Freckled Star

In unlikely places........

That's where God is found sometimes......

He can be in a gorgeous day or a rainy cozy one........

A beautiful bloom or a dandelion wish (which is really a weed:)........

Having a hummingbird rest right in front of you.........

Seeing a barn owl in your backyard (although he may have just been eyeing Sandy Cheeks:).......

A big hug from a loved one.......

A smile from a stranger (although someone did flip me off yesterday and it was after SHE cut me off real nice:)..........

Shooting stars..........

I could go on and on about all the signs I have gotten when I really needed it..........

All the places I find God..........

My dad once said of Frank "Frank finds his God while he is on the ocean in his boat, climbing mountains in his Jeep. He is a force of nature. He can't be confined to the walls of a church."

This coming from a man who goes to church everyday........

In the military there is much to do about about God........

God, Country, Unit.........

They pray before they eat, before they set on a mission. A chaplain is always available.

I once asked Frank "Does it bother you that they pray before everything around this joint?" He had just graduated from Warrant Officer school and we prayed before grad, dinner, P.T. everything:)

He simply said "No"

I asked "Do you ever pray?"

"sometimes"

Then he asked me "Does it bother you that I don't?"

I said "No I pray enough for the both of us"

But now..........

He may have to hold up his end.........

In the mail today we got a gift from my cousin Christina. She is part of the Quesada clan:) Dolly, her grandma is my Grandma's younger sister. I think we are 3rd cousins. My grandma and my great Aunt Dolly raised all their children in the Catholic church. And in turn we were all raised in the Catholic church........

After Frank and I married Sunday's became our days. Frank was never religious although he was baptised Catholic they never went to church like I did in my youth. And after all that church.........

Well I feel away from it when we moved away and started our own life. Sunday's became days of big breakfasts, activities with the kids. Because in the military if there is one day your going to get off it will be Sunday. And as the kids have gotten older it was mostly Frank and I's time to sleep in and regroup:)

Our kid's are all baptised in the church and they have some CCD in them. But sometimes I wonder if we didn't do them a real disservice by not grounding them in faith. Especially in times like these. Mass media, your dad going to war.

I know they all believe in God........

But I think it's time for them not to just think of church as where we go to bury people. But as a sanctuary.........

You know how I know it's time..........

Because they all told me they wanted to start going to church:)

How's that for reverse psychology!

I used to pretend I was sick to get out of going to church when I was little and by the way it never worked and I probably shouldn't have admitted that:)

Anyway back to Christina and her gift.........

A Saint Michael. I can not even begin to tell you about the lump in my throat when I saw this and read the card. Totally unexpected. Totally needed.

God finds me in the unlikeliest of places............

Thank you Christina:)

You have no idea how much I needed this today.

It will be pinned to the inside of his ruck just like my dad's Saint Christopher was when he went to Somalia and Haiti.

 

Wherever you find God I hope it brings you peace and fullfillment.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

 

 

Findings.......

I've got a couple minutes this afternoon......

Because this smart cookie made beef stew in the crock pot this mornin':)

So I thought I'd share my ever expanding collection of jewelry findings.........

Kristen's Ethereal Bangle class starts on Monday!!

And I think I am ready:)

In case you may be still on the fence because you don't have all the crap (I mean findings;) I have don't worry! The kit she has for sale to go along with the class has EVERYTHING you need:)

It comes in this cute muslin bag..........

 

 

Wire, papers, ribbon and these great little "labeled" glassine bags full of goodies for each bangle.....

 

Pretty AWESOME!!

Of course I have been picking up things here and there. The clearance section at Micheal's has been especially fun!!

