Happy New Year 2011

Lil Bug, mama bear and I would like to wish you a Happy New Year. This household had a new granddaughter in May and a new DIL in July of this year. Many of you have had losses, illness and sadness. We all wish you a good and better 2011. Take care of each other...xxxxxx Bettyann

Merry Christmas Dear Friends !!

Dear Friends...I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. I know that many of you have had big challenges during 2010. I admire and respect your sharing the journey with me. Thank you for your willingness to share all your creativity with me. I appreciate you sending me emails, responses and chatty facebook entries. My wish for you is to have the Christmas you need, with the family you create with love. Takae care and Thank you Dear Blog friends, you mean alot to me !!!!

Count down to Christmas !!

Hello friends !! Although I haven't posted in awhile, I have been busy visiting your blogs, wrapping Christmas presents and decorating for the holidays. The presents were sent by Greyhound yesterday to lil bug in Calgary. She and her parents are off to Toronto for Christmas. We are hoping to skype on December 25. This time of the year is hard on me as I usually get depressed, probably SAD but also too busy and I hate crowds etc. This year after a wedding and a new grandbaby, we spent too much money. However,I have had time to spend reflecting on what I am grateful for...happiness in a marriage, new beginnings for my son and dil, new birth for daughter and spouse..most of all that I am healthy, loved and look forward to each day. I am blessed by my parents, ages 86 and 87, in my life..plus my dear MIL, 89, friends of+40 years of loving and who still like me with all my warts and quirks...so all in all I have a good life of love, caring and creativity. Although, I can still feel envious with people who are better off fiancially..life is good. Thank you my blog friends for words of encouragement, laughter and sometimes just a "swift kick in the pants" as my Dad would say.....Here is the latest picture of my lil bug..she is 6 months old..Her face is blurred as she never stops moving..how cute her hair clip...tata..

November 11

Rememberance Day/Canada and Veterans' Day/United States

Remember our Fallen

Remember our troops overseas

Pray no more children go to war

Lil Pumpkin

Happy Halloween !!!!!

Maddy is not quite sure about this Halloween stuff....Her first tooth just came in and she is feeling poorly. Her Grandpa had a tooth pulled over the week-end...Poor babies !!!!

Take care friends and Have a great week...

Sweetie Girl

I haven't completed many scrapbook pages in a long time. Too busy this spring and summer..then too lazy this fall. However, a lovely lady, Kirsty Wiseman, started a FaceBook page -Kirsty Wiseman Wednesday Crop. She posts a sketch, a number of people respond...you know the drill. So here is a LO I completed yesterday. I had fun with my sweet niece this summer and here is the result.

Fall is here in Canada !!

We know that fall is here in Canada, as hockey season has begun. We are all rooting for our fav teams. Lil bug's Mom is a Vancouver Canucks fan and her Dad is Calgary Flames...so I found a canucks jersey at a resale store...when Lil Bug was born found cute little flames shoes...Go Canucks Go..don't get between a fan and their team LOL...Our Thanksgiving has come and gone...I am grateful for my health, sanity, and LIL BUG not neccesairly in that order. I am not thankful for being more cranky, less patient and more critical...hmmm time to sort out these feelings and get on with life. So friends I am enjoying reading your blogs, visiting how-to sites and the warm love from old and new friends.. Take Care..

Beauty and Happiness...

Hello Friends...I have been enjoying what is left of our summer..Here is a recent photo of lil bug..where she lives in Canada, it is getting colder by the minute, much to the horror of her Mom lol...I was feeling lost after the wedding and lil bug's birth...plus of course we spent much too much money..sigh..So I finally felt motivated to set some goals for myself..No spending money on "stuff" that I don't need....With the fall came some jobs..babysitting and cleaning a suite..so now of course I am going to be too busy...what can you do ,... I was never what you call balanced lol...I find that if I make lists of what I would like to accomplish each day, then the outcome is much better...So, as they say, we shall see..I have enjoyed reading your blogs this past summer...Enjoy the fall wherever you live, or our southern hemisphere neighbours, it is going into spring......

Lazy, Lazy Days

I have been very lazy these past few weeks...swimming...playing art with my second cousin and little neighbour..nieces over to swim and hot dog bbq..taking it easy...I finally cleaned and tidied the craft room..moved furniture, papers to recycle...but the best part of this summer is getting on Skype with my daughter and granddaughter.. I get silly, make faces, sing nursery songs..I have been talking to Lil Bug almost everyday..my hubbie and I love her soooo much my heart might burst lol... Well must get back to my tough job of sitting in the backyard, feeling the breeze on my hair and hearing children play ...take care friends...what is your idea of a good lazy afternoon??????

