Scrapping, Cooking, & Reading...

I made a commitment to join Ali Edwards in her year long "One Little Word" workshop for 2014. It sounds like a very enlightening/fun project, and so far I'm enjoying the process. You can read more about it here. I chose "prosper" as my word to focus on for the year. The first two pages in my 2014 album are dedicated to the thinking process of what prosper means to me, and where I would like it to lead me. It's all about mindful thinking and being more intentional in your life-lessons I hope to gain from. Here are my first two pages:

 

 

It looks like a lot of writing, but most of the monthly prompts are project oriented. The first month, as you get comfortable with your word, is more about really thinking about what you would like to see evolve for yourself during the process. It involves some soul-searching...I'm incorporating this project with my photo.a.day so they will both be in the same album. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me and my family!

Another thing I have really enjoyed while being on break is reading. I got a Barnes & Noble gift card from my hubby for Christmas, and of course I've already spent it, plus more!! Here's the newest Amy Tan book I'm reading:

...and I also scored two new cookbooks to go with my new Kitchenaide mixer, and I got sale prices on all 3 books, score!

I think I'll have to start taking some of my baked goodies to school to put in the teacher's lounge, or feed them to my students. I so enjoy being in the kitchen baking or mixing up something new, but I certainly don't need all of the calories.
I can happily report I have been headache free for 4 days in a row! That is such a blessing...my husband (and a few close friends) are probably the only ones to really know how they have affected me in the last year--and bless their hearts for putting up with me. I'm getting back my energy and feeling so much better. Yeah for modern medicine!

I'm off to meet Jamie and Joel for dinner. They are in Tulsa for the weekend for a family wedding. They didn't bring the boys, I will miss them dearly, but we can have a real grown-up visit!

Happy Weekend to all!

Eureka Springs, here we come....

Here's the little cottage we're heading for tomorrow afternoon. Robin and I are taking mom to Eureka Springs to celebrate her 75th birthday. We're so excited to be spending the weekend with her at one of our favorite places. I'm sure we'll have lots of stories to tell when we get back home. Rain or shine, we don't care----we'll have a blast!!! Happy 75th, mom. We love you!

Gimme' a Break......

Now it's raining....

(04-29-09)

Now it's not....

(04-30-09)

What a difference a day makes! We've had a ton of rain the last couple of days, thank goodness for a few breaks of sunshine!!!

Remember this?

Remember these colorful yarns? They turned into this cute crochet bag. I had so much fun putting this together. Adding a new color on each row made me want to keep crocheting just to see what it would look like. I love it!! I followed (loosely) the pattern from Lucy's Blog. I like to visit her daily just to see all of the pretty colors and fun photos she adds to her site.

Another view....

...and just look at these darling flowers!!!!

...too cute!

What is this?

Guess What This Is?

(04-26-09)

I wanted to try another bread recipe. This one is Ciabatta Bread, also named Italian Slipper Bread. Don't ask me why, I don't have a clue. Anyway, you have to prepare a sponge a day ahead to use in the mixture. Easy enough. That's what you see pictured above. You just let it set at room temperature for 12-24 hours before you plan on baking the bread.

Here is the final result. It isn't fancy, a very casual form--you just shape it with your hands. The dough is really sticky, not like most yeast breads where you knead in more flour. This isn't even "kneaded", just stirred, even though it's a very thick dough. It ended up making 2 loaves, crispy chewy crust, very light center. YUM!!!! We're going to enjoy the second loaf tonight with a chef's salad. If you're interested in the recipe, leave me a comment, or email me and I'll send it your way.

Prom Preparations....

I had so much fun helping Kelsey get ready for the Prom. Several years have gone by since I've been involved with a daughter's High School Prom. Even though Caleb went to 3 Proms his senior year, you're just more "hands-on" with a girl. She decided she didn't want to make any formal "appointments" for her hair or nails. She asked me to help her, and I was good with that! A little nervous, but happy to help. She wanted a french manicure (which I had NEVER done before). But, I'm all up for a challenge, and I have to say---she was very proud of them after we were done. We only had to re-do two of them!!!
Next up was her hair. Roger had a little fun with the camera,as you can see. We found some rhinestone clips to put in the back of her hair that matched a ring she wore. She did a really good job with her make-up, she even wore false eyelashes!!!!

I love these pics with Caleb. I'm so glad he was home for the weekend so I could get pictures of the two of them together.

Aren't they so cute!

Love, love, love these two!!

Smile for the camera!!!

Kelsey and her Prom date, Kyle

(04-25-09)

Cute little thing....

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

(04-24-09)

He's having so much fun trying to roll over!! Look at that tongue sticking out!!

Oh, it just doesn't get any cuter than this, does it? Sweet, sweet Morgan.

I miss him....

Choo Choo...

(04-23-09)

Here's a birthday pic of Grayson playing with one of his new toys. Believe it or not, this is one of the few toys that DOES NOT run on batteries, DOES NOT sing or talk to you, and DOES NOT light up!!!! The blocks come apart to be put back together to make the train shape. Who would have ever thought?

Here's the big 3 year old taking a bath in mommy and daddy's huge tub! It's large enough for him to swim in. This kid does love the water. I can't wait for him to come visit and swim in our pool this summer. We'll have so much fun!!

New Shoes......

Fancy Shoes...

(04-22-09)

It didn't take long for Kelsey to pick out these fancy shoes for Prom. We were really excited to find something she liked so quickly. We only had to go to 2 stores to look around! Yeah! The price was great, the fit was good, the height was perfect and they'll looking smashing with her new dress---what more could we ask for? A pedicure you say? Yes, I promise this is just a sneak peek---we'll fancy her toes up, too!!

Fresh Air....

