Most days I consider it a major accomplishment when I get myself showered, dressed, and fed all in the same 24 hour period, and then there are days like today. Annamarie and I went to breakfast with a friend, and then to the supermarket, where we proceeded to spend the equivalent of Haiti's gross national product. Not only had the cupboard been bare for quite a few days, Ron and I are responsible for feeding dinner to our church's youth group tomorrow night. Almost exactly a year ago we invited some friends over for dinner, and the day before they were to arrive I realized that I did not own enough glasses or silverware to serve everyone. At 14 people, that was the largest group I had ever cooked for. I don't know what possessed me to agree to cook dinner for 50 ravenous teenagers, but back in September when I signed up, March 7 seemed awfully far in the future. We lucked out though because the high school youth are on a retreat this weekend and we only have to feed about 20 middle schoolers.

Anyway, I have prepared an unimaginable quantity of salad which, if my own children are any indication, none of them will touch. I made Pioneer Woman's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever, and only had to start over once when I didn't follow directions. I won't detail all of the preparations, but I have to say this non-cook is very proud to be almost ready to serve spaghetti (with meat and vegetarian sauces), garlic bread, salad and chocolate cake to a horde of young people who would probably have preferred Domino's pizza.

Much more within my comfort zone, I also whipped up this card to go with a gift for a new baby who is soon to join our family (extended family --- my brother's stepson's girlfriend, seriously). I've only had the wrapped gift sitting on my desk for about two months. I really really hate going to the post office, but the baby isn't due for another couple of weeks. Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

I wanted to share a couple of layouts that I did this week for Scrapdoodles, where I have the honor of being the coordinator for the store's very talented design team. If you are within driving distance of Fredericksburg VA, do not miss Scrapdoodles. In a world where we are losing so many of our precious scrapbook stores to the sagging economy, Scrapdoodles survives and thrives because of its sheer awesomeness. It is packed to the rafters with amazing product, and the staff there is knowledgeable and always helpful.

A little birdy brought me some Crate Paper goodies from CHA (not a new line, but one I didn't own), and I used it to document our low-key New Year's Eve celebration. It's a shame that amidst all these snow days I have only been able to crank out one layout. Not only do I have both kids home all day every day, my accounting class is kicking my butt. It just reminds me how much going back to work is going to cut into my leisure time.

Someone's enjoying it

My kids are holed up in the house, each snuggled up to a computer or TV, while Ruby is outside having a ball with her BFF Bartlett. (I love the snack breaks.) And yes, I am filming this through the window because it is 18 ding dang degrees out there and I do not have a fur coat.