Recently in Jeff & Tracy Category
It's been a beautiful week for hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Need a little something to lift your mood? Hot air balloons are just the ticket. As we wind through the final days of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, I've been busy snapping pics to share. I hope they brighten your day.
These are from Tuesday morning, 10/07/08. It was a bit hazy but sunny and blue skies.
Click thumbnails to view larger images in a pop-up window.
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Need a little something to lift your mood? Hot air balloons are just the ticket. As we wind through the final days of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, I've been busy snapping pics to share. I hope they brighten your day.
These are from Tuesday morning, 10/07/08. It was a bit hazy but sunny and blue skies.
Click thumbnails to view larger images in a pop-up window.
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Here are more from Thursday morning, 10/09/08:
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Close your eyes and drift away in a beautiful balloon...
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Can you imagine the sewing machine that stitched this? |
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Close your eyes and drift away in a beautiful balloon...
Well, it's always interesting and unusual around here; but last night was more unusual than usual.
Jeff went to take the dogs out last night for their last potty and there were OUT OF NOWHERE two immature ducks in our front yard. Grabbed the camera...snap, snap, snap...and...here they are:
H-E-L-L-O...we live in the desert. There are no ponds near us. City Zoning does not permit folks in our area to keep ducks as pets. The HOA certainly would not approve.
So...WHY do we have two baby ducks in our yard? Where did they come from? Where is their mama? A true mystery.
Well, they stayed all night. I was shocked to see them still there in the morning. I thought for sure the coyotes would have dined on ducky...but nope...there they were in the front yard.
Yes, there really are wild coyotes roaming around these parts...you don't leave small pets outside overnight if you want to keep them very long. Oh yeah...and all the piles of presents these pretty babies left on our front "welcome" mat!!!
So about 8 o'clock this morning a landscaper (working on a job across the street) knocks on our door. He asks if these are our ducks..."uh no"...and asks if he can have them because he has a place in the country not too far from us. "Uh...yeah...sure, sounds good."
LOL...never a dull moment.
Jeff went to take the dogs out last night for their last potty and there were OUT OF NOWHERE two immature ducks in our front yard. Grabbed the camera...snap, snap, snap...and...here they are:
H-E-L-L-O...we live in the desert. There are no ponds near us. City Zoning does not permit folks in our area to keep ducks as pets. The HOA certainly would not approve.
So...WHY do we have two baby ducks in our yard? Where did they come from? Where is their mama? A true mystery.
Well, they stayed all night. I was shocked to see them still there in the morning. I thought for sure the coyotes would have dined on ducky...but nope...there they were in the front yard.
Yes, there really are wild coyotes roaming around these parts...you don't leave small pets outside overnight if you want to keep them very long. Oh yeah...and all the piles of presents these pretty babies left on our front "welcome" mat!!!
So about 8 o'clock this morning a landscaper (working on a job across the street) knocks on our door. He asks if these are our ducks..."uh no"...and asks if he can have them because he has a place in the country not too far from us. "Uh...yeah...sure, sounds good."
LOL...never a dull moment.
This morning I took my daughter, Natalie, down to the Albuquerque MEPS station for the last time. She was sworn in to the US Coast Guard Active Duty, signed the contract and we said good-bye. She's on her way to Cape May, New Jersey for the next 8 weeks of Basic Training.
It's hard to say goodbye and let her go.
I'm so proud of all her work these last several months. She lost almost 30 pounds and she's become a much stronger and confident and thoughtful young woman.
I know she's going to have some tough days ahead...but I believe in my heart that she will be just fine.
I miss her already.
Meet Ginger, the most recent addition to our family. Ginger is a "rescued" female English Bulldog.
My gut feeling is that Ginger was being used in a puppy mill setting...her eyes are so sad. While she stayed at Animal Welfare (before she entered Bulldog Rescue), she was spayed, received some treatment for her eyes and a mammary tumor was removed. She has dry eye and she will need eye treatments for the rest of her life.
When she came to us, she was terrified of small spaces and very shy about walking through doorways. She appears to have had multiple litters even though the vet estimates she is only 5 years old. I truly think she is probably younger (maybe as young as 3) -- she still acts so much like a puppy in her curiosity, agility and energy levels.
Ginger is very sweet but extremely needy and starved for attention. She's still learning manners, but she is a good student. She loves to walk with me in the mornings and after dinner. After "eating" her 2nd favorite activity is to take naps while I practice quilting and work on the website, etc.
