What has kept me away from blogger ... continued ...

As you know, (if you don't, go back a couple of posts and read) "Baby Girl" is having a baby at the end of July.

The day before her "surprise" shower all the decorations were all put up. Not that there were really all that many. It was more ... moving furniture and cleaning.

and of course, right before the guests arrived a few things needed to be put out.

Isn't this a cute way to display Fruit Salad! 

"Best Friend" found it on Pinterest. 

She and her Mother made it.

"Free Spirit" (oldest daughter) and "Teenybopper" (granddaughter)

made the "flower" cup cakes. The flowers are made from marshmallows.

Here are the games we played.

How did we get "Baby Girl" to the shower? 

From the start we had an idea of what would get her there. Although, it changed several times, it always went along the same lines. "Baby Girl" is obsessed with the idea that 

everyone in our family produce a handmade item for "Baby Boy's" room.

Thus, we have "craft days". "Free Spirit" suggested that we do this on this day. Then, I text "Baby Girl" and told her that "Jack of Trades" (my hubby) needed help moving some thing in the garage and would like "Daddy O"  to come and help. Forty-five minutes later I text her again saying "Jack of Trades" is going to take us out to lunch, so be here at 12:30pm. ( This was a must! We wanted "Baby Girl" dressed in something other than "Yoga pants" for her shower.)

When "Baby Girl" walked in "Teenybopper" handed her the shower invitation to read. Did she read it? NO, not really... Was she surprised?

"Baby Girl" and "Best Friend"

You can see she got a little teary eyed.

"Baby Girl" and "Free Spirit"

In the end, I think she was really "surprised" and totally enjoyed herself!

"The Natural World" ~ Thematic Photographic 198

As usual, I'm a little late in posting this ... BUT ... better late than never ... at least that what they say.

Carmi, over at Written Inc , posts a word each week. He then post a picture and blogs about it. Then it's your turn to do the same. Most post pictures to go along with the theme, some blog about it.

Why not grab a cup of coffee and click on over there. The pictures for this weeks theme are beautiful!
Nature always puts on a great show.

Here are my pic's from this past April.

Thanks for stopping by!
~Vicki~
To view more of "The Natural World" go to Written Inc.

What has kept me away from blogger ...

Well ... as you may or may not know ... Baby Girl is having  a baby boy at the end of July.  Both my daughters are much like me. They feel they have to be in control of everything. (I have gotten better and know that it won't kill me to loosen up a bit.) So, Baby Girl had decided when and where her "Baby Shower's" would be and who needed to be invited. OH...REALLY???

Thus ... the "SURPRISE SHOWER". Baby Girl's best friend wanted to throw her a shower. So we snuck around making things, making plans, and getting ready. But most of all we listened to Baby Girl tell us what she did and did not want. Now, when I say "listen", it's kinda the listening your kids and husband do. Just shake your head and agree, get part of the sentence so that if asked, you can relay back a detail.

Here are a couple of the decor things I made.

Baby Girl registered for one of those Baby, Safety Kits. (Actually, she registered for a couple.) I bought the largest one and incorporated it into this "diaper wreath." There are 28 rolled, disposable diapers, secured with rubber bands, tied onto a wire wreath. The hardest part was weaving the blue ribbon in and out of the diapers. Along with the Safety Kit are things like socks, wash cloths, traveling size baby shampoo and powder.

Here is where Baby Girl sat. On the mantel you can see two blue pails. Those have "flower buds" made up of baby socks "planted" in them.  Those took a little time, you want to make sure to get the "buds" tight or they kinda fall apart when you are inserting the floral wire.

You can view a tutorial here.

Baby Sock Flower Buds

I also made cute little favors using canning jars and Jelly Bellies. Now... this was a little costly, using Jelly Bellies, but you could use small mints or M&M's and it would cost less and be just as cute.

The labels were made with my own computer. I found a "label making packet" at Michael's Craft store. The price was $9.99, but I used a 40% coupon to save on the cost. With this kit you get an on-line code to go to a website and make the your own label. There are a variety of fonts and pictures that you can choose from. You make a sample to make sure everything is how you want it and that it fits on the stickers. Once you are happy with your creation, you print it out on the sticker paper from your kit.

Come on back to see the shower and if Baby Girl was surprised ...

See ya soon!

~Vicki~

Good Morning Monday!

I know it's been awhile. I had planned on posting a couple of times a week ... but life ... just kinda got in the way.
Hopefully, at least for a little while I can re-connect with my "Blogging Buddies". I look at and read your blogs and want to comment or participate ... but that also means that I have to revisit you in a timely manner. For awhile that has not been possible ... UNTIL NOW.
So... I'm looking forward to reading more, participating more, and hearing for you more!
~Vicki~

Fantastic Giveaway!

Hey everyone!
  Just thought I give you a "Heads Up" on a FANTASTIC giveaway. It's hosted by my friend Quiltingranny . Pilot is furnishing Pilot FriXion Pens for her giveaway. You can go here and learn more
http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com/2012/05/pilot-frixion-pen-giveaway_07.html

and of course enter.
When you leave a comment, make sure to mention me! :~D
~Vicki~

Life is slowing down ...

Well ... no not really. BUT ... tomorrow is my last day of work for a couple of months. That means no more 3:30 mornings! :) That also means I will be blogging more. I have missed you and confess that even though I have tried to peek in on you over the past couple of months ... 3:30am is really early and sleep was more of a priority.

There are several irons in the fire for the couple of months while I will be on layoff. Vacation ... baby showers ... kitchen remodel. These things will be filling my blog.

In looking for ideas for baby showers (Baby girl is expecting a boy, her 1st., in July) and kitchen ideas, the biggest let down has been that very few blogs, websites, etc., actually tell you how to do things or where to get the products they show. That is something I intend to provide. If you see an idea or a product and need more info than I give on my blog feel free to contact me and I'll try my best to get it to you.

Looking forward to your comments!
See ya soon!
~Vicki~

Does anyone know?

First off ....let me say ...I HATE change! Yes, it's true! I like comfort and reliability. I knew it was coming, but, I was hoping that someone would realize that most people don't change and that maybe an option would be given to whether or not you wanted the new Blogger.  Of course, why would anyone think to give that option to people who are using their product?? After all ... people will eventually get use to the new way. I know that several of the blogs that I have followed have moved from Blogger because of this.

Anyway, in looking around (not really knowing what I was doing) I found where I can go back to the "old" Blogger format. I will use it as long as possible. BUT ... does anyone know how and if that will effect the "new" Blogger? Just wondering...