Chocolate Joey Cookies

Today's recipe is an old family favorite in my husband's family (well, I had them as a kid a lot, too, but we called them something different).  These are a favorite of my brother-in-law,Joe, hence the name.

Joe had surgery the other day and is a little under the weather.  I thought maybe a batch of these cookies would brighten his day.  I  love them, too, but this way I got a little taste and gave the rest away - that helped the old diet!  :)

As I searched my recipe box for the recipe, I found this copy written on a post-it note and it brought tears to my eyes.  I had forgotten that many years ago (like when she was about 5 at the most) my daughter had copied the recipe down for me because she really wanted me to make them for her. I just thought I would share that copy with you.  It's a good thing that I had my very own copy written down to go by because I don't know if I would have figured it out from her copy!  It is these little things that I find here and there that just really make me smile :)

Chocolate Joey Cookies
(or No-Bake Chocolate Drop Cookies)

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
Boil for 3 minutes

remove from heat and add:
2/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick cooking oatmeal
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. salt

Beat until thick and drop onto wax paper.  Cool then store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.

Happy Scrappin'

A Cruisebooking Secret Sister gift

While on our scrapbooking cruise, we did a Secret Sister project.  I already told you about that and showed you some of the things I made for my Secret Sister, but now it's time to show you some of the things that my Secret Sister gave to me.

I want to start out by telling you that I absolutely LOVED all the things I got.  My girl, Jackie, was wonderful to me and I really want to send a huge thank you out to her!

The first day on the ship I received this little hand-made tote bag filled with the essentials for cruising (chapstick, sunblock, and hand sanitizer).  I love it!

Stay tuned for the rest of my wonderful gifts!

Happy Scrappin'

3 New Cards

Tonight I am teaching a card class and these are the cards the ladies will be making.

Happy Scrappin'

A surprise package waiting for me

When I returned home from my last trip, there was a surprise package waiting for me.  It was the final Secret Sister gift.  Marilyn did a wonderful job!  Thank you so much for all the goodies I got!

You want to see what was in this package?  I thought you might, so I took some photos for you.  First up was a wonderful purse filled with cards and a stamped post-it note pad.

The next item was a fabulous mini album ready for lots of pictures from next summer when we go to Disneyland in California!  I can hardly wait to fill it up!

Thank you again Marilyn, I have loved my gifts!

Happy Scrappin'

Sweetheart layout

Yeah, today is my club day!  I love my club days when my girls come over to scrapbook!  It just doesn't get any better than that!

Here is the layout they will be creating today.

Happy Scrappin'

I am home from another amazing vacation!

This time I was on a Western Caribbean Cruise.  We were cruisebooking.  What's that, you say?  Well, we were scrapbooking aboard the ship.  Thirty six of us in all.  What a fun time we had!  Here are a few photos from the trip.

We did a tour of the Uxmal Mayan Ruins in Progreso.  What a fascinating trip.   We saw tons of iguanas this day, they were everywhere, you had to watch where you were stepping!

Yep, I climbed all 80 steps of this pyramid!  What an amazing view from the top!

In Cozumel, I went to Paradise Beach...loved it!  What a relaxing day at the beach.

Oh, did I mention the temps when I left home?  It was -19 degrees!  Yes, way below zero -and that was even without the windchill!  Can you see why I don't want to stay home during the winter now? Here is even some photo  proof of the temp - my car thermometer on the way to the airport.

I have a lot more exciting artwork to show you so stay tuned...

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Valentine's Day

Just a quick note to say Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Here is a super easy project.  Buy any old heart shaped box of candy (these even had childish pictures on them).  Cover them with some cute paper (like our new Sweetheart paper pack like I used) and viola, a cute box of candy for your sweetheart for Valentine's Day.

My Secret Sister is getting one of these today.  I also left one of these at home for my husband as I am on this wonderful vacation and he is at home...how's that for a romantic Valentine's Day?  I love you, honey!

Happy Scrappin'

30 second treats

Here are some super quick, super simple treats you can whip together for your Valentine.  I made up a bunch of these to bring with on the cruise to hand out to people, leave for the cabin steward, whoever needs a little chocolate :)

You start out with a 4x4 piece of double sided patterned paper (our Close To My Heart B&T works GREAT!)  I also had to modify this to start with a 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" square - I think they've changed the size of these peppermint patties!)  I used our new Sweetheart papers.

Then you just fold it in half to make a triangle.

Then you are going to "diaper fold" the triangle as shown in the photos.

Next, you just fold down the front flap.  That's it!  Insert your peppermint patty and you are done.  Simple!

Happy Scrappin'

Mmmmm, Mmmmm good!

This Wisconsin girl had an awesome lunch in Mobile, Alabama yesterday!  I went to a local place on Dauphin Street called Hopjack's Pizza Kitchen & taproom.  It was the most amazing sandwich and fries I have had in a very long time.  It was a little spicy for this wimpy northern girl, but mmmm, was it ever good!  I had a shrimp pita fold sammie with a side of Belgian fries.  Like I said, a little on the hot side, but the white dipping sauce helped that problem out!

Just look at this beautiful little park here in Mobile.  They are so busy getting ready for Mardi Gras - that starts next Friday.  Too bad I hadn't done a little more research and known that before, I would have stayed for a couple of days after the cruise to check it out.  Oh well, I'll just have to come back, I guess!

Tomorrow morning we get on the cruise ship!  I can hardly wait!

Happy Scrappin'