All the Trimmings

Time to simplify

2009-11-04T15:26:00.004-06:00

After much deliberation, I have decided to close shop on this blog and post everything - be it related to crafting, cooking, or family - on my other blog. With three little ones to contend with, simplicity is what I'm craving at the moment! My goal is to move all of the recipes I have posted here over to the other blog (If anyone knows of an easy way to do this, I'm all ears), but until then, they will all remain available here. I have come to use this blog as an online recipe organizer of sorts!

I hope everyone who reads here regularly will follow me in this move! I would love for y'all to follow my goings-on over at The Bell Family blog.

Love to all,
Amy

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T08:17:00.002-05:00

To help everyone get into the Halloween spirit, Jack would like to share his favorite Halloween book with all of you.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Have a safe, spooky Halloween, everyone!

Best mom ever!

2009-09-27T21:35:00.001-05:00

I just opened up my email to find pictures of the diaper bag my mom made for me this weekend. Isn't this fabulous?!! I cannot wait to carry it!

FYI: For anyone interested, I'm sure Mama Reita would be more than happy to do commissioned work!

Introducing...

2009-09-10T10:34:00.004-05:00

Cecily Evelyn Bell

9.8.09

6:08 p.m.

7 lbs. 11 oz.

21.5 inches

Kids' rooms

2009-08-17T20:48:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos of the kiddos' finished rooms. I put the full description of everything on our family blog if you want to check it out!

Ginger Krinkles and Menu Monday

2009-07-13T20:54:00.001-05:00

I just love to make a batch of cookies, and even though it does heat up the kitchen when I fire up the oven to do so in the middle of the summer, I have found it to be a very good activity to keep my two little assistants busy when it is just too hot to venture outdoors! This particular recipe has been in our family for a very long time; my mom's mom, my Mammo, loved this recipe and made it very often.

Ginger Krinkles
(I don't know why we spell this with a K instead of a C, but that's just the way we've always done it - lol!)

2/3 cup cooking oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg
4 tablespoons molasses
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Roll into 1-inch balls and dip in sugar. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. (Do not overbake. These cookies will still be very soft when they come out of the oven, but they will firm up to a chewy texture once they are cool.)

************************************

So now that I've covered dessert, here's what's on tap for us for supper. ;)

Monday - Veggie Night: Balsamic Green Beans with Potatoes and Caramelized Onions, Steamed Squash, Caprese Salad, Bread
Tuesday - Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Bacon and Jalapenos (using my recipe here that I originally made with fresh pinto beans)
Wednesday - Movie in the Park Night: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Hoppin' John Salad, and Orange Stuff (and orange jello salad made with buttermilk and crushed pineapple - so cool and delicious!)
Thursday - Chicken Marsala with Fingerling Potatoes and Broccolini
Friday - Out to dinner for my birthday! (Leftover pork for my mom and the kiddos)
Saturday - Fajitas with Black Beans and Guacamole
Sunday - Pork Chops with Leeks in Mustard Sauce with Roasted New Potatoes

My mom is coming on Thursday of this week to help me continue in my nesting quest. I can't wait to have her, and I'm hoping we get enough accomplished to also sneak in some sewing time while she's here!

Have a great week!
Amy

This week's menu

2009-07-07T16:11:00.003-05:00

We just got back from our marathon trek to New Mexico yesterday, so today was our day to get back settled in. I am really looking forward to everything on tap this week. I love that feeling!

Tuesday - Broiled Cod Fillets with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Farfalle and Peas
Wednesday - Beef with Broccoli and Yams, Brown Rice and Bread
Thursday - Spaghetti and Sauteed Mushrooms with Bread and Salad
Friday - Tamales Compuestos (Thanks to Mama Reita for hooking us up with some scrumptious tamales she and her friends put together last fall!) with Black Beans
Saturday - Barbecue Chicken with veggies from the farmers' market
Sunday - Veggie Night (We love having a veggie smorgasbord just after our runs to the farmers' market each Saturday)

Nesting has now hit in full force! This week's goal is to get as many of the nooks and crannies in the house cleaned out as possible (I tackled my laundry "closet" today, something I am very happy to have behind me!), and this weekend we will start the transition of moving Charlotte and Jack into the same bedroom. I am so nervous about how they are going to sleep with their new arrangement!

Another outfit for Miss Priss

2009-06-24T23:09:00.001-05:00

My weekend sewing convention getaway with Mom last week was absolutely amazing! I learned so much, but the real fun was in spending so much time with Mom, just the two of us. I cannot remember the last time we were able to do that! After getting so many cute ideas, I had to put them into practice this week, so I fired up my machine and made Charlotte another little outfit. I am hooked on these ruffled skirts and matching tops! The little peacock here turned out a bit more...er...detailed than I had originally intended, but I think it's pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself. I finally had to cut myself off from adding extra "touches"...designing these shirts is so much like scrapbooking!

Here's Miss Priss in her new duds...I am fairly sure these grins mean it got her "fancy" seal of approval. :)

I love this shot of Jack.

And Charlotte's (very accurate) Mama impression! Here I am this week, at 27 weeks (now in the third trimester...gulp!). This shot was taken post-workout, so you'll have to bear with my lovely hair. ;)

Made by Mama

2009-06-18T12:45:00.001-05:00

There is something so incredibly gratifying about dressing Charlotte in something I made for her myself. I was given the tip to check out this adorable ruffled skirt tutorial a while back (thanks, Donnell!), and with a few adjustments in the measurements, I was able to make one for Charlotte lickety split! I even fancied things up a bit by adding some ric rac to the top tier. This one was so easy and fun, I have fabric in mind to make another very soon!

I am off in just a few minutes for my sewing convention getaway with my mom in Dallas. So excited!!

Everyday Treasures

2009-06-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

My scrap table has sat by its lonesome for many, many moons, and I am embarrassed to admit that I finished this page up well over a month ago and only just now got around to scanning it in! I wanted a page to document the little things Charlotte was doing around the time I took these precious photos of her in her pretty Easter dress, and this is what I created. I had fun mixing and matching lots of different products on this one, with some new things (the American Crafts stickers in the title are so fun to work with) and some old (I managed to use up the very last of the Chatterbox felt stickers I've had such a love affair with since they arrived in my Scarlet Lime kit eons ago!).

Journaling: You won't go anywhere without your baby in tow ~ You give me your pouty, pursed-lip face any time I tell you to look at me ~ You say "hold you" instead of "hold me" when you want to snuggle ~ Your version of the ABC's skips from ABC to HIJ, then repeats ~ You love to do a twirl in your dresses to hear how pretty you are ~ You say "ho-ho" instead of hello ~ You never finish a meal without being covered in the menu du jour ~ You have just enough baby-fine curls for a little ponytail right on top of your head.

Thanks so much for stopping by! A.

Spicy Pinto Bean Soup with Bacon and Jalapeños

2009-06-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Until we happened upon them at the farmers' market this weekend, I had honestly never considered cooking with fresh pinto beans. I will certainly seek them out from now on when they are in season! I came up with the following recipe tonight to utilize as many of the fresh ingredients we'd purchased at the market on Saturday as possible. I was so pleased with the end result! The drizzle of balsamic vinegar at the end was just what the dish needed to add a tangy finish to the lovely spicy flavor. If fresh pinto beans are unavailable, I'm sure this recipe would work fabulously with black-eyed peas. Enjoy!

Spicy Pinto Bean Soup with Bacon and Jalapeños

3 slices thick pepper bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb. fresh pinto beans or black-eyed peas

1/3 cup dry red wine

3 cups chicken stock

2 large tomatoes, chopped

2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (or less, depending on your heat preference)

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Balsamic vinegar

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pot to drain on paper towels, pouring off all but 1 Tbsp. of drippings. Reduce heat to medium, add onion, and saute until translucent and golden, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and pinto beans and saute until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes more.

Add wine to pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. Stir in chicken stock and next 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat slightly so soup comes to a steady, but not rolling, boil. Cook until beans are soft and liquid is thickened, about 1 hour. (If you prefer your beans on the softer side, I recommend an additional half hour or so of cooking time.) Stir in reserved bacon. Drizzle each bowl of soup with a touch of balsamic vinegar just before serving.

Menu Monday

2009-06-15T19:45:00.003-05:00

I'll be out of town Thursday through Sunday to attend a Martha Pullen sewing convention in Dallas with Mama Reita (wahoo!!), so a lot of our menu this week revolves around leftovers and things Matt can put together easily for the kiddos on his own. This will be his first-ever time with both kids overnight. He's petrified. ;)

I am loving planning recipes around the delicious goodies we're buying each week at the farmers' market! Tonight's recipe was 100% locally grown or produced, and Tuesday's dinner will be the same. Nothing tastes better than ingredients from just down the road.

Monday - Spicy Pinto Bean Soup with Bacon and Jalapenos and Cornbread
Tuesday - Veggie night: Squash Casserole, Skillet Creamed Corn with Bacon (I dream about this recipe!!), and Fresh Green Beans and New Potatoes with Brown Butter Soda Bread
Wednesday - Lasagna with Salad and Bread using my Marinara Sauce found here
Thursday - Spaghetti and Marinara Sauce with Broccolini, Salad and Bread (I am doubling the sauce recipe on Wednesday so this will be a quick throw-together for Matt)
Friday - Leftover Lasagna
Saturday - Bratwurst with Red Cabbage, Apples and Onions (Matt knows the only time he can get away with cooking red cabbage is when I'm out of the house - lol!!)
Sunday - TBD

I'll be sharing quite a few recipes from this week's spread over the course of the next few days, so be sure to stay tuned!

A.

Chicken Pot Pie

2009-06-09T20:35:00.003-05:00

Growing up, when I was asked about my favorite food, I never responded with typical kid fare like chicken nuggets, pizza, or ice cream. Oh no...my absolute favorite thing in the world to eat was Mama Reita's chicken pot pie! This recipe is a breeze to prepare, and it is so easy to adjust depending on the ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy!

Mama Reita's Chicken Pot Pie
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
3 tbsp. butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1-1/2 cups frozen veggies (you can use any you like, but I find the carrot, pea, corn and green bean medley works fabulously)
1 can chopped green chiles (optional - but the New Mexican in me can't help but put green chile in everything ;)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 (8 oz.) package crescent rolls

Saute onion and celery in butter in a sauce pan; stir in soup and sour cream. Blend in chicken, veggies, green chile (if using), and seasonings. Pour into 12 x 8 greased casserole. Top with unrolled crescent rolls. Bake at 375 until browned and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.

Card Sketch #1

2009-06-03T13:56:00.003-05:00

It's been ages since I last shared a sketch with y'all. I have to admit that my scrapping table has sat completely neglected for the last little while as my sewing obsession has taken over. I have, however, managed to put together a few cards, so I thought I'd post a card sketch today to fill in the gaps until I finally get to scrapping again!

Have fun!

