Specialty Iced coffee, please

My favorite discovery of recent time is learning how to make cold brewed coffee with Toddy maker. 67% less acid!!!
All because Charley's mom offered me an iced coffee one day last summer... my phenomenon started with at home specialty coffee drinks. I bought mine through Amazon and was happy from day one. And since I had time and great interest, I went to the library to find out more... more <------(my Jan 14 post about my first experiences) about where coffee came from, who drinks it and why we drink it. I even bought my own Starbuck-like cup so that I can feel part of the crowd. My mom never understood why I didn't drink coffee as a young adult, but now Iced Coffee with creamer and milk....very, very good to me!!! This cup is from Bed, Bath and Beyond. The money I have saved and the stories I have learned about how and why people drink iced coffee has been a priceless adventure!!
And then of course, I had to make cards with coffee themes. The good ole cup of joe!! So, for today, on my "pad" berry.... not a Blackberry or a CrackBerry... Charley's mom calls it my note "Pad" berry I have titles for my fiction coffee books.

Again, at the library yesterday.... I found my favorite Librarian Services chick because I had difficulty understanding their computer screen and "I know longer want to be afraid to learn how to use things I don't understand" So, she gave me a lesson how to read the screen and if the books are there, where it is and if it's checked out. I was so happy to be learning!!! I asked her if she remembered me.... that I was the 'coffee & tea' book lady? She got a little gleam in her eye and told me that after I left that day way back when, I inspired them to make a bookmark to get others interested in these types of books. She didn't have a bookmark on hand, but would go and print me one.

It reads: Have a Cuppa.... Coffee or Tea Fiction... and lists 10 books.
I was giddy and thankful that my new found interest is not only fun, but gave me a HIGH moment.

So as I sit here and type, with Tucker on my lap, my first Iced Coffee Latte complete, the sun SHINing and the kids home for the first day of spring break.... life as I see it, is pretty darn good!!!!


“Starbucks says they are going to start putting religious quotes on cups. The very first one will say, 'Jesus! This cup is expensive!'”
LoveofMine
Conan O'Brien quotes

Swirling cake holder

A recently made card from my stash. Love the colors, working on the shading on the cake. Love those posts about the Copic markers, but at over $5 each, there is just no way.... so working with water color pencils, blender pens and just regular $2 markers.

Can you image what some of these craft rooms look like.. when these ladies buy the latest and greatest gizmos and gadgets.... Bind it all, Score Pal, CuttleBug, Sizzix, Silouette, Cricket.... each and every color in a misting spray, Prima Flowers, Copic markers.... glue dots, snail tape, stickles, embossing folders and Nestability Dies, this doesn't include all the ink stamp pads and the stamps themselves and then there is paper... and believe me... I have the greatest admiration for these creative ladies, their posting on blogs and websites is what truly inspires me! And by no means am I criticizing...

Here is just a totally random picture of someone's craft room, for those who don't know what this endeavour is all about. This is a GREAT room.... only one view of the room, a very clean and organized room... and a whole entire room in her house devoted to this craft! Beautiful room... but I've even viewed better!!! The paper crafting phenomenon is just something that blows my mind... it's really outta this world!!! (but so fun when you are JUST a domestic diva on your path to something great)

A Foodie Post

Last night we made pot stickers again. Yummo!!!! I thought, since I was in the kitchen for almost 2 hours with Sissy, why not take some pictures. Food angles are always so delish. We made Turkey pot stickers from Rachel Ray <----click there if you are interested in the recipe. Here are some of the cool labels of our ingredients....

I think we made a total of 36, white rice and lightly cooked broccoli slaw as the side dish.



This is what our mixture looks like.... 5 Chinese Spice and Sesame oil make the entire kitchen smell Asian.

Partial clean up. we did it as 'we go' because of the chopping, and mixing and measuring, different bowls etc....

And then for dessert.... Rice Krispie treats with Peanut Butter and chocolate frosting.

What's the occasion? None, just that everyone was home last night and Sissy was in the mood to help me. We made salsa too (not shown). Well we did have an interesting night.... there was a presentation at the high school for Juniors.... information on how to start searching for colleges. They talked about SATs and ACTs, and finances, where to look and how to look for the 'right fit'... small turnout... but glad we are on the right track with Bubba....we are planning on visiting Purdue University on Saturday... helps that Hubby is a big fan, his mom only lives 25 mins. away and his dad worked there for over 30 years.... college.... oh my!

Hello Mr. Mouse

Super simple hello card. I'm sure something else FUN could be added... I'll take the advice if you want to give it.... just one of those cards easy to create and hopefully it will brighten someone's day when they receive it!
OMG! I've been reading too many creative blogs out there and I am blown away by the talent... it's the new keeping up with the Jones-es. Heidi Swapp is getting ready to go to Italy to teach a class! I know Chaotic is gearing up to go to a class with Michelle Zindorf in Texas. Bakerella is getting ready to finish up the book she is getting published. They are SHIN-ing over at House of SHINE (AKA Highlowaha) Photography, cooking, give-a-ways, gadgets, stamps, re-decorating tips and so much more....

Great dinner last nite Chicken Cannelloni with cream sauce....spinich, carrots, nutmeg, onions & garlic.... mixed with a basic chicken.... a few other things.... stuffed in shells ~ baked with a milk cream sauce, topped with parmesan.....mmmmm mmmmm good!

A pretty red cardinal is chirping out my window! It's going to be a great day!

Easter Bunny funny

I never know what card I'm picking to post. My thumbnail pictures are so small, all I see is a blur of different bright colors. They are literally smaller than a postage stamp! This was a good choice for today...since it IS Spring...spring break is right around the corner and then Easter. Just a cute E. Bunny card with some Peggy Primas.... how should I say it... they really aren't homemade flowers, but hand formed to look like the 'real' Prima thing!!

Wild weather. Friday it was in the 60's. Saturday we woke up to almost 2-3" of snow on the ground... since we lost all of it more than a week ago, the pavement was warm so that melted... the ground is so saturated. It was a good thing staying in all day Saturday. My head cold was worse, so it was nice to just find a spot to laze around. Then yesterday (Sunday) it got up to 48 and sunny, so almost all of the new snow is GONE!!!! Be gone snow....Yesterday I really cleaned my office, my work station, my studio....I brought out two grocery bags full of paper and packaging(stuff I held on to thinking I could/would use it) and un-usable crap....wow, a clean work surface to be inspired!!! Now, back to being a diva today, dog walker, grocery shopper, duster, cook and chauffeur.

Fun scrap book - journal

I was over at Heidi Swapp's blog on Wednesday for her live webshow, I created this booklet with her directions. I didn't use her kit, sorry, but I used a lot of the ideas, so much fun!!!! Click on the bottom of slide to see some descriptions! So much fun!! Yippee!!!!

Glimmer mist book