~ This Past Weekend ~

This past weekend, Ken and I along with two other couples whom are good friends of ours, went up to Clarkdale, Arizona to board the Verde Canyon Railride. I had done this day trip about twelve years ago and remember that it was simply splendous, especially at this time of the year.

The day was in the mid 70's, clear, crisp and cool as we traveled aboard the train's historic trip along the Verde River. As you can see, from the photos, it is teaming with trees, wildlife, and endless beauty. Surely, this is the most beautiful place to be blessed to live in, this awesome, diverse state of Arizona.

~ Linda

~ Keira & Kaely ~

Things have been quite busy in my life since becoming a Grandma. I go and help out with the girls a few times a week and I devour every single, precious moment that I spend with them. Now I know what it means to be a doting grandma, for sure.

Hope that you like the picture of the "girls". They are even cuter in person.

~ Love, Linda

~ Fall's Harvest ~

Here it is, the end of September with Fall on our minds...the summer finally coming to an end for this year...and, indeed, what a year this has been!

My little sister Angela, my nephew Thomas and her fiance Rich came to visit Arizona. We all met at our home in Prescott and had a wonderful time as family with my DH Ken and our two doggies, Sean and Bebe. It was a full house!

We cooked ate and toured the Prescott area and found some lovely places to make memories. We went to the Heritage Park Zoo and strolled around downtown and simply enjoyed ourselves at home in the cool temps of the High Country.

We visited with family far and wide in Arizona. My sister and I have an aunt in Sun City and met with her for dinner one evening. My son Joseph, his fiance Becky and all of us came together for a BBQ one Saturday evening where my DH made his famous rub for flank steak.

And, of course, we went to see "The Girls", Keira and Kaely. The new family are doing fine and I enjoy visiting and helping out with feeding, changing and loving them up.

So, you see. all of the Love that has grown this year has just blossomed exponentially from family and friends. I am in awe as Autumn approaches and we count our Blessings this season.

Love to All...
Linda

~ The Girls Have Arrived! ~

Last evening I had the blessed opportunity to welcome into this world my two adorable granddaughters Keira Kathleen who weighed 4 lbs. 7 oz. and Kaely Kathryn who weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. They were born at 9:08 and 9:09 PM at Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital here in Arizona. My son Artie and dear daughter in law Angie are the happy parents and everyone is doing fine. The girls are like little dolls, I got to see them shortly after their birth.

This afternoon I am planning on visiting the happy family and taking some photos of everyone. I will post them later.

Love,
Linda

~ Blue Fantasy Dress Card ~

Blue Fantasy Dress was created for my monthly Dine n Swap group this month. I Love this dress stamp and had to use it for swapping and sharing with my fellow card making enthusiasts. Please enjoy!
Love,
Linda

~ Today ~

This past weekend has been amazing. My sister and I own a home in Prescott, Arizona and I spent Saturday through Tuesday there, getting it ready for her visit when she arrives Saturday September 6 with her significant other and son, my favorite nephew, Thomas.

Being up in the "High Country" as it is known here in Arizona is so very different than living anywhere in the entire world. Prescott is a small town, and definitely has its' own character and flavor. There is a town square where people gather at differing times of the day for various purposes. Along the parameters are shops and restaurants to wander in and out of and through and catch a bite to eat or a drink to quench one's thirst.

The air is crisp, clean and invigorating to all of one's senses and I definitely got that feeling for having been there for a slightly extended stay this time.

This past Tuesday, I met my dear friend Nancy for lunch at the Victorian Tea Room which is located near town. Upon entering, I immediately caught her eye and was also delightfully captured by the ambiance that the tea room exuded.
The food and company were most memorable and I hope to visit there and have lunch and tea with friends, old and new in the not too distant future.

Just thought that I would share some of my in state get away time with you all.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

God Bless,
Linda

~ Approaching August ~

As the month of August approaches and July rests itself into the recesses of our memories, let me say that this July was a truly memorable one in my life.
My little sister and I purchased a home together in the High Country, Prescott, Arizona where the air is cleaner, cooler and fresher than here in the Valley of the Sun. We are busily pulling this home together in anticipation of her moving here permanently within the next three years.

