My Mother's Day Story

Menu Plan Monday + Top 10 Selecting Recipes

It's been a while since I posted a menu plan. I dread cooking and get so overwhelmed with that question each day "What's for dinner?" It could be that my family is picky. Like, I would perfectly be happy with a pasta meal but my husband has to have a meat/poultry at every meal.

I am so like Laura. Not only do we have the same name but I too get bored of cooking the same things over and over so I do try new recipes often.

My Top 10 List for Selecting New Recipes

1. I pass on all fish recipes since my husband doesn't like the smell of it. I do like shell fish but I tend to eat them at restaurants.

2. I pass on all pork recipes. I gave up pork when I converted 5 years ago.

3. I basically look for chicken, ground beef or ground chicken, regular beef, and sausage. Nope not pork sausage but chicken sausage. I also use turkey bacon in place of regular bacon.

4. I have been looking for crockpot meals lately because of all the activities I do sometimes I just need a quick meal to be waiting for me when we get home.

5. I don't like recipes that have strange to find ingredients or lots of ingredients that cost too much money to make.

6. I collect the recipes and add them to my yahoo notepad and sort them by category.

7. I also like to try recipes that have been tried and true by friends.

8. I try to find quick and easy recipes.

9. I use the internet often. Most times I search by ingredients on hand. The internet is so much faster than taking out my cook books.

10. Once tried. I only put the recipe in my book if my husband or I like it or if the kids all eat it. I make a note on top of each recipe put in my binder if it is a hit. Otherwise it gets deleted or thrown away.

My menu this week (trying all new recipes)
Monday - Best Baked Chicken and Garlic Red Potatoes
Tuesday - *Beefy Pasta Skillet-20 mins
Wednesday - Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Thursday - BBQ chicken pizza
Friday - Mexican Lasagna
Saturday - Sausage in Sweet BBQ Sauce
Sunday - (hoping we're eating out! It's mother's day)

What are you eating this week? Join Organizing Junkie for more Menu Plan Mondays!

National Scrapbooking Day

May 2nd is National Scrapbooking Day!

It’s National Scrapbooking Day and the designers at Deco-Pages.com have created special gifts just for the occasion. Scented Memories is the theme and each of the participating designers has created their version of this special gift. Individual contributions build a phenomenal mega kit to help you to always remember!

Here are the previews of some of what will be available!


Contribution by Deb Ammerman
Hello and Happy National Scrapbooking Day! Please come visit us at Deco-Pages and see all the wonderful digital scrapbooking kits we have available in our store and share the love of this hobby with us in our gallery and forum. Our team has come together to create a wonderful gift for you, which will be available for you to download for FREE this week!



Contribution by Jennifer Rassi
Inside I have included a special gift for you to use in my store. A ticket to save 40% OFF any purchase of $2.00 or more but hurry, it expires on May 21st, 2009. Happy National Scrapbooking Scrapbooking Day!


Contribution by Ice Princess Scrapz
Celebrate National Scrapbooking Day @ Deco-Pages -- Let us help you to always remember! To get a jump start on your sprin shopping, I have a coupon for you good towards any of the kits in my shop for 50% off. Coupon is valid for one week only -- so hurry on over to the shop. Please use this code: IPS_ISD_50%off


Contribution by dream Catchers Scrapping
Here is what I have contributed to the mega kit to help you create some great scrapbooking pages.


Contribution by Kaklei Designs
Happy National Scrapbooking Day! My gift for you to enjoy plus 30% off using this coupon code: kkd_30 in orders greater than $4.00 until the end of May.


Contribution by Lori Staton
Happy National Scrapbooking Day everyone! Here is my contribution for you. Along with a 15% Discount Coupon in the file code: PFD28. Good for anything in my store till the End of May. Hope that you enjoy!


Contribution by Paris Designs
Happy National Scrapbooking Day! In honor of that, here is our portion of the gift to you. As an added suprise you can use the coupon code PMBNSDMay09 good for 50% on anything in our store with orders greater than $5.00. But hurry, coupon expires May 15th!


Contribution by RoseMadeDesigns
There is also a coupon inside good for 40% off any $4.00 or more purchase of RoseMadeDesigns products.
Hurry! It expires on May 15, 2009! And, be sure to check the Deco-Pages forum for some FREE matching quick pages!

Do you love Mega Kits?

