High/Low: September 30, 2011 + Freebie

My LOW this Week is that its just been a bit of a depressing/stressful time for Joey and I. I feel unprepared, and basically I'm just a disorganized mess right now. Here's hoping it all turns around.

My HIGH for this Week is that I am Digitals Featured Designer right now and I am so thankful for the support you all have given me. It really helps my spirits! Thank you. Remember to shop @ Digitals for my 40% off sale! Thank you.



I have a freebie for you today - a stackz that coordinates with my SUMMER BREEZEZ.


Have a great weekend!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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Recipe Thursday - Pumpkin Zucchini Bread

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:
The perfect way to use up some zucchini from your garden. I don't have a garden but some great friends in my church ward brought me some squash and zucchini and I was able to use it for this. This was some really great moist bread with great flavor! My family all loved it!


Pumpkin Zucchini Bread
by Ann Hepworth, who got it from Christine Esplin

3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
3 cups flour
1 cup shredded zucchini

Mix together all wet ingredients in the usual way - add dry and then stir in zucchini last. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before turning out.

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September SPEED CROP

I hope you will join me in our monthly Speed Crop! You can look forward to a fun conversation, great challenge, freebie and bonus! Please come to the Digitals Chatroom at 9pm EST tomorrow!

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Wednesday Sayings - 9/28/11

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:

When you get to your wits end, you will find, God lives there.
- Author Unknown

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Digitals BB7 Celebration

I hope you will all join us in celebrating Digitals 7th Birthday! We will be meeting in the Digitals chatroom on Saturday, October 1st from 1-3pm EST. We will be playing games and the winners will receive some wonderful prize coupons from our designers! There will also be a great challenge for a bonus and a freebie for all those that come! So please join us!




In addition to the crop - there's lots more going on! So please join us!

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Family History TuesdayZ | Remember When...

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 39

Monday, September 19, 2011


Love it when the kids find delight in life and the simplest things. Today that simple thing was a light-up top. Very fun to watch them.


Tuesday, September 20, 2011


I have recently found delight in re-watching F*R*I*E*N*D*S. I haven't been very productive as of late. Not completely sure what has been going on, but I'm struggling. I have lots of time alone now that my kids are in school - but I haven't been motivated to getting anything done - housework, design work, etc. has really been hurting. But I'm trying to cope and turn this around - watching movies helps.


Wednesday, September 21, 2011


Today was our annual IEP meeting for JJ. I enjoy hearing from all his teachers and hearing about his progress. We made some good goals and I was very happy to hear how much everyone enjoys JJ. The paperwork for these IEP gets thicker every year it seems - but that's good that JJ has goals and that we have the people to help him.


Thursday, September 22, 2011


Tonight was Beth's Fall Carnival. The kids were thrilled that since they go to different schools that they got to go to TWO festival/carnivals this year! Joey was able to join us for some of it and that was exciting for the kids. They enjoy all the games and little prizes and of course its nice to be able to eat dinner out and support the school. One of the games tonight, could earn you a goldfish. The kids were so broken-hearted when they didn't win one, especially Beth. They have been begging for a pet for a long time, but we just haven't felt we are in the right place for that. But tonight that changed. After the Carnival, Joey surprised us and took us to Petco, where we purchased 2 goldfish. Meet Sabrina (Beth's fish) and Perry (JJ's fish). We are all really enjoying them!


Friday, September 23, 2011


Last month, I was so excited to have a won a blog giveaway of circus tickets. I kept it a secret from the kids. Today about noon, we picked up the kids and we drove to the Trax station and then we rode the train to the Energy Solutions Arena. We didn't tell the kids where we were going. When we got there, Beth saw the advertisements and stuff around and guessed that we were at the circus! It turned out so well. We went to the open animal show and saw some of the animals up close, then we went to the preshow and finally got in our seats for the Circus. It was amazing and a much better show than the last time we went to the circus when JJ was a baby. We were all thrilled with all of the different things that they had. I loved the Elephants, and the different performing acts. Beth was so excited about the tiger show and seeing a real live "Sasha." She just loves white tigers. It was a great day. After the circus, we left Joey to go do his podcast and came home and had McDonalds for dinner. A really great day!


Saturday, September 24, 2011


Beth is #10 this year and she is loving her soccer uniform. After her games she just wears them the rest of the day and usually as pjs at night. She says it is the most comfortable thing she owns.


Sunday, September 25, 2011


I am loving that reading time has become a tradition in our family. We are currently working our way through the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books, which is really fun since Joey and I both read them when we were kids.



