Branson Vacation

As I mentioned in last Friday's post, last weekend we headed to Branson to celebrate my mom's birthday. (Which is actually today...Happy Birthday Mom!)

We headed down on Thursday to enjoy the beautiful scenery, go to a show and get in some great family time.

One of the best things about visiting my parents is the beautiful view from their back deck! I could sit out there for hours!

They have at least 7 humming birds that visit them each year. I finally got one to sit still long enough I got a (semi-decent) photo of it. They also have a couple wood peckers that visit the feeders, but they were too quick for me and my camera.

I think they come just for the pretty pink flowers my mom has on the deck :) (or maybe that's just me...lol!)

The big event for the weekend was celebrating on the Branson Belle. My parents live right across the lake from the Belle and it's kind of become a hobby of my mom's (and a joke to the rest of us) to watch the Belle. She knows what time it goes out each day and if it happens to take a different route, if it's not on schedule, etc. So we decided it was definitely time she actually rode on the Belle!

  

The show was spectacular! There was a comedian/illusionist, a full band, a 5-member singing group and a woman who played the violin, piano, sang and did an aerial act! The food was pretty great too (see yesterday's post for the desserts we got!).

We also spent the afternoon on the lake, but I was too busy relaxing (yes, I actually do that once in a while) to take any pictures. The weekend was so great and I hope my mom has a wonderful birthday today :)

Friday Features - Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday was on Tuesday! I have been told numerous times not to get my parents anything for their birthday, so I always try to do something special instead :) Nothing over the top, just a sweet gesture or two. I found the perfect ecard and email it to my mom at work so she would receive it first thing in the morning :) And today's features are all things my mom likes :)

One of my mom's favorite flowers is the clematis. She has them by her front door!

Blank Note Cards, 5 Pack, Clematis Niobe

by  floralartcards 

Another of my mom's favorites is hummingbirds. She always has feeders out to draw them in!

 Hummingbird Ceramic Tile Wall Art

by  stephaniekiker 

One of my mom's favorite hobby's is reading. I thought this bookmark could add some fun to her next book :)

BEADED BOOKMARK Girls' Night Out

 by EleganceFarm

 And my mom has a thing for flip flops :) I thought this necklace with the added sea glass would be great for her!

Seaglass Necklace - Aqua Blue Seaglass with Flip Flop Charm and Pearl

by  ShatteredSmooth 

I hope you had a great birthday Mom!

 Love you!

Friday Features - Weekend Plans

Happy Friday!!! I'm so excited for it to be the weekend...I wish it would hurry up and get here! Why am I so excited? Because my parents get here tomorrow and they'll be here for an entire week!!! And I get Monday off work for Labor Day :) Today's features are all about what I'll be doing with my parents while they're here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Labor Day is a big celebration in my town. There is always a big parade with lots of marching bands, fire trucks, old cars, beauty queens and horses. My mom hasn't seen the parade in 10 years, so it's on our to do list. Children on Parade dress, headband and sash by MrsLaura30 There is also a flea market in the park that I want to go see. I haven't been in years and I have a friend setting up a booth so I'll be excited to see how it goes :) Flea Market Shabby Cottage French Paris Cream Wood Sign by mycountrycottagesign I also want to spend time with my dad. One thing we enjoy doing together is fishing. The only time I seem to go fishing is when my dad is back, so that's at the top of the list! Bass Boat Fishing Buddies Wood Fretwork Framed Art by woodworkfiddler Our local Mexican restaurant has specials on Wednesday nights and we also have a big get-together there when my parents are here. I love their quesadillas!!! TACO T-Shirt - I Love Tacos FUNNY Ladies Shirt by theboldbanana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I hope everyone has a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom :)

Wishing my mom a very happy birthday and wishing I were there to give her a hug!

Have a great day Mom :)

Birthday Card Made Home Decor

My grandma always says my mom picks out the best cards ever. You can tell she really reads each one to find the perfect card :) I always thought the best cards were handmade cards (of course) until I received my birthday card this year! My grandma is right...my mom is the best at picking out cards!

In case you can't read it, it says:

If ever there was someone who danced to her own beat, Daughter, it's you.

