got s.w.a.g.

Got milk? Ya. Me neither. Lactose intolerant.

But I got SWAG! Yep. Just returned from my SNAP! Blogging Conference on Sunday night. And let me tell you, friends… I got seriously “SWAGGED”. Yes ma’am!! Now, like me, you may lie awake at night, tossing and turning, wondering to yourself; “But what IS “SWAG”, actually?” Hmmm… I started playing around with the letters in my brain. Wait. Think I’ve got it. “Sweet Widdle Assorted Goodies & Givaways”. Ya. That sounds right. Nope. In reality, it means “Stuff We All Get”. Really? Wow. That is seriously b-o-r-i-n-g. Liked mine way better.

It will take several blog posts to tell you EVERYTHING about my incredible time in Salt Lake City. Truth be told; I am still slowly p-r-o-c-e-s-s-i-n-g all that I learned and experienced. Yep. It’s gonna take awhile, friends. There were “secret sisters” (another blog altogether!) and door decorating contests; “pajama parties” and “prom night”. We had AMAZING keynote speakers, sponsors and entertainment. The classes to select from were so wonderful that I found myself torn between “this one or that one” many times over. My only option…”eenie-meenie-miney-moe“. From the word “go”; it was truly a feast for the senses. Rooms set up like your favorite Pinterest boards come to life; detailed delights and surprises around every corner. And just to be surrounded by so much creative energy… Wow. I’ve just gotta say it again… WOW. Absolutely amazing, really. My brain is on super-duper serious overload. For the time being, I can only process SWAG.

To be continued…

A great big THANK YOU to ALL of our sponsors…

The Home Depot, Cricut, Miniwax, Duck Tape, Rust-Oleum, baby lock, RYOBI, Cents of Style, Elmers, World Market, Darice, Scotch, Jo-Ann, Homes.com, Thompson’s Water Seal, Simplicity, Sizzi, DecoArt, Moen, Gorilla, Charmed Collections, Lollipics, DohVinci, DCWV, Modern masters, hometaslk, Tough Press, IKEA, O’Keeffe’s Company, ruffle fabrics, Sweet!, Pick Your Plum, inlinkz, Wacom, Atly, American Crafts, The Ribbon Retreat, Art Gallery, Pollinate, WEAVE, Persnickety Prints…

off to SNAP!

4 / 23 / 14

http://www.pinterest.com/poeticwanderlust — Source: Tracy Porter poetic wanderlust

So it’s time. The “to-do” list is checked off, my bags are packed and it’s time to head to Salt Lake City for the SNAP! Conference. (lies, lies, lies. My “to-do” list is MILES from being completed, and I haven’t even touched my suitcase. I’ve got less than 24 hours as I write this post. Ya. Whatever.)

http://anightowlblog.com — Source: A Night Owl

So you’re wondering. What is SNAP!, exactly. Well, in all honesty… this is my first SNAP! Conference. But here’s my guess… Think “creative thinkers” meet “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” meet “middle school slumber party with your (new) BFF’s.” Ya. That’s a lot, isn’t it. Can’t wait!! We have “secret sister’s” and we bring “roomie gifts” ( Check out Kimberly, from “A Night Owl“). And, of course, there’s a slumber party and a door decorating contest! (Yes. I am 52.) Oh ya… and classes. Two and a half days of great classes!! Should be a BLAST!

Still wondering? Alrighty. Here is a direct quote from the official SNAP! site…

“Welcome to SNAP, where you’ll find creativity at your fingertips. There is something a bit different about being a creative blogger…Instead of dissecting life and examining the pieces like many online writers, we’re busy dreaming, sharing and building things up. We inspire one another and when we connect in ways that comfort and sustain, it is something truly extraordinary.

That is why we launched SNAP – a community where imaginative bloggers can come together; learn from one another and walk away invigorated.
The hallmark of this community? A three-day conference April 24-26, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah,targeting the best bloggers representing modern handmade, contemporary craft, mind-blowing events and DIY.
Take a step away from your busy life and join us for lots of laughter, hugging and replenishment. You’ll walk away with a stronger sense of community, enhanced skills and an even greater sense of self.”

