{TOTALLY MIA}

Wow friends, I indeed did NOT drop off the face of the planet, I did NOT die, BUT...I did move! :) I looked at my last post and it was...what...the beginning of May? Yeah, with end of school craziness I just didn't find time to blog. Then the second week of summer we found this little beauty and decided that we just had to have her.

We spent the rest of the summer fixing her up and making her ours. We're not even close to done yet, there is SOOOO much I'd like to do, but as my husband keeps reminding me "One project at a time". :)  I'm super excited to share before and after photos with you all as we finish. I'm so thrilled with it, words can't even express. It's the perfect home for our  family, it's like it was sitting there , just waiting for us. 

So, I haven't forgotten about or given up on Project Life. I think I'm about a month behind still, but I promise to post pages soon as well as more Project Life Collections in the shop.

Until then, keep scrapping, keep creating, and have a fabulous day!

{AWESOME GRADUATE - FREE PRINTABLE}

It's that time of year again...graduation...everywhere. From Pre-School to College, I'm sure you've got someone in your life that deserves a little celebrating!

I've seen A&W Root Beer used in the "awesome" capacity before, and I decided to incorporate it into a Graduation gift. The nice thing about a small gift like this one, is that it can be as small or as big as you'd like. Give it as it is, or simply adhere a gift card or some cash to the back of the tag!

I used the mini cans of soda. Not by choice, but because my local grocery store didn't carry the regular sized ones in a six pack, only 12...and the last thing I need (while I'm trying to lose baby weight) is six extra cans of Root Beer hanging around my house begging me to drink them! So, the small cans it was. I think they turned out super cute though, and to be honest, I'd probably go for the little cans again. I also included a TWIX bar, but really any candy bar would do.

To wrap them up I used a cellophane bag, some tulle, patterned ribbon, and string. I think they turned out SUPER cute. (If I do say so myself!)

::CLICK HERE::

to download the printable tag

And give a graduation gift to someone special. Graduating is a big deal...they deserve it! :)

{GENERATION AWAY}

I'm a country music fan through and through. That being said, I like other types as well...I can appreciate pretty much anything (but rap). However, country is where it's at, Lady A being at the top of my favorites. Their new album "GOLDEN" came out last week...and of course I had to buy it. ;) It's fabulous, but I expected nothing less, really. But there was one song that I REALLY loved called "Generation Away". You can listen here:

The part in particular that struck a chord with me was in the chorus where it says "Hey, what can we do? Here we are, just me and you. So let's take all the pictures we can take for the generation away".

Why did I like that so much? That's EXACTLY what I'm trying to do. It's my goal with "Project Life"...to take all the pictures I can take for the generation away. I want to be remembered. I want my life to mean something to those who follow me. I want my children to remember, I want their children to be able to know what our lives were like. In essence, I want to leave a legacy.

So...are you taking all the pictures you can take for the generation away? I certainly hope so. When it's all said and done, all we have are the memories, and what a better way to help us remember. Go take some pictures of the everyday, mundane, and EXCITING things that make up your life. You won't be sorry. :)

{PROJECT LIFE - WEEK 20}

Week TWENTY...what?? My how time has flown! Lots of happenings this week! A 2 month old baby Mack, garden planting, girls night, RAINED out camping trip for the boys, and a date night for me and James...just to name a few. :)

Products Used:

Golden Girls Project Life Templates (modified)

Golden Girls Project Life Wonderful Collection

Golden Girls Project Life Calendar Cards

{THE EASIEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES...EVER}

I'll be honest, when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, I struggle. BIG TIME. Just ask my husband...he'll freely admit it right along with me!! So a couple of weeks ago when I stumbled across this recipe from Six Sisters' Stuff, I knew I better at least try it. I am SOOOOO glad I did! They turned out perfectly the first time and have every time since. (yes, I've made them 4 times in 2 weeks...don't tell!)

So today I'm here to share the recipe with you. Seriously people, it's awesome. Perfect for when you want a quick sweet fix and don't have anything in the house. I can make 3 dozen cookies in roughly 30 minutes from start to finish.

Okay, so here's what you need:

The original recipe called for Bisquick, but I used this pancake mix instead...worked great!

Oh, and just a quick tip: If you're using real butter (which I always do), 15 seconds in the microwave is perfect to get it perfectly softened.

THE EASIEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cube butter - softened

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup brown sugar

2.5 cups pancake mix

Semi-Sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Combine butter, egg, vanilla, and brown sugar. Beat using an electric mixer until smooth. Then add 2.5 cups pancake mix. Beat on medium speed until dough comes together, add desired amount of chocolate chips. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Okay...so just a few pointers that I learned.

#1 - if the dough is a little crumbly, try adding an extra egg white. It does the trick for me every time.

#2 - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use semi sweet chocolate chips...you'll be glad you did!

#3 - I make my cookies on the small side so I can fit 20 cookies on a baking sheet. Makes cooking time SO much faster...plus you feel like you can eat more because they're smaller!! :)

#4 - I cook them for 11 minutes because we like our cookies on the "done" side. They are by no means burnt, just done.

Then package them up cute and take some to a friend! :)