life backwards by 2s

Cute Little Card

2011-07-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

Here is a card I did using one of the images sent to me by Gail on the PC board! She was so nice to send me a pile of images I didn't have. I actually don't have any Magnolia stamps. I always seem drawn more to The Greeting Farm images.. I did like this one. Isn't she sweet?

Sixth Grade Camp

2011-07-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

This is the whole sixthgrade and chaperones on the beach at Mr Mier's property. We had so much fun and the weather was perfect!

Girl Scout SWAPS

2011-07-06T13:48:00.001-08:00

It's time for Encampment again and these are the SWAPS Delanie did to trade with her sister Girl Scouts. It's a fun tradition and Delanie (and I) worked pretty hard on these this year.

Hopefully there aren't girls trying to swap feathers like last Encampment.

July Summer at the Beach Swivel Charm

2011-07-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

This is my Beach Swivel Clasp Charm for PC's Swap board. We were supposed to use charms but I really had a hard time finding nice ones up here that weren't plastic and or crazy expensive. I used a bunch of shell beads instead and I really like how these turned out and hopefully everyone will forgive me not using charms.

Testing

2011-07-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hmmmm having trouble posting! What's going on?

The Right Side Of the Brain: Beacon Adhesives!!!

2011-01-29T15:55:00.002-09:00

Speaking of Rina! She has a new blog and a great give-away going on right now. Check her out!The Right Side Of the Brain: Beacon Adhesives!!!: "Welcome to Beyond Paper By Rina! To kick off the new and improved site, and the split from Hooscrafty.com, I've decided to give away ..."

Sometimes People are Just So Nice!!!

2011-01-29T15:13:00.005-09:00

My friend Rina and I went to a local art store here called Blaines to crop a little and, truth be told, talk a lot. She has been out of the country for about a month and before that we had both been crazy busy so we hadn't spent much time together. Well, last night as we were leaving and saying thanks to the owner of Blaines, I saw some plexi pen holders and said, "I would love to have some of these!" She said, "Oh, I have some over here if you want them." Rina says, "Wow, How much?" and she said, "You can just have them. I'll keep a few and you can just have 2 each!" WOW!!!!! So now my Promarkers have a new place to live where they are organized and happy!!! I will be shoping more at Blaines!

Cool huh? They'll hold 72 Promarkers each so I'll have pleanty of room!

I think I'm going to lable the color names on front. They will sit just right on my window ledge!

New Stamp Storage

2011-01-26T18:38:00.004-09:00

Well, I've been eyeing this for a while for my unmounted stamp storage. I got this photo storage box with interior boxes in it from Costco for $15. It really works well because the stamps don't get smoshed. I'm going to come up with a vinyl decoration to jazz this up.

Here it is open. I need to lable the spines of the smaller boxes with the stamps inside.

I could fit 6 of the single stamps like those from The Greeting Farm. I just put the image samples in with the stamps.

The larger TGF sets like Fuzzy Wuzzy and Sweet and Toxic fit 3 in a box

The only thing I wish is that the inner boxes were about 1/4" bigger so my SWAP Images which are done at 5 1/2"x4 1/4" would fit flat.

Yes, We Are Steeler's Fans!!!!

2011-01-23T16:29:00.001-09:00

Happy Mail SWAP

2011-01-21T17:10:00.002-09:00

So I have a great group of cyber friends on the Cricut.com site. We do this one monthly swap called Happy Mail. I've been doing it since October and it's always so much fun! Each month Lisa, aka Kittyshoes, does a drawing on the box she sends and this month, I GOT IT!!!!!! Isn't it the cutest ever!!!!

On top of this cuter than cute box, Lisa filled it to overflowing with goodies. We put 5 wishes on the board and you are supposed to grant at least 2. Well, Lisa went overboard and granted everything on my list and then some!!! SPOILED ROTTEN ME!!! THANK YOU LISA!!!!

Lots and lots of Glue Dots! A Sew Easy with an extra head for Cross Stitch! Sew Easy Floss in reds, browns, and blues!!! And 3 packs of Bazzil Cardstock!! Drooling here! But wait, there's more!

