Mango Smoothies

OK. Megan & I just made the most delish summer drink! I buy mangoes BY THE BOX, we love 'em! BUT... sometimes they ripen faster than we can even eat them (or I'm in the store thinking.... do we have mangoes? and purchase a box when a full box is in the pantry!).. kinda like milk with other families :) ANYWAY - if that happens, I just slice them up, stick 'em in a ziplock and put them in the freezer. NOW I KNOW WHY!!!
Grab your blender!
1 ripe mango (i like it frozen)
1 banana
1/2 cup yogurt (we used peach, what we had in the fridge)
1 cup orange juice
6 ice cubes
BLEND ON HIGH.... and enjoy! I bet this would make a delicious Popsicle mix too!!

Enjoy your Sunday.
.j.

I'm back. most of me anyway :)

I've had a full week. I *wish* I was writing about how the week was productive, packing was nearly completed & I lost 10 pounds, but no. I had company this week which did allow me stamping time, which means I had a happy week :)! My stamping buddy from up north was here with her little sweethearts and we managed to somehow get all the kids to bed and STAMP I think four of those nights?!, right Danita?! :))) So I will ACTUALLY have some cards to show you this week! I've realized too that I haven't shown you the rest of the pages in David's Father's day chipboard book that I made... stay tuned, lots to show you this week - between boxes!
Our friend had a baby BOY this week and my littlest one is *SO* excited to meet Jack! I made this little 3x3 baby card, not knowing gender, but realizing if it was a girl I'd have to make another one :) Whew. Did make an error... stamped the wrong green for the star, should have been Wasabi... babies don't see color right away, do they? LOL.

OK - off to clean & pack.
.j.

Hello Monday

The start of the new week. Hello Monday. The countdown is on -- 19 more packing days. Not sure if I'll get out for my run this morning or not. I have company here this week & she's taken my little one with her to Victoria for the day so I'm thinking I've got some GOOOOOD packing time (as long as I stay focused... hmmm, could be difficult!) I did sneak in some stamping time the other night and tomorrow is STAMP DAY!!! (that should help and getting work done today!). This is one of my newest bella stamps - shopabella :) Now I'm thinking this card is *missing* something. As I look at my cards, I realize I don't have a ton of sentiments. Maybe that's it!? I had fun creating just the same. :)

I thought it was perfect after our day at the mall.... enjoy your week.
.j.
total boxes packed - 7

A run + the mall with 3 children = late post.

It was a good day. Started it out on the trails with my good running buddy & we had a great 10K run, home to clean up and then rounded all the excited munchkinz up for a *day at the mall*. Seriously, I HATE going to the mall with the kids. All the begging, all the whining, all the impatience... yeah, no fun. But today was AMAZING! We went to this store & that, they happily tried on outfits and selected the ones they loved, I carried the bags that multiplied rapidly to prove we were having a SUCCESSFUL day. A couple stops at the food court to replenish, relax & refocus and we were good to go. We were gone for 6 HOURS! Everyone was happy. It was a good day. Home for a quick supper, a wee bit of TV, some stories & they're all nicely tucked into bed. I even have a movie for myself tonight and big 'ol bowl of popcorn with MY name on it! A good day. I love good days :) A real treat amid the stress & far too long to-do lists. They all even managed to get their chores done. :)
ANYWAY... I did get my card stamped out using the photo in yesterday's post as inspiration....

I used the cuttlebug on the background... kept it white like the photo and then added the soft green/blue hues to it. Simple, but pretty. I actually pulled out my Sterling Silver Embossing Powder... wow, haven't heat embossed in a LONG time! Isn't it funny how it goes in waves like that. When I first saw embossing my jaw dropped - LOVED it. Bought nearly ever color under the sun and even that which GLOWS IN THE DARK. I know - crazy! Then it's forever and a day since I use it. :) I've seen white on white that looks sooooo pretty. Should try that. Mmmmm.... I see a card formulating :) I hope your summer day was pure bliss! Enjoy your weekend. Happy Independence Day for those of you in the USA :)
.j.

Photo Inspiration

I've seen on a few blogs where a photo of some sort is posted & then that photo is used as inspiration to create a card/scrapbook page or some other type of element. I thought I'd give it a try now & then. My first photo I found off of Martha Stewart's website. I loved the *soft* feel to this photo. I'm working on a card with this photo as inspiration that I will post tomorrow for you. I'd love to see what you've created! Please send me a link!!

Kids awoke this morning to chore lists. Yup. We're startin'.... each morning they will have a few chores to do (water plants, wipe down light switches, tidy up shoes....) easy ones to get them helping out a bit. With Daddy gone now for a couple of weeks, it's time to pull together, work together & make it through together :) And.... a clean house just makes me smile. Determined to get some packing done this week. I'll have to keep tabs on here.
Number of boxes packed this week: 0 (that number *WILL* change!) LOL.
.j.

12 year old Birthday Boy.

Greetings suntanned stampers! :) At least I hope the sun is shining and you're going a nice bronze color -- that means you're out and relaxing, which is what everyone needs over the summer. I hope to get that NEXT month when I stay with my mom with the kids for 3 WEEKS... now is SHE READY for that?! :) That's the thing with living too far apart, we savour those moments, and three weeks is going to be SUCH A TREAT. The house will be packed and we'll be on our way to Fort Mac and a new family adventure :) So she says... BRING YOUR STAMPING STUFF!! LOL, but of course! But *WHAT* to take will be the vital question. I like to have everything, because most certainly what I do not take will be what I wish I had (why does that always happen?!) So, as I pack up my stamp room I will have to decide Vernon OR moving truck....

I finally got around to making my nephew's belated birthday card (now I just have to pick up an itunes card!). he's turning 12 and yes, his Dad lets him drive their car around their property (and yes, he backed into their SUV!) CRAZY. And NO, my daughter will not be allowed to do the same thing. I can hear it now "But Caleb is allowed!" LOL. Still *practicing* with my Copic Markers. Kristie from She Runs With Scissors (link in the sidebar) sent me a DVD tutorial that I will HAVE to watch. maybe on the trip when hubby is driving I will sit back and watch it on the DVD players -- wonder how many "Aw MOM!"'s I'll get! LOL
Hope your day is wonderful,
.j.

As promised.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!! I hope you all enjoyed a sleepy morning, a sunny day & some time to relax! As promised, here's the card I was determined to make yesterday (and did!) :) Time of late has been precious. With the completion of our home & getting it on the market,a move (officially next month now), packing/sorting, yard work and general CHAOS - time is very, very precious. So quick cards will be my theme these days I'm guessing.

Here I used whisper white cardstock from Stampin' Up! and then used the stamp set Happy Harmony from Sale-a-bration. I used the Graceful Words set for 'blessings'. I colored the flowers in with markers (Old Olive, Ruby Red & touches of Close to Cocoa) and stamped my word with Basic Brown. I liked how it came out with the scalloped Nestibility. :) I'm hoping next time goes a bit smoother! LOL.
Enjoy your day off.
.j.