It's a party.

Let's party like it's gonna be Christmas soon. Puttin' up decorations today! YEY! And feeding the missionaries Thanksgiving Casserole.

Looky HERE!

So stinking cute! Go visit for a chance to win.
http://talkottown.blogspot.com/2008/11/black-friday-giveaway_28.html

Always and Forever

Attempt number two on the wedding invitation. I REALLY REALLY like it. Simple, elegant, understated. What you might want for a second marriage. I used Sage Shadow ink on the cake and a matching sheer ribbon. White Craft ink for the flourish and the sentiment from Inkadinkado. Have a great day.

I DO!

I recently told my friend that I wanted to make her wedding invitations as her gift from me. She's like a second mom to me and I adore her. Her first husband died about five years ago from a heart attack and I'm so happy that's she's found love again. They'll be getting married in February up in Utah and I am trying out different variations of invites for her to choose from. I'll have to make 300 or so and I'm thinking THIS card is WAY to involved to make 300 of. The background stamp alone would drive me bonkers not to mention the embossing. I also need to find out what colors she would like. So here's my first attempt, let's see where this goes.
Have a great day.

Abandoned

Been wondering about the trials we face in this world. Seriously, how could a person know that they have a child in the world and not care? It's something I can't fathom. I love my children beyond anything. I know I probably have half brothers and sisters out there...it's just weird. Anyways, I'm going to see Twilight this morning so you all have a great day!

Who wants to go see Twilight with me? I'm all alone.

Gobble, Gobble

First off, my turkey needs an eye (just a silk flower folded in half for the feathers and some other shapes I cut out so easy for the kids to help make these for their teachers)! Next, what are your plans for Thanksgiving? Do you have any tried and true stuffing recipes (without seafood in them)? We're staying at home and I guess I'll be cooking a turkey because Travis couldn't NOT buy one...it was only six dollars he says to me...sheesh. I have an amazing recipe for a Sweet Potato Puff (I truly detested sweet potatoes during the holidays until I tasted this yummolicious treat). I've given the recipe to my friend Natalie about three times, but each time she manages to lose it. Smiles. So, I promised her I would post it here on the old blog so she could get to it any time she wanted. If you have some extra time, try it out, I promise you'll love it or your money back. Teehee.
Have a great day.

Sweet Potato Puff
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes, cold (bake for about an hour at 375 degrees)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. flaked coconut

TOPPING:
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped pecans
2 TBSP butter, melted
1/4 c. flour

Beat potatoes in mixing bowl and add sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla until fluffy. Stir in coconut. Spoon into 2 1/2 qt baking dish.
Combine topping ingredients and mix until well blended. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes.
Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.
ENJOY!

Vroom Vroom

Off we go. That's how I feel all of the time as of late. So many appointments and things to take care of.
Yesterday at church we had talks on tithing and fast offerings. I was very touched at how the speakers presented these topics. In the third hour we talked about writing letters/notes. This, of course, is something near and dear to my heart. I don't think I will ever stop sending them. I love getting "happy mail".
And on that note I hope the person I sent this card too enjoys receiving it as much as I enjoyed making it!
Have a great day.
GO WATCH THIS VIDEO FOR FUN!!!!

Thinking of you...K Lee.

Now that she's received the card I can post it here. My ultra sweet bloggin buddy needed a little pick me up and I made this bright, cheery card to hopefully do the trick.
We had this recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala last night and it WAS everything that those who had tried it said it would be. SO yummy...I haven't eaten myself stuffed in a long time...but even as I was putting the leftovers away I found myself sneaking two more pieces of chicken...even cold this stuff was delicious. I used four chicken breasts and my dh grilled them (plenty of sauce for four and more leftovers for today). Thanks to Danielle for sharing the link.

Jonah's #1

I finally found my old banged up Kodak Easy Share and took a little video of Jonah for your viewing enjoyment. I want a Flip for Christmas! He's so much better now and if I could just get a little more sleep I'd be able to create.

Dental Drama

Lacey knows all about my drama but for the rest of you out there I'm going to unload.

I actually had a breakdown at the dentist's office yesterday. I needed to get a filling replaced that had cracked in half. It's taken about eight months for them to figure out that that was the problem! Soooo...Tessa and Aaron had cleaning appointments in the morning. Or so I thought, turns out Jakob was supposed to go not Aaron. Apparently that's a big deal cuz they couldn't just pull Aaron's file and switch out the appointments! So Tessa got her cleaning and I took her back to school(Jakob, Aaron and I will be squeezed in on Thursday). I rushed over to Lacey's house to drop off Aaron and the babe...nurse Jonah and make it back to the dentist by 12:30 for my appt.

