PS

Quickie Note: The cherry tree in the previous post is NOT the same cherry tree that I am standing by in my profile picture. That is a wild cherry tree that was just a twig in the middle of a "weed garden" that DH's ex had in the front yard. About 10 years ago I dug up the whole mess - briars, wild blackberry bushes, weeds, maple and oak seedlings, etc. - and found the little tree. I didn't know what it was, but liked it a lot, so I decided to keep it. Now it is 20+ feet tall and makes a lovely back drop for our front porch.

This picture is the American Flag we have hanging from our deck. I was in the driveway just snapping pictures of the house and took this pic of the flag through the branches of the wild cherry tree. It is one of my favorite pictures.

Wrinkled Fingers, Sweaty Brow, Aching Back! OH MY!!

In our yard (3/4 of an acre) we have an ancient apple tree (planted in the 20s or 30s), and a cherry tree. The apples are abundant, but rarely are big enough or tasty enough to be edible. Occasionally DH will pick some, peel and slice them and I will make him some "Fried Apple Pies." "Fried" is a misnomer these days because we rarely fry anything. But, I do rustle up some pie crust dough, cook the apples with appropriate amount of sugar and lots of cinnamon (see www.penzeys.com) and make some "pies." YUMMY!

About that cherry tree ~ we didn't really even know it was a cherry tree until about 8-10 years ago when it started bearing fruit. I use the term "fruit" loosely. The first 5 years all we had were red DOTS on the tree, which the birds promptly ate. DH wished he could keep the birds away so he could have "Fried Cherry Pies." I guess he'd never pitted cherries!! 3 years ago he went out and picked some and I dutifully pitted them and made what passed for "Fried Cherry Pies." The cherry tree is a WORK IN PROGRESS!! I suspect it needs purposeful watering and some fruit tree fertilizer. However, at that point I wasn't willing to put THAT much work into the pies using cherries that aren't much bigger than a pea!!

However, THIS year, that tree is LOADED with cherries. Mind you, they are still smallish - the biggest might be the size of a garbonza bean, but ..... So, you guessed it, once DH saw all the cherries and how red, ripe and juicy they were, he started pining for a cherry pie. Monday we went out and picked maybe a gallon and a half. Yesterday I bought (GASP) pie crust dough (I DID use Pillsbury!), and today I picked some more of the cherries while DH played golf. Aren't I a GOOD wife????

I sat on the screen porch for TWO HOURS and pitted all those little cherries. They were juicy suckers! I had cherry juice all over the place. Even squirted Shadrach once - he was mortally offended. When I finished my fingers were WRINKLED from the juice and I had about 7 cups of cherry pulp, which I cooked with about 1/2-2/3 cup of sugar, some almond extract and cornstarch.

Then, even though we don't have air conditioning and it is pretty warm here today, I turned on the oven and began rolling out little round shapes for the pies. Somewhere in there I cooked dinner (chicken strips on the grill, baked potato and salad) and ate. I finally had to quit because I was so hot and was feeling pretty bad. I think I ended up with a dozen pies and enough "fixins" to make that many more.

OK, here's the kicker! As I pointed out the first batch out of the oven and asked DH what he thought he said (and I kid you NOT), "I wish we'd thought to get some apples so we could have fried apple pies." Thankfully the rolling pin was nowhere in sight!!

So, here I sit on the screen porch, laptop in my lap, Shadrach dozing on his table, doves cooing and birds chirping in the background, updating my blog with the saga of the "Fried Cherry Pies." DH is at granddaughter Madison's softball game.
Enjoy

CARDS - Swaps in Progress

I've been working on swaps lately! Haven't joined any for over a year and I just felt like I was getting "stale." So, I jumped in with BOTH feet, and arms, and hands, and might even get my TOES into the act before it is all over. Swaps I am currently in are:

1. Cuttlebug/Big Shot with a Twist: 2 sets of 5+1 - swaps went postal today (see below for a Sneak Peak of my cards)
2. Proud To Be American Red White and Blue: 2 sets of 5+ 1 - these will be mailed on June 27. Still working on those cards - will post when finished
3. Christmas In July" Card Swap: 2 sets of 5+1 - these are due on July 15. Haven't started, but know what I am doing for each set.
4. Non-Convention Goers Convention Swap: this is for Stampin' Up Demos only and I have 3 sets of cards for this one: they are all due on August 1

A. WOW! Cards - 25+1
B. Christmas Cards - 20+1 - will use one of the same cards from the Christmas in July swap above
C. Sizzix Swap - 15+1 - will be using the Parisian Breeze card below only with new catalog Specialty Designer Series paper.

