Monday, January 30, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 30 2012  Our Digits

During my travels for work I happened upon a County Road with Our Digits.  I made a plan at the beginning of the year to take a photo everytime I found 471 in sequence.  Here it is folks VZ 4714. 
PROJECT 365
Jan 29 2012   Cran*Cherry splash

My brother in law introduced me today to a new drink.  Ocean Spray Cran*Cherry with a splash of lemon and a pink straw.  It was so yummy.  I went to Brookshire's after dropping of Aniston and purchased  my own ingredients so that I could have them at my house whenever my tastebuds desire.

PROJECT 365
Jan 28 2012  What a Beautiful Mess

I kept my niece, Aniston, Saturday while her parents were at dinner.  She will be 3 in March.  For someone with no biological children of her own, I think I did well.  By looking at the picture don't you think I did well?  Aniston played with checkers, watched Shrek, and then decided to play Monopoly.  Maybe PLAY is not the right word.   She decided to make a huge mess in my living room floor and then proceeded to sit right in the middle and wave her arms and legs around making an even bigger mess.  Did she help Aunt Wendy clean up, for a while she did.  You know at that age the attention span is short so we were distracted easily.  We came back to the mess several times until it was all put away.  I made a game of it by putting 1 bill of each color in the tray then having her match the colors until all of the money was put away.  Overall, we had a great night!
PROJECT 365
Jan 27  2012   Jade Panda

My new stacked haircut finally turns out like I desire.  I have been 2 other places for a stacked haircut and end up with an abrupt end to the top layer.  I often feel like I had a bowl cut at the back of my head.  Today I went to a new Salon (after asking someone in public where she had her hair cut) and I am so pleased with the fade/stacked appearance.  Carolyn at Jade Panda did a fantastic job.  I can even leave the house after only blow drying my hair and it will lay like this...no more flat iron daily.  My neck line is a little higher than I am used to but I can live with that...and with the fact that I have to get it touched up every 1-2 weeks now.

Saturday, January 28, 2012


Be My Snow Angel

We did have some snow here in Texas and mom needed snow pages for the grandkids.  We also encounted snow time in California this year and I needed a snow angel page for Maranda.  During our Scrappin' weekend, mom and i made these pages using the Big Shot and dies.  We used Real Red, Marina Mist and DSP with coordinating vanilla/marina mist. 
PROJECT 365
Jan 26  2012   Sweet Tooth

Ok, so every year for his birthday, Randy gets a Village Bakery cake.  That is his only Birthday wish and he has gotten one for years now.  With that said, He just had his Birthday on Dec. 22nd which means he had his Christmas/Birthday decorated Village Bakery cake 1 month ago.  While on the phone with him Thursday he asks me to guess where he has been.  We do HH and drive all day so I had absolutely no idea where he had been.  I gave up quickly and he announced that he had been to Village Bakery and ordered a cake.  What?  He says he was craving a cake so he went by to order one and they were able to bake it fresh, decorate it and have it ready for pickup the same day.  Needless to say, this is what he came home with today.  My Sweet Tooth Husband.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 25 2012  A Dreary Day

Rain, Storms, Flash Flood Warnings, High Winds so far today and it is only 2:35pm.  I finished my work day early, got the oil changed in the Company Vehicle, took an online CEU Course and am ready for a little scrapbook time.  Today it is 52 degrees and Dreary...a good day for indoor activities.  Some might be sad by the weather today but this is the view from where I sit now.  There is new life out there.  The maple in our front yard is blooming.  Each time I look left out the window I notice the nice, pink blooms.  This makes me happy and so does the rain today.  So Lord, bring on the rain.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012


This is a 2 page 12x12 layout that Mom & I made this weekend during our play date.  We used her Cricut to cut out "Merry", the candy canes, the light bulbs and the gingerbread.  We used the Big Shot Tasteful Trim Die to cut the snow for the gingerbread house and the rick-rack under the title.  I used the Big Shot Billboard Decorative Strip Die to cut out "and" and "bright".  I used the Decorative Label punch and scallop border punches for accents.  The circle punch worked great for making peppermint candies from the glitter paper Mom had.  All in all, I love the finished product using Riding Hood Red and Old Olive for Christmas colors.
PROJECT 365
Jan 24 2012   Bison Tube Geocache

