S'mores, Books and New Friends

Let me just tell you, if you don't already know, I love chocolate.  I love See's, Cabury, Hershey, Nestle...the list goes on and on.  While I was in Europe for three months after graduating from college, I sampled so many treats I actually gained 20 pounds.  There were crepes with nutella and banana, pasteries and cookies, chocolate crossants, chocolate bars from Belguim and Switzerland.  Yummy!  So it might not surprise you that I love S'mores.  I have seen so many recipes around blogland for S'more treats, that I just had to test one out.  I found this recipe for S'mores bars at http://alchemybaking.blogspot.com/2011/06/smores-bars.html 

They turned out delicious!

Here are a few more links of other S'morelicious recipes:
S'mores Cookies at http://outlawmommy.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/p61966621.jpg

 S'more Cake Pops at http://theoutlawmom.com/2011/06/24/truffle-brownie-smore-cake-pops/

S'mores cupcakes at http://annies-eats.net/2009/11/16/smores-cupcakes/
I couldn't download this picture, but click here.  They look so tasty.

I made the S'more bars to bring to a book club on this past Friday night.  I love to read.  I remember when my sister, Lena and I were sharing a room.  I was on the top bunk and I loved to stay up late and read.  She did not, so I was forced to drape my comforter over the bunk bed to shield her from the light.  That worked for a while, but then she would wake up and unplug my light, since she was on the bottom bunk.  That makes me smile to think of that time.

Well, I still like to stay up late and read.  I was excited to join a new book club.  Book Clubs can be so much fun and really get you to step outside your normal reading box.  The book we read this month was The stories I only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe.  Now, this is a story I wouldn't normally pick out to read but I found it interesting and well written.  I was a bit nervous Friday night to be joining a group of women whom I didn't really know.  Thankfully, they welcomed me in and I felt very comfortable to be a part of their special club.  The hostess, was thinking the same thing I was...she baked her own graham crackers and we made traditional S'mores for dessert.  Delicious!

Enjoy the summer with a S'more! 

This picture was taken last Fall at Grand Lake, Colorado.

I see it. I like it. I do it.

I love this slogan!  It describes me to a tea.  (I found it on http://landeeseelandeedo.blogspot.com/ .) I love to check out blogs on most everything... crafts, baking, decorating, kids stuff.  I have been bookmarking blogs and ideas I want to make or do and just realized today I have maxed out my bookmark capacity.  I didn't even know that was possible.

I was recently inspired to start posting the projects I am working on.  I was having a delicious treat with some friends (while all of our kids were at vacation bible school) and was talking about some crafts that I had made for Father's Day gifts.  My friends sounded interested and excited to start crafting.  I began thinking about the blog I had started months ago to benefit from Shutterfly's deal of 50 free photo cards and decided to become a blogger.

My husband calls me a blog stalker and I admit, I am addicted to blogs.  That is where my blog name came from: Confessions of a Blog Stalker.  (http://www.thediaryofdaveswife.com/ was already taken.)  People think I am creative, but really I just find a project that someone else has posted and make it.  I hope you find my posts interesting and that they get your own craft juices flowing.

My most recent project I found on http://www.peanuttoprincess.com/2011/04/shabby-giraffe-applique-tutorial.html.

I saw it months ago and bookmarked it to make someday.  My nieces first birthday was last week and thought this would be a great addition to her present.  I love to make things for people.  It makes a gift more personal and thoughtful.  I thought the giraffe might be a bit large for her shirt so I opted for a butterfly.  I followed the tutorial listed and didn't have any problems.  I loved my sister's response...impressive.  Who doesn't like to impress?

Have you ordered yet?

I am talking about your Christmas cards of course!  I love to send out photo cards for pretty much every holiday, but I have to say Christmas is my favorite time.  I enjoy choosing one or a few photos to show the fun times my family and I have had.  Most years I am scrambling in November to capture a photo of my whole family.  Thankfully not this year!  This summer, we spent a wonderful week in Lake Tahoe, so there are so many great shots to choose from. I found this layout earlier in the week.  What do you think?

I am thinking it will be perfect!  It has three spots for my kiddos smiling faces and the right orientation for a family photo on the beach.  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards


Shutterfly is not just for photo cards.  Yesterday, I received a photo book I made as a Christmas gift for my in-laws.  It showcases our summer trip to Lake Tahoe and I know they will love it.  My father-in-law loves to take pictures, but he doesn't always print them out.  This will be a great reminder of the fun we had.  http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-books

I also love to make photo calendars as gifts.  Everyone needs a new calendar, plus everyone loves to have it personalized with photos and birthdays.  If you have someone on your Christmas list and don't know what to get them, I suggest a photo calendar.  These are so easy and quick to make, plus you can print multiple copies for your family members.   http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

Being Crafty

Tonight, I started the prep for the craft I am leading this Friday at my mother's group, MOPS.  Thanks to my wonderful sister and her husband, I was able to cut 120 plus blocks for the ornament project.  I don't have my own power saw...this would be a great Christmas gift.  So they let me use theirs.  Thank you!


It was freezing in their garage, I think my feet are ice blocks.  But it will all be worth it, when all those moms make a cute project and feel crafty.

I love to make things.  I have many new projects swirling around in my head, with little or no time to get them all finished.  My husband will ask periodically when he sees a new purchase, "What is this for?"  "It's for a project,"  I reply (of course).  Thankfully he loves me and sees past the containers of material, paper, ribbon, and miscellaneous crap I have collected over the years.  Maybe I am addicted to crafting.  Dave, my husband calls me a blog stalker, because I love to see what crafts everyone else is making.  Thanks mom for passing on the love of things handmade.  I think my 5 year old daughter Julia, may have also received this trait.  Yeah!

Shutterfly Photo Cards

Hi, I loved the Shutterfly Thanksgiving Photo cards and am looking forward to ordering Christmas ones.  I have three children and love that I can find cute designs to fit their three adorable faces into!  Plus I also wanted to add a family picture.  I am leaning towards this one.  What do you think?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am starting this blog to get 50 free Shutterfly Christmas cards.  I love to send photo cards out to my family and friends.  And free is free.  So, I am about to embark on the blogging world.  Have a wonderful weekend!