Not enough room

Ok I don't care how much room I have it's not enough. Would you look at this mess....yes girls that's all mine (BLUSH). I was trying to get my stuff organized so I can get some scrapbooking done.

I did get almost done before it was time to come home. I will finish on thursday when I go back up for the next retreat. I think I need to get rid of some of this stuff.

Taking a small break

Mark and I are taking a small break this weekend. No retreat so we are just enjoying the great weather and relaxing. Boy does it feel good. Of coarse you all know Mark he still has to clean and get ready for next weekend. Me I'm going to spend my time making use of the scrapbook room so I will talk to you on Monday.

Don't forget to come back I will be having a great GIVEAWAY starting April 1`st.Have a great weekend!

Easter S'moores

Well I'm finally done preparing my taxes now it's off to the tax appointment with my accountant this afternoon. It feels good to have that done and almost out of the way.

Now it's time to finish organizing my craft room so tomorrow I can do some much needed creating! I have several projects I can't wait to get started on. Like these adorable Easter S'mooresThese are just to cute not to make.


Easter S'moores
INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.

Changes: M&M's first, then Peeps, then put combined brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs in baggie. I didn't like how the crumbs made a mess in the jar.

Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:

1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
(Makes 9 to 12 bars.)

*Option - leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed.

*This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available.

Knee deep in Taxes

Not much time to blog I'm still knee deep in taxes plus I've been trying to organize my scrapbookroom here in Oxnard.

Since Mark broke his shoulder it will be quit sometime before he gets my cabinets in. I couldn't handle the mess any longer so I bought some plastic storage containers for now. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I forgot I even had some of the stuff I found. LOL :-)

Now I just need to get the taxes done so I can play. I to make a Spring Banner for a swap I joined. I want to start that and do some pages with the new Sassafrass Lass paper.

I'm hoping I get my taxes done tonight. I was hoping to get them done today but it didn't seem to work out that way. Oh there is still tomorrow. I have to STOP telling myself that or I will never get them done. Oh how I love to procrastinate!

Paperunki Come On Down!

Mark picked #20 from the bottom. The WINNER is Paperjunki.

paperjunki said...
I bought 4 more dolls on e-bay!!! Stop me!!

E-mail me and I will put your package in the mail on Monday. Congratulations!!!!

Today I have to do my taxes. I've put it off as long as I can. I have a tax appointment on Tuesday so no more procrastinating.

When I'm done with my taxes I'm going to treat myself and play with that new paper from Sassafras Lass. I told you I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Sring Bloggers!

Happy first day of Spring. It's not looking much like spring here today it's cold and over cast. To brighten things up a bit we are doing our GIVE AWAY today. Here is what one lucky winner is going to be getting in the mail next week. SO DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE US A COMMENT. Mark will pick a winner and I will post the winner tomorrow. GOOD LUCK!


My Sassafras Lass order finally came in....Oh wait until you see this adorable paper. I can't wait to use it!!!! Here are a couple glimpses.






Have I wet your appetite yet? I'm only showing some of the little boy paper. Since I only have boys and I'm always looking for something for boys. There is also some adorable girl papers.

Luck of the Irish

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Are you feeling like you have any of that Irish Luck? As I promised earlier in the month we will be having a drawing for some Spring Goodies. So don't forget to leave us a comment. Mark will be picking a winner sometime on Friday.

I will post a picture of the give away tomorrow. Mark took his sister's home and I left my camera in the truck. His sister is here visiting from Washington and we were out goofing off and I took my camera and forgot to get it out of the truck when we got back. So until tomorrow....have a great evening!

Boy what a day!

It started off with me over sleeping which meant I was running late for my doctors appointment....no worries I'll just speed a little. LOL

I got in my truck and wouldn't start. Da_ _ it. I'm at the retreat so I don't know anyone here so I call Mark. He tells me there is a battery charger that you can plug into the wall and jump your car. :-) Who'd of thought!!!! Oh this is great....Mark is walking me through it when he tells me to release the hood latch. OK if any of you guys are reading this I'm really not dumb. I tell him I can't reach it. That's right I can't reach the hood latch with these short hands of mine. He keeps telling me it's right there under the hood where the butterfly is. OK how dumb does he think I am I can see it, I can almost touch it but I CAN'T REACH IT!!!! I tell him I'll call him back if I can't figure it out. He's not getting that my hand doesn't reach the latch.

I find a paint stirring in the garage so I use that to get the hood open. Pretty smart for a dumb girl. I got the truck jumped however it took awhile for the truck to started.

