Biltmore

I was looking through my other camera and found these additional pictures from our trip to the mountains of NC. While we were there, Mark celebrated his 40th birthday. We went to Mukato for dinner. It was so fun and delicious!

The next day we went to Asheville and spent the day at the Biltmore Estate. Talk about awesome! It is America's largest home. We all throughly enjoyed it. The gift stores were fun to look at as well as the candy store. It was a feast for the eyes! We were lucky that we were there the first day it was decorated for the Christmas holiday.

The rest of the time was spent driving around, playing games and target practice.

Cynthni's Workshop

A couple of weeks ago I did a workshop for Cynthni. These are the cards we did. She wanted Christmas cards so I did one elegant one and one fun gift card holder.

Supplies:

Stamps: Holy Triptych, Baroque Motifs

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Choc. Chip, Very Vanilla

Ink: Choc. Chip and Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Pastels and dimensionals

Supplies:

Stamps: Sock Monkey and Access.

Paper: Old Olive, Choc. Chip, Very Vanilla and I Wish DSP

Ink: Choc. Chip

Accessories: Pastels, Scallop Edge, Scallop Circle, Word Window, 1 3/8" circle

The holidays are definately here!

I can't believe it's been so long since I've written! I can tell the holidays are here because I have this intense desire to accomplish so many things, but find the days slipping through my fingers. I'm trying to keep the right perspective. Brady learned Mon. that a friend at school lost his house to a grease fire the day after Thanksgiving. The fire started at night and his friend had time to grab a pair of shorts and his cell phone. The house burned to the ground. I asked each of my kids what they would grab if our house were on fire and they had time to grab two things. Answers were interesting but it led into a great discussion of what is really important. What a blessing everyone got out safely. My heart goes out to this family of 6 who will now go into the holidays with nothing. And yet, I can't imagine they aren't thanking the Lord that they are all alive. Like I said, I'm trying to keep the right perspective. I feel I need to show more gratitude and appreciation for all that I have and all the wonderful people in my life. Little by little each day.

A Week Away!

A couple of weeks ago my parents came out for a visit. We had such a great time!

During their visit we celebrated Mark's 40th birthday. He decided to take the week off and we went away to the mountains. It was so fun! We stayed in the cutest little cabin. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it. We took only the essentials like a few outfits, basic food, games, and a few stamping supplies. ;) (Essentials, right?) It made me wonder why we have soooooo many clothes. It was nice to live simply for a week.

Anyway, we just missed the peak of colors but were treated to splashes of fall color here and there. It was so beautiful!

One day we went into Valley Crucis and spent some time at Mast General Store. It is the neatest little store. It was built back in 1883. It is still set up like an old time general store with buckets of candy and soda bottles. They really sell just about everthing you need. The floor is the original wood floor and the whole store has a neat feel to it.

You can tell by the picture who are the goofballs of the group.

We went for scenic drives and walks. We enjoyed dinner on Mark's birthday at Mukato, a Japanese restaurant that they cook in front of you. We absolutely loved it! The food was great and the show was awesome! The kids spent time chopping wood, shooting the bow and arrow and bb gun. They were also thrilled when they found an X-box downstairs. We all had a great time and enjoyed being together!

Color Inspiration #31

I had a minute so I thought I'd participate in Kristin's color challenge. Having an inspiration piece really helps me! Thanks for another great challenge!

Stamps: Essence of Love, Petals wheel

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant

Paper: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Accessories: Ribbon, dimensionals

A quick post!

Things have been crazy busy lately! My parents were visiting and just left this morning. We had such a great time together, which I hope to share in the next couple of days. I just wanted to quickly share a card I made a while ago. This card uses the Sock Monkey stamp set which I just love. I know it's one of those you either love or hate - I love! The colors are Soft Sky (miss that color), Tangerine Tango, and Riding Hood Red. I colored him in with blender pens and wa-la! he was done.

Halloween

Here are my cute kids all dressed up for Halloween. They had a little party with the neighbor kids and had a blast! It included bobbing for apples, eating donuts off a string and lots of running around in the dark, tag sort of games. (The name has escaped me!) All in all, fun was had by everyone.

Lacie was a cute little '50's girl, Bryson was Inspector Clouseau

Brady was some kind of under cover guy and Carston was a nerd. So cute!

On the actual Halloween night my kids went to town!!! We thought it was crazy when Bryson came home with 9lbs. of candy. Then Brady came home and he had a whopping 18lbs. of candy. If the dentist could see us now! I really have a love/hate relationship with this holiday. Fun to get dressed up, but who in their right mind wants to allow their kids to have access to that much candy? We actually lock it up a allow small amounts at a time. Still, it causes arguements and hyper children. I think next year we'll just have a party or something and for-go the trick-or-treating.