Also organizing like crazy!! I was amazed at how much crap (I mean pretty findings;) I already had!! All those bags of broken jewelry bits, chain I had used in previous workshops, beads, pearls, crystals, jump rings all thrown in a rubbermaid bucket for future use:) So I laid them all out and bought a couple little jewelry findings boxes. After organizing by colors and metals I ended up pretty happy with the results:)

 
 

 

To say I like to organize would be an understatement! I was so happy with how this all turned out. And it has kept my mind occupied thinking of all the different bangles I can make and who I can make them for:) What good is learning something new if you can't share it?:)

Micheal's has really been my friend lately. I go to the one in Redlands and the one here in Fontana almost everyday with a 40% off coupon:)

I could not resist the Swarvoski Jewelry tools;)

 

Fresh tools for a new adventure! Besides my other wire cutters were dull and all three pairs of my pliers either had glue or solder on them:) The wrap is from French General. Totally forgot I had it til I started organizing. Works beautifully!!

So yes I think I am ready........

 

I've got my Ice, fabric dye, metal punches (which also fit perfectly in French General little sacks that held tape measures I had bought:), metal darkener and my anvil..........

Now all I need is for Kristen to guide me through:)

So much fun! I can't wait:)

Hope your having a wonderful week!:)

More time.............

I find myself saying this more and more..........

I need more time........

A few more weekends.........

A few more hours in the day..........

A few more weekday morning sleep ins........

But the wheel of time is unrelenting:(

And here I am...........

These next couple of weeks you may not be hearing too much from me........

I'll just be spending all the last days, hours, minutes, seconds enjoying us as a 5........

Soon we will be down to 4........

But only for a little while..........

So no sad faces:)

Then after the man leaves and we get settled you'll be hearing so much from me you'll want me to just shut up already:)

Yes the nights are long so evening posts may become my norm........

Frank and I wake up together and go to sleep together everyday. Even if we don't particularly like each other that day:) It's always "are you ready for bed?". That's our norm. For 20 years! Now we have been apart quite a lot thru those 20 years but never this long. It will be an adjustment. Just like it will be an adjustment when he gets home (what if I become a night owl??). I take comfort in the fact that we always seem to bounce right back into our norm even after a long period away. Up til now 6 months at a time was the longest.

Ok I'm rambling and starving so moving on:)

I'll leave you with this because it's AWESOME!

Carol Wingert

I have heard of her through some art friends and finally went and checked her site out. That link is to a blog post where she dresses up one of those white pumpkins form Michael's!! It is gorgeous!! Damn now I need to go buy another one:)

Thanks for reading and I'll be back soon...........

 

 

Here I am...........

Jeez Wednesday already!!

These days are just flying by...........

So let's see what have I been doing that's even vaguely interesting???

Went to Gilding the Lily Vintage in Fullerton yesterday:)

Looking for bits and pieces for Kristen's bangle class...........

This is such a cool shoppe.........

You can find things like this...........

 

and this..........

Just tons of vintage millinery, ribbon, baubles, glitters, chains and on and on.

Also they have great classes!

You can sign up to make this..........

 
and if Frank's party wasn't next weekend Iwould be definitely doing this..........

 
Yes I have a thing for felt pumpkins!!

Oh and soldering classes. A definite must do.........

 
See the Crown on my sidebar to the left???

I am going to be doing that!!!!

EXCITED!!!

I have signed up for more classes!! Terri, Kristin, Deb and Moulin Rouge...........

Plus a workshop at my home being taught by Denise Hahn of In My Blue Room.

WOW!!

So much to do:)

Well this weekend Frank and I are off to St.Louis Missouri to watch a Rams/Chargers game. And no we aren't really fans of either:) But Frank went there for a conference in June and for some reason he thinks I need to see the arch. Plus we can cross the Edward Jones Stadium off our list. That is one of Frank and I's "Bucket List" type things. To go watch a game and take in the culture of all NFL team cities. Kind of a neat way to see America:) So far we have been to San Fransisco, San Diego and Arizona twice. Ok so we haven't traveled very far!  This is the first time we are actually flying. We are adventurous lol;)  But this is just the beginning.........

And the best part...........

NO KIDS!!!!

Thanks dad:)

Have a beautiful weekend and see you next week:)

*all pictures from Gilding the Lily Vintage

Coming together...........

Things are starting to come together..........

I have been planning things to do, to keep me busy and engaged in something other than kids:)

As of today we have 37 more days............

I signed up for Kristen Robinson's Ethereal Bangle Class that is from November 1st to the 22nd.........

