{ With A Happy Heart }

... I've always created { dd } Sophie's Valentines. Generic... store bought... for our daughter - NO WAY, I respond to others. Deprave myself of the insane last minute-ness

of Sophie's decision to reciprocate { past 2 years } the evening prior!

Valentine's morning saw us scurrying to the local post office to mail a handmade surprise or two

... my "internet" friend from MN { shock probably set in - wink }

and a couple for people alone. Our big hearted girl, Sophie felt badly these

individuals might not be remembered.

Twenty-two mini versions { no paper piercing } of the above card were created for fifth grade...

along with carrot cake - pink cream cheese frosted hearts and cookies...

{ sorry for the missed photo opt - no freakin' me out time }

Well worth every minute...

Sophie's classmates voted them their best or favorite Valentine received { two happy hearts - her's and mine }!

Even though sixth grade brings an end to class parties...

we've discussed ideas for our happy heart day { 2010 }

recipients.

{ kindness kindles hearts }

{ 52-Q Week 1 & Week 2 }

{ Week 1 - what do i wish for this year to bring }

To this { ? } my answer would be...

For 2009 to bring a positive global awakening on many levels.

The back of my tag holds a { Personal } wish for my family.

{ Week 1 tag - created embossed frame using an aluminum can }

{ Week 2 - am i afraid of change }

No... I wouldn't classify it as fear...

My analytical nature doesn't always accept, adjust and adapt immediately

pending the change...

... however, FAITH sustains me.

Looking forward to creating weeks 3 & 4...

certainly 'hope' you'll be by for another visit soon?!

{ Daybook 4 }

For today...

23 - February - '09

26 degrees out

fresh falling snow, still falling...

W-I-N-D-Y

Outside my window...

Thursday's storm { of 7" } combined with a childs play

left this lovely sight behind...

{ Smile }

I am thinking...

more like remembering the feel - smell - sights of

SPRINGS return...

{ happy sigh }

I am thankful for...

opportunity to create a better day,

than yesterday.

From the kitchen...

nothing brewin' or cookin'

... yet... !

{ wink }

I am wearing...

a pair of...

jeans

happy socks

slippers

earrings

accessorized by...

ls shirt

fleece

and specs.

I am creating...

pages 3 & 4 of my Q-52

in my mind...

I am going...

for a walk with the family to our town library

for the classic movie, West Side Story...

DD Sophie's request.

I am hearing...

the w-i-n-d howling outside

familiar hum of the pellet stove

Animal Planet

and the ocassional Sophie giggle.

I am hoping...

for an even more productive day than yesterday.

Around the house...

we've been on a slow role, but are starting to gather some

gusto for the big get-up and go...

LOTS of shoveling awaits!

{ ACK }

One of my favorite things...

... piping hot bowl of raisin spice oatmeal topped with a smidgeon

of 1/2 & 1/2...

{ Mmmm... }

... plenty to share.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

usual daily { over & over work } around the house

working outside our home to supplement & sustain our home

{... which I'm so blessed everyday this continues }

attempt to bring my Q-52 current...

or at least within a single question of current!

{ chuckle }

A picture to share...

you've viewed Outside my window... already!

More daybook entries can be viewed here.

{ Ladle Full Of Goodness }

Looking for easy-peasy... like you slaved all day tasty bowl of goodness that will have even your pickiest connoisseurs coming back for seconds?!

Rustic Italian Tortellini

12 Italian sweet sausage links {approx. 4 oz. each}, sliced & casings removed

1 med. onion, chopped

6 garlice cloves, minced

8 C. chicken broth

2 {14.5 oz.} cans of diced tomatoes, undrained

1 {20 oz.} family size pkg. of refrigerated {fresh in deli} cheese tortellini

2 {6 oz.} pkgs. of fresh baby spinach

1 t. dried basil or 2 1/4 t. fresh basil, minced {oregano or thyme can be substituted}

1/2 t. pepper

Optional -

dash of crushed red pepper flakes

Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions -

1. Add sausage to Dutch oven; add onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink in color.

2. Add garlic; cook and stir add'l. 2 minutes.

3. Add chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil.

4. Stir in tortellini; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered approx. 5 to 8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stirring occasionally.

