Happy Mother's Day!

Hope everyone had a lovely day today, I know I did! I did not even get out of my pajamas today. I even went over to visit my Mom in my PJ's, LOL! Since I did so very little today, I will share some about yesterday...

First, the baby shower was so very nice. The Mom to Be, Shanna, is the daughter in law of our former pastor and his wife. It has been years since we have seen any of her family and they were there today and it was just so nice to see them and visit a bit and celebrate the happy occasion with them. Hopefully the baby is a girl, as they were told it should be, if not that little boy will have a ton of beautiful dresses and lots to talk to a therapist about later in his life! Really, they got so many nice gifts and we had an absolutely lovely time! We played the funniest game too... my Mom was the proud winner, she had a 7 1/2 purse. It is no wonder she has a bad back! (But she says she could live out of it for a few days if she had to!)

Both of the grandfathers bought the exact same gift which was too funny. This little girl will be a born PITTSBURGH STEELER FAN!!!! WHOOOOOWHOOOOO!!! CHEER LOUD AND CHEER PROUD!!!! GO BLACK AND GOLD!!!! (Running to hide from BS1 now!)

I have to share a bit about the location of the shower, as it was the first time I had ever been there. If you are from around here, then you know all about the past life of the location, then called the Casa Nova. It is now Beka House and it is simply an incredibly warm and cozy place to host a small gathering. The food was delicious and beautifully presented! The menu was chicken stuffed pastries, salad, homemade potato soup, and fresh fruit. The folks that own and operate it are just so sweet as well.

Our Mother Daughter Banquet was quite lovely too! We had a delicious meal and played a few games. (Have you ever tried to open a pack of gum, unwrap a piece and put it in your mouth with garden gloves on... I didn't think so!) Apparently the need to live out of a heavy purse is hereditary, because my sister Lynnette won the contest at the banquet with a 10 pounder.

Hope all is well with you all... Take care!

The Last of my on the way to Jody's house shopping spree...

(or why it takes 8 hours to make a 2 hour drive)

(or honey if you are reading this, just hit the little x in the top corner now. Love ya! Thanks!)

The papers, I love the papers. Jody says I can sniff them out, smell them in the air... LOL, she might be right about that! I picked up some Bazzill card stock, double sided pattern papers from My Minds Eye Confetti collection, Wild Asparagus pattern paper, a few sheets of Flair Amazing Grace collection, Stemma Friend paper, that cute rolling pin paper is Creative Imaginations, and a few other sheets in there as well. I also picked up a couple of fireman embellishments too! (Can't have too many of those!)
I also had to add to my 8 1/2 x 11 card stock stash with a couple new packs and after MUCH use, I finally cracked by Cuttlebug plates and needed to replace them. So that is all of it....I think.

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We have finally sat down and paid the bills for the April 12 Camp Harmony Crop and I am pleased to announce that we will be able to make a generous donation to Camp once again! I can't thank you wonderful scrapbooking ladies enough for your continued support of the crop.

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Tomorrow is a busy day for me. Banking early in the morning, then a baby shower and in the evening our church's Mother & Daughter Banquet.

Take care!

Sights, Sounds and Smells of Spring in Western PA

I have been enjoying the wonderful spring time weather this week and thought to share with you some of my favorites with y'all!

Sights.... Bright yellow forsythia bloomin', my neighbors daffodils (my nephews didn't pick the whole patch clean this year, a blessed miracle!) Baby cows at the farm out the road, they are quite cute, I think!

Sounds.... the birdies that nest above my bathroom window chirping every morning when I get up. The wind rushing through my open kitchen windows. The sound of frogs after dark.

Smells.... this is where it gets interesting.... Lilacs blooming and smelling sooooooo good! The smell of that ALL NATURAL fertilizer (from the farm out the road a ways.) I know it is quite odd, but that smell doesn't bother me. The smell of skunk dead on the road however does bother me and there are no less than three on my way to Wallywork.

I have also enjoyed the warm sunshine earlier this week, but am glad for the rain since we always worry about our spring. It has never gone dry in over 40 years, but it doesn't mean that you don't worry about it.

Camp Harmony Carding Bee!

Calling all you wonderful stamping, die cutting, sticker sticking, punch artist, ribbon loving card makers!

On Saturday, June 14, 2008 we are gathering for a day of fun and learning at Camp Harmony.

Join me from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for card making, classes, make and takes and all kinds of fun!

Cost is $25 for the day and includes your seat, continental breakfast, lunch, beverages, snacks and a goodie pack.

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We are having a card exchange (bring 10, get 10) and a trash to treaure contest. For the card exchange just make and bring with you 10 cards with envelopes (all the same design) and you will get 10 cards back, all different. (As long as 10 people participate in the exchange!) The cards can be any theme that you wish.

The Trash to treasure is going to be fun as well! What item have you given new life to by altering it instead of trashing it? Boxes, tins, bottles, books or surprise us with your creativity!

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You must register and pay for your seat in advance. Drop me a comment and I will get you more info!

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I have a Special guest instructor, Deanna, who will be teaching beautiful hand-stitched cards. There will be another class as well, not sure what yet!

1989... seems like forever ago... My senior prom... my date, my friend Greg. I asked him to take me, he wasn't from around here. When he said yes I was thrilled to say the least. If I recall correctly, right after hanging up the phone my cousin Patty and I had a screaming -hugging -jumping up and down celebration in the kitchen. You have to also know that this was back in the "olden days" when you did not go to your prom "stag" or with your gal pals, it was a couples only event. We had been friends for about four years. He really went out of his way for me, as he did not live close by and really would not know anyone but me at my prom. He was a sweet guy too. It was raining and he was thoughtful enough to drop me at the door and even opened my car door. (Chivalry is really on it's last breath these days, unfortunately!)

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I wasn't the popular girl in High School, I wouldn't go back to those days for a million dollars. I had two really close friends, Lee and Trisia. We had several classes together and ate lunch together every day. Typical high school, pretty much. I was quite active in the Western PA District Church of the Brethren and in their Youth Choir. That is where Greg and I became friends. You do get to know a person when you travel by car/bus with them from PA to New York City to Washington, DC and back again to PA.

