Pages

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Count Down To Christmas Linky #2

Welcome to . . .
                          Count Down To Christmas #2

I am so Happy to invite you to join me!  Feel free to share any
Christmas related post.  It doesn't have to be new. 

In fact beginning on August 1 to celebrate Christmas in August
I am going to be linking some of my favorite Christmas posts that I have found in blog land. 

I'll be sharing why Christmas in August is a special time for me.
Can you guess why?

                And now one of very favorite Christmas photos!  
                                               
Joyfulness
On of my favorite pics.  I love the look of Joy on his face.  This was his Christmas party at his preschool when he was 3! 
 
And now on with the party.  Link up! 

Monday, July 21, 2014

Fruity Cupcakes--Kid Approved

I tried something a little different after watching an episode of Chopped on the food channel. I love Chopped BTW.

So I had some cereal leftover from the grandsons visit.  Not one I particularly care to eat.

So I found a way to use it . . .

On Chopped they had taken cereal and ground it up. So I thought why not put in my cake batter? I searched for a recipe and found one in my old stand by cookbook . . .
Betty's recipe called for a lemon cake mix and frozen orange juice. 
I had a white cake mix and no orange juice.  So I thought why not use the Fruit Loops cereal that was sitting in my pantry?  
It was a bit of a challenge  pulling out the marshmellows but smashin' up the cereal and adding to the cake batter turned out great!  

I frosted with just a simple butter frosting.  Everyone loved them!

Do you have some cereal that needs to be eatin?  Why not try something a little different with it?   

Linking with Jess for The Art of Homemaking.  Click Here to visit/join.
Joining Lydia for Much Ado Monday.  Click Here to visit/join.
Linking with Cindy at Amaze Me Monday.  Click Here to visit/join.
Linking with Titus Tuesday.  Click Here to visit/join.
Linking with Lori at Making Monday.  Click Here to visit/join
Linking with Isabelle at Let Them Eat Cake for Monday Linky Party.  Click Here to join/visit.
Linking with Kristen for Inspire Me Monday.  Click Here to join/visit.
Linking with Tonia for Time To Sparkle.  Click Here to join/visit.





Sunday, July 20, 2014

Inspire Me Monday--A Photo Sizing Posting Tutorial

The other day a blogger friend posed the question? 
How do you change the size of your pictures.
She was having a problem with them being too big and 'bleeding' into her side bar. 
Like this . . .
 
 
I played around with the size of this one and stretched it so you could see was I was talking about. 
 
How about if your photo is too small?
 
I shrunk this one a little to show you what I mean. 
 
I learned by trial and error how to fix this problem. 
 
I have no training.  I haven't taken any classes or read any books.
I have learned from trial and error and reading other blog tutorials. My wording may not be correct.  
 
I don't use the default setting on the sizing that blogger offers.
Small, medium and large.  Unless I forget and don't preview my post before I am finished with it. 
 
Even if you use the default you can still change the size. 
 
Here's how you do it. 
1.  Write your post in Compose.   Until you get the hang of
re-sizing only write a few lines and import a photo. 
2. Once you've added your photo.  Switch to HTML. 
You'll see something like this . . .
 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0CM_3IteDN_o_Is_PQC2J3_IgBdHnDFBdPYtncmpAtSIppbqWKrCXYuR1zBsk9g0Hdo9IIKqytpJzTLn4RpcC6hgZIV6RALatdslI-6FLSgCgk_gkgPbmZPsqrMeRVSOIMW0vlZNYXtr/s1600/BluechristmasGvine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0CM_3IteDN_o_Is_PQC2J3_IgBdHnDFBdPYtncmpAtSIppbqWKrCXYuR1zBsk9g0Hdo9IIKqytpJzTLn4RpcC6hgZIV6RALatdslI-6FLSgCgk_gkgPbmZPsqrMeRVSOIMW0vlZNYXtr/s1600/BluechristmasGvine.jpg
" height="240" width="620" />
You'll want to look for the area (at the bottom in the example) that has the words height and width.    Like this:
    height="240" width="620"
This is so easy you'll wonder why didn't I figure this out. 
 
