Google Chrome Themes

As many of you may know you can create and use themes on Google Chrome Browser.  If you're not especially artsy I thought I'd share a few of mine.  They're free for your own personal use on Chrome.  This first theme is called Butterflies and Birds and the url for it is listed below. https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/7ut8tbhgdryewk92kvsyconmd    To use these themes you can either search for them by name or url as I have posted them for sharing at the Chrome theme site.  They all come with the tabbed headings added on just as your normal browser page looks.  Hard to show completely so I've just posted the main image here but rest assured they all have tabs.
I think you can probably also go to create your theme and copy/paste my code into that area and it should load it.
Next up is A Rose is a Rose and the url for it is: https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/9m4f9fprxxj5nfbr1q9dxdtpa

After that we have Sweet Pea Fairies and the url is: https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/966syejftsrtg5tudrd2q8pei

  I am not positive if you will get the animated sparkle effect when using this image as your background theme.  Honestly I don't think you will.  

Ghosts of Long Ago is the next theme and the url is: 

https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/7ut8tbhgdryewk92kvsyconmd

 BirdLace is up next and the url for that tabbed background is: https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/69dvcp1ze6xkaxwj48cm012fq

TIME is the next theme available and the url for it is: https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/cgmd1ai2b6x83u2d5bbmprrj7 

DREAM is the next tiled theme available and the URL for it is: https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/3f2ghgi02t3prit3oqg7j8scq 

And last, but not least is The Crown and the Crow.  The url for that theme is: 

https://www.mychrometheme.com/t/amvfvu8pil4ni403rpt0gbonc

I hope you'll enjoy using my themes on your Chrome browser and have fun trying your hand at making your own.  Have a super weekend everyone!

Garden Pics with a sweet little something added.

 This afternoon I was outside with my dog and happened to glance over at my small raised bed garden.  Ohhh pretty, I thought, seeing the little bird statues sitting in front of the trellis.  Thinking my DH had popped in our quail statues I was pleasantly surprised when one of them blinked LOL.  I realized rather quickly these were a sweet little pair of mourning doves having a rest in the warm damp garden soil.

They show up a bit clearer in this picture>>

Then I had to check on my wash tub planter in our front yard which contains :Dracaena spike, a pansy, snap dragons and some vinca vine.

Another planter on our front porch filled with more snap dragons and some asparagus fern.

Here is my face pot I bought a few years ago at the ceramic shop at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.  Whenever I go back home for a visit I try to stop in as they have some of the loveliest ceramics, rag rugs and various other items in their gift shop all created by the veterans who live there.  The prices are unbeatable and the residents make a little money so it's a great cause.  If you're ever in the area the IVH is located at 1301 Summit Street in Marshalltown.  The grounds and gardens are lovely so it's pleasant just to look around.  Stop in at the canteen and have an ice cream cone.

I'm also happy to see my hostas made it through the long hot summer we had last year and are growing beautifully. 

And last but not least is a couple of pictures of a pillow cover that I made for my youngest son and his new wife.  There are two more covers to go that will feature pictures of their engagement and wedding.  I'll post them when I finally get them made. This is an envelope style case with button closure.  Sorry no pattern.  I just tend to wing it.  Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not so good LOL.  The best part of this pillow is the cost.  So far it's been basically zero as the fabric is a painter's cloth I bought at WalMart for less than $10 and I will get three pillows and tons more stuff out of it so when it's all said and done these three pillows will cost me pennies.  I had the ribbon and buttons already.  The only thing else I've had to buy is the transfer paper I use to iron on the images and since there is more than 3 sheets in a pkg the total cost for these pillows will run around let's say two dollars and I think that is pushing it.  Overall a very inexpensive gift buttoned up with love.

Sadness In Oklahoma

As most all are aware by now there was a devastating tornado in Oklahoma that took many lives and destroyed countless homes, businesses and schools.  My thoughts and prayers are with Oklahoma at this time.  Please donate to the American Red Cross if you are able to help those in need.  If you would prefer to make a donation via snail mail go to the same site but you can print off a donation form and the address to send your donation to is on that main page.  Just in case you don't see it, here it is:
American Red Cross
PO Box 4002018
Des Moines, IA 50340-2018

Thank you for any help you're able to give. 

Happy Wedding Day for my son and his new bride

Their first kiss as man and wife

Congratulations to my son, Chris, and his lovely new wife, Kay on their wedding May 11, 2013.  Their union was celebrated in the open air pavilion at a local park. It's a lovely old building with arches all around and would have been perfect had the weather cooperated.  If it had been two days before or after the 11th they'd have had temperatures in the 70's.  Unfortunately, the day of the wedding the highs were only in the 40's with wind gusts to 35mph.  They tarped some of the arches to act as a wind break but alas, the cold winds were bitter.  It seemed we were to have 4 seasons all in that one day as we had rain, sleet, a few snow flakes, rain again, sunshine and then more rain. Many people left immediately following the ceremony and ran home to change into warmer clothing but we in Wisconsin are a tough bunch and everyone returned to celebrate the nuptials.

