My First Digital Scrapbook Layout

I've had Photoshop Elements for a long time but was so intimidated by it since it's a very complex program. I finally took some time to try to learn the basics and this is my first digital layout. I don't think this will replace my love of traditional scrapbooking, but it'll be fun to mix in some digital with traditional pages in my albums.

Dakota's Hare-Owing Experience

She doesn't look vicious - does she??


This past Saturday morning Dakota almost had Bugs Bunny for a snack. When I heard her going nuts in the backyard and went out to investigate, there in front of our retaining wall, was a bunny. She was about 2 feet away from him and when she saw me coming, she ran and grabbed the bunny and said “Back off, I saw him first.” We had seen several bunnies in our front yard but I’d never seen one in the back. You would think they would know better than to come into a yard where a dog lives. I was glad that I had been working with Dakota on the “LEAVE IT” command. When I said “leave it” to her, she dropped him and that gave me a chance to step between her and Bugs. I tried to encourage him to make his exit, but apparently he was too scared. I yelled for Bret and just when I was wondering how long I’d have to stay out there holding Dakota by the collar, he came out with the gate key. By this time Bugs had made his way over to the fence but when he didn’t see a way out, he hopped over to the gate and went under. It was almost the last bad decision little Bugs ever made. WHEW!!! That was a close call!! After I let go of Dakota, she went all over the yard looking for her treasure, and she was sniffing everywhere and crying “Now, where is the Wascally Wabbit? I know he’s here somewhere!”

Puppy Kindergarten

I'm going to start posting some of my favorite layouts. These pictures were taken when I took Dakota to Puppy Kindergarten at Tara Animal Clinic. This dog was huge but still a puppy and so gentle - he was Dakota's favorite buddy in class.

Recipe #2

This is something new that I made over the weekend.


Greek Artichoke & Chicken Pasta Salad

10 oz pasta of choice
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
8 oz feta cheese, coarsely crumbled
2 plum tomatoes, cored and diced
½ c red onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ c Greek style olives, sliced
¾ c extra virgin olive oil
2 T red wine vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
1 t oregano
1 t thyme
2 c cooked chicken, cubed
Cook pasta according to package directions.
Sauté red onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Set aside.
Combine cooked pasta with all ingredients. Stir well; chill for several hours and serve.

It's Monday Again

Like always, the weekend flew by. On Saturday we went to the Guitar Center so Bret could get some guitar lessons on DVD. He’s trying to teach himself without taking lessons and I’m not sure how that’s going to work out, but only time will tell. In preparation for our upcoming cruise, he bought some new golf shirts and I picked out one that I told him looked “tropical.”

On Sunday, we went to church and later in the day, while I was cleaning, Dakota opened and back door and came in. She has done that several times in the past but apparently hasn’t figured out that the door will open EVERY time she jumps up and pulls the handle down.

My small group from church resumed our meetings every other Sunday and we were paid an unexpected visit by Becky and Hannah Harber. We are starting a new study book on Revelation. We have a great group of women.

Recipe #1

I'm going to share some of my favorites. This is one that I really like and it's very easy.

Chicken and Pasta

4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1-2 t fresh chopped garlic
1 T dried crushed oregano
1 T basil
1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 chopped tomatoes
Whole wheat pasta

Sauté chicken pieces with garlic in olive oil until chicken is done. Add oregano, basil, salt and pepper, and vinegar. Cook 2-3 minutes; add tomatoes. Cook appx. 3-5 minutes.

*You can add more vinegar and oil if you want more sauce.
Cook pasta; spoon chicken mixture over top of pasta.

Woo Hoo - Cruisin' is Gettin' Closer

Now that the days left til sailing time are in the double digits, I'm starting to get really excited. As a scrapbooker, of course, I have to get ready for all the pictures I plan to take. I have already stocked up on cruise-related patterned paper and embellishments. I found the perfect album but of course, it was sold out, so I signed up to be notified when it's back in stock.

