I {Heart} Hearts

Hey, there everyone! I'm actually on time today for the Utah Diva's International sketch challenge...go me!

So, today's sketch is a pretty simple, square sketch but I didn't want to use squares so I decided to play a little with the shapes of the main images. It is exciting for me to show you this card (and the one on Thursday) as today I'm using a set, paper, and accessories from the Occasions Mini Catalog!

The very fun stamped hearts are from the new set called I {Heart} Hearts and this set I got clear mounted! That is right...if you haven't heard yet Stampin' Up! is making their new stamps in your choice of wood mounted or stamps ready for clear mounting (not clear stamps)! Not only does purchasing your sets ready for clear mounting less expensive but it also makes for more efficient stamping, I think. There is less mounting time, less to store, and more time to stamp...yay!

The new accessories that I've used are...a new Emobsslits die called Scalloped Heart of Hearts...it is the very vanilla heart on the card (the other hearts are from the I{Heart} Hearts set). Isn't it just lovely?! The little heart that says love was punched out with the new Small Heart punch and it is just adorable! Also, from the Occasions Mini is the patterned paper called Sending Love as well as Chocolate Chip and Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon.

Now, I know after that card you are dying to see everything that the Occasions mini has for you so head on over to my right side bar and click on the photo of the catalog (the one with the bird) and check it out for yourself!

I hope you'll check out the sketch HERE and participate when you have time this week

Woohoo!!!

Due to a little delay in mailing out the Sale A Bration and Occasions Mini's, Stamin' Up! has posted links to the catalogs on the customer portion of their website! I thought I'd share those links with you here, too!

Occasions Mini 2010 Mini Catalog Jan 5th - April 30th

Sale A Bration Catalog 2010 Jan 5th - March 31st

Enjoy everyone!

Incredible!

Morning all! You may or may not know that I facilitate a Bible study on Tuesday nights at my church. I've been doing it for about 2 years now. The women who attend the study are amazing and I love them all dearly. Last night I received a quilt from a couple of the ladies in the group who I know to be amazing quilters (they are a part of the church's quilting group, too)...you can see several views of it below. Isn't it just incredible! I'm not sure if they know or not but the verse that goes around the inner blue portion is my favorite verse...Jeremiah 29:11. Take a gander at the other pictures...beautiful, huh....I am SO blessed!

'Tis The Season

Morning everyone! I'm so glad you all liked my recipe share yesterday. I think I'll go ahead and share something each week. Can't guarantee that it will be low cal but I will try and make it something that I've cooked at least once.

Just another quick layout from a kit that I purchased. I didn't put the tree together quite correctly as it should be higher up on the right page but...such is life. I can still get my photos on there just fine and I have some fun ideas for photos already! Interestingly enough you'll be seeing that fabulous bracket paper again as it is included in another layout kit that I have waiting for me to use it.

So, there you have it...my super quick post today. I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday and I'll see ya soon!

What's For Dinner Tonight?

I don't know if you guys are anything like me but I gain weight VERY easily and at this time of the year I find I have to cut back on my calorie intake. I'm a Weight Watchers kind of gal. I have had and continue to have great results following their programs so that is always what I return to. With that in mind I present you with one of my favorite Weight Watchers recipes...Slow Cooker Lasagna. I usually put this in the crock pot after lunch and it is set to go by dinner. My entire family loves this! Serve it with a salad or some raw veggies and you are all set to go! I hope you will enjoy this! (If you guys express an interest I'll make this a weekly feature.)

Slow Cooker Lasagna

POINTS® Value: 8
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 360 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

No need to cook the noodles first or stay home while it bakes. Just let it sit a few minutes before serving so it can firm up a bit.

Ingredients
1 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 small onion(s), chopped
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
15 oz canned tomato sauce
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cup(s) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
6 item(s) dry lasagna noodles, no-cook
1/2 cup(s) shredded Parmesan cheese, strong-flavored like Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano

Instructions
* Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
* Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
* Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.
* Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours. Remove cover; turn off heat and season to taste, if desired.
* In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over beef mixture. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes. Yields 1/6th of dish per serving.

Notes
* To boost your vegetable intake, add a can of zucchini in tomato sauce to the meat mixture. You can also add 2 cups of sliced shiitake mushrooms to the beef mixture.