Picture of the Week

Happy Valentines Day. 

Wishing you a special day filled with love.

xoxo 

Just for Fun

When Alex was a little boy I used to love reading to him before bedtime.  As he grew,  the bedtime tradition quickly became a thing of the past.  Books were packed up, given to the local library, or to friends for their enjoyment.  There were however a few books that I just could not part with.  You know the ones that we read over and over again--so much so that I could probably read them without even looking at the pages. Just for fun I thought I would share some of the pages of one of my favorites.  It is so appropriate after this weeks weather.....

So all of my snowbound friends---this is a great book to read to all of the special little ones in your life.  See snow can be fun---SNOW CAN BE FUN :) 

Winter "Blues"

The next time I wish for a big snow or listen longingly to the weather reports of cities receiving record snowfalls,  would someone please smack me.  With Friday's snowfall of 23 inches and now with last night's and today's addition of 6 inches and counting I don't think I will ever again venture outside of my home.  Except of course to shovel.  We are making the best of it and I must say it does bring a neighborhood together.  Everyone checking on eachother and lending a hand whenever we can.  I know my son was sure thankful to a kind neighbor who brought his snowblower over to help him dig the driveway out.  With the schools all closed and even my husband's office closed for the day,  it allows for some fun family time.  As the saying goes "When life gives you lemons, make lemonaid".  Well I say "When Winter gives you the blues, make Blueberry Buckle"  And that is just what I did.........

Blueberry Buckle

1/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

2 cups blueberries

In a mixing bowl, cream butter with the sugar until light and airy.

Blend in the egg.

In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk to the creamed mixture.

Gently fold in the blueberries.

Pour into a greased and floured 8 x 8 inch pan.

Topping

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup butter

Combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon in a bowl and cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 

Sprinkle over batter in the pan.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 40 -45 minutes.  Place the pan on a rack to cool.  Cut into squares and serve warm.  Serves 6

I am sure this would be wonderful with vanilla ice-cream however I just can't bring myself to eat something cold and white :)

Paint by Numbers Challenge

I am so excited!!! Another challenge from Papertrey Ink was issued today in celebration of their third birthday.  It is a "paint" by numbers challenge of sorts.  A special sketch and color palette  were provided by Papertrey Ink.  Our challenge...create a card using the sketch and all of the colors in our assigned palette. We were allowed to mix the colors in whatever way we wanted but all had to be used.  A challenge for me for sure.  The colors in my palette are definitely out of my comfort zone. I guess that is why they call it a challenge (hehehe)   It took me all morning to come up with an entry for this challenge.  Good thing today is my birthday and I have the whole day to "play" 

THE SKETCH

THE COLOR PALETTE

Here is what I came up with.........

I hope you like it.  Well I am headed out to the grocery store and my local craft store.  More SNOW is on the way and I need a few things if I am going to be snowed in for the rest of the week.  You know important things like toilet paper and scrapbooking adhesive  :)

Pictures of the Week

Did you notice the title of this post----PicturES of the week.  That's right I am going to break my rule of  sharing only one picture this week.  It has been such a long time since we have had a snow storm like the one that visited us here in Pittsburgh last night.  When I woke this morning I could hardly believe my eyes.  I just can not choose my favorite picture so I will share many (hehehe)  I will let the pictures tell the story.........

Hope you are all staying safe and warm this very SNOWY weekend!!!!

A Friend Loves At All Times

It is coming on that time of year again.  Time has once again marched on and is quickly approaching February 8---my birthday.  Another birthday-YIKES!!! This year I will turn 44.  I can remember when I thought of that age as being "old".  I no longer think of it as OLD, just more mature. (hehehe)  Eventhough my birthday is not until Monday, I was invited on Wednesday to an early celebration lunch by my sweet friends Michele and Joyce (Scrap for Joy).  It was the most delightful afternoon filled with friendship and laughter.  Joyce prepared a wonderful lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  It could not have been a more perfect menu.  That is one of my most favorite meals.  There is something so warm and comforting about hot soup and a warm sandwich.  I felt so special as I walked into the dinning room and saw how pretty the table had been set. 

After lunch there was dessert!!!  My favorite cookie of all time is shortbread.  Michele bakes the yummiest shortbread and as it turned out she baked a whole bowl of the prettiest shortbread hearts. 

Joyce served them with chocolate ice-cream that she promised was low fat---hmmm it sure didn't taste low fat :)

What a perfect afternoon.----But there was more!!! They had gifts too.

  It is such a special feeling to have friends who really know you---friends that know just the thing to make your gasp in delight.  And believe me that is exactly what I did.  First from Joyce......This beautiful box which she hand decorated.....

Look what was inside!!!!!!!

Joyce had several surprises tucked into that beautiful tin but one that I can't wait to open is this....

Joyce thought I needed another chick flick (besides EverAfter)  to watch as I craft.  I can't wait to pop it into the DVD player. 

And then there was this most amazing gift from Michele.....

Another little surprise from Michele were these sweet little flashcards from K & Company.  I just can't wait to create something with them.....

My favorite....

There were more delicious cookies for me to take home, a sweet new border punch and the prettiest pink ribbon.......

I am so blessed by these ladies and their friendship.  The best birthday gift---friends that love me at all times.  Thanks Michele and Joyce for making my birthday so special.