Me, Chris and Chris' dad, David

Kay and her dad, Gary

The Dj played a combination of classic rock, old standards and lots of great party tunes.  Everyone danced and fueled up on wine,beer and great food to keep warm.  Laughter and tears flowed like the rain outside during and after the ceremony.  The ceremony was beautiful with a radiant bride and handsome groom.  Toasts were made and good wishes given.

Linday, Holly, Daniel, Kay and Chris

Me giving a tearful, but oh so happy, little speech while best man, Sean , looks on.

The following morning Kay's mom, Jan, and I were treated to a wonderful Mother's day brunch at a local hotel where the kids had booked a room so they could be here with us and other family members before heading off to Jamaica for their honeymoon.  How sweet was that?

 Later that Mother's day as I sat mindfully revisiting all that had happened in the past 24 hours I felt both a great deal of happiness at acquiring a new daughter in law and also a bit of sadness. My youngest son was now a full fledged grown up man.  No longer my little boy but a husband as he so poignantly told me following the ceremony.  I felt all the blessings and all the sorrows of a mother whose last chick has now flown the nest.  I hope with all of my heart that my son and his new bride have a long and happy marriage.

My Beautiful Isis

About seven years ago on my birthday my DH and I went to our local humane society animal shelter as my hubby had promised me a furry present.  We had adopted a tortoise shell female cat several months before but our tortie, Missy, wasn't known for her loving personality.  She was more well known for nipping both of us if we petted her and she wasn't in the mood for it.  We loved her and she adored my husband but still she just wasn't the little cuddlebug I wanted.  My eyes were immediately drawn to a scrawny pitiful looking Himalayan female named, "Sasha".  I was told she'd been a stray and was just cleared for adoption that day. Perfect! I thought she must be meant for me.  "This one," I said to my husband and asked the assistant if we could visit with her.  Off to the visiting room the three of us went.  My husband looking rather off put by the scraggly mess of fur. I was enchanted with her beautiful blue eyes and demeanor.  The massive amounts of cat hair she was getting all over my black jeans was of no concern to me.  Hugging her to me I looked at my hubby and asked, "please?"  "Do you see the hair all over you," he asked?  "I know, but it's only because she's been lost and had a poor diet.  Once we get her home and fatten her up and give her a proper grooming she'll stop shedding so much.  Pleaseeeeeeeeeee," I begged.  Resigned, but always encouraging of my love of animals, my hubby relented and off to fill out adoption papers we went.  A few days later our new girl was home with us.  She was everything I hoped she'd be.  Gentle, affectionate and best of all a big cuddle bug.  The name, Sasha, didn't suit however; as she totally ignored it.  So I sat down at my computer my new best friend in my lap and began trying out cat names from a few sites.  I was ignored until I said, "Isis," and immediately had a very happy kitty nuzzling my face and pawing at my chest.  From that day forward she was Isis and responded promptly to that name.  Perhaps that had been her name in her previous home or maybe she picked it because it sounded so elegant.  It fit her to a tee.  She loved being groomed and would lick her paws and wash her face whenever I brushed her.  She was long and elegant.  My grandson, Jak, loved her.  She would tolerate his sloppy kisses and childish hugs with patience and grace. He was about 2 in this picture with her.  This past month Isis seemed to slow down.  She began staying in the basement most of the day.  After not seeing her several days ago I went down looking for her and she woke and came upstairs with me immediately but I noticed she seemed to be losing weight.  I switched

her cat food thinking perhaps she was having dental issues and I started brushing her teeth.  I decided to quarantine her in my craft room so I could check and make sure she was toileting as she should.  She seemed to be going okay but suddenly she got very lethargic and I knew she was very ill.  I phoned my vet and was able to get an appointment the next day.  She got so much worse that night I prayed she'd make it to the vet.  My worst fears were confirmed.  My dear sweet Isis was very ill with an autoimmune disorder and I had a very hard decision to make.  With a very heavy heart and many tears I said goodbye to my sweet baby on May 3rd.  My vet assured me there was nothing I could have done to prevent this disease.  Seven years just wasn't enough.  Rest in peace sweet baby girl.

Missy, Isis and our deaf kitty, Crier, who was born and raised on my parent's acreage.  Pictures taken in 2011.

For my future daughter in law, Kay :)

On May 11, 2013 my youngest son, Christopher, will marry his sweetheart, Kay and start their lives together as man and wife.  Kay has chosen her wedding gown, had all her fittings but there was one thing that needed changed.  The lace corset belt was white and she wanted it black to go with their black and white theme. Unable to get one through the bridal shop she attempted to make her own and when she began to pull her hair out I got a phone call.  Could I make her a black satin corset belt?  Sureeeee I said.  No problem I said.   I've got a great sewing machine. This will be a breeze.  Naive I was LOL.  Having never worked with satin before I was in for a surprise. Working with satin can be a bit like fighting a spider web.

