Well, the weather has NOT cooperated for us to go to the Bronx Zoo today. So, we did have a change of plans and will be going to the Aquarium in Mystic, CT. That is about a three hour drive from home. I have most of the IMPORTANT electronics charged up and ready to go ... the portable DVD player for Michaela, the cameraS, and MY portable CD player along with my earphones! This way, I can listen to my music privately, Michael can have the car radio or CD going, and Michaela can watch a movie during our drive.

I do not have a lot of time to blog, but wanted to show you my IRIS'S. I am NOT always the best of gardeners, but I did learn a lot from my (soon-to-be ex)hubby. I have had some problems with my iris's blooming, but a coworker told me they do NOT bloom each and every year. Of course, THAT was news to me. Yesterday, as I was looking around my backyard, I discovered a beautiful yellow flower that had bloomed.

This morning, while pouring my first cup of coffee, I looked out the window and saw LOTS AND LOTS of beautiful flowers. Of course, I had to grab the camera!

Now, I am thinking that I MUST make some brushes and design a kit around these beauties!!!!!!

I want to share one more photo with you. A few years ago, my best friend Pam gave me a teeny "stalk" of a piece of clematis. I planted it near my mailbox, and EACH year for about 3 years, I thought it was DEAD, and was surprised when a few flowers began to appear the third year. Well, this is my "almost dead" clematis, about 5 years after first being planted. I simply LOVE it!

Now I MUST be off for a day of fun!

I had a fantastic time sharing a bit of my life with you this week. Hope to see you in June, too.

Here is your FREEBIE for the day. ENJOY!

DOWNLOAD LINK

TGIF!!! I am so ready for the weekend. How about you? I don't know if Friday has the same built-in "relief" for all you lucky ones you do not work outside the home, but for those of us Monday through Friday workers, it feels terrific.

Depending on the weather, which has THREATENED thunderstorms, I am planning on going to the BRONX ZOO with my son, Michael, and Michaela. It is about a three hour drive from home, and I am hoping the weather report for NYC will be kinder. If not, I guess we will put off the trip for another weekend.

I have never been to the Bronx Zoo, although I have been to the Philadelphia Zoo.
I find it a bit sad to think that I have NEVER been to so many places of fame that are all within a few hours drive from my home. I have never been in the Empire State Building, or taken a ride around Staten Island, or seen Ellis Island. At least I CAN say I have seen a couple of Broadway plays. NYC is such a fun and bustling place, and it is a learning experience to witness how those that live there lead their lives. Everything is always BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

I did a little research on the web to learn more about the zoo. It seems like a fascinating place. There are all kinds of activities for children, and a plethera of our worlds' animal population. Best of all, it is resonably priced! I will need to wear my comfy walking shoes, and pack a lot of snacks for Michaela.

I will also be meeting with my Goddaughter on Sunday. She is getting married in August and asked ME to design her invitations. I have created a few designs and she needs to "finalize" her selection so they can be printed and mailed this week. I am also doing the photography for her wedding. It is very informal, being held on her fiance's grandfathers property. For her wedding gift, I will be making their wedding album, too. I am really looking forward to this affair.

Well, I have to get to work ..... ahhhhhhhh, last day till next week.

Here is your FREEBIE for the day .... ENJOY!

DOWNLOAD LINK
(sorry, link has expired)

Yesterday, the nursing facility where I work celebrated Staff Appreciation Day! It was an all day event with food, games, and prizes. Administration made sure that this fun day extended to the off shifts as well.

Most of the "routine" meetings were cancelled for the day, and the staff was given
"free reign" to wander around and enjoy the festivities. Of course, the nursing staff on the units did not have quite as much freedom as those of us in the offices, since they are involved in patient care.

Breakfast was available from 6:30 to 8:30am, and consisted of donuts and pastries, a juice assortment, coffee and tea. The staff all volunteered to "man" the stations to serve the other team members.

Lunch was served from 11:00 to 1:00pm, and was sumptious. There were many different selections of pizza and subs, (I choose the veggie pizza), several kinds of salads, soda and chocolate kisses.

