Whoopie Pies: Where did I go wrong?

 

They may look delicious but they taste horrible! So bad actually!

Note to Self: Don't use Country Crock to make frosting. YUCKY! YUCKY!

A fine morning out!

Michael and I went out to Findley Market for breakfast. We had the most delicious waffles from Taste of Belgium They have the most unique taste, almost slightly spicy.  Very good! They melt in your mouth.I had chocolate on mine. Michael had strawberries and cream on his! Yummy! Yummy!

We also got a multi berry bar and a chocolate eclair!

An interesting sign in one of the shop windows!

After breakfast we headed over to the Know Theatre to see "Stories of the Brother's Grimm". One of Michael's co-workers was in the show and invited us to check it out! What a great morning!

Recent Online Finds and my Cheesehead husband!

I'm trying to be proactive with accomplishing thing on my 2010 To-Do list! I found the most excellent site, The Happiness Project Toolbox. It has some outstanding tools to keep you motivated and organized in the goal setting process. One of my favorite tools on this site is called "Resolutions". You are able to input a goal,set a deadline, and break the goal into manageable steps! When you finish a step to your goal you are able to make a little check mark in the completed column! Yay! Nothing like crossing something off of your list!

I am loving the Hello, Good Gravy! blog! Whoa! It it is full of great giveaways, creative eye-candy, and fun stuff! The artist is also a real sweetheart, even if she doesn't like REAL maple syrup!

 As you can tell from the photo above, Michael and I are real party animals! While preparing dinner, I was looking for some cheese. I knew we had this MEGA big cheese brick in the fridge, but I was hesitant to open it. Michael asks to see the MEGA brick of cheese. He puts it on his head and announces that he is a "CHEESE HEAD".  What can I say, he makes me laugh!

Sweet Dreams Everyone!

Motivation

Last Tuesday, we had a big management team meeting. It was very inspirational and really got me fired up about possibilities for where our company is headed! That night my head was swirling with ideas! The company that I works for is really open to creativity. They are not afraid to try new things. The owner is a BIG IDEA person. She is not afraid to throw out a crazy idea and see how it goes. I could see the wheels in everyone's heads starting to spin and the sparks of inspiration going off.! I love it!

The one thing that really had me thinking was MONEY. I like money. I know it is a motivator. I like getting paid. Yet, would I still do this job if I wasn't paid? Honestly, Yes! While I am glad that I get paid. Ok,really glad! Money is not the main motivator. That's not what gets me up and out of bed each morning.

What does get me up and out in the morning? Phrases like this:
                         * That was a good book!

                         * Can we read it again?

                         * Lets sit down, Ms. Emily has stories for us (Said by a 3.5 year old)

                         * Thanks for bringing all this cool stuff! (Said by a Scrapbooking club participant)

                         * You are good cook! Your cupcakes are good! (Said by a 5 year old scrapbook cluber)

                         * Can I have a  hug?

                         * Can you read another book? (Melts my heart said by any kid?)

                         * You smell nice!

                         * You have a very comfy lap

                         * Shake, Shake, Shake your booty! Look, Ms. Emily is shaking her booty! (Said by a 3 year old...seriously...No joke) 

                         * Thank you!

                         * Your funny! ( Glad that someone else thinks so!)

I've had jobs that were all about the money. Yet, I felt like I was compromising myself. I need to be fulfilled.  I need to know that I'm actually making a difference in the world. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about volunteerism. Seeing all the pictures and videos coming out of Haiti have rocked me to my core. How can this be someplace on earth in the year 2010? It really feels surreal.  I feel helpless. I want to help in some way. A donation to the Red Cross and a package of water just doesn't seem like enough. I want to do more! I believe with all my heart that small acts of kindness can add up and truly do make a difference.

I am jumping on the Word of the Year bandwagon. Check here and here for more information! Resolutions are easy to break. By now most people have already forgotten their New Years Resolutions. In choosing a word of the year it gives me something "BIG" to go for this year. More of a purpose!


My word for the year is GIVE


Give  (gv)

v. gave (gv), giv·en (gvn), giv·ing, gives
1. To make a present of:
2. To convey by a physical action:
      3.To bestow, especially officially; confer:

      4.To devote or apply completely:
      5.To devote or contribute:
      

No Maple Syrup

Michael had been asking for french toast for a couple of days. Finally got around to it this afternoon.While the last few pieces were cooking I went to the fridge to get out the maple syrup. To my horror their was only a little bit left.  So I had to combine the last few drops with the horrible Mrs. Butterworth's maple flavored syrup. YUCK! It's just not the same.

 

I had mentioned yesterday that I wanted to get my hair cut. So when we were out and about this afternoon, Michael suggested that I go get it cut. So that is just what I did! Yay! They also did my eyebrows too.

Raspberry and Red Velvet Trifle!

