Coffee And Conversation a...

While surfing the internet, I ran across an article that might be of interest to you if you work with photos. Adobe is offering a free version of Photoshop called Adobe Photoshop Express. This free version will allow you to scan in pictures to crop and alter plus more. Great offer that you will just need to sign up for at (copy and paste the following address) https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html Anyway, you will probably want to check it out.
A Pleasant Surprise

Today, I got a pleasant surprise when I unzipped my mini greenhouse. Some of my tomatoes that I started in a pot, had a terrific tomato smell. They are getting their second set of leaves and the stems are starting to thicken up. Of course, they are only a couple inches tall, but I love the smell. I can hardly wait until they can be put in the ground in about six weeks.

I ran out of the frozen tomatoes sauce that I make a couple of weeks ago, so I must make sure that I put enough up this summer. :) There is nothing like having your own vegetables to use in your soups and other dishes.
Mouse Problems...

Do you have mouse problems? I read a neat little thing that I have never read before. Put peppermint oil on a cotton ball and put it in a drawer or where ever the mouse is visiting and the smell will keep it away from that area. Mice do not like the strong peppermint smell. How nifty!

Cheap and simple!

Of course, you still need to deal with getting rid of the mouse. Choose your favorite method of elimination. :) The cat may be the best one!
What Are you Going To Scrapbook About?

I'm getting in the scrapbooking mode again. I have been looking at the pictures that I want to start with. Also, I've been trying to decide what papers I want to use or if I need to design a paper which is what I do when I can't find the perfect paper.

Scrapbooking is a fun and inexpensive hobby. But, it can be made expensive, if you want to get really involved with lots of expensive embellishments and gadgets. Initially, try to do it the most inexpensive way possible because with your creativity you can really come up with some neat things.
The Do Not Call Registry

Something that you might want to consider doing if you are getting a lot of sales calls is joining the do not call registry. Of course, if you are lonely and want to talk to people do not do it. :) But, most of us get tired of the calls.

If you enter your name into drawings, free offers or for coupons, they will ask for your name and phone number. You might get calls that you have opted in for. At least you can tell them that you are on the registry and end the call.

This is the link if you do not have it ... https://www.donotcall.gov/ It takes about 31 days to show up on the registry. Do everything that they ask and it should help end some of your calls.
Spring Has Sprung!

What beautiful spring days we have been having! Easter Sunday was cold but nice and the last two days have been pretty nice. How's the old saying go..."In like a lamb and out like a lion or in like a lion out like a lamb." Hopefully, March, will go out like a lamb.

The longer it stays cold, the less chance we will have a freeze on the fruit tree blossoms. I can handle the cold when it is nice. We all know that nicer days are ahead.




Scrapbooking Projects

I am gathering supplies to do a few scrapbooking projects from my winter holidays and special events. I have some nice papers that I purchased over the winter especially over the Christmas season.

For me, setting aside one day just to work on scrapbooks works. That way I can gather my papers, pictures, flyers,embellishments and tools and get a lot done.


Christ Is Risen!
Good Friday

Today, as we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. Our hearts are turned to the savior who died for our sins and rose again that we might live.





"God's blessings on those whose faith is in the Lord!"
The First Day of Spring 2008

Springs Beginnings

The beginnings again
Of flowers and trees.
Butterflies and bees
New life, begins again.

Flying kites
Riding bikes
Laundry flopping
Flying in the wind.

Gardens and yard games
Parties and fun
Spring is welcome
By each and everyone.


Connie Lavy (c) 2006
Gardening Tools

Let's discuss gardening tools. I got my A.M. Leonard & Gardener's Edge garden catalogs this week. They are packed with tools and tool use ideas for the garden. They are always a welcome sight.



The Gardener's Edge has coupons on the inside front cover for the months of March to June. They are dated coupons and some run out at the end of April. If you think you would like to purchase some good quality tools on sale then order a catalog. There is a coupon for online purchases there as well as some of their products. The regular catalog has everything that they carry and it is nice also. They are my garden tool dream catalog.



Last year I bought the weed torch from them and I just love it. It uses a small propane tank that can easily be bought at Walmart, Kmart or any hardware store. The torch burns the weeds and they die. It is really neat for getting close to plants and killing the weed.


Check out A.M. Leonard at amleo.com because they have some really neat things.

Cottage Style

I picked up a Cottage Style magazine at the store.That happens to be the style that I like. I like the simplicity yet traditional cottage style decorating. It's not too formal and not too country...just kind of in the middle.

I really like eclectic things which covers a lot of the styles from Victorian, elegant, traditional, classic, cottage and country styles. It is nice to decorate with things from each of these categories on tablescapes. But, I'm not at all into contemporary because I think it is too hard and non-feeling.
Mid March

It's mid March already! We are starting to think of gardening. We have been buying garden seeds, potting soil and equipment. Before we know it, we will be outside. Now that is exciting!

One of the things that we can do while it is still too cold to actually work outside is to assess repairs that can be made outside and make a tenative schedule. This will work for things like buildings or fences that might need painted.

Check your flower beds and see if they will need more mulch. It would also be good to decide if they could use a nice cememt or resin ornament. While the flowers are not up and blooming gives them a different look. The flowers are the icing on the cake!

More snow!


Get yourself a nice hot cup of coffee and lets chat a little!

We are going to get another good snowfall ... maybe the last one of the year! They are calling for anywhere from 5" to 12" total accumulation here in Oh. Hey, it will be one beautiful sight and a snowfall that we can enjoy since it may be many months before we experience another one.

Spring is on the way! The Canadian geese are back. They left after the ice storm that we had, but came back yesterday. I don't know if they will stay for the snow storm or go farther south. We'll see.

Early this morning I heard the birds singing. What a welcome sound, but I didn't see the red robin. That is another event to look forward to, but today it's not to be.

On a different note. I was reading the Labor Departments Report and unemployment is at 4.8%. How the news media can call that bad news? That means that 95.2% of Americans are working. So, from now on when I give labor news, I am going to report the good side of this. There are 95.2% working Americans! How's that?

High taxation, unions and poor management whether it is government or business drives jobs away. But, then that is political and I don't want to go there too much. :)

Enjoy the snow if you're fortunate enough to be in the snow area, and have a great day!