Barb's Doodleheart Element

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Whew! And what a week it was. I have been working on some designing projects with my friend Olivia Dorazio, and she was under a deadline so she had me working very, very hard! I learned some very cool stuff from her! She's launching her first designs on Monday at www.sophiasarducci.com – you might want to check that out! I'm sure she would be tickled for you to visit her there – and her designs just rock! (She's pretty nervous, folks - this is her first time marketing her designs!)

First off, I would like to say a HUGE thank you to so many of you who were a GREAT encouragement to me in regard to my September 16th blog entry. Sometimes, just knowing others are walking the same difficult path, makes it easier to bear. Your comments touched me very deeply and I want you to know, I am lifting YOUR needs up in prayer too. Thank you so much for sharing. Valinda, Amy, Jan, Olga, Leanne & Sharon – you all really moved me. Your wise words have all made me feel better. Jan, I would love to get in touch with you, but I don't have any way to? You're welcome to email me at lalalime@hotmail.com

Digi-Card created for Gina - can be viewed here

and if you're signed up with SBB you can leave some love too!

It's a very sad time for my friend Gina right now. I'm sure a lot of you remember it was a year ago now that Gina lost her son Nick in a tragic accident. It has been a long, hard journey for Gina and her entire family... and she's shared it with all of us. The bad, the good. She's come through with her faith intact. She's been amazing. Her story is inspiring. Please share some love with her today. Please lift her family up at this time. Gina, you know I love you like a sister. My heart is with you today.

'You Make Me Smile' Award

I am the recipient of yet another award, this time from my dear friend Becky! Becky has awarded me the “You make me Smile” award and this is the explaination given for the award's theme:

"the thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell,and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose a couple bloggers: Please grab your badge and wear it (with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you."

So, I would also like to pass this honour on to four special persons in my life.

I'm pressing this award on my very own Sister-in-Law, Judy. Judy, your blog makes me smile for many reasons, but two stand out. The first is that you keep us connected as family. You post wonderful photos and slideshows. You've learned a huge amount with your camera, and it shows. You take us on all your trips and we get to see my wonderful brother Barry beautiful grandkids growing up. No, thats not an error, thats one thing I love 'bout my bruddy Barry – he will ALWAYS be a kid at heart. You also moved from a 'house in the suburbs' into an RV (a nice, big RV, but still!) over this past year (and waited oh so patiently at times on the Lord for that to happen) and you have taken us to some of the prettiest of places – and then taken the time to present them in neat slideshow presentations. You also provide yummy (healthy too) recipes and some inspiring and encouraging bits and bites which cross your path. Thank you Sis, and I love you so much. You make me smile a big feeling of family smile.

Amy W. What can I say. You have been SUCH huge inspiration to me, gurl. I don't know how you 'do all you do' – what, with all your fabulous designing, raising your cute and precocious little Emma, and then compliling you bi-weekly freebie lists... (and you always have a few encouraging words for each designer) You have a great attitude and if you lived here I'd want to be spending time with you, for sure! If you have not, for some strange reason, been to visit Amy before, you better 'git there and say hi, and of course, pick up a freebie or two! Oh, and my blog would not have the traffic it has over time without your constant support! Hugs to you! You give me a smile thinking of how I could ever repay you for all your kindesses you've shown me.

Valinda. You are SO generous. You've been making QP's (quick pages for digital scrapbooking) for give-away for ... hmmm... ya, FOREVER. You're so faithful to come visiting my blog... so much so, if you don't, I come 'alookin. You share your time and talent almost daily and you've always got something nice to say... about everyone. You make me smile because I can feel your wonderfulness right over the blog-waves.

Layout by blog-reader and talented blogger... KIM B!

Credits. Belt template by Ikea,

swirly overlay-Mrs Miles,

belt etc by Kim B

Thanks for sharing Kim – when I get un-busy

I'm dying to use a few of your yummy kits and 'eles'...

Last, but certainly not least – is Kim B. Ok, so I lie... you don't make me laugh, you make me ROTFL and then, I ROTFL again. You are a HOOT. I still get a giggle of you and your little husband and window incident. Haha. And, again, you're always generously giving of your time and talent. Your work is impeccable – incredible. You make me smile – and LAUGH! Thanks gurl, for making me spit hot coffee over my keyboard almost daily... I'll learn not to mix liquids and your blog as its sure to end up being giggled out of my nose or mouth!

Now go and share YOUR awards, ladies!

photo by my very own SIL Judy!

I was watching the news a week or so ago, and listened to a touching story about a local hotel which is closing. Apperently, a worker discovered a photo album under one of the beds and since then have made an effort to locate the album's owners, with some degree of success. Take a look at the clip and see if anything strikes you about this story – other than the warm-fuzzies of it...

click HERE to see the newsclip from CHBC tv

Ok, so in case you didn't catch what I caught... did you hear what she said about those beds not being moved in over 30 YEARS? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! This is the reason that no matter how cramped and small our little camper van feels when we live in it over the summers – its still our own little bed that only us two peoples have slept in.

I've got a few videos I've come across recently – they are ones on drumming. I'm not much into drumming – though I have a beautiful djembe that Miles bought me when I graduated high school at the age of 43 (thats another whole story in itself) However, I can't help but admire when someone has developed their chosen talent into something into a class of its own. The following videos are just that – drummers who cause you to just shake your head with admiration. I have to ask – dont' their arms and hands get sore???

If you're a parent, and you live in Canada – you may want to visit the following link from Today's Parent. They are offering a FREE no-obligation issue of their wonderful magazine. Just click here to fill out the form for yours!

Barb's Handy Tip # 307
Help Via Video

Ok, you know I like to keep this blog a 'safe' place ... so I will let you know that while today's site has some terrific advice and info, parts of it are inappropriate for children. So I'm just letting you know so's you can use discretion when surfing it. There are some great helps to be had here. Hey, I learned to make a 'professional looking' ponytail – usually mine look like... erm... the tail on a pony?

