When Did Squirrels Get So Smart???

We have an acorn tree right outside our back door.  We have lived her for at least 20 years and have always had a load of squirrels.  No problems ever with them.  We have this squirrel now that just has me baffled. 
One day this summer I was playing hide-go-seek with my 6 year old granddaughter.  I ran to the back yard and stood behind the tree.  All of a sudden these nuts started falling all around me and one hit me on the head.  I looked up and there was this squirrel tossing down these nuts at me.  He did not want me standing by (his) tree. 

We have patio furniture out there and were eating with the grandkids and he did the same thing, started throwing down nuts at us.  Now he thinks he owns the backyard.

I also have been fighting with him because I have a clothes line tied between two trees, of course, one of those trees is (his).  I have seen him chewing through the line and I go back out and tie it back up.  Twice he has done this.   Now this morning I see it is down again and this time, he just untied my knot!!!!!!!



He is smarter than the average squirrel,  maybe we should invite him for Thanksgiving?  Anyone else have a smart squirrel???  If not I will send you mine and just so he knows, that is still "MY" tree not his!!  I am going right back out and hooking up my clothesline!  When it gets really cold and snowy out though, I saved some nuts for him in my stash to keep him going through the winter, just in case he did not pack enough away!


This post is by Cynthia Dickerson

Crazy Ribbon Flip Flops

As some of you know two of my granddaughters are really into gymnastics.  They practice for three hours almost everyday.  They are starting their competitions this weekend and my daughter, Tara,  asked me to make these flip flops to wear with their gymnastic outfits.


Here is a picture, it would probably be a little easier to see if I had a tiny foot to put into them, but this will have to do.  They are made with all kinds of different ribbons cut to around 8-10 inches.  Then you just tie them on around the flip flop.  The more different types of ribbons you have the cuter they are.  I have never made them before.  My other daughter, April, stopped over and fell in love with them.  She wants them for her girls in every color.  That probably won't be happening, unless I can find cute ribbon at a better price.  Now it was worth it for my two daughter's competition, but I don't know if it is for everyday.  The shoes were $5.00 a pair at Old Navy and the ribbons probably added up to about, at least, $15.00. 

My Spice Cabinet Just Had To Go!!!

I don't know about you, but every time I opened my spice cabinet, which usually is everyday,  I would have to dig around for what I needed and at least three things would fall to the floor. 

I have been watching on the Internet and it seems like all the ladies are getting this area straightened up.  Now it was my turn.  Here is what I am dealing with, probably shouldn't even show you this.

I have large containers from Sam's Club and plastic containers from the Pumpkin Seed and then the usual.  It is those little Tone containers that usually land on the floor. 

I have had this old shelf down in the basement that was in my father-in-laws barn which I have kept for years waiting for the right opportunity to use it.  I knew it would be perfect for my new spice rack.  I talked my husband into staining it to match my kitchen and hanging it on the wall for me. I told him to make it extra strong because it was going to hold a lot of jars!   Now I love to decorate country, so don't be shocked when it see its ruff condition.

I bought two different sizes of canning jars.  Try to find those now that they are out of season!!  After traveling to several stores, I managed to get the number of jars that I needed.  Next, I worked on how I was going to label the jars.  I thought of getting chalkboard labels and writing on them, but I was afraid they would not stick since there is not a smooth side on these jars.  Next, I thought about embroidering something with my sewing machine and even creating tags to hang on the jars. 

I was talking with my niece, Becca, because she is an avid scrapbooker and we finally hit on something much more simple.  I used a paint pen.  This would be so much simpler and much cheaper and I already had the pen on hand, so I could get started right away.

I finished it up this morning and first, here are all my empty containers.

 And here is what my new spice rack looks like!  I just love it! 

What do you think?  I might add some lace doilies in here, I will have to play around with the decorations.  Well, I better go! Now I feel like cooking!!!!!!!!!  Cindy



Written By Cynthia Dickerson