15 years...

...of us!

15 years ago, I woke up before the sun peeked over the mountain and started to get ready for the most amazing day ever...my wedding day.  Brad doesn't read my blog, so I won't get too mushy or sentimental...but I just had to say how much I love this guy!  He is my best friend and the most amazing husband and daddy.  I can't even begin to imagine my life without him in it - I am so lucky he asked me to be his wife.

good morning...

from my snow covered porch (and house, yard, street, etc.)!  We woke up to 4 or 5 inches of beauty this morning - I just love it!

The world is just bright and white and beautiful...and I'm sure it's a birthday gift for my dad!

 

Happy Birthday, Dad!  Thanks for all you do for us.  We love you!!

more gourmet talk...

Remember way back last week, when I mentioned this awesome new book?

At the time, I didn't mention that I am lucky enough to have a few projects included in this book...and I get to share one of them with you today! (I know...lucky you...lol).

This is a pringles can...re-purposed as a gift container for a piano teacher...can you just picture yummy homemade cookies stacked inside with a cute little tag to add to the outside.

AND, here's the really good news...I get to give away a copy of this book, courtesy of Paper Crafts! Do you want one? Leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite holiday treat is. I'll choose a random winner on Friday!

this morning...

bright and early...

a test...

so, I tried Windows Live Writer a while back and I didn't love it...I can't even remember why...but I do remember that I didn't love it, so I didn't keep using it.  Lately, I've been hearing again about how good it is...so I re-loaded it, and I'm trying it again.  And since I am posting (again), I'll share a little card I made last week...lots of Making Memories Paperie on this one. :o)

okay, I'm ETA that I think I like it...AND it's letting me add larger images than if I just do it via Blogger itself...so that's kind of fun. :o)

a wolf in the house...

Last week, Josh was awarded his wolf badge in cub scouts. I wasn't able to go to the meeting, but Brad and Meagan accompanied Josh...and my camera accompanied Meagan.

Along with his wolf badge, he earned a gold arrow, two silver arrows, and belt loops for art, astronomy, geology, archery, and bb shooting!

We are so proud of Josh - he loves scouts and he has the best den leaders ever...we hope they never get changed! Now he's excited about working toward his bear badge.

preschool style halloween...

Seth has been counting down to this day for a month - he was so excited for his Preschool Halloween Program and Party!

The kids were all so cute - and his teacher, Mrs. Duke, made the cutest clown ever!

They sang a handful of songs, recited a poem, and treated the parents (and younger siblings) to cookies.

It was so fun to see my little guy performing with his little friends -

he's grown up SO much in the last two months!

happy halloween...

May you eat lots of chocolate and cookies and other sweets...

and not get a tummy-ache!

Sincerely,

Mr. Pumpkin, Bob the Builder, Mr. Skeleton IV, and The Candy Monster

{photos taken 10/27/08 before the UVU Halloween Party}

halloween challenge...

I have a layout challenge up at the Making Memories blog today.

I'm sure you can't figure out WHO is on the layout based on the costume here, can you? (although he did mix it up a little bit last year...with the cloak and face paint)

Anyway, you can go here to see the entire layout and read more about my challenge.

P.S. No, that's not me in the video (yes, someone asked)...

it's Jenny Weston - from Making Memories...isn't she cute?!?

a halloween riddle...

It seems appropriate to share this card today:

{front}

{inside}

You can find it in Paper Crafts' Card Creations Volume 6 - which was recently released. :o)

And, yes, Josh has been a skeleton for 3 or 4 years in a row. Guess what he's going to be this year? Yep...a skeleton...again. Luckily, this is defnitely the last year his costume will fit...and I told him he has to choose something different next year. (even though we both know if he wants to be a skeleton again in 2009, we'll just buy a bigger skeleton costume)

gourmet...

No, not me...I WISH! (so does my family)

Paper Crafts' newest idea book might help me in that area though.

Paper Crafts Gourmet will be hitting the stores soon - and it looks like a great book. Not only is the cover amazing (and now I'm craving homemade oreos)....I've heard it's full of yummy recipes as well as Paper Crafted cards/tags/packaging to go along with them. Here's a fun sample from Alisa Bangerter that is included in the book:

Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits
Alisa Bangerter
This is a perfect recipe to pull out if you are short on time because there is no rolling or cutting. The cheese and garlic add extra kick to a plain biscuit, and kids love them. They are the perfect accompaniment to serve with soups or stews, and are great served with a salad.
INGREDIENTS
2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

And the supplies and instructions for the project:
Enjoy Halloween Tag
Designer: Alisa Bangerter
SUPPLIES: Cardstock: (ivory) Dye ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin’ Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color wash) Stewart Superior Corp. Color medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3" x 4 1/2"
1 Make tag from cardstock. 2 Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk. 3 Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere. 4 Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape. 5 Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edges. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads. Attach ribbon with brad.

You can find out more about this special issue here and you can order it here.

a peek for Shantelle...

Last night I took some pictures for my friends. They ALL have the most amazing blue eyes - so gorgeous...I love how they stand out in the photos!

[click on the image to enlarge]

Anyway...I still have a lot to go through (I took 299)...

I wanted to let Shantelle peek at a few...I hope you like them! :o)

my sweet girl...

Meagan let me take some pictures of her today in the cute hat we bought from our neighbor.

I love our other neighbor's red bush...and I know it's days are numbered...

so I talked her into letting me take a few pictures in front of it.

...and a few more with the pumpkins on the front porch...

[and yes, I was having fun playing in photoshop this afternoon]

just fyi...

[according to my cute little countdown blocks I made yesterday at Super Saturday]

i won...

I have a list of blogs that I like to visit often...for inspiration, ideas, and fun.

One of my favorite is Design Mom.

There are always interesting images, fun links, and oodles of inspiration.

Every once in a while, she also hosts a random giveaway.

Not too long, there was a giveaway for this gorgeous necklace from Lisa Leonard Designs.

I think it's beautiful.

I was shocked when I was chosen (from over 900 entries) as one of three winners!

Yesterday, it arrived in my mailbox!

Thanks so much, Design Mom and Lisa Leonard - I love it! :o)