I Love Raccoon Creek

I really love going camping here in PA...so does Cookie! We have gone a few times and taken the dog and she has done so well I think we will take her from now on. She didn't bark at night at all the raccoons in the camp site and there was no whining...except a little from me...I constantly felt icky...like no matter how many times I brushed my teeth I felt I had grime all over me.
We stayed 2 nights and maybe that is too long to go without a shower especially if you go swimming in the lake!

We had great weather and a great site...we just missed friends. OK I know I am not a big fan of huge groups going camping together...but I really love it when we go with just one or two other families!

For the girls it is all about the food...I wonder where they get that from? Here is one of their favorite camping treats...The S'more! Special thanks goes out to Bryant Low for his uber cool method of melting the chocolate...it is yummy!
Cory is by far the best marshmallow roaster in the entire world...I am not exaggerating...it is a science and he has mastered it. One taste of his lightly toasted melted wonder and you would all agree!
Love and fireflies
One L

"How To" Blog

I have started another blog alteredartbyoneL.blogspot.com to showcase my crafts and have the occasional...or maybe...often... step by step...with pictures...how to make some of the crafts I show!
Look forward to my first craft in the next few days.
I really do miss teaching at the scrapbook store...I miss the fun people and all the lovely paper!
I will have a give away for the month of Aug...a FHE board...with tags!
Stay tuned
One L

Selling Out

I have decided to take my wares to "Handmade In America" and rent a little space and sell my stuff...well I have spoken to the lady who owns the store and we are ironing out the kinks so hopefully I will be selling my stuff at that store!
She already has jewelry so she may not let me sell my bracelets and earrings there but she totally wants my boxes and stars.
Here are pictures of some of the stuff I have been working on lately.










the cost of renting space and then the 14% commission they get I will have to pump up my prices! Have no fear I will still do things for friends at a discount!
Wish me luck!
One Entrepreneurial L

Happy 4th of July

In the past I have tried to take pictures of fireworks and of course they never turn out...somehow it always turns out looking like a space shot of the milky way. So when I forgot the camera I thought "no big deal" well I was wrong!
We went to the Bushman's house for a BBQ and after the sun went down they have a perfect view of the Mount Lebanon fireworks display from the comfort of their enormous backyard! We had so much fun...yes, even Cory had fun at a ward activity...I wish I had turned around and grabbed the camera.
Since there is no evidence that Cory did indeed go...and he had fun...you will all have to go on trust. Cory socialized, played frizbee and resisted the urge to "discipline" some little boys who will remain nameless (to protect the guilty).
Never in a million years would I invite the ward to my lovely home and let all those children run amuck, I must say there is a special place in Heaven for people like that!
The girls ran around and Dene loved on the babies...they could go to ward functions every day and life would be just blissful for them! I think they miss school, well the running around with other kids part of school...not so much the day to day homework part to school.
The fireworks were pretty good...the last part was impressive. We came home and the girls showered and we all hit the sack and crashed...now that's a sign of a good time!
Let me just finish my saying that I am glad I am raising my children in the USA. The freedoms they enjoy and the opportunities they have are unique to the States and I am grateful to the men and women who have fought to provide this future for them. I pray the United States of America will remain the land of the free and the home of the brave...forever!
Love and sparklers,
One L