"Really?!"

Yes, I say that word quite a bit. It just seems to be overly significant in my life at the moment. Child puts jam encrusted fingers all over my keyboard: Really?! I trip over shoes for the 73rd time: Really?! I find that child #3 is scooping water from child #2's bath and pouring it on the bathroom floor: Really?! I've lost the car keys. In my purse. Again. REALLY?!!

For a more illustrated example, take a look at this:

You see, my hubby surprised me this past Christmas with a fabulous iPad. That’s right folks. However many gig of beautiful fabulousness. Love it Love it!!! Few problems tho’:
1. My photo editing software is here:

Not here:

Really?!

2. iPad doesn’t support FlashPlayer. Really?!! I know I know…don’t get all Steve Jobs on me. There are valid reasons why Flash support is impossible, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t view my beloved Scrapbook Trends Magazine online from the iPad. I blame them, not the iPad. Why restrict yourself?

3. I can still type soooooo much faster on a 'regular' computer. Ok, that ones on me...but still...really?!

Anywho…I digress from my point. I had a point?! Oh yes. Beautiful iPad sitting over there,

but I’m stuck over here.

Really?!

And I haven’t even mentioned the 21 month old with sticky fingers who has discovered my little ‘workspace’…. (duh, it's right next to the kids' craft space!)

I know I know. Not a huge problem given the horrendous state of our nation's economy, but I will be permanently hunched if I don't solve this little dilemma. OR, I could help the economy by ignoring this problem and just going to see a chiropractor.....
No wonder I don’t update my blog that often.

:)

Peace galz,
hp

How crazy is it....

....that I missed the ENTIRE month of July on my blog?!! I could blame it on trips to the pool, trips out of state, trips to the farmer's market, trips to....well....other summer places :); but can I really? My husband, mr. entrepeneur, told me last night (after staying up until after midnight finishing back to school gifts for the teachers) and again this morning (after realizing I didn't have enough time to make lunches AND make breakfast) that I sorely need to take a time management class. Hmmmm: spend money on increasing my time to craft or money on more supplies to craft.....ooo, tough decision. :)

Given the increase in the number of CTMH peeps potentially viewing my blog, I better get crackin' regardless. Come on peanut, 20 more minutes...why is she awake already? Here we go.

Flowers for our completely fabulous and wonderful bus driver (thank you CTMH for the wicked cool Cricut cartridge!!!) were made with Close to My Hearts papers, stamps, glue, etc.:

And adorable goody boxes for our awesome teachers! Again, the ingredients (beside the chocolate inside) are Close to My Heart:

Thank you for looking!! I will TRY to be so organized by the holidays that I can offer such gift making as a class!!!!

blessings and peace,
heather

From the dessert file....

My sister reminded me I promised TWO recipes and only posted one. Whoops! Darn that life for getting in the way! Here is the top secret, surprisingly healthy (?!?!) Monster Cookie recipe from the Big Blue Bowl via Grandma B. :) AND they're gluten free!!

1/4 lb. butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1.5 cups peanut butter
Glob of karo syrup (just a blop)
2 t. baking soda
4.5 cups quick cooking oatmeal *
3/4 cup M&Ms
3/4 cup chocolate chips (I use bittersweet)

* You can use regular oats, but the cookies will be chunkier. :)

Mix together ingredients in the order listed. Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes.

Happy baking!! (Did I mention how EASY this recipe is to make?!)

Peace,
hp

From the dessert file...

Okay galz! Are you ready? :) You've asked for the recipes so here are two of the most recent!

For those who have no clue as to what I'm talking about: My scrap workshops always include a homemade dessert of some kind. Of course, the level of complication for these sweet treats depends on how much time my kidlings give me to bake. Every once in a while I latch on to a recipe so simple to make and such a crowd pleaser I simply have to share. So, here ya go!

Recipe #1 - Kahlua Fudge Bites (yum, yum, and YUM!)

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. table salt
1.5 cups unsalted butter; more for the pan
1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
3 cups very firmly packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 Tbs. coffee-flavored liqueur (Kahlua) or 1.5 tso pure vanilla extract

For the glaze:
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 Tbs. unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
1 Tbs. light corn syrup

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 325F. Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt to blend. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cocoa until smooth. Whisk in the brown sugar until blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until just blended. Whisk in the coffee liqueur along with the last egg. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until just blended. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few small, moist clumps sticking to it, about 30 minutes. (Don't overbake or the squares won't be fudgy.) Transfer the pan to a rack to let cool completely.

