playing catchup!

It's been over a week since I last posted and I have a few things I can share with you today..yay! It's been a really normal couple weeks here, just hanging out, waiting on spring to arrive (the weather seem to be on the upswing here in Chicago), and enjoying a bit of creative energy that I've had. I've been playing around in the sCRAP space the past few days and really enjoying that! Seems like it's a bit of ebb and flow with me most of the time...some weeks I'm all about the paper and glue, other weeks I am only in here to play on the computer and admire all the lovelies I see on blogs and message boards. My gal Cathy has been key in getting my butt back into scrappy goodness and we even had time to hang out this past weekend and hit a scrap store together!

How Mandi and I spent Saturday night a couple weeks ago!



Yep, ordered a pizza and watched our new dvd, New Moon! I'm really mindful of what I put into my body, but I have to tell you, that veggie pizza was ding dang awesome! I totally indulged myself and ate almost my half of that thing...ugh...but, it was worth it, time spent with my girl! I won't be having any pizza for a while now...and, did my 20 miles last week to work it off!! LOL!!

as for my scrappy creative endeavors, I have been working on cards and tags! Bought some of the new Tim Holtz Alterations dies and am loving them! Made the cool flower out of grungepaper for my tag...also used his mini filmstrip ribbon (love that stuff too...so stinkin' cute!), some 7Gypsies stamps, Unity stamps, Distress Inks, misc. ribbon and rub-ons...not sure what I'll do with my tag, but it looks cute sitting in my space!



This card uses his heart/wings die. I used some chipboard for the swirly part of the heart, added some pink glitter..and chipboard for the wings...the backing of the heart is made from BG fabric..love that it cuts like butter with these dies! Some MME patterned papers, Melissa Francis patterned papers, Prima florals, Doodlebug rub-ons and miscellaneous chipboard letters, black glitter, ribbon and stick pin..



Lastly, this is a card I made yesterday in fact. I used a sketch from the "Sassy Lil' Sketches" blog. Some Cosmo Cricket papers I had laying around, Bazzill cardstock, Prima florals, ribbon made into a bow using my handy dandy Bow Easy tool, a few little pearl embellies and viola! I hadn't really used sketches before but heck, it makes the thought process so much less painful, and when your brain just isn't being creative, it works like a charm! Be sure to check out their blog, they do sketches for both layouts and cards and their DT members really rock them!



Note: I did not stamp the sentiment on the card, it was cut out from the Cosmo Cricket papers...it's meant to look sorta dimensional..I say this because when I first took the pic, it looked all wonky and blurry, but it's just the way they designed and printed it! LOL!

So, that's about it for me...got ya caught up on my life here. We are officially on Spring Break this week and I am loving it! It's nice to not have any schedules that have to be met...the girl and I can stay up late, sleep in late, hang out and have fun. Roger is due home tomorrow and looking forward to being here when the girl is off school so we can do a few fun things together! I have everything pretty much set for Easter this coming weekend...basket is filled, reservations for brunch are made, attendance at Good Friday service has been planned...just need to decide if we want to color eggs or not this year. I do have to dig out my dvd's of "The Passion of The Christ" and "Jesus of Nazareth" as they are standard watches for me during this week...moving, inspiring, heart wrenching but always a welcome reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season!

Until next time,
Blessings!

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-- Romans 6:23

Smile....

Saturday, March 20th, first official day of spring in Chicago and we woke up to snow. I supposed I could let myself get all twisted up about it, or, I can choose to be positive and say to myself...it won't last, it's almost the end of March and there are worse things then a little snow on the ground. Honestly, while it is sort of depressing to have more snow, especially after a week of gorgeous sunshine and mild temps, this doesn't send me into a tizzy...I'm making progress!

This week was amazing! Like I said, we certainly had a taste of what is coming our way weather wise. I was able to not wear a coat, have windows open, listen and watch birds flutter and play in my Evergreen tree and I had a great sense of newness, a fresh feeling that seems to come every year as spring approaches. I didn't do a ton, just enjoyed God's blessings of nice weather and sun. I did take myself over to Borders and I purchased myself a "One Year Bible" and another Bible that has Jesus' words in red. I have been doing a morning devotional for over a year now, but the readings that I have, while I enjoy them, just didn't seem like enough to satisfy my appetite. I am searching for a church group and hope that I can find a Bible study soon, but in the meantime I found this "One Year Bible" and what it does is provide me with 4 selected readings each day, one from the Old Testament, one from The New Testament, one from Psalms and one from Proverbs, as well as a highlighted passage one which I can pray or have thought for that day. In the end, I will have read the entire Bible in one years time...how cool is that!? I also want to read the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I saw on the blog "Grateful for Grace" the challenge to read "just Jesus" and while I missed it (having become aware of her blog long after the challenge took place), I knew it was something I wanted to do, but I didn't have a bible with Jesus' words in red, something that would help in this challenge, so I bought one for that as well...heck, I collect Bibles...have stacks of them, old, new, etc..sitting on coffee tables and such and NONE of them had the words of Jesus highlighted..well, now I do! LOL! I'm really enjoying these readings on a daily basis...such "feel good" stuff!

