Practicing collages

Well, I have learned one thing and that is I am not as organized as I thought I was. I have been
playing with sizes, frame colors, etc. and doesn't it really make a big difference. Picture one and two are the same, but frames are different. Three is my roommate's daughter's wedding which you have seen before, and four, hmmm , is my daughter's wedding 25 years ago. Notice the difference in the picture quality and the little while dots all over. Thought you would enjoy seeing what age does to the pictures, and me too, of course. Sure not digital ! Well back to the saved ones and weed out the duplicates.
I do have to mention, my messages and pictures might be getting out there, but I don't know if anyone is seeing them. It has been ages since I have seen any comments or response via email.
If I can't get this problem resolved, and I've been at it now for weeks, I think this may be my last post. I really hope not. In any case, you will know the reason::-)

It was a Happy Holiday !

I sure hope all of you had a nice weekend holiday away from the everyday grind, so to speak. To me it was a quiet one with some of the family here. Mostly the patriotism that was everywhere was so moving. You could even see it on the highway ! Almost ! No rain, and quite pleasant and that was great. We are located between a few towns in our city and are able to see the fireworks from three of them...... what a thrill to see the skies all lit up !
I really look forward to the "Capital 4th" on PBS and last night I thought it was just fabulous. It was an evening of music, all kinds, for all generations, and something for everyone. Aretha Franklin,
Barry Manilow, Kermit the Frog and Yellow Bird to Rhapsody in Blue with Michael Feinstein on the piano with the light over the water in front of the tall monument. Whew, that was too long for a sentence, but I still am excited. I thought it was breathtaking. Then two of us (different generations) got into a discussion about the "Jersey Boy's". I told my daughter I just couldn't remember them that well and she told me I really would recognize them. Well, who knew they changed their names. It used to be Franki Valli and I do remember him. Excuse my spelling here, but you get my drift and the print is so small. ha. They still had the same sound. I do think I have omitted some others, but the above were just so good.
Now I'm not quite sure how this ties in with the pictures. For years we would sit on the banks and wait for the fireworks on the pier to get started. You can imagine what a sight that was. I do get homesick every now and then and this is one of those times. We would have about eight girls, eating double dip ice cream cones, just waiting for the noise to begin. I always remember it being hot and on our way home, people were sitting out on their porches and would say Hi. Things sure have changed and there are certain customs I wish we still had. Having said all that, I think there are many people who go back in time on holidays. I know I did last night.
So, nothing lasts forever, but we have our memories, and we can have both. Lucky us !

Yummy, it was so good, or was I dreaming ?

What a dinner we had the other night just like in Coastal living.
First there was Grilled Shrimp with Sangrita, Spinach and Scallop Salad, followed by Grilled Oysters
and S'More's made with grilled banana's instead of marshmallows.
About then we were ready for a walk, so we strolled down to the boathouses on the lake and watches the sunset.
What a lovely evening and I wish you all could have been there.
Summer has arrived !!!

Getting Ready for the 4th of July

Well, now that graduations are slowing down, it's that time once July comes around...... I have to ask "Where did June go ?" Once the weather gets nice, the clock speeds up it seems. Up here we have something going on every weekend such as sidewalk sales, walking tours, Sonnenburg Gardens, which a huge home built on the North end of Canandagua Lake and it is so pretty surrounded by gorgeous gardens. I try to think back to what it must have looked like before the city moved in around it l It has 3 floors and they have it all furnished as if people were living in it today. Dresses are laid out on the beds, shoes below them ~ so real. Huge garden surround it and smell so wonderful.
Back to activities.... art shows, and some attract the your people and others find there is something for everyone. They have pavilions that have jazz bands and people from all around come and dance. I love to see what they wear. Most are casual, but some older women get all dressed up in their long dresses and go for it. Some are great dancers, too.
I spotted these pictures and saved them a few weeks ago. I just can't remember the source.If I think of it, I will add it later. I love the red, white and blue .. patriotism at it's best. Here are a few I saw.
Have a Happy 4th !!

I'll be back when it's fixed

My computer has been acting out of sort for ages. (I have two names on it) I need to have some repairs done as I am not receiving any comments or communication.
I hope you get this and have a Happy 4th. I will miss you all !!! Connie :-)

From quaint cottages to romantic inn's, I found some more.

I found some great getaway places and they are poles apart. I guess it all depends on what you are
comfortable living in. I already know what I would choose and it would be fun to go tomorrow. Could you be ready ? Some are on islands, and others are from various sources. Some of the vacation/nautical ones are painted all white with white accessories, and I think I would sleep away most of the day. They are beautiful, but I just need color. Thank heavens we are all different and have different tastes. Who know, maybe the opposite would grow on us. I have my place all picked out right now. Coastal Living has made it so easy for us. Got a favorite ?

Some outdoor spaces that you will love.

The forth picture is showing you what a tv looks like in the outdoor fireplace. No, It's not burning, either. The rest are also quite nice and very cute. Maybe you can do something like this with your backyard. HG and BHG gave us the ideas. I think you will like them.My favorites are the last two.