By this time I'm thinking ok I have an hour to get to my doctors appointment no problem it's only an hour and 15 minute drive. I'll just speed a little LOL I always drive fast but today I'll just have to drive faster...right? Just as I'm heading into Santa Clarita on my down the hill the traffic comes to a halt. NOW WHAT! Is anything going to go my way today? They have the 5 south closed. Can you believe it! Today of all days just when I'm beginning to think I'm going to make it to my appointment

Mark called and I told him I was stuck in traffic he offered to call my doctor to cancel my appointment. I was so bummed. He called me back a few minutes later and said he had changed my appointment to an hour later. YEA!

Now if the freeway just opens in time. I still don't know what happened but they had the 5 south bound closed for almost an hour this morning. It finally opened and I got to my appointment just in time.

The day has finally calmed down for awhile. I'm just waiting for Mark to go to the doctor this afternoon to see if his shoulder is getting better or if he is going to need surgery.

Treasure Hunt

I haven't had time to find or post the pictures for the treasure hunt....however it was a lot of fun. I have to tell you these pirates were already done before I even had a chance to get start. Congratulations to the winners!

When Irish eyes are smiling

Since Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner I thought I would share these with you.

Who remembers this song?


When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure it's like a morning spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing. When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

There's a tear in your eye,
and I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such power in your smile,
sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be,
You should laugh all the while and all other times smile,
And now smile a smile for me.

Chorus:
When Irish eyes are smiling Sure it's like a morning spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter,
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

This time of year always makes me want to be Irish. I'm sure I must have some Irish blood somewhere.

Shopping

Today my friend Lisa and I are off to the antique stores. I have several swaps I'm in so I'm on the hunt for some sweet little goodies for them. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE to shop. Oh my poor husband.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the day with two of my sister-n-laws. We went to Fillmore to the winery and the antique stores. I should say store the stores were not open during the week. How do the stay in business? On the way home we stopped in Santa Paula and visited an antique store there and had the best lunch at on of the restaurants on the main drag. I wish I could remember the name the food was Fabulous.

The restaurants owner had bought booths and pictures from a famous restaurant in Hollywood when it was going out of business years ago and he has now opened this restaurant in Santa Paula. They even have the same menu. If your ever in Santa Paula you should try it out I think the name was MUPU or something like that. It's heck getting old. NO MEMORY.....that why I scrapbook!

And to think I forgot to take my camera yesterday. I guess we will have to take another trip while Debbie is here from Washington. I can come up with any excuse to go shopping. OH not that I need an excuse!

I will show all my goodies I find later so stay tuned!

Dis'd by my BFF

Can you believe I wasn't invited to my BFF Barbie's 50th birthday party. I am so heart broken. I haven't even been invited to see her new place. Some BFF she is.
Look what I missed.



AT THE PARTY:
1,800 pairs of Barbie® sunglasses, 3,500 pairs of tiny shoes and 3,500 mini handbags fill up custom-designed lucite tables
3,000 pink roses, 100 hydrangea and 300 ranunculus make up the centerpieces
Guests can toast Barbie® with signature drinks including, Barbie Doll-icious!, Ken’s Caiprirosca, Strawberry Blonde and It’s a Pink Thing
146 pounds of pink candy including mints, chocolate, licorice, rock candy, gummy lips, jelly beans and more line the dessert table
1,030 pounds of ice make up the cake ice sculpture

INSIDE BARBIE’S HOUSE:
The wall-to-wall carpeting lining Barbie®’s bedroom and hallway feature a custom-designed “B” pattern
Over 200 yards of fuchsia velvet fabric were used to turn Barbie®’s bedroom into the dreamiest place in the house
50 custom-designed Barbie® pink peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels (straight from Barbie®’s first ever Runway Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this February) line Barbie®’s shoe closet
65 reproduction dolls of the original 1959 Black & White Bathing Suit® Barbie® doll were used to create an eye-catching one-of-a-kind wall mirror featured in the main living room
The sitting room’s “hair” chandelier, designed by Chris March (contestant on Season 4 of “Project Runway”), consists of 30 blonde wigs and took more than 60 hours to construct
Two pink plastic poodles on lucite pedestals flank the fireplace
Three pieces of Barbie® vintage art hang on the walls throughout the house, including the iconic portrait of Barbie by Andy Warhol and the Donald Baechler “Ice Cream” portrait
Barbie®’s in-house museum features 25 of the most iconic dolls throughout her 50 years.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BARBIE®:
Barbie®’s custom décor and signature pieces from the Malibu Dream House® will be heading to Las Vegas! This spring, the Palms Casino Resort will launch the Barbie® Suite, the ultimate Vegas destination for bachelorettes, birthdays and anyone who wants to be pampered in pink. Additionally, select items from the house will available for purchase as part of the “Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie” collection launching this September.

