A Head Start

I'm trying to get a head start on Christmas shopping this year. It is a lot more fun when I pick up things as I think of them or find them, than waiting until the last minute. I have finally learned that I just won't remember that awesome thing that so and so would love. I came across these unique art supplies from Stubby Pencil Studio. Their products are eco-friendly and/or recycled. Their prices are really reasonable too. I picked up these cool rock crayons for my nephew. I have also made photo books with the software from blurb. They are full of pictures from our past two family reunions. I am going to have one printed for my mom and dad, one for my aunt and uncle, and one for my brother and his family. This is the book that I made for myself. I plan to add the pictures from 2007 and make a few changes before having them printed for everyone else.

I am going to try to give as many gifts as I can that are made by me or handmade by someone else.

2 out of 3 so far!

The Perfect Gift

Isn't it exciting when you know you have the perfect gift for someone? I love giving someone something I KNOW they want. The problem is, I am not very good at it. Ryan, on the other hand, has this down to an art. He remembers things I said I want when I don't even remember them. He gives me things I wouldn't dream of getting for myself, things I didn't even know I wanted. I'm always afraid of getting the wrong thing and wasting money. So if you're like me and giving the "perfect gift" means letting the person pick it out themselves, this is for you.

You can still make it special and personal! These gift card holders are so fun to make too.

Little Felt Finds

I am in love with tiny felt things. I picked up these acorns yesterday for my mom. I found them at lil fish studios on Etsy.

This one looks just like my Ladybug. Kays K9s will make a tiny replica of your pet and a portion of their proceeds go to SPCA and local shelters. Awesome.

You know I love birds. This tiny little guy is from a shop called Got Crow Creations . So many different birds available in this shop.

Have a great weekend!

Beach Birthday Invites

Working on birthday invitations this weekend. This is the sample. The client wanted simple beach invites, since they live on the beach. I didn't want to have it looking too "summery", because the party is in November.

She loved them!

Apple Picking

Yesterday we went apple picking for a class trip. The kids learned how the apples go from seed to blossom to fruit. We sampled apple cider and all got to pick apples. It was a beautiful orchard. I loved it as much as the kids.

We learned the technique for twisting the apples. The kids had a great time counting how many twists their apple took to come loose.

I didn't know that apple trees grew in such odd shapes.

We also were able to pick a pumpkin.

This is all that was left after the kids got to sample the apples. It was a lot of fun.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I got this recipe from Cooking Light. It is so good and easy to make. I made it yesterday and the house smelled delicious. I hate to cook, love to bake. I am lucky to have a husband who enjoys cooking (most nights) and is really good at it. He just has instincts for flavors that go well together that I just do not have. Baking on the other hand is fun. I just don't do it that often because I love sweets and I will pretty much eat it ALL. This recipe is pretty guilt free as far as deserts go.

Enjoy!

Yield
32 servings (serving size: 1 slice)

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla pudding
4 large egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring just until moist. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spoon batter into 2 (8 x 4-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack, and remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 152 (30% from fat)
Fat: 5g (sat 1.2g,mono 2.5g,poly 1.1g)
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrate: 26.5g
Fiber: 1.1g
Cholesterol: 0.0mg
Iron: 1mg
Sodium: 137mg
Calcium: 10mg

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2004

I also used my Papertrey Ink stamp set to wrap the other loaf as a gift for friends who, since the accident last week, are lending us their truck until we find a new car.

Delaware Water Gap

Yesterday we hiked the Delaware Water Gap. Although the leaves have started to change around here, we wanted to go a bit more north to get a better show. We certainly got what we wanted. It was beautiful. A lot of people had the same idea that we had, but the trail weren't too bad. Actually, we met some nice people.

Views from the top.

Rough terrain on the way down, nothing but rock. We were so glad we didn't hike up this way.

Reason #4,761 why Robin should come visit me:)

Triangle Box

Another (Bag in a box) great box design from Paula's blog. I decided to make a lid for mine. I used the base as a template. This was so easy to make and I love the way it came out.

With this card and test tube full of candy, It'll make the perfect set for one of my nephews.

Baby Boy Album

For this week's color challenge I made a baby boy album for my sister-in-law. Although not intended for any sort of challenge, I think the colors fit perfectly.

Grateful

Grateful that Ryan's car accident this morning only wrecked the car.

Grateful that my legs are strong enough to keep me going for 40 miles.

Grateful for family and good friends no matter how far.

Grateful to accompany 22 little souls on their daily journey.

Grateful for the time and luxury to do what I love to do.

That is by no means the end of the list. Just some of the things I am grateful for today. What are you grateful for?

Growing Up

I noticed, during Labor Day weekend, how my nephew was really starting to grow up. As he was maneuvering that seining net like a pro, I noticed his baby fat had been replaced by little muscles. I wanted to capture that for his book. I have been spending so much time lately making cards and other projects, that I probably haven't made a scrapbook page in several months. It was fun to work with that size "canvas" again. I like the simple design and will probabaly do some journaling on the back.