I learned rather quickly you NEVER tear satin to make the edges straight.  It unravels like crazy.  See above image LOL.  Did I mention how long this belt needed to be?  One hundred sixty three inches long.  It measured 5/8 of an inch wide.  Have you ever tried to turn something that long inside out so you can have a seam free solid tube of belt?  Not doable.  I tried a trick using a thin strip of ribbon sewn to the one end seam to use as a puller that was supposed to drag it inside out.  No way Jose.  Didn't work.  I tried sewing it half way and turning by the half.  Still not doable.  Final solution turned out to be just sew the thing flat and stop fretting over a tiny little stitch seam.  I'm rather pleased with the final product.  I hope dear sweet Kay will be too. :)  I am so lucky she's going to be my daughter in law.

Have a glorious weekend.  It's supposed to be lovely here in Northeastern Wisconsin.  I hope it will be lovely wherever you are.

A Rose By Any Other Name.......

Earlier this month I celebrated a birthday and received some pretty spring flowers from hubby. I didn't really intentionally dry them standing up but that is what happened.  When I went to pitch them out here were these three beautiful dried roses among the other wilted flowers.  So I trimmed the stems and created a small vignette with my antique medicine bottles beneath a large mirror in our dining room.  They dried so nicely they look like a paper rose complete with what looks like embossing on the petals.  To me they're so lovely I couldn't bear to toss them out.

Feel free to right click and save image if you'd like to use for wallpaper on your computer.  They're free and come complete with dust around the shoulders of the antique bottles.....LOL   Think I should have dusted them off before I took this picture.  Oh well, makes them look more authentic...yeah that's it....authentic LOL.

Ushering in Spring Decor and birthday fun

I love decorating my home for the holidays and seasons.  Today I wanted to make my shelf in my living room a bit more Spring-like.  Let me show you the before and after. Tell me what you think.

This is the before.  You can't read the sign under the wreath but it says, "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it," a sentiment I truly believe.  My Summer/Autumn wreath I'd purchased last Summer from Joss and Main looks tired and old now.  It smelled soooooo wonderful when it first arrived.  Anyway, it was time to freshen things up.  So here is what I came up with. I hope it looks a bit fresher and inviting for Springtime.

This time instead of ordering a wreath I'd seen several home made wreath ideas on Pinterest using an old wreath form and just sticking dollar store silk flowers into the form.  That's what I did using a variety of spring flowers and after some futzing with it I am satisfied. The goose feather sticking out of the birdhouse I picked up from my front yard.  It's so soft and fuzzy near the nib with pretty down.  The little birdies are from a thrift adventure and they see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil.  A cute twist on an old saying that usually features monkeys.  A lace dresser scarf softens up the dark shelf.

So what do you think of my after?  Did I get it right?

These two handsome cuties are my oldest son, Eric, and my grandson, Jaxzen, in his cute hat on Eric's birthday which fell on Easter this year.  This was taken later in the day after a big dinner and cake and ice cream. I love those smiling faces soooooooooooooooo much!

Here is another face I love so much, my handsome youngest son, Chris, who's showing some silly videos to Jaxzen.  Chris got so tickled over these silly videos I thought he'd wet himself laughing. The videos showed a guy trying to cook but basically he was ruining every thing he was making in a most hilarious way. What a fun time we all had that day.

Home made Play Dough

Jak wanted some play dough today and so I headed out to the kitchen with good intentions and many years having passed since I'd made this.  I'd looked on Pinterest for recipes and found several but decided to wing it from memory and Jak's happy so I am too.  I will warn you ahead of time my "recipe" isn't measured out.  It's a bit of this and a bit of that with a guess at measurements to give you some idea.  The thing is, don't make this hard.  Your child will most likely be thrilled no matter what it turns out like.  They just want something squishy to play with.                                                                                                            Here's what I used:

 Take a nice large bowl and add approx. 2 cups of all purpose flour.  Then add approx. 1 cup of salt.  To that add approx. 2 tsp cream of tartar.  Next comes the cooking oil.  Add in slowly but I'd guess overall you'll need about a 1/2 to 1 cup of oil.  Stir it all together to form a soft dough ball.  The more you work this the happier you'll be with it.  If it seems too wet add in a bit more flour at a time until you're happy with the consistency.  It should pull away cleanly from the bowl but still be oily enough to not stick to hands.

 Once you've got your dough ball to the consistency you feel works then cut it into fourths.  To each fourth add several drops of food coloring and work the dough until the color is completely blended throughout.  Put each quarter of colored dough into a baggy and let the fun begin. 

I got out my cookie cutters and turned Jak  loose at my dining room table and he had a blast.  Cheap fun and it's non-toxic so no worries if curiosity causes a nibble to happen.  With the amount of salt in this no child is going to want more than a first taste LOL.  

Giveaway at Knick Of Time Interiors HURRY!

If you'd like a chance at winning this lovely giveaway at knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com hurry to enter  as the deadline is March 17th.  What a nice St. Patrick's day gift it would be to find out you've won and have your pick of $30 worth of gorgeous merchandise from EpicLinen.  I looked at their site  products and holy cow I'd love, love, love some of their beautiful linen tea towels.  Just looking at the pictures you can see the quality in these towels and their linen duvet set is to die for.  The detail of their European linens is quality all the way.  Crossing my fingers here that I win.  Good luck to you also.