One of the best ways to cheer up a friend is with an old-fashioned sweet treat. And this one was introduced to me at a dinner party many years ago. This brownie recipe is not only beautiful in appearance, but down right spectacular in taste.
By either placing this recipe in a Christmas baking dish, or cutting them up individually and placed on a seasonal plate, you will be hooked. You can pass out a batch of "good cheer" to those that are in need of some extra love.
Inspiration can come from almost anything. For me, it's color, vintage images, and family. I can remember when I was in third grade sitting in front of our Christmas tree with a brand new dollie. Her name was Beverly, and at the time, I thought that name was just awesome.
Packaging gifts is something I like to do. I do have some loved ones that are hard to buy for or prefer giftcards or cash. I love to give people what they really want, but I look for ways to make it special. Call me fussy, I just challenged myself for unique ways of giving giftcards and cash.
I simply cut two squares of fabric (good side outward), stitched around three sides leaving an opening, and then used pinking shears to add a pretty edge. I didn't want the giftcard to take center stage, but rather blend in nicely with the paper art. Embellishing each pocket with a scalloped 1-1/2" edge on the end of the opening, and the latest images from Moonlight Journey called "Vintage Angels" work beautiful for Christmas gifts. Just imagine the possibilities, It's a great way to use up some tiny scraps of paper too!
I'll tell you that if you are making one, it's addictive. I started out making nine, and made six more that I want to coffee stain. This is a great project to make in mass so that you have gift holders on hand when you bring that giftcard home from the grocery store.
As I write this post, it is a glorious crisp fall day in northern Michigan. Fall instinctively brings the thought of pumpkins, mums, apple cider, yummy donuts, and especially Halloween.
A few years ago, I was given a treasured gift by being invited to join a recipe card club. Once a month, 12 of us get together to share laughter, stories, and an empathetic ear. There is a wide range of age, style, and circumstances. Officially, we are there to exchange our recipe cards, but, in reality, for us it has meant so much more. Something magical comes together in a creative way. The best part is that we bring food! We believe it would be "just plain wrong" for there to be a lack of treats and drinks any time women get together. 
I love the early morning, when the sun is just rising in the east; the sky is bright red and I can hear the birds sing. As I sit here today, I think about myself and my dreams.
Gosh! You have probably been wondering where I've been. It's been shockingly weeks since I posted. For a starter I went on a three day/two night digital scrapbooking retreat with my friend Sherry. She is so talented, and lucky for me, shared this amazing technique to blend your photo with paper. I used Creative Memories Storybook Creator. I am so excited to continue my education with this user friendly software. It just seems like conventional scrapbooking takes so much more effort compared to whipping up a digital page in minutes.
~ Apricot Bread ~
This Apricot Nut Bread recipe was given to me by my Mom, and probably tops the list as "one of my favorites!" For some reason, it seems like I mostly bake it during the winter at Christmas.
~ Chicken Salad Riviera ~
I have been working like a mad woman spring cleaning my office. So needless to say, it has consumed all of my free time. I actually think the house is raising.
My mom has to be my "official" introduction to the kitchen. She let me scoot the kitchen chair up to the side of our beige Formica table, add some ingredients to the batter after she had already thoroughly mixed it. "Just making sure I did it right," she used to say and give me a smile. It made me feel very important and grown up! Making favorite recipes bring back these memories and helps me feel very satisfied with a yummy food creation in the present.
This biscotti recipe has been in my family nearly 40 years. I used to make these cookies for my son, Brad, when he was a toddler. They are easy to make, and have a truly amazing anise flavor. 
Ahh . . . the possibilities a meal and your husband of 44 years can bring . . . so perfect at the moment. Fresh shrimp from the Pacific, homemade pasta, herb Italian dressing drizzled over a beautiful tossed salad, a couple shots of tequila, topped off with fresh crusty rolls, while relaxing on a balcony overlooking the ocean.
A couple of years ago, I joined a recipe card club with some of my artistic friends at our local scrapbooking store. As time went on, I realized putting food together is an art just like everything else in life. Over this next year I will be receiving about 120 cards that measure 5" X 8." I have a special roll-top recipe box to hold them all, which really makes the journey of each month even more entertaining for me!
For as long as I can remember,