Going to Terri Brush Designs Soldered Crown Class at Out of the Blue November 21st...........

Have a banner workshop in the works with Denise of In My Blue Room that's turning out to be an entire weekend of fun in December..........

And then just got the particulars for the next Artistic Bliss event that will be in March.........

WOW!!

So much to do...........

This month it's St. Louis with Frank next weekend for the Chargers/Rams game. His farewell party the weekend after for 100 and then the Cychner's Halloween Party the weekend after that!!

Then it will be time............

For our own farewells...........

I found this picture of us going thru some stuff yesterday.....

 

That face on Lindsay is priceless:)

Seems like just yesterday.......

This was taken around this time in 1998! We are 25 in this picture:)

Which reminds me I really need to start scrapbooking again. (That was the precursor to all this artsy madness:) And to say I am behind would be an understatement!! How many years ago did Chris graduate?? Or Zach?? Yikes I have some work to do!

Anyhow...........

You are probably thinking I forgot about the giveaway...........

I didn't:)

Ok so I did yesterday;)

The winner is..........

Number 4 number 4 who is number 4.......

Michele!

Now that's funny. Just goes to show what "pick me pick me pick me" will get you:)

Come get your pumpkin. And this does not mean you're getting out of making some yourself!

Be back later........

Got to go chop onions now. French onion soup tonight and the man comes home........

And it's cloudy and cool outside.........

Happy day!

Oh wait I still have to take Lindsay to the dentist and cheer and I said we'd go to the Halloween store today!

Crap..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The goodies:)

Ok so I got some really cute things:)

And wouldn't you know it from the same gals I always buy from:)

This is from Holly of Holly Loves Art.........

 

I had to have this immediately!!

And of course when I saw this well.........

I thought about it for all of 5 seconds;)

 

I love how Holly puts colors together and all the little details in her work.........

 

 

Both are in my studio and I love them:)

While I am not wearing my apron June is.........

Then I got a cute little mason jar full of cream colored goodness. I love lace! From Kim of Artistic Bliss...

 

Then of course from Denise of In My Blue Room..........

 

This is so adorable! Maybe it will be Halloween here all year:) I am not going to want to put any of these goodies away:) And look at this little door knob hanger........

 

I mean come on! A crown and monogram necklace!! Too cute:)

How these ladies come up with all these awesome ideas I have no idea! Who would have thought "oh yeah I'll buy these plastic skeletons and put a gold lame skirt on it and while I am at it I'll do a coffin cut out as the base and glitter the heck out of it"?

Inspiring is all I have to say.

LOVE IT!! 

 

*Don't foget to leave a comment on the TGIF post for your chance to win one of my white pumpkins:) Last day!*

 

I survived GLITTERFEST!

Here are a few tips, a few things I would not do again and a few pictures of things that made it worth it:)

I will start with tips.........

Try to go all the way around to see all the vendors before buying anything. Unless you just have to have it!

Make mental notes. "I have to go back there, I love that, I like that, I could do that etc."

Carry cash and lots of it! Cash is king here. The only vendors that take credit cards are the ones with REALLY expensive stuff! Which is good don't get me wrong. Most will take checks but you may have to tack on sales tax and really there is NO room to be standing around writing checks. Trust me:) You want to pay and move!

Things I would NOT do again.......

I would not arrive early to wait in line for 20 minutes in the parking lot just to get in. Next time I think I'll go 2 hours after it opens to avoid the craziness. By the time Char and I were leaving there was no line to get in.

That really sums up what I would not do again. The first hour of this was complete mayhem! Traffic jams where we were literally not moving. Pushing and shoving by some less than classy ladies. Others simply stand there and talk in front of the artist table while 10 of us are waiting to just get a peek. I am serious when I say you have to MOVE! There are 60 vendors in really too small of a space and about I don't even know how many women trying to shop. Be courteous!!

Oh and did I mention it was HOT!!!! HOT AND STICKY:( Two things this girl does not do well. And in a crowd forget about it.........