We had a "make your own sundae" snack at 2pm. A huge table was set up with 3 ice cream flavors, fresh strawberries and blueberries, HOT FUDGE (my personal fav), cherries, sprinkles, and a few different candies, as well as REAL whipped cream to top our delicacy.

Later in the day, supper was served to the evening shift, so no one was overlooked.

There were all kinds of SPECIAL EVENTS, too: a "name the celebrity" and "name the staff member" contests. This was a collection of basically high school pics for the actors and actresses, and BABY photos of the staff members. I had given a picture of me at about 3 months old, and was AMAZED at the number of people who guessed correctly. Of course, there were some "hints" as to the identity of the staff.

Also, there was a huge jar filled with m&m's, and the contest was to correctly guess how many were in the jar. Can you believe, one of the Supervisors won, and she was withing TWO of the total count.

Karaoke filled our inservice room, which was all decorated with balloons. We had a ball belting out those old "hits" from the past.

Outside there was a dunk booth, a ball throw, and a couple of other games. The weather was very accomodating ... clear blue sky, 70 degrees, and a delightful soft breeze was blowing.

But, by far, the BEST part of my day was the MASSAGE. We have a masseuse on staff who scheduled 5 minute back massages for staff. Mine came right at the end of the day, and let me tell you, it relaxed me for the rest of the night.

It was truly a fun day. I think it is awesome that administration took the time to show their "thanks" for our hard work. In todays world, things are taken for granted so often and EVERYONE always likes to know that they are appreciated. Who could ask for anything more?

So, to make YOUR day pleasant, and say "thanks" for your support, I am offering
todays FREEBIE ... HERE IS YOUR DOWNLOAD LINK. Enjoy (sorry, link has expired)

As many of you know, my mom lives with me and suffers from advanced dementia. Many times I just have to laugh, or I would be doing a lot of crying.

She has given up many of the things she did all her life, like reading the paper and doing the crossword each day. She even did the weekly crossword in the NY Times. She was an avid reader and loved to sew. She favored political television, as well as biographical and historical shows.

Even now, she keep the tv on, but is a bit "confused" as to the content. She was telling me there's "a woman running for president", and she thinks that woman will win because she "has a brother or something who is in politics!"

Mom has been exhibiting some BIZARRE eating habits lately. She is not oriented to the time of day, and often enters the kitchen several times a day, announcing, "Good Morning". Then she looks for a cup of hot coffee. Of course, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, there is NO hot coffee. She had been in a routine of eating PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY sandwiches .. two or three a day! Now, she has been "raiding" the fridge, opening jars of things like pickle relish, horseradish, ranch dressing, and WHATEVER, and eating with a spoon right out of the jar. Now, not only is this DISGUSTING to me, but she uses a clean spoon each time, and places empty jars back in the fridge! She no longer makes sandwiches, but eats the peanut butter right out of the jar, too. Because she is disoriented to time, she eats everything all at once. I go shopping, buy her a dozen yogurts or so, and by the next day she has eaten them all! It sort of reminds me of going on vacation; you can leave food for a cat for a few days and there is no problem, but leave it for a dog and he eats it all, THEN vomits it all, before you return .... lol.

My solution for this was to buy a new refrigerator. My son and I went shopping last weekend, and I purchased a smaller one for our garage. He will pick it up later this week. My plan is to set it right outside of our kitchen, which is attached to the garage. So it will be pretty convenient for us, and I will STOCK our old one, in the kitchen, with a day's supply of food for mom.

She thinks the snow will be "flying" any day now, but has decided she will not drive this winter! (She hasn't driven for about 10 years). She gets our names confused, and often comments that she has not seen "so and so" for quite a while ... when actually that person may have just left a few hours before. She asks several times a day where my son Michael works and what he does. Each morning when I check on her, give her her pills, and say goodbye, she says, "oh, you have to work today? This is Sunday isn't it?"

All in all, I am still able to keep her in my home. However, I have begun the search for an assisted living facility where she may be safer and I would not have to worry so much. I am sorry to say, the day will come when she will need more than I am able to provide for her.

Until that time, I will just continue to "greet" her with "good morning", each night before I go to bed!

