Newness of April.


Oh I know it's still officially only March but its the end of March none the less!
I was going to wait to show you this...
April's new kit for Scrapbook Circle!
But I couldn't wait! LOL.
I know that happens to you too!!!

April Scrapbook Circle kit
Hello Sunshine!


So fun, cheery, and bright! I love kits like this!

Here's what I created!


With a willing participant for photos and an even better kit I am tickled at these layouts!

She.


She might be coming


{found a photo of what Gracie looks like on internet. I got a photo on my photo that D sent me, she isn't as brown I don't believe.}
Her name is Gracie. She's 8 months old.
and she might be coming to live in the Carney household!

Got a text from D today while at the gym. Says this...

D: Do ya want a chocolate lab puppy?
E: Of course!
D: Are you serious? Because there is a lady here at work who asked around if someone wanted her puppy.
E: What do they look like again, do they get big, how old is she, what is her name?
D: Sends photo to which I reply with an "awh".
D: Yes they get big. She's 8 months. Her name is Gracie.
E: I sure hope Jake does okay.
D: I think he will.
E: Oh my goodness! And guess what? I instantly fall in love with Gracie. And then I started praying for Gracie's family.

Apparently and this is a sad story, the women was deployed with Dayv. They both came back the end of September and her husband had a massive heart-attack and passed away. She said that she has to get a full time job now and her teenagers are so busy they cannot keep the puppy. Gracie's had training classes, is semi-potty trained, and is a very good dog.

When Dayv told Nancy we'd take her, she was surprised because she thought she was going to have a hard time having someone take her. So she is going home tonight to talk and share with her family and we are supposed to get her tomorrow.

We are very excited and nervous because we aren't sure how Jake is going to react to all of this. But both of us feel good about it within so we're going to bring Gracie home if it all works out! Please pray or think of Nancy and her family as they let go of Gracie as well as continue to deal with the loss of a husband and father. Also for us, as we have been talking about getting another dog for awhile now but were never really sure. We would like a smooth transition and for Jake and Kira both to welcome Gracie into our home without any issues.

Isn't the name perfect?
Stay tuned!!!



The Yummy in Vegan!



You guys know that I am forever trying new vegan recipes. It's a must really especially with sweets which is often my down fall. Recently I shared with D that I wanted to try our hand at making homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies. Not that we have a corner on this market, I am just going to share this recipe I found some where online and how we tweaked it for the best cookies ever!

Vegan chocolate chip cookies

ingredients

2 1/4 cups of flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sea salt
1 cup Earth Balance softened
3/4 cups of organic sugar
3/4 cups packed organic brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Egg replacer {we always use unsweetened apple sauce}
2 cups of Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup of nuts or fruit

directions

 Combine flour, baking soda, salt in small bowl.
Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla in large mixer bowl.
Add egg replacer or unsweetened apple sauce {which we just eye ball normally or use the equivalent}.
Stir in chips, and or nuts or fruit.
Drop by rounded tbl. onto ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 375 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
Let stand for 2 minutes remove to rack to cool.

outcome

We didn't add fruit {we added raisins} until the very last batch that we were making. That really added something nice to the cookie and I really preferred them this way. Although I am a tad bit of a raisin freak.
It was a very good cookie and taste like a real chocolate chip cookie. The only negative about this is that it needed to be a tad sweeter, so if you want to add more sugar do so. The next time we make it we will do so. They freeze great!


 
Vegan banana bread

ingredients

2-4 ripe bananas
2 tbl. olive oil
1/2 cups Agave sweetener
1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda

directions

Preheat oven 375.
In a small bowl mash bananas with fork until mushy. Add oil, applesauce, agave sweetener. Stir together.
In a separate bowl stir together flour and baking soda.
Add banana mixture to flour mixture mix together until gently mixed.
Spoon into a lightly oiled loaf pan.
Bake for 10-15 minutes depending upon time to rise and bake.

outcome

It called for only 2 bananas but I think the next time we'll use more which is why I put more in the ingredients. You can never go wrong with bananas!
It might cook longer depending upon the applesauce. Normally when we make things with applesauce it takes longer to cook.
Over all this is an amazing recipe!!!