And here is my weekly layout:

Coming Soon!

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High/Low: September 23, 2011 + Freebie

My LOW this Week is that I have got my days/nights mixed up right now. I can't seem to sleep at night and during the day I am just BLAH. So the week has been anything but productive. Hopefully I can get back on track.

My HIGH for this Week is that we are surprising the kids today and going to the CIRCUS. I actually won some family tickets to the circus a few weeks ago and we have kept the secret from the kids. We are going to go pick them up from school about noon and head up to Salt Lake City and go to all the pre-show activities and of course the circus. Ever since I read WATER FOR ELEPHANTS I have wanted to go to the circus again so I am just kind of giddy. Silly I know, but I just know it will be a fun family adventure!



I have a freebie for you today - a set of textured solids that coordinate with my ZOO CREWZ.


Have a great weekend!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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Recipe Thursday - Sausage & Green Bean Pasta

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:
This was delicious and was perfect for using up some of the garden vegetables that some wonderful friends shared with me!


Sausage Green Bean Pasta
by Shandra from Deals to Meals

2 medium sized potatoes (red or russet), washed and diced into small pieces
16 oz. penne pasta
2 c. fresh green beans, rinsed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 small yellow squash, washed and cut into pieces (I added corn and zucchini too)
1 onion, diced
1 lb. ground pork hot sausage
1/2 red bell pepper, diced (or green, yellow or orange) (I used green and red)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. chicken broth (I wanted it a little creamier too - so I added a little bit of heavy cream too)
1/2-3/4 c. parmesan cheese, grated 1 t. Italian seasoning 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the potatoes, green beans, and pasta into a large pot or saute pan with several inches of water. Boil until pasta is tender as well as beans and potatoes. Drain the potatoes, noodles and beans through a strainer and rinse with cold water so that they will stop cooking.

In the same saute pan, brown the sausage, onions and garlic until the onions are soft. Add the red peppers and yellow squash (or whatever garden produce you choose to use) and saute until they are tender. Once everything is cooked, add the potatoes, noodles and beans back to the pan. Add the chicken stock, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Serve warm.

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Wednesday Sayings - 9/21/11

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:

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

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40% off sale + FREE DAILY DOWNLOAD

I am so excited to announce that I am the Digitals Featured Designer from September 20-October 4th.

My products are on sale 40% off in my Digitals Store, so I hope you will take advantage of it! Make sure you go to the homepage and read my interview too. And I have a great daily download for you! Everyday for the next 15 days - you'll want to go to the Digitals Store and pick up my daily download - if you get it all - this is what you get:



It of course coordinates with my new INTO THE WOODZ Collection - so make sure you see it all and its the perfect time to purchase it at a great deal!


Stay tuned...and make sure you also come back to Digitals on October 1st to celebrate our 7th Birthday! You won't want to miss our blog train, chat, treasure hunt, and more!!!!

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Family History TuesdayZ | Driving

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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New Release Monday/Creative Inspiration + Show-OffZ Challenge | Into the WoodZ: CSS

FIRST - I am so excited to announce that I am the Digitals Featured Designer from September 20-October 4th.
It all starts tomorrow! My products will be on sale 40% off in my Digitals Store, so I hope you will take advantage of it! Make sure you go to the homepage and read my interview too. And I have a great daily download for you! Everyday for the next 15 days (starting tomorrow) - you'll want to go to the Digitals Store and pick up my daily download - if you get it all - this is what you get:

And of course it coordinates with my new release - INTO THE WOODZ!I started this kit last year and it just didn't come together until now! I'm so glad it is finished and I love how it turned out! I hope you will too and that you can use it for all your camping/outdoor adventures.

So I hope you'll want to pick up the whole collection. Remember the Into the WoodZ: CSS Add-on is the daily download at Digitals - so you'll want to pick up every piece. Or you can just purchase the product now in my stores, if you don't want to wait!


So look below for all the previews to this collection and go check out all the products in my stores here:

My Blog
iScrapbook
MyMemories

I am excited to announce that I have some great new TearZ Crew Members! I'm so happy to have such great layout artists on my team! Welcome to Dannethia, Holly, Janeal, Kay, and Masja! I know you will all love seeing their layouts!

by Dannethia

by GreenfieldOriginal

by Holly

by Janeal

by Joni

by Kay

by Lorilee

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 a layout about a camping adventure! 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, September 23rd and your layout will be shared on September 24th 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 receive the INTO THE WOODZ: ALPHA!

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

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!

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