Mommy Time

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Muffins

2012-01-22T19:03:00.001-06:00

Hello all, & happy Sunday to you! I hope you've had a swell weekend. I *heart* Sundays :) That is my day to stay home, clean & do laundry (ok, I definitely don't *heart* cleaning & laundry) but I usually get to spend some time in the kitchen which is fun for me. It used to be a chore, but now that I work I look forward to baking & cooking, especially when I'm trying new recipes. I used to spend hours browsing through cookbooks. Now I spend hours browsing an evil site called Pinterest. If you've heard of it -- you are probable as addicted as I am. If you haven't heard of it -- then go check it out so you can be as ~~addicted~~ informed as I am!

So here is one of the fabulous recipes I came across just a few days ago. We LOVE muffins around here, especially muffins involving chocolate chips. This recipe makes 18 muffins, & since I made these 4 hours ago, 6 of them have mysteriously vanished.

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Muffins

source: Bake Me More

1 box yellow cake mix
1 (4 serving) box instant vanilla pudding
3/4 cup water
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used mini)

Preheat oven to 350. Line 2 muffin pans with paper cups, or spray. Combine all ingredients except for chocolate chips. Stir until moist, then fold in chips. Batter will be lumpy - don't overmix. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full & bake 23-29 minutes. Makes 18 muffins.

How easy is that? I made these while my kids were out in the snow, & when they came in they had these fresh out of the oven, plus some hot chocolate. Mmmmmmm....

I haven't been spending a whole lot of time in the craft room. When I do have extra time, it's usually in the kitchen --- or playing our new favorite game Ligretto with the boys --- or trying to get my house organized. I don't make New Years resolutions but I did decide this year is the Year of Organization. Thanks to Pinterest I have found some great blogs that are completely dedicated to organizing. Oh, the inspiration! I see a lot of trips to Goodwill in my future. If you are trying to get organized as well, I'd love to hear about it -- what your plan is, what you've done so far, & any tips & tricks you've learned :)

Have a super week!!!

Sundays with Crissy ~ Beating the Blues!

2012-01-13T06:17:00.000-06:00

Hello all, happy Friday the 13th! Eek! Wish I didn't have to leave the house today -- think they'd understand if I took an "unlucky" day at work?

Today is my day to post my card for Sundays with Crissy. This month's theme is "Beat the Mid-Winter Blues" -- which is quite open to interpretation :)

Well right away, this is the image that popped into my head. One of my very favorite High Hopes images -- "Time Well Spent". I had intended to color the image with pencils so I stamped it onto regular ole GP paper. But then I decided on Copics -- which was more of a challenge than usual because I really don't like this paper for Copics. I usually use Papertrey. But now I hear there are MANY awesome papers available for use with Copics & as much as I'd like to test them out, I've been really good with not spending anything on crafts -- so I will have to make do. Anyway, I kept the card pretty simple -- papers are Basic Grey Pyrus -- added some twine & a flower -- YES a flower -- it's a MANLY flower -- with a button. And twine. Manly.

Be sure to visit us this month at Sundays With Crissy & be sure to link up your project -- you could win some free digi's!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend! We got lots of snow here in Wisconsin -- FINALLY! I really wanted it for Christmas but better late than never. Funny thing is, the day before the snow came -- my husband cut the grass!! We had temps in the 50's! Crazy midwest weather......

Pull Apart Bread aka Monkey Bread

2012-01-10T21:02:00.000-06:00

Hello all! Happy Tuesday. So far... not a good week :( A couple of rough days at work -- hopefully things will turn around or I may have to hit the bottle (Just kidding! I don't drink. Much).

I do have a card all ready for my Sundays with Crissy post, but alas.....my day is the 13th. A few more sleeps! Meanwhile, I wanted to share an oldie-but-goodie recipe with you -- for Monkey Bread! I made this for my monkeys this weekend & they loved it (Ok, my 13 year old MAY NOT like being called a monkey. Monkeys are babies. He's an ape, at least).

MONKEY BREAD

2 (7.5 oz) tubes refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

3 TBSP butter or margarine, melted

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup syrup

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I omitted the nuts)

Spray bundt pan with cooking spray. Combine the melted butter & & syrup in small bowl. In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg (& nuts if you are adding these). Pour half the syrup mixture in the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture on top. Lay the biscuits around the pan, overlapping the edges. Top with remaining syrup & brown sugar mixtures. Bake at 350 for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for a few minutes, then invert onto a plate.

Made this Saturday morning, it is Tuesday & it is GONE. Such an easy treat that the monkeys themselves can help with :)

See you back here on Friday for my Sundays with Crissy card! Have a super week!

Thank You Tilda

2012-01-04T19:32:00.008-06:00

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 92 now & we don't know where the heck she is.

I've always loved to walk -- I used to walk a LOT before I was working, when the kids were in school. Now it seems like there isn't enough time. I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but I decided I *have* to start walking again. I did really well over the holiday -- I figured the more I walked, the more I could eat. I just need to keep at it. I do not have good genes -- lots of heart problems in the family -- so I really need to get moving. Yeah yeah, I should eat healthier too. One thing at a time.

Hmmmm .... wonder if I should moon walk instead of power walk ......

So I have a surprise today - a card that HASN'T been previously posted! Yep, hot off the presses. I had this stamp that I won in some blog candy & decided she was perfect for a thank you card.

This is Tilda with 3 Flowers from the Hoppy Easter 2010 collection. I colored her with Copics -- the papers are DCWV Old World Stack -- added lots of Crackle Paint on the edges -- the sentiment is from an old SU set called Seeing Spots. Don't think I ever even used that set -- the stamps look awfully clean! Lots of flowers (spritzed with Glimmer Mist), pearls & other doo-dads.

Not my best coloring but hey -- I'm out of practice!

Can you see the shimmer on those flowers?

I will be adding this to my Etsy shop as soon as I finish the inside -- my paint is drying :)

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

7 Kids College Fund -- Try Something New (new stamp -- well, new to me!)

Magnolia-licious Highlites -- Anything Goes (my favorite challenge!)

Totally Tilda -- Thank You

Simon Says Stamp -- New Something (New stamp again)

Papertake Weekly -- Anything Goes with New option

Thanks so much for visiting & enjoy the rest of your week!

Top cards of 2011

2011-12-31T11:57:00.014-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!!

Wow -- another year come & gone. When does time stop moving at a snail's pace, & start moving at the speed of light?? There is just never enough time to do everything that I need to -- or that I want to. I wasn't in my craft room NEARLY enough this year. That darn job really gets in the way :) Everyone in blogland is posting their top 11 or 12 cards of the year -- & I was pretty sure I hadn't even made 12 this whole year. But I went back through my SCS gallery & gosh, I *did* make more than 12! Even so, I kept my top cards to 8. Seemed like a fair ratio :)

So here are my top 8 cards of 2011 (click on the name of the card to go to the original post):

SENDING YOU A GREAT BIG HUG -- seemed like I waited a LONG time to get my hands on this cute Tilda -- they were always sold out.

JUST FOR YOU -- not my best coloring, but I like how the whole card came together -- & the papers are one of my favorite lines.

OLD BUZZARD -- everyone knows how much I *adore* Crissy Armstrong & her adorable images. This is one from her High Hopes collection & I use it a LOT -- perfect for all the birthday cards I have to make for "old" people (meaning over 30 LOL)

FLUFFLES & FRIENDS -- Fluffles was one of my first loves -- dug him out to make this springy card back in April.

BETTY BUG -- love the Itty Bitties from Pink Cat Studio! And this is another favorite line from Basic Grey -- so colorful & cheerful!

FISHING TILDA -- knew the minute I saw this Tilda I had to have her. Who doesn't love fishing on a lazy summer day?

BACK TO SCHOOL BART -- this one is special for 2 reasons -- it was my very first digi -- & it was published in the Whimsy Inspirations magazine -- I'm so proud :)

CHOPPERS CHILAXIN' -- another proud moment -- my first card as a dt member for Sundays with Crissy! I am thrilled that I get to work with Crissy again -- & all the ladies on the team are amazing. I don't really "do" clean & simple, which was my debut challenge -- but I do like how this turned out. Can't really mess up Choppers :)

LENNY -- as you have probably guessed, High Hopes stamps are VERY important to me!

AUTUMN TILDA -- fall is my favorite time of year -- & this is another Tilda that always seemed to be out of stock every time I wanted to order her.

So there you have it. I do hope I'm able to create more in the coming year. I've been working for a year & a half now, & I still can't get that perfect balance. And no, I'm not giving up sleep!

I hope you all have a safe & happy new year! My day consists of putting away all things Christmas -- playing with my bread machine -- & hanging with my kids. A perfect day to me :)

Love to you all, & happy 2012!!!

Chocolate Cream Pie

2011-12-27T20:24:00.012-06:00

Happy after-Christmas to you! Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday! Ours was very low-key. Small family = no chaos. It went by too quickly, though -- I only had off yesterday & it was TOUGH getting up this morning while everyone else was snoozing away!

I just HAD to share another recipe with you -- I know, I know -- I'm spending WAY more time in the kitchen lately than in the craft room. I go in spurts. I really do love to bake -- much more than cook -- probably because I *choose* to bake, but I *have* to cook. And when I'm cooking dinner I'm usually really rushed & I hate that.

My wonderful mom had both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day at her house, & all I had to bring was dessert. I made 2 pies, including my very first *real* (meaning not out of a can or box, actually cooked on the stove!) chocolate cream pie. It turned out AWESOME!

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

1- 2/3 cup water
4 TBSP cornstarch
6 TBSP baking cocoa
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 TBSP butter
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of cinnamon
1 baked pie crust
Whipped cream

Mix water, cornstarch & baking cocoa until smooth. Stir in condensed milk & egg yolks. Cook until thick in saucepan. Stir in butter & vanilla. Cool slightly, whisking constantly. Pour into baked pie crust; chill. Add whipped cream.

SOOOO easy but a couple of notes. First -- make sure you are whisking the entire time the filling is cooking AND while it's cooling. Whisk whisk whisk. Do not stop whisking. It is key to keeping the filling smooth & unlumpy. Second -- when you put it in the fridge, put saran wrap tightly over the filling. Don't worry, it won't stick. This is a must or else it will get rubbery. Third -- what pie isn't better with a homemade pie crust? I use the Pillsbury refrigerated crusts - I haven't tried my own yet because I'm usually making the pie for others, & I would really hate for the pie crust to completely SUCK. So I really need to make a pie just for us & try to make my own.

I can't even tell you how good this is. And you know what else is good? BREAD!! Guess what I got from my mom for Christmas -- a bread machine!! I've wanted one for a while & just couldn't decide which one I wanted, so my mom decided for me! It's not top-of-the-line, but it's perfect for someone who has never ever used one. I made my first loaf yesterday -- just basic white bread -- & it turned out fantastic. I will be doing lots of 'sperimenting in the near future. If you have any good bread machine recipes, let me know!

You'll be happy to know that I haven't had time to go through all my Xmas photos, lol -- so no pics of cats or kids -- just food today :) I will be glad when the holidays are over & we can all get back into our routine. Kids in school, husband at work, & hopefully me in my craft room at some point!

Cap'n Crunch French Toast

2011-12-23T21:24:00.003-06:00

Hello all, & Merry almost-Christmas!! I am DONE with everything & feeling quite proud. At the beginning of the week I hadn't finished shopping, I hadn't wrapped one present & had done no baking. Now I'm done shopping, everything is wrapped, baked a few cookies (alas, not as many as I wanted), made many batches of brownies for various potlucks, went out to dinner with some family that was in town, & tonight I had a power session in the kitchen. I made 2 pies, a pumpkin banana bread, a huge batch of Puppy Chow. All this between working, & I gotta tell ya I was NOT feeling 100% this week. Not down & out -- but not quite up to par. I only get one day off for Christmas - Monday. My husband has been off of work since the 15th. He is off for the rest of the year. In his time off so far, he changed our shower head & picked up his prescription. I'm ok with that. Not feeling at ALL like he could have helped out a bit with preparations......nope, not at all.

Anyway, in between baking tonight I made my kids a fun little dinner. I *love* the show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives on Food Network. In one episode, Guy visited a little diner in Baltimore named Blue Moon Cafe. One of their creations is Cap'n Crunch French Toast. I knew I had to try it -- so I visited my friend Google & found a few variations of the recipe. I am sharing the one I tried -- it was definitely a hit! (I noticed after posting the picture that there is a container of sour cream that squeezed its way into the picture -- makes it look like I used it for this recipe but NO I did not LOL)

Cap'n Crunch French Toast - Blue Moon Cafe

3 eggs

2 1/2 T sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 t vanilla

1/4 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

Cap'n Crunch cereal, crushed

bread (I used Texas Toast)

Beat the eggs & sugar until smooth. Pour in the cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon & nutmeg; whisk until smooth. Pour the crushed cereal into a shallow dish. Dip the bread into the egg mixture, then press into the cereal until coated on both sides. Cook on a hot skillet.

I served butter & syrup, but whipped cream & berries would be soooo good -- that's how they served it on the show. Will have to try that next time -- syrup was quicker & I was in a hurry, lol.

We are spending both Christmas Eve & Christmas Day at my mom's -- works for me since I only have to bring dessert! I am looking forward to relaxing & enjoying the holiday after all the hustly bustly trying to get ready for it. I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas & that you get lots of goodies from Santa. I'm getting a bread machine & I can NOT wait to use it!! I know what I'll be doing December 26th :)

HOW many more days???

2011-12-19T21:08:00.002-06:00

Ok, before I start my holiday freak-out -- you MUST try this!!! It won't work with Internet Explorer -- but it works with Firefox & Chrome. So FUN --- go to Google -- & type in "let it snow". Go!! RIGHT NOW!!! You can finish reading my post when you're done.

IS THAT NOT THE COOLEST????? Did you write your name in the snow?? Don't pee in the snow! Just write your name with your mouse. Seriously WHO comes up with this stuff??

NOW to my holiday freak-out .........

WHO thought it would be a good idea to have Christmas on December 25th this year?? Who moved it up??

You'd think by now I would learn to start Christmas shopping a week earlier. Because I always need just one more week.

Since I'm behind on everything -- I thought I'd post another card from Christmas past.

(Yuck - the photo looks really dark to me. Maybe it's just all the red flowers. Sure wish I could say my photography has improved -- but the picture would probably look the same if I took it again today LOL)

Rather appropriate - as right now I feel like that cat hanging from a branch, lol! The original post is HERE. Wow, I thought it was from last year but it was from 2 years ago!! I love all the High Hopes images, but I think the Christmas & winter images are my favorites :) I can't believe I've only been able to make one or two Christmas cards this year -- & NO projects :( I'll have to be really original & give my kids teachers GIFT CARDS! In store bought envelopes!! *gasp*

We went to my husband's work holiday part last weekend & I really want to post a few of the pictures here. If you're my friend on Facebook, you can go to my album to see them all (you LUCKY ducks!!). Otherwise I will post them here in the next couple of days. Just a couple. Wouldn't want to bore you -- like the people who want you to see their vacation slides -- only 352 of them!

Here's a picture of my son helping me make some cookies yesterday.....

See??? I've done SOME holiday stuff!!!

Sundays with Crissy challenge #24 - Anything Goes!

2011-12-12T19:20:00.006-06:00

Yep, it's our favorite challenge this month at Sundays with Crissy -- there is no excuse not to join in -- it's Anything Goes!

