Christmas cookie baking day

I was invited to be a part of a Christmas cookie baking day with a couple of coworkers and friend last Saturday. We decided to have it at my place and we had SO MUCH fun! The ladies showed up about 12:30 and stayed til a little after 6 pm. I was so pooped from all that baking and mixing and everything that goes into baking 3 or 4 dozen cookies! I don't even know how many cookies I made but they were yummy. ALL the results were yummy.
In the picture l-r, Andi, rolling her cookies in cinnamon, Kristina and I drinking our spided cider and Jodi cutting up her cookie dough.
Kristina made peanut brittle- it tasted perfect! yum!
Jodie made no bake chocolate and oatmeal cookies (love those!) and peanut butter cups with Hersey kisses on them.
Andi made an orange zest cookie rolled in cinnamon sugar - it was just like a orange snickerdoodle- delish!
I made soft and chewy gingerbread men and chocolate mocha cookies with peppermint icing.
I have eaten my way through about 2 dozen cookies since Saturday. AT LEAST!

While we were inside working away, Rick and our hardworking friend, Joe, were outside working hard.
They cut down about 6 dead trees in the backyard. Joe is in the tree. Rick is the one who looks like he's walking up an imaginary flight of stairs.

What a great day! I would definately do that again!

Chicago Reader Blogs: A bad Deal for Chicago

Ok So here's a little bit on my brother Scott. Do you remember the fable from when you were a kid about the dog with a bone? He was crossing a bridge and saw his reflection. He thought his reflection (or the other dog) had a bigger bone so he dropped his bone to grab the bigger bone. But of course, he lost his bone and the bigger bone all together and was left with nothing.
It makes you wonder if that's what went on here with Mayor Daley?

Turtle Journal

Saving The World, One Turtle At A Time
I don't have a turtle, never have, but I find them interesting and found a news article about how with the recent cold snap in the east there were many sea turtle being washed ashore and dying. I followed a link to this blog and found some interesting info, pictures and videos. I think its great that people leave their house in this weather, walk the beach and look for wildlife to save. At one point it was so cold a squid was FLASH FROZEN in the wind!

Etsy.com

"Your place to buy and sell crafty things".
If you're looking to buy something handmade this is the place if you missed out on all the craft fairs. There's about 30 different categories you can look into. Lots to see here!

Swimming Lesson #1

This is what we did today. Rocks had his first real swimming lesson with his "swim instructor Greg", it was at our veterinarian's office, they have a small pool (not that pool <---), which can be used to exercise dogs that have joint issues, weight issues, etc. Well, let me first say that Rocks has always loved to "swim" this first picture sadly shows the only way he's ever swam before. We'd fill up his little kiddie pool and he'd swish the water around, stick his head under for a second and lay in it. Then of course we'd spray the hose for him in the yard and he'd run and chase the water stream or jump and leap to get it. Always fun (there were some great pictures to share there but I couldn't find them on the pc). We didn't take him to a lake in Omaha because we were worried about the blue-green algae issue they had in the area. (A dog could swim in a lake and in half an hour be dead from ingesting the blue-green algae). Here's what we really did today. At first, Rocks was nervous because he doesn't like heights or stairs etc. I think he noticed the bottom of the pool was about 4' away. But he was interested because we told him that he was going to go swimming and he was excited. See the curious, dry and slightly nervous dog. (I apologize for the bad videography and audio. You get to hear Rick and I talk in a high pitched crazy voice. ha ha!)
He was really shaking at first, we were starting to doubt that he would want to do it. But we decided to keep trying and by the second or third try you could see that although he was nervous in the water he had a grin afterwards on the ramp. Like he was proud of himself! We'd coax him back out and after about his 6th lap he was going in pretty much on his own.


You can see on this video he really didn't quite get it yet.

Greg did a great job supporting him when he needed it and soon enough Rocks figured that if he used his back legs and didn't try to lift his front feet out of the water that he didn't splash as much. His last two laps he was jumping in on his own and even made a double lap of the pool on his last time in.

(We weren't allowed to go in the water -clinic policy. Not all dogs are born natural swimmers, so we hear, and ours is no Lab or Portugese Water Dog. But at least now he knows how to swim a little bit. We don't expect him to sign up for swim meets any time soon.

My Second Kristina Werner Color Inspiration Challenge

This is my first official entry into one of Kristina's Color Inspiration Challenges. I have always wanted to enter or try and I am so happy I can do this!
I used the Eastern Blooms stamp set, A Beautiful Thing stamp set, pumpkin pie ribbon and Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and Close to Cocoa inks and papers. All SU! products.

Thanks for looking!

My first Kristina Werner Challenge

This was my first attempt at a Kristina Werner Color Inspiration Challenge. Unfortunately, I didn't start it until last night (WAY past the upload deadline). But I didn't care, I was determined to get this one done and post it for myself! :)
Better late than never thoughts here.

