Breathtaking Sunset!

Last night the sunset was unbelievable! I had to take some pictures to post. I am not crazy about this camera yet, and messed around with the settings as I tried to capture the beauty of the sky. That is one of the things I love about living out here in the country, the skyline. You can see forever, and the sky is the most beautiful thing. Storms coming in, sunrise, sunset, the stars at night, all of it is amazing to behold.

Busy Day

Sitting here with my cup of coffee, cream and sugar thank you very much! Yesterday was crazy! We need new siding and windows, so I made an appointment for someone to come out and give us an estimate. He is coming Monday, and I am excited to see what he has to say! Now, what color siding? I am thinking a buttery yellow. What do you think for an old farmhouse?

Yesterday, I went back to the salon where I used to rent a room and run my hair salon. I miss it there so very much. The women where (are!) like a family to me, and the salon is in an old Victorian home turned salon. I had Joelle color and trim my hair, and it was so much fun visiting with her. Cindy even got to come up and visit for a bit! I was all ready to chop off my hair, and brought pictures of two actresses who have similar hair to mine. Luckily, Joelle knows me and my hair. We decided to just trim it up for now, and it looks fabulous! Thanks, Joelle!

I have several weddings to attend this year, and the first is this Friday. I was out until 9 p.m. last night trying on dresses and found NOTHING I liked. I hate shopping and trying on clothes as it is, but when I have to get something for a special event... grrr! I peeked in my closet when I got home, because quite frankly, I am sick of shopping. I found a long dress that I have had at least 10 years. It is beautiful, and I am going to wear it! Yes, I am. It is a timely classic style that is very flattering and feminine. Everything I tried on at the store was just ugly. Some felt like I was all poofy and little girly, or like I was trying to be a Cindy Lauper impersonator. Others where just so unflattering to a figure... unless you have huge fake boobs, then they would work! Yes, I am going with my old stand-by, the dress I feel beautiful in. I will have to take a picture of it and post it. Right now it is dusty, so later today I am dropping it off at the dry cleaners. For the wedding on Friday, I am going to go a bit more casual with dress slacks and top (which was also in my closet). That wedding is for the daughter of a good friend, and there is no time to get the dress cleaned by Friday. I am sure they won't mind me being dressed nice but not formal.

After the three hours of shopping, I was beat, and was in bed by 10!Erik and I set about getting the new air conditioner put into my computer/crafting studio window. The other died a few weeks ago. It was actually quite scary, because it made an awful noise and smelled bad. If I hadn't been home and able to unplug it I am worried it may have started on fire? Unnerving to me, that idea is.

It is going to be a hot one today, so I am happy to have air in this room! It was already in the 80's at 7 a.m. Well, I better get moving.

Thanks for visiting my blog & have a great day!
Lisa :)

Antique Permanent Wave Machine

My friend, Laurie, and I went to an antique show, and I was so excited when we came across this machine! I have never seen one in person, so it was really quite a find for me. What we women go through for beauty! I believe the machine was used until the 1950's when the cold-wave was developed. To achieve curl the clamps attached to rods in the ladies hair, then the machine was turned on and the rods where heated. Crazy huh?!!

Here is what the machine looked like in use.

Carthage College

Four weeks ago I started my first class at Carthage College. I am so excited to finally be able to get back to school and complete my Bachelor's degree! The campus is on Lake Michigan and is simply breathtaking. I find my drive to the college exhilarating, knowing I am back on track for my education and that the view I get to experience when I arrive on campus is waiting for me. 

Above Photo: This is a picture I took this past Tuesday when I arrived at school. The building featured is where my class is located. If you look closely to the left of the building, you can see Lake Michigan peaking through the trees. Isn't it fabulous!

Baby Robin Update

I am sorry to say that something killed our baby robins Wednesday. Because the parents built the nest in a bush that is surrounded by my flowers, I have not kept that area up because it was upsetting enough to them when I turned on the water. I saw that the babies were no longer in the nest, but there were several dead caterpillars in it that made me take pause and wonder if they had truly left the nest or if something went awry. Because the nest was empty, I set about weeding and trimming the wild mess that had grown about the bush, and much to my dismay, discovered bunches of baby bird feathers. They were so close to leaving the nest too; it broke my heart. I guess that is the circle of life, but so very sad when witnessed.

On a happy note, we have a Kildeer running around at the end of our driveway watching over her babies. It is so fun to see the tiny ones dashing about the yard in search of food. =D

Baby Dobby

This is Dobby when he was still an only "child". In the morning he never wants to get up and rolls over on is back like this as if to say, "let me stay in bed, pleeeaase!". I took this photo in January of 2001, so he still is not a year old yet. We adopted Precious March of '11, so three months from this photo Dob's would have a "sister". I know it may seem silly to take all these pictures of dogs, but now that my son is grown, they are my babies.

Christmas 2011

Erik with his gifts

I think this is something for his truck, but not sure. I had to post this picture even though it was blurry. My camera was new to me, and I was not very good at taking pictures with something so tiny! I prefer a beefy camera that has a lens I can look through instead of this big window displaying the image.Even so, I am getting used to it!