More big stuff happened this week, and if you follow me on FB, you have seen my girl and her new, fresh, all grown-up and looking like a teenager for sure, new look! Mandi has been wanting to cut her hair and color it for quite some time now. Being the "resistant to change in big ways" person that I am...(I'm really comfortable with keeping things the same..LOL), I finally said to myself that she is old enough to be making these decisions for herself, that it's not my body or my hair and that she has every right to do what she wants to with it. I try to think of times when I feel like I'm being held back by other peoples wishes or desires, and it feels bad. I don't want Mandi to feel that way. I made the appointment and off we went to see our fabulous hairdresser Keri!

In the end, it was a huge change for my girl but she LOVES it! I have to admit, I mourned the loss of her long, blonde locks, and that familiar look that I was so comfortable with, but I do think that this length and color look adorable on her...makes her eyes just pop and it certainly took her from a little girl to an almost 17-year-old young lady! Please excuse the photo, I am not a great photographer...(I added in a cool frame and definition element from "House of 3")...



Ozzi is still recouping and his bum leg seems to be getting better, but it's slow. He is such a little goober and it just stinks to see him struggle right now...keep sending up some prayers if ya can....thanks!

Alright, that's about it for today...Mandi and I went and bought "New Moon" and we are ordering pizza for dinner and having a movie night..can't wait!!

Until next time,
Blessings!

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."
-Psalm 91:2

Books, tea lattes and muffins...

that's how I spent my day today.....ooh, can't forget to mention the most important factor, spending quality time with my girlfriend Mary. Mary and I have been friends since...well, lets say, for like 22 years now!!! She is the one constant in my life (besides Mandi) that I know will always remain. Seriously, always be there no matter what! We may be totally different. We may lead totally different lives, have completely different views on religious beliefs, political beliefs, social beliefs etc...but we also totally respect that in each other, learn from each other and cherish that fact about each other. I can't imagine my life without Mary in it, and I hope that I never have to experience it. We have joked for years that one day, we will find ourselves, living out our days, sharing a home and a business and loving life together...

so, today we met for some quality time at Argo Tea in Evanston. Can I just say how much I love Evanston? I mean, it's like a mini Chicago, with all the cool accouterments that encompass a large city but on a smaller scale! Last month we had met for lunch, Mandi, Mary and myself (Mandi also adores Mary and Mary has been Mandi's Aunt Mary since before birth even!) and we decided that since we couldn't find a book club local to us that we would just form our own..I mean, so what if at the start it's just us two! We choose to read Elizabeth Gilbert's newest release "Committed" and it was such a GREAT read! After spending a couple weeks reading (me on my Kindle..LOVE my Kindle, and Mary with the book), we decided to meet at Argo Tea (a totally rad "Starbucks" feeling tea spot) for some lattes (of course, tea lattes..yum!! Mine was black tea, nonfat with chocolate syrup...oh yeah baby!!) and some chatter about the book. It was wonderful. Both Mary and I came to this book with different perspectives (really?? LOL) about marriage, and it was really cool to sit and dish about it..along with the authors idea of marriage as well. All in all, a really nice day spent!

After our discussion, lattes, muffins and fun....we headed over to Barnes and Noble to decide on our next book! We have decided to read Anne Rice's book "Called Out of Darkness A Spiritual Confession by Anne Rice" it somehow immediately spoke to us both, right there in the Evanston Barnes and Noble, and while I downloaded it toot-sweet to my Kindle, Mary bought it! I can't wait to start it tonight, and to eventually meet in a few weeks and discuss it with Mary!

So, that is how I spent my day today. I know, today on the blog is supposed to be my "Tasty Tuesday" post, with a recipe and all, but, well, I don't have one today. Maybe later this week I'll share one for you!! Maybe I'll post one of my yummy vegan muffin recipes...since Mary and I had that brief moment in time where we were baking vegan treats for the Wild Tree Cafe in Evanston. Speaking of the Wild Tree and since no blog post seems complete without a picture, I'll share the last picture Mary and I took together. We were hanging at the Wild Tree Cafe, Ivy's last day of business (sadly she has closed her doors and moved on to bigger and better endeavors in life) and Mandi took this pic of us. Yep, this is my girl...my rasta, dreadlocked, free-spirited, all loving girl that I can't imagine my life without.