There are a few new stamping and paper crafting stores in Prescott that I have visited and plan to take classes at some point in the near future. I look forward to expanding my crafty friends circle to encompass some new ladies up north.

In July I created some cards for a swap with my Dine n Swap friends which the theme for the month was paper embroidery. I cleverly incorporated some leaf embroidery into the rubber stamped part of the card entitled "For You".

Thank you for visiting my blog and I wish you much happiness in whatever it is that your heart desires and your travels take you.

~Linda

~ Twin Girls Grandma ~

Sometime this August I am going to be blessed with two grandgirls. I have never been more excited in my life, except for having my two sons and marrying my DH.

Tomorrow is my son Artie and his wife Angie's baby celebration party. All of the family is invited to attend, men, women and children. That is wonderful! I went shopping yesterday at Babies R Us and had no clue as to what I was looking for, it has been so very long for me to shop for baby items. I love the baby smell from the lotions and creams and diapers.

Anyway, I created a card for them, cased from my Big Sis from Splitcoast Stampers. I can not give her dur credit, because I do not know who she is exactly, except that she has a nickname of "Peanut".

Oh, also, I recently purchased a Cricut. I LOVE it! No more scissors, punches, ... I made the little babies and the LOVE word from it.

Hope that you share in some of my enthusiasm.

Love,
Linda

~ June News ~

Happy Stamping to all of my stamping friends...I have begun to branch out from exclusively creating cards to...drumroll please...a mini scrapbook, yes that is right...I finally did it!!! And I really enjoyed doing it too.

Also, I madea note card stamp set with a tote to match. I will post these items at a later date.

Today my sister Angela and I celebrate our purchase of a vacation home in the beautiful city of Prescott, Arizona. I have forever loved Prescott fromt the first time I visited there when I moved to Phoenix just over sixteen years ago. Every time I would visit Prescott, I would glance at the swiss chalets as I drove into town. The home that my sister and I purchased is a much more than anticipated dream. We both are looking forward to making many special memories in the not too distant future when our families will be gathering up in the cool hills and valleys of one of Arizona's most picturesque cities. More news to follow in future postings.

Other than that, all is well...My DH and I will be vacationing towards the end of this month in beautiful Telluride, CO where the Wine Festival will be taking place. This will be our third year of escaping the desert degrees of dire temperatures to the cool mile high pine topped mountains of Telluride to savor foods and wines from around the world.

TTFN ~ Linda

~ Happy May ~

This month is my favorite month of the year. It began with my attending a "Rush" concert with my oldest son Artie. We had a great time! The music was awesome too. One would never know that the band was in their late 50's. They all put on a spectaular performance. The drummer went for nearly 30 minutes solo and the guitarists, I have not heard anything worth listening to on the radio lately, but this group and the whole experience was great!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. It will be the first time that I am not able to celebrate with my dear mom, call her up and send her a card. I am very sad about that. However, something wonderful is happening...my little sister, Angela and I are becoming closer...I am very excited about this! We are buying a vacation home in Prescott, AZ.

Also, I am going to take on the title of "Grandma" sometime in late August of this year. My son Artie and his wife Angie are having twin girls!! I am very excited about having two little granddaughters to spoil with girly, girl things.

As for paper crafting, card making, I have been busy in that area also. Made some cards utilizing the crayon resist technique. Today I created some cute "Cupcake" cards, just for fun.

So, you see, life has its' ups and downs, it is all good.
All for now...

~ Linda ~

~ Happy New Year ~

Hello to all of my fellow stamping/card crafting friends out there!

This will most surely be the year of all years, I can just tell by all of the excitement that has crossed over into the New Year.

There are many, many new projects to work on so far for my Splitcoaststamper Divine Secret Sister Group, my Dine n Swap Group, an online community: Stephaniessecretsisters and so much more...classes, crops and shopping.

My Chateau de Papier studio is pretty much settle for now, we will see how long that lasts, as new ideas come forth, I purchase new stamps, paper and other toys.

Got to go now and work on some cards for birthdays, swaps and special occasions...who knows...one of you may be my next RAK :)

Take care,

Linda