Monday. . .Nope Tuesday

Hubby left yesterday for a business trip and that threw me totally off - it had nothing to do with sleeping in passed 9:30.  It was gorgeous and I kinda got lazy sucking in all the coolness and rain.  Laundry got folded, a bathroom got cleaned and floors were swept and vacuumed, but little else happened.  Unfortunately there was plenty that needed doing.

I did manage to complete and upload several assignments in my Big Picture Phone Photography class.  I have about five I need to do - one that involves movement I just can't capture a good shot - it's starting to annoy the crap out of me.

One was being a Hometown Tourist.  There is a ton of things to do and see in Colorado.  In Arvada? Eh, not so much. . .what we do have pretty much takes place in Olde Town, from the Farmer's Market, to Movies in the Square to the Free Concerts in the Park series that starts this week - so excited.  Gold was found not far from Olde Town in 1850 and the city was platted out in 1870.  Olde Town still has many homes and buildings from its early days.  The town's first postmaster's garage still stands, just behind the kids' school.

I also completed the Water assignment.  I kept wanting to capture the much needed rainfall we've been having daily, but most of it fell at night, or I was driving in it.  We haven't done the pool thing much this summer, so instead, I captured my oldest and my youngest in another grand summer tradition. . .water fights.

I re-shot the Summer Food assignment which was more about the harvest, or the prep of the foods.  My original photo was the dish I used the Farmer's Market strawberries in.  This one is more in line with the actual assignment.

I found a new Perspective for this shot.  At least when it comes to shooting the kids.  I debated using this one for the Play assignment as well, but I'm hoping to capture something else the kids have been doing instead.

It's time for you to get busy.  This week's challenge in the month-long Cook Out series is S'mores.  I was inspired by The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network - I may or may not have watched several a couple episodes yesterday.  This week your work will be based on your selections to make S'mores:

• Graham Crackers
• Granny Smith Apple Slices
• Traditional Marshmallows
• Coconut Marshmallows
• Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Bars
• Caramel
• Hazelnut Spread
• Berry Jam
• Strawberry Slices
• Chocolate Coated
• White Chocolate Coated
• Butterscotch Chips
• Peppermint Patties
• Chocolate Covered Caramel Candies
• Pumpkin Butter
• Apple Butter

Select your five ingredients and list them in the comments section; tomorrow you'll get the first key to unlock your ingredients.  You'll be able to add additional product to your page or card, but it must include your five ingredients. You have until Sunday evening to complete this week's challenges. ALL entries this week will get a Gift Code to Apron Strings.  Even one entry into the weekly challenges gains you entry into the drawing for July's prize pack.

Off to complete something before hubby comes home.

Happy Tuesday,

Friday

It was stinkin' hot yesterday.  101.  I tried to take a photo of the temp on my car dashboard, but there was a lack of cooperation on both the blinding sun and digital display.  So, I passed a few hours shopping and walked away with some super cute maxi skirts and loaded two into the online shopping cart of the store because they didn't have my size for two of them.  There is also another store here in town, and I'm trying to decide if I crawl out of my cozy, COOL hole and head over there to see if they have either of the skirts.

My menu this week was again from my I Can Cook that board and I actually deleted a couple Pins this week - a first.  I made these Ham Pineapple Quesadillas.  I love quesadillas as a quick meal and the combination of BBQ, pineapple, bacon and ham is in my head now.  I also deleted these Spicy Hawaiian Chicken Burgers.  They too were good, moist and flavorful. My daughter and I agreed a peanut sauce would be good on them.  Just, I think, not a redo for us.  I also have a big multi-recipe Pin that I made a Cheeseburger thing in the Slow Cooker that I won't be making again.  I'll keep the Pin until I work through a few more recipes.  Just didn't have the flavor for us.  I'm making chicken tonight, because it's super fun to stand over a 400 degree grill in 100 degree temps.  I'm using this Strawberry BBQ Sauce that I cooked up this morning.  Straight out of the pan it was good.  We'll see how it shapes up after a little melding.  Dessert is some chilled cherry chocolate concoction.  Hmmm...I'm not seeing losing weight as big on my "check this off" list this week.

So I'll be shipping out this month's kits later today, so being crafty isn't gonna be high on my list.  YOU however, have until Sunday to complete any of the challenges from this week's Cook Out challenges - building ice cream sundaes. Here's today's key to create your card or layout, then just share a link to it in the comments.