You should try both of them they are yummy and less fattening!

I wanted to give you an update on Alyssa's audition! We found out late Sunday evening that she indeed made the play and she's playing the caterpillar in Alice!! We are all very excited! Bring on the craziness for April and May!!!!

My stomach issues have seemed to worked itself out. I think I had a touch of the stomach virus that was going around.

Dayv goes out on the flight line April 11th and will be working days.

May your day be bright no matter where you are!


#149

#149 rollin' down the scrappin' line!
Cheesy.. I know but that is what was in my head! LOL.
And here we are with another Creative Scrappers sketch!
And I am even MORE excited to show you this one than that last one!!!
You might be wondering why???

I am revealing not only this sketch, but something on my 101 in 1001 list! Which I am totally STOKED about!!!! Yeah me!

Sketch #149



My take:


Yeah that's me playing the drums!!

Journaling: I can't tell you how long this has been a dream of mine. You cannot even imagine growing up how I would watch people play the drums and want, desire to do it myself. But then again, back in the day there weren't very many girl drummers. Heck I had never seen one myself and I was always told that I couldn't play it and moved back into my safe zone, girl percussion  instruments. And there I stayed. Through middle school, high school, and eventually drum corps too. Who knew by the time I was 40 that I would be playing in worship bands as a percussionist again? Only this time it was different. Since time moved, more girl drummers came out. Really good one's in fact. They are just as up there with the guys if not stronger or better. And yet as time stands still for us sometimes I still hadn't sat down at a drum set and tried to learn it. No. By this time I was afraid of it. Seriously. I wouldn't touch it from a ten foot pole. Even though my deepest desire was to learn it, play it by the time I died. Dayv bought me a drum set. There is sat down in our basement collecting dust. Too much blockage and not enough confidence. We eventually gave it away. That was that. but a desire is a desire and so it burned deep within my heart. Until very recently. We started a new church and it was there I met Rick. He is our youth pastor and a wonderful man of God. He also plays the drums. At first he was pretty intimating on the drums, he still is. But I decided one day I had nothing to loose and asked him if he'd give me lessons. He didn't even skip a beat and said yes. You can imagine how I felt! Elated, scared, and nervous too. But I knew it was something that I wanted to do. And the timing was right too. So here I am. Here's the set. I am taking lessons from Rick who is encouraging and allows me to be honest with him too. I'm only in my 3rd week of playing. I mean seriously sitting down and learning stuff. But I can tell you it feels wonderful! Good! Exciting! Fun! Because you know what? The beats, playing, and feeling it has always been there. After all God had put it there didn't he? Now its up to me to take this opportunity to learn something that burns deep within..... 

You have to know that I am seriously taking drum lessons! After reading my journaling I am sure you know all about it! I can't say enough how excited I really am. I am a percussionist yes, but this instrument has been my nemesis since H.S. and I longed to play and now I am blessed to be able to learn it better!!!

Tackle something that scares you. Get out of your box. Make it your own. Don't just sit by and wait for things to happen, make them happen!!!

I just wanted to take a moment and talk about A's auditions. Can I just tell you I was proud as punch as I sat there watching her {I have to go into another room and watch via TV because she doesn't want me in the audition room} sing her song. She did amazing! I can honestly tell you that if they didn't see how much she's improved I would be surprise to say the least! Amazing. Just amazing. As we were laying in our bed last night all just talking {we do this a lot} my phone rang. You can imagine we had no clue who that would have been since it was 11pm. Dayv answered and it was for Alyssa. We were both surprised! So Alyssa gets on the phone and all we hear is yes of course. She gets off and tells us she's got a  call back!!!! So we headed out there Saturday morning and dropped her off because call backs are closed auditions to everyone except who is trying out. So D&I went shopping! We were so nervous for her as this was her first time getting a call back {which if you click the link above you can see about that process and most of CYT information. Although we don't live there it was the best informational CYT board}.When she was finished we drove home and she told us all about it. Normally they sing, dance, and read scripts but today she only read scripts. She read for several characters and really enjoyed herself! Now the waiting game begins until Monday afternoon to see if her name is on the call list. Even if it isn't her confidence has been boosted and we are SO very proud of her!

