Be Happy

This was a fun project.  I found a great instructional video from LiveLovScrap on YouTube.  Here's my take on it.  Hope you enjoy!

Mini Book Series #3: Celebrations!

I can't wait to see your link in the comment section taking us to your Mini Book Series Pages!!

This week we are on page 3 with the theme: CELEBRATIONS!

Decorate your page in any way you want with whatever you think of when you think of Celebrations.

On the inside tab, tag, or page you can:

• include a photo of your New Year's Eve Celebration
• a list of everyone's birthday and anniversary for this year for at a glance reference of what you will be celebrating for who and when
• or you can journal about a celebration that you'll never forget
• or whatever you want to do with this idea!

This is fun! I can't wait to see your pages!  Don't forget to leave a link in the comment section.

For more detailed information of how we made our Mini Book, please see the column to the right and you can click on each page we've done together.

Hugs!  Janis

Cupcake Birthday Card

Hi!  I made a birthday card for my sister, Melody, this morning using the Cricut Cartridge "From My Kitchen".  It was a lot of fun!  And yes, that is Bonnie sticking her hand in there while I was filming.  She's so funny.

100+ Book Challenge

I'm on to my 3rd book in the 100+ Book Challenge for 2010!!  Yeah!!

Today I am starting "How Not To Make A Wish" by Mindy Klasky.  Clicking on the image above will take you to Amazon where you can get more information on the book.

Happy Reading, Janis

What's For Dinner?

I tried a new recipe at the Bisquick web site.

Click on the above picture to go directly to their site for the recipe.

It's called "Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie."

It wasn't Outstanding, but it definitely was very easy and quick to make.

I personally think it needs more flavor of something or other.

Hope you guys are having a GREAT day! 

100+ Book Challenge

Don't you just LOVE library days?

Today we went to make our weekly visit to the library and I loaded up on all sorts of interesting looking books.  Tom saw my armful and said, "Janis!".  I just laughed.  I said, "Well, they'll let me check out 50, want me to go get some more?"  I really only got 12.

I like having lots of choices in case I start to read one that is terrible.  I used to make myself finish every book I started.  But then I wised up and decided there are too many good books to read to waste my time on awful ones.

Hope everyone is having a GRAND day!  Hugs, Janis

100+ Book Challenge

Here's the first book I read for the 2010 100+ Challenge.

Clicking on the image will take you to the Barnes & Noble site for more detailed information on this selection.

Enjoy!

Family

I've been telling you some Bonnie stories, so I thought I'd share some pictures and stories from our other children.

Here is our son, James, with my sister, Melody on Thursday, December 31st.  This was right before he went to the airport to head back to Iraq.  I wish we could have seen him during the holidays, but I'm so glad he was able to visit all his friends and our family though.  I just love this picture!

 

Here is our daughter, Keri, and her belly picture for this week.  Poor darling says she is feeling so fat, but really, it's all baby.  And he's going to be a big boy!  The doctor says his head is down and everything is looking really good.  She goes again in a couple of weeks and from there it's weekly doctor visits until the bundle of joy joins us.   I wish I was there with her to rub her back and encourage her more.

Here is a picture our daughter, Kati, painted this week.  Isn't it amazing?  She is such a good artist.  I remember last year when she was in school and she wasn't looking forward to her painting class, but needed the elective for her Arts Major.  And now she has discovered, she actually likes painting.  Hmmm... we should all expand our horizons in trying things even if we think we won't like them.  You never know.  :)

 

This is how Bonnie is spending her first day in the new year.  She's watching "UP".  

Here's a picture of our new, bigger den.  I'm standing beside the computer desk, so you see some of that grey chair.

 

Here's our new, bigger kitchen.  It leads off to a laundry room and then to a large pantry.

This is one of the views out of our large den windows.

 

More view from out of the windows at our computer desk.  If it wasn't so cloudy outside, you could see the mountain range - which is gorgeous.  It's been snowing very lightly off and on this morning.

