Signing Off

Well, my dear scrapping friends, the time has come for me to sign off indefinitely. After a difficult pregnancy, my boys came 3 months early on November 10th. Our Dex didn't survive the journey and has returned to his Heavenly Father. Our life is (even more) chaotic now as we've circled the wagons a little tighter around our family, fighting the good fight alongside our Crew, who remains in the NICU.

I've felt very blessed by my association with you all and your kind and generous words over the last year. I plan to be back some day, with new layouts of our new little guy.

If you'd like to follow Crew's journey, he has his very own blog now, decorated and designed by my awesome sister, Courtney, who runs Skittles and Scraps. His blog address is http://crewsjourney.blogspot.com/

Template 59

I always make the template first and then make some pages with it, to give it a test drive. I've discovered that some designs are easier to work with and more versatile than others. This particular template was super fun and, for whatever reason, I think that this one was easier to use than most.

Credits: Beige paper for main background from "Being Me" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Font is "Pea Courtney". All other papers and elements from "Seeing Stars" kit by Heidi Williams of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Stitching by Racketty Scrappety, included in template.
Credits: Pin from "Girly Grunge" by Lisa Majewski; Doodle from "Seeing Stars" kit by Heidi Williams of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Stitching by Racketty Scrappety, included in template. All papers from Sweet Chic kit by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs.

**If you download a template, please take a moment to leave a comment here or on 4shared! Otherwise, I lose motivation to keep posting templates! Thanks so much to those who have sent their thanks and greetings recently and in the past!

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Template 58

Credits: "Beautiful Journey" kit (including word art) by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs
Credits: "A Wildflower Holiday" by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design
Credits: Font is Batik Regular. Blue polka paper is from "Doing the Polka" set by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Striped overlay on red paper from "Painting a Dream" set ty Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflower Design. All other papers and photo corner piece from "Tag Sale" kit by Tracy Collins.

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Template 57

Therapeutic scrapping! Feels good to finish a page!
Credits: "Sugar and Spice" kit by "Skittles and Scraps"
Credits: "Little Boy" kit by Ana Mara


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Continuing with the Break, LOL!

Yeah, so I'm not sure when I'll be up to scrapping, LOL! A funny thing happened on the way to the OB this morning. Surprise! Twins! At least now I know why I've been so crazy sick with this pregnancy!!!

On a Break

Well, for the last several weeks, I have been in the "throws" of first trimester pregnancy with our third little one. It doesn't look like it's going to improve over the next few weeks, and then we'll be traveling to visit family. Keep me in your googlereader so you can know when I get back to scrapping! I miss it already!

Template 56

Glitter provided by Obsidian Dawn. (Included in template)
Credits: Glitter brush by Obsidian Dawn; Papers from "Painting a Dream" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Font is Dali.

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Template 55

And thank you so much for the sweet emails inquiring after my health and wellbeing. All is well, better than well, actually. We've traveled and we've had travelers, and have been otherwise wild and crazily busy. I forgot May gets like that sometimes! I need to remember that for next year!
Credits: Schnookums kit by Laura Deacetis. Font is Pea Girly Girls Script.

Credits: Amour kit by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs. Font is Pea Janelle.

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Template 54

I haven't scrapped in a month and a half and I can hardly believe it! The last 6 weeks have been amazingly busy, but fun and fulfilling, so I can't complain. Well, I shouldn't complain, but how can I not when I haven't been able to find time to scrap??! I finally took some time this afternoon and I feel all scrap-happy and fuzzy inside :) Hope you enjoy the template! I'm going to post another one in a few minutes.


Credits: All papers from "Folk Art" kit by Meredith Fenwick. Font is Buccaneer

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Template 53

Credits: Background paper, teal paper, and red paper for arrow from "Wishing on a Star"; Circle stitching from "Believing in You"; word art and large corner star from "Super Stars". All items from Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Green polka paper from Sweet Shoppe Design and Little Dreamer Designs Charity Collab kit "Stand Up" to benefit "The Alliance for Climate Protection". Font is Pea Jenny. Credits: Font is "Pea Amy", background paper and heart from "Spreading Cheer kit" by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers design. All other papers from Sweet Shoppe Design and Little Dreamer Design's Charity Collab kit "Stand Up" to benefit "The Alliance for Climate Protection". Stitching is mine.

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Free Quickpages!

Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs has posted some Freebie Quick Pages designed by me! :) They were so fun to make and I was so pleased that she liked them enough to post them. I feel positively giddy! I used her "Sweet Chic" kit, plus some dragonflies from her "Sweet June" kit and her new "Floral Spray Brushes". I really love the feminitity of her designs, don't you? There are four quickpages total: Square, rectangle, with brushes, and without.

Go to Michelle's Blog to download them! If you download them, PLEASE be sure to thank her for allowing the use of her beautiful creations to make these free Quick Pages! It was very generous of her!

Template 52

Credits: Papers and ribbon from "Sweet Chic" kit by Michelle Coleman. Font is Pea HeidiQ
Credits: Papers, clip and bow from "Schnookums" kit by Laura Deacetis. Font is Pea HeidiQ

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Your Pages

Thank you so much to you wonderful ladies who sometimes post or email me links to your pages, or the jpegs. It is such a thrill and a privilege for me to see how you have used your creativity to enhance the templates!

Template 51

I think this is one of my favorite layouts. It was super fun to work with. Enjoy!
Credits: Stars from "Super Stars" by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Papers and flower from "Sweet Chic" by Michelle Coleman. Font is Dave's Hand.
Credits: Stars from "Super Stars". Papers and lettering from "Being Me" kit. Dots overlay from "Painting a Dream". All kits from Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design.

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Check The Link

The link was crossed for a few minutes, but it was long enough for Template 51's post to hit Googlereader. So make sure you got what you wanted, square or rectangle! I'm going to take down the original post and repost it!

Template 50

Well, I made it to the big "five-oh". Number 50, who knew? I think this means I'm retiring from templates, LOL. Just kidding :)

Thank you so very much to those of you who have taken the time over the last several months to leave comments. I read every single one and they lift my spirits regularly! They really make me smile, so thank you.


Credits: Background paper from "Wishing on a Star" kit. Stars from "Seeing Stars". All other papers from "Summer Bright" kit by Heidi Williams of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. All elements by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Font is Dave's Hand.

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Template 49 A and B

Credits: "Believing in You" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Fonts are Journal and LD Slash Serif.

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Template 48

Credits: Flower from "Shabby Fall" kit, all stitching from "Believing in You" kit, all papers from "Being Me" kit. All kits by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design.
Credits: "Celebrate" freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Notebook paper from "Welcoming Spring" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design.

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Template 47

Credits: Green paper from "Being Me" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Everything else from "Believing in You" kit by Gina Marie Huff. Fonts are '28 Days Later' and 'Journal'
Credits: Rope ring, shape of heart, and shape of stars from "Believing in You" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. All papers from "Chirpy Days" kit by Jackie Eckles and Jomi Van Bekkum. Font is 'DavesHand'.

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Links Schminks

Thanks, Steph, for letting me know I forgot post the links to the template! LOL, it's fixed now :)

Template 46

Credits: "Believing in You" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design

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Template 45

Ah, yes. Templates. I do so love scrapping, after all :)


Credits: "1 Fish 2 Fish" kit by Heather Roselli. Journaling font is "Journal".
Credits: "Sweet Chic" kit by Michelle Coleman. Font is Marcelle Script.

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Recipes?? What?

I've had some recipe requests come in via email, so I thought I'd post some of them as well as a few of our other family favorites. I'll get back to scrapping too, LOL, but I totally have food on the brain this week!

Pasta Perfect

A friend recommended this recipe recently. We made it and BAM!! Instant family favorite, no lie. The kids inhaled it and my husband loved it too. It was in a Kraft magazine originally.

Ingredients
3 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
4 cups broccoli florets (chopped)
3 tbs Kraft roasted red pepper Italian with parmesan dressing
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 ½ pounds)**
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups tomato-basil spaghetti sauce
4 ounces cubed cream cheese (I used fat-free)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time. (or steam broccoli separately). Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and garlic. Cook 5 minutes, turn chicken over; continue cooking 4-5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Drain pasta, return pasta to pan and set aside. Add pasta sauce and cream cheese to chicken in skillet; cook on medium-low heat 2-3 minutes, or until cream cheese is completely melted, mixture is well blended and chicken is coated with sauce, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Add sauce mixture to pasta mixture; mix well. Transfer to 6 serving bowls.

Cut chicken crosswise into thick slices. Fan out chicken over pasta mixture in each bowl. Sprinkle evenly with parmesan cheese.

Makes 6 servings, about 1 ½ cups each.

