Monday, August 31

MondoBeyondo Assignment...

For the MondoBeyondo class I'm taking, one of our assignments is to put an affirmation in a public place for others to see... to help give us courage to believe in ourselves and our dreams... This is the one I chose... "Something greater is holding me"... I have it sitting on my kitchen counter... as reminder not only for me but my family... and I thought I'd share it also with you.

Because no matter what's going on in our lives... sometimes we need a reminder, we are being taken care of...

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Saturday, August 29

Packages!

It's been one of those weeks where we just happened to get a lot of packages in the mail. I love getting packages... and Rainee really enjoys the surprise of a letter or package... The first package this week was her fabulously cool converse plaid hi-tops... they're the bomb! She picked them out... she wanted them because they are like the shoes Joe Jonas wears.... too cute!!!

I got my Ali Edwards 'new stamps' from Scrapbook.com... with the Gift Certificate I received for my {favorite} flowers layout @ TheseAreAFewOfMyFavoriteThings... favorite flower challenge.... I love love love them... I've already used them... thank you again so much for choosing my layout!!! I'm still in shock!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

My husband got this catalog... for Harley Davidson he's been drooling over ever since he received it from the post-lady... ridiculous...

And lastly I received the most lovely framed 'Paris' piece from my friend Pam at OneGalsTrash. It couldn't be more perfect for my home.

Back in March I joined in a MEME Pam had posted... The first 5 people to respond to her post would receive something special... especially made for them, by her... and they would receive it before the end of the year... and this... this is mine... and I simply love it!!! My front bathroom is done in a 'Paris theme'... original 1940 watercolor paintings of Paris... which I adore... plates I received from friend who were living in Paris when they gave them to me... memento's from my trip to Paris... it's my little Paris (even if it is my bathroom). So when this particular package came in the mail... Rainee was the first to make the decision of where it would have a happy home... she said "It just goes so perfectly here doesn't it, mom?" Now... with it in it's happy new home, I am reminded that I need to get my act together and get my 5 special 'somethings' out... before the end of the year!!! Anyway... thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Pam!.. I love love love it!!!

What are some things you like getting in the mail, I know it can't be bills? What's been your recent favorite? Well, I'm off to get the post to see if there are any more fun things in my mailbox... have a lovely weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Wednesday, August 26

Every Day Matters...

I don't know about you... but when it comes to pictures of me... I'm not in very many... especially with Rainee... although, I'm trying be better about it...

So, when I find a picture of Rainee & I together... I try to scrap it right away... but this one... this sweet one I forgot about... so when I found it... it brought back memories... I remember the day it was taken... I remember, I was getting ready for my trip to the Grajczyk family reunion... and Rainee just wanted mommy... I think she could sense I was leaving for a few days... and because I knew she would miss me while I was away... we sat in front of the computer and took some photos together... we did some fun silly photos... but this one... {this is my favorite}.

Isn't it funny how a forgotten photo can bring back such sweet memories. How you can recall the moment it was taken, what you were doing or where you were going. I can't tell you how happy I was when I found this photo again. What I couldn't believe is that I hadn't scraped it yet. I just had to do it... right then and there... no more procrastinating!!! This photo reminds me that no matter what's going on... no matter how busy a day can get... the moments we spend together matter... every{day} matters!

I hope your day is filled with moments which fill your heart with a smile... because every{day} does matters! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments... the mean so much!

(Materials: Paper: My Minds Eye, Vintage book, Core'dinations, DCWV, Calendar: Jenni Bowlin, Tag: JilliBean Soup, Stamps: Studio g, Punches; McGill, Martha Stewart, Stickers: The Paper Loft, K & Co., Brads & Eyelets: Misc.)

Monday, August 24

A {Favorite} Quote

I started a new class today... Mondo Beyondo... I'm really looking forward to seeing what will transpire in it... While doing a bit of reading, I was reminded of a favorite quote I'd like to share with you...

"Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls."
Joseph Campbell

Pride & Prejudice

This layout is for 'WhatIsYourFaveThing', the challenge this week is to scrap your favorite movie... over the years, there have been many movies I have on my favorite's list... but after seeing Pride & Prejudice (BBC 6 Hour Version)... It became the one movie I could watch over and over... I love Jane Austen and this movie version of her book is so beautifully done... My heart always skips a beat whenever it comes to 'Mr. Darcy'... so, I thought I would do a layout with... 'my Mr. Darcy'... my dear husband, Steve, and one of our wedding photos...

