A Flood of Pixel Proportions!!!

A few different things have been fixed on my computer. It isn't completely up to snuff, but we will keep fixing things as we go. Before it went on a hiatus I had several layouts to share of different events:


::::::::::::::Our New Niece, Holly::::::::










:::::::::::::::::::Noah's Baptism Album::::::::









::::::::::::::::::::Rachel's College for Kids:::::::


::::::::::::::::::::Christmas Layout from 2007:::::::::





::::::::::::::::::Book Review::::::::::::



Something else I did on the computer hiatus was read New Moon. I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The Romeo and Juliet theme ran through this as an updated work using vampires, humans and werewolves. Classic themes work anywhere. I thought the ideas of what it is to be human are explored and the concept of choosing to have your humanity taken by choice and another thrust upon you was intriguing. Bella's newly discovered abilities that mean very little as a human, but would make her a rather formidable vampire were very cool aspects to her character. It gives her more of a caterpillar wanting to become a butterfly kind of metaphor. Maybe in book 3 with the werewolves running in their pack and the Cullens back in town it will be West Side Story set in Forks? I look forward to finding out!


Later gators! :)

Let Them Eat Cake...

because I need to get rid of my class project! :)


Credits: Font by Darcy Baldwin called DJB KIRA at The Digichick, Background paper by Jen Wilson from Nostalgia #4, Jenna Desai's Doodle Mask Frame, Cluster frame by Nancy Comelab.

:::::::::::::::::::Grab A Fleece Blanket and Some Popcorn:::::

My dear spouse speaks wife. To be more exact he speaks the dialect of wife called Victoria. It is a specific dialect and very hard to translate. He also reads my blog and knew I wanted to watch this version of "Pride and Prejudice". What is even cooler is that he wants to watch it with me. This is such a cool Valentine's Day gift. Good Stuff, I tell ya!

We went together to our local Mexican restaurant, Sangria's for Valentine's Day dinner. Rachel scarfed down 3 helpings of refried black beans. She assured us she was safe for closed in spaces, so we agreed to drive her home after the meal. I'm an enchilada supreme gal. Michael loves the fish tacos. Noah orders chicken strips and fries. What a nut! Aaron went for chicken and rice soup with two soft beef tacos...NO lettuce. Eve is a simple girl. She likes refried beans and Mexican rice. The restaurant gave me a red carnation for Valentine's and Eve proudly held it all the way home.

::::::::::::::::Another Layout in My SIL's Album:::::::

My niece, Teresa, on a trip to San Francisco sponsored by AFLAC Cancer Center. She "acquired" the tour guides beret and having fun hamming it up for the camera.


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB KIRA at The Digichick
Michelle Godin: Springtime in Paris kit (I think that is the name)
Catrine: Explore Solids and Laura Alpha
Christina Renee: Book Plate Alpha


::::::::::::::::::::I've Been Tagged:::::::::::::
Carol has tagged me to divulge 7 random facts about myself that would astound and amaze you! LOL Or just stuff you don't already know.

THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

1.I'll start with a weird fact. I can't stand flies in a room with me. I turn it into a seek and destroy mission. I have perfected how to come up behind them and steady the book, or magazine and...THWAP!. Michael says I get an insane glint in my eye when I'm doing this.
2. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was sit near the window while the sun streamed in so I could catch the light just right in my eyes and look at the blood vessels, eye lashes and floatie things.
3. I love manual transmission cars, but I don't have one. I know, grab a violin to play for my pity party.
4. I prefer to go barefoot pretty much in any weather, but snow on the ground and I hate the feel of my barefoot on the car accelerator or brake. So, there are exceptions.
5. I love to dance with my husband, but I always want to lead. I have had some rudimentary dance lessons, but I can't seem to just let go and let someone else lead. Type A personality, did you say?
6. My favorite ride at an amusement park is the bumper cars. I could stay there all day smelling the ozone and crashing into folks. Pure glee, I tell you!
7. I can't sleep past about 7:30am even when I have no where to go. I also prefer to stay up late, then complain about not getting enough sleep. Self-fulfilling prophecies are marvelous, don't ya think?!

If you want to play...No PRESSURE...

