These cupcakes are so much fun to make!

Tricked the Grands!

This year I gave all five of the grandkids money from the Disney stock that I sold  which tickled them good!  But I couldn't just give them money-had to figure out some way to hide it.  I've been making these adorable cupcakes with the fuzzy socks, so I decided to fold the girls money into the socks before putting them into the cupcake.  For the boys, I almost had them going-purchased some little animal puppets from Dollar Store,  put money inside, added stuffing and closed up the end where you are supposed to put your hand to use the puppet.  I think Nathan was first to figure it out when he poked out his lips and said,  "it's a puppet and it's all sewed up"!   I had so much fun doing this.  For Wolfie, since he didn't even care what money is, I put his inside one of those recordable books (had to read and record it later for him).  Here's photos in progress.....

Which is more fun? Toys or Paper!!!

Christmas Day 2010

This day is usually the day I prepare the traditional Brunch (which we did on Christmas Eve this year so Shalay and her family could be with us).   I felt so special when both Keith's and Russ's families decided to come over and make pancakes, maybe a new tradition for the holidays?  And they ended up staying the whole day with me!  They made chocolate chip, pecan and blueberry pancakes, sausage, bacon, yum!  We played games, new games-Last Word, new Uno and Flash Scrabble.   Then Keith brought over some videos of Landon/Kenzie when they were little-so precious!  But I kinda fell apart when I saw the video of C.L (the time he shaved off his beard).   The day turned especially great when it started to snow!  A White Christmas!  What a blessing! Towards evening when I thought they would be ready to leave the pancakes started to give out and everyone was getting hungry-I had lots of leftovers in the refrig but Leighanne had lasagna at her house.  So she went home, brought back that, fixins for spagetti dinner and rustled up a great supper for all in a short time!  Throughout the day Shalay and I were texting back and forth-my way of making her part of the day.  They are in Winston-Salem getting 6 inches of snow!  She let Wolf feel the snow-said he loved it.  I hope to see photos soon!  I really have to get some photos on here too!

Christmas 2010

Shalay and Wolf flew in a little early (Dec. 17) and Ben drove in Sunday so they would have the car for the trip to his folks in Winston-Salem.  Monday night all the grandkids except Kenzie who was sick, and Ryan, my nephew stayed over for a slumber party.  Amazing what my house turns into when you get that many kids of so many ages, plus baby toys, pillows, blankets, quilts, Wii games and all the other electronics kids own these days!  Wolfie just joined in from the start-I loved seeing him adding to the body pile on top of all the pillows, quilts which made great snuggle pallets on the floor!  We cheated a little on the cookie making-the tea cake recipe stayed crumbly and had to be rolled and sliced like purchased sugar cookies-they did do a little decorating on them though and pretty tasty.
Then Tuesday night Keith made a huge tray of  great venison steak and we ate most of it!  Shalay and I did some biscuits, mashed potatoes and veggies.  We tried out a new cookie recipe dipped in dark chocolate (which was okay but won't be repeated-have to try new ones but not all become tradition).  Traditional treats  that have to be made are Magic Cookie Bars and Cracker Toffee-no one turns these down.
Wednesday, December 22, which would have been our 48th wedding anniversary and always hard for me, was so much better because all the kids and grandkids were here for dinner.  We had turkey, dressing, green beans, broccoli, mashed potatoes and  pinto beans. Michele made deviled eggs, Leighanne brought rolls and more variety of cookies.  Then this was our night to exchange gifts.  I felt like I had already gotten my Christmas gifts-the new fence that I have wanted and they replaced and installed my burned out dryer.  Shalay and Ben got a device to convert my cassettes (with voices recorded of C. L., my parents and Russ and Shalay when they were little).  Also got $100 Walmart gift card, a handmade yarn scarf from Abbey and her special card, some BurtsBee lotions, a beautiful Angel, a Snow pillow, some great chocolate treats, etc, etc.  Have to explain about my gifts to the kids in a separate post, with the photos!)
Thursday we finally finished wrapping all the other presents so we could be ready for family night with my sister and brother and their families.  We have a wonderful houseful when everyone is here!  We always have finger foods which ends up being a little of everything-have pictures to share.  I think everyone enjoys playing our dirty santa game.  I love seeing the kids open their presents and this year we had two babies-Wolf's 2nd Christmas and Lydia's 1st!.
This morning I prepared my traditional Christmas brunch a day early so that Shalay, Ben and Wolfie could be with us.  Breakfast pizza (they call it), sausage balls, ham and ambrosia.   Today seemed especially hard for me when they left for Winston-Salem.  I am most thankful that I have heard from Shalay already safe there at Ben's folks.  Thank you God for protecting my precious family!  Tonight Russ invited me over to their house to share in one of their traditions.  Donna, Leighanne's mother prepares a great lasagna and it was so sweet of them to invite me.
Now the house is empty but my heart is still filled with sweet memories of these last few days with those I love.