**I cooked two regular breasts of chicken. When it was cooked through, I cut it into bite-sized pieces, smaller would have also worked. I only then added it to the pan and began to cook it up with the dressing and garlic. Also, to serve, I mixed the entire mixture together instead of removing the chicken and fanning it out pretty on top, which would have also been nice.

Italian Chicken

My husband wooed me with this simple and delicious recipe from his mother when we were dating. It has since become a family favorite. Of course, I'm the one who makes it now, LOL!

Ingredients
4 large frozen chicken breasts
6 slices provolone cheese
1 jar or can of your favorite spaghetti sauce ($.82 Hunts Chunky Garden recently)

Directions:
Place chicken in baking dish. Pour entire can of sauce over the chicken. Bake covered for 60-75 minutes. Remove from oven; drape cheese over the chicken. Recover, continue to cook for 15-25 more minutes.

Spinach Pasta Salad

Salad:
1 lb. Pasta, cooked al dente, drain, rinse in cold water
3 C cooked chopped chicken
6 oz fresh spinach, shredded/torn (approx 8 cups)
1 C black olives, chopped in 1/4’s
4 oz. Feta cheese, crumbled
3 cups diced tomatoes (grape tomatoes, YUM!)
3/4 C monterrey jack cheese, shredded

Dressing:
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 C vinegar
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp honey
1 clove garlic, minced

Blend dressing ingredients. Pour over mixed salad. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes before serving.

Sensational Salmon or Fabulous Fish

I love this salmon recipe, from my best friend. You might too.

The quote from Justin: "Are you sure this is healthy? This tastes way too good to be healthy." Kinley and Tanner ate several servings.

Ingredients:
One large salmon filet (Costco's are delicious)
"I can't believe it's not butter" spray (or real butter, as you like)
Lemon pepper

Directions:
Cover a cookie sheet (or something similar to it) in tin foil. Spray with cooking spray. Lay salmon flat on top. Spray with butter all over the top, season liberally with the lemon pepper. Broil uncovered on low for 25-30 minutes in the oven. Delightfully crispy on top, but flaky, moist, and tender inside.

Philly Sandwiches

My husband loves Philly Sandwiches and I got some ideas from a friend on how to make these. They turned out better than I had even hoped. I've never thought to mix everything together so completely and it made a huge difference. Ha ha, if you are from the east coast, I'm sure these don't look authentic to you, but it's the name we call them around here! Philly Sandwich

Ingredients
1 and 1/2 pounds shredded beef, cooked in a crock pot in advance. I used thin steaks, but a roast will do.
1 green pepper
Entire large package of fresh mushrooms (what is that, 8 oz? 16 oz?)
1 cup diced onion
3 tbs butter
1/2 block of cream cheese (I used fat-free)
1 cup mozzarella cheese.
2 tbs worchestershire sauce
1 clove garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Use the butter to saute green pepper, onion, mushrooms, and garlic together. Add worchestershire sauce, beef, salt, and pepper. Slowly stir in cream cheese, then mozzarella cheese. Serve immediately on toasted deli rolls.

Notes: This made a SURPRISINGLY large amount of food. We had plenty of leftovers for today. I think one of the keys to success is not having too much beef in the mixture. I prefer it heavy on the toppings, lighter on the beef (strange, since I'm generally a rabid carnivore). But it seemed more flavorful that way. It turned out to be a good thing that I didn't have as much beef as I had hoped to work with :)

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

I LOVE the biscuits at Red Lobster, so I tried out this copy cat recipe. They turned out beautifully and they tasted authentic. Delish! My daughter enjoyed eating the batter raw, which I thought was disgusting, but whatever!


Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups Bisquick. baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/4 cup margarine or butter -- melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450. Mix baking mix, milk and cheese until soft dough forms; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 min. or until golden brown. Mix margarine and garlic powder; brush over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm. Makes 10-12 biscuits.

Company Meatballs

I received this yummy recipe originally from my wonderful sister-in-law, Kayla! It makes a TON and has been a major hit in our home on every occasion where we have served it.

Meatballs
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 eggs
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 tbs salt
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Sauce
4 cups ketchup
3 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp liquid smoke (optional, but delicious!)

Directions
In a large bowl, mix all of the meatball ingredients together. Divide into approximately 60 round, 1-inch diameter meatballs. Place in a single layer in one (most likely two) ungreased baking dishes.

Mix sauce ingredients together, pour evenly over meatballs. Cover with foil and bake on 350 for 45-60 minutes.

