Jerry and I had a wonderful time today on a Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine tour. The first stop on our tour was Indian Creek Winery and Grille. There was lots of wine tasting (all made in elsewhere in Wisconsin), and a pleasant lunch with 40 other people from the tour. The highlight of our tour, however, was Chateau St. Croix in St. Croix Valley. Now this was a winery!

It is on a sprawling 55-acre spread complete with a carriage house, stables, and an outdoor patio. It was completely designed as a European estate with a gallery done in 1600's design, a sitting room in 1700's, and a large 1800's hunting lodge style. The owners (who are also the winemakers) are very young, and they have put thought into this winery. While they lived in Germany while he was in the Air Force, they traveled to see many different European vineyards and found it very appealing. They brought their experiences right back to Wisconsin!

One of my favorite experiences was the chocolate and wine pairings. Never did I know that fine chocolates (there was a chocolatier present) wines taste so differently. Smell the bouquet, sip the wine, and a small piece of chocolate. When you sip your wine again, your chocolate covered palate will give you the richness of the wines. Very nice!

The production tour guide was so knowledgable and that made it fun. Maybe I waas endeared to this young man because he said that women should never have to say they're sorry to their husbands because they are the "givers of life." Guess he knew exactly how to say the right thing to make women buy wine - LOL! I watched loads of women walk out of there with cases!

Fun, fun day! This is the second tour we've taken through our school district. They are a great way to let someone else do the planning and drive you to your destination. LOVE it. Off to do a little scrapping while Jerry watches a fight on TV. Hope you've had a great Saturday!

2012

We had a fun date night this afternoon/evening. First we went to a matinee of 2012. Such a great movie! The action started right away and just kept going. Perfect movie for the big screen! (The mix of Whoppers, Diet Mountain Dew, and John Cusack is a good thing!)

Then we did a little shopping for my scrapbook retreat next weekend. I think I am all set with everything I need for the 4-day retreat.

Finally ended at Carbone's for the house pizza - Jerry's favorite!

Perfect movie, perfect food, perfect guy all made for a perfect date!

Clear Christmas Card

This card is made with clear Graphix paper. I used my Cuttlebug on the cardstock to give an appearance of the woods. (Do you call them "woods"? Here in MN that what we call all those trees!) That is attached on the inside, and I did so by sewing. Oh yes, before sewing I put some hemp and a clip on the cardstock. I used my very versatile CTMH Evergreen stamp to make the trees in a rich Christmas green. They are adhered to the clear paper on the outside. I stamped the sentiment with white Staz-On. Contrary to how it may look, this was a very easy card to make.

Friends Blog Award

This is such an adorable award, and I received it form my friend, Jamie. I am so touched Jamie - thank you!! Take a minute to visit her because you will definitely be glad you did!

This is what the award is all about:

This award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These bloggers are not interested in interested in increasing their own status, but rather aim to find friends and be friends. The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are born!

Now it's my turn to pass this award on to five of my blogging friends. It is a great joy to do so:

• Tina (She been blogging about her trip while in France, and it's been so much fun to read!)
• Karen (Oh my goodness! What till you see the artwork on her blog! But what is charming is that Karen shares her life.)
• Kim (What a fabulous friend that I've only met via blogging - but I sure wish she was scrapping with me next weekend!)
• Dawn (Thank you for the card in the mail today, Dawn! That was a surprise and your artwork is stunning! I was so excited to get mail!!)
• Laurel (She is the queen of challenges - and she is published and wins so much! She is one of my "mojo blogs" when I get stuck!)

Be sure to visit these gals. I know you will want to follow them to keep up with the charm, fun posts, and their amazing artwork!

Brotherly Love

This is one of the sweetest pictures I have ever seen! These are two grand-nephews of mine, Owen and Logan. They were at a baseball game and their mom captured this shot. So special, so heartwarming.

I used Stardust paper for this layout. Along with it I added CTMH On Target Dimensional Elements. I just brayered over them in Honey ink to give them color. Other elements used are Making Memories transparency, Stardust My Stickease (stars, round button bases, and arrow), CTMH White Craft Buttons, Sunflower Brads, and an EK Success sticker.

We are so blessed to have days of warm sunshine right now, so I was able to snap this outside.

I love that my nieces put pictures on Facebook for me to copy! I've got loads sitting on my desk just ready to scrap. I can't wait to get them done and show you!

When the Bird Flies Away...

the nest is left empty.

I've been looking at this nest the past few weeks in one of our maple trees. The finch played out there all spring and summer, so I am quite certain is was left by a kind mama finch.

I've found it to be pretty symbolic because I have really been feeling our own empty nest. Let me start out by saying that I am really proud of Shane for his leap into the world! He is working hard, taking care of responsibilties, and really enjoying his life. This is what a mother wants for her child! My husband and I are blessed to have such a fabulous marriage and have found so many commonalities in life.

