Spot of Tea

Class Samples, Hot Days and Baking

Have been busy creating class samples for all the August classes I've got coming up at Old Town University.  A couple of One-Stroke painting classes - Cards and Welcome Plaque.  A few paper crafting/ scrapbooking classes - Travel Mini Album, Cards, Transfer Technique Tags.  A few kids classes - Painted Frame, Garden Stone, Painted Apron.  Working on all these samples has me ready to get creating for myself too.  I can't wait to use the sunflowers on an old shovel, it'll be super cute.  I also have some fun ideas for the kids to do when they get bored around the house.

Hot out again and getting hotter.  Not fond of the humid and hot days of summer.  Prefer it when it is a bit breezy and not super hot.  The kids are enjoying it though.  Bike rides, swimming, running through the sprinkler, playing at the park.  DS has fun playing with cars, bikes, really anything with wheels.  He is such a cute "car guy".  DD loves the water and is endlessly bugging me to go swimming.  We've only got a wading pool and sprinkler but a few of the neighbors have pools.  I have to keep telling her that we are not going to bug the neighbors to go swimming.  Maybe next year we can get a pool but this year the kids will just have to enjoy wading in the tiny pool and running through the sprinkler. 

I'm going to be baking some zucchini bread today.  Thankfully I've got a breadmaker so I don't have to turn on the oven.  I can probably get another three loaves of bread using the zucchini a neighbor gave us.  Everyone loves the new recipe I got for this bread.  Rather than the usual quick bread for zucchini this is a yeast bread that makes a fluffy, white, moist, delicious loaf with just a hint of zucchini.  Yum!  I think I'm going to grill some chicken tonight for dinner too.  Should be yummy.

Finishing Up Week in the Life

Life has been busy ... Chaos abounds, insanity reigns supreme.  Seems like I've been spending all my time running between work and kids stuff.  Still trying to finish up my "Week in the Life" album/journal.  Got some great photos, some interesting pieces of daily 'stuff' and good stories to tell.

I was busy doing some baking last week.  Gingersnaps, Brownies, Rumpledoodles, Rhubarb-Strawberry Crisp, Home-made Granola.  Lots of yummy stuff to eat.  A bunch of rhubarb stuff too - Cinnamon-Rhubarb Syrup, Pineapple-Rhubarb Cake, Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie.  This week I've got to replenish my baking supplies.  We've still got a ton of rhubarb to deal with and I'm out of ideas, ugh.

Getting ready for DD's dance recital.  It'll be the last one at this dance studio.  The owner/instructor has moved out of town for her hubby's job.  So the studio is closing.  DD says she doesn't want to take any dance classes next year.  She said possibly singing lessons ... or guitar lessons ... or cheer leading ... or more gymnastics ... OR ...  Oh to be seven years old with endless possibilities.

Daily Life and Other Stuff

I love that participating in Ali Edwards "Week In The Life" project reminds me how great it is to capture all the little details of daily life.  I usually cruise through the daily routine and all the little stuff that goes on but this helps me pay attention.  Watching my DD learning to cook.  DS's crazy collection of cars and how they are everywhere in the house.  How much the kids love to play outside.  Baking snacks for the family.  How much laundry I do and how many dishes we get dirty.  Yikes.

I've got a painting class to teach at JoAnn's tomorrow.  I really like teaching, whether its scrapbooking, engineering, painting or something else.  I thought about being a teacher when I was 9 or so, an English teacher or ballet teacher.  But I really wanted to be an engineer, and that is what I did for 20 years.  Now I'm having such fun teaching that it makes me wonder.  Then again, I loved what I did as an electrical engineer so it was a good thing and now I get to do something else.

DD, DS and I made Gingersnaps today.  I was planning on making RumpleDoodles (from Winnie-the-Pooh's Heffalump adventure) but we didn't have enough coconut.  Then the kids said to make brownies, but we didn't have enough butter.  So DD solved the issue by getting out her Strawberry Shortcake Cook Book and finding something we did have the ingredients for, GingerSnap's Gingersnaps.  And they did turn out very well.  Kids enjoyed them with hot coco and I sipped some of Upton's Pu-erh-tao-cha.  Yum.

Tea and Comfort

First day of "spring break" for the kids, meaning no school.  So after work today we spent time outside playing then headed inside for tea.  Used the end of my Christmas Tea from Murchies today.  It smells so yummy - oranges, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamon.  Rosy cheeked children, a steaming pot of tea and some cuddle time on the couch.  A lovely start to spring.  It is a bit chilly out still, but it is supposed to get warm, like 70's or so, yet this week.

