Category Create

Summer Puzzling…

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I was at Hobby Lobby recently. They were having a puzzle sale, 40% off. Now, that was a good deal. So, I looked at my options. I found this one by Brother Sister Design Studio. I was curious about the “soft touch.”

This was a fabulous puzzle. First off, it’s so cheerful. I was surprised at how huge the puzzle pieces were. I give a comparison, see the blue puzzle piece, it’s from a 1,000 piece puzzle I’m working on. Then to the right was a puzzle piece from this puzzle. Fun, but it did feel a little bit like going back to grade school.

Finally, the finished product. HOWEVER, it’s hard to fit the pieces in the box, see photo. I mean, who wants to “carefully” stack puzzle pieces in a box, so they will fit?? Not me, but I do LOVE this puzzle.

So, I guess I’ll have to stack them nicely… LOL

Cheers to more puzzling.

Rough Horsetail – A plant that is like a puzzle!

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Growing up by Lake Michigan, we always had fun playing with Rough Horsetail. Of course, back then I didn’t know what it was called. I just had fun taking it apart and putting it back together in different ways.

I completely forgot about it until this weekend when friends pointed it out. LOOK, they said, “This plant comes apart and you can put it back together again!”

We all laughed, I told them of my childhood and we had fun playing with them.

This YouTube video gives information on horsetail.

If you are at a beach and you, your friends and/or kids are bored. Find some rough horsetail and have some fun! So many different combinations you can build.

Time for the beach. 🏖️

Summer has started, time for FIREWORKS!

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You know summer has started when you go for a walk and you see the kids RUNNING & SCREAMING! At first, I thought, “What the heck is going on??” Then I realized — SCHOOL’S OUT!!

That means July 4th celebrations are around the corner. I’ve been eyeing this puzzle for a while. I was drawn to the Fireworks in the background. So, I took the plunge and bought it.

Life is FUNNY! Last night, I got the fireworks done. Just after I finished them…

I got a call. A family wedding next Saturday! I chuckled to myself.

So, that’s why I did the fireworks!! Can’t you FEEL the different explosions of color!

The Universe has such interesting SURPRISES this year!

It’s SUMMER… On my walk, I got wet by a water sprinkler. Obviously, I thought I could “beat” the timer of when the water would hit me…

I was STARTLED!

It was REFRESHING!

Have a great weekend!

How 6 Million People Read My Blog Post!

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Did it work? Did I catch your attention with the 6 Million readers?

I saw an article on the art of blog writing. It mentioned that it helps to use a “number” in the title. Personally, I always steer clear of posts that say, “3 Best Gluten Free Breads,” or “10 Worst TV Shows,” etc. I used to get sucked into those, then realized they were full of “fluff.” WHY, because they got the memo that adding a number to their title would get you readers/followers, so a bit boring, lots of copy cat articles.

I sold advertising for magazines years ago. We had certain issues that used the “number technique.” It did work. Our February Wedding issue focused on the 10 Best Wedding Planners, June would be the 20 Best Dentists, September focused on the 5 Best Senior Centers… You get the idea.

It helped sell advertising. Think about it, were these companies really the BEST or were they the ones willing to pay high advertising rates? This is when I realized, there are a lot of “fake” articles out there.

So, if you want to be an influencer, then you need to write in a certain way.

If, you are like me, and write for enjoyment. Then you write your post, get your coffee, sit back and see who comes. If no one comes, tweak things a bit, then see / hope your numbers soar.

Have fun writing!

Below ZERO Temps… What do YOU do?

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This past week has been cold, below zero temps the other day. It’s not possible to walk, so I had to find “something” to do.

Joann Fabric had a huge yarn sale. I decided, time to knit a blanket. It’s coming along. I feel a bit like a granny. Since it will be big, it might take until Fall to complete, depends on how much time I commit to it.

While knitting, I’ve been watching Top Chef on Netflix. I didn’t know that show was still on. As they race against the clock competing, it keeps me going. Keep knitting – one more row, one more row!

Right now, I have dark grey and this light blue color. I’m trying to decide, stay with those two colors only or add this purple violet color. I’m always drawn to bright colors versus earth tones.

I’m amused when I go on a train or bus and see people knitting/crocheting. It does take time, we have to use every minute to get the project done!

Do you have a winter project?

Baking – Madeleine attempts…

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January is the perfect time to bake. For Christmas, my daughter gave me a madeleine pan. I was excited to make them. Sadly, after two failed batches, I’ve given up, not forever, but for now.

If you know madeleines, you can tell from the photo that they aren’t right. I can hear the Chef’s critique now as he/she bangs the madeleine on the table and breaks it in half. Good, you got the hump, but they didn’t rise properly, too dense and too brown on the edges, turn the heat down. TRY AGAIN!

There are so many recipes out there, it was hard to choose one. For the first batch, I went with Martha Stewart’s recipe. As madeleines are tricky, I thought Martha’s recipe would be full proof. Maybe it is, but not for me, I got a fail!

I then tried “another” recipe. I don’t remember which one, I randomly chose one. Again, somewhat similar to this batch. This makes me think that “maybe” I’m not whipping the eggs/sugar enough. BUT I feel PROUD of myself for getting the hump. That’s a big deal with a madeleines. You have to have the hump!

If you haven’t tasted a madeleine. they are a nice cookie type cake. There is debate on what they are called. They are like individual cookies; however, the texture is clearly a cake.

So, stay tuned. I am determined to get them right. Maybe I’ll try again next week. It’s just painful in this tough economy (groceries so expensive) to waste ingredients, but baking takes practice.

Cheers to getting it right the NEXT time!

2025 New Year — 10 Year Blog Anniversary!

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Well, I’ve done it! I’ve hit 10 years of Blogging.

When I told my daughters, it’s been ten years and I’ve decided to change my little bird photo. They said in unison, “Go Mama, rebranding your Blog.”

I didn’t think of it that way, but they’re right. Big corporations are constantly rebranding. I still sniffle that Aunt Jemima is gone, replaced with Pearl Milling Company brand name. Sometimes we miss the old brand. New is not always better.

Rebranding my Blog meant the hunt was on for a NEW animal photo / background color. As I went through my photos, I plugged them in to see how they looked. There were runners-up!

Each one special in a different way. I do like that sheep on the top right. Doesn’t he speak to diversity and uniqueness? The owl was amusing, as well as the other sheep.

After careful consideration, days of this or that, I decided on the eagle. Yes, he’s the WINNER.

So, here’s to 2025, embracing change and focusing on new challenges.

Cheers!

LEGO® for Christmas

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I’m always amazed at what can be done with Legos. I saw this display in a toy store a month or so ago. Zoom in, there are a lot of legos in this display.

THEN, this weekend, I saw these Christmas LEGO® sets. Is it a sign, buy legos? Both of these LEGO® Christmas sets are wonderful. I love the reindeer and the sleigh, Santa with is list. Look at the Christmas tree, it has candles on it with heart ornaments.

Life is interesting, even as we grow older, we are still kids at heart!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween Birthday – MAURA!!

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Do you know anyone who has a birthday on Halloween? I do!!

I once asked her if she got tired of Halloween colors / stuff. Nope, she still loves it.

So, Maura, in the spirit of Halloween and this picture. I hope you are stirring up a fantastic witches brew of some sort. It’s your special day!

Start celebrating. It’s your Birthday Eve!

HAPPY 🎃 Halloween 🎃 BIRTHDAY!!