So here is the card that took me a while to get done .....

I ADORE penguins & I especially ADORE Crissy penguins! I *squealed* when I saw this new Whimsy Stamps image (I did! Ask her! She heard me all the way from Canada!) Snowman & Penguins. I will eventually own ALL of her penguin images -- right now my printer is wonky & won't print just black & white. I think it's an all-in-one type cartridge -- but something must be out of alignment because it comes out with eensy weensy specks of color where there should be only black. I tried printing in greyscale & black & white, neither helped :( Maybe Santa will bring me a nice NEW printer for Xmas :)

Anyway, I colored the image with pencils -- then did something totally funky & stupid with the background. I hated how it looked & I *knew* I shouldn't have tried it. Don't you hate when that happens? It looks like an easy image to color but for some reason it took me a LONG time. So --instead of trying to print it again, & coloring it again, I did the dreaded cutting-the-image-out deal -- & sponged the background paper before popping it on there. The papers are Bazzill, & Basic Grey Jovial & Wassail. The sentiment is from one of those cute little clear stamp packs from Michael's. I used a Snow Writer pen to edge the main layer & can I just say I HATE that thing, lol. It kept clogging up & the only way to get it to work was to wash the cap in hot water -- I'd get maybe one side done & it would clog again. Sheesh no wonder it takes me so long to make a card!

I wish I'd gotten a close up of the snowball the penguin is holding -- it's all.....SNOWY -- but I was a bit rushed taking the photos -- I always think about stuff like that AFTER I put away the light box, camera, tripod, lights --

Be sure to check out the other artists over at Sundays with Crissy!

I really hope you all are further along with your holiday preps than I am. I have some presents bought, nothing wrapped. No cookies baked. But we have been doing some fun stuff. Aside from the Midnight Magic last weekend (pictures HERE) we went to Candy Cane Lane on Saturday night, which is a subdivision in which all the neighbors try to out-light & out-decorate the others. They've been doing this for as long as I can remember & the place is so popular now -- it's bumper to bumper every night, as we found out Saturday! We weren't really dressed for the weather but next year we will definitely bundle up, park the car & WALK it! We could have walked it 3 times in the time it took us to drive! I will have a few pics tomorrow.

And yesterday we went to my husband's work party. He's been there 18 years & we've never attended a Christmas party. But when I found out where it was this year I insisted we go. It was at Discovery World, which is a tech/science type totally hands on museum. SO much fun. I will also have pics of that as soon as I sort through all 82. Don't worry, I won't post all 82, lol

Thanks so much for visiting!!!

I finally finished a card!!!

2011-12-07T23:43:00.001-06:00

Ahhhhhh but I can't show it to you. Sorry! It's my card for Sundays with Crissy & I can't post it till the 13th. I'm such a tease, I know :) Wish I could say I'd have another card done before the 13th but that would be a lie -- & Santa frowns on lying!

But I did want to share some pictures with you -- not the best -- my photography skills seem to get worse the more I work with my camera, lol.

Last weekend we went to an event in our small town called Midnight Magic. The whole town is "open" from 10 until midnight. All the stores have specials, the churches have music, tents are set up all over town with food, there are carriage rides in the park, a craft fair at the middle school, & my favorite - a parade! This was our first year participating -- not sure why we never did before because it was a BLAST!!! It was raining & we almost didn't go, but decided we'd go watch the parade from our car. It stopped raining just as we got there. So we enjoyed a DRY parade, then went to view our brand spankin' new library (I am a total library GEEK!!).

Here are my boys in front of the tree at the library. Everything smelled so NEW!

One of the churches had a live nativity scene, a kids party, & a petting zoo. A petting zoo?? In a church? Michael was all over that -

Those poor bunnies, lol. Michael was super gentle with all the animals, but some kids, not-so-much. I cringed every time I saw a bunny struggling to get away from someone -- it's a miracle none were dropped on its head!

We also went to the garden center, where they had gingerbread houses -- another church to see the middle & high school orchestras -- & oh yeah -- dinner at Culver's, lol. Never did get to the craft show -- will have to plan our day better next year!

A couple of pictures of our Christmas trees:

This is the one in our great room...

and this is the one in our playroom. I really wanted to get a shot with the lights on, but I really struggled with what setting to have it on. I tried shots on all settings, & this was about the best.

I really need to get a photo of our outside lights. My 13 year old BEGGED me to let him put up lights. My husband used to do it but gave up years ago -- he now refuses. He would always pop a circuit, a strand would be out AFTER he hung them, and/or snow would cover all the lights on the bushes. So he dug them out & let Matthew at them. Not only did he get them untangled & hung up, he got them wired together & did NOT pop any circuits. All by himself, with no guidance from us. That kid amazes me!! So -- I will have to try to get a good shot so I can brag a little more about my brilliant son :)

And last but not least......I gotta stick a kitty picture in here, lol. We actually hadn't put up our smaller tree in the past couple of years & Elwood really missed it. He's just not comfy under the other one. You should have seen his eyes light up when we started decorating this one...

Do you think he's trying to blend in???

I will see you back here on the 13th!! Hope your holiday preparations are moving along splendidly.....

And on to Christmas....

2011-11-30T19:33:00.005-06:00

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn’t find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, “Do these turkeys get any bigger?” The stock boy answered, “No ma’am, they’re dead.”

Hahhahaaaaaa......

So I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Ours was quiet -- with my husband up north & my grandma in the nursing home, that left me, my mom & my kids. I was talking to a vendor rep at work today, & she said she had to travel 4 hours to get to her parents house. I said I wouldn't mind that drive, if a huge family were there waiting for me. She said there were a total of 45 people at her parents house!! Yikes!! We've never had 45 family members, not even counting the dead ones!! She said they had 2 turkeys, a ham & a turkey breast. We had 6 Cornish Hens. I guess the positive side of that is there wasn't a lot of clean up!

I'm still not in the craftin' mood -- good thing I gave up making my Christmas cards a while ago. The first year I stamped I made 80 to send out. The next year I bought cards. Last year I didn't even send any. I thought since there are no new cards in the house, that I might show one from last year. Yes, it's cheating. But it's my blog & I can cheat if I want to.

This is one of my favoritest ones ever. In fact, I'm pretty sure this one is still sitting on my craft table somewhere. I don't think I ever got around to finishing the inside to sell it. Yep, when I procrastinate I go all out. This card was done for a High Hopes challenge -- the original post is HERE.

And I leave you with a picture of my fur-baby Elwood, thinking he's still a wee one that fits into any box that happens to be lying around the house. Um, Elwood --- you're crushing the sides of our box!

If you can believe it, this cat used to weigh 26 pounds!!! Yes, you read that right -- 26 pounds. Can you imagine what that box would look like if he tried to stuff himself in it before??!? When our other baby Jake was diagnosed with diabetes, we switched both of them to an all-canned diet -- much better for cats. Elwood ended up losing lots of weight & today he is 16 pounds! He's 16 years old & in great health -- & is still quite the baby :)

Thanks for visiting & I wish I could say I'll have a card for you soon -- but in the last 7 days I've stamped one image. I might finish that card by Valentines Day.

Happy Turkey Day to all!

2011-11-23T12:03:00.008-06:00

Hello to all my peeps out there!! I know I've been a bit quiet -- but things around here have been all BUT quiet. We've had a lot going on -- my grandma fell & was in the hospital for 2 weeks, then was taken to a nursing home. There are some other issues so she will be there a while. My first Thanksgiving without her in many many years so I'm sad, but the boys & I will go see her tomorrow. I also had a bit of car trouble over the weekend, & of course my husband is up north hunting. What do you do when your car gives you trouble on a Saturday night & you have no one to call?? No garages open. Hubby up north. I think looking into AAA might not be a bad idea!!

There have been some other things as well but I will spare you. My free time lately has been spent just hanging with my boys. We've gone shopping, out to eat, visited my mom, watched some movies that we've wanted to see but hadn't gotten around to (RIO!!! What a cute movie!!), & last night we went to a water park with our 4H club. So. Much. FUN!!! They even got me to go down one of the HUGE water slides -- something I really didn't want to do because I am SOOOO afraid of heights. Going down isn't bad, it's the getting up there that's tough for me. About a gamillion stairs -- & when I got to the top I about had a panic attack. I told the worker he needed to get me in my tube & down QUICKLY before I threw up. And of course, I had to do this twice. Because I have 2 kids. Ahhhhh I should get a gold star for that!

Today we are going to Target to get stuff for the pies I'm making for tomorrow -- I'm making my very first pumpkin pie. My grandma always made the pumpkin pie. Since she can't, I'm taking over. I found what I hope is a good recipe -- if it's a hit I will share it with you :) I'm also making a banana cream pie. And not just the kind where you plop some pudding into a crust. A REAL one! I don't like pumpkin pie so the banana cream is for ME :)

Tonight after pies are made & we've eaten dinner we are going to watch the last Harry Potter movie. We've seen a couple in the theater but we missed this one so we are looking forward to it. I'd really like to go see the Muppets but my KIDS are not INTERESTED! Can you believe it?? No taste in movies at ALL!!!

So..... to sum it up ....I have not been creating. I've just been enjoying my free time with my boys. In spite of all that is going on I'm actually looking forward to this holiday. I've been a Scrooge the last few years so this year I'm making up for it. We are putting up our tree this weekend & I'm going to play Christmas music & we're going to have FUN whether they like it or not!

I have so many blessings in my life. Here is a small list of things for which I am thankful:

1) My kids, who are healthy (most of the time) & happy (well except for the teenager - teenagers are never happy)

2) My family -- they are mostly sane

3) My friends -- the ones I can hug & the ones I can only send cyber hugs to

4) My neighbors. We couldn't live in a better neighborhood. When we win the lottery, we'll have to just knock down our house & build the mansion on the lot we have. I will never move.

5) My house, with all its quirks

6) Deer hunting season, during which my husband is gone for 2 weeks. Only because I'm happy he can go up north & relax & have fun with nature. Not because I enjoy the peace & quiet while he's gone or anything.

7) Peace & quiet :)

8) My job, which I love, & the co-workers that come with it. A great group of people with huge hearts who will do anything for anyone.

9) A car that runs. Most of the time.

10) A great mechanic for when my car *doesn't* run.

11) All the little things that make a "blah" day a GOOD day --- my fur-baby Elwood, French Vanilla coffee, Facebook, Rolos, blurfing, the Stephanie Plum books, Grey's Anatomy, the daily newspaper, & the few radio stations that DON'T start playing Christmas music the day after Halloween.

And of course, I'm also very thankful for all of you who visit me, who email me, who make me laugh, & whose creations I draw inspiration from -- thanks to you all! I hope you have super duper FANTASTIC Thanksgiving!! Don't eat too much!!! On second thought -- eat all you want. Thanksgiving only comes once a year :)

Non-traditional Christmas colors

2011-11-13T08:58:00.003-06:00

Hello & happy Sunday to you! I know my posts seem fewer & farther between these days -- lol -- my spare time gets to be less & less each week -- & with the holidays coming -- oh boy -- I don't even want to think about it!

This week's challenge at Sundays with Crissy is to make a Christmas card using non-traditional colors. That wasn't the hard part -- the hard part was trying to pick an image from the HEAPS of Crissy images that I own! I finally decided on Herald Angel from High Hopes. I envisioned her in pink & yellow & I think it turned out ok -- although my photos stink. It was quite rainy & dreary here in Wisconsin this week so getting a picture in natural light was quite a challenge.

She's colored with Copic markers -- papers are K&Company -- lots of Glamour Dust on her wings -- & a big ole cheescloth bow to finish it off. What, no flowers? Nope, I kept it pretty simple this time. And I guess this would be my very first Christmas card of the year. I'm not behind at all. Not at allllll.....

I hope you all have a great Sunday -- a bit windy here but it's supposed to be 60 so I'm not complaining!! Thank you so much for visiting me :)

Sale in my Etsy shop!

2011-11-12T10:45:00.002-06:00

Time to clean out the old to make room for the new ---- everything is now 10% off in my Etsy shop --- just use coupon code CARD10 when you check out!!!

MY ETSY SHOP

Autumn Tilda

2011-11-03T19:13:00.005-05:00

Happy Thursday-almost-Friday everyone!! Fall is here in Wisconsin -- I think I missed the colors changing on all the leaves when I blinked -- geez they were green, then I looked away for a sec & now they're all on the ground! My son has to leave the house at 6:30 in the morning to catch the bus & it is sooooo dark & soooooo cold -- downright creepy -- I do NOT enjoy sending my child off into the darkness every morning!

Anyway -- on to my card:

In keeping with the fall spirit, I used Standing Fall Tilda -- it will be a while before I am able to buy any of the FAB new Tildas so I'll have to make do with what I have. **gasp** -- did I really just say that?? I still buy all my Magnolias -- among other things -- at 7 Kids College Fund. I find Tab has the best prices & the best service. I colored Tilda with my Copic markers -- & used wayyy more Stickles than I meant to --see the seam binding? Well -- I didn't think about adding that until everything was all glued down -- so not only did I have to *thread* the seam binding through the raffia lace -- but as I was tying it & adjusting it, I felt wet on my finger. Yes, I applied the Stickles to her wings before I started playing with the seam binding -- & I forgot about it. Nothing like dragging my hand through wet Stickles once or 10 times. Let's just say Tilda has glitter in spots that no young girl should have glitter!

Here's a close up -- errant glitter pieces & all --

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Berry Sweet Challenge -- Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp -- Buttons

Papertake Weekly -- Anything Goes Optional Bling -- do Dew Drops count as bling?)

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Mine will not be so great. I opened our pantry the other day & there was a bit of water on the floor -- looked up to find a big ole water spot on our ceiling. Our pantry happens to be under our bathroom so that is not good, & I have no idea how we will find where it's coming from. I'm thinking it might be a pipe -- but even if I call a plumber how are they going to know? Will they have to remove the wall? Ugh -- I smell lots of money going down the pipes -- literally :(

How much do I love Halloween??

2011-10-30T15:37:00.021-05:00

THIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS much!! I *heart* Halloween -- yes even more than Christmas! Wayyyyyy more! That's because there is no work involved, but it's just as much fun :)

We went to the Zoo again this year for their Trick or Treat festivities -- we went last year for the first time & I decided we are going to do it every year. Here are just a few pics from our outing (if you are my Facebook friend you may have seen these already)

They have fun displays like this one all throughout the zoo. That's the train in the background, in case you're wondering what the smoke is :) We waited until dark to ride the train -- kind of eerie riding through the zoo on a train when it's completely dark out!

Lots of pumpkin art displayed as well ....

One of my favorites :)

There were 3 guys carving pumpkins right there -- you can see one arranging a pumpkin in this display -- it was fun watching them carve -- flip flip flip DONE -- they are pumpkin artists :)

They also made this -- this pumpkin weighs 832 pounds!!

My husband would like these antlers over our fireplace!

He was chomping on something all red & meaty-like...

These 2 rhinos were so funny -- clearly they had roommate issues -- the were snorting & growling -- & drooling all over the place -- while bumping horns. I think I heard something about one always leaving the toilet seat up --

This jaguar sat perfectly still the whole time we watched -- what a beautiful creature --

This poor cheetah was pacing back & forth like he was having a panic attack. See the pumpkin in the background? They give most of the animals pumpkins -- some filled with treats -- it was fun to watch them having a snack --

I don't know, every picture I wanted to take of the boys, Michael (on the right) groaned & complained -- yeah, he sure looks like he hates having his picture taken!

