Card of the Week

My brother's birthday is coming up next week and it is a BIG one!

I just loved the CPS card sketch this week and I figured out a way to combine the two.

Here's the CPS sketch:

And here is my interpretation:

I really enjoyed the simplicity of the design, yet I was able to also mark the milestone.

How is it possible that I have a brother who is turning 60?  I can only placate my stress level by telling myself he's much older than I am.  (If that were only true.)

Have a great week-end.

Welcome Spring

To welcome Spring, I wanted to take some photos of what's already growing or blooming around my house.  The plan was to have that to post for the first day of Spring.

As is my style, so to speak...that didn't happen.

But better late than never, I did manage to take some photos of my flowering tree.  I think it is a weeping cherry, but I'm not sure.  I know I should know what it is and I think I did at one time, but I forgot.

I'd welcome any comments letting me know what type of tree this might be.  (I probably should have taken a photo of the whole tree.  That would probably be helpful.)

Happy Spring Everyone.

Card of the Week

To fight off the feelings of a very stressful day at work, I decided to release through carding.  I've made two today as the boys have upcoming birthdays.  I used the CPS card sketch for one and just my own idea for the second.

Here is the CPS sketch:

 And here is Luke's card:

And here is Ryan's:

I'm so pleased with the colors.

It was very good therapy.  I hardly remember my stress of the day.  (The two beers probably didn't hurt either.)

Chicken Piccata ala Wonderful

Anyone who visits here regularly knows I love Ina Garten. I watch Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network all the time and yesterday, I even watched some of her videos online.

This is where I found her making Chicken Piccata.  She was making it for Jeffrey on his Friday night return from the city.  So I knew it would be special.  She also mentioned pairing it with the Herb Roasted Onions.

Suddenly I had found my inspiration for dinner.

Oh my goodness.  This was all kinds of wonderful.  Both were very easy to make so I had to pass them on to you.

Here is her Chicken Piccata recipe.  

I unfortunately did not take any photos of my own, for which I am so sorry.  My plate looked magnificent.

Here is the recipe for the Herb Roasted Onions .

Seriously, if you are at a loss for what to make for dinner, please I beg you...make both of these.

And then let me know how it turned out.  

I Think it's Fixed

I finally found someone at Go Daddy who helped my correct my problem.  Still don't understand how it got changed or why it worked sometimes and sometime not.  But we finally updated the IP address that I got from Blogger.

So, hopefully...I'm back.

Blog Troubles

Is any one else having issues with their blog.

Yesterday, out of the blue, I couldn't get to my blog, but got the generic "Go Daddy" message screen asking if you want to register this name.

I called Go Daddy and they said everything was OK.  I'm paid up and it's CNAME is set up and it's pointing to Blogger.  I set this all up so long ago, I am sure I have no memory of what I did.

I that asked a question on Blogger help.  They basically told me that Go Daddy lied to me and there must be a problem with the DNS/CNAMES.

I then went to my blog again and everything was back to normal.

Just went and checked it again today...Go Daddy message again.  Waited 5 minutes, checked again and it's now back.

Which brings me to ask...any one else having any blog weirdness?

Thanks

DIY Croutons

I am completely addicted to making my own croutons.  They are so tasty and all you need to do is dice up some herby bread and bake it in a 250 degree oven for about an hour.

I found this wonderful bread at Papa Joe's (our local specialty produce, meat, fish, wine etc shop).

 It's called Grissini Torinesi.  I have no idea what it means, but it's a skinny loaf filled with lots of herbs.

I just cut it up and bake.

I've been making Caesar Salads with these every other day.  Have croutons, will have salad.

Also if you haven't tried Cardini's Caesar Salad Dressing, you have got to give it a try. It's delicious and makes life so much easier.

What Fun!

I recently received an email from the folks at Be @ Home.  They wanted to feature my little blog on their Best of the Web Feature.  I've not had anything like this happen before and I'm excited by the possibility of making new blogging buddies.

Be @ Home is part of Pocket Change, which was started by a group of bloggers who were passionate about writing about products and shopping. There are several different branches under the Pocket Change blog including Be in Style, Be in the Game, and Be @ Home. Pocket Change has been around for a few years.

Here is the link for their Best of the Web post and make sure you visit the other blogs featured.  I'm in with some really great company.

Number 3

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but Krissy is expecting here 3rd child in about 7 weeks.  Her delivery date is scheduled for April 27th.  We are all so excited to have a new baby around again.  And to add to the good news, she is having a girl.  

I see lots of pink in her future.  

Card of the Week

Here's my card for the CPC Card Challenge this week.  This is one of the cards I made for the February Birthday Brunch.

This is the CPS Sketch:

And here is my interpretation.

I opted to turn the design horizontally...for no particular reason.  Just because.

Have a great week.

Birthday Brunch

We had our annual  Birthday Brunch where we celebrate 5 birthdays.  With so many birthday's in a row, it's jus easier celebrating all at once than trying to do them one at a time.

It is now Sunday morning and I just had Birthday Brunch leftovers and it was spectacularly delicious.  I had a Sausage Strata, Raspberry and Marscarpone French Toast Bake, a slice of a slice of Kathy's Apple Bread.  How wonderful to have all these goodies in my fridge.

Sausage & Monterrey Jack Strata

Raspberry & Marscarpone French Toast Bake

Apple Bread

So yummy.  Happy Birthday BW, Krissy, Jay, Rick and Mom.  What a wonderful reason to get the family together.  

(Next up....Austin, Ryan and Luke's birthday.  Plus a little surprise.)

Welcoming Home the Prodigal Son

Yum