Merry Christmas!

As you may have noticed, I have been taking a break from blogging over the holiday season but I wanted to stop back in to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. More then that though - my hope is that you will find joy in all kinds of little things in the coming year. Thank you for being a part of my life and for the friendship you have shared! {{hug!}}

Blog Candy

My dear friend Char is having an awesome give away on her blog. Check it out! Today is the last day so hurry! :)

Layouts

I haven't shared any layouts in awhile so I thought I would post a few today :) Both of these were made for the last Feeling Scrappy sketch class. I have been taking a small break from scrapping to get a jump on the holidays but I am starting to miss it so I am sure I will be heading back into the scraproom soon :)

Happy Wednesday!

Best Shot Monday - 12/7/09

My best shot this week was this sunset taken on the James river. We took some time to go for a walk in our favorite spot - Belle Island and this was one of many photos I took during our hike around the island. So lucky to have such a beautiful spot so close to home.

8 Things: Thanksgiving

For this Thursday, Thanksgiving day, I couldn't resist an 8 things I am thankful for today.

1.) Family - it is so nice to have our family gathered together here in our home. It is hard when you move away from family so twice as nice to have them here.

2.) Traditions - like fun rules. They give everything order and a starting point but are flexible and you can start a new one whenever you want.

3.) Food - enjoying dishes that we only make a couple times a year. YUM!

4.) Telephone - so glad we are able to talk with those we love that can't be here.

5.) Games - love playing board and cards games and am looking forward to some lively ones this afternoon.

6.) Weather - we have fantastic weather in Virginia - it is still fall here and just a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day.

7.) Christmas music - yep - we start listening to it this weekend and I love it!

8.) Decorations - our house is all decked out and it look and feels so festive.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friends!

Friday Fill-ins 11/20/09

It is Friday again and I have to ask - just where did this week go? Ahhh well - it's the weekend!

1.) We need a large area rug for our living room.
2.) Zoe just did this cute little yawn with a whine thing and it made me smile.
3.) If you want to be happy then just be happy.
4.) Fall is beautiful because of the weather and the colors.
5.) Massachusetts has proposed a 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think it is a great idea!
6.) Family traditions make for a happy holiday.
7.) And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to dinner with the whole family, tomorrow my plans include starting on some holiday decorations and hanging more pictures and Sunday I want to relax.

Happy Weekend!

8 Things: Why at 11pm?

It is 11 pm and I have not posted my 8 Things yet today. Oh I thought about posting - I just never forced myself to sit down and do it. So tonight I thought I would look at the 8 things (reasons) it didn't happen until now.

1.) My mood. Lets just say I was not at my finest today.
2.) Busy work. Lots and lots of phone calls and follow up phone calls.
3.) The rain. Which is partly to blame for #1.
4.) Physical pain. I have been having problems with my vision and my jaw which is giving me a killer headache. (Which is partly to blame for #1)
5.) Homework. The kids needed some extra help tonight and that ate up a good chunk of the afternoon.
6.) Overwhelmed. I have let myself become overwhelmed with my to-do list and thus I am not accomplishing much of it. (Which is partly to blame for #1 - see a pattern here?!)
7.) Good TV. I decided to watch Fast Forward and Grey's instead of being on the computer.
8.) Not wanting to share the yuck. I hate putting negative energy out there so I put off writing my 8 Things but it is 11 and I need to go to bed so it is what it is.

I have loved doing the 8 things and wanted to stay on track. Hoping for something better next week :)

Best Shot Monday - 11/16/09

Sad, I know. We have had the flu visit our house this week and I have all of 6 photos to choose from. So this will have to do for this week. One of the trees in our yard.
Here is to a better photo week this week :)

Friday Fill-ins 11/13/09

Abbie and her class pet Juliet 11/09

1.) The last band I saw live was Kenny Chesney.
2.) What I look forward most to on Thanksgiving is having company.
3.) My Christmas shopping is just getting under way.
4.)Thoughts of my mom and sister fill my head.
5.) I wish I could wear tank tops.
6.) Bagpipes remind me of Ireland.
7.) And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to pizza and TV, tomorrow my plans include hanging some pictures and filling our new bookcase, and Sunday, I want to scrapbook (but not sure what we have in store!)

Hope you all have a great weekend ahead!

Layout (to go with 8 Things)

I realized after my 8 Things post today that I had done a layout about this very thing a few years ago so I thought I would share. A few of the items have changed but many are the same.

What is on your night stand?

8 Things: On My Nightstand

It is the second day in a row of rain here in Richmond. It's dark, gloomy, wet and a chilly 47 degrees right now all of which makes me want to crawl back into bed with a good book! For today's 8 Things I am going to tell you what is on my night stand.

