Family History TuesdayZ | Best Day

Here is this week's journal prompt :

Each Tuesday, I am going to be offering prompts or ideas. If you don't write in your journal regularly - I am going to encourage you to write just ONCE A WEEK and answer the question/idea that I give on Tuesdays. These ideas hopefully will spark a memory and you will be able to capture that in what you write/record so that it can be left for your children/grandchildren/family/friends. Give as much detail as you can when answering.

Will you do this for me? Will you do this for your families? You can write it down in a journal, you can type it up on a computer or journaling software, you can take a recorder and talk, you can videotape your answers, you can even scrap a page with the journaling. It doesn't matter how you do this - it's just important that you do it. The memories, the dates, the information is the only real thing we can leave to our families when we are gone.

If I come up with other family history ideas - I will be sure to share it here too - and if you want to share with me your ideas - that would be wonderful and I'd be glad to share them here too. Just comment here or email me at dedesmith32@gmail.com.

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High/Low: May 27, 2011 + Freebie

My LOW this Week is that I didn't accomplish a whole lot. But I guess what else is new. I spent a lot of time at the kids school and just didn't get a lot of time to get anything done at home.

My HIGH for this Week is that its Friday and I have a long weekend with my family! Isn't that always a good feeling?


I have a freebie for you today - a stacked paper that coordinates with my Bethie's Room!

Have a great weekend!




DOWNLOAD LINK

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Recipe Thursday - Swirl Cookies

Each Thursday, I am going to be sharing a recipe with you!
I will pick a recipe from my collection and I will be sharing where I got the recipe and everything. But I am going to include my own photo of the finished food, the original recipe, and try and share the things I changed when I made it!

I would love your help too! If you have a great recipe, especially week-night dinner recipes (but I would love all kinds of recipes) - please share it with me, by emailing me at dedesmith32@gmail.com. I will try it out and feature it on my blog! If you have cooking tips or anything else in regards to cooking and food - please email me!


This week's Recipe:
Okay, yes, I made these for Christmas. But it is a great light cookie for all seasons. You can color these any color you want so it's great for anytime! Do this one with your kids - its fun!


Swirl Cookies
by gourmetmom from Quick Dish

1 pouch Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix (or make your own sugar cookie recipe)
1/3 cup butter
1 egg
1 Tablespoon flour
food coloring


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix, egg, flour and butter in medium mixing bowl. Mix until smooth. Or make your own cookie dough.

Divide dough into three sections. Tint each section with a few drops of your choice of food coloring.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one section of dough into a 9" x 11" rectangle. Repeat with other sections.

Lay the three rectangles on top of each other and roll into a log.

Cut log into 1/2 inch slices with a very sharp knife.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes until barely brown. Cool completely.

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Wednesday Sayings - 5/25/11

Each Wednesday, I am going to be sharing a quote/saying with you!
I am a collector of quotes/sayings/scrapbook titles, etc. and I love to hear new ones! So, each week, I will share a quote/saying with you that I hope will inspire you and make your day a little better! If you have any great quotes/sayings - feel free to send them in to me at dedesmith32@gmail.com - I would love to use them!


This week's quote:

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Family History TuesdayZ | Having a Baby

Here is this week's journal prompt :

Each Tuesday, I am going to be offering prompts or ideas. If you don't write in your journal regularly - I am going to encourage you to write just ONCE A WEEK and answer the question/idea that I give on Tuesdays. These ideas hopefully will spark a memory and you will be able to capture that in what you write/record so that it can be left for your children/grandchildren/family/friends. Give as much detail as you can when answering.

Will you do this for me? Will you do this for your families? You can write it down in a journal, you can type it up on a computer or journaling software, you can take a recorder and talk, you can videotape your answers, you can even scrap a page with the journaling. It doesn't matter how you do this - it's just important that you do it. The memories, the dates, the information is the only real thing we can leave to our families when we are gone.

If I come up with other family history ideas - I will be sure to share it here too - and if you want to share with me your ideas - that would be wonderful and I'd be glad to share them here too. Just comment here or email me at dedesmith32@gmail.com.