5. Buckle/Pocket Cards: 2 sets of 5+1 each - one set Buckle Card, one set Pocket Card - these are due on September 1. Again I am combining cards and will be doing the same Criss/Cross Pocket card for this swap as for the Red/White/Blue swap above. Also, I think my WOW! card for the SU! Demo Swap is going to be a Buckle card, so I will be killing 2 birds with one stone here as well.*
6. GinaK Designs Swap: 2 sets of 5+1 - due on September 18. This swap is using stamp sets by GinaK Designs (http://www.ginakdesigns.com/). Now, follow this one CLOSELY: The SECOND Red/White/Blue card set (NOT the Criss/Cross card) is going to be ONE of the GinaK swap cards.*

*NOTE: I've found it to be just as easy to make 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 cards of the same design as it is to make ONE! Afterall, one 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of card stock makes 2 regular sized cards, so if you have out all your stuff, why NOT make more than one?!?!? DH calls this "Rhonda Logic." So, if I'm already making SIX cards for a swap, why not make 12 and have them for TWO different swaps - or make 14 and have a couple of extra ones for myself???

SO, do you want to see some cards after all that reading??











The first card is the Parisian Breeze card - original card by Stephanie Hargis: (http://stephsstampinstuff.blogspot.com/) . I saw this card on splitcoaststampers (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/) and loved it SO much I had to CASE is almost exactly as it was.
Information:
Stamps: None
Card Stock: SU! Whisper White, Kraft, Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper
Ink: None
Accessories: Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Folder; SU! Daisies 2 Die Cut and Little Leaves Die Cut












Second Card: CASEd this layout from Kimber McGray (http://kimbermcgray.blogspot.com/) over at Card Positioning Systems (http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/)
Card Information:
Stamps: Hero Arts - Seize the Cupcake
Card Stock: Paper Studios - Textured White Core Darks
Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy; Copic Markers
Accessories: Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder; Nestabilities Labels 4 Die Cuts; Stickles; SU! Chunky Glitter; SU! Flower Brad

Will post other swap cards as I get them finished!
ENJOY!!

My Classroom - A WORK in PROGRESS!!

It's been a BUSY day! Today was "next to the last day" for teachers. I hoped we would work all day in our rooms, and we DID!! NO MEETINGS!!! I started about 7:30 a.m., and have been hard at it all day!! As earlier mentioned, new (to me) students in the fall - who have quite a rep for being rowdy and uncontrollable - will be coming to my room, and I feel it IMPERATIVE to have the room completely ready on my first day back at school. That way I can concentrate on class rosters, finalizing lesson plans, making sure I have all the supplies I need, etc. I am probably about 2/3 done with the room, then I have a BUNCH of papers and files to sort through, file, re-file, trash or send to someone else. THEN, I will be able to "relax" for the rest of the summer and do all the OTHER school work I have planned to do!!

OK, on my way home NOW!!!

This is a graduation card I made for two of my APUSH seniors. The card uses Mount Hope Mustang colors: Blue and Dark Gold;



Information:
Stamps: SU! "Congratulations" from All Year Cheer III;
computer generated saying
Card Stock: SU! More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Confetti White
Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Non-SU! blue and gold fibers; SU! Mini Library Clip; non-SU! sticky stars; SU! Chunky Glitter
Tools: Corner Rounder; Cuttlebug & Dotted Swiss folder



This is an Apron Card that I made. I can't remember when/where I got the template. I love making these! I make a little "envelope" inside and stick ijn a package of seeds!!
Information:
Stamps: none
Card Stock: SU! Purely Pomegranate, SU! Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Prima flowers; flower brad; eyelets; SU! Rub-Ons; ribbon
Tools: Scallop oval punch' Gelly Roll pen

I hope you enjoy looking at the cards! More to come!

WHEW! What a Day!

Well, the Last Student Day is FINALLY over!! We didn't have many kids, but the ones we did have were WILD!! Next week teachers report to the school on Monday. Tuesday we have Faculty Breakfast at Shoney's, then - VACATION!!

I'm getting a brand new crop of 9th graders next year - these are students I haven't had before, so they will need some "training." I want my room and stuff to be completely set up before they even walk in the door - no time for tweaking and fine tuning with a new crop of kids!! So, the next few days will definitely be busy ones for me. Then, a summer filled with conferences (AP US History) and trainings, lesson plans, and LOTS of reading. I've assigned my AP US History (APUSH) students to read one of several books, one of which is "American Colonies" by Alan Taylor. I'll be reading that one, at least. Plus, I'm wanting to fininsh David McCullough's "1776."

And, I'll be working on some swaps, so I will have some cards to post. In the meantime, here are a couple of cards I've done recently!

It's That TIme of Year Again!