I'll answer that.  Your just afraid.  Yep.  I was but I bit my tongue and figured I can't mess it up too bad.  If your still a little nervous you can always click the 'save' option before you go further. 
 
But if you took my advise and only wrote a few lines then if you mess it up you have lost an entire post.
 
But trust me it's simple and it works!
 
Ok back to it. 
height="240" width="620" />
 
All you need to do is change these numbers. 
I have found that for the look I want my photo's to be between  "450" and "500" High.  And about "525-550" wide.
You just change the numbers.  It is as simple as that. 
 
Here's an example with the first photo...
First the original photo before I stretched it.
 Here's the original photo and sizing. . . height="240" width="320"
A little too small? Let's change it a little . . .
 
Changed to:  " height="440" width="520"  
 
 So that's how I do it.  I've done it so much that now I write my entire post before I bother to change sizes.  Its really very easy once you practice. 
 
Hope this helps and Inspires you to Re-size your photos!
Did you notice my photo's are from Christmas? 
I love Christmas!  Come and join me and link your Christmas photos, posts, house tours.  Or play around with sizing your using your Christmas photos!  Click here to link.
 
Linking with Create with Joy for  Inspire Me Monday.  Click Here.
Linking with Count Down to Christmas.  Click Here.

 



Blue Monday a Blue Blogger Tour

Good Morning.  It is Blue Monday again.  I thought today I would do something a little different.   And a Mosaic of Blue Bloggers.

A Blue Blogger Tour
Meet Rebekah of . . .
Click Here to visit Three Bees in a Blue Bonnet

 Next up the fabulous 

Tex at Run A Round Ranch Report . . .
Tex is rarely Blue.  She has a fun upbeat blog filled with fabulous photo's from around the ranch.  But her Linky party picture is Blue so here she is.  Click Here to visit!

And another favorite . . .

Debbie Dabble because her Blog name is in Blue.  Debbie shares her amazing house that she has decorated beautifully!
Click Here to visit Debbie.

Another fun Blog with great decorating, tips and topics.
And a great name . . .
Love her name!  Click Here to visit.


And a few pics. from my Christmas files . . .
Our Christmas's aren't Blue around here!

Thanks for visiting my Blues. 

Linking with Sally for Blue Monday. Click Here.
Linking with Dear Little Red House and Mary for Mosaic Monday. Click Here.
Linking here for Count Down to Christmas!  Join Me! Click Here.







Saturday, July 19, 2014

Making My Saturday Sweeeeeeeeeeeet

My Saturday is or will be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!
At least later tonight!  Right now I am taking a break from laundry,
scrubbing and moving things around. 
Living in a small space with treasures from a Big space I am constantly moving things.
Today my chore was taking down the July 4th tablescape.
http://myjourneyback-thejourneyback.blogspot.com/2014/06/blue-monday-patriotic-tableschape.html
And finding someplace to store all the goodies!   Click Here to see my counter/bar tablescape.  

I am trying to tidy everything up because our daughter and grandson are coming over to go to dinner tonight! 

Although it is a beautiful day here.  We won't be on the water.
We are going to our favorite 'old time' Mexican Resturant. 

This has been one of our family favorites for years and years! 

I am happy and blessed that tonight our grandson will be with us! 
And, he's spending the night, going to church with us tomorrow
and we're all meeting back up for breakfast at a new local favorite.
 
I'll be taking lots and lots of pics! 
 
Hope your day is Happy and your Saturday Sweeeeeeeeet
 

 





Friday, July 18, 2014

Five MInute Friday--Bloom

Joining Lisa Jo and her 'Flash Mob' of bloggers.  Writing from a prompt for 5 Minutes with no editing, spell check, backtracking, worrying. 

