Sparkles

The camera does not show how these snowflakes sparkle in the sunlight! Wish I knew how to show you how pretty these ornaments really are!
Before Sarah came home last Wednesday she stopped at Michael's and picked up some Swarovski crystals for me so I'd be able to work on ornaments this weekend. Only diamonds and new fallen snow on a bright sunny day sparkle more than these beads! I LOVE to work with these beads made in Austria.
We made ornaments in three sizes, but I think these are the medium and large ones.

This bracelet was made just for Megan! It also is made of Swarovski crystals in clear and Siam (deep red) with sterling silver beads. There are several shapes of beads on the bracelet that make it unique. Most of the jewelry I make is one of a kind and is created with love.

Giving Thanks

glitter-graphics.com

I saw this quote and thought it to be perfect for today.

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.
Have you used one to say "Thank you"?
~ William A. Ward

SUNDAY SNOW

Eight inches of snow fell overnight! Big BEAUTIFUL snowflakes, just like the ones that fall in the mountains. When I graduated from college my first teaching position was in Granby. In the winter the snow used to fall DOWN in big fluffy flakes. Most of the time out here on the plains, it comes in sideways.
This is one of my favorite "Christmas" trees in the yard. It has the shortest needles. I think it was called a Black Hills pine or spruce when I got it at a farm store's garden center. And it was only a one gallon pot about 12 inches tall. I start them small and watch them grow.

Tulips in the Fall

I'm not a Fall fan, but I will work outside after school when it is still daylight and warm. I rushed home one afternoon to get these in the ground. I just dig one big hole and put all the bulbs in and cover them with dirt. It is SO much faster than one hole at a time with a bulb planter.

Because another snow storm is on its way, I didn't go to my mom's today. We only live an hour away from each other, but the weather is so different here than there. And, I am just a lot more cautious now that I am by myself. Now I need to get busy folding laundry and doing some craft work.

Congratulations Jennell and Matt!!

Congratulations to our newest family--Mr. and Mrs. J. !! The wedding was wonderful and since the camera was not in my hands, I could enjoy the ceremony. The bride is the lovely young woman in the red and black on the right.

Got the jewelry finished last Friday evening and the girls and Jennell's mom all wore one of the necklaces from the Swarovski pearls and crystals. I loved how everyone sparkled in the soft light of the chapel. Hope you don't mind another picture -- the previous one from earlier just has the bead stoppers to keep the beads on the wire.
I will be working on a silver, dark siam (red), and crystal bracelet for my 100th post winner because those are the colors she would like! Now it's time to practice for the program at school tomorrow night. TTFN!

100th WINNER, 62nd, and 78 Degrees

I just couldn't make myself draw a 100th post winner (wanting everyone to win), so I took the names to school in a bowl and had one of my 5th graders select one. Of course I had written the names in cursive so he couldn't quite read my 'fast writing', but I could!!

The winner is The Creative Housewife!! Congratulations!

Please send me your wrist size and I'll get busy making a personal bracelet just for you and get the book wrapped along with a little extra something that I promised.

This past week started out on Monday celebrating Wally's dear mom and dad's 62nd wedding anniversary. My nephew and I took them out to supper to celebrate. This picture is from earlier this year at our other wedding back in April.

And now the bit about 78 degrees. Remember the snow drift from just last Friday? This is what the front is looking like after a week of warm weather. The snow is ALMOST GONE! It is a good thing because I still have tulip bulbs to plant. I was a little concerned about being able to get them in last weekend.
Time to be getting things together to take to Jennell's wedding later today. Salad to finish and a dress to press.