This site is chock-full of instructional videos on everything from 'how to shop' to 'how to have cat-balance' and even some 'expert' help videos. I know I'll be visiting often!

Video Jug

Hey Folks!





I am SO SORRY that I've not been posting this past week. I can't believe how many emails and phone calls I've recieved from you-all wondering if I'm ok. I'm OK, I'm GREAT... just real, real, REAL busy. Thank you ALL SO MUCH for being faithful to me, and I promise a blog entry before the weekend is out!



Thats why I may not have visited you-all too, on your blogs, please just bear with me. Thanks for making me feel loved & missed!

FUNNY PEACH FRAME

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I hope you can find a use for today's 'goodie'... This peach has been a part of the Penticton beach for as many summers as I can ever remember. It has been vandalized countless times too, like so many places are, but somehow it continues to prevail – and I'm glad about this, for its something I'm sure is photographed a lot. How can you not smile at the thought of a fast food joint run out of a peach? Do you suppose the person who works within says that they work in a real 'pit'? My husband Miles suggested I make it into a whacky element for you! You might consider cutting the middle out bigger than the window there, into a square or circle for your own unique size frame hole - to fit photos a bit bigger!

Thank you all for the many birthday wishes I recieved from you all. It was THE BEST birthday ever, and I will share on that in a day or two :)

typical cheesy tourist shot!

This week has been a spiritually troubling time for me and I've found myself having to 'dip into the word' to help me along. I won't be delving into any details, other than to tell you that I'm so grateful the Lord allows us to confess our shortcomings and His word provides us so much valuable advice on how to 'go forward'. I went through a bout of envy recently, and in a moment of impulse I expressed my 'green monster feelings' in a negative way in a public place. I think my incorrect thinking there was a cry for attention and it would be addressed. What I didn't do, was think any further on the impact of my words. I'm now aware that what I said may have an effect on someone I care about dearly as a friend. You know, when I wrote my words, I was actually congratulating myself on 'telling it like it is' and being open and all that positive thinking, psychology stuff... but then I was only thinking of the big M.E. - myself.

Mark 7:21-23

For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
greed, malice, deceit, lewdness,
envy,
slander, arrogance and folly.
All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'

Our Pastor spoke today on the impact of our words... the message was very good, and it shamed me down to my quick – for 'typing before I speak'. I'm grateful for the good words of the sermon, though they stung, they were what I NEEDED to hear, no sugar coating.

Wrong is wrong despite our efforts to excuse our actions.

“The eyes of the Lord
are in every place,
watching the evil and the good.”

Proverbs 15:3

You know, the funniest thing of all, is I have counselled so many people about this very thing... and its so easy to be on the councelling end, with easy platitudes slipping from my lips, like “just think of the GOOD things in your life” and “just think forward, not back” or “don't let this little thing get in your way – you're stronger than this!” Yep, SO much easier when you're telling someone else to 'buck up'...

Envy is so awful. Its so ugly. It's not a longing, its a bitter, evil, negative and addictive emotion which is dangerous. It can rob you of seeing the good in your life and cause you to busy yourself fixating on things which are destructive. It can cause you to do impulsive things and those things are usually all about yourself. Satan just loves jealousy. He can control you like a puppet if you allow the seed of envy to grow inside your heart and mind. If you realize you're at this point, you need help. Turn to God's word. Talk to a friend. Be open to hear honest opinions of those who you trust. Don't be defensive. Just listen. Pray. Ask forgiveness. THEN go on.

Proverbs 14:30

A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.

Use your experience to be a little more compassionate to others when they're struggling with this issue. You cannot change the past – you definately can't go back and 'unsay' words. Pray those you've hurt with your words will find it in their hearts to forgive you. Hopefully, if you were mature enough in your walk to ask for forgiveness, they may be mature enough to forgive. But don't dwell on it. Move on and arm yourself with ways to protect yourself from this impulsive nature in the future. It's all there... in the Word.

I always want to be open with you as my readers, and share my very human nature – the good and the bad. So many of you leave me comments with praise and encouragement, and I never want to lead you astray. Thanks for keeping me accountable.

The higher we are placed, the more humbly we should walk.

“We try to live in such a way that no one
will ever be offended or kept back from
finding the Lord by the way we act.”

2 Corinthians 6:3

Have you had an experience with envy/jealousy you could share with me?

layout by blog reader Paula

element credits to:

natali-provance-paperdark

barbderksen_dovesolay2

dunia-grungeframes02

kclark-irregularstickeralpha

lisaWhitney-RealStampedAlpha-LowerCase

Thanks for sharing your sweet layout with us Paula! Please send me your layouts using any of my elements, for me to share. I love to see how you create your own take on them!

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My thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to all today re: September 11th. Words just don't do it, do they?

Are you ready to have your heart touched even more today? My friend Gina posted, and her entry is altogther humbling and inspirational. You all know Gina lost her son, Nick just less than a year ago and she's been allowing us to share her journey of grief ever since. Well, she just knocks my socks off how she finds ways to bring honour to her son's death and still give to others. Won't you take a few moments from your busy day today to leave some love and encouragement for her? Just click here to be transported to her blog.

I'm also thinking of Kim B's friend Jazz who is in ICU on a ventilator – Kim's keeping us posted... but you could slip on over, leave your own boost, and scoop a very pretty ribbon freebie at the same time – just click here.

Happy/Sad today. Mom and Dad left for home today, after visiting with us for a week. Before they arrive, it feels like a week will stretch out forever, and I am always afraid they will be bored, but before we know it, the time is gone. We had a lovely time and didn't wind up with too much time hanging on our hands. Unfortunately Miles had to work so he missed out on some quality time.