Amy

Menu Monday

2009-06-01T15:36:00.002-05:00

First week on June - how on earth did that happen!? Here's our spread for the week:

Monday - Vegetable-Quinoa Pilaf (didn't get around to making this last week) with Salad and Bread
Tuesday - Pecan-Crusted Tilapia (based loosely on the recipe here) with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Farfalle and Broccolini (so excited to make our first pesto of the year - yay for basil!)
Wednesday - Pork Chops with Leeks in Mustard Sauce with Baked Sweet Potatoes
Thursday - Sausage, Fontina and Bell Pepper Strata with Salad
Friday - Beef Brisket with Lemony New Potato Salad and Corn on the Cob (brisket recipe to be posted later this week)

Happy Monday!
Amy

Chalupa Bowls

2009-05-27T11:33:00.002-05:00

I don't use my poor, neglected Crock Pot nearly as much as I should. Even though I love the idea of having dinner put together in such a snap, I'll be honest: so many of the recipes I've tried lack the texture and flavor I'm looking for. This recipe appeared in Southern Living magazine eons ago, and I was super pleased to see it make an appearance in their new cookbook. (Some of you might remember me posting this on the Feeling Scrappy blog a while back.) I serve this in crispy taco bowls the first night with cheese, sour cream and salsa, and then I use the leftovers for quesadillas or soft tacos. Leftovers also freeze well, which is an added bonus!

Chalupa Bowls
1 lb. dried pinto beans
3-4 lb. boneless pork loin roast
2 cans chopped green chiles
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 (32-oz.) container chicken broth
1 can Rotel

Rinse and sort beans. Place beans in crock pot; add roast and next 6 ingredients. Pour chicken broth over roast. Cover and cook on high 1 hour; reduce heat to low, and cook 9 hours. Or, cover and cook on high 6 hours. Pull roast into large pieces with two forks. Stir in Rotel. Cook roast, uncovered, on high 1 more hour or until liquid is slightly thickened.

Menu Monday

2009-05-25T15:52:00.002-05:00

Another week of travels for Matt; another easy menu for the week. I seem to be in a bit of a rut when it comes to our go-to recipes, but I just can't stop craving the same things!

Monday - Green Chile Cheeseburgers with Sweet Potato Fries and Cantaloupe
Tuesday - Vegetable-Quinoa Pilaf with Salad and Bread
Wednesday - Stir-Fried Beef, Broccoli and Yams with Salad
Thursday - Pork Chalupa Bowls (a great Crock Pot recipe I'll share later this week)
Friday - Pizza and Salad
Saturday - Pork Quesadillas (with leftover meat from Thursday)

Happy Memorial Day! We owe such a debt of gratitude to those who serve or have served this great country of ours to guarantee the freedoms we all too often take for granted.
A.

My current craving

2009-05-22T17:08:00.003-05:00

When I was pregnant with Jack, I had a mayonnaise fetish. Considering I really don't like to have much to do with mayo when I'm not expecting, that was a very odd thing for me to want on a continual basis! (Needless to say, I certainly packed on the pounds with him...) We had a church picnic last Sunday, and as I was considering something picnicky (I am almost certain that is not a word) to make, the first thing that came to mind was a recipe I nearly ate my weight in with him: pimiento cheese!

I am not a fan of store-bought pimiento cheese. The sweetness of it generally puts me off, and it all tends to have a certain tang I'm not particularly fond of. The homemade version, though? Scrumptious! The following recipe came from my mom, and it is ridiculously easy to make.

One tip: if you can possibly get your hands on it, I highly recommend trying Duke's mayonnaise in this recipe. Man, is that stuff good - so fresh and lemony! I have to thank Miss Donnell for introducing us to it. :)

Fabulous Pimiento Cheese
1 (8-oz.) loaf Velveeta, cubed
1 (8-oz.) package shredded sharp Cheddar
1 (8-oz.) package shredded Mexican cheese blend
1-1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
A few drops of Tabasco (optional)
1 cup (yes, an entire cup!!) mayonnaise

Process half of cheeses in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Transfer to a bowl. Process remaining cheeses, sugar, salt, pepper, and Tabasco in food processor until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Stir into cheese mixture in bowl; stir in pimiento and mayonnaise.

Today's project

2009-05-20T19:33:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share this little outfit I made today for Charlotte. The pant pattern is Britches and Bloomers by Jackie Clark, and although I am going to have to tweak the sizing a bit the next time around (she needs more room for her little caboose! :), I really enjoyed working with it. The t-shirt I picked up for $1.50 at Wally World a while back, and I added some coordinating fabric yo-yo's and some leaves I cut from the pant fabric. (I stitched the yo-yo's and the leaves on with a small zig-zag.) If you've never made any yo-yo's you really should give it a try. They are so simple to throw together, yet the options for using them are endless!

Bows

2009-05-18T17:57:00.002-05:00

I've been trying my hand at making some more bows for Charlotte (those little bug bows got me hooked!), something kind of fresh and out of the ordinary to go with all of the cute outfits Mammo is always sending her. I came up with this little flower design, and I have to say I am really digging these things! I made my own korker ribbon for the flower centers. It was so easy to do, and I think it really adds a lot.

I have been a fairly delinquent blogger lately (bad me). My craft time is keeping me off of the computer for the most part! Between the bows and the maternity tops (I made myself another one on Saturday) and some card making, I'm a busy girl of late. More pics of my finished projects are sure to come.

By the way, menu Monday is getting pushed back to later in the week. It was such a wild one last week, I am still working on fixing some of the things I had planned for last week!

Menu Monday

2009-05-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's what's on tap for us this week.

Monday - Sausage, Fontina, and Bell Pepper Strata (from this month's issue of Bon Appetit) with Salad
Tuesday - Chicken Piccata with Angel Hair Pasta and Broccoli
Wednesday - Mama Reita's Meat Loaf with Mashed Potatoes and Peas
Thursday - Taco Salad (using my Taco Beef recipe found here)
Friday - Fajitas with Black Beans and Guacamole
Saturday - Frozen Pizza
Sunday - Church Pot Luck

I hope everyone had a lovely (and restful, if that's what you needed!) Mothers' Day!
A.

Sketch #6

2009-05-06T09:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Hump Day!
Amy

Menu Monday

2009-05-04T11:17:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday! Here's what's on tap for us this week. We've got a crazy few days ahead, so lots of what we're having are go-to recipes.

Monday - Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf with Bread and Salad
Tuesday - Spaghetti with Sauteed Mushrooms, Salad and Bread (we didn't wind up eating this on Saturday as I had planned)
Wednesday - Stir-Fried Beef, Broccoli and Yams
Thursday - Chile Rellenos with Black Beans and Spanish Rice
Friday - Chicken Parmesan with Broccolini, Salad and Bread (I am doubling the sauce recipe on Tuesday to have enough for this as well)

We are having a party at our house Saturday, and Sunday will be a Mothers' Day surprise (fun!!), so that is about it!

Since we're having the quinoa again this week, I thought I'd share this pic from the last time I made it. All of these gorgeous colors have me looking forward to tonight's supper already! Isn't healthy eating gorgeous? :)

My latest projects

2009-05-02T13:48:00.004-05:00

Matt was gone for a couple of days during the latter part of the week, so I opted to stay productive during the evenings after the kiddos had been tucked in instead of concentrating on being lonesome. I have been wanting to make these little bug bows ever since Mom sent me the tutorial eons ago, and I finally got around to it! The supplies for these came 100% from my stash. Love that! In addition to these dragonflies, I also made a really cute layered butterfly, but since it is currently on top of Miss Priss's little head as she's taking a nap, y'all will have to wait to see that one. :)

I know I'm biased, but isn't she too cute for words?

I shared a link to the Sew Mama, Sew! blog a few weeks ago, so some of you might have seen the tutorial on there for the most adorable (and easy!) ruffled top. I am in dire need of some duds that accommodate my ever-growing belly, so just about the moment I saw the how-to, I headed out to buy some fabric. I am so pleased with how it turned out. (So pleased, in fact, that I think I'll probably make a couple more!) This wasn't designed specifically to be a maternity top, but because of the length and overall design, it works perfectly for that purpose. My handsome little man wanted to pose for the camera, too. ;)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Sketch #5

2009-04-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Have fun!
A.

Hello, world!

2009-04-28T15:05:00.003-05:00

I posted a few pics from our ultrasound last week on our family blog if you want to take a look. Here's a peek at one of them: five tiny little fingers waving hello. :)

Marinara Sauce

2009-04-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm sure y'all will start noticing that one meal that comes up repeatedly in our lineup is spaghetti. We absolutely love spaghetti with marinara sauce around here. LOVE it. I used to always think twisting open a jar was the only way this meal could be easy, since I had the impression that homemade sauces required hours of tending and stirring. Not so! Over the course of the last year or so, I have worked to develop a recipe for the best homemade marinara sauce possible. After lots of experimenting, this is the one I think I will stick with for the long haul. It is lively with a depth of flavor that belies the fact it only takes a little over an hour to make (with only about 15 minutes of that being active cook time!).

A tip: don't skimp on ingredients. Buy the best canned, WHOLE tomatoes you can find. I love these by Cento. Also, if you can locate it, the Italian tomato paste you buy in a tube is not only absolutely wonderful for its rich flavor, but it is also so much more convenient than having to pop open a can to take 2 tablespoons and leave the rest to spoil at the back of your fridge. (Haven't we all be there before?)

Amy's Marinara Sauce

1 small onion, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 small carrots, finely chopped

1/3-1/2 cup dry red wine

2 tbsp. tomato paste

1 (35-oz.) can whole tomatoes

2 tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped

1 tbsp. fresh oregano, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Crushed red pepper (optional)

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions, and saute until golden, about 8 minutes. (Don't rush this step! Onions that are golden, and not just translucent, impart so much delicious flavor to the sauce.) Add garlic and carrots, and saute 2-3 minutes more, until garlic is fragrant and carrots are slightly softened.

Add wine all at once to the onion mixture. Boil, stirring constantly, until wine evaporates almost completely, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste. (At this point, your mixture should be very thick, with the wine/paste thoroughly coating the onion mixture.)

Add tomatoes, basil and oregano to the pot, stirring well. Using a potato masher, crush the tomatoes until sauce is fairly smooth in consistency. Season with salt and pepper. (You can also add some crushed red pepper at this point if you desire.)

Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until sauce is considerably thickened. (It is important not to cook the sauce too fast here; a slow simmer, with just a slight bubbling at the surface, will help the sauce reach its best consistency.)

This recipe can easily be doubled, and leftovers can be frozen in Ziploc baggies to be thawed for quick weeknight meals. Serve with your choice of pasta, and enjoy!

Menu Monday

2009-04-27T11:35:00.003-05:00

The theme for this week? Easy peasy. Matt has a lot of business travel coming up, but I am going to try really hard not to do my usual and settle for the drive-through routine while he's away. Wish me luck!