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Okay, so let me get to my point here. Unpopular gal in high school has a real cute guy for a prom date and he is sweet and a stranger to everyone else. Several of the girls want to dance with him, but he politely declines, since he is MY date. He doesn't even bat an eye when the prime rib arrives and it is pretty much rare, which is how it is served, but what do a bunch of kids know about that. We have a good laugh, enjoy our barely cooked beef while everyone else is grossed out and sends theirs back to be cooked to well done, or they attempt to cook it over the candles in the centerpieces. (How absolutely HICK is that?) Some other random details... my dress was Deep Purple satin, tea length, hand made by my Aunt Janet, who has made nearly every formal gown I have ever worn. Flowers were black and purple. Our theme was "Wonderful Tonight" and it is still one of my all time favorite songs. Prom was held at Hidden Valley Resort.

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I know that Greg is now married. Haven't seen or talked to him in years, haven't thought much about him either. On the rare occasion I do see his parents and inquire about him. I think that his wedding anniversary is the same as my sisters. I am blessed to have had such a sweet prom date who made a shy girl feel like the belle of the ball for one evening. I could probably do one of those Master card ads, Dress $$$, Flowers $$$, having the best date at the prom, Priceless! The only person I would have rather gone to prom with is my DH, but I met him about 11 years too late for that! (He gets to go to the class reunions, LOL!!)

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All this prom flashback is due to the fact that my baby sister's senior prom was yesterday. She wasn't even born when I was at my senior prom. Where does the time go??? I will likely have a picture or two to post of her, since she took about 200 of them. GabbyAbby looked lovely, who knew she would clean up so nice?

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Stay tuned, I will likely have more flashbacks since while I was hunting the prom photo I found some senior pictures, graduation pics, and some other not so flattering evidence that I am a child of the 80's!

I can't believe I am actually posting this.... here goes.....

Take care!

I am a WINNER!!!

WOOOHOOOO!!! I was a winner over at Michelle's blog, Mish Mash! I can't wait to see them for real, click HERE to see what I am getting!!! They are so very pretty! I highly recommend visiting Michelle's blog daily. She is an awesome stamper and has wonderful creative projects!

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So does anyone have any big plans for National Scrapbook Day? Where are you cropping? Who are you cropping with? What are you going to be working on? Like I said before, I am going to be at Wallywork doing a make and take Mother's Day card and promoting my Camp Harmony events at the Speaking of Women's Health Event.

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In two weeks Barb Shaffer, my CMC is having her NSD crop at Berkey Church of the Brethren. I love her NSD crops, she has great food, great goodie bags, great make and takes and great door prizes! She doesn't have hers on NSD on purpose, because there are so many other crops going on. This way you don't have to choose just one, you can celebrate twice!

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I have my make and take swirling around in my head for her crop. It is from a tutorial on Splitcoast along with some swirly stamping and my new Sizzix dies. I just have to get it down on paper now.

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If you are not cropping this weekend you can do some shopping, all from the comfort of your couch. There are lots of scrapping segments on QVC and HSN. I shall not be shopping, since the $1 ribbon and other craft clearance at Wallywork got me yesterday. There will be a small class at my Fall Camp Crop for an Autumn theme decorated wood frame. I also got a super deal on New Arrival for the Cricut, just $25! (Sorry, I got the only one ladies.) Oh, and of course fourteen more spools of ribbon and a couple of other good deals that I may use for the crop games prize box down the line, you will just have to wait and see!

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Take care!

P.S. Special note to Kathy Parks, send me the link to your blog! Babs is holding out on us over there and I can't wait to see it!

Speaking of Ho's...LOL!

Yes, I am a ribbon ho... there I said it. I know it, I love it, I embrace it. I can't stay away from the $1 ribbon bins, the cut by the yard displays or the spools of holiday themed satins and grosgrain. I am not looking for a twelve set program to quit, but if anyone has a great twelve step program to organize it all put me in contact! Seriously, I do love the ribbon, but a lot of what I bought this round is for card crop goodie bags! (WINK! WINK!)
Some other irresistibles... those darn $1 acrylic stamps. They just keep jumping into my shopping basket and coming home with me. Pesky little things!

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On the home front, there is hot water at the Homestead as of yesterday morning. Thank goodness! There is also a mountain of dishes to wash.... I haven't yet trained them to wash themselves.

Take care!

Something that I actually made!

I thought I would show you something that I actually made today instead of something that I bought to feed my crazy addiction! I put this in the mail today, with a stamp and a quarter and a note to my mail carrier, since I never seem to get enough postage on my lumpy handmade cards. He is a very nice guy, and usually the next day there is a U.O. Me envelope in my mailbox with the amount of extra postage it required. The other reason for sharing something that I made is because my DH reads the blog and he is probably having heart failure over my shopping spree from my weekend in Washington, PA!

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I sent this out today to some very dear friends of ours from Florida. They are an older couple and he is starting his radiation/chemo treatments today. We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayer and hoping for the best!

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The image is Stampin' Up from the Spring mini catty, I think the name of the set is For Father. Image is stamped with brown StazOn and then colored with watercolor pencils and blended with an aqua painter. Papers are most likely DCWV card stock stack, they were pulled from my scrap folder, so I can't be sure. Eyelets are Dollar tree and twine is Wal-mart hardware dept.

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Saying Hi to Babs and Becky! Since you gals are keeping blogs now I am having to do better with posting regularly, so thanks for the kick in the pants!

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Also saying Hi! to the Bedford Ladies (yes I know, I use "ladies" loosely!) I hear that there is a bag ho amongst you, but hey, I am not here to judge... (says the self proclaimed Ribbon Ho!) LOL! You ladies are soooo much fun and I can't wait to see you all again!

Take care!

New Sizzix

Even though I did become quite proficient with the Cricut the other weekend at Jody's house, I do still love my Sizzix and my Cuttlebug! These are some of the new dies I purchased recently. I am really LOVING the swirls and flourishes, can ya tell?

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I am so glad that you all are liking the new look! I was so ready for a change!

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It was a normal crazy Monday at Wallywork. On the home front we do have water again, but only cold, so we are still trekking to Mom's next door for showers. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon the hot water will be back in business. The pipe burst just ABOVE the shut off valve and sprayed all over the breaker box for the hot water heater so we have to let it dry out super good before we can turn it back on. Thankfully it woke me and we turned the water off to the whole house and shut down the breaker. It is always something around here.

