I don’t have a lot of time this morning, so I’m just giving a brief update.  We were hit hard by winds yesterday and have been without power since yesterday morning.  I’m sitting at Kate’s house (who is one of the lucky ones and has power) where I took the pups and spent the night.  I’m heading home to do some yard cleanup and hopefully sometime today our power will be back on.  I’m not counting on it, since there are close to 2,500 resident just in my area without power.  We were lucky in that we only lost some big limbs from our Maple tree.  Our neighbor had a tree split and land on her house, breaking bricks from the chimney and putting a very large hole in her roof.  The trees in the boulevard were the most damaged and we spend the better part of yesterday, clearing debris and branches out of the boulevard so that it was passable.

Late yesterday afternoon Lance and I took a drive through town.  We were really looking for some place open because I was in desperate need of coffee.  The damage along the river and to the homes there is unbelievable.  In the 22 years we have lived here, I have never seen such destruction.  All of this caused by 75-80 mph winds without absolutely no rain!

I’ve been getting my morning coffee fix here at Kate’s, the pot is almost empty and I’m heading home to try and do some more cleanup today.

One thing before I go!  I was so honored and happy when Anna Wight asked me to be one of her Featured Designers for this release, but alas with the storms yesterday I had no opportunity to stamp.  As soon as I have power and can get into the studio, I’ll have something for you!  Anna thanks for understanding!

The other day, I received a message on my blog from Carolyn Bounds. Carolyn’s Blog is P.M.S. etc. (or Papers, Markers, Stamps, etc.) hehe great blog name isn’t it? Carolyn selected my blog as one of her favorites, and awarded me this:

I have to say that I was so honored and jumping for joy that I was listed on Carolyn’s blog with all those other great blogs she mentioned. She also led me on an inspiration journey when I went to look at all the listed blogs. Thank you Carolyn!

It is now my turn to indicate which blogs are some of my favorites and award them with the “I Love Your Blog” logo. But first, I need to post the rules:

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link the person you received your award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.

Now, for my choices. If you have already been given this award once, well . . . just know that I draw inspiration from you every day! These are in no particular order mind you, just a list I made of the stampers who inspire me on a daily basis!

Cindy Lyles - StarLit Studio, for your style and creative use of embellishments.

Anna Wight - Sassy & Sweet, for the enjoyment you give me with your marvelous creations and your stories and pictures of “life on the ranch.”

Debbie Olson - Thinking Inking, for the inspiration you give me each and every day with your creativeness.

Leslie Miller - Running with Scissors, for the inspiration you have always given me, your wonderful creations and for sharing your gardens, which someday I hope to see in person.

JanTink - Stamps, Paper, Scissors, for the laughs and giggles you have given me over the years with your stories and wild ramblings.

Wendy Vecchi - Studio 490, for your incredible style and work.

Pam Hooten - Iris Garden, for the inspiration you give me with each project and your incredible use of embellishments.

So there are my seven stampers who inspire me to keep working on my craft and to have fun when doing it! Thank you all!

It was a sad day here yesterday. We lost our 12-year-old Yellow Lab, Shadow, to cancer. He hadn’t been the same since we lost our Dalmatian, Penny, a year ago. He had stayed by her side for weeks, keeping her warm and guarding her. He never wanted to leave the garage after that. It was as if he was expecting Penny to return. Of course, during this warm summer that we’ve had here in the Ohio Valley, his move out to cooler air was a must.

He would stand at the sliding glass door on the deck and bark until I went to give him two large bones. He would gobble them up and then trot off to rest. When I came home from Texas last week, I noticed a huge change in him. He no longer wanted to play with the little pups, and he didn’t bark for his treats. Yesterday morning, he was non responsive and lying in the garage. Lance took him to the vet, where we found out he had cancer and there wasn’t much we could do.

We named him Shadow because as a pup he would follow the girls around the house. It seemed so appropriate – their shadow. He was a neighborhood dog, roaming from house to house getting his daily lovin’ and treats. He made friends with the little boy down the street, whose family all but adopted him. They had a bed for him on their deck and when we were looking for him that was the first place we would go. He received Christmas cards from the neighbors, addressed to Mr. Shadow Cheever. Our little pups loved him and Miss Ellie will surely miss him. He was her boyfriend, even though he favored Sydney.