Another day of searching.  Thank you to my Android App with the compass.  I found this one near Murchison.  There was a hole in the ground and the tube fit in it perfectly.  I noticed the cap was different from the dirt and leaves and snatched it out.  Very sneaky and they painted it black.  Hotdog found it!
PROJECT 365
Jan 23 2012  A Tiny GeoCache

I enjoy Geocaching which Maranda introduced me to.  I searched and found one today and it was barely larger than my wedding ring.  We have named our team "Hotdog" so if you ever open a log and see Hotdog or look at recorded posts and see Hotdog Found It, you know we have been there.  I do log our finds online as well as on the log inside the geocache.

Sunday, January 22, 2012


PROJECT 365
Jan 22 2012   Time for a Bath

Today was beautiful.  Jan 22nd and it was 74 degrees outside.  Randy wanted to wash vehicles and Bella needed to go on a ride (I guess the 1 1/2 hour ride to and from my mom's house wasn't enough)so we took our vehicles to a local carwash.  Randy and Bella went first.  Not sure if Bella has even been inside of a carwash before.  Randy said she kept looking out the back window toward my car, even while I was following behind them on the roadway. 
Anyway, $8 later I pulled in.  Nice turquoise and pink suds came midway through.  Such pretty colors that I hated for them to wash away.  This is what I tried to capture in my pic, the colors of the soap.  Today was a beautiful day to get you car washed, especially if you are too lazy to do it yourself (that's me)!
PROJECT 365
Jan 21, 2012  Oh Christmas Tree

I think by the time I left Mom's, we had made 26 double layout pages.  Yes, I said 26.  I only stayed from Friday afternoon after work until Saturday night at 9pm.  Instead of staying the entire weekend, I had to get back home for Maranda's Baptism Sunday.  In the brief time I was there we made use of  2 heads, 4 hands, 4 legs and oodles of supplies.  Actually, I had to call Randy to bring additional supplies to me since we ran out of 12x12 cardstock in the brown family. Mom lives 1 1/2 hours away from my home and on Saturday afternoon, he arrived with just the right things we needed to complete 10 more pages. 
This page is one I have wanted to make for some time and finally got the chance to do it.  Mom & Dad took all of us kids and grandkids to the Gaylord Texan for Christmas.  When you enter the front door you see this HUGE Christmas tree.  I made this page using a huge Christmas tree for our Gaylord pics.  I used the ornament punch with various DSP to make the tree.  The phrase across the bottom is a Big Shot Die from Stampin' Up!  The right side page of this double layout does exist but I didn't capture it yet. Will post together once I get them uploaded to my computer.
PROJECT 365
Jan 20, 2012   Destroyer

Bella & I took a weekend trip to my Mom's for some scrapbooking, card making and good eating.  Mom & I always have good eats...the kinds of things Dad and Randy wouldn't be caught dead eating.  To name a few things, we had pimento & cheese, chicken salad, hummus and cranberry/white chocolate cookies.  Bella loves to go to "Grammy's house" because she gets bowls of cuisine...Kibbles and Bits.  At my house, she only gets weight control IAMS dog food but at my mom's house Bella will eat bowl after bowl after bowl (as long as my mom keeps filling dog food bowl).  Now, to say all of this is good and it doesn't match my Destroyer title does it? 
Bella did choose to destroy one of Neaco & Harley's toys while there this weekend.  She removed every last bit of stuffing plus the squeaker component.  Not sure how the manufacturer got that much stuffing inside that little toy.
Overall, we both had a great time visiting with Mom and her dogs (Neaco & Harley).