5. Add spinach, basil, pepper and pepper flakes; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or until spinach is wilted.

Ladle and serve with Parmesan cheese.

Yum-O, Delish... Our family of 3 enjoyed a couple of meals with seconds PLUS a few lunches... Great way to add a meal to the freezer when a quick meal is needed!

Be sure to take five minutes for yourselves today... better yet, 30 minutes could really be rejuvenating! { HUGS }

Recipe Courtesy of Foodiewife with modifications by A. Sanborn

{ Fifty-two ? }

Emily's 52Q mini art journal challenge for 2009 is based on a single question {Emily's choice} posted each week for 52 weeks. Every week { Sunday -or- Monday } a new { ? } will be posted... our challenge is to { artfully } journal the { ? } of the week.

Emily opted to use manila shipping tags { found at office supply stores }, writing her { ? } on the front and journaling on the back. Love the manila tags idea... HOWEVER due to economic times choices were made from the bounty of items on hand -or- repurposed items.

Remember...

It's NEVER to late to join the fun!

s-m-a-l-l isn't as OVERWHELMING combined with the K-I-S-S technique...

Off to play a bit of catch-up with weeks 1 & 2 { ? }

Today was meant for enjoying your hearts desire!

Repurposed cardboard box insert used in creating front & back covers.

{ Wake-up Phil }

Fingers crossed our groundhog friend, Punxsutawney Phil won't see his shadow! So we might enjoy an earlier spring for once... What do you say, Phil... it's suppose to reach forty today?!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Photo Courtesy of Washingtonpost

{ 2009 - 1st Day }

2009 - January - 1st

... with a New Year comes NEW experiences

traditionally our family's holidays are spent together over a meal.

breaking with tradition...

we're taking Sophie and her friend, Sarah off to a matinee of

The Tale of Despereaux

... wondering how the movie will critique over the book...

on our drive home!

--- our last day of 2008 was spent with NEW experiences as well ---

31st - December - 2008

... Our family decided to break with the tradition of Chinese take-out this year!

a NEW experience of dining on a variety of NEW appetizers

consisted of ...

mini sloppy-joe sliders

loaded sweet potato skins

spinach - artichoke dip w/ veggies

Crockpot mini meatballs

{ from scratch }

followed by the movies...

WALL . E

{ agreedily, CUTE... but not PIXAR'S best }

- and -

The Bucket List

{ PHENOM... a post to follow }

... bringing us into the New Year

Sophie's FIRST new experience of staying AWAKE...

12 minutes after MIDNITE to see the going and coming of a year!!!

{ Autumn Harvest }

In 1621

Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians

shared an autumn harvest feast known as the first Thanksgiving

celebration.

A time of reflecting on the blessings we're so THANKFUL ...

... From our home to yours

a Thanksgiving Day

filled with blessings and love ...

{ Daybook 3 }

For Today...

17 - November - '08

34.5 degrees out

windy - Brrr...

Outside my window...
one can see silhouettes of towering

trees at the forest edge against a dark gray skyline.

I am thinking...

of the turbulant times that lay before us all

during these economic times.

... continually pray for our fellow man.

I am thankful for...

... the GOD given ability to feel...

whether it be physical or emotional.

From the kitchen...

the lingering smell of a Sunday dinner of

roast turkey with the fixins'

potato with gravy

- and -

dill carrots

delish...

I am wearing...
... usual pair of LL Bean jeans

ls black tee

seedlin' green zippered fleece

happy sox

seedlin' green clogs

wedding rings

time piece

vintage gold charm bracelet

precious gold oval hoops

pancake pearls

- and -

a hint of Haiku

I am creating...

a niche for a wee bit of creating

time...