There's a pathway leading around the cage where the wolves are -- & they set up ghosts, tombstones & other scaries -- & they have music & lights all synced so the lights are "dancing" -- so cool!

Hmmmm.... I don't think these guys are from Milwaukee...

Sitting for a spell ..... hahaa get it?? A SPELL -- yeah it would have been funnier if that were a witch in the background.

We had such a fun time -- the weather was perfect -- & it was so fun seeing the little ones dressed up :)

Today was our Trick or Treat & the weather is not as nice. Very windy & we got rained on -- usually we are really lucky with the weather -- last year it was warm & sunny. Ah well, at least it didn't snow (we've experienced that while Trick or Treating as well. You just never know in Wisconsin)

One of Michael's pumpkins. Yes, Halloween is spelled wrong, lol

Their other pumpkins...

Not a very good one of the boys -- kind of blurry -- but you get the picture. One dressed up, one did not. Hmmmmm....

I hope you had a fun filled Halloween -- I'd love to hear what you did & let me know if you took pictures -- I'd really like to see them! Halloween comes & goes way too quickly -- & from now until the end of the year I'm going to feel like I can't breathe. That's why Halloween is my favorite -- no pressure! No last minute gifts to buy! No malls!!!

Happy Halloween everyone!! I'm off to get my roasted pumpkin seeds out of the oven ....

EDITED --- & here they are -- all together now -- Yummmmmmmmmmm!!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-28T16:16:00.005-05:00

You know, I really can't imagine what it would be like to sit down & make a card, from start to finish, in ONE sitting!! All you bloggers out there who make a few cards a day, & manage to post to your blog every day - I bow to you. I don't know how you do it!!

Well I didn't get to make many Halloween cards this year, which is sad because I LOVE Halloween -- it's my favorite holiday & my favorite card theme. I dug out an older Tilda for this one.....

This is Tilda with Spider - my very first Halloween Tilda. She's colored with pencils -- I have a really hard time working with purple. I never have the right shade. The hat didn't turn out the way I want it to -- the Stickles actually turned my purple pencil PINK! I had to go over it with Black Stickles. Ah well -- could have been worse :)

Other than that, just the usual Halloween-y stuff -- bats -- spider webs -- I died some cheesecloth black -- very spooky :)

I couldn't find any Halloween challenges since I'm late to class again -- but I am entering this into this one:

Simon Says Stamp -- Anything Goes (my favorite challenge, lol)

Well I hope you all have a terrific Halloween -- we are going to the zoo tomorrow. We went last year & had a blast. Sunday is our Trick or Treat -- another thing I *heart*. I'm so glad I have kids -- otherwise I'd have to go by myself!

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine

2011-10-19T20:50:00.002-05:00

Issue # 4 is now available HERE -- & check out page 101 -- you might just spy a familiar card :)

Sundays with Crissy -- Thanksgiving

2011-10-12T20:05:00.006-05:00

Hello & happy 13th!! The theme this month over at Sundays with Crissy is Thanks/Thanksgiving. I have dug into my High Hopes rubber archives once again..

How CUTE is this turkey? This is Tom's Plea & he makes me giggle every time. He's colored with pencils & Goo Gone -- I printed the sentiment on the computer & used my new-to-me Magnolia Doohickey tag die thing to cut it out. Papers are Basic Grey Indian Summer -- a few Primas here -- a few Dew Drops there --

I hope you join us over at the Sundays with Crissy blog -if you do you get the chance to win 5 free digis!! Read SARAH'S POST for all the details!

And....believe it or not... I am ahead of the game this time & this card is already in my Etsy shop!! That never happens till weeks later! Click HERE to find the listing :)

Soooooo....my older son turned 13 yesterday. Sigh....and last night we were cleaning out our cabinet that our tv sits on because they ran out of room for all their Wii games....and he actually wants me to GET RID OF all his old Blue's Clues, Little Bear & Pooh vcr tapes!! Can you believe it?? I just don't think I'm ready.....come to think of it, I'm not ready for ANY of this.....it's going to be a looooong 10 years, lol. Seriously though, he's a GREAT kid & lately he has done nothing but help me around the house & yard. I know we're going to have our ups & downs ....it wouldn't be right if we didn't.....but please let there be more ups than downs!

Thanks for visiting!

Betty is ready for Halloween!

2011-09-29T19:33:00.008-05:00

TGI-almost-F!!! It's been a loooong week & I am ready for the weeeeekend!

I got this cute little Betty last year but never inked her up. She comes in a set of 2, with a sentiment. I got mine from 7 Kids College Fund -- HERE is the link. I used the other image on THIS CARD -- wow, has it really been almost a year since I made that? Time sure does speed on by!

Anyhoo -- I colored Betty with my pencils & Goo Gone -- the papers are Basic Grey Eerie (look, 7 Kids still has this paper!) -- the fence is a Sizzix die -- lots of Nesties & punches -- the sentiment is a dollar stamp from Michael's from a few years ago --

This was actually my second attempt -- the first one went into the circular file after I completely messed up the clouds. I hate when that happens! I'm pretty skillful at covering up my errors (only to point them out in my blog posts) but there was no saving this one! So I colored up Betty again, & very gingerly added some clouds).

Speaking of clouds --- here's the reason my pictures totally stink! Can't blame the camera this time -- but I can blame the lack of natural light --

Crazy crazy weather here in SE Wisconsin today. Wind advisory --- sunny, then cloudy, then sunny, then DARK clouds, raining, no, wait -- it's hailing --- oops wait it's sunny again --

One more thing before I go -- you may have heard of a little team called the Milwaukee Brewers ---

Sorry Dawn.

Strawberry Zucchini Bread

2011-09-22T16:25:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again --- too much zucchini on our hands! Time to prowl around for new recipes. I found this one a couple of week ago & made some over the weekend -- it was a HUGE hit, I highly recommend it!

STRAWBERRY ZUCCHINI BREAD

2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups white sugar
1 pound fresh strawberries, cut into 1 inch pieces

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl combine flower, salt, baking powder, baking soda & cinnamon. In a large bowl beat together eggs, oil, vanilla & sugar. Fold in shredded zucchini. Add dry ingredients & mix well. Gently fold in strawberries. Transfer to pan (I used mini loaf pans). Bake 45-50 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pan before removing.

I prefer to use the Pampered Chef mini loaf pans -- love love LOVE all their stoneware. I love to freeze the mini loaves & give them as gifts - I always wrap mine in 2 sheets of foil, then place them in a freezer bag. Can't even tell they'd been frozen :)

Let me know if you try this recipe. And if you have a bread recipe -- or any recipe for that matter -- feel free to share. I'm always looking for new ideas!

Happy birthday!!

2011-09-19T19:09:00.007-05:00

It's my co-worker's birthday tomorrow & I wanted to make her a little something. I don't really talk about my ~~obsession~~ hobby at work, nor has anyone seen anything that I've made. But I've decided to start spreading the love a bit -- & I'm starting with my friend Lou. Turns out her daughter also makes cards & so I figured she'd be a good one to start with :)

Can you believe I've never ever altered a frap bottle? I've *saved* the frap bottles -- about 22 of them -- but this is the first one I actually did something with. The sentiment is from SU's Oh So Sweet -- one of the few SU sets I own. Basically I own any set that has food or hedgies, lol. So yes, the hedgie on the card is also from SU, he belongs to the Hedgehog Happiness set. The papers on both are K&Company McKenna. Lots of seam binding & dies & punches -- oh my!

Close up of the card...I added some shine to the balloon...

I stamped the chocolate from that same SU set for the top - used lots of Nesties & seam binding - & filled it up with pretzel M&M's. I sure hope she likes it!

Thanks for visiting -- have a super week!!

Sundays with Crissy - Lenny

2011-09-13T06:00:00.002-05:00

Oh, how I am loving being on the Sundays with Crissy team -- so talented & so darn sweet!! So it seems appropriate that the challenge this week is FRIENDSHIP.

I used another High Hopes image for my card - shocking, I know. This is Lenny's Love Me Nots. I stamped the image onto SU's Naturals Ivory -- which I love but always forget I have -- & colored it with Prisma pencils & Goo Gone. The papers are K&Co McKenna, I added some Stickles & used one of my newer Nesties for the frame. The sentiment is also from High Hopes.

Come join us in the fun at Sundays with Crissy -- what's so extra fun about this challenge blog is that instead of everyone posting at once, we are all scattered throughout the month. So there's something new to look at every couple of days :)

I hope you've had a great start to the week. My Monday was pretty ok, as far as Mondays go. Still trying to get back into a routine with the crazy early hour that I'm up. I'm SO wanting to make fall & Halloween cards -- my very favorite to make -- & I just haven't found the time yet. Hoping to before the season comes & goes, lol!

Scarecrow Mudzie

2011-09-05T18:44:00.006-05:00

Well I hope all you peeps had a fantastic Labor Day weekend! It sure went by fast -- I still have stuff on my list that I didn't get to!

I have been so anxious to get this card done & there has been so little time with the hullabaloo of school starting. I had to work on it 5 minutes here --- 5 minutes there -- & then I rushed through the photographing of it -- it's not quite as clear as it could have been --

This is Mudzie Plays Scarecrow, a digital image from Squigglefly, created of course by the fab Crissy Armstrong. That's 2 whole digitals I've downloaded & used now, how proud of me are you?? I colored Mudzie with pencils -- still not sure about using Copics with digitals since my printer is kind of cheap, I'm afraid the ink will bleed. And I just haven't had time to experiment! The papers are Basic Grey Boxer -- I thought they were rather "fall-ish" -- I added a Prima leaf & some raffia. I really wanted to keep it simple since the image is so detailed.

And how cute is his little birdie friend? FRIEND? Oh crumbs -- I could have used this card as my card for this month's theme at Sundays with Crissy! It happens to be friendship -- go check out what the dt members have posted so far! Such cute stuff! Ah well, good thing I have another idea in my head :)

Back to work & school tomorrow -- & back to early early wake up -- poo :(

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T12:01:00.002-05:00

Oh, to be young (or a cat) & have no responsibilities ...... I have a list a mile long of things I need to get done today. I may have the day off of work, but that doesn't mean I get to do nothing! Elwood is definitely happy that Michael is home today!!

It's a beautiful day --- 60 degrees, sunny, a bit breezy -- ahhhh to have the windows open & not be sweating is heaven. Makes those chores a little easier to get done!!!

Have a super day :)

All fixed!

2011-09-04T09:16:00.002-05:00

Thanks so much for your guidance regarding my background!! I knew I had the old background lodged into my html somewhere --I just couldn't find it! So I went to each html widget separately & finally located it & deleted that baby!! This looks much better :)

SOS!!!!!

2011-09-03T18:17:00.002-05:00

Ok --- so as you can see I've changed my blog design. Well, ALMOST. I'm using a template from LeeLou Designs ---my last one was also from her. I remember this issue from last time too --- I downloaded the template using her instructions -- & I got the template but not the background. The background is my OLD old background, the one I had when I started my blog. A few months ago I decided to download one from her site & it did the same thing, & I remember agonizing over it. I did eventually figure it out -- I just had to change or delete one little thing -- but for the life of me I can't remember what I did! I could understand it happening last time -- since I was just changing over -- but now that this is the second time I'm changing that background should be on there at all. Anyone have any ideas??

Then I went to the site of someone I had chatted with a few months ago about creating a design for me -- she was really good & really affordable -- today I went to her site & OF COURSE she's not doing custom designs any more. So sad :(

I am really trying to get a card done -- the last week has been crazy with trying to get ready for school, all the supplies, the forms, the open houses. My kids started Thursday & while they are sad to see summer end, I think they are glad to be back in a routine with their friends. Matthew started middle school & is doing well, except NEITHER of us likes the early early hour -- Thursday I was up at 4 because I was just so darn excited for him, Friday I was up at 5:15 which will be my normal wake up time from now on. Bleah ---

Anyway, I do have an image colored & OH what a cute image it is :) Can't wait to share!

Hope you all have a FAB Labor Day weekend & hopefully someone will come to my rescue regarding the blog. Actually, the background doesn't look too bad -- the color sorta matches -- but when you first come to blog the real background that is supposed to be there blinks on for about 2 seconds, then it switches to this one. Which is just annoying -- sorry :(

Friendship Tilda

2011-08-24T19:45:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday! My kids start school next week Thursday & I tell ya it can't come soon enough! They are excited & I am ready to get back into a routine -- I feel like I've fallen way behind with everything this summer!

Originally this card started out all white -- there were so many white challenges last week that I wanted to enter. But as the days went by & I had no time to spend on the card, the challenges ended & I decided to add a bit of color instead.

I used Tilda With Cute Skirt -- & it is indeed a cute skirt with all the ruffles - I colored her with Copic markers, cut her out & plopped her on a doily. My color of choice to add to the card is SU's More Mustard -- I sponged all the edges & stamped the sentiment (which is from an old SU set called Friendship Blooms) in Mustard. Lots of punches & dies -- & Stickles on her cute skirt, of course :)

I'm hoping to get the inside finished & an envelope made so I can list it. I'm a little behind on that too.....sigh.....

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Are you sick of zucchini yet?

2011-08-21T12:11:00.002-05:00

Well we are! About a month ago a co-worker gave me a HUGE zucchini to make bread with, because mine were still eeny weeny. Well, now we've got an obscene amount. And they're all HUGE! One day I go out & they're not ready to pick, the very next day they have tripled in size! So all I can do is shred them & come up with interesting things to make with them. I've made zucchini chocolate bread, zucchini pineapple bread, zucchini banana bread --- & in my batch of "grandma recipes", I found this --

ZUCCHINI PEACH JELLY/JAM

6 cups shredded peeled zucchini
6 cups sugar
2 T lemon juice
1 can crushed pineapple with juice
2 pkgs peach Jello

In a large pan, combine zucchini, sugar, lemon juice & pineapple with juice; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring often, at a full boil for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Jello. Spoon into clean jelly jars. Cover & cool, store in fridge.

So easy & apparently, really good. I'm not a fan of zucchini (go figure) but my son & the co-workers I've shared with really like it. I left the shreds of zucchini in, but of course to make it jelly you would strain it out. I'm going to make zucchini strawberry jam next because I also have a ton of strawberries! I've also found a recipe for zucchini strawberry cake, so I'll give that one a go as well.

Let me know if you have any superb zucchini recipes! We love to try new things!

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations #2

2011-08-18T18:46:00.003-05:00

Did you all LOVE the first edition of this FANTASTIC magazine?? Well issue #2 is ready & available for viewing!!!

Check it out HERE -- there is even a FABULOUS interview with my new old friend Crissy Armstrong! Doesn't she just ooooooze charm?? She is sweet & talented & GORGEOUS - can you even believe she's a GRAMMA?!?!?

Sorry to be so scarce but we are busy busy busy as bees getting ready for school. My son is starting Middle School this year & had his Open House on Tuesday. Then we went back on Wednesday to try again, lol. Oh the stresses of Middle School -- new faces -- trying to get lockers open -- I don't have so & so in my homeroom -- I remember it like it was yesterday. I am looking forward to the whole routine of school -- what I am NOT looking forward to is the OBSCENE TIME I will have to get up to get ready for work before my boys get up. We share a bathroom (yes, just one full bathroom -- what were we thinking?) & Matthew has to catch the bus at 6:45, Michael has to catch the bus at 7:45, & I have to be at work at 8:30 -- do the painful math -- that means I will be getting up too-early-o'clock!!!!!! Better stock up on the Folgers!!!

