so sad...

that our modem is truly on its last leg. Doug and I have been having quite a time with our computer lately, and after some research - and asking some knowledgable friends - we have determined that is time to let go of our old one and purchase a new one.

Another reason this is so sad, our wireless router is not working with the modem so all my pictures are trapped on my laptop just waiting to be published. Hopefully we will have things running here in a few days - or by the weekend. Can't wait to share all the birthday goodness with you (three birthdays last week and one today - Happy Birthday Owen!). Oh, and the great Suzie will have pictures of DC's airplane birthday party - I so can't wait to share. It turned out so cute. Who knew one could do so much with paper. Until then...

Mexican Lasagna

I happened upon a recipe this past week on the back of some shredded Kraft cheese and it wound up being delicious - and very easy. I plan on making a variation of this next go around - just because I think it would also be good. I will mention my substitutions below. While I haven't tried it yet, I don't really think you can go wrong here. What's not to love.

Mexican Lasagna
1 lb ground beef (could subsitute with chicken)
1 package Mexican Blend Cheese (shredded)
3/4 cups TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick 'N Chunky Medium Salsa (I used what I had on hand)
6 flour tortillas (6 inch)
Taco Seasoning (I honestly think you can omit this and just use salsa)
Can Pinto Beans (I used black beans because we prefer them)

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Brown meat and drain (if I used chicken I would roast it and shredd it). Stir in salsa and taco seasoning. Let simmer for 10 minutes (really not necessary, you can simmer it for less time. There really isn't a lot of liquid).

SPREAD 1/4 of meat mixture into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with 2 tortillas. Cover with meat mixture again, layer of black beans, layer of cheese and repeat layers ending with cheese on top.

Bake for 30 minutes and serve. We garnished with sour cream, but some fresh lettuce and tomatoe - or some more salsa would have also been good on top.

Hope you enjoy!

{snapshot}

Ahhh, sadly, this is how we have spent way too much of our winter. The last week it has been glorious here in the South - with temps in the 70's. It is just teasing me for the months to come. Thankfully with warmer temps we have been out doors and the t.v. off - oh how I love warmer weather!

But what can I say, my kids do love t.v. and candy, and from time to time they are treated to both at the same time. On this particular day, the light was right and the kids too cute not to capture. They were so engrossed in their program - and lollipops - they didn't even notice I was there. Oh to be young again and to relish in the simplicity of a piece of candy. Would be wonderful if life were just that simple. :)

Nope, Nada... taking a break!

Ah, yes! Scrap It Saturdays. They will be back - March 5th is the plan. With the sickness, travel, and upcoming birthday party something must go. So I will take a little hiatus over the next two weeks, but I will be back to scrappin' soon. I have so many ideas... and scraps to use. :)

I will be back Monday with regular posts so see ya then!

I have been perplexed on how to approach this post. My absence on the blog is no mystery to my close friends and family. Last week, during all the sickness, I got a strange phone call from my mother. When I say strange, she had dialed me twice before 8:30 in the morning and left me a message telling me to call her. My first thought, my dear grandmother had gone to be with the Lord. I prepared myself as I dialed her back. I was absolutely shocked when I heard her say, "Alison, your Uncle Bobby had a heart attack this morning and died." I had to ask her to repeat the what she said. I didn't believe my ears. After hearing the news a second time I knew she was telling me the truth.

Ironically, my grandfather, my uncle's father, died 19 years ago almost to the day. It almost seemed surreal. I frantically tried to determine how I could get to Mississippi with sick children - being there for my extended family (my cousins and I were quite close growing up). Through a series of events, my in-laws offered to keep my kids and I made my way to Mississippi Sunday afternoon to help my family burry my uncle.

Death is never an easy thing to face, and seems even harder when it is so sudden. It was difficult to watch my cousins as they laid their father to rest. All of us being around the same age just hit home for me. I mourned with them and for them - knowing that it could have just as easily been me.

My uncle was a good man, a family man, a man who believed and lived out his faith in God. We as a family are thankful because we know we will see him again one day, but the suddenness of his death reminded me that life is all too short.

We burried him Valentine's day - the same day, the same church, and the same graveyard we laid my dear grandfather to rest 19 years prior. It was strange and yet sweet, bringing back raw memories my Papa.

I was amazed by the wealth of family. My Uncle Bobby had five children and my dad, his only brother, had six. All but one of my siblings were in attendance and it moved me that we all felt we MUST be there to support our family.

Death is always a reminder, but my Uncle's death hit home with me so much more. Tomorrow is not promised so I must cherish what I have today, prepare for my family in the case of my absence, and love and forgive, regardless of hurt feelings, differences, or just plain laziness.

His death had me questioning, what legacy will I leave? What will people remember me for? What would they say about my life and character? It makes me realize I have a lot more work to do on my person.

I am back home now, praying for my sweet family as they mourn their tragic loss. If they come to mind, please pray for them as well. I truly believe that mourning begins once the memorial is over. Death doesn't keep life from moving on and sometimes that is the hardest part - living life without the one/s we love.

Scrap It Saturdays: Finished Watermelon

So in all the chaos of the week I was able to snap a few pictures of the final project. I am so glad I got this done last weekend, because it wouldn't have happened otherwise. But seriously, isn't it cute? I was really pleased with the result and can't you tell I just love that green polka dot. I like this so much I think I am going to make one for Charlotte with a pair of ruffle shorts in the same pink gingham. Can't wait.

For those interested, here are the details on how I put it together. I shrunk the pattern to fit the space, cut my material and iron on interfacing. I ironed the interfacing and fabric scraps together and then placed them over the monogram and ironed them on. I chose a small satin stitch going over the top of the pink flesh part first. Then I stitched the both rounded parts of the rind - leaving the top open. Once done with that I completed the two top spaces of the rind - meeting up with the pink satin stitches. With three strands of embroidery thread I hand-stitched the seeds - freehand - and used one single stitch for each one - trying to make them equal in length. And there you have it. Done!

For the pattern, please feel free to see this post and happy scrapping!

Valentine Mobile

The kids and I worked on this mobile last weekend. I had a whole plan of things we were going to accomplish for valentines day - like making cookies for our friends, leaving love notes in a mailbox I purchased for the week, and coloring valentines. With our trip out of town and the sickness none of those things happened - which makes me really glad we at least were able to make this fun little piece.

I let the kids pick out what papers they wanted to use and then they colored the paper after I cut it. See the pattern and directions below. Enjoy!


Right click, "save picture as" to your personal folder, select file and print.

Supplies:
Decorative paper
scissors
needle
thread

Directions: Print out the pattern. Take your decorative paper and fold in half. Copy or trace the pattern on the folded part. Cut along each line - will make three different hearts. Thread your needle and thread (I doubled the thread) and knot at bottom. Make the thread pretty long. Place the needle through the bottom of the first heart. Wrap around the bottom and then bring the needle through the bottom again, repeat at the top with the same thread. Then start on the second heart, running the needle through the bottom, wrapping around and running through again. You will want to make sure there is some space between each heart. You will repeat this process with the third heart. This will be the top of your mobile. Leaving a long piece of the thread tie off the third heart and you are done. Your mobile is ready to hang. We had three mobiles here to create a fuller look. Hope you enjoy!