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Life 2011: Week 21

Monday, May 16, 2011


I spent all last week and the weekend finishing up and getting this kit released. I am so excited with how it turned out. It is a little bit of a different style than I usually do - more doodley - and it was lots of fun to create! This was the last kit that I needed to finish before I take about a month break and work on organizing all my dad's home movies onto DVD.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011


Joey is always helping people with their computers or playing/working with his own electronics. JJ is always so interested in what he is doing and is always right close to him to watch. I'm pretty sure that JJ is going to take after his Dad in working with computers when he grows up.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011


Tonight was Beth's Kindergarten Program called "Storytime". They sang a beautiful song called, "Read Me a Memory" and then presented us with 3 plays from some of their favorite books. Beth was a sheep from "Stuck in the Mud." They all did a fabulous job and Beth told me after that she wanted to do more plays, so it definitely lit a bug inside her. She is so expressive that I know she could do well if she decided to do more drama!


Thursday, May 19, 2011


I am loving this stage in my kids' life. In some ways, they are both on the same levels in many areas. I am loving how independent they are and just so many fun things that they do right now. One of my favorites is going through their backpacks and papers at the end of the day and finding gems like this. How cute is that JJ made a rose and put I love you Mom on it? JJ and Beth both love to draw and color and I am always finding scraps of paper with little messages like this. So sweet.



Friday, May 20, 2011


For dinner tonight we did a muffin tin meal! I want to find some cute muffin tins and do this more often, but tonight all I had was some disposable muffin tins. They worked great and the kids were delighted. They got to eat their little meal of pizza, crackers with ham and cheese, peanut butter and honey sandwich, carrots and ranch, fruit snacks, and pudding while they watched a movie!


Saturday, May 21, 2011


Beth loves her Aunt Becki and today she got to spend a few hours with her. Aunt Becki did her nails and they had lunch at Wendy's and played at the park. It was Becki's birthday present to Beth and this is the second year in a row that Beth has got to have this one-on-one time with her for her birthday. It will definitely be a birthday tradition for her now and Beth was so excited. I'm happy that she has someone to spend time with like this that makes her feels so special.


Sunday, May 22, 2011


For Family Movie Night, we brought out an old movie from Joey's and my childhood - That Darn Cat. I hadn't seen it in years and it was really fun to see again. The kids seemed to enjoy it too!


And here is my weekly layout:

Coming Soon!

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High/Low: May 20, 2011 + Freebie

My LOW this Week is

My HIGH for this Week is


I have a freebie for you today - a clustered element that coordinates with my Spring DreamZ!

Have a great weekend!




DOWNLOAD LINK

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Recipe Thursday - Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Each Thursday, I am going to be sharing a recipe with you!I will pick a recipe from my collection and I will be sharing where I got the recipe and everything. But I am going to include my own photo of the finished food, the original recipe, and try and share the things I changed when I made it!

I would love your help too! If you have a great recipe, especially week-night dinner recipes (but I would love all kinds of recipes) - please share it with me, by emailing me at dedesmith32@gmail.com. I will try it out and feature it on my blog! If you have cooking tips or anything else in regards to cooking and food - please email me!


This week's Recipe:
We had these for our Easter Dinner. It is the perfect Spring/Summer meal! Love it!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches
by Freebies2Deals

**I totally forgot to take a picture when I made these - so this photo is taken from the site linked above.
1 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1/4 teaspoon Thyme
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Salt
2 cans cooked chicken, or 2 chicken breasts poached and shredded
1/3 C. Celery or Red Grapes (or both) (I used 1/2 red and 1/2 green grapes)
(Slivered Almonds would also be great in this dish, about 1/4 Cup… although not required)
Rolls

In a large bowl mix mayo, miracle whip, thyme, garlic salt and lemon juice. Stir until fully combined. Cut approximately 25 grapes in half. Add them along with the Chicken, and slivered almonds to the mayo mixture. Gently mix. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Put a spoonful of chicken mixture on a roll and top with a some lettuce! Makes 24 sandwiches!

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Wednesday Sayings - 5/18/11

Each Wednesday, I am going to be sharing a quote/saying with you!
I am a collector of quotes/sayings/scrapbook titles, etc. and I love to hear new ones! So, each week, I will share a quote/saying with you that I hope will inspire you and make your day a little better! If you have any great quotes/sayings - feel free to send them in to me at dedesmith32@gmail.com - I would love to use them!