Now, for you, for being so kind to take the time to read about MY life, I am giving YOU a FREEBIE. You can DOWNLOAD HERE. Enjoy! (sorry,link has expired)

Ouch ... Mini Vacation is Over

Well, it's back to work today for me. It was a wonderful three-day weekend. I accomplished so much, but it was EXHAUSTING! Now I have to "fit" a 5 day work week into 4. Guess I will be ready for FRIDAY ... lol.

I finished planting my flowerbeds, the pool is up and running. I even managed to get in some grocery shopping, laundry, and that general (yuck) housecleaning. I decided to take the time to "pamper" myself with a pedicure and manicure. It was actually a "necessity" after all my work, but it felt soooooooo good to luxuriate!

I made a very "untraditional" Memorial Day meal. Chicken breasts with rice and a cheesy sauce. Since there was only Mom and me at the house, it did not seem like a day for a big barbeque. My oldest and youngest kids were off camping; the middle child had to work this weekend. I did get to see my dgd, Michaela, Friday evening, but not since ... I REALLY miss her when she is not around.Michael sent me a couple of pics he took with his cellphone. I am not sure where they were, but looks like Michaela wanted to "test" the waters! She is just too cute; but maybe I am a bit prejudiced!

I have completed a commercial/personal use kit which will be in the store later this week. It had a terrific time creating it ... just WAIT till you see the preveiw.

I also was able to spend some time in our chat room over this weekend, getting in as much CELEBRATING as possible for TSG's birthday bash. It is ALWAYS so much fun to get to know everyone. There is so much to learn from each other, and I love to hear others' stories.

So, I had better get a move on if I want to be to the office on time.

I have NOT forgotten your FREEBIE for the day ... You can DOWNLOAD HERE.
(sorry, link has expired)
Enjoy and see ya back here tomorrow.

Gotta Love Summer!

I am really excited about summer coming! There is nothing better than returning home after work, hopping into my bathing suit, and heading for my pool. I have been know to fall asleep on my float, sometimes for hours at a time! I often say, if only someone would invent a WATERPROOF laptop, my life would be complete ... lol. Well, not really. I would need to relocate to a place that was warm and sunny year 'round. I feel God made a mistake when he "delivered" me to the northeast!

Beside lounging in the pool, I love to garden. For most of my life, I have had a brown thumb, but with years of "learning", it seems to have turned around. Last fall, we took down several pine trees that had been planted by the former owner of my house. The roots were beginning to grow into my pool area ... HEAVEN forbid! So now, I have a new garden, where I am planting perennials, and sun on my pool from sunup to sundown.

I also like to barbecue in the summer, too. As far as the rest of the year, I am not really sure why I have a kitchen ... all I really need is a microwave and a phone for take-out! Seems, though, I am the exception. Do you know that EVERY house I looked at when searching for my current home had a kitchen?

I have a super recipe for grilled salmon. It involves some marinating, using of all things, chardonnay. A few extra little spices and I am in heaven. My favorite food to go with it is "grilled" sweet potatoes and some green beans from my garden. MMMMM!

If you are interested in my DESIGNING ...I have started work on a new kit named
SCARLET. I thought it would be a nice idea to offer you some FREEBIES from the kit, this week on TSG Blog. I decided against previewing, so you can be surprised when you open the zip.

So, you can DOWNLOAD freebie1, here; but grab it today for tomorrow it will be gone! Enjoy (sorry, link has expired)

I am heading out to my pool now ... see ya' tomorrow!

"They Say It's YOUR Birthday" ...

"it's my birthday, too, yeah" .. Well, not really, but just singing that ol' Lennon and McCartney tune in my head.

Although, it is not MY birthday, we are celebrating TSG's second birthday. This week has been full of SALES, fun crops, and all kinds of challenges.

Tonight, at 9pm, I am hosting a special IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY chat. I designed a kit, which is on sale in my store, NOW FOR ONLY $2.00!!!! It is full of everything you need to scrap those birthday memories, and is appropriate for any age group.
Like our celebration here this week, the kit is bright, cheery, and fun-filled! AND, I have a SUPER challenge that goes along with it.

I am really looking forward to seeing your birthday celebration layouts in the special gallery ... AND, a poll will be posted to choose the FAVORITE .. AND the winner will receive either my new kit, OR a coupon for my store is you have already purchased IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! So how can you loose???????