Every month the designers at Deco-Pages.com put together a wonderful mega kit with individual contributions that is available to Club Deco Members. If you're not a Club Deco Member yet there are three options for you; 1 month, 3 months or a whole year. As a Club Deco Member you receive the monthly mega kit for free, starter kits for some of the challenges, member only freebies and so much more. You may find additional information here in the forums. http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3355.

There is something for everyone at Deco-Pages.com!

Stop in and Let us help you to always remember!

We appreciate you being part of our community.

Thank You!
Deco-Pages.com

Other Links of Interest
Monthly Newsletter: http://deco-pages.com/pages.php?pageid=7
Gallery: http://board.deco-pages.com
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8672640733
Digital Scrapbook Connection: http://www.digitalscrapbookconnection.com
Deco-Pages Blog: http://deco-pages.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DecoPages

Tomorrow at Deco-Pages

Tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day and Deco-Pages.com has some exciting things happening this week. In addition to the new challenges and Club Deco kit they've created a wonderful collaborative kit just for National Scrapbooking Day and it's available in the forum all week starting the 2nd through the 8th!

Bonnie van Esch Designs Sale

All products EXCEPT Cu products are 50% off 1 May until the 4th May.

Please make a note that all discounts will be taken off at check out.

Coming in May - National Scrapbooking Day

Project 365 - Week 14

Credits:
April 365 by Karla Kaleidoscope Designs
Fonts: Snap ITC and Halcyon

Project 365 - Week 13

Credits:
March 365 by Karla Kaleidoscope Designs
April 365 by Karla Kaleidoscope Designs
Fonts: Halcyon

project 365 - Week 12

I've fallen a bit behind on project 365. I'm still taking photos daily but finding less time to make the weekly layouts. Here is March 19 to March 25. Luckily, I continue to journal daily when I upload my photo each day to facebook so that helps a lot in creating layouts since I have fallen behind.

Credits

All That Glitters by Retro Designs

Gold really isn´t all that glitters in this bright and sparkling kit. There are gem encrusted bows and flowers and an extra sprinkling of rhinestones for an added sparkle, plus a jeweled butterfly to flutter through your floral pages. It's suitable for all feminine and heritage pages too, and due to its various heart elements, it makes pretty birthday cards and valentines.

Kit includes:

10 backgrounds 12 X 12
2 shaped backgrounds in PNG format 12 X 12
29 misc. embellishments
6 frames
2 page borders
1 quick page with 2 apertures

You can find this glittery new kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18536&cat=0&page=1

Fridays Fave 5

Details to what it's all about are here.

My favorites for the week:

1. Egg Coloring and Egg Hunts: When I was growing up I would color eggs with my parents. It was a fun project to do. Even though I am now Jewish I thought it was fun to have the kids participate in something I did when I grew up. They even tried to eat it. Of course, they did not like it so I'm left with tons of hard boiled eggs.

We went to 2 egg hunts (our town and one close to my parents house). Our town had their annual egg hunt. It lasted for literally 10 minutes. The kids had a blast collecting the eggs. They sat in the car and opened up all the eggs to find candy and little plastic jewelry. The 2nd one was at the beach near my parents. We went with my sister, BIL and niece. We had to wait 45 minutes in line. There were a lot of people there. The eggs were buried in the sand. There was so many people there that at one point I lost one of my kids (Victoria) luckily my mom was with us and she was with her the entire time. Talk about panic. Anyway, after finding some eggs they opened them up to find coupons to use on the boardwalk. The kids were disappointed that they got no candy.


2. Dairy Queen: We went to DQ for the first time for lunch. The kids were so happy to be able to have a hot dog with fries. The happy meal included ice cream. We will go back another time.



3. Dance: Naomi had her dance photos taken. She was so excited when I put make up on her face. She even told her sister that she was not allowed to have make up because she is not doing dance only her. Look at how big she looks here.


4. Blooms: It is starting to feel and look like spring. The 2 trees in front of my house started to bloom with the white flowers again. It does this every April and last only until May. It is beautiful when all the flowers are out.


5. Rainbow: The kids saw a rainbow for the very first time. It didn't last for very long but I did manage to get some photos.

What are your favorites for the week? Sign on to Mr. Linky if you've done a fave five post.

Happy Birthday Jennifer Rassi

Stop by Jennifer Rassi's Store today and SAVE$$$, SAVE$$$, SAVE$$$ Check out her coupon!