Promarker 12 Pack!!!! LOVE these! Then stamps from The Greeting Farm~Laundry, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and the cuter than cute Cheeky Mate!!! And more stamps these from My Favorite Things~What's Cooking? and Groovy Girl!!!

THANK YOU LISA SO MUCH!!!! YOU MADE MY MONTH!!!! (possibly my year!!!!)

Stick Pin Swap

2011-01-06T16:04:00.004-09:00

I've joined some friends on the PC SWAP Board doing a Stick Pin/Tag Swap. This is my 1st of 3 Tags. I used my Polka Doodles Maggie stamp which is one of my favorites because it looks so much like Delanie! Love the dirty legs and half-way down the nose glasses. I colored them with my Promarkers, inked with TH ink and added my cute little stick pin. I think the pins are nicer in person but I couldn't get the color well in the picture.

I really liked the end result but making 15 of them got really tedious after a bit! Hope the girls on the SWAP love them!

A Great Give Away

2010-12-21T10:36:00.002-09:00

Debbie at The Crafty Cuttings of Wiccababe is giving away some great blog candy just in time for the New Year! I haven't tried Sugar Nellie Stamps yet but drool everytime I see them and am hoping to add some to my collection in 2011. I have some Promarkers and LOVE them! Check out Debbie's great give away here http://wiccababe.blogspot.com Maybe you can start a collection too!

Letraset's New Websight and a Giveaway!

2010-12-17T10:39:00.002-09:00

Letraset is the maker of Promarkers which I'm really loving! They have a great tip that I like better than copic and I like the price better too! Here is a link to their blog http://www.letrasetuk.blogspot.com/ and their new website http://www.letraset.com/ You'll find lots of good tutorials and they are giving away 10 of their Promarker 5 Packs. Wouldn't that be great for the New Year!?! Check them out!

The Cutest Little Snowman!

2010-12-16T16:56:00.002-09:00

Isn't he darling! Ms Fossler's first grade was making these and I fell so in love with them. The moms who were helping made one for me! I was in tears! So cute!

Snowy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T19:44:00.002-09:00

Happy Vetran's Day

2010-11-10T21:15:00.001-09:00

Have you seen this FANTASTIC Give Away?

2010-11-06T11:49:00.003-08:00

Enfys at Going Buggy is giving away 148 alcohol markers from Promarkers!!! She is also doing some really great videos on using alcohol markers (Promarkers, Copics etc.) where she demos the basics of skin, denim, hair, and more! Hop on over and check her out!

http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/

Back to School!

2010-08-18T07:18:00.002-08:00

Made these for the kiddo's teachers. Got the directions from Momo's Blog (she's just the best)! My little girl is a SIXTH GRADER! When did that happen? Gotta run, tradition dictates that we go get a hot chocolate for the first day!

Rock Princess Card for Kris

2010-08-11T19:01:00.001-08:00

Wouldn't you love to win!!!

2010-07-26T20:13:00.003-08:00

Jodi at INKED INSPIRATIONS is celebrating her birthday with 5 wonderful giveaways! This is one of them which I just love! She's so generous! I actually just discovered her blog and am following for sure! Hop on over to her blog to sign up for a chance to win! http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com

I'm Back! Throwback Thursday Challenge!

2010-07-09T14:10:00.002-08:00

I really didn't fall off the edge of the Earth! I've been cleaning my scraproom (which was kinda a black hole)! I've also been enjoying summer with the family. The last couple of weeks have held the Brewclub Campout, Aidan's Cubscout camp, and 4th of July at our friend's cabin! So much fun and great time with friends and family.
This weeks Throwback Thursday from Emma at My Creative Time is all about Animals! I wanted to do a mini album for our friends the Nygards who had us to their cabin and since I had to do Animals for Emma's challenge, it was a double wammy! I don't have Zoobaloo so I used Animal Kingdom to do the squirrel, bear and moose and then I used Graphically Speaking for the Nature word. I think it turned out really cute!