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I am also searching for some summer sandals, so if anyone has any recommendations send them my way~ I tossed my old favorite sandals after 3 summers of wear, they weren't going to make it for a fourth summer.

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I am also going to be at Wallywork on Saturday. We are having another Speaking of Women's Health event. I will have a table set up to do some card making. I am actually going to do a make and take Mother's Day card. Stop in and see me from 11 to 2! I also get to promote my Camp Harmony events!

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Take care!

So I got a make-over!

How do you like the new colors and Swirlies???

There are also a few new Blogs I Love! on the list to the right.

Take care!

Have you checked out Heart & Home??

This great magazine used to be called Homegrown Hospitality, but it got a make-over. It is full of cute and fun paper and crafty projects. It took me forever to find a copy of it, finally got it at JoAnn's in Greensburg. There are ideas for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, reunions and other special events. You can get the inside info on the next issue due to hit the stands in a few weeks at Homegrown Hospitality, Stephanie is the inspiration behind the magazine.
Above are some of the bargains I got over the weekend at Michael's in Washington, PA. Journals for altering for 50 cents a piece and note cards for 50 cents as well. The note cards were purchased primarily for the pretty colored envelopes. The note cards I may use as card bases, just because the envies are about 1/4 inch smaller than a standard invitation envelope so I would have to remember to make the cards smaller anyway and I hate to just throw them away. So 10 card bases with envelopes for 50 cents was a deal I couldn't pass up.

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The latest crisis at the Holbrook Homestead is a leaking pipe above the hot water heater. Not the best or most fun thing to have happen. Hopefully we will be back in business by tomorrow. Dad, DH and baby Brother will be hard at work fixing it right up.

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Just one other little detail... today was the start of Chicken BBQ season for us. The Hooversville 4-H club had theirs today. Next week is the Central City Boy Scout troop. I have to say that my Dad and Brother make some of the BEST chicken you will find in these parts. So if you want to give it a try just drop me a line and I will get you fixed up with some tickets. I am kind of bummed myself. I usually don't buy a ticket because there are usually extras available. Well, long story short, they sold out, so no chicken for me!
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Until later, Take care!

Sometimes it is all about the food...

Today I am sharing with you the recipe for the Baked Oatmeal that we serve for breakfast at the Camp Harmony Crop.

Baked Oatmeal

1/2 cup applesauce

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 pkg instant vanilla pudding (dry)

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. allspice

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 cup milk

3 cups old fashioned oatmeal (not instant or quick)

Mix applesauce, brown sugar, eggs and pudding mix. Combine with other ingredients and put into an eight or nine inch baking dish. We usually spray the dish with some PAM. Top with sliced apple, raisins or nuts. My mom also says that she does pour some extra milk on it since it is kind of dry, sorry I can't be specific about how much, just mess with it and see what works for you! Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve hot with milk and brown sugar.

Now a couple of thoughts that I had... I wonder how it would be with banana pudding or butterscotch? Maybe some maple syrup in place of the brown sugar. I really like to take a recipe and play with it!

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It was all about the food and the scrapbooking this past weekend. I spent the weekend helping my Chicksa Jody work on her daughter's scrapbook. We got a ton accomplished and we ate the entire time we worked on it. Some of my favorite scrapbooking goodies are cookies from The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown . Specifically lady locks and fudge filled chocolate chip cookies. I also got my Krispie Kreme fix, had some delicious veggie lasagna, waffles and sausage with real homemade maple syrup, sweet tea... you get the idea right?

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We also shopped our way from Somerset to Washington. We hit the WOW Outlet, Ollie's, Art Tech, JoAnn's, Crop Shop, and Michaels. I will have to post some pictures of some of my new purchases when I get a minute to photograph them. The added bonus of scrapping at Jody's is that we get to use the hot tub as well. I like scrapping at Chicksa's as much as any crop I have ever been to!

That is all for today! Take care!

My Friends are the BEST!

I think I have finally recovered from the Camp Crop. We had a great turnout, 54 Women came to scrap with us and it was sooo much fun! We ate food all day, did some really cute make and takes, played games,shopped for new stuff, drank sweet tea that *might* be as good as McDonald's, and hopefully got lots of scrapbook pages done! Thank you ladies for making the event a success. I am not sure yet what our project is going to be for the money we made. Camp has several needs and we will have to check with them about what is most urgent.

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Of course some of the door prize items we had ordered arrived UPS on Monday... so we have a head start on the Fall crop door prizes.

Now about my friends being sooooo wonderful.... these lovely items were given to me by my BS2, Sharon and my Chicksa, Jody. Sharon's (above) is a tent with HERSHEY KISSES in it! How cool is that! I just wonder how everyone knows about my chocolate addiction??? I think that they would make the most adorable favors for graduation or wedding or baby or Mother's day or Father's day or... are you getting my idea here??? LOL! Sharon did a make and take for the crop as well. She made her tea bag holder cards and her class filled up and overflowed! Thanks again Sharon!
Jody, my chicksa... she is my friend AND she introduced me to my DH, Ken. She altered this gift journal for me in my most favorite color of course! The inside is so neat too, there is a page for each person. You can list their birthdays, other special dates, things they like and dislike, sizes, gift ideas, and then on the opposite page you list the date, occasion and the gift that you gave to them. I just love it!

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So now that I am recovered from the crop weekend, we are moving full speed ahead to this weekend. I am going to Jody's for the weekend to work on her daughter Jessie's scrapbook. The goal is to scrapbook like CRAZY and get her book done (birth to graduation) in time for her graduation party. Jody worked her butt off for me at the crop on Saturday. She was the sweet tea maker and the brownie baker this time! I am just happy to be able to return the favor!

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Until next time, Take care!

Busy, busy, busy!

What I *really* would like is to sit and relax with some coffee or tea... however that ain't happening this week! Things are moving full speed ahead for the Spring Camp Crop! Registrations are in (about 60 of them!) and we have groceries to buy, food to cook, tables to set up, seating charts to work.... need I say more!

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Can't wait to see you all there! Since I have been seriously slacking here, let me send you to my BS1's blog, she has been posting some really cute projects. Check her out here at Babbie Blogs.

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Take care, see you at the crop!

Easter Preparations...