Christmas is coming.

I am going...

to be a bit ragged with the rigorous work

schedule before me this week.

however...

it's all good.

I am hearing...

the filtration of the 72 gallon bowfront

fish aquarium

from the living room.

I am hoping...

the snow will continue to hold off for another week

... maybe two.

Around the house...

dh is busily preparing for an earlier start to

his work day...

furnace just kicked on.

One of my favorite things...

is curling up on the sofa under a cozy quilt

my fur baby... Mox in tow

a good hot cuppa hazelnet to

whilst settling in to view an olde

Christmas classic such as

It's a Wonderful Life

- or -

A Christmas Carol

based on the original story by

Charles Dickens

A few plans for the rest of the week...

plans to don a few different caps

Chef's hat...

creating a homemade turkey soup with leftovers.

Gopher hat...

drop a couple of forgotten sweaters at the dry cleaners

Salesman cap...

school raffle tickets

... and spaghetti dinner open house

Taxi cap...

transporting a child between afterschool

art... chorus & band

programs.

I think you get the gest of things.

{ smile }

... last, but not least...

a picture to share

Hope is the thing

with feathers

that perches in the soul

and sings the tune

without the words

and never stops at all.

- Emily Dickinson

{ 11 + 11 + 11 = }

Armistice Day...

went into effect the

eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month

in 1918.

...not until 1926 did November 11th

actually become known as a holiday in the United States.

June 1st of 1954...

the name was changed to Veterans Day

to honor all United States veterans.

To all who've served this Great Nation...

Thank-you for an extraordinary job, well done.

Happy Armistice Day Bloggyland.

Photo found here

{ Daybook 2 }

For Today...

10 - November - '08

Outside my window...

...pitch blackness

I am thinking...

...keeping my faith Dad's procedure will go well this AM.

PLEASE don't let a moose cross our path...

as we'll never see him this early

in the morning.

I am thankful for...

... for GOD blessing me with a devoted,

supportive husband that can always

make me laugh even when I'm least deserving.

Thank-you both!

From the kitchen...

... smells of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee.

yum-o...

I am wearing...

... pair of LL Bean jeans

olive green cable v-neck sweater

leather coat

socks

pair of wooden chestnut clogs

wedding rings

precious gold oval hoops

vintage gold charm bracelet...

I am creating...

... a handwritten list for handmade Christmas gifts with

a bunch of items...

currently qualifying as an organized

mess.

I am going...

... to bed extra early...

I am hearing...

... the coffee maker...

I am hoping...

... to blog something, anything for my

Bloggyland friends this week.

Around the house...

... a peaceful quiet.

One of my favorite things...

... having a few quiet moments with a fresh cuppa

and Bloggyland friends... while the house continues it's slumber

accompanied by my ever faithful companion

... Moxie.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

... catching up on much needed slumber,

accomplishing tasks on an ever growing todo list

creating a birthday & thank-you card

... last, but not least...

a picture to share

More daybook entries here

{ 1st Daybook Entry }

For Today...

03 - November -'08

Outside my window...

Fallen leaves reflect the warm glow of a nearby

street lamp over the ground...

reverberating solitude.

I am thinking...

I've been away for such a long period of time

here in Bloggyland...

where does one begin to share again?!

From the kitchen...

The smell of freshly brewed chocolate cappuccino

... help yourself.

I am wearing...

jeans, ls brown tee layered with a seedling fleece,

soxs and seedling clogs.

I am creating...

Nothing at this very moment...

Hope to accomplish a card design using a new

paper punch that will be delivered by

week's end or sooner.

I am going...

to strive to be productive in my accomplishments...

like I did in my twenties

... at least this week.

I am hearing...

Someone getting an early start to their day.

I am hoping...

To make headway on the v-a-s-t project that lay

before me today!

Around the house...

