Autumn Bliss

Fall is my favorite season. Officially, it's Fall where I live. But I think Mother Nature missed the memo. It still feels like summer. 

Fortunately, Crafty Button Design has a kit for all us Fall lovers! The Autumn Bliss collection is a beautiful homage to this wonderful earth-toned season of oranges, reds, and browns. Take a look...

Autumn Bliss Leaves by Crafty Button Design

Autumn Bliss Leafy Backgrounds by Crafty Button Design

Autumn Bliss Painterly Backgrounds

See what I mean? The Leafy Background papers make me want to go jump in a pile of freshly raked leaves - if we had any around, that is. ;)

The talented Crafty Button ladies created terrific eye candy with these packs:

Created by Thimbleberrie for Crafty Button Design

Created by Skinospot for Crafty Button Design

Created by snowdropz for Crafty Button Design

Created by Thimbleberrie for Crafty Button Design

Created by Erin for Crafty Button Design

Gorgeous, eh? Guess this will have to satisfy my desire for Fall for now. You can pick up Autumn Bliss Leaves, Leafy Backgrounds, and Painterly Backgrounds for 20% off during new release weekend!

The Happy Challenge: Day 94

Day 94 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

As we were driving back this evening after a quick errand, I noticed the sky...

Although it's not the best picture, considering I was driving and just grabbed the point and shoot from my purse and snapped randomly, I like that I caught the sun rays coming through the clouds. And, to top it off, it's the perfect temperature to me - mid 60s!

The Happy Challenge: Day 68

Yikes! Forgot to post this last night, so here goes!

Day 68 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy stuff:
1. RAIN! There were a couple of pretty awesome downpours. I always love listening and watching the rain cascade in buckets. They only last for a few minutes, but it's fun if you don't have to be outside.

2. Watching the toddler play with his buddy George.

The Happy Challenge: Day 67

Day 67 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Happy #1 - Tried a new (to me) frozen yogurt place called Twist today. Loved it!

I've never seen a flavor divider (the green thing in the center) before. It was a lightweight plastic divider to allow you have different flavors separately. Of course, I still mixed flavors for each half - vanilla/strawberry/blackberry on one side, Dutch chocolate and mint on the other. All were great - my tastebuds were very happy!

Happy #2 - An ORANGE spoon for my yogurt! 

Happy #3 - The weather! It was absolutely perfect today - about 69 degrees, sun & clouds playing peek-a-boo. Perfect spring day to me!

Happy #4 - Toddler was VERY well-behaved today. I guess he knew I had to work on a deadline, so he was being cooperative. :)

The Happy Challenge: Day 34

Day 34 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

As we were headed back home from running to the post office (wanted to beat the tax deadline!), I noticed the blooms at a local park near our house. The weather has been warm, so it's not surprising that flowers are popping out everywhere. The picture below doesn't do the actual sight justice, but it was a bright and colorful sight that was a happy one!

The Happy Challenge: Days 26 and 27

Days 26 and 27 of 100 Happy Days Challenge.

Yesterday was a busy day, so I didn't get a chance to stop by and post, but I do have my happy items...

Happy Stuff for Day 26 (April 6):
1.  Watching the sick boys bond over the iPad.

2.  A very rich dessert - flourless chocolate torte with a dark chocolate filling that exploded the second I put the spoon into it!

Happy Stuff for Day 27 (April 7):

1.  A Chipotle bowl - love these!

2. Watching the toddler smile and laugh while playing on the trampoline. It was a gorgeous day (temps in the 60s!), so I was glad he got a chance to play outside.

The Happy Challenge: Day 2

Day 2 of the 100 Days of Happy Challenge. Today's happy thing: watching ducks swim around near the library while enjoying the sunny, almost 60 degrees weather. Okay, maybe that's two happy things. ;)

Oh, and one amusing thing too: while running errands, I was about to exit a parking lot when I saw a guy holding a sign that read: "Ninjas kidnapped my family. Need money for karate lessons." Even if it wasn't an original tactic, it still made me smile. I just wish I hadn't been driving so I could have actually taken a photo.

Anthologie at One Story Down

One Story Down has new releases out today that all mix & match - it's called Anthologie! Two More Days has three releases as part of this monthly collection:

Using elements from these new releases (along with some other kits from Two More Days), I created this:

CREDITS
Pocket Stuffers Vol. 2, Good & True Flairs, Good & True Journal Cards, What A Mom, So Much Joy, Oh Hello newsletter freebie, Veneer Alpha - all from Two More Days

Font: Traveling Typewriter

Although it's spring here, we haven't had much spring-like weather. This was one of the first days (Easter Sunday) it actually felt like spring! So, we headed to the park - where we found a lot of other people enjoying themselves too - and I took some photos of the blooming and blossoming flowers and trees. Oh, and the little guy running free across the grass. :)

Shoveling Is Fun

Had I known there was going to be a winter-themed challenge today for the Month of Challenges, I might have used the photo I worked on yesterday! So, I dug into the archives for some other winter photos and came up with this...