Started reading a new book, when I have a sliver of time here or there.  "The Secret of Excalibur" is by Andy McDermott.  The first few chapters have been interesting enough to keep me reading it at least.  The kids and I are finishing up "The Wind in the Willows" and then we'll start "Alice in Wonderland".  DD has been reading a bunch of her books to DS while we are relaxing during snack time and as part of bed time.  So fun to watch.  Just love that they will sit next to each other and read.

The things that bring me comfort.  Tea and reading.  I can count on these things to help me relax when life is crazy, or the kids have been out of control, or I'm stressed out, or anytime I need some peace and quiet.  And on that note ... I'm going to make a cup of tea, grab my book and settle in for a little reading before heading to sleep.

Updated Albums, Projects in Progress, Fun Stuff

I've been busy updating my albums here.  The Layout Album and Mini Album Album have plenty of new eye candy to look thru.  I've got more photos to take of all the projects, cards, mini albums and layouts that I've created recently, and not so recently.  I'm still making page kits with all my existing papers and embellishments for the ton of photos I already have developed.  Now I just have to get some of the recent photos I've been taking developed.  Some really cute ones of the kids, fall, everyday photos, holiday photos, food photos.  Can't believe how much paper and how many photos I have that I forgot about.  Kind of exciting to go thru and find old/new things.  Gets my creativity flowing too.

I have a few projects that I've started that I hope to have completed by this weekend.  Took a break off this past weekend to spend time with the family for the holiday.  Now I'm jumping right back in to the flow.  I've got paper craft projects (like the cute "santa" box that pops open and holds a gift card), scrapping projects, a couple of sewing projects and even a painting project that I'm hoping to tackle on Saturday.  Lots going on at here on the home front. :)  I'm even going to be baking some cookies, some bread and a pie this week too.  I've got to use up some apples before they go bad and some bananas too.  So banana bread, banana muffins and apple pie.  And the kids would like me to make chocolate chip cookies and some oatmeal scotchies.  So the Domestic Goddess is in full charge here.

And finally ... I've been looking for a scrapbook kit club and DH has suggested I make a selection quick.  I do believe it might just be my holiday present. ;)  I'm pretty sure which one it'll be, as long as DH agrees that it is reasonable.  I'm excited and I can't wait to let him know which one I'd like.  It is kinda fun to know what I'll be getting, as long as that is what he is thinking.

Cheesecakes, Layouts, Shopping

Hope everyone had a good turkey day.  We had dinner with my brother, sister-in-law, two of my neices, my dad and my family.  The food was delicious, love turkey with all the trimmings.  I made stuffing, mashed potatos and two kinds of cheesecake - pumpkin and cherry.  The kids had a ball playing together, they always do.  They are close in age (6, 4, 3, 1 1/2) and have so much energy to burn off.  They giggled, chased each other around, and had a blast.

Worked on some layouts the last fews days.  Actually got three completed.  Got a bunch more in the process and even a few page kits ready to go.  Have a few cards I need to finish.  I also started working on more ATC's for my 7 Gypsies ATC Holder.  Also have a few ideas I'm going to be working on, when I get some time to do so.

Went shopping this morning, and remembered why I hate shopping (unless it's at a scrapbook store).  I needed to get some pull-ups for DS because he only had one left.  So I decided that I'd pick up the groceries too.  Oh. My. Goodness!!!  It was CRAZY out there and I totally forgot it was "Black Friday".  People were pushing, shoving, rude, nasty and there were just too many all together.  If DS didn't need pull-ups I would have just gone home as soon as I entered the store.  I got my stuff as fast as possible and got outta there.  I shouldn't have to go shopping again until next Friday, I hope.

Sunday Mornings

Got up early this morning with DD and watched a movie while drinking some spiced hot cocoa.  Nice to sit and just relax, cuddling on the couch, just the two of us.  DS got up a couple of hours later (yeah, it was really early - about 5:30am) and joined us.  We all snuggled under a huge fleece blanket on the couch with steaming mugs of hot cocoa.  Thought it was snowing out when I DD first got me out of bed, the sky was so odd with a thick fog.  Still foggy out at noon too.

Worked until late last night getting the pages of a mini album completed.  It turned out super cute, just love it.  I used vintage buttons & ribbons, some bling and stickles to put the finishing touches on it.  I still need to make the tags to go into the envelopes and then do the journaling.  Love the Adage Tickets from Tim Holtz.  I'm going to make a few ATC's with the supplies left over from the mini album too.  Love the paper set - Graphic 45.  So much I can do with it, especially using some of my vintage supplies with it all.

