This girl of mine...

We actually DO have a child lock on the pantry door. But you have to close the door pretty hard or else it doesn't close all the way and little miss sweet tooth will find her way in there. How am I supposed to resist that sweet smile?????

Layouts and projects- TSR

I got a scrappy gift for myself from The Scrapbook Room! :) They have lots of great challenges and nice ladies on the message board. (I need a good challenge to keep up on my albums or I may never get them done!) Here are some projects and layouts I completed with this month's kit from there.

A-Z year

Anyone want to play along? I was very hesitant to commit to this, but I think it will be fun and force us to do some new things(I have a tendency to stay in my comfort zone!). The idea is to try new things for each letter of the alphabet throughout the year. (You only focus on each letter for two weeks at a time.) Check it out on Nicole's blog and join if you are so inclined... www.madebynicole.blogspot.com

I promise to update here soon with some new pics. I just haven't had time to download or upload or do much of anything!!!!

Some snowy pictures

These are pictures from a couple of weekends ago when we got a good amount of snow. They loooooove to play in the snow. :) We still have much of the snow but some has melted away. We are supposed to get more this week. Wonder if it will snow on Christmas!?

A quick photo op with all three. No, Ellie didn't go sledding. :)

Jeremy took Joshua and Abby to the park to sled down a little hill. I guess Abby's gloves fell off? Oops! Any tricks to keeping those suckers on??

No scrapping lately...been busy with Christmas preparations and the normal everyday stuff. :)

24 days album

These are awful photos of the pages (and my fingers! LOL). They are incredibly simple pages...absolutely nothing fancy here folks! Actually, I probably wouldn't even share them here normally. But, my scrappy friend Carol inspired me to make one of these albums so I want to be sure to share what I have done. This is a little album I plan on keeping in my diaper bag for the munchkins to look at while we are out and they need something to do. The idea is to include a photo from each day for the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Here are the pages I have completed so far.

Off to work on Christmas cards...hope I get them done in time!! LOL

New layouts

Here are a couple of new layouts I created for challenges at The Scrap Room. I've uploaded a couple of others there as well but these are my faves. They have month long challenges and I'm getting some great inspiration from the sweet ladies there.

I made both of these layouts with paper and goodies from Paper Popsicles. My favorite store that is closing in a few days. :( I hope you'll go snatch up some last minute gifts for yourself or a friend!!!!

Amazing giveaway!

My friend Char has a fantastic giveaway on her blog! Go here to check it out- http://mom2jwo.blogspot.com/2009/12/scrappy-giveaway.html
She is giving away a scrapbooking kit!! Wow! So generous. Go visit her blog today. :)

Paper Popsicle's Guest Designer and a great deal!!

I am so lucky to get to be the guest designer for Paper Popsicles this month! Melissa sent me some wonderful Crate Christmas papers and cardstock stickers as well as other goodies such as Magic Mesh, Thickers, buttons, etc. all from the PP store. Here's what I have created so far.
A card...cut the ornament out of some really cool Crate Christmas paper.


A mini album to add a small photo from each day leading up to Christmas. I think the kids are going to really love looking at this! I will probably carry it in my diaper bag when we are out and about.

An ornament (the trim really isn't crooked like it looks here! LOL). That Magic Mesh is really fun and easy to use!I just put it on (it's self adhesive!) and trimmed around the edges.

And a couple of layouts...

If you haven't heard, Paper Popsicles will be closing up shop soon (Dec. 15) and starting something fresh in January (but I have no idea what it will be!! Make sure you follow the blog to find out!). But right NOW, you can get some awesome new kits and fabulous deals on scrappy goodies in the store. Go check it out and put in a Christmas order for yourself or someone on your list!!! I think it's 35% off of most things and 50% off of clearance!

Wacky Wednesday card sketch

Here's my card for Paper Popsicles card sketch on the blog today. I used CrateChristmas paper, azzil, Daisy D's buttons, Magic Mesh and Thickers from the PP store. I also used some MM trim from my stash. Check out the sketch and make a card to be entered to win some digi images!

Sketchapalooza layouts

I completed 17 of the 20 sketches in Feeling Scrappy's sketch class that just ended. Woohoo! Here are a few of them.
This one is for the family album. Sketch was by me.


Another one for the family album. This one was based on a sketch by Jayne Jones.

A page for the family album. Based on a sketch by me.

This version is for Abby's album. Based on a sketch by Tracy K., our guest designer.

Snow and Grandpa L.

Grandpa L. spent the weekend with us. It was nice to see him and the kids ahad a lot of fun playing with him!


It snowed a little bit last night and we played outside for a while this morning.


Have a great Monday!