CREDITS

Papers: Winter's Canvas and Moody Blues (Michelle Godin Designs)

Embellishments: Snarky Snippets-Winter, I Heart You and Moody Blues (Michelle Godin Designs); Artsy Bits-Winter and Artsy Bits-Christmas (Micheline Martin)

Font: Code Bold

Template: TLP August 2012 Challenge Freebie (Amy Martin)

So part of the challenge was to use doodles on the page. I loved the swirls (which are from I Heart You by Michelle Godin), but they were originally pink. I had to re-color them to fit with this layout. I like the end result. I need to incorporate doodles on some of my pages. I feel uncomfortable working with them, so I guess I'll just need to practice using them! And, I'm so glad I finally got to use the Snarky Snippets from Michelle! I didn't even think I had photos to use with them, LOL!

Hello Snow

No, it's not snowing here - yet! But, I dug into the archives to find photos for a challenge on The Lilypad. I swear, if it weren't for the challenges, I might not even use some of the kits that I've purchased, lol! This is one of my main reasons to try doing the challenges - it forces me to use my stash!  :)

Today, I worked on some snow photos from January 2008, which is when I went sledding for the first time. Unfortunately, the photos are a little fuzzy, but since I was the subject instead of the photographer, there isn't much I can do about that. the point is that I do have photos!  :D  Everything (except for the font) is from the Winter Wishes collaboration from The Lilypad. (The kit was free with a $15 purchase from the store during DSD!)

CREDITS
Papers: Winter Wishes (Micheline Martin)

Embellishments: Winter Wishes (Michelle Godin, Rachel Young, Gina Miller, One Little Bird, Paislee Press, Sahlin Studio)

Font: Shelter Me

We're Thawing Out

We're finally thawing out! Even though this morning started out with a couple of inches of snow (all over my freshly shoveled driveway!), it didn't stay cold for very long. The temperature warmed up to a balmy 37 degrees! Of course, with all the snow and the mix of warm temps and some rain, the streets were a mess--big ice chunks and slush everywhere. I felt like I was four-wheeling it in my Honda. I don't believe my shocks have ever had that much of a workout before, lol.

Before the thaw started, however, I managed to capture some pics of the fresh snow that landed on the ice-covered trees.
The other interesting photos I got were of the icicles that are hanging off the sides of the house. A few of them fell as the temperature rose. I could hear the crash against the side of the house. However, a really large one was sticking straight out of the snow, just like a stake, before it really warmed up.
And, since it is also Christmas Eve, there was a lot of Christmas preparation going on here. I spent a few hours wrapping gifts. I suppose it would have gone a lot quicker if I wasn't talking on the phone and also checking the computer occasionally at the same time.
I'll be finishing the wrapping in the morning.

Oh, and one thing I discovered this morning when I woke up--snow shoveling definitely works muscles you don't use on a regular basis. My back has been killing me all day! I did try to shovel out the patio, but I couldn't get the gate open because of all the snow. I guess I'm going to have to wait for it to melt...

Hope you had a peaceful Christmas Eve with your loved ones!

Brief Reprieve

The weather actually cooperated today and did not snow or rain for the first time in days. I took advantage of that fact and left the house. However, that required putting chains on the car.

All I can say about snow chains is that whoever wrote the instructions on the ones I bought ought to be shot. They were NOT self-explanatory as the jolly man at Les Schwab said on Saturday. Luckily, there were pictures, so I was able to figure out some of what I was supposed to do. The first set of chains on the passenger side front went on okay, after I figured out what had to go where. The second chains on the driver side...not so good. I had them partially on, then realized that the chains weren't going completely around and had to start over. If it was this hard for me to do in the garage, how the heck do people put these on out on the highway when the snow is coming down???

I had a little trouble getting out of the driveway because of all the snow that was piled in the driveway, but finally made it out. Once on the streets, it wasn't too bad, although it was a bit slippery. I can't believe how fast some people were going. I was limited to 30 mph or less with the chains. Anyway, I made it to the grocery store, bought some stamps, and was able to get some food from Baja Fresh. I even stopped a few times to take photos. It truly was like one of those winter wonderland postcard scenes.

Once back at my house, I had a little trouble getting back into the driveway and stalled the car three times before I could finally get into the garage. My neighbor about three or four houses west of me was out trying to unload his SUV and was watching me after the first stall. I think he was waiting to see if he needed to help push my car into the driveway. Luckily, even with the snow flying as I gunned the motor, I actually gained some momentum to get up into the driveway. I never realized that there was a little dip between the street and the driveway before...