God willing, I'll not ever have to!



Until next time,
Blessings!

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-- Colossians 3:12

Back in Mac!!

here we are, another weekend almost over...time does seem to fly by and while I want that so that winter will be gone, it makes me sad to see the days disappearing so quickly. One of the many changes I'm making in my life is to make sure and enjoy each moment I have, even the ones that are not so good for I am finally realizing just what a gift each and every day is. That said, I had some fun moments this weekend and some not so fun....

Poor Ozzi, my little fur-dude, he is not doing so good..boo! Yesterday morning after waking up and going outside, he came stumbling up the back steps, back leg in the air!! I thought maybe he had just twisted it a bit, or his nails might have been too long (yep, he gets quirky on me if his nails get too long..LOL), so out came the clippers and I gave him a little pedicure...cookie to eat and off he went..still holding his little leg up but I figured it was cause he didn't realize he just had himself a nice little pedi! Shortly after, I got a call from Apple letting me know my baby was ready to come home!! YA-HOO!!! I have missed my MAC sooo stinkin' much!! I immediately told Miss Mandi to get herself ready, we were heading down to the Apple store to pick up said baby and I would treat her to lunch at our favorite Stir-fry place...I mean, it's the bomb diggity bomb..fresh veggies, you pick 'em, they stir-fry em and you chow!! Add to that some seriously delish steamed edamame and it's a great meal, one we totally dig! So, off we went. Of course first stop, Apple...second stop, Lucky Brand Jeans where I scored myself a couple pair of the Riley Boyfriend cut...sooo cute (it's an addiction..Lucky Brand Jeans and me..) and then we headed off to eat...lunch was amazing and it was nice to sit and hang out with the girl for awhile, chatting!

As soon as we got back home and walked in the door I knew something was terribly wrong. Ozzi was barely sitting in the hallway (where he always greets us) and he was all hunched down and shaking...I called my vet and of course, they were closed so off to the emergency animal hospital we went. After a couple hours (yes, you sit and wait for the emergency animal docs, just like you do at the hospital for humans..lol) the verdict was in...Ozzi has a ligament tear in his back, left leg...one that will require surgery to repair. I'm so sad. He was in such pain, had spiked a fever, wouldn't eat...not even cheese and Ozzi NEVER passes up cheese, wouldn't go out, nothing. I brought him home, pain meds, and other meds in hand...and have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow morning to discuss the next step. Today he is better, I mean, he isn't suffering as much thanks to the pain meds, he is going out, he is eating but he is mainly just gimping around the house..breaking my heart. Say a little prayer for the little guy if you can!

Friday, well I had fun...went for my hair appointment and decided to make another change...subtle one for sure but a change nonetheless. I am going to grow out my bangs some...grow out the sides a bit, but still keep my short hair. I like my hair short, it just works for me. I'm excited! I came home and Mandi was all like "wow mom! that is cool!" so I had her take a pic for me. Now, mind you, I have to grow some, but hopefully by the next appointment or two, the bangs will be where I want them...it doesn't look a ton different..yet!



As for my crafty self....made another card the other night...just a simple little one...


Products used: My Mind's Eye, Bazzill, Melissa Francis, Art Glitter, Prima, Maya Road, Sweetwater, Martha Stewart and some miscellaneous ribbons. Yep, you read that right, Sweetwater! I had that little "love" card forever..I mean like 5 years I think..talk about using up old stash huh?!

That's pretty much it for me and my weekend....glad to be back in Mac, sad my baby is hurting, happy with a new hairdo and now I'm off to fix the girl some dinner...busy, busy week ahead of me...will let ya'll know how Oz fairs...

Until next time,
Blessings!

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his
covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him
and keep his commands.
-- Deuteronomy 7:9

Having a Mac attack!!

My poor baby, my beloved MacBook is sick and I am soooo sad..LOL! Seriously, it totally conked out on me Saturday afternoon..blue screen of death...nothing happening! I have an appointment with Apple on Tuesday to have it looked at, lets just hope that they can fix it without totally wiping out my harddrive...that would really stink! I will lose my iTunes and all my documents and downloads because dumb me hasn't backed them up recently!! ARGH!!! Fortunately, and how serendipitous is it that on a whim, Friday night, I decided to move all my pictures off my Mac and onto an external...whew...still have those but there are a lot of documents of mine that I will be very sad to lose if that comes to pass...note to self...keep everything on an external and even back up to an offsite place for extra measure!!

