Some of my photos...

This is what I have been up to lately...I finished yet another quarter at Everett Community College.  These photos are from the Photoshop class that I took.  I presented them on Monday night as my final project.

We were supposed to find a theme for our project and of course we start in the middle of the 3 week long rain that we had in November.  So my theme became "Raindrops".

You work with what you have in this area.

I really enjoyed my time in this class and it has inspired me to keep going.

With love,

Not that I am a big YOU TUBE fan, but with all of my friends that are involved with Breast Cancer Awareness, I thought that this might be kind of fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

With love,

Another way to share for Christmas...

When doing your Christmas cards this year,
take one card and send it to this address.

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue NW

Washington D.C. 20307-5001

If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, special, courageous people who have sacrificed so much would get. When you are making out your Christmas card list this year please include one to a very special soldier.

If you approve, please pass this along.

With love,

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Enjoy your day no matter how big or small the crowd.

I read this in Dear Abby the other day and I want to share it will all of you.

Oh, Heavenly Father,

We thank you for food and remember the hungry.

We thank thee for health and remember the sick.

We thank thee for freedon and remember the enslaved.

May these rememberances stir us to service,

That thy gifts to us may be used for others.

Amen.

With love,

A way to say Thank you!

This is just in time for the holidays...

XEROX  IS DOING SOMETHING COOL
   
If you go to this web site,  www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out  a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a  soldier that is currently serving in Iraq .  You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the  armed services.
   
How AMAZING it would be if we could  get everyone we know to send one!!!    It is FREE and it  only takes a second.
   
Wouldn't it be wonderful if  the soldiers received a bunch of these?     Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over  there need to know we are behind them.  
   
This takes just 10 seconds and  it's a wonderful way to say thank you.     Please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's.  
   
Thanks for taking to time to  support our military!

Thank you!

Thank you to all those Men and Women that have sacrificed to protect the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. Some gave all.

We attended a Veteran's Day program one day in Lake Steven's a few years ago. It was touching. If you have an opportunity in your community, take the time and attend.
You'll be happy you did.

So, Thank you,
to my Tony (my father-in-law who served in WWII),
to my husband (five years in the US Air Force),
to my son (four years in the US Army, he was active duty on September 11, 2001).
And to Patty, Joey, Jay, Lee, Jackie, Kevin, Norm and to the families of those that serve,
all of you that give so much.

It's totally official and I have the paper to prove it! I have graduated from college.

I'm only about 30 years behind my peers, but better late than never.

Here's the latest "Come Junk With Us" Trip!

The girls could do nothing but brag at how much fun they had on the trip to Puyallap.
Check out some the the reviews!
Annie's in Snohomish
WSU Laura
Mimi Charmante
Just to name a few. You may need to scroll down and look thru some of the entries...
(Some are better at up dating their blogs that I am.)

Cookbook Winner!

Congratulations to Mimi Charmante!
She won the drawing for the cookbook written by my cousin Dianne Berst.

Rainy Days

So if any of you are in the Pacific Northwest this morning you have heard it rain all night long.
I actually love the sound of the rain beating on the roof or better yet the sky light in the master bath.
But what's a girl to do on a day like this...

Well, a few weeks ago my blueberry bushes looked like this.

Out I went to pick blueberries, put before there were all gone I wanted to rmember how beautiful they looked in the morning sun.

After the pictures were taken I got busy inside.
Don't they look wonderful?

The recipe made 16, more that I could eat (or should eat for that matter!
I froze some and this morning with the rain they just sound wonderful.
A hot blueberry scone and coffee, and the rain!

Mimi Charmante is giving away a gorgeous wrap!
Please go to her blog and sign up as a follower and she will put your name into a
drawing for the wrap. Tell I sent you, won't you?

And remember sign up as a follower here and your name will be in a drawing for a cookbook authored by Dianne Berst.

I've been busy lately, back in school....homework, homework, homework.
But I have a diversion coming up!

I'm packing up our truck and going to Puyallup with my cousin Dianne to promote and sell her cookbooks. I'm so excited...it's going to be an adventure. And Friday night there is a preview night for those that want to see it (and buy it) first!