You can find her store here: http://deco-pages.com/manufacturers....ction=1&page=1

New at Deco Pages this Week

They say that Variety is the spice of life. Well that holds true at Deco-Pages.com. Variety is the spice of the store and there is a wide variety to choose from. Spring colors, bold bright colors, grunge and more. Here is the highlight of new kits this week!
Brand new in the store this week:



Navaho Commercial Use Overlays by Lori Staton
Perfect overlays to use for your southwestern themed pages or color them softer and use for anything and everything. These great overlays are commercial use designed in PSP; you just color them and go! You can find these great overlays in Lori's store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18502&cat=373&page=2 .
She has also created a wonderful paper pack with these terrific overlays. Deep, rich authentic colors in blue, gold, brown and more. Just look at these great pages.

Navaho Paper Pack by Lori Staton

You can find this great paper pack here: http://www.deco-pages.com/images/D/LStatonNavahoPaperPackPreview.jpg
and don't forget to check out her store to see other inspirational kits that she's introduced lately.
You can find her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=40&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Tagger Resizer for PSP by Dragons Lair Designs
Ever want to resize those full size kits into a tagger size kit? Well this is the script is for you, Two scripts in one set. Take the Paper Resizer to change your 12X12 inch papers and make them into 800 x 800 pixel size papers and all in a few easy steps, you can alter them all in one go, The element resizer which will take your regular size elements and reduce them to tagger size again in a few easy steps to alter them all in one swoop. Tested in PSPX & PSPX2. Personal & Commercial use OK.
You can find it in the store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18504&cat=373&page=2

What a Girl Wants Alpha by Cornelia Designs
This Alpha is an Add-on to her purple "What a Girl wants" Kit, to make all those great layouts, with that cute Princess Crown Alpha. There are 26 letters included that are 6x6 png files.
You can find it in the store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18505&cat=373&page=2
and don't forget to stop in the store and check out her "What a Girl Wants" kit.
You can find her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=62&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Mermaids Gold by Mary Ridgeway
Mermaids Gold is loaded with 170 elements and perfect for you aquatic pages as well as storyboard pages. It also includes 23 background papers and one quick page to get you started.
You can find this kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18506&cat=373&page=1
and don't forget to visit Mary's store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=13&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Magic Rainbow by Jen Henson
Bright Bold and beautiful! That's what you'll find with this kit! It is wonderfully versatile with multiple color schemes that you can use individually or mix and match.
This kit is truly magical and you can find it here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18507&cat=373&page=1
and don't forget to visit Jen's store and see what other magical kits she has available http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=9&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Tropical Expressions by Ice Princess Scrapz
Aloha! Bon Voyage! and Beach House are just a few phrases that come to mind when perusing the contents of the Tropical Impressions kit. Fascinating background papers of water scenes, impressionistic/whimsical palm trees, bubbles, basket weave patterns, and more all created in a bright, cheerful color palette. High-quality, colored line art crabs, seashells, replicated vintage botanicals, a multi-colored wave border, 10 truly unique frames, and a stuffed shark for you to splash around your layout. There's plenty more for you to explore in your creative session. This is a kit that you will definitely want to have on hand in your scrapping toolbox!
You can find this wonderful kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18508&cat=373&page=1
and don't forget to visit her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=55&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Template Duos - Set #14 by Michaele Burkhart
Do you love templates or just something to get you started for a quick page: then these templates are for you! Drop in your photos and papers from a favorite kit and presto...you have a wonderful memory to help you to always remember.
You can find these great templates here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18517&cat=373&page=1 .

Michaele has also released Everyone Is a Winner this week. With a sporty theme and variety of colors this kit is as versatile as they come.
You can find this kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18518&cat=373&page=1 .
Her store is here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=10&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Stars Overlay Pack by Flutterbyefaery
Need help making your own background so that you can choose your own colors scheme? Flutterbyefaery has created these wonderful overlays just for that purpose...you can choose your own color and texture.
She has it available here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18519&cat=373&page=1



Also released this week are Twinkle and Cute as a Bug! These kits are available in her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=59&sort=add_date&
sort_direction=1&page=1

Working For A Living: at Deco-Pages.com and if you are a Club Deco Member you can receive this wonderful Mega kit for Free. Not all contributions are shown here, there is so much more. If you're not a Club Deco Member yet there are three options for you; 1 month, 3 months or a whole year. As a Club Deco Member you receive the monthly mega kit for free, starter kits for some of the challenges, member only freebies and so much more. You may find additional information here in the forums.
http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3355