That Time of Year when I actually start having time to work on my blog!! Tomorrow, June 5, 2009, is the students' last day of school here at Mt. Hope High School, Mt. Hope, WV. We are ALL glad!! My finals are all given and graded, grades are all recorded, and report cards will be run tomorrow afternoon! WHEW!!!

So, hopefully this summer will see more postings from me - even if they are short ones! I've signed up for several swaps, so I will have more cards to post. DH and I have several different vacation options this year: Baltimore Aquarium, Harper's Ferry, WV, and Atlanta, GA to visit DH's aunt and her DH. MAYBE we'll get to take in a Braves Game!

STAY TUNED!

Happy Thursday Everyone!!! There's been quite a bit going on, so let me catch you up a bit! First, on the "WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FRONT", I did go on Tuesday for my first day (in quite a while) of exercising! The Exercise Physiologist sat me on the "bike" for 15 minutes, then started me on the machines. I was a bit surprised that he started me at far heavier weights and more reps than I had ever done before. When I questioned this he kind of informed me that I NEEDED to be doing it THIS way in order to burn the calories (OK, like I didn't KNOW that??) and be successful on their program. I just really got the impression from this that if I couldn't do it this way I was kind of wasting my time and money on the program. That attitude kind of surprised (and upset) me. I called him on that - kind of told him that I didn't start on this program to be discouraged (by him)! Then, one of the Physical Therapists came over (a gal I know) - I think she might have realized something was going on. Truthfully, I was just about in tears! Anyway, she kind of diffused the situation and he sort of apologized, telling me he hadn't intended to sound condescending to me. So, I continued on with the weights and then did 20 minutes on the treadmill and came home. I will go back for another session this afternoon, and maybe on Friday for just some cardio. I see their dietician on Tuesday - THAT should be FUN!!!

On the "EDUCATIONAL FRONT," Monday and Tuesday I attended training sessions on "The Cooperative Classroom." To be honest, this was probably one of the most interesting and helpful trainings on this topic that I've attended. I'm excited about getting into my classroom next week to start planning and setting up my classroom. Teachers at our school have to be back in their classrooms on August 20, students come back on Monday, August 25 (I think).

And, on the "CREATIVE FRONT," I'm posting a couple of cards I made in June. The first is one I'm sending to my sister for her 55th birthday. I CASE'd this from the current issue of Papercrafts Magazine, p. 63.

This is actually one of the first cards I've made that isn't the traditional 4.75 X 5.5! The base card is 5.25" square white (from a set of note cards with envies that someone sent me).

Set(s): SU! "Circle of Friendship"

Paper: SU! So Saffron card stock and Designer Prints

Color Media: SU! Stampin' Write Marker, White Gel Pen, So Saffron Classic Dye Ink Pad

Other: SU! Scallop Punch, Creative Memories Square Punch, Making Memories decorative brads; rub ons - "HOW OLD? - don't remember where I got them). I liked the card so much that I made 4 of them using different colors of DSP.

This card is a CASE from SCS (www.splitcoaststampers.com) by Lori (chanteuse) at www.divastamper.blogspot.com. Her original card was in Wild Wasabi and had the sentiment on a circle scallop.

Set(s): SU! "Fresh Cuts," and Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: SU! Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea DSP

Color Media: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Other: Blue Bayou Double Stitched Ribbon, dimensionals, Nestabilities oval.

Again, as with the first card, I liked it so well I made 4 in different colors. This one went to a friend of ours whose birthday is the same as my sister's. He always says I am the only person who sends him a birthday card!! I made one of these in So Saffron, one in Wild Wasabi and another in the Purely Pomegranate. I really loved the last set of SU! "In Colors."

And finally, on the "WHAT THE HECK FRONT," I woke up Saturday morning with a rash from the top of my thighs to my head - with the worst of it being on my neck, up onto my jawline, in my ears, around the back of my head to my hairline and down to my collarbone! I tried Benedryl pills AND cream and by Monday it had only gotten worse! so, I went to the dr. on Monday, got a shot and some Rx cream. Unfortunately, most of it is not better and I've some new spots, so I will be back at the doctor tomorrow morning. I've been taking 2 Benedryl pills when I go to bed and then trying to function during the day!! Hopefully the doctor will have a better option tomorrow! Itching and CREATING really don't go well together!!

His Hugs and Mine

Rhonda

Well, a new chapter in my "Work In Progress" saga is about to begin! Today I went to our local fitness center and filled out all the paperwork to enlist in a Weight Management Program sponsored by my employer's insurance company.

