Project 365: Week 8

You will have to forgive my photos this week. It has been dreary and rainy, so most of them turned out kinda dark!

Sunday- A little more Wii to pass the time.

Monday- Lunch at Cold Beer and Cheeseburgers.

Tuesday- View from the top floor of the Crown Plaza hotel in Dayton, Ohio. I was there for a conference.

Wednesday- I dropped the kids off at school this morning. Here we are waiting in line!

Thursday- Last cheerleading practice. Aren't these rice crispy treats cute?

Friday- My division at work is moving buildings today, so I was "homeless". I had breakfast and worked from McDonald's this morning!

Saturday- Morgan and her cheer coach!

Some Birthday Layouts

Here are a couple of scrapbook pages I finished up this week...

 Vivian- almost two years ago!

A family friend, from just last month. 

Hope you had a scrappy week too!

Friday Faves 2/25/11

Stephanie from Under the Table and Dreaming has a few easy formulas for homemade cleaning products.

Check out this gorgeous pleated heart on a scrapbook page over on the Helmar Adhesives blog. I really need to get a sewing machine!  You can see my version of this scrapbook sketch here.

Fantasy book lovers will want to read this review about the Mortal Instruments series. 

Learn how to re-cover a vintage book at The Quilted Nest.

I wouldn't call this a "fave", but it's worth reading about what is being called the Republican War on Women.

Thankful Thursday 2/24/11

This week I am thankful for time...

Time with my scrappy friends

Time with my kids at the skating rink

Time out of the office at a conference 

Time with my grandparents for dinner

Share your gratitudes at Greg's General Store.

Happy- A Layout

This layout uses a sketch from Magistical Memories. I just love photos of my girls with their great-grandfather. This layout is "Happy" because we got the good news that his inoperable tumor is shrinking, even without treatment!

Supplies

Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye

Chipboard word: K & Co.

CM punch

CM custom cutting system

Haunted Shadows Glimmer Mist

CM chalk ink

trim: Scrap-tastic "Sweet Tooth" kit

Helmar Zapdots dimensional squares

Helmar 450 Quick-dry adhesive

Project 365: Week 7

I took 79 photos this week. While this certainly isn't a record for me, it is a bit above average. Here's a peek at my week:

Sunday- Getting Valentines ready for class parties. Painstaking. Each card was selected for classmates based on a variety of factors such as gender, personal interests, and personality. It took forever!

Monday- The kids got their faces painted at school, and we took them for ice cream after dinner.

Tuesday- Everything in my work building is being packed up. We move to a new location this coming week!

Wednesday- We found ourselves without kids for a couple of hours, so what did we do? Not nap, clean, or even "IT"! Nope, we went grocery shopping. We have not done this together since, well, probably pre-kids.

Donating to the Lupus Foundation.

Birthday skating party!

Give me a U-P-W-A-R-D!! (Morgan is the "R")

Friday Faves 2/18/11

Some of my faves from around the web this week...

I'm usually skeptical of "freebie" sites, but I have been using this one for a while and I have never run across any problems.  I have received free samples of cleaning products, snacks,makeup, and office supplies, plus printable coupons for places like Rally's and Taco Bell. Try Freebie Link!

Here's a great reminder from Ali Edwards about why it's a good idea to NOT zoom in and crop tight on all your photos.

Best beds for better sex.  Honestly, the only part I took seriously is where it explains if you actually sleep better, you might have the energy for sex once in a while.

This floating house reminds me of something Howard Roark might design. And if you don't know who he is, go straight to your local library and pick up a copy of The Fountainhead.

Thankful Thursday 2/17/11

Some parts of this week have been pretty rotten.  I got passed over for a much-deserved promotion, one of my daughters is having some health concerns, and necessary car repairs were not in our budget, but had to be done anyway.

Life throws everyone obstacles, and sometimes it's tough to recognize the good things. It's then when it's most important to count blessings and put things back in perspective. So here goes my list...

• The sun is shining and we have had a few days of very nice weather- a treat during February in Ohio

• I am feeling the relief and freedom of donating a ton of stuff to the Lupus Foundation- my home is cleaner and the items are going to a cause close to my heart- my mom passed away from complications due to Lupus and RA

• I got to spend some time with my three closest friends- a long lunch with girlfriends does wonders

• My grandfather's inoperable tumor has shrunk- SHRUNK- to an almost negligible size, without treatment (that's a pretty big gratitude!)

• So take a few minutes and come up with one or two things that you have to be thankful for- you'll be glad you did!

Related articles

• Secrets of Positive Feedback (blogs.hbr.org)
• Caring for a Loved One With Lupus (everydayhealth.com)

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

I have had this recipe for years. It is great to pull out on those nights when a burger sounds good, but you want something a little more comforting. Sometimes I will make it in a pie plate and call it "Cheeseburger Pie", which my kids think is hilarious!

 

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole

1 lb. ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups milk

3 eggs

3/4 cup baking mix (Bisquick or similar)

1 cup shredded cheese (I prefer cheddar, but anything would work)

salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and grease 9x9 baking dish or pie plate. Brown beef and onions, then drain. Stir in salt and pepper. Spread mixture in baking dish. In a separate bowl, beat milk, eggs and baking mix until smooth. Pour over beef in dish. Bake 25 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake additional 5-8 minutes, until inserted toothpick or knife comes out clean.