A load of clothes to be folded, one for the dryer and another

to be thrown in...

One of my favorite things...

Autumn's...

vibrant hues of color, smell of hardwood smoke curling from a chimney,

good smells... such as apple and pumkin from the oven,

rustling of fallen leaves, warmth of a favorite sweater,

another Halloween & Thanksgiving celebration

... yet the passing of another season.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Amongst the usual daily rigors...

continued success with weeding and re-organizing

the vast accumulation of clutter thrust out of

no where...

...last, but not least...

a picture to share

More daybook entries here

{ Remember... }

to turn your time-piece back an hour...

as daylight savings falls with October's passing.

November

Cardmaker's Calendar

4th - Election Day

Stand up and make a difference!

If you don't vote, you can't complain!

11th - Armistice Day

... or better known as Veteran's Day to Americans.

A handmade thank-you card to a Veteran

acknowledging our freedoms is a nice

gesture that we've not forgotten their sacrifices for our country.

13th - World Kindness Day

Could this lead to global PEACE?!

17th - World P-E-A-C-E Day

Begins with us extending ourselves to our fellow man.

Hopeful to see a global PEACE in my lifetime.

27th - Thanksgiving Day

What better expression of gratitude to those who

enrich our daily lives...

than with a stamped creation expressing our thanks.

28th - Black Friday

Whilest some complete Christmas shopping...

others will be trimming the tree or finishing up Christmas Greetings for mailing.

Ideas from INKAnews

Flowers for Daisy

Remembering so clearly...

The day my dear friend, Asela called to enlist help with assisting in the promotion of her newest set "Flowers for Daisy." Asela channeled her talents into creating this beautiful set with her special friend, Daisy in mind. You see, Daisy is currently in a courageous fight with cancer. Cancer has touched so many of our lives. My Dad was afflicted by cancer a year ago. Not to mention a dear childhood friend of mine's Mum was afflicted by cancer the same time, same year. We often humored that we were probably passing each other on our trips to Hanover. Humor is a saving grace. Each of us knows or has known someone afflicted by cancer.

$4.00 of every retail set sold will be donated to the American Cancer Society until the end of August as a collaborative effort by both, Asela Hopkins and Gina K. Designs.

Over the next few days be sure to visit these talented designer's blogs for inspirational ideas using Asela's beautiful set of nine images and bible verses, "Flowers for Daisy" available for purchase Thursday; July 24 at Gina K. Designs.

Amy Westerman

Asela Hopkins - Artist

Debbie Olson

Gina K.

Keri Lee Sereika

Lauren Meader

Sharon Harnist

Taylor Van Bruggen

Asela's written a beautiful post with a wonderful scrapbook layout of her friend Daisy... a definite must read. Gina K. is such an inspiration to the stamp industry with her generous spirit to help others with a cause. You might say, a bit of an angel here on earth. Gina... I sure hope our paths cross again in this life.

As you can probably see it's been a l-o-n-g stretch of time since I last picked up a stamp. It sure felt good to create again. Feel welcome to come sit a spell on the porch swing and share in some tea sipping conversation if your in the neighborhood.

Snail Mail to Cherish

Definitely a beautiful Blogger's RAK my blogging friend Tammy Fite of Stamp with Tammy snail mailed me... sure beats e-mail anyday of the week! {smiles}

Unfortunately my photo doesn't give this card the appreciation it deserves. The color combination is simply striking not to mention the ribbon detail! I definitely will "cherish" this beauty a long time to come... Never mind the personalization within. {wink} Please take a trip with a simple click to Tammy's blog for some great inspiration... you'll thank me later! {wink}

Definitely appreciated the ray of sunshine you lent to my day, Tammy! Thank-you! {hugs}

Always look forward to your swinging by for a spell. Enjoy the day!

Penny Thoughts

Phew... finally... a moment to share 2 of 3 "re-created" designs for this years AES Penny Sale donation.