Apparently there was something wrong with the air conditioner?? I don't know but I was so out of my mind I had to get out of there. I didn't even go to the back for my cupcake!! Or to buy one of those cute fabric pumpkins and I missed Michele Legler's table completely and I wanted a mosaic Halloween cupcake:( The good news I still had $100 on me when I left;)

And poor Char knew. When we came back inside to get our bags (thank you lovely Holly for letting us keep our bags behind your table!!) and Char says "I thought you wanted to go to the back one more time?" and I looked at her like I was going to start having a panic attack she was like ok we're done:)

McDonald's fries and beverage here we come! It was actually a Burger King we found first:) Before to long I will be able to tell you where you can find either of these places off any So Cal freeway lol:)

Yep next time I think we'll show up around noon. I might miss something really good but I won't know what it was so I won't miss it right?:) And hopefully all of the crazy ladies will be gone! I ran into some real winners let me tell you. RUDE!

I took alot of pictures but these are my favorite things.........

 
http://www.shabbyfrenchome.com/ 

http://www.artisticblissdesigns.com/

 

 

 

http://sweetmagnoliasfarm.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

http://www.inmyblueroom.blogspot.com/

 

 

http://sissydre.blogspot.com/

 

http://mammabellarte.blogspot.com/

 

http://hollylovesart.blogspot.com/

 

http://ivascreations.com/

That was only a few vendors! There were soooo many!! I have more pictures but I have messed up my system of business cards and can't quite remember who's went with what and I don't want to get in trouble:)

There are so many talented people out there!! Inspiration everywhere:)

It was truly an experience! Can't wait til March:)

Next post I'll show you my goodies:)

*Don't forget about the giveaway! Leave a comment on the previous post for a chance to win one of my white pumpkins:)*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.G.I.F! and a surprise........

Man what a week!

With record breaking temps, lightening, thunder and power outages it's been grand!

I do have to say it's nice to not be freezing my hiney off at 8 o' clock at night watching Tyler's games:)

And that double rainbow we got yesterday was AWESOME:)

What will not be nice is when my Edison bill comes! Yikes!!

Anyhow I have gotten out of cooking two nights this week:) And although this is no time for crock pot cooking I thought a pot of "Mom's Spaghetti" would be simple enough. It's so nice to know all I have to do is boil pasta and slice up some French bread tonight.......

So maybe where you live you won't be eating this in the air conditioning but by a nice cozy fire with rain pelting away outside:) Ok so I have started daydreaming again! Snap out of it:)

Start with a crock pot.

Add: 1 14 and 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

       3 small cans of tomato sauce

       3 cans of tomato paste

       A splash of white wine

       A pinch or two of dried basil

 

Meanwhile saute a pound package lean hamburger meat and 6 Italian sausages. We prefer the spicy but you can use whatever you'd like. Make sure to take the sausage out of the casing.

 

Add to the crock pot.

In the same pan (no need to clean it) saute a large chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until soft about 5 minutes.

 

Add that to crock pot. Stir and turn on low if leaving it all day or high if less than 4 hours.

That's it DONE!!!

And I mean really who doesn't love spaghetti!!

Have I mentioned I lOVE wood spoons:) And my new LOVE is my red Staub 12 inch skillet!! Got that for my anniversary;) I know I know I have officially been kicked out of the feminist movement!!

So while I was sauteeing and listening to my music and pretending it really was Fall outside I thought to myself...........

Maybe I should do another little giveaway (and no it's not a pot of sauce;) since they are so much fun and it is Friday and I am really trying to believe that Halloween is coming this month.......

With that said apparently a few of you liked this idea:)

 

Leave a comment on this post telling me what you steal out of your children's Halloween bag:) Or if you don't have kids what you buy with the intent on giving to trick or treater's but really it's just an excuse:)

Come on we all have our weaknesses:)

Some kid will pick a winner let's say on Wednesday..........

And if it's you........

You get this little guy.......

 

Sound good??

Have a wonderful weekend! Try the sauce you'll love it I can assure you:)

I am off to GLITTERFEST tomorrow and I am so excited I may just pee my pants!! I am taking the camera and will take LOTS of pictures. Fingers crossed! I will have lots to share next week:)