Lunch

 

Today was a beautiful day!  Our friends, Jeff and Sherry Six, Jon and I went down town Fort Myers and had a great lunch sitting out on the street.  Then we spent time in the pool and played cards after that.

Great time!!!!!   We sure hate to see them leave on Thursday.

New Recipe I created

 

We had guests last Saturday for dinner. (Jon's friend from work).  I love trying new recipes when we have company. (Jon cringes).  But, this one is a keeper. 
First I marinated the pork tenderloins with a mesquite dry rub all day. Then I dredged them through flour, making sure they were all covered.   I covered them with a Honey Mustard dressing and rolled them in Panko crumbs.  They were added to a pan which had a little oil in it and browned on both sides. After they were nicely browned, I put them in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour.  The tenderloins were extremely moist and so delicious.  Our guests couldn't stop raving about the dinner. 

• Pork Tenderloins that you have salted , marinated with a seasoning all day and wrapped in aluminum foil then refrigerated

• 1/2 cup flour, more if needed

• 1 cup or so of Panko Crumbs

• 1 cup Honey Mustard Salad dressing 

• 1/2 cup oil

Many have asked:

Many of you have asked how you could help our daughter after the loss of their house.  Their church has set up a fund for them and you can donate at:
http://www.overflowchurch.org/give/gargano-family-fund/

Please do not feel obligated in any way, but if you do want to help a little that will be great. 

This is the article that was in the paper:

Posted: Monday, February 3, 2014 5:00 am | Updated: 9:11 am, Mon Feb 3, 2014.

Fire leaves family of 10 homeless By ANDREW LERSTEN - HP Staff Writer The Herald-Palladium | 

COLOMA - An early Sunday morning fire left a Bainbridge Township family of 10 homeless, North Berrien Fire Rescue Chief Robert Ruff reported. Nearly three dozen firefighters from four fire departments battled the blaze for about seven hours, but the single-story home was destroyed, Ruff said.

Ruff said there were no injuries. Firefighters were called to the fire at 5101 Territorial Road at 2:31 a.m.

"It was a bad one," Ruff said.

Homeowner Phil Gargano told officials his wife, Lori, woke him up and said the house was on fire. He went downstairs to the drive-in garage under the house, and found the garage on fire. Family members quickly made it outside and called 911, but the Garganos realized their foster daughter, 4, was still inside.

Gargano went back into the house, crawling low to the floor to avoid being overcome by smoke, and found the girl in a hallway and they escaped without injury, Ruff said.

"They were probably just seconds away from probably not getting out of there," Ruff said.

The Garganos have four children and four foster children. The Red Cross is assisting the family, Ruff said.

The initial investigation showed the fire may have been caused by an electrical problem. The fire originated near the electric meter in the garage, Ruff said. Investigators will return to the site to do more investigating today, but Ruff said there's not much left of the house to yield many more clues.

Arson is not suspected, Ruff said.

The house is insured.

Assisting North Berrien firefighters were the Watervliet, Sister Lakes and Keeler Township fire departments.

"There was very little we could do to save the house," Ruff said. "When we arrived on scene, the structure was fully engulfed and unsafe for entry. Thankfully, no one was hurt. That's about the best we can hope for in an incident like this. During our investigation, Mr. Gargano continually stated that they are truly blessed that all of their children made it out safely

 

Such sad news, but praising God!!!!

Our daughter Lori's house burnt to the ground at 3:00 AM this morning.  But, we are certainly praising  God that all 8 kids, Philip and Lori are all safe, even the dog.  All they got out with is their cell phone and their jammies they were wearing.  No shoes, coats nothing.  The got everyone in the van for safety and the neighbor came to get them.  Right now everything is in limbo.  Their church, friends, family and neighbors are certainly rallying around them.  I would appreciate your prayers.

This was on the Fire Department Face Book Page.

Your North Berrien Fire Department responded to a fully involved house fire at 2:30am this morning. Firefighters worked on the scene for over 7 hours. The house was a total loss. We were assisted by Watervliet Fire Department , Keeler Twp Fire, and Sister Lakes Fire. Our hearts go out to the family of 10 that is displaced.

 

 

 

 

More Tips and a Tag

 I made this tag a couple years ago.

I have taken a couple more classes at the Owl and Pussy Cat store in Fort Myers and learned several new things that I want to share with you.