So this was my first mini album using my G (Rose Lee) She had lots of fun telling my E to cut out chipboard! I think I'll stick with using recycled cereal and soda boxes for these. Those cut really easy and didn't make my E squeek and groan!

Clear Acrylic Stamps SOLD

2010-07-02T10:02:00.005-08:00

Posted these on here for the Cricut Product Review and Deals folks to look at.

Throwback Thursday Project in the nick of time!

2010-06-27T17:32:00.003-08:00

Emma at My Crative Time had another Throwback Thursday Challenge for everyone. This time she went back to the Doodlecharms Cricut Cartridge and challenged us to make a scrapbook layout. The only thing was, the anual Brew Club Campout started at noon on Friday and wouldn't ya know I had a migrain on Thursday...Not to worry, I took my good friend Gypsy (Rose Lee) and spent some quiet camping time with her! I actually had come up with a layout for our Hawaii Album but changed my mine (it's a girls perogative!) and came up with this instead.

Doodlecharms has so many great cuts but when I looked at some of the other posts, most of my favorites had been used. That said, I tried to go in a bit of a different direction. There are actually 2 Doodlecharms cuts here.
1. The trees are the boarder function on page 125. Perfect spruce tree look!
2. The stick frames are made by using Rose Lee to weld the sticks on page 95. (I'm getting more adventurous with each use of my Gypsy!)

My cardstock was all Bazzill, the patterned paper is from We R Memory Keepers (Grandma's Kitchen I think). I used the Stamped Cartridge to do the lettering. I am kinda thinking about doing some doodling on the trees but not sure yet.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my take on this challenge. Click on Emma's blinkie on the side of the page to see her WONDERFUL sight!

Air Force Pararescue Memorial Ceremony

2010-06-24T11:18:00.001-08:00

I was blessed for a time to work as an Air Force Rescue Radio Operator in the Alaska Air Guard. I got to work with some of the most elite AF guys there are, Pararescuemen. They would be kinda the AF equivilant of Green Berets or Seals. One HUGE difference is they are trained to SAVE people. The AK PJ's are all EMT's and all jump and dive qualified. They are a crazy, fun bunch of guys who don't take anyone's guff. Sadly, 2 PJ's were lost on June 9th, in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Please watch this and remember that freedom isn't free and there are those who will do things, THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE!!

Prepping for Cub Scout Camp! Thanks Momo!

2010-06-18T17:00:00.003-08:00

Aidan will be headed to camp in about a week and I wanted to make him some cute cards. You know how they love getting mail at camp and since Ed goes with him, I can just give the stack to Daddy so no postage.

I did want to stick with a "Campy" theme and these cuts from Create a Critter worked perfectly! I did kinda mess up and cut the larger ones at 3" instead of 2.5" so I just made those cards 4x4 and the smaller ones are 3x3. I used only scraps (except for the card base) for this and I think they're all Bazzill. I really love how they turned out and will be making more like them in the future.
Oh, these were totally inspired by Momo's Kids Cards that she did last week on her blog! You should check it out! THANKS MOMO!!!
http://madebymomo.blogspot.com/2010/06/episode-61-notecards-for-kids.html

Howdy! It's Throwback Thursday Partner!

2010-06-17T21:56:00.002-08:00

Emma at My Creative Time http://www.creativetimeforme.com/ has done it again!! She's taken one of my favorite "old" Cricut cartridges and set up a Throwback Thursday Challenge. The cartridge we are using is Paper Doll Dress Up which I think was one of the first I bought. It has soooo much on it~cars, spaceships, dinosaurs, castles, wagons, animals and more. It also has one of the best fences on any cartridge IMO. Delanie and I saw this one at Michaels for $19.99 so if you don't have it, GO GET IT!!!!

So besides using Paper Doll Dress Up, Emma's challange was to do something 3-D or altered (ya know anything but a card). I chose to do this cute paint can using my neighbor's son, Henry (3), as insperation. EVERYTHING is about horses with him and yes, he has a horse head on a stick! I did have to kinda paper piece the horse but I think it looks great! Oh and the "Howdy" came from Create a Critter which I found by using the search on Rose Lee!

