My Latest Project

So,I have to give a big shout out to Amanda at www.kevinandamanda.com. Her blog is linked under the Blogs I Follow. She put together this amazing scrapbook made from left over cardboard. I had been trying to figure out how I was going to scrap Brennan's school photos and sports photos. I can't digi-scrap them because of copyright laws and doing the big scrapbook pages by hand isn't as enjoyable to me anymore. Amanda's idea was perfect for scrapping the kids photos. Here are some photos of the completed project. I really enjoyed this project. It was a fun and a great way to use up some of my scraps from previous projects.

Organizing Update

This is a quick update! I finally finished reorganzing everything. It may not seem like a big change from the pictures but it is so much better now. I can actually find things again without digging.

BEFORE




AFTER

Music Appreciation

We were having dinner the other night and discussing the days happenings with the boys. Brennan was talking about specials(specials are what they call PE, Music,and Art where we are at). That days specials was Music. So, Steve asked him what he did in Music. Brennan's reply was "We did 2 songs." Steve says " And what were the songs?". Brennan says "We sang a song called We Appreciate You and another song called Twang That Thang." I had to ask him to repeat the second one. I seriously thought he was joking. He informed that it was in fact the song. I couldn't stop laughing. My Cali friends will appreciate the humor in this. As I suddenly realized we were definitely in the South.

Getting Organized!

It is that time. With the move and everything we unpacked but never really organized all of our stuff. I can't take it anymore. I go to look for something and can't find it. Or I go to get something off a shelf and other things fall down. It is ridiculous! I am usually super organized and I have let it slide. Part of the problem is the new house doesn't have nearly as much storage space as old house. So, this is the week for me to get it done. On top of getting organized I need to do purge of the boys stuff. Brennan keeps walking out in pants that are 2 inches too short. Can't have that, so I need to pull out the items that no longer fit. Then I need to evaluate what items he needs. I am off to get my organizing started. Ahhh, but where to start. I'll post some photos once the job is done. Wish me luck!

Gettin Back to It!

I have been a total lagger. Ever since my procedures in October I got out of my excercise routine. Obviously, I couldn't do anything about it for the first month or so due to stitches, etc. Well, I am working my way back. I consistently forget how painful it is to stop and start back up. I am proud of myself for getting out there and running again. Even with the pain I feel so much better. More energized! And I keep reminding myself that the first week is the hardest but it gets better. Until then, me and my motrin are becoming extra special friends.
Have a wonderful day!

Growin Up Fast!

Tonight my oldest boy (he's 7) got his first phone call from a girl. I am still in a bit of shock. We came home from dinner to a lovely message from a very sweet girl asking him to call her. Again, he's 7. He is a little man now but will always be my first baby...my first born. I am very sure I was much older than 7 when I got my first call from a boy. I can't believe how fast they grow up. Their conversation was brief but full of giggles and laughs. It was fun to see the smile on his face. But I am so not ready for this......at all!

Merry Merry Kit!

It is finally done! I know Christmas is over but here is a Christmas kit. I was trying to match the colors in my kids pajamas. Since they aren't your traditional Christmas colors I decided to create my own kit. It is freebie for personal use only. I had to break it out into several files so it would be easier to download. I hope you enjoy it! Since this is the first kit I have created please let me know your thoughts.



http://www.box.net/shared/static/36iaac59l6.zip



http://www.box.net/shared/static/ebzcd4xm21.zip
http://www.box.net/shared/static/ed3dkf6knd.zip



http://www.box.net/shared/static/55yynsdkpp.zip



http://www.box.net/shared/static/nte6ebfbv4.zip

Here are some pages that I did with the kit

Baby It's Cold Outside!

It has now been 6 months since we moved from California to Texas. We had 2 straight months of over 90 degree temps with the addition of the humidity. Ok, so it passed then we had some really beautiful weather. Everyone assured me that it doesn't get really cold here. Most didn't don a coat all last winter. Granted the weather was wonderful through November. But since then we have had some down right frigid days. It snowed once already in December. So, here we are the beginning of the New Year and this whole week has been freezing. And as luck would have it, it seems it may snow again towards the end of the week. As far as I am concerned Spring can't come too fast. Until then brrr! Here are a few photos from our December snowfall.