Today's prompt: Bloom

Go:

I rarely add pics to my 5 Minute Friday post but I  had to this time!  This quilt I called Bloom.
I made it for my daughter and gave it to her during the time she was filing for divorce. 
Of course it was a joy to make for her.   She was going through a really difficult time. 
I knew God had a plan for her and our grandson but when your in the middle of times like that it's just hard to see through to the other side and the good and wonderful things God has for you. 
Bloom where your planted is common saying.  We've all heard it.  And it is such an encouraging
idea.  Sometimes it is difficult to feel like you can Bloom when your in a bad or sad situation. 
Our daughter could have very easily 'given up' hope.  But she didn't she persevered and trusted God. 
She worked hard to be the best mother she could be.  Indeed she Bloomed in so many ways.
I told her last week that I am prouder of her than she knows. 
The last 4 years have been hard.  Very hard.  For a Christian it was difficult for her to even consider divorce.  Just as a person she didn't want to have that title.  But, God gave her the strength to take that step. 
God provided amazing opportunities for her.  A place to live.  An awesome job doing exactly what she wants to do.  She is definitely Blooming! 

And now after over 4 years of drama, stress and fear she is finally able to relax and Bloom where God has planted her. 
Stop
Click Here to read one of my recent posts about the struggles and challenges and Praises.
Linking with Lisa Jo for  Five Minute Friday.  Click Here to join/visit.

Do you love Christmas?  Join me and Count Down to Christmas
a new linky.  It's all about Christmas.  Link anything from recipes, to home tours, to your plans,  write a Christmas story.  Share your pics!   Click Here to link. 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Good Fences They Make Me Smile

Some of my favorite Fence photo's

 Cowboys and fences . . . they make me smile . . .
Nothing cuter than a little Cowboy on a fence . . .
I'm lovin' me some Cowboys and Fences!

Sharing with Tex at Good Fences.  Click  Here to join/visit.

Do you love Christmas as much as I do?  Join me and link your Christmas post at Count Down To Christmas.  Any Christmas related post.  New or old.  We're lookin' for ideas, and inspiration.
Come and join us. 
http://myjourneyback-thejourneyback.blogspot.com/2014/07/count-down-to-christmas-new-linky.html
Click Here to join/visit.

Alphabet Thursday with Jenny Letter I

Sharing today Inspirations from Pinterest . . .


I am inspired to try this table . . .



Inspiration is all over Pinterest.   Lovin' this idea . . .



I would love a message board like this in my kitchen . . .



I need ideas to recover my favorite chair.  Inspiration!  I love this one!



And perfect for us a Letter L wall...great Inspiration . . .


Lastly I love, love, love this chair.

So where does your inspiration come from?

Linking with Jenny Click Here.

Do you love Christmas.  Join me for . . .
Count Down To Christmas. Click Here


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Wordfilled Wednesday--We Call It Goulash

Thanks for stopping in to my Wordfilled Wednesday post.
This is the day that I write what randomly is rumbling around in
my head!  

You'll never know what! It's most likely a surprise.  Everyday is different in my hectic, chaotic world!

So how about talking about Goulash?  Because the other night I made the best Goulash I have ever made.  At least that's we call it.

When I was thinking about this post I couldn't help but remember the Dick Van Dyke episode when Laura and Millie were sharing recipes. 


I don't really remember exactly but I think it was something like Millie gave Laura the recipe but forget a special or important ingredient. 
Poor Millie.  So I am wondering did my mother forget an ingredient when she told me how to make Goulash.  Because I tell you what.  I have been trying for years to make it as good as hers and it never is! 

Now it could be that like Millie she might have innocently left something out because . . .

My sweet little mother is 88.  She'll be 89 in September.  And since she doesn't cook much anymore she might have forgotten a few things.  Like exactly how she made Goulash back in the day. 

And speaking of exactly what is Goulash? 

Well for our family it is a kind of hamburger pasta type dish with whole tomatoes. 

The next time I make it I am definitely going to take step by step pics so I can share it.  And archive it so my sweet daughter knows exactly how to make it! 

So how do you make Goulash? 

So Goulash to me is just old fashioned Family comfort food. 
Speaking of family.  One of my favorites things is Christmas with my family! 
Actually I just love Christmas.  Do you? 
I am calling all lovers of Christmas to join me for Christmas in
July--Count Down To Christmas.  I started a linky too!
Go here to link your favorite Christmas post.  New or old. 
Link anything Christmas related.  A recipe (don't forget any ingredients), your Chirstmas Home Tour, or just your favorite pics! 
                                    Join me and link up! 
Today I am linking with Woman 2 Woman for Wordfilled Wednesday. Click Here.
Linking with Mrs. Olson for Fill My Cup.  Click Here.