I've made these paint cans before and the neat thing is my wonderful husband, Ed, (love ya babe!) cuts a slit in the top of the can so the kiddos can use them as banks. I usually use them as the gift "bag" and put some goodies inside.

This is the back of the can. All the paper is Bazzil except for the background which is from an old CTMH Father's Day kit. The only thing I wish I had was some cut Peachy Keen face stamps! Maybe I'll be Emma's lucky winner!!!! (fingers crossed!)

Two of my Favorite Things

2010-06-15T12:42:00.004-08:00

Well, I'm working on cleaning up my Scrap Space. In the last year it has become a catch-all for everything from extra shelving units to kid's clothes and oh yea, some scrap stuff I haven't touched! I am not necessarily the neatest scrapper but I do want to be able to move my chair around and get to my stuff.

I do have 2 things to share that are my FAVORITES as far as storage in my space are concerned. The top photo shows my shoe rack adaptation of a Clip it Up. We took off the shoe holders and voila~~~Super Sturdy, metal, only $9 or $10 CIU. The second picture is of my old CM Rolling Tote (remember those?) that has been adapted to hold 12x12 file folders and my cardstock. I don't go to crops as much as I used to but this baby is a life saver when I do! So what do each of these things have in common? Both were adapted by my wonderful Hubby Ed! He welded and cut and fixed them just for me! He's really a great guy and I love how he let's me have a whole room just for me! (oh, he's got a 3 car garage!)

Throwback Thursday 49er

2010-06-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Emma at My Creative Time http://www.creativetimeforme.com/ has been doing challenges using some of the older Cricut Cartridges. This week she picked one of my favorites Stretch Your Imagination! It's a great cart especially since it has all 4 seasons and lots of holidays. I've always loved this little jar of lightning bugs, maybe because we don't have lightning bugs in Alaska. The main challenge is to use the colors brown, blue, and red. I also wanted to use my new Gypsy (Rose Lee) since I've only had her about a week. I figured out how to make a shape card (yippee for me)!!!! I do need to figure out how to make the bottom of the card flat so I can stand it up! Hope you like it!

More 365 photos

2009-01-14T16:05:00.000-09:00

Here are a few more of my 365 photos. I think I'm going to need to load them daily to keep them straight. I also have some "stuff" not photos to put in my album. Anyway, I'll post the finished 2 page layout on Thurs or Fri.

First Week of 365 Album

2009-01-12T15:15:00.000-09:00

So for my 365 album I am using the EDS system by IRW. (aka Scrapworks Baybox/Anthologie). I picked some papers I like and just decided to use them for each week depending on my mood. I printed out a bunch of Address lables with "Week Of" and will be sticking them on as I go along. I liked the thought of the stickers since I can ink or stamp on them if I want to.

The page protectors I'm using have 10 4x6 openings and one 6x8 opening. I like this better than the CK version because I have a vertical option or, if I have a super photo, I can enlarge it.

I also LOVE the fact that I'm using up my stash of stuff on this album! I have a ton of #rub-ons that I can use on both the photos and journaling tags. I have had these little tags forever and they are really a great size to just do captions. Anytime I want to journal more, I can use something larger.

These EDS Albums are FANTASTIC , They are a bit limiting in that a whole year won't fit (no way).I am just going to do 27 weeks and do 2 albums.

Starting my 365

2009-01-03T20:15:00.000-09:00

I Know! I Know! What the heck kind of blogger am I? I don't put anything on since school starts and now I want to start again. Well, I do! So forgive me if you have been sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for me but I'm Back.

Becky Higgins has started a bit of a craze with her 365 Project (look here if you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about http://beckyhiggins.com/blog/). It is a great concept and I really wanted to get the kit. Thing is, nobody is sure if they got the kit ordered or not. So I've started my photos and thought I'd post them here to keep up.

The bottom one is Jan 1. Aidan and Delanie making 2009 out of their hands (okay kinda corney but cute!) We had a pretty mellow New Years Day. We just hung out at the house, played some wii, and recouped from Jeremy & Kim's party.