The quote...I reminds me of when Steve and I were dating... it's one of my favorites from the movie:
I cannot fix on the hour, or the look, or the words which laid the foundation. It was too long ago. I was in the middle before I know that I had begun...

As an added treat, I thought I'd share one of my favorite scenes from my favorite movie...



... and that's my favorite movie!! What's yours???

Thanks so for stopping by... have a marvelous Monday!!!

(Materital: Paper: DCWV, Core'dinations, The Paper Co., Flowers: Prima, Rhinestones: Queen & Co., Metal Stickers: Making Memories, Rub-ons: DCWV)

Saturday, August 22

A Very Productive Day!

Wow! I'm feeling better! Yeah... and yesterday was a great day!!! I was able to get the house cleaned, finish the last of the laundry, go swimming and play with Rainee. Plus I went shopping at Joann's... yeah, I think I'm on the mend!!!

Don't you hate it when you go to a store and want to buy what's on your list... and then... you see something... well that's what happened to me at Joann's... I went for cardstock... they're on sale...
5 for $1.00! Yippee!!! But I also found some new cardstock they've just started carrying... and it's awesome... it's Core'dinations. I've always loved white core cardstock... but this... this has different
core colors.... and they're fab! I'm excited to use them... the colors are just soooooooooo yummy!!!

As for the rest of my Saturday... I also was able to get a layout done. This lo, should have been done a couple of weeks ago... it was suppose to be for a scrap challenge at ScrappingTheMusic with the theme song from the 'Mary Tyler Moore Show'... I have always loved this song, AND I just couldn't decide on what lyrics to use... so I decided I should do a few lo's with this song. But for now this is my 'Mary Tyler Moore Show' lo... I'll be doing another lo sometime soon...


(Materials: Paper: Making Memories, Fancy Pants, DCWV, Ribbon: American Crafts, Stickers: BoBunny, Making Memories, Chipboard: Joann's, Heidi Swapp, Tag: Making Memories, Ink: Ranger Disstress, Staz-on, Adhesive for letters: Xyron, Embossing Powder: Stampendous, Thread: Wrights, Punches: Martha Stewart, McGill)

Hope you're having a fabulous Sunday!!! Enjoy! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thank you...

Pam, my friend for ummm too many years to say... has passed along a thoughtful and beautiful award to me. She has the such a fun blog... OneGalsTrash... she has a way with words... I love reading it and seeing what clever thing she decides to talk about... she always makes me giggle and puts a smile on my face. This award is about this little world we have in the blogosphere....

Like Pam... I have so enjoyed getting connected to people... their scrapbook memories, their collections, their yummy recipes, and sharing their stories of everyday lives. I've reconnected with friends and made new ones... If you haven't checked out their blogs... I would encourage you to... these are amazing gals and so happy they are in my life. I would like to follow Pam's lead and pass this award along to the following gals who inspire and entertain me:

MJ at Pewaukee Daily Photo ~ photographer, chef, artist, cousin, friend
Jen at Jencropable ~ scrapper, digital designer, photographer, friend
Jana at Prerpsto Bogstvo ~ artist, scrapper, professor, friend, thoughtful person
Karen at Lilacs & Lupines ~ scrapper, chef, friend, hero supporter
Amanda at OneScrappyBlog ~ artist, scrapper, photographer, friend, crafter
Deana at (diva)logues ~ scrapper, photographer, exerciser (which I need to do more of), new friend
Julie at The Tucker Wolek Clan & WhatIsYourFaveThing ~ scrapper, designer, encourager, wish I knew her secret of getting so much done, new friend

This gal is on Pam's list... and I'd put her on if she wasn't on Pam's...
Joan at September Tea ~ artist, seamstress, beautiful quilter, gardener, long time friend

Wednesday, August 19

My Beautiul Surprise!

Well, I've been really sick since we got back from San Diego... and it's made me very unproductive! I haven't been up to doing anything... scrapping, blogging, cleaning my house, everything has taken a toll at my house... it's not been good for several days! Then just when I think I'm getting better... I do the foolish thing and do too much and I'm back down for the count... I hate being sick!!! Rainee has been so sweet taking care of me... making sure I'm okay... she is such a delight... and just keeps praying for me to get better! Too sweet! But I didn't want to go another day without sharing what's going on with me and my special mail...

On Monday, while sitting on the couch... sick... the mail came and I received a package... a surprise... from my friend Jana, from Slovenija at preprostobogastvo.blogspot.com (simple abundance) . She sent me this lovely gift! It is soooooo beautiful... I love love love it!!! Along with with this lovely lo, she also sent me several hand-made embellishments - which I can't wait to use on the perfect lo!

