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CALLIN' ALL Shoppers! NEW ETSY LISTINGS - IDea BoOks, Cards & ScrapbOOK SupplIeS!

I am cleaning out the proverbial closets. As of now, I have idea books, cards, some papers, embellishment packs, and collage packs too. If you are shopping for yourself or a friend, please take a look. I will wrap items if you wish and am adding a few freebies with every order. Come Check it out! LINK TO THE SHOP!

Beach Fun

So we made our annual trip to Panama City Beach in June. It was wonderful... everything that a beach adventure should be - long, hot days oceanside, a boat ride to Shell Island, grilling, a sunset mystery dinner cruise on the ocean, a trip to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Restaurant, and lots of swimming, splashing, and laughing. Here are a few photos from our week at the beach:
          

Looking for a DEAL (steal)?!

Look no further. One of my favorite kit clubs One Page At a TIme is blowing out some inventory. THey have an extra 15% off if U use the coupon code: BARGAIN08 when checking! WHat are you waiting for?

Back from no where. ...

     

Hello all, I am back in blog land. Sorry, I don't know what happens to me. I just fall out of sync with posting and then don't know what to say, thus the 4 month absence. SO let's try this again.

First, several folks have asked me if I am still scrapping and the answer is YES, lol!! I just haven't been posting. I am going to get back in the habit. In fact, if you need some inspiration, Check out these newish idea books..... I have my copy of each of them and they are all equally great. The wedding book by Somerset is chock full of beautiful shabby chic-ish memory projects, invites, gifts, etc if you are in a romantic mood. THe FLip N Spin book features playful interactive pages, and SHow it Off is all about ways to make "displayable" projects - including frames, mini albums, cubes, clocks, etc. THere are some really neat fresh ideas in this one. And last, but not least, are the CARDS magazines. THe FEB & MAY issues are as cute as ever. I am honoured to have a projects and/or articles in all of these publications. Please check them out if you are in "NEED" of some serious inspiration.

Second, I would like to say happy SUMMER!! I for one am very happy that June is here. THe heat is a little over whelming, but the kids are out of school, our schedule is more flexible, and now we can travel around a bit. Too bad gas here is right over $4 a gallon, but we will just have to cut cost some where else, because summer to me means at least one road trip to the beach and a few side trips to local attractions. Luckily we are only a few hundred miles from the beach. DO you guys have summer trips planned? Tell me about them.... I'll post some pics when we get back from out first sea side adventure in a few weeks.

SO, I think that is all for now. Drop me a line to say hi if you feel chatty. My direct email is alecia.grimm@gmail.com . See you soon!

What Weekends Look Like ... & Beautiful Crochet Jewelry

Weekends are for relaxing, but usually we spend them running errands and visiting people. I love these photos of the kids just hanging out and being themselves. They make me happy, so I thought I would post them. And as for the crocheted jewelry. Wow!, is all I have to say. I was browsing etsy and found some really pretty things. I just had to share. Have a good Saturday!

Somerset Weddings

I just got my copy of Somerset Weddings 4 in the mail. It is beautiful of course, with lots of stunning ideas for romantic, wedding themed projects and invitations. If you are planning a wedding, like to make wedding gifts, or want to make a wedding keepsake, this is the book for you.  I have 2 articles in this volume. One is about making different kinds of frames and the other details how to make a wedding planner out of library card pockets. These are just 2 of the many fabulous articles you'll find. I am always humbled by the beauty and quality of work in all the Stampington publications.

Snow, Baby Showers & Kale

It 's been snowing here. And the snow actually stuck. The down side of that is VERY cold weather, but still, it is such a novelty to have a little white stuff. I love it. THe kids love it too. Making snowballs, breaking up ice chunks, and running around trying to catch flakes on their tongues has kept them pretty occupied.

 

ANd I also wanted to mention this beautiful baby shower that I went to last weekend. It was so much fun. It's been a while since someone close to me had a baby. ANd don't we all love babies and baby showers?! I know I do. THere were so many cute outfits and toys, but what really struck me was how many HANDMADE gift she recieved. Her mother in law had made these cute little bling things to hook the pacifier to the baby's clothes, a bracelet, candles, and a cross stitched baby quilt. There were also a few other personalized items with embroderie and such. I love to see that kind of stuff! THose are the articles that you hold onto for decades. Fun stuff. And Jen, if you are reading this, you are a beautiful pregnant lady and I am so excited for you!