Today, as an "early" preview of goodies to come ... if you are able to attend my chat, is a QP for you. Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD HERE
(link has expired)

TSG Birthday Chat Schedule

(all times are EST)

Wednesday May 21st -
11:00 AM - Scrap your best year crop - MickeyB
9:00 PM - Quickpage Swap/Crop - Lynn R.
10:00 PM - Sketch by Design - Michelle R.

Thursday May 22nd -
1:00 PM - ACDSee Chat
2:00 PM - Scrapbooking your Faith - April
8:00 PM - Find of the Day - Joni & Shelby

Friday May 23rd -
8:00 PM - Elements Challenge - Pammy

Saturday May 24th -
9:00 PM - Scrapbooking your Faith - April

Sunday May 25th -
10:00 AM - Your Year in Music - Sweetie
9:00 PM - Celebrating YOUR Birthday - Marsha

Monday May 26th -
8:00 PM - My year and the way it was - Tina

Tuesday May 27th -
8:00 PM - Layout Crop - Pammy
9:00 PM - Birthday Carnival - Michelle R.
10:00 PM - It's A Birthday Blast - Dyanna

Don't Miss the SALES!!!

Make sure to check out the TSG Store for all the GREAT sales going on right now in honor of TSG's turning 2!
************************************

Join us in celebrating TSG's 2nd Birthday!For one week only all TSG Kit Club subscriptions are on sale for 30% off! Add this to our newly reduced prices and you've got one whopper of a deal!While you're in the store don't forget that all our digital kits are 30% as well. Sale ends May 27th at midnight!

Purchase a 1 month subscription to the TSG Kit club and receive 2 beautiful coordinating kits as well as templates, quickpage albums, and goodies from our Creative Team!
Regular price: $8.00 Sale price: $5.60 (save 30%)

Purchase a 3 month subscription to the TSG Kit club and each month receive 2 beautiful coordinating kits as well as templates, quickpage albums, and goodies from our Creative Team! Regular price: $24.00 Sale price: $16.80 (save 30%)

Purchase an annual subscription to the TSG Kit club and each month receive 2 beautiful coordinating kits as well as templates, quickpage albums, and goodies from our Creative Team!
Regular price: $52.00 Sale price: $36.40 (save 30%)

Happy Cinco de Mayo

I can't say that I am even a fraction Mexican (Irish, English & American Indian for the most part)... but I do enjoy Mexican food :) I would LOVE to go enjoy the evening with some Mexican food tonight, but it is near impossible to get into our favorite one here in town on Cinco de Mayo. So we will probably just be stuck at home eating my non-authentic enchilladas for tonight. I will share the super simple recipe I use here in a minute.

Before I get to the recipe though, I thought I would share what the boys and I did this morning. I got the wild idea yesterday, that since today was suppose to be a gorgeous 75 degree day (before the rest of the week is filled with rain), that we needed to make a trip to our local zoo. Since my hubby couldn't get off work on a Monday morning, I loaded up the boys, along with their wagon, and headed to the north side of our town. Our little zoo is home to some 500 animals representing 170 species - so certainly not huge like the St. Louis Zoo where my boys have been to in the past. Upon arriving, my oldest son requested we start with the giraffes which was fine by me since they are one of my favorites. I think they ended up being his favorites too since we arrived just in time to feed them some of their special crackers

My youngest son's favorite part (I'm guess since he doesn't talk real well yet...at least not in a language anyone can understand) was probably a tie between some lizard in the reptile house (forgot to see what the name of it was) that he kept running back to see. He LOVED how it would jump at the window tryig to get him. He laughed and squealed every time. Do to lots of laughing and squealing I would say he also really enjoyed the goats MY favorite part was having our wonderful wagon with us

I have NO idea what I would have done without it! Every time Zach (my youngest - 20 months old) was out of it, he was running one direction while Drew (my oldest - 4.5 years old) was headed in the opposite direction. All in all I think they had a pretty fun morning. In fact, Drew was just looking at the map of the zoo, "So I can plan what I want to see first next time!"

