New Mixer

I've spent a lot of time lately researching the benefits of freshly milled grain vs flour purchased in the store. I was astounded to discover that 90% of the nutritional value of flour is lost by the time we purchase flour off the store shelf. So, I decided to purchase a flour mill and new mixer so that I can make my own bread. No more empty calories for us. We are going to fully enjoy the bread we eat from now on.
I have been experimenting with different recipes and I'm still searching for the perfect one. I've found lots of great tips for using fresh milled whole wheat and can't wait to make another attempt.


My new mixer has been affectionately name Cooperlocks because of its shinny color. I've enjoyed using it so far and learning how it differs from a traditional mixer because it has a lot more power.

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Birthday Fun

I have been really trying to go all organic and so this year I made my son's birthday cake. I made a half sheet staked layered vanilla cake and a 9" round layered chocolate cake. The cakes were organic box mixes and turned out pretty yummy. The icing was vanilla buttercream (my own recipe).
I had received a Cricut Cake for Christmas and this was my first real chance to play with it. I decided to just use sugar sheets (not organic) for this test run. They cut beautifully and looked great cutting out the batman symbol and his name. I can see myself using this machine for future projects and look forward to lots more decorating fun. Next try I will be trying a recipe for my own sugar sheets/fondant so I can make my creation truly all organic. :-)




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Sweet Pirate

This is a design from emlibrary.com for a pirate party. I made the skirt using one she had as a template. Such a cute model. Arrghhh

Dressing Up

Well I've been very busy this summer and my garden has suffered but I will soon be planting again for the fall. In the meantime I have done a few fun projects this summer. One of them was making a dress form out of duct tape. My sister got the idea off the Internet somewhere and we made these together. First I was wrapped in seran wrap and then taped all over. She cut me out from the back and I was able to wiggle my way out.
For the stand I used an old lamp and then stuffed the dress form and retaped the back. I then added a layer of the fun pink and white polka dot duct tape that I picked up at my local craft store. This is a great concept because the dress form is your exact measurements.
Here's the final product. :-) Hope I'll be able to find time to sew soon.


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Fertilizer who figured

Well I keep working at my garden and it just keeps getting better. I used some miracle gro fertilizer, organic of course, and my plants have just taken off. I know it's too late in the season for most of them to really produce correctly, but it helps me to realize how much better it will be next season. After all of the research I did, I would have to say that experience is becoming my best teacher. I'm glad to be blessed with the opportunity to learn, experience, and research.


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Spring is here

Well most people who know me well can tell you I'm a little obsessed with caterpillars, particularly monarch caterpillars. So I got really excited today when I found one on my milk weed plant. It is so cute and what a miracle packed into such a tiny animal. It is a reminder to me of how dramatically our lives can change if we are willing to go a new direction. I pray that I will always be going in the right direction and will be ready for change when it comes in my life.


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Beans!!

I know I get excited easily by little things but I just have to say it again. I'm so excited to see baby beans on my plants. Every time I see something new it makes my heart happy.


Last night we got to eat a salad from our garden. It was the first one we've had this season and it was yummy with lettuce and arugula. My son said is it like what the cartoons say you know arrooogah. He brings me such joy with his innocent questions and pleasant spirit. I'm thankful for my boy.



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You're Rad

This card for my nephew was so much fun to make. I got to use my Robotz cartridge, Just Because Cards, and a couple different cuttlebug embossing folders. I love the way it turned out.



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Tiny Tomatoes

My plants are really doing well now. No more watering issues and we have had plenty of sunshine and rain. I was very excited to see some small tomatoes on my bushes.


My beans have also taken off and doing so well. I put in some supports this weekend so they would have lots of room to climb and hopefully provide us with lots of beans. Green beans are one of our favorites and I'm sure that garden fresh will be even better.



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Flying High

For a change of pace I decided to do a new layout for some pics I've been wanting to scrapbook. The shapes were made with my Cricut using the Everyday Paperdolls Cartridge. I also used the cuttlebug embossing folder d'vine swirls. I love the way the clouds came out.



A friend recently gave me a tip about using the markers to outline as I did on the airplane. Instead of unloading the paper after cutting your shape, press load paper again and then switch to your markers and press cut again. Make sure to put a piece of paper under the marker when changing from your blade so you don't get ink where you don't want it. Most people probably know this but it was new to me so I thought I'd share.



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