Hoping your are smilin' today friends!

Updated.




Well hello there friends!
What is up with you?
 I wanted to share this with you!
It's a just because layout. Aren't those kind of layouts great?
This layout all started with just one little photo that was on my computer that I simply adore! Its the first one on the left under 2003, when A was only 5! We had her birthday party at the skating rink in England that year. I LOVE this photo of her, she's a doll!


I really should have journaled on this layout, but such as life! I might go back and do that a little bit later. I loved making this a progression layout showing A growing and changing! It makes me smile!
What makes you smile friends?

On to other things...
I've been having stomach issues as of late.  I am not really sure what is going on, but if it doesn't get better than I plan on going to the doctor soon!


Because of that we've really been taking it easy as of late until I am on the mend. But I have been taking a lot of photos! I think in the past 2 months I've taken more photos than I have all year and that's a good thing! Here are J,A,K just hanging out!

My week has been really good thus far aside of my stomach issues but I sure hope yours has too!



Tore it up!


I tore open the box when I got it and created this using this
and it's posted here if ya wanna go take gander at it!


Supplies: SRM Stickers Express Yourself #42038 Everyday Life, SRM Sticker Sentiments #51014 Life Is Good, Cosmo Cricket Social Club collection, CM corner rounder, Pounce Wheel, American Crafts cardstock, American Crafts pop dots.

I love how the colors pop and if I don't mind sayin' these are decent photos of me too, thanks Dayv!!! LOL.

So news in our household as of late...

Alyssa goes this Friday to audition for Alice. Please think of her and say a prayer if you will. If you remember we took her to a voice lesson and she has improved greatly just by this one lesson. We are SO proud of her! She is going to sing "I Got The Sun In The Morning" From Annie Get Your Gun, Ethel Merman style.

Dayv is going back out on the flight line. We aren't sure if this is permanent or not as of yet but you can imagine how much of a blow it was. Although as of right now he is non-deployable for health reasons {I haven't went into them as of yet because we weren't sure either. But he has now been diagnosed with exercise induced asthma as well as degenerative lower back issues} right now so we aren't sure if and when he will be deploying any time soon. However there is always a possibility. The Lord's plans are greater than our own and we believe that he will lead Dayv on his military journey.

I am striving to be healthy. I truly believe this is an attitude as well as the calling of my actions. Our mind is a serious tool in whether we are healthy or unhealthy. As of late, I have been cleaning my mind of unhealthy things in the areas of food, my actions, what I say, exercise, and believing lies.  I have been seeking the Lord in this area so that there is balance. Being healthy goes far beyond what we stick into our mouth or how many miles we run. It is a way to live and strive to be! So I am choosing positiveness and a healthy clean mind!

Before I leave I just wanted to say something about Japan and the horrific tragedy that is going on there. I honestly am at a loss for words because watching it right as the news hit, I simply didn't know what to do or what to say. It is very sad. Heartbreaking. Please go here and be a part of helping out. Even though we are very far away we can still do our part. Please pray for them if you aren't already doing so.

Lo' & Behold


I was looking through all of my blogs that I love to go visit and I found this and this!!
Can you say  
EXCITING!!!
I'm pretty excited, can you tell?

The crop yesterday was fun! I really enjoyed getting to know a bunch of the women I didn't know at all or very well. I like to socialize!! LOL. There was tons of food and tons of supplies! Some of those women brought their kitchen sinks!!! I remember when I used to do that. But that was prior to having an actual space to call my own. I found I forgot a lot of supplies or bits and bobs I tend to always use but spaced on. But it was fun! I completed 4 layouts and have one started. 2 though were one's I was just finishing.  I can only show you 2 right now though cause the other one's are for DT things! I really am thinking of going today but not sure what to bring since I just scrapped the most recent photos I took and don't have much on my plate right now. Or I might just stay home in my pj's all day too... Hmmmm.?

Anyway here are the two layouts I can share right now!


