For those of you who guessed I made a card ....

you are correct! I did, in fact, make a card this weekend. Here's how it went down: 

Friday night I was going through my stamps to see what else I wanted to list for sale. I came across my Penny Black stamps. Ohhhhh how I *heart* the PB's, especially the hedgies! I set those aside & went on with sorting. 

Saturday morning I was up at about 6. I KNOW!!!! How rude is that?! I heard my husband get up to go to work & I just couldn't get back to sleep. So I thought I'd go down & do some more sorting. But then I thought "my kids won't be awake until at least 8:00. That gives me 2 whole hours!". So while I DID do some more sorting, I also decided to make a card with one of my very favorite hedgies. To celebrate the fine spring weather we are finally having!

Please remember I am wayyy out of practice & I have no idea what is popular these days. I don't follow challenges anymore. I rarely get to read stamping blogs anymore. I don't go on SCS anymore, except to post what I have for sale. So I felt a bit blind. But ... I do like how it turned out. I could maybe have used some springier, brighter papers, but .... it is what it is (I've said that a lot over the years hahaa).

I have sold some of my Copic markers, but I'll never get rid of my Prisma pencils! They will always be my favorites. But I think my Goo Gone evaporated, lol - I had just a few drops left in my container & I *know* there was more than that when I last colored!

I even found a dollar stamp from Michael's that I had never used. Spring Fling - yep, spring is definitely flinging around here :)

And in case you want a peek at what I had to work with -- this is just a sampling of what my space now looks like:

If you recall, last summer my son wanted to steam clean the carpet in the basement, but my stuff was everywhere. He said "You have too much stuff! You will never use it all!" & that is the moment I decided he was right. Too much stuff. I hadn't touched it in months. It was time to get rid of it. Obviously I haven't gotten rid of it all, but I've done pretty well. But just try to find some pearls in that mess!!! 

I'll be back in a few days with a really yummy recipe I just have to share with you!

Have a super week!

New name, & FINALLY a real spring day!

I decided since I haven't been called "mommy" in about 8 years, that my blog can no longer be called "Mommy Time". It has been promoted to "Mom's Time".  Mom has about as much free time as Mommy did. I went from running after toddlers all day to driving them to their many activities & sports. I will, however, forever be known as MilwaukeeMommy - that is my username on just about every forum I've ever been a part of. I think my Ebay user name is the only name that is different, only because I wasn't clever enough to think of it back when I started selling many many years ago. 

So we finally had a SUPERB spring day here in Wisconsin today! And a SATURDAY, bonus!!! I took a few pictures today. Ok, I took a LOT of pictures today. Here's a day in the life:

They survived! My hyacinths rarely reach full bloom. They peek out so early, then we always get hit with yet more snow. We did get snow, just a week ago, & these were covered. But no damage done. This picture was taken early in the morning, by late afternoon they were OPEN! Why didn't I take a picture? I have no idea! Tomorrow....

The first varmint of the season. Where are you headed, little critter?  Go ahead - go in my garden. There's nothing there yet. Ha!

Well ok, there's a *little* something. Here comes the rhubarb! Can't wait!

I love that my boys were out bright & early today. I love it even more that they didn't argue at all! Hardly. 

Baseball season starts in just a few weeks ... gotta get some practice in!

I really  hope that's not the ball he was trying to hit on the ground in front of him. 

That one was definitely outta here! The next Ryan Braun ....

They even helped with some yard work. Aren't they awesome kids?!

We have a bluebird house in the middle of our yard. We've gotten a pair of bluebirds every single year that we've had it. I've heard from many people that the same pair usually come back to the same house each year. 

Isn't he gorgeous? I think he's watching my boys play baseball!

Now he's looking at me, wondering who the kook is sitting on top of the swingset snapping so many pictures of him. 

We ended our day with dinner on the deck. Perfect end to a perfect spring day!

If you're still with me, thank you :)  You may have heard I got a new camera last year & I *heart* it so much! My kids just roll their eyes when they see me with camera in hand!

And stay tuned .... because I just *may* have done something this morning that I haven't done in a while .... & I just *may* post the details here in the next day or two :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

More for sale

Well, I sure hope "spring" by you means green & flowers. Here in Wisconsin, it looks like this:

It rained every day last week. My son's first track meet was canceled. Too wet. Plus, there's a nice sinkhole in the middle of the field. Um ... yeah ... that's ok, we'll wait. 

I just wanted to mention that I added a few new things to my "for sale" page. It's up at the top of the blog ^^^^^^^ - just click on "for sale" & it will take you to a different page. I still have more to add .... just not a ton of time to sort through stuff. I will be adding some Nesties ..... and more Copics .... and more stamps ....every time I go downstairs to sort through more stuff, I end up feeling overwhelmed & walking away. That is NOT going to get my stuff sold, lol. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Great deal at Beach Camera!