Now, let me tell you, I've been on the "YoYo String" for the last 35 years (since the birth of my eldest son), and each time I SWEAR to myself that I am NOT going to go through this again, THIS being gettng rid of 50+ lbs of ugly fat. In that amount of time I've lost 3 people - or a small city!!
Let's see, it all began in 1977 with Atkins and 50 lbs.
In 1984 it was extreme stress caused by the death of my first husband and that 50 from Atkins was gone again!
In 1992 it was an "I Dare You" diet that got rid of 35 pounds - but then by this time from my pre-pregnancy weight of 102 (yes, you read that right, ONE HUNDRED & TWO pounds at 3 1/2 months!) I had ballooned all the way up past the 150 mark!!
In 1997 I found Weight Watchers POINTS plan and lost 35 pounds - yep, that same 35 had crept back - or was that original 50 from Atkins, I've forgotten now - how sad because those pounds and I have become VERY close friends!!
Then, in 2003, I found Weight Watchers (AGAIN!! - do you see a pattern here???). This time I'd gone all the way to 170+, BUT, I was much more successful with my DIET (WW CORE Plan) this time and managed to get down to 117 - the lowest I've been in 35 years!!
And now, here I am AGAIN!! Up WAY past 170 and looking at myself, thoroughly disgusted and wondering why I hadn't learned SOME kind of lesson over the past 35 years.

But, I DIGRESS, back to "THE DIET!" You know the one I'm talking about!! "on MONDAY I am going on a diet and I am going to lose "X" pounds." Sometimes you only make it to Monday afternoon, sometimes to the weekend, and sometimes, after many fits and starts you sort of get your head on right, and you make it all the way to 10 pounds, or 15, pounds, or more!

And then you think, "YEAY ME!! "Whew, now I can STOP dieting and get back to enjoying my food again!! BUT, then you begin to tell yourself, "I've done so well, I'll eat cookies ONLY on Mondays," and then, "OK, maybe I'll have a couple of cookies on Monday and then I can have some ice cream on Saturday - just this once as it is a special occasion." Before you know it you're telling yourself, "Hey, I've worked HARD this week! I deserve cookies AND ice cream!" Until finally, "OK, NO cookies except on days ending in 'Y'!!!!" And the YoYo is at the bottom - you've gained back all you lost and a few friends stopped by because the living was so EASY!!

BUT WAIT!! Maybe your commitment was really strong and you decided not just to "diet" but this time you're going to GET HEALTHY by adding in some exercise!!! For a couple of weeks or months you were, like me, at the gym three, maybe four evenings a week. really "feelin' the burn," getting all hot and sweaty and generally feeling rather proud of yourself - yes, YOU! I KNOW it wasn't just ME that was feeling this way - you know, "I am WOMAN, hear me ROAR!?!?!?! But, OUCH! The next Monday your legs hurt, or you had a manicure appointment that took months to get and you just couldn't cancel THAT! So, "OK, 2 nights this week at the gym is pretty darn good! And, after all, "I AM WOMAN, hear me yell loudly!" AHhhhhh here comes that third week at the gym!!! "Darn, that cute guy who usually uses the Elliptical next to me isn't here tonight." And, "HEY! who put THAT channel on the TV?" Or what about, "WHO are those size 0 cheerleaders taking up all the time on the "buns and thigh machine" - AS if THEY really need that!! "Well! If this gym is going to turn into one of THOSE places, I might have to go somewhere else!" But, "somewhere else" is either too far away, open the wrong hours, or, or, or..... [feel free to add in your own excuse here]. And, there you go! Bottom of the YoYo String again! "I am woman hear me whimper!"

So, what exactly IS the key that unlocks this mystery and breaks the YoYoString?? We ALL know the answer - say it with me now - LIFESTYLE CHANGE! If you, shall I say, WE, or more to the point, if *I* am going to break that YoYo String, I must NOT view this as a DIET, one I am either ON or OFF (more often OFF, as you can pretty much guess by now!). I have to decide, it really IS a CHOICE you know, if I am interested in being HEALTHY or not. God's Word says that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 6:19). I believe that, always have, just maybe not enough! So, I'm feeling pretty bad now that the Holy Spirit of God has been having to live in such a cruddy temple all these years!! So, .....

I have decided that I want to be healthy! I have decided that I want to have a temple fit to be the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit in my life. Am I going to say, as I have MANY times before, " This is the LAST time, I'll NEVER put this weight back on again!?" NO, I'm not going to say that, but I AM gong to say that with God's Grace and help I AM going to begin to heat more healthfully AND mindfully, and I AM going to get my BFF (Big Fat Fanny) to the fitness center the required minimum of three times per week. And, I am going to remember Colossians 3:23 which says "...whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as something done for the Lord and not for men..." I'm going to work at it heartily!!! Thank goodness I don't have to do it PERFECTLY!!!

Stop by for updates! When I figure out how to put one of the weight meter counter thingies on my blog I'll do that as a visual. I'm also going to have a friend take a "right now" picture which I will post.
His Hugs and Mine
Rhonda