Sundays with Crissy - Choppers Chilaxin'

2011-08-13T11:00:00.002-05:00

Hello all & happy Saturday!!

I am so excited to share the news with you all -- I am a proud new member of the Sundays with Crissy team! I have not been shy about telling you all how much I *love* Crissy -- as a person and as an artist. She is my favoritest. We worked together on the High Hopes team for quite a long time & I was devastated when she stepped down. Well now we are back together & I couldn't be happier! Except --- **GASP** -- the first theme was to make a SIMPLE card. Simple?? What? I had to look it up in the stamper's dictionary! I just don't DO simple!

While I *love* all of Crissy's current designs, I am partial to the High Hopes images she drew. I do plan on using some of her newer images -- as you saw in my post HERE -- but I will also be using lots of the High Hopes so expect lots of blasts from the past! For my first card I really reached into the archives -- Choppers Chilaxin -- I think this is one of the first stamps I received from HH & it's always been one of my favorites. I stamped him onto Cryogen White (love the shimmer) & colored him with my Copic markers. I *had* to add the matching sentiment of course. Added some scored lines around the image & voila -- a simple card. I had to then hide it so I wouldn't add anything more to it. I'm lucky I found it to take the photos!

Hope you can see the Stickles I added to the water -- & a bit of clear glaze to his lemonade & sunglasses.

Thanks again to Crissy for allowing me to be part of your team!

Well I am off to get some errands done -- we were at the State Fair yesterday ALL DAY -- a total of 12 hours -- I am exhausted & way behind on everything. School starts soon -- in fact my son has his open house for middle school Tuesday -- & I haven't bought so much as an eraser! Lots to do -- LOVE this time of year :)

A few firsts.....

2011-08-11T16:09:00.004-05:00

Greetings!! I'm so excited because I made a card using a digi FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME! I can hear you all gasping, I know -what have I been waiting for? Well when I saw this cutie created by my very talented friend Crissy Armstrong I had to have it. And since it only comes in digi form.....I was forced to take the plunge!

This is Back to School Bart, available at Whimsy Stamps. Believe it or not, it's also my first Whimsy image! And -- I used my Basic Grey Jovial pad FOR THE FIRST TIME -- love these papers -- I got them from my friend Tammi last year but the pad got buried -- luckily I was looking for something else & came across it, the papers were perfect for this card. I know it's not a Xmas card, but you know me & the red/green combo -- it's my favorite! Gosh looking at the red flower now -- it looks like a poinsettia, lol. THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS CARD!!

I have listed this card on Ebay HERE

I only took one photo -- I was having a fit trying to get it to focus. And forget about a close up -- I had my macro on but for some reason every picture I took was fuzzy. This will have to do :)

We are headed to the State Fair tomorrow -- I took the day off & we will be going first thing in the morning & staying till late at night. We missed it last year for the first time so we have some catching up to do! I will be spending the day eating fried foods & stuff on a stick!

******* I almost forgot to mention that Jocelyn solved the mystery below. A few people said it was some kind of hummingbird moth (Ann-Marie & Squirrel both said Hummingbird Hawk Moth), but I think Jocelyn hit it on the head when she said it's a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. Click on the link, very interesting creature!! I'd never heard of it before! Thanks ladies!!!

What the ??????

2011-08-10T18:48:00.002-05:00

I was peacefully pulling weeds in my garden.....when this THING came flitting past me....it went from flower to flower......it's HUGE! I yelled for my son to get my camera --- QUICK! It reminded me of a hummingbird the way it's wings went a million miles a second -- it took a few tries to get a clear picture. He is having a good time with this flower --- & of course you can't see its head.....but what the heck is it?

It must be a bee of some sort but it's HUGE -- & kind of soft like a moth. That's a petunia he's sitting on so you get an idea of the size. So let's see ---what sucks on flowers like a bee, has wings like a hummingbird & a body like a moth? It's a Robin Williams joke LOL (if you've never seen his "Live at the Met" then you have no idea what I'm talking about -- but his bit about the platypus is hilarious!!)

If you know what it is, please share. I was going to Google it but how can I when I don't what it is? LOL

Wow, I'm featured!

2011-08-09T20:17:00.002-05:00

I just had to share that my blog has been featured on the Be@home web site! They posted 30 blogs with a photo & little blurb about each blog -- you can see the article here --check it out, you will find some great new blogs! I am floored by all the talent & can't believe I was included --such an honor!

Magnolia frame

2011-08-04T15:51:00.007-05:00

Hello all, happy almost-Friday!! Today I have a frame to show you -- I know -- I *never* do anything but a card, lol. But I've been seeing lots of frames lately & I wanted to play too!!

I found this frame at Michaels & used that fabulous 25% off coupon last week so I think it ended up being about $3.50 -- it was perfect for what I wanted to do with it. I think the name of this Tilda is Witch Tilda -- I think fall is my favorite time of year -- love the colors, the smells -- and the STAMPS! I paper pieced her dress using Bazzill Dots & colored the rest with Copics. All the flowers are punched from Bazzill Dots as well -- added a pumpkin charm & a Cuttlebug Corner -- & there you have a frame that is way cuter than it was!

Can you see the wee bit of bling I added to her ruffles?

I think I should have added more leaves. Ah well....next time! I couldn't believe how hard it was to get a photo, now that I'm thinking about it I wonder if the glare from the glass made my camera not focus??

This will be listed on Ebay tonight -- if I can get some decent photos!!

Hope you all have a great weekend! My baby turns 9 tomorrow so Saturday he is having a friend sleep over. Not sure what we'll do -- either the beach or a movie, depending on the weather! Here's to a sleepless night!!

Just for you

2011-07-26T15:42:00.008-05:00

Hello all!! I hope you're having a fab week ~~ this will be quick because we have to get ready to go to yet another baseball game. The season is winding down & as crazy as it's been I'll be sad when it's over!

I got this Tilda a few weeks ago but just finally got to do something with her other than staring at her uninkedness, lol. I love strawberries -- they are my favoritest fruit --hard to keep them in this house because my 8 year old loves them too!! I love all images containing strawberries too, so if it has a berry somewhere on the image I must have it! I went back to my colored pencils for this one -- add a bit of Stickles -- papers are Cosmo Cricket -- sentiment is Hero Arts -- some cheesecloth, some pearls --the usual :)

My photos are really bad today -- I don't have time to doodle around with the editing so it is what it is! You know me & reds -- we have a love/hate relationship!

For the inside I made a tag -- on the bottom of it (which of course you can't see) I used my favorite Martha Stewart punch -- the doily border -- sponged the edges & added some green crinkle ribbon.

This card will be on Ebay as soon as I can take some decent pictures :) When pigs fly?? Nahhh sooner than that :)

Thanks for visiting :)

***This card is now up for sale on Ebay HERE***

Family fun at the fair

2011-07-23T15:22:00.013-05:00

Hello & happy Saturday!! If you are here to see some craftiness, you might want to move along to the next blog -- today I have pictures of our day at the fair :)

So as I was saying before, this is our first year in 4H. It's been fun & the kids got to enter projects into the fair. Michael was a Cloverbud this year -- kind of "pre 4H" -- so although he WAS judged -- all the Cloverbuds received the same ribbon. Next year he'll be judged & given a blue, red, white or pink ribbon like Matthew was. They all earn a bit of money for each ribbon --

Matthew received a red ribbon for his photography project down in the corner there. If you're wondering what that picture is on the top left, it's his lava lamp. I think it's pretty cool!

He received a blue ribbon (yay!!) for his birdhouse -- the one he & his father spent all week arguing over. The judge did say the perch is too big -- that allows the big ugly crows to sit on it & eat the little eggs & baby birds -- we'll have to fix that!

I didn't realize at the time that this picture didn't turn out -- guess I won't be using this one on MY photography project next year! Michael made cookies & brownies & both turned out fantastic! In fact, I think there was a bit of taste testing amongst the judges -- one cookie is missing!

We only had time for one ride -- which was fine by me. I *loathe* those rides! Nothing like watching your kids swinging & rotating & going upside down -- it makes my stomach turn. I hate being "that" mom but honestly, there are some I just won't let them go on. I'm so mean......

Our club had to help serve ice cream -- the kids were THRILLED to be wearing these fine Klement's hats, as you can see by the looks on their faces (they were even more thrilled that mom had to take a picture!)

Break time! Nothing like a BIG SCOOP of Blue Moon....

Both kids worked really hard, both on their projects & working the ice cream booth. We served & wiped tables for 4 HOURS! And it was *hot*. We all had lots of fun & we can't wait till next year!

I took off of work the next day (thank goodness, because we didn't get to bed until midnight!!) & we went to the beach. Well, more like a watering hole with sand around it -- but it was relaxing & fun & while I'm a fanatic about sunscreen for the kids, I'm not too crazy about putting it on myself. I did pay for it -- my shoulders were a bit seared!

And now that the craziness of the fair is over, hopefully I will have a bit more time to craft! I'm working on a card today in between loads of laundry so hopefully I will have something new to show soon!

Thanks for visiting! Have a super duper weekend!

Trendy warm wishes

2011-07-19T19:37:00.012-05:00

Hello all! Hope you are staying cool where you are -- guess I got tired of the CRAZY heat wave we are having here in Wisconsin -- because I chose to make a winter card this week!

I've always loved all the High Hopes snow ladies -- & yes I actually decided to give watercoloring another shot! I am so bad at it -- but I cheated this time & used my blender pen to blend my ink instead of that darn water brush. I *loathe* the water brush. I *heart* my blender pen. I had used it before with the SU markers but hadn't tried it to blend inks. It worked great! I used 3 or 4 different Distress Inks, then a bit of Twinkling H2O's for shading. My H2O's never look as good as everyone else's, but I guess I say that about everything, lol.

I had to laugh at all the "trends" I used on my card. First, there's the ever popular cheesecloth that I am seeing on everyone's cards -- love the touch of shabby!! Then, there's the snowflake with Glitter Glass -- made popular by my idol Anna Wight. Did you know Glitter Glass is actually shards of glass? I do now! Oooooo I really shouldn't be allowed to play with shards of glass!!

Finally, there is the crazy crinkled seam binding trend. I had seen rumpled ribbons on quite a few cards --figured everyone is just buying it from Etsy or Ebay or some such place -- I don't get to SCS these days much so I had no idea everyone was MAKING THEIR OWN!! Until I read the unfortunate thread in my Ebay sellers group chat board -- they were all talking about buying this seam binding (they were even kind enough to share the Ebay seller's name, just my luck!) & dying it using Glimmer Mist. Well of course I had to do some research -- found a whole thread about it on SCS!! Turns out there are MANY WAYS to dye this fabulous seam binding. So....sigh.. I purchased a roll (just one? What was I thinking??!) & started dying my own. Ahhhhhh it *is* fun. I'm saving money, right? Now I don't have to buy all those colors, right?

Not sure if this was ever a trend, but I did just find Snow Writer at Michael's & since I love making winter cards I decided I had to give that a try too!! Added some Glamour Dust while it was wet -- turns out makes *groovy* snow :)

The Anna-inspired sparkly snowflake......

I am entering this into the Sundays with Crissy design team call -- & also it's my lucky day because Simon Says Stamp's challenge this week is Anything Goes -- my favorite kind -- so I am entering it there as well.

It's already been a busy week here -- the County Fair begins tomorrow & my boys joined 4H this year, which means they got to make projects that were judged & will be displayed all week at the fair. Both of them did great, I'm proud of all the hard work they did. And guess what -- little did I know *I'm* eligible to enter projects as well! Too late this year, but you better believe I'm thinking about what I want to enter next year!! I'm gonna earn me a blue ribbon or two!

Have a super week! It's only supposed to be 97 tomorrow, the day we will be at the fair all day! Whew!!! The good news is I took off of work Thursday & we will be hitting the beach :)

Hedgehog birthday

2011-07-11T15:41:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday everyone!! Yay for me -- I was able to finish not just my card but my matching envelope as well!!

Long before Magnolia there was Penny Black. I have a slew of PB stamps & they have seen no love lately. In fact, I'm pretty sure I hadn't used this stamp EVER -- what a sin!

This is Hedgehog Birthday & yes I made another easel card! Love these, now that I've figured out how to fold the darn things! The image is colored with Copics -- sorry someone yelled at me lately because I don't list my colors. I put them away as soon as I'm done using them -- & the papers are Bazzill Bling & Basic Grey Two Scoops. Everything is spritzed with Pearl Glimmer Mist for some extra bling!

The sentiment is from Hero Arts -- it's a set of 6 & I use them ALL THEM TIME!! One of my best investments ever!

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts -- my one & only purchase from them, although I *love* their flowers! Just one of those things I never got around to ordering more of.

Can ya see the shimmer a little bit?? Well it looks gorgeous in real life, you'll just have to take my word for it!

And since I'm so ahead of the game & made the envelope box already, I will be listing this tonight when I get back from my son's baseball game......

Speaking of......gotta run! Have a super week!

Buddies.....

2011-07-10T14:18:00.007-05:00

So, I got nothin' crafty for ya. I'm finishing up a card today in between loads of laundry & pulling weeds. But I wanted to share a couple of recent pics of my baby ..... and my fur-baby.

Elwood has always loooooved Michael -- but we got a new chair about a month ago & let's just say Elwood is quite possessive of it. If he's having a good day, he might share it. If not --- he will glare at you if you try to sit down next to him on it & that includes Michael. Michael really likes the new chair too. I guess we should have gotten two......

Luckily they love hanging out together & seem to be learning to share quite well.....both of them.....

This was taken a few days after we got the chair. Elwood quickly realized that if he wants to sit on the chair, he may have to be ok with not having it all to himself.

I just took this one a few minutes ago. All is well....

I hope you are having a fantabulous weekend! It is hot & dry here, making gardening a bit of a challenge. We have bugs to contend with, weeds that don't want to come out easily & we have to water everything twice a day. This is about the time every year that I start dreaming of fall & the cooler weather....

Late as usual....

2011-07-08T18:52:00.003-05:00

Ahhhhh I should have been named Kate....then I could be "late Kate", lol. Believe it or not, in real life I am *early* for everything!!!

So the winner of my blog candy is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2011-07-08 23:58:10 UTC

LINDA PALMER -- you are my winner!!! Email me so I can get your address!!

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments, & for celebrating with me!! I appreciate your support :)

Happy Blogoversary to Me!!!

2011-07-05T05:01:00.000-05:00

Wow, has it really been 3 years since I got the crazy idea to join the blogging world? Well --Happy Birthday to my Blog! It doesn't see quite as much action as it used to, but then again neither do I, bahahaaaaaa!

So I have a wee bit of candy to celebrate ---

** 6x6 pad K&Company Julianne papers
** "School for Changito" clear stamp set
** 3 pack of Stickles -- Baby Blue, Cotton Candy & Frosted Lace
** 3 packs of Recollections Mini Roses
** 3 packs of Recollections Rhinestone Stickers
** 1 box of Recollections Roses
** 2 packages of Recollections Flowers
** 1 package of Recollections Butterflies

and gosh, who knows what else I will find to throw in there! Maybe if I can get a card done I will include that as well :)

So I will keep this open until MIDNIGHT (CST) July 5th. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment -- how's your summer going?? Any big plans?? Any fun vacations?? If you'd like to follow me, that'd be swell. If you'd like to share this post on your blog, that'd be groovy!! Thank you all so much for visiting!! Big hugs to everyone!! Now let's have some cake!!!!!