Monday - Venison Loin with Twice-Baked Potatoes and Broccoli (We were too exhausted from working in the yard to make this on Saturday like I had originally planned!)
Tuesday - Chopped Steaks with Mashed Potatoes and Peas
Wednesday - Shortcut Beef and Green Chile Enchiladas
Thursday - Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches with Potato Chowder
Friday - Frozen Pizza
Saturday - Spaghetti with Salad

This week's groceries are already bought and put away. Love that! I've started a little tradition of picking up a bouquet of flowers to have on the kitchen table each week, and I just had to share this pic of last week's selection. These were the most gorgeous grocery store flowers I have ever had! Stargazers make my heart happy since they were the star flowers in our wedding. :)

Have a great week!

She Would've Adored You

2009-04-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

This page was based on one of my sketches for the Sketchapalooza class. I was so happy with how it came out. My Mammo passed away in 1995, but I want to pass her legacy on to my kiddos. Isn't it incredible that scrapping allows us the power to link generations?

I hope everyone has a great weekend planned!

The cat is out of the bag!

2009-04-23T14:37:00.003-05:00

Matt and I went in for our big ultrasound this morning, bound and determined not to find out the baby's sex. Actually, we were really laid back about the whole thing, feeling really comfortable and excited about the prospect of waiting till delivery day for the big news. When we walked in for the appointment, the first words out of my mouth were that we didn't want to know the sex. The tech was very receptive to that, and we got everything started. I looked away every time I even suspected the tech was venturing to an area where I could inadvertently see something I didn't want to, and Matt was really great about it, too. We were so good! The scan went very well, and the baby (just one baby!!) is measuring perfectly and looks very healthy.

I got settled back on the table for the second half of the scan after I was allowed to go potty (ooooh, I had forgotten how miserable those 40 ounces feel on a pregnant bladder!!), and the tech commenced to take a few measurements before she started to go over in more fine detail with us what all we were seeing. It is always such a miracle to see those little hands and fingers, feet and toes, and the little heart already pump-pumping along with arteries and veins reaching from one end of the tiny little body to the other. Life is such a precious gift! Buuut, as the tech was pointing things out to us, instead of saying "the baby's" head, or "its" head, she slipped about 8 times and said the gender-specific adjective! At first we thought it could be a fluke, but it soon became pretty apparent the cat was out of the bag. In spite of the slip-ups, the tech genuinely thought the sex was still a big secret when it was all said and done. (She really was a very nice person!) It is protocol at the clinic to send a detailed report of the ultrasound (which includes the sex of the baby) to the obstetrician, so when the tech handed me the envelope to deliver to him, Matt and I both conceded that to "know" with 99.9% certainty what we are having but not to really know would be pretty silly in the grand scheme of things. So, we looked, and it confirmed our hunch. I am thrilled to announce (although I have to say I am more than a little disappointed that the big reveal is now and not a few months down the road) that Jack and Charlotte will be welcoming a brand-new baby

sister!

some time in September! A boy and two girls...what a wild, wild time this is going to be! :)

Oh, baby!

2009-04-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

There has been a true baby boom among my group of friends of late, and I am finally getting around to putting together some goodies for all of the new little ones. My sewing machine has been quite handy for this purpose! I can't get enough of making these little onesies and coordinating burp cloths. For the onesies I wanted to go with a shabby chic feel, so I opted to leave the edges unfinished as I sewed the layers together. These are absolutely addicting!

In the process of making these, I discovered the coolest way to use my stamps in a fresh way! There is an ink made by Tsukineko called Versa Craft that is permanent on fabric once it is heat set. I found a couple of my stamps that would be perfect for baby, and voila! A terrific accent for these little jewels.

I love this little elephant! I free-handed the shape on a sheet of chipboard to use as my pattern.

Something girly. :)

Burp cloths using Gerber cloth diapers. These couldn't possibly be easier to make!

They are fully lined on the back, with a little bit of trim along the bottom front edge.

And speaking of babies...we will be leaving for our big ultrasound to get our first peek of baby Tres in just a couple of hours. I would be lying if I said I wasn't harboring a slight feeling of terror over the prospect of hearing there are baby Tres and Cuatro in there! More details are sure to come!! :)

All through the house

2009-04-22T13:01:00.009-05:00

I've been mentioning lately how many little projects I've been tackling here and there for the last few weeks. I finally got around to taking a few pics today!

Weekend before last, I repainted our bedroom in a slate blue/grey that I absolutely love. Amazing what a coat of paint can do to freshen up a room! This photo isn't the best, but it can give you a bit of an idea.

Living in a 20-year-old house has its challenges. The place is old enough to have its little quirks, but it's not old enough that those quirks would be considered charming. ;) Our bathroom was a total mess when we moved into this house. I wish I had had the foresight to take a picture before I started the total renovation project I took on a while back (a year and a half ago...ahem), but here are some of the after photos. We still aren't totally done yet, but I have to say I am really, really pleased with how far we've come. We changed out all of the fixtures, put in new floors (who on earth puts carpet in a bathroom, anyway?!), tore down five (!!) layers of wallpaper down to the drywall to texture and repaint, put in new mirrors and hardware, and, finally, I repainted the cabinets during Easter weekend. Anyone who saw our bathroom before can attest that this has been a huge project!

Spring in Arkansas is absolutely glorious, and we love to spend as much time outdoors as we can possibly manage enjoying the mild days before the summer heat ensues. I decided to make some outdoor pillows to make our outdoor furniture as comfy (and attractive, if I do say so myself!) as possible. There are many sewing projects that wind up being more expensive than just going out and buying the ready-made product, but this was certainly NOT one of them. For all of the supplies for these pillows and the supplies to make about five more with a coordinating fabric, I spent $75! That means I will have spent less than $8 for each of these once it's all said and done. Not too shabby!

I think my nesting instinct has started early this time!!

Sketch #4

2009-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday is here again, and that means it's sketch time! I am really finding myself drawn to distinct linear boundaries on my pages lately, and this sketch is a great example of that. I find adding clean lines with strips of paper, stitching, ribbon and other trims really helps keep the composition of a page clean while also adding an interesting visual element to the mix.

Happy scrapping! And don't forget to share your pages in the comments below so we can all enjoy your work. :)
Amy

Stir-Fried Beef, Broccoli, and Yams

2009-04-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

This recipe is another discovery from this month's issue of Bon Appetit. I was instantly drawn to it because of the incorporation of sweet potatoes (a family favorite around here) into an Asian recipe, and I have to say I was very happy to have given it a whirl. It is absolutely delicious, and talk about easy! (I was able to find the oyster sauce in the Asian food section at Kroger.)

Here is a link to the recipe on Epicurious.com, and I will also post the recipe in its entirety here. Enjoy!

Stir-Fried Beef, Broccoli, and Yams
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
3 tablespoons oyster sauce*
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 1-pound flank steak, cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 1/2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil, divided
4 cups broccoli florets (about 8 ounces)
1 8-ounce yam (red-skinned sweet potato), peeled, cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
2 teaspoons chopped peeled fresh ginger

Stir first 4 ingredients in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Set sauce aside. Place beef in large bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add cornstarch and toss to coat.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in large wok over high heat. Add beef mixture; stir-fry until no longer pink outside, about 3 minutes. Transfer beef mixture to medium bowl. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet. Add broccoli, yam, and ginger. Toss to coat; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add sauce. Cover, reduce heat to medium-high, and cook until vegetables are just tender, about 5 minutes. Add beef mixture. Toss until sauce coats beef, about 1 minute. Serve.

Menu Monday

2009-04-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm trying really hard to get into the rhythm of a schedule again. It seems like I never truly got back into a groove after Charlotte was born, and now that Baby Tres is on the way (which, by the way, it simply cannot be moving toward the end of April already!), I know that it's time to get my act together so I don't go into a total tailspin come September. So, as much as I've come to loathe a rigid schedule (I used to thrive on them, but boy did having two small kiddos change that!), I am working on making some changes for consistency in what I plan out for each day of the week. Monday is grocery and my big laundry day, Friday has become my cleaning day (I love a clean house for the weekend!), etc. It is amazing how much more at ease I feel after just a couple of weeks!

So, since I'm back in planning mode, I thought I'd start sharing our menu plan each Monday. I know I sometimes hit a rut when it comes to what's on tap week after week, and I know I can't be alone in that boat! Here's this week:

Monday - Vegetable-Quinoa Pilaf with Salad and Crusty Bread
Tuesday - Lamb with Mustard-Cream Sauce, Asparagus and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Wednesday - Spaghetti with Salad and Crusty Bread
Thursday - Beef Stroganoff with Peas and Salad
Friday - Homemade Pizza with Salad
Saturday - Grilled Venison Loin with Grilled Zucchini and Twice-Baked Potatoes

One thing we're going to try to do is eat more vegetarian meals, especially as the farmers' markets open this week and fresh produce will be so abundant.

A recipe I've been going to a lot lately for breakfast is for delicious oatmeal pancakes that Stacey Lokovic shared on Feeling Scrappy a few weeks back. We all love them around here! And with Arkansas strawberries on the brink of readiness, I can't wait to serve those pancakes with fresh berries in the coming weeks. Yum!

By the way...there is a fun blog party going on this week to celebrate two years of Feeling Scrappy, so you should all venture on over. I know I will!

Just three more days until our big ultrasound on Thursday morning. We are still staying strong in not wanting to find out if Baby Tres is a he or a she, but any stay-strong vibes you can send our way are greatly appreciated!! :)

Happy Monday!
Amy

A recent discovery

2009-04-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Ok. I am now on a sewing kick. A wanting-to-sew-every-spare-minute-I-can-manage sewing kick. I haven't sat down at my scrapping desk since before our trip to Florida (!!), but I have managed to put together lots of home decor items (photos to come soon - I promise!) as well as to paint our bathroom cabinets and repaint our bedroom in the most soothing shade imaginable. I have never loved my bedroom before, but I really think I might be on the right track this time! It is still a work in progress, but you can be sure I'll share here when I am finished.

But. Back to sewing. Hunting for some project ideas a few nights ago, I stumbled upon the most charming little blog. There are so many project ideas, it will make your head spin. Trust me: after a half hour of looking through these archives, even if you're not a seamstress, you'll fancy yourself one! :)

Sew, Mama, Sew!

Have fun!
A.

Sketch #3

2009-04-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday is here again, and that means it's sketch time! This week's sketch is nice and simple, with opportunity abounding to add your own personal stamp to the design. I hope you enjoy working with it as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Big Boy Bed

2009-04-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

I love using up scraps from my stash. This layout, which is based on one of Stacy Killion's terrific sketches for the Sketchapalooza class, gave me the opportunity to do just that. I had such fun with this one! Jack is so proud of his big boy bed, and it is even more special because the bedding on his bed once belonged to his cool older cousin, Blake.

I hope everyone's week is going well so far - and that you haven't forgotten tomorrow is Tax Day! :)

Hoppy Easter!

2009-04-13T21:31:00.001-05:00

Aren't these two adorable? There are lots more photos and details on our family blog...check it out!

He is risen, just as He said!
Amy

Friday Fill-Ins

2009-04-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

1. Anonymous...something I wanted to be yesterday when Jack decided to tell the salesman at Payless his bathroom was really dirty.

2. Life is a Highway. (Better known in our household as the Lightning song)

3. Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, and then have a glass of wine.

4. Planting lots of happy flowers is what I look forward to most about spring.

5. Who needs therapy when there is chocolate?

6. Reese's eggs MUST go into the Easter Basket!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing some deck-sittin', tomorrow my plans include planting lots of happy flowers (see #4), and Sunday, I want to rejoice that Jesus is ALIVE (and eat some candy, too ;)!

Good Friday to all of you, my friends!
A.

Pork Chops with Leeks in Mustard Sauce

2009-04-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share another of my recent recipe discoveries, this one from the May issue of Bon Appetit. We love pork around here - more, really, than beef or chicken or fish. Emeril has always been absolutely right: pork fat rules! ;)

So when I saw an entire section devoted to pork recipes in the magazine this month, I was truly excited. This recipe immediately caught my eye, and I have to say it is, without a doubt, the most amazingly delicious pork recipe (and possibly one of the best recipes for any dish) I have ever put in my mouth.

If you haven't had any experience before with leeks, you really must give them a try. Their delicate onion flavor adds so much depth to any number of dishes, as is evidenced by the mustard-leek mixture here. Absolutely mouth-watering!

One tip when working with pork: don't overcook it. Americans tend to think pork has to be served well-done like chicken, but that really isn't the case. Cooked to medium with a slightly pink center is the preferred preparation in our household, but I know many folks like to eat their pork medium-rare. And I promise it's all completely safe. ;)

I will attach a link to the recipe on bonappetit.com in addition to posting the complete recipe here. Enjoy!

Pork Chops with Leeks in Mustard Sauce

4 1 1/2- to 2-inch-thick bone-in heritage pork rib chops (our grocer didn't carry heritage pork, but conventional chops worked just fine)
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 bacon slices, coarsely chopped
Olive oil (optional)
4 cups thinly sliced leeks (white and pale green parts only; about 3 large)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup brandy
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

Pat chops dry with paper towels. Mix 2 teaspoons coarse salt, thyme, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon pepper in small bowl. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on both sides of chops. Let stand at room temperature 1 to 2 hours or wrap and chill up to 1 day.

Heat heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and sauté until crisp and lightly browned. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to small bowl. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chops to skillet. Sear until brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chops to small baking sheet.

Pour off all but 3 tablespoons drippings from skillet (or add olive oil to make 3 tablespoons). Add leeks and sauté until soft, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Add brandy, then broth and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Return bacon to skillet; add sage and stir to blend.

Nestle chops in leeks in skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; simmer 3 minutes. Turn chops over. Cover; simmer until thermometer inserted into thickest part of chops registers 140°F to 145°F, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer chops to platter. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.

Spoon off any fat from cooking liquid in skillet. Boil until all liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Whisk in mustard, then crème fraîche; do not boil. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon over chops.

Sketch #2

2009-04-08T06:00:00.003-05:00

Happy hump day! Just in time for the mid-week blues, a new sketch to help jump-start your creativity. As always, please share your gorgeous pages here if you use this or any of my other sketches. I garner such inspiration from all of you - and I just might have to share your creation here! :)

By the way, thank you for the input you shared on the last sketch and any you share on this one. I will certainly take all of your tips and put them to good use!

You Gotta Wear Shades

2009-04-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

This page, another I created for Sketchapalooza, makes me smile. The colors are even more vibrant than I usually go for (and that's really saying something!), but Charlotte in those sunglasses really called for something WOW. :) Nearly 100% of the supplies here are from various Scarlet Lime kits.

In other news...dear me, I have been a sewing fool for the last two days! I've made five outdoor pillows for our deck and patio (with plans for another five in a contrasting fabric) and a new valance for our kitchen. We have French doors leading out to our deck that have been in dire need of a serious makeover since the day we moved in (four years go - good gracious), and I have plans to make some matching valances for each of the doors to cover the rolling mechanism for some new shades I ordered yesterday. There is something about spring that always kicks my project queue into overdrive!

I hope your week is off to a great start!
A.

Herbed Spinach and Goat Cheese Strata

2009-04-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

This recipe came from this month's issue of Relish Magazine (mine arrived with my paper just yesterday). When I saw it, I knew instantly it would be incredibly delicious. Every member of this family is a huge fan of goat cheese, and seeing it combined with so many other luscious ingredients sounded way too good to pass up! This would make for a great brunch, but I prepared it for supper tonight, and it was very satisfying as a vegetarian meal option. I served it alongside roasted asparagus and a green salad. Is it sad to admit I'm already eyeballing it for leftovers tomorrow?!

One tip: Don't skimp on the bread here. The Ciabatta (a rustic Italian-style bread) recommended really does make the recipe.

Enjoy!

Herbed Spinach and Goat Cheese Strata
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
½ teaspoon salt, divided
Coarsely ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
8 cups cubed rustic bread, such as Ciabatta (about a 1-pound loaf)
1 cup crumbled goat cheese (6 ounces)
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2¾ cups 2% reduced-fat milk
8 eggs
1 to 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried

Place thawed spinach in colander and squeeze out excess water. Chop finely.

Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in spinach; remove from heat. Toss bread cubes, spinach mixture and cheeses together in a large bowl. Place mixture in a buttered 13 x 9-inch baking dish or 3-quart gratin dish.

Whisk together milk, eggs, mustard and herbs. Add ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper. Pour evenly over bread mixture. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight. (I only refrigerated for 4 hours, which was perfectly adequate.)

Preheat oven to 350F. Remove strata from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and bake, uncovered, about 45 minutes, until puffed, golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Serves 10.

Dude

2009-04-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

This is another of my creations for the sketch class. I loved these photos of Jack I captured during a completely impromptu photo session in January. You just have to love a little boy in his undies and boots! :o)

In fun news, I was chosen as the featured gallery this morning in the gallery walk currently in progress at Scrapbook.com. Each day, the moderator of the discussion chooses a different gallery to feature so people can take a stroll through and comment on fellow artists' work. It was such a fun surprise to hear the news that she had chosen to feature my gallery! To further sweeten the deal, one of the ladies from sb.com liked one of my pages so much (and the fact that I had linked some of my products back to their store) that she decided to send me a little RAK! So all-in-all, it's been a good day scrappy-wise. :)

I am feeling the need to do something craftsy, but I just haven't had a chance to sit at my table since before our trip to Florida. Maybe this weekend! I would love to sneak in some time while the kiddos are at Mothers' Day Out today, but since I have an appointment with my OB this morning, I doubt it will happen. I'm looking forward to hearing this little one's heartbeat again...it's been a long time since my first appointment all those weeks ago! (I am already 15 weeks along - wowza! September will be here before we know it.)

Happy Weekend Eve!

Something new - Sketch #1!

2009-04-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

I have found myself lately becoming somewhat of a sketching fool. At all hours, in all locations, you are very likely to find me with a pencil in hand scribbling like a madwoman on a piece of scratch paper. I decided today to finally make an effort to organize the little collection that's been mounting on my scrap desk, and I have to say that I had an absolute blast creating these little digital versions of the images that have been dancing through my mind. My goal is to share one of these news sketches here each Wednesday, just one addicted scrapper to another, with the hope that you can find some inspiration when you visit my place.

So here you go: the first of what I hope are many sketches that I'll be sharing with you! I would absolutely love to see any of the pages you create with this sketch, so please don't hesitate to share.

Find beauty in this day!
Amy

Sketchapalooza wrap-up

2009-03-31T11:49:00.001-05:00

I know I've mentioned ad nauseam how much I love the sketch classes at Feeling Scrappy, but I just can't say enough how terrific it is to be able to manage to churn out so many pages in such a short period of time, all the while working with so many talented scrappers. I so enjoyed being on the DT for the last two Sketchapalooza classes. It is bittersweet that my term on the FS team has officially come to an end, but I have to say I am truly thrilled for all of the talented new designers who will be joining Jayne and Stacey for the next six months! (For the announcement of the new DT, click here.)

Now that the class has wrapped, I thought I'd share a couple of the pages I finished up with you now. I've been having so much fun lately mixing lots of colorful patterns and textures, and my sewing machine has certainly been getting a workout!

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Home again, home again!

2009-03-30T15:30:00.001-05:00

I just set up a detailed post on our family blog about our family trip with Matt's parents to Florida last week, but I thought I'd share a few photos here, too. It was such a fun trip!

A labor of love

2009-03-18T20:31:00.001-05:00

I can never forget that this...

...begets this.

I got my lasagna made, but it is never a tidy process!! It was absolutely worth it, though, while we were eating outside this evening. Yum!

A few things that make me happy today

2009-03-18T12:35:00.000-05:00

1. 77 degrees with sunshine galore...spring!

2. #1 on this list being a great reason to treat my kiddos to an afternoon ice cream run.
3. Scrubs AND Lost all in one night of entertainment fun? Score!
4. Michael Season's Baked Cheese Puffs. How can something so good not be horrible for you?

5. Lasagna for supper tonight, probably eaten al fresco from the comfort of our deck. If I get off my tookus and start cooking, that is. ;)

So, what makes you happy today? I'd love to know!

Just because...

2009-03-16T20:38:00.001-05:00

So this has nothing to do with crafting or cooking, but it's just too cute not to share. My baby girl is growing up!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Check it out!

2009-03-16T10:16:00.000-05:00

I just posted a really yummy chicken recipe on Feeling Scrappy. Here's a peek...

Head on over and check it out. :)

Better late than never!

2009-03-13T21:30:00.000-05:00

My Friday Fill-Ins before I sign off to watch last night's Grey's. :)

1. When I look to the left, I see the mounds of cozy pillows on Matt's side of the bed.
2. Our family room is the room that has the best view in my home.
3. Let it work out for me to wake up feeling miraculously better in the morning!
4. Never trust a haircut done dirt cheap!
5. Living prudently within our means is a responsibility that all qualified citizens must share.
6. If you have any Tootsie rolls (the big bars and none of the midgees or whatever they call them), cornbread dressing, or Whataburgers with cheese (I MISS that place!) feel free to send them my way. (Pregnancy cravings!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating green chile stew and watching Grey's, tomorrow my plans include doing some shopping, watching some b-ball and working in a bit of scrapping, and Sunday, I want to build our new herb garden after church!

Night night,
A.