It's funny how lost I am without my puter! Fortunately I have a pc laptop for backup, it was what I was using before Roger gave me my Mac, but when I got the Mac I totally took this puppy down to bare bones...nothing, and I mean nothing is installed on it..which, makes it run like a dream, but I realized, how could I print off a document? How can I scrapbook without being able to print off pictures? What about scanning important things to keep? So, yep, totally felt paralyzed and so this morning I spent the better half of it installing tons of printer drivers and software! Lets just say, once again, I realize just how beautiful a thing Mac's are! At least, I can print and play on this one for the time being...I have to admit, though, that my Toshiba laptop has a really nice, large screen to it....something I didn't realize I missed on my little MacBook...and the keyboard is nicer to use...I can really feel the keys while on the Mac, they are a little less punchy and sensitive...sometimes I'll type and it doesn't feel me hitting a key..kinda frustrating...don't worry though, still loving Apple and all it's glory...just noticing a few differences in how "I" feel is all...

Changing lanes now, I thought that I'd share with you a favorite recipe of mine. One of my "addictions" is recipes! I love to collect them. When I'm visiting websites, or blogs and someone shares something yummy, I totally save it! (another reason I'm stressing, I have tons of recipes on my Mac that I'll lose...DANG!)...so, I started to think, why not share some of my favorites here?! This first one is for a tried and true dish that I make a ton! Taco Soup...Vegetarian Taco Soup! It is so easy to make and tastes sooo yummy! I made it yesterday in fact for dinner last night, and it makes enough to freeze a big container for another meal..bonus! I serve it with tortilla chips, but you can certainly make some yummy cornbread to go with it. Adding water to your own specifications makes it more "soupy" or more "chili" (I prefer kinda in between soupy and thick like chili myself! It's not my original recipe, I got it years back while an active member of 2peas, Cammipea was the poster and to her go my forever thanks for this!!

Vegetarian Taco Soup (she called it Vegetable Taco Soup)...

2 cans Ranch Style Beans (I've never found these so I used pintos, kidneys, whatever I have in the pantry or feel like using)
1 can Black Beans
1 can Refried Beans (I use fat free)
1 can Whole Kernel Corn
1 can Cream Style Corn
2 cans Rotel tomatoes with chilis (I only use one cause Mandi hates tomatoes..LOL!)
1 small onion, chopped (I omit this..onions and me don't get along real well!)
1 packet Taco Seasoning
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (do not use fat free on this!!)
1-2 cups water again, this is up to you and the consistency you like.

Mix all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook all day on low 6-8 hours..I cook it on high for a couple hours, then turn it down and cook for a couple more...

Serve with shredded cheese and tortilla chips! Yum!!

**update** I typed this up yesterday, Monday and then forgot to post it! What a dork..LOL! So, since this recipe is going up on Tuesday, and maybe I'll try to keep up with at least sharing a recipe or so on Tuesdays, I'll call my Tuesday posts (from now on, that is..), Tasty Tuesday! Think it works? :)

Until next time,
Blessings!


“It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:35

March has arrived...

...and that means we are now one month closer to winter ending and we are 20 days or so away from the official start of spring! Give thanks!! I am sooo over winter right now, ugh, it really does take everything in me to stay positive when I look out the window and see gray skies, dirty, icky snow, and bare trees...not to mention I'm tired of wearing a coat, of not hearing birds sing, of not having my windows open with fresh air blowing in, of not being able to see green grass and flowers...put a fork in me, I'm just plain done! Okay, rant over...trying to stay positive about this, right? and I'm trusting that God will give me the strength to get me through the rest of these winter days.

so, yesterday I finished off the Mexico trip pics, today I actually have a crafty picture to share! It's been awhile since my muse, my mojo or any sort of inspiration has come to me. I have seriously wanted to play and create, but I would just go into my room and stand there, look around at all the cool stuff I'm blessed to have and then I'd go..."eh...not right now"...and then walk back out..finding more fun in sitting my butt on the couch and watching some movie I've seen a million times..yeah, I spend my time wisely don't I? Then, last Friday, I received a slap on the face from my muse and suddenly, inspiration to make something hit me! I pulled out some new papers, some fun glittery goodness and went to work making a card for my bff! I'm telling you, inks were being used, paper was being distressed, glitter was flying around and viola...I did it, I actually created! I lifted the idea for this card off of Melissa Phillips blog, LilyBean's Paperie (totally visit if you are in the mood to see fabulous eye candy!)and am pretty pleased with my finished product!



Products used: Stampin' Up! cardstock, 7Gypsies patterned papers, Distress Inks, Staz-On ink, BG chipboard, flourish chipboard is unknown, Art Glitter, Prima Flower, custom dyed trim from this amazing Etsy seller, button and twine came wrapped around my trim, how cool is that?, stick pin from my local antique store, and Amuse stamp.

Slowly my creative mojo seems to be returning. Yesterday and today my creative efforts have been and will be in the kitchen, baking something yummy, of which I'll share with you in yet another post!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."