Project 365: Week 6

This week most of my pictures were taken in response to prompts from Willette Designs, during her free "Joy of Love" online photography class. It's not too late to join in!

Sunday- Prompt: Who they love...Morgan received Dumbo as a gift when she was about 3, and still sleeps with him at night!

Monday- Prompt: Generations...My mom passed away when I was in college, and my kids ask about her a lot. I am glad to have my scrapbooks as a way of sharing her with them.

Tuesday- Prompt: From the Heart...I got seriously ill during my engagement to Justin. Despite this, he married me anyway and continues to support me through difficult days.

Wednesday- Prompt: Passions...Justin's love is music. We all love hearing him play guitar in the evenings.

Thursday- Prompt: Eyes...Morgan has amazing eyes- I'm disappointed that this photo didn't capture them they way I wanted.

Friday- Fun birthday party for a friend from school. They had sports-themed games like hippity-hop ball races and the one shown here, throwing bean bags through tires.

 

Saturday- Vivian and one of her little squad-mates. Show me the love!

Friday Faves 2/11/11

Here are my fun finds from around the internet this week. Enjoy!

The Bug always has a thought-provoking poem to share. Here's one she wrote about the Underground Railroad.

Love these cute pleated centerpiece decorations from Lindsay, the Frugal Crafter.

Sweet heart-and-lace border punch by Martha Stewart.

My girls and I are making a version of these lollipop flowers as Valentine's Day treats for their cheerleading squads.

Enjoying my daily email photography prompts from Willette Designs. You can still sign up for the Joy of Love class!

Chocolate covered strawberries are a classic and romantic Valentine dessert. Shortening makes these come out perfectly!

Thankful Thursday 2/10/11

Click on the button below to share your gratitudes!

Last weekend was so cold here, and our furnace went out. I am thankful that A) we have awesome friends who let us spend the night in their warm home, and B) that it did not cost a fortune to repair.

I am also very thankful for the news that my boss is retiring in March, which means A) I won't have to deal with her anger issues and micro-managing anymore, and B) I had the opportunity to interview for her position! (Wish me luck!!)

Project 365: Week 5

Sunday- Hanging out with my brother and nieces.

Monday- Loved the sky on my way to work today.

Tuesday- Double ear infection and strep throat. At least it wasn't the flu! One of the cousins pictured on Sunday ended up with strep and the flu on Monday...

Wednesday- I drive by this little bridge over a walking path frequently. It's just so pretty and quaint.

Thursday- Painting signs during cheerleading practice.

Friday- Lunch at the Breakfast Club- their Mexican omelet was delish! One of my coworkers called it "a party on a plate".

 Saturday- What? No cheerleading picture? Nope! Everything was canceled due to ice and snow. Sigh. I am ready for spring!

Sorry this is late getting posted- for some reason my scheduling didn't work and I just now noticed!

Best Basic Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Betty Crocker is awesome. What can I say? She saved me one snowy day (stuck home with two bored kids) with this cookie recipe....

Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup stick butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3 cups quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1 cup flour
1 cup raisins**

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients except for oats, flour and raisins
3. Add oats, flour, and raisins
4. Drop by the spoonful onto ungreased baking sheets
5. Bake 9-11 minutes or until light brown
Yields about 3 1/2 dozen cookies

** I call this the best basic oatmeal cookie recipe because I rarely use raisins! Whatever I have on hand is what goes into the bowl- dried cranberries, nuts, peanut butter or butterscotch chips....  today I happened to have a half package each of white chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips, so in they went! And, I almost always use more than 1 cup of whatever it is!

Burlap Valentines

I rescued a piece of burlap from the trash and cut out some hearts...added some paint, or a button, or Glimmer Mist...inked up my Unity stamps...and made some Valentine's Day cards!

Thankful Thursday 2/3/11

Click on the above link to share your gratitudes at Greg's General Store.

Lots of little things to be grateful for this week....

The beginning of The Joy of Love, a free one-month online photography class. It's not too late to sign up!

Work being canceled on Tuesday. We were covered in ice! I had a nice day to spend at home with my girls.

Scrapbooking with friends over the weekend. I got all of my Christmas 2010 photos into an album! I am using a slip-in style album to make the process easier.

"Pancake and bacon" Monday. Justin cooks, so I get a break, plus it's just yummy.

Spending time with my brother and nieces.

Relaxed schedule at work this week. Lately I have been insanely busy, so a break in the action is nice.

Feeling caught up on laundry and other chores. The family chore chart certainly is helping!

I challenge you this week to find one thing to be thankful for each day...guaranteed to change your attitude and perspective!

Stylish Halloween- A Layout

My last Halloween layout, I promise!

Didn't all the girls look stylish?

 Papers by Pink Paislee and My Mind's Eye

 Sweet Clover Glimmer Mist, Pink Paislee rub-on, and Kaiser rhinestones make up the title

 Edging the photos in Whisper White craft ink from SU adds definition

I used Black Soot Distress Ink to tone down the look of the green patterned paper. Small alphas by Making Memories.

This sketch (#262)from Splitcoast Stampers was my inspiration! And my supplies came from Scrap-Tastic, of course!