Feb 14

I made this Valentine's card for my single sister. I used BasicGrey Blush and Bittersweet paper, Cardstock from the Paper Studio, Chatterbox, and DCWV Glitter paper for the frosting on the cupcake. The sentiment is a Studio G stamp, which I traced with a dark brown marker. I used brown chalk ink from Color Box for the edges of the cupcake and the card. The cupcake was cut using my Cricut and Doodlecharms, cut off the candle, and I used a circle punch for the cherry. The glittery hearts behind the cupcake are from Hobby Lobby's Valentine Collection.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

I have been on a cupcake kick lately- and red velvet is my FAVORITE! In case you would like to try these yummy treats for yourself, here is the recipe (adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe):

Red Velvet Cupcakes

3/4 c. Butter, softened

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/3 c. cocoa

1 tsp each of salt and baking soda

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

2 Tbsp liquid red food color

2 tsp white vinegar

2 1/2 c. cake flour (not self-rising)

Cream cheese frosting:

2 (8 oz.) blocks of cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. butter,softened

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Sprinkles!!!!

Heat oven to 350. In a large bowl with mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla 2 minutes until creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until blended. Stir buttermilk, food coloring, and vinegar in a 2-cup measure until well blended. With mixer on low speed, beat in flour in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk mixture in 2 additions, beating just until blended. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 of the way full and bake about 15-18 minutes for mini cupcakes, 20-25 minutes for regular size.

Don't forget the fabulous frosting! First, beat the cream cheese and butter in a mediium bowl with mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. On low speed, add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Increase the speed to high and beat until smooth and fluffy. Frost cupcakes and add sprinkles (this is important!) Refrigerate until serving. Dive in- I DARE you to try to just eat one!

Feb 13

I made this Valentine's card for my 2 Peas secret sis using my Cricut and SCAL. The Hugs and Kisses word art svg is from http://scrap-savvy.com/ , and I'm not sure where I got the svg for the Hershey's Kiss.

Feb 12

So, my secret sis package arrived today- Oh, so much scrappy goodness! I was spoiled beyond belief!And chocolate, and a candle, and stamps...I can't wait to play with it all!

Feb 11

Evan's favorite winter pastime-video games!

Feb 10

I made this cute little treat purse as a gift for Lisa's birthday using my Cricut and Sure Cuts Alot, and a svg file I got from http://dan99.blogspot.com/

The paper I used was by Heidi Grace, and I filled it with little Dove chocolates.

Feb 9

My "Valentine's Flowers"! I have been wanting a food processor for soooo long now-Eric told me he would take me today and get me one for my Valentine's Day gift. I am so happy- this will last much longer than flowers, anyway.

Feb 8

Here's my layout for week 5 sketch at 52 Sketches, 52 Weeks. The papers are: DCWV Rock Star Stack (lips), Bazzill Basics (scalloped circle), DCWV Metallic Stack(circle). I also used Grungeboard by Tim Holtz, black glitter Thickers by American Crafts, and flower by The Paper Studio, rhinestone brad by Making Memories.

Feb 7

Evan talked me into a game of Battleship with him and Cecilia-it brought back memories of many hours of battleship with Josh.

Feb 6

It finally started to warm up a little, so it was time to send the kids outside for a little bit of fresh air to burn off that "cabin fever"!

Feb 5

Trying this out-we'll see how good it is.

Feb 4

I cut these mug cards out for the twins' Pre-K class to decorate today.

Feb3

A get well card I made for a friend. I used: Basic Grey Romani papers, iridescent vellum, a rhinestone brad from Making Memories, and a Martha Stewart edge punch.

Feb 2

My layout for week 4 at 52 Sketches...52 Weeks.

Feb 1-Superbowl Sunday! Go Steelers!

My little football fan, hot wings all over his face! We had so much fun watching our team win! And you should have heard the yelling!

Jan 31

Cecilia's poor, poor "ducky". I felt so bad when she tried to tape the leg on, that I had to sew it up. She loves that little thing so much!

Jan 30

Twopeasinabucket had a promotion going on this month that rewarded us for posting layouts to their website:post 20, get $20.00 to use in their store. I had so much fun shopping for my scrappin goodies, and my box came today! And I saw this magazine with the adorable cupcakes on the cover, so I had to pick it up!

Jan 29

The snow has started to melt, but I thought I would just snap one more photo...

No Bake Chocolate Cookies

Jan 28: Yum, yum! So who remembers this tasty treat from their childhood? The main difference in my recipe and many that are out there is the addition of peanut butter and cinnamon, which I add to most of the chocolate treats I make, because I love the way the cinnamon enhances the chocolate. Here's my recipe:

2 c. sugar

1 stick margarine

4T. cocoa

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 c. peanut butter

3 c. quick oatmeal

Bring sugar, margarine, cocoa, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla to a boil. Add peanut butter and oats. Mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper, then refridgerate until cool (Don't be impatient and burn all of your tastebuds off like me!).

More snow photos

The others were for Project 365, these are just a few more snow photos I threw in for fun!

Caitlin and Natalie

Evan winding up to throw a snowball at me

Natalie used up 2 sets of gloves-got them wet and muddy. You would think she was a boy the way she loves to play in the mud!

Sassy Cece-telling me how much she loves the snow.

Jan 28

Well, we got our "winter storm"! Luckily the ice is not too bad around this part of Tennessee, and the kids were SOOO excited about the snow! This is my favorite snapshot of the day, a photo of the kids testing the ice in a puddle in our yard.

Jan 27

Since there was a threat of an ice/winter storm, I had to hook up the phone with a cord, just in case the power went out.

Jan 26

I have been fighting a cold and today was one of those days where I just wanted to stay in bed. Sore and achey all over. Blech!

Jan 25

So, who's up for a game of Clue? Board games a some of the best family together time there is. We had so much fun!

Jan 24

Today, I am sharing a scan instead of a photo. This is my page for the sketch at

http://52sketches52weeks.com/ for week #3. The photo is from Eric and my wedding.

Jan 23

I FINALLY got this tree down. I have been putting it off and putting it off, and so tired every time I've been home. Well, I fianlly just sucked it up and got it done. I couldn't stand looking at it in the living room any more!

Jan 22

My favorite part of the day, I'm almost ashamed to say, is just after they go to sleep- the house is so peaceful and quiet!

Jan 21

Got to have my lotion! I must have lotion for my hands and feet- the thicker and creamier, the better. Can't make it through a day without lotion!

Jan 20

Some pictures from my TV screen:
















Today was a great day for our country! Tears filled my eyes as I watched history unfold, and thought about the awesome burden that is being laid at our new President's feet. I am so touched by the amount of emotion that is so evident on so many faces as they witness what they thought would never happen.It is especially touching to see the older black people who had to struggle in the civil rights movement, and not be afford the same rights as others. I can't help but think that this is the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hoped and prayed for. But while we have come far, I hope we do not stop here, and carry on until we all can truly walk as one people.
















I have to say, this was one of my favorite (and most touching) moments of the day. Beyonce did an incredible job singing the Etta James' song, "At Last", which was mine and Eric's song for our first dance at our wedding. The First Couple looked amazing, and again, it was so touching to watch the emotions on people's faces.

Jan 19

I colored my hair today- trying to get back to my natural color-I'm getting closer! This, by the way, is the best smelling stuff I have ever used!