The middle one is when we finally said good bye for now to the tree on Jan 2. Now this wasn't a small feat for Ed and Aidan since it was -15 degrees! Just cold to the bone! They still look like they are having fun though I'm not sure how much fun went on when Ed put the tree up on the shelf in the shed! That new tree with the lights already on it is HEAVY.

The top photo is Aidan otherwise known as Lego Man! That kid amazes me by how he will sit and read the directions. Normally sitting still isn't in Aidan's repertoire but when he puts on his Lego Man Hat (okay, no real had but it's a thought!) he can sit for hours at a time. He really reads the directions and piece by 1326 pieces he puts the thing together! This was the Drone Carrier he got for Christmas. COOL!

Back to School Time

2008-08-21T09:18:00.000-08:00

Well, the summer basically wasn't all that wonderful. We had so few sunny or even warm days. But now it is time to head on back to school and boy are the kids happy about it (okay so Aidan doesn't look happy but he is). You are Aidan!

I totally love back to school. It gives me a thrill to go look at all the new folders and lunch boxes (Aidan got a new Clone Wars one!) I love the smell of crayons in the morning!

What I don't like is getting going in the morning after watching the Olympics till midnight! I am usually good about getting the kiddos on their back to school sleep schedule but with the O's on...I dropped the ball. We're on it now though and they are in bed by 8:30. (aw, mom!)

I totally love the teachers this year! A has the same teacher D had in 2nd. She's so nice but really has control of the class and doesn't take any guff! D's teacher taught us how to knit last year and has a real kind way about her. Both teachers encourage parental involvement in the class so that means a ton to me. I've always felt that the kid's education was Ed's and my responsibility and teachers are the trained proffesionals we hire to help us.

Anyway, now I have some more time for being crafty and a domestic goddess! (so not) Maybe I'll even update my blog more often!

This Guy of Mine

2008-07-31T09:36:00.000-08:00

So I rarely write about my dh, Ed. The fact is though is...he really is AWESOME! I tell people a lot that I married Ed for his IPA because he is a great homebrewer and I'm a hop head by nature. Yes, it was written in the stars or something like that. Actually the thing that really makes me go weak in the knees is how Ed is a FANTASTIC DADDY. He is a busy guy, up at 5:30~workin' till 4:00~home working on his "To Do" stuff. In the midst of all that he finds time to stop and play with the kiddos and teach them important stuff like "Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty!"

Here are some shots of Ed and Aidan playing badminton. Sorry the focus is out...they're still cute! You may notice that Aidan is the only one running....That's the way 7 year olds play badminton.

A mini book for Teacher

2008-07-30T15:23:00.000-08:00

I made a mini book for Delanie's Teacher for the end of year. I guess it wasn't really super mini since it was about 8.5x11 but it turned out really cute. I thought this was a "Special Year" because the teacher's daughter was in her class. It was also pretty special because the kiddos really seem to care about each other and their community etc. I have a feeling there will be lots of world leaders in this group!

Just a Swingin'

2008-07-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of Aidan during some backyard fun. I love the Sport Continuous mode on my camera!

Air Show Shots!

2008-07-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

So it is so very rare that I can get a decent shot of aircraft in flight. That whole speed of sound thing really thows off my lead time and the focus ability for the sport continuous mode is not gonna happen when the aircraft is far, far, away! But I got one!!!!!! I have to say I'm very impressed with myself that this shot is centered and focused.
This shot was to represent the 50 years anniversary of Alaska being a state. Aviation has played a pretty major role in our state so it was a good representation.
These two are of the AF Academy Jump Team coming down with the US and Alaska flags.

Then of course the people shot! This is the way most folks look during an air show! I think Delanie desplays perfect form and air show etiquette!

TOTAL SLACKER

2008-07-14T10:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, so the simple fact is that I've been a total slacker about this whole blogging thing! I'd like to say that I have a hectic, super packed schedule that leaves me falling into bed at midnight each night and up and about at 6 am...but the fact is, it just ain't so. We've been spending our summer being LAZY! Okay the first week we were in Reno, then got back just in time to lead crafts and missions for VBS. After that stuff...LAZY! But just to help those who may not have given up on me totally, I'm posting five photos of our summer so far.

