Finally!

I finally started it!!! It's only been about 4 years, but I finally started it!!!

What's "IT"??? IT is the scrapbook from out 2005 Cocoa Beach/Orlando vacation. Yep, that's right...2005. At the end of last week I was getting the itch to start doing some stuff with it. So, I began by grouping all the pictures together. Then put them in order of "activity" (ex: building sand castle, going to Kennedy Space Center, going to the Race Rock Restaurant, etc.). Then I realized that when I'd originally ordered prints of my digital photos, I'd left out some good pictures that I really wanted. So, I place another order this weekend. Those photos should be here by the end of the week. I've already "roughly" organized the pics by two-page spreads, so will just have to tweak that some once the new pics get here.

I actually completed two pages of the book last night. It feels good to finally get those memories on paper. We had a great trip, and I think Jake was old enough to remember the whole thing.

Here's some shots of the two completed pages:






I had originally planned to start working on Jake's football scrapbook once I got back into the swing of things after the first of the year. But, now I'm thinking that the vacation book will get done first. I've already got the pictures all together along with the embellishments that I have so far. I realized yesterday that I didn't have near the quantity of embellishments that I thought I had. Guess that means a trip or two to Hobby Lobby! Darn! =)

Menu Plan Monday

Well, hhmmmpppfff....I tried to load this post last night, but my laptop has been doing craaazy stuff. Jim messed with it yesterday to try to get it to behave. I tried to log into Blogger last night, but needed to adjust my "cookie" settings. I didn't want to mess with it last night so was saving the "joy" for this morning. Now, I logged in just fine this morning. Argh...computers! Anyway...

Time for Menu Plan Monday...

Sunday (last night): round steak and gravy in crockpot with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Monday: ham and cheese quiche.
Tuesday: grilled ham/turkey and cheese sandwiches with salad.
Wednesday: hot dogs, baked beans, broccoli/salad.
Thursday: leftover buffet.
Friday: baked chicken breasts (already done and in freezer), stuffing, green beans.
Saturday: meatloaf (already done and in freezer), peas, salad.

Should be an easy cooking week. Yeah me! =)

Free Tip Friday

Having a hard time getting the inside of your microwave clean? Here's a super quick and easy way to do it that's also completely chemical free...I fill a 2-cup glass measuring cup about with about 1 1/2 cups of water. Heat in microwave till boiling and let it run about a minute or two longer. Stop microwave, but don't open the door. Let water sit in microwave for a couple minutes. Then open the door, remove the glass measuring cup, and wipe down the walls with a damp cloth. The heat and steam from the boiling water will have softened any cooked-on mess so that it can be easily wiped away.

Two Yummy Dishes!!!

I made a new dip for our Christmas Day snack buffet. It's a variation on the Rotel/Velveeta dip. I sort of combined two different recipes I found online and came up with a dip our whole family raved about.

Here's what's in it: 2 lb block Velveeta cut into cubes, 1 lb browned hot pork sausage, 1 lb browned ground beef, 1/2 pouch taco seasoning mix, 1 can Rotel (***I used a can of diced tomatoes with garlic and onions...which I ran through the blender to get rid of the large chunks), 1 can cream of mushroom soup. I heated this on the stovetop to make sure it all melted together, then kept it warm in the crockpot. Serve with tortilla chips. Oh. My. Goodness. This was one yummy dip!!! Definitely a keeper!




The other dish is, well...it's S.O.S. Yes, that's right...s*** on a shingle. My husband requested it. He grew VERY fond of it during his 8 years serving in the US Navy. I'd never made it before, but he'd requested it recently, so I thought I'd give it a try. Oh. Yummmmm! It was go good!

Here's what's in it: thin sliced beef (I used 6 packages of the Carl Buddig brand, but could have used less), white gravy (I made mine from bacon drippings, but you could also use what's in the can at the grocery store). That's it. That's all that's in it. We ate it over toast for breakfast. S.O.S. where have you been all my life. Granted, this is not a "healthy" meal, but it sure was good. There was PLENTY for leftovers too.



Happy eating!!! =)

I may have attempted to much...

Okay...here's the deal. As it's time for me to pick back up on my blogging, I'm not sure that I will keep up the same pace that I did towards the end of last year.

I was soooo proud of myself for coming up with the cutesy names: What's Cookin Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Free Tip Friday. But, honestly...do I really have 52 weeks worth of ideas for each of those??? I'm not that good! =)

I've learned that I really do enjoy blogging, though. However, during the past week I've been rearranging parts of our home and have created an awesome new scrapbooking spot for me in our downstairs family room.




I've not scrapbooked or made any cards for almost a year. A YEAR folks! Now, I've been at my new spot every day. I've already made the basic for 41 cards. All I have left to do on them is the embellishments. Let's just say my new space inspires me. It's the most organized my supplies have EVER been. Plus...hubby got me a Cricut Jukebox and the Cricut Design Studio for Christmas. However, I've yet to use either of them. I got on a roll with the cards that I didn't stop to learn the new tools yet!

Anyway...back to my main point...I'm not going anywhere. The blog isn't going away. But those "assigned" weekly posts will probably be going away. I'll still have posts on food and/or recipes, things I'm thankful for, and a tip every now and then. But just not on assigned days.

Thank you for sticking with me. I know I just changed my format a few months ago. Remember, I'm still new to the bloggy world and still trying to get the hang of it.

Tomorrow's post WILL have two yummy dishes included in it. So make sure to come back by.

Till then...

Menu Plan Monday

Welcome to my first MPM of 2009!

I realized I didn't leave a night or two for leftovers, so a couple of these may get pushed to next week. At least that way I'm ahead of the game for MPM next week! =)

Monday: beef stroganoff; Tuesday: beef stew; Wednesday: chicken casserole; Thursday: meatloaf; Friday: ham and cheese quiche; Saturday: chicken a la king

Thanks for coming by! Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for this man...

Fifteen years ago today God allowed me to be united with him forever in marriage. He is my best friend, my confidante, my hero, my spider-killer, my top-shelf-reacher (he's 6'7"), and the spiritual head of our home.

My mom once said that she didn't think God could have created a more perfect man for me. She was right.

Happy Anniversary, Jim! Thank you for 15 terrific years. I love you!