I hope everyone has a very fun day.  God bless you in your new year.  May His face shine upon you and give you peace.

Hugs, Janis

2010 Reading Challenges

Most of the books I read come from Doubleday Book Club, eHarlequin Book Club, the library, Barnes & Noble, or are borrowed from friends.

DECEMBER

1. The Last Noel by Heather Graham
2. The Missing Ink by Karen E. Olson
3. Rebel Island by Rick Riordan

NOVEMBER 2010

1. Into the Wild by Beth Ciotta 
2. Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2010

1. The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton (didn't finish blah blah blah)
2. Living Deeply (didn't finish)

AUGUST 2010

1. Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen (Audiobooks)
2. The Magicians by Lev Grossman (Audiobooks)
3. The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lillian Jackson Braun (Audiobooks)
4. The Angel by Carla Neggers (Very Good)
5. The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz
6. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
7. Lust, Loathing, & a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

JULY 2010

1. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
2. Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris
3. Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison
4. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
5. The Bikini Car Wash by Pamela Morsi
6. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
7. Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods (A Sweet Magnolia Novel)

JUNE 2010

1. Haunting Jordan by P. J. Alderman
2. Cemetery Dance by Preston & Child
3. Happiness Key by Emille Richards
4. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
5. A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

MAY 2010

1. Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

***I can't believe I lost track of what***

***I was reading in May & June!***

APRIL 2010

1. Night Rising, Vampire Babylon Book 1 by Chris Marie Green
2. Sailing To Capri by Elizabeth Adler
3. Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
4. Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
5. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

MARCH 2010

1. The Beach House by Jane Green
2. Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
3. Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
4. Murder in the Raw by C. S. Challinor
5. When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster

FEBRUARY 2010

1. Mighty Old Bones by Mary Saums
2. A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender
3. Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim
4. Too Rich and Too Dead by Cynthia Baxter
5. Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux

JANUARY 2010

1. The Prayer of Jabez
2. Ghosts From The Past by Glen Ebisch
3. How Not To Make A Wish by Mindy Klasky
4. There's Something About St. Tropez by Elizabeth Adler
5. A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
6. Ghost A La Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
7. Death of the Party by Carolyn Hart

   
   

   
   

   BOOKS ON THE SHELF WAITING TO BE READ NEXT:

   1. 1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber (A Cedar Cove Novel)
   2. Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (A Fool's Gold Romance #3)
   3. Love Me If You Dare by Carly Phillips (Bachelor Blogs #2)
   4. Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham
   5. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
   6. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (A Fool's Gold Romance)
   7. Stay by Allie Larkin
   8. Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank
   9. Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
   10. Summer House by Nancy Thayer
   11. Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
   12. The Summer Hideaway by Susan Wiggs

Just A Little More

We got all of the furniture & beds moved yesterday and most of everything.  I just have a few more things to bring down to our new apartment today - mostly packs of diapers and extra blankets and a couple boxes of books.

My feet were killing me last night and my back was sore.  I was walking a little humped and really slow last night and Tom said, "Why are you walking like an old lady?"  LOL  I have major problems with my feet, but they only bother me when I stand or walk for long periods of time.

When I was working at the doctor's office, it got really, really hard to be on my feet all day.  What a difference it was when I quit to stay home with Bonnie and Homeschool her full time. 

Okay, I'm done whining now.  Actually, I'm really, really, really excited to be in this bigger apartment.

Happy New Year to everyone!  If you are going out tonight, please be safe and smart.  Don't take any chances or risks driving if you've had any alcohol at all.  And watch out for the other driver who thinks he drives better after he's had a few drinks.

Hugs, Janis

Funny Bonnie Story

We are moving from an apartment on the 4th floor to an apartment on the 1st floor.  It's a good move because the new apartment is much bigger!

