Gratitude

I *built*my gratitude journal during November of last year and started using it the first week in January. Wanted to share a few weeks with you - It's been a fun & freeing creative process and, of course, a very positive experience as I've focused each day on the good things in life -

Another Easy Pie Recipe

This one's in memory of my dad who passed away last year.
His birthday was last week and he always loved a delicious chocolate pie so I made one on his day to remember him -

The ingredients: cool whip, a large chocolate bar, and a graham cracker crust.
Directions: Reserving one square of chocolate bar - Slowly melt the remaining chocolate in the microwave [apx 30 seconds on 50% power, stir and repeat.] Add 3/4 of the cool whip and stir completely. Spoon into pie shell. Top with remaining cool whip. Shave chocolate on top. Enjoy!

You decide...

Go to Mary Kathryn's blog to vote -

So I've been tagged --

Thanks Anna! I think the rules are that I am to post 7 random [little known] things about myself - so, let's see... do I go way out there or just give you a little of my weirdness? And Anna did a great job using lots of photos..let's see what I can come up with -

1] When I crawled into my cold bed last night [in the 60*s here and we haven't turned on the heat] I immediately thought of the many nights I slept at my grandmother's house in the country - in cold beds piled high with 3-4 [6-?] quilts... ah sweet memories.

[photo of my mom and grandmother several years before I was born...]

2] I often have dreams of being in [and around] her house - a nice, good safe place of memories.3] I love cats - and think I will always, always own one [or two, but that's really the limit!]

4] I feel blessed with more than I ever deserve and strive to live my life for Christ & praise Him for all He's done for me.5] Fall is my favorite season of the year - there's not much better than a cool evening by a fire with my sweetie and the woodsy smells of fall..
6] I was the PR person at our Baptist Student Union during college - I loved doing graphic art for posters, etc. - and sometimes wonder why I didn't pursue classes in that area... Maybe because I really did feel the Lord's call to go into social work. I love all the older people I've worked with through the years [and the wonderful stories they have to share.] And I really do still enjoy my job working with the staff who work hands-on with this population.and, 7] I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful family - more precious than words can describe -
Now to tag some others: - Lisa - Jackie Ann - Jessica - and - Dee -

Caramel Pie

At our house we’re all about simple and easy. My boys often say that I don’t cook – that I prepare meals. An easy thing like:

Caramel Pie

is a good example. It’s an oldie- but goodie recipe that we used to make during the holidays. [We first ate it at O’Charley’s, but we haven’t been there in YEARS so we’re not sure if it’s still on the menu, or really if O’Charley’s is even still around…] Craig took it to a guy-gathering recently. Keep in mind – it’s simple, but not so quick [you’ll see why in a minute --]

The ingredients: graham cracker pie shell, 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk [Eagle Brand, we used store brand; they were being cooked when I took this photo], a container of cool whip [oops – not pictured – it was thawing in the fridge], and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
[the big ones just won’t work.]

Fill a large pot with water, place both UNOPENED cans of milk in the pot with enough water to cover. Place on stove over medium high heat and boil for three and a half hours. Be sure to check frequently and stir the cans around a bit. NOTE: The sweetened condensed milk people caution that this practice could cause the hot milk cans to explode. You are boiling the cans at your own risk.[I’ve been boiling milk cans since college and have never had one explode… but you never know - put a lid on it just in case.]

Using tongs, remove the cans of milk and place on a towel or plate. You can open them immediately, being careful as some of the now milk-caramel will spill out as the pressure in the can is released.Pour both cans of caramel into a mixing bowl and stir together. I do this to insure the pie has an even caramel color. Both of these cans seem to have cooked evenly, but I’ve been known to have one can several shades lighter than the other.

Pour caramel mixture into pie crust. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Top with Cool Whip, being careful to lift the spoon up making little peaks all over the top.

Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top. Be generous. Refrigerate until serving.

Faith Based Pages

When I [finally found a copy earlier this year &] read Stacy Julian's book, Core Composition, I was drawn to two things: 1 - that her pages completed in the 90's look just like MY pages completed in the 90's [and for those scrappers who started this archival hobby way back then - well, you KNOW what I'm talking about!] and 2 - her use of the silhouette; EVERYWHERE. So I wanted to give it a try [and btw, she still enjoys this little technique as she challenged us with it during our Have More Fun class - you can see "Ninja Kitty" in the slideshow to the right-] I saw a couple of advertisements that inspired my design
[Dress Barn and soy milk, I think.]

1. Print photo on 8.5 x 11 paper [might have an 8x10 printed] and trim out. [I actually trimmed my arm down a bit too - ha!] Place on 12 x 12 paper that has multiple doodles and scrolls [free hand these if you want-] Adhere so that photo is 'bleeding' off the page to the left.
   
