Wanderful

I'm super excited about this recent project! I got an order for a special star wand! It needed to look vintage, have green and gold, and be princess-ish!

I think this fits the description!



Dynamo was a super big help on this one. He cut some styrofoam in the shape of my star as a filler to give it depth. I have some ideas, thanks to him, for more in the future. So, stay tuned!

And, check out the great Scrabble pieces dangling on the wand! I wanted there to be a special personal touch.



Isn't the tag great? I dug out my heat gun and embossing powder, which I should use more often, because gold is so princess-like! And, I think my best purchase ever from Stampin' Up! was the Jumble Alphabet stamp set.

Vintage birds

I love vintage looking birds!



Don't you?



I wanted to send a hello card and a birthday card last week. I think they turned out nice and vintage!





The birds are from Stampin' Up! as is the most of the paper! The others are from various places!

Happy Tuesday!

Mountain Bike Monday - Enough Already!

Ok, so in the past 6 rides we've seen snakes 5 times! I'm convinced it's me and not those that ride with us! I tell everyone if they want to see a snake then hang around me! I'm a snake magnet! YIKES!

So, on our ride Saturday with MBM we were finishing up the last leg of the Lakeview Trails at Poco and all of a sudden MBM hollars to me to "get your camera ready!" He came upon a GIANT AMAZON-sized black snake on the trail. So, what do I do? I sent Dynamo up ahead to get the photo!



He was slithering away from us as Dynamo was trying to get a pic of him as proof for the "contest."



As we were getting ready to move onward the snake coiled up halfway as to let us know he was finished posing for pics and it was time for us to move on! No pictures of that, but it was then that I really got to see how mean and big he was!

Just look how thick his body is...



We headed on our way! I crossed the creek!!! And, we decided to ride some more! So, we headed over to tackle the blue and green trails!

After rolling through the blue, MBM headed back to the truck and we did the green trail! I was feeling pretty good and strong! I think I'm finally getting my nutrition issues down pat. After we refilled our camelbaks at the water fountain, Dynamo asked if I wanted to check out the Nature Center. We've ridden at the Park so many times, but have never gone inside the Center. We've only peeked through the window!

Inside we found two very nice staffers! They told us some interesting facts about the creatures. They even offered for us to hold the snakes, but we declined! They look so harmless in the tank!



And, check out Snaperella, the snapping turtle!



She was quite calm and the Park guy said that she has never tried to bite him.



They told us the snake we saw was likely a rat snake, and to not be afraid. They only strangle their prey and likely wouldn't bite. As if I wanted to get close enough to find out!

The Nature Center was really neat. You can even have a birthday party there!



So, at the end of the ride we had completed 25 miles! I was pleased. It was a lovely morning out on the trails with my Dynamo and our friend MBM. I can definitely see improvement in my riding. I'm more balanced and comfortable than ever!

Lastly...the reason this post is entitled "Enough Already" is because of what happened to Dynamo and I this morning. Yesterday, I noticed the mom and dad bluebird making a big fuss around the yard and their house (built by Dynamo attached to a tree by our driveway). I just ignored them because there was a lot of commotion from the birds and critters yesterday. We were outside working in the yard and it just seemed like they were more active than usual.

Well, this morning when I went out to walk Lexi I stopped by the birdhouse to check it out and noticed a little head sticking out of the hole on the front. As I approached I noticed it wasn't the head of a bluebird, but instead that of a snake. So, I ran back into the house yelling for Dynamo! That darn snake had eaten the bluebird eggs! No wonder the mom and dad were carrying on in such a fuss yesterday! They couldn't do anything to protect their babies! I understand that it is nature's way, but it really breaks my heart!

So, enough with the snakes already! We've seen enough!!! Dynamo said that this "contest" is not one he wants to win. Me either!

A mossy "H" made-to-order

So, my college roommate, Melissa, made a slight little suggestion to me on her blog in early April. She hinted that she would love to have a giant moss covered initial letter for her front door. She wanted to make one, but wanted me to try it out first! Well, after a trip to the fabulous JoAnn's store in Richmond (they have the big stores there) I came back with a giant letter and moss. Here was the result...

The "H" if for her last name, not mine, silly! Yes, this was the trial run on our front door before packaging and shipment.

I think it turned out just lovely if I do say so myself!

Since this was a trial, I'll tell you first off that the moss stuff makes a big mess! Instead of working outside like I should have, I did so inside with the vacuum right next to me. Lexi wasn't quite sure what was going on!

Dynamo bought me hanger things to attach to the back. I opted to use ribbon to hang it with, but she can choose to use whatever works for her, or no ribbon at all. Dynamo was such a sweetie to help me package it up so it would arrive safely in South Carolina! He built these little styrofoam blocks to glue to the box as supports to help protect it if the post office decided to get wild and throw heavy boxes on top!

All 3 pounds were sent off as a surprise! I think it will look great on her door. It just kinda blends in with ours...must be the green house!

Wedding mini book

Back in April we attended my cousin's wedding in Maryland. It was absolutely lovely. I wanted to put something handmade and special together for her of the photos I took. I also wanted a way to keep some of the special momentos together for her in the future.