Bonnie and I are loading up a cart with wheels and going back and forth between the 2 apartments this morning moving stuff while Tom is at work.  Just trying to make things easier for him.  He'll have to move the furniture and mattresses and stuff that I can't, so I'm trying to make it as easy for him as possible.  Bonnie is having so much fun pushing the cart. :)  She's a fun girl.

Let me interrupt myself to tell you guys who aren't aware about our special daughter, Bonnie.  She's 15 years old, has special needs, probably on the cognitive level of 1 1/2 - 2 year old in most areas, still wears diapers, has a LOT of Autistic characteristics though not enough to say she's Autistic, extremely limited speech,  and a bundle of fun and laughter.

I was downstairs in the new apartment in our closet unloading some shoes and things and didn't hear her making any noise.  So I said, "Bonnie?"  I faintly heard, "In here!"  I walked out into the den and said again, "Bonnie?"  Still faintly I hear, "In here!"


She's not in her new bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen.  The lights are off in the laundry room.  I'm befuddled.  I said, "Bonnie, where are you?"  I hear her giggling and again, "In here!"  I opened the closet door in the laundry room and she's in there with the light off, giggling as she hides from me.

I laughed too, but she scares me sometimes!  She's so playful.  She loves to hide things from us like our cell phone, the TV remote, etc.  I just love her fun attitude toward life.

I will be off line today as they move the internet service to the new apartment.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get back on line tomorrow.

For those of you who has asked where my Mama found the cute sock chain purse in a post from yesterday, she laughed and said she can't tell you all her secrets.  (She got it at the Dollar Tree.)  And she said she ordered the Snowman scissors on line and doesn't remember from where.

Hope you guys all have lots of fun today!  Hugs! Janis

Fun From Mama

My Mama is so much fun at Christmas!  We just got a box from her and Daddy with a few goodies in it.  They gave Bonnie a small change purse in the shape of a sock.  Who thinks of these things?!  It's so stinking CUTE!!  They put some quarters in it so it would make a jingling noise, which Bonnie loves.  She won't let it go.  However, I'm going to have to figure out what to put in it besides quarters that I won't worry about her putting in her mouth... not that she would do that, but I would worry about it.

Mama also sent me a pair of interesting scissors.  I've never seen any like this before.  How adorable!

And she used gorgeous ribbon on the packages.... that of course I saved.... I mean really, you didn't expect me to throw it AWAY did you?  LOL

Merry, Merry!
Janis

Joy Card

I love the "From My Kitchen" Cricut cartridge!  And I think the telephone cut is my favorite!

Yesterday I made this card.  It's hard to tell from this picture, but the card base is on dark purple cardstock.  I placed a DCWV textured paper on next.  The dots and swirlies were added freehand using an ultra fine permanent Sharpie. The "JOY" sticker was from stash.

I thought this would be a cute card to send to our kids.  I love getting phone calls from them - it gives me so much JOY!

The message on the inside?

"Call your mother... you know she worries."     LOL  Or maybe just my phone number written really large.  LOL You know, in case they've forgotten it.  :)

Have a fun day!!  Janis

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of  Should Be Reading.  Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am starting "Ladies of the Lake" today by Haywood Smith.  I don't know much about the book except that 4 sisters find out their grandmother died and they have inherited the Hilltop Lodge at Lake Clare.  But there's a catch...  they have to all live there together for 3 months.  Sounds to me like this could be a really funny book.

" 'Does Mr. Slocum ever get out of his chair?' I asked Great-grandmother from behind my hand.  'He must,' she answered, 'he has eight children.'  I didn't get the connection, but all eight of the Slocum kids materialized like shy forest creatures, peering through the open windows and from the edges of the house."  page 77

What's For Dinner?

Thought I'd start keeping up with recipes I liked to boost grocery list ideas when planning for the next week's meals.  I'll keep a running link list to recipes in the sidebar.  So if you ever need some ideas, check it out.  :)

Tonight we had:
Pineapple Baked Chicken Thighs
Cheesy Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Dessert:  Fudge

I peeled, and cut up some potatoes and put them in a pot to boil.  When they were nice and soft, I drained them, but them in a casserole dish, sprinkled some salt and freshly ground pepper and covered it all with cheddar cheese.  Then I popped them in the oven just long enough to melt the cheese.