Shadow will be missed not only by us, but his neighborhood families as well. He was a gentle dog but also very protective. Sadly, the only picture I could find of him this morning is one from when we had the garage built and it is rather distorted and blurry.

The fence was down and he was chained by the tree to keep him out of the workers way. Of course, a fence was just there and didn’t do much to keep him in the yard. He could, and would, climb it to get out to roam from house to house. When he was ready to come home, he would once again climb the fence to get back in the yard. Such a fabulous dog!

Morning. I’ve been feeling under the weather for the last couple of days, and there’s not going to be any stamping here again today. I got Jeanne to the airport yesterday for her flight home, and then had breakfast with my sister, mom and some of mom’s close friends. By the time I got home I was totally worn out. Any hoo, I drugged myself up, crashed on the couch and finally around 8:00 last night went to bed. I think it’s going to be another day just like that today!

What I’ve decided to do today is share some recipes with you. This goes back to the Lizzie Anne Blog Candy post about your favorite summertime desserts. I finally got that recipe from mom for the Banana Split Cake, along with a few others.

BANANA SPLIT CAKE

Melt 1 stick of margarine in a 9 x 13″ cake pan. Blend in 2 cups of graham-cracker crumbs, and pat evenly over the bottom. In a mixing bowl, beat at high speed for 15 minutes 2 sticks of softened margarine, 2 eggs, and 2 cups confectioners’ sugar. Carefully spread this blend over the crust. Slice bananas (about 3 large ones) until you’ve a layer covering the filling. Next, drain 1 large can of crushed pineapple, and spread fruit on top. Over all, make a layer of Cool Whip (one large container will do it). Last, sprinkle on 1 cup of coarsely chopped nuts and several well-placed maraschino cherries. Cover with waxed paper and leave in fridge for several hours or overnight.

This next salad, we had at my niece’s graduation party. My stepsister made it and of course we all had to have the recipe! Mallory is planning on taking this one to a party this weekend.

BROCCOLI STRAWBERRY SALAD

4 cups chopped broccoli bite size
1/4 cup Golden Raisins
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/3 cup shredded carrots
1 cup sliced strawberries 1/4″ thick, 3 slices each berry
1/4 cup salted peanuts

Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
½ cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons white vinegar

Whisk till fluffy
Toss with hands into salad.

Hope you guys enjoy these treats! Have a great day!

Stampfest Orlando that is! Jeanne and I are still at Kittie’s, and will be here until Tuesday morning. That’s when we hit the road for the trip back home, taking a different route than when we came. Wonder if Atlanta is ready for us?

We had to say goodbye to Broni this morning. We dropped her off at the airport around 9:30 and then headed back to work the show. I already miss her. Actually, I started missing her the minute we left her at the airport. I am so tickled that she decided to make the trip with us! She very quickly became my “sister friend” and the more we talked, the more we realized how much we truly have in common. Desserts for one thing! Oh my heavens, did we ever enjoy our desserts. Especially that white chocolate bomb from Chilis!

We all had such fun in the booth on Saturday. It was very busy, but it didn’t keep us from greeting old friends and making new ones. We seemed to be the hang out for the SCS’ers to gather! I was able to get a few pictures, but there were some that got by us.
Here’s the team all together. Well all except Candy who just disappeared on us.

But, here’s Candy showing off for us. Honestly I think she might have been shushing someone, but it sure looks like she’s saying something else to me!

Lois a/k/a Clownmom came to see us on Saturday. We met her in person for the first time last year, even though we had chatted with her online for years. It is always great to see Lois – she is such a hoot!

At one time on Saturday, Kirsten, Mimi, and Dina were all in the booth at the same time and we were able to get everyone together for a picture. Actually, Dina spent most of her time with us, and what a pleasure it was to finally meet her and her husband.

Here’s Mr. And Mrs. Rubbernecker (Pat and Dave), sneaking in a well-deserved break on Saturday.

Near the end of the day on Saturday, we finally were able to get Jerri Kay back to the booth and had a photo op! Oh my goodness, what fun to finally meet Jerri Kay!

Sunday was a bit slower, but we still stayed busy working our demos and having fun!

We have all decided that we will be sleeping in tomorrow and just enjoy spending the day together with no running around. I’m looking forward to it!