Little-America-Hotel-Salt-Lake-City — Little America Hotel & Conference Center – Salt Lake City, Utah

So I’m sorry to have to say this, but I’m gonna have to give you a little break on the ole’ blogs here for a short time. (Suddenly, out of nowhere, she heard inconsolable weeping…) But no worries. I’ll be back in no time. (wink, wink!) Dawn (Joyful Scribblings) and I are gonna do our best to throw things on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… as we go along. Otherwise, we will just catch up when I return!!

live happy… Cathy

joyful scribblings

4 / 22 / 14

About a year ago, I stumbled across the blog of a gal named Dawn. “Joyful Scribblings“. I like it. She made a nice comment on one of my blogposts, so I went to her blog to “check her out”. (No. I’m not a creeper. That’s what bloggers do with other bloggers!) In the process, I stumbled across a “few” similarities… Married with a son and a daughter, an SUV and a brown 2 story house “in the suburbs”. A dog person with a sweet tooth and a frequent shopper at Ann Taylor Loft, Trader Joe’s and Target. OK. Nothing earth shattering so far. But then it went a little deeper. Self described as “a dreamer, a list maker, a person who is passionate about collecting ideas. All with a touch of sarcasm…“?? Oh my. She was describing ME! She went on to list two things that are on my “bucket list” that most people don’t even know about me… I would love to play the drums (yes. really.) and I dream of publishing a book of my writings someday. OK, Dawn. Whoever and wherever you are; You had me at “Hello”.

I immediately called my mom to inquire about the day of my birth. Is it possible that I might actually have a twin sister somewhere out there that someone just forgot to mention…? I told my mom that somehow, somewhere; I would meet this ~~obviously~~ “wonderful, amazing, All-American” blogger… named Dawn.

Several weeks later, I got an email request to participate in a group blogpost “Lazy Days and BBQ’s” from another blogger that I had never met. I was invited to come in as the resident “expert” (teehee!) on entertaining/table settings. That bloggers name? Yep. It was Dawn. Don’t believe in fate? Fair enough. Read on.

In the world of blogging, one of the really fun things is getting to “meet” people online that live hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away. I was excited to know where I was headed if I wanted to meet this new friend of mine at some point. As it ends up, this get together wasn’t going to cost much in the way of travel miles. Dawn lives less than five miles from my house…!! Ha! But wait! There’s more. Our daughters share the same first name. Our sons share the same middle name. And her son’s first name is what we were going to name our daughter when we thought she was a boy! Ha! And it just continues on and on from there. Some of our extended family similarities would blow your mind…

So we eventually met at a Starbucks to discuss the details of our “group blog”. Soon after, we decided to go to a “Blogging Conference” together in Chicago. The conference took place in July, and although we had only known each other for a couple of months, everyone thought we had been friends forever. Many even thought we were related! Too funny! One year later; we are great friends! We have lunch, we go on “double dates” with the hubbies, we share stories and problems and challenges, and we talk and text more than we probably should. We both love photography, food, crafting, the beach and have wonderful hubbies. We are a lot alike, but at the same time very different. Almost like the “yin and the yang” of the same person!

So off we go... Heading to Salt Lake City this week for another blogging conference. SNAP! (Talked about this conference in a recent blog called “creative thinking“) Both Dawn and I are really looking forward to going. It looks like a GREAT group of bloggers that will be there!! Our “peeps”!! Last year we (somehow) ended up taking matching Martha Stewart turquoise leather notebooks. Not kidding. This year?? I’m thinking maybe matching “Hello Kitty” lunch boxes…

So without further adieu; my friend, Dawn… “Although I consider myself ordinary, I’ve always believed I was meant to do and experience great things. We all are because we were created. I sometimes overlook the simple abundance and possibilities which surround me because I get caught up in the treadmill of life. My intention for creating this blog is to find the joy in the everyday. Joy is something you feel from within and makes your heart smile. Outward circumstances can’t affect it unlike happiness. I hope you find joy from within and follow your passions.”