Design team call at Feeling Scrappy

2009-03-12T14:22:00.000-05:00

It is very hard to believe my term as DT member for Feeling Scrappy is coming to a close at the end of this month. Six months have absolutely flown! A call is currently in progress to fill the positions for the new DT, and I would strongly encourage each and every one of you to apply. I have really enjoyed my time working with Jayne, Stacey and the guest DT members, and I truly feel my scrappy style has been enriched because my my experience teaching and learning alongside so many other talented scrappers!

For full details on the call, visit the Feeling Scrappy blog. The call runs today through the 27th, and the new members will be announced on the blog on the 3oth.

Speaking of Feeling Scrappy...I have been scrapping up a storm for the Sketchapalooza class currently in progress. I can't believe how motivating these sketch classes are for tackling my pile of photos! I can't share any of those pages until the class closes at the end of the month, but I thought I'd share a couple of my older pages and projects that I've created during my time on the DT. I am amazed at how much my scrappy style has changed even in the span of time since I completed these pages!

I hope everyone has had a stellar week!

Friday Fill-Ins

2009-03-06T09:01:00.000-06:00

I've seen this on lots of other blogs, and I thought it would be fun to give it a shot, too! My answers are in bold.

1. Deciding to make pizza tonight for my pizza-obsessed hubby was my last random act of kindness.
2. Another place that is sunny and beachside sounds heavenly right now!
3. I am very loyal and hopelessly emotional in matters of the heart.
4. Coffee, tea or Diet Coke!
5. I cannot imagine Matt and me ever taking separate paths.
6. Our children remind me that there is more joy in this world than I ever thought possible.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating pizza and watching a movie, tomorrow my plans include heading to the zoo with some friends, and Sunday, I want to have some family time after church and maybe sneak in some scrapping, all the while coping with losing an hour of sleep from the time change!

Anyone up for a FREE stamp??

2009-02-26T17:20:00.000-06:00

All you have to do is head over to the blog started recently by Sheila, one of our students at Feeling Scrappy. I received my stamp in the mail today, and I can't wait to put it to good use! Thanks, Sheila!

If you want in on the fun, don't delay...you have to sign up by the 28th!

Some BIG news!

2009-02-26T15:18:00.001-06:00

I posted some big news on our family blog, but I'll give you a little hint here as to what it is....

And just in case you're still bamboozled as to the announcement, another clue: Matt and I are about to switch from man-to-man to zone defense. ;)

(Incidentally, isn't that pic above hilarious? It is actually a button for sale on Etsy. Check it out! I am always amazed at what terrific wares are available through so many talented and clever folks!)

Love to all,

Amy

Whoa, Nelly! (and a Sketchapalooza reminder :)

2009-02-25T08:54:00.001-06:00

I have been a scrapping fool for the last couple of days. I've finished six pages, with four of them completed yesterday alone! Go me! All of them have been for the Sketchapalooza class set to begin at Feeling Scrappy next Monday, so I can't share any pics. But you can see my pages along with tons of other amazing examples from the DT based on all of the fabulous sketches by signing up here!

For anyone who has never taken a sketch class at Feeling Scrappy, I just can't say enough for how much you'll enjoy yourself if you sign up. Being in such a supportive, enthusiastic environment and having the ability to work at your own pace will allow to to finish more pages in a one-month span than you ever imagined possible! During the last class, I finished 17 layouts!! I encourage every scrapper, from beginner to expert, to sign up. You won't be disappointed!

Florida getaway

2009-02-16T17:24:00.001-06:00

I thought I'd share a few photos of our recent trip to Marco Island, Florida. We had such a fabulous time: the first trip for us to take together, just the two of us, since our honeymoon! For the full story about the trip, visit our family blog.

Cards, cards, cards!

2009-02-16T16:28:00.001-06:00

The Year of Cheer class at Feeling Scrappy wrapped up last week. I was so happy with the number of cards I was able to create based on Stacey's six lovely sketches! I also put together a box to store and organize all of my cards. It is so nice to have a system in place!

I will make a confession, though: when my mom arrived in town to take care of the kiddos during Matt's and my trip to Florida this past weekend, she was so enamored of the cards, I wound up sending all of them home with her! It looks like I'll be consulting the sketches again to create more to rebuild my own stash. :)

One more thing...Don't forget that Sketchapalooza 3 starts exactly two weeks from today on March 2! This class promises to be the best yet, with sketches galore tailored to the suggestions of past students. More photos per sketch + more 2-page sketches = unlimited inspiration. We hope to see all of you there! Click here to sign up for the class.

Enjoy!

Amy

Heaving a sigh of relief!

2009-02-03T16:23:00.002-06:00

I was tagged by my bloggie friend Nat for a task that had me seriously sweating bullets. My assignment: go to the 6th album in my photos and share the 6th photo with y'all. Oh Lord, there was no telling what I would find!

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the photo that meets the requirement is one of my all-time favorites of baby Charlotte when she was teensy and new. This one makes my heart happy. :)

Per Nat's lead, I am going to pass this on to five others. For each of you, your task is the same: share the sixth photo from the sixth file. I can't wait to see what y'all have stored away in your archives! :)

Kari
Tracy
Lindsey
Char
Megan

A bit of what I've been working on

2009-01-25T09:10:00.001-06:00

The From Mess to Success organizer class just wrapped up at Feeling Scrappy, and in addition to the primary organizer that was the focal point of the class, I put together a couple of small projects that I thought I'd share. Since I was the coordinator for this class, I have been working on it fairly non-stop for the last little while!

The first bonus project I designed was a pocket/purse calendar to take along to jot down appointments and dates. I came up with the calendar template for this, and then I used my Bind-it-All to bind everything together. Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE that thing?? I bought it to finish some desk calendars I made for everyone for Christmas this year, and I am now completely addicted to using it in my projects!

The second bonus project was a dry erase organizing station. I've had it in mind to put something like this together to live on my kitchen counter, and this was the perfect opportunity. In terms of functionality with minimal time required to put it together, this project rocks!

So now that this class is over, my next project is to get my supplies back in some semblance of order. Things have gotten fairly out of control! My scrapping "space" is somewhat limited, so I've had to get creative when it comes to my options. Wish me luck!!

Challenge at Feeling Scrappy...and (finally!) a new page

2009-01-23T09:35:00.000-06:00

There is a fun new challenge going on at Feeling Scrappy that you should check out! The lucky winner will receive the Year of Cheer card class for free! Not too shabby, huh? (This is one class you certainly won't want to miss. Stacey has tons of fun stuff in store, and once the class is complete, you will have built up and organized your card stash to get you through an entire year! Isn't that terrific?)

Here is the page I finished for the challenge, the theme of which is winter/ice/etc. This was a tough one for me, since we live in the South and neither of the kiddos has ever laid eyes on more than a fraction of an inch of snow. So I opted to get creative. :o) I really need to get back on the scrapping wagon. This is one of three pages total that I finished this month. Isn't that sad? There is just so much going on with various commitments. I'm ready to get back into the swing of things!

99% of the supplies here are from various Scarlet Lime kits. I am seriously obsessed with the stickers I used for the title work and journaling on this page. The black alpha stickers are Scenic Route, and they are perfect for just about any project you can imagine, and the tiny little brown and white alpha stickers are so addicting (they are Carolee's Creations). I find myself wanting to use them on everything!

Journaling reads: On this crisp January afternoon, it was all about

tricycles for icicles

scooting for sledding

rubber balls for snowballs

Even though I do crave a dusting of white every now and then, I have to say that I just love being...

South for the Winter

Thanks for popping in!

And the lucky winner is...

2009-01-10T11:40:00.001-06:00

Better late than never! This week was a total blur, so let me apologize for not having this up sooner. I decided to have a bit of fun with choosing the winner, so allow me to introduce my handy little helper, my son Jack. He drew the winner for us today. :o)

Congratulations, Delia W!! Email me your information at amylayne717@gmail.com, and I'll get your package mailed to you this week!

Thanks for playing along, everyone!

Amy

Winner...coming soon!

2009-01-06T19:16:00.001-06:00

I promise I haven't forgotten about the drawing. This is my teaching day at the kiddos' school, so I am always running just a fudge behind! Stay tuned....

As promised...a little (big!!) RAK

2009-01-03T15:49:00.000-06:00

For me, the winter blahs usually set in just after the new year, when the festivities have all come and gone and I know there are still months left of cold weather, even though I'm already itching for shorts and flip-flops. (The southern girl in me would prefer spring weather to start on December 26!!) Although winter is just really getting started, I figure there is no better way to boost spirits than to offer a little RAK in the form of some scrappy goodies with a yummy spring color palate! Up for grabs here is the fabulous Tinkering Ink Botanical Bliss line. And when I say line, I mean the entire collection: 12 double-sided papers, one sheet of tabs and tags, alphabets and monograms, a package of finery and a package of transfers. This is a LOT of great stuff!

To be entered into the random drawing to win the RAK, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite season. That's it! The deadline to submit your comments is 11:59 p.m. this coming Monday, January 5.

And just because I'm feeling festive, here is a little twist: For every person who comments and mentions you by name as the one who referred him or her to All The Trimmings, you will receive one additional entry in the drawing! So start spreadin' the news. And good luck!!

Amy

A really great RAK!

2009-01-03T09:49:00.000-06:00

My scrappy friend, Megan, has a really terrific RAK up for grabs on her blog that you really should check out! The deadline is midnight tonight, and all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. Check it out!

Go me!!

2009-01-02T15:58:00.000-06:00

I received an email from Becky Fleck of Pagemaps fame at the beginning of December asking me to create a page based on one of the Pagemaps January sketches. I was thrilled!! Below is the page I put together, "You Couldn't Wait for Christmas." I am really pleased with it, and I have to say it is a great feeling to see it up on the Pagemaps site. You should check it out if you have a chance. :o)

I love this photo of Jack. He is so full of joy, and it just captures perfectly the little boy he is at this moment in time. I still am taken aback by the fact that Matt and I produced a little blond-haired blue-eyed child (actually, TWO of them! lol). It is so hard to believe he is already three whole years old. For those of you who don't know, his birthday is December 20, so I thought a little page that reflected on both his first Christmas and this one (his fourth!!) would be neat.

Journaling: Jack, three years ago to this very day, you surprised us by arriving nearly two weeks early. Just like today, even way back then...You couldn't wait for Christmas.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be sure to check in this weekend for a little giveaway I have planned. :o)
Amy

I'm baaaack!

2009-01-02T15:32:00.000-06:00

No more excuses. Time to sit down and get started being a good blogger again, starting now. There are so many things to report, but I thought it would be good to start right at the beginning, with the reason for all of this in the first place: some recent pages. The Feeling Scrappy sketch class wrapped at the end of November, and I can say without any hesitation that those four weeks were, by far, the most productive time I've ever had when it comes to my scrapbooking! I think I finished something like 12 pages, which for a painfully slooooow scrapper like myself is quite huge. And I'm glad I had that productive time just before the holiday craziness ensued. I have had so little time to sit down at my desk and work on pages, it's obscene. I am really missing it. The slide show below mainly includes pages from the sketch class, but a couple are for challenges at Feeling Scrappy, too.