Coleus

(04-21-09)

Each spring I look forward to it being warm enough to put plants back out on the screened-in porch that I have been protecting inside the house during the winter months. Today was the day. This coleus plant was big and full last year and almost died down to nothing during the winter. I kept it watered and setting in front of a sunny window to see if it would "hold on" until springtime. Well, it looks like its coming back! Happy! Happy!

My spider plants also found their way back outside, returning to the same spot where they hung last year. I just think they just look better outside, don't you?!

Me and My Shadow....

Shadows, Nienie & Grayson

(04-20-09)

The Life of a "Homeowner"

We played more on Sunday, we even had to sweep the porch around the "Clubhouse". Little Morgan got to visit for a little bit--he wasn't quite so welcome at first, Grayson didn't want any tiny creatures inside. But, with a little coaxing he finally warmed up to the idea of "company". Morgan was delighted to be outdoors getting some fresh air, and to be "inside" of big brother's new house.

Doesn't he look BIG sitting (leaning) in that little chair! In case you're wondering, he wasn't alone, Aunt Sissy is just to the right of him lending her support.

Brothers

(04-19-09)

Grayson Noel - 3 years Morgan Wiley - 4 months

Birthday Boy

I went to Dallas this weekend to help Grayson celebrate his 3rd birthday. Saturday morning he helped his mommy make his birthday cupcakes. He loves to help in the kitchen!

He couldn't wait for us to sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He had a huge smile on his face and was so excited he couldn't sit still. He blew out 3 candles on his cupcake and couldn't wait to dig in! They were yummy!!!

Grayson's Clubhouse

(04-18-09)

His playhouse was a huge hit! He called it his "Clubhouse". We played in it most of the day on Saturday. It was a little rainy, but Joel put it on the back patio where we could still enjoy it. It has a basketball net on the back of it, a cell phone hangs on one side, along with a gas pump. He had so much fun figuring out how to climb in and out of the little windows. And.....I got a good workout getting in and out, stooping over and bending my body in positions I'm not normally in. But I had a blast! Happy Birthday, Grayson.

It was yummy.....

Baked Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sandwich

(04-17-09)

As promised, I tried the recipe above and it was really good. The only change I made was to bake it about 5 minutes longer. Here's the recipe if you're interested. It was super simple and would be easy to change up a bit.

2 cups Original Bisquick mix

1 cup milk

1 egg

4 ounces thinly sliced deli turkey breast

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

5 slices cooked bacon

1. Heat oven to 400*. Spray square baking dish, 8x8 inches, with cooking spray.

2. Stir Bisquick mix, milk and egg until blended. Spread half of the batter in the baking dish. Top with turkey, 1 cup of cheese and the bacon. Spread remaining batter over bacon.

3. Bake uncovered about 29 minutes or until golden brown and center is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Makes 6 servings.

Enjoy!

Looking forward to....

Baked Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sandwich

(04-16-09)

Remember the Bisquick Cookbook I borrowed from the library? I found a few recipes I would like to try, the first one is pictured above. My goal is to try it tonight, it looks very simple and quick. I'll report back soon and post the recipe, IF it turns out yummy, that is!!

Next, we'll try the Cheeseburger Pizza. I love making homemade pizza because it is so versatile, and you can use leftover veggies on it! That will be my next experiment. Stay tuned.......

In honor of.....

Administrative Professional's Day

(04-15-09)

In honor of Administrative Professional's Day, my boss and his sweet wife, Christy, brought these flowers to me at work; along with a card and a gift certificate for Chili's. Isn't the arrangement pretty? Even though Christy called me later in the day to say there was a big "goof-up"---it really wasn't Administrative Professional's Day today after all---it's not until next week! Oh well, better earlier than late, right? We got quite the giggle out of that. I didn't mind at all, I really appreciated the gesture.

Azalea Time

In Bloom

(04-14-09)

Finally, some blooms opening up! This certainly won't be the most spectacular season for my one lone azalea bush---but at least it's adding some color around my front door. With the freezing spells and high winds we experienced the last couple of weeks, I wasn't sure any of the buds would even survive. I covered it up the nights we were predicted to have freezing temperatures---I guess it really does help. I'll be enjoying while it lasts!!!

Who knew?

A Bisquick Recipe Book? Who knew?
(04-13-09)

Look what I found while I was browsing at the library today. Who knew there would be a whole cookbook dedicated to nothing but Bisquick mix? That's something I always have on hand in my cabinet. Most of the time it's used for breakfast pancakes, and that's usually only when everyone is home for the weekend to enjoy them. But, every once in a while I get really adventurous and use the mix for some quick, easy biscuits. I'll be thumbing through the book tonight and hopefully I'll be able to share some of my discoveries. The recipes have to be easy-peasy. We're talking Bisquick, here!!

Happy Easter!

Tiny Hands

(04-12-09)

Tiny Feet
(04-12-09)

I hope everyone had a happy Easter. I spent the day at Deda's with family. It was cold, dreary and damp outside--but warm, cozy and playful inside.

A Girl's Day Out

Bellini Beauty

(04-11-09)

It was so much fun to finally get together with the girls on Saturday. There were five of us, Paula, Debbie, Kathy, Robin and myself. Mom joins us occasionally, but she had previous plans this time around. We missed you, mom! We met at the scrapbook store (as usual) and had a great time. I'm so sad I didn't take any pics of us on Saturday!! How did that happen? Maybe because all 5 of us were non-stop talkers, trying to play catch up with all of our tidbits of news and stories that accumulated over the past 5 months. But, I did manage to get a shot of our "drink of the day" while food choices were being made around the table. Great company, funny stories, yummy food, layouts to share and pictures to catch up on---it was really awesome to see everyone. I can't wait until the next time. Thanks, girls!!!