Do you enjoy challenges that stretch your imagination on preserving your everyday life? Then check out some of these challenges:
Color Challenge: All Sprung Out is the new challenge this month. With a wonderful starter kit available in the store for $1.99 or free to Club Deco Members this challenge shouts spring! Stop in the forum and check out the rewards for participating in this challenge. With the combined talent of Dana Conditt and Lorene Hill they are awesome and make a super kit! You can find the challenge here: http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=5046
Template/Sketch Challenge: Michaele Burkhart has created a wonderful template to get you started with a page in her challenge this month. You get the template for free! Drop in your papers and pictures and you've created a page that will help you to Always Remember! You can find her challenge here:
http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5060
Photography Challenge: This month the challenge is hosted by Mary Ridgeway. Partnering with the theme of the Club Deco Kit "Working For A Living" Mary challenges you to take a picture of a person or people at work which captures something that tells a story or an essential quality which makes them good at their job (the photo of a quality can be a portrait or candid shot). Then use the photo or photos in a layout telling a story or explaining the quality or qualities. You can find the challenge here:
http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5063
Stop in the Forum and check out the other challenges that are created to inspire you and "To Help You Always to Remember!"
While you're at Deco-Pages.com don't forget to check and see if your page has been chosen for Layout of the day. Look at some of the recent choices for this week's featured pages

Chris and Dillon
by Jen Hanson

That Sweet Baby Girl
by Scrapkat4914

Have you been chosen for Layout of the Day?
Visit us here http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=145 to see if your page has been chosen for LOTD and don't forget to leave some love while you're browsing around the gallery.
There is something for everyone at Deco-Pages.com . Stop in and Let us help you to always remember!
We appreciate you being part of our community.
Thank You!
Deco-Pages.com
Other Links of Interest
Monthly Newsletter: http://deco-pages.com/pages.php?pageid=7
Gallery: http://board.deco-pages.com/
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8672640733
Digital Scrapbook Connection: http://www.digitalscrapbookconnection.com/
Deco-Pages Blog: http://deco-pages.blogspot.com/

Bonnie van Esch Designs Sale

Bonnie van Esch Designs is having a $1 sale until 12th April on 3 of her kits

A Burst of Sunshine


Midnight Dreams


Flutter My Heart.


You can find them at Enchanted Studio Scraps.

Project 365 - Week 11

I have fallen a little bit behind on my weekly layouts, however, I'm still taking my daily photos. Here's my week 11 layout.


Credits
March 365 by Karla's Kaleidoscope Designs
Fonts: Franklin gothic and Gill Sans Ultra Bold

Book of Me - 5 Annoying Things

Credits:
April 09 Club Deco Working for a Living by Jennifer Rassi
Font: Eras Bold ITC

This month at Deco-Pages, make Working for a Living seem more like Play Time with the April Mega Kit for Club Deco Members! If you are not a Club Deco Member, this is a fabulous month to join! Working for a Living has a color scheme that goes with so many layouts, you are going to love the versatility of this kit! Once again, the Design Team has done a wonderful job in creating these kits.

..... if you aren't a club member, it's just
$36 for an entire year's worth of goodies - or $7.99 for one month, or $15 for 3 months!

A complete steal for all your get.
Signup in the forum today by clicking here,
and you'll get kits like the one shown below each month of your membership!!
Plus so much more...

Are you the Chosen One?

Are you the chosen one? Have you created an awesome scrapbook page and placed in the gallery at Deco-Pages.com? If you have then you could be the page that is chosen for Layout of the Day! Every day we are searching the gallery for the page that stands out and choosing it for LOTD! Stop in and see if we've chosen you! http://board.deco-pages.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=145

Don't forget to stop in the store and see the newest products created by our talented designers. There have been lots of new designers added to the store this month and the talent is beyond description! You can see the newest products here: http://www.deco-pages.com/home.php?cat=373&sort=add_date&sort_direction=1 Just look at some of what the talented designers of Deco-Pages.com have added this month!:

The Birds and the Bees by Sharon Craven: You can find the kit here: http://www.deco-pages.com/product.php?productid=18453&cat=373&page=4


You can find her store here: http://www.deco-pages.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=39&sort=add_date&sort_direction=1&page=1

There is something for everyone! Stop by and Let Us Help You to Always Remember!