Thursday, January 19, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 19, 2012  Yum, Wish I Had Some

I pulled up next to this truck at 8:15 this morning and really wanted to raid it.  I didn't because Randy was in his car in front of me...haha.  Really, some Blue Bell would have been great to soothe my sore throat.  I have been nursing a sore throat for 9 days and nothing else is working........so why not?
PROJECT 365
Jan 18, 2012  IDOL Fans

We anticipate the start of this show ever season.  This is OUR Family show.  We love to watch, laugh and pick our favorites from the auditions.  Randy is very good at picking the Finalists from the auditions.  He has done this several years in a row now.  We are set for Season 11!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 17, 2012   Never Leave Home Without It

I bet you thought this was a commercial for American Express.  Not today.  My Kleenex is my American Express and have been for as long as I can remember.  I have always had sniffles and maybe allergies.  I have been on service with an Allergist near home and received injections for several years.  I am now under the care of a local Allergist and once again receiving injections.  Somehow, despite the allergy shots, the numerous vitamins I take and my quest to stay healthy I still must carry Kleenex with me.  Right now I can hardly go minutes without needing one...ugh, a runny nose.  When I grow up, I want to outgrow my runny nose, sniffles and any allergies I have.

Monday, January 16, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 16, 2012   Minty Fresh

I remember growing up when Santa (a.k.a. Mom) used to leave a box of these in my stocking.  Since living on my own, I really have not treated myself to these wonderful peppermint patty treats.  I have purchased the other brand York peppermint patties but they just aren't the same to me.  These have a softer chocolate coating and creamy mint filling.  While looking for bite size candies for my husband, I came upon a bag of these at Wal-Mart.  I snatched them up and quickly put them in my buggy.  In the event my buggy should overflow I wanted these to be safe near the bottom so I strategically positioned them.  I have successfully transferred these yummy treats into my home and into a candy jar.  I guess I shouldn't admit that I have had 3 since dinner tonight and it is only 6:35 pm...
A Gift for You
This card came to me through a Card Swap.  I really enjoy doing Swaps because of the ideas and techniques you see plus the variety of cards you take home.  For this card, the creator used the emboss folder for the front of the card, Curly Label punch for the lower right corner and the insert you see through the window, she added rosettes as a set of 3 and a little Pear Pizzazz ribbon.  She then spritzed with shimmer paint.  Nice job.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 15, 2012  Faith in Christ

Today Randy, Maranda & I joined Green Acres Baptist Church.  We have been attending for over 2 1/2 years and Randy suggested me become members today.  Both Randy & I were members of our childhood churches and will move our membership to Green Acres.  Maranda is now a member of Green Acres and will be Baptised again and profess her faith.  She was first Baptised at 5 months old and is now old enough to understand and participate in the decision of accepting Jesus Christ Lord as her Saviour.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 14, 2012    Fruitalicious

Trix, they are not just for kids.  I snacked on these this morning with my coffee and loved every bite of this Fruitalicious cereal.  I had not had Trix in soooo long.  I happened to have a variety pack of cereal in the pantry that I won during a Christmas game.  This morning, they were calling my name.  I even shared a few with Bella (our dog) and she crunched right alongside me.  Thought the Trix would be a good post today since it brought back memories from growing up.
PROJECT 365
Jan 13, 2012   Here's looking at you

During my daily travels I came upon this Texas Longhorn staring at me.  I drove on past him and he continued to look at me.  I reversed my car and pulled to the roadside.  He continued to stare at me (so it looks that way).  This is my pic for the day.  The Longhorn staring at a True Texan. 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 12, 2012   Chai Latte

I have always enjoyed Tazo Chai Tea...then I found Chai Latte coffee creamer...now I have Chai Latte cups for my new Keurig.  Warm Chai tea at night and in the morning was always my routine.  Coffee with Chai Latte creamer then became my morning desire.  Now Chai Latte cups anytime of day. 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012


PROJECT 365
Jan 11, 2012  Go Go Juice

I have decided to snap a picture of gas prices to help myself remember the changes over the next year.  Based on the fluctuating prices we saw in 2011, I wanted to capture some of the changes that take place in 2012. While driving to Chandler today I started thinking about gas prices and noted a 5 cent difference between stores.  This Valero is one I frequent so I grabbed a photo of it to post today.  I am thankful that our prices here in the South are not as high as those advertised yesterday nearing $5 in some Northern states.   It would make for a long day if I had to purchase my own gas and travel all of the miles I do in a day to see Home Health clients...I might have to ride a bicycle if that were the case.  For now, I am thankful my employeer pays for my gas and provides me with a company car.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012


PROJECT 365
Jan 10, 2012 - What a Scrappin Mess

This is what happens when UPS makes a SU! delivery at my house.  Randy called me to say "Call SU! and tell them to quit sending stuff."  Why I said?  "I have a dozen boxes to carry in the house," he responded.  I could hardly wait to get home and tear into the boxes.  It always feels like Christmas.  I enjoy figuring out what belongs to me versus what belongs to my customers.  I also love looking at all the different products. Today  I started with 3 unopened boxes and ended with 3 empty boxes, a pile of packing paper and a whole bunch of cool new products.  The "dozen boxes" he referred to was an exaggeration this time although Mom & I do have more than a dozen new gadgets to play with.