 

I am loving all the beautiful Valentine ideas that I've been seeing on Blogs lately. I can't believe its the middle of January. Where has the time gone? I've been itching to make some fun projects. So here is a recipe that would be perfect for your Sweetheart!

Raspberry Red Velvet Trifle

1 box of Red Velvet Cake(Egg and Oil for cake)

1 pkg. Cream cheese softened

1 cup of Vanilla Yogurt

1 pkg. of Vanilla Pudding

Milk

1/2 cup of Confectioners Sugar

1 small package of raspberries

1 tub of whip topping

1. Bake Red Velvet cake according to package directions. I chose to bake the cake in a rectangular pan. You could also use a muffin pan or round pan depending on what you have on hand. Allow cake to cool for 30 to 40 minutes.

2. Prepare pudding according to package directions and chill.Let set

3. Blend Confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, and yogurt using a hand mixture.

4. Fold cream cheese and yogurt mixture into the vanilla pudding and set aside to chill

5. Once cake is cool, cut cake in square pieces. Line the bottom of your trifle dish with the pieces of cake.

6. Add a layer of the pudding, yogurt, and cream cheese mixture on top of the cake pieces.

7. Add a layer of whip topping. Repeat layers again!

8. Garnish top of trifle with raspberries!

9. Chill for 1 hour!

Enjoy! Have a lovely evening!

Emily

Kids say the funniest things

This is a page of a little book that I wrote for Storytime. The Monkey in the picture is the puppet that I bring around to storytime with me. The kids love the puppet!  So I thought the kids would love to see the Monkey doing fun things.

So, yesterday while reading the book to the kids, I asked them if they have ever gone snow sledding. This is what what one little boy said.

" I love snow sledding. I go with my daddy all the time! "

(Then he points to the above picture)

"But thats not my daddy in your book".

I laughed! The man in the photo above is my husband. The other teacher in the room fell over laughing! Little kids say the funniest things!

Have a good night everyone!


Emiliy

Here is my fabulous husband who was playing a game with our niece and nephew! So cute!

Working on my New Years To-Do list!

One of my goals for 2010 is to collect childrens books. Its been really fun finding great bargains! A couple of weeks ago I went to Goodwill and just stocked up. I hit the mother load of cheap bookness! :D I purchased 19 books for around $5.00. A few of them were actually hard cover books! Yay! I love children's book!

Recent Projects

Just wanted to share a few projects that I gave as gifts.

The first one is a set of cards that I made with photos that I've taken over the past couple of years.

The second is just a framed photo that I took last year. The mat and frame are from IKEA! I wish I would taken a bit more time to photograph the. Oh well!

:D Emily

Warming Up!

It has been cold here in Cincinnati for the past few weeks! Brrr! Being silly, Michael wrapped his head in a warm towel. I decided to join in on the fun! It sure did feel great! Ha! Ha!

New Crafty Goodies

It's that time a year again for the Target $1 Spot mini mailboxes! I did a bunch the last two years and I'm very excited on getting started on this years crop of mailboxes. They are just so cute, don't you think?!

Here is a great video tutorial!

3 Great Chipboard albums!!!

An amazing Christmas banner kit! I can't wait to make one of these babies! So cute! It was on sale for $4! Yay!

Just wanted to share my recent goodies!

What I'm reading now: Blogging for Bliss

Just before Christmas I treated myself to this lovely book!

7 Reasons why this book is fantastic

1. Lots of fun creative eye-candy!

2. This book features blurbs about many popular bloggers such as
Alicia Paulson: Posie Get Cozy
Serena Thompson: Farm Chicks
Lisa Tutman Oglesby: Celebrate Creativity in all its forms
Jennifer Perkins: Naughty Secretary Club

3. An awesome chapter on starting a blog

4. Helpful Html codes

5. Blogger Etiquette

6. Tons of tips on increasing traffic to your blog

7. A stupendous glossary of blog related terms

This is a great go to resource for anyone who is interested in starting a blog or bumping their blog up to the next level. I've kept this book in my bag for about 3 weeks and have pulled it out for reading during lunch breaks and before bedtime! Its been a pleasure to read!

Scrapbooking: Dangerous to National Security?

The Cutter Bee Scissors. They are a staple for many people in the crafting world. Their comfortable handles and sharp points make them perfect for delicate cutting work. I loved them so much that I had two pairs.

I often bring my cutter bee scissors to work when I am working on bulletin board projects. They are usually with me on days that I have the afterschool scrapbooking club! I keep them in the side pocket of my camera bag for easy access.

During our trip east for Christmas, Michael and I took the ferry out to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The only thing I took along with me was my camera bag. Before getting on the ferry each passenger is subjected to a security screening. No problem I thought, I don't have anything to hide. So my camera bag is put through the scanner. It took quite a while for the bag to go through. Then the security officers asked if they could open up my bag. I still didn't have a problem. Then they pulled out the scissors.