During my l-o-n-g hiatus from blogging this was one of many projects on my honey-DO list as long as my arm and ever growing. {wink} I mention re-create due impart to the lack of photographing prior to delivery. This years penny sale raised just around $4,000 for the AES scholarship fund.

Card No. 1 -

1. Finished card measurements of 4 3/4 X 4 3/4.

2. Use a 1 1/4" square punch for 8 DP pieces and 1 solid square. Ink a BG with VersaMark and pierce. Adhere squares to card base... using dimensionals on middle square.

3. Punch either side of sentiment, thread ribbon, adhere oval to green square and finish off with two pearls.

Card No. 2 -

1. Finished card measurement of 4 3/4 X 4 3/4 with rounded corners.

2. Cut {approx.} a 2 3/4" X 4" strip of violet cardstock, stamp with BG and round corners with a corner rounder.

3. Cut {approx.} a 2 7/8" X 4 3/4" strip of olive cardstock, adhere a 2 1/2" X 5" strip of DP to your olive cardstock leaving an appealing amount of color to pierce on either side. Wrap, tie and randomly adhere ribbon into position.

4. Adhere strips in place. Using dimensionals add oval containing sentiment to ribbon. Add pearl accents.

XTRA -
1. Figure placement of card pieces prior to piercing unseen areas.
2. Add a clean finish to any card simply by wraping a layered strip.

Stamps:
- Lots of Thoughts by SU!
- Sanded BG by SU!

Ink:
- Eggplant Adirondack Dye Ink by Ranger
- VersaMark by Tsukineko

Cardstock:
- Old Olive and Vintage Violet {retired} by SU!
- Ivory {unknown}
- DP by Heidi Grace Designs

Accessories:
- Vintage Violet Stitched Grosgrain by SU! {retired}
- Pearls by Hero Arts

Tools:
- 1 1/4" square punch by EK Success
- 1/4" circle punch {unknown}
- corner rounder by CM
- oval punch by SU!
- paper piercer

Thanks for taking a moment to mosey over the pickets for a chat neighbor!

Flowers For Mum

Mother's Day A day observed in honor of mothers, on the second Sunday of May.

Hopefully all you mothers enjoyed your hearts disire on your special day?!

Mother's day was intended to be a quick trip to Capital City for a dress and shoes for Sophie. AES is holding their spring concert this coming Thursday evening. Sophie has a narrative part this year. {proud mom moment} A stop at LL Bean's proved profitable! LL Bean was running an additional 10% off everything in the store! The day ended with dinner out.

Do I... don't I... precisely the question I pondered while searching for just the right Mother's Day card this year? Okay, color me guilty for even considering the purchase of a card! My wonderful family helping me in my search for the right card. All the while proclaiming aloud how much nicer mum's {that would be me} cards are than these store bought things refered to as cards... FINE! I'll make a card! Well, here's where my creativity lead me... SIMPLE!

If time allowed and mum wasn't a regular viewer... I'd have chosen to share with all of you sooner! {wink}

MANY THANKS to those of you who continued to take a moment to visit during the days of my inability to post regularly.

May

Cardmaker's Calendar

3rd - Nat'l Scrapbooking Day

Workshops, crops and sales...

Join the nationwide event of stocking up

on supplies and ideas!

4th - World Laughter Day

Laughter being the best medicine...

Practice random acts of silliness to spread a little cheer!

6th - Teacher's Day

Create a personal thank-you with your child

for their teacher.

11th - Mother's Day

Remember Mum with a handstamped card,

and jot down a funny memory or poignant moment

that defined your life.

17th - Armed Forces Day

Honor those in the military with a

heartfelt thank-you for all they do for our country.

26th - Memorial Day

Originally called Decoration Day, a day of remembrance
of those who have died in our nation's service.
Flowers and small American flags are traditionally placed on graves
of fallen soldiers that fought to defend our freedom!

Ideas from INKAnews