Just a short tuit

Need a decorative container in a short time, and either no time or no money to purchase one?

I'm one of those people who loves old wallpaper or wrapping paper.

so I have started covering cans of different sizes.

Here is a short how to, 

on the way I do them, takes about 15 minutes to cover a can.

Find some paper, wall paper works really well,

 because it is a bit stiffer than most wrapping paper

find the size container you want, make sure it is clean.

You can either take the label off, or leave it on, makes no difference, 

I've done them both ways.

You'll need a knife, a straight edge, a glue gun, some masking tape, and ribbon or decorative

flowers if you wish to decorate after you finish covering.

Lay can on the paper, just with the bottom lip touching the edge of the paper

Take straight edge, and lay right where the top of the can is 

put onto the can, itself.

Using the straight edge and the knife, carefully cut the

paper to length that will reach around the can, plus an inch or so extra.

Wrap the can, and overlap the paper, pulling it as tight

as you can. 

Take knife and cut against the edge of the papers where they overlap

and if you do it right, they will match perfectly. 

This is where the stiffer paper helps.

Take a couple of pieces of  masking tape,

and tape the paper on the can, making sure

the edges fit together.

Hot glue the edges closed, making sure glue is set 

before removing tape.

Decorate as you wish, I didn't have any matching ribbon

so stuck the raffia on, just to show what I meant.

Raffia was removed 

And here are 2 cans, a coffee can and a large soup can

done in about 15 minutes.

The first can I covered, a baby formula can, about 11 years ago, with a pretty wrapping

paper.  I still use it, and it has held up very well.  I'm sure the wallpaper will hold up even better.

Also, if you have one of those can openers that cut the lid, where it will fit back on can, you can glue it back, and use it as a gift container.  

We did that to daughter in law, left the soup label on the can, and you should have seen her face, when she unwrapped a can of soup for her Christmas gift.  We'd put a gift card to her favorite store inside, and sealed it back, she could tell the can was empty of soup, lol.

I had a big laugh yesterday. For Christmas,

 I gave my 9 1/2 year old granddaughter 3 books by KD McCrite.

 Skylar decided to read the last one, Chocolate Covered Bologny, first, but her mother told her no, she needed to read them in order, so after she had read a few pages, she put it back, and started the first one. But, being a literal person, and both chocolate and bologny are favorites of hers, it played on her mind. She tells me that her mother never buys bologny (yes I know it is spelled Bologna in the 'other half of the world, but not at our house) so anytime I know she is going to be here, I try to pick up a package for her. Yesterday morning, she wanted fried bologny and eggs for breakfast...Later in the day she noticed there was one slice left, and told me about reading in that book, and how chocolate covered bologny sounded so good.
She grabbed the chocolate syrup, and 1/2 slice of bologny, and went to smearing, about 20 seconds later, she spit it out, licked the chocolate off, and threw the bologny into the trash.

Oh, and if you are interested in purchasing these 3 books, I noticed that on Amazon.com they have a 3 book deal right now, all 3 for 17.99.  They are well worth that price.

THE LESSON, by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revelle, a division of Baker publishing
294 pages

Mary Kate Lapp, known as MK to her friends, is 19 and a dreamer.  She can think of many exciting things to do with her life, dectective work, travels.  One of them isn't teaching school to a bunch of kids.  But when the regulat reacher gets hurt, she gets 'recruited' to do the job, until the regular teacher comes back.

She would rather investigate the death of the sheep farmer down the road, or do anything other than teach, but she gives it a go, when she finds she has no choice.  Besides it will only be 2 weeks and 2 days, surely she can get through that without much trouble.

I think I have read nearly every book that Suzanne Woods Fisher has written,  and she continues to put a great story out there for her readers.  I would give this one 4 3/4 stars, only because it ended before I wanted it to, I'd have liked a few of the things cleared up, that she left hanging.  I'm sure there will be another book that will clear those things up..

I received this book through Litfuse to read and review.  I received no other compensation.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I am not required to give a positive review.

Just a Ramblin

This is our former minister, paster McConnell.

See that goofie grin?  We gave him a 

Duck Dynasty cake last night, as his going away

gift.  Says something funny on it, but I can't remember what.

There was a lot of tears, some laughs, and

even a few jokes.

We will miss him, but God has called him to a new place, just not sure where, yet.

He's fixed us, lol, maybe he can fix them, too.