I was questioned about what they were. Duh....SCISSORS! I was told that I could NOT take take them with me. They would have to be destroyed. Those are $10 scissors. I asked if I could take them to my car. Sure, but the next ferry was leaving in five minutes.

What to do? What to do? Leave them and loose a great pair of scissors or take them to the car that was 1/2 a mile away and miss the ferry? Michael being the practical man that he is said that I could just get a new pair. Painfully, I allowed my precious scissors to be taken away.

So my faithful scrapbooking friends, please be careful! You may be asked to sacrifice an important scrapbooking tool in the name of National Security.

Have a good night!

Emily

A Snowy Afternoon

A peek outside on our deck! Lovely!

Going insane: A tale of a city in distress before a flake has fallen!

The buzz here in town is the impending doom of a snowstorm that is on its way. The grocery store this evening was a MESS!!! The lines were long. People stocking up on bread and milk. Do you know how much snow they think we are going to get? 4 inches! That is right my friends, not the 36 inches that Burlington Vermont got. Just 4 inches. Laughable! School delays and closings are"featured at the bottom of my screen". A flake has yet to fall from the sky.

Growing up in Vermont, I know snow. 4 inches there is just a minor dusting. The road crews in Vermont would have it taken care of by 7:30am. The problem here is that they just don't know how to take care of the snow. There doesn't seem to be a very good plan for clearing the neighborhood streets. Back in 2004, when we had that huge snowstorm just before Christmas. It took four days before our street was cleared and the only reason is a guy who lived in our neighborhood worked for the city. Hmmmm!

So what am I to do?

A: Go into a panicked frenzy
B: Lay tarps on the front walkway to catch the snow. Then at 5:00am drag the snow over to the neighbor's front walkway. Those snow drifts are killer this year!
C: Curl up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. Laugh because of my superior ability to handle any weather situation! Ha!

Here is a random picture to share with you! It is from the top deck of the ferry heading towards Ellis Island. I have another story about my experience going to see the Statue of Liberty. Will have to wait for another day! It has to do with a personal item of mine being confiscated,

Sleep Dreams!
Emily

Recap of the Last Decade!

I've tried writing this post about three or four times. I never really liked how it came out. So I'm going to do what I do best and make a list :D S0 here is a recap of the last decade of my life!

1. College: Some tough times!

2. Camp Sonshine: The happiest place on earth! Sorry Disney, you have been dethroned!

3. Lived and worked in Washington DC! I miss it! I got to experience the city just before and just after 9/11.

4. Moved back to Vermont to work at St. Johnsbury Academy. Loved it! Miss it!

5. Moved to California! It was "the thing" to move to Colorado or California. I chose California. It was beautiful there. It was HOT there. I lived in the desert! What was I thinking? I had the opportunity to meet some really wonderful people. My only regret was that I didn't have a car, I would have really liked to explore more of the state. I did get up to San Diego a couple of times. It was beautiful! The weather was perfect!

6. Moved to Cincinnati. I really enjoy living in Cincinnati. Yes, I want to live closer to family, but ya know what Cincinnati is a pretty nice place. The people are friendly. There is tons of stuff to do. The price of living is reasonable!

7. Worked at CHPC. During the summer of 2004 I was a children's ministry intern at College Hill Presbyterian church. It was a great experience. I was super excited to be asked to join the staff of the church after the internship! It was a great year working there. I got bogged down with the "business" of the church. I didn't feel like I was free to do what God was calling me to do. So I left. That was a really tough ! I loved the kids and families there! The kids I worked with in the 6th grade youth group are now in 10th and 11th grade. They are driving cars and having boyfriends. Its sooooooooo weird! I feel old!

8. I met and married Michael! What cool guy! I love him and I like him too! That's important I think. He challenges me! I like that, even if I hate that. Does that make any sense? We had the coolest wedding! It was very us! We had pie instead of cake. I threw a bunch of lollipops instead of flowers. It was just fun!

9. The birth of these wonderful nieces and nephews! While I don't get to see them as often as I like, I still love and adore them. I love jumping with Lexi. I love hugging Gleris. I love talking with Reid. I love laughing with Misha. I love reading with Isaiah! I love cooking with Natalie! These kids are amazing! I am so happy that I am their Aunt.

So what is up for this new decade. Here are some goals!

1. Become a Mommy

2. Get a photo published

3. Read lots

4. Blog more! Make more blog friends!

5. Go to some kind of conference. A bloggers conference. A teacher's convention.
A storytelling conference

6. Write a children's book

7. Take a photography class!

8. Make a scrapbook using my parents and Grandparents pictures. I don't want my Grandparents stories to be lost.

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!
:D
Emily

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to itsallgood you won! E-mail me at emilyrsps@gmail.com with your addy and I'll mail out the goodies!

Yay!