• Vanilla Ice Cream - Black Cardstock
• Chocolate Ice Cream - Polka Dot Ribbon
• Frozen Yogurt - Patterned Paper with Chevrons
• Chocolate Sauce - Layered Embellishment
• Strawberry Sauce - Wood Embellishment
• Caramel Sauce - Brown Cardstock
• Butterscotch Sauce - Flair Buttons
• Marshmallows - Striped Patterned Paper
• Chocolate Chips - Large Brads
• Maraschino Cherries - 3 Tags
• Cookie Dough Chunks - Glitter Buttons
• Gummy Bears - Corrugated Embellishment
• Brownie Bites - Word - rub-on, chipboard, diecut
• Candy Bar Bits - A Tried and True Technique
• Sprinkles - Loose Glitter or Glitter Glue
• Whipped Cream - Swirls
• Nuts - Star Embellishment

You can add additional product to your page or card, but it must include your five ingredients. You have until Sunday evening to complete this week's challenges. ALL entries this week will get a Gift Code to Apron Strings.  Even one entry into the weekly challenges gains you entry into the drawing for July's prize pack.

We found out earlier this week someone on the block is hosting a block party.  Since the hosts' last names drew blank looks from the family, we thought, "Huh, let's go meet the neighbors."  Living here since the street was built 14 years ago, we figured it might be nice to put names with the faces we give waves to.  We know the first-names of probably 4 of the 12 house on our street, then we kinda fall into that "Dave and his girls" (no clue about his wife's name) and the "people in Terri's old house."  Otherwise our weekend looks hot and uneventful.

Happy Friday,

July Cook Out Winner Week 1

Winner from the first week of the Cook-Out Challenges - Burger Building is:

Donna

Donna I emailed your $10 Gift Code today; thanks for playing.  You can be inspired by Donna's awesome cards here on her blog.

Now it's your turn, yes you!  Come play in July.

June Prize Pack Winner

I finally managed to sift through and find those ladies who participated in the June challenges - completing and linking any challenge got you entry into the drawing and depending on the week some gals nabbed a little money for spending at Apron Strings.

The winner of the June Prize Pack is (drum roll. . .)

CARLA

Carla (Heslop, right?  LOL)  I'll pull some goodies together for you and pop them in with your kit this month. CONGRATS!

June weeks with the "anyone who plays wins" codes have been emailed out.  I emailed out the fourth and final week to Deanna, Patchi and Carla.  Thanks for playing ladies.

If you didn't check out their work, follow the links to their blogs.  Maybe they'll inspire you to play along this month.

• Deanna
• Patchi
• Carla

Clouds and Gardens and Challenges. . .Oh My.

This was my "official" post to yesterday's (Day #10) Big Picture Phone Photography challenge on Clouds.  Something's coming. . .

And it blew right over us and boiled into this. . .

Which blew up into this . . . (and it got worse)

The last couple pictures were definitely more fun looking, so I'm trying very hard to just stick with my original submission.  I've got a couple days to catch up on and I'll have the opportunity to be in Olde Town later today, so here's hoping to get that one done.  I messed around with Tuesday's challenge and am having a hard time capturing it on my phone.

The backyard gardens took another giant step last night. . .once the temps dropped to the lower 90's.  We're trying to figure out what we can grow quickly with the limited grow time left for us.  Next year we'll be rockin' it.  I'm thrilled with the gardens coming together, but even more so that the yard is getting put back together after a year being torn apart.  It does a type-A's brain good.

On to today's key for this month's Cook Out challenges - this week we're building ice cream sundaes.  Here's today's key to create your card or layout, then just share a link to it in the comments.

• Vanilla Ice Cream - Use only cardstock
• Chocolate Ice Cream - Paper with some kind of "effect," i.e. glittered, embossed, debossed, foiled, shimmer, etc.
• Frozen Yogurt - Use a Patterned Paper you usually find difficult - i.e. large pattern, diecut, small patterns, certain color
• Chocolate Sauce - Acrylic Embellishment
• Strawberry Sauce - Twill Trim
• Caramel Sauce - Bookplate
• Butterscotch Sauce - Metallic Embellishment
• Marshmallows - Use an "outdoor" themed paper
• Chocolate Chips - Buttons
• Maraschino Cherries - Flowers
• Cookie Dough Chunks - Banner
• Gummy Bears - Printed Chipboard
• Brownie Bites - Pocket
• Candy Bar Bits - Punched Border (purchased or handmade)
• Sprinkles - Use a Bright Color Pallet
• Whipped Cream - Grosgrain Trim
• Nuts - Stitching (machine, hand or penned)

You can add additional product to your page or card, but it must include your five ingredients.  You have until Sunday evening to complete this week's challenges.  ALL entries this week will get a Gift Code to Apron Strings.  If you haven't yet selected your ingredients you can do so today, just list your selections in the comments and then use the key for tomorrow to complete your layout or card. Even one entry into the weekly challenges gains you entry into the drawing for July's prize pack.