If you're looking for a dog, please consider checking with your favorite breed's local "rescue" group. There are so many wonderful fur babies out there that need love and deserve a break.
My gut feeling is that Ginger was being used in a puppy mill setting...her eyes are so sad. While she stayed at Animal Welfare (before she entered Bulldog Rescue), she was spayed, received some treatment for her eyes and a mammary tumor was removed. She has dry eye and she will need eye treatments for the rest of her life.When she came to us, she was terrified of small spaces and very shy about walking through doorways. She appears to have had multiple litters even though the vet estimates she is only 5 years old. I truly think she is probably younger (maybe as young as 3) -- she still acts so much like a puppy in her curiosity, agility and energy levels.
Ginger is very sweet but extremely needy and starved for attention. She's still learning manners, but she is a good student. She loves to walk with me in the mornings and after dinner. After "eating" her 2nd favorite activity is to take naps while I practice quilting and work on the website, etc.
If you're looking for a dog, please consider checking with your favorite breed's local "rescue" group. There are so many wonderful fur babies out there that need love and deserve a break.
Nick (photo center, age 22) is active duty Coast Guard stationed in Southern California. Natalie (photo right side, age 20) is preparing to enlist in the Coast Guard very soon. Since Nick left for USCG Basic Training (2 years ago this coming June), we haven't seen him or had any opportunities to get together. We were thrilled with a rather unexpected visit from him this week.
Nick's sudden visit meant no sewing, quilting, or special project time for me this week, but it was wonderful to spend time together. It was one of those times you realize will not come around again. I am sew very thankful.
Nick's sudden visit meant no sewing, quilting, or special project time for me this week, but it was wonderful to spend time together. It was one of those times you realize will not come around again. I am sew very thankful.
Well, I did it! I made it to graduation. I learned so much and had a blast. Stay tuned this year for "sharing segments" on what I learned.
Here are a couple pictures of Bob & Heather presenting the Diploma. What a proud moment!
Here are a couple pictures of Bob & Heather presenting the Diploma. What a proud moment!
After a long 10+ hour drive, I made it back home. I'm excited and exhausted, but looking forward to catching my breath and sharing more with you.
Click here for a printable PDF -- this file requires a RECENT version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for FREE at adobe.com.
Gingersnap Cookies
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup granulated white sugar (for rolling
dough balls)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325°.
- Cream together butter, brown sugar, molasses
and egg in a large mixing bowl.
- In 3 separate additions to the creamed mixture,
sift flour, baking soda salt ginger and cinnamon. Make certain to mix dough completely.
- Form dough into 1" - 1 ½" balls.
- Roll dough balls in granulated sugar until
evenly coated.
- Place sugar-coated dough balls on un-greased
cookie sheet. Make certain to space
2" - 3" between balls of dough.
- Bake approximately 10 minutes. Centers should still be soft
looking.
- Cool slightly before removing from cookie
sheet.
- YUMMMY...enjoy at least 1 warm cookie sample.
Hint: Gingersnaps have a tendency to
get crunchy after they cool and begin to age. I like them crunchy to dunk in coffee. But if you prefer to keep gingersnaps
somewhat soft, it is helpful to store them in a sealed plastic container with a
slice of bread. The slice of bread will
become hard/stiff...but it will help the cookies remain soft.
Meet Dozer, the reindeer doggy:
Dozer says, "Rudolph may be famous, but...COME ON...you know I'm the *cutest* reindeer doggy of them all."
Yes, it's true! We were married 10 years ago today. He's my love and partner for life. He's the best!
I started Sew Thankful over 7 years ago. About 5 years ago Jeff began working with me full time. Jeff is our Vice-President in charge of shipping, order processing, inventory management (and more). Many of you may have emailed or chatted with Jeff over the years. It is our dream to continue to develop Sew Thankful and serve sew-ers, quilters and fiber artists world-wide to the best of our abilities for many years to come. We are very excited about the future, new products, new techniques and wonderful possibilities.
Here's a glimpse at us 10 years ago:
Click here to see more recent pictures (Summer 2007).
It's a dog's life, but somebody has to live it! Dozer is a sweetheart. He is a full bred English Bulldog we adopted through Bulldog Rescue this summer.
If you're looking for a great dog (or any animal pet), I highly encourage you to check into your local rescue groups.
He's about 8 years old and he has a couple of health issues with his teeth and ears, but he just loves to be loved. His favorite treat is any kind of CHICKEN and his favorite activity is snoring.
He's our sweet guy.