This recipe is from Cooks.com. 

ZESTY PINEAPPLE BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

2 lbs. chicken breasts (4 breasts) 2 tbsp. melted butter 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper GLAZE: 8 3/4 oz. can drained, crushed pineapple or pineapple tidbits 1 c. packed brown sugar 1/4 c. lemon juice 2 tbsp. prepared mustard 1 tsp. soy sauce Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In ungreased 9" square baking pan, place chicken pieces skin side up. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes. Prepare glaze; pour over chicken. Return to oven and continue baking 30 to 40 minutes, basting occasionally until deep golden brown and tender.To prepare with drumsticks and thighs: Bake 20 to 30 minutes after glazing. Wings: Bake 10 to 20 minutes after glazing.

Currenty Reading

Hi guys!  Scroll down for other New Posts from today including the Mini Book Series Page #2 Theme.  Don't forget to include a link to your page in the comment section so we can all drop by and check it out!
*********************************

What are you reading this week? is a weekly event hosted by J Kaye's Book Blog to celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week. Feel free to pile on a little extra.

BOOKS I READ LAST WEEK:
Um, I'm a bad girl.  Didn't finish any books last week.  I spent way too much time doing other things and didn't have anything new from the library.  However, I did read some of this book:

It's a book my mother-in-law actually mailed to my husband, but hey, we share.  :)  

Since this is the first time I've participated in What Are You Reading Monday, I thought I'd throw in a couple of other books my husband and I both read a few weeks ago.

Daniel X is definitely a "read in one sitting" book.  Next was interesting.  I enjoyed them both.

BOOKS I GAVE UP ON:
I'm normally not the kind of person to start a book and then not finish it.  But I made an exception with "Ladie's Night at Finbar's Hotel."  Sorry.  I thought it was that bad.

CURRENTLY READING:

I'm currently reading "Strange Brew".  It's a book of short stories based in the supernatural realm.  It's easy to read, and hopefully I'll be finished with it today.

This book was picked up at our local Anchorage library.  I used to belong to a book club and received about 4 books a month.  I always loved when my books would come in!  The library is my sole source of reading material right now.  The only time Tom and I will actually buy books now is if it's a new release we've been waiting on and it's not available at the library yet.  For instance, when the last Twilight series book came out, I went and grabbed that sucker!  And when the final book in the Harry Potter series came out, we actually bought 2 so Tom and I wouldn't have to share reading it!  LOL

WANT TO READ SOON:

Tom & I both want to read Dan Brown's latest novel, "The Lost Symbol".  The library has it, but it is checked out with multiple holds on it.  This may be one we have to purchase soon.  :)  

I enjoy reading books that are part of a series.  These are my favorite kinds.  Do you know of any you'd like to recommend to me that you thoroughly enjoyed?  I'd love to get some ideas from you.

 

Tom is currently reading "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".  It's a book we've both read before, but he enjoys it more than I do.  

Bonnie is currently "reading along" with the video "The Great Longneck Migration".  It's really cool because the words are shown at the bottom of the screen and as the narrator reads each word, it is highlighted.

Happy Reading,

Janis

Support Your Local Library

I will be combining this challenge with the 100+ Books Challenge for 2010.

We go to the library every Saturday.  We all love to read in this family!

You can find out all the details and sign up for this challenge at J. Kaye's Book Blog.  Here is the jest of the challenge:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. There are four levels:
--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.
--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.
--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.
--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.
(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
6. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

Have fun!  Read something fabulous today!

Janis

Mini Book Series #2

Make a list of all the things you accomplished in 2009 or things you and / or your family did that you don't want to forget.  Or you may just want to pick one memory, elaborate on it telling the whole story possibly writing it on a journal page and then sticking it inside this page.

