A couple of great pages!

We recently finished up our ink class and I just wanted to share some fun pages that Trudy Walker shared with us during class. Love what she did with these!!

Hope you are having a great week!

Taco Salad

Now that June is here and we are headed straight for picnic season - I thought I would share my recipe for Taco Salad. It makes a *ton* and is always a hit at summer parties!

1 bag or head of lettuce
1 tomato (chopped)
4 cups shredded cheddar or taco cheese
1 large bag of Doritos (crushed in bag)
1 onion (chopped)
1 pound hamburger meat
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 small jar mayonnaise
1 jar chili sauce

Brown meat and prepare with taco seasoning according to package directions. Let cool completely. In the meantime, mix the 1st five listed ingredients in a large bowl then add the cooled meat mixture. Mix the mayo and chili sauce together in a small bowl then pour over salad and mix well. Serve chilled.
*Note: if you will not be serving this right away, hold the Doritos out and mix in just prior to serving so they will stay crunchy.

Here is a layout I made for my kitchen album about this yummy summertime dish:

Enjoy!

Travel Games

Well summer is officially here for us! Yeah! Happy Summer!
For many, summer means lots of travel. How about a few sources for travel games? Fun stuff to keep your kids happily occupied while traveling.
Lots of great printables here - they will be a must have for our 12 hour trek across a few states.

http://www.momsminivan.com/printables.html

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/games/specialfeature/car-games/

http://www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_games.htm

Have a wonderful summer and if you are traveling please be safe!

A new card sketch

Here's a new card sketch and some inspiration for you! We'd love to see what you create using this sketch so please share in the comments. Have a wonderful Friday!!

Sketch by me:

My sample:

Make Your Own Buttons

Today, I am going to share a little technique that I use often when I don't have a button to match my project. It is a great way to coordinate things with your own pattern paper. Super easy!

1.) Gather your supplies: pattern paper, small circle punch, clear pebble type stickers, small hole punch and thread.
2.) Punch circles out of pattern paper of choice.

3.) Place sticker directly over your paper circle.

4.) Using a small hole punch, punch two holes in the center of your circles.

5.) Thread embroidery thread through the holes and tie off.

6.) Add to page wherever you would normally use a button.

My finished page:

Hope this is something you can use in your scrapbooks :)

Thai Pasta Salad

This is such a great recipe - good served warm or cold! And a huge hit at every barbecue/summer gathering we have ever served it at!



Ingredients:
6 oz. package any type of pasta
1/4 c. reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 c. chicken broth
2 T. peanut butter
1 T. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 1/2 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 sweet red pepper cut into thin strips
1 bunch green onions, cut into small pieces
1/4 c. fresh cilantro
2 T. finely copped peanuts



Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Combine soy sauce, broth, peanut butter, lime juice, ginger, and crushed red pepper in a saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. In a large bowl combine pasta, chicken, cilantro, onion and peppers. Now pour sauce over and stir well. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!!

Notes:
Most of the time I use regular soy sauce and instead of chicken broth I use water - it helps cut back on the sodium.
When I am in a hurry I grab a rotisserie chicken from my local grocery store - it works great! Today I just cooked 3 chicken breasts on the stove top with a little chicken broth, then shredded.
I ALWAYS us the whole package of pasta - my favorites are fettuccine or rigatoni.
I ALWAYS double the sauce ingredients.

Memorial Day

Tomorrow is Memorial Day...such an important day of honor and remembrance. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country and have helped to keep us safe.

These sites have some Memorial Day ideas and activities for families and children.
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/memorial-day/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/memorialday/

This site has links to various Memorial Day events located throughout the country.
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/holidays/a/memorialday.htm

Whatever your plans, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Memorial Day with your loved ones.