We assembled several puzzles, went for drives, ate, ate, ate and they also read the paper and fill out the crosswords daily. That fills up several hours at a time. Do you do crosswords? Doesn't it just suck when you get stuck on a word and don't want to give in? Well, no mind, help is near at hand with this helpful website which allows you to feed your info in and will come up with that word for you! Just click here to check it!

Even though our folks gave me some lovely birthday presents, the greatest gifts of all were the fact they wanted to be here to help celebrate, and all the things I learn from Mom... sometimes reluctantly, I'm afraid to say. We spent a day canning peaches together. Mom's got some methods that are ingenious, and others which would cause alarm with my home-ec teachers from school ... and not what 'the cookbooks' recommend. As she says, she's canned all these years and nobody's dead. Ha!

Speaking of canning – fruit and veg, I came across the funniest video from YouTube ... check it – you might find you have a talent for 'playing' your veg?

I am going to share a fact you may not know about me.

I can't wait to open up presents and gifts.

My birthday is coming, and I recieved a gift from my sister a few days ago and well, I just tore right into it. I have no self constraint when it comes to prezzies. Now if we had children at home then I would have to find some creative way to get around this, to set a good example. I think I might find away to make a 'bogus look-alike' package and switch them out in front of said child, then do some quick-trickery to make it look like I waited. Erm... ah, ok, I couldn't actually do that in good conscience, really, but since we don't have little ones at home, and since I've spent a lifetime of constraint and I'm an adult now, I'm not going to wait. So, I would advise anyone who knows me to send your cards in advance and the prezzie AFTER said birthday or else I'll be 'scrappin' the wrappin' the moment the package hits my warm little mitts. Either that, or send it to Mr. Miles, then I will trick ya by opening HIS mail haha!

Dairy Queen thinks the same way I do. See, they sent me my FREE Blizzard coupon already. Did you know that you can sign up and they send you a 2 for 1 coupon for your special day? Truly, for the past three years they've been faithful to me. I'm impressed! To register your (or someone you love's) birthday just visit them here.

So my sweet, darling, precious (mad at me) sister blessed me with a most bee-you-tee-ful necklace and earrings set (which I promise to be gentle with...) and a gorgeous card she scrapped herself. I will treasure both my Sis. I lerves ya to bits!

Speaking of jewellery, I had to put a piece away for a bit... and I'm sad about that as its something I wore daily. I have a ring which used to belong to Miles aunt, and I wore it daily. Mom has always advised me to get it checked to make sure the claws are strong enough, and I've always put it off. While they're visiting, Mom mentioned it again, so I said “lets just go do that” while she's here. Well... the jeweller has advised me to either fix it or put it away, as the claws need to be rebuilt, or I might lose the stone. It's going to be pricey just having the repairs done, so it's into the safety deposit box instead for a while... thank goodness I listened to Mom, though.

I was forwarded a humorous email (thanx Marie R.) about Julie Andrews, as she celebrates her 69th birthday on October 1. She made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music hall for the benefit of the AARP, and performed this updated version of that famous song she sang in The Sound of Music all those years ago... (Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.)

MY FAVORITE THINGS

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

I want to be sure to share a tip with you which I devised. Miles loves biscuits, so I don't make them often. LOL... I'm not Grisilda the cruel wife, its just that he really, really, REALLY likes my biscuits and will eat every crumb. And I want him to keep his slender waistline, so he gets them in very small batches – usually at a time I know we have guests or he can take some to the school as a treat for the staff and students.

My secret for them is actually two things...

The first thing I do is when I flatten the dough out to about 1 inch thick, then I sprinkle the surface lightly with flour using a sifter. Then, I fold the dough over and press it with my hand till its 1 inch thick again. This way, the biscuit will seperate itself when its pulled apart when eaten. I cut my biscuits to a fairly small size, using a tomato paste tin which I've cut both ends out of.

I also put a slab of cheddar cheese ontop of each biscuit before baking, this gives it a nice crunchy, savoury top. Adding in a bit of garlic salt, chives or spices to the dough makes these a hit!

I would like to say Thank You to Ruthie, who awarded me with the Rockin' Girl Blogger award – wowza, this is my third election. You folks are giving me a LOT to live up to! I promise to 'tag' some people in the near future, ok? And thanks for thinking of me!

Also, I've had several comments from you, Olga, and would like to send you an email. Could you please email me at lalalime@hotmail.com as I don't have any way to contact you.

Sneaky Potty!

I came across a blogsite which features very unusual furniture, like this port-a-pottie... hehe, how clever... will make you look at that business person with toting their breifcase in a totally different manner... To check out the other 'oddities' just click here.

Well, I had better 'git it together'... a lot of stuff to do in this next week, as I put everything aside to visit with the folks. I hope to post again in the next few days. Until then, I wish you all a Blessed Week.

Daddy helps me Can!

Today in History:

1609 - Henry Hudson, English navigator and explorer, entered the river later known as the Hudson, in North America.

1873 - The customers bought the first practical typewriter.

1878 - The obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle, originally cut from the quarries of Aswan in about 1475 B.C., was erected in London.

1910 - The world's first woman police officer, Alice Stebbins Wells, was appointed to the Los Angeles Police Department.

1928 - Actress Katharine Hepburn made her stage debut in the play, "The Czarina". It would be four years until the "First Lady of the American Screen" would make her first film, "A Bill of Divorcement".

1935 - United States millionaire Howard Hughes flew a plane of his own design at 352.46 mph to establish the first of his several aviation records.

1940 - The Lascaux cave paintings were discovered by four teenagers near Lascaux, France, after following their dog down a narrow entrance into a cavern. The 17,000-year-old paintings, consisting mostly of animal representations, are among the finest examples of art from the Paleolithic period.

1953 - 24-year-old Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married 36-year-old United States Senator from Massachusetts, future United States President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

1954 - It was the first appearance of "Lassie" on CBS-TV. Despite being called, "girl," Timmy, played by Tommy Provost, and June Lockhart, who starred as Mom, "Lassie" was a male dog. There were over six Lassie dogs doing stunts. "Lassie" aired on CBS for exactly 17 years; the last episode aired on September 12, 1971.