Cupcake Party Favor

Love this site!

Christmas Events so far!

Monday, December 5 our scrapbook group from the Active Life Center, the Paper Dolls, had our little Christmas get together at Taste of Lemon.  We each brought our "white elephant" scrapbook goodies and swapped out, playing Dirty Santa.
Friday, December 10, wasn't our regular night for the monthly crop but decided to have it early.  I made pizza, Vicki brought homemade biscotti and Dianne Stogner made some white chocolate peppermint bark.
Saturday, December 11 was our Sunday School party at the church.  It was nice-there were two other ladies there without husbands, so that made it more comfortable for me. Great meal.  I made the cheesecake danish and had some leftover.  Love that stuff-had the last of it today.
Sunday, December 12, I took part in the West Point Women's Club Holiday Art Show.  I sold 31.00 in stuff I made but spent $25 on items from Becky Quinn plus had to buy a receipt book.  Guess I broke even but it was fun.
Tomorrow is the Red Hat Christmas party at Dianne Hood's house.

Dishwashers and ovens

Thanksgiving holidays have come and gone.  I had four precious,wonderful days with Shalay and Wolfie here, three evenings with the whole family here eating, game playing and just hanging out together! Loading,unloading the dishwasher is done constantly it seems, and the oven is used much more than usual!  Funny how you can miss those chores when the house is empty-not much need to empty the dishwasher when you not doing much cooking.  Keith cooked the turkey this year so I made dressing and some other dishes, Marian cooked her usual huge dishes which added to our leftover meal on Friday. Since she and Dennis were on their way to Boaz she couldn't take it with her.  Then on Saturday night Michele and Keith cooked some of the best venison(country-fried steak) I have ever had! Shalay made angel biscuits!  Yummo! I made a few photos that I will share, but as usual,I get so caught up in just having them all here that I never make enough pictures!   Love my family and so thankful to God who has blessed me so much.

Too many projects at once!

Maybe it is the upcoming holidays but it seems that I have started too many things at once-can't decide which project to work on!  Trying to clear out some clothes and other things from my laundry room-seems that lately everything moved out of one room goes to the Laundry room and stays there!  I am also busy trying to get some worthy projects together for an Art Show to be held at the Quinn compound (invited  by Amy to display some things).  I have to finish both Keith's and Russ's albums before Christmas!  Good start on Russ's book but lots to do in Keith's! Making adorable little cupcake containers, which a time consuming but worth the effort I think.  I have started working on an adorable gingerbread accordian album (purchased at Achievers a while back and just now starting on it) and then I have another album in the shape of a birthday cupcake with one candle-I have to do this for Wolfie's first birthday party!  Just went out and purchased a new bedspread set for my bedroom, hoping it will give me incentive to change it up a bit!  I'm prone to just close the door to that room!  So somehow I have to set some priorities to getting all this done and I know I will be putting some things on hold for Shalay and Wolfie's visit next week!  Can't wait for that!  Shalay says he will probably start walking when he comes here-he's been standing by himself but then just grins and sits down slowly!

Sweet Potato Birthday Cake for Wolfie

Shalay is trying to keep Wolfie on natural foods and I respect that!  He loves fruits and all green veggies already!  He likes sweet potatoes, so I made him a personal birthday cake like a sweet potato pie-used eggs, very small amount of brown sugar, cinnamon and plain flour-baked in two small quiche pans and covered in whip cream right before he ate it.  I was so happy that he liked it and ate most of it-Shalay let him have all he wanted and it didn't even make him sick!