Slice meatballs, stir around in pan to get a little extra sauce, then put the sliced meatballs on soft sandwich rolls with one slice of provolone cheese. DELISH!!

Brown Rice Salad

My 2-year old, who traditionally does not eat anything green, won't leave me in peace to eat this salad. I have to share at least half with him.

Brown Rice Salad
Ingredients
Cooked brown rice (warm is the best!)
Chopped romaine lettuce (I just buy it in bags)
Parmesan cheese
Italian dressing

Combine ingredients to taste and voila!

*My sister recommends toasting the brown rice in the oven with the parmesan cheese. It is quite delicious that way, but easier to forego that step. It's really tasty either way, but the oven-toasted, cheesed-up rice is a special touch!

**I like to add shredded chicken or anything else that suits your fancy!

*** I should mention that I don't like brown rice and I don't like lettuce. So there you go. I LOVE THIS SALAD!!!

Apricot Chicken

Apricot Chicken
Ingredients:
4-8 frozen chicken breasts (just depends on size, generously fill the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, some overlap ok)
2 cups french dressing
1 and 1/2 cups apricot preserves/jam
1 envelope lipton onion soup

Directions:
Combine dressing, preserves, and soup mix together in a bowl. Pour over the chicken in a 9 x 13 pan. Bake on 350 for 90 minutes. Serve with or over rice.

**Recently I have been adding 1 cup water to the sauce, then when the chicken is done, I have been shredding the chicken and putting it back into the sauce and serving it over the rice that way. It's going farther and the chicken portions make more sense!

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes
(Adapted slightly from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery Cookbook)

This is a MAJOR hit at our house! We actually serve this to company sometimes and they can't believe how delicious it is. It puts Manwich absolutely to shame!

Ingredients:
3 lb. ground beef
2 C. chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 and 1/2 C. ketchup
1 C. chopped green bell pepper
1 C. chopped celery
1/2 C. water
2-4 Tbs. brown sugar
4 Tbs. prepared mustard
4 Tbs. vinegar
4 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp. chili powder

Directions
1. In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion, and garlic till meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.

2. Meanwhile, in a 3 ½-4 qt. crock pot, combine everything else. Stir in meat mixture.

3. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 6-8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-4 hours. Spoon into toasted buns, and top with cheese. Makes approx 16-20 servings. Can be frozen in freezer bags after cooking for later consumption.

Ritz Chicken

The whole family loves this chicken! And it's so easy!

Ritz Chicken
Originally from my friend Lisee

Ingredients
6 large chicken breasts
2 tubes Ritz crackers
6 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
1 to 2 cups sour cream (can use fat-free!)
1/3 to 1/2 cup butter, melted (**OPTIONAL! I have been making it without any butter at all for months now and it tastes GREAT!!)

Directions
Put Ritz crackers in a Ziploc bag and smash with rolling pin until crushed into crumbs. Coat chicken with sour cream then roll chicken in Ritz cracker mixture and place in a suitable baking dish. When all of the chicken is in the dish, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and pour melted butter evenly over chicken. Bake uncovered in oven for 60-90 minutes at 350 or until chicken is cooked through.

***Of course you can make it in much smaller increments...but why? ;)

Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Orange Sauce

I love that the pancakes are so high in protein. We love these around here.

Originally from my friend Hilary C.

Pancakes (Makes about 4 or 5 adult-sized pancakes)
3 eggs
1 cup of cottage cheese
1/2 cup or more of flour.

**I would DEFINITELY make two batches of the pancakes (one batch at a time though, unless you have a gigantic mixing bowl!) for a family of more than 2!

Mix together with electric mixer. I used my food processor this time and it gets more of the chunks out of it, but if it has some in it, it tastes just the same. Pour on griddle and cook on medium heat. These take a litte longer than normal pancakes. Cook till golden brown.

Orange sauce
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 to 1 cup orange juice
4 T grated orange peel (optional)

Melt butter and sugar in saucepan and let it cool. Add orange juice, eggs, and orange peel. (Adding the OJ first helps to cool the butter/ sugar mixture faster) Boil for one minute and remove from heat. Serve warm over cottage cheese pancakes. * I would not double the sauce part of the recipe; this makes a goodly amount and can be stored!

**Sauce can be frozen and scooped out of freezer bag in desired serving increments if you make this in large enough quantities that you want to save it for a later date. Just reheat on stove or in microwave.