My first easel card....FINALLY!!

2011-07-03T19:08:00.010-05:00

Yes, these easel cards have been around awhile, but I finally just made my first one. I just could not figure out that darn fold, lol. Can you imagine me making like....a BOX....or something really fancy like that?? Anything with more than one score really is confusing to me!

So here is Milton's Fall Harvest, sitting happily on an easel. Hmmmm....is he looking rather festive? That's because I used papers from both Basic Grey Figgy & Wassail -- I just love the shades of red & green in these papers. If anyone knows some non-Christmas lines that have the darker red (like Riding Hood Red) & olive green -- let me know! I think these are the colors I use the very most!

I was really on a roll for a while there with my Copics, but I decided to go with the pencils this time. And you can't tell --shoulda gotten a close up -- but I used clear glaze on all the apples so they are all shiny & ready to eat.

I don't know why I even try with the reds --- I've edited & re-edited but the color still doesn't look right. I took this shot hoping you could see the Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist on the flowers --- but you'll have to squint, lol.

Ahhhh yes, now that I have made one & it didn't turn out backwards or upside down, I see more easel cards in my future! I always decorate my insides anyway, so I may as well make it something that can be displayed :)

I chose this image because Milton is one of my favorites -- illustrated a long long time ago by my good friend Crissy. Well it so happens that she is looking for someone to join her design team! So I thought --- what the heck! She's not exactly demanding ---- one card a month is all that is required -- even *I* can make one card a month! If you want to check out the details---- go to THIS POST HERE read all about it!!

That's it for me!! I hope everyone in the States has a fantastic & SAFE 4th of July! Don't forget to enter my blog candy -- details in the post above!!!

Cutter Bees are SHARP!

2011-06-26T16:08:00.007-05:00

In case you were looking to buy some --- they cut paper, wire, & even fingertips! Ask me how I know......

So I finally got my card done! I got this adorable Tilda weeks ago & was finally able to do something with her. I was starting to think the snow was going to fly before I got this summer card finished, lol

So I AGAIN used my Copic markers to color her -- are you impressed?? I've been using them even more than my pencils lately! The papers are Basic Grey Sugared -- I added some raffia around the flowers -- & added a butterfly JUST so I could enter this card into the Just Magnolia challenge this week! Well, also because that spot was bare, lol.

Believe it or not, I also finished the inside of the card AND made an envelope!! It's already to be listed on EBAY tonight. Thanks to my wonderfully talented friend Deb for the tips on making the envelope. I needed a thicker one than I'm used to making, & she shared the dimensions with me. Thanks Deb!! Deb just started a blog -- Deb's Designs -- be sure to go check it out! She is AMAZING!

Thanks so much for visiting!! I don't post often anymore so I'm thrilled when you visit! My 3 year blogoversary is coming up quick --- just a few days -- so I'm trying to get together a wee bit of candy to celebrate! That will probably be late too, just like every thing else, so patience, little grasshoppers!!

photo fun....

2011-06-24T18:54:00.005-05:00

TGIF!!! Have I finished that card yet??? That would be a big NOPE!!! I finished coloring the image -- & I've been searching for challenge blogs to find just the right layout. But you know how that is ---- 2 hours later after blog hopping & playing on Facebook --- my card is no further along!

But I have been having some fun with my new photo editing program, thanks to my buddy Tab. I noticed she was creating some fun photo layouts of her darling Teddy -- I wanted to play too!! So she gave me the info --- & I've been playing ever since! I took some new pictures tonight & look what I can do now!!!!

Thanks, Tab!! Just what I needed -- another distraction, lol!!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! We are due for some GREAT weather -- it's been rainy & chilly all week. We've had 2 baseball games & 1 baseball practice canceled, plus Michael was supposed to go swimming at a birthday party yesterday. That activity was deleted from the agenda but that's ok -- a bunch of 8 year old boys can have fun no matter what they are doing :)

I also just listed some new charms in my Etsy store -- click HERE for the listing!

Happy Father's Day .....& a trip to Urgent Care

2011-06-19T16:17:00.004-05:00

3 days into summer vacation & already we have been to the Urgent Care. I got a call at work from my husband the other day, saying the neighbor's dog bit Michael on the lip & he was gushing blood from his face. Oh boy.....not what a mom wants to hear! I felt so helpless. I won't go into all the details......the dog is not malicious in any way.....it's a dog that Michael has played with numerous times, I think she was just overly excited.....& all is fine now. The doggie Feds visited & she may have to attend obedience school, but thankfully they can keep her. He got his stitches out today......& hardly even winced. Even though it had scabbed over.....bleah....I was great at holding his hand but have to admit I had to look in the other direction. But what a start to our summer!! My motto is IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE! At first my husband thought he fell off his bike (do you KNOW how much blood is in the face?!?!) & when he first told me he had been bitten & had a hole in his lip ....well I imagined MUCH worse!

Before stitches........

After stitches......

Sorry, the pix are blurry, they were taken with my phone. Yes, the after pic looks much more painful ....that numbing shot not only produced a LOT of blood......but it made the area swell up & turn white. Poor kid ......he is such a trooper!

Such is life with kids! I felt horribly guilty that this happened while I was at work, but I am thankful my husband was home. In fact, with the amount of blood involved, it may have been a BLESSING that I was at work & my husband was there to take care of it!

So......I've been a bit preoccupied & still haven't had time to create. I did get a new Tilda stamped & I colored her face, lol, maybe I will get her hair done by the end this week :)

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

S'More muffins!

2011-06-12T19:01:00.003-05:00

I apologize, peeps -- busy busy busy & I have been a blog neglecter! The last week of school was really busy, but now baseball is in full swing & I just finally finished planting my flowers today & there is just not enough time for everything! That's my motto -- NOT ENOUGH TIME!

So today I have a yummy recipe -- I bought one of those JUMBO muffin tins & the first recipe I tried was one for S'More muffins -- what a great summer treat!

Warning -- these are just as messy as real S'Mores!! LOL

S'MORE JUMBO MUFFINS

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/4 cup mini marshmallows, divided

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Combine egg, buttermilk & oil; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips & 1 cup marshmallows. Fill greased JUMBO muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle with remaining marshmallows. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Ok well I had a teensy more batter so I just shoved it into the 6 cups --- resulting in even JUMBO-ER muffins. You can't really get how big they are from the pic, but they are big & they are GOOD. Well, OF COURSE I had to taste one -- can't give my kids something that may not be good :)

So summer vacation officially starts tomorrow. My son is officially a middle schooler. Yikes, not sure I am ready for that. Middle school is a WHOLE different world. He will need to catch the bus at 6:45 which is just rude. Ahhhh....thank goodness for a couple of months of relaxing summer to get us ready for that crazy schedule! Even though *I* no longer get a summer vacation ***sniffle***

As you can see Elwood is *thrilled* to have the boys home all day -- Matthew left a shirt or something on the floor of his room & Elwood promptly went over & parked his orange furry behind on it :)

Ahhhhh......summer......

Betty Bug

2011-06-01T18:59:00.011-05:00

Yay!! I finished a challenge card BEFORE the deadline. WAY before -- that almost never happens!

I jut received a small order from 7 Kids College Fund, & included in that order was this cute little Betty Bug from Pink Cat Studios. I colored the image with Copic markers --yes, the WHOLE THING! Nary a pencil anywhere on this image! I did bling her up with some Stickles though -- the papers are Basic Grey Urban Prairie -- & the layout is the sketch from Papertake Weekly.

Can you see her sparkle??

Besides the sketch challenge, I am also entering this into:

A Spoon Full of Sugar (Flower Power)

All Sorts Challenge (Things with Wings)

Truly Scrumptious (Summer Sparkle)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts (Lace)

Of course it's that time of year when I just have to add a photo or two of my flowers!

This is just one of the many different colored Columbine plants that are growing -- and growing and growing. If you want a plant that reseeds every year, aren't a lot of work & come in an array of colors, this is the flower for you!

These are the flowers from a bush we call Bridal Veil in these parts -- not even sure what the horticulturally correct name is --- but it's pretty & it also takes care of itself!

My grandma used to own a ceramics shop -- she made me 6 of these adorable guys when we bought our first home. Nothing like napping on the deck, under a pot of flowers while listening to the birds chirp. I want to be a ceramic gnome in my next life :)

That is all for today --if you made it through this whole post thank you!!

Tomorrow I am off to the 6th grade field trip. It should have been to Chicago -- that is the annual trip our district takes -- except this year, of course. We are going to the local YMCA -- sigh ...... well I am just happy that my 12 year old actually still WANTS me to go on his field trips with him!

Just in the nick of time.....

2011-05-27T20:00:00.006-05:00

TGIF!! Especially when it's a 3 day weekend!! It's been a busy busy week -- school year end activities ..... baseball practice has started...... busy at work.....I meant to finish this card a few days ago but I just couldn't get to it. I was sure I would get it done today during daylight hours ...but that didn't happen either. So, the pictures aren't great -- always an excuse, lol!

I wanted to do a card for this week's Sketch Saturday --- & it is still Friday here, but not sure what time zone they are in so it'll be a close one, lol. I did color the image with Copic markers -- all except her dress because not only do I not get along with red while taking photos -- I also don't get along with my red Copic markers. I love the color red -- I use it a lot on my cards --- but it doesn't love me :( So, her dress is colored with colored pencils. Papers are Basic Grey --- Nook & Pantry, I think? And the sentiment is Hero Arts.

I am also entering this in the Just Magnolia challenge --- Friends

Hope you all have a fabulous holiday weekend! Hoping to get lots done outside --- since last weekend was unproductive. That's ok, it's dangerous to plant outside in Wisconsin before June, we could still get a frost! I think it was 40 degrees a few days this week when I woke up ***shiver***

Listed on Ebay.....

2011-05-17T19:34:00.003-05:00

I haven't listed on Ebay in a while --- most of my cards are listed in my Etsy shop (or sitting unfinished on my table). But I missed my Ebay friends so I listed this card tonight!

You can find the listing HERE.

And here's a shameless plug for a wonderful seller group I belong to. Even though I've been a bad bad seller, they haven't kicked me out, lol. They are such good friends & soooo talented! They make tear bears, cards, scrap pages, borders, & one seller even make miniature bears for doll houses. Please check out the group's listings HERE. You will not be sorry!!

Sunday dinner......& another awwwww moment

2011-05-15T19:26:00.011-05:00

I haven't posted a recipe in a while ----- & since I'm such a crafting slacker lately -- I thought I would share what I made for dinner tonight.

BBQ chicken in the slow cooker, seasoned potatoes & buttery carrots. I'm not a fan of barbeque anything, but my kids love it so being the FAB mom I am I made it with them in mind. It was a hit --they loved it! I even had a small piece myself & lived to tell about it.

I know ---isn't the plate DIVINE?!?! Some of my best dinnerware, lol!! Yes I still give my kids their dinner on *sectioned plates*. I started doing it when they were little & just never switched over to *real people plates*.

So.....here is the easy peasy recipe for the chicken:

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN THIGHS

9 chicken thighs (um, yes, I guess you could use ANY chicken part, lol. We love thighs!!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-1/2 cups BBQ sauce
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp prepared mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8-1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce

Sprinkle chicken with salt & pepper. Place on a broiler pan. Broil 4-5 inches from heat for 6-8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Transfer to a 5 qt slow cooker.

In a small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, mustard, Worcestershire sauce & hot pepper sauce. Pour over chicken; stir to coat. Cover & cook on low for 4-5 hours.

So simple!! I don't make BBQ often so I don't know if this is a "standard" recipe. I wasn't sure about the honey -- but it turned out great according to my taste testers!

And for dessert......

Root beer floats! One with whipped cream, one without. I know, what is a float without whipped cream? But that's how he ordered it :)

I am also not a fan of root beer so I just had a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Yes I have boring taste buds!

So I know I just posted pictures of Elwood the other day, but I just had to share these too. He *loves* Michael -- he is always sitting either on him or right next to him. Here was the scenario this morning.....

He wasn't adjusting himself -- he was actually sitting like that. It was hard to get a good picture -- I think the light was too bright in the background -- but you get the idea of just how laid back this cat is!

Then he decided he needed to stretch out so he wedged himself in between Michael & the arm of the chair.....

He's looking a wee annoyed that I was taking a thousand shots of him. I think he was thinking "Good grief, just take the picture & get on with your day".

I'm telling you, this cat has it ROUGH!!!

I hope you had a terrific weekend. Monday tomorrow again already.....sigh.....

The card that almost wasn't

2011-05-13T20:26:00.003-05:00

WHY am I so incapable of making a card, from start to finish, all at one time?? Sheesh -- I had this image colored for almost a week before it slowwwwwwwly became a card. And it's really not that complicated --- it just wouldn't come together!

I knew I wanted to join in the High Hopes challenge so I started going through my pages & pages of rubber....

I decided to use Sweet Little Thing, a sweet oldie from the fabulous days of Crissy. I idolize her no matter WHO she draws for! I also wanted to enter the 7 Kids challenge this week -- this is where it got tricky. I started with a circle shaped card -- but my biggest Nestie wasn't as big as I wanted the card. So I used my Creative Memories cutter -- it just didn't look right. Nothing cuts like a die, even when I have a template to use! So I decided to make a regular square card -- a bit smaller than usual -- & just add lots of circles. I'm going to have to invest in some BIGGER dies! I used Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers --- I paper pieced the cupcake liner -- & added lots of glitter to the frosting.

He will always be the cutest ant around!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

High Hopes -- Anything Goes (always my favorite challenge)

7 Kids College Fund -- Circles (clearly a hard one for me)

Papertake Weekly -- Fancy A Punch

Bunny Zoe's Crafts -- Lace

I'm never been more glad it's Friday -- I did something to my back & have been in agony the last couple of days. I am enjoying some heating pad time right now & have taken my quota of Ibuprofen. I hope it's better by tomorrow because I have loads to do. Even though it's supposed to be COLD here in Wisconsin this weekend, I want to go to the plant store!! So far I've bought: 2 Shasta Daisies. LOL -- I usually have a whole arsenal of flowers by now!!

And what did you think about Idol last night?? One word......conspiracy......nuff said.....

Misc ramblings..............

2011-05-10T16:54:00.014-05:00

I know how much you all *love* when I talk about nothing......so here are my Tuesday ramblings..... (hey!! I could make that a theme ......Tuesday ramblings!!)

It is spring in Wisconsin when something other than sparrows visit our feeders. In the last 2 days we've had a Rose Breasted Grosbeak, an Indigo Bunting & 2 Baltimore Orioles (1 male, 1 female) all make an appearance. We also have bluebirds -- we have a house in our backyard & get them every year. Not sure if it's the same pair each year, but they always show up 2nd to last week of April, right on time!

So.....I was outside trying SO HARD to catch the Grosbeak at the feeder. At one point the Bunting was sitting on the branch just above the feeder the Grosbeak was eating from, I grabbed my camera ---- & my batteries were dead!! Grrrrrrr........

So I realized my crappy camera was not going to zoom in well enough to even tell what it was, so I parked myself outside to try to catch him by surprise. I'm pretty sure my neighbors thought I was nuts, peering around a tree with camera in hand.

Well I still didn't get a GREAT picture. But it was the best I could do with my crappy camera.