At about 1:30 I start to wonder if I'll ever be seen. I ask and am told that they'll get me in by 2:00 and I'll be out of there by 2:30 so I can pick up my kids and be home when the others get home from school. At 2:14 I'm called back and the dentist tells me that she can't possibly replace the filling that I have on my back tooth in the short amount of time I've given them. Ummmm, hello, I've been here since 12:30!!!!!! She basically tells me she's sorry I had to wait and that when I do finally come in to get the work done that I, yes ME, will make someone else have to wait because my filling will take a while. ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME. So I start to cry, yup, all over my paper bib. And then I find myself apologizing for it, blaming it on my hormones and the lack of sleep, but I just can't stop. My hygenist, who is a total doll, makes me a new appt and apologizes profusely for EVERYTHING. So I'm driving to pick up the little ones and I get control of myself only to lose it again at Lacey's house. Two whole hours of my life have just been wasted, I can never get them back. But on the bright side I now know to the 411 on the major celebs (thank you waiting room mags).

Just an old scrapbook lo about why I don't show my teeth when I smile in pictures. I used the leftovers from the kids memory game for my flaps.

Have a great day.

Poor Baby

Hey all this will be my last post for a little while. Jonah has been really sick and I've just been trying to keep up without going bonkers. He has a lung infection which was diagnosed yesterday after I took him in for a second opinion. He'll be taking some antibiotics and breathing treatments to get his lungs cleared out. Just so you know, last night was a dream compared to the last two and a half weeks of sleeplessness. He was actually restful and I didn't have to suction out any nastiness just so he could breath. I felt pretty good this morning but I need to play catch up... I've pretty much been a zombie around here.And finally, here's a card I made for a lady in my ward. She's really sweet. I wish I wouldn't have added the present to the image but oh well. I used the new in colors to color the image.

Long Legged

I believe that this is the first card I've ever paper pieced the stamp on. I love the look. My new favorite embellishment is to use brads spaced by tiny holes. I think it's great for a cute touch. The stamp is Hero Arts and the paper is MME.
Have a great day...I'm off to a bread making class and my six week check up.

In Sympathy

Just a simple card. The swirl and bird stamps are Inkadinkado. The sentiment stamp is MSE. Paper: Out & About. Inks: SU. Beads and wonder tape.

Jonah's Blessing

On Sunday, our baby received a name and a blessing from his father. It was such a special day. I cried when I heard Travis get choked up while he was speaking. He blessed Jonah to be a great example to his brothers and sister. It's amazing how someone so little can fill your life so completely. My mom made the most beautiful blessing outfit for him. He looked so adorable in his vintage looking outfit. Travis even praised the craftsmanship and the buttons. I love this picture of the two of them together. My mom took some of Travis and I with him, but let's just say she doesn't really know her way around and SLR camera and they are not salvageable. I will probably dress him up in it again just to get some family shots. I need a remote for my camera. Have a great day!

Election Observations

Just a few observations after barely keeping my eyes open last night to find out the outcome of the election. I first have to say that I wasn't really "for" any candidate. I kept saying I would vote for CAKE and Jenn helped me out with ICE CREAM for a running mate.

1. I was suprised at John McCain's concession speech. Whoever wrote it deserves an award! I was crying like a baby and not because he's not the new Pres. It was heartfelt and well delivered.

2.I have never been inspired by what he's said before, but last night he took the high road.

3. All the people teary eyed in the audience. The feeling... overwhelming.

4. While watching Obama's speech I kept waiting for the ah hah moment (like my Oprah referance) but he was very serious and somber.

5. He gave me the feeling that America pretty much sucks right now (I don't wholeheartedly agree) and our trials are all but unconquerable. And then came...yes we can.

6. His "Yes we can" chant made me feel like I was back at the Baptist church I used to attend in Grants. I almost found myself saying "Amen, brother."

7. Oh and I'm sorry but Michelle Obama's dress designer...yikes! She looked kind of like a black widow spider from where I sat. She's beautiful, but that dress did nothing for her (not really election related I guess).

8. I loved the part about just being Americans because, ultimately that's how I feel. We should be able to love one another no matter what differences we have. That's how our Saviour wants us to be.

All in all I'm glad it ended well and we're not waiting months to find out who the next President is. I'm tired of the political adds and the backbiting. I'm sick of being asked who I will vote for and trying to be convinced it should be one person or the other. It's time to come together...right now...over me. Just kidding. I guess what I'm trying to say is that everything's gonna be all right. Obama will be my President and yours. He will have my prayers, and I pray that the "change" that comes our way will be good for America and her people.

Have a great day.

Halloween Spooks

This is my family all dressed up for Halloween. Travis and I need to get a picture of us with our costumes. He was a plug and I was a receptacle (outlet). Tessa is one sweet pirate, don'tcha think.I love Jakob's super serious pirate face and then there's little A with his dino costume. Jonah was my sweet little tigger boy. We went to a little carnival at the church and did a trunk or treat. The funniest thing was that no one could figure out what Travis was until they saw me...that ugly wig he had on didn't help, I'm sure. He kept doing this silly hair flip thing that kept craking me up. Well all life has been BUSY. I still need to post on Jonah's blessing this Sunday and a couple of cards that I've made. Ta ta for now!