Still plugging away at the digi-kit. I keep updating and changing things. It shouldn't be too much longer though. In the meantime, if anyone has a good book they recommend please let me know. My book club meets once a month and we are always looking for something new and interesting.

Cheers to a New Year!

New Years day has come and gone. All of the Christmas decor has come down. What takes several days to get up takes only a matter of hours to take down As usual, I feel a bit saddened that the holidays are over. My house always feels so empty without the tree and other holiday embellishments. Now is back to the day to day business of getting things done. I am not one who usually has a New Year's resolution. I will call them goals for this year. I had been excercising daily until I had a couple minor outpatient procedures this fall. I will get back on track! My other goals for this year: learn and become more familiar with photoshop, scan my box of items that still need to be scrapbooked, and just to enjoy life a bit more. What are your resolutions/goals for this year?

Digi-Scrapping and Stuff!

Not much exciting going on here today. I am working on creating my first digi-scrapbook kit. I hadn't realized how much time and effort goes into this process. In the process of doing the kit I am learning new techniques which will definitely make things easier in the future. I took a bunch of pictures of some great textured items in my house to use in creating overlays. Although it is time consuming it definitely keeps my creative side going.

In other news, the kids are doing great. Brennan is enjoying his last few days of winter break. Keegan is his usual self for the most part. He had been sick for a week and is still clinging to me a bit.

I have another recipe favorite for you all. It is Israeli Spice Chicken which I make at least once a month. I follow the directions for the chicken. I do, however, change up the rest. I don't have the patience to make the relish so I substitute it with Pico De Gallo. My husband isn't a fan a mint. So, I do mushrooms and zucchini sauteed in butter with a bit of garlic powder, garlic salt, and pepper.

The End of 2009!

Christmas is over and the New Year will soon be here. The dissaray from the hurried unwrapping of gifts is finally gone. The boxes and trash bags have moved to the street for garbage pick up. The tree with all its shiny lights and ornaments will soon be cleared to the attic. I so love the holidays but once they are over I am always anxious to clear the clutter. Those of you that know me well know that clean and organized is the only way for me. Anyway, as we usher in the New Year I can't help but reflect on 2009. The move from everything and everyone we know and love was difficult but necessary. The long months waiting to see if the bank would approve the Short Sale on our home in CA was exhausting at times. Then of course getting used to our new home and surroundings has been a new adventure. I am so thankful for all the blessings in our life especially in light of the current economic struggles. Both Steve and I are employed, we have healthy happy children, we have a beautiful new home, an amazing family and support network of friends. Those we have met on our new journey have been amazingly kind and generous. With all its ups and downs I am happy we are where we are and am enjoying the ride.

I posted a few links in my Recipes section. The Hot Buttered Rum recipe is amazing. I made a full recipe and it is almost gone. It is definitely one to keep in the freezer all the time. The Twist-a-Ronis are a family favorite. I make them often for parties. You can even switch them up a bit. For our Christmas Party I made some traditional and some with prosciutto and parmesan. Yummy! The Mexican Corn Soup is so simple and tastes so good. When I saw the show Ingrid Hoffman made it with a Mexican Pulled Pork (Tinga Pueblana)is also excellent. I don't often have enough time to make the Pork so the soup gets made more frequently. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Merry Merry!

Christmas has come and gone. The kiddos are enjoying all their new toys and games. We watched our first movie on the new Blue-ray DVD player. It still amazes me that now you can access the internet from relatively any source. No longer do I need to go to the Video store to rent a movie. We can downland movies from Netflix and Blockbuster straight from internet to the DVD player. I received a new set of pots and pans. Since I love to cook this was a great gift. They have already been put to good use.

The Naming of My Blog

So, I am sure you are wondering where the name for my blog came from. I labored over this for several days. It was hard trying to come up with something different that would catch attention. So, here it is "Fancy Dreams n Buffalo Peas". Fancy Dreams because well most girls have them or a desire for something Fancy in their lives. Buffalo Peas because we are newly transplanted in Texas. I wanted something that represented where we are now. Buffalo peas are beautiful flowers here in Texas.