If you are wanting a camera like mine, Beach Camera has a great deal going on! 

This is where I bought my camera last year. Now, I buy a LOT online, but I was really nervous about buying a camera online. But they had a super great deal, & I read only great reviews about them, so I did it!

HERE is the link to purchase the Canon SX50 --- this is the newer model that came out a few months ago. I'm sorry, I don't know if it's better or what it has that mine doesn't. There aren't many reviews on the Beach Camera site, but I'm sure if you Google it you'll find plenty!

If you want to stick with what I have, HERE is the link to purchase the Canon SX40. Trust me, you will NOT be sorry! 

I'm happy to help you spend your money! You're welcome!

(I did not receive any compensation for this post, I just really really love this camera & the service I received from Beach Camera!)

Some happy photos

With the awfulness of yesterday, I just wanted to post a couple of fun, bright, spring-like shots ~

This hyacinth was COVERED in snow when I woke up in the morning. By lunchtime, the snow was gone & the sun was out. My hyacinths NEVER make it to full bloom - they just pop out too early and, well - this is Wisconsin after all. Snow & cold weather are still a possibility, even in May!

Ok, not really a BRIGHT photo - but this just cracked me up. It's a branch of one of my shrubs (how should I know which one? They all look like this LOL). I took it to show the new growth -- but had to laugh when I opened it in my editing program, I thought it looked like a tiny human emerging from its shell. See, the head is in the middle (one would hope) -- & he's coming out with his arms held high. Or maybe it's a she. Can't see that far down :)

Yet another senseless act :(

*** shaking head ***

You can almost see the little green men!

Have I mentioned lately how much I *love* my camera? 

Here's a shot I took of the moon last night, craters and all. Pretty good for just a bridge camera, no? 

Hope you are having a great weekend!! 

DCWV pads for sale!

Along with the lot of High Hopes stamps I have listed for $.99 starting bid (HERE), I also listed 3 pads of DCWV paper pads. These pads are missing a few sheets each, but I do state in the listing exactly how many pieces are in each stack. You can find that auction HERE. 

I've actually sold quite a bit so far - between the BST Forum on SCS, here on my blog & on Ebay. And you know what? Haven't even made a dent. I guess it's good to know that if I ever do find a bit of time to doodle around, I will have plenty of stuff left to play with! 

Thanks to all who have purchased from me :)

More stuff for sale

Man, it's tough clearing stamps & supplies out when you practically own a whole store! I've updated my for sale page HERE, including lots of High Hopes & a few Copic markers. I've already sold a bunch of those, which I have to admit makes me a little sad. But on the bright side, I never really did learn to color properly with those darn markers! Let them go live with someone who can treat them right :)

I also have an auction on Ebay - a lot of 25 Dustin Pike for High Hopes stamps -- all brand new -- starting at just $.99! Aliens and dragons and bears, oh my! You can find that listing HERE. 

Have a great week!

***** edited *****
Someone left a comment that I have stated in my Ebay auction that I won't ship anywhere but the US & Canada. For stamps, I will ship anywhere as long as the buyer contacts me FIRST for a shipping quote. Generally, my rule is no international because they don't bother contacting me before bidding, then are shocked to see the freight charge & back out. But I know none of my lovely stamper friends would do that :)

Easter Carrot Cake

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter!! We sure did -- any excuse to get together & eat!!  

As usual, I brought dessert. This time it was Carrot Cake. I'd never made a Carrot Cake before - but found a great recipe stuffed in my recipe box. Of course, I didn't know it was great until I made it & everyone ooh'd & aah'd - whew! Got lucky :)

I am not a fan of Carrot Cake AT ALL. No veggies in my dessert, thankyouverymuch! But - the other 8 people did love it, so I'm sharing with you. Because I appear to be in the minority - Carrot Cake is GOOD & I have no idea what I'm talking about. 

CARROT CAKE

3 cups shredded carrots

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, well-drained

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

4 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground cinnamon

FROSTING

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, beat the first 5 ingredients until well blended. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda & cinnamon; gradually beat into carrot mixture. Transfer mixture to a greased 9"x13" baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. 

For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter & vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners sugar until smooth. Spread over cake. Cover & refrigerate leftovers.

Super easy! I have no idea where I got this recipe from - I know it was pre-Pinterest so it wasn't there (where I get most of my recipes from these days). But I'm glad I did save it - this one's a keeper! 

I sure hope it's warm where you are -- here in SE Wisconsin, we are very patiently waiting for spring. It's coming .... soon ..... right around the corner .....

Enjoy the rest of your week!