1958 - Researcher Jack Kilby invented the Integrated Circuit, popularly known as the "chip." The chip consisted of a transistor and other components on a slice of germanium. The chip is considered of such importance that many of today's electronics products could not have been developed without it.

1966 - The Beatles were awarded a gold record for "Yellow Submarine".

1970 - The supersonic airliner Concorde landed for the first time at Heathrow airport in London, prompting a barrage of complaints about the noise.

1983 - Fourteen years after leaving Austria, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a United States citizen.

1991 - The space shuttle Discovery took off on a mission to deploy an observatory that was to study the Earth's ozone layer.

1992 - Mae C. Jemison became the first African American woman to go into space. An astronaut and physician, Jemison was a Peace Corps volunteer in the mid-1980s, and soon afterward joined NASA's astronaut program. The United States space shuttle Endeavour took off with a crew that included Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space.

1993 - Television and film actor Raymond Burr died at the age of 76, falling victim to liver cancer. Burr's acting career, which spanned over 30 years, included his brilliant portrayal of defense lawyer Perry Mason and investigator Ironside on the TV series of the same names.

Barb's Handy Tip # 306
Be Part of a Pyramid?

NOT a 'sales' pyramid, the REAL thing... and you can 'reserve a stone' in your name!

The Great Pyramid can potentially be any human being’s grave or memorial site. As monumental as it is affordable, it serves those of all nationalities and religions. Individuals who are either unwilling or unable to have their physical remains buried there can also opt to have a memorial stone placed instead. Stones can be custom designed with any number of colors, images, or relief decorations. The Great Pyramid will continue to grow with every stone placed, eventually forming the largest structure in the history of man.

The Egyptian pyramids were build for eternity but only for one single person. This pyramid is open to every individual. Rather than hastily burying one another or allowing our ashes to be scattered, as a small stone in the pyramid we can remain part of our species’ constantly shifting and ever-expanding tableau.

The Great Pyramid

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YouTube Video suggested by Valinda J. (vj's scraproom) - g'wan, scoot over and leave some love after you scoop her pretty Free QP!

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Gee Louise! (see, now you got ME saying it, Beans!) You folks are just amazing. Mind-blowing. Do you know that over 1800 of you visited me over the past two days? Thats like ½ the entire population of the community I live in. I'm exhausted just thinking about it! I'm flabbergasted – I think I am, erm, let me just check the meaning of that word, as I often SAY I'm it, but now I better be sure. Can't lead you all astray. Hmmm... lookin... yep, 'pears I am for the dictionary says it means 1. As if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise, and 2. Overcome with amazement. Not only this, it 'pears I'm also boggled, bowled over, dumbfounded, dumbstricken, stupified and thunderstruck. Fanks everybuddy!

layout by blog reader Senati

(who requested this overlay specifically for this project)

Thanks for sharing Sen, and what a beautiful moment to celebrate!

Having a great visit with my folkses so far – course they've only been here for 8 hours or so, so if we hadn't been to this point it would mean a looooong road ahead. Actually, my In-folks are the most amazing. I would even feel ashamed to know in-law jokes as truly they were cut out of an entirely different mold! Is there something wrong with us, or what? We have such different interests, for instance, they are techno-phobic in the third degree – the closest they will ever come to using a computer is to use the microwave, and they watch a LOT of tv. See, polar opposites. I guess its because we both have one same interest – my husband, their son. I love them soooo much for all the time and love they invested in this wonderful man who shares my life, and I'm sure they completely appreciate that we have a great marriage, they see this girl taking care of their precious. That can cover a lot of distance between us, and the rest is just details.

should I open a florist shoppe? or Not!

I bought a beautiful and unique vase at the thrift store on Tuesday, and I was eager to create my own fall centerpiece from flowers and dried plants from right were we live. I forayed out into the fields and chose what I thougth would go good together in a big bunch. You must know, I've never done this before and I was not exactly sure what I was doing. I had a bit of that green floral sponge stuff that I picked up three yard-sale saturdays ago and so I put that inside the vase, then, after soaking it well, I began to randomly stick blossoms and greenery in here and there. It came together pretty nicely, I think, what do you think? I know it's definately not up to a florists standard, but it doesn't look half bad gracing my table! (and sure a lot cheaper, too!) (oh, and Martha Stewart won't be calling on my for my talents, snicker!)

Well the students are back at the Learning Centres and so my husband is away. This would usually be a completely sad and wierd time for me – after us being together 24-7 over the summer, that is unless Mom and Dad were not here to fill that gap somewhat. Are you like me, when fall hits it seems like we ALL should be going back to school? I still can feel the excitement of having Brand New Clothes to wear (in a family of 8 kids this was a Big Deal) and new school supplies and going into a New Grade. I long to recapture that feeling of having a fresh, clean slate and to begin to learn new things. THIS year I would get better grades. It was sort of like a New Years for kids!

Well, I'm seriously thinking of taking some more courses at the Centre. I'd love to take a course on Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. Are you taking courses? Would you take some courses if they were Free, you could do them at your own pace, and they were online? Well good news to you, my friends, as CNET has just that. Its very powerful, you can subscribe to the courses you want. You will recieve emails letting you know about new courses as they come along too. I've been looking over the photo courses and they look very helpful. But thats not all, they have all sorts of courses, including one on Vista Basics. Click here to enrol!

I found two interesting sites to share with you as well. I love Google Earth and Maps sites, and these are two more. The first is a Daylight map, so it shows you what parts of the world are currently in night or daylight – gosh as I'm prewriting this blog entry I'm in light, and You're in dark, Kim B! Hard to imagine, really! Just check it out by clicking here.