• If you are sending delicate cards, make an envelope out of mat board.  You can even address the outside.  I would still place the card inside the clear boxes that Terri at www.atjoansgardens.com sells. It makes such a pretty presentation.
• If you are using a craft knife much, a glass cutting mat by Tonic gives a much cleaner and nicer cut.  Terri can order these for you.
• Brayer paper (such as Tim Holtz's) has a clay coating, so it does not absorb color as much as water color paper.  Therefore, the colors are much brighter.
• Use a black mirrored paper, (not glossy) add drops of Adirondack alcohol ink colors such as Butterscotch, Terra Cotta, and Cranberry.  You can drip rubbing alcohol on it to scatter the ink some more.  This makes a beautiful paper.
• If you get adhesive on an area you don't need it, rub some baby powder on that area and it will not be sticky any more.
• If you are making a card, box or any project that the recipient might not understand how it should look when it is put together, take a picture of it and include it with the project.  This way they will know how it should look.
• Put double stick tape (such as Score Tape) on back card stock and burnish well. Cut out a word and the card stock should stick to the die. Then take the die and put on card where you want the words and rub hard.  Words will stick to card and will be straight too.  This works great for anything you are overlaying with another die, such as a butterfly or flower.  (I absolutely love this idea)
• Use the top part of a post-a-note (sticky party) to mark your place when reading instructions.  This way you don't forget where you are at.

Frame and card

Last year I made this card and frame for my daughter's birthday.  This year I might have to buy one for her, as we have decided to stay another month in Florida to the end of March.  After hearing what the weather in Indiana has been these last few, we are not ready to go home at the end of February.

I have attended two more classes at the Owl and Pussy Cat and I have some more tips to share with you in another post.

 

 

I bought this wooden frame for $1.00 at Michael's (thanks for the tip Selma).  I covered it with this gorgeous paper from the 8x8 Graphic 45 Secret Garden Paper Pack.  I covered the edge of the frame with Washi Tape that exactly matches the colors in the paper.  Can you see 2 strips of it behind the flower in the middle also?

After gluing down the paper with Glue and Seal and letting it dry, I use the Curl Frame #329 Template around the opening in the frame.  I used the medium weight of Liquidtex, colored it with Tattered Rose Reinker.  After carefully taping down the template, I applied the colored Liquidtex over the template.  After all was covered I carefully removed it and let it dry.   I love what it did for the paper and the change it gave to the look of the frame.  If you double click on the frame, it will enlarge so you can see it better.

Then I covered the inside of the frame with the Secret Garden matching peach paper.  Using some of the paper from the same 6x6 paper pad, I cut out the #3 Build a flower, condition the paper and made the flower.  Adding some rose leaves, pine branches and mini Flourishes the inside of the frame was complete.  I then used another piece of the paper and cut out some of the roses, daisies, violets and butterflies, put a piece of foam and popped everything up on top of the paper on the frame.  It was a nice addition to the finish the look of the frame. 

If you double click on the frame, it will enlarge so you can see it better.

Tips

The Christian race is one filled with battles, uphill struggles, falls and distractions but Jesus runs with us and therefore it is also filled with peace, joy, growth, and the assurance that it will end and there will be a prize.

I subscribe to a daily online devotion called Good Morning Girls and I loved this thought today.  I thought you might also!

Before we left for Florida, I got a perm.  My hair is so, so straight and the humidity is not a good thing for straight, straight hair.  It was the best thing I did for Florida weather and the bonus of all of this is that Jon has told me 6 or 7 times how much he loves it,  You can't get better than that can you?  What do you think?

I went to a demo at the Owl and Pussy Cat Scrapbooking Store on Wednesday.  It was fun and I learned a few new tips that I am sharing below.

• When spritzing your paper it always curls.  If you spritz the back first it helps to keep it from curling as much.
• On the larger 6x6 stamps, ink the stamp and lay your paper on top of the inked stamp,.  Then when lifting up your stamped image, hold finger on corner to lift it and your won't smear it.
• If you use water color paper, the colors won't be as intense as if they would be if you use smooth paper.  She calls smooth paper Brayer paper. 
• She used a glass mat when she used her craft knife.  You get a much more crisp cut.  I am going to ask her more about it tomorrow when I  take a class.

That's it for today!  Have a great day!!!

Mixed Media by Mihaela

Isn't this gorgeous!!!  Mihaela created it using lots of different products and she said I could post it for you to enjoy.  She tells how she did it here.  Be sure and leave her a nice comment. 

Butterfly card

Delia Butterfly (98353)

3.5 x 4.9 in., .5 x 2.8 in. body

Call or email Terri to order this butterfly if you don't have it.

I went to a wonderful small scrapbook store in Fort Myers called The Owl and Pussy Cat in Fort Myers this morning.  She had some gorgeous samples and a very nice shop.

I wish I had a sample of the beautiful butterfly card to show, but since we had NO room to bring any of my crafting supplies I will just have to tell you about it.  BUT, if you would like to make the card, I will add Inlinkz so you can post them.  Just let me know.

Use a beautiful Flowered Paper and cut the butterfly about 6 times, big flower paper for top butterfly, then smaller scale underneath.  You can stamp sentiments on underneath butterflies.   Then lay all the butterflies on top of each other and run a nice stitch down the middle of the stack, using a pretty yarn.  Then fan the butterflies and attach it to your card base.  You can do anything to the base card, just use the butterfly as your focal point.   I  cant wait to make it when I get home.  I hope you will give it a try and post it,  Call Terri to order your butterfly.