I must share my VERY favorite part of our day so far though! After we got back home and had finished lunch, the boys and I were sharing a chocolate frosty from Wendy's restaurant when Zach looked at me and says "poo-poo" and I asked if need to go. He nodded his head and ran off to the bathroom and SURE ENOUGH he actually went! This is a HUGE thing since he is 20 months old and we have never really done a much potty training with him yet (other than set his little potty out in the bathroom)...especially since our oldest didn't potty train until he was 3.5 yrs. Needless to say I was COMPLETELY floored that he did that! I'm not expecting this to happen much at all right now, but I am very excited that he is showing interest all on his own. :) Sorry if that was a little too much info for you :)

Hmmm...now I am trying to think of how to nicely transition from that "too much information" to the recipe I was going to share with you. *laugh* Since I can't think of a good way of doing it, I will just plundge right in.

Super Simple Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1 pound of hamburger
2 cups of Monterey Jack shredded cheese (I actually prefer Colby Jack with just a little extra cheddar)
1 package of flour tortillas
1/2 onion - chopped
3 cups enchilada sauce (we like Old El Paso - Mild brand...I buy one 10 ounce and one 14 ounce can)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown hamburger and onion. Drain. Mix in the 10 oz can of enchilada sauce and about 1/2 c to 3/4 c of the cheese. Spread some of the mix on a tortilla shell and roll. Spray 9x13 casserole dish with vegetable oil and place rolled shell in the dish. Repeat with remaining shells - lining the rolled shells up across the dish. Poor remaining exchilada sauce (I use the 14 oz can for this) over the top of the rolled shells. Cover with remaining cheese and bake for 35 minutes.

It's THAT simple!!

I usually make some rice and green beans to round out the meal for us. I am known for my lack of cooking skills, so if I can do this, ANYONE can :)

How Did You Spend NSD?

I hope everyone had a great NSD surfing around digi world. :) I also hope that you saved some money to catch the deals that will be coming at TSG at the end of the month as we celebrate our 2nd birthday! You had to pick and choose of where to visit on NSD, but during the week of May 21st-27th you won't have to pick and choose! You will have the chance to catch all the GREAT crops and deals going on at TSG and have a relaxing & fun time with us. So make sure to mark your calendar!!

Have you checked out the May issue of the TSG Newsletter? You can check it out HERE


You won't want to miss out on this issue! Get a chance to put a face to a name for each of the TSG Team...and grab some great goodies from some of the TSG Team.

Have you been keeping an eye on the Petal Pushers Contest? There are already some GREAT layouts in the Gallery,so make sure to go check them out! Voting with start very soon. There are some VERY talented individuals who are competing for a spot on the TSG CT Team.

FINALLY A NEW POST!!!

I am finally feeling some better. I am still very tired but am feeling better. Now JP is getting sick and my DH is getting it again!!

Cher, I send my love and prayers! I am so sorry for what is happening to you. If I was there I would take care of you and help you. I have had pain make me sick before too. My heart goes out to you! I wish there was something I could do to help. I will pray that God will heal you quickly and that he gives you the strength to cope in the meantime. Consider that you have been given a Bear Hug!!

I finally have a wonderful freebie for you. A quickpage from one of my Creative Team Members. Her name is Chantal and she is very talented! I am very proud to have her on my team!

Here is a layout I made with her quickpage. It is a layout of the Living Last Supper. My nephew was Jesus. He was the only person that attends his church that has long enough hair! lol
He is very handsome and a fine Jesus if I dont say so myself!. Here is the qp and the link for it.


Here is the link for your freebie! (Sorry, this link has expired)

I hope you enjoy this QP as much as I have. Please make sure to leave a little love for Chantal and I will make sure she gets it.

Feel free to post your layouts using this beautiful qp in my designer gallery at The Scrapping Garden. I would love for you to share your layout with me so I can give you some love.

A remindar too that Blueprint of my Garden is still going on. I would love for you all to participate in it. This has been one of my favorite challenges before I decided to fill in for Linda. I learned so much about layout construction and how to not make it look to cluttered or detracting from the photo. The link to this awesome challenge is here: http://www.scrappinggarden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3699

God Bless and I definitely will write again tomorrow! I Promise!! Have a wonderful Evening! Hugs and Happy Scrapping!!