The other neat site, linked from this one allows you to see the clouds – right where you are. You KNOW how I love clouds. Last night as Mom and I had just started out on a walk we saw a cloud that looked just like a cat... I quickly scampered into the house to get the camera, but by the time I got back he was 'sans' ears and looked vaguely like a fish. See your own weather from above! The view at right is a mosaic of satellite cloud images taken within the past 3 hours. To see the clouds above you, click here.

Do you need a good excuse to celebrate an otherwise boring 'ol day? Well, I can't gaurantee that there's a Whacky reason for each and every one, but there are some Whacky days in the near future. For instance, how 'bout Comic Book Day, Good Neighbor Day, Name Your Car Day or Late for Something Day? How do I know these are Whacky Days? Why, I go to Crosscards and they tell me it's that day, AND they provide neat e-cards to share that day with my friends! Why not send your friends and family a way to celebrate in a way out way! Just click here to view these fun (and many other wonderful types of) cards!

Its the time of year to be careful of bears, they're out and about, intent on filling themselves up for a long winter's sleep. Make sure you don't leave any 'incredible' edibles out to tempt them. I watched an article on the news yesterday about a small community here in BC where the bears are actually brave enough to break into homes! Have you ever wondered why bears rub themselves on trees, other than assuming they all have itchy backs? Well, turns out there is probably a good scientific explaination for this! To find out more, just click here.

I thought this was an interesting site to share with you – it's put together by South Florida Catering and this is what it's about:

“I was thinking recently as I watched some of these "lifestyles of the rich and famous" type shows, what would really be the ultimate in extravagant, unnecessary opulent indulgence? After some thought, (maybe because I was hungry) I put together the "The Most Expensive Days Worth of Food Possible"

Got your curiousity piqued? Just click here to find out how they do it!

And speaking of food, its so beautiful to look out over our valley this time of the year. The apple trees groan under their rich bounty of fruit and the vineyards are laden lavishly with grapes. It's a time of harvest, and a time to be reminded how God provides for us.

You crown the year with your bounty,

and your carts overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the desert overflow;

the hills are clothed with gladness.

The meadows are covered with flocks

and the valleys are mantled with grain;

they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 65:11-13

Song of birds and hum of bees,
Fragrant blossom on the trees,
Promise of a harvest fair,
Apple, cherry, plum and pear
Ripened by the Summer Sun,
Abundance there for everyone;
Earth's countless gifts are everywhere,
Enough and more for all to share.

By Dorothy M. Loughran

***

make your OWN comim strip- just go to

www.ComicStripGenerator.com

A cute couple of farming jokes to share with you:

On a rural road a state trooper pulled this farmer over and said: "Sir, do you realize your wife fell out of the car several miles back?"

To which the farmer replied: "Thank God, I thought I had gone deaf!"

A very zealous soul-winning young preacher recently came upon a farmer working in his field. Being concerned about the farmer's soul the preacher asked the man, "Are you laboring in the vineyard of the Lord my good man?"

Not even looking at the preacher and continuing his work the farmer replied, "Naw, these are soybeans."

"You don't understand," said the preacher. "Are you a Christian?"

With the same amount of interest as his previous answer the farmer said, "Nope my name is Jones. You must be lookin for Jim Christian. He lives a mile south of here."

The young determined preacher tried again asking the farmer, "Are you lost?"

"Naw! I've lived here all my life," answered the farmer.

"Are you prepared for the resurrection?" the frustrated preacher asked.

This caught the farmer's attention and he asked, "When's it gonna be?"

Thinking he had accomplished something the young preacher replied, "It could be today, tomorrow, or the next day."

Taking a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiping his brow, the farmer remarked, "Well, don't mention it to my wife. She don't get out much and she'll wanna go all three days."

***

I just stumbled on a nice FREE online magazine you can subscribe to. It's called Notebook and it's filled with some wonderful articles, ideas and recipes. To sign up, just click here.

***

Today in History:

1522 - Juan Sebastian Del Cano completed the first circumnavigation of the world.

1666 - The Great Fire of London ended after destroying much of the city in a conflagration that began on September 2. Ninety-seven churches burned to the ground, including St Paul's Cathedral.

1813 - The nickname "Uncle Sam" was first used as a symbolic reference to the United States in an editorial in the Troy Post of New York.

1819 - The lathe was patented by Thomas Blanchard of Middlebury, Connecticut. Blanchard said he invented it for manufacturing gun stocks. The lathe did the work of 13 operators.

1837 - Oberlin College, Ohio, which had been the first United States college to accept women, became also the first college to grant equal status to both sexes. Mary Hosford, Mary Fletcher Kellogg, Elizabeth Smith Prall, and Caroline Mary Rudd were accepted into regular courses with 30 men, beginning coeducation at the college level.

1869 - The first major coal mine disaster in the US occurred at Avondale mine, Pennsylvania, when a fire broke out in a mine shaft, cutting off the miners' escape route and their only source of air. The death toll was 110 miners, a number of them young boys. Recovery of all the bodies was possible only three days after the disaster.

1901 - United States President William McKinley was shot and mortally wounded by Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz, a Polish citizen associated with the Anarchist movement, fired two shots at the president as he greeted the public. He died eight days later. McKinley was the third US president to be assassinated.

1937 - On Victor Records, Benny Goodman and his orchestra recorded "Sugar Foot Stomp". The song was arranged by Fletcher Henderson.

1958 - On "The Ed Sullivan Show," Georgia Gibbs sang "The Hula-Hoop Song". It gave the first national exposure to the Hula-Hoop craze. Many people covered the song in recordings to capitalize on the trend, including Teresa Brewer and Betty Johnson.

1959 - The Mattel Toy Corporation sold the first Barbie Doll. The original Barbie and her friends; which were not produced in 1959, Ken and Skipper, are now collectors items.

75 - Glen Campbell hit #1 "Billboard's" pop music chart with the song "Rhinestone Cowboy".

