Tote-ally Tess

Good morning all! I've had this card made for days and I end up posting it late...frustrating!

Late or not...I'm glad you are here for the Utah Diva's Sketch Challenge! I went in a completely different direction with this card then I thought I would but...I think it worked out just fine because I think this is really cute!

Anyway, I used the new to the Occasions Mini set called Tote-ally Tess along with Thoroughly Modern papers for this card. I think the combination of the two is perfect as she looks so modern. She is definitely ready to leave for a birthday lunch with her friend!

You can see the sketch HERE. It looks like, since I'm posting late, that I didn't make it on the list over there but I hope you'll take the time to check out what the other sketch team members made!

Have a wonderful Saturday all!

3 Clovers Designs Challenge

Hi All! Welcome to Three Clovers Design Challenge Thursday! Today, Kerry, asked us to make something that represented our resolutions for the year. Now, I don't make resolutions...I set goals. So...this card represents one of my goals for this year...ready?

My goal for this year is to not only make birthday cards but to actually send them out. I get e-mail reminders of my family's and close friend's upcoming birthdays and often just ignore them (there are one or two other issues in play here but those are mine and I'll not share them). So...this year...when I get a birthday notice I'm going to be certain to send a card and if I don't have one made I'll make it within 2 days of the notice to be sure it gets there on time. This is also a lazy issue for me...not sure why though as cards only make people happy or bring comfort so seriously...why would I not send them?

I've used the brand new Sweet Pea papers and Sweet Pea Stitched Felt from the new Occasions Mini. The colors and style are completely me! Love them!

So...I hope you'll hop on over to Three Clover's Designs to check out the challenge! If you participate please make sure you link up your card for all to see (on Kerry's blog or here if you'd like)!

What's for Dinner Tonight?

I'm not sure that I'm actually making this for dinner tonight but I thought I'd share another favorite recipe with ya. If you can't tell...I love Italian Food and this Weight Watchers recipe makes it so I can have it...love that! Enjoy!

POINTS® Value: 5 Servings: 8 Preparation Time: 20 min Cooking Time: 50 min Level of Difficulty: Moderate Ingredients: 12 oz uncooked ziti 2 tsp olive oil 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced 1/3 pound(s) raw lean ground beef 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried rosemary 1/2 tsp table salt 1/2 tsp black pepper 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes 1 cup(s) part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Add beef and cook until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon as it cooks, about 3 to 5 minutes; drain off any fat and set pan back over medium heat. Add oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper; stir to coat beef. Cook until herbs become fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon a small amount of beef-tomato mixture into bottom of a 4-quart casserole dish (just enough to cover surface); top with half of cooked ziti. Next, layer with half of remaining beef-tomato sauce and half of mozzarella cheese. Layer with remaining ziti and then top with remaining beef-tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Slice into 8 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.

Happy 2010

I'm just wondering...who else is completely amazed that is is 2010? For many reason (that I won't go into here) I can hardly believe that I have made it to 2010 with all my faculties intact (and yes, some people will argue with that!). All I can honestly say is...God is good...all the time! No matter what it looks like to us, HE is deflecting the big things and helping up through everything else. Now, what is up for us in 2010? Well...

Plans for the coming year:
* Jon graduates high school is June! We hope to have a wonderful turn out of long distance family as we did for Scott's graduation for Jon's graduation and party. We love to show everyone our home and surrounding area. You are all invited!
* Jon leaves for Basic Training. While we have six months to get used to the fact that he'll be gone from the house, I think I'll have a bit of a broken heart when he leaves. As with all my boys...I love that boy with more than I thought possible and will miss him terribly!
*Sometime in November we will go to Jon's Basic/AIT graduation in Georgia. Hopefully, we'll be able to take a little side trip at the same time.
*Scott should graduation from CWU this year as well. What does that mean? My household will go from five people to three. That brings tears to my eyes.

Goals for the next year:
*Grow my Dove Chocolate Discoveries business to where it pays some of the bills.
*Send a birthday card to each person whose birthday comes up on my e-mail reminder list. That may be simple but there are some issues attached to this so, in reality, it will be more difficult than it sounds.
*Be committed to spending time in prayer and Bible study every day this year.
*Get my scrapbooks in shape.

My dreams include:
*Getting my boys' rooms all set up...one a crafting room, the other a sitting room/guest room.
*Plant a tree/some plants in the back yard.

So, I thank my blogging friend, Cristina, for the idea of having a post like this. If you care to share with us all what your plans, goals, and dreams are for the coming year please link your post back here...I'd love to support you in that!

I have a Dove Chocolate Discoveries party tonight so I'll be busy today but I'll see you soon!