GIVEAWAY WINNER AND SURPRISE PACKAGE IN THE MAIL

George has found a home. Carmen at Primcats has won George and the cute little pumpkins. Congrats! I want to thank everyone who signed up and for all of your great comments and to all of my new followers. I will be having more giveaways this year yet so make sure you keep following my blog. When I checked for mail yesterday there was a small package in the mailbox. First I thought that my daughter had ordered something again but my name was on it. I wondered what could this be. I didn't order anything. Then I looked at the return address and it said Linda Parker. I opened it up and here is this cute little pear pillow. There was a note that said just a little something to make you smile. What a nice surprise. Thanks so much Linda.

TWO DAYS LEFT TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVEAWAY

Good morning in blogland. We are having great weather here this week. Sun, sun, sun and more sun. Makes up for all the gloomy weather we had last week. Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway. George really needs a home, someone who will take real good care of him. You will also get three cute pumpkins. I will be picking the winner on Thurs., Oct 6. Sign up on the post below. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY, GIVEAWAY.WHO WANTS TO WIN GEORGE?

George is looking for a home. He also comes with three pumpkins.
Here are the rules:
1. You must be a follower and leave a comment. New followers welcome. If you don't have a blog just leave your email address so I know how to contact you if you win or send me an email with George giveaway mentioned in the subject so I know its not junk mail.
2. For a second chance post the giveaway on your blog.
3. For a third chance add it to your sidebar.
4. For a fourth chance like Ginger Creme Hollow on my facebook page.

That's it. Let me know everything you do so I know how many chances you get. I will pick the winner in the morning on Oct. 6. Good luck everyone!

CROWS, SUNFLOWERS AND ITS LOOKING LIKE FALL HERE

I've been working on orders. Here are some of the crows  and sunflowers  I have done.

I also made some leaves.

It sure is looking like fall. The Goldenrod has been blooming for awhile.

The Chinese Lanterns are turning orange, so I picked some to dry.

FROZEN PICKLES

If you have some extra cucumbers and don't know what to do with them, heres an easy recipe to try. My mom used to make these years ago. They taste just like fresh cucumbers.

FROZEN PICKLES

2 qrts. cucumbers peeled and sliced

1 med. onion sliced

1 tablesp. canning salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

Mix cucumber, onion and salt. Let

stand 2 hours. Drain. Mix sugar with

vinegar. Pour over cucumbers. Pack

in containers and freeze.

LOOK WHAT I SAW TODAY!

I saw this swan today while visiting some of the relatives near El Dorado. It is so graceful.

SURE DON'T SEE THESE MUCH ANYMORE

On Sunday we took a trip to our daughters and then she took us to see this awesome covered bridge in a little town called Mishicot which is here in Wisconsin. I even got to walk across it. Sure don't see these  kind of bridges much anymore.    

GARDEN TOUR PHOTOS

Here's a pathway that runs along side my roses.

These lilies were so pretty for the tour.

Our chicken coop.

Here's the pathway on the north side of the house.

Here' s our herb garden. The sign was made from goodwill finds.

Here's our wheelbarrow in the front yard.

GETTING READY FOR GARDEN TOUR ON SATURDAY

Yes I'm still around. I've been spending all my free time working in our gardens to get ready for Saturdays tour. Here's a sneak peek. Will show you more later after tour. Hope to get back into crafting soon.

EGGS FOR SALE ON ANOTHER RAINY DAY

It's been raining for days, but I managed to get a few pictures. The chickens are laying eggs.

The critters don't mind the rain.

The foxglove is trying to bloom.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCUT CAKE

Wondering what to do with those strawberries you just picked? Try this recipe. It is so yummy.

1 cup miniature marshmallows
2 cups (2-10 oz. pkgs.)frozen,sliced strawberries
in syrup, completely thawed or use fresh strawberries
1 3 oz. pkg. strawberry flavored gelatin
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 salt1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
Generously grease bottom only of 13 x 9" pan. Sprinkle
marshmallows evenly over bottom of greased pan. Combine
and set aside the following: strawberries and gelatin.
Combine in large mixer bowl: flour, sugar, shortening,
baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla, and eggs. Blend at
low speed until moistened; beat 3 min. at med. speed,
scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Pour batter over
marshmallows in pan. Spoon strawberry mixture evenly
over batter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-50 min.
until golden brown, or when toothpick inserted in
center comes out clean. ENJOY!

WHAT'S BLOOMING NOW?

I've been so busy there is no time to post or craft. I've been digging up and potting lots of plants for the City-wide Garage Sale on next Saturday, June 4. I still have lots to do. Every year we get lots of people looking for plants. Thought I would take a little break to show you what's blooming now in our yard.

These are Virginia Bluebells.

I love the color of these primrose.

The Spurge is so bright and smells so good.

There are Violets everywhere.

The Flowering Crab is full of blooms.

MY SPRING FLOWERS

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. It was such a nice day to work in the yard. Here are a few photos of some spring flowers that finally started blooming. It is supposed to rain all week here in northern Wisconsin. The first photo is some yellow primrose.

The second photo is of the yellow daffodils that are just starting to open.

The third photo is my pink Hydrangea. It is so pretty.

The tulips are behind this year.

THE EASTER BUNNY HAS BABIES

It was such a nice day today that after all three daughters left to go back to their homes and college we decided to rake. Well what an Easter surprise we found. When my husband raked away leaves from one of our rose bushes look what he found. There were four of them and they took off running to find their mom. They were so cute.