Make the chocolate glaze:
In a medium bowl, melt the chocolate, butter, and corn syrup together (double boiler). Whisk the mixture smooth if necessary. Pour the glaze onto the center of the cooled, uncut fudge bars. Using an offset spatula, spread the glaze evenly to cover completely. Refrigerate until the glaze is set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 1-inch squares.

Whatcha Doin'?

Besides sitting at my computer? :) I'm giving myself a Facebook and Pulse break for a bit to concentrate on organizing, minimizing, and prioritizing: organizing my mind, our family's schedule and this house; minimizing the clutter and things that seem to collect daily; prioritizing my mission to place God and family first. A couple of tools in my arsenal:

Karen Ehman is a regular contributer to Hearts at Home (moms, if you've never been, you should go at least once. What a rejuvanating experience!), writer, and all around funny mom. I've started this book THREE times!! Third time is a charm. It's such a great read. I actually developed a mission statement! Go figure....something so simple could help to focus my energies so much.

This next tool I've been looking forward to for years (literally!). Though I don't know her personally, Stacy Julian is one of my all time favorite people. She is fun and earnest and honest and creative and...well....she tells it like it is! Her two books have become treasured reads for those lucky enough to own them (both are out of print)! But...YAY!!! Photo Freedom has come back to Big Picture Classes. Unfortunately, the online class started just has our school year was ending so I've only just now started to dig in...but I'm giddy at the prospect!



Trips to the pool with my munchkins, de-cluttering the house, recording our memories...a great start to the summer!

peace,

hp

Layout a Day: #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,....thru 13. :)

May is going by TOO FAST!!! The kids have less than a month of school left! AAAAUUUUGGGHHH! :)

Have I told you how much I love Layout a Day?! :) Wish I had more time....

peace,

hp

"Layout a Day" - Day #2!!

Our challenge today had to do with 'contrast'...tough for me to wrap my head around with child #2 repeating "are you done yet, mom?" over and over and.... :) On the other hand, I did finally get to use that gorgeous sunflower stamp from CTMH. :) Papers and ribbon are CTMH as well with alphas from American Crafts and Basic Grey; "grow" tag is October Afternoon. Thanks for peeking!

:) hp

May "Layout a Day" is ON!!!

I'm doing it again!! I really don't know if I'll be able to keep up this month. May just started and it is already jam packed with to-dos...mostly related to end of school speeding toward me. Ack! On the one hand, I love spending time with the kids having some summer fun...on the other hand, Ack!!! :)

This first layout finally showcases some pictures I've had on my desk FOREVER. My cute little man playing cars on the dishwasher....

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE LOAD? Want to join the fun? Head on over to http://www.layoutaday.com/ and click on the "LOAD Challenge" link!

Gosh I love this business. :)
hp

Fun Fab Frenetic Friday!

If you're a multiple blog follower, you know that Fridays bring out the poet in many a blogger. "My Friday Five", "Fabulous Friday", "Friday Funnies" (actually, I haven't seen that one...sounds good tho', yes?), "Fan Friday"...you get the idea. Fridays make us lighthearted as we await the relative freedom ("Freedom Fridays?") of the weekend.

(scuse me for a sec while I push away my now wet beagle....who, tho clean stinks of wet dog....)

Where am I going with this train of thought? I'm going to break every rule of good blogging and say 'I have no idea'. I actually wanted to post some recent layouts I did using the WONDERFUL Echo Park Playground collection. If you ever need a pick me up...especially on a Friday...THIS is the pack for you. (Sorry about the little tilt in the pics....couldn't seem to get the right light AND the right angle. I'm human, what can I say? :) )

Most of these layouts are Becky Fleck #2 inspired. I just love her books! And, hey, if you come up with a fun regular Friday title...post it here. I'd love to give a little gift to the funniest! :)

Blessings,

hp

Can I do this?

Why, yes I can.

I am an idiot apparently. For MONTHS I have been under the impression I couldn't update my blog from my iPad. That is NOT true. The few times I tried (ages ago) it wouldn't let me into the editor. Now as my fellow iPad users know, there are some annoyances to this fabulous device...not being able to view clips or online literature requiring flash player is by far the biggest in my book. I assumed there was something about the blogspot editor that caused it to fall into this annoying category. nope.