I've decided this year is going to be my no-excuses year. I am making two goals for myself, ones that are ambitious, but not unattainable.
1. To get at least one page published. I really, really want that.
2. To contribute a writing sample to the major scrapping magazines. Matt is so great. He keeps saying, "Amy - it's a no-brainer. You're a talented scrapbooker, but you're an even better writer. There are lots of people with one of those two skills, but probably very few with both." I guess we'll see about that. ;o)

I have been assigned the privilege of coordinating the next class at Feeling Scrappy, something I'm very excited about. The class is called From Mess to Success, and during the 10 days the class runs, we will be creating from start to finish an organizer to help kick-start your new year and get you on the track to staying on top of all of the craziness that comes your way! There will be a totally personalizable and user-friendly format with tons of options for tailoring things specifically to fit your needs. I am really proud of how everything is coming together, and I would love to see all of you there! The class will run from January 15-24, so there is still plenty of time to get signed up! And right on the heels of that class will come two others you are also sure to love, a card class coordinated by Stacey and the third installment of Sketchapalooza. It's going to be a great winter/spring at Feeling Scrappy!

Oh! There is something great I failed to mention. Sign up for the From Mess to Success class and the Year of Cheer class by January 14, and you will get both of them for $18! That is a serious bargain! Click here for all of the details for how to get signed up.

That will be it for now. Time to watch some football. :o)

I am here!

2008-12-16T11:47:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe how long it's been since I last posted. The last weeks have absolutely flown with the perpetual activity that goes hand-in-hand with this time of year! I have so much to catch up on, but first I wanted to let y'all know there is a great giveaway going on over at Feeling Scrappy right now. All you have to do is sign in by Thursday to be entered into a drawing to win two adorable little stamps! Here is the link. Be sure to check it out!

Also, sign ups are going on now for the winter line-up of Feeling Scrappy classes. Here is a link to the detailed description of each one. We would absolutely love to see everyone there!

Happy fall, y'all!

2008-10-23T10:36:00.000-05:00

I blogged this over on our family blog, but I couldn't resist sharing here, too. Isn't this a great pic that Matt managed of the kiddos from our trip to the pumpkin patch last weekend? Apparently the secret to getting both of them to smile simultaneously is to have Daddy wield the camera!!

I've been feeling scrappy!

2008-10-23T10:31:00.000-05:00

I've been scrapping up a storm lately for the Sketchapalooza class and other Feeling Scrappy fun, so most of my pages are top-secret until class starts next week. (If you haven't signed up yet for Sketchapalooza , there is still time! The new class format is absolutely awesome, and we are set for a month full of sketch inspiration and scrappy camaraderie that I promise will not fail to impress!)

I was feeling the need to share something scrap-related today, and it dawned on me I had never posted this layout here after it was on the FS site for the last challenge. This was based on my very first original sketch (go me!), and I had such fun with it. The felt embellishments at bottom left didn't scan true to their color, but you get more of a feel for the way it all comes together from the closeup shots below.

By the way, in addition to the class fun that is set to start next Monday (with some pre-class conversation already taking place on the class board!), our second challenge at Feeling Scrappy will be revealed tomorrow. Be sure to venture over to the site tomorrow to see what the latest round will entail. You won't want to miss the amazing prize package of goodies lined up for the lucky winner of this one!

Have a happy Weekend Eve!

T minus 6 days and counting until Sketchapalooza!!

2008-10-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

There is less than one week until Sketchapalooza starts over at Feeling Scrappy! With FOUR WEEKS of amazing sketches (plus a few goodies here and there ;), this class promises to be a terrific chance for you not only to make a dent in that pile of photos you've been intending to scrap for ages, but also to chat and share with fellow scrappers. What a terrific value!

Head over to Feeling Scrappy for more information and to sign up for the class. I hope to see all of you there!

Penny pinchers, unite!

2008-10-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

Considering the current state of the economy, I know I can't be the only one paying special attention these days to my scrapping budget. I am always looking for everyday items to use in my projects, and I was particularly pleased with myself for this little discovery. As I was mincing shallots for supper a few nights ago, it dawned on me that the little storage bag they came in would be really fun to use on a card or layout (after it was thoroughly washed out, of course!). You can ink it, staple it, lace it with ribbon, tack it on with brads...the sky's the limit. I was able to make about 10 cards with this one little bag. Cool!

The moral of the story? Keep your eyes peeled. You never know where you'll find some fresh inspiration!

An ode to honeycrisps

2008-10-07T23:46:00.000-05:00

I love fall. I love everything about it. The foliage...the cooler weather...and the apples. Honeycrisps, to be exact. I became smitten with these little jewels two seasons ago, and they are truly one of the reasons I yearn for the early days of fall.

You must. Try. These. Apples. Like, yesterday. ;)

I did it!

2008-10-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the advice from you lovely ladies, I am now sporting a fake-bake Mystic Tan even Ross Geller would be proud of! :) It looks great - very happy with it! Thanks for your replies!

I need your help!!

2008-10-06T21:38:00.000-05:00

This is probably a weird question. Ok, not probably - definitely. :) I have a wedding to attend Saturday (yay, Leigh!), and I have a strapless bridesmaid's dress waiting in the wings. The problem? I could rival Casper in terms of pastiness. Anyone with a suggestion/tip for a good self-tanning product that works quickly and won't leave me looking like a ninny? Not wanting to wear orange stripes as an accessory. ;)

THANKS!
A.

Cards to share

2008-10-06T16:46:00.000-05:00

World Card Making Day was this Saturday, and I found myself on a roll! There is just something so NICE about sitting down to make a card or two: it is such an immediate source of gratification to be able to complete a project from start to finish so quickly. There just isn't much like that around here these days!! :)

Something other than FOOD for thought :)

2008-10-06T14:14:00.000-05:00

I've been cooking up a storm lately, but I've also been enjoying lots of scrappy time, too. This is the page I created especially for the Feeling Scrappy DT call. I had tons of fun with this one! My goal was for this layout to really reflect the feelings of childhood. I love this pic of Jack in the "dinnee jacket" Mammo made for him - so boyish and sweet. :) He's growing up so quickly.

Patterned paper here is Chatterbox - this is such a great line!

Check out the NEW Feeling Scrappy!!!

2008-10-06T09:46:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned here a couple of days ago, there are some truly exciting changes afoot over at Feeling Scrappy! The current general board will be replaced with an all-new blog format to go along with a new message board format for the classes. But the fun isn't reserved just for those taking classes! There will be challenges (with yummy prizes :), cooking and decorating tips, and so much more! What a great way to reach tons of new scrappers while also catering to all of the current loyal Feeling Scrappy members!

In honor of the excitement, Jayne has put together an INCREDIBLE Tim Holtz prize pack. You can be entered to win by following the guidelines on the new blog. So head on over to the new site by clicking here to check out the fun goodies and the new complexion of Feeling Scrappy! You won't be disappointed!!

YUM

2008-10-03T23:40:00.000-05:00

This week has been absolutely crazy. Teaching MDO two days and also sandwiching a dinner party in between can take it out of a girl! It's times like these when some good old fashioned Italian comfort food is just what the doctor ordered. Bring on the chicken parmesan! This dish was on the cover of Bon Appétit a couple of months ago, and the minute Matt and I both saw the recipe, we had to try it. Oh. My. Goodness. It is so good. The sauce is so simple, yet so flavorful. The inordinate amount of cheese it calls for (the obvious parmesan, PLUS mozzarella, PLUS pecorino) might seem obscene, but trust me: you'll be fighting over who gets to eat the biggest hunk of the browned cheese "crust" that develops as this bakes. Yet another knock-out recipe from our beloved Bon Appétit, and one that became an instant staple at Chez Bell.

Enjoy!

Chicken Parmesan

Let them eat CAKE

2008-09-30T17:50:00.000-05:00

Apparently Matt and I aren't the only chocoholics around here, because that flourless chocolate cake recipe I posted last week got some attention from a few of you! I actually wound up not being to make that particular recipe, because Kroger (our brand-new, fancy-schmancy Kroger!) didn't have any hazelnuts. Weird, huh?? So I had to improvise, but the recipe I chose instead was so sinfully, amazingly, INSANELY chocolaty, we didn't miss a thing. :)

Here it is! This cake has such a dense, brownie-like texture, it will amaze you that it contains nary a lick of flour! And - do not skimp on the glaze. YUM!

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Glaze

Toot, toot!!

2008-09-29T21:51:00.000-05:00

Gosh, what a wild week! Our internet connection has been so patchy for the last little while that every time I sit down to try to post, I find it breaking up on me, and then I inevitably am pulled in another direction before I have a time to try to get it back up and running again. Sooo, that would explain the lack of posts, and why it has taken me so long to share some very exciting news...

You are looking at the newest design team member for Feeling Scrappy!!! The big announcement was made late last week, and I am so thrilled! There are some huge, exciting changes in store at Feeling Scrappy right now that are set to be revealed very soon, so be sure to stay tuned. And mark your calendars for the Sketch-apalooza II, which is set to start next month. This is one class you do not want to miss!

Taking time to REMINISCE!

2008-09-29T19:24:00.000-05:00

The Reminisce paper lines have made regular appearances in my pages and other projects ever since my interest in paper crafting really took off about two years ago. I have always loved the varied textures, colors and patterns of their papers, and the fact that there are so many varied paper lines to tackle so many different scrapping subjects. When I saw earlier this month that they are hosting a contest to add to their design team, I got hard to work putting together some pages and projects using my favorite lines. I have been adding pages to the Reminisce blog gradually over the course of the last few weeks, but I also wanted to post them all here in one place. I have had so much fun with this, and seeing the caliber of submissions by all of the candidates has been downright inspiring!

Thank you, Reminisce, for this opportunity! I hope you enjoy perusing this consolidated collection of my submissions for your call!

And the individual projects, sorted by paper line:

Boys Gone Wild

"Blast Off!"

Project Notes: I did some the detailed hand-stitched stars and smoke trail from the rocket here using techniques I learned in the amazing Feeling Scrappy sewing class that just wrapped up.

Real Magic

"My Cutie Pies"

Project Notes: The felt flower embellishments here were hand-cut (the color of them has been very distorted by the scan), and I drew the flourishes free-hand before stitching them with a back stitch. The rub-ons here are Reminisce Cocktail Script.

Enchanted Autumn

"Happy Fall, Y'all!"

Project Notes: Another page showcasing a cool stitch I learned in the FS sewing class. The pumpkin photos are a panorama shot that I cut into individual tiles. I find that seasonal photos are often perfect as a sort of patterned paper in their own right! The rub-ons here are Reminisce Pink Flamingo.