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

SIGNS OF SPRING AND BIRTHDAY MEMORIES

Once again it is snowing outside, so instead of taking more snow pictures I thought I would take pictures of springy things inside today since it's my birthday.

Although these are fake, they really brighten up the kitchen.

Yes, these are real Hyacinths. My youngest daughter gave them to me for my birthday. They are so pretty and smell so good.

This is a McCall's bunny I made a few years ago and tulips I made many, many years ago.

Here's a shelf with one of my favorite bunnies that I made.

This is a photo of our first cat. His name was Simba. He was so pretty and always liked being in the middle of everything when I worked on my crafts. On my birthday two years ago, we had to make the awful decision of having him put to sleep. His heart was giving out and he couldn't breath good anymore. He lived a good life. We had him for many years. I will always remember him. Twenty-six years ago, also on my birthday, my father passed away. He also had a bad heart. He lived a good life. You could always find in in the garden, either planting, weeding or harvesting vegetables. I helped him from little on. He loved flowers too. I think that's where I get my love of flowers as you can see from all the flower pictures on this blog. I think my best memory of my dad is of him working in the garden.

OLD EASTER POSTCARDS

Here is a couple of old postcards that my mom gave me a few years ago. I think they are from the 1920's.

THE WINNER AND FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING

I would like to thank everyone who participated in my giveaway. Thanks so much for all of your wonderful comments and for following my blog. There was 37 followers who wanted to win my bunny but sorry only one of you could win. The winner is Maurine at http://stitchinsprims.blogspot.com. Congratulations Maurine! Stop by and visit her blog and selling blog. She has some really cute prims. Make sure everyone keeps visiting my blog because I will have more giveaways in the near future.

Finally we have some crocuses blooming, a sure sign of spring. Aren't they pretty?

Now if only the rest of our snow melts away.

MY GIVEAWAY DRAWING FOR MAMA AND BABY BUNNY IS MONDAY

There's still a little time left to sign up for my drawing. Must be a follower and leave a comment below on the giveaway post. Hope everyone has a great weekend. I will post the winner on Monday. Here's some of my Lupines from a previous year. Can't wait for them to bloom this year.

MAMA BUNNY AND BABY ARE LOOKING FOR A HOME

My very first giveaway is in progress. Make sure you sign up for my adorable Mama Bunny with her baby which is in the post below and on my sidebar. I will be announcing the winner on April ll. You must be a follower and leave a comment. New followers welcome. If you don't have a blog please leave your email address so I know how to contact you if you win. For a second chance to win you can post it on your blog or sidebar. Good luck everyone!

MY VERY FIRST GIVEAWY. IT'S MAMA BUNNY WITH HER BABY.

It's been 3 months since I started my own blog and decided it was time for my first giveaway.This is my own creation. Mama measures about 8 1/2" x 5". Mama and baby are coffe stained with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Mama is loaded down with carrots for her growing baby and is holding a carrot seed bag and a flower.

Rules for the giveaway are:
1. You must be a follower and leave a comment. New followers are welcome. If you don't have a blog but you are a follower, make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.
2. For a second chance, you can post on your blog or sidebar about my giveaway. Let me know if you do this.

That's it. The winner will be picked on April 11. Good luck everyone!

A NEW BUNNY

This cute bunny I made and put here in town at The Thirsty Soul, a coffee shop/christian bookstore. This is also where I sell some of my other creations. If you are in the area stop by and check out my spring creations.

CHEER UP. LET'S MAKE SOME FABRIC FLOWERS AND I NEED MORE FOLLOWERS.

Check out my post below on how to make some very cool fabric flowers and send some followers my way. The sooner I get more followers, the sooner I can have my very first giveaway. It will be something very special.

CHEER UP. LET'S MAKE SOME FABRIC FLOWERS.

Yes it has snowed lots and lots here and keeps on. I thought I would cheer everyone up that wants spring to be here by showing you how to make some cool fabric flowers. I'm also looking for more followers so maybe in a couple of weeks I can have a giveaway. If anybody can send some followers my way by posting on your blogs I would be very grateful.

First, make a simple flower pattern that measures about 3 and 1/4" across. Make a leaf pattern that measures about 3" x 1 and 1/2". Cut a 2 and 3/4" circle out for the flower center. Cut everything out of fabric. I used a layer of warm and natural with the flowers.

Next, sew around everything and clip through one layer of fabric to turn flowers. Gather circle centers. Leave flat or fill with a little stuffing. Pull gathers tight and tie. Find some buttons to spruce up the centers and tie some floss in the button holes.

Now glue everything together. Cut a 1 and 1/2" circle out of the leaf fabric. This gets glued to the back of flower. See bottom right flower.

Ta Dah! That's it. See what you can do with them.

HAPPY SPRING AND I WON!

Today is the first day of spring and it's raining. Hope it melts all the snow. We have lots yet here in northern Wisconsin. Can't wait to get out and start gardening. Here are some of my irises from a previous year.

Also, Kim at Old Road Primitives, http://oldroadprimitives.blogspot.com had a surprise giveaway for the first three people that commented on her blog and I was one of them. I got to pick out a pattern of my choice from her website. How cool is that? Check out her blog and website if you haven't already. She has so many adorable prim patterns. Kim, thank you so much.

PEEP, PEEP, PEEP. I'm going chick crazy.

Here's my newest creation. These little chicks turned out soooooooooo cute. They're flying out the door before I can hardly finish them.