Nathan's 9th Birthday Nov. 7

On the same day as Wolfie's party we celebrated Nathan's birthday at the  Turnaround Skate Inn!  Great crowd came to skate and I loved watching my grandchildren skate which I don't do!-never learned how to skate-my mother would only let us wear one skate at a time-she was afraid we would break a leg.  I thought I had my camera with me and had left it at home so I didn't get any photos!!!!  So I'm only able to post the card I made for him!

Wolf's First Birthday Nov 5

Wolf turned 1 on November 5, 2010- family helped us celebrate on Saturday with Mexican food-Paula Dean's Taco Soup, chips and salsa from Los Napales, Red Velvet cake by Aunt Marian and a special BONFIRE! We sorta did the bonfire for Shalay too  since she didn't get to come home for her birthday!  I will upload more photos of Wolfie's personal birthday cake which he loved!

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

I loved Shalay's choice of a Halloween outfit for Wolfie-he looked so cute a a little lamb (and the outfit is warm and will probably fit him  again for next year!)

Tomorrow we pick them up at the airport for the weekend and Wolfie's first birthday!   I can hardly wait to see them-it has been too long!  For his little birthday cake I will be making him sweet potato pie, made with eggs but very little sugar, and topped with whip cream!  Shalay is sticking by her wish to keep him away from sugar and junk food.  He is a great little veggie eater and she is trying to keep him that way.  For the grownups we will have cake though (made by Aunt Marian of course!)  And the menu includes taco soup, salsa, cheese dip and chips from LosNapolis.

Birthdays!

So many birthdays over the past few months!  So I've been busy making birthday cards.  Last weekend Jonah' birthday party was a Star War Jedi Training Academy.  Niki did a great job of planning "fun" for those attending, even us old folks who just loved watching! Here's the card I made for Jonah...

Frankenstein candy box

I made this Halloween treat box from one 12x12 sheet CS, scored and cut at 4" and 8", add black felt, google eyes and rolos.  Easy and holds lots of treats!

My winnings from PaperCraft and Xyron

I entered and won 2 different prizes in one week-Love the Card a Day book (365 ideas) and the Pebbles kit-beautiful 2 sided papers and a bunch of embellishment that match-Also the PINK XYRON (emphasis on breast cancer awareness) and 4 refills!  I can use my adhesive liberally  now!

Weekend and more

On Sunday afternoon the whole family (minus Shalay and hers who are in St.Louis) went to Red Lobster and Tiger Town to celebrate Kenzie, 17 and Abbey, 11 birthdays.  Then a trip to target turned these two beauties into this!

Saturday I went with our Senior group on the bus to Colquitt,  GA to see the Swamp Gravy play-loved it and the great food at the Tarra Inn!
Then today, I received my prize package from PaperCrafts!

New card idea!

I am loving this new design for a card-what possibilities for adding to the layers!  This card is made especially for my granddaughter, Kenzie who is turning 17!  Goodness how can she be this age!

Finished 20 more cards for OWH

Cards for Operation Write Home

81 cards done! I will finish up at least 19 more to make 100 cards that will be sent to the Operation Write Home project. Our scrapbook group at the ActiveLife SR CTR, The Paper Dolls (love our new name) has been working on them during this month and hope to complete all 100 by October 2 which is World Card Making Day. I have spent the last two Sunday afternoons designing and prepping the cards so that together we could put them together in our short classtime at the center. I am excited that we can be a small part of this effort to provide our military with blank cards that they can send back home from Iran and Afghanistan.

Still My Baby Girl

It is so hard for me to believe that it has been 10 years since Shalay's wedding! This photo captures my feelings(standing there just looking at her). I thought it fitting to couple this layout with her newborn photo and the CTMH Bella paper pack was the perfect match. Maybe even harder for me to believe is that she has her own baby to love and for me to love!

Wolf on his 9month birthday

Long, hot summer!