Michael...cause I'm sure after 18 years there is still things I can learn.
My SIL, Melissa,
My neighbor, Kristen
My friend, Kim...she has the best reading lists for me to check out.
My stepdad, Jim...he's a riot!
My BIL, Marcus, an amazing photographer.
Mariquita...an amazing scrapbook artist

::::::::::::::::::::::Well, My head Says::::::::

go take a decongestant, so I will away now. I would like to quickly thank Eve for coughing in my face while I held her in my loving and protective arms. Please folks, remember to cough into the crook of your arm. This PUBLIC SERVICE announcement and pity party is over...FOR NOW! :)

The Flower That Blooms...

in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. The Emperor in Mulan.


This is a photo of one of my sweet nieces, Teresa. She is currently in remission from leukemia. She has been such a trooper through her many rounds of treatments and a few broken bones. We are so proud of her! I was thinking about this right as I was coming out of a fitful sleep this morning, so I went down to work on the layout. I came up with this:


_{Darcy Baldwin: DJB Mandy, DJB LauraTscript at The Digichick
Katie Pertiet: Taped frame
Nancy Comelab: background paper
Emily Merritt: Glitter Bubble Wrap
Kate Hadfield: In The Pink freebie
Shabby Miss Jenn: staple from the Old Letters lil kit
Catrine: Black chalked alpha
Birgit: Gralpha2}


:::::::::::::::::::This Too, Shall Pass...:::

on to another member of my family. Eve and I have been infected with whatever virus Aaron has. We felt yucky, but went to Church because Eve was chipper enough to go. When we got home I went up for a nap, then got up and took some Ibuprophen, then went back to nap a bit more. Eve came up and cuddled with me and would touch my face and forehead with the palm, then the back of her hand mimicking the way I check her temperature. She is such a little nurse.

:::::::::::::::::::The Real Thing::::::

This music site is a bit of a pain to navigate, but the songs you download are free. You just have to register and watch ads to download. I am registered for 30 days to begin with, then I haven't read about reregistration.
Spiral Frog

So far, I have downloaded:
"Stand" by Rascal Flatts
"I Go Walking" by Patsy Cline
Elvis Costello's
"Angel Want To Wear My Red Shoes"
"Pump It Up"
"What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding" (Elvis Costello and the Attractions)

"Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat
"I'm Like a Bird" Nelly Furtado

Counting Crows:
"Mr. Jones"
"Accidentally In Love"

Barry White:
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe"
"You're The First, My Last, My Everything"

Ramones
"Blitzkrieg Bop"
"Spiderman"
"I Don't Want to Grow Up"

Olivia Newton-John
"Little More Love"
"Magic"

I'm off to check out more music!

Smiles and a sniffle!

Highly Recommended:

The children have really enjoyed learning American Sign Language using these videos:






Hopefully the library will get the rest of the series. It has been so funny having the kids run in the room after every new sign to show me they know a new word. Rachel and Noah were quizzing each other on some of the signs during dinner time. The theme song is a bit too repetitive, but super catchy and upbeat.

:::::::Yummy Hmong Eggrolls::::::::
I finally got around to making some Hmong Eggrolls. I need to modify the recipe I found on line because the amount of eggrolls the recipe says you make from the listed ingredients is 25. In actuality I was able to make 75 and I could have made 100. Since the pork is not precooked you only put the amount you can fit in a plastic spoon, which is about a tablespoon. I remembered to use the bean threads this time, too. The bean threads come in a 8.5 oz. pack, but within the bag there are 8 or 10 bundles. You only need about use 6 of the bundles to really extend the amount of filling. Michael's family really enjoyed the eggrolls that were made without the bean threads, so they aren't necessary for a tasty eggroll. So here is my modified Hmong recipe:

This recipe makes 75 Spring roll sized eggrolls:

3 packs of spring or eggroll wrappers
1 lb. Ground Pork
1 bag Coleslaw (cabbage and carrot mix)
1 Medium yellow onion (minced)
Cilantro (Chop about 2 tbs. spoons worth)
1 egg for mix *this is optional *** an additional egg is needed to seal the end of the eggroll wrapper
2 tbs. Oyster Sauce
2 tbs. Fish Sauce
2 tbs. Soy Sauce
2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. black pepper

Soak noodles for 10 minutes in hot water, then drain and rinse in cold. Then cut into smaller links and set aside. The dryer the better when it comes to deep frying.

