I need photography lessons

I have been cross stitching. I had several projects that were done except for the over one part, which I hate. But I am getting better at it. As I get the over one done, I'll try to post a photo. The challenge is taking the photo. I can't get rid of shadows indoors or out....so, I've decided it's the camera and not the operator. Anyways, I have a couple more projects to finish up and get framed. And maybe I can get some ideas on taking better photos.

I'm off to find a garage sale since I cannot find a thing at the thrift stores around here and I don't want to do over one.

Are we going "Green" yet?

A week or so ago, my daughter, Deborah, posted a photo of her thrift store finds on facebook. She got a couple of so-so cute things and one really bad, ugly shelf. So, I decided to go thrifting myself just to show her what really cute things were. And wouldn't you know it, I found some dirty, but cute, bottles for her ugly shelf but nothing for me. Then she posted a photo from her second thrift trip and she got a darling white bowl. Somehow, for me, this now became a contest/challenge to find some thrift store goodies but I was failing miserably. Then today, I stopped by Goodwill to make a donation and -- you guessed it -- I had to park and go see what I could find. And $6.10 later this is what I had found. I'm sorry that I haven't mastered the flash on glass but wanted you to see anyways. The picture was $2, the jeans $3, the vase .25 cents and the blue ceramic tray .50 cents. The picture needs a new frame but the colors are so vibrant and I love flowers! I'm not sure what I will do with the vase but it just had to come home with me. The blue tray is for my daughter, Amy, because blue is her fave. It has a linen texture feel, she can put a candle on it or I see it in her bathroom holding perfume/jewelry and such. I have a super busy weekend but I hope to show you a "transformation" photo of a retro craft project with the grandma Levi jeans, so check back in a week or so. I still think I'm losing in the thrift hunt but the game isn't over yet. I hear there is a new consignment store in Cave City and I'm sure after this post Amy may be a contestant too. What a fun and inexpensive way to recycle.

Time Flies!

Wow, I can't believe it's been two months since my last post. So much has happened. First of all we have a new vehicle--a Nissan Xterra.

After more than 9 years and 218,000 miles it was time to retire my trusty, memory-filled Tahoe. She mostly sits in the driveway with an occasional trip to Walmart or the post office.

With the new "X" comes car payments, a speeding ticket (yes, I only had it three days and got one) and travel. Our first trip was to St. Louis. We met our youngest, Deborah and her hubby Jay for a long weekend with our dogs. We did a lot in 3 days: Budweiser Tour, the Gateway Arch, shopping, Ted Drewes Ice Cream, Trader Joes, and the dog park.



Me and Deb at the Budweiser Welcome Center.

Ellie, Gwen & Emmitt

Creamy Cactus Dip

[Story: sto·ry (stôr-e) An account or recital of an event or a series of events, either true or fictitious; A usually fictional prose or verse narrative intended to interest or amuse the hearer or reader; a tale.]

I have a little story to tell. I'm sure there are different versions but this is what I remember. We lived in Littleton, Colorado at the time. My daughter was in grade school and had to do a project and her theme was "Texas" (Isn't that precious?). She had her written report, wore a Texan outfit and wanted to take a Texas food to school to share. She found this recipe in "The Wild Wild West...Cuisine from the land of Cactus & Cowboys" by the Junior League of Odessa, TX Inc. c.1991.

It has been a family favorite ever since.

8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

8 ounces sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

4 sprigs fresh dill

4 green onions with the white tops removed*

Put all ingredients in the food processor and pulse until creamy. Refrigerate 4 hours before serving. Serve with chips or fresh veggies.

*Now for a second little story... I will never forget the day my friend Andrea asked me to chop some green onions. I was obediently doing it, or so I thought, when she glanced over and was shocked to see that I used the white tops and just an inch or so of the green part. She calmly said "No, no, we don't use the white part" and she whipped out her kitchen scissors and chopped up the teeniest little pieces of green onion you ever did see and put 'em in a bowl and said "That's why they're called green onions." Well, it made perfect sense to me and to this day I never use the white part of a green onion and smile fondly with a blessing for Andrea on my mind when I throw it out.

Well, I've decided that blogging isn't difficult but, my life is not exciting.

So with that warning I will tell you about my weekly trip to Bowling Green. I go to the chiropractor, Hobby Lobby, Kroger, and the Bark Park. Yep, it's a park for dogs and Gwen loves it. Smelling is the top priority followed by all the other dog socializing etiquette.



It is a very pretty park and you see all breeds of dogs. I find the owners are as unique as the dogs.

My grandpuppies have been here and loved it. I wish they could come back now that spring is here.

Come see me and I'll take you to the Bark Park!

With signs of spring and new beginnings for 2009 I have decided to celebrate by starting a blog. Don’t know what I’m doing, but hope to bring you happenings in my little world and share what I am doing with the time God has given me. The name, Shabby Princess comes from the fact that I'm a child of God, a royal lineage (I Peter 2:9) but sadly, I sin, mess up big time, but God redeems me! I look forward to making new friends and sharing all kinds of fun stuff. I have a lot to learn so check back often to see what's new.

To start here are some photos of spring flowers that Gwen, my boxer dog and I saw on our block-walk this morning. Blessings to you today!