I got a little bored at one point waiting, & took a picture of our birdbath, lol. What can I say, I thought the reflection was pretty :)

Next was the Oriole. My son saw the female visit this morning during breakfast, but I didn't have my camera handy. But -- when I got home from work the male was having a snack. I ran & got my camera & got this shot through our very dirty patio door.

I still haven't gotten any shots of the Bunting. He's so pretty....kind of a neon blue. I will stalk him next!

So for all you floral experts.....

This flower pops up every single year next to our garage. All by itself. Any ideas what it might be?

Finally, some photos of my very gorgeous fur-baby Elwood. He is 15 years young & is still a kitten at heart. You're only as old as you feel, right??

And here he is after a little fresh catnip break.....

Ahhh.....the life of a cat!

Well if you've made it this far, thank you!

Also, I want to ask for some opinions -- you *may* have guessed that I'm not thrilled with my camera lately. I'm looking for a new one & am leaning towards a Canon of some sort since that is what my idol-of-all-things-in-life uses exclusively. She did give me a suggestion -- the Canon G11 -- but I am open to suggestions. If you love your camera, I'd love to know what you have!! My current camera is a Fuji Finepix, 5.1 megapixels, 3x Optical Zoom (which explains why I'm not getting great photos of my birds!). I would love a SLR someday, but right now I don't have the time to learn. So a really GREAT point & shoot will have to do!!!

Thanks so much for your suggestions -- comments -- & all the love :)

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2011-05-08T12:31:00.007-05:00

To all my visitors who are mommies, grandmommies, mommies-to-be, step-mommies or any other kind of mommy -- I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!!

The boys & I visited my mom yesterday. Today is just the usual -- I get to clean & do laundry -- I'm hoping to get some time in my garden. I still haven't cleared out the weeds & I'm anxious to go buy some flowers! No new flowers until there are no weeds, that is my rule!!!

I hope that however you spend your day that it's fantabulous!

Tilda as ladybug

2011-05-05T15:40:00.005-05:00

Hey all! Happy Thursday! Wow where did the week go --- I tell ya since I went back to work my week FLIES by! It's Monday.....then it's Friday.....& I'm wondering what happened to the days in between!

I made a card using the sketch on the Magnolia-licious blog. Well I *thought* I followed it, until Cheryl pointed out that she forgot the sentiment on her sketch card. Sentiment? Oops!! I never even saw that there was supposed to be a sentiment, lol!! Well my photos were already taken & edited so hopefully they are an understanding bunch!! I used Tilda as Ladybug ---- colored her with various colored pencils & gamsol -- used papers from Basic Grey Wassail (I know, but I love the dark shade of red!) -- glued it all down, took it apart when I realized I forgot the very important ribbon. Important, because I had other challenges I wanted to enter this card into, & since "Ribbon" was the theme, they would probably want to see some ribbon!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Magnolia-licious -- sketch (sans sentiment)

Just Magnolia -- buttons, bows & bling (well I have 2 out of 3!!)

Papertake Weekly -- anything goes (my favorite challenge!) with the option of using something round

Stamp with Fun -- ribbon or lace

Thank you so much for visiting -- we were at a school talent show for 3 hours last night so I am quite behind on things around here. I missed American Idol :( but I will be there for the results tonight! Go James!!!

Yay for May!

2011-05-02T16:40:00.008-05:00

Happy May to everyone!! Beautiful day today....in fact it was a beautiful weekend! Too bad I spent the whole day yesterday in bed! Ohhhhhhh I did not feel well :( Still not 100% today but much better than yesterday!!!!

I have nothing new to show you.....other than a few springy photos. I had about 10 spare minutes today so I took a few pictures of my flowers that are blooming.....figured I'd better do it today because we are expecting frost tonight & they may not look this pretty tomorrow! Ahhhhh...spring in Wisconsin :)

Something white other than snow!!!!

THIS will be the year my gardens are PERFECT!!!!

Hope you all have a great week & I'll see you in front of the tube for Dancing With The Stars :)

Gardening Hanglar

2011-04-28T17:47:00.003-05:00

Hi all -- this will be quick, as I have been feeling like CRAP all week. It's been quite rainy & chilly here & it's doing a number on my sinuses. Thankfully I have the day off tomorrow & it's supposed to be 60 degrees & SUNNY!!! That should cure me :)

I'd been trying to get to this card all week, knowing I wanted to enter a couple of challenges. But I just couldn't get to it until tonight. This lovely Hanglar was sent to me by a friend -- in fact ALL my Hanglars were sent to me by friends, lol. I still haven't bought any from their site -- I'm so excited to be able to, but my checkbook is screaming "Nooooooooo".....

I colored her with Prismas & cut her out --- she's a bit crooked, maybe a bit too much time in the sun planting her goodies, lol. The papers are K&Company Julianne -- sentiment is from Michael's, one of their fabulous dollar stamps -- now THOSE my checkbook don't mind, lol.

This is for 2 challenge blogs ---

Just Magnolia -- a FAB sketch (ok after I posted this I realized I completely missed the boat -- but it's still a great sketch!!!! Maybe I'll be on time for the next one LOL)

Hanglar Only -- Use your favorite stamp. Well, um, ok.....they are ALL favorites!!

Off to pick up my son from his friend's house, then we'll be hunkering down to watch American Idol. I voted for James as many times as they would let me last night ---- he is amazing! He has not had one bad week & every song he performs, I am there on YouTube the next day watching it 10 more times! Love him!!

Thanks for visiting!! Big hugs & good thoughts to all those in the south & midwest affected by the tornadoes --- it may be raining here but I'm thankful it's a CALM rain!

My Easter so far..........

2011-04-24T11:32:00.012-05:00

Happy Easter to all of my friends!!!!!!!

Just wanted to share a few pictures of my Easter Sunday thus far.....lots of photos .....I won't be hurt if you don't look at them all :)

Here are the gorgeous eggs my boys dyed -- we used vinegar this time & they sure turned out BRIGHT!!

My boys brought me some flowers yesterday. My MIL took them & my husband out to lunch. I couldn't go because I had so much to do. They must have felt sorry for me because they brought me these, & a cupcake. I would have taken a picture of the cupcake but....well I hadn't eaten lunch ....gone in a flash LOL

So I was trying to get a good shot of my flowers this morning......when my furry floral designer decided I was doing it wrong & offered to help...

My munchkins with their Easter baskets.....

We found this incredibly funny .....ok well I was actually the one to point it out so I guess I'm the sickest of the bunch....that's what happens when you live with all boys...

The Peep is pooping a jelly bean!! Bahahhahaaaaa.....

Elwood is wondering where HIS Easter basket is......guess he'll have to share Matthew's....

My husband decided to buy them some *authentic* (he made sure the boys knew that part) Brewers jerseys. Michael got Prince Fielder....

And Matthew got Casey McGehee. I actually got one too ....Ryan Braun....good thing he just signed that huge contract & will be around awhile :)

So today we are off to my mom's. Easter isn't the quite the same for us as other people. We do not do church. We don't do Lent or Passover or all that other stuff. For us, Easter means a lot of chocolate, jelly beans & ham!! I made the desserts, which I will try to get a picture of today. I've never made either dessert before so I'm taking a chance! Maybe I should stop at the bakery on the way, just in case.....

I hope you all have a splendid Easter, whatever you do today!! And I hope the Easter Bunny brought you lots & lots of goodies that are bad for you!!

Blast from the past

2011-04-22T19:48:00.008-05:00

I was staring at my stamps sitting on my shelf the other day & noticed a case marked "Fluffles". Wow ---now there's a cutie who hadn't seen daylight in a while!

I love all the Fluffles stamps --- have they come out with any new ones in the last couple of years?? I love this one with all the itty bitty ladybugs. The layout ended up being quite simple --every time I tried adding something more it didn't look right so I left it. Fluffles doesn't need "stuff" -- he's a cool cat all on his own!

The image is colored with pencils & Goo Gone -- papers are Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety, both layers embossed using Cuttlebug folders (Swiss Dots & Swirls -- 2 folders I used to use all the time but neither of which have seen daylight in a while either!!). A few flowers ..... a few pearls .... a bit of lace ....

I colored the background a bit using Distress Inks .....something you all know I do not do too often OR too well (which is why I don't do it too often, lol)

I used Glossy Accents on the ladybugs. I don't know if ladybugs are really glossy, but it seems I have to gloss them every time I see them!

I added just a wee bit of bling to the flowers...and OH what's that peeking out from the inside? It looks like matching paper! Yes, I managed to finish the inside AT THE SAME TIME I did the front!

Here's something else I don't use often -- my cute little personalized stamp on the back. THAT'S because I dropped my inked up sponge on it. Happens every time I sponge edges --I drop my sponge usually on my already-colored image. I've become very creative in covering up errors. It happened on the back of the card this time & boy was I cursing -- until I remembered my whole collection of "handmade by" stamps. AND it has a ladybug on it!! Actually come to think of it, I also have a Fluffles "handmade by" stamp -- that would have made more sense!!

I hope you have a terrific weekend & a very fruitful Easter. We are going to my mom's ---it's all about the food for us!! Actually, ALL holidays are all about food for us! I am making dessert as I usually do (I *love* to bake! Cooking, not so much). And since I couldn't choose, I am making more than one. If they turn out well (I've never made either recipe before) I will share some photos & recipes :)

A spring card......& HAIL!

2011-04-19T19:55:00.008-05:00

And I'm not talking about the Hail Mary kind of hail!! I'm talking about the "spring" in Wisconsin kind of hail!!

So I set out to make a spring card ....our lovely weather inspired me. I had a few Tildas lying around that hadn't seen ink yet & this one was perfect....

This is Tilda as Butterfly from the Chasing Butterflies Collection. This was my second attempt, my first is in the circular file. That one was colored with Copics, but they were not agreeing with me. So ....this one is colored with Prismas. Lots of glitter added to the wings & the flowers. The papers are Basic Grey Kioshi. Purple is not a color I use often, but I've been seeing some *gorgeous* cards lately using it & thought what the heck.....I hadn't used any papers from this pack so I broke it open!

I used Glamour Dust on her wings --- I like this better than Stickles for a "thin" layer of bling. And since I worked so hard coloring her wings, I wanted them to show :)

I am entering this into the following challenges:

7 Kids College Fund -- Easter & Spring Challenge #19

The Beary Scrap -- Wings & Feathers

Simon Says Stamp -- Card for a Child

All That Scraps -- Magnolia challenge

So on to the hail --- it was raining pretty much all day today. Typical April day in Wisconsin. Being the very thoughtful mom that I am, I drove to pick up my kids from the bus stop. You know, since it was raining. I was reading the paper, when I heard something that sounded like cracking. I thought "what the heck, did my window just break?". I looked up & it was hailing! I felt very unsafe in my car, lol

This is what our deck looked like when we got home. See that nice sheet of ice along with the hail? Makes for TERRIFIC driving conditions! Especially during rush hour.

My poor tulips. It happens every year. Every year I think they get a bit tougher. Pretty soon they'll start blooming in January, lol.

Thanks so much for visiting. Gotta go catch the last part of Dancing With the Stars! I know, I'm a sucker for those educational shows :)

April showers.....er.....SNOW!

2011-04-18T16:01:00.009-05:00

This is what I woke up to this morning, this 18th day of April........

Thankfully right now, it looks like this......

Spring in Wisconsin....

Could be worse ....it could be May 10th & it could be BLIZZARDING. That's what happened back in 1990......I thought it was a joke, but trees were down, power was out....AND IT WAS MAY!!!! Crazy Mother Nature!

Old Buzzard

2011-04-12T21:02:00.005-05:00

I knew I'd eventually be back to creating. The first one after a "break" is always a tough one but I did it. And I did use an older High Hopes stamp. It was hard to choose, but I kind of have a soft spot for this buzzard :)

This is Birthday Buzzard, the cutest buzzard around. The sentiment is also from High Hopes, it probably should have gone on the inside but I needed to fill that spot, lol. The image is colored in pencils --- I splurged & bought a few new ones from Dick Blick. I've always used Prismacolor but wanted to try some others, so I bought a few Caran D'Ache, Derwent Colorsoft, Faber Castell Polychromos, & Dick Blick's own brand. Not sure which I like best --may have to buy a few more to be sure :)

Anyway, the papers are K&Co Wild Raspberry & I used the layout from this week's Sketch Saturday blog. I added some Stickles here & there & used Liquid Glaze on the balloons.

Hopefully you can see the blinged up flowers & the shiny balloons :)

Thanks so much for stopping by & having faith that I would someday post a card again!

Easter blasts from the past

2011-04-09T10:00:00.005-05:00

Hello & happy weekend, my faithful readers!!

Thank you so much for sticking with me during this "down" time --- for sending me messages of encouragement --& for being there with a virtual shoulder for me to cry on. It has been a tough 2 weeks. I am finally to the point that I am not crying every minute --- -but I am still very sad & feel like I will never get over losing Jake. But hearing your stories of pet loss has helped me immensely. I know I said I would never get another, but it's kind of up to Elwood. He's eating ok, but he keeps sniffing the places Jake used to hang out -- then he kind of looks around. It breaks my heart. When he starts walking around crying, that might be the time to consider a friend for him. But who knows --at 15 he may just enjoy being an "only child" with all the hugs & kisses just for him.

Anyway, I have not been feeling very creative at all. It took me quite a while to even come down to my craft table, because right here is where Jake spent his final weeks, curled up in his bed. Now I am here, but my mind is blank. I'm trying to get some cards listed on Etsy --but it's a struggle to even finish the insides. Sure wish I would just do that when I do the card, lol....but usually by that time I'm sick of looking at the papers so I just move on to the next card.

Since I didn't want another card-less post, I thought I would share a couple of Easter cards I made last year. Doesn't look like I'll get any done for this year!

This first one was a custom order on Etsy. Generally I don't do custom orders. But she was a regular customer so I obliged. Well guess what --she didn't like it!! I changed it a couple of times, hoping to make it just how she wanted it, but after my last message to her with the 3rd change, I never heard from her again. THAT IS WHY I HATE CUSTOM ORDERS!!!!!

By the time she decided she didn't like it & ignored my messages attempting to fix it so she WOULD like it, it was too late. So it sat here on my table for a year & I just listed it again a few weeks ago. Well one of my lovely regulars bought it (thank you Shannon!!!) so now it has a new home, thank goodness!! I was a wee sick of looking at it, lol

I do, however, have another Easter card using the same image in my Etsy shop right now. Click HERE to get to the listing.

Can you tell this High Hopes bunny is one of my favorites? In fact, in trying to get back into the creative groove, I have been going through all my High Hopes rubber. I was on the dt for a couple of years, so I have just about every Crissy stamp made!! I know, I'm very lucky! I love the new High Hopes stamps, but I will always treasure these older ones. They always put a smile on my face. So probably the next card I make ....if I can get to that point..... will be a fun HH card!!

Now to get on with the weekend! Not sure what the plan is, I'm so behind on *everything*. Laundry & cleaning ---bleah ---- catching up on the farm (did you know there's an English farm now too??? 2 FARMS!! Yeesh!) --- & just hanging out with my kids. Hope you have a fabulous weekend, & thanks again for hanging around!