These are a couple of our regular summr visitors. The Stellar's Jay comes by every morning to see if we've filled the bird feeder. I expect he'll give up soon since we don't fill it in summer. There has been a lot of bear activity here lately so we'd rather not find one on the swing set eating the bird food!

The zoo hasn't been a regular hang out but it really should be for us. They have set up the new seal and otter habitats and they totally ROCK! My new camera has really impressed me with the photos it takes (note: it is not me~it is the camera!). I have lots more zoo photos I'm sure I'll share sometime. The kiddos of course love the petting zoo part though there was a super grumpy goat that made the experience less than perfect! The one in the picture was pretty laid back so we stuck near him.

Delanie Flew Up to Junior Girl Scouts this summer. We missed the big shabang so her troop had their end of year picnic and a mini cerimony that day. Here she is getting her patches from Brownies. Funny thing is that vest was huge on her in 1st grade!

Water Bottle Packets

2008-05-01T13:41:00.000-08:00

Here is my version of flavor packet holders for h20 bottles. I used Stampin' Up supplies I had from last year. These are really zoomy quick using patterned paper then the SU Word Window punch and cardstock stickers. I also like using a jump ring so it is easy to get off and people will hopefully save them. I got some $1 water bottles at Michaels and decided to give those to our NSD group. You could always tie them with ribbon instead of the rings too.

I actually have one extra one of these so the first one to reply that they want it will get a little RAK.

enjoy, D

Chip Topper Challenge

2008-04-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

We had a challenge to use some Bazzill Chip Toppers which I totally love! I don't think I really have used them as much as just admired them! I really need to stop that and get to using my stash of stuff. So...

I have wanted to do a photo frame for Delanie's photo with her good friends. I really loved this photo since I don't have any photos of myself and friends in elementary school. I can imagine the same kind of picture with me and my friends Jana and Amy. Don't know what happened to them since, being an Air Force Brat, we moved around a lot. One of these girls will be moving this summer so I hope this helps Delanie to remember her and maybe this crazy internet age will help them keep in touch. Oh I put a couple shots in since they don't really show the depth that well.

I'm also putting a photo of a card I made using one of the winter Chip Toppers. I know you can't win with a card but I really love this since I did a little 3-D scene in it that can be used as a magnet/ornament.

Enjoy!

5 DAYS TILL MAY!

2008-04-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

Well, there are only 5 more days in April and yesterday we got about 20 inches of snow! It was actually the 3rd largest snowfall ever in Anchorage! I must say I'm a bit disgusted by the whole thing! The kids, on the other hand, really had fun in the heavy wet stuff! They made a big snow cave and could fit 4 kids into it! This was actually the perfect snowman or snowball kind of snow. Plus the temperature was about 32 all day so it was warm enough to stay out a long time! Hopefully the whole mess will melt in a couple of days and Spring can resume!

More Photos for our Fans in NV

2008-03-30T15:58:00.000-08:00

Halfway! I ran into a friend o

f mine and told her Delanie was turning 9! She said, "That's halfway done!" OMG!!!! I really wasn't ready for that piece of information! Seems like yesterday I was screamin' at the nurses to just get her out!!!!! I guess I blinked!

Awake at 4AM

2008-03-04T04:06:00.000-09:00

Well, I can't sleep since I have a headache and am waiting for the Excedrin Migrain to kick in...So I thought I'd post some photos of our last couple of months. I know I've been an absolutly AWEFUL blogger so please forgive me and I'll work on it!

These are from Grandma and Grandpa's visit. We had a pre-birthday party for the kids. G'pa made a beautiful wardrobe for Delanie's American Girl Dolls. G'ma made lots of new clothes for them and the biggest hit of all, matching night gowns for her and Josephina! She absolutley loved it! Aidan got a great shelf with hooks made by G'pa that we've hung in his room for putting important things on and hanging his camera and binoculars.

We also visited the Anchorage Musuem. Love the photos of the kiddos with the ice glasses on.

Just some photos!

