High Hopes Release is Coming!

That's right...it's time for another fun release over at High Hopes!!  This release will get you in the mood for the upcoming warmer weather...along with some fantastic Party designs...and more!

The sneak peeks will begin next Tuesday April 5th with their next challenge.

There will be more peeks on Wednesday, April 6th.

Then there will be a Blog Hop and release on Thursday, April 7th.

Do you want some of the new stamps?

Then help spread the news about their blog hop and release on Thursday, April 7th.

The contest ends 8pm EST on Saturday, April 9th!!

Go here to get started:  http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/2011/03/get-ready-for-new-release.html
 
HAVE FUN!
 
 

A Touch of Spring

My daughter-in-law, Chrysty, creates some really beautiful wreaths.  Here's her latest creation.  Love these spring colors!

Time With Us by Kim Giveaway Event

I just found a fabulous new blog.  Her name is Kim and she has such a sweet creative style.  AND she has a fabulous giveaway going on here:  http://kimarnold.typepad.com/time_with_us/2011/03/giveaway.html. Be sure and tell her I sent you!  And good luck!

"C" is for Cookie

A coworker of mine is having a birthday this weekend, and I bring in treats for him every year. But this year I asked him what his favorite cookie was ... and his response was ... My favorite flavor of cookie is cookie.  I am especially fond of cookies.  I cannot overemphasize that.  Just to be clear, cookie monster was a piker compared to me.

Then I found this adorable photo and couldn't resist a quick post.  But to make it worth your while, I am also posting my personal favorite cookie recipe.  Try it sometime!

CRISPY OATMEAL COOKIES

1 c. shortening

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. white sugar

2 eggs

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. Rice Krispies

2 c. oatmeal

1 c. coconut

Cream together shortening and sugars. Add eggs. Sift in flour, salt, soda and baking powder. Add vanilla, Rice Krispies, oatmeal and coconut. Drop with teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees.  WARNING:  These are HIGHLY addictive!!

Legendary Actress Elizabeth Taylor

We've lost one of America's most endearing and enduring actresses today.   My favorite memories of her have to be her early movies, especially National Velvet.  She was a natural beauty and a silver screen legend.

 

Kiss Me, I'm Irish!

My sister just sent me this collage of photos of my grandniece, Avlyn.

Isn't she just the CUTEST thing ever??!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here’s to you and yours and to mine and ours. And if mine and ours ever come across to you and yours, I hope you and yours will do as much for mine and ours as mine and ours have done for you and yours! –Irish toast

Rhubarb Dump Cake

It's that time of year - RHUBARB season!  YUM!  I remember as a kid we had these stalks growing in the back yard and we would break off pieces of this TART plant and laugh as we all made sour faces. 

I have several "dump" cake recipes and this is one of the easiest ways to enjoy rhubarb in  my opinion.  Give it a try and see what you think!

What You Need
1 lb. fresh rhubarb, chopped (about 4 cups)
1/2 cup sugar
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 cup water 1/3 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Make It

HEAT oven to 350ºF.


PLACE rhubarb in 13x9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with sugar and dry gelatin mix.

BEAT cake mix, water and butter with whisk until well blended. Pour over rhubarb; spread to completely cover rhubarb.

BAKE 45 min. or golden brown. Serve warm topped with COOL WHIP.

ENJOY!!!

Cinnamon - Never "Optional"

The Pioneer Woman has a recipe for Snickerdoodle Muffins on her blog this morning.  My son's FAVORITE ingredient is Cinnamon.  Whenever he sees a recipe where cinnamon is "optional" his favorite comeback line is Cinnamon is NEVER optional!! And my son's FAVORITE cookies are snickerdoodles, although my daughter would argue that it's HER favorite cookie (to which my son would argue that he's older so the original idea is his) ... anyway, for sure I will definitely be making these little gems for her to try at our next "dinner at Mom's" night.

RECIPE can be found here:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen-blog/2011/03/step-by-step-snickerdoodle-muffins/  ENJOY!!!

Spring Forward

There are several posts I came across today that were butterfly inspired, so I sat down and created this spring card to celebrate Daylight Savings today.  I do so love having more sunshine later into the evening rather than coming home in the dark. So Happy Spring everyone and go out and enjoy some sunshine!

Hero Arts Layered Stamp Backgrounds Tutorial

Hop on over to the Hero Arts blog today as there is an amazing video tutorial on how to layer stamped backgrounds - easy peasy and what GORGEOUS results.  Go here:  http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/

Happy Birthday to Me !!

Yesterday was my birthday.  I want to thank my fabulous friends and family for all of the birthday wishes, emails, ecards and handmade cards, cake, lunches, dinners, presents ... well, you get the idea.  It just makes my heart happy to have so many special people in my life that made my birthday even more special by remembering me.

And another shout out to all of those who have joined my blog recently.  It amazes me how many of you find my blog worth your time and worthy enough to come back and visit.  Thank you and I'll give it my best to keep you entertained. 

National Pancake Day - Got Syrup?

Although my kids might argue that I'm one pancake short of a full stack, I still contend that pancakes are one of my TOP TEN favorite things to enjoy for dinner.  I'm not a morning person, and much prefer to enjoy my pancakes late at night, slathered in butter and syrup.  And I insist on adding blueberries to my pancakes, just to make it a healthier choice.  But be warned - the blueberries have to be FRESH and INSIDE the pancakes. NOT added on top in some sort of suspicious fruit compote mixture you will find in some restaurants.  What's your favorite way to eat pancakes?  Do you make them yourself or go out to a special breakfast place.  I think the best pancake I ever had was at the Aunt Jemima restaurant YEARS ago at Walt Disney World in Anaheim, California.  Although it might be that the memories of that pancake are interlaced with memories of meeting Mickey Mouse, but it was still a VERY good pancake.  My second choice would have to be the pancakes at Cracker Barrel - and then of course Village Inn makes a darn good light and fluffy version that demands equal billing.  The only thing that completes this meal is a large glass of ice cold milk.  I cannot eat anything with syrup without having milk ... think it stems from some sort of childhood event, but that's another story for another time.  So please pass me the Log Cabin syrup and have a sweet evening!