Getting ready for Easter here at the Holbrook Homestead. The kiddos arrived yesterday morning on the train. That was a first for all of us and we may use it again since it may cost less to do that than what it costs us in gasoline to drive to pick them up. I have to admit though that I was a bit nervous about it, but all was well in the end. We picked them up in the morning and stopped for breakfast together. I love those first couple of hours with them when we are getting caught up on all the things that are going on in their lives.

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I am not sure if we are going to color eggs this year or not. We usually use my cake decorating air brush to do them, so if Trav wants to we will but if not I will just make pickled eggs. Last year my eggs looked like they were camo colored after he was done with them. LOL!

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I will be making Country Pineapple Casserole to take to my Mom's for dinner tomorrow. It is so yummy, like sweet dressing for ham. You can find the recipe for it here. It is one of those delicious Taste of Home recipes! (Speaking of Taste of Home, my sister and I are going to the ToH Cooking School on April 3rd... More info here.)

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The card pictured above is one I made quite some time ago. The cardstock is all Bazzill. Easter eggs are done with Dreamweaver white embossing paste and a Dreamweaver brass stencil. After the paste dried I sponge stenciled with pigment inks, just blending them as I worked across the image.

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Hope the bunny lets a sweet treat in your basket!

Take care!

Been to the Dollar Tree again!

When I was there I found these very pretty packs of tri-fold card bases. They come four in the package, perforated, scored and they have very pretty patterns printed on them. Envelopes are also included, all for a BUCK! There were several different patterns to choose from some pastels and some neutrals. The package also says that you can run them through the printer.

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It seems that everyone has realized that Sunday is Easter and they have descended upon Wal-mart to buy their ham and candy. We have been crazy busy the past two days.

Take care.

HEYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! It has been a little while since I last blogged... we were having some issues with the computer, but that is all taken care of now, so hopefully I will be more on top of the blogging around here!

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Just because I have been away from the keyboard doesn't mean I haven't been crafting though! How about this cute little bright ray of sunshine! The stamps are Studio G from Michael's (surprise! LOL!) I used a sweet little button over the sun and some teensy tiny googly eyes on top of the button... it is a bit on the lumpy side, but sooooo stinkin' cute! The verse and the sunshine are water colored.

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It was a busy month for such a short month. It took me and my Mom working hours and hours and days and days and weeks and weeks to close out my Grandmothers apartment. I have no idea how she got alllllllll of the stuff that we hauled out of there into that little apartment. It was down to the wire on it, finished the day before we had to turn in the keys.

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I have also been busy with preparations for the crop which is just around the corner!

April 12 at Camp Harmony

9 AM to 9PM

$35

Drop me a comment or email if you need more info!

We have about 21 confirmed registrations and I know that at least that many more people have said they are coming but haven't sent their registrations in yet.

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So hey, hopefully you are all still out there and thanks for hanging around waiting for me to come back. Drop me a comment and tell me what you have been up to so I know you all are still there!

Take care!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all are doing well. All is crazy here as usual. I have had a bit of a cold the past few days, so I have been trying to take care of that. This weather has made for an enjoyable week as well!
I have also been trying to help my Mom get my Gram's apartment packed up and taken care of by the end of the month.

Just a quick post to let you all know my Grandma has passed away. Today would have been her 75th birthday. She went quietly in her sleep after a very difficult 5 months trying to recover from a hip replacement that became infected.

Take care.

Murphy's Law...

Yes we have been having one of those kind of weeks. I am blogging to you from my parents computer while simultaneously honing my wringer washer machine skills and babysitting my four year old nephew and Morgan the puppy. Well, I am not quite doing it ALL at the same time, but you get the idea. Clothes are washing, babysitting and blogging are occuring. We are having vehicular issues at the moment.. always a JOY. We are also having computer issues So if you don't hear from me regularly, just know that I am busy working on projects to post and will post like a mad woman once we get everything back to normal!

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Some things to look forward to...

• Last night I made 40 nugget wrappers for a 15th Anniversary Dinner for all of us crazy Wal-mart people that I work with! Hard to believe I have worked there that long. Pictures will be posted. Thanks BS2 for the pattern/sample!
• I am participating in a Trash to Treasure challenge hosted by my BS1. I have three items to alter/re purpose/bling-out. I have a few ideas swirling in my head. I would work on them at St. Andrews School Crop, but that would ruin the surprise!
• I made a cute little spinner card for our Crafternoon Crew gathering make and take. Valentine themed with super cute little stamps!
• I have make and take pages to work on for SASC for my CMC Barb Shaffer. I will be doing pages with the new snowflake/swirl punch.

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Until we meet again, take care!

An Old One, but a Favorite!

Just checking in to see if everyone is still warm and cozy, inspite of the weather. I have spent the past couple of days pretty much chained to the house, keeping after the coal furnace to keep my house toasty. Looks like some snow is coming this evening, I guess that is okay, since it had to warm up some for it to snow.

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This is one of my most favorite cards I have ever made, but man did it take some time to make it! It is stamped 3 times, watercolored, cut apart and layered with foam tape. The scan just doesn't do it justice. It is the only card like this that I have made.

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I am getting anxious for the St. Andrew School Crop coming up in about two weeks! I am planning some projects and hoping to minimize the amount of CRAP that I have to tote along with me. Can't wait to visit with gals from CPS, too! St. Andrew School crop is also well known for their fantastic meals! All of that uninterrupted cropping time is wonderful and when you add the good food, it doesn't get any better!

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Someone needs to kick my rear in gear too! I got my Cricut for Christmas and would you believe I have not used it yet???
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Take care!

What a CHILLY DAY!

Just a couple more cards made using my page-a-day calendar from last year.
This one with the three hearts is probably my most favorite. It is just so simple!

Wondering who all out there is planning to go to the St. Andrews School crop on Feb 1 & 2? Hope to see you there.

Insomnia....

2:05 AM....

Can't sleep....

Up surfing the SCS galleries....

The card in this post is mine from this weeks Sketch Challenge.... Search the gallery using SC159 to see hundreds of cards based on the design!

Some more of those addicting little stamps!!!!

These little cuties came from AC Moore. I have actually already used the Valentine ones, so I don't feel so guilty about buying them! I am kinda excited to use the St. Pat's ones as well, I have some fun papers to go with them! Since Easter is right on the heels of St. Pat's I will have to be on top of things. It is strange, it was New Years 2 weeks ago, Valentine's is in a month, and then right into St. Pat's and then BAM it is Easter. Seriously, St. Pat's is Monday and the following Sunday is Easter. I really am not trying to RUSH the year, but geez... could we get some time between the holidays!

