New Year's Eve

Here it is the end of 2007 - it's more or less been a good year, we lost my Brother-in-law in May which was too sad to even talk about, but we moved on and the rest of the year was pretty ok.

It's going to be a quiet night here tonight - no plans other than to try and stay awake until midnight. It was 60 degrees here today in balmy Northern California, not at all what you want for New Year's Eve. but it's what we have. it's dark now though, so the temperature is dropping nicely~

I found these Tea Bag books on several blogs I like to read, and I just had to try them - and I'm so happy with the results! These will definitely stay in my bag of tricks for a while!

These are scanned, It's really too much for me to try and take photos and upload them, etc., but maybe that wil be my New Year's resolution!

Take care everyone

Have a safe, healthy and happy 2008!

Birthdays coming up

I have 3 birthdays coming up on Jan 6 - can you believe it? I'm busy getting cards and little gifties ready to put in the mail. Since one has to go to Sweden, I'd better get on the ball! Then there are 3 more January birthdays right behind those!

I love the Amuse 2008 Calendar, I'm making them for January gifts - here's the first one, and the others will be similar. Now that I have the pages ready (exept for August, I'm drawing a blank!) I'll put them together with the Zutter - and have a cute little calendar gift.

I'm finishing up thank you cards now - this one is such a CASE - but I like it!

I received some Amuse gift certificates for Christmas, so those along with the Amuse Addicts Discount coupon allowed me to order a lot this morning on-line. They ship so fast, and now I can't wait to get them!

That's all for today !

The Day After Christmas!

After a wonderful visit with family for Christmas, it was time for me to drive back up north today. It's not a drive I particularly like, but it's usually around 2 1/2 hours, so it's not so bad. Today however, was a different story - and 3 hours and 15 minutes later I arrived at home. A 45 minute delay probably doesn't sound so bad to most, but you have to remember I hate to drive! The drive went pretty well, until I was about 45 minutes from home - then total traffic stop! The road usually slows down a bit at this particular spot, but it's never stopped before -it took 15 minutes to go 2 miles! Not so fun - but I have to admit, every time I looked at traffic going in the opposite direction, they had it a lot worse!

Christmas was a lot of fun for everyone, and this year we have a 1 year old in the family, so Christmas was really all about her! She had great fun opening not only her presents, but those of everyone else too!

Now there are Thank you's to be written, January birthdays are coming up, so here I come!

Saturday 12 22 07

For goodness sake - it's only 3 days until Christmas -what am I doing in front of the computer? The fact that it's just 6 am might give a clue. I think I'm ready for Christmas - and that's a little scary- I must be forgetting something.

But this year I didn't do any holiday baking a long time first for me - I did try a pumpkin fudge recipe which turned out great and is very yummy!

It's easy and I swear it's never fail! If you like pumpkin pie, give it a try

Pumpkin Fudge -courtesy CDKitchen

Tags - Amuse Art Stamps, Copic Pens, white card stock

1 1/2 Cups sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 Tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups mini marshmallows

12 ounce package white chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans - lightly toasted

1 teaspoon vanilla

Butter sides of heavy medium saucepan. Combine sugar, milk, pumpkin, butter, spice and salt in saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Using a timer, boil for exactly 12 minutes while stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add marshmallows. chocolate chips, walnuts and vanilla, stir until melted. Pour into an aluminum foil-lined and greased 8 x 8 inch baking pan, chill until firm. Cut into 1 inch squares. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Heading to the family tomorow, so today will be house cleaning, packing, 1 last gift to wrap and I'm on my way!