We're in the process of planning our shore excursions and although I'm not a very good swimmer, I think I'll give snorkeling a try since who knows when I will get another chance to give it a try.

Lunch with Holly

Today, we saw Holly for the first time in over a year. Even though Bret has been talking to her on the phone and exchanging e-mails, she just can't seem to find the time to get together. Since driving through Dallas makes her nervous, we drove to Rockwall and met her at On the Border. Then we walked through a shopping area that is right on the shore of Lake Ray Hubbard. We decided to go to a movie and decided on "Mall Cop."

It was great seeing her again and I keep praying that she will want to be a part of our family.

I took Nick to Mom's to spend the day and when Bret and I were driving home, she called and said that Nick wanted to spend the night. I knew how much she missed him and I told her I could pick him up the next afternoon.

As it turned out, Mom said she wanted to try keeping Nick. I was so glad for her and my only concern is that he might make her fall.

So Cold and Dreary

Today is sooo cold and dreary. This morning was drizzling and freezing rain is expected later today and tonight. Everyone here at work is hoping that our office will close early and remain closed tomorrow. COME ON FREEZING RAIN AND GET HERE. The worst part is that Dakota doesn't mind the cold and wet and last night I had to make her come in and she was so nasty that I had to put her in the bathtub. She's my little piggy.

Can't Get Enough "24"

All this time I never knew what we were missing. Since I don't watch any regular progams on Fox, I did not know what this program was about. One Sunday in mid-December, our pastor mentioned what a great program this was. It made me curious so I paid a visit to Blockbuster to check it out. When I read what the story line was, I decided to check out the first disc of Season 1. After only 2 episodes, I was so hooked. I watched the first couple of discs the week before Christmas. On December 26, Bret left to go deer hunting and I made another trip to Blockbuster to pick up the next couple of discs. When I started watching, I could hardly wait to see what was going to happen next. Within the next couple of days, I made several more trips to Blockbuster and then realized that our library might have it. When I confirmed that they did, I went and checked out the next two seasons. I got Bret hooked during Season 2. Last week we calculated that at the end of Season 4, we had watched 96 episodes. I can't wait til we are caught up and can start watching Season 7, which I've been recording.

It's Official Now

We've put out deposit down so it seems more real now. I'm really looking forward to this trip and it will really be fun going with Brittany and Randall. I'm down 3 lbs and only 97 more to go!!!

There are so many things to do - it will tough to choose which excursions we will enjoy most.

Something to Look Forward To

Our Ship

Woo Hoo !!! We're going on a Caribbean Cruise that leaves on May 10 out of Galveston. Brittany and Randall are going and wanted us to join them, so that means I need to lose 100 lbs before then - that's going to be tough. Our ports of call are Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Can't wait !!!

Dakota aka "Little Marley"

She may not be as destructive as Marley, but she definitely has a mind of her own. She won't come when called and most of the time, she turns her head away and acts as though she can't hear you. I wonder if she has some CAT blood in her!! Last night Bret was calling her and she wouldn't even look at him so when Nick went over to be petted, Bret told him he was a good dog. Dakota jerked her head around and started barking and then she raced over and grabbed him around the neck and started wrestling with him. It was as if she were showing us that he's not a good dog either. It was sooo funny.

Back to the Grind

Well, as they say - all good things must come to an end - in this case, my Christmas vacation. I was off almost 2 weeks and I think that's the longest I've been off in a very long time. It was so great. I got hooked on "24" and watched about 28 episodes, scrapbooked with Brittany 2 days, started learning Photoshop Elements, and just chilled. It was GREAT!

I'm Counting Down the Minutes

Today is my last day at work until Friday, January 2 (Woo Hoo). I haven't taken off this much time in I can't remember when. I have a very long list of things I'd like to get done while I'm off and as usual, I'll be lucky if I get half of them done. Next Tuesday I'm meeting Brittany at the Scrapbook Barn in Carrollton to work on our albums, so I'm looking forward to spending the day together. I've had Photoshop Elements on my computer for months with the intention of learning how to use it, so that's at the top of my "To Do" list.