Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Afternoon in Pella
I'm taking a class from Jessica Sprague right now: Type+Writer. I highly recommend her classes (even though I'm seriously behind in it). You learn a lot and they are so much fun, once you actually sit down to work on it! Here's the first layout from the class.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Get Well Card
A card that I made for a friend using my new PaperTreyink stamp set Mega Mixed Messages and their paper Friends 'Til the End . Absolutely love both the stamp set and the paper!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Florida - Part 2
Continuing our Florida saga.....
Because it was Kindra's birthday, she got into Disney for free. When we picked up her ticket, they gave her this button to wear.
Little did we know that this button was the catalyst to receiving birthday greetings from SO many people all day long. She probably didn't go 5 minutes without someone (both Disney cast members and other visitors) saying "Happy Birthday". Talk about making a person feel special! We teased Kin that never in her life will she get that many Happy Birthdays in one day again (unless she goes to Disney for her birthday!). We really should have kept track of how many times it was said to her that day.
After we left Animal Kingdom, we headed to Downtown Disney, which is one of my favorite places in the world (ok, Disney World at least!). First up was supper at Earl of Sandwich. Don't quite know how they can make a simple sandwich taste so good but we love it.
Then, it was onward to Ghirardelli's for the most incredibly amazingly delicious hot fudge sundae, which Kin & I split in honor of her birthday (it was HUGE!).
After a few minutes of browsing in a couple of shops, we walked through Pleasure Island. We usually never make it past the Lego store near the edge of Downtown Disney, so it was interesting to see a whole new area.
Finally, to top off Kindra's birthday, Mimi & Papa had gotten us tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil. We couldn't take pictures during the show and frankly, wouldn't have wanted to miss even a moment to take a picture. I'd like to try to describe it, but it's an experience that can't be described. The show held us spellbound, in awe of the performers and busy trying to see everything that was going on. If you ever have a chance to see the show, go see it. Incredible, amazing, superb don't even come close to describing it. Go see for yourself.
Since Cirque got over so late, we stayed at a nearby Best Western, where we got some excitement when we got back to our room. Shortly after arriving, a fire truck showed up (complete with lights and men on walkie talkies). Next up were not one but 2 ambulances. The hubbub was concerning a group of high school/college aged kids, some of which were in the room 2 doors down from us. They ended up taking away 2 of the girls in ambulances. We gave up trying to be discreet & peek out the window to see what was happening and went up on the balcony to watch (great seats!). No one at the hotel would tell us what happened but we had fun guessing. It was our late night free entertainment!
The next morning, we hit the Nike outlet to feed Kindra's Nike Shox addiction - she does so love her Shox!
Have to admit, the pair that she got are adorable. I got some too; mine are normal ones though.
Back to Mimi & Papa's where it had finally warmed up enough to sit by the pool all afternoon - ahhh... (still a little chilly to get in though)
Kin made friends with the neighbors' dog, Kringle, next door:
A few of the beautiful flowers and trees in & around Mimi & Papa's house:
Their lime tree:
Their grapefruit tree:
Amazingly enough, upon returning home, Kin's backpack held a total of 15 grapefruit, 4 oranges and 3 limes. Yum!
Backyard:
Kindra helped Papa plant some flowers:
This is where breakfasts should always be eaten:
Yes, Kin is having her favorite breakfast of all times - cake!
One last moment of sunshine by the pool before heading to the airport:
Back home again to cold gray rainy skies (and obviously none too thrilled about it!).
Note bulging backpack full of fruit! Is it time to go back yet?
Because it was Kindra's birthday, she got into Disney for free. When we picked up her ticket, they gave her this button to wear.
Little did we know that this button was the catalyst to receiving birthday greetings from SO many people all day long. She probably didn't go 5 minutes without someone (both Disney cast members and other visitors) saying "Happy Birthday". Talk about making a person feel special! We teased Kin that never in her life will she get that many Happy Birthdays in one day again (unless she goes to Disney for her birthday!). We really should have kept track of how many times it was said to her that day.
After we left Animal Kingdom, we headed to Downtown Disney, which is one of my favorite places in the world (ok, Disney World at least!). First up was supper at Earl of Sandwich. Don't quite know how they can make a simple sandwich taste so good but we love it.
Then, it was onward to Ghirardelli's for the most incredibly amazingly delicious hot fudge sundae, which Kin & I split in honor of her birthday (it was HUGE!).