Dobby is the biggest goof. He takes really cute pictures or very silly ones. He is one of my favorite photography models. Here I captured him running around with Christmas paper. It is amazing I was able to get a clear shot. He runs around so quickly and usually I get motion blur!

Mike picked out this stuffed dog-toy for Dobby and Precious. They love to run around playing tug-of-war with it, and Precious has figured out how to make the stomach squeek. She puts it up against something and pushes hard with her nose. She is very smart! She discovered it makes a good pillow as well! Precious still lays on this stuffed toy like that, it is one of her favorites.

Here is Precious opening up one of her gifts.

Erik opening his punching bag (to be installed in the barn!)

I was going through my pictures this morning and realized I never put up anything from Christmas this past year. Show above are a few of my favorites.

It was such a great Christmas this year for me because Mike was actually home for it! It felt great to have our family together for the holiday, and was the best gift I have ever received.

Thank you for stopping by!
Sincerely,
Lisa :)

Who Says Cloudy Days are a Bad Thing?

I took these pictures in May of this year. The clouds out here can be amazing because we have such an open view of the land and sky, but on this day they were spectacular.

Nasty Spring Storm

About a month ago a bad storm blew in. It lasted less than an hour but the wind and lightening was relentless. I took a photo out of the kitchen window. It did not turn out all that great, but you can see the trees being blown.

Amy's Shower

Here is the amazing house that the shower was held at.

 

On the right in the white dress is Amy, and standing next to her is my cousin Mary, Amy's aunt. Entering the room on the far left is the groom's mother, Lisa (great name don't you think? ;).

My mom and Nana at our table.

Guests enjoying themselves. If my memory serves me correctly, th women at this table work at the hospital at which the groom's father is a doctor at.

The ceiling was painted with a scene, and in the door of an upstairs room you can see a very life-like statue of a waiter.

I had to crop a close up out of the previous photo so you can see the detail better.

Here is the room where dinner then desert was served. We brought in our plates and helped ourselves. The entire table was full of deserts, and I had a small slice of each one! They were unbelievably delicious.

I went to the most amazing shower yesterday. It was for my cousin Nora's daughter Amy. The house the shower was held in was spectacular and is used for housing the art collection of the owner. The art and the house were a beautiful backdrop to the perfect shower. Eiffel Towers holding votive cups lit each table, and delicious pastries from 3 countries, including France and Italy, were featured as desert. As a result of that, I am sitting here with my coffee eating Tarimisu for breakfast while I blog! =D

Dobby and my Flowers

I was outside watering my flowers and noticed Dobby sniffing around as he looked for the perfect plant to potty on. Apparently, in his view, my time spent in the garden is for providing him with toileting options doggy-equivalent of a spa. Lucky for my flowers he is not a Great Dane?

Pictures of Precious

 This is the day we brought Precious home. I am trying to remember the date, but I believe it was sometime in April 2011. Dobby was completely obsessed with her!

 Prettybird had to say hello and welcome Precious too.

Pretty soon Precious made friends with a stuffed puppy. She is our sweetie pie!

Ta Da! Our New TV

Our New LG Flat Screen TV

My Best Buy Rewards Points were about to expire, so the pressure was on as to what to do with them. After much deliberation, I decided to go ahead and upgrade the downstairs television, since this is a central place in our home. The new TV was too large for the entertainment center, so I bought a cheapo TV console at Target. Erik put that together for me as well as installed the shelves on the wall, which were also a Target bargain. It really opened up the room. Need to repaint and replace the trashed carpet and the room will be beautiful! Actually, we could use two more windows and a new couch... but first things first ;)

Having Fun with Flowers

I decided to play around with some of the pictures I took of my flowers, so I opened Photoshop and had some fun. Here are a few of the works of art I created (LOL works of art!) It is amazing what we can do with a computer isn't it. Move over Van Gogh?

Baby Robins

Three Baby Robins!

Here are the baby robins only two days after the picture I previously posted. They grow so quickly! Momma Robin still isn't happy with me when I turn the spigot off or on, so I try to get it done as fast as I can so she can return to her babies. As you can see all three are doing well! I am so glad we planted these bushes. It is fun adding to nature, and giving the birds places to take refuge and nest.

Our Adorable Puppies & Happenings in the Garden

A face only a mother could love?

Dobby is just such a goof, and he is fun to photograph. I took this photo of him today by getting way too close with the lens. He is Momma's baby!

And then there is the Precious! AWWW!! Too cute huh? Here she is sleeping on my robe. In the morning I lay it out for her to snuggle in while I shower. As you can see she is quite content!

Flower Power

I spent hours planting flowers the other day. Luckily the weather has been amazing! The temp is around the upper 70's to mid 80's on most days, and I am lovin' it!

Dob's inspecting the tomato plant for me.

Not sure what any of these are other than the Geraniums, but they sure are pretty!

And I still have more to plant!

Baby Robins

A momma Robin decided to nest in the Arborvitae that is right next to my garden hose spigot! Seems like every time I turn it off or on, she is in there, and we frighten each other. She squawks with annoyance at me and flies quickly away. The three babies are naked yet, with just tufts of feathers on their heads. I will keep you posted as they grow.