Lovely Cool Florida Weather, Finally

The weather has finally cooled off here in Florida. It is still very buggy (lots of flying insects). Here I am enjoying a lovely cool afternoon manning the hunter check station. I am crocheting a baby blanket to pass the time.

Snipe Hunting

While growing up there was the urban legend (guess since we lived in a small town, it would be called a rural legend) that sending someone snipe hunting involved a bag and a flashlight and going out in the woods in the dark. Snipes were an imaginary creature that you were supposed to try to find while wandering in the woods.  It was a joke on you.  Imagine my surprise and hilarity when I discovered Snipes were an actual game bird, like Quail or Dove.

Happy Turkey Day!

We had to work today so here is a wonderful Thanksgiving feast provided by our co-worker Mary K. It was yummy! We are soooooo sleepy now. We had garlic mashed potatoes, ham, stuffing, turkey, green bean casserole, sweet & sour red cabbage and apples, corn pudding, 2 kinds of cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy. I probably forgot something, but it was all very delicious.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Laton & I have to work tomorrow so our co-worker is cooking the turkey.  Mary brines her turkey so I am anxious to taste it. I made a pumpkin cheesecake.  I miss my spring-form pan but I think my premade graham cracker crust will work. 

A Winter Luminary

This is the other side of the luminary

I have been busy crafting for several swaps and am very happy with my winter luminary.  I love this bear stamp. I added some bling with some bitty sparkles for the holidays, but it is hard to see in the picture.

Card Mania

Butterflys

Thanks for Everything

Pretty Flowers

Since I already had all the ink, stamps, and paper scattered all over my craft trailer, I thought I would keep making cards...24 cards later, here are some more of my favorites.

Stampaholic Day

SKU Code Card

Just a note to say Thanks

  
Today was a fun day of nothing but card making.

Check out my favorites!

Sunflowers

More Sunflowers

Vance's Halloween Costume

 Our baby grandson's costume...better late than never!

Thank You to our Veterans

Every year Laton & I would have a huge party on the Saturday closest to Veteran's Day. We had lots of good food, we had a gift exchange and we had a flag retirement ceremony in the back yard complete with music consisting of taps and the national anthem. It always brought tears when I would observe the pride and respect for our country in my friends.  I would like to thank all my friends and family, especially our veterans.

 THE FINAL  INSPECTION

The  soldier stood and faced God,
Which must  always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were  shining,
Just as brightly as his  brass.

'Step forward now, you  soldier,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have  you always turned the other cheek ?
To My  Church have you been true?'

The soldier  squared his shoulders and said,
'No, Lord, I  guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry  guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've  had to work most Sundays,
And at times my  talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been  violent,
Because the world is awfully  rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That  wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot  of overtime,
When the bills got just too  steep.

And I never passed a cry for  help,
Though at times I shook with  fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've  wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't  deserve a place,
Among the people  here.
They never wanted me around,
Except  to calm their fears.

If you've a place  for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so  grand.
I never expected or had too  much,
But if you don't, I'll  understand.

There was a silence all  around the throne,
Where the saints had often  trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For  the judgment of his God.

'Step forward  now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens  well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's  streets,
You've done your time in  Hell.'

Author Unknown~

Gift Ideas

Recycled empty TP Roll Gift Card Holder

I spend a lot of time following different blogs and chatting about craft ideas with various fellow crafters. The talk right now is about creating Christmas Gifts, big and small, and in this economy, inexpensive. Handmade ornaments, cards, groups of cards and gift card holders are topping the list.  I have seen battery votive lamps made from old wine glasses, dry erase boards from dollar store picture frames and various bags of treats.  I will be posting some of these ideas this month but thought I would start with some recycling.  Here is a toilet paper holder gift card holder.  Fun and easy to make using up scraps.  The most expensive part of this gift is the gift card you enclose.   LOL! 

SSSSSnake!

Laton took a picture of a snake that was in the palm tree near our trailer. I knew to look on the ground for snakes, gators and fire ants but now I have to look up!  I don't like this at all!

Opening Day

Today was opening day for General Gun Season here at JW Corbett WMA. Laton & I were busy all day.  We checked out 6 deer and 16 pigs.  This hunter, Cody, brought in a 282 pound boar.  He was pretty proud of it and well he should be. He gave us permission to post this on our blog. It was pretty late in the evening so it is not the best picture, but this boar is hanging from a winch on a swamp buggy and stretches well over 7 feet.