Girly Girl

"Life is Sweet"

Project Notes: This paper is absolutely amazing with its lustrous sheen, and I really wanted to showcase the cute candy on one side while also using the confetti pattern on the reverse. The perfect solution was to cut the candy out to use on their own! I played a little with the photos here by tinting the square photos a shade of pink, and I love the playful effect that technique lends to the overall page. The rub-ons here are once again the Reminisce Cocktail Script.

Monkey Business

"Bananarama"

Project Notes: I covered some chipboard flowers here with the coordinating patterned papers, which is such a fun technique. This page was a study in complementary colors, as I chose the purple card stock and embellishments to really make the yellow patterned paper pop!

First Birthday Invitation

Project Notes: This invite is very similar to the one I sent out for Jack's first birthday. I gave out the Barrel of Monkeys game as favors for the children who attended. It was a hit!

French Kitchen

Decorative Block Set

Project Notes: The moment I saw this new line, I knew the blocked rooster paper would be perfect for a block set like this one. I once again found myself wielding my drill for this project in order to adhere the metal embellishments to the blocks. Flexing my crafting muscles! I found the raw wooden blocks in the craft section at Hobby Lobby.

As always, these and many of my other projects can also be viewed in my Scrapbook.com gallery.

I can hardly wait!!!!

2008-09-19T20:09:00.001-05:00

Today is Matt's birthday, and we are planning his birthday celebration for tomorrow night. Check out the cake I'm making him. Can you say decadent??

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/FLOURLESS-CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT-CAKE-241088

I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out. :)

Go-to....Thursday

2008-09-18T22:10:00.000-05:00

So I'm a little late on my go-to for the week. It's been a long one around here, so I thought there would be no better recipe to share than my BELOVED brownie recipe, courtesy of the Baker's Chocolate box. I cannot say enough how perfect these brownies are, and that fact is very fresh in my mind since I made a batch just this week. ;)

I will post both the recipe and the link here. When I made these on Monday, I actually had to substitute 2 squares of semisweet chocolate for 2 squares of the unsweetened, since that was all I had on hand. By reducing the amount of sugar accordingly from 2 cups to 1 1/2 cups, I actually think I preferred them this way to the old standard. The texture was even fudgier than before - YUM! As an added change-up, I used toasted hazelnuts in place of the pecans. Hazelnuts are entering their peak season, so you should pick some up and give them a try. Sweet or savory, they can add such depth to any dish!

Baker's One Bowl Brownies (and that is really the truth - one bowl is all it takes!)
4 squares Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Grease foil. (I never do this. I just grease my pan with Pam. :)

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and pecans; mix well. Spread into prepared pan.

BAKE 30 to 35 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool in pan on wire rack. Remove brownies from pan, using foil handles. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.

And here is the link to the actual recipe.

Just for Stacy :)

2008-09-18T21:43:00.000-05:00

Stacy brought up a very good question a couple of days ago that can come up a lot in cooking Q&A's: What type of wine is best for cooking? Our rule around here has always been that the wine we cook with doesn't have to be the crème de la crème, but it should be of high enough quality that we wouldn't mind sipping it from a glass. Some names that come to mind of inexpensive yet fine brands are Cabot, Fetzer or Beringer. Now, these aren't necessarily the wines you'd serve the queen of England (although I've had a Beringer reserve Pinot Noir that totally knocked my socks off!), but they are fine in this regard. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot are two good, reliable options for reds. For white, I tend to prefer a Pinot Grigio or a Chardonnay.

Now - and don't laugh! - we have actually for the last year or so gotten hooked on boxed wine. Not your stereotypical White Zin Franzia (I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here - lol!), but a very tasty little Merlot that comes in a lovely black box. Each box holds the equivalent of 4 bottles of wine, and once opened, the wine will save for several weeks. (Corked wine from a typical bottle loses its zip even after just a few hours.) And the total cost comes out to be about $7/bottle. Can't beat that with a stick! It's a nice option for having a decent wine for drinking and cooking on hand without worrying about it going "bad." Boxes are actually starting to make a cool resurgence thanks to their kitschy, retro appeal (and the fact that they are superior is preserving the integrity of the product), so you should check out your local wine store to see what they carry!

Stacy, I hope this has helped answer your question.

Cheers!
Amy

Altered frame project

2008-09-18T21:31:00.001-05:00

I found these cool unfinished cross frames at Hobby Lobby early in the summer, and I just got around to jazzing one of them up as I have been planning to. What a fun project! I pulled out the cordless drill so I could attach my craft wire and beads by looping it through the frame itself. Mom, I know you're seeing this - so let this serve as a very public THANK you for all of the adorable clothes and goodies lately for the kiddos and me. (Y'all should see the adorable apron she made for me and sent along with one of the latest "shipments" of clothes for Charlotte and Jack. I really must take a picture!) Anyway, Mom, I snapped this pic of the kiddos in their new duds, and I think this frame will be just perfect in your new craft room. So keep your eyes peeled for the mail carrier. ;)

There are three lessons to be learned from this project:

1) Never underestimate that the VBS section at Hobby Lobby can have some TERRIFIC unfinished projects just begging to be altered.

2) Craft wire is downright addicting to use.

3) Every girl should be comfortable wielding a drill when necessary. :)

Where's the beef?

2008-09-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

I have been planning for close to a week now to make a pan of my lasagna, but I just haven't had an afternoon open up lately that has allowed me the time to stand at the stove for the time it takes to put it together. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow during Jack's MDO I'll be able to manage it! (By the way, keep your eyes peeled for another Go-To Tuesday recipe tomorrow. :)

Anyway, the lasagna requires a bit of ground beef, so I had that on hand last week. And when the lasagna didn't pan out, I was reminded of how many options are open for an impromptu supper when all you have on hand is ground beef! I was able to put together these two yummy dinners, and all at lightning speed. I thought I'd share my "recipes" with you, although you'll have to bear with the loosey-goosey nature of these directions since I usually prepare these off the cuff. I hope they will inspire you to see what a delicious and economical dinner option ground beef can be. Enjoy!

Chopped Steaks with Easy Onion Gravy
1 lb. ground beef
Approx. 1/2 c. bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire
1 egg
1 tsp. Cavender's Greek seasoning*
Salt & Pepper, to taste
3 Tbsp. Canola Oil, divided use
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups beef broth (I always make my own with beef base that I keep on hand)
2 tsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme or 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped

Mix ground beef and bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, egg, Cavender's, salt and pepper by hand in a large bowl. Form into four patties, as you would for hamburgers.

Heat 2 Tbsp. canola oil in large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add patties and saute until deeply browned on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Remove beef from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet. Add onions and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine to pan and stir to scrape up browned bits that have accumulated on the bottom of the pan. Simmer wine/onion mixture until thickened and bubbly, and then add the beef broth, whisking briskly to incorporate.

In a small bowl, blend the butter and flour into a smooth paste. Whisk mixture into simmering onion/wine/broth mixture until smooth, and bring back up to a simmer. Stir in soy sauce and thyme, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add steaks back to sauce, coating the steaks on each side with the sauce. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until steaks are cooked through and sauce is thickened. I like to serve these with a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes and some English peas.

*If you've never used this before, you really should try it! This is a terrific blend of herbs and spices with flavors of oregano and garlic, and it is a great substitute for poultry seasoning or seasoned salt. It is actually made here in Arkansas, of all places!

* * * * * *

Now, in this second recipe, I am going to urge you to try something new! I know for many of us, tacos are a go-to meal when we're too tired to prepare anything else. We brown the meat and keep the folks at Old El Paso quite happy by tearing open a packet of their seasoning mixture. It dawned on me one night as I was reading the back of that handy-dandy packet (which, by the way, is laden with sodium and lots of not-so-healthy additives) that I have spent a veritable fortune to stock my spice cabinet with the same spices included in taco seasoning, so why on earth was I not making my very own at a fraction of the cost? And as a much healthier option, to boot!

Amy's Taco Beef

Brown and drain 1-1/2 lbs. ground beef

Then add 1 recipe taco seasoning mix:
2 tsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1-1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp.onion powder
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne

And stir in:
1/3 to 1/2 cup water

Bring to a boil; cover and simmer over medium-low heat until your desired consistency.

The taco seasoning mix can be made beforehand and stored in an air-tight container until ready to use if you are a stickler for having things pre-prepped. Around here, we always have taco salad in lieu of tacos. Have you seen the tortilla bowl makers? Everyone needs a set of these! They make ordinary tortillas into crispy taco bowls, and without any added fat. They are perfect! To make my taco salad mixture, I take a prepared recipe of my taco beef and add a drained can of mexicorn and a drained can of seasoned black beans. I chop up a head of iceberg lettuce, and then layer the lettuce and then the meat in the the taco bowls. Topped with your choice of cheese, sour cream, salsa, and/or avocados, this is a delicious meal that is actually not so bad for you!

I hope y'all enjoy these easy weeknight meals. You'll have to let me know what you think!

Having a blast

2008-09-15T19:24:00.000-05:00

Nearly another week gone by, and still scrapping up a storm! It is so amazing when the creative juices really get flowing, don't you think? I just finished this one last night, and I had so much fun with it! It seems like I go in bursts where I will do 2-3 pages for one child before switching gears and starting a few for the other. I have another on my desk in the works for Jack even as we speak. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I have been a scrapping fool!

2008-09-10T09:55:00.001-05:00

This might go on record as my most ambitious month of scrapping ever. I am currently involved in two terrific online classes, both of which are stretching me creatively and giving me tons of inspiration! Got Sketch 102 is the second sketch class to be offered by Valerie Salmon and Janna Wilson. I missed the first installment, but I am SO glad to have gotten in on the second. The sketches have been top-notch, and the community of fellow scrappers has been so friendly! I mentioned before that I am also taking the Sew Scrappy class at Feeling Scrappy, and like always, this class hasn't failed to impress! There have been so many fantastic tips, and the examples creative by the super design team over there have been marvelous.

I can't say enough how much I have grown as a scrapper by stepping outside my comfort zone and taking classes like these. I look back at my work from even 6 months ago, and I am floored by how much my style has evolved! I really feel like I'm starting to come into my own.

Here is one I wrapped up a couple of days ago with the inspiration I've garnered from both classes. The photos here (and the colors, too!) make my heart smile. It is so amazing how quickly the time goes by, isn't it? This paper is from Die Cuts with a View, and I have to say I just love this latest trend of offering one sheet of patterned paper with a sampling of strips of different patterns. Rarely do I ever use up an entire sheet of patterned paper, but I always wind up buying 2-3 sheets of the coordinates to give my layouts pizazz. With these 1-sheet border samplers, I get the same impact for a fraction of the cost (and waste!). Can't beat that with a stick. In addition to DCWV, I have seen lines from Reminisce and The Scenic Route that offer the same option. (I think it's Scenic Route that calls these sheets "Strip Tease" or something like that. Very clever. :) And such a great value!

And a link to the product page: http://www.diecutswithaview.com/product_view.php?id=1531

Check it out!