Photos

Grandma got the girls matching pj's...too cute! (Sorry about the awful lighting! My camera is having issues!)


Joshua got to bring home his classroom mascot last week. He and Abby both had fun showing him around.

A weekend with family

We had a wonderful weekend with family. We played with the kids, started sea monkeys, visited some local scenic spots, built puzzles, rocked out playing Rockband on the Wii and watched some football in addition to simply visiting. I didn't get very many pictures as my camera has been acting funny. I am hoping that Ed will email the group pictures he took using his timer. (pretty please?) :) I did capture a couple of shots, though. I hope they are able to visit us again soon!! Thanks for flying out here! :)

Here is Grandma L with Abby:

Here is Auntie Kimberly with Joshua:

When Joshua takes photos...

Here's the kind of photo I end up with on my camera when Joshua takes control. (Well, this and very unflattering photos of my backside LOL) He's been really into his Transformers lately!

Menu Plan Monday

We're counting Weight Watcher points now so look for my links and recipes to include those points. :)

Gotta shed that baby weight. ;) Until I have time to calculate points for many of our favorite recipes, I will plan on using recipes that have already been figured out. I have several recipes that I have the points already figured out and will incorporate those as well.

Monday- Crock Pot 3 Bean Turkey Chili (I made a few changes and will share later if it turns out well. :) )
Tuesday- Split Pea Soup, homemade whole wheat bread
Wednesday- Beef Picadillo, a veggie and rice
Thursday- Potato Soup
Friday- Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken , rice
Saturday- Rice and Bean Stuffed Peppers
Sunday- Pasta Fagioli

Visit www.orgjunkie.com for more great menu ideas!!

Rice and Bean Stuffed Peppers

I will have to add a photo after we make these. I haven't made them since the last time we were counting WW points (after Abigail was born) but I remember them being good. :)

Rice and Bean Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
6 medium-sized bell pepper
1 TBS olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
1/4 cup dry white wine (I will probably leave this out since I don't have any wine right now. Might use chicken broth instead.)
2 TBSP cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup raisins
3 cups cooked brown rice
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 TBS grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cut off stems of peppers and remove the seeds. If necessary, trim bases so they will stand upright. In a large pot, boil peppers for about 2 minutes and then remove them with tongs, rinse under cold water to cool and set aside to drain.

Heat oil in a large nonstick pan over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook just until soft (about 2 minutes). Add 1 cup of the tomato sauce, wine, vinegar, cinnamon, oregano, and raisins. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in rice, beans and almonds.

Fill peppers equally with rice mixture. Set upright in a shallow 1 1/2-quart baking pan. pour the remaining tomato sauce into pan around the peppers. Cover and bake in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Continue to bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until cheese melts and browns a little.

WW: Makes six serving at 5 points a serving.

Whole Wheat Bread

We have made this many times. I got this recipe from Jeremy's aunt Linda-thanks!!

Wheat Bread
1 TBS yeast
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 TBS honey
2 TBS oil (I use olive oil)
1/2 tsp salt

Directions: Disolve yeast in water. Let sit until foamy (about 5-10 minutes). Mix all of the ingredients together and knead about 25 times. (I use my mixer and dough hook to make all of my breads now, but I didn't used to and this is not a hard bread to make by hand.) Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. Punch down, shape and put on a pan to bake. Cover and let rise another 20 minutes or until doubled in size. Make a few slashes in the top of the loaf about 1/2 inch deep. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until golden and the bottom sounds hollow when you tap on it. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
WW- 10 slices @ about 3 points each.

Potato Soup

A super fast and easy yet diet friendly meal. This recipe is from my friend Jayne.

Potato Soup
1- 30 oz bag of frozen hashbrowns
2 cans chicken broth
1 pkg country gravy mix-dry mix envelope

Directions:
Brown hashbrowns a little in a big pot with non-stick spray. Add broth and prepared gravy. Simmer for about 30 minutes.
WW- about 3 points per cup
*This is great with shredded cheese and bacon but those would be extra points. :)

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

I love pumpkin! If you have a favorite pumpkin recipe, I would love for you to share. :)

Pumpkin crumb cake

This was really tasty!

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray or grease one 9x13 inch pan.
Reserve 1 cup cake mix. In a large bowl, combine the remaining dry cake mix with 1 egg and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix well, and then pat into prepared pan.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour over crust.
In a small bowl, combine reserved 1 cup cake mix, 1/2 cup sugar, and 3 tablespoons softened butter. Crumble over pumpkin filling. Sprinkle nuts evenly over the top, if desired.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

(Note-I made this in an 8 1/2 x 11 pan and cooked it longer since it was thicker.)

Source- http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Crumb-Cake/Detail.aspx