Monday, January 9, 2012


PROJECT 365
Jan 9, 2012  BCS Championship Football - Go LSU

Well, this weekend my Sister-in-law, Robin, introduced us to Queso Blanco.  For those of you who have never tasted it, you won't go back to the original...I Guarantee It!  Supposedly, Robin made this Christmas weekend but it was gobbled up before we were invited over (Thanks Robin, Brian, Shelbi & Chris).  So......since Christmas I have heard of this white queso but never tasted it.  Robin, at the request of my mother, so graciously made it for a party we attended.  It is yummy!  Randy even loves it.  I used to make regular velveeta queso but I always added shredded Mozerella to it because that is the only way Randy would eat it.  Now, Queso Blanco rises above and no more mixing 2 cheeses to satisfy his taste buds.  Tonight for the Championship game he requeste Queso Blanco and wings.  How easy is this (we won't discuss the calories).  Now I'm off to some dipping...

Sunday, January 8, 2012


January WOW Class Project
2 page layout using Autumn Spice DSP and coordinating colors More Mustard, Soft Suede and Island Indigo.
Posted by Picasa
PROJECT 365
Jan 8, 2012  Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites

A surprise party for someone turning 50!  I made these yummy Bacon-Wrapped Potato Bites to take to my Uncle Scott's surprise Birthday party.  They were a hit with everyone and he loved them as well.  Today for my post I will share the recipe:
1 lb small red potatoes
1 1/2 tsp chopped, fresh rosemary (use used bottled)
1 tbs olive oil
1/s tsp salt
ground pepper
12 oz - 1 lb bacon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Wash and dry potatoes.  Chop them into 1 inch cubes.  Put potatoes in medium pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil.  Season the water with salt.  Once the water begins to boil, cook the potatoes for about 3-4 minutes, until you can stick a fork into them without too much resistance.  You want the potatoes to be almost, but not fully, cooked (so they won't fall apart during the next steps).

Drain potatoes and put in large bowl.  Add the rosemary, olive oil, salt and a few grinds of pepper then toss until they are evenly coated.

Cut the strips of bacon in half.  I actually stretched my bacon and cut into 3 pieces.  Wrap each potato in bacon, securing with a toothpick.  Put potatoes on foil lined cookie sheet.

Cook for 15 minutes then flip and cook for another 15 minutes or so, until the bacon is cooked thoroughly and crisp.  I removed mine and set them on another paper towel lined cookie sheet to drain grease.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 7, 2012  Autumn Spice
This is page 1 of the layout from my WOW Scrapbook class.  For this class each person creates a 2 page 12x12 layout and 1 card. I decided to snap a picture of it for Project 365 because it is becoming one of my favorite pages.  I love the Autumn Spice DSP from SU!, the colors, the weave technique I used and the flower embellishments in the corner.  For the large flower I cut a 1" strip of DSP, scored it every 1/8", folded like an accordian and then glued the two ends together to form a round circle.  Once I scrunched it together and added the 3/8" circle to the center it became a flower.  I had a lot of trouble keeping it glued together and it wanted to fall off the page.  After all the time I put into making it, I was not going to let it go where it wanted so I added glue dots plus adhesive to the back.  This flower was fairly difficult to make so the 2 smaller ones are made using the scallop punch (Thank You Sam for the idea).  I wasn't sure if the class members would want to make the accordian flower, due to difficulty, until I saw that SU! has a Bigz XL die for the Big Shot that will cut and score this for you.  I ordered it immediately...but it did not arrive before class :(.  I was right, they did not want to score and fold so they made their green flower using the Large scallop punch. I had to explain that my Big Shot die has not arrived yet but promised to bring it to a future class so they can try it out.  I hope it makes the process of accordian flower making much easier.