Remember the messy floor...

Well, that became this...

And, the other side of the book...

I was looking for the perfect paper to create this accordian fold mini book, and when I didn't find what I was looking for, I simply went through my stash of shopping bags. I found this lovely black and white floral one. I took it apart, folded according to instructions I found in one of my how to make a book books, and ta da!!

I chose to use the colors of her wedding: black, pink, and teal! I just love black and white photos!

On the front and back sides of the covers, I used wine bottle corks from the wedding. She had used them in a very unique way. She cut them in half, cut a slit in the curved side, and inserted place cards. Fabulous idea! So, they were the perfect clasp to hold the book together along with a rope like string. I chose this because it reminded me of the beach and the rope you use to tie a boat to the dock.

So, here's more of the inside...

She had on these beautiful pink heels with her dress! They matched her mom's dress. You can't tell in these photos, but trust me! The minute I saw them I knew I was going to edit the picture to make it black and white with the only color being on the pink shoes! So fabulous!

In this next photo I used the table number card on our table because it was her "family" table.

And, on the other side of the accordian book there was a pocket on each page to hold special papers, etc. from the event. In the first pockets I placed the invitation, the welcome message in our hotel bags, and a map of the area.

And, on the last page I put the menu from dinner along with the interior envelope which held our invitation. Inside that envelope I put a CD with all the photos I took from the weekend.

So, I'm not really sure what she'll do with the book, but I wanted her to have something special from us! It was kinda like a giant card!

Mountain Bike Monday - Close Encounters

I hope you all had a wonderful long Memorial Day weekend! We sure did! We got in two long bike rides at the Park and encountered several creatures! But, before we get to the weekend, last Thursday we took a ride at Poco on the Lakeview Trails! We encountered a nice long black snake just chillin' on the side of the trail. He was about the mid-point of Lakeview Too! I caught a glimpse of something black out of the corner of my eye and turned to see this guy!

Well, after that I decided maybe we'd jump out onto some fireroads and explore a new section of the park. We found another road that led to the lake.

On our way back to the car, we encountered this little guy, who seemed to be struggling to get up a pretty steep bank. So, we helped him along!

The ride was good and we had a nice time riding and looking around! I honestly forgot how many miles we completed, but I'm guessing it was about 13!

So, on Saturday, with the long weekend here and knowing we could get two great rides in, we met MBM at the park and hit the Lakeview Trails first!

With less than a half mile to go I was riding along (second in line - my previously planned new position in the riding order) and all of a sudden a black snake darted out from underneath a log right in front of me. I hit the breaks really hard and as he came to almost meet his fate by my front tire, he swerved to go around just in time to be saved! According to Dynamo and MBM I screamed so loud the people at the pool could hear me! That was honestly the closest I've ever been to one of those things. He was honestly just as scared as I was. I could tell! So, after I composed myself, I yelled to Dynamo saying, "hurry, we gotta get his picture so we can send it to Mario!" Remember, Mario and I are in a little competition to see who can find the most wildlife (must be documented by photo or video to count).

Dynamo managed to get this guy's picture before he headed off under another log!

My heart didn't stop racing for a while!!

So, after completing Lakeview, Dynamo and I wanted to continue on over to the Blue Trail. On our way we encountered a giant turtle in the middle of the fireroad.

He really didn't want to pose for his picture to be taken. We tried! He was the biggest turtle we'd ever seen out at the park. Awesome!!

We completed our Saturday ride logging in 22 miles, about 18 of them singletrack! Good ride!

We took a break on Sunday and enjoyed the time at home! But, yesterday we were back out there again riding!! This time we tackled the Blue and Green Trails and then went over to the Forest Exploration Trail. On our way to the Blue and Green, we encountered another big turtle!! He was trying to get up the hill too!

Dynamo got this closeup!

While on Forest Exploration, we saw this creature!

And, after snapping some photos of that snake (again, for Mario), we traveled onward on the Fendley Station Loop! Dynamo and I wanted to check out the creek crossing again, so we did. The water was pretty low. I was hoping it would be cool! But, it wasn't! Honestly, as hot as it was I wouldn't have minded if I fell in since I was soooooo hot!!! My feet got a little damp after crossing, but no big deal!

As we made the circle back around we finished another great ride logging in 19 miles!

I've enjoyed our rides together! It's fun looking for wildlife and checking out the Park, especially since there's a contest involved now! I feel like I'm getting stronger every day. I'm able to go over obstacles a lot easier now. I'm able to ride harder and longer. All of this is because my trainer, Dynamo, has taken the time to teach me!!! He's been so patient and helpful!!

So, to sum it up...In our last 4 rides we've encountered 4 snakes and 3 turtles! Lots of squirrels too, but they don't count!

Dance Recital Recap

Last Friday night we went to see our adopted niece, Jordan, perform in her dance recital! She was a star!!

She is so funny...

Here are the two sisters together...

We're so grateful to have such wonderful friends and two wonderful nieces!