We're a Zoo

This was Daddy's birthday card from the kids... we are a bit zoo-like here!! Sometimes as slow as a turtle to get out the door ( or get started on math!), silly & swinging like a monkey, loud as a lion, and.... well I'm not sure how we relate to a giraffe! :)

I'm really hoping to get into my stamping nook today - it will be a first time since Matthew arrived... here's to hoping the stars all align!!!

.j.

Handwriting

I've heard from two different sources now that handwriting (cursive) is no longer going to be taught in school. Big deal you might think. No one really "writes" anymore anyway, do they? You're right, not many do. In this face-paced world, no one seems to have the time to stop and truly WRITE. Even PRINT! A message can be typed out in lightening speed, sent even faster and that memo can be scratched off your to-do list. Done. Next....

*sigh*

David's Mom sends the kids a handwritten note every month. They love it. I love it. It's written even! It's a big deal. They cherish those notes and I see them stashed away safely in a drawer or special box. I've yet to hear any of them ask to print off an email note. It doesn't hold that same treasured value.

SO....

I'm trying to teach my kids the value in a hand-written (or even simply printed!) note. All our family lives far away, so when a birthday comes along, it creates the perfect opportunity to send a note of thanks. I think it is important, and I also think there's some cherished notes tucked into Grandma & Grandpa's drawers & special boxes!

Next time you click 'New Message', stop and consider pulling out pen & paper... you just might find your note being a treasure to someone too.

☆

Coffee Time!

I ♥ coffee.

Hot coffee, cold coffee, blended coffee, mocha - ♥ ♥ ♥

So it's fitting for me to send a paper hug to a friend with coffee in its "ingredients" *wink*.

Coffee with friends usually means some laughter and great conversation....

perhaps that's why I like it so much.

I've been working on a purchase order of scrapbooking goodies and I'm hoping that it will inspire me to get downstairs and get creative. I've been so busy with homeschool, chores & new baby that crafty-time hasn't existed. I'm really finding I need that to remain sane, KWIM?

I find that when I've had scrappin' & stampin' time, I am refreshed!

Just like church gives my soul encouragement, crafty time gives me a renewed energy.

Ahhhh.... ♥ that!

So mix some coffee with some crafty time and you've pretty much got yourself a perfect kinda day!

☺

Goodbye Summer

I have to admit, we've had a beautiful fall! Seeing this card though reminds me of how much I love summer! We had just begun our adventure South a year ago -- I cannot wait to do it all over again, it was amazing. I still haven't gotten any serious stamping time (obviously simply posting on my blog has been challenging!) We've been busy with our new little monkey and enjoying all the moments. Priorities.

This image is from Whipper Snapper, rub-ons, ribbon, papers from Stampin' Up, and I colored using my Copic Markers. A quick, simple card.

Matthew is 2 months today.

♥

Hubby's birthday

A quick post today... busy week ahead, but wanted to pop in & share a card with you :)

Have a great week!!

What are you up to?

.j.

Back from the Farm....

We took some time off and went to the farm this past weekend.. what a grand time we had. The kids thought it was the greatest place. Ever. :)

So fun to watch them explore, go horseback riding, collect warm eggs under chickens, feed the sheep, run away from a goat, build a fire, check out a cabin, walk the trails, ride quads...

We're back home now, Daddy is back to work, we're back to school, and life moves back into its "regular" routine.

Out of all my baby thank-you cards, this was the one I mass produced. I made a number of originals, but as my due date was creeping closer, I went with this design and made about a dozen. So nice to have them on hand to say thanks after blessings.

I put a big batch of baby announcements in the mail! YAY. Only took me a month to get them finished up.... LOL.

A closer look:

Hope you had a good weekend!

Here's our menu for the week:

{MENU}

Spaghetti

Broccoli Quiche & Turkey Sausage

Ham

Easy Bean Soup with bread

Ham & Potato Bake

There's a few links to the recipes. What's for dinner at your house?

.j.

Up, Up & Away

September greets us with many birthdays, and I'm so thankful I decided to make cards before Matthew came so I had things ready to go! Between feedings, changing, baths, meals, cleaning, laundry and homeschooling... yeah, you can see where I'm going with this!

Some days I wonder how I am going to get it all done, and other days I just realize I'm not.... and remind myself that's OK!

My nephews have birthdays this month and because they live in different places I thought duplicating their card was "safe". HA. I typically don't make cards that are the same.... but I thought this was a cute card, and it was fun to make - so two it was.

This is a Penny Black stamp. I stamped it a few more times on white cardstock and just cut out the balloon to use and added a little doodling beside them. I think you can click on the images to enlarge them.

Here it is a little bit closer.

I also used foam tape to pop them up a bit to add a bit of dimension.

I colored using my Copic Markers (might have a few more of those on my Christmas wish list!).

Hope you're having a fantastic week. We head to Edmonton for our first road trip with Matthew as Megan has an orthodontist appointment for her braces. Should be fun... HELLO COSTCO! :)

It's getting cooler outside (down right cold the last couple of mornings!). David said the winter is a 4-letter word. HAHA. So true though. We are already missing the warm (OK, hot) breezes of Arizona and dream of being there again.... I think it's just knowing that deep freeze is on it's way and that summer has drawn to a close. Fall is beautiful though (if you can get past the fact that summer has ended) - the trees are starting to change, I can pack up the bathing suit and pull our the big, bulky sweaters! :)

I think those are still packed... guess it's time to finish unpacking....

.j.