I have been so busy with SCRAPPIN' SPORTS

Check out www.scrappinsports.com the DT and myself have been so busy getting ready for CHA and the amount of creating has been amazing....go check out the gallery and see all the amazing new LOs and cards that have been made with the newest lines "Junior Sports League" and "Classic Sports Series". Here's what I've made since Friday when I received my box of product...

If you like SCALLOPS you have to try this!

SAUTEED SCALLOPS with TOMATO SAUCE

8 ounces uncooked dried vermicelli (extra thin spagetti)
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1 1/2 pounds fresh OR frozen bay scallops
1/2 cup dry white wine OR chicken broth
1 (10 1/4 ounce) can chicken broth
1 medium (1 tablespoon) shallot, finely, chopped*
3 medium (3 cups) yellow OR red tomoatoes, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, basil, etc.)
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with hot water; drain. Keep warm.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet heat oil; add garlic. Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until garlic is tender (30 to 60 seconds). Add scallops; continue cooking, stirring constantly; until scallops just turn opaque (2 to 4 minutes). Drain scallops reserving 1/4 cup liquid;set aside.

In same skillet add reserved 1/4 cup scallop liquid, wine, chicken broth and shallot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by 1/2 (12-14 minutes). Stir in tomatoes; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until heated through (2 to 3 minutes). Stir in scallops, butter, herbs and pepper; continue cooking until heated through (1 to 2 minutes). Serve over hot cooked vermicelli.

The last week of January already...

...yesterday we literally had to dig ourselves out of the snow!





We have this enormous pile of snow in front of our house from the snow plow - Stuart and the kids climbed up on top so I could take a pictured...Morris THOUGHT about following them but he quickly changed his mind.



While Stuart was shoveling the snow Ben was sledding down the mini hill right off the front porch...its prefect for the kids they love it!







I am just amazed how much snow we have - the City of Spokane and County closed and had all non-essential employees stay home today - all schools closed for the first time since 1996 - the S. Hill recorded 17 inches of Snow...with more on the way later today and the rest of the week. I will have to go outside and take more photos today...it really is beautiful. We have piles of snow in our yard that are at least 6 ft tall! Stuart is getting ready to head out now...of course he is getting in his truck to go downtown...people are already in the office...so he better get going!

Quote of the Day

I love this! And thought I'd share...

Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
~Lao Tzu

WOW the last few days have been CRAZY...

...the next few will be even CRAZIER...I received my very eagerly anticipated Scrappin' Sports & More Box today with the NEW CHA Releases in it...so tonight after book club I will dig in and get started on LOs that need to be completed by Wednesday...I don't have a lot of time but I am so excited to play with the new lines.

WOW..day 24 all ready, I know I haven't shared some LOs the last few days, I assure you all I have created a LO a day this month...there were a few days I almost quit, but I hung in there...the last couple of days I actually have made LOs for other people. Today I found a CD of photos from Sept. 07 - I actually forgot all about these pictures...we hadn't lived in Spokane very long...it was a Sunday morning and we were visiting Manito Park for the very 1st time. I am a little bit excited for Spring so we can go back...if we have any visitors this Spring...this is one place we will surely take you...its beautiful! I made this digital Kraft Backgroud Paper myself and then also used Doris Castle's Burst of Summer Kit.



On a sadder note...today I ordered this for my Grandma who lives to far away to just hop in the car and drive the 8+ hours to visit in the middle of winter...

It took me three days to place this order, I just couldn't do it...nothing seemed right...Grandpa Dave recently passed away...and my thoughts and prayers are with her during this very difficult time. My heart aches for her and I'm so sorry that she is having to go through this again...I wish I could be there with her and give her a big hug even though I know that...that won't bring him back and take away all the pain she is feeling...I just don't understand death...it makes me very angry thinking about it! I know we all deal with it very differently...I swear I'm a roller coaster of emotions these days...

Ben came home from school this afternoon with a note from his teacher asking us to have him READ in a new book to catch up with his **NEW** reading group...he's moving into a new group with a new teacher...I guess he's too smart LOL

I think our **VIRTUAL CROP** was a success!!!

This last weekend Jennifer and I decided to have our own little crop and we didn't let the fact that we live a couple thousand miles apart get in the way...and that we didn't received our SS&M goodies in the mail get us down...we grabbed our previous box of goodies pulled out the super cute Young and Active Line and we issued each other challenges...we got BUSY - here's what I came up with - we had such a great time!

We haven't had snow all week...

...until today...it has snowed most of the day and is still snowing. Today I played with paper most of the day and I made my LO of the day for Big Picture Scrapbooking...it was back to digital for that one LOL...



I used the Popsicle Delight Kit by Spink isn't it cool....head over to SCRAPSTREET and pick one up for yourself www.scrapstreet.com

WOO HOO its Friday!

I just finished my LO for today and believe it or not its not digital! It was great working with paper today :) I also got an awesome deal at Pottery Barn downtown this afternoon...I can't wait to figure out what I am going to do with it!

Thank Heavens for Good Friends...

