Big Ugly!

He's big!  He's ugly!  And, I HATE spiders!  Just ask my boys.  I'd be in one room, they'd be in another, hear me shriek and come running laughing all the way.  They knew I'd just seen a spider.  I'll let you in on a little secret; it didn't matter how big or small, my dear sweet boys would come to my rescue and kill the wicked spider!  These days they are all grown and have families of their own so I no longer have my spider killers.  So, what do I do, you ask?  You know those handles that come with the Swiffer floor duster?  Yep, you got it.  It's my "not quite as long as a ten foot pole" spider killer.  I can smash a spider without coming within three feet of it.  Of course, it takes me longer to work up the courage to approach it than it does to smash it.  :-)

The spider you see in the pictures below is hanging outside my living room window.  The web is huge!  He only comes out every late afternoon looking for dinner.  Trust me, it was all I could do to shoot these pictures given the crazy thing started flexing his legs whenever I got close.  Freaked me out!  And, mind you, this is through the window, through the screen view. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

What Labor Day Means to Me

Yes, I know the true reason for this holiday but it holds a much different meaning for me.  It's a reminder of days past and memories of childhood.  So, while I'm taking a break from today's list of chores and watching "Return of the Jedi," I'd like to share those memories with you.

For me, Labor Day always signaled the end of carefree summer days spent swimming, biking and hanging out with friends.  It was also the start of a new school year.  School always started the day after Labor Day which meant my days would now be spent inside a classroom looking out the windows at sun-filled days still to be enjoyed.

With a Dad who was a rock hound, we spent some of our summer weekends combing sandbars and walking farm fields once they had been plowed before and after harvest.  Agates, geodes and arrowheads were just some of the interesting things we would find.  Many times the Labor Day holiday would be our last rock hunting expedition and our last picnic of the year.

These days the holiday is much quieter for me.  My sons now live out of state or out of town and it is not as easy to get together for that cookout of the year.  I do miss those days filled with the laughter of my children and grandchildren.  But the one thing I have, are the wonderful memories of those days spent with family.

Priceless!

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

The Best Made Plans...

It was my intention to keep up with a more day to day, what am I doing type of blog but that has not worked out well.  I get so wrapped up in all the cards I make for various challenges that I simply forget to come share the thoughts rambling through my head.  Since it's so late, I'm going to keep this one short and go get some much needed rest. 

For now, let me share a wee bit of Spring with you.  Robins have been making their presence known since the weather has become so nice here in Iowa.  I'm so glad Spring is finally here!

Until we meet again,

Marsha

Orange Juice and a Bagel

Yup!  That's what I just had for breakfast.  Well, I guess I should say brunch since it is nearly noon here.  I splurged when I picked up a few groceries the other day.  I bought a bottle of high pulp orange juice.  Oh how wonderful it is!  It is a wonderful memory of all the fresh squeezed orange juice Mom made when I was a kid.  So many things that I love are made from scratch and not from a box or jar.  I don't know about you all, but so many things taste very different from what I remember as a kid.  I miss the days of good cooking from my mother and grandmothers.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

I Shouldn't Stay Up So Late!

This is definitely not the post I had intended for today.  Sometimes things just don't work out the way you plan but that's okay.  The only excuse I have is, I got sidetracked making some cards that I need to get in the mail.  So, here is a recent picture I took of my little plant forest.  The silly things are growing like crazy!  Don't they know it's winter!  Yes, they have names and yes, I do talk to my plants.  Hmmm?  You don't suppose that is the secret to my success, do you?  Left front is Lily, a peace lily.  Middle front is Lucky, a bamboo.  Right front is Phil, a philodendron.  The big guy hiding in the back is Treebeard, another philodendron.  I know, it's not a tree but I do love the Lord of the Rings movies!

Until next time...

Marsha

My Snow Covered World

As promised, here are a few pictures I took the day after our snow storm.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day with blue skies and sunshine.  It really was a winter wonderland.  Short post (well, it is really given the fact I can write for hours) today as I'm busy making new cards and scheduling posts over at my stamping blog, Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.  Busy days ahead.

This is the view from my craft studio window.  The clump of leaves you see tucked in the branches, is Scamper's (yes, I name the critters roaming around the yard) home.  He is the squirrel that keeps me entertained with his antics.  He's been tucked away for the past several days.  I don't blame him given it's snowing again today.  We've had another inch or so with wind and cold temps.  I'm staying in my little nest, too.  :-) 

The branch doesn't usually touch the sign so that should give you some idea of how heavy the snow is.  There were a lot of droopy branches around the grounds. 

This is the tree just out my back door.  It was so pretty with the sunshine making the snow glisten.

This evergreen is one street over just out my back door.  It looks so pretty with the snow decorating it's branches.  I think the snow is pretty but I'm so glad I don't have to be out and about in it.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

It's a New Day! It's a New Year!

Hello everyone!  I'm revamping my blog and totally starting over.  I think it's time to get back to blogging every day and just sharing what random thoughts come to mind and give you a peek into my little corner of the world.

Here is a photo I took from my window when Scamper decided he needed to eat up the bird feed.  I thought he found a rather innovative way of getting what he wanted.  Tomorrow I'll show you what his home looks like after this weekend's snow storm.

So stay tuned for further developments!

Thanks for stopping by... Marsha