what do you get when

you combine one of R&B's biggest divas --- Mary J Blige and pop opera icon Andre Bocelli and one of my favorite christmas carols. Something really special indeed. I watched this on Oprah just a few minutes ago and the rewound and watched again and then searched on youtube to share with you --- think of it as an early christmas present. The good stuff starts about 1:30 in...

Easter Pics

Yes I know Easter was 2 weeks ago...blah, blah, blah... it seems like I spend a lot of time 'catching up' on this blog, I suppose it's a little like life in general...always moving at a super speed and find myself having to go back to in time to be thoughtful.

Mary had been practicing 'egg hunts' with Sienna for a couple of weeks so by the time the big day came she was a pro at finding and hiding.

to you and yours...


thanks for sticking with me and this silly blog throughout the year, hope your holidays are everything you dream.

ps. thanks to Becky for the great gift wrap inspiration.

MOMMMMM!?!

...why is there popcorn in the fridge?

ok...so if you read this blog, I'm assuming you know me and know I don't have kiddos. (don't tell Tanner, he might be offended) What you may not know is that I do have imaginary children(by in large are more obedient and slightly cleaner than actual children) that I sometimes have conversations with (yes, I know there's medication for this).

One of these conversations popped into my head as I was setting the final baking project 'white chocolate popcorn' into the fridge to set. What would you do if you opened the door and found two sheets full of popcorn?

Now that's done the holiday baking session is complete...and since Lisa was so kind to ask here's what I made. Email for any of the recipes...

• White Chocolate Toffee Popcorn
• Chex Mix
• Reindeer Chow (an alternate chex mix recipe w/PB and choc. YUM!)
• Blizzard Brittle
• Sugar Cookie Surprises (sugar cookie w/a thin mint tucked in)
• Chocolate Cowboy cookies
• Mega-chocolate chocolate chip cookies
• Oatmeal Raisin cookies
  
• Ooey-Gooey Brownies(you would never believe the recipe came from Cooking Light)
• 7 layer bars
• Kris Kringle cookies (yummy white choc and cherry cookie)
• Peanut Butter Blossoms
• Ritzies (chocolate covered ritz crackers w. PB)

and yes this was me cutting back...obsessed much, not me :) The first boxes have been delivered and now it's time to pack up the rest and get a few crafty projects done.

Time to face facts...

The clock is ticking down to the big day and it's time to face the fact that time has just about run out for me to go on a major baking run and turn out boxes like these. Time for plan B, picking out just a few, but which ones? and do I really have the energy to face Costco today or wait until tomorrow when it's supposed to be cold and snowy...decisions, decisions...these are the things that take the fun out of the season.

Cheater Post...

Just playing catch up with a couple of layouts that I posted on the SD blog the past couple of weeks. I think they're both cute and worthy of the double play. This first layout is about my recreation of Halloween for the sake of a scrapbook page {don't try and pretend you've never done something like this...}and because no week would be complete without some fussy cutting...a little fun with the owl and other Harvest Moon papers from Pink Paislee.

Today...

I played a little 'legal' hooky from work and spent the day with this beautiful girl. We did a little rewind on Halloween when? I found the bumblebee costume in clearance at Target for $3.50 (who could resist that?) I always love when Lisa puts photos in digi frames so I thought I would give it a try for a couple of my favorite shots.

Happy 4th!

Important note to self: Do not go to Starbucks on a holiday and expect the same service and drink as you get on normal days. Alas the poor 'low on the totem pole, have to work a holiday' ladies really have no clue what an 'extra caramel' caramel frap means.

I'm off to Pueblo to celebrate the holiday with fam...hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

Thanks to all who have voted so far. It does my heart good to see that some have you have left my little site via the link. If you have time, would you please vote again today...I'm holding steady at 3rd place with would make me ecstatic, but #4 & 5 are close on my heels. I'm trying to figure out how the top two LOs already have over 100 votes, must be nice to have that many friends.