I used the Say it with Scallops and Pocket Silhouettes stamp sets, silver brad, old olive felt flower (accents and elements) and square scallop punch.
The inks and papers are Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand and Whisper White.
Everything is Stampin Up!

Shelli's Blog

Shelli (CEO & founder of Stampin' Up!) has her own blog, it has everything you expect from a crafty preson's blog.
Shelli recently went to her local TV station and made these adorable place settings all from the Ski Slope Scrapbook paper. The audio/video was a little off but still a good demo!

Enjoy the video!

Pun Fun

This was one of the last cards I made, I have to get back in that craft room and CREATE! (And not just do all the un-fun stuff either- like clean.)

This card was made with the old In-colors Marigold Morning and Cranberry Crisp papers and inks. As well as Bashful Blue paper and ink. The striped paper was a non- SU! paper that I had on hand.

One of these days I am going to remember to also add a little shading in grey under or to the side of the image. I always think that makes the image just pop! This card has already left the building so I can't really do that now. Oh well right!? :)


BY THE WAY...
Did you know that on most blogs you read you can click on (if they have it) an item in the list of labels and get only those items to show up. For instance, in my blog I have labeled all of the cards I've made with the label "card creations". Click on that in the right column and it will show only my posts with all the cards in it that I've labeled.

Southern Plate

As I now live in Louisville or the "Gateway to the South" I am interested in embracing my family's southern roots. (Even if they're from Louisiana.) I want to try some new southern recipes and find out what "chess" pie is. I've seen chocolate chess pie and lemon chess pie. They both sound good.
I found this fun and recipe filled blog on southern cooking. I can't wait to try some of the recipes. YUM!

Shelli and us: Convention 2007

Hello?! Sara! Did you forget what year it is? No. Ok, So WHY did it take me so long to put this picture up? I don't know. Who wouldn't want to share such a fabulous shot? Shelli was very gracious in letting us stop her for this picture at last years convention.
In the picture (l-r) my sideline Kim, my cool upline Laurie, Shelli, my sideline Nicole and me.

CHOLLA (CHOYA)

This 1/2 mustang horse is an artist. You can see his work here. He works in watercolors. I love the purple heron myself.

Happy Birthday card with Heartfelt Thanks set

This is similar to a card I made my brother for his birthday. He is a gardener so it isn't not masculine enough. I used Night of Navy, Old Olive and Very Vanilla cardstock. Night of Navy, Old Olive and Sahara Sand inks. I roughed up the edges of the Night of Navy cardstock after I stamped it with the canvas stamp. In addition to the Heartfelt Stamp set and Canvas stamp I also used the Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp set to keep the birthday greeting simple and not too frilly.

Artistic blog find with beautiful artwork

How talented is this chick!?

Biking Colorado's Wine Country

This is not too far from where I grew up (within a couple hours). I love the way its written. It just makes me want to go there and eat and drink wine- and I'm not that big of a wine drinker!


"The cool mountain air warmed as the sun peeked over the massive caramel Book Cliffs, which appeared chocolate brown in the morning shadow. The range seemed to follow us as we pedaled weather-worn gray roads past bushy cottonwood trees, pastel wildflowers and fruit farms. Sweet stone fruit aromas lingered and the clear cobalt sky promised a beautiful day ahead. We zigzagged undulating one-lane country roads, passing an occasional sluggish tractor humming between farms or an unhurried car. (Although infrequent, some hills require rigorous biking, but the view of the sprawling Grand Valley is well worth the effort.)"

Click here to read more!

punch box flower trio

This was a card I made with last years In Colors: Wild Wasabi (loved that color), Purely Pomengranate, Basic Black inks and paper as well as Whisper White paper. I also used the black gingham ribbon and black brads to hold the ribbon in place. For a little added security on the ribbon I used a couple dabs of adhesive.
Thanks for looking!

Convention 2007 card

What?! Really? What year is this?
This was my card for last years convention. I used the three for you punch box and the hugs and wishes stamp set. The cardstock is pumpkin pie, certainly celery, blue bayou, and purely pomengranate. The ink is blue bayou, purely pomengranate and pumpkin pie. I used the paper piercer and tool kit to punch out the stems and the slot punch to create the scallop border. I know I'm posting it really late but it was about the time my life was put on hold.

Baroque Motifs Card

This card is made with the Baroque Motifs stamp set with Soft Sky and Barely Banana ink and papers. I used ribbon to tie the two sheets of cardstock together, with a couple spots of glue on the ends for extra stability. I used the fire circle brads and apricot appeal grosgrain ribbon. I took the plastic guide off the corner rounder to create the scalloped edge, and the 1/8" handheld punch to make holes to thread the ribbon. Click on the picture to see more details. All Stampin Up! items.
Thanks for looking!

Went geocaching today!

Went for a quick geocache today. Rocks was SO excited to go. While I was getting stuff ready he was whining and sighing like he was going to melt or explode if we didn't leave soon. We found a beautiful little pond or lake tucked back behind some woods in the nearby park. I'll share pictures soon!