I also shoveled my driveway this evening about 7 pm. Kind of a weird hour, but I was waiting for Laura's friend (whose father lived less than half a mile away) to deliver the snow shovel. Once it arrived, a little after 6 pm, I went ahead and shoveled out the driveway since there is another storm anticipated for early tomorrow morning. We are supposed to see another 3-6 inches of snow. Thank you, Laura, for having Morgan and Doug get in touch with me!

Anyway, it was my first time ever to shovel snow, despite living in the Chicago area for a couple of years. It was definitely a lot harder than it looked. Snow, when it is even slightly packed down and when it has a layer of ice in the middle, is HEAVY. I know my arms and shoulders are going to be crying out tomorrow! But, I think I did a pretty good job, despite not really knowing where to put the snow once I shoveled it. I ended up dumping it on my front lawn and also piled it at the foot of the driveway since I didn't want to dump it in my neighbor's yard--well not the nice neighbor to the west of me, that is.

I think I'm pretty much set now (and even prepared!) to be here for the holiday, after doing a little bit of grocery shopping. I was definitely appreciative of having even a brief reprieve from this crazy weather!

MORE Snow??? Aaaagghhhhh

Day 5,203 of snow.

Not really, of course, but it's starting to feel like it. This continuous snow storm has totally stranded the area. Flights are still being cancelled--way too many of them, which means that the passenger situation at the airport is a complete mess. At least 300 people spent the night there last night. And, judging from the live coverage on the news, it's not looking very good for those trying to get out tonight.

The snow count here at home is now up to almost 10 inches. It's not snowing now, but there's still a lot of it out there.



Even the patio is completely under snow.

I ventured outside briefly to retrieve the newspaper (which was almost completely buried), get the mail, and to break up the nice untouched snow in my driveway. I could feel the layer of ice crack under the fresh snow each time I took a step. Unfortunately, I don't have a shovel, so I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to get the snow out of the driveway, especially since it won't be melting anytime soon.

After being stuck indoors so much for the last few days, I'm definitely feeling the effects of "cabin fever." My sense of humor is not there, and I'm just a little impatient and sick of this situation. I'm even tired of watching movies! Yes, that is a little shocking for even a self-proclaimed movie fanatic.

The only plus - some interesting photos.
One other plus I forgot--found a brand new book of stamps, so I was able to send another batch of holiday cards out today. Now, if I only knew where I might have stashed more stamps for all those holiday cards that need to go to clients...

Jen sent a couple of Hallmark e-cards to try to get me to laugh. Success, Jen! The cheesy e-card worked--thank you!!!

And poor Laura and I have been commiserating over her mother's travel trials. It is definitely a case of planes, trains, and automobiles trying to get her mother here. Hopefully, by this time tomorrow, Laura's mom will be safely sitting at Laura's warm house with the rest of the family.

Brenda, hope you make it back tomorrow--crossing my fingers!

OK, Mother Nature... we're ready for the meltdown now!

Oh yeah...another storm predicted the morning of Christmas Eve... grrrrrr....

First Day of Winter

At 4:04 am this morning, winter officially arrived. However, if you ask folks around here, winter's been here for the last week, with temps below freezing and snow storms on and off.

When I went outside this morning to get the newspaper, I discovered a layer of ice covering the snow that had piled up overnight.


After I finally broke through the ice, I found at least a half foot of snow underneath. The ice sheets weren't that thick, but everything was covered.
That's the newspaper sticking out of the snow.
Yesterday, the weather reports were stating that the snow would end today and the temps would warm up this afternoon. Not so. It turns out that more snow is on the way tomorrow, and now we won't break freezing temps until Wednesday. So, there will definitely be a lot of snow on the ground for the next couple of days.

The airport is also having challenges, with many flights cancelled. Late this afternoon, Alaska/Horizon and Southwest both cancelled any flights in and out of Portland for the rest of the day. There are lots of people stranded at the airport who may not be able to get out until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Something tells me that despite the white Christmas, it may not be a very merry Christmas for some.

David sent a photo of the snow view at his place...

I also had a little time to do a mini album for a gift. I won't post any photos of the project itself since I don't want the recipient to see it yet. It's funny how long it's been since I've used these supplies. It's like learning how to walk all over again, lol. I even had to go searching around the house for some of the tools since I haven't used them for months.

On Friday, I received this little surprise from Laura...thank you, Laura! It was so sweet of you! I haven't opened it yet--planning on doing so on Christmas Eve.

For you locals, hope you're staying safe and warm!