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There was a question about the Carding Bee... I kinda named it that, like a quilting bee, but for Card crafters. I am planning a day at camp just for card makers. I hope to have some stamping companies to vendor and some neat make and takes to do. Alot of scrappers make cards, but not all cardmakers are into scrapbooking, so I wanted to host a day just for card makers. Originally I had this Christmas Cards in July thing planning in my head, but July was just too full on the Camp schedule. Hopefully next year I can get a July date!

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So what has everyone been doing with this hibernating weather we are having? I have been loading card pics up to Splitcoast. I am Lizzyscrapsnstamps over there. Hopefully this afternoon I will get my Sketch challenge card posted. I have never tried one before and I am loving it. It seems a bit easier to work with a sketch and just pick the papers to go with it!

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Keep warm and take care!

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE my Cuttlebug?

These two were made using the "YOU" embossing folder for the Cuttlebug. So FAST, so EASY!!

Just zip the white sheet through, zip the red scrap through, ink it up, pop dot the red one on top and to quote my 4 year old nephew Tyler "VIOLA!" Love it!

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Been rearranging some furniture here at home. I have alot of mis-match, came with the house pieces that I am working with to make them more functional. I moved the antique sewing machine table behind the sofa and it works perfectly back there! It is just the right height and size. We also moved a quilt chest, quite rustic in style to the kitchen door area. It will be for seating and storage in our coat hanging area. This house is full of furniture and it has been very challenging trying to make it all fit and work together and be functional all at the same time. It is coming together a little bit at a time. I have quite a sentimental connection to the things in this house since they belonged to my grandparents. Bless my DH for putting up with my need to hang onto it all, since we have a rather small two bed, one bath house.

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Stopped in at Camp Harmony today as well. I wanted to firm up some calendar dates for some upcoming events. Mark your calendar ladies, we are planning a "Carding Bee" for June 14 and the Fall Camp Crop is on the calendar for November 8. I had really hoped to do "Christmas (Cards) in July", but July is just tooooo full of family reunions and other events, so we went to June for the Card event.

Take care!

I Can't Resist these Stamps!

Really, I can't go into a Michaels or AC Moore or Joann's without buying a couple of them! It was six on this particular day at Michaels. They are so cute and only a dollar!!

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I have been busy working on a make and take for my card club for this Friday and also on my recipe tags for the swap. We are doing a Red/white/blue BBQ theme tag book this time around. I will post pics when I have some to share!

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I have to confess that I didn't even get out of my PJ's today (Monday) I just showered before bed and put on clean jammies... I am such a BUM!

Take Care!

SWAK!

Valentine's Day is going to be here before you know it! That means you need to get on the ball with those crafty cards and things. I got the opportunity to work on some yesterday while manning my table at the Speaking of Women's Health event at Wal-mart. I also was able to give out a bunch of flyers for the Spring Crop! Registrations are trickling in, keep them coming!

So these cards and many of the others that I got to make yesterday were made using papers from last years scrapbook page-a-day calendar. I loved that calendar, it was nice to look at all the papers in it throughout the year and now this year I am going through it and using the papers for cards and crafts.
Take care!

Keeping It Simple

A simple sympathy card is sometimes best. Even better is using things you already have on hand and using up your scraps. I also wanted a more manly card, so that was achieved with my color choices.

Specs on the card

• Base is brown cardstock, Pat Catans 12 cents/sheet.
• Basket weave pattern paper, most likely from a Slab or stack, not sure.
• Ribbon from the $1 Spot at Target.
• Two green cardstock scraps from my stash.
• Stamped images were from a friend! We were swapping stampies!

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Just to catch up a bit on life in general... over the weekend we thought that my Grandmother was on her deathbed, but that woman has more lives than a cat! Thursday she was admitted to the hospital, unresponsive, with pneumonia and kidney failure, pupils fixed. Mom called the far flung family to come to the hospital. They were considering hospice and by Saturday she had rallied and was conscious and yelling at everyone, go figure! They are not sure if they will attempt her next hip replacement tomorrow or not.

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We are cropping on Friday evening at Berkey Church of the Brethren, 6 PM to 11 PM. The goodie is a really nice one and the food is always YUM! Hope to see you all there! I will have a make and take using the goodie!

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Saturday is the Speaking of Women's Health event at your local Wal-mart. I will be at mine doing Papercrafting demos from 10-2.

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We have started to get registrations for the Spring Camp Crop! If you need info contact me and I will send you the flyer!

Take care!

Happy New Year!

(a few days late)

Hope everyone is having a great 2008 so far! All is well here, just darn cold! As usual with the beginning of a new year, many of us vow to turn over a new leaf... so let me tell you that some of the things I would like to accomplish this year include the following.

• Organize and declutter, especially the kitchen, bath and bedrooms. My DH will be thrilled if I accomplish this one!
• Be better off financially at the end of the year. I certainly don't want to work until I am 80, so we need to make some decisions to make that happen!
• Use up my scrap stash. It is totally out of hand, I could scrap and stamp for the rest of my life and someone else's and still not use this all up!
• Scrap more, stamp more, blog more and keep up with my daily devotional readings.

I will be posting some organizational tips and pics of my scrap area when I get it cleaned up from all the Christmas gift creating. It looks like a bomb went off in that corner of the room.

Take care!

More Christmas

Our tree, artificial (less stress for me!) Pre-lit, 400 clear lights, slim line, LOVE IT! (Got it on clearance for like $11 a few years ago!) Lovingly decorated by the kiddos on Christmas Eve. Most of the ornaments on it belong to them. We have them choose an ornament each year that they will take with them when they are old enough... now old enough might be like 30 or 40... I get to decide that! LOL! Seriously, old enough that they are settled and will care for them and realize what they represent, the history and memories of their childhood. I have an idea for an ornament album swirling in my brain. I have taken pictures of the ornaments most years, just have to fill in the gaps.

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When I was single and crazy I always had a HUGE live tree and it was mostly decorated with glass balls in shades of PURPLE, imagine that... a purple Christmas tree.

My kitchen table centerpiece. All Home Interiors products except for the quilted piece underneath. It is actually a wall hanging that we received as a wedding gift but it looks so good on the table that is were I use it. The candle hurricane has my *LAST* Cranberry Compote candle burning in it. I guess I will have to breakdown and try a new scent.