Mix the the pork, coleslaw onion, cilantro, egg (if desired), sauces and spices using your clean hands, then add the noodles into the mixture and incorporate all with your hands.

Using a spoon, scoop up about a tbs of the mixture, then roll up and seal.

The eggrolls take about 3 minutes to cook in a deep fryer.

Dipping sauce: you can find red pepper dipping sauces, soy sauce or tempura dipping sauces. Whatever works to your taste.


:::::::::::::Teresa::::::::::

My little niece, Teresa, is in the maintenace phase of her chemo treatment for Leukemia. She is spending her time this week quarantined with the flu, but that isn't her only issue. She also has a broken leg and a double ear infection. OUCH! My brother and sister-in-law are amazing with her and how they try to stay upbeat with all of the health issues. It mentally tires me out thinking of all they have to do with Miss Teresa, let alone the 6 other children. When I think about heros I sure don't think about any Marvel action heros. I think it is wonderful to realize that heros are so much closer to home and heart. (((HUGS))) to all of them and hopefully good health will come soon!

Here are a few layouts I've Done Lately:

I tried to get his taped effect. This is very different, but it is always fun to try new things. Thank you ladies!

_{Photo from Flickr
tape and crumpled overlay from Mo Jackson's Primitive Scrapbook
Fonts: Nail Scratch, Dirty Ego, and Misproject
Inked Edge by Nancy Rowe Janitz}





This is a scraplift of Dagmar's http://www.scrapartist.com/gallery/s...;ppuser=3 319

This is a photo of my nephew, Alfredo, who was recently adopted into the family!

_{Fonts: Mouser Outline/ Pea Martha
Kits/Papers/Elements: Michelle Coleman's Art Papers II, Leather Rose Trim and paper from Gypsy Rose Kit, country wire from Indian Summer Elements Kit by Jen WIlson, Stitched Frame from Emma's Sundress by Michelle Coleman, Leather stitch from Authentic by Sara Carling
Extras: Stamp from Gina Cabrera's Lucky Star Kit, Grunge frame by Jessica Sprague, Tag from Dream for you elements by Jen Wilson}




This is one of my new nieces. She was adopted last month, along with her 3 siblings. She was diagnosed with A.L.L. right after Halloween last year. She has 2 more years of chemo, at least. She is a brave girl!

Text:
Teresa and Mama Shelene have their photo taken by a group called "Flashes of Hope". The photographers take professional photos for the sick children at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

_{Family Ties Kit by Sandra Boddington and Suzy Nunes at Sweet Shoppe Designs
Fonts Used: Oldstyle Italic}

{Shear Determination}

_{paper and acrylic paint strokes from Michelle Coleman's Gypsy Rose, Painted Alpha, stitching, number stamp and staples by Michelle Coleman, "T" Charm by Mo Jackson, ribbon from Sandra Boddington's Mulberry Memories, Font: Pea Lis and Typeset}
Text:
"Teresa's medication had started to make her hair fall out in clumps, and she decided to go ahead and cut off the rest of her hair and wait for it to grow back rather than wait for it all to fall out. She asked me, Tabitha and later, Christopher to cut our hair also. We did and here are some of the pictures of our bald heads." Papa

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; that was the diagnosis for Teresa. Shelene and Stephen noticed here pale color and lethargy during our family Halloween party in 2005. At that time they were acting as Teresa's foster parents, but as of 14 June 2006 Teresa, along with her 3 siblings, were adopted. We love this girl and it is obvious that her new siblings give her their full support and love!
---

I have been amazed watching the Stephenites work together to help each other. I was so impressed that Tabitha would shave her head at the request of her little sister. I was thinking how Tabitha had gone all Natalie portman---Vendetta...ish on us. I always thought she had a beautiful smile and eyes. Teresa has such an adorable chin. From what I hear from their family Teresa is technically in remission. There have been several cagey moments with secondary illnesses that have been attended to quickly. It is great to see them all smiling!