1984 - Ernest Tubb, country music star, died at age 70. Tubb was from Crisp, Texas and was called the "Texas Troubadour". He styled his technique after Jimmie Rodgers. Tubb recorded "I’m Walking the Floor Over You" of which he sold over three million copies. "Blue Christmas", "I Love You Because", "Missing In Action" and "Thanks a Lot" were also made famous by Tubb. He recorded with artists as diverse as The Andrews Sisters, Loretta Lynn and Red Foley recorded with Tubb. "The Legend and the Legacy", his 1979 album, was a top-ten hit. Since 1943, Tubb was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and in 1965, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales', funeral at Westminster Abbey was a historic event, with several touching moments. People were sobbing and throwing flowers as the funeral cortege wound through London's streets. Diana's sons walked behind her casket with their heads bowed. During his oration at the funeral, Diana’s brother, took aim at the media, who he said made the princess “the most hunted person of the modern age.” Elton John sang a rewritten version of his song "Candle in the Wind" to “England’s rose”. Origianally the song was a tribute to film legend Marilyn Monroe, whose life, like Diana’s, ended at the age of 36.

fly away, little seed!

Barb's Handy Tip #305

A Fun Time-Waster...

I keep finding new little features of this game... I think so far I've found twelve different things it can do, and wasted several valuable hours doing so...

Feed The Head

download

I've created this overlay for blog reader Senati, who wanted a theme using doves, to grace a layout she made of her son's baptism. I hope this works for you – I did it in two versions, one a little funkier than the other.

Well, this will be a short week for North America! Don't you just love the week after a weekend, other than the fact it messes us all up on which day is which? I think that could be because with the removal of the Monday of work, then Wednesday is no longer a “hump” day, so there's no day smack in the middle to get thru before we slide down toward the weekend again. Heavens, since I'm a stay-at-home gal every day blends into one another for me. I get so mixed up with days that my sweet, patient husband has to carefully write his work schedule into a PAPER format as it changes between different work places and towns, sometimes in the same day, and in three sessions. Its not unusual for me to call his workplace and have to ask the secretaries “is he here, or the other center?”

I've decided that today will be a day of Thanks for me. I have so much to be thankful for, and whats the point of waiting till the official Thanksgiving day, when my heart is overflowing right now? I'd like to leave you with some Thankful Thoughts for the day, and I would love to hear yours too!

Have I ever really thanked you, Lord, for the fact that I can see
A clear blue sky, a bird in flight, a child upon my knee,
A sunset's glow at eventide, a cloud so full and white,
In never-ending gratitude – the wonderous gift of sight?

Have I ever really thanked you, Lord, for the fact that I can hear
A bird in song, my children laugh, a spoken word so dear,
A welcome knock upon my door, rain on my window pane?
It means that I am part of things and have so much to gain.

Have I ever really thanked you, Lord, for the fact that I can walk
A country lane, a city street, meet friends and stop to talk,
To climb upon a hillside and marvel at the view?
All these things are blessings, gifts sent down by you.

We walk along life's highway, and seldom stop to say,
Thank you, Lord, for all these gifts so dear to us each day.

By Maralyne I. Fawcett-Smith

Gratitude is born in hearts

that take time to count up past blessings.

“Always give thanks

for everything

to our God and Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Ephesians 5:20

I've got some good things happening in the background, so I may not post for a day or two, plus my Mom and Dad-inlaws are arriving for a week's visit on Wednesday. I may get a small post in between though.

download me and make me 'into something!'

DO NOT COPY - copyrighted picture!

My friend's version of what this wood would be!

I saw this wood 'would be' a whale!

I keep forgetting to post a picture that a friend of mine created. She took a photo of a wood pattern, and then she added to it to make it into her own thing. I decided to take her example and make it into my own thing, a whale. This reminds me of an excersize I do now and again when I feel dry, in traditional art. Instead of choosing a subject and then painting, I take whatever's at hand, something abstract, and then make it into something. My friend and I challenge you to take the texture and see what you can make it into!

You know, I was heard this little tidbit on NPR radio the other day, and it made me shake my head. If you live in the USA, and you want to 'botox' your lips (YOU pay), you can get a date to do that within a week. However, if you have a dangerous looking mole and need an appointment, it takes a month! Money talks, I guess. How sad is that?

Along the lines of health, and because I have 'creaky' knees, the following article on NPR will be of interest to you. It appears there is a new 'gender specific' knee replacement being manufactured out there! Remember, your doctor cannot read and know about every single new thing out there, so you may want to make your doctor aware of this new development. Just click here to read or listen to the article.

Here's a quirky bit of news – there was a patient, right here in Vancouver, BC, who bled GREEN (really, like Mr. Spock on Star Trek!) To read more about this phenomenon, click here.

On a totally different track now, I recently read this good idea in a recent Canadian Living magazine, submitted by Teresa Sousa, which I'd like to share with you:

If you're taking your children to an event, and you would like to keep them entertained, pack individual lunch boxes (or a nice sized plastic carry all you can find in the dollar store – make sure it has a carry handle) with games and craft materials. Playing cards, colouring book, a blank journal, crayons and stencils, scrapbooking supplies, puzzles would all be good ideas.

And this is totally unrelated to anything else I've posted today, but I will just mash it up with the rest. It's a neat article from NPR on a company in North Carolina which is making odd-flavor popcicles, like avacado, chili and even a version for doggies which has an edible stick! Just click here to listen to the audio file!

Today in History:

476 - Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor of the West Empire, was deposed.

1609 - English navigator Henry Hudson, working for the Dutch East India Company, arrived at the island of Manhattan, before sailing up the river that now bears his name. In making his trip up the river, Hudson claimed the area for the Dutch and opened the land for the settlers who followed.

1618 - The "Rodi" avalanche destroyed Plurs, Switzerland, killing 1,500.

1781 - Los Angeles was founded by Spanish settlers and named ``El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles'' (The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels).

1833 - After answering an ad in "The New York Sun", Barney Flahery became the first newsboy. Ten-year old Barney really became what we now call a paperboy.