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The Kiddos went home today. The house is quiet and a little more of a wreck than usual, but I am okay with that. It was wonderful to have them here. It is the first time they have ever been here for Christmas Eve and that was fun. I was never a big fan of traveling on Christmas Day and really what kid wants to open their gifts and then drive over two hours and leave all their new stuff, so we always just had "our" Christmas when we wanted to between the 25th and New Years.
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Spending New Year's Eve with my cousin Amy and her girls. That means Chicken Cheese Ball! YUM!! It is a NYE tradition for us, just as much as pork and kraut! So in the morning I will "red up" the house and make my CCB and maybe some BBQ meatballs too.

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Take Care! See you in 2008!

Happy New Year!

How was your Christmas?

Ours was fun and busy!! Can you believe that on Christmas Eve morning I had only made one sweet thing? I remedied that right away and seven batches of cookies later I was able to make a cookie tray to take to my cousin Red's house that evening.

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Melanie and I made clockwise from the top.... Chocolate macaroons that the kids say look like cow patties. Red said if cow patties tasted that good he would be out picking them from the pasture. LOL! Next a double batch of Hershey Kiss Peanut Blossoms. It had to be a double batch because they were eating them as they were coming out of the oven.

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Soft ginger cookies... all I can say is YUM, so good with coffee! Thankfully no crime had to be committed to get the recipe for the cookie that was on my mind for days and days! (Hiya sis, if you are reading! WiNK!)

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Red's Ultimate M & M cookies, my nephew Mark's favorite cookie apparently. These were the first to be all gone and I got the last one! I like them because they are choc chip like, but more colorful! Next were Dark Chocolate drops with toffee bits, drizzled with white chocolate, a creation of my own.

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Aunt Janet's Raisin Puffs, delicious and soft and soooo good! We also made Rolo Pretzels with regular M & M's on top. They are super simple to make and they taste great. Sweet, salty, caramely and they should have a nut ontop, but I don't like nuts, so none on mine! The bowl in the middle has People chow in it.

Not too bad for a rush job!

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I had gifts to finish as well.... Hannah's Snowday Survival Hit... CASED the idea from MishMash. It is her cupcake kit PLUS a box of cocoa packets. I thought it was a cute idea for a snowday activity! I hope she liked it!

Next on the Christmas eve agenda at Santa's Sweatshop... Cookbooks... I had three to finish for that evening... Done... LOL! I think I even managed to match the covers to the recipients kitchen decor! Whew.... Melanie did the wrapping, I got a shower and off to Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service. Then to Red's house for presents and lots of food.

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Oh, yes, and in the middle of all this we put the tree up too... that was fun, since the kids aren't always here to do that!

More next time, take care!

Greetings in my Mailbox!

Some beautiful homemade Christmas cards from my friends! I just love going to the mailbox this time of year... it is nice to get something in the mailbox besides bills and "pre-approved" junk!

Connie, Barb, Deanna & Sharon made these!

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Santa's workshop has been busy in my house. I have eight cookbooks copied, cut, punched and ring bound. Now they need covers....Queen of the last minute here.

Tree is NOT up yet and the only sweet treat I have made is a batch of "People Chow" that I had to hide from DH or it would be gone by now. Thank heavens that tomorrow the kiddos arrive and Melanie will be a super big help with the baking, wrapping and decorating.

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I did do the AWFUL job of cleaning the ceiling fan today and I pulled the sofa out and ran the sweeper behind there. I also made a super delicious pot of beef stew. I was really hungry for it and it made the house smell soooooo gooooooood! Also nice that once it was in the pot it didn't need a lot of attention, just the occasional stir as it simmered all afternoon.

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My friend Connie has a Holiday Luncheon every year and I am ALWAYS working, but this year I got to attend! I was so much fun! The food was delish and the company was wonderful! Topping it all off was the cute little snowman earrings she made for each of us as favors. I have worn mine everyday and they make me smile and think of Connie every time they tickle my neck with their little green ribbon scarf. I wish I had a pic of them, but they are so tiny I can't get a good one! They are super cute!

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Take care, hope nobody has to go to Wal-mart that place is a ZOO I bet!

They are done! Finally!

Thought I would share with you my Christmas card design for this year. I must say that back in November on the Saturday after Thanksgiving I got started on them like a shot! I worked at them faithfully on my lunch hour at Wallywork, and then....

Other stuff came up...like Angel breakfast favors, Nugget boxes for the dinner, the Monk marathon weekend on USA network....and then I hit the biggest brick wall of them all... I couldn't find the PERFECT sentiment for the inside of the card. Crazy I tell ya! So all of this hard work rushing to get them done has inspired a few ideas in my head.

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First... the verse for the inside... an Irish Blessing... I love Irish Blessings... hope you like this one too, because I decided I like it so much that it is going to be a new Tradition for me and I am using it every year in my Christmas cards. It goes like this...

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!

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Second, I am going with a MUCH simpler design next year! Already have something in mind, made a little sketch of it, so hopefully next year I will remember this and actually be able to remember that I made a sketch and hopefully will be able to locate it.

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Third, I also got to thinking that it would be GREAT to do "Christmas (CARDS) in July", so in the works is a cardmaking day in July... think Christmas cookies and punch, Christmas music for inspiration, some great make and takes and some stamping vendors on site, maybe a great tags & gift wrap class and of course the goal is to get started on those holiday projects. All this so that I am not nuts the week before Christmas trying to get my cards done. (And if you really know me, you know that I am the queen of last minute and will still be doing cards the week before like I always am! But, hey the summer card thing still sounds like a BLAST!)

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Now some details on the card... All cardstock is inexpensive value pack Cardstock. I like to make my Christmas cards with non-traditional colors and this year I looked at my stack of CS and saw that I had an ABUNDANCE of pastels. I have been on a use it up kick as well, so that helped. I also had 5 1/2 inch square ivory card bases cut and folded from a previous project that I used! Ink pads are CTMH (clover meadow, sunny yellow & smokey plum) and Rubber Stampede (fuchsia & royal blue.) Stamps are all Studio G ($1, WOOHOO) top two are clear stamps from Joann's and bottom two are woodblock from Michaels. Star punchie is a CM shapemaker large.

