{ Armistice of 2009 }

Americans

Respect

Military

Independence

Salute {{ our }} Soldiers

Tribute

Integrity

Comrades

Equal

There aren't enough words to express the gratitude felt by those of us fortunate enough to sleep under the quilt of freedom provided through the service of our Veterans!

Thank-you for your dedication to keep this Great Nation FREE!

Photo available here

} Your Special Day {

Sharing a slightly varied version of a card given mum for Mother's Day.

My perfectionistic nature tends to trip me up in the satisfaction department!

The variations consist of...

vertical vs. horizontal, addition of ribbon and add'l. butterfly.

... am I happy now!? Um... maybe! Yet another version tugging at my thinker. { LOL }

Simply the nature of the beast!

Since I have a lack of thoughts to elaborate on at this hour of the morning...

I'll attempt a wee bit of paper play to share later.

{ -A. }

} Cuppa Enjoyment {

JUST a little something...

designed to hold a gift card for some Newman's iced cuppa's for DH

{ darling hubby - wink } to enjoy at his leisure.

A teeny splurge we randomly enjoy throughout the summer season.

Coffee wasn't my cuppa... at least not until I began courting DH

... over 22 years ago.

Certainly not myself without the usual travel mug of coffee per AM. Chilly fall days bring the enjoyment of a cuppa decaf together and hot summer days we enjoy a mid-afternoon refresher of iced Newman's

Life's too short not to allow ourselves a few indulgences...

Wouldn't one agree?

My apologies for seeming in a bit of a R-U-S-H...

today is definitely a { 10 } on the scale of BUSY! Thursday brings AES' spring concert.

Not to mention DH winning four tickets to see a Fisher Cat's game this Friday!

Remember to take a moment to smell the roses

... whatever that rose may be?!

{ Serving of Thanks }

Seriously now... where has time flown?!

Well... it's sorta kinda been a blur... it's gone so fast?! As most of you know work keeps me out of trouble most of the time. Homework, end of school year { xtra } book fairs, Mother's and Father's day luncheons, beach day, class trips, last day of school planning, etc.... There never seems to be a lack of TA-DA'S on my list!

Okay, so let's go back to the month of April when our daughter, Sophie celebrated another cake n'candle day! Phew... I'm maturing rapidly! These were the "thank-you" cards I created for Sophie to write her notes of appreciation to those who remembered her special day. What better way to "serve" thankfulness than on "hob-nail" milk glass the old-fashion way. Unfortunately... as a society we've misplaced our values along with etiquette when it comes to mailing a note of thanks. { I shoulder some of the blame here... } NO MORE! It's become increasingly important for our family to gravitate back to "grass roots" living on multiple levels these days.

We { all three } were happy with the outcome...

What say you?

Stamps:

- Bold thank... by Penny Black

- Cupcake by Hampton Arts Studio G

- I do by Hampton Arts Studio G

{ * Studio G can be found in Michael's $pot near you }

Ink:

- Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance by Tsukineko

Cardstock:

- Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Kraft and Whisper White by SU!

Accessories:

- White Opaque Pen by Inkssentials

Tools:

- Circle Punch and Scallop Border Punch by SU!

- Brackets Punch by McGill

- Dots A2 Embossing Folder by CuttleBug

A happy beginning of the week to you!

{ -A. }

{ Kitchen Kreative }

Part of my joy is being -creative- in the kitchen as well as my stamping area.

Sweet potato casserole is part of our family holiday side dishes... we refer to as

legalized dessert!

Even the pickiest of eaters can't resist the temptation for "dessert" with

dinner... { wink } My apologies if you came looking for a paper creation. Personally, I find diversified blogs more interesting. What say you?

Sweet Potato Casserole -

5lbs. sweet potatoes - boiled & mashed

3 large eggs

1/2 C. sugar

2/3 C. melted butter

1/3 C. heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. nutmeg { 3/4 tsp. for us }

1/2 tsp. allspice { + a smidge for us }

Beat the eggs and stir in potatoes. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread into GREASED shallow baking dish. Approx. 13 X 9 pan. { vintage pie plates for us }

Topping -

1 C. brown sugar

1/3 C. flour

1 C. chopped pecans

1/3 C. butter or margarine { broken into small pcs. }

Blend the topping mixture with fork or hand. Sprinkle over the top of potato mixture.

Bake approx. 60 to 70 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

T-GOD-IF! Today finds me thanking our good Lord for a much needed school vacation for rest and regrouping the soul.

Thank-you for the "windowsill" visit while the sweet potato casserole cooled.

If your in the area... stop by for a visit... we'd love to see you!

{ Tax & Tea Day }

April 15th marks the final day for your tax contribution to BIG GOVERNMENT .

Today also marked the modern day Boston Tea Parties held around the USA.

Really it was T N' T day... { wink }

{ Easter Past }

Just imagine...

A few days ago we found ourselves preparing for Easter dinner, an egg hunt

and gathering goodies for Easter baskets. In a blink of an eye it's come and gone for another year!

Now... I find myself creating a few 'thank-you' cards for those fifth grade

mum's willing to provide baked goods for the Easter celebration.

Are you tiring of the clean and simple creations around

paper punches and the same color combinations used prior?!

Okay... we'll change-up the next creation or two... I promise... really!

Oh... almost forgot... has anyone noticed? Notice what you say...

this will be my FOURTH { yes... count them} day in a row to post something NEW

for you!

Stamps:

- Stem Silhouettes by SU!

Ink:

- Pearlescent Chocolate Brilliance by Tsukineko

- Pearlescent Moonlight White Brilliance By Tsukineko

Cardstock:

- Certainly Celery, Kraft, Old Olive and Soft Sky {retired} by SU!

- Shimmer Pink {unknown}

Accessories:

- 3mm Adhesive Pearls by Hero Arts

Tools:

- Egg {medium} Punch by Carl

- Dotted Wave Edger Punch by EK Success { NEW }

Never so happy as when you come by to share a hi...