1866 - The first Hawaiian daily newspaper was published.

1882 - Thomas Edison demonstrated the first practical electrical lighting system when he turned on the lights for a one square mile area of New York City.

1885 - The Exchange Buffet, the first self-serve cafeteria in the United States, opened in New York City.

1886 - Legendary Apache leader Geronimo surrendered to Gen. Nelson Miles at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona, ending the last major United States-Indian conflict. Miles lied to Geronimo, promising him that he would be reunited withhis family and that the US would grant him a pardon for his actions. Instead, he was made a prisoner of war and banned from his homeland, Arizona.

1888 - George Eastman of Rochester, New York, registered the name Kodak. Eastman patented his roll-film camera, United States Patent #388,850.

1921 - The first police broadcast was made by radio station WIL in St. Louis, Missouri.

1951 - Viewers across the United States saw the first coast-to-coast telecast using coaxial cable. This first telecast featured United States President Harry S. Truman speaking to the nation from the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference in San Francisco, California.

1957 - Governor of Arkansas Orval Faubus ordered National Guard troops to turn away nine black students trying to enter the formerly whites-only Central High School.

1957 - The Ford Motor Company introduced the Edsel.

1971 - On ABC-TV, "The Lawrence Welk Show" was seen for the last time. Reruns allowed the music to continue until 1982 as a weekly favorite. From 1956 to 1961, Welk charted a half-dozen hits on the pop music charts, including 1906's number one song "Calcutta".

1991 - Country music star Dottie West died in Nashville, Tennessee, of liver and heart failure as a result of a one-car crash earlier in the week. The popular singer underwent three operations, but doctors were unable to repair her ruptured liver. West was 58 years old.

Barb's Handy Tip #304

Pre-Paint your Rooms for Fall?

Ah, falls arriving, and if you are thinking of changing your decor and paint to a fall theme, you can now 'try out' painting your own walls, thanks to the following website! You can either upload a photo of your own room, or use one of theirs - so cool and helpful!

Design My Room

download

Just a little something for you - to brighten up your layouts. I would LOVE to see how you use this - I would be happy to feature your layouts here on my blog. Just leave me a message with permission to publish your layout and where to view it, and all the credits etc... Have a wonderful day everyone. PS - THANKS SO MUCH for all your comments. They give me a boost!

Think only thoughts of love today,

With understanding as your guide.

For you can help along their way

The weary ones who cross your path,

And cheerfully greet the folks you meet

And spare a while to listen to

That lonley woman on the street,

That boring person on the phone.

Perhaps she needs a friendly smile,

That woman with the screaming child?

And surely you can stop a while

To help them both get off the bus.

In helping others in this way

You'll make this such a happy day.

~Joyce Francis Carpenter

(I think I would like to meet this Joyce...)

if you right click on the download link, and open it in another tab or window,

you won't be taken away from todays blog entry!

download

Ah and the days fly by, and the days fly by. I keep meaning to sit down here and share all with you, but I go off on all sorts of tangents. I'm in a baking phase. I simply had to make an apple pie when the orchard was being picked. I don't believe I've ever had 'fresh from the tree' apple pie – and its SO good. When I was at the coast last, visiting with Mom, she stood over me while I made a batch of pastry to bring home, so I'd get it right. How nice it is, to simply pull a few 'balls' of dough from the freezer and whip up a pie in no time at all. How comforting to catch the aroma of fragrant pie wafting from the house. How rewarding to taste it sweet and tart on my tongue. Really, if you all lived just a little closer I'd send a piece over for you...

I pick YOU, Honey!

Credit: Tracy Sims Paper Frame Freebie

This freebie frame was still available yesterday (scroll down) ... just click here (leave love!)

Shabby Princess has a (free) and lovely calendar desktop for you for September. Just click here & please leave some love while there!

mmm... foccacia!

“To make bread you knead dough”

Several of you requested me to give my Foccacia bread recipe – so I'm complying. A word of caution, I don't measure in exactitudes. All the measurements I've provided are correct, the only thing you may have to adjust is the amount of flour used... I just go till it feels right, you know? If you haven't made bread by hand much, you would judge this point as when your dough is no longer sticky, it's elastic and boasts a smooth, dimply surface. Please, let me know how this turns out for you!

Barb's Rosemary and Olive Foccacia

2 ½ cups warm water
½ tsp brown sugar
¼ cup skim milk powder
1 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp fast rising yeast
2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil – or melted bacon drippings
1 can black olives
aprox 6-8 cups flour
fresh rosemary
1 cup grated mozzerella cheese
grated parmesan cheese
pepper

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water, along with the brown sugar for about 10 minutes. Add salt, skim milk powder and then begin adding flour until it's too thick to stir. Use your hands to knead in the rest of the flour – my measurement is only aproximate, mix in enough until you get a nice dough. Set to rise in a large bowl with some vegetable oil (so it does not stick) Set bowl over the top of a big pot filled with hot water. Raise till double in size, about an hour or more.

Prepare two cookie sheets, or one cookie sheet and a large pizza pan, by greasing with vegetable oil and then sprinkling with a little cornmeal or ground corn flakes. Punch down the dough and divide into two unequal halves – one being just a bit smaller than the other. Take the large piece of dough, lay it on the big pizza pan, press it out toward the edges until it fills the pan. Take the second piece and either press it out on the cookie sheet, or devide it into two and make two small rounds (nice size for giving away – giving away makes your baking taste better haha – or to freeze for a rainy day)

If studding with olives, take a can of black olives, drain and slice into 1/2's, then 'stud' them cut side up into the dough. Grind pepper liberally over breads. Let raise 30 min. Sprinkle with mozerella and parmesan. Add fresh or dried rosemary generously overtop. Bake at 425 for 15-20 mins. Enjoy!

A mile of smiles is better
Than a marathon of moans.
Chasing after laughter
Is more fun than trailing groans.