...even if we've never met. I made this LO about my dear friend Jennifer who lives in Colorado. We met in July of '06 when we both frequently visited a message board. Both of us love scrapbooking...both of us are twins, both of us were born in the month of November, both of us have 3 children, 2 boys, 1 girl that are even the about the same ages and both of us were from the Tri-Cities, WA! I say "from" as we are both no longer in that area. I will get a copy of this too you soon Jennifer!



...I also got some fun scrappy news today...3 of my projects will be in the NEWEST catalog for Scrappin' Sports and More...and even more exciting...2 of them made the cover!
Here are my projects:

Needed a little LAUGHTER today!

Just taking a little break from cleaning the hardwood floor...

Here's my LOs for today and yesterday...both are digital.




I made this card for Scrappin' Sports a few days ago right before my laptop cord caught fire...luckily right now I have a loaner until mine comes in the mail...I would die without my laptop...I'm sure I'd get more done around the house though...I am trying today!



Other GREAT NEWS today...Jennifer and I have completed our 2nd kit for Demoss Road Designs...demossroaddesigns.blogspot.comCheck it out! Freckled Summer will be the **Feature Kit** in the June E-Zine and ScrapStreet.com. We can't wait to see what everyone does with it. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think! Looking forward to hearing from you!

...the kids and I are heading out in a little bit - Ben needs to fit in one more Taekwondo lesson this week...Stuart's heading to his office for a mandatory meeting - his busy time of year is quickly approaching. Here's today's LO - another digi page...this one is of Camryn! TFL

Day 11

Here's my LO for today :) TFL
I also made a card...photo coming soon!

It's already January 10th....

...how can that be! Today was a busy day driving around in the snow/slush and ice. This morning I finally made it to MOPS Mother's of Preschoolers...I was so surprised with how big the group was and it was set up so nicely...checking in each child, getting matching bracelets so we knew they were safe and wouldn't be picked up by anyone other then me...the speaker for today lived way out in the country and because of the weather couldn't even leave her house...so they improvised. It was a nice morning full of adult conversation. More then anything I was so happy with how pleased Camryn and Mason were with their morning. They had a great time. After that we had just enough time to come home eat lunch and then head out to my doctors appointment...I was having a follow up on my thyroid blood work...again they didn't change the dosage but asked me to take some of my Allegra-D that I use for allergies to help the congestion I am having...I had an ear ache over the holidays and though the pain is gone it still didn't feel 100% she said that should help some. I also will be starting a new medication for Migraines...I am hoping it helps A LOT!!! with minimal side effects.

So today was another cold dark day, but no more snow since this morning...we are supposed to get a couple inches tonight and then just have very COLD dry weather next week. I took the kids sledding after school and got these photos of Mason to use for my LO for the day...

Just because of all the snow...

I decided to do a LO with SNOW...this photo was actually taken Dec. 1st 2007, we have so much more then this! Its absolutely beautiful!

SNOW snow and more SNOW

...it hasn't stopped snowing for almost two days. Stuart was in his truck coming up the hill tonight...so he was good, but called about 3 miles away and said there were a few cars off the road and about 10 cars stopped trying to go thru...we've decided not to take Ben to Scouts tonight just don't want to risk it...he's disappointed but Stuart and him are working on his pinewood derby car so his disappointment didn't last long...Stuart shoveled the driveway before leaving for work this morning at 3:30when Ben got home from school he was very eager to do it again...I wasn't going to tell him no...lol



...here's my LO for today - another digital page...I just love how this one turned out...thank you BPS ladies for all your comments...Susan I can't wait to see your version. I used the Amy Bleser, For the Love of Clover Kit - TFL

What a snowy mess!!!

Spokane doesn't believe in Snow Days but it should be one...and they are already forecasting 4-8 inches of snow by morning! I love the snow...as long as I can stay home and watch it from the warmth of my living room. It really is beautiful up here.

If you like MEXICAN - CHICKEN and CHILI you will need to copy down this recipe...we made this last for dinner and it was awesome! Well the kids didn't think so but Stuart and I really liked it. It was even better this afternoon for lunch. You will notice that the recipe DOES NOT call for jalapenos...I needed to add those to mine because the spicier the better...Stuart would have to pass on those ;)


Mexican Chicken Chili
1 3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 med. onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 cans (14.5 oz. each) stewed tomatoes w/garlic & onion, undrained
2 cans (15 oz. each) Pinto Beans, undrained
1 can (10oz.) Enchilada Sauce
2 t chili powder
1 t cumin
1 cup scoop-shaped corn chips, if desired
sour cream
2 T chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix all ingredients except sour cream and cilantro.
2. Cover; cook on low heat setting 7-8 hours.
3. Stir mixture to break up chicken. Top each serving with corn chips, sour cream and cilantro. ENJOY!

Now to some projects...



I am having too much fun playing with they lines from Scrappin' Sports and More...there's definitely not enough hours in the day to create.

...another proud mama moment...

Ben received his yellow belt today...one more day of rest and then back to the Dojang several times a week. Here are Ben's instructors:


Here is my LO for today, January 4th: