Snowflake Wedding Theme

Snowflake Ornament Place Card Holder











Snowflake Wedding Garter










Hot Cocoa Wedding Favor



more to come....

It's That Time of Year Again...

I am updating my portfolio and offering a free photo session for you and your family; you will also receive a keepsake CD/DVD with all the images!!

Is This Really Happening??

After reading a couple of news articles I was a little upset. Recently an abortionist was killed and the media coverage was everywhere talking about hate crimes, etc. Now a soldier was killed in Arkansas (by a Muslim) and the media never covered it.. I don't understand the reasoning here. So, I did a search on google and wanted to share what I found. Check out the search for yourself and click on some of the links and see if this makes any sense...

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=socialism+and+obama&aq=f&oq=socialism&aqi=&aq=1&oq=socialism+and+&aqi=g10&fp=SHAbtGzS2yM

The AFA said this morning:
It appears that a Muslim man with political and religious motives murdered a soldier in Arkansas yesterday. This came one day after the shooting of George Tiller. Though the media and White House expressed outrage over the killing of a notorious abortionist, they said little about the murder committed by the young Muslim. I say this is an obvious double standard motivated by political correctness. What do you say?

Tell me what you think! Am I crazy or is this really happening to the USA?

Let My Cricut Work For You!!

I have a Cricut Expression with the following cartridges:

1. Going Places

2. Camp Out

3. Plantin SchoolBook

4. Home Accents

5. Sans Serif

I love to scrapbook and make stuff for my family! If you would like me to make or do a project for you just let me know!

Check out http://www.cricut.com/ for some ideas and to learn more about what I can do for you!

Have You Hired Your Wedding Caterer Yet??

If not, here's a list of caterers in the triangle area:

http://www.catering-by-design.com/

http://www.delightfulinspirations.com/

http://www.barbaraboneycaters.com/weddings/weddings.htm

http://www.sisterscatering.com

http://www.trianglecatering.com/

http://www.mitchellscatering.com/

http://www.irregardless.com/

http://www.premiere-catering.com/

http://www.cateringworks.com/cw/

Do You Need a Tent, Chairs, Linens, etc???

Then look no further!!! Here is a list of local and nationwide companies that can do it all:

http://www.grandrental.com

http://www.hollandrentall.com/

http://www.partypop.com/Categories/Party_Equipment_Rentals.html

http://www.partytimerentals.com/

http://www.elegantweddingrentals.com/

http://www.classicpartyrentals.com/

http://rainorshinetents.com/default.aspx

ConAgra Foods Explosion in Garner, NC

ConAgra Foods , located in Garner, NC, is suspected to have had an ammonia leak which may have caused an explosion at the Slim Jim packaging facility on Tuesday, June 9, 2009. There were 300 employees working at the time of the explosion and all but 3 were accounted for. Many were taken to area hospitals to seek treatment for extensive burns on their bodies and other for minor injuries. Two are still in critical condition at this time and one of the three missing has been located. They had gone to the hospital to receive medical help as the two others remained unaccounted for.

As of early Wednesday morning, June 10, 2009 the other two missing employees were located inside the facility and four remained in critical condition at UNC's burn center in Chapel Hill. Rescue crews were not able to go inside to retrieve the bodies since the structure was not structurally sound since the explosions; instead workers had to cut into the roof to lower a cage from a crane to retrieve the missing employees. Family members of one of the employees said Louis Junior Watson was helping another co-worker when the building collapsed on top of them.

ConAgra foods has set up an employee fund and has donated $100,000. They are asking for donations from their 25,000 nationwide employees as well. They are also covering the medical bills and funerals for their fallen employees. If you would like to make a donation to these families you can click here. Con Agra spokesman, Stepahnie Childs, said that employees will continued to get paid "while this situation is under way."

Are you looking for a venue for your wedding?

I am posting a few links to some I have found:

CARY

One Eleven Place
http://www.111place.com
919-654-5413

The Matthews House
http://www.matthews-house.com
317 W Chatham St
Cary, NC 27511
919-467-1944

The Umstead
http://www.theumstead.com
Cary, NC
866-877-4141
919-447-4000

CHAPEL HILL

The Carolina Inn
on the capus of The University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

RALEIGH

1705 Prime Chophouse & Events
1705 Millbrook Rd
Raleigh, NC
919-850-2340

Capital City Club
http://www.capitalraleigh.com
919-832-5526

Cardinal Club
http://www.cardinal-club.com
919-834-8829

Coquette Brasserie
http://www.coquetteraleigh.com
919-789-0606

Fraziers
Seasonal Bistro
http://www.fraziersbistro.com
919-828-6699

Hisotric Preston Woodall House
Bed & Breakfast
http://www.woodallhouse.com
919-894-7025

Porter's City Tavern
http://www.porterstavern.com
919-821-2133

Second Empire
http://www.second-empire.com
919-829-3663

Vivace
Modern Italian Restaurant
http://www.vivaceraleigh.com
919-787-7747

Wedding Items for Sale!

I have the following items for sale if anyone is interested:

2 Rolls of Wired Ribbon for Wedding - NIP - $15.00

Wedding Candle Holder Set - NIB - $30.00

Wedding Knife/Server Set - NIB - $30.00

Bubble Wands with Love Knot - NIB - 25.00

Toys For Free

Here is a site to receieve free ipods, psps, laptops, xbox 360, etc. You're probably saying 'yea, right, what's the catch'? Right?? Well, after checking out the site there is a video you can watch to see how the site works. By the looks of it, there are companies looking for new customers and these companies offer free trials. Once you try out the company the company then pays the website and that covers the cost of the toys. If you try it out let me know! I am going to take another look and if I do I will post what happens!

Here is a link to a review from a fellow blogger: toys 4 free review

Here's a link to the site: http://www.toys4free.com/

Free Stuff for Your Cell Phone!!

A friend told me about a website where you can send free ringtones, games, videos and wallpaper to your cell phone. Your cell phone must have internet capabilities to receive the wallpapers and ringtones otherwise standard rates will apply. You sign up at www.myxer.com and after entering your information you will receive a 4 digit code on your cell phone and verify it on the website. Once you have verified your number you can search for whatever you would like and send it to your phone for free!

Here is a link: myxer.com

Enjoy and have fun!!

Momma's meatloaf

Momma's meatloaf:

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1/2 cup diced onion
1 egg
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup tomato ketchup
salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl mix breadcrumbs with milk and allow to rest for a few minutes. In a large bowl combine the meats, onion and egg. Add the breadcrumb mixture and mix well, adding salt and pepper to taste. In a loaf pan, mix up ketchup and brown sugar... drop formed loaf into pan and cover with foil, bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour, remove foil and cook for another 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the counter before slicing, strain the fat off of the sauce in the bottom of the pan and serve over the slices.

Thank you, Jill!

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie

1 cup potato, diced (I sometimes used canned potatoes, diced up because they're already soft and cook better, IMO)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup chopped carrot
1/3 cup melted margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 pie crust (either store bought or your own recipe)

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Saute onion, celery, carrots and potatoes in butter for 10 minutes.
Add flour to sauteed mixture, stirring well Cook one minute stirring constantly.
Combine broth and half and half
Gradually stir into vegetable mixture
Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until thickened and bubbly
Stir in salt and pepper; add chicken and stir well
Pour into shallow 2 quart casserole dish and top with pie shells
Cut slits to allow steam to escape.
Bake for 40-50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through.

Thank you, Maggi!!

Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 vanilla wafers
1 (21 ounce) can pie filling

Mix softened cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla in bowl.
Place a wafer in bottom of each of 12 cupcake papers (in cupcake tin).
Spoon in cream cheese mixture 3/4 full.
Bake in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Let cool.
Top each with pie filling and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.

Graphics Design Jobs!!

I came across this website/blog while helping a friend search for a graphic design job and thought I would share it here!  http://www.graphicdesignjobsandleads.com/

Some of my favorite stores!!

Department Stores

Belk

Macy's

Sears

Target

Toys R Us

Wal-Mart

Kmart

Thrift Stores

Childrens Orchard

Kid to Kid

Once Upon a Child

Plato's Closet

The Scrap Exchange

Shopping Online 

eBay

Lemon Bundt Cake With Glaze

Cake:

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup butter
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup lemon juice
* 5 eggs
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2/3 cup milk


Glaze:
* 1 cup confectioners' sugar
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice

PREPARATION:
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the 1/3 cup lemon juice until well blended. Bet in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add the flour mixture to the first mixture, a little at a time, alternating with the milk. Pour batter into a greased 12-cup Bundt cake pan. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched with a finger. Also, cake will slightly pull away from sides of pan. Cool for 5 minutes in the pan; invert and cool completely on a rack.
Glaze:
Blend confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth; drizzle over the cake.

Bourbon Chicken

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce

Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.
Remove chicken.
Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium Heat until well mixed and dissolved.
Add chicken and bring to a hard boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Thanks, Maggi for the recipe!  This recipe is an absolute MUST!!!

Do you need wedding ideas????

I have found a lot of wedding books with lots of ideas! If you are looking to save money, or make favors yourself, etc. I have added their ISBN numbers to make things a bit easier!

PLANNING

How To Plan An Elegant Wedding In 6 Months Or Less
by Sharon Naylor
0-7615-2824-5

1,001 Ways to Save Money and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding (Updated 3rd Edition)
by Sharon Naylor
978-0-07-161145-9

Priceless Weddings for Under $5,000
by Kathleen Kennedy
0-609-80460-x

1,000 Best Wedding Bargains
by Sharon Naylor
1-4022-0298-9

The Bargaining Bride
by Shirit Kronzon, Ph.D. & Andrew Ward, Ph.D.
1-56414-798-3

DOING IT YOURSELF

the DIY Wedding
by Kelly Bare
978-0-8118-5784-0

Crafting a Dream Wedding

by Susan Cousineau
1-58180-644-2

Romantic Weddings
by Rebekah Meier
1-55870-718-2

Calligraphy in Ten Easy Lessons
second revised edition)
by Elanor Winters and Laurie E. Lico
0-486-41804-9

Glorious Ribbons
by Christine Kingdom
0-8019-8485-8

Wedding Flowers Made Simple
by Stephen Roberts
0-8230-5707-0

Beautiful Bridal Accessories You Can Make
by Jacquelynne Johnson
1-55870-624-0

Cater Your Own Wedding
by Michael Flowers & Donna Bankhead
1-56414-819-X

TRADITIONS

A Bride's Book of Wedding Traditions
by Arlene Hamilton Stewart
0-688-12768-1

FLOWERS

Wedding Flowers
by Paula Pryke
0-8478-2581-7

MUSIC

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Music

with free cd and lyrics

by weddingsolutions.com
1-887169-45-8

Are you getting married in North Carolina??

I am presently planning my wedding and have been searching venues, caterers, photographers, florists, etc. I will post each category as I come across them along with their contact information and websites. I will try to post some photos as well.
Thanks for sharing this special time with me as I hope to help by taking some stress off many brides-to-be!

Congratulations,
Tammy

Have you seen these flip flops yet??

The topsies website offers men, women, and baby flip flops, but these are not the flip flops we grew up with! Check out these photos:









Check out their website at: http://www.topsiesonline.com/ to purchase yours now!

If you like books then now is the time to buy!

Bookcloseouts.com is having a major sale! Their humor category is now 80% off, House & Home category is now 75% off and their new Disney category is 50-80% off! Click here to visit their website!

Here is an example:

$100 to $1,000 Makeovers: Maximizing Your Decorating Dollars (Trading Spaces)

List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $3.99 (80% OFF)

Old Navy - $1.00 Flip Flops - Today ONLY!

If you want flip flops then now is the time to run out and get some! Old Navy is allowing 5 pairs per customer so hurry up and go get some! Time is running out since the sale ends TODAY!!

Maternity Clothes

Maternity Clothes

RALEIGH

Cravings - a maternity boutique
http://www.cravingsmaternity.com
North Hills Shopping Center
Raleigh, NC
919-510-8773



DURHAM

Belly Blossom
http://www.bellyblossom.com
5850 Fayetteville Rd
Durham, NC 27713
919-484-0333

Looking for a Children's Photographer? Look no further!

Here is a list of photographers that are local to the Raleigh, NC area.
Be sure to let them know you found them on Today's Craze!!


Burnie Batchelor Studio, Inc
http://www.burniebatchelorstudio.com
919-833-7527

Dara Blakeley Photography
http://www.darablakeley.com
919-469-2532

Elizabeth Galecke Photography - "Life Isn't Perfect, It's Real!"
http://www.elizabethgalecke.com
Specializes in maternity, children, day in the life
919-785-0620

Evolve Studio - "The Art of Your Life"
Artistic Lifestyle Photography
http://www.evolvestudiophoto.com
919-740-4614

Leah Charbonneau Photography
http://www.leahcphotography.com
919-427-7053

Season Moore Photography
lifestyle portrait photography
http://www.seasonmoorephotography.com
baby, child, family, birth
919-341-0190

Tamara Lackey Photography
http://www.tamaralackey.com
919-484-8000

TAMMY WINGO Photography
http://www.tammywingo.com
maternity, babies, children and family
919-363-6318

Val Stone Photography
creative custom potraiture
Specializing in maternity, newborns, babies and children
http://www.valstonephotography.com
indoor and outdoor studio
on location or in your home
formerly Val Godwin Photography

Walters + Walters
"Remember the Magic of Childhood"
http://www.waltersandwalters.com

Zeb Starnes Creative Photography
http://www.zebstarnes.com
Specializes in maternity, babies, children and families
919-477-6751

Children's Clothes

Here are a BUNCH of companies local to the Raleigh/Durham area that specialize in children's wear, bedding, etc! Let them know you found them on Today's Craze!

APEX

Little Tomo Children's Shoppe
Unique Clothing, toys, gifts and accessories for children ages newborn to eight!
http://www.littletomo.com
225 North Salem St, Suite 100
Apex, NC 27502
919-362-4560

FUQUAY-VARINA

Padoodles
Trend setting fashions, gifts and accessories
http://www.padoodles.com a
508 E Broad St
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
919-342-4639

RALEIGH

Moxie Kids
http://www.moxiekidsonline.com
Contemporary clothes, shoes and gear for boys and girls newborn to 8.
Cameron Village
2026 Cameron Street
Raleigh, NC 3348

Smartmomma
http://www.smartmomma.com
Children's apparel, strollers, carseats, infant bedding, gifts, accessories, nursery furniture, carriers and diaper bags.
Stonehenge Shopping Center
7420 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
919-847-0024

Looking for Great Bargains???

Well, then look no further! I came across a great website that offers some great deals straight from the manufacturer. The only thing different about this site is they only offer one item at a time to the public. This was you get a great deal! Go to http://www.mamabargains.com to see for yourself! If you don't see something you like then wait until the current item sells out and the site will update with its next item for sale!

Sprint Service Issues... Anyone Else?

I have an account for my cell phone provided through Sprint. For the last week I have noticed that when I try to make a call that the phone is in roaming mode. Is this happening to anyone else?

Ollie's is Celebrating its Grand Opening!

Ollie's just opened here in Cary, NC a few weeks ago and I have to say they offer some really good deals! If you haven't checked them out yet go to their website and to see for yourself! Ollie's website contains weekly ads, store hours and locations.
Their website is: http://www.olliesbargainoutlet.com.