2. Computer generate title [reverse print] on the BACK of the paper you will use and hand cut. Adhere to page as shown.
3. Computer generate your own 'I Believe' statements. Trim into strips; place a grommet, eyelet, or brad to the left; adhere to page, as shown, well maybe not 'as shown' - they're STRAIGHT in real life!
4. My statements: "I believe... in a babe born of virgin... in the cross on Mount Calvary... in the miracles only God can perform... in the absolute love of Christ... in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit... in a Savior who died for me... in Peace that passes all understanding... in eternal life through Christ Jesus my Lord."
5. Add shaped buttons throughout the doodles.
   

It is with reluctance that I make this announcement,

but I need to tell you that beginning in 2009, Faith Based Pages will no longer be shipping monthly kits. The website will continue to be open and we will have past kits available until they are sold out. We will still offer class kits as they are available , and may occasionally offer a special faith based kit as well.

I believe the Lord prepares our way and I’ve felt Him leading toward this for some time now. I feel confident that He has used these kits for His purpose and I’ve been privileged to see so many people exposed to the idea of putting faith on their pages. It’s been an honor to be a part of their ‘ah-ha’ moment that if faith is an important part of their lives then it should be included in their memory books as more than an event layout; instead, as a part of their day-to-day lives.

The Yahoo Group will continue to be up and running. I want to give a great big thank you to each of you who have been a part of this journey during the last three and half years! It’s been a joy and I look forward to a continued relationship as we share our faith based pages together. Let's see what exciting things God has for us -

Blessed -

I realize many will think I'm crazy - and while I prefer to call it quirkiness - I'll admit that I embrace it and have learned to live with it. Case in point - the car I drive.
I've gone from this:

You may recall the sadness I felt when the vibe [04] I'd been driving for the past two years bit the dust due being creamed from behind on the interstate during the summer. There were none to be found at the time, so we bought this beautiful green [yes, it is -] Camry. I think it's a gorgeous car - but it just wasn't for me. Sister had one and loved it, brother has one and says it's bor-ing [ but we have to keep in mind that he was driving a nissan z - a la james bond - prior to the Camry.] For me... well, it took a while to nail it down - and I finally decided it just wasn't FUN. I like a little smaller car, preferably a 5 speed. I drove a new beetle for 8 years...
[its peeking out behind the camry in the 1st photo.]

To this:

And I'm on the road A LOT. Craig had said when we bought the camry that we'd look at the vibe again when the '09s came out - so we did - and we still couldn't find one! They're selling like hot cakes [great gas mileage!] Finally our dealer here in town called and said there was one on a rail car in Nashville if we wanted it - not a 5 speed, but everything else that we wanted. So I compromised and we bought it
- sight unseen [now THAT is CRAZY],
not really knowing what the color would look like. It was delivered while I was out of town so Craig took these photos and sent them to me.
Love it.
The color is 'steele blue' - but it's really kind of a grey blue with a purple tint, need I say more? I LOVE PURPLE! Have had it for 15 days and it already has 1700 miles on it - like I said, I'm on the road - A LOT. So I feel so blessed that I can drive a fun little car that I'm comfortable in [can park easily, etc.!] And it got 37 mpg on this last trip - yippee! Another blessing.
The Lord and I have actually been talking alot about blessings lately and how I should accept them freely as He gives them freely. Sometimes that's hard for me. Somehow, I just don't feel like I deserve to have His blessings. But during this last month He's directed me toward scriptures and devotionals that confirm how much He loves us and that He wants us to be happy. Don't we serve an awesome God? I encourage you all to take a moment and give Him praise for the blessings in your life - all the non-material things we're blessed with as well as the things we need to live the life He's leading us to live.
Thank you Father, for loving us and caring for us in such tangible ways!

Now, I'm off to see how my caramel is coming along for a pie Craig is taking to a guy-gathering this weekend [it's a boil the eagle-brand milk in the can thing.] I'll post about it later -

Live an Inspired life! Dream with possibility!

join the campaign for creativity!

Donna d placed the info below on her blog this week - and it really is true! Inspiriation is everywhere - if we only look! This follows along with the 'extra credit' things we're getting in CathyZ's class as well - look around and be INSPIRED. Now for donna's note:

"almost everyday i get an email from someone who has either just realized their creative potential or someone struggling to hear their inner creative voice. i 100% believe that inspiration and possibility are everywhere... inspiration can be found in everything we do, share and see.
the possibility is our part in manifesting it into tangible art. all we need to do is open our hearts and eyes and listen to our creative voice.

we all have a voice.
sometimes it speaks to us in a department store, or while reading a catalog, or while walking in nature. it is the voice that stops you and makes you look a things in a different way.like the placemats you pass while shopping at Target that inspires your next layout design,or the new bedding set you see in a pottery barn catalog that inspires the color pallet for your next collage painting or the nature walk that prompts you to pick up fallen branches and twigs that inspire your next home decor project. embracing our creative potential and letting it free to guide our art is the challenge. believing in the power of your passion to create is the gift we all have to share.