I signed up to take a class next Saturday.  It is only a demo class but for the $42.00 I get a kit to make it when I get home.    It is a 3 tier heart that pops up and folds flat to mail.  I think the class is expensive but I am so missing being creative so I decided to bite the bullet and take it.  I hope to meet some new crafting friends.

Let me know if you make the card and want to post it.

jfricker@fourway.net


JUST SO YOU KNOW...For some reason when we made the transfer from my website to Terri, everything now shows up that Terri is doing the posts.
We have tried everything to change it, with no success,  So, just keep in mind that anything that comes from Joan's Touch is from me (Joan) and all of Joan's Gardens is from Terri.  I might start a new blog when I get home, but for now it has to be this way.

What I am doing!!!

 

 

Here is where I am spending my time right now,  Warm 85 degree water too.  I love to swim and it has been wonderful.  I talked with my daughter this morning and it is minus 9 degrees and going down all day.  The also have about 2 feet of snow.  We certainly got out of "dodge" just in time.

 

I am also spending time learning how to use my new Silhouette Cameo.  It was the only craft thing we had room to bring with us. :(.  I am hoping to find a crafting store in Fort Myers.

 

My beautiful Granddaughters

Kelsey (left) and Kara (right)

Yesterday was Kara's ( my oldest granddaughter) birthday.  She and Kelsey celebrated together,

Aren't they beautiful!  Each of them have 4 children too.  I am so blessed.

It is cooler (65) to but is to get up to about 76 today.  Warmer tomorrow!

We are having a wonderful time!!!

 

Happy New Year!!

Jon and I wish you a very blessed New Year.  May this year be filled with lots if happiness and

good health.

We arrived in beautiful Ft. Myers, Florida Sunday.  The temperatures are in the high 70's much unlike the 15 degrees or less at home in Indiana.  Brrrr    We are very thankful not to be experiencing that cold weather this year.

I will be posting pictures soon.  HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIENDS!!!!!

 

Merry Christmas from the Fricker Family!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

We celebrated yesterday and had a wonderful day.

We are so blessed and so thankful for our family and friends.

Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!

 

Mihaela's Gorgeous Ornaments

Click on the pictures to enlarge them!
 

My friend Mihaela from Romania created these gorgeous Christmas Ornaments and I just had to share them with you.  She tells how she did them on her web site here!

You can purchase many of the products she used at www.atjoansgardens.com

 

I am sorry, but Christmas preparations has not allowed me any time to be creative...I am sure you know the feeling.  Jon retired as of last Friday, so this will be a new stage of life for both of us.

We wish you the merriest Christmas and a very blessed new year.

Let's all remember why we celebrate this very special day....our Lord Jesus was born!!!

Noel Christmas Card

 

 

This was a quick card to do since I had prepared the Noel by Dream Weaver earlier.  I had the frame and flowers already cut out too.  I believe we all need quick and easy right now!

 

I popped up the Spellbinder frame on the black suede (velvet) paper and also popped up the Noel.
Last month, my friend Margaret sent me a nice package of Dream Weaver Stencils to try and I fell in love with them and the process she taught me.  So, I place an order for several of the Dream Weaver Stencils.

 

First, I taped down the stencil with painter's tape, used Wendy Vecchi' White Paste and spread it across the stencil making sure to keep it on the stencil.  Then I carefully removed the tape and stencil and applied Art Glitter over it.  I just can't capture the sparkling beauty with my poor photography skills. please use your imagination.

 

I took the picture without the flower on the card and then added it.  Which is your favorite?

Sometimes I love plain and simple, but I am anxious to know your thoughts.

 

Terri is thinking about adding the Dream Weaver Stencils to her line.  Shoot her a quick email

at myjoansgardens@yahoo.com if you think you would be interested in her doing so.

 

My email is still the same.  jfricker@fourway.net

 

Last Christmas

This picture was taken last Christmas.   It will be fun to see this year's picture comparison.

Kara is standing (she has 4 children), Kelsey is sitting and she now  has 4 boys and Lori our daughter is on the left.  She is the mother of Kara, Kelsey, Nathan and has adopted 4 children.  They are in the process of adopting 4 more.

I kid Lori all the time about how I had ONE daughter and now we have 19 children to love, plus spouses.  I am truly blessed!

 

My New Website

Watch the video by clicking here!

 

We have finalized everything for Joan's Gardens and all orders are either shipped or will ship on Monday.  Terri, Chris and I worked almost every night this week until 9 PM and started early again the next morning. 

 I have been so blessed to have these wonderful women helping me the last few years.    Terri,(bottom right) did all the invoicing, Chris (top left) did all the shipping and Karen (bottom left) has worked for me for over 24 years in every business I have had.  She does the bookkeeping and keeps me organized.  Linda (top right) has kept my house looking the way I love it.

I thank God for each of them.

 

Thanks for visiting me on my new web site.

Christmas Card

This is a Christmas Card I made a few weeks ago.