Please hop over and check her out at Joyful Scribblings…

children are like kites

4 / 21 / 14

Morning came early today. And it’s Monday. Not just any Monday, though. It’s the first Monday of (yet another) brand new chapter in my life. I’m not even sure what to call this chapter just yet. And I’m not really sure how I feel about it either. Love it? Hate it? At the end of the day, probably a mixture of both.

My daughter left this morning on an early flight to the east coast. For business. After four weeks of training, this is her first official business trip. Of many! Wow. My arm felt like lead as I tried to wave goodbye. Her tail lights burned through the darkness, and then disappeared. Turning to come back inside, I saw “it”. THE poem. It has been on our refrigerator for a hundred years (give or take). I have shared this poem with many over the years. Mostly requested by other moms. When we got a new refrigerator we moved the old refrigerator out to the garage. The poem stayed intact. It’s funny though. I am in and out of the garage a million times a day, but never really “see” the poem. It’s just there as part of the refrigerator, I guess. But not this morning. No. This morning it was different. It was as if “THE poem” was covered in flashing neon lights, bells a’ringin… I stopped dead in my tracks to read it.

The garage door slammed shut. I felt the darkness all around me. It was quiet. So very, very quiet. The hum of the refrigerator seemed almost deafening. She is officially all grown up. Out the door and off to new adventures, challenges, experiences. It’s a solo flight for her; realistically and figuratively. Flights, rental cars, hotels… The real world; the unknown. Is she ready for everything? Definitely. She is a strong, smart, confident young woman who can handle anything. To say that I am proud – Well, that barely even scratches the surface of how I feel. Yes. I am VERY, VERY PROUD…!! But I am also a little sad. For me, not her. I am just not very good at this whole “letting go” thing. At all.

But… her time has come. “Time to soar, as she was meant to soar, free and ALONE. My job is done.”

“Children Are Like Kites”

“I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you’re both breathless.
They crash.
They hit the rooftop.
You patch and comfort. You adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they will fly.
Finally they are airborne…
They need more string and you keep letting it out.
But with each twist of the ball of twine,
there is a sadness that goes with the joy.
The kite becomes more distant,
and you know it won’t be long before that string will snap and the lifeline that holds you two together will no longer be the same.
A child, as a kite, must be prepared to soar, as they were meant to soar, free and alone, to the greatest extent possible.
And only then can we collectively say that we have done our job.”

– Author unknown

the “infamous” Easter cookies…

4 / 17 / 14

Carrots, bunnies, baby chicks, flowers, ducks…

So yesterday I talked about my nostalgic Easter memories, and mentioned our yummy Easter sugar cookies that we were, well… not to brag, but we were kinda known for…

Went searching for a good pic of them today, but was only able to get a so-so picture. That’s ok with me though. Considering the state of ~~complete and utter chaos~~ “slight disorganization” my photos are in… finding ANY picture with a cookie in it was nothing short of an Easter miracle. So enjoy it. Please. It did NOT come easy. Here’s the good news though. Actually, TWO parts to the whole good news thingie. First of all, I’m sharing our recipe with you; or should I say – Betty Crocker is sharing her recipe with you. It is actually from her “Cooky Book” (1963 – Page 18)! Ya – Vintage stuff!!

Mary’s Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Cream sugar and butter together. Add egg and flavorings, mix thoroughly. Stir dry ingredients together and mix in. Refrigerate 2-3 hours. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough in half and roll 3/16″ thick on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutter and bake on parchment paper on baking sheet for 6-8 minutes or until delicately golden. (Makes 4 dozen 3″ cookies) ** After cooling, we liked to frost with a buttercream icing before ~~heavily~~ decorating with sprinkles!!