The race of Life is hectic,
But when all is said and run -
When Optomism takes the lead,
Contentment can be won.

By J.M. Robertson

I can't believe the end of August is here. I've mentally got one foot in September already, and have had for a week now, but the most of my body is still stuck in Summer. The lake sure is cooler. Where I used to look forward to a good long float, now it's a jump in and get out quick sort of deal. I shall miss our days at the dock when the season moves on.

Jeepers Creepers - get a load of these peepers!

Got all your kids back-to-school clothes shopping done? Well, if you find yourself with scads of money left over, you could make provide your child with the latest of trends, sure to impress. How about the latest in Japanese fashion, some jazzy feather eyelashes? I can't imagine myself in something like this – I go batty if I even have a piece of lint on mine! To find out more about these fluttery fashions just click here.

And are you going to miss your little girl or boy so bad and wish you could just give them a big virtual hug during the day so they could know you're thinking of them? Well, you can, or will be able to soon, it appears thanks to one of Time magazine's best inventions – the Hug Shirt. Its a high-tech garment that simulates the experience of being embraced by a loved one. “When a friend sends you a virtual hug, your cell phone notifies the shirt wirelessly, via Bluetooth. The shirt then re-creates that person's distinctive cuddle, replicating his or her warmth, pressure, duration and even heartbeat. And, yes, the Hug Shirt is fully washable.” To see a photo of the shirt just click here.

On the other end of the scale – there are millions of children around the world who deserve what we give our children. I was so encouraged to find the following site called One Laptop per Child. This organization's mission is “To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.” The say “Most of the nearly two–billion children in the developing world are inadequately educated, or receive no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade. The individual and societal consequences of this chronic global crisis are profound. Children are consigned to poverty and isolation—just like their parents—never knowing what the light of learning could mean in their lives. At the same time, their governments struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving, global information economy, hobbled by a vast and increasingly urban underclass that cannot support itself, much less contribute to the commonweal, because it lacks the tools to do so.”

The project allows you to donate your time or money to assist the program – I believe I read somewhere that each of these computers will cost very little, so any contribution you could make would be a small step to a bigger vision! Click here to find out how you can help. Check under the 'participate' button.

As Francis Bacon said:

“Money is like muck, not good except it be spread”.

We are individuals with power to affect other people.

“And let us consider

how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”

Hebrews 10:24

How I actually found out about OLPC was through an article about a small device which will be able to power one of these special little computers. The device is called a Pull-Cord generator, put out by Potenco. It resembles an oversize yo-yo, really. The idea is you pull the cord and it will generate power which can charge your small devices. They claim that one minute of pulling on the cord will generate 20 minutes of talk time on a mobile phone, 1 hour of Ultrabright flashlight use or 4 hours play time on an iPod Shuffle. The technology is not there yet, but will be in the future. To find out more just click here.

Another concern you may have as a parent, is about ensuring your kids get enough sleep. It's certainly not like when we were teens – I clearly remember having a firmly set bedtime and that was that, but today kids have so much more to stimulate their senses, and you may appreciate any information you can find to help understand how you might help him/her manage their sleep time wisely. I found a terrific article on NPR radio just on this very thing. Just click here to read or listen to this article by Allison Aubrey.

he's thinking of the ant...

should I stock my pantry for winter, or not?

Today in History:

891 - Arnulf defeated the Vikings from Scandinavia at the battle of Louvain in Belgium.

1159 - Pope Adrian IV died. He was originally Nicholas Breakspear and was the only Englishman to be Pope. He was elected Pope in 1154.

1810 - John J. Wood patented the first plow with interchangeable parts.

1830 - Sarah J. Hale published her nursery rhyme, 'Mary had a little lamb'.

1859 - The Pullman sleeping car, built by George Pullman's company with help from Ben Field, was put into service.

1864 - The Charlottetown Conference began on Prince Edward Island, representing the first steps toward Canadian confederation.

1878 - Emma Nutt became the first woman telephone operator when she went to work for Edwin Holmes and his Telephone Dispatch Company in Boston, Massachusetts.

1887 - A patent was file for by Emile Berliner for his invention, the lateral-cut, flat-disk gramophone; better known as the record player. Emile got the patent, but the glory went to Thomas Edison for making his American inventiont work.

1923 - A magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck Japan and completely destroyed Yokahama and nearly destroyed Tokyo. At least 142,000 people were killed and 2.5 million made homeless.

1928 - Albania was declared a kingdom, with Zog I as ruler.

1944 - The movie Arsenic and Old Lace, starring Cary Grant, opened in New York.

1951 - Britain's first supermarket opened in Earl's Court, London.

1953 - Jacques Thibaud, French violinist, died in an air crash. Famed for his technique, he was a member of the famous trio with Alfred Cortot and Pablo Casals.

1972 - Robert "Bobby" Fischer, United States chess player, defeated Soviet player Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland, becoming the United States' first player to officially win the World Chess Championship. Fisher's strange demands during tournaments, off-the-wall antics, and unexplained forfeiture of his world title brought him an uncharacteristic notoriety than most chess champions.

986 - At his annual telethon on Labor Day weekend, Jerry Lewis raised a record $34 million for Muscular Dystrophy.

1997 - In France, the prosecutor's office said the driver of the car in which Princess Diana was killed, was over the legal alcohol limit.

Barb's Handy Tip #303
Movie Night without Renting the Movie!

My sweet husband found this link for me! These are some movies from the Wimpy Website (media players), and the movies are all just a few minutes long, but they are VERY well done! They are exceptional quality in animation, designed by the folks at the Ringling College of Art and Design.) Ah, ah – get away from that mouse for a second, I need to warn you that not all of the movies are appropriate for children. Many of them are, and many you will want to share with them, but I'd hope you would preview all the movies first so you know which are which. Do tell me which are your favorites!

Ringling Movies Via Wimpy