I can hardly believe I am writing this...  I am sitting here at 7am looking out our den window to snow. Yep. It's actually falling down as I type. It's not a lot but its enough to cover the yard and lightly cover the streets. This makes me sad. It hasn't even been that cold as of late. And honestly, I am over it. Spring where are you? *sigh*

I also wanted to share this. It isn't new. In fact, we've had it for awhile now but I just went around the other day and took photos of our house. This was one of those photos and I really liked it! LOL. Don't pay attention to the fact that the actual photo is focused on my coffee table and not our cute chair, just look at the whole thing! :)


I've never been so happy in my life to get a chair like this. I had always dreamed of having a plaid chair and when we found it, Dayv of course stuck his nose up at it. That was until I dragged it 1/2 way across the furniture store to put it with the furniture we were about to buy. When I did that, he was sold {thank goodness because I wasn't leaving that store without that chair!}! It is the perfect addition to our home. I feel so blessed to have such a nice home. In case you are wondering about the other bits and bobs that are showing, my other favorite thing in this photo is the picture above the chair. I got it at a local thrift store and I am in love with it! The frame has been painted yellow at one time and now red. Seriously every time I do Jillian and I am working on an exercise I just stare at it and imagine myself to be that girl.. I love daisies. They are my favorite. Although I love everything else that's shown, I'll only share about one more thing cause I don't want to bore you much. The brown chess pieces that you see on the right next to the milk pitcher and bowl are from my brother. Well they were from our father, but David gave them to me a bit ago. It is something I cherish a lot, and yes we do play chess in our family often. I love it being on our coffee table.

UPDATE: I just found out a dear friend of mine is sponsoring a give-a-way for one of these! Go check out Debbie's blog and sign up to enter to win a dress, and if you do please drop my name in her comments. If you do I'll get 5 entries into the give-a-way myself!!!!



I'm Stylin' and Profilin'

Recently I won this award from a Lauren!


For me to accept this award, I must list eight facts about myself.  And, I get to pass the award on to eight other bloggers!

Here we go:

1 - My house is always clean and tidy and I am not afraid to admit it.
2 - I have great time management skills.
3 - A lot of people say I am intimidating, however once you get to know me you just realize its really me knowing who I am and being strong within.
4 - I am going to get at least 5 more tattoo's in my life time.
5 - I grew up in a home where things were brushed underneath a carpet and then kept there forever. However, I am a self-beating carpet talker. I went the complete opposite and tend to beat things to death. Just saying something and ending it there is difficult for me, but I am learning to just say it once and then let it go. But on the positive side, our little family is very communicative and nothing is left underneath anything!
6. My little family means the world to me.
7 - I truly believe that if you have pets, specifically dogs that they be a part of your family not a lawn ornament, left out in weather conditions, or living outside 24/7 unless they are living in a good environment. I can't imagine Jake and Kira going through any of that, ever.
8 - I really still love baggy tee-shirts. There is just something about a comfy tee-shirt!

Okay now I have to give this award to 8 different people too!

How fun!

1. Leigh Penner
2. Meghann
3. Lynette
4. Andrea Amu
5. Doreen
6. Julie
7. Arlene
8. Wendy McKee

Well I wished I had something scrappy to show you, but I don't! I have been holding off so that I can take stuff to the crop tomorrow! LOL. But I am seriously itching to play with the new stuff I got in the mail that's for sure! I am a little nervous going to the crop. I haven't been to one in years and never really get my scrap one when I go. I mean I LOVE going and hanging out, but I don't get a lot accomplished and sometimes that can be frustrating to me. This time though, I am going about it a little differently. I have 2 unfinished layouts I am taking. Both just need photos and journaling so that will be a good start to work with. Then I have 2 sketches for DT work with Creative Scrappers, which I am going to pre-print my photos to use and be able to take those with me. This way I'll know sort of a design in my head using the new photos.I am going to use to kits that I just recently got in the mail. One is the Bo Bunny's Ad Lib Collection and the other is the newest Scrapbook Nook's March kit. I am very excited to play with both! I am also pre-cutting some stuff and taking only a few supplies because I don't want to get overwhelmed!

And just a photo before I leave for the night...
I am thankful that A is a willing participate in taking photos.


Because when she does, I get hilarious photos like these that make me laugh a long time!!! Happy Thursday evening everyone and I hope that your Friday rocks your socks off!


Hi ya!