The second bit of good news? It’s Throwback Thursday & as I was frantically searching for the elusive “Easter sugar cookie pic” – I came across these treasures. Awww… So cute!! My kids are gonna love me for this one (wink, wink…) xo

creative thinking

4 / 9 / 14

Creative thinking. That’s what I was thinking about today. Ya – Pretty much all day. Now I should have been thinking about dusting. My house ~~really~~ needs it. But there is always time to dust. Later. Back to the creative thinking… This is a subject that I think I could go on and on ~~and on~~ about… but I am really gonna try and make this a quick post. No really… Don’t worry though, we will revisit this subject again. And again. So my friend, Dawn (@ Joyful Scribblings – check out her blog!), and I are going to another blogging conference (SNAP!) in two weeks. This particular conference is geared towards more creative thinkers; people who blog about the things that I am passionate about. Photography, Food & Entertaining, DIY (Do It Yourself)/Crafting… love, Love, LOVE! So we are participating in some of the fun & creative “extras” at the conference – One of them being a “decorate your door” contest! That brings me to the task at hand for today… finding some of the goodies for our door, as well as other supplies for the conference. OK. So I try to go into crafting places like Michael’s, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, with a plan. Maybe even a list. But I seem to subconsciously check all of that at the door somehow. My soul is suddenly filled with the hope and promise of possibility thinking. Ideas flow through my veins at an almost overwhelming pace. “I could do this. Or that. Or this and that and…”. Right. You get my point.

Truth is, creativity is a huge part of my life. Not just in what I do, but in who I am. It affects my actions, thoughts, decisions. It permeates my photography, my cooking, my decorating. It is why my dining room chairs are mismatched (on purpose) and I hate to iron. Or dust. It is deeply woven into my relationships, how I make friends, how I raised my kids. It is why I have trouble focusing; why my “to do” list never shrinks. It is me. Or, a (very big) part of me, anyway.

So I stumbled across an article tonight, from The Huffington Post, entitled “18 Things Highly Creative People Do Differently“. Here were a few of the things they listed:

They view all of life as an opportunity for self-expression.
They surround themselves with beauty.
They get out of their own heads.
They follow their true passions
They lose track of the time.
They constantly shake things up.

Found the article to be quite interesting, really. Kinda, sorta made me feel validated, in a way. Like something on paper; in print. Something they have officially “studied“… Nice. We’re always looking for answers, explanations, excuses (?) aren’t we. I’m a Taurus, so I’m stubborn. I’m the oldest child, so I’m ~~bossy~~ responsible. Yadda, yadda, yadda. So tonight my brain is absolutely exhausted from all this creative thinking. Doggonit. No time to dust. It will simply have to wait until tomorrow.

“And then she remembered something very important… She was not bothered by dust. She was, after all, creative.” the end

“50 shades of grey” cooking

4 / 3 / 14

food is fun Cooking is one of those things that seems, at first, to be pretty black and white. You either love to cook, or you don’t. However… After much deep thought, I have come to the conclusion that most of us are actually quite grey on this matter. On one extreme we have the “food network” gurus, restaurant chefs, food bloggers… At the other end we have the folks who still have the factory tape sealing their oven door, as well as telephone numbers for every local take out on their speed dial. Where does that leave the rest of us? Some shade of grey. So – where do you fall?

Personally – I really enjoy cooking; provided I am not rushed. Cooking, for me, is an act of love. I am focused on the person, or persons, for whom I am cooking. I want to be in the moment and enjoy the entire process. A little music, a little wine… (RELAX! I’m talking about dinner! Mimosas are for making breakfast, silly!!)

OK – CONFESSION: I do not clean up as I go. Yep. It’s true. I make a MESS!! None of this cooking show stuff where everything is premeasured in little bowls and things get cleaned up during the commercial break. When I am done cooking, there isn’t an inch of (clean) counter space anywhere!! The good news? I have acquired quite a collection of happy little aprons. (They keep the food from getting stuck in my sequin dress while I’m cooking – wink, wink) Hey. What can I say. Creativity is messy!

I love to read cookbooks and try new recipes that intrigue me. I recently purged ~~rather unsuccessfully~~, however – so I’m down from “a lot” to…say… something less than “a lot”? OK – Lies. I still have a lot.

Some are stacked decoratively, some are stashed inconspicuously… but they are all scattered about. Here and there. To and fro. They are a part of me; they illicit memories and provide inspiration. One of the ~~weird~~ things that I really enjoy is the challenge of creating a meal with what I have on hand. Lucky for me, my family LOVES (most) food, and they support my creative culinary experimentation. They accept the fact that some dishes are going to be amazing, and others… well… not so much.