This is the Jacob Wolf home, built in the very early 1800s

before Arkansas was a state.  It sets along the White River

in northern Arkansas.  I hope that this spring, we can take a drive up there, and I can get some photos of my own.

Can you imagine if those walls could talk, what they could tell!

  I know you've seen this before,

yes, these are my house rules,and if you 

don't like wearing fur, please stay outside.

Over the years, we've had numerous 

dogs and cats, and not one of them has ever

spoken to me the way a lot of humans have, insulting me and hurting my feeling.

This picture kind of reminds me of Peanut, a stray that we found in 1991, along with her brother, Punky. We kept them both until they went to the bridge, and when we found them, they were not even big enough to jump on sofa so I put a cushion down, so they could get up there.  That didn't last long, they learned to jump quickly enough.

Wouldn't you just love to cuddle this little fella!

tuckered out

You need to read the other post first, then come to this one.  Petey and Buddy had a great day,
and are piled in my chair, together.

coward allertttt?

Dat is Petey, the wonder dog.

Wonder why he show up ta my hoose

and eat my food.

I tells u, he is sompin.

Ma was goin out, so she puts him on a leash, hrump, big baby.

she gonna show him dis

an dis

He taksid a look, and runses

back into garage, wid dem tangs

followin him, lol, 

Chicken!!!!!

But he pways wid

dis

Buddyboo

It's Buddyboo Again

I be madder dan that ole wet hen...

Ma comes in talkin all sweet an nice.

Picks me up and gives me a pat, removes my

collar, so I be nakked, and den sticks me

in dat ole big sink in the laundry room.

I tols her I didn't stink, but

she say dat I do, an used baby shappo on me

so nows I smell funny.

She did gibs me a bite of roast, afters

I dried a bit.  

If she gib rest of it, I will like her gan.

Why don't she bave dem Kats instead...

WHERE GOD FINDS YOU by Anita Higman

40 Devotions Bringing Bible Characters to Life
239 pages
Standard Publishing
www.standardpub.com

I didn't read this book straight through, since it is a devotional book.  I read a few pages here, and a few there, until I finished.It seems different than most devotionals,  more fully developed, with more thought put into the story from the Bible it is depicting, then more how it fits into our daily lives.  The story of Ruth was especially relevent, and so was the story of the woman who touched Jesus' hem.

I would highly recommend this book, it is easy to read and understand, and it gave me a lot more information than just the few verses that are written down.
I was given a copy of this book to read and review.  I received no other compensation.  I'm not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.


  I got the link below from Amazon.com so I don't know if you can click to look inside or not, but if not, go to Amazon and check out the book.

Tears of Joy?

If you stick around here long enough

You'll figure out that some days I have a sense of humor.

I posted this for Nana Diana, 

to give her a chuckle, because her

posts, and the responses she gets

are usually my first chuckle of the day.

Followed closely by Tete, over at the Garden Gate.
I need a good chuckle today, 
I'm under the weather
and will be missing church.
I just don't feel up to driving.
When did I get old?
It slipped up on me, and I don't like it one bit.

I want to go back to here and start over.

Lap Steel Player

Jd thought about guitar awhile back, but decided he wasn't that interested.  

Yesterday Poppy put him in front of the Lap Steel, and showed him how to make it whine.

This is him learning a few things.

And

this photo was a hit on Facebook, got lots of comments and likes.

He looks like a pro, doens't he?

He spent about 30 minutes sitting there, making different sounds.

Lap Steel Prototype hubby built

My husband is a very talented man, he can build or repair almost anything.  After he retired from trucking, he built a train track and he and the grandsons played with trains for a few years.  They've all kind of outgrown that, and we've moved to go carts and other things.

About 4 years ago, he became interested in guitars and music.  He had an acoustic guitar, but ordered a couple of electrics, and has learned to play a bit.  Then he bought a keyboard, a drum set, and some other stuff, that I can't even remember.  About a year ago, he purchased a 'pretty' guitar, it is spaulted maple, and I think it looks real nice sitting in it's corner.
A couple of months ago, he got interested in a Lap Steel guitar, and started pricing them, but before long he ordered some parts, and started work on a homemade prototype.  You can find a video on how to do anything on Utube, so it seems.  Well here is the result.

The silve and the Spaulted Maple Guitars

in background, if you click on this photo 

you should be able to see a larger picture, with the

patterns on the maple.

