The DOOR

When we first drove up to this house...I immediately started redo-ing it in my head. I knew what it would eventually look like. We have been here for 15 months and we're just now starting to get the outside looking a little more like that little picture I have in my head. This was the first finished thing outside! MY DOOR! I came home late one night from work to see the red door. I was so happy:) After inspecting it to see if Tommy did a nice job (ladies, I know you know what I mean:)), I smiled and smiled and smiled. Perma grin for days. I still smile when I drive up and get to see that door:) the light adds just the right touch. I'm in love...with a doorway!

Mom's pages

I love when Mom gets to come over and scrap with me. We never get very much done, but it is time that I need to relax and talk:) This was the page that she was working on. I love getting to finally see more pictures of Tyler!!

Elegant bouquet

Yet another paper pack that I have been saving for YEARS! This was just right for Sharon's sweater...and some great pictures that I want to cherish forever. These pages didn't need much. I like that. I really love the rub-on over my in-laws' picture.

Chocolate Blues

I have had this paper packet for YEARS...it was high time to get it out and use it up. These pics were from a VERY awkward photo shoot Tom's family did. The chick had us posin' at a cemetery!!! There are headstones and markers in the pictures that she attempted to smudge out with photo shop. Needless to say, there were only a few acceptable pictures out of HUNDREDS! I did some embossing. It has been too long. I forget how much I love embossing with white on a dark color. I also combined my silver powder with some orange to get the rusty key. Pretty fun. MY squooshies already look so much older. This is why I scrapbook. I want to preserve every little smile and gooniness that these boys give me!

Ya wanna?

So, I have successfully mastered the perfect chocolate cake recipe! I was at Michael's last week JUST to buy some cake boards for Megan's wedding cake when I stumbled upon the AISLE O' CUPCAKES. The whole stinkin' aisle was filled with cupcake wrappers and boxes to match and and and and:) LOVELY. I was silently squealing. So, I knew JUST what Maria NEEDED when she asked me to make some cupcakes for some friends' birthdays coming up. Oh, yeah. Scrum a num. My three taste testers (Big D, Barone, and Beetles) approved of the flava', so I am set:) Here is the recipe (drum roll please. Oh, and don't panic about the mayo...just DO IT)

Cream 1 3\4 cup sugar with 12 tablespoons (1 1\2 cubes) butter (softened)

Add 1\3 cup of mayo to this. Beat for 2 minutes

Add 4 large eggs (one at a time) ROOM TEMP

Add 2 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl, combine:

2 cups of ALL PURPOSE flour

3\4 cups cocoa

1 1\2 tsp baking soda

1\2 tsp salt

1 pkg of chocolate pudding mix:)

Add this dry mixture to the first mixture a little at a time...alternating with some milk (total of 1 1\2 cups ROOM TEMP).

This recipe is one that I have gathered over the years and from many different places:) I love how moist and rich it is. If you like dainty, light, fluffy...don't come knockin on my door:) ENJOY! This makes 2 8" rounds or 36 cupcakes. I bake the cakes on 325 and cupcakes on 350

Soopah-stah

Lauren Meader is just that! I absolutely love what she does and what she shares. She used to design for Papertrey Inc, but has her own company now. Her templates are so easy and fun. You just download them, print them right on your cardstock that you'll be using, and WHAMO! Cuteness. This clutch took me about 10 minutes...seriously! This is what we'll be making Friday at our lil' get-together. Heidi, this is the template I mailed with you package. FUN. It's a nice size, too. Katie is gunna make cards\envelopes to give to her realtor if she finds her a house...I mean, WHEN she finds her a house to buy:) LOVE Papertrey cardstock. If you haven't checked it out, you should. Totally affordable and very luxurious:)...if paper can be luxurious. It is thick and sturdy and very rich in color. They do a nice job. See ya FRIDAY!!