This week's quote:

Forever is composed of nows.
- Emily Dickenson

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Family History TuesdayZ | Favorite Scripture

Here is this week's journal prompt :

Each Tuesday, I am going to be offering prompts or ideas. If you don't write in your journal regularly - I am going to encourage you to write just ONCE A WEEK and answer the question/idea that I give on Tuesdays. These ideas hopefully will spark a memory and you will be able to capture that in what you write/record so that it can be left for your children/grandchildren/family/friends. Give as much detail as you can when answering.

Will you do this for me? Will you do this for your families? You can write it down in a journal, you can type it up on a computer or journaling software, you can take a recorder and talk, you can videotape your answers, you can even scrap a page with the journaling. It doesn't matter how you do this - it's just important that you do it. The memories, the dates, the information is the only real thing we can leave to our families when we are gone.

If I come up with other family history ideas - I will be sure to share it here too - and if you want to share with me your ideas - that would be wonderful and I'd be glad to share them here too. Just comment here or email me at dedesmith32@gmail.com.

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My Favorite ThingZ Challenge Reminder!

Don't forget about this fun My Favorite ThingZ Challenge going on in May as a part of the iScrap event @ ScrapDelicious! it's not too late to come join and get fabulous prizes -

http://www.scrapdelicious.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=63

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New Release Monday + Show-OffZ Challenge 5/16/11

Join me on Mondays for my new releases! Also on New Release Mondays I will be posting a Show-OffZ Call for your layouts - so please don't miss that at the bottom of this posting!


I am so excited to release my TWITTERPATED.
This kit is a special kit @ ScrapDelicious right now! It goes with this month's Creative Junction. Several other designers are participating as well and they have created their own kits with this swatch! So you can mix-and-match all the kits for great variety!

I hope you'll love my additions to the Creative Junction. Head on over to my ScrapDelicious store HERE and pick these 3 products up. Then head over to the Creative Junction section and see what the other designers have in store for you! SO MUCH FUN!












Here's how it works:

Each Monday with the New Releases, I will be posting a Show-OffZ Challenge. You will have until Friday to do the challenge and if you get your layout sent in, you will receive either a coupon to my store or a specific product (each posting will tell you what you are getting)! I will share all the Show-OffZ of the Week on Saturdays!


THIS WEEK'S SHOW-OFFZ CHALLENGE:
I want you to scrap about a time you felt twitterpated! If you have never felt that way - maybe you know someone who has! Scrap it! You must use MY PRODUCTS ONLY to create your layout! (You can use ANY product by me!)

Email me (dedesmith32@gmail.com) a copy of your 600x600, 72dpi Layout by 10pm EST on Friday, April 8th and your layout will be shared on April 9th on my blog (it could be later depending on my time)! Please include the name that you want listed with your layout.


This week (if you participate), you will be receiving the twitterpated: alpha!




Thanks and I hope you will join in the challenge and come back every other Monday for new releases and a new challenge!

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Life 2011: Week 20

Monday, May 9, 2011


We have some new furry creatures at our house. For Easter, the kids got a Butterfly Garden and we sent away for some caterpillars. The kids are fascinated and I am too with the whole process from caterpillar to butterfly. We have been watching our cuties get bigger and bigger and soon we know the will go into their chrysalis. It has been a lot of fun and we will definitely have to send away for some more caterpillars and do this again!


Tuesday, May 10, 2011


JJ went on his yearly Fishing trip with his class today. This is the first time that either me or Joey couldn't go. They don't let you take younger siblings and Joey was crazy busy at work, so it just didn't work out this time. I felt bad, but I think JJ took it really well and had a great time. And of course he came home with a fish, but as he says, " Mom, let's just throw it away, I don't want to eat it." So that's what we did. :)


Wednesday, May 11, 2011


Crazy Spring weather. It goes from snowing to nice weather to rainy weather and nice weather again. It just can't make up its mind. But today it was nice so we picnic'd in the yard for dinner tonight.


Thursday, May 12, 2011


As I said before, I'm completely hooked on audiobooks. I do love sitting down to a book, but sometimes you just don't have the time and now I can do work and still listen to a book. I was so busy designing and housework this week, that I was able to listen to a whole series - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I am so glad I got these! I have been in Panem all week and I can't seem to get away from thinking about this story. I got through all 3 books this week and I am about ready to listen to it again - but I might pull myself away and listen to something else. I didn't realize how drawn to these characters I would get. Thanks to my friend Amber who suggested these! Thank goodness that I didn't start reading these before they were all out - I don't think I could have taken the wait to find out what happens next.