A close look will show some of my fingerprints, as I helped string it, and mark the fret locations.  The wood isn't even finished, just natural, and a couple of the chrome things are not on it.  It plays, sounds good, and now he is digging in the lumber stack for a thicker board, of cherry, to make a 'real one'.   I know of 2 he can build, as now Stephen wants to learn and, Dustin, Stephen's cousin, who plays in a band is also interested...

Has A Donkey ever brought you Breakfast in Bed? Pat Brannon

If you are looking for a gift for a small child, that they will love and remember, and then be passed down to siblings, and then their own children, look no further.  
Pat Brannon has written the cutest Childrens book, with great illistrations, which will entertain the reader as well as the ones being read to, every time.  
Mrs. Brannon and I graduated from the same high school, though several years apart.  I remember her family was always very musical.  I lost track of her, until I joined Facebook, and there she was, and was now an author, mostly of children's books.  My grandson, Stephen, told me she had come to their school, and he wanted me to become her friend.  She also writes Gospel Music, so she is a very multitalented lady.
You can get her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or you can get them through her, by friending her, and contacting her on Facebook.  She will autograph them for you, and shipping is included in the cost.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZJVHkanvgo

Here is a you tube video of the book.  Enjoy it.

Dis be Buddyboo shhhhhhh

See dat fang, dat be similar to wat ma brung in a while ago...

But different color.  

Yeah, she brung in that black one,Oreo, she thought

he'd be same color as me, an I wouldn't notice. 

Hurrump, he ated my food.

and den de funny part.

Ma told him he be wet, and put him in sink wid some soapy water...

den he be rillly wet, an mad.

But she wap him in towl like a baby Buddyboo,

an dry him, sang to him, and rockted him, til he be dry.

I sulkeded and hid my face.  If she put him down, he'd a been one 

ded kitty, but no, not her, she puted him back outside, 

Mean ma.

I fink he be sticken tongue out at us.

My New Years Resolution:

I'm keeping it simple this year.

No matter how hard I try, I have never managed to go through a year,

with a resolution in tact,

so

My New Years Resolution for this year,

don't make any.

makes sense to me,

How about you?

What a Sendoff!

Today, a great man was laid to rest.  I don't mean a rich man, or a well known man, but he was a man of God, who loved his family and his church.  The minister had his orders,  Bobby had told him he didn't want tears, and Johnny did his best.  He told stories of his life around Bobby, and pretty much had people laughing through their tears.  Johnny was
a family friend from the time he was a small boy, and Bobby's mom and dad cared for him, during that time.  Johnny makes strange faces as he preaches, and that, alone helped loosen the mood.   Our Minister sang, and helped with the funeral. 

When it was time to leave the church for the cemetery, 
Here is what Bobby took his last ride in, a custom made coach.  I  The hobby of our funeral home director, is building custom made coaches.  I had to leave to go get plates and I told Richard (the funeral director) that I was going to snap a couple of photos.  He told me he was sorry it was wet and rainy, but if I would stop by the funeral home, he would drive me around the block in it, and I didn't have to wait until I was ready to ride in the back.  I could sit up front.  I think I'm going to take him up on it soon.

Here is one of the floral arrangements, I just love it so I snapped some photos so I can see if I can do something similar.

Update on things

First, my son in law lost his father on Sunday night.

Bobby spent Christmas in Heaven with Jesus, and

according to granddaughter, they were watching Gunsmoke Reruns.

Visitation is tonight, and Funeral is tomorrow afternoon.

Our Christmas was spent watching it snow..

We woke up on Wednesday morning with about 13 inches on the ground,

some said they had a bit more, some said a bit less.

I did get a couple of photos, 

which I will share.

My Bronco II hardly  

Maple tree in front of house

as I was snapping photos,

the Cardinal showed up, female showed up shortly after this.

Dis be Buddyboo, agan

I dots to twell u bout

bein so dispointed dis mornin.

I herd car, my kids visitin!!

Run to doo, and dar was dis big ole boy, and a biger man.

No GURL, I look in garge, no gurl, I ask where Skywer, no gurl. I jes turn and go pout..

Den after food time, ma leaves, takedid the big ole boy, and comes back wid nuther boy, no gurl.

Finly, de biger man came backed, and brung gurl dis time, boy was I happy, but dey left too fast. 

only gots to love gurl for maybe few minuts.