1.) A Lamp - I love my lamp. I found it at Restoration Hardware about 6 years ago and I really liked it so my Dad got one for each side of the bed for us for Christmas that year.
2.) A Clock - I have had this same clock since I was in college - hey it still works so why change it?
3.) The Clapper - well not really a clapper but that is what I call it. I had always joked that I wanted the clapper to turn off my lights so I wouldn't have to lean out of the bed. Well last summer Don's mom got me this auto switch that sits on the corner of my night stand. Perfect!
4.) Water - you will always find a bottle of water on my night stand. I don't drink it very often but just in case.
5.) Lotion - I always keep some lotion there and put it on most nights before bed.
6.) Books - currently there are 4 in the stack.
7.) Bird - I have a little bronze bird statue that my Mom got me last spring break - it sits on top of my "to read" pile of books.
8.)Magazines - I have two there now - Scrapbooks Etc and Good Housekeeping.

Best Shot Monday - 11/9/09

A little over exposed but I love the shadow cast by the center of the flower and I love even more that these are still blooming in our backyard!!
Happy Monday,

Cooking Light - Cheap!

I just had to share this awesome deal with all my friends who like to cook! Amazon has a one year subscription for Cooking Light for only $5.00!! (It usually retails at $49.50.) I learned about this from Hip to Save Just go here to get yours. This offer is good for one week only.

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!

Friday Fill-ins 11/6/09

1.) Plans and schedules keep me sane. I like order in my life.
2.) I'm happy when things are calm.
3.) The last thing I drank was water. That is about all I drink, I hate to waste calories on liquids!
4.) One of the most valuable things in my life is my family. Duh!
5.) I like veggie on my pizza. The more the better!
6.) Dear November, I love you - you remind me to focus on all I have to be thankful for.
7.) And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to veggie pizza and a movie with the kids, tomorrow my plans include Abbie's last soccer game and some running around, and Sunday I want to scrapbook but will probably do something else with the family.

Have a great weekend!

8 Things: House details

I was thinking about all the things I still want to do around our house to make it more like our home. When you move into a new house there is a lot to be done to make it "yours" and we are still working on that but there are some little details that I am loving and I thought I would share them today.

1.) My stove - See the layout above. It is so much better then any stove I have ever had and for someone that enjoys cooking that is important!
2.) My scrap space - 1st that fact that I have one at all is great but mine is over the top with potential! It is a large room with a slanted roof and large window. I am looking forward to the day I get some paint on these walls and some fun artwork.
3.) Trees - I can't tell you how much having trees in our yard makes a difference to me. I can still see houses but it is so much better seeing them through the trees. I feel like I have a bit of nature right here. I love that the squirrels and birds have a home and that they visit our yard often.
4.) My kitchen back splash - it is one of the things in the house that I got to pick out. I love the slate and the fact that it is strips instead of squares and that it is different from other things I have seen. (You can see a peak of it in the layout above)
5.) The mud room - having a room off the garage that has no other purpose then to toss shoes, backpacks and coats is awesome. It is good to have a dropping off stop when you walk in the door!
6.) Copper accents - I really like the copper accents on the exterior of our house. I have always liked the way that looked and I am happy we have some of our own now.
7.) Odd shaped windows - I really like the window in my laundry room and off the little bathroom - they are unique shapes and I love how they let the light in with style.
8.) Stair rail - I like the mixture of wood and wrought iron in our stair rail - it adds a nice texture to both our loft and our family room.

Layouts: Y&T - My Story

I am currently taking a class by Ali Edwards called Yesterday and Today. I am a bit behind (it is tough to keep up with that while doing my sketch class on Feeling Scrappy - there is only so much scrappy time in a day!) Here are my first 3 pages (you can click on the layout to see it larger and read the journaling.)

Happy hump-day!

Best Shot Monday - 11/2/09

Again - not the best technically but I love it - Abbie and Zoe fell fast asleep on my bed after a fun night of trick-or-treating.

8 Things: Halloween

Since Halloween is almost upon us, I thought it would be fun to list the things I love about Halloween for this weeks 8 Things.

1.) The time of year. I love all things fall and Halloween is right smack in the middle of it.
2.) Pumpkins - love, love, love pumpkins! It is just so festive to see pumpkins all over the neighborhood!
3.) Costumes - it is always fun to help the kids think up what they can be for Halloween then to go on the hunt for everything they need to dress up
4.) Decorating the house - any chance to mix things up a bit and get in the spirit! We go for more of a fall look then a spooky one around here :)
5.) Pumpkin goodies - pumpkin seeds, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, etc...Yum!
6.) Adventure - I love seeing my kids go out with adventure in their eyes and a smile on their face.
7.) Little visitors - so much fun seeing all the kids at my door (especially the littlest ones!)
8.) Candy - sitting with the kids while they dump out the goods and show me all the "loot" then sampling a few of my favorites (heath bars and twix)

Hope you enjoy Halloween this year :)

Best Shot Monday - 10/26/09

One of the new smaller trees in our front yard. I was so happy to see that it turned a beautiful fall color! Richmond is just bursting with color right now and it is so wonderful. I love fall!
Happy Monday,

Friday Fill-ins 10/23/09

Next to the door in our mud-room that leads to the garage.

