Stampin' UP!

Last night my friend and I hosted a stamp party here at my house. We have been planning it for months and we had such a great time. Many friends came and Addie planned such great projects for us.



Rachel made great dip and salsa and we just had a good time. Here is my cookie recipe for anyone who is interested..

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup shortening (I have started using 3/4 cup canola oil and it works just as well)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ginger

Mix everything, chill in refrigerator for a couple of hours. Roll into balls and roll balls in white sugar. Place on cookie sheet (don't flatten) and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I like to bake mine for eight and they stay soft. Since they are better warm sometimes I make a batch and only bake a few at a time over a period of three or four days. Also, when I do bake a bunch I stick them in the freezer. Each morning I pull one out and stick it in Liz's lunch and it is thawed and soft by the time she eats.

Thanks to anyone who came last night and also to Brian, who is such a good sport when it comes to me and stamping.

Dream, Believe, Dare, Do

Here are the promised pics from the kids' school program. It was all based on a neat quotation from Walt Disney about challenging yourself and trying new things. Nathan and the kindergartners sang "When You wish Upon a Star" and Liz and her class sang about Christopher Columbus, the Admiral of the sea. The entire school sang a song called "Believe in Yourself" and we have heard it so much lately that Michael has started singing right along. As far as programs go it was pretty good, and I will admit that I became a bit lachrymose when I heard/saw my kids sing. For anyone who is interested we do have it on video!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know it has been a week since Valentine's Day, but the holiday is still causing excitement at our house. Liz and Nathan are still sorting and trading Valentines. At times they even share with Megan and Michael. Who new that MEg would be such a Spidermand fan! They would wear their red shirts/sweaters from Grandma Chantry everyday if I let them. They were so thrilled to celebrate this holiday in red! Thanks Grandma.

Jen is getting over being sick and Brian headed to Boston for a couple of days. The kids are loving school and life in general. It has seemed like a crazy week.