I found another blog that was creatively inspiring

Check this out! SJ'S Little Musings. She's on the design team for Queen Kat Designs. (http://qkd.blogspot.com/)

A new blog I stumbled on.

I like her artwork.

Hurricane Ike

Last Sunday they were calling for winds around 30 mph when Ike blew through. When Ike actually showed up it brought hurricane strength winds around 75 mph instead. Trees were going down all over town dragging power lines with them. Transformers were blowing, it was just crazy! 301,000 people lost power in Louisville at the peak. There are still people without power but most everyone I know from work has their power back on now. We got our power on at work on Wednesday. It was very scary to have winds blowing around you like that, especially if you've never experienced that kind of stuff before. I can't imagine what people directly in the path must've and must be going through. WOW.
Hopefully this week everything will return to normal for everyone in the area and they'll all get their power back on.

Scott's Victory Speech (April 2007)

It's been well over a year since this all took place but once I was on YouTube I did a search to watch some of the old videos they had for the campaign and found this. It's not very often you can put your whole family in the same room much less on the same stage/ledge when you have as many as us all over the place.
I was so proud of my family for this and especially of Scott.

Christian the Lion

Have you seen this video? They used this for the Children's Sermon in church last week. Of course I cried.
The way the lion leaps and tackles 'runners' reminds me of my dog. Maybe he's part lion.
I guess this was on the View at some point recently.

Do you have someone in your life that makes you want to be better?

Do you have anyone in your life that makes you want to be better? A better person? A better stamper, scrapper, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, christian? etc.
I have a friend, Brenda, that inspires me to be a better christian. I have my family and friends that make me want to be a better daughter, sister, wife, aunt or friend but I never was really inspired about being a better christian until she helped me out last year. She has been a good friend for a long time but sometimes when you lose something you realize just how important someone is to you. Don't get me wrong, she's still my friend, just a long distance friend now. What I lost was regular face to face access! :)

I'm back!

Ok, partially but at least I hope to be back 100% soon, with pictures and cards and everything!
We bought a house and got moved in the first of August. I have almost everything unpacked- not everything, but a lot!
I have my craft room up and running. yeah! I made a card out of there last night. I don't have a computer at home, set up yet but I will soon.

Things are going well. We love our new home. I am working for a veterinarian.

Pictures will follow!
Now I have to find a way to put up some SU! Decor Elements up on the walls. which ones and which rooms?

What just happened to the last few months?

Well, the last time I posted on here was the end of July. My family showed up the next week to celebrate my Mom's 65th birthday. That was so much fun, even though it lasted a week, it wasn't long enough.
At the end of the week I received a promotion at work. It was stressful for a while. I thought I was interviewing someone to work with side by side after a coworker quit, but it turned out that I was interviewing my replacement for supervisor. What a surprise! That's not what we started out to do, it just turned out that way. I was promoted to Practice Manager. I learned a lot but I ran out of time because...
Within the next couple of weeks after I was promoted, my husband received a job offer. In Louisville, Kentucky.
really? what a commute that will be....
I was in a good place, my Stampin' Up! business was doing well. I had just been promoted and things were going well at work.
Thankfully Rick and I worked it out that I wouldn't need to leave Omaha right away. I could stay behind while the house sold and learn the new aspects of my job. As EVERYONE knows the housing market took a sudden downturn. Well, it seemed sudden to us. We finally sold the house and closed on it at the beginning of February.
I moved to Louisville 4 months after Rick with the dog and all the furniture, etc.
We are currently in a much smaller apartment than the house we were in so it's been interesting getting stuff unpacked.
I have just started looking for jobs. I took time off from that to get acclimated to the area and stuff.
Thankfully my husband loves his new job. I'm glad, I told him he better!!
I don't always deal too well with major changes. Sometimes I can take change in stride, other times it's a big stink.
I have been stamping in the meantime and now I am currently to the point where I can finally unpack my stamping stuff. Most of it anyhow. I hope to get back into the swing of it here soon.

Most of last summer and the fall I was having a hard time wanting to do much of anything. I was having a lot of back and pelvic problems. I had seen the doctor and a physical therapist with no real, lasting relief. The p.t. suggested I had a leg shorter than the other. Hmmm, unfortunately for me I was having growth spurts and then my leg would spontaneously shrink.
I went back to the spine specialist months later and this time I got a MRI done. I found out I had 3 bulging discs. (Oh, is that all?)
No wonder I had so many days I felt like I was going to vomit from the pain or pass out.
I started physical therapy again but this time with a very intelligent woman by the name of Amy. She was FANTASTIC! I tell you, it made all the world of difference to find her. She was able to tell me that in addition to my back problems, my pelvis was "out" in 3 places. She helped me immensely. With her help and the little healing miracle I experienced during this time, I feel so much better. My flare ups and 'episodes' of pain are so much more manageable, shorter in duration and less painful by tenfold.