"believe in your creative potential,
enjoy the creative process,
try something new,
explore new possibilities,
but most of all believe

The Constancy of God

is that a word?

There's no place like the beach to reassure me that my God is the same: today - yesterday -and forever...

God is higher than anything and anyone -
outshining everything you can see in the skies.

Who can compare with God, our God?

So majestically enthroned,

Surveying His magnificant heaven and earth?

He picks the poor from out of the dirt,

rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash

Seats them among the honored guests,

a place of honor among the brightest and best.

Hallelujuh!

Psalm 115: 4-9 [The Message]

And in this crazy world we live in, well I just need that little reminder now and then. A reminder that no matter what happens to us [from the mildly disconcerting to the tragic] our God is the same - like the waves rolling in from the ocean floor -- He's always here for us - on His throne, high and lifted up. And He loves us and wants the best for us. The big[er] picture is that as a believer, a born-again christian, a child of God - my purpose is to bring glory to Him - no matter what. And here at the beach i can see the big[er] picture just a bit better.

[Pardon Craig's toe in the corner there, these photos haven't been edited yet...]

Faith Based Pages

I enjoy encouraging others to put their faith on their scrapbook pages. To me, it seems pretty straight-forward: if faith is a part of your day-to-day life then it ought to be showing up in your scrapbook pages fairly regularly - afterall we scrap to leave a legacy, don't we? It's been a joy these past few years to see others as they have their own 'ah-ha' moment regarding faith based pages. From time to time I plan to share one of my own FBP and give a little instruction on how I created it -

1. Use coordinated pattern paper - large dots as the base of the page.
2. Trim Green patterned paper to apx. 10x10 , round corners and place on page as shown - with wider margin to the right.
3. Trim pink paper to apx 9.5x9.5, ound corners, & place as shown with wider margin to the left.
4. Trim lined patterned paper to apx 7 x7 and place in upper left corner. Journal on this.
5. Trim and round corners of photos, place on layout as shown. four photos were used in this layout, but you can easily change to fit in the photos you want.
6. Add rub-on "believe' over journaling.
7. Print verse [Isaiah 52:7,"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who tell of saving power, who say, 'Our God reigns."] on label maker with clear tape. Adhere to bottom of pink paper.
8. Print date and adhere to large pink brad. Place brad inthe upper left corner of journaling.
   

Ahhhh... The Gulf

There's just no prettier beach
- it's one of our favorite places to be during this time of year. I think ole peg leg
[the seagull in the middle -- take a good close look] likes it here too.

Been meaning to post these photos

for a while now. These are old baby photos that I found in some file boxes
[i.e. the better ones are in the scrap books.]
See if you think MK looks anything like any of these babies on her daddy's side of the family
[sorry - I couldn't find one of him...]Personally - I think she's looking a lot like Trey -
although I so see a lot of Kelly's family in her too -
You can go to her blog to vote ---

Design Your Life

with Cathy Z - has been incredible! And it's only been two days! Cathy's spoiling us by being on the boards so much - and it's been great. Here's my 'title' page

[we'll be doing an entire album based on design principles]: The first photo shows my 8x8 clear page on top of the title page and then here's the title page alone: Can you figure out my latest favorite photo of the boys? We actually took 5-6 shots that morning so there may be subtle differences in the photos used...
Here's a couple of layouts [CathyZs' designs, based on balance]:
Design Assignment 1: And Design Assignment 2 [my new car! Yippee!]:And one last project - based on real world color [ a rug from a magazine, I think.] The photo is Matt holding a [red tail -?] hawk this spring.
[That's NOT our kitchen!] On a more personal note - taking iron is giving me a scheduling headache [can't take it within 2 hours of eating or having caffeine - so I guess it's mid morning and mid evening - but I keep forgetting to get it in at just the right time - and I BELIEVE this is crucial to avoid the stomach issues....] Drew's home and off to have time with friends and my only plan for the day is get out the fall decor... my favorite time of year!! EDITED: Craig has suggested I wait on this and instead use my [limited] energy to pack for the week. [- A wise suggestion!] I'll be out of pocket for the next few days but will try to post along the way.

TODAY - the blog blitz challenge from Stacy J ----

This is quick 'down and dirty' scrap booking. Find the challenge here. And you can see some of my quick pages below [others have Christmas presents on them so they can't be shown right now...] I made my own little 6x6 book because some of my photos just couldn't be cropped much smaller. Wish the photos were a little more clear, but the bottom line is my iron levels are low again and I'm [oh so] tired most of the time and just don't feel like working with it to get a better one. The good news: I have doctor who's willing to search for the cause.
Note: October Design Team projects are updated in slide show to the right [and on the website: www.faithbasedpages.com]