Chop chop!

Hi what's new with all of you?  I've been a busy gal but it's all good stuff!  I have a lot of showers and weddings coming up in the next few months all the way til September! 
I took a couple days off to clean and organize my place.  I'm sick of looking at so much stuff but I'm not at the point where I can purge out the old yet.  I MUST do this as all the clutter and stuff is taking over.  I know many can relate to this dilemma.  Especially my fellow crafters and paper addicts!
Pinterest has provided a little organizational inspiration - lots of great ideas out there!  But at this time let me share what I've been "chopping" (besides coupons!) ...

Delicious pineapple mango salsa! Mmm fruity and refreshing for summer.   It's good on chips, too!

Corn avocado salad.  Ohhhhh man! So delicious I think I may never go back to regular guacamole again.  Serious!  I will say don't go as easy as I did on the jalapeno.  I can be a bit wimpy with the hot stuff sometimes but go for it since the vinegar and the bit of sugar is in it.   It was a hit with my gal pals over the weekend.   Cutting off the corn was quite an experience.  I was smiling to myself when I was taking off the husks as us Nebraskans are called "Cornhuskers". 
Both recipes can be found on Pioneer Woman's website.  Enjoy!

Father's Day Card

He had one request... a handmade Father's Day card.  I was in a pinch on what theme to use.  I have a cool dad.  He drag races, rocks out on the bass guitar, rides motorcycles, into classic cars, a smidge of golf and a little side of wood-working.   He does not fit into the usual retirement-age mold, you see.
I call him a "Renaissance Man" because he can fix and do most anything.  

I've done the rocker-themed card before.  Used a lot of great flashy silver and black paper and guitar embellishments.   I've done the ol' tool-theme, too.

Well, I decided after checking out the grungy distressed look of the Tim Holtz line that I would give it a go.

I'd put away the pastel shabby chic frills for a day and get realllly dirty and try something new!

I worked on this card really late after having a busy weekend and I had to get up early on Father's Day to go to church with the folks.  So please forgive the bad lighting.  I was happy with the results and trying LOTS of new techniques in making this grungy antiqued card.   Dad loves old cars!   Tim has lots of great stamps in the set I bought.  Something I can use for the next masculine card I'll be making for my brother who loves bicycles!

I used masking with Tim' paint dabbers, his embellishments, distress ink and stamps.   I like his tools and may have to take a lil trip to Archiver's to see what kinds of goodies they have in their store. 

I certainly cherish my daddy.  He's been so good to me.  It blesses me when he tells me I'm beautiful and that I can accomplish my dreams.  I have great parents who taught me how to be a good person and I thank God for them every day!

Sweet Summer Day

        

                                all photos for this post by me

Oh the joys of a summer morn!  Isn't my friend so adorable?  I asked her mama if she could be my model and she happily agreed!   So last Saturday I met up at a local park for a photo shoot to sharpen my tools for the upcoming wedding I'll be a photographer for.   I'm getting a little nervous about it!

This sweet & perky 6 yr old goes to my church and her energy and enthusiasm brings a smile to my face!  
Having her as a model was great fun for me.  She was working the camera and I must say she's a natural!

Doesn't this photo scream summer?  The weather was perfect and not too hot.
There were several families enjoying a picnic, some folks were fishing, and some were taking walks with their pups.  After the shoot was over I treated mom and daughter to some DQ!  Yum!

The pretty park and pond ...

I must end with this shot of the huge lollipop (the best prop ever the kid was in sugar heaven)... notice the little bug coming in for a taste? 





June Flowers

It's a hot one in the Midwest today!  Whew! Sooo glad for having working A/C!  I definitely like having the A/C on.  It has always been a non-negotiable when renting an apartment with any of my roomies.
My last roomie (like um ... 11 years ago) said her non negotiable was cable.  I've actually lived without cable and have seriously been thinking about dropping it way down to the lowest tier.

all photos on this post by me

I know it's inevitable for me to ditch the fancy cable.  I also have been trying a little couponing... is that a word?  My cousin is pretty fantastic as being frugal and finding deals and has started a coupon exchange club.

We met up for the first time on Sunday.  There were a few tips shared, how to organize the coupons, and mass amounts of coupons that were exchanged! Wow!  It was overwhelming to go through all of them.  We are definitely meeting again.  At least we know what to expect and can streamline what everybody wants to stock up on.

 

I have a cute binder to put my teensy amounts of coupons inside... I don't plan on being a totally extreme coupon lady.   I don't plan on stockpiling large amounts of food (however if I was that gifted to get tons of stuff for $1 I'd be joyously sharing the wealth) but I would like to stockpile nonfood items... to an extent.  

 

The pics I've shared are some of my flowers.  A couple I need to plant and get going on the mini slab of dirt I have in front of my town home apt.  It's in deep neglect and I'm hoping the salvia will continue to spread, and a few of these perennials will do well and come back.   All I want is low maintenance!

I'll stop talking about boring coupons (but they do give you great bargains if you put forth some effort) and leave you with a sweet baby bunny I found when moving my planter the other day.  So much for getting my gardening on.

I guess I'd much rather be taking pics of baby bunnies!

Have a great week!  I plan on having more interesting stuff to blog about soon!  Hop hop hopping outta here for now!