Whatever comes to mind is great.  These themes are to be used as guidelines, not hard rules.  Have fun with it!

Don't forget to leave a link in the comment section to your created page so we can all come visit and be inspired.

Have fun!

Currently Reading

UPDATE:  I couldn't do it.  I can't finish this book.  Maybe it's because I've read so many books in my life, I know what a good book is, and this is not one of them.  It's awful.  I had one Room and the Penthouse chapter left, and I just could not force myself to read another page.  

This is one of the books I got from the library yesterday.  I had seen another one of my bloggy friends was reading it and thought I'd check it out.

WARNING:  This book is not for all audiences.

Instead of chapters, the book is divided into rooms at the Finbar's Hotel.  Each room's story is independent of the rest of the book.

When reading the first room's story, I was shocked and wondered if I would continue to read the rest of the book. Yes, I'm almost done with it now, and would already be done, but alas, I slipped into a nap this afternoon while reading.

Tomorrow I'll post the theme for Page Two in the Mini Book Series.  I hope you guys participate and leave  a link in the comment section showing your page for tomorrow's theme.

Until then, Janis

2010 Reading Challenge: 100+ Books

 Are you guys working on your 2010 Goals, Hopes, Dreams, Challenges?

As many of you know, my husband and I love to read.  A lot of the times we will read the same books, but not always.  Every now and then I want to read a juicy romance novel... Tom never has those urges. :)

I found this challenge on Jenner's blog (click link to go directly to her blog).  The challenge is actually hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. (Click link to go directly to the 100+ challenge post).

Here are the very simple rulse as posted on J. Kaye's Book Blog:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
 

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Books started before the 1st do not count.

This year, well, next year, well, most specifically in 2010, I accept this challenge.  I'm pretty sure I can do it!  It will be fun to keep a list of books I read.

Would you like to join the challenge?  I'd love to see what you all are reading.  What you just read may be what I read next.  You never know.  It could happen.  ;)

Hugs, Janis

 

The above 3 pictures found through Google image search "reading".

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my dear bloggy friends!

Thank you for leaving me such nice comments on my blog.  I appreciate all of them.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas.

I hope Santa is good to you.

And I hope you have loved ones near to share in the excitement of the season.

For all of you who have put out your Manger Scene, don't forget to add the Baby Jesus to the manger tonight.

Hugs,  Janis

Picture provided by www.myspaceanimations.com

Feeling Crafty

Yesterday Tom, Bonnie and I went to Office Depot to look at kneeling chairs for Tom. While we were there, he bought me some binding rings.  YEAH!  I was out!  I thought I would get a small package of them, but the only small packages were very large rings (like REALLY large) and I wanted the smaller ones.

So I got a container of 100 1-inch binding rings.  They were $3.99 at Office Depot.  I'm sure they are probably cheaper where you live.  Everything is a little more expensive here.

I plan on making some mini albums today.  I'll post later with some pics of them.

Have a fun Sunday!

Merry Christmas,

Janis

Keri & Aaron and Baby to Be

Here is a picture of our daughter, Keri, and her boyfriend, Aaron.  This was taken at Thanksgiving.  Aren't they the most beautiful couple?  We just love Aaron like he's our own son.

Now look at Keri's current baby belly pic in the post below.  It's amazing to me how much that baby has grown just since Thanksgiving!

The doctor said the baby is growing perfectly and is a little larger than the average baby at this time in the pregnancy.  I guess he's going to be tall like Aaron. 

Just to give you a little perspective, Keri is taller than me.  (I know.  I'm short.  Just 5'2").  My hubby, Tom, is 5'11" and I'm not sure how tall Keri and Aaron are, but they are both taller than I am.  So I guess this little baby to come is going to be tall too.

I love that picture of them!  They are a good fit.  Always laughing and smiling.  What a happy family this baby is being born into.

Jingle Bells,
Janis