Got a few birthday cards to create and get in the mail by next weekend.  Aunts, uncles and such.  I'm also working on a few layouts that I need to finish up and I've got to pick up a few photos from the developer tomorrow.  I might even stop at the little scrappin' spot to crop some day this week.  They have free cropping as long as there isn't any other function going on, how cool is that. :)

I'm going to bake "Colonial Oatmeal Cookies" today.  I got the recipe from one of the volunteers at the hospice facility "Brian's House" where my mom was at.  They are delicious and perfect with tea.  I think we'll have a traditional afternoon tea today and a late dinner.  We're going to spend some time outside this afternoon, finish raking leaves and getting the garden put to bed for the winter.  It hasn't had a hard frost yet but it is just a matter of days.  Like to get the yard and garden ready and today seems like a nice day to do it all.

Old Buttons, Sprinkles and Cupcakes

I've been playing with my small collection of old buttons from my mother-in-law today.  There are some really lovely ones that I just couldn't wait to do something special with, like the melon rose one here.  I've still got a bit of playing to do with this little embellishment but it is a good start.  I've got a sweet layout that this will make a perfect accent.

I got a new bottle of sprinkles at the store yesterday and just had to bake something to use them on.  So now we have chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and colorful sprinkles.  Love that $0.79 can give such a fun boost to the day.  DS had a lot of fun mixing and attempting to frost the cupcakes but he really enjoyed the sprinkles.  Got the entire sprinkle idea from Stacy Julian's Sprinkles.  Love her site and her philosophy.

I am going to be getting my sewing machine out this weekend.  I feel like creating something sweet and cute for DD.  I've got tons of "vintage" fabric and clothes that I would love to use to make aprons, skirts and other items for myself and DD.  I would love a frilly apron like my great-grandma wore.  I remember standing on a chair and helping her make kiffles (a jam filled cream cheese cookie - YUM) while she wore a pretty pink apron and I wore a white apron with handkerchef pockets.  How fun to make something like that for DD and I to wear while we cook and bake.  I love making memories with DD and DS that I share with the women of my family.

Brownies and Apple Crisp

Made our favorite brownies last night.  The kids love them and so do the adults.  They are the same recipe that I used to make with my mom when I was little.  The kids love stirring the butter to melt it and adding the cocoa powder.  It is messy but so yummy.  This time we added chopped walnuts to half of the pan.  We had them as dessert, along with apple crisp, after a dinner of crockpot garlic chicken, mashed potatos, squash and salad.  Dad came over and we ate and played and watched "Flubber" on the TV.  A good time for everyone.

Got a few more layouts done and a couple of cards yesterday too.  If I get my "crafting area" even more organized I'll be able to make a dent on all the photos I want to scrap and get some of the mini-albums completed.  It feels great to get stuff done and get the creative juices flowing.  Now I just need to find some new supplies that I keep seeing online.  Will probably have to order some of it soon, especially the Jillibean Soup stuff.  I so want to get my hands on some of the kraft stuff and the journaling spots, it's all so yummy.

I'm still looking for a kit club too.  I love the idea of having a set of supplies that will go together that comes to my door each month.  How fun and what a great creativity boost.  And the chance to get the new and fun stuff each month.  Just have to pick one that has a great selection and is a good price fit.  Any ideas of favorites out there????

Baking and Soup

Made this great soup yesterday, Ham and Wild Rice Soup.  It is super tasty and perfect for chillly fall evenings.  I even remembered to take photos.  The photos don't do it justice but I'll get better ones when I serve the soup and some fresh baked bread for dinner tonight.  Yum!  I also baked some Oatmeal Scotchies last night too.  The kids are loving all the baked goodies and yummy crockpot meals.  I love it when their little faces light up as they take a bite of a cookie or taste a new recipe I've made.  So fun.

The kids and I went to the fruit/farm market yesterday.  I wish I would have remembered my camera.  The selection of squashes were amazing, so colorful and harvest-y.  The kids had to touch and smell and check everything out.  I forgot how fun it could be to investigate at the market.  We selected Empire apples from the vast array of fruits available.  Big, juicy, lucious apples to make a variety of treats for the family.  The kids also picked out some PURPLE cauliflor.  So funny, can't wait to steam it for a dinner veggie.

Got the "scrappin' area" under control finally.  I'll be working on layouts for a few circle journals that I need to catch up on.  Also "Autumn Tea Party" invites for DD's tea party.  And I've got plenty of ideas to work on and mini albums I can't wait to dive into.  Yeah.  It really is much easier to create when you can find everything you need at hand.  It's still needs some work on the sticker and embellishment organization but it's getting there.