So if you are feeling a little “light grey”… perhaps it’s time to just throw caution to the wind and experiment a bit. You DO have an inner creative self. Everyone does. Don’t be afraid to go there. Baby steps. Fall in love with a beautiful new cookbook. Take a “hands on” cooking class. Watch (my fav show) “The Chew”. Peruse Pinterest boards for inspiration. There are NO RULES… Just. Have. Fun.

creatively comforting

12 / 13 / 13

There are days when we are just not meant to go outside. This morning seemed like one of them.

Around 8:30 AM, my daughter let the dogs out for their morning potty. The steps to the front porch and the sidewalk were a solid sheet of ice. One of the dogs could not make it back up the two brick steps of the front porch, so my daughter ventured out, slowly and cautiously, to attempt a rescue. In the process, she managed to strain every muscle in her back and arms attempting NOT to fall! OUCH! We decided, at that point, that the second dog was on her own to ~~make it~~ skate back inside. We stood at the door and watched her, opening the door every 30 seconds or so, to holler ~~HURRY UP!~~ words of encouragement… It was at this point that my neighbors garage door across the street went up. He started backing up, in a straight line, as one would normally do. As his tires hit the driveway, however, we watched, in slow motion, as his car proceeded to slide down the driveway sideways, half on the driveway, half in the front yard… landing in the street, facing the wrong way. It was at this point that I made the decision to forego my morning plans of a trip to the grocery store for dinner. Nope. I would simply make some sort of (delicious) concoction out of what we had on hand. Let those creative juices flow, baby….

About an hour later, I went to the refrigerator to evaluate what I had to work with here. Now those of you who know me well know that I really do love this game. I love the challenge of taking what I have leftover and making it into something. Edible. The problem comes in when you try to play this game two nights in a row. Last night I made some pasta and used up the chicken breasts and the last of the kale… so they were no longer options. I stood there for quite awhile… pondering the “hodge-podge” of what was left in the refrigerator. We had the last of a honey bake ham, leftover whole wheat pasta from last night, a bit of chicken broth, 2 avocados and some carrots. Hmmm…

My daughter and I eat dairy free, so creamy sauces are usually a no-no. However… there is more than one way to skin a cat – Right? (Just realized what a horrible saying that is! Ewww…! Who made that up; and why??) So the avocados went into the food processor along with a little chicken broth and a splash of dairy free milk. Voila – dairy free “creamy sauce”. I cut the remaining ham into small pieces, tossed in a large bowl along with the leftover pasta, the avocado sauce and a jar of one of my very favorite “staples” from Trader Joe’s, the tomato Bruschetta. Now it was time for a little taste test. The result? Creamy and delicious!! Definitely a “thumbs up”!!! Did you think that I forgot about the carrots? Didn’t. I’m going to oven roast those with a little garlic and rosemary when we are warming up the pasta tonight. (Don’t you just LOVE the smell of garlic??)

Good news: As it ends up, the perfect “comfort food” kinda meal for an icy cold winter day… We are gonna snuggle in for a toasty night by the fire with a glass of red wine and a movie classic… Either “White Christmas” or “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Bad news: Tonight’s weather update – It’s supposed to start snowing here soon, and continue through most of the night. (More) Bad news: After two nights in a row of “creative refrigerator concoctions”, we are down to 4 eggs, almond butter, hummus and half of an apple. Let’s face it – If we get snowed in… we’re screwed.

why do I blog?

9 / 19 / 13

Welcome to Post #100, friends!

The obvious question, at such a pivotal, historic moment; what to blog about? I pondered the possibilities. And then I pondered some more. At the end of the day, however, the answer seemed obvious. It simply must be the answer to YOUR burning question. “WHY (the heck) do you (I) blog…?”

