"Let the good times roll"...

It's a new year! :) Happy 2011!

I am going to try to be better about blogging on a regular basis this year...wish me luck! :)

I love January because it makes me want to start "fresh" with all my projects that have been "stirring around" inside my brain throughout the previous year.

One thing I am trying become more experienced with and feel more comfortable using is PSE(Photoshop Elements).  Yesterday Austin came to my rescue and helped me get over a hurdle with a project I was working on. Sometimes it takes baby steps for me to get anywhere! :)

So, here is what I was able to accomplish with Austin's help:

and this:

(These photos fit on two different 4X6 photo paper sheets...how cool is this?  It doesn't take much to excite me these days! :))

I am so happy to be able to use my PSE talents for something else besides just "playing" on the computer! :) Now I can easily re size photos to be used in a very practical manner! :)

Now I am off to do some reorganization in my "creative area" part of the house...stay tuned.

Happy Wednesday to you all! :)

xo, ann :)

Fall is here!

Daylight savings happened overnight last night so we all slept in! What a great way to start a Sunday! :) I had to capture this photo (using my cell phone) this morning...a perfect image of Greg and Taylor and their "little visit" at the great room window this morning. Love moments like these! :)

Then, a little while later, Nuzzle was ready to come inside after doing his "once around" the house after breakfast.  I couldn't help but snap this photo (through the back storm door) (again with my cell phone!) because he had no clue he was carrying a leaf around on his muzzle...silly Nuzzle! :)

As the day went on, I spent some time cleaning up my scrapbooking area and shot some photos from the windows I look out of while "creating" my pages and quilting. (I didn't have the flash attached so please pardon the dark photos!)

All in all, it's been a very relaxing, low key day around our house.  One has to love days like this! :) I know I do! :)

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

-Ann

Rain one day...SNOW the next?

Wow! We woke up this morning to this! :(

Today we are off to the movies.  Austin and Greg will see a "guy movie" and Taylor and I will see a "chick flick". :) 

Happy Thursday everyone! :)

xoxo, Ann

Rainy days and Wednesdays

Happy Wednesday!

Hard to believe it's really Spring with the way the weather is today! Typical Wisconsin in the Springtime!

Here are some photos from today.  Kind of a lazy day for Nuzzle but others accomplished things around here! :) I scrapbooked, Taylor got her hair colored and Austin played on his laptop and XBOX 360.  Greg was busy at work, anticipating the next two days off! :) 

I skipped Day #3 of my KP's Sketches class because I had these great photos of my sister and Taylor from Thanksgiving that I wanted to use together. So here's Day #4:

Day #4 - a work in progress...

 

Taylor and her new hair color...she LOVES it! :)

 

 Austin doing his latest FAVORITE thing: XBOX 360 and MacBook Pro = HD PVR movie-making:

Nuzzle ... just "kicking back"! :) 

Rainy days and Wednesdays around here...

    
It's only 42 degrees here this afternoon! What happened to the nice weather? At least we know this isn't going to stay. 

Kind of a photo heavy blog today.  Just wanted you all to see what goes on around here on a rainy day! :)

See you soon!

xo, Ann

 
  

 
  

Spring Break has just begun!

Well, the lonnnng awaited Spring Break has FINALLY ARRIVED! :) Taylor and Austin have been so patiently waiting fro this time of their school year ... even though we are not going away. While Greg was golfing with friends after work, the kids and I spent some time in the backyard taking photos at almost sunset.  I have discovered, even though been told by many before, that this HAS to be the best time of the day for a photo opportunity! :) I can't wait take more photos at this time of day, or at dawn, for that matter! :)  Here are just a few shots from last night ...

 

    

More to come in the next few days! :)

Happy Spring Break, everyone! :)
 

Loving my newest scrapbooking class!

I've spent the past 24 hours almost completely, well NOT REALLY!, indulged in my love for scrapbooking. Why you may ask? Well, because I am in the midst of a twelve day class with some of my favorite scrapbooking women from Studio Calico lead by this fantastic woman, Kelly Purkey. 

Everyday I will be working my hardest to complete a new scrapbook page based on a sketch provided by Kelly.  So, here is my attempt at "Day One" - I probably will continue to post these pages a day late because the lighting is better.

KP's Sketch class - Day One

  

 

On to "Day Two" ...

Back again tomorrow! :)
 

First signs of SPRING!

I am so excited to see signs of Spring popping up all over our yard.  I missed taking a picture of a robin but did manage to get some of my "early arrivals" that I can count on every Spring. :)

Here they are! Enjoy!

Pasque Flower (always blooms around Easter) 

 Daffodils getting ready to pop!

 Service Berry beginning to bud...

Irises  

Ornamental grasses showing signs of life.

 Bleeding Heart ... my "monster-sized" plant that blooms like crazy!

Today the weather is more late winterish...yuck.  At least we know this won't last and the sun will be out tomorrow! :)

Happy Thursday everyone! :)

Time to replace our very first gas grill...

It's hard to believe it was 15 years ago this coming May that my parents bought us our first Weber gas grill - a "housewarming gift" when we moved in to our first house in Germantown.

We decided to "retire" this grill and buy a new one after seeing how much it would cost to "update" it with all the replacement parts needed. 

So, yesterday morning, this arrived on our back patio...

I neglected to take a picture of the first meal we grilled on it last night.  The kids and I christened it with cheeseburgers, while Greg was out to dinner with a friend.  Yummy!  They were delicious, if I must say so myself! :)

We're looking forward to many more Spring/Summer/Fall meals prepared with this new friend! 

Happy Spring! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wow, to think my grandmother would be 115 years old today...amazing! She was a phenomenal woman, one who I have always respected my entire life.  

 

Gammy in Sanibel Island, FL - her favorite winter "retreat"...

 

This photo is of me with Gammy Yeomans on the day of my Gingerbread Nursery School Graduation in Watertown, WI.  I was so proud to have her there with me and the rest of my family. :) 

Happy Birthday, Gammy! I love you! :)

 

I'm busy working on trying to improve the looks of my blog. Stay tuned! It's definitely a work in progress!