Goodbye Kyler doggie

Sunday was our last day with our dog, Kyler. He wasn't feeling well so the kids pampered him, gave him a good brushing, really enjoyed him. Who knew that would be his last gift to us? One great spring day in the shade with the people who loved him was a great last day. He fell asleep that night and just didn't wake up. Kyler was old, like 14 years old, and was around before I was. I met Kyler when I met Dave. He watched Dave add me to his family and then we added 4 more. He was all the girls have ever known as a best bud and snow dog. They sobbed and sobbed when Dave told them he was gone. We made a stepping stone to put on his grave with his collar and some stones in the shape of a dog paw-print. They went with Dave to bury him in the mountains where he would love to be. We will sure miss our good friend.

My groove

I think I'm getting my groove back! It's been a long time but I am feeling more like me and ready to take on the world again. I am exercising everyday, taking my vitamin D, watching what I eat and don't eat ...who knows, I may just look better soon too! That might take a while so for now...I'll take some feeling good inside and run with it, literally!

Yummy Dinner

So...it's April Fool's and Izzy just needs to do a "joke". So, with the help of Family Fun magazine, we put together a yummy dinner and decided to serve dessert first. We made cupcakes...only they were meatloaf with pink mashed potatoes on top! For dinner we made peas (green airheads rolled into tiny "peas"), mashed potatoes (vanilla ice cream with caramel topping), and meatloaf (cocoa krispy treats)!

It was so much fun! Brig loved the ice cream potatoes...he licked the plate clean, literally!

"You can't handle the truth!"

So...I decided that actually you could probably handle the truth....

I really do have good intentions of blogging but it's hard to blog when the world is closing in around you and the best you can do it read everyone else's blog and check facebook once and a while.

It's been a hard couple of months. Actually a hard 6 months. Here's the update and then if you don't want to check up on my blog, I understand. Maybe it will make you feel better that although I may appear to handle whatever life throughs at me...I don't always handle it so well. Here's a few answers to your questions...

No, I don't have cancer again - thank heavens!

Yes, I do still have MS and it sucks! There isn't any magic remedy so I am dealing as best I can right now. It's evil!

Yes, I've been in a fight with my anti-depressants. Increasing the dose, developing a lovely allergic reaction and then quitting cold turkey has been truly tough. (Why do they call it cold turkey? Do I seem that overweight, pasty white, and frigid? - apparently, yes!)

Overall, life isn't a bed of roses right now and hasn't been for a while. I have good intentions of posting but as they say...the road to hell is paved with good intentions. We'll see how I do!

Black Wednesday!

OK...so you have all heard of Black Friday and the day after Thanksgiving sales. Well, I am having a Black Wednesday sale on all Stampin' Up! Consider yourselves way lucky that I have been busy with Isabel's birthday and some deadlines!! This sale begins Wednesday, November 26th and is online only.

It's 50% off EVERYTHING!!

Yes...I did type 50% off! You will need to pay shipping on tax on the regular prices but that is a killer deal! It ends on Black Friday, November 28th. You can order by commenting here or you can email me at tiffstamp@hotmail.com and order there.

Hey...Stampin' Up! liked my idea and they have bundles of really great stuff for 50% off! If you add on my 50% off...they are pennies!! Email or comment for a copy of the flyer or you can see them at www.stampinup.com under Holiday Extravaganza.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Yummy fall recipes

So I am still feeling guilty because I really need to update you all on our crazy little life but alas...busy would be the title. I decided to take the easy route and post some of my most favorite new recipes this fall. Serious yummy!!! This one is from my BFF Dana Lyman and it may just replace the pumpkin pie as a must have for Thanksgiving dinner!

Dana’s Pumpkin Cobbler

1 box yellow cake mix
(set aside 1 c. dry mix)
1/2 c. melted butter
4 eggs
1 lg. can pumpkin (29 oz.)
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. soft butter
1/4 c. sugar
1 c. chopped pecans

Combine yellow cake mix (minus 1 cup), 1/2 cup butter and 1 egg.
Then spread into 9x13 inch pan.
FILLING: Combine pumpkin, 3 eggs, brown sugar, milk, vanilla,
and cinnamon. Pour over crust.
TOPPING: 1 cup cake, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, nuts,
(may use a little more butter). Mix together, sprinkle over top
of filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.
Chill and serve with Cool Whip or vanilla ice cream.

This one is from a recipe swap last year so I don't know who it came from but it was the hit of Thanksgiving. I admit I just tasted a little cuz I hate baked raisins almost as much as eggs but I trust the fact that someone may have tried licking the pan.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. sweet potatoes mashed (canned yams work)
1 c. sugar
1 stick margarine
2 eggs (beaten)
1 t. vanilla
½ c. raisins (optional)
1 c. mini marshmallows
Mix all ingredients and pour into a buttered casserole dish.

Topping:
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. flour
1 stick margarine melted
Mix all ingredients and sprinkle on top of potatoes.
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

And finally...who can go wrong with this recipe from the creative Margie Aslett's blog. It is serious happiness in the shape of a muffin!

Margie's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
2 C oil
2 C brown sugar
4 C sugar
MIX
8 eggs
1 1/2 TBS baking soda dissolved in 1/3 C warm water
MIX
4 C pumpkin
MIX
7 C flour
2 TSP baking powder
2 TSP salt
1 1/2 TSP ginger
2 TSP cloves
2 TSP nutmeg
4 TSP cinnamon
MIX WELL
ADD:
3 cups Chocolate Chips semi sweet or milk or both
1 C warm water
This makes 80 muffins...So can easily be cut in half!Bake at 350 for 10-15 mins.
until cake like
ENJOY!!

Happy fall!!

Neglected

Oh my sad little neglected blog! I have been so busy chasing children, organizing food storage, and escaping to Disneyland...I have just plain ole' neglected you! I promise to update you as soon as the Halloween costumes are put together! So sorry!

Check me out!

OK...so I recently got a dream job! I get to create for Lisa Bearnson and QVC!! YAHOOOO!!! Check out her blog at www.lisabearnson.com go to the blog section and see the page for Sweet Life. It's Brigham on one of my pages. Cool, huh?

She'll be on air tonight from 10-12 (Utah time), and then again tomorrow from 8-9am, and 11-1pm. I'm not sure which segments will have my creations but I know there are some great kits! I LOVE the Halloween kit! Darling cuteness. When I get a second I'll post my pictures of what I created but for now you might just want to tune in!

And just in case you read this Lisa and Angela...thank you for believing in me and my creations. You are both AMAZING!! This is truly a dream come true and I don't just mean the making part...the gettting to know you both is part of that too! Love ya!