed last weeks challenge which was to add a selfie to my work. I wanted a different picture but could not quite get it to print on my Selphy printer. So this one was taken this past summer.  

     I'll include a picture of my planner and my latest challenge in the next post. Finally,
I want to share my cart. It will be a lifesaver for stuff that I want to roll away when I want to. I have so much more desk space. 

     So, here's to another weekend of creativity! 

Happy 2014 !

     Happy New Year to all!  I'm going through my Filos from the past year and looking at past happenings. I'm also putting all future appts. into my A5. I find that I like the larger size for home use. I'll be using an early birthday present from my brother, a new Cross pen! Along with my Lamy Safari in white, it will be a hard decision which to use.

     Yesterday, I packed away all the Christmas decorations and cleaned up a bit. I left the Christmas tree up (lights only) for New Year's Eve. These pics were from last night. Today, we will pack away our tree. Yes, pack away! It is our first fake tree...and we've been extremely happy with it. Ordered it from QVC and it's beautiful!  Although a bit blurry!!

Cheers to 2014!

Wonderful Christmas - full of gratitude!

What can I say about this amazing vacation? I have had some amazing times with my family, taken lots of photos, uploaded You Tube videos, read, and simply relaxed!!

In this You Tube tutorial I share how I print photos from my phone to my Canon Selphy wireless printer. I have uploaded 2 other videos this vacation so check them out!

Here are a couple of highlights from Christmas:

Til later!  Thanks for stopping by!