This is a question that I am often asked by people who do not blog. Or even know what a blog really IS! According to the Merrium-Webster Dictionary; “blog” is defined as follows: “A web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences”. So there it is. Pretty simple concept. But that is merely the definition. I still have not told you WHY I blog. There are several reasons. Pull up a seat, friends, and get comfortable…

Blogging is really not that different than someone who journals with pen and paper in a pretty little book that is safely tucked away in their nightstand. The only real difference, basically, is the fact that Bloggers choose to share their “journal” with the world! Or, at a minimum, anyone who will listen! Blogging is very much a creative outlet for me. A way to share, with you, my daily life experiences – my passions, joys, triumphs… and even my sorrows. Blogging keeps me present in the moment(s). MY moments… MY life… I journey through my day with a heightened sense of awareness as to what is happening all around me. Every experience has the possibility of becoming part of a blog. A beautiful sunset, an event that moved me to tears, a conversation with a ~~stranger~~ new friend in the grocery checkout lane, a mouthwatering dish at a favorite restaurant… So often I find myself pausing to take in the moment, rather than rushing right through it. Affirming gratitude in my daily life. And this is good.

In the “blogging world” there are people who blog about absolutely EVERYTHING!!! I am, apparently, what is referred to as a “lifestyle blogger“. Basically, I am random and don’t fit into any specific “categories”. Ya. OK. I’m good with that. That is who I am. My blog is “live happy“. Definition: I blog about family & food; creativity & cocktails; homemade & humor; motherhood & marriage; parties & procrastination; girlfriends & gratitude; London & laughter…

To put it simply – blogging about my life makes me happy. And having people follow my blogs, like my blog posts or comment…? Ahhhh….. Very, very happy!!! My goal is to share a little piece of my world with you, in the hopes that we will connect. And I so hope that we do.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

fancypants biscotti

9 / 10 / 13

Three reasons why I am lovin’ on this particular biscotti recipe… #1 Plain & simple –I LOVE biscotti; Especially with a good cuppa joe #2 This recipe is DAIRY FREE – Yay! Great news for my daughter and me (Grammatically correct… but it just doesn’t sound right!) #3 This recipe reminds me of those chocolate dipped, super hard and crunchy, biscotti that you buy at those fancypants coffee shops!!! Yep – Three really good reasons to give this recipe a whirl!! SO YUMMY, and very simple! Really!!!

I think people are put off by most biscotti recipes because they have multiple steps. So what. It really isn’t complicated, and it is so worth it when you are sitting down with a steaming hot cup of coffee and a delicious, crunchy, chocolate dipped biscotti that you made yourself!! C’mon friends – let’s do it…

Crunchy Biscotti

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla

¼ t. almond extract

2 c. flour

7/8 c. sugar

1 t. baking soda

Dash of salt

¾ c. toasted whole almonds, coarsely chopped

3 oz. semisweet or dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and almond extract. In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in egg mixture until blended. Mix in almonds; divide dough in half.

On a greased & floured baking sheet, pat out dough into two logs about 1/2” thick, 1½” wide and 12” long. Space them about 2” apart. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 50 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer logs from the baking sheet to a cooling rack for about 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees.

After cooling, place logs on a cutting board. With a serrated knife slice diagonally at a 45 degree angle into 1/2” thick slices. Lay the cut slices flat on the baking sheets and return to oven for another 20-25 minutes, or until toasted – Turning them over halfway through to dry the other side.

Place chocolate in a (dry!) microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium for approx. 2 minutes; until chocolate melts. Stir to blend out any lumpy bits, and spread over entire surface of cookies. When you’re completely done, lick any remaining chocolate off the spatula (required step) !! Let cool at room temp until set (or speed up a bit with a quick visit to the fridge!) Store in a tightly covered container. (Although they won’t last long!!)

URBAN DICTIONARY (def) “fancypants”: Sophisticated or impressive. See “posh” (very classy or sophisticated)

Oh ya. These crunchy, chocolatey biscotti are ALL THAT.. and more. And they are (GULP!) HOMEMADE… by you!! Go ahead; Impress your (oh so hard to impress) friends. And Dahling… be sure to serve your coffee in the “fancy” coffee cups.

live happy