After a few minutes of browsing in a couple of shops, we walked through Pleasure Island. We usually never make it past the Lego store near the edge of Downtown Disney, so it was interesting to see a whole new area.
Finally, to top off Kindra's birthday, Mimi & Papa had gotten us tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil. We couldn't take pictures during the show and frankly, wouldn't have wanted to miss even a moment to take a picture. I'd like to try to describe it, but it's an experience that can't be described. The show held us spellbound, in awe of the performers and busy trying to see everything that was going on. If you ever have a chance to see the show, go see it. Incredible, amazing, superb don't even come close to describing it. Go see for yourself.
Since Cirque got over so late, we stayed at a nearby Best Western, where we got some excitement when we got back to our room. Shortly after arriving, a fire truck showed up (complete with lights and men on walkie talkies). Next up were not one but 2 ambulances. The hubbub was concerning a group of high school/college aged kids, some of which were in the room 2 doors down from us. They ended up taking away 2 of the girls in ambulances. We gave up trying to be discreet & peek out the window to see what was happening and went up on the balcony to watch (great seats!). No one at the hotel would tell us what happened but we had fun guessing. It was our late night free entertainment!
The next morning, we hit the Nike outlet to feed Kindra's Nike Shox addiction - she does so love her Shox!
Have to admit, the pair that she got are adorable. I got some too; mine are normal ones though.
Back to Mimi & Papa's where it had finally warmed up enough to sit by the pool all afternoon - ahhh... (still a little chilly to get in though)
Kin made friends with the neighbors' dog, Kringle, next door:
A few of the beautiful flowers and trees in & around Mimi & Papa's house:
Their lime tree:
Their grapefruit tree:
Amazingly enough, upon returning home, Kin's backpack held a total of 15 grapefruit, 4 oranges and 3 limes. Yum!
Backyard:
Kindra helped Papa plant some flowers:
This is where breakfasts should always be eaten:
Yes, Kin is having her favorite breakfast of all times - cake!
One last moment of sunshine by the pool before heading to the airport:
Back home again to cold gray rainy skies (and obviously none too thrilled about it!).
Note bulging backpack full of fruit! Is it time to go back yet?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Florida Highlights (subtitle: I'm ready to go back!)
Kin & I recently got back from a trip to Florida during her spring break to see Mimi & Papa (my parents) and to take a little break from the Midwest cold and dreary skies. Think we brought the cold with us though - the first couple of days were in the 50's & 60's. A little too nippy to even think of sitting by the pool! However, the skies were a brilliant blue every day, so that helps tremendously. As the week progressed, the temps kept edging up until it was just about perfect by the day we left (my definition of perfect is about 80 degrees and sunny).
Since it was Kindra's birthday while we were there, she ended up having a little bit of birthday every day. Here's the incredible cake that Mimi made her - a 14 layer creation with the most delicious chocolate frosting you've ever tasted.
Kin + cake = pure bliss. She ate it every day that we were there for each meal (good thing she's tiny and can eat like that!
More birthday celebration at a local Mexican restaurant that has the most incredible salsa.
We had fun being silly and attempting to take our own picture using the very scientific method of holding arm in front, laughing, and seeing what we actually end up with. Kin is actually quite accomplished at this method. Guess she's learning something at college!
We were able to do some shopping. They have the BEST shopping there. All kinds of selection and prices that are so much cheaper than at home. We also were fortunate enough to be able to go to an outstanding concert - Mandy Patinkin. I didn't know much about him other than that he had been on Chicago Hope and Criminal Minds, but he actually started out on Broadway and won a Tony for his role in Evita. He had an incredible range and was very entertaining.
Kindra's actual birthday was spent at Disney World. She chose to go to Animal Kingdom. We were unbelievable lucky and did not wait at anything, even though it seemed like there were plenty of people there. The roller coaster riders of the group loved the Expedition Everest roller coaster (wow, didn't know it was going to go backwards!).
We saw more animals on the Kilamanjaro Safari than we ever have. This elephant even was "dancing" to our music!
A rhino came so close to our car that we had to wait for him and could have reached out & touched him (wisely, no one attempted that!).
A picture of Papa (just kidding!):
The Lion King show was fantastic as always.
A couple final shots before leaving Animal Kingdom... it's always so hard to leave such a magical place.
To be continued.............(couldn't tell you all the fun stuff at once, could I?).