Dis be my gurl.

She loves me, feed me, brush me,

and somtim bathe me, I hided when I here dat water run.

Wednesday, and new computer

So now the week is flying by, and 

I just ordered 2 more gifts to be delivered before Christmas

Neither of which is from me.  I can't tell what they are, as a 

person, who shall remain nameless, might skip by my blog.

I gifted to myself this year, I purchased a new computer for my desk.  The old one was 7 1/2 years old, and

too slow to watch videos on, in case you sent me one.

So I now have one with blazing speed, so they say.

Now for the serious part of the 

post.

My son in law's father is not well at all.  Time is slipping away

and I'd appreciate prayer, just that God's will be done,

and that the family finds peace in whatever the

timing and results are going to be.

Bobby is a Deacon at our church, and I'm sure he knows that 

his parents are waiting in Heaven to see him, when he arrives.

Of course, Brian, and the grandkids don't want to see him go, but, they understand that they will see him again someday, soon.

Monday and Tuesday posts

So, until Wednesday, I won't be posting any book reviews,

family stories, or cat or dog tales.

Shootings

I debated posting anything about this, and I made the decision just to ask for Prayers for all the people involved.  

God knows their needs, and he will fill them, in his way, in his time.

Dis be Buddyboo

Don't tell on me for using mom's computer....

But I dits to twell you story about

how I dit in twuble last nite.

Ya see, I dot no bottom toofies in the front.

I diggin howles nd I pulls um gittin roots 

outta de dirt.  Gardenin, yeah that be what I doin, we'll goes wid dat.

Anyways,

mom bought me some smaller dog food, YUCK.

Don wike it cept when I steel it from 

Petey, when he visits.

Don wikes canned stuffs eider...

I do wikes cornbread, chichen, pork,

beef, alls dos good fings.

Anyways, mom and dad walked out of kitchen.

Mom walks back in the kitchen, thar I set in floowr wid a piece of cornbread.  Mom asks dad

did you give buddy corn bread.  Only a small bite.  Dat mom tried to take it back, but I wouldn't let her....I'd heped mysef...

dey left it on tawble....

do you fink if I give mom dis rose

she'll forget I committed a crime?

She say I aint sposed to be on table.....I say she shouldn't leave food out, if it aint mine.

A special shout out

Today is 12-12-12

And it is also the

birthday of a very special 

person in my life.

Diana of Nana Diana fame.

She was born about

23 days after I was

but we didn't get know each other until about 2006 via a ladies group on

the internet.
*

She is grandmother to 

Sweet Cheeks

Who I think is a clone of

Diana.

Diana has a warped sense of humor,

which keeps everyone 

laughing.

She is  generous and always offers a shoulder to lean on, when her friends are

in need, in any way.
I've used that shoulder quite often

I thank God 

every day, for the day he put her in my life. 

Happy Birthday

wonderful friend. 

May you be blessed with many more.

UPDATE

Tete didn't have surgery this morning, and it has been put off until December 26th, if I read her message right.

Just more Ramblin

My friend, Tete, who has a blog, Beyond the Garden Gate, is having surgery as I type.  Pray that it goes well, and she heals fast.  She is a very sweet and caring person, who has gone through a lot in the past few years, with her health.

It is 14 days until Christmas, and can you believe that I have purchased nothing at all.  Daughter picked up granddaughter's gift, I still need to pay her for my part, other grandmother is paying half, and we are paying half.  She is getting an Android tablet.  I should say she has gotten it, and is enjoying it a lot.  I get the sweetest emails from her, " I love you more than an elephant has toes".  lol
Now I need to get the boys gifts.  Jd wants Hobby Lobby money, his favorite store, he takes his discount coupons, and purchases his stuff, so he saves his money.  Stephen wants Itunes cards, so he can download more music...Oh well, easy shopping.

I still haven't gotten out any Christmas Cards this year.  I am thinking I am not going to do many.  Daughter took photos at Thanksgiving, and I think I'm going to mail out a picture of the family with trees sticking out of their heads, and that will be my card.

Bad Weekend

I have that darned arthritis really bad, my spine, neck, and hip are the worst places, knees, too.  We've had a major front coming through, so all day Saturday, even while I worked to get things cooked, attended a funeral, and helped serve a dinner for the family afterward, I hurt.  

