Facebook FP

Check out my facebook fp and become a fan.  I am new very to facebook fp, but am working on it.

Etsy Team

I am a proud member of handmadeMN team on etsy.  Check out our website at: www.handmademn.bing.com.  We have a monthly drawing. Visit our website for details.

 

Philomenia House

On Saturday, The Co-Directors (Joyce and Bernie), Secretary(Geralyn) and Treasurer(myself) of Philomenia House LLC, met to discuss the duties of the officers and finalize the list of officers. We had a guest join us. After introductions, we discovered our guest and I went to high school together. (Small world).



A little background on Philomenia House LLC: Philomenia House is a non-profit organization working to provide homes for women in crisis pregnancies. It is an expansion of the "Little House" project. The "Little House" is owned by Geralyn. It was purchased in July 2002 and after 9 months (Geralyn pointed out the time frame) the house was ready for the first tenent. We have been blessed with many new families through this project.



The hope of Philomenia House is to provide a home for pregnant women, who need a temporary place to live.

HandmadeMN Give Away

I have been very busy the last couple days working on my shop www.maryellenscrafts.etsy.com One of the many things I have done, I am a proud member of the HandmadeMN Team. We have started a monthly give away. Please check out it out: http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/07/handmademn-giveaway-palettepassion.html

Enter to win. Also check all the members shop. Their links are on the left side bar.

Good luck!!!

Road Trip

If you are ever in the Black Hills, be sure to check out Iron Mountain Road. It is 17 miles long, with one lane bridges and tunnels. We took this on our way to Hot Springs. Iron Mountain Road winds thru the Black Hills. There are couple places you can pull off to take increditible pictures. Tho they are at different angles and distances, you are eye level with Mount Rushmore. We drove this route to get to Hot Springs, but I warn you, it is not just the 17 miles of this road, but you end up in Custer State Park. Now we just driving through so we didn't have to buy the pass for the park. There are several signs warning about the animals roam freely and do not approach the buffalo, they are dangerous. Ok, so I was thinking it must be like the deer crossing signs we see here and never see a deer. Wrong!!! We came around a corner to a meadow and there was a buffalo walking. He didn't notice us. It was sad to see him, he was walking very slow and his head was down. We were trying to figure out why he was alone. Was he too old or sick and the others left him or kicked him out of the herd to die???

A couple meadows later we found a herd of about 30-40. One was taking his old sweet time getting across the road. Great picture opportunity!!!! We also saw elk and deer as well.

After driving a remarkable 70 miles, we were still in Custer State Park. There was only one place we could exist the area, but it would take us back to Keystone. Not where we were heading.

Anyway, take the long road and enjoy the scenery, but don't take it if you are in a hurry, you don't want to miss the wonders God has put here for us to enjoy in our great country.

Road Trip

Friday was a fun filled day. We took the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone. The round trip was 2 hours long. The train rocked gently back and forth made us very relaxed. It was beautiful seeing this side of the mountains. When we returned to Hill City we had a little something to eat and walked around Hill City. Then we drove to Keystone and of course Mount Rushmore to do somemore eating, walking and shopping. It was great to get some Christmas shopping done.

Road Trip - Continued

Our trip started about 8:30 am on Thursday, July 9th. I am hoping to have my pictures from the trip downloaded tonight so I can share some of them with you. We stopped in Owatonna, MN for breakfast and continued out to the Black Hills. The second season is also going strong in SD - road construction. Between here and the Black Hills, we hit 3 different sections of road construction. The first was 17 miles long, the second was 23 miles, the third not sure but after a while they all seem to go on forever.

When we started out the weather was a little chilly, but as we got closer to the Black Hills, it started to warm up. It was in the 80's and sunny. We made a quick stop in Wall, SD to get a homemade donut. These are not your ordinary donuts. They are thick and very good. As it was getting late, we were in a hurry to get to our hotel. That night as I layed in bed, thankful for the safe travel and good weather, I heard the start of a thunderstorm and prayed it would be over by the time we headed out in the morning.

Road Trip

Dad and I got back from our 5 day road trip last night. It was great!!!!! We went to the Black Hills in South Dakota, down into Nebraska, across Nebraska to Dixon, NE, where his dad was born and lived for 17 years, then to West Bend, IA, to see the Grotto of the Redemption, then home. Lots of windshield time, but a lot more fun. We had great weather and good roads. Ok we did have some road construction. Thanksfully it was going out to the Black Hills. The first stretch was 17 miles (felt like 30) the second stretch was 23 miles and I believe there was another one in there too. Of course we also hit road construction on 35 back here in MN. I will try to share more of our trip in the coming days.

Christmas in July Sale

On your mark, get set shop!!!! It's here Christmas in July Sale. There are many many shops at www.etsy.com doing a Christmas in July Sale. The sale runs from Wednesday, July 8th thru Thursday, July 23rd. A great time to get a jump start on your Christmas shopping and get in a some great deals.

Go to www.etsy.com click on the drop down box and select "All Items", type in Christmas in July or cij. Click Search. This will bring up all the shops participating in the site wide sale. Enjoy. Find something to treat yourself. You deserve it!!!!!

Christmas in July Sale

Good Morning everyone!!!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July. We had a great one. Yard work is done and had a great picnic on Sunday. Lots of food and good friends.

This Wednesday is the start of Christmas in July Sale on Etsy. The sale runs from Wednesday, July 8th thru Thursday, July 23rd. There are many shops participating in this sale. Each shop determines what their sale will be. Get a head start on your Christmas shopping. Go to www.etsy.com , in the search box type in christmas in july or cij to get see all the shops involved in this sale.

Have a great day!!!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!!!! Safe travel everyone!!!!

Happy Birthday America!! One nation under GOD!!!

God bless America!!!

Learning

They say we continue to learn every day of our lives. I believe that. For example today I learned how to add my etsy shop to my blog. My sisters have given my many times to learn, tho I don't think they realize that. You see, my sisters own houses. There is always work to be done around a home. I'm not just talking about cleaning. They have had their homes for several years and in the case of one, many years. Over the years we have learned to tape, mud, sand and paint walls and ceilings. I have learned to rewire lights and many other tasks.

This past week my sister and I have been working on her project house. She purchased the home about 6-7 years ago. It is used for women in crisis pregencies. The third family that has lived there purchased a home of their own in May. We are sorry to see them leave the neighborhood, but am happy for them. During our work to get it ready for the tenent, we had two new learning experiences: replacing screens in combination windows and replace linoleum. The linoleum needed to replaced on the counter top (thankfully is was a small area), a cabinet next to the stove and the entry way into the house using the back door. As I said this is not something I have ever done before. The countertop and entry way were the most challenging, I am greatful they were both small spaces. They entry had the extra learning opportunity as you step up on either side of the space. One way into the kitchen, the other into the bathroom. We layed the linoleum up both steps.

Always remember, we never quit learning and we are never too old to learn. Enjoy all your learning opportunities. You may be very surprised!!!! Have a great day111