In the last few weeks our temps have been near 100! I haven't had much motivation to do anything, shame on me! Maybe because I had been so beautifully busy when Shalay and Wolfie were here! Loved every minute of our trips to Highlands, NC, then to Winston-Salem to stay with her in-laws, then back to Franklin, NC to spend a couple of days with Marian and her family at a condo there! I WILL get motivated and plan some classes and workshops! Maybe having folks here for our regular Free Friday Crop will help to get me going again! I have another trip to look forward to also-Shalay will be coming back here for a few days, then we will drive to ST. Louis. I can't let her drive that distance alone with the baby! I can also help her out while she gets things ready for school starting soon. We are planning to get the house crawling- baby-proofed too!---to include moving some furniture around in her house! Then I will fly back to LaGrange on Aug 14. After that my house will be quiet for a while because I know she won't be able to come home much when school starts.(Maybe not even till Christmas). God, please give me acceptance and peace-I really don't like being a complainer. I am truly thankful for the life I have.

Great changes coming for CTMH hostesses!

What is changing with the Hostess Rewards Plus! program?
Beginning with the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book, hostesses can now receive the benefits of the Hostess Rewards Plus! program more quickly. When a hostess has a Home Gathering that totals $250 US / $300 CAN, they will earn their first 50% off retail item from the Idea Book. Previously, the Hostess Rewards Plus! benefits were not received until a hostess had reached $350 US/ $400 CAN in Gathering sales. Now with just a $250/$300 CAN Gathering, your hostess will receive free select products plus one item of their choice at 50% off! And, yes, we're also adjusting the levels so they can get two, three, or four 50% off items one sales level earlier, too!
When will this change take place?
The change begins for all hostesses with the Autumn/Winter 2010 Idea Book on September 1, 2010.

CTMH Convention and New Idea Book

It would have been nice to attend this year's convention being held in Washington, DC but I much preferred spending time with Shalay and Wolfie! It is pretty easy to keep up with the new things coming out of convention though-keeping up through the Virtual Convention, Facebook updates, the Bulletin Board and my upline emails. So far announcements include no more Pro-Pay accounts (which is great because of the extra charges for web orders), Flip-Flaps in new sizes, a new book by Jeanette to include interactive scrapbooking (excited about this!), new colors and new stamps. I am especially interested in the peacock set!

Day with no Wolfie

Shalay and Wolfie left yesterday after spending 3 weeks with me here and the trip to the mountains and to Winston-Salem. I have been trying to stay busy to keep my mind off the quiet of the house and to just be thankful for the time we have had together this summer. God has kept them safe through all the travels and so many miles on that little Prius! So far I haven't gotten back to scrapbooking or stampin, just catching up on some things. Today I managed to get prescription filled, made Dr appointment, got a new Tracfone set up with my contacts and it is working fine! Now to make sure it will place calls from town, etc. It is already working better here than the new Sprint phones I have purchased and tried unsuccessfully! Shalay says that Wolfie has been crabby all day (missing his Meme!) I sure miss him! This morning I woke up and couldn't help but shed a tear remembering how sweet it is to snuggle with him while he is still in that sweet cuddly mood early in the morning. Thank you God for allowing me to have these sweet memories and for taking care of them as they traveled alone to Starkville.

What Shalay did!!!

While in Highlands we stopped to view a beautiful waterfall but stayed on the observation balcony instead of walking to the falls with Wolfie. So naturally we took some pictures. Shalay was about to take a photo of me when she dropped my camera! We could see it down below. Well while I held Wolfie, that daughter of mine crawled through this bramble, vines and roots to get to my camera. She was able to retrieve it and it is intact, but not without some scratches on her arms and legs! She was wearing skirt!

Made a few flowers

Love the layers! Couldn't use most of these on a scrapbook page but would be great for album covers, boxes, gift bags, etc.

Layout: Love Bug

Layout: Love Bug

50thAnniversary Album

I made this album for my cousin, Shirley's 50th Wedding Anniversary-made from white paper bags-I had so much fun playing with the ribbon and fibers-looks kinda gaudy but I thought since it really isn't a formal album, I could add the extras. She will be able to add photos from the party. I did a lot of stamping and embossing with Gold and I love the larger tags (copied from Kay's birthday album for me!)

Surprise Birthday Party