RIP Jake - I love you forever

2011-03-30T17:33:00.008-05:00

I am writing this through tears --- our sweet Jake became a furry angel on Monday, March 28th, at 15 1/2 years old. He & Elwood came to us, litter mates, at just 7 weeks old back in August of 1995. We had just bought our first house a few weeks prior. I can't bring myself to post the photo I took of him the day before he died --- but if you want to check out our beauty he & Elwood are on my sidebar. Jake is on the left. He was gorgeous. He was SO sweet. He was my baby. I can't believe he's gone. He was diagnosed with diabetes back in March 2003 & he fought hard. He accepted his insulin & blood tests while sitting on my lap purring. There will never be another Jake.

I am really devastated --- in fact the whole family is taking it hard. I keep hearing his meows. I keep finding his fur on my clothes (yes I can tell his fur from Elwood's). I even have his snot marks on my wall, lol. I'm grateful I still have Elwood --- but it is tough coming home to one kitty after work, putting food in one bowl & hearing just one cry. I will be grieving for a very long time.

This poem has always made me cry, even before I lost Jake. Animals are such innocent creatures, always full of love. They are family members. In fact, I haven't cried this hard or this much since my dad died 8 years ago.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

I will be absent for a while longer while my family & I try to work through this loss. Unfortunately my stamp area is right next to the spot Jake spent his last days, curled up in his bed, so it will take me a long time before I can even sit down there. I thank you once again for all the messages & support --- I love you all!! And most of all, I love you Jake. You were the best.

thank you

2011-03-27T11:10:00.002-05:00

I have received so many encouraging messages from my wonderful cyber-friends. Thank you so much! It has been a rough few weeks at our house. Jake is still with us, but I have let my friend/vet know that it will be time soon. He is still eating & purring & not in any pain (I would NOT let that happen), but he doesn't really leave the comfort of his bed too often. It's been hard on me ----hard on my kids ---& of course hard on Elwood, who goes to check on him every now & then. We also had some trouble at school this week --- & of course I had probably the crappiest week at work since I started there. It all just snowballs. We went to a school dance Friday night, where I commiserated with a couple of friends & it was like therapy for me. It's nice to know it's not just MY life that is sucking right now!

So again, thank you for your kind words. I promise I will be back making cards soon --- it's just nice to be able to take this time to spend with my babies -- ALL of my babies!!

Break time

2011-03-19T12:11:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!!

Posts are becoming fewer & farther between lately.....& I think I need to just take a small break. I am overwhelmed right now with so many things. I have health issues that seem to be a mystery.....I'm working more hours at work.....we are busier with extracurricular activities.....& my poor sweet kitty is in very poor health & I'm trying to spend as much time with him as I can. Jake has had diabetes for 8 years & I have tried so hard to turn him around. I gave him insulin shots twice a day & checked his blood, even gave him fluids last year when he had liver issues. Now it has taken its toll & it's clear he won't be around much longer. It's so hard ---I love him so much, the kids love him, his furry brother loves him --we have had Jake & Elwood since they were 6 weeks old. They are now 15. Elwood is healthy as a horse --but poor Jake got the short end of the stick.

Please bear with me while I take a short break & get a handle on things. Thank you so much for your friendship -- I will be back soon!!

Goodbye :(

2011-03-09T19:00:00.008-06:00

Hello all -- I'm posting as I'm watching Idol so pardon the typos :)

One of my good friends is leaving our workplace --Friday is her last day & I am sooooooo sad :( She was very pregnant when I started last summer & had her baby just a few weeks later. When she came back from maternity leave she was placed on our team & we immediately bonded. Who knew just a few months later she'd leave....sniffle.....I will miss her greatly! I bought her a small gift & made her this card:

This is Tilda in Paris --an oldie but a goodie! I got this as one of my two stamps when I won Jacque's Sunday Sensations candy a few weeks ago. Thank you Jacque & Diana! She's always been a favorite & I'm so happy to finally have her!

I used Prismas & Goo Gone to color the image --cut it out & placed her on a panel I stamped with SU's French Script. The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink & the papers are K&Co Julianne. I used lots of SU's Artichoke Ink ---for the background & distressing. I think this is my favoritest color of all the SU colors :) I used the awesome sketch on the Friday Sketchers blog this week ---Rach's first time hosting & of course she had a great sketch! I would expect nothing less from her!

I had to include a close up because I'm also entering this into the Just Magnolia challenge which is anything goes WITH THE OPTION of adding glitter. So I added just a wee bit of glitter to her hair bows & I used Sparkle Fluff on her beret ---which is kind of glittery :)

As I was making this card, I kept saying "Au Revoir, girlfriend" in my head ----so I decided that's what needed to be on the inside. Of course, I don't have any such stamp so I had to print it on my computer. Couldn't get the color quite right --but I'm hoping she won't notice, lol

I'm kind of nervous, because NOBODY knows about my "secret hobby" at work. It's just not something I talk about. So....people will be seeing this that don't understand the passion of paper crafters. I'm ready for the "you do THIS in your spare time? Why?" lol......

Fudge & fur....

2011-03-02T20:18:00.007-06:00

Hopefully there is no fur IN my fudge.....lol....

My co-worker gave me some fudge at Christmas, & it was the BEST ever!! I've made fudge for years --but it always seemed to get hard after just a few days. I had hers .....well ok not that long because I ate it all, lol......but it was so SOFT & yummy. She was kind enough to give me the recipe & I decided I wanted to make some with peanut butter chips. Here's the funny part --the recipe she gave me is the same recipe that was on my container of marshmallow fluff!! LOL!! So....I guess the recipe isn't a secret, but I'm going to share it anyway!

BEST FUDGE EVER

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine (1.5 sticks)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
12 oz chocolate chips
7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
1 tsp vanilla
nuts optional (no nuts for me!)

Combine first 3 ingredients in large pot. Bring to full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue over medium heat for 5 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches soft ball. Remove from heat & add chocolate chips, stir until melted. Add marshmallow fluff & vanilla, stir until well blended. Pour into greased 13x9 pan. Cool at room temp & cut into squares.

Trust me, this fudge is soooooo good! I used half chocolate chips & half peanut butter chips for this batch --I think next time I will try the caramel chips!

And here's the furry part -- my 15 yr old cat just recently started sleeping with my 8 year old. Here's the funny part --Michael's bed is pretty high. Not bunk-high, but high enough that there is a 2 drawer dresser underneath. He's had this bed for a few years now & Elwood *never* tried to jump up. He figured there were other beds in the house that were easier to get to, lol. BUT in the last week or so he started going up there -- one day I walked in & there he was. I thought someone lifted him up there --but then I saw him jump up on his own. I've also seen him miss, which is just kind of sad. I mean, he IS 15 -- but he's decided he loves it up there & he loves curling up with Michael & obviously Michael doesn't mind. He's like the little engine that could.....lol....

Just finished watching American Idol for the night --who do you all love?? I absolutely loved James last night -- I was not a fan of Adam, who everyone is comparing him to -- but I think James ROCKS! And I never even saw him until last week --I don't get to watch all the time so he was a surprise. I also like Scotty --what a voice & I think he's just 15?!?! Tonight I really liked Lauren & Pia --I'm of course rooting for Naima since she's from Milwaukee, but the other 2 were spectacular! I just love this show -- wasn't too sure I'd watch after Simon left but Steven is freaking HILARIOUS!!! Tonight he said to Randy "I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong" Hahahahaaaaa......that made me laugh :)

Sorry I'm feeling a bit chatty tonight, lol!! Thanks for visiting & reading all my miscellaneous ramblings!

Just for you

2011-02-28T21:15:00.004-06:00

Ok, it's almost 9:30 pm --I still have to fold laundry, put dishes away, check homework (hope it's right, since my kids are both in bed & unable to correct it!) & make lunches for tomorrow. But --- priorities --- must post my card!!

I don't even know why this is my hobby --seems I get SO frustrated every time I make a card. Either I don't have the right color ribbon or paper -- or my coloring is not right ---or, my sewing machine poops out & I want to throw it out the window! That's what happened tonight -- I really need a new one. The zig zag part is long gone --I can only straight stitch ---& sometimes that doesn't even work out. The thread kept getting caught & I'd have to redo the bobbin & I can barely see the hole in the needle (gotta stop putting off getting the bifocals!!) & I swear my blood pressure goes sky high, lol! Such a relaxing craft this is!

ANYHOO ----- here is my card ---made with Cherry Tilda from the Cozy Autumn Collection. I colored the image with Copics --- & because the coloring part of my card didn't go so well either, she is cut out & ever so lovingly placed on the Bench. The papers are Basic Grey Bittersweet & Autumn Leaves & the sentiment is Hero Arts. Lots of Stickles & punches & dies & flowers --the usual :)

I used the sketch from this week Friday Sketchers blog. I am also entering this into the Totally Tilda challenge (Fruity Tilda) & the Magnolia Down Under challenge (Flower Power). Gosh I don't think I've ever entered more than one challenge at a time --I'm usually not organized enough to even know what challenges are out there for the week!

Thanks so much for visiting, & for listening to my rant :) I'm going to go finish my household duties then go to bed & try to NOT think about all the things I have to get done tomorrow!

Celebrate today

2011-02-20T18:30:00.005-06:00

Hi friends!!

Another week has come & gone, another week that I feel I got *nothing* done. I'm always busy, but I'm not accomplishing anything! Today forced me to stay home & clean, do laundry, & yes finish a card!! It is ICING outside --not snowing --not raining ---ICE ICE ICE!!! Ice all over the streets --my husband had to go to work today & thankfully his co-worker with a 4 wheel drive truck called & asked if he wanted a ride --not too sure he would have made it in his non-4 wheel drive car!

I'm also behind in the Magnolia world. While everyone else is getting their new release stamps, I am just inking up mine from a few months ago. This is Tilda in Christmas Coat.....which you can get a 7 Kids College Fund HERE ....(check out ALL the Magnolias she has HERE .....Tab has great prices & EXCELLENT customer service!)

I colored Tilda with Copic markers.....papers are K&Co McKenna & Bazzill Dots.....lots of Stickles & Fun Flock on her coat.....the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink....

Hopefully you can see the sparkle & flock in the close up :)

I am entering this in this week's challenge on the 7 Kids College Fund blog --to make a square card. Not hard for me, ALL my cards are square :) Ok well it's a topper not a card....shhhhh....don't tell anyone!!

I will be listing this topper in my Etsy shop tonight. I have so many things to list & just no time to get it done ---the cards are piling up & collecting dust! I make them, then I forget about them.....

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Stay warm & if you're getting fantabulous icy weather we are getting, stay safe!! Thanks for visiting!

You make life sweet

2011-02-10T16:11:00.005-06:00

Hello blog peeps!!

Well I do believe I have not posted since the SUPER bowl on Sunday ----& unless you live in a cave, you know how that went!!!! I *heart* my Green Bay Packers ~~ they definitely deserved this & I look forward to seeing them win it again next year!!!!!!!!

Ok enough football talk ......I wanted to do a card for the Just Magnolia challenge this week --anything goes with the added option of using ribbon ---& I just squeaked this one through!! Even though I only have one Hanglar stamp, I *adore* them & am thrilled that the Magnolia challenge now includes Hanglars!

So here is my card, using one of the adorable Hanglar images my good friend Tammi sent me. She is always sharing her goodies & I just love her for it! So generous --thank you Tammi!

Anyway, Miss Hanglar (do they have names?) was colored with Prismas & cut out --the papers are all K&Company Que Sera Sera edged with Crackle Paint. The heart also has Crackle Paint on it & is sprayed with Glimmer Mist, although I could not get a picture of the lovely shimmer. The sentiment is Amuse ---I was thrilled when my LSS started carrying Amuse although they of course do not have the ones I HAVE to have!

Here's a close up.....she has Stickles on her hair bows, the heart of her apron, & the frosting on the cupcake. Not sure why she's looking so washed out....quick, shoddy photography, I guess. I have been in such a hurry with everything I do lately, everything is being done not very well......sigh...is it better to get everything done at less than 100%? Or to really focus on each thing as it comes & not get around to everything? I'm feeling spread a bit thin these days :(

Here's a close up of the flowers, which I sprinkled with Glamour Dust. Man that stuff sticks to everything! Miss Hanglar has glitter in places nobody ever should!

I actually made this into just a topper, no card base. Some of my favorite stampers make toppers only & I think it's a great idea --that way they can be used on a scrapbook page or put in a frame. I will be listing this on Ebay shortly ---you know ---as soon as I do the other 82 things on my list for today!!

Thank you so much for visiting ---hope you're staying warm!

24 hour till the SUPERBOWL!!!!!

2011-02-05T15:15:00.011-06:00

ARE YOU READY?????????

OMG I am soooo excited for the Superbowl tomorrow!! I am so ready --got the chip dip & taco dip made --- Matthew's friend is bringing some wings --made some dessert --- got the beverages --bring it on!!! Wanna see a glimpse at what I made for dessert???

Yeah ok so we already had some of it, lol. But there is plenty left & will be just the thing after all the other HEALTHY food we eat, lol. In case you'd like to try these......here is the recipe...

DOUBLE DECKER CONFETTI BROWNIES

3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour, DIVIDED
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 TBSP butter, melted
1 cup M&M baking bits

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x9 baking pan. In large bowl, cream 3/4 cup butter & both sugar until light & fluffy; beat in eggs & vanilla. In another bowl, combine 2 1/4 cups flour, baking powder & salt; blend into creamed mixture. Divide batter in half. Blend together cocoa powder & melted butter; stir into one half of the dough. Spread cocoa dough evenly into pan. Stir remaining 1/4 cup flour & 1/2 cup M&M's into remaining dough; spread evenly over cocoa dough in pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup M&M's. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.

Can I just say, they should make special bags of these baking bits with just GREEN & YELLOW----that would have been an AWESOME Superbowl dessert! Yes, I probably could have bought a bunch of bags & picked them out myself.....maybe next time!

I've been busy getting some things listed in my Etsy shop & on Ebay. Things were piling up so I had to get busy!

All 3 of these cards are currently listed on Ebay ----click HERE to view my listings.

And I just listed some new charms in my Etsy shop. Click HERE to view my shop. I have lots of cards listed ---including some Valentine's Day cards ---& many other charms.

I am spending the day catching up on things around the house & taking care of my sick child :( Poor Michael has a fever & sore throat --he missed school yesterday & he MUST be feeling crappy because he also missed basketball today. Please send healing thoughts ---us moms HATE when our kids are sick. Although --he is playing the Wii with his brother right now so hopefully he's on the mend!

Have a great weekend & enjoy the Superbowl!

Blizzard of '11

2011-02-02T12:33:00.011-06:00

It's a little crazy in the midwest! For days they were predicting storms --- 3 in a row, with the last being a doozie. 12-15 inches, they said. Well they were right! Gasp --YES the weather people were RIGHT!!! It wasn't just the snow --it was the winds. 55 mph overnight. So, with all the snow, we woke up to drifts as big as our houses. They had already announced all the school closings yesterday afternoon. I left work not knowing if I would be going in today. Well I didn't even have to try --they, too, closed for the day today. Along with just about every other business in the area. You know how they list the closings on the bottom of your tv? I'm pretty sure it would be easier to just show what is NOT closed!

Here are just a few pics I took this morning. I have more on Facebook (link on my sidebar) if you're interested!

This is our back deck...poor kitties can't even see over the snow to watch the birdies!

I was a bit afraid of what I would find when I opened the garage door. It had to be done. Actually not as bad as I thought ...most of the drifting was in our front yard & our walkway.

Hubby's car ---sucks to park outside!

Amazing that you can see ground by the garbage can, yet the drifts were as high as the car!

Here is the snow peeking over the front door ----it's just waiting for someone to pass under it so it can plop on top of them!

