Rock lamp, from Jim's workbench.

I think it is high time I highlight my creative husband...

He has done so many creative things and makes beautiful jewelry, and gifts for friends and loved ones.

Here is something he won Craftsman of the Month with Rock and Gem Magazine in July of 2010.

Isn't it beautiful?  He took rocks that we found in Colorado, a used lampshade, and a beautiful wood lamp bottom that my uncle previously had made for my grandmother (wood found in CO) and marble base and made a lamp that is all from Colorado material.  This lamp sits proudly in our living room today.

We are lapidary nuts, otherwise known as rockhounds and our girls were pebble pups growing up.  Jim has and continues to make beautiful intarsia jewelry.  He teaches a class at our rock club as well, and was last years president of the club.  I only wish I did not have a little thing called work to get in my way, as I want him to show me the "tricks of the trade", and we can both create together.  I already know some things like wire wrapping and filigree, but want to learn the silver smithing and cab making and casting. Our dream has always been to go around to fairs when we retire.... maybe some day.

Until then, I will enjoy all the goodies he makes.  I will be sure and share more of his creations soon, so you can see them as well. 



Another Special Young Man

Ok you all know that we are proud Grandparents...

And we have another birthday on Monday!

Cesar is turning 10!

That's him our Super Kid... This young man is so loving and giving, alot like his mom Sherry. He is very protective of his baby brother and all the family.
He was born with some eye problems, but has rose above, and his eye sight has improved, Praise God!
This young man will be building something someday, perhaps like his step-dad. He is always designing, and figuring something out. Always courious and wanting to learn.
 Can't wait to see what God has planned for him.
We love you Cesar, our little Prince.



Happy Birthday Colton!

Today is our grandson Colton's 14th birthday!

He is quite the young man.  He went hunting and got his first doe this year with his dad and brother. He is in gifted and talented classes in school.  Loves the Lord.  Plays an awesome trumpet, making top honors in competitions.

Most of all, he is loved by his Grandma and Grandpa.



One good thing indeed!

I have found a blog I just have to share with you all.

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/ 

This little lady has some awesome ideas, you can find her on my blog roll.  What interested me about her is her recipes for making homemade cleaners from products that you have at home.  They are much cheaper, and much better, not to mention no fumes and such to worry about.

She had a post recently about her version of Shout stain remover.

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/12/homemade-shout-stain-remover.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+oneGoodThingByJillee+%28%22One+Good+Thing%22+by+Jillee%29

And I had the perfect test case to give it a go.

I had some melted chocolate candy that I spilt all over my brown pants.  I had used a purchased stain remover before washing, and here is what came out of the dryer.  Uggghhh.

So, I put the ingredients together, most I had at home as they are on my list for other cleaning recipes I use.  I sprayed the pants down well, and was very pleased with the results!

Whoo- hoo.... Thanks Jill!  Can't wait to see what else you have in store!

Who do we think we are?

Back in 2006 we lost Jim's precious sister to cancer.  She was the family ancestor hunter, and we thought she had all of her information on her computer.  But. alas when we looked for it on her computer, we found nothing.  We later found out that it was all in written form, and our brother in law had shared it with one of the sisters.  Before that discovery, I started looking with what little information we had already, and it only took a little bit to find I was an addict to the hunt.... hook, line and sinker!

You have all seen the commercial for Ancestry. com.... put in a name... here pops up a little leaf, that leads you on.  Well, being the scotch person I am, I did not want to spend a lot of money at looking, not knowing what we would find.  So, I started small... and cheap :).

I also went to About.com/genealogy that gave a lot of information, and led me to Roots Web. com which was the free version of Ancestry,and I found alot of information that gave me my base.  There are several sites listed on About.com/genealogy that I checked as well.  Before I knew it we were back to the 1050's on Jim's family, with Kings and Queens in the line.  Each time I went on there was another whoo-hoo moment.  Kiddingly I would tell Jim, he not longer could play with knives and hurt himself... because he would bleed blue.

Now you know I am adopted and found my birth family, so my family tree is quite interesting....I put my adopted name on the Nixon (my maiden name), and my birth name on the Lynch family tree.  My family only goes back to the 1600's however.

So, are you looking for find information on your family?  You like us, can find the information you need without breaking the bank.  We put our trees on My Heritage. com, you can make your own tree and add up to 250 names for free without going to the next level, and having to pay a yearly fee.  250 names came quickly, and we are on the premium level, soon to go to premium plus level. Their cost is not that expensive.  Plus you can print out charts on your family which I did for our family reunion this year.  Everyone loved it! Also, you can invite family members to be part of the site and add the information that they have, so it truly becomes a FAMILY tree.

Here are some sites to start you looking:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/

About.com/ genealogy
Cindi's List.com
My Heritage.com
Ancestry.com

Cindi's blog as well as My Heritage and Ancestry's blog is on my blog roll.  Cindi's List has tons of information. 

So, my challenge to you is to go hunting.... and see what you dig up!  I will warn you it is very addicting!
Our latest find is we are related to George Washington!
Whoo- Hoo!

Putting up Christmas

I always hate to put away the Christmas decorations.... I love having them up.  However,  we must!

Anyone that knows me, knows that I will save items that others won't.  The kids have gotten me past saving bows from presents, (except for when they are not around )  but I still do this before the boxes are put away. 

I go through the beautiful cards that were sent for the year, and cut out some great designs and use these for the gift tags for the next year.  They are unique, and can make the gift when wrapped even more special .  The smaller pieces have little ties to them.  Yes, it's frugal..... but fun!  Now you have a start for the next year!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012

Fantastic Day here in Colorado... a little nippy out..
.. but we are chillin here in side and enjoying the day.

I Love a new year.... except having to remember it is 2012 not 2011 when writing something for a bit....

I love new beginings.  I have a new daytimer, new plans for the blog, for the future, if the Lord allows, on remodeling our lil bitty home, and new hopes for what God has in store. No Resolutions, just promises to myself to keep on working on what I know I should be doing.

Looking forward to sharing more things this year and hearing from all of you!