* Expressions *

Lastnight I sat down to draw something for the create everyday 2008 challenge and I kinda went blank. I was exhausted , stressed and really wasn't feeling up to drawing.

My dog , Jewel is sick again. We've been battling chronic diarrhea for a month or more. We took her to the vet again lastnight , they gave her a shot and some meds. I'm hoping she'll pull through this , but she's pretty sick and I'm not feeling sure about it. We can't afford all those expensive tests , to find out exactly what is going on with her. So I'm nursing her and praying she will be o.k.

Anyway as I sat looking at my sketchbook , I drew a circle , thought if I started doodling , I might be inspired. The circle then turned into a face and then another one , until the page was full. I like the way it shows so many different expressions and I probably felt them all yesterday (LOL).

* jUNKIN *

Last Friday I had to take Curious J to pre-school and decided I would go by the thrift store . Some call it junkin , but it's really smart shopping. You're giving new life to these items , aka recycling and saving money. The thrift store I visited Friday is a non-profit store and proceeds go to the schools in our county , another great reason to thrift shop.

I did buy a couple of things I didn't exactly need , but they are things I will use. I went to find some cloth napkins and this is what I came home with , but it's less than I normally buy when I go junkin . I did get 6 navy blue cloth napkins for 1.50 . I found Curious J a really nice winter coat , he will be able to wear it for a couple of years most likely. I also found him some dinosaur bones sandmolds , we 'll enjoy these this summer.

I found the cutiest Easter tree and ornaments , I originally thought I would put it on e-bay. But I've decided I want to keep it and use it for decoration and I couldn't resist the bunny basket , so it's a keeper too.

I bought a couple of books and some magazines , some yarn and a couple of toys for the wee ones. I spent a total of 22.25 , not bad for this junk (LOL).

I did ask myself , if I really needed these items and most were needed or would be used. I didn't accept the plastic bags either , just put my items back in the cart and took them to car , I forgot to take my cloth bags in the store.I had to stop at the grocery store and pick-up some cat food , bread and a couple of other items , I did remember to take a cloth bag for these items.

I'm still doing the create everyday 2008 ~ just haven't posted them , hopefully I'll get to that this week.

I had a busy weekend with the grandchildren , so haven't had time to blog. Hope your weekend was great and green !

~ JoyceAnn ~

~ Curious J's Puppy ~

Curious J got a puppy this week , she's so cute. I suggested he name her Betsy , after a little girl we saw on a Curious George movie he was watching. He called her Betsy a couple of times , then he started calling her Patsy , so I guess her official name is Patsy. Patsy watched the Curious George movie with him , looks like she going to be the perfect companion for him.

~ Hope your day was Blessed ~

* ~ * National Pie Day * ~ *

Today is National Pie Day , thought I would share a pie recipe. This is one of our family favorites , makes two pies and is very easy to make.

~ Buttermilk Pies ~

3 cups of sugar

3 tbsp. self-rising flour

6 eggs

1 stick of margarine

1 cup of buttermilk

1 or 2 tsps real vanilla

2 unbaked pie frozen pie crusts

Add 3 cups of sugar to your favorite mixing bowl , dump 3 tbsps of self-rising flour on top and stir together with an old wooden spoon.

Add eggs and stir into sugar mixture until smooth .

Melt 1 stick margarine and add to mixture , stir.

Add 1 cup buttermilk and vanilla , stir well.

Pour into 2 unbaked pie shells and bake at 375 % for about 40 minutes.

If you like custard or chess pie , you'll like this pie.

Don't forget to brew a fresh pot of coffee and enjoy !

~ Calories don't count on National Pie Day ~

(LOL)

Hope your day has been a great one !

* One inch ~ Maybe ? *

We didn't get much snow , just a ground covering. It was beautiful while it was falling and I did try to get some pics but it's melting fast.

I wandered out to the garden and took a pic of my garlic that's starting to sprout up. The garden made me long ...... for spring , I feel that need to get my hands back in the dirt. I think I'll start planning my veggie garden this week and start looking for seeds.

Hope your weekend is Blessed !!

* Let It Snow *

We're suppose to have snow today , the weatherman is predicting we will see 1 to 3 inches. We don't see much snow here , maybe once a year and it's usually small amounts. I feel like a child just waiting and anticipating. I'm hoping we'll get enough for Curious J to build a snowman and go sledding.

Lastnight I drew this snowwoman for my create everyday challenge. I hope to add some color to her today and place her in my journal.

I need to go fill up the birdfeeders , find the snow gear and put on a pot of soup. I love snowy days , just thankful we don't have many.

Have a Great weekend !