Friday, May 13, 2011


My daughter loves dandelions. When they start springing up in the yard, she brings them in the house by the handful. She loves to bring them to me and unfortunately, I just don't have the love for them that she does. But as I took some pictures of the flowers in the yard this week, I took some closeups of the dandelions and realized they do have a beauty of their own. I suppose we all do. :)


Saturday, May 14, 2011


What a perfect day. It was full of sleeping in, lunch at home, movie theater to see Rio, ice cream at Farr's, a long nap, board games with Dad, dinner at Olive Garden, yummy cake from Tucano's for dessert, long bath/shower, staying up late, and listening to and dancing to music with Dad. A great day!


Sunday, May 15, 2011


Tonight's movie night was a favorite from Joey's childhood days, "Explorers", watched with lots of yummy popcorn. Then we ended the evening with a bedtime story. I hope the kids always remember these special family tradition moments.


And here is my weekly layout:

Coming Soon!

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Life 2011: Week 19

Monday, May 2, 2011


The kids skipped school today due to some colds. They had a lazy day in front of the television and puzzles.


Tuesday, May 3, 2011


I saw these tiny flowers by the tree in my yard today. I realize that they are probably weeds, but there were hundreds of them all over and I thought they just looked pretty. I am starting to hate all the hot weather and not sure how I am going to survive this summer - but at least there are pretty flowers about!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011


Those familiar with my blog, know that I do a thing called High/Low every Friday. On the movie, "Story of Us", the family plays a game called High/Low. When Joey and I saw this movie, we knew we wanted to incorporate this into our family. So we often play High/Low at the end of the day with JJ and Beth. To summarize up our days, we each tell the best thing about our day (high) and the worst thing about our day (low). I love these little conversations that we have with them and its always awesome when Beth says, "I don't have a low."


Thursday, May 5, 2011


Our wonderful friends, The Price's invited us to a great Cinco de Mayo neighborhood party tonight with lots of Mexican food and visiting. It was excellent weather and it was nice to visit and be together. The kids even got to try breaking a neat homemade pinata. It took all the kids and even some older ones to finally get it to burst, but it was a lot of fun!



Friday, May 6, 2011


I am LOVING audiobooks lately. I am a reader, but lately I have struggled to find the time to actually sit down and read a book. But audiobooks have come to my rescue. On my driving around and errands and housework and even designing, I have been able to "read" books and it is awesome to have that distraction when I am doing jobs that I am not fond of. Plus I have been able to listen to some great books. I used to hate audiobooks and just couldn't seem to get anything from them, but I love them now. This week's book has been The Help and it is a fantastic book and the narrators for this book really brought the story to my heart!


Saturday, May 7, 2011


The kids have struggled with colds all week, but today was the worst. Beth had to miss her last soccer game and we ended up having to take JJ to the Instacare. JJ doesn't always communicate things to us clearly, so when he says something hurts, we take it pretty seriously. He had a bad side ache that we couldn't seem to get rid of so we took him into the doctor. He was in pretty bad pain and couldn't even walk. He had x-rays and blood taken and he was pretty darn miserable. He had a lot of congestion so they thought it might be pneumonia, but thank goodness it wasn't. Turns out that he was a bit constipated and so we got some medicine to help that and just took it easy the rest of the day.


Sunday, May 8, 2011


We decided to recuperate the kids for one more day and we missed church. It was nice to have a casual day at home for Mother's Day. I got spoiled with lots of cards and goodies from my kids and even though they were sick, it was nice to just be together at home.


And here is my weekly layout:

Coming soon!

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High/Low: May 13, 2011 + Freebie

My LOW this Week is that the weather is getting hotter. I realize that most people enjoy the heat, but I hate it. Thank goodness we have our swamp cooler going now.

My HIGH for this Week is that I spent all week with the series The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I got them on audiobook through Audible.com and listened to them all while driving Beth to school, doing housework, and designing. I really enjoyed them.

I have a freebie for you today - a clustered element that coordinates with my Bethie's Room!

Have a great weekend!




DOWNLOAD LINK

Read More