Did you feel it?

I sure did.  This whole week has really felt like it was ok to hope for Spring.  The weather on Monday and Tuesday was down right warm for January and we could see the blue sky.  Usually the Salt Lake Valley is filled with polution because of the inversion that takes place every time this year.  I know that Spring is not right around the corner, and we will get more snow.  However, I do know that in two months the daffodils and crocus will be doing their darndest (is that a word?) to bloom.  The time in between now and then will fly by. 

This past week has been ok.  Here is a rundown

• I had my stamp club on Saturday and I loved the three cards I demo'd.  I thought all three turned out really cute.  I really enjoy hanging out with my girlfriends playing with paper.
• The dinner group at our house was great.  We served stuffed mushrooms w/ hollandaise, prime rib, roasted veggies (carrots, parsnips, celery, onions, garlic, and potatoes), sugar snap peas, yorkshire puddings, gravy, and bread pudding for dessert.  I was so full, but so satisfied.  I need to restock my British Pantry - things don't quite taste the same without those ingredients from across the sea.
• I started back with my exercise regime after a month of having respiratory issues.  Still have the residual effects, but as my stress from a few issues subsides, I am confident things will return to normal.
• Attended a funeral for a close friend's Mom.   Never easy to say goodbye to a loved one.  Knowing how much better off they are makes it a little bit easier to endure. 
• Starting to get on top of things at work.  I did say starting - no where close to full control, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
• Realized how much I love chocolate candy coated sunflower seeds.  Yes they are shelled already before they get coated with chocolate candy goodness.  I have only ever found them at convenience stores.  The last container I found at Michaels Crafts - valentine colors.  If you haven't tried them - you are truly missing out.
• Finished - an unfinished project from last year.  One of my goals I have been working on is to finish the unfinished or get rid of it.  Doesn't mean I can't start something new in the mean time, but won't forget the old projects either.  Wendy...that means we have a cooking file/book to finish. 
• Washing machine is having issues.  One of the pipes/hoses from the water tap to the machine needs to be replaced.  Gotta love cleaning up puddles when it is so cold outside.
• Was asked to speak in church on Sunday - so not looking forward to it.
• Riley got a brushing and bath.  Dogs aren't supposed to shed in the middle of winter, but he was dumping his fur coat like crazy. 
• Finished another book - The art of racing in the Rain.
• Tasted greek yogurt for the first time...I like it.  Tasty, creamy goodness.

I think that week was full enough.
Ta Ta for now

Wise Advice

Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it's not all mixed up.  Winnie-the-Pooh. 

I sat down this evening to work on my card projects for my Saturday club meeting and still had Christmas stuff hanging around.  Ralph always tells me...One project at a time, when you are finished put the project supplies away before you start another and then you won't get into such a mess.  He is so wise.  The question is what did I do?   I worked right over the top of it.   Now my mess is even bigger but I have a great card.  Wanna see?

I got the idea from a card my bff Wendy made - here is the link Friends by Wendybell
The card I made showcases new paper, new stamps, and new technique of gathering stampin up's satin ribbon.  One day I will make myself a photo box and get an Ott light.  Then maybe my pictures will be a bit better.  Until then I/you have to suffer with the kitchen counter and light.

Stamps - Filled With Love
Paper - Whisper White, Real Red, Pirouette Pink, Basic Black, Glimmer red paper, Love patterns DSP
Ink - Staz on Black, Real Red
Accessories, Black taffeta ribbon 1/8, small heart punch, red glitter stickles, pink satin ribbon 5/8, 3/4 circle punch, large heart punch, dimensionals.


Well - bed time has long gone and I am still trying to recover from a bad cold/sinus infection.  So I am off to bed for some rest.
Ta Ta for now

2010 Recap

It has been a while since I have taken the time to sit down at the computer and update my blog.  I think I just got over loaded with things that I had to get done and the blog was not a “have to” thing so it got set aside.  I wanted to recap this last year and saw this list on someone elses blog – so I thought I would see if I could answer the questions.  It was kind of fun revisiting all the things that happened last year.  If it wasn’t for my blog I would have forgotten a lot of it.

·         Best Memory  - Time with my family – never enough time together so when I get to spend time with them it is a precious memory.

·         Best Gathering – Thanksgiving at our house with all of my family.

·         Best Trip – Didn’t take any big trips.  Enjoyed the quick road trips to visit family

·         Best Project – Starting a monthly dinner group – it has been fun improving friendships, eating good food and adding lots of new recipes to my collection

·         Biggest Adventure – Packing up our belongings and moving to a new home

·         Most amazing experience – Can’t really pin one down this year, but any quality time with Ralph is amazing to me.

·         Favorite Store – Any kitchen Ware store or home decorating

·         Best New Recipe – Dulce de leche cheesecake,  Butter Chicken (Murgh Makani), Itallian beef in the crockpot Yummo!!!!

·         Biggest Decision – Choosing where to move

·         Biggest Growing Experience – Serving as Primary President

·         Best New Kitchen Tool – New sharp knives and a new peeler

·         What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before – climbed 29 flights of stairs, went to Swiss Days in Midway, went to the Utah spring playoff game

·         Did you keep your new year’s resolution – Don’t really make them, I am always working on a set of goals

·         Did anyone close to you give birth? – My nieces/nephews had babies

·         Did anyone close to you die? – No, thank goodness

·         What countries did you visit – I made many visits to England in my memory

·         What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010 – Financial Stability

·         What was your biggest achievement of the year – Losing 30 pounds

·         What was your biggest failure – not achieving complete organization in my craft room and primary responsibilities

·         Did you suffer illness or injury – A couple of nasty colds

·         Where did most of your money go – Cost of living

·         What did you get really, really, really excited about? – 2010 Football Season and Stampin UP Convention

·         What song will always remind you of 2010 – Have to say I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas  ( I know the song came out in 2009 but I still hear it all the time)

·         What did you wish you’d done more of – Fishing/Camping/Hiking

·         What do you wish you’d done less of - Worry

·         How did you spend Christmas – At home with Ralph and his family

·         What was your favorite TV Program – Biggest Loser and NCIS

·         What was the best book you read this year  - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

·         What was the best thing you bought – A smaller sized pair of jeans

·         What was your greatest musical discovery – Nothing new to speak of

·         What did you get for Christmas – new clothes and a new vacuum

·         What was your favorite film of the year – Didn’t see too many movies – But I really liked How to train your Dragon and Harry Potter 7 pt 1

·         What did you do on your birthday – Gary and Mar came for a visit, we went to dinner, had PB Cheesecake, went to the symphony.

·         How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2010 – Casual skirts/shirts and sandals

·         What kept you sane? – Being able to stamp and paper craft

·         What political issue stirred you the most – Health Coverage and the Elizabeth Smart Trial

·         Who was the best new person (people) you met? – With our new ward – I met a lot of people but at the top would probably be Vonnie & Emillie

·         A valuable life lesson you learned in 2010 – Slow down and enjoy the ride, don’t pile too much on – the stress is not worth it.