I can't begin to tell you how it made my day... when I'm feeling better I'll be looking for the perfect frame to put it in... I have some extra wall space in the 'studio' for it... and I can look at it everyday... so it will have a very special place...

Thank you, Jana! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and special blessing to my life. I am blessed!!!

Sunday, August 16

TweetDeck!

Lately I've been reading several blogs talking about Twitter & Facebook... and thought I'd share my amazing find... TweetDeck! Since I've been Twittering for only a short time as well as doing Facebook... I wasn't really getting into either... BUT since I started using TweetDeck... I've changed my mind! I'm enjoying both not more than ever! And the best part is it's FREE! You can use TweetDeck as your personal browser for staying in touch & it connects you with your Twitter, Facebook and more.

Features:
Are you Twittering??? What are you using??? If you haven't gotten into Twitter or Facebook... you might just like it if you try it with TweetDeck! Let me know if you try it... I'd love to know what you think!! Happy Tweeting!

Roaring Good Time!!!

Our mini vacation to the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park was a roaring good time! We had originally planned on going to the San Diego Zoo... but Dinosaur Mountain was at the Wild Animal Park, and Rainee loves dinosaurs... so I guess the Zoo will be for another time...

We saw so many animals it was amazing! We did a lot (and I do mean a lot) of walking. I wasn't sure I'd get my exercise in for the day but I think I got in enough for the last few days as well. We picked the perfect day to go... it wasn't too hot, and we seemed to do everything just at the right time... when all the animals were active.

The dinosaur ride, monkeys and gorillas were Rainee favorite things. After the first time on the dinosaur ride she said, 'You'll never get me on that thing again! Feel my heart, it's pounding!' then not 10 minutes later... she said, 'Daddy, can you and me go again! Oh, did I forget to say... please & thank you! Please, daddy, please?' Of course they went again... how can you resist that cute please & thank you! Me? Me, I loved the giraffes. They are so beautiful... tall, calm and very restful just enjoying the day. As for Steve... he has a thing for elephants... so of course enjoyed seeing them... there were several baby elephants... and it was fun watching them get splashed with water by their mamma! Very sweet!

If you've never been to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, I would encourage you to go... there is so much to see... It really is a fun place... we had a wonderful day!

Now I can't wait to get scrapping all the fun pictures. Thanks again for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments, they are always so appreciated!!! Have a blessed day!

Saturday, August 15

WooooHoooo!!! I Won!

I'm so excited!!!! My Favorite Flower lo won for this weeks Favorite Flower Challenge on WhatIsYourFaveThing.blogspot.com blog!!! I just want to say thank you so much... It really made my day!!! WooooooHooooooo!

If you haven't done the favorite challenges you should pop over and see what's up for next week!!! It's been such fun... it's been fun sharing my favorites... you just have to check it out!!!

Monday, August 10

The Dentist + Creative Imagination CHA Layouts

Yesterday, Rainee woke up with a toothache... her filling had fallen out earlier in the week and we'd made an appointment.... but the dentist was on vacation... and the tooth (of course) wasn't going to wait for the appointment... so I was up most of the night with my poor little Rainee-bear and her sore mouth. Poor thing!!!

Rainee is usually a-okay with going to the dentist... we have the best-est dentist EVER - (more about him later)... and she is always asking when can she go again! BUT today, when she found out Dr. Valedez was on vacation and she was going to have to see another dentist... she freaked out!!!! (I would of too!)... So Steve, Rainee, her stuffed animal "Doggie" and I sat her down and prayed... she felt better after that... BUT when we go the the office... she freaked out AGAIN... and we prayed AGAIN!!!

So there we are in the office of this dentist, we don't know... I'm filling out paper work as best I can with her on my lap... we finish... they call us in... He lets her sit on my lap... he takes a look at her tooth and says... it's infected, she needs to be on antibiotics... Rainee went to get a toy from the treasure chest... and then we left. It took me more time to fill out the paper work than for the whole visit!! When we got in the car... Rainee says, 'Thank you, Jesus... that was the best dentist appointment EVER!!! Mom, I'm so happy we prayed... because Jesus knew I couldn't handle having anyone but Dr. Valdez take care of my teeth!' Okay, so how sweet is that?

Now for our fabulous dentist... if you've never heard of his type of dentistry... you should check this out in your area... he does laser... it's amazing!!! And yes, I said laser! Let me say again, it's amazing!!! While the laser is going, it has a water shooting water at the same time it's taking care of your tooth... and the BEST PART.... there is no Novocaine shots... the laser numbs the area a bit while it's working... then the dentist fills the tooth... and you walk out without that embarrassing drool rolling down the side of your mouth, plus you won't bite your tongue when you talk!!! WHoooo HOOOooo!!! It's the bomb - really!!!

We found Dr. Valdez when Rainee was 3... and we were feeling a bit guilty that she hadn't been to the dentist yet... and we heard about him and his amazing laser dentistry... so we just had to try it... I for one am the happiest I've ever been with a dentist and it's nice to hear Rainee say... she can't wait till she can go again.... it's helped with one of those scary parenting things you HAVE TO DO.

Okay, so enough about my fabulous dentist... I don't know why I forgot o post the layouts Creative Imaginations asked me to do for CHA. I had such a great time with these products... If I were doing them for myself I would probably add a few other things from other lines... but I couldn't... I was only allowed to use plain paper, generic things... Plus I was able to use my Cricut, and a few punches.... otherwise it's pretty much just the product line. I really enjoyed doing this for them... I hope I can do more some time!

This first one, I fell in love with... the school line... it's soooooo fun!!! This line has paper and embellishments for Preschool through 6th grade.... I had a blast with it.... plus I had a really good subject to scrap... my cute little Rainee!













The next line, is their new Birthday paper and embellishments... too fun... loved it... I only used a smidgen of what the line has... very fun, very bright, very festive!!!















And lastly... they have a new 4-H line. It was fun doing it with a photo of Rainee from our time at Tom's Farms to pet the goats... well, there they are!!!

Well, that's it for me for a few day... we're off to San Diego either to the zoo or the wild animal park... doesn't matter which one... Just like Rainee, I've never been to a zoo (ever) or the wild animal park... I know, I know I was a deprived child... so this will be a blast!!! Can't wait!!! Whoooo HOOOooo!!! I hope you have a 'roaring' couple of days... and I'll post some pictures when we get back... have a lovely few days... and as always thank you sooooooooooooo much for your lovely comments and stopping by!!! {{BIG HUGS}} M

Friday, August 7

What's Your Favorite...

This week at 'WhatIsYourFaveThing.blogspot.com', the challenge is to do your favorite flower... at first I did a card... because all I could think of was a sunflower card... and they are ONE of my favorite flowers... BUT... when it was done I started writing down some of my other favorite flowers... and I realized I didn't just have one... I had several... so what's a girl to do... so I decided to try something... I made little seed packets of the flowers I love with sayings of how flowers make me feel... and put them on skew sticks, then made a distressed pot out of paper and distress inks to put the packets in... what I had invisioned was a bit different... but I do like it... PLUS it has all the flowers (I can remember) that I LOVE...

Rainee is always picking me flowers... mostly dandelions... but whenever we see a flower she makes sure I see it and we go take a sniff of it... and she says... "I know you mommy... you're a flower girl!"... it's so sweet that she knows some things that I love... it helps me know she's seeing who I am and what things I like... and that is a wonderful thing!!

I also thought I'd share the 2 cards Rainee made for her cousins... One day this week she just sat down and said... I'm making those cards today... and she did... and I think they turned out super... the only thing I did was print the picture and punch it out for her... otherwise it's all her... and the cutest thing is... she asked me to make sure I took pictures of them just I do my scrapbook pages and cards... I think I will cool to watch and see how she develops in her artistic abilities... personally I think they are the bomb for a 5 year old!

(Capture The Little Stuff LO - - Materials- Paper: DCWV, Jillibean Soup, bond paper, antique garage sale book for butterflies, Tag: Anna Griffin, Stamps: Technique Tuesday (Ali Edwards), Puff Pen: Puffy Velvet by Marvy Uchida, Sticks: Bradshaw, Ink: Ranger Distress Ink, Punches: Martha Stewart, McGill)
(Grow Sunflowers in the Meadow Card - - Materials - Paper: Jillibean Soup, DCWV, My Minds Eye, Rick Rack: Wrights, Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin, Letter Stickers: Making Memories, Stamps: Studio G, Punch: Martha Stewart, Chipboard Heart: Misc, Buttons: Joann's, Thread: Wrights, Sticker Tag: Anna Griffin, Ink: Staz-On)

Monday, August 3

What's For Lunch!

We're having some friends over for swimming and lunch. So, I'll be doing a lot of cooking tonight and tomorrow... but I thought I'd share what I'm cooking up plus give you the recipes...

The Barbecued Sugar-Spice Salmon it's a recipe I clipped out of the L.A. Times Food Section about 8 years ago... and is it delicious!!! For the salad... I just couldn't decide... either the Spinach Strawberry Salad or the Grape Salad... both are from my friend Marikay... and are they yummy! Since I couldn't make up my mind... Steve's decided on the Spinach Strawberry (but I'll give you both to try). Then last but not least... the dessert... this is one of my childhood favorites... Jello Poke Cake with Pudding & Whip Cream Frosting!!! Do you remember this as a kid?? I loved it when my mom made it on a hot summer day! yum... yumm... yummy!

Well, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow...if you try any of these recipes, I'd love to know if you liked them!!! Now, Rainee & I are off to the grocery store... have a lovely day!

Barbecued Sugar-Spiced Salmon
1/4 Cup sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Dash cinnamon
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/4 Cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt (I use sea salt)
4 (6-ounce) Salmon filets
3 tablespoons oil
Heat grill on medium-high heat. Combine the sugar, mustard, cinnamon, paprika, cocoa, chili powder, cumin, pepper and salt. Dip salmon in the oil and tap off any excess oil. then dip the filts in the spice mixture to coat both sides and around the edges. Pat the spice mixture in place; you'll have some left over. Grill the salmon until it just begin to flake, about 4 minutes a side or cook until it;s dine as desired.

Strawberry Spinach Salad
1 pound Spinish Salad
1 pint of Fresh Strawberries, sliced
1/2 C Pecan pieces
1/2 C crumbled Bleu Cheese
Combine in a bowl strawberries, spinach, bleu cheese & pecans.

Dressing:
1/2 C Sugar
2 Tbls Sesame Seeds
1 Tbls Poppy Seeds
1 1/2 tsp Minced dry onion
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/4 C vinegar
1/2 C Vegetable Oil
Mix together the sugar and vinegar until the sugar is dissolved then add the rest o f the dressing ingredients. Do no put on the salad until you are ready to server the salad.

Grape Salad
4 pounds seedless red & green grapes
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces chopped pecans (or walnuts)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Wash and dry grapes. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Add grapes and mix until evenly incorporated. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans, mix again and refrigerate until serving.

Jello Poke Cake
1 box lemon cake mix
1 6oz. box jello mix
Follow directions on cake mix. Bake and let cool completely. With a fork, poke holes in the cake. Dissolve large jello mix into 2 cups boiling water. Pour over surface of cake, focusing on holes. Refrigerate/freeze til completely cooled throughout. Top with Cool Whip Frosting & Pudding. Serve cold.

Cool Whip & Pudding Frosting
1 package instant vanilla pudding
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cold milk
8 ounces Cool Whip -- Thawed
Mix pudding, milk and powdered sugar with mixer for 1 minute until creamy. Fold in cool whip. Spread on cake.

Saturday, August 1

Happy-Smiley-Day!!!

I know it's going to be one of those nothing can go wrong days when Rainee wakes up and says... "Mommy, it's going to a happy-smiley-day today!... I don't know how she comes up with them, but her sweet littlw phrases always make me smile!!! For this one I've been waiting to do something for it... but what??? Hummmmm... you know it has to have a smile on it somewhere...

Well... about a week ago I took Rainee to McDonald's for a happy meal as a treat... she loves going... and we all know it's just for the toy more than anything else... But this time when we got her happy meal box it had a red background with a BIG OL' SMILE on it... and when you see it you can't help but smile right back at it... and as I'm handing it to Rainee she says... 'Mommy, look it's a happy-smiley-day!'... which is sooooooo funny, because I was thinking the same thing...

Soooooooo, instead of putting the box in the recycle bin... I grabbed it and decided to use it for yet another one of my favorite Rainee-bear phrases. This what I came up with for her 'happy smiley day' phrase and the happy meal smiling box!

What about you... how is your day going??? Are you have a happy-smiley-day??? I hope so, they really are the best days ever! Thanks for stopping by... & sharing a happy-smiley-day with us!

(Materials - Happy Meal Box, Paper: ColorBok, DCWV, Happy Card: Jenni Bowlin, Flowers: Prima, Stamp: K&Co, Letter Stickers: Making Memories, ColorBok, Rub-ons: ColorBok, Around the Block, Buttons: Joann's, Punch: Fiskars, Brads: Misc., Rick Rack: Wrights, Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup, Chipboard Letters: K&Co, Pen: Pigma)