Our front door & living room window. No, that was not shoveled into a pile like that. All Mother Nature.

The path that hubby was kind enough to shovel for me so I could take pictures, lol!

View from our front window.

And this is our garden --isn't it all colorful & pretty? LOL.....

So that's been the goings on here. I'm thankful we didn't lose power --last winter we had a storm that knocked out power for over a day. It was mighty chilly!! And with the winds still whipping around here ---I can't imagine how cold it would be. At least I can get some laundry & baking done, so I feel a bit useful on this day off that has been given to me!!

Let me know if you got hit where you are --this storm hit quite a few states. It's even all icy & Wisconsin-like down in Dallas ---it's like the Packers brought the Frozen Tundra with them!!

True friend....

2011-01-29T14:21:00.006-06:00

I know....it's been a WHOLE WEEK since I posted. Last we chatted -----I was making Chili for the NFC Championship Game. And what a game! Could you hear me yelling??!??? I was *exhausted* when it was over! Absolutely one of the most thrilling games I have ever watched!!! I'm already planning my menu for the Superbowl next Sunday......so if you have any suggestions I'm all ears!!

So it's been a busy week, what with all the gloating & such....but I did manage to make a card for yesterday's Friday Sketchers sketch!

This is definitely one of my favorite Tilda images, & my good friend Tammi was kind enough to send me some until I can buy it for myself. I added lots of glitter, Liquid Applique & Sparkly Fluff in all the right places....the papers are Basic Grey (Bittersweet & Sultry, I think)....the sentiment is from Papertrey Ink....lots of distressing (oh how I *hate* using that distress tool...gives me the willies....like nails on a chalkboard)....& VOILA, finally a card for a sketch challenge ON TIME!!

Thought I could get a good shot of all the sparkly since it's actually sunny out today but I'm not sure how much you can see. We were out the door when I was trying to take these pics so I had no patience. Just snapped a bunch & hoped for the best, lol!

I have so much to do this weekend & no motivation to do any of it!! I have a ton of cards I need to list on Etsy --but I have to finish the insides. I don't know why I don't do the insides when I do the card, but usually I'm sick of looking at it by the end & just throw it off to the side. Then when it's time to finish I have to scrounge for the papers I used! Not very efficient, I know. Matches the rest of my life :)

Off to do laundry, cleaning & some cooking ---yep all at once. I'm that good.

Thanks for visiting!

Game day CHILI

2011-01-22T15:17:00.006-06:00

Just in case you all need a reminder of who is going to win the game tomorrow :)

Since I am making a big batch of chili for the game I thought I'd post the recipe. It is the yummiest chili ever. I'm actually not a fan of chili, but I love this recipe --it's my grandma's. How come grandmas have the best recipes??

GRANDMA'S CHILI

2 lb ground beef
4 onions, chopped
2 cans dark red kidney beans
2 cans tomato soup
2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter
2 green peppers, chopped
2 tsp chili powder

Brown meat, onion & green pepper in butter. Place in baking dish. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 2 hours (325 degrees if baking in glass dish).

***I don't like green peppers so I omit them---up to you :)

***I find it's easier to mix all the ingredients in a big huge pot, then transfer to the dish. When I tried to mix everything right in the dish it didn't go so well!!

So there you have it --the best chili ever! Some would argue it's not chili if there's no noodles. OMG I HATE noodles in chili!! And I'm a pasta FREAK --but no noodle. Bleah.

Let me know if you try it --it's a big hit at our house & let me tell you it's hard to find something that all 4 of us like!!!!!!!

Have a great Sunday!!!

Ant with a rubber tree plant.....

2011-01-21T20:19:00.007-06:00

"He's got ....High.....Hopes....."

Ok I don't know the words to that song. I've only heard bits & pieces of it on "Laverne & Shirley" LOL!

But the High Hopes ants are the CUTEST! I was recently going through my pile of HH rubber & this stamp made me SMILE. He's called Hopeful Ant, & he's available at 7 Kids College Fund if you're interested :)

And can you believe it?? I used my Copic markers YET AGAIN to color this image! My pencils are going to start feeling left out!! The papers are Basic Grey Sugared & Papertrey Ink --I'd better find out the name of this particular color because I LOVE it. I bought a variety pack from them (because I couldn't pick just ONE color) & I've already used all of this lovely Olive-y Green.

I used lots of dies --a Cuttlebug die for the outer corners -- a Quickutz swirl die behind the main layer -- & a Fiskars punch for the image. I didn't use ANY flowers or ribbons --gasp! Does that make this a "man" card?

I paper pieced his pot using the same yellow Basic Grey paper as the square behind the image -- & added some shading & clear embossing.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. It's a balmy zero degrees here --with a wind chill of about -100. Thankfully we didn't have to go anywhere tonight but my younger son has basketball tomorrow so we will have to venture out. I'd rather stay home with a big, bottomless cup of coffee!!

Of course Sunday I will be GLUED to my tv all day watching the PACKERS VS Bears. I'm making lots of fun football food --chili & little BBQ'd weenies & I made some yummy dip --- mmmm.....doesn't that all sound healthy? LOL.....

Stay warm!

Sending you a great big hug!

2011-01-14T20:11:00.006-06:00

So are you having fun on the hippety hop?? Are you seeing tons of incredible creations?? If you have no clue what I'm talking about, then click HERE.....you don't want to miss the party!

So I'm surprised I finished this card tonight, because I only started it last night! Bahahaaaa...I am a PUTZ when it comes to card making. I think my problem is I always *have* to check out other people's blogs for inspiration.....& as long as I'm there I may as well check my e-mail.....& see what's going on on Facebook....& of course there's the farm......

But I was really focused this time.....I've wanted this Tilda With Cute Skirt since I first saw her in the Magnolia Ink. I couldn't even figure out what collection she was from (FYI she's from the Wedding Collection). I thought she was one of those "special" stamps that you just can't find anywhere. But alas, she is now sitting pretty here in my craft hole :)

I've been using my Copic markers more these days.....I am no expert but practice makes perfect, right?? I added a bit of Twinkling H2O's to this .....a little tip I picked up a few years ago from my fabulous friend Ila....& added lots of Stickles to her dress.....her hair bows....& the flower in the corner. the image is cut out with Nestabilities Small Deckled Rectangle & Large Deckled Rectangle dies. The papers are Basic Grey Porcelain.....& some other color that was actually a bit too bright, so I sponged some Frayed Burlap Distress Ink on the edges. That toned it down a bit, otherwise you would have needed some shades when looking at it!

Here's a close up of Tilda in all her cute dress glory....the sentiment is from Aud Designs (thanks, Ila!!)....I added some pearls....& some Stickles to the butterfly...

Here's the flower bundle I made using various punches & the same Basic Grey papers.....more Stickles :) No such thing as too much bling (Hey that rhymes.....)

And here is the blinged up, pearled all around sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting. Our weekend consists of a TON of errands tomorrow.....brrrrrrr....& of course the PACKER game tomorrow night!!! You will probably be able to hear me yelling from wherever you reside on this Earth!!!!!

The High Hopes 100th Challenge Blog Hop is here!!!

2011-01-10T23:00:00.001-06:00

And YES!!! I am part of it!!!!! Woohoooooo....it has been so fun hanging with the Divas again! I have missed everyone soooooo much! I owe so much to Tina & Bethany, & all the Divas.....thank you for your friendship, & thank you for asking me to join in this FAB event!

So.....we are here to celebrate 100 High Hopes challenges! I can remember the whole conversation about starting a challenge blog like it was yesterday. Hard to believe they've had 100 challenges!! So......the theme for this challenge is ANYTHING GOES!!!! I *heart* this challenge, lol!!

For my card, I used an oldie but a goodie.......Little Missy! I colored her with Copic markers & added a wee bit of paper piecing on her dress. The papers are Basic Grey Pyrus plus a former Stampin' Up In Color (not sure which, I am so bad at keeping up with those!). Used some Nesties....a Martha punch....some sewing & some pearls. I used the layout from this week's Friday Sketchers sketch, but didn't have room for the sentiment....oops, guess that's a major part of the layout so I will probably not enter it. Shoulda made the card just a bit bigger.....

Here's a close up pic .....trust me, that little bit of paper piecing looks MUCH better than how I had colored it, lol!

Hopefully in this pic you can see the oh-so-glittery flower & hair bow...

SO....here's the scoop on the hop.....

In order to have a chance to win, you must leave a comment on each blog along the hop.

The hop will remain open until 12:00pm (noon) EST Monday, Jan 17th & the winner will be announced next Tuesday.

The 1st prize is $100 worth of High Hopes Stamps (retail value unmounted or cling mounted stamps)!!! WOW!!!

The 2nd prize is $50 worth of High Hopes stamps (retail value unmounted or cling mounted stamps)!!!

And the 3rd and 4th prizes will each receive $25 worth of High Hopes stamps (retail value unmounted or cling mounted stamps)!!

You should have arrived from LACEY'S BLOG.

If you haven't, you will want to start at the top at the High Hopes Blog so you don't miss any stops along the way.

From here you will hop to NIKI'S BLOG.

Thank you so much for celebrating with High Hopes! Good luck to you all!!

High Hopes 100th Challenge Blog Hop

2011-01-09T14:28:00.002-06:00

WOW!! Hard to believe Tuesday is the 100th challenge on the High Hopes blog!! You won't want to miss it ---they are having a special hop with lots of prizes!!

Did I mention there will be prizes????

See you there!!!

PS --PRIZES!!

Hot or Cold challenge

2011-01-06T19:53:00.004-06:00

Well this week certainly got away from me!! I had every intention of having this card done a few days ago ---but I have been working more hours at work & with the whole car situation, I haven't had much free time.

As it happens, this week's challenge on the 7 Kids Challenge Blog is Hot or Cold.....& since I had already started this card I thought I'd enter it!

This was one of MANY images I received in a goodie package from my friend Tammi. She is so darn generous! But you know what -----now I MUST have this stamp! So --my good friend is making me spend money! LOL....yeah, like I need help spending money! And if I buy this one, I may as well buy more. Kind of like "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie"! "If you give a stamper one stamp, you'll have to give her more. Then you'll have to give her some ink. Then she'll want some paper, & some Copic markers to color the image"

The papers are Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses....I did the sentiment on my computer....I used Nestabilities Blossom 2 for the layer behind Tilda...& Labels 9 for the sentiment. How much do you love the punch?? That's the Infinite Loops punch from Martha Stewart....perfect for when you just don't have the right ribbon! Lots & lots of Stickles everywhere....the sentiment edge....Tilda's coat & lantern....& on the flower.

I hate taking pictures at night! I just can't capture the sparkle. Darn winter & getting dark so early!

I sponged Worn Lipstick Distress Ink on the edges of the flower (my very first purchase from Wild Orchid Crafts! Amazing service!!) before adding the glitter. Hmmm...think I'll have to actually make a BOX for this card .....love these roses but I don't think an envelope is going to quite cut it!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! Ours will be spent car shopping. We got our check from the insurance company so that makes shopping a *little* easier, but it's still a pain! Thank goodness for the cyber world --remember the **old days** when you had to drive from car lot to car lot & actually walk around & look at all the cars?? Of course you still have to check out the potential purchases, but it sure makes it a lot easier to pick out what you want to look at online!!!

2010-12-31T17:40:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year to all my wonderful friends & family!

Unfortunately, I am spending the New Year sick in bed. I took the day off work yesterday to do something fun with my kids, & I was bedridden all day :( I'm starting to feel a wee bit better, & since I slept the last 40 hours, I'm hoping to be able to stay awake until midnight so I can ring in the new year with my babies!

Hope you all have a fun & SAFE New Year!!

GO BADGERS!!!!!!

2010 favorites

2010-12-28T17:12:00.013-06:00

Many bloggers are posting their top 10 favorites for 2010. I thought I'd get in that game, since I haven't had time to make anything new. My husband is off of work this week (not to mention still car-less) & since we kind of share space --I usually avoid my craft area when he's home, lol. I don't share well!

I did not pick one for each month, as I think everyone else is doing. Heck, I'm lucky I made 10 cards this whole year! LOL --this was definitely the year that got away from me. I hope to be more organized in the coming year, but I think that has been my resolution for the last 20 years, & you can see where it's gotten me!!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog, & for all the wonderful comments. They all bring a smile to my face :)

Merry Christmas to all!!

2010-12-24T09:32:00.005-06:00

I hope you all have a safe & FUN Christmas!! My wonderful mother is hosting today AND tomorrow so all I have to do is sat back, relax......& EAT!!!!! Thanks mom :)

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

Rolo pretzel rings

2010-12-22T17:51:00.007-06:00

Well only a few days till Xmas ----I didn't send out one single card, I didn't make one single gift (which I usually do for teachers & had this year intended to do so for co-workers), & hardly made any cookies. The only ones I made were Spritz & Rolo pretzel rings:

These are so easy (I'm all about easy) & sooooo good. You just add Rolos to the center of the round pretzels, melt them in the oven for a few minutes & add an M&M to each.

Aren't they pretty? If you like chocolate covered pretzels --you must try these!!

I also tried a new recipe that my friend Holly passed along to me, Cream Cheese Mints. I can't stand mint so I wasn't able to try them, but my son said the recipe is a keeper!! I hope they're good, I handed some out at work LOL

This one is just cream cheese, butter (well I added butter but she doesn't --I guess either way works), peppermint flavor, powdered sugar & food color. Mash 'em with a fork & put 'em in the fridge for a few hours.

So I have a bit of bad news ---my husband totaled his car last night. Yes he's fine ----but I'm not happy with him at all :( I realize it was an *accident* but it happened when he went ice fishing & I really think it could have been avoided. Luckily he is done with work for the rest of the year but he will need to find a car quickly because we cannot share one. We work different shifts, but my kids have too many things going on during the week for me to not have a car. We don't have a lot of money so it's not as easy as just going & buying one, we will really have to search for something we can afford. This is really not what we needed right before Christmas! So what very little Christmas spirit I had has been severely dampened!!

But.....my grandma is still with us.....after a few weeks in the hospital after Thanksgiving we weren't sure she was going to be with us for the holidays. I have a job (thankfully, since all these big expenses keep coming up!!) that I really love & my kids are healthy & happy ---& they are going to be over the moon when they open up their gifts from grandma this year (I don't know who reads my blog so I will share after Xmas what they got!!). So all in all, I'm pretty lucky :)

I hope you all have a safe & healthy holiday!!! Thank you so much for your friendship & support throughout the year :)

2010-12-22T17:50:00.001-06:00

Find the real animal......

2010-12-19T19:14:00.009-06:00

If you don't like cats....you might wanna skip this post :)

I walked right by this little scenario today, & didn't even notice him at first.....

Can't see me.....

Elwood is 15 yrs old & still acts like a kitten sometimes. He usually lays under the tree....on the *floor*.....but this is the first time he's climbed up on the box we put the tree on. You know that scene in "ET" where he hides in the stuffed animals? Elwood must have watched that movie while I was at work! Can you see his paws wrapped around the stuffed bear?

Awwww....busted!!

I have to admit it's a good spot.....all those fluffy plush animals, right in the sun!!

Hmmm....wonder how tall this tree is......

I still have shopping to do & cookies to bake. My MIL came for a visit today so I didn't do anything I was supposed to. Instead, we all went out to lunch & played the Wii!! Sometimes, ya just gotta take a break from it all!!

Have a great week!!