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These bad boys are going POSTAL tomorrow! WOOHOO!

(Somebody pour me a drink, and I ain't talking about hot chocolate!)

Take Care!

I am one of "Mrs. R's Kids"

Probably one of hundreds, if not thousands she touched in her lifetime. Helen Russian, known as Mrs. R to her kids (band and guard kids, drum and bugle kids, kids who toured the court house or were interested in the history of the community where they grew up, kids who were interested in government and politics.) Mrs. R was a champion of her kids. Dedicated to them with her time and life experiences. Anyone who knew her, knew this... "Good, Better, Best, Never let it rest, Til your good is better and your Better is the Best"

I pray that if you have children they get to have someone in their life like Mrs. R. She was part Drill Sargent, part Cheerleader, tough as nails and gentle as a kitten. Never stopping until the job was done and done right. Honest, sincere and always full of energy, practically tireless. That woman never sat, and I think she marched everywhere she went with her head up and her shoulders back! She could out-do and outlast all of her kids. The person that you wanted on your side, cause if she went to bat for you, she was gonna hit it out of the park! Ready to work the hardest and ready celebrate the success. Remembering your name, and making you feel important. Building your confidence and challenging you to do what you thought was impossible. Spending time with the youth of the community is probably what kept her so young for so long.

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Mrs. R has left a little of herself in all of her kids. Hopefully a legacy of doing your best, trying your hardest and being proud of your accomplishments that will be passed on to the next generation. Central City is a little sadder with her passing, but if we honor her memory by practicing what we learned from her imagine what can be done!

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I typed this through tears in my eyes. I really thought today about the people who were defining forces in my life. Of the people who were not relatives, Mrs. R ranks in the top three. I know there is a special place in Heaven for one the of God's Best, I just hope HE can keep up with her!

Pretty Poinsettias

I made this card a while ago when I was on a watercolor pencil coloring kick. The stamped image is an older one and not my own. At the moment I can't recall the company. Directions for the card can be found in the archives at the Mish Mash blog. Be sure to stop over and check her blog out. She has some fantastic ideas for advent calendar projects and exchange gifts!
There is a little pocket in the flap of this card that would hold a gift card or maybe a crisp new $100 bill. (wink!)

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Wallywork has been quite busy and I may have spoke a bit too soon about how nice people have been. The tide has turned and all I can say is...

Listen up people, it is not MY problem that YOU have WAITED until 2 weeks before CHRISTmas to get the (Insert the name of whatever it is that you are looking for here.) Maybe you should have picked it up when you decided that was the PERFECT and ONLY gift that you wanted for your (insert Mom, Dad, Kid, Mailman, Grandparent, Dogwalker, Hairdresser.)

Next year why don't you wait until CHRISTmas Eve and see how that works for ya!

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Honestly, every day when I go to work I have my Christmas Spirit... I just don't know what happens to it after I get there!

Sing a Christmas Carol and drink some cocoa!

Take Care!

Merry Christmas CD Card

This sweet BIG card was one the Becky did as a make and take for our Crafternoon Crew card club last time we met. The white shaker window part is actually a CD sleeve. Pretty darn creative use for a CD sleeve! The stamps used are from The Angel Company, and I am going to have to get me some of them! Snowflake punchies are Martha Stewart from Michaels. I believe that you can find the how-to for this one on Split Coast Stampers.

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Let me tell you how my life goes some days... take this past Saturday for instance. It really began on Wednesday when Mom and I did the grocery shopping for the Angel Breakfast at church. We stopped at the rec hall and put the groceries in the refrigerator that night. Fast forward to 7 AM Saturday. The fridge decided to stop working at some point between Wed and Sat. All the eggs and milk, etc. are ruined. So we call around and round up more eggs and milk. Breakfast is going well, except for being a little behind schedule.

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At least the kids were really into coloring the cards that I had stamped for them to make for the shut-ins and they weren't running around the building like crazed lunatics screaming like they often do. So breakfast now is ready, we eat and start to clean up. Kathy does the other really nice foam craft with them so it has some time to dry while they are listening to Kipp read the Christmas story. By the way the cocoa packet favors are a BIG hit! While the cleaning up is going on the phone rings, it is Charlie and Dan from Camp Harmony. They are having a cookie baking demo today and their cookie baker is ill and can't make it, can we help? Sure, we can help. So finish cleaning up and off we go, drop Abby at the hair salon to get her hair done for the Christmas Dance (yes, we still call it a Christmas Dance... if you want a winter dance have it in January!) Stop off at the house so I can compile a list of great websites for cookie recipes and a list of cookie storage tips.

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Out the door again and stop at the grocery store for some ingredients. Up the hill to Camp to start mixing cookies. You would think that all would go smoothly from here right? Um, yeah, OK. Charlie broke the mixer and while trying to fix it (with a hammer) he REALLY broke it. So now Dan is calling around to get us a mixer.

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In the middle of this we are unwrapping Hershey kisses and caramels and my nephew wants to help, so I tell him to wash his hands. He tells me he did wash them, and I tell him to wash them again, and he loudly informs me that he did wash them after he pooped, which caused a giggling meltdown of the adults present. By the way we have 2 hours to do this, because we have to get Abby finished for the dance and my Mom and Dad are going to her work Christmas party. So general craziness ensues while we demo and bake for a few hours.

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I also showed how to stamp on white lunch sacks and make paper toppers for zipper bags to dress up your cookies for gift giving. Pack it up and get on home. Oh, and now for my evening activity... babysit the four year old nephew who only thinks you have to wash your hands after you poop. Thankfully we did have the smarts to deprive him of his nap, so that we could both take one that evening! Pretty much a typical day in my life...LOL!

I am STUFFED!

It is a wonder I can even sit here and type! This evening was our annual Christmas dinner at Rizzo's for a group of us that have worked together at the Curse-at-me Desk for years. We always have the Italian Feast and it is ALWAYS wonderful! Wedding soup, Salad, Bread, Garlic Bread, Fried Zucchini, Sausage and Peppers, Meatballs, Rigatoni, Lasagna, Eggplant Parmesan, Baked Chicken, and Spumoni... all served family style, as much as you want.... I could go into a food induced coma! The company was as good as the food. It is nice to spend some time with the gals and just visit and laugh. Left to Right

Lynleigh, Me, Pam, Deanna, Anna, & Lynn

I made each of us a little Nugget box with four Hershey Dark Chocolate Truffle Nuggets. I have to say that figuring out the pattern was the hardest part. Once I got all the measuring and scoring done they went together in no time at all. I used paper from last year's Christmas stack (DCWV) and the snowflake tags were made with Creative Memories NEW Snowflake and Swirl punch, the large CM circle shape maker and my EK Whale of a punch circle. Ribbon is from Dollar General.