Hello there!
As I sit and look out our den window watching the rain fall taking a break from trying to get everything that I need to get completed today I am reminded how much quietness is important in our lives. The complete silence, peacefulness, and rest of days like these are ones that I truly cherish... Of course I say that as I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get my list all checked off! LOL. But it's true. Taking a moment to just be in silence is a beautiful thing indeed!

I have two things to show you today! One is for my co-worker and friend Dallas. It's her birthday tomorrow and she, another co-worker, and I are heading out to dinner at Red Robin! I made her this card and Lacey and I are going to give her a pedicure GC for her up and coming trip!


My cards normally don't have any rhyme or reason other than choosing the colors. I picked up some stuff at JoAnn's the other day to use and added the rest! Heck I even stamped on this one! I really like how it turned out, sure hope she does too!

The next thing I am going to show you is a layout of Jake.


You all know how much we love pj days in our house right? Well Jake takes full advantage of them too by climbing up on the couch and laying with Dayv any chance he gets. I hardly do layouts of Jake because it is hard to get him still and take his photo, but he was being pretty lazy this past weekend! I thought they turned out cute! And yep I'm using pink with our male dog! LOL. He's so cute, I couldn't help it!

And one last thing! I wanted to share this...
Isn't this the coolest news? I think so!!! I am honored!

Well friends its off to get ready to go out for dinner!
Have a great night!




Clean-lined.



Well what do you think?
I am in LOVE with my new blog!
Erin from Designer Blogs created this new blog for me! Thank you Erin, you rock!
If you like my blog or clicked on the DB link, and get a blog design from them make sure you mention me, I can get a referral bonus thingy!!! LOL.
I really love the cleaner-line, classy look to my blog!


I also changed the name of my blog! Although you can still get to it by the old blog engine, I just decided to make it my name!!! So it's going to be www.elizabethmcarney.com you will be automatically re-directed soon and will automatically go to the new address within 3 days. You can still come to my blog with the old address for now though!

Here is our newest family photos!




And that folks sums up our Monday!
 




#147


Well hello there! 
How goes it everyone? 
I am great and hope that you are too!!!

Okay.. On to scrappy things!
Here is my very first reveal with Creative Scrappers!
I am SO excited about this layout!

Sketch #147

 My take

 
 

I used all items in my stash, which was so much fun! I have some papers in my stash saved that I was in love with and still hoped to use one day and I did that with this layout!
I really love the pop of blue!!!

So get on over and try out #147!!!!
Happy day everyone!



Meet Maggie Howard. A winner. Life.



I just wanted to post the winner of the AC cardstock!!!

Leigh!!
She said..
I love white, too, Elizabeth! In fact, I posted my Five for Friday: the white edition today on my blog, along with the card you requested (as well as a layout.) You can check it out here: http://leighpenner.blogspot.com/2011/03/five-for-friday-white-edition.html
Thanks for the chance to win-- that's an awesome prize!
 Leigh, email me and I'll get that set up for you!
Thanks for playing everyone!

River City Kid. 
Music Man Jr. 1912.
February 25-March 6 2011.


Finally got pictures of our beautiful girl playing Maggie Howard.
We are SO proud of her.

Thought I'd go inside of me today!

Outside my window... It is sunny. The sun is coming up.
I am thinking... I miss Alyssa.
I am thankful for... For time alone with Dayv.
From the kitchen... I can smell clean.
I am wearing... Pj's!
I am creating.. Nothing! LOL. I am itching though.
I am going... To sit here until we go to the gym.
I am reading... The Kind Diet and The Narrow Road.
I am hoping... That this day will go slowly so we can enjoy it.
I am hearing...people talking on the computer screen. Me typing. Jake walking back and forth.
Around the house... I look and it makes me smile. I simply love our house and each and every room in it.
One of my favorite things... Sitting in my pj's all day long!
A few plans for the rest of the week... Working out today. Doing nothing. Church on Sunday. I work M-TH this week and have off on Fri which is exciting!

Here is a layout I did and never posted!
I love both of them SO much!!!


Sorry about the bump of the layout, that would be glue. I ran out of tape and had to use other measures, which of course didn't work out too well! LOL.

Off to start my day!
 Hoping that your weekend is wonderful!
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