I came home, put on some heat and took some Tylenol  but still didn't sleep much Saturday night...Sunday, I couldn't turn my head more than about 3 or 4 inches, so I didn't go to church, and sat here, whining....
Finally the front moved through about 5:00pm last night, and the pain let up enough that I got some rest.  

And, one of the wild cats decided to challenge Flash to a race across the dog pen, while I was gone, Saturday afternoon.  Needless to say, the cat lost.  Why, when they get to a certain age, do they feel they are 10 ft tall and bullet proof, I'll never know. When you dare an 80 pound dog, who is just looking for a chance to run and play tag, you had better be fleet of foot, and a good jumper.   They have 6 acres to roam, and play, Flash has about 1/6 acre, leave him alone, it is a game to him, to play tag and win.

Bargain hunter and Crafting

If you know me at all, you know that I will never pay full price for anything that I can get a discount on, anywhere.

I have 2 white cabinets, got them at an auction a few years ago, still in box, to be put together, for $12.00.

Yes, I know that was a huge bargain, if you'll go to Lowes or Home Depot and look, you will find they sell for over $100 each...

Now the cabinets need a top...

Anyway, I was gifted a large amount of tile, and 

my thoughts are to put tile on the top, but first I needed some

Hardibacker, to glue the tile to, so off I go to Lowes.

I don't need full sheets, so I start digging in the damaged 

stuff, and found a sheet with corner off.  I asked the sales clerk what they would discount it to, he said $5.00, I'll take it.

And he said he would sell me the 2 sheets that were broken in half for $2.00 each..

SOLD!   for $9.00 I just $33.00 of Hardibacker, enough to do the two cabinets, and plenty left over, for more projects.

I promise to do a photo blog soon, with working on the cabinet tops.  

But now, I'll  give you a couple of photos

of what I worked on yesterday.

I told you I was 'thrifty'

Diana, don't you dare say cheap!

I made these two 

floral baskets.

I still need to find the pink ribbon, and finish the

bottom one.

Have you been to the florist shop lately?

Go price one similar to this, and you'll then know why I make them for myself.

The bow would be almost as much as I have in the whole 

basket..

OK Diana, now you can say 

Cheep Cheep Cheep.

Healed, and in Heaven

Just got word a few minutes ago, that 

Mary Lou 

passed away about 9:00 pm this evening.  Pray for her husband, Charles, their daughter, and the rest of their family.  And also for her Church family, as they go through the process of saying  See Ya Later. 

Faithful to Laura by Kathleen Fuller

Thomas Nelson Publishing

I really enjoyed the story of Sawyer and Laura, and how they find common ground to connect and form a relationship. Both come from outside the community, and struggle with fitting in for different reasons. They have lots of baggage, but once each can convince the other to trust, Sawyer and Laura find that they're not so different.  I was glad that the story included a lot of their relationship with our Maker, without making it overwhelming.  

Kathleen Fuller has written a wonderful story, and I enjoyed the way she put it together.  I'll be looking for more of her books.

I recieved an E Book from Booksneeze to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own.  I'm not required to give a positive review.

Should be a card

I found this on facebook today, and I thought how true.

Sometimes the bumps and bruises 

aren't nearly as hurtful as 

the spoken word.

I know a couple of people who deserve to receive this as a card.

Prayers again needed

I want to ask for prayer for a friend, and member of our church.  Her name is Mary Lou, she is a very sweet and giving person.  Recently, she was diagnosed with cancer of the lungs.  The Chemo seemed to be shrinking it, but they then discovered this week, that some of it is now in her brain.
Now she has had some seizures, and  was given a radiation treatment.  She is now home.  
Her family just lost her brother about a week ago, also from cancer.
Please pray for peace for this family, I know they are really suffering with all this going on.  She has attended church though most of this, showing her faith in her Savior.

Also, please pray for Frank,  he and I went to school together, and have managed over the years to stay in touch.  He is a minister, and just all around good guy.  He is also undergoing chemo, and he is quite sick.   He is hold his head high, but his daughters, son, wife, and grandkids are fighting to keep things level, during all this.

And, remember my son in law's father, he is quite weak, still no diagnosis, he's battled cancer for about 5 or 6 years, but this time,t hey are hoping it is something other than cancer, causing his problem.

I'm sorry, this post is not my usual silliness, but I felt led to put these people up for prayer.