2008-09-10T09:41:00.000-05:00

Since I got my SCAL software, I've been doing a lot of research into the different font sites available on the web. When I came across this one, it went straight into my favorites! The handwriting fonts here are terrific (and there are so many of them!), and many of the other fonts available mimic the look of the hottest letter stickers and chipboard embellies on the market right now. And apparently you can submit a sample of your handwriting, and if they like it well enough, they will make a font from it. Fun (and free!) stuff!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/scrapbook/fonts/

Go-To Tuesday

2008-09-09T19:58:00.000-05:00

Every cook needs a repertoire of go-to recipes he or she can turn to in a pinch. Over the course of the last few years, I have built up my arsenal of these recipes through a process of trial and error (and oooooh, the errors!!), and I thought it might be nice to share some of these with you here. So feel free to print these out and add them to your recipe boxes. I promise that they're that good. :)

No recipe collection can do without a good go-to for chicken and dumplings. There is just something so comforting found in a hearty bowl of this delicious stew, and something about the first hint of crispness that comes in the early fall has me yearning to make a batch! Matt was actually the one who mentioned this recipe this morning when I asked him what he would like to eat for dinner, so tonight marked the first chicken and dumplings of the year.

In my experience, the thing that separates this recipe from the others I have tried is the dumplings themselves. They are seriously so easy, it's just plain silly. Really. If you can mix with a fork, you will do great! I have tried other recipes that call for rolling out the dough, in the process creating such a FINE mess, I think the resulting dish could have been used as mortar for new homes in the area. With this recipe, I simply use my mini scoop (the size I use for cookies) to dollop evenly sized portions on the simmering broth. Simple as that!

There are some steps involved in this recipe, but none is at all complicated. This is a wholesome, no-frills recipe that is sure to win rave reviews. Enjoy!

Chicken and Dumplings

For the chicken -
1-1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 leek, sliced in half moons
1 rib celery, diced1 carrot, diced
1 sweet potato, peeled, cut into large chunks
2 parsnips, peeled, diced
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 qt. low-sodium chicken broth
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. each chopped fresh sage and rosemary

For the dumplings -
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 T. Parmesan cheese, grated
2-1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
2/3 cup whole milk
3 T. unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 375 with rack in the center. Cut chicken into large pieces. Combine flour and salt, cayenne and pepper in a resealable plastic bag. Dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess. In a deep oven-proof pot, heat 1 T. vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown half the chicken; transfer to a plate. Brown the rest of the chicken in 1 T. oil; remove. Reduce heat to medium. (Be sure to SAVE your dredging flour.)

Sweat vegetables and bay leaves in 1 T. oil until softened, 5 minutes. (Sweating means to place all of it in a pot with the oil, stir to coat, and then cover and cook, stirring occasionally. Basically a combination of sauteeing and steaming.) Deglaze with wine; simmer until nearly evaporated. Stir in remaining dredging flour to coat vegetables. Gradually add broth, stirring until smooth. Cover pot and transfer to oven; cook for 20 minutes. (While stew is in the oven, make dumpling dough.)

For the dumplings, blend dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Heat milk and butter until butter melts; blend into dry ingredients. After you remove the stew from the oven, stir in the chicken, lemon juice and herbs, then bring stew to a simmer on a burner. Shape dough into small balls (I use a small ice-cream scoop, like I use for shaping cookies) and drop the dumplings onto the simmering stew. Return pot to the oven and braise until dumplings are cooked through, about 20 minutes. You can test them for doneness with a toothpick. When it comes out clean, you're set!

New roast recipe

2008-09-03T08:14:00.000-05:00

What better way to get over the mid-week hump than to give y'all some yummy food for thought? I am going to try to be better about posting more recipes that I come up with and others that catch my eye. Let's get started with this terrific beef roast I made last night that I found on Epicurious. With a few small changes, this truly become one of the best roasts I've ever made. The major substitutions I made were using red wine instead of white, and replacing the water with beef broth for added flavor. (When using beef broth, though, be sure to adjust your other salt additions accordingly so it doesn't come out too salty.) After removing the roast from the oven, I let it sit for about 15 minutes and then skimmed as much fat as possible from the surface of the cooking liquid. I then removed the roast itself from the Dutch oven to slice the beef. Meanwhile, I brought the cooking liquid to a simmer over medium heat, and I threw together a beurre manié (a thickening paste made from equal parts softened butter and flour - for this I used 1 heaping tablespoon of each). I stirred in the beurre manié and cooked for about 5 minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Yum!

In spite of the amount of wine used here, this recipe isn't boozy in the slightest. And the onions give this gravy almost a French onion soup feel. Divine! The recipe recommends serving with egg noodles, which would be terrific, but I went the ultimate comfort route and served the roast alongside a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes and some English peas.

The recipe link...
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/WINE-BRAISED-CHUCK-ROAST-WITH-ONIONS-231357

ScrapStreet Magazine

2008-09-01T13:42:00.000-05:00

My page "Picture Perfect Thanksgiving" was chosen for publication in the September issue of ScrapStreet.com Magazine. When you get a chance, you should head on over and take a look! My page is in the Chic Street section, which focuses this month on doodling in your layouts. (Is there anyone else who has to giggle every time they hear or say the word "doodle?" :) I know I've said this ad nauseam, but for anyone who is a fan of doodling (he he), the Soufflé pens are an absolute must-have!

My latest

2008-08-31T12:58:00.000-05:00

I am still absolutely giddy over my Sure Cuts A Lot program. I think my Cricut is going to go into shock for so much use after so many months of neglect! Both of these layouts were done for challenges at Feeling Scrappy this month (I'm already ready and raring for the next round of challenges set to start tomorrow!), and both incorporated elements I cut with my Cricut using my SCAL software. There is such freedom in being able to get online and find just the right font for a particular project!

For this first page, I researched the font used in that "Got Milk?" campaign and downloaded it (free!) off the web. It is called CGPhenixAmerican. (Not sure why they left the "o" out of Phoenix, but oh well. ;)

The photo in this second page is one of my absolute favorites, and it is hysterical how wonderful it looks here considering how much I had to put my Photoshop Elements software to good use to make it presentable! In the original, Jack's feet are in the foreground, the color is off, and there are some very distracting things going on in the background. With the magic of Photoshop, all of that is remedied! I have really been focusing lately on trying to get the most for my money when it comes to the range of possibility with Elements, and I am discovering there are some incredible options available on the web in the way of tutorials and how-to's. If ever I have a question about how to do something with the program, Google is my new best friend. And I am finding the more I work with it, the more that comes back from my time using the full version of Photoshop while I was getting my degree.

(The letter C here I actually cute from Grungeboard using my SCAL setup. The font is called Pharmacy. The rest of the word "cheery" is from the same font. I absolutely love this one!)

And the original photo. I told you the difference was something! (This, incidentally, is the very smile Miss Charlotte saves for her daddy when he gets home from work every evening. He's a goner. ;)

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my creations!

Bring on fall!

2008-08-31T12:40:00.000-05:00

I have been such a bad blogger lately. I am starting to feel my motivation coming back in full effect, though, so watch out for some new things to take place around here in the coming weeks! It might seem counter intuitive, since fall effectively brings so many things to a close, but for me it is such a time of rejuvenation and renewed enthusiasm. Maybe it is the fact that the upcoming months from now until Christmas are such a festive time, with a new celebration or holiday always just around the corner. Or maybe it's just because there is a light at the end of the heat and humidity tunnel here in Central Arkansas! Regardless, I love it. The first morning of going out for the paper to be greeted by a crispness only fall can bring is glorious. I can't wait!

A couple of tidbits for you...

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to vote for each of my pages in the contest over at Scrapbooks, Etc. Even though I didn't make it through to the final round, it was a blast to be in the running. I am already looking forward to next year!

Feeling Scrappy is gearing up for a terrific class starting September 2 (who can believe that is just two days away!). Sew Scrappy will be a course focusing on the latest trend of incorporating sewing techniques and various notions into your pages. It promises to be a time, and I know Jayne and the gang would love to see ALL of you there!

As I mentioned earlier, be looking out for some new regular features on my blog, including new recipes, sketches here and there, and maybe even a chance to win some goodies - scrappy and otherwise!

Live deliciously,
Amy

A huge thank you...and ready for round deux!

2008-08-20T22:07:00.000-05:00

I can't thank everyone enough for venturing over to the Scrapbooks, Etc. site to vote for my page this last week. Even though I didn't come out on top, it was so cool to see that so many took the time to help me out. Thank you!

After a very scary, long and bizarre day yesterday (see The Bell Family for the full rundown on that), I was greeted at home with some very exciting news, though: It's time for round two! My page this week, Hands, was chosen to be in the top 10. I am so excited for another shot! So, at the risk of becoming even MORE of a pest, would you mind doing the whole thing over again for me? :) It would mean the world to me!!

Here is the link to the voting.

http://my.scrapbooksetc.com/app/voting/index.jsp?id=/templatedata/sbe/voting/data/1207927049993.xml

And here is my page. The challenge here was the lift the cover page of this month's issue of the magazine. I love the feel of this one, since it's such a departure from my typical bold colors and strong embellishments. I made the handprints here by coloring Charlotte's hands with a Color Wonder marker and then stamping them onto the special paper. Much tidier than the paint alternative! (Or than the icing in the photo, for that matter!)

Voting link

2008-08-13T16:57:00.001-05:00

Here you go! Thanks in advance for your support!!

http://my.scrapbooksetc.com/app/voting/index.jsp?id=/templatedata/sbe/voting/data/1207926999712.xml

Go me!!! (I need your help!!)

2008-08-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

I have been playing along for the last couple of weeks with the Ultimate Summer Challenge over at Scrapbooks, Etc. The way everything works is there is a challenge every week, and the top ten submissions are picked by a panel of judges and then opened up to the public for voting. The highest scoring layout each week wins a prize package of over $200, and the winners of each weekly challenge (there are ten) are then given one final challenge for a public vote, the prize for which is $2500!!!!

The topic this week was "A Day in Your Life." I was so happy with how this page turned out. I went with a résumé format for the journaling, which helped me present the play-by-play of my day in a playful way. Everything just came together here almost as I had pictured it in my mind (which hardly ever happens!). And apparently the judges liked it, too, because I just got an email telling me that I made the top ten!! Wahooooo!

SOOOO, here's my unabashed call for votes. :D I don't know if the voting is even up yet, but once it is, I'll post a link. You can vote once/day (probably more if you sign up with multiple e-mail addresses - ha!) until the voting period for this challenge ends August 20. I really, really, REALLY would appreciate y'all voting for me! I don't know if I have a snowball's chance here, but it would be so fun to make it through.

I'll be back with the link in a bit. For now, though, here's a link to my gallery on the SEM site.

http://my.scrapbooksetc.com/app/sharemy/photoDetails.jsp?photoId=272900057

THANKS so much! :)