Happy Thanksgiving

Besides my wonderful family, my health, and all the blessings I hold dear, here in blogland I am thankful that...

 I have so many opportunities to be productive in my life.

I have connected with creative souls from everywhere.

You've decided to hang around and get to know me a bit.

I can devote even a little time to continue this blog, even if not as often as I would like.

You come around even when I don't post as often.

I am so thankful for all the fun I've had here. With all my heartfelt appreciation for each and everyone of you, I wish I could reach across this screen and hug you.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

What are you thankful for?

And the winner is... }{ My Memories Suite giveaway

Brianna! Congratulations on winning the software suite. I'll email you with more details on how to download your free copy of the software.

For anyone curious as to how I pick the winner, here's a step by step account.

1. I copy the name on each comment on that first box you see in the order the comments were entered.
2. I hit the button "pick random line" until all entries have been moved to the bottom box. That's just in case something happens with the first winner (I can't contact them, or they decide they don't want it any longer, you never know). 
3. I screen print my results, and ta-da!

My Memories Suite }{ Review and Giveaway

Another giveaway you ask? Yes, it's true, I've just come across some super opportunities that I feel I have to pass along to all of you. So here's another fun and creative tool for you to use.

disclaimer: In all honesty, although I've gawked at pretty paper, embellishments, and stamps offered in the scrapbooking aisle of the craft stores, I've never actually made a scrapbook. They're intimidating to me. I can do all sorts of other crafts involving paper, but... that's where it stops.

Having said that, when the folks from My Memories contacted me about doing a review of their software I thought "here's a chance to test my limits." Since the materials are digital, if I mess up I can just start over, no harm done. I'm so glad I took the chance, since I ended up having so much fun with it.

The My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software is easy to use and pretty straight forward. Once you begin, there are several templates, embellishments, paper, textures, and themes for you to play with. All the elements are easy to find, add, and modify, and you can add your own from any folder in your computer. For example, I used some textures I had for photography as the background for this page I made.

The only drawbacks for me are that I do still prefer actual paper and... that their store has so many tempting templates and additional themes! (I don't need to spend any more money right around now)

But overall, this scrapbooking software gives me a place to test ideas and make digital images of what I probably wouldn't try with other materials. And I've had so many ideas... Again, if it doesn't work out like I planned I can start over without having wasted all the supplies. And of course, you can always print what you make.

And scrapbooking isn't the only thing you can do! Check out my new blog banner to see what I mean. 

Now here's the good part - you can win a copy of the software for free! All you have to do is to follow the directions below:

1. Go to MyMemories.com and check out their digital paper packs and layouts, then comment below and let me know which one you would choose.
2. For an extra chance, you could follow their blog, like their facebook, or follow them in twitter, then leave another comment below.
3. The contest will close Tuesday Nov. 22nd so make sure you leave your comments before then. The winner will be announced on the blog the day after (Nov. 23rd)

Good luck! I know whomever this goes to will have a lot of fun with it.

Hot Chocolate and Cake Pops

Sweet November, welcome to my life.

I think I mentioned before that once it starts getting colder, I tend to gravitate towards the kitchen. This weekend was just like that, and full of sweetness too. All three of us kept orbiting around our kitchen table, and even science experiments happened over there (baking soda, food coloring, vinegar, and a baster - N. loved watching it fizzle).

I tried my first cake pops based on Bakerella's tips and recipes, and found out they are much harder then they look, and also that N. is not quite ready to help.

We also found this amazing recipe for hot chocolate. Yum! I don't think I will ever drink any other kind! Of course, I've got to share it:

• 2 2/3 cups of milk
• 6 tbs of Nutella
• pinch of cinnamon (2x)
• whipped cream

First you add 2/3 cups of milk in a saucepan and warm it up on medium. Add the Nutella and whisk it until it's well mixed. Add the rest of the milk and a pinch of cinnamon, and keep whisking until it's warm and frothy. Pour it in cups, add some whipped cream on top and another pinch of cinnamon. Enjoy! (notice the nearly empty cup on top... N. couldn't wait until I took the pictures)

What's your favorite room of the house around this time of year? Do you like to snuggle up under the blankets on a sofa, hang out in the kitchen, or somewhere else entirely?