This card has my name all over it! I've never been quite "normal"...LOL! And I've always done things my own way :) I loved this card so much that I wanted to frame it! I laser etched the glass in the frame with a pretty floral design, backed it with pink paper and viola...a great home decor piece for my scrapbook room :)

Thanks Mom! You know me too well :)

It Runs in the Family

My mom has always told me that she isn't creative and that I got all of my talent from my aunts. For the longest time I believed her because she never was much into crafting...or finishing a project anyway :) And one of my aunts was my 4-H leader and taught me a lot of what I know. My thoughts all changed when I got an email from my mom on Friday. And along came this photo: (She's going to kill me for sharing this...but I love it! And I'm proud of her creativity!) They had an ugly sweater contest at work Friday and my mom decided to participate. But she didn't wear any ordinary sweater...she created one! The base of the sweater was already pretty "adorned" but she added a few more fun features. She tied on a fishing santa. Added battery operated lights to the Christmas tree. Added jingle bells and a santa ornament. And the best addition...Rhonda Reindeer on her shoulder :) There was no question as to who won this contest :) I am proud to say that I get my creativity from my mother :)

Blog Carnival-School Memories

Sandy of PunkyJane is our lovely host this week for the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival. She has given us these two topics to write about: 1) School time! What is your favorite memory from kindergarten or taking your kids to kindergarten? 2) Labor Day...As the 'official' end of Summer, how do you celebrate Labor Day and what does it mean to you? I lived right down the alley from my elementary school and remember walking to Kindergarten everyday. Some days my brother was nice enough to walk me, but most days my mom would take me. My favorite memory was getting to go home for lunch everyday! I always felt special! Every morning we put a colored paper clip by our name to show whether we had brought our lunch, would eat school lunch, or would go home for lunch. Almost everyday, I was the only one with a green paper clip next to my name :) Mom would come and get me and we'd walk home for lunch and she'd walk me back :) I loved living so close to the school and having a stay-at-home mom!!!

Personalized Oilcloth lunch bag

by monkeyseeboutique What was your favorite memory?

Countdown

In exactly one month I leave for vacation!!! I might be starting my countdown a little early, but I love having something fun to look forward too :)

Collage by scatterbox

Jesse and I are going to Southern Missouri to see my parents property where they will retire someday. Right now it's just a piece of land, but I'm excited to see the area and be on the lake! I can't wait for them to be down there full time! They'll be a few hours closer, no Chicago traffic, and they won't have the Michigan winters anymore!

How about you...any vacations coming up? It's never too early to start your countdown :)

P.S. - Stop back on Thursday for a necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Blog Carnival-Vacation Traditions

This week's blog carnival theme is brought to us by AthenaWorkman and she gave us these two vacation themes to write about:

1) It's summertime, a time to get away from it all. Do you have a dream vacation? Share details of your perfect getaway.

2) Expanding on the vacation theme, are there any special (or not-so-special) traditions that you and your family do while away on trips?

Growing up, my family went on summer vacation to Branson every year. It was our tradition. We would go to Silver Dollar City and White Water and ride the go-karts every year! We would also go boating for a day so my brother and I could ride the tube and then we'd grill out right on the boat. I have many fond memories of Branson as a kid :)

My parents always kept their time share down there so we would always have a place to go back to. Jesse and I have been down twice with my parents and had just as much fun as when I was growing up! We did a lot of the same activities and got to enjoy them in a new light :) Here is a scrapbook I made my mom for one of our trips.

We will always get to enjoy Branson and southern Missouri as a family tradition as my parents will be moving there when they retire! They have some property ready for them when they finally decide it is time to move. Jesse and I are going down over Labor Day with my parents to see their new location. Being just an hour from Branson, we will be able to enjoy our traditions for years to come :)

They're HERE!!!

My parents arrived safely yesterday afternoon!!! I was surprised to hear a knock on my door and see them on the patio! Usually they call to let us know they are getting close, but they wanted to surprise us :)

Yesterday was also my brother's birthday, so we got to spend time as a family :) We went out to eat at a great Mexican restaurant and Jim got to wear a sombrero and have Happy Birthday sang to him in Spanish :)

I tried to get a picture, but my camera was kinda slow and he was pretty quick to take the sombrero off...LOL! At least he shared his fried ice cream they gave him as a birthday gift :)

After supper we went to my aunt and uncles and hung out on their patio and listened to them tell stories of the "good ol' days". I love hearing those stories of when my parents were young :)

I'm not yet sure what today holds, but here's a list of things I want to do with my parents while they are here:

• Go to a movie
• Go fishing with my dad
• Go to the casino
• Deliver my consignment albums and go wine tasting
• Go for an air boat ride (if the river ever gets low enough!)
• And give lots and lots of hugs!!!

Have a great Sunday :)

Friday Features-Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast approaching! And although I've already gotten my mom something...and she's even received it already, maybe you haven't. These features will make great gifts for Mom :) Or if you're a mom...grab 'em yourself!