2008-02-12T07:39:00.000-09:00

I've been a bit busy with all the STUFF that happens but thought I'd add some photos just to make everyone but especially my sis smile!

Playing for Grandma

2008-01-30T18:47:00.000-09:00

We talked to G'ma and G'pa in PA today. Aidan was practicing his guitar at the time so he said, "Let me play for them!" So here is Ed holding the phone so Aidan could play for them! A has his first actual recital on Sat. We'll see how it goes. He's only been playing since about Sept but really does well. He is doing Suzuki method and so it is classical not rock. Lots of Twinkle Twinkle variations and good posture stuff. He loves it but really wants to let loose and ROCK OUT MAN!!

Week 3 and Week 4

2008-01-28T13:08:00.000-09:00

Here are the latest cards in my Deck of Me Challenge for 2008. Week 3 was what area of your life would you like to spice up? Week 4 was to pick 3 words that describe you and scrap them. You couldn't pick Mom, Wife, etc. I picked Simple, Content, and Blessed.

So why those 3?

I think I'm pretty simple in that I'm a jeans & tee, steak & potato, tv on the weekend kind of gal. I guess I'm kinda low maintenance and I'm okay with that. Jeannette (my sis) says I'm a LLBean kind of girl. Not sure about that but I would rather have a good beer and watch football than champagne and opera.

Content and blessed: I have so much and so much to be thankful for. My kids are healthy, our home is beautiful and warm, we don't make a bankload but want for nothing, I can play and help at school with the kiddos. I lay my head down at night and don't question my next meal or Ed's safety. I have good friends who are honest with me and love me. I guess maybe I'm just at a point where the sailing is smooth and I am peaceful. It feels good!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

2008-01-28T11:33:00.000-09:00

THE OFFICIAL COOKIE COUNT IS IN.....

DELANIE SOLD....404 (YES, FOUR HUNDRED FOUR)BOXES OF GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ed and I are totally blown away and proud of her!!! It isn't that she sold so many but that she really set a goal, worked toward it, and even surpassed it. What a gal! I guess we'll keep her!

forgive the funky

2008-01-26T14:42:00.001-09:00

Okay, I'm new at this whole blog thing and I know the post about Don and Beth has some funky photo line up. Forgive me! I tried to edit but I'm in my 40's and don't always know how to work these things! I do have some more photos and stuff I want to post so don't give up on me yet!
D

Safe Travels for Great Friends!

2008-01-26T13:49:00.000-09:00

We had to say TTFN to our friends Don and Beth. They are off on another adventure and we will miss them being around. We were lucky enough to get to hang with them at Moose's Tooth and Benihana too just before they set off down the ALCAN. It isn't always easy to find people really click with every member of a family but these guys did. We're hoping they'll get back up here in the not to distant future so we can play some more and share some Alaska time.

Busy Weekend planned!

2008-01-17T12:02:00.000-09:00

Well, our weekend will be starting a bit early! It promises to be a 4 days of very good beer and much better friends!

Tonight we will be headed to The Snowgoose Restaurant for the release of Sleeping Lady Brewing Co's Spartan Warrior Imperial Stout. This beer is dedicated Jeffrey Bission (our friend Jim's son-in-law)and all of the Ft. Richardson soldiers that didn’t come back with their unit. Proceeds of the sale of each pint of beer will be donated by Snowgoose to a memorial on Ft. Richardson for these brave fallen soldiers. We'll be hanging with our favorite Army fam Don and Beth and hopefully get to meet and say thank you to other soldiers. If you are thinking you need a reason to drink a good beer, this is a great one for a great cause.

Friday and Saturday we will be volunteering at The Great Alaskan Beer and Barley Wine Festival! This is The Premier Beer Event of the year and one Ed and I have attended more years than not. The last few years my folks have been blessing us by watching the kiddos overnight so we could both partake and stay at a hotel for the evening. This is HUGE to us and we really appreciate it! THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!