Happy Thursday,

I Am

• I am obsessed with the Pandora selections based on "Pitch Perfect" (thanks a lot 16 y.o. daughter.)
• I am enjoying, really enjoying, Big Picture's Phone Photography class.  Great assignments, fun apps that I'm actually learning how to use!
• I am savoring a Cherry Limeade - recipe found on Pinterest - I didn't make a big batch, but instead am making it as I drink it using individual cans of Key Lime Seltzer.
• I am eating like a mad-woman and have gained half the weight I lost - apparently the heat in the kitchen isn't keeping me from baking.  So back to Lose It, until I get back where I want to be.
• I am watching the garden take shape.  The hubby and boys wrestled the rock to the backyard last night and set four of the barrels.
• I am praying, almost, daily.  Something I've been trying to be conscience of doing better at.

I got my Day #7 assignment done, which was to photograph the light morning, afternoon, and evening.  Anytime there's light glinting off a large water source, I'm there - even if it is 7:00 in the morning.  I've waited years for the tree to be big enough to shade the backyard from the harsh afternoon sun.  And our sunsets are too clear for much color at the moment. Clear from evening clouds, but mostly clear - thank God - from the wildfire smoke.  I still need to do Day #6, yesterday's and I'm working on a different version of Day #8.

Yesterday was your first key for this week's Cook Out challenges based on building your ice cream sundae.  Here's today's key to create your card or layout, then just share a link to it in the comments.

• Vanilla Ice Cream - White Ribbon
• Chocolate Ice Cream - Patterned Paper with Brown in it
• Frozen Yogurt - Use No Cardstock
• Chocolate Sauce - Baker's Twine
• Strawberry Sauce - Red Cardstock
• Caramel Sauce - Something Glittered
• Butterscotch Sauce - Plaid Patterned Paper
• Marshmallows - Stick Pin
• Chocolate Chips - Pearls
• Maraschino Cherries - Rhinestones
• Cookie Dough Chunks - Paper with Geometric Shapes
• Gummy Bears - Transparency
• Brownie Bites - Linen/Canvas Embellishment
• Candy Bar Bits - Journaling Card
• Sprinkles - Mini Brads
• Whipped Cream - Cardstock Stickers
• Nuts - Alphabet

You have until Sunday evening to complete this week's challenges.  ALL entries this week will get a Gift Code to Apron Strings.  If you haven't yet selected your ingredients you can do so today, just list your selections in the comments and then use the key for tomorrow to complete your layout or card..

Happy Wednesday,

Cook Out Week 2 - Ice Cream Sundaes

Bring on the heat. . .oh wait, it's already here and it's announcing its presence with authority (movie anyone?)  Of which I'm sure my boys will be oh-so-happy, what with the two ton of river rock being delivered later today that will need to be toted around to the backyard (and dumped and shoved into place.)  And then tomorrow the yards of dirt for the containers in the garden - again in the backyard.  The only positive, this only needs to be done once. . .next year we'll have great dog/rabbit-proof gardens ready for planting.

Yesterday's Big Picture Phone Photography assignment was Summer Colors.  Doing the Roy G. Biv deal.  This was the (sort of) Roy G. Biv found in my garden.  Late last night I was looking around the house, and inspired by some non-garden photos from other students, I came up with another version of this assignment.  So I'm gonna snap some shots around the house today and do a round two.  Outside of the wonky margins, I think I may be getting the hang of this collage app.  I still have two back assignments to complete.  One requires a drive to Olde Town and the other I have two of the three photos required.

Late yesterday I issued the call to come build your sundae during the Cook Out challenges.  Create your card or layout using the following key to your selections.  Then just share a link to it in the comments.

• Vanilla Ice Cream - White Cardstock
• Chocolate Ice Cream - Chocolate Cardstock
• Frozen Yogurt - Kraft Cardstock
• Chocolate Sauce - Ribbon
• Strawberry Sauce - Mist, Paint or Ink
• Caramel Sauce - Chipboard
• Butterscotch Sauce - Epoxy Embellishment or Diamond Glaze one of your own
• Marshmallows - White Buttons
• Chocolate Chips - Brads
• Maraschino Cherries - Something Bright Red
• Cookie Dough Chunks - Polka Dotted Paper
• Gummy Bears - Primary Color Pallet
• Brownie Bites - Diecut - your own or purchased
• Candy Bar Bits - Small Tags
• Sprinkles - Eyelets - using more than one color
• Whipped Cream - Transparency
• Nuts - Jute

You have until Sunday evening to complete this week's challenges.  ALL entries this week will get a Gift Code to Apron Strings.  If you haven't yet selected your ingredients you can do so and then use the key for tomorrow to complete your layout or card.

Happy Tuesday,