You guyz are thus in trouble. :) Because while my photos are still on the laptop and therefore require an extra step to include here...my brain is at my fingertips and I am VERY opinionated. :) ...more on that later.

For now, a blessed Easter to you all!
:) h

Happy Valentines Day?!

Several months ago I came across a wonderfully written blog entitled Small Notebook for a Simple Home. At first I dismissed it as yet another site telling me either how to live life with less or how to clean my house more effectively. Au contraire mon frere! It is a wonderfully written, beautifully photographed look into her life (now coming from Italy...great story). What further inspired me to 'follow' her is the book she has written: "Simple Blogging." Just like her blog it is well written and straight to the point. I am striving to get there!! I want my blog to be a scrapbook recording my thoughts and memories, my opinion on life (as my physical scrapbooks seem to be about everyone other than me)...but I haven't yet made the commitment to make it good.

Every week I restart "regular" posting to my blog. :) Ironically, I'm going to start this week not by writing about home management (as I had promised) but jumping back a couple of weeks to my monthly scrap workshop. We summarized our Februarys on beautiful CTMH paper and consumed many treats. :)

I still need to add the journaling block (shocker, right?), but I still display this layout happily on my stairwell shelf so the kids can enjoy it in the meanwhile.

I have SO many topics I want to cover with this blog medium. Here's hoping I get to one or two yet this week...regularly....... :)

many blessings!
hp

"How'd you do dat?!" - Part 5

Is it part 5? It's been soooooooooooooo long since I signed on to chat with you. It's unbelievable. Life just gets away from me. THAT topic will come up next. :)

My inspiration for Part 5:

That face. Those eyes. Her sweet baby to toddlerness. Certain pictures of all three kids elicits the same response in me. How could you not want to scrap that? Capture that memory: What was I thinking or doing when the picture was taken? What are her favorite things to do at this age? What words can she say? Her favorite stuffed animals? The journaling prompts really do write themselves. :)

No kids? How about your spouse, mom, sister, pet rock? :) I'm actually not kidding about the rock. I have the same prayer rock from my childhood. What can I say? It's small enough to fit in my pocket and has been worn smooth to the perfect shape. :) Back in the day, when being "caught up!!!" was sooooo important (for some reason) I thought recording memories about anything other than birthdays or holidays or major happy life events was ridiculous. Wow. It is beautifully theraputic to record your memories on anything you deem important. Anything!! And, honestly, it would be nice if our scrapbooks were to last for 100 years...but if they don't, please realize the pleasure and comfort you find in recording your memories is truly the greater gift.

Did I stay on topic? :) In sum: look at the pictures you've taken. You will find inspiration!

And say...if anyone knows of any great iPad apps please let me know. THAT is a great topic for another day.

Blessings galz. Have someone give you a hug for me.
:) hp

DONE!! (whew)

Unbelievable. I did it. 28 layouts in 28 days. UNBELIEVABLE!! I'm going to miss it. The inspiration every day from Lain, the inspiration from fellow loadsters....getting to dig deep into my stash every single day. Ahhhh. :) Of course clean laundry is good too. :) Here are my final week's pages...

My office is a pit....but I'm almost done with the Disney album!!!!!!

happy day to you,
hp

Week 3: Layout a Day!

Whew! I can't believe the month is almost over. I hope I can hang on until the end! There have been many many tough days....like yesterday after having stayed up half the night with kids...but the experience has been uplifting and so worth it. Here are week 3 pages! (and again, I apologize for the terrible lighting! some of these were photographed at nearly midnight and I simply didn't have the strength to worry about lighting.) :)

Now hopefully...I'll get to sleep the rest of the night. :)

peace,
hp

Week 2 plus!: Layout A Day!!!!

Well, it was inevitable folks. My Layout a Day habit has taken up any time I might have set aside for blogging. Sorry!! I can't help it! Scrapbooking every day has become infectious!! Here are my pages for the second week....

You can definitely tell which pages I finished in the morning and those I didn't get to until late (the layout photo lighting is HORRIBLE!). Pleeeeeeeeassse let the littlest peanuts AM naps continue thr the end of February! :)

Have I mentioned how awesome Lain Ehman is in hosting Layout a Day AND the fabuous ScrapHappy group? There are so many talented scrappers with both those groups...the inspiration is endless!!

blessings and a peaceful night,
hp