I love it and think it is a good reminder as we all head out for the day :) Oct 09

Friday Fill-ins
1. The crickets sing, and remind me of warm summer nights.
2. Come out, come out wherever you are.
3. I want to get far away from the flu. Praying our family stays healthy.
4. That there would be no more homework; this was a dream.
5. But as for me, I am back to WW and going strong.
6. The Midwest is where I come from
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include soccer then a sleepover with 4 girls for Abbie's birthday and Sunday, I want to go hiking but we have the girls to get home and then another soccer game in the afternoon.

Happy Friday!

8 Things: Favorite Movies

For today's 8 things, I am going to share my 8 all-time favorite movies. I love each of these movies for different reasons but one thing is true for all - they are the ones I could watch over and over again :) So in no particular order, here are my favorites:

1.) Forrest Gump - What's not to love? To me this is the perfect movie - it follows someone through their lives so you are not left to wonder what happens, it is rich with history, has a fantastic soundtrack, characters that you really love, and it pulls you through every emotion that exists. Perfect I tell you!
2.) Grease - Ramma lamma lamma ka dingity ding da dong! So fun! I think am pretty sure I could recite every line and sing every song from this movie. I saw it when I was 12 and fell in love. Still love it to this day.
3.) Gone With The Wind - :Sigh: Everything a movie should be. Love, love, love it!
4.) It's a Wonderful Life - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a viewing of this movie. It holds a message that we all could use a reminder of - we are important and we change the world for the better everyday. It gives me the warm fuzzies Just thinking about it! :)
5.) Far & Away - This movie was not as epic or acclaimed as the rest on my list but it still ranks up there for me. I love the historical aspect of this movie - I am fascinated with the time it takes place plus a sweet love story always helps :)
6.) Sound of Music - Oh the music! The beautiful scenery! Those children! The history! That love story! Magnificent!
7.) Fried Green Tomatoes - The name alone would make it a favorite but they backed up that name with a winner of a movie.
8.) Steel Magnolias - The connections between characters can't be beat in this movie. I cry every single time I watch it.

What are your favorite movies?

A new sketch!

Here is a brand new sketch. Enjoy :)

 

Best Shot Monday - 10/19/09

My sweet Abbie. Taken at the Melting Pot while celebrating her 11th birthday :)

Friday Fill-ins 10/16/09

Our front porch 10/09

1. So are we going to North Carolina for Thanksgiving? Don wants to but it is still up in the air - we will see...
2. New furniture is what's up ahead. The delivery guys are coming this am!
3. I love to sleep to the sound of rain.
4. Leftovers of some sort is on tap for tonight's dinner.
5. I walk a little to little!
6. A positive attitude is the true elixir of life!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a night in, tomorrow my plans include soccer of course and Sunday, I want to scrapbook in the worst way but we will see if I actually get to!


Have some Friday Fun today! :)

8 Things: About Abbie

Abbie taken Sept 2009 while mini-golfing

Today is Abbie's eleventh birthday. How can my sweet baby girl be 11? I am so lucky and blessed to have a daughter like Abbie! For my 8 things Wednesday I thought it would be a great time to share 8 Things I love about Abbie :)

1.) She is driven. She sets a goal and goes after it - whether it is saving money or playing soccer - she works hard to get the job done.

2.) She is beautiful. Of course, I can not help but look at her through a mothers eyes but everyday I catch a glimpse of beauty in her.

3.) She is silly. She is not afraid to let loose and joke around - giggle and have fun.

4.) She is an animal lover. She loves animals of all kinds and I am so proud that she is taking the steps to volunteer at our local shelter.

5.) She is smart. Amazingly so - it is such a comfort to always hear good reports about Abbie when I hear from teachers.

6.) She is caring. She is always willing to lead a hand - she makes efforts to help the environment, her classmates, her family and her friends.

7.) She is changing. Each new day she seems to change in subtle ways as she reaches toward the teen years. It is amazing to watch it happen.

8.) She is a mama's girl. From the time she was born Abbie and I have had a special bond - she has always reached for me first and I am more then happy to have my arms wide open to welcome her.

Happy Birthday Baby - I love you so very much!