ANd on a different topic ... have you ever eaten Kale? I didn't even know what is was until I read the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle book... but now I do, and I like it. Here is a recipe to try: Caldo Verde if you have some and like sausage too... Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale-Potato-Sausage Soup) 1 large yellow onion, peeled and minced fine 1 large garlic clove, peeled and minced 4 tablespoons olive oil 6 large potatoes 2 quarts cold water 1 pound chorizo or similar sausage 2 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 lb. kale, chopped 1. Saute the onion and garlic in three tablespoons of oil. Add potatoes and sauté for five minutes. Add water, cover, and boil gently for 20 minutes until potatoes are falling apart. 2. Meanwhile, chop and fry the sausage in a skillet and drain, then add the kale, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper, and simmer for five minutes. Stir sausage and kale into pot of boiled potatoes. Cook for about 20 more minutes and serve with dark bread. It's so good!! Have a good Tuesday!

Have any of you read this book? I finished it the other day. It made an impact on me, opened my eyes, and brought some interesting issues to my mind that I hadn't previously considered. If you would like to read an exerpt click HERE . Basically it's the story of a family who for one year eats only what they can grow or buy locally with the exception of a few items such as coffee and salt. SO it's a story, which I like, but it's also a packed with agricultural and nutritional info and stats to back up that info including websites where more details can be found. This book really made me consider my personal beliefs on food and food production. I realized that I am unintentionally using my purchasing power in an ineffective way. I intend to make some changes. I don't know the full scope of them yet, but here are a few that I am implementing right now:

Firstly, I researched the local farmers markets. And there are a bunch here in Atlanta! Several of them are all year round. I will venture out this weekend and see what the local offerings are in January. Why aren't I buying locally grown veggies, eggs, meat, dairy etc? If I believe that it is fresher, higher quality and organic and also helps out the local economy by supporting local growers, what is holding me bacl?

Secondly, I realized that I purchase a good bit of processed food, like frozen dinners, lean pockets, boxed noodle and rice meals, etc. Why? I cook for my family everyday. Most days I cook atleast twice. I don't think it is a matter of convenience. I am already in the kitchen. I guess it is just habit. I have decided that I am going to find recipes for some of the packaged food and then use fresh, natural ingredients to recreate the dishes. That should be an easy change to make. I think it is just a matter of broadening my cooking repertoire. I'll keep you posted.

Thirdly, I am thinking about the impact of my lifestyle and habits and what I am modeling for my children. Why is our society so wasteful? Do I need to drive so much? Can I reuse it, recycle it, upcycle it, or give it away? I want to reduce my foot print and be more mindful in my decision making and teach my children to do the same.

If you would like to see more info about this book and related info, here are a few good links:

NY Times review of the book , A Year of Food Life (The book's Blog) , NPR Review of book and a recipe

Etsy Faves

I'm loving these things right now! And also the snow that is falling all over Atlanta. I'll post a pic later.

GARY

Gary the Christmas Cat strikes again! Did I mention that we got a Cat for Christmas? He has the coolest, most layed back personality ever. THe kids just love him & so does Todd. We've had him since December 27th. He'd gotten more adventurous than when he first arrived, but mostly he just loves to be held and snuggled.

Hello 2008!

Happy New Year everyone! Hopefully you had a relaxing and meaningful holiday. Because all of the hustle and bustle has to be for a reason, right?! I know we had a great Christmas. Lots of fun get togethers with both of our extended families and also a good bit of at-home time with just us and the kids. That is so important too.

And now it is a new year and I am excited! I love the start of something new. I love MOndays because they are the start of a new week, and I love January because it is the start of something new. A fresh slate. I feel energized and hopeful with all the details of '07 tied up. Now I can focus on '08's goals and plans. I love that. SO I've begun my lists. I have goals for our home, goals for myself, parenting goals, basically if you can name it and it is positive, I've put it on a list some where. Do any of you do this? I think I am going to start a journal that is soley comprised of lists. That way they will all be in the same place when I go to find them. We'll see.

So Happy New Year! Here is to lots of new ideas, new goals, new great things, new memories, new experiences, new knowledge, and new relationships!