Since it was Kindra's birthday while we were there, she ended up having a little bit of birthday every day. Here's the incredible cake that Mimi made her - a 14 layer creation with the most delicious chocolate frosting you've ever tasted.
Kin + cake = pure bliss. She ate it every day that we were there for each meal (good thing she's tiny and can eat like that!
More birthday celebration at a local Mexican restaurant that has the most incredible salsa.
We had fun being silly and attempting to take our own picture using the very scientific method of holding arm in front, laughing, and seeing what we actually end up with. Kin is actually quite accomplished at this method. Guess she's learning something at college!
We were able to do some shopping. They have the BEST shopping there. All kinds of selection and prices that are so much cheaper than at home. We also were fortunate enough to be able to go to an outstanding concert - Mandy Patinkin. I didn't know much about him other than that he had been on Chicago Hope and Criminal Minds, but he actually started out on Broadway and won a Tony for his role in Evita. He had an incredible range and was very entertaining.
Kindra's actual birthday was spent at Disney World. She chose to go to Animal Kingdom. We were unbelievable lucky and did not wait at anything, even though it seemed like there were plenty of people there. The roller coaster riders of the group loved the Expedition Everest roller coaster (wow, didn't know it was going to go backwards!).
We saw more animals on the Kilamanjaro Safari than we ever have. This elephant even was "dancing" to our music!
A rhino came so close to our car that we had to wait for him and could have reached out & touched him (wisely, no one attempted that!).
A picture of Papa (just kidding!):
The Lion King show was fantastic as always.
A couple final shots before leaving Animal Kingdom... it's always so hard to leave such a magical place.
To be continued.............(couldn't tell you all the fun stuff at once, could I?).
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Weekend
In celebration of Valentine's weekend (since a whole weekend is a better way to celebrate compared to a mere day), here's a few pictures.
Found these candle holders at Ikea last year - just love having them lined up on my windows in the kitchen by the sink with candles that are the color of the season.
These cute guys were at Target (gotta love Target!). They had a little tag on them that said dish scrubber. I can't see using something so adorable to scrub dirty pans, but who knows? I put some ribbon on them & tied them on my cupboards.
The little mailbox was another Target find (dollar aisle). I thought the Hershey's kisses added a finishing touch, but for some unknown reason, I had to keep replenishing them (especially the caramel ones!). Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's weekend!
Found these candle holders at Ikea last year - just love having them lined up on my windows in the kitchen by the sink with candles that are the color of the season.
These cute guys were at Target (gotta love Target!). They had a little tag on them that said dish scrubber. I can't see using something so adorable to scrub dirty pans, but who knows? I put some ribbon on them & tied them on my cupboards.
The little mailbox was another Target find (dollar aisle). I thought the Hershey's kisses added a finishing touch, but for some unknown reason, I had to keep replenishing them (especially the caramel ones!). Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's weekend!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Turn Up The Music
Thought I'd share one of my favorite layouts. Last summer, we went to a Point of Grace concert and they sang this song (Turn Up the Music) before it was even released. It has such neat words that I knew that I wanted to use the lyrics on a layout. I love that picture of Kin too!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Dreaming of Spring
Since it is actually above freezing today (46 degrees and sunny!), I'm in the mood for spring. Heck, who am I kidding? I was in the mood for spring once November hit! Anyway, thought I'd share a layout that I did last spring.
Happy "Winter can't be THAT much longer, can it?" day!
Happy "Winter can't be THAT much longer, can it?" day!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I Love My Google Reader!
Since becoming addicted to reading blogs, I've discovered Google Reader and it makes following blogs so easy (and fun!). What it does is monitors your favorite blogs for new posts, so all that you have to do is go to the Google Reader & it will show you which blogs have new posts and puts the posts on the page for you. Simple! Here's a little 2 minute video from the site that explains how to sign up, etc.
Oh, boy, this is my first attempt at adding a video to a post - hope it works. It's a big day for me!
Oh, boy, this is my first attempt at adding a video to a post - hope it works. It's a big day for me!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Spot of Color on a Winter Day
It snowed AGAIN overnight and this morning. I decided that I needed to see flowers and a bit of color instead of the white and grey that we've seen continually, so here's a 4x6 layout that I did awhile ago. The picture is a flower from a pot on our deck last summer. Seems hard to remember that there was something other than snow on our deck at some point. Flowers and color make me happy!
Credits: AMC Creative Expressions, SBA Action Stacked Photos, KSC Expressive, ABR Day to Day Life all found at www.scrapgirls.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)