Check out the Funky Junk Sisters blog and website.

And, for a no fuss, let some one else do the driving, and get treated like a queen trip A Girl Named Timi is putting together a wonderful bus trip, catered lunch, door prizes and the works! Check out Come Junk with Us for more details!

Here is a peak at what I have been working on lately...

I had the pleasure of working with a local author of cookbooks, Dianne Berst. This is the cover of her newest cookbook, designed by yours truly! This cookbook is stuffed with great cookie, candy and dessert recipes from local cookie lovers. Most of the contributors have participated in the local cookie exchange known as The Cookie Extravaganza. It is a by invitation only and held the first Saturday of December.

The sweet little snowman is courtesy of Sheryl Burnette.

Dianne's new book is due out near the end of October and I want one of you to have it!
I'm going to have a drawing on October 31st and to be eligible please join in as a Blog Follower.
I have just started reading blogs and writing my own...it's fun to find new friends that share common interests and find new things that spark our creative sides.

Signs of Fall

Fresh Corn on the Cob!

One of my most favorite signs of fall...a BIG pile of corn on a farm wagon.
The little girl is my niece Missy, she and Greg are looking through the big pile of corn for the beat ears for dinner
The corn fields are all over...this one is in south Skagit County, just off the Conway exit on I-5. And a fantastic price of 5 ears for $1.
The corn was so sweet and fresh! You just can't beat it! Give it a try...

Another lovely day in Snohomish

Last week a very dear friend called me and asked if I was up for lunch and a day shopping in Snohomish. Anyone that knows me, knows I said yes!

Among my finds...

this gorgeous Doctor's cabinet.

I can imagine it in my "studio" filled with paper, photographs, art board and all the stuff a designer needs. My "studio" of course is a place in my dreams right now...as the house we live in is so small. But someday...

I found more treasures too. I'll share them soon.

Here she is!

This is Lillian Rose Halstead...she arrived August 9th at 9:44 pm after a long 48 hours. She like her much smaller cousin is healthy, but weighed in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches long.

Another cutie to add to the family.

This was the first annual Hot Blogust Nights.
What a night!

(I designed the poster.)

Our host Annie! And her right hand that night Mary.

Other bloggers Timi and Linda. I don't have Linda's blog address right, so I can't connect you with her blog.

And the food! This is the set up at Faded Elegance.

Thanks Kim!

It was a fun night! We were visited by Rene Groom from Mary Jane's Farm. Rene is Sister-hood Coordinator, what a great title. I want that job. What an awesome magazine. Check it out!

I also met Susan Lytle, who owns the newest shop in Snohomish, Curly Willow. Please go check out here store. I love the French Country feel of her decor.

Coming up...Pictures of another new grandaughter born Sunday, August 9th!

It's a girl!

Here she is...our newest granddaughter, Isabella. She arrived on August 2nd, weighing in at just 4 lbs. She is healthy, just little.

Grandma (Me) and Isabella

Grandpa (My husband, Greg) and Isabella

I am so excited to have a little girl, all I have are boys. I'm sure that there will be more pictures soon. But as you can see this is what I have been up to for the past few days.

A Summer Read...

I am working on my final weeks of my Children's Literature class...it has been a very tough but fulfilling class. Our final unit is a choice Historical or Realistic Fiction. My personal choice is Historical Fiction. I love books about the lives of people in times past, what could have been, I get lost in the pages.

One of the books I grabbed for this section was Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. It is a juvenile level book so it may be a quick read for some, but what an inspiring story of a Danish family helping to save the many Jewish families from the Nazis during the occupation on WWII.

It's really a great story. Something your preteen might like, too.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been typing my little fingers to the bone! I wish I could type like my sister, Joanne. 100 words a minute... me, try 40 'ish and don't count my mistakes!

My cousin, Dianne, is working on another cookbook called a Collection of Favorite Recipes and I volunteered to help enter them into the typing program. I wish I could spend more time on it, but lately with heat in the upper 80's to 90 my office gets TOO hot. So here I am this morning while it's cool.

