My two main enemies...Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates

YAMS!   We kept hearing this Brad Pitt voice in our head as we passed the sweet potatoes with the marshmallows last night at Thanksgiving dinner.  Usually if my in laws don't get the reference my hubby and I are laughing at, they know it is a quote from Friends or The Office.    I'm still feeling the effects of too many carbs last night but dinner was great!  Christopher made the best turkey on the grill and it was smoked beautifully.  There was no sight of a cheesy rice with broccoli casserole lingering anywhere....maybe Christmas?  ;)

Giving thanks

Two days until Thanksgiving and I'm looking forward to a nice easy relaxing weekend.    My dad passed away last year the day before Thanksgiving and it really threw the whole weekend into a new realm for us, having been the first (and only) parent we lost.  I still haven't really dealt with the situation, and not sure when it will hit.  I still think "I have to call dad to tell him about the sun gold tomato plant" or "Dad would crack up at this story about Marissa."  When does it become reality?    I don't think there is any "right" answer and I don't worry about acting a certain way or fitting a mold of what is normal or acceptable.  Every one deals with these types of things on their own timetable and I'm fine with that.  

This reminds me of my friend Nikki

She decorated her kitchen and family room in the rocking combination of aqua and red.  I love this paper we found Saturday on our little crafty morning.  I am always inspired by pretty papers.  :)  

Thankful

Gearing up to make holiday cards for teachers and others that will receive gift cards.  I want to do more than simply hand them a gift card so I make special cards for them.  Me?  Make cards?  Hmmm.  Whowouldhavethunkit?

I'm also thankful that canned pumpkin is on sale at Albertson's for .97 a can (15 oz).   Time to stock up for the shortage!

Do you ever like a show that seems very unlike you?

I am thankful for Hulu, on which I can watch all the American broadcast shows of Kitchen Nightmares without the UK bleeped-versions.  :)   My husband is shocked I love this show and I don't know why I do, but I find it fascinating.







Speaking of cooking and spices, the nutmeg line by Cosmo Cricket is so perfect for fall.  I posted some cards using the line and here are a couple layouts.  I haven't scrapbooked in so long, this has been nice to get back into the swing of things.  I'm rusty but breaking out my sketch books for inspiration.   All papers/embellishments from the October Hip 2 b kit.  

Fall cards - love Cosmo Cricket!

The Nutmeg line is perfect for fall.  Had fun making these with the Hip 2 b October kit:

You know how you always think your own work is too simple?

I'm still very excited to have some October projects posted on Hip 2 B Square:

http://www.hip2bsquarescrapbooking.com/blog/

They have awesome monthly kits and I got to play with some fun Cosmo Cricket (one of my faves) and fall papers. 

Holiday cards!

Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon with my awesome mother-in-law at Melissa's stamping workshop - Christmas card season!   I love love love making Christmas cards and it puts me in the holiday mood.  The Stampin' Up sets are so easy to work with and Melissa made it so easy to go in and get these cards done. I'm still not quite finished but when complete, will have 27 wonderful cards to send this year.  I love checking the mailbox every day around Christmas to find greetings from friends around the country.  :)  

If you need to order any Stampin' Up products, Melissa's website is:  http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/melissastamps/

Love this Halloween chipboard house!

Got a super fun kit from Hip 2 b Square (sidebar) for the October theme that contained this great chipboard house by Maya Road.  Wanted to do make it very Halloween themed to use on my entry table where we set the candy and other treats.  I had a lot of fun with the combination of papers here - very easy to make a little centerpiece for your entry or mantle with this kit!

I NEED this polka dot fabric

We had purchased a little bit of this polka dotted fabric a few years ago to use with some card kits - and I hoard it.  Love it.  Need more of it - it matches everything.  

We had friends over for lunch on Sunday and luckily Julia was game to make cards with me while the guys watched football and our girls played (excuse me, hung out).  Fall is such a craft time to me - I just got an October kit from Hip 2 B Square to design with and have been scouring for fall photos to use with the paper.  Funny how digital cameras have made it so we take tons of photos, but don't get them developed very often.  ;)