Monday, July 14, 2014

H is for . . .

A Horse of course . . .
Just a few of ours present and past . . .
 
 
He was always everyones Pal.  We will love you always...







Cowboy and our boys. Many years ago.

And a little short one.

This is our Dyna.  We don't own her anymore but I will always love her...
Dyna and her baby


                    Cowboy with the grandson and our daughter
                         This is the horse they are riding now

                                And my mare Oaks Bay Etta 
Yes...H is for Horse Linking with Jenny.  Click here.

Count Down to Christmas Linky Party is open.  I would love you to share your Christmas post.  Share pics, recipes, plans anything related to Christmas. 
Click here to visit and join. 




Christmas in July--Planning for the Holidays Part 1

So when do you start thinking about the holidays? 
I actually do start thinking about it before February as I am taking down the decorations and planning for Valentines.  Which btw is my other favorite holiday. 

I'm a thinker and a planner.  I am always trying to do better.

So as a thinker...I got to thinking.  And I was wondering if just
maybe Christmas is lurking around in the back of your head.

And so as the planner...I thought I would share a few of my tips for making your holiday special. 

#1...try not to wait to the last minute!  This is a biggy! 
Who wants to be doing this . . .
 

Cute movie btw...

#2...Decide early where you will holiday.  If you need to start talking about in July.  Nothings worse than waiting until December
to have an argument about where to spend the holidays.  Or to end up disappointed because you thought everyone was coming to your house.

#3...Maybe by talking about it early you can also talk about who you will see at Christmas.  Do you have to scurry around to different houses?
Have you ever thought about how the kids feel?  The anticipation and excitement of getting up and see what is under the tree and then being whisked away a short time later to go and eat a meal they really probably won't enjoy?

#4...Once a decision is made.  Roll up your sleeves and start planning.  If your hosting.  Decide what kind of event.  Work on your guest list.  A sit down dinner might change once you figure out you have 20 on your guest list.  Maybe instead of dinner/lunch Christmas day try suggesting an evening meal of Soup or Stew.



#6.  So now that your sleeves are rolled up.  And your thinking planning sit down, put your feet up and visit a few blogs and Pinterest for ideas!

Need some ideas or want to share?  Go here and join my
Count Down to Christmas linky!


         So are you thinking about the holidays?
Linking with Seasoned Homemaker for Lovely Ladies Linky.  Click Here.
Linking with Jes for The Art Of Homemaking. Click Here.
Linking with Inspire Me Monday.  Click Here.
Linking with Happiness is Homemade. Click Here.
Linking with Yesterfood for Treasure Box Tueday.  Click Here.
Linking with Table For Seven for Share Your Stuff  Tueday.  Click Here.
Linking with Kathy for Titus Tuesday.  Click Here.
Linking with Count Down To Christmas.  Click Here.

Count Down To Christmas--A New Linky

Are you counting down the days? 



Do you love Christmas as much as I do? 

Of course you do!  Who doesn't love Christmas.  It's what we plan for all year long!  Right! 

Maybe your not decorating yet.  It is a smidge early yet.  But I bet it's on your mind. 

So,  why not join me and Count Down.  Every Tuesday.  I will be writing about Christmas. 

I'll share ideas, stories, tips, decorations, and lots of photo's.

So whether your style is . . .

                                                 Vintage
Or maybe a little country . . .
                                                                      Gooseberry Patch

Maybe your more a Martha type girl . . .

Maybe sparkly/shinny. . .


Maybe a little more Rustic
Come and join the fun.  The linky will begin on Tuesdays and will run the whole week.  So you don't have to be bogged down to a certain day.   Post when it fits your schedule!

The best part there are no rules.  You don't have to follow here.
Although it would be nice!

So whether your Counting Down or just want to share your decorations and great ideas! 

Wanna join but your decorations aren't up? Seriously who's are?
Not sure what to write?  Come by on Tuesday to see what I am writing to get some ideas!  Each week I'll post a couple of ideas to get us started!

What are you waiting for?

Link up!



Thanks for joining the fun!