PROJECT 365
Jan 6, 2012  Our Loving Digits

Here they are again...471 on our receipt.  I had lunch with my husband at Cheddar's on Friday.  He chose the Grilled Chicken Breast with a Baked Potatoe and I had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap with fries, of course. To wash this wonderful lunch down I had Mango Tea.  I love the Mango Tea from Cheddar's.  Coke Zero was his selection.  When the time came to return to work the waitor dropped off our ticket and as Randy opened it to insert the credit card there they were...471.  He said "Look at the ticket number"   I could not find the ticket number at all so he had to point it out to me.  I couldn't believe it.  I then told him about Project 365 and my little Project 471 within Project 365.  I couldn't wait to get home and take a picture with the camera.  My cell phone is acting CRAZY and I didn't want to chance it.  Here it is, our Loving Digits.

Friday, January 6, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 5, 2012   Out with the OLD and in with the NEW

Love my running shoes.  I have never been a runner in my life until this past year.  I have always worn Asics brand shoes and felt they were heavy on my feet.    I had done a little research on the internet to see what fellow PT's thought were the best running shoes.  Merrill brand came in first but I can not find them in Tyler...anywhere. I decided to take a trip to Academy Sports and found this pair of gray Nikes.
The salesman told me that if I were used to "regular" tennis shoes, I may not like these because they are much like walking/running barefoot.  When I told him that I run on eneven and rocky terrain, he stressed again that I must make sure I am forefoot running or every pebble I step on is going to hurt.  Well, I have loved these shoes and only wear them for running.  They have been through rain and mud and are slightly stained from the red mud here in Texas.  Didn't think I could part with them until...Christmas!  My mother-in-law bought me the new pink/gray pair and I love them the same. 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012


PROJECT 365
Jan 4, 2012   Love our digits

"471" what a special meaning it has to my Husband & I.  These 3 little numbers mean so much to us and we hold them dear to our hearts.  To Us, this stands for "I Love You."    During my travels today, my odometer turned over 103,471. I was so excited to see this and just had to catch a snap snot of it and text it to Randy . He is so funny...he called me and said "why are you sending me a picture of the temperature outside?"
We often see these numbers in society but in different orders and our mind automatically  reads them as 471. When the clock reads 4:17 or 7:14, one of us will notice it and make a point to notify the other.  Throughout 2012  I will search out 471 postings and snap pictures of it.  This is going to be a project within a project. 

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan 3, 2012  Toetally relaxed

Oooh TK Nails & Spa how I love thee...
For my Birthday I received a gift certificate from my neighbors to a local Nail Salon & Spa.  I allowed myself to use this gift today after a long day of work.  Pedicure and polish.  Hot Pink was my choice today.  They gave me these wonderfully silly lime green flops to wear.  Little did they know, I love lime green and hot pink. What a way to end the day.

Monday, January 2, 2012

PROJECT 365
Jan. 2, 2012  Lean on Me
For his Birthday, I gave my husband a new zoom lens for our camera.  He really enjoys taking photos, esp of nature and using natural light where I have no clue how to use a camera.  I have been reading camera tips on pinterest so I will learn to use that black metal/plastic thing with a glass front.  I think it is called a camera???
To try out his new toy, Randy, Maranda & I took a trip to our new Homesight (home not built yet) and snapped a few photos.  I decided on the poses while Randy set the tripod, camera and zoom.  It really is team work!  I think this one is my favorite.  Both ladies, Maranda and myself are leaning on our guy just as we lean/depend on him in our daily lives. 
 PROJECT 365
Jan 1, 2012   Est. 2009
I am going to try and commit myself to this new project idea.  A picture a day for 365 days.  A friend, Annette, introduced me to this and I will try with all my might to stick to it.  So, for Jan. 1, 2012, I am posting a pic of my first crafty project.  I ordered the "Family" vinyl from Stampin' Up!.  I could not find an old window around Tyler but my father-in-law found one in Frankston for $12.50.  A little much in price compared to the $5 I have paid for previous windows but I needed it.  Normally the Habitat Restore sales windows for $5.  Anyway, I got my new old window, cleaned it up just a little and applied the vinyl.  The end result is now the centerpiece on our mantle.