Hello Friends

Hi friends, how has your summer been? We have been busy. Hubby and I just came back from a quiet trip to our lil trailer in the forest. Went swimming, walked, hiked and slept in the hammock..I am finding it hard to "re-entry" normal life..will be visiting your blogs soon...

Here is the latest piucture of our little sweetie in her new play saucer.....

Mission completed !!

My son's wedding was on Saturday July 17, 2010...there were many hitches before the wedding..but the day was lovely and warm..the bride and groom pulled off a meaningful and welcoming party....they are now honeymooning in Mexico for a well deserved rest..the bride passed her RN exams and is now a full-fledged nurse..long may they be happy...

In Honour of Donna Downey

This post is in honour of Donna Downey.........Smile age She is a down to earth person who enjoys helping others to create and laugh about the process...I also love that she creates new words for her art process...

So this picture is what I call DRIP AGE

I watched her latest Inspiration Wednesday videos and she created a new word SPILL AGE

So Thank you Donna for your reaching out to me, inspiring me to create, just to put paint to paper, canvas or aprons..to create......

THANK AGE
DONNA

First Smile

Madelynn's first smile picture sent to Nana this am...what a cute lil duddlebug!!!! Who knew being a nana was so much fun...worth all that teenage angst that I barely lived thru..lol take care friends..

look at Her Hair !!

Her Momma sends me a daily picture of my little darling..I miss her so much...take care friends..

Sorry I've been MIA

Sorry I've been mia. came back from my daughter's place in Calgary on June 6..then began the final preparations for my new dil's wedding shower, which took place on Sunday June 13...25 people ,fancy tea party...am so exhausted..here is the latest picture of my little darling in the cashmere sweater I made..she is getting bigger, 8 lbs,but is still getting the nights and days mixed up...well talk to you soon..take care dear friends..

Picture of an Angel

Here is my little angel Madelynn Lousie Ann at 2 weeks and 2 days old...oh I fell in love all over again when I saw her being born...I leave Calgary,Canada to go home to Vancouver this Saturday..I will see her in 2 months at my son's wedding..I am so going to miss her..take care friends love bettyann

She arrived !!!!!

Madelynn Louise Ann is here...... arrived at 1:46 pm mountain time..May 16..she weighed 7lbs 40z..She is so sweet. Mother, Dad and Nana are exhausted as she is feeding every 1.5 hrs and she wants her food NOW lol...talk to you soon...pictures to follow

WAITING AND WAITING

Well, here I am..waiting with my daughter..she went to the hospital..they gave her some gel meds..sent her home till 4 pm..then back to hospital for more meds..they may do this 3x.. then will do iv meds..so she is resting, and in a few minutes we will go for a gentle walk to help move the contractions along..will let you know...thanks for listening..love bettyann

Going Away For a Birth !!!!!!

I'm going to be away for awhile..On Wednesday, I will be flying to Calgary , Canada. My daughter Jenn is having her first child, and my first grandchild. Her due date is May 15..She is scheduled for an induction on the 15. I will try to help her and her partner with the birth, she wants me to be in the birthing room !!!. I have attended at 2 others births, but this is one I'm a little aprenhensive... My DH will drive up (14 hrs direct) at the end of May..bringing, if you can believe, a U-Haul trailer full of goodies, a refinished cannon-ball bed and side tables, rocking chair which is a great-grandmother's, a bassinet from my childhood..and of course, clothes, toys and gifts from friends and families.. We will acquire a crib for them...Will be back in Vancouver June6..the following week-end I am holding a wedding shower for my Son's fiancee...so I won't be visiting your lovely blogs. for awhile... WIll post pictures of my new grandbaby..I think I'm going to be called Nana..Take care friends..BYE-BYE..

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Dear Friends...

Heart of Our Home...

Before I show you the heart of our home..I must introduce you to the keeper of the clock, refrigerator..Meet Niala..right now she is telling me that I have been keeping her waiting far too long for dinner......


We have a window by the computer..I look into greenery and because I finally have the time, plants flourish here now..

Although, it is a cool and rainy day here on the west coast of canada, or as we call it, the "wet" coast..I look forward to relaxing on our patio, greeting friends and family for B-B-Q's or having kool-aid toasts when the weather is warm..

I don't care what many people think, but I love Ikea, fresh, clean, functional and inexpensive..Here I have out to use, my hand-me-down Cuisinart, grinder, blender to make yummy drinks, and everyday baking and cooking dishes..love this island..

Here my loving husband made this area the way I wanted it to look...desk for computer..family dishes, collectibles, cookbooks, baskets..fun goodies....