You can check out Jim's aka Dr Fermento's blog for some fantastic info on the festival. He's a pro at writing about beer and his helpful hints can be applied to any event where alcohol is the main focus. Check it out! http://drfermento.net/

Sunday will be a bit of a sad day, not because the GABBWF will be over but because we will be going to Beth and Don's going away party. There are people who have touched my life who I tend not to be affected by their departure. (Not sure if my military brat background is responsible for this or not but whatever.) Not in this case!! Beth and Don will be sorely missed by our whole family. Who will Aidan sword fight with such vigor without Don around? Who will open their door even before they shower and just hang out with me? Who will help Delanie pay for her college education if she can't Kinky Sit? Who will give us an excuse to ALWAYS order Salmon Spread!!!!! Needless to say, I'll be sad to see them go and there will always be free use of our pop-up camper when they come to visit!

So that is my weekend in a nut shell. Hope you all enjoy yours!

Chicken Chili Kind of Day

2008-01-16T17:16:00.000-09:00

I love me some chili and one of my favorite recipes is for Chicken Chili. Laura Isaacson got me hooked on this and of course had to let me know how to make it. We have it with brown rice or sometimes with corn bread muffins. The kids really like it even though it has good for them stuff in it. I always make at least a double batch since it freezes so well and Ed likes to take it to work for lunch. So I'm passing this recipe on to you! Thanks Laura! ENJOY!

Chicken Chili (serves 8+)

1 28 ounce Italian Style Stwed tomatoes

Up to 5 skinless/boneless chicken breasts

1 can defatted chicken broth

1 lg yellow onion, chopped

2 Tbs chopped garlic

2 med zucchini cut in 1 inch cubes

2 red bell peppers cut in 1 inch cubes

2 small cans chopped green chilis

1 can sliced olives

2 Tbs chili powder (or to taste)

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp allspice

1 can dark red kidney beans (drained)

1 Tbsp lemon (fresh) juice

4 Tbsp parsley

Fresh ground black pepper

Garnish w/chedder cheese and sour cream

1. Bake chicken @ 375 for 20-25 min in a covered shallow pan.

2. Place 1/2 cup chicken broth in lg, heavy pot. Add onion and garlic. Cook 3 min over low heat stirring occassionally.

3. Add zuchini, red peppers, & remaining broth. Cook covered 8 min.

4. Add tomatoes w/liquid, spices, chilis & olives. Simmer uncovered for 3min.

5. Add chicken, kidney beans, lemon juice and 2 Tbsp parsley, and pepper. Simmer 10-12 min, stirring occasionally.

Adjust seasoning to taste and stir in remaining parsley. Serve over rice garnish as desired.

Kitty Love

2008-01-15T17:02:00.000-09:00

Delanie cat sits Kinky for our friends Beth and Don. She's actually been raking in the dough since they pay her so well and are gone a lot. They will be moving away soon so it looks like this was the last chance to get some cute photos. Kinky actually lets Delanie hold her which I guess is a rare thing.

Cookie Monsters and 52 Card Pickup

2008-01-13T13:50:00.000-09:00

Well, Girl Scout cookies are now up for pre-order. My daughter, Delanie', has set a major goal of 350 boxes!!!!!!!! What?! She sold 258 last year and so now she thinks she has to do better than that! So we went out the the Air Guard base for drill weekend and she walked to tons of offices/shops asking if folks wanted to pre order...Sure enough she got orders for over 240 boxes!!!!! What does she say to me as we're adding them up? "I may have to raise my goal!" Whoa there girly! (actually I hope she does do better but I'm not looking forward to the distrubution come March)

So I joined this 52 week challenge where you alter playing cards. Each week we get a theme and then share our creations. You can read more about it here http://learningtotaketime.blogspot.com/ So far I've done my first 2 weeks. Now the tricky part will be figuring out how to add them to this blog.

Getting started

2008-01-09T12:56:00.000-09:00

Well, I've done it now! Elizabeth actually convinced me that this wouldn't be such a bad idea, starting a blog. We'll see. For now I'll just say this isn't for anyone in particular save me and my family and friends. Maybe it will help us keep our world small enough to manage the miles apart. I'm sure many of my random blatherings won't make much sense to anyone but don't give up on me. More later when I get my thoughts together.
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