Market tote for Mom in pink and green print

by craftsfromtheheart

Mother's Day Card Tattoo Design, Hand Embroidered Red Flowers

by crookedsister

Mother's Day Stitchery

by sweetmellyjane

I Heart Mom - Sterling Silver Ring

by TwilighterVA

Blog Carnival-Mother's Day

Thank you to MadebyMelissa for hosting this week's EtsyBloggers blog carnival :) Our two theme choices are:

1) Mother's Day is May 10 - tell us how you will be spending the holiday - with your mother? As a mother? Or share a special memory about your mother or grandmother

2) What is your favorite material to work with and why? i.e. glass beads, wool yarn, acrylic paint, organic fabric... Show pictures of completed projects using this material

I sure wish I was spending Mother's Day with my mom! Over the years my mom has become my best friend. We talk several times a week, call each other to rant and know we can count on one another. She is there for me when I have questions about my scrapbooking (the business side of it), when I need to vent about work, or when I just need advice on life. She is the one I can count on no matter what :)

With her being 10 hours away, it sure makes it hard! But we make it work :) Knowing she is just an email or phone call away makes it a little easier to be away. And knowing she'll be here in less than 2 months helps too!!! She is simply the best I could have ever asked for!!!

Love you Mom!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

With a Little Love

Last summer I finally repotted this plant my mom had given me. It was long overdue and needed a new home and a little lovin'. In less than a year, look how this plant has transformed!!!

Last May...

Today...

It actually needs repotted again! It's started to grow roots out the bottom of the pot! And I can't really take the credit...Jesse is the one that waters it :) With a little love, this plant has gone from a sad little shoot to a beautiful, healthy plant :)

Thanks Mom and Thanks Jesse :)

More Family Treasures!!!

I went to visit my grandparents this week and my grandmother had recently received some newspaper articles, photos and other memorabilia from a family friend. The friend had been saving them for years and wasn't sure what to do with them, but thought someone in the family might want them. I just love people like that :)

Among the things my grandmother gave me were my parents wedding invitation...which I had never seen before! And the newspaper article about their wedding. I had seen the photo before, but never read the article.

I love how the invitation is timeless :) I think they chose a great one! It is something I can see someone still sending out today.

I got a good laugh out of the article! It described my mom's dress in so much detail (the longest paragraph) and the bridesmaids' dresses. It talked about all the flowers used in the bouquet. It even went on to talk about who all was at the reception. It was so detailed...11 paragraphs long!

I am so grateful that the family friend mailed these to my grandmother and that she thought of me to give them to :) My grandma even told me I could organize all her photos for her...and take or make copies of the ones I want :) This would be like a day at the beach for me! Gotta love family memorabilia :)

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Old Photo Favorites Part 2

Mom (right) and her friend Sandy

First Day Senior Year (1971)

Driving a 1958 Chevy

Me

First Day Senior Year (2000)

Driving a 1963 AMC Rambler

Almost Wordless Wednesday-Old Photo Favorites

My dad's cousin Judy, their friend Chris, Dad and Mom

Grandpa :) Our boat (I'm mad at myself for taking this photo in black and white btw!!!)

It's not the same kind of boat, but the colors are the same and they are very similar in design! How cool is that...so many years later...so similar!

Blast From the Past

Remember that box of pictures I told you I got in the mail from my mom...the ones she was just going to throw away! I finally got time this weekend to go through them and get a good laugh or two :)

I wanted to show you a couple of my faves!

This is my mom being crowned Homecoming Queen! There were several of her smiling, but I love the look on her face in this one! I remember when I was in Junior High playing dress up with this dress!

And this one really caught my eye because we enjoy canoeing or airboating on this very same river! It's cool to see that my parents partied on the same sandbars we do today!

There were so many keepers in this box I couldn't believe it! I've decided to save the others that I scanned for Wordless Wednesday posts...so look for another great photo tomorrow :)

Gotta Love Mom :)

Yup...gotta love her :) Especially when she sends you super cool packages in the mail!!!

Today I got a box of old photos from my parents' high school years! My mom was just going to throw them out and asked it I wanted them. Duh...you can't just throw away photos! I can't wait to sit down and look at all of them :) I'll be sure to do another post after I do!

There was also another surprise in the bottom of the box! How great is MOM!!!

Are these not the cutest slippers you've ever seen! I have a pair of real hot pink cowgirl boots....so when my mom saw these...she knew she had to get them for me :) And the best part is...they are super warm...and super comfortable!

Yup...Gotta Love Mom :)

(Friday Features will return next week)

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear MOM

Happy Birthday to you!!!

Happy Birthday to the World's Greatest Mom!!!