Here I read your blogs, send e-mails to friends and family, pay my bills on-line (just love that), search and print new receipes to delight, filing cabinet holds address book, stamps, extra printing paper and file folders for bills, ...

The kitchen is the one that I have always wanted, open to the dining area and living room..We entertain more here than ever before ... I love to work in kitchen to see and hear my guests..I am no longer isolated in the kitchen...Plenty of room for people to circulate, check out the fridge, step outside...

So thank you for coming and seeing the Heart of our Home...toodles..Take care...

Friend Had a Baby Girl...YAH !!

I worked with a lovely lady K. She just had her 3rd girl, a month early, but Mom and baby girl are happy and healthy...So I made a card expressing my joy...This is for Ali Katherine..Welcome little one...Happy Days are Here...Love bettyann

Happy May Day

Have a great week-end..Take care..See you Monday..

Special Gift...for a Special Couple

A few years before my son met the love of his life, I took a class with my sister-in-law and made a wedding guest book......



Fast forward to this year, I wanted to have a wedding shower for my daughter-in-law to be....

The book has tags that guests at the shower will write their thoughts and feelings about this special day....

Friends, family, new family, mothers, grandmothers, cousins, ..........

Giving the couple a gift of words.....

Gift of thoughts.......Gifts of Love......

So I have finished all the glue, ribbons and glitter........this special gift is ready for the shower for June 13..we are ready!!!!!!!!!

Here is my gift of LOVE to Mike and Meghan......

I found the dress !!!

Well, after much whining, sighing and more whining , my sister and I finally found a dress for my son's wedding.......

It is a soft plum, fits like a glove, right length and the right price....

Makes it look like I have a waist.....Now that wasn't too hard..LOL..Then on my own, I found the most seksi and comfortable shoes:

However, they cost almost as much as the dress...so after a full day of shopping I was exhausted....

Then yesterday, I went with a good friend, we have known , loved and keep each others secrets for 40 years this years...wow...anyway her daughter, same age as mine 27 and same name, except we call her JJ, is getting married also this July....well this time I dragged G kicking , screaming and whining to find a dress ...What a trooper, she tried on more than 30 outfits.. She is petite and apple-shaped and it seems that this year the dresses are made for me..who wonda' thunk that !!!..So next Wednesday, back out we go again..at least she now knows A. what looks good on her and B. what doesn't...Who knew that we could raise 4 kids and 2 husbands, have responsible jobs and yet are dropped to our knees over a "DRESS"..our DHs think we are crazy,...... they just have to rent a tux...did you know that the tux comes with shoes, socks, tie, jacket, pants and vest...NOT fair...LOL

Well ,have a great week-end...I must cleanse, fast or whatever to get ready for another round of DRESS shopping on Tuesday for MOM for the wedding..she is petite and wears a size 14..well that size is scarse as teeth on a hen.....poor Sis , she is taking us shopping....look out world..here we come...waiter i need a drink!!!!!!!!

Shopping is Torture !!!!

Well of course thrift shopping is not ...Fabric is not... BUT dress shopping for my son's wedding is !!! The problem is, as my girlfiends and I say, is that we don't dress like our Moms or Grannies...or like ........So, I have a date with my loving Sis to go to a fancy mall in Vancouver tomorrow and I am crabby ...Basically, I want a plain, pretty dress that doesn't look awful or costs too much!!! Plus of course I'm a larger size...+16....I'd rather spend less rather than more....So let me leave you with some of the dress images i found on the internet that are at least attractive..

I'll let you know what happens..I asked and no I can't wear my jeans LOL

Happy Easter

Happy Easter Dear Friends....have a lovely time this special weekend with family and friends..DH and I are going to our trailer in the area of Maple Falls, Washington..1,000 acres to walk, run, bike, a swimming pool and hot tub ... good friends to share a meal or two ... Peace be with All..Take Care and talk to you next week...((((Hugs))))

Sea Witch Giveaway winner

In February, Dari the Sea Witch announced I was the winner of her first "Sea Witch in Paris" giveaway...See the fab beret..

She gave me oodles and oodles of goodies..

A spring necklace she had made for her trunk show was also included...

Love, love the rhinestone "Paris" brooch......

Look at the cutest glass Eiffel Tower ornament....

Oh goody, French chocolates...suprise, suprise..they haven't been eaten..yet...

She also decided to give me more swag (goodies)..Victorian scraps. beautiful chinese box and a lovely sea-inspried box.....What a lovely gift from a lovely person...Thanks Dari for your generous soul..

Au revior mes amies....