Happy Memorial Day

Hope your long weekend and Memorial Day were restful and fun.  Ours was pretty quiet.  We took the boat out on Saturday - first time this year!  Believe it or not, but we have not even turned on the A/C in our house!!  Our house is so shaded that it stays fairly cool.  My craft room is starting to get a little warm so the A/C will probably be switched on in the next few days.  But, June & no A/C is a record for us.  Sunday we went out for breakfast and then to the movies in Mooresville.  Afterwards, we ran a few errands before returning home.  Today started out overcast so Sonny went to the Y and I lazed around the house!  I did make a wreath for the front door.  I've seen these wreaths made with red, white and blue bandanas but I couldn't find any (cheap anyway!).  So when I saw this material at JoAnne's, I bought it.  The Craft group in our neighborhood is making them this week and I was going to make it then.  But I decided to go ahead and put it together today since I had time and wanted to hang it on my door.  Plus, I was afraid I would have a conflict on Wednesday night with the Stanley Cup game.  Pittsburgh won their last play-off game last week and that win put them into playing for the Stanley Cup!!  We are excited - the first game in tonight.

I die cut stars from glitter paper and hot glued them to the wreath.

When we were in town on Sunday, we drove by the YMCA and saw this awesome flag display.

Each flag had a card on it with a veteran's name - either "in honor of" or "in memoriam"

Happy Memorial Day

Today is an important day to honor our brave men and women who have fought and died in uniform to defend this great country of ours against all enemies.  We grieve with those families who lost loved ones too soon.  For them Memorial Day will always be a time of solemn remembrance.   From our War of Independence to Operation Enduring Freedom and wars inbetween, we are blessed to have millions of men and women to step forward and serve to preserve our freedom.  Today we stop to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice at home and on distant battlefields in our defense.

Today at 3:00 pm there will be a National Day of Rememberance.  During this time, Americans pause for the duration of one minute, regardless of where they are.  This time was chosen because it is the time when many Americans are enjoying their freedoms on this national holiday.  This "Moment" is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died in service to our great country.

God bless the U S A.

"There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens can not cure." - Dwight David Eisenhower.

This card took me about 5 minutes to make this morning.  That is thanks to a new stamp set that you will be able to order soon - Work of Art.  It is a keeper!  I will be sending this card to a friend of Ashley's who is serving our country in Afganistan.  Come home soon Courtney!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!  Hope your weekend was a nice one and you were able to spend it with family and friends.  I had a very relaxing weekend.  I worked on my Ireland scrapbook Saturday and Sunday on My Digital Studio.  I am trying to get it finished before June 15 which is when Stampin' Up's sale ends.   Wish me luck!!  Saturday night Sonny and I went out to eat fish at Galway Hooker.  Since I had been working on my Ireland scrapbook, I was craving some fish and chips although Sonny had the fish and chips and I decided on Flounder Picatta and it was delicious!!  Add in some Jalepeno Mac and Cheese and Sauteed Green Beans .... yum!!  Today Sonny and I decided to take the boat out.  We packed the cooler and got all our stuff together BUT when we got in the boat, it wouldn't start - the battery was dead as a door nail!  Sonny went back to the house and get the battery charger.  We sat out there in the boat at the dock for a couple of hours but it still wouldn't start.  So, we came on back to the house.  Now Sonny just has to figure out what the problem is or get the battery replaced. 

Someone sent me a really nice tribute for Memorial Day.  Please read it and remember what the holiday is truly all about....not just a day off from work, but a day to remember our real heros. I am honored that both of my children served their country (and my daughter is still in the Army). My grandfather, step-father and father all served their country too.

Real Heroes ~ By Sharon Lee Riguzzi


Memorial Day is almost here: Barbecues will be held. Parades will be marched. White shoes will come out of hibernation. The sounds of kids playing outside after dinner waft through open windows. Weekly garage-sale flyers cover telephone poles so we know where to go to buy someone else’s stuff that has cluttered their attic and basement for years. And for many, this weekend opens up the world of pools and beaches.

But with all of the excitement of the unofficial beginning of summer, I, like so many others, sometimes forget (or as is the case with so many of today’s kids, don’t know) what the Memorial in Memorial Day signifies. This day started way back just after the Civil War as a time for us to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice- their lives.

Most of you have heard of the play and movie Six Degree of Separation. I’m bringing it up because I’m guessing we all know of someone, or know someone who knows someone, who has served our country. My suggestion for the week is to ask around at work, among friends, at your book-club discussions, “Who has lost a family member in service of our country?”

The purpose? To see that we all have been touched in some way–some closer than others-or other by these heroes. In their honor, tell the family member how much you appreciate our freedom because of brave people like their fallen soldier. At the same time we can be teaching our kids that we are so lucky.

So whether or not you have kids marching with their little league team, scouts or band, make it a point to go to the local parade to give your support. And if you see an old-timer wearing a too tight uniform or a faded army hat, stop and shake his hand, and thank him too. Watch him well up with pride. Because years ago, he took action to get what we wanted: learned to recognize all of the wonderful traits each of us possesses; found the inner strength to make a difference.

And by your shaking just one veteran’s hand, I guarantee you will make him feel great – and so will you.

Now how about the new in colors????  I have some of the card stock but I just ordered the inks today and can't wait for them to arrive!!

WHICH NEW IN COLOR IS YOUR FAVORITE?  Please leave me a comment below!

Strawberry Slush :  Lighter and softer than Melon Mambo.  Brighter than Rose Red. 
Pistachio Pudding: A modern and "minty" spin on Certainly Celery (retiring)

Crisp Cantaloupe: Lighter and softer than Calypso Coral. More peach than Blushing Bride (a returning color).
Coastal Cabana: Lighter than Island Indigo. Richer than Pool Party.
Baked Brown Sugar:  Warmer than Crumb Cake.  More gold and lighter than Soft Suede.

 

Memorial Day

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  Ours was nice - pretty quiet but we did spend some time with family.   Yesterday Sonny and I took the boat out on the lake early before the lake got too crowded.  We threw the anchor in our usual cove and read our books.  When we first got there, there were only about 4-5 boats but when we left around 2, there were probably 10-15 boats just in that cove.   Later in the afternoon, Marianne and Mom came over and we sat out on the deck and visited.  One of the chairs (mine!) was covered in baby praying mantis.  I've never seen such a thing! 

Unfortunately, in order to sit in the chair, I had to brush all of them off it!!  Felt like a real killer. 

Later Marianne's husband, Greg, came and Sonny cooked some burgers and hot dogs for us.  I made potatoes and a yummy peach cobbler!  After dinner, we took a boat ride.  When we got back home Angela (my other sister) had gotten off of work and come over to enjoy some dinner.  Then we watched the Coca Cola 600 race .... what can I say - we live in Race City USA!!

Marianne spent the night and we did some crafting today.  We both worked on our Button Farm mini scrapbooks.  It was a fun relaxing day.

Here is the Memorial Day card I made tonight.  It uses another SU stamp set that I bought at the used stamp sale for a steal ($4).  It is pretty old but a good one.  I'll be using it again soon to celebrate Ashley's homecoming.

Speaking of Ashley, I chatted with her on Saturday (instant message) and again today.  She didn't see any patients today and she said she's only seen a few patients the whole time she's been there.  She's read several books,  watched 3 episodes of Off The Map and several movies.  She's only been there since Friday!!  Luckily, she said they have a pretty extensive library since she only took 10 books with her.  She'll read all their books by the end of her 2 weeks!!