Back to the empty nest. I'll try to explain it this way. I loved watching Shane grow through every stage of his life. In the past couple of years, I enjoyed so many conversations with Shane in the morning before he went to work. Even though it was time for him to spread his wings, it left me feeling as if I had been laid off from the most important job I have ever had.

I don't know too many empty nesters. Most of the people I know have more than one child or have grandchildren soon after their children leave. Their houses are still full at the holidays. One day we will have those grandparent days, but not for awhile yet.

It's new and different to me to run our home without thoughts of Shane. Gosh, the grocery bill has gone way down, there are less clothes to wash, and a bathroom that virtually stands empty. It's peculiar to not be concerned about a dinner time or whether Shane needs me to bring home anything from the store.

Yes, this is an adjustment for sure. So there may be children out there that get school supplies (Shane and I loved buying them!) or little gifts in the mail. That is my way of working through this empty nest and feeling like I can still be useful and nuturing. Gosh, can you believe that I sent Shane a box of fruit snacks a couple of weeks ago? He loves them, and in that simple gesture, I felt like I was doing something for him again! What a silly mom.

I hope that nest stays undisturbed all winter in our maple tree. I'd like to see the mama finch come back next year and start all over again!

Red, White, and Black

I love these three colors together. They are so bold and bring such a clean look to artwork. That's one of the reasons I wanted to participate in this week's Play Date challenge with the requirements of using these 3 colors.

As a sidenote, I will tell you these were my wedding colors 19+ years ago. I wore white, Jerry & his best man wore black with a touch of red in the cumberbunds, and my maid of honor wore a black lace dress. Our wedding was accented with red roses. Okay back to the card!

I used my scalloped nestabilities to make the hole in the front of the card. I also embossed the edges of the scalloped circles, but that is harder to see in the picture. I used my CTMH Soulmates stamp set for the hearts. To make the red pop, I stamped the hearts in Dazzle Versamark and then embossed them with cranberry embossing powder.

To make the clear buttons at the top match and stand out just a little bit more, I used liquid glass and black print paper. It's a great way to get those pretty buttons without paying a fortune! Just put a little liquid glass (or gloss accents/crystal effects) on the back of your buttons and place it on matching paper. It works as an adhesive. I then threaded the buttons with cranberry waxy flax. Of course, with these colors, you just must have rhinestones. Red sparkles gave the finishing touch to the card. Enjoy!

This is What I've Been Up to for a Couple of Days

I have been making cards the last couple of days for Share a Card. There are 22 women, 9 men, and 5 children that need cards for the Holiday Share a Card project. This is a service for people struggling with serious and terminal illness. You know I love making cards, so this is a WONDERFUL place to send them. Share a Card also features different people each month and share birthdays, so they can collect cards for them. I really like this organization because there is no need to send bulk cards. You can just send one at a time. The stories filled with optimism are are touching and compelled me to make cards.

Little Bit of Adam Lambert News

I was a fan of this kid (and I can say that because I am old enough to be his mother) during his whole run on American Idol. From his audition to the finale, I voted for him. Now those of you that know me, Adam Lambert's music would not necessarily be my taste. If you look in my CD player, you'll find 3 Michael Buble CD's, the new Harry Connick, Jr. CD, and Rod Stewart's classic CD (boy, can he sing "The Way You Look Tonight). And if I switch that out, it's usually for Steven Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns - love my praise music!

So this Adam Lambert music is unusual for me. However, he has a HUGE voice. Bigger than life voice. I also like the blend he seems to bring to rock and roll. Well enough of my opinion (as I give him a "10"), and on to the news.

If you go to Adam's website, you can watch the video for "Time for Miracles," the song he did for the upcoming movie "2012." They needed a huge voice to match that movie, and they got it! At the top left of the website, you can also listen to his new song, "For Your Entertainment." Kicky pop tune - love it! Looking forward to the release of his CD in a couple weeks - even if the cover is silly!

Wander

I was looking over some pictures I took of Jerry when we were up by Mille Lacs Lake. Truly sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words!

For this layout I used:

• CTMH Colonial White Cardstock as base
• Bo Bunny Flutter Butter paper & diecuts
• Making Memories Transparencies
• Bazzill Paper Flowers
• CTMH Organic & Fancy Pants All Fall Buttons
• CTMH Bamboo Waxy Flax
• Slice Cartridge "Think Pink" for letters

Wall Hanging & Matching Tin

I've been watching Netflix on my computer and putting some gifts together this afternoon. Jerry is settled in watching the Vikings/Packers game, so I am taking this chance to play freely in my craft room.

I don't know the last time I purchased a store-bought gift. You know, I really enjoy making things for the people in my life! Today I needed to make a gift for my niece. I pulled out a round DCWV tin that had a matching accordion album in it. Instead of making an album, I made Miss Miranda a wall hanging. What girl doesn't like seeing her name on the wall with flowers and glitter? I decorated the tin as well so that she can use that for little trinkets. That's a Prima flower on top of a diecut flower from my Slice. I used the sugar-coated paper from the MME Laundry Line. All kinds of other assorted accessories as well.

Now I'm thinking I need one for me for my craft room!