Here is one of her other books and a gift basket that she sells on her website.
Also coming up August 8th is HOT BLOGUST NIGHTS!

I hope that if you have a chance you can come meet some of the most fantastick people around and have a little fun, some shopping and well who knows what trouble we can get into!

All's quiet...

I was just thinking how much I like my quiet evenings...I get so much accomplished.

Tonight it was home work. I am taking my last class at Everett Community College. It is an English class, my diversity credit. The class is Children's Litereature, the book we are using is Literature and the Child by Lee Galda and Bernice E. Cullinan. I really like the section we are in now, Folklore. It's awesome to be reminded of all of the fairy tales and stories that I have forgotten as a "grown-up".

I think we should all go to the children's section of our nearest library or bookstore and pick up an old favorite or a new story that catches your eye and return to childhood for just a little while.

Pictures from California

Here I am on my way...of course Portland traffic looks much like that of Seattle, so here I sit on the bridge over the Columbia River.

My niece, Erika, gave up her room so "Auntie Barb" had a place to sleep. I arrived Friday and we were off Saturday morning to Monterey, Cannery Row and Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive.

My sister Joanne and I on Cannery Row in Monterey.


Dinner at Bubba Gump's...if you loved the movie you'll love the interior of this restaurant!
And of course the seafood is outstanding!

Great day for the top down...part of the reasoning for going to California.
Erika wants a turn as our tour guide.

Here's the new dream house. Right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. And my Husband would approve...he loves the Spanish style architecture. Better keep buying those Lotto tickets!

The vista from one of the viewpoints on the 17 Mile Drive...isn't it beautiful?

I'll let you know when I get to by that house!

I'm Back!

Good Morning!
I'm so happy to be back in my own little world again!
It's been a busy couple of weeks...I've

• Finished my Finals
• Gone though graduation
• Hosted a party
• Drove to California for a week to visit my sister
• Driven back (OMG!)
• Started Summer Quarter Diversity Class

And that's just what I can think of off the top of my head. It's been a whirl-wind. I'll post some pictures soon from my California trip. It was fun.

With school back in session I'm up to my neck in homework again...just when I think I'll have more time...RIGHT! I'm taking an English Literature class for my last needed diversity credit. The class is Children's Literature. I like it, but there is a lot of reading and research. I'm happy not to have any other classes.

Now it's on to trying to find the top of my desk!

Trying to be quiet...

It's quiet at the moment anyway...I've had my morning coffee and have been trying to watch my favorite morning shows. I'm an HGTV junkie and now with satellite TV we get Fine Living Network (one more channel to suck me in). I watch Decorating Cents, and then "flip" between Mission Organization and If Wall Could Talk and Cash in the Attic. Or at least I try, between letting the dogs out and in and back out again at least 10 times! Here they are...

Brandi, the "porkie-yorkie"



and Maizie, the l o n g - d o g.



Don't they look precious. Don't let them fool you. As you know, most small dogs are barky and these two are no exception. I'm trying to keep them quiet while my husband sleeps...he had a very long day yesterday (16 hours) and he'll have to work tonight.

I'm going to be here at my desk for at least part of the day. It's finals this week. I have been a full-time student for the past two years, working toward my degree in Web Design. This is my second to the last quarter. I'll be taking a class this summer and will then have my degree. YAHOO!

Have a great day!
Barbara

Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!
Eleanor Roosevelt

Good Morning World!

This is the beginning of my blog...
Let me introduce myself, my name is Barbara Halstead. (I also answer to Barb and Barbie, along with a few other titles like Mom, Gramma Barbie, Auntie Barb and Aunt Barbie.)

I am 50 years old and I am reinventing myself once again...I just graduated from Everett Community College in Everett, Washington with an Associates in Technical Arts, my major is Web Design. It's been a busy two years and I'm not done yet. In September I will go back to college and over another year take 5 more courses and have a Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design.

My goal is to work as a freelance graphic artist and web designer to help small businesses owners have a professionally designed web site and printed material that includes logos and corporate identity packages. You can check out my portfolio at www.bhalsteaddesign.com.

Have a wonderful day...and thanks for stopping by.