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I forgot to answer yesterday... Favorite gift I have received is a tie. Our first Christmas together Kenny got me an antique vanity and last Christmas he got me a ring with his birthstone and the kids birthstones in it. Love them both so much. Favorite gift I have given is probably Kenny, this year...I gave it early, but he is LOVING his GPS navigator.

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I am a terrible snoop when it comes to Christmas presents... my DH goes to GREAT LENGTHS to hide my presents. He has enlisted my Mother, my cousin Amy, our friends Bob and Lisa, and I am sure others to hide my gifts at their home. I can't stand not knowing... drives me nuts...so if anyone out there reading this has any idea where it is hidden or what it is... contact me... we can work something out! LOL!

Take Care!

Something Sweet from BS2!

I have been meaning to share this cute little tea bag holder card with you all for quite some time now. It was a gift from my friend Sharon (BS2) and since I have not made any of my own yet I am sharing hers with you. This is where all the cocoa packet mania in my life began. You can find tons of ideas for these cute little cards on the Splitcoast Stampers link over on the sidebar. Be careful though, very careful... as BS2 can attest... a little look can turn into 3 hours of gallery surfing in the blink of an eye!I know that everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas, at least that is what I am hoping since it has been so quiet around here lately.

If you are still reading and have an extra minute to spare... tell me

what is the BEST gift you have EVER received

and then

what is the BEST gift you have EVER given?

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Keep Warm and Take Care... Have a cup of tea and think of me!

Magical Christmas!

This is a card from the Fall Camp Crop. The Make and take from CTMH. Cute, colorful, sparkley!

Cocoa Anyone?

How about a super simple and super fast project? These little cocoa sleeves fit the bill! I have been looking at patterns and directions to make these and everything seemed a bit complicated with lots of detailed cutting, scoring, and glueing. I thought to myself, why can't it be easier? So I got out my Swiss Miss cocoa packet, a ruler to take some dimensions, some paper, my trimmer and some adhesive. Guess what? It was MUCH MORE SIMPLE!

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Take a 12x12 piece of pattern paper. Score the whole sheet at 1 1/2 inches and 6 3/4 inches. Step two is to cut the paper into strips, 4 inches each. The best part it that you have 3 sleeves per sheet and NO EXTRA SCRAPS to deal with. Use a photo split or dot of adhesive on the center section and stick your cocoa packet down. Fold up the larger bottom flap and fold down the short top flap. You can simply use some adhesive at this point or make a seal like I did with my scallop punch and some stamps. VIOLA!

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These are for my church's Angel Breakfast on Saturday morning. We have the kids for breakfast of French toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, & cereal. We read the Christmas story, and make a Christmas craft. We are also making cards for the shut-ins and nursing home members of our Church. These cocoa packets will go on the table as favors. It was super inexpensive as well, which is always a bonus. The papers are from a Christmas Stack from DCWV, patterns that I likely would not use for anything else. The cocoa packets are Swiss Miss, 30 in a box for less than $3 at Wal-mart.

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I think they would be cute to slip into a Christmas card or stocking. The pattern only works for Swiss Miss, Nestle or store brand cocoa packets that are sold 10 or 30 in a box. It would not be hard to make a similar pattern for the Land O Lakes packets that are taller and slimmer.

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How are your Christmas preparations coming along? All is well here. I have to tell you that SO FAR the general population has been pretty nice, but it is still early in the season. Three weeks to go and folks are pretty nice. Merry Christmas!

Take Care!

This is Henny Hemlock, one of the light displays at Overly's Country Christmas at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds. We went there last evening with our neighbors Beth & Greg and their daughter Haylee, age 2. It was not very crowded and not very cold, so we had a nice visit! The lights were beautiful and we had a great time. Our only hitch was getting home.... boy was that mountain icy! Thanks to Greg's careful driving we made it home safe and sound!

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The display is HUGE! You can drive through it first, and then park and walk up in and see the displays up close. They have horse drawn carriage or sleigh ride, a train ride, a bonfire, model train display, antique toy display and Santa pictures. There are some costs involved for some of the extra activities but all of the money made at the display is donated to seventeen human service agencies in three different counties. Not a bad way to have some Christmas fun!

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One of the first things that overtakes you when you are walking in is the Christmas music, then you smell the Kettle Corn! YUMMMMM! Hot Chocolate, Sweet shop and other food is available as well as a gift shop. I got the most adorable Fireman jingle bell ornament for DH in the gift shop.

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It had the potential to be perfect.... but the one and only picture that I have of me and DH, I accidentally deleted.... I am irritated, frustrated and just plain old sad. Not a great big deal, just wanted something to show for it! Oh well, I have to be better about getting the old camera out and taking more pics!

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Hope you get to see some beautiful lights this season!

I also recommend

Lights on the Lake

Hartwood Acres

Take Care!

First Day of Deer... Holiday or not?

If you are from western PA it most certainly is a holiday. LOL! Schools are closed and my DH is actually getting "holiday" pay for Sunday and Monday. His place of business actually shuts down the first two days. It was miserable weather for the first day. DH called me, he was damp, chilly and hadn't seen a single deer. It is now Friday and still no deer. If we follow the pattern of the last several years he will shoot his deer hours before he is due back at work on the last day he is able to hunt. I sure do hope he gets one though!
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My Gram is back at the nursing home, local. Now we wait for 6 weeks and see how she heals and if the infection gets better.

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The plan for the weekend is to get some more Christmas shopping done. I hope to finish that all up so that next week I can decorate and the following week I can bake. That's the plan anyway... we will see how it goes!

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I am off to a great start on the Christmas cards, been working on them faithfully on my lunch hour and making progress quite quickly! As usual they are not your "traditional" holiday colors, but I think they are cute!

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I am working on big blog plans for January, something special for my friend Connie. I have been making some notes on ways to organize your scrapping and card making supplies and will be sharing them with you next month!

Take care!