I am the Flag

I am the Flag

by Ruth Apperson Rous

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.
There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.
My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.
Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.
My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.
My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.
I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.
I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.
I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.
I am as old as my nation.
I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.
I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people,for the people."
I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.
I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.
Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.
I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.
I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.
Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.
I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.
If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.
Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.
As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.
Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.
Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.
God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America

Another "oldie" that I love

This was such a fun night for the kids when they were little. My youngest granddchild was all set to get the sleeping party rolling with the older onesl It seemed to take forever for them to get ready, but he waited so patiently. Another old picture, I think it was taken in 2000, almost ten years ago.
A bit blurred, but, again, I have been checking my scanner and I think the newer pictures will turn out ok.

Down Memory Lane

I used 8x11 pages here.. Things just never looked right to me
and I did about 5more albums, later switched to 12x12. Much better and easier to tell my story rather than just use names. These are from the late '90's to the first one which was done in 2001. Three of us meet once a year for a long lunch lasting about 3-4 hours. Lot's of catch up you can imagine. We go back to HS and found each other years later and decided on a plan to meet and eat. We picked up just where we left off and haven't stopped talking since. I decided to use these to see how well my scanner worked.
The two boys are my nephews who lived in Texas at the time these were taken.

One for each room

...... and by the phonel They are so darn handy I made up a whole bunch of them this weekend while waiting for a reply.
I went back to my hometown today with my daughter and had my camera ready to go. It didn't rain, but was rather dreary, so I have some pictures that are a bit on the dull side. We have been late getting to the cemetery this year with the flags, etc., but it's ready for the 4th of July. Then we drove to the top of the hill and it overlooks the lake and is quite a sight l I'll see if I can doctor them up a bit and post them later in the week. Wanted to get some of the college which also is by the lake, but ran out of time. Had to get home to feed the dog !!! I could sit and stare at that lake for hours. It is so relaxing ! am really ready for the sack now. Who said pulling weeds was good for you ?

I am going to rename this blog, Happy Hour.

I am so frustrated. Is anyone getting this or has anyone commented ?
I feel like I am an island somewhere with no rescue ship.
Would someone be a pal and send me a comment saying just hello so I know I at least can get mail ?
I am having difficulties with blogger again. If I could just talk to a PERSON there, this could be solved in seconds, I'm sure.
I may start from scratch with a new blog !! let's see, how about "Here I go again" or just "Big Troubles in Blogsville this week."
Till we meet again.......

Hello World !

How frustrating this process is. I have been in constant contact with blogger and they have been very attentive. I had make a request for one word to be changed. I was up until 3:30 last night communicating.
Finally I went in and took a chance with one name and WhoHo, my blog popped back up. Just a criscross thing.
I had lost my bloggers list, yes, all of it. I typed in two that I had imbedded in what's left of my brain and got through. Computers !!!
I missed everyone here in this magical place. We are not talking about strangers, but real people.
I have missed everyone so much and so glad to be back. In my spare time I actually got my printer working. I took it into the store and they decided it was just an isolated case and I had a ""lemon".
They had be go back and pick out a new one at no charge.
So, good things happen during the frustrating times.
What have I missed ? Seems like ages.
I will leave it this way for now and when my friend, Sara Williams is available again, I will leave it to an expert. BTW, you should check Sara out at Tweaks and Designs to view some of her work. She is just the best !!! Here's one she did for me a few years ago ~~ I love it ! She is just one super nice
and extremely talented person.

I think I'm finished playing for a while....

Some sort of "Spring blog cleaning" hit me as far as the way this blog looked. It needed a softer background and I finally found one. Then I studied my blog name and realized I had posted very little in the way of "creations". Sooooo, a new name, minus the creations.
It's so hard to find time to do it all and my printer is not about to work, so I changed a few settings. Meanwhile, I had to get started on my sad, neglected garden. We finally got our rain after 9 days of sunshine ~~ very unusual, too. I'm starting to see the beginnings of what will be flowers. Yipee !
Hope you all had a nice weekend and great outside weather.










There, now I feel better. A change of scenery, good food and some lovely flowers.

Did you hear the garbage truck ???

The last few days, maybe even a week, I have been playing with backgrounds. I try to do it when you are all in bed and dreaming, but I get overcome by the urge to experiment ! Does anyone out there change their backgrounds around just for fun ?
My problem is trying to find the right color. Now I'm addicted to the whole process.
Good news, I think this is plain enough and I will be ok with the red polka dots. I think I need a job or at least get back to creating cards and albums.(scissors & paste, you know) At least I had something to show for my time.
My garden is perking up with the addition of three days of rain, on and off. I haven't destroyed any plants yet, so that's a good thing.
It's been a busy week. Garbage pick up is on Friday morning, so we put it out on Thursday night.
Only one problem ~~ on a holiday week, they are a day later appearing. So half the street has their cans out and the rest "wait and see", dashing out early when they hear the trucks coming. Good news, though, they all made it. So, as you can see, it has been one full week.
Hope you all had a nice holiday weekend and it would be great if some of you had the rest of the week off.
I will be thrilled if this week is less hectic.
Now that I have told you about my interesting week, it's your turn to fill me in on what you did.
I would be happy if you didn't have to work as hard as I did. Whew!