~ Protecting Our Loved Ones ~

I wasn't going to post a pic of my grandson , painting his hearts on my last post. One of our Dear Glitter Sisters had a really upsetting experience a few weeks ago. An overseas porn site linked to her blog , they linked to a post that had a pic of her granddaughter. I had just posted pics of my new grandbabies , when I read about this happening , I deleted the post . I also went through my blog and deleted all photos of Curious J.

Although I enjoy the www , it can be a very unsafe place. I enjoy sharing my grandchildren with my friends from blogland. Most of you are mothers , grandparents or friends who enjoy seeing them grow , change and enjoy life. We should be careful about what we expose on our blogs. I won't be using the grands names anymore. Most of you know Curious J's name but please refer to him as Curious J from now on. I will be calling his brother Sweet Baby J and my granddaughter will be refered to as Little Missy.

I wanted everyone to know why I don't use their names anymore. I will alter all pics that I post. Below are some tips you should consider if you're posting about loved ones on your blog.

Do not use real names ~ Choose nicknames or use the first letter of their name.

Do not mention locations ~ State/ City / School /

Do not post pictures ~ I have chosen to use altered photos

You may want to consider a private blog ~ only those with password can access the blog

I don't want to seem impersonal , but I have to protect my loved ones. I hope you understand and will take precautions also.

Hope everyone had a Blessed day !

~ ~ Valentine's Tree ~ ~

Curious J was sorely disappointed when I took the christmas ornaments off the trees. He has a small tree in his room and I told him last Thur. , he could spend the night Saturday and we would make hearts to hang on his tree.

So I cutout foam hearts and let him paint and glitter them. Usually he's ready to run off after the first 5 to 10 minutes , but he painted and glittered for about an hour that night. He was proud of those hearts and the tree looks beautiful , guess we've got a Holiday Tree for sure.

Sunday , we made Kitty Cat Heart magnets. I enjoyed having him this weekend , he's matured so much since he started pre-school. He's talking more and a bit bossy (LOL).

Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

7 Weird things about Me .......................................

I've been tagged by MissKoolaid at http://misskoolaid.blogspot.com/.

~ List 7 weird things about myself ~

• 
  
  I have a feather over my front door to keep evil away.


• 
  
  My house looks like a museum , I've been told.


• 
  
  I collect feathers and believe there is a message from each one I receive.


• 
  
  I collect plastic bags , just can't make myself throw them away. ( Started using cloth bags at the start of this year )


• 
  
  I like to sit on the floor ..........


• 
  
  I eat weeds (herbs) from my backyard


• 
  
  I love making compost and enjoy the smell of that dark dirt.

I really don't consider these weird , but others do.

I'm suppose to tag 7 other people , but I know most of you have done this before. If you haven't or would like to do it again , just add your link to the comments.

~ Wishing everyone a Happy Day ~

Feeling Yucky ~ ~ ~ ~ creating True Beauty

Yesterday I had a virus , my youngest daughter's family had it over the holidays. Guess , it was my turn , yuck.

I decided to create some " True Beauty " between my runs to the commode (LOL). YD gave me oil pastels for Christmas , so I decided to give them a try. Need to learn more about oil pastels , this was the first time I've used them since I was in elementary school. Many moons ago and I don't remember much about them. I thought the flowers turned out o.k.

I've felt better today , no diarrhea , my stomach still feels queasy at times. Last night I made a blackberry drink , boiled some water and added a tbsp of blackberry jam to a cup and drank about 3 cups. I learned about this herb a few years ago when my dad was sick with diarrhea , he told me he needed some blackberry jam. My Dad told me Grandma used blackberry for diarrhea problems when he was a boy. I believe this is the reason I became interested in learning about herbs. I have made blackberry tea from the leaves too. Yesterday I was to sick to venture outside , so I used the jam I made last spring to make a concoction.

Hope everyone is well and had a blessed day.

Baby , It's Cold Outside

The last few days have been bitterly cold , but no snow , although we did get a few flurries Wed. Yesterday I decided to put on a pot of chili beans and let them simmer in the crock pot all day. I love having jars of tomatoes and frozen bell peppers from the garden to add to the chili. It gives you a great feeling to know exactly what you're eating. We topped the chili beans with some cheddar cheese and added pickled jalapenos from the garden. Jalapenos will certainly warm you up on a cold day . The chili was my creation for yesterday.

I did work on an ATC , but can't share that because it's a gift . After she receives it , I will post a pic . Speaking of pics , I've started a new blog http://joyceann-createeveryday2008.blogspot.com to keep a journal of my creations for the Creative Every Day 2008 challenge.

Curious J spent the night . We've been finger painting today. He didn't like it to much , doesn't like getting his hands dirty . Hope that changes in the future.

~ * ~ Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend ~ * ~

~ * ~ Happy New Year ~ * ~

To all my blogging friends .......

I Pray that your New Year is Blessed with

Love , Peace , Good Health and Happiness !

Happy New Year !