I guess a girl can dream. I can't even find out about going on a tour of her new digs. I live close to Malibu so I can't believe she is just ignoring me like this. If I could figure out the address this is one party I would have to CRASH! WATCH OUT BARBIE you may find me at your party yet! Anyone want to CRASH THIS PARTY with me?

Treasure Hunt

AYYY Matey anyone up for a treasure hunt? Head on over to Moonlight Hollow and see the Booty that only lucky pirate is going to win!

Look who's 50 Today!

Happy 50th girl!

Do we have any Barbie fans out there? I have to admit it. I've collected Barbie's for years. I still have my original Barbie, Skipper and Midge. I never was to big on Ken. He just wasn't as fun to dress. No cute shoes.


Did you see the house they decorated in Malibu in honor of Barbie's birthday. Take a look at this.

BARBIE'S NEW LOOK

THE HOUSE IN MALIBU

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM



OH AND LOOK AT THIS CLOSET....A WALK IN JUST FOR HER SHOES! ONLY IN MY DREAMS!


Anyone else ready to move in?

Irish Cream Almond Cake

I got this recipe from the Odense baking club. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

The convenience of a cake mix with the flavor of Almond Paste and Baileys Irish Cream create one easy but sophisticated tasting cake. And . . . that’s no blarney!


Irish Cream Almond Cake

Time
20 minutes to assemble
45-50 minutes to bake
Total time: 70 minutes
Yield
1-10 inch bundt pan


INGREDIENTS
Ingredients:
1-7 oz box of Odense Almond Paste, grated
1-18.25 oz box Yellow Cake Mix
1-5.1 oz box instant vanilla pudding
4 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream

Glaze:
1 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
2-3 tablespoons almond liqueur or Baileys Irish Cream
1 tablespoon very soft butter
Optional: green sprinkles

Baked Oatmeal

Here is the recipe for Baked Oatmeal that all of you have been asking for. So sorry I thought I had put it on here before.

Baked Oatmeal

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
3 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons baking powder

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375
Mix all ingredients together and pour into 13 x 9 inch buttered pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

I also likes to add vanilla and cinnamon. I serve it with chocolate chips, almonds, and cranberries or raisins. This recipe is a must, Even if your not a big oatmeal fan you will like this. It's like eating an oatmeal cookie for breakfast. YUMMMMM!!!

Spring Give Away

Yes, I've joined another swap. It a spring craft swap so I thought as long as I was putting together spring items for the swap I would make a goodie box for you. I will post a picture next week of the spring embellishments.

I have some really cute spring items I'm giving away. You won't want to miss your chance to win! So leave us a comment.


Girl's I told Mark wouldn't rest. He went into work early so he could get here before the group that was coming today. He's so cute. He just couldn't miss out on all the fun!

Old Books

I've been on the hunt for old books. My grandsons were here this past weekend. While they were here their Dad said they each had to read for an hour. I gave one of them a Hardy Boys book which I thought he would enjoy. He didn't like it because it had no pictures. He still read it for the entire hour and after he was done he wanted to read the book his brother read.

I gave his younger brother an old book called Tel me Some more...by Crosby Newell Bonsall. They both read the book from cover to cover. It is such a cute story. Now when we go to the thrift store they want to look at old books.

So I've been on the hunt for books for them to read. Of course I have them hooked on the thrift stores too. They like to go see what they can find. This weekend Jason found a mini skateboard ramp and board he had to have. He was so cute he had no money so I told him he would have to pull weeds for an hour to get the ramp. I want you to know he did a great job!

Next week I will show you some of the goodies we found at the thrift store. Right now I'm headed to the beauty shop to get my hair done then I'm off to the retreat. We have a four day retreat this weekend.

No girls Mark isn't going to stay home. He likes all of you to much to miss out on the fun. Of course he asked the doctor to write him a note so he doesn't have to do dishes. LOL :-)! Will see if he really rest or not. Any beats?

Great News!

Woooo Hoooow Mark doesn't have to have surgery after all. The cat scan showed that his shoulder wasn't as bad as they first thought so they are going to try and let it heal it's self. He goes back in in 3 weeks for another X-ray. Hopefully that will be the end of this story and the bone is growing back together.

If the bone doesn't heal itself in the next few weeks then he will have to have surgery. So for right now he just has to take it easy.....for those of you who know Mark know that isn't going to be easy.

It's March and time for another giveaway. This time I will be giving some lucky winner a box of spring emblishments so don't forget to leave us a comment you won't want to miss out on this goodie box!