Challenge at Cornish Heritage Farms!

I don't normally do these - but I made a card for the sketch/product challenge over at the CHF Blog.

I used Bazzill and Paper Reflections cardstock, Crate Paper, Happy Trails and Tag You're It stamps from CHF, twill, embossing plates from QuicKutz and Cuttlebug, and staz on ink.




this will be the card I give Braden for his birthday....thanks for looking :)

Here's what we've been doing...

...blowing bubbles, riding bikes, swinging, and rototilling the flower bed for flower planting.....




this was only his 2nd day riding his bike - we're so happy his legs are now long enough because he's REALLY having fun!













Darren let her loose in the yard - it was FUNNY watching her try to keep up as she pulled the "trigger"!

happy birthday, daddy!

from the kiddos








(picture taken yesterday after they both got new hair cuts!!!!)

38!

Happy Birthday to my super terrific husband!!!!! I love you more and more every day - I'm looking forward to another wonderful year!


I love you!!!
(picture taken on his birthday last year!)

Cross your fingers for me!!!

I just put myself in the drawing for a chance to go to Pioneer Woman's Ranch for a cooking demo!!!! That would be such a dream! She's my cooking idol you know :)

if you haven't checked it out yet - her blog link is on the left - you must pick a recipe and cook it today - you won't be disappointed!

Monkey-do Scraps

I couldn't let the scraps from the "Monkey-do" layout go to waste so I made a card! The ribbon is from my mom - I think she got it from the Target dollar spot - it matches the papers perfectly!

what a day!

wow!

first - Hailee had a soccer game at 9:00 am - that is NOT easy for a family that doesn't do mornings very well! but we made it on time - better than 3 of the other girls! Hailee got in some great, effective kicks, and one of them scored a goal - her FIRST!!!! Because of her first goal she received the MVP award for the day - it's tradition with this coach....all the other girls received their first goal awards one or two seasons ago :)

second - in the parking lot, in the backseat, while buckling Braden in, Hailee was eating the last Oreo from her soccer snack. Out of no-where she jumped out of her seat hysterical and crying. Her tooth came out and was in her hand! LOL Darren and I just laughed! She does this with each tooth (hates the sight of blood and her teeth bleed for a bit when they come out) and it's just too funny to watch!

After we got home, we all changed and went to the walking trail that runs along the turnpike - Braden in his stroller, Hailee on her bike, Sammy on his leash - we walked 2 miles each direction for a total of 4 miles! My butt muscles hurt (I pushed the stroller!) and Hailee was ready to call it quits at 3 miles - but we had to get back! LOL

AFTER THAT we dropped the dog back at home and took the kids to McDonald's for lunch to celebrate Hailee's great game. (don't worry I ordered food I'm allowed to eat!)

Braden wouldn't nap after all this - not sure why....Darren had no trouble! Hailee played outside and I tried to nap during the hour and a half I tried to make Braden nap!

Anyway - it was a great day and we all really enjoyed just being together! Fun start to the weekend!


Here's a picture sure to make you smile (this was after the game, before the walk)

this one was SO fun!

I've wanted to make a layout with this title for a long time now! Braden is often called "monkey-do" for the things he does! We love it! He'll see Darren doing something in the garage so he'll go find something to pick up so that he can mimic him. Hailee will walk around the house on her hands and knees acting like a tiger...Braden will follow right behind. But he mimics good things too - like counting, saying abc's, and so much more. It's a learning technique for him as much as it is just something fun to do.

In these pictures he is showing me his teeth. Hailee had a super loose tooth and I wanted to see it - next thing I see is this face and Braden saying "tee mine mommy?" So I took the pictures!

I also LOVED working with Bungle Jungle from Sassafras! They have become one of my FAVORITE manufacturers!!! You'll see more from this collection - I promise!!!

Dinner tonight!

One of my favorite cookbooks is called "Land of Cotton". My dad and step-mom gave it to me for Christmas in 1993. I use this cookbook more than any of my others.

tonight I'm making this recipe and everyone loves it! We eat it at least once a month!

Alabama's Pepper Steak

2 pounds beef round steak
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1 medium onion, sliced
1 (10 oz.) can beef consomme'
4 tbsp flour
1/2 cup water
black pepper to taste
2 cups diced or sliced bell pepper rings
2 cups chopped celery
4 tbsp soy sauce
3 cups cooked rice (we use regular white - so good with the sauce!)

Cut beef into slices. Heat oil in a large skillet. Cook and stir beef over high heat about 5 minutes or until meat is browned. Add salt, pepper, bell pepper, celery, onion, and consomme'. Cover and cook over low heat until meat and vegetables are tender. Blend flour, water, and soy sauce. Stir into mixture. Cook and stir until mixture is slightly thickened. Serve over bed of rice.


MMMMMM......let me know if you try this! It really is SOOO good!

want to get your TUSH kicked?

then this is for you! I love Jillian and the way she pushes people beyond their limit! and I have to say, even though she isn't IN the room with me, hearing her say things like "flat abs don't come for free" keep me going!



and the fact that she's kicking my butt makes it easy to not eat the things I normally would - because I know she'd have to kick me even harder to get it off! LOL

this can be purchased online from Amazon, Wal-mart, or Target - I bought mine from Amazon and with shipping it was under $12! deal! but - maybe you live in a town that actually carries it in stores - I'm not in one of those towns. sigh.

do YOU like deals???

Jen is offering a great special over at RSC! check it out here ---> April "NO FOOLS" deal!!!









offer ends April 2nd at midnight!