Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thanks to So Many, a Christmas Card, Yummy Cherry Dessert, and Oh, My! What a Sunset!

Good evening, everyone!

Well, ladies...I have very few brain cells today! The bug that was trying to bite me yesterday bit HARD! I'm mostly just really tired and muddle-headed--not good for a busy mom! Hope those of you that I know are ill are starting to feel better--wish I could brew up some of my Mom's hot honey-lemon drink for all of us while we sat and visited with a huge box of tissues nearby!

So many things to share today--we'll start off with some thanks, and then we'll end with more...how's that? First off--thanks to two very dear blogging friends, who become more dear each day as thoughts and images are shared...Julie Ranae of Julie's Open Window, and Anne of Anne-ecdotes, have both presented me with this colorful, cheerful award:

Julie presented me with this yesterday, and Anne today--thank-you both, ladies! I'm so honored that you thought of me! Going along with this award, we are to tell you 5 things that you may not know about me...here goes:


1. I LOVE history, as well as family history, and have been in love with both since I was a young girl.

2. I love to bake! Okay, this may not be such an unknown fact! I love finding new recipes, especially old family ones.

3. I love Old England and New England--they are my two favorite places on Earth! I was born in Boston, so I'm prejudiced, I suppose!

4. I love listening to classical music while I stamp--helps me think better and I love the atmosphere it creates. My kids love it, too (along with all the other kinds of music teenagers like!), which makes me happy!

5. My favorite thing to do when I have free time is to sit and watch one of my favorite period dramas (think "Pride and Prejudice", "Wuthering Heights", etc.), and I love to introduce them to my daughters, and help them to learn an appreciation for these wonderful old stories in a new way.

Well, that's all I could come up with today! (Hope you're still with me--that was long!)

I'd like to now present this around to 5 new friends: I was already going to present it to Anne, so here's a repeat award! Marie (oh, my! You've got to check out her blog--she's such an amazing cook, and just her pictures, descriptions and recipes make me want to whip up each and everything she posts about!), Darlene, Charlene, and Deb. Gosh! This is really hard to do when there are so many that I'd love to include!

Thanks again, ladies!

Now, for a Christmas card--I kind of forced myself to make this today--trying to get myself out of my slumpiness, so I'm not sure if I love it, but....I basically wanted to do this to use my new Martha Stewart snowy village edge punch--isn't it wonderful?!

Sorry the pictures aren't the best--we've been really gloomy here the last couple of days--no good sunlight! This beautiful Santa image is from Crafty Secrets' "Christmas" Images & Journal Notes booklet--love it!

I glittered up the tiny village with chunky Martha Stewart glitter, then diamond glitter, and a bit of German gold glass glitter on the edge, and apparently everywhere else! Glitter does have a mind of it's own, you know!


Moving on...are you hungry yet??? My kids wanted to take something sweet to their youth group at church tonight, so I did a very SIMPLE family favorite: Yummy Cherry Dessert!


This is from my mother-in-law, Shirley Campbell. She made a couple of family cookbooks a number of years ago, which I'm so grateful for! This is a favorite I fall back on time and time again, and it never disappoints! I've had people request it when they know they're coming over, so....it's good! Here's the recipe:


YUMMY CHERRY DESSERT


2 cans cherry pie filling

1 box white or yellow cake mix

1 stick butter, melted


So simple! Just pour the cherry pie filling in the bottom of a 9"x13" pan--I never need to grease it. Pour the cake mix on top of the cherries, making sure everything is covered nice and thick! Then, with a spoon, put the melted butter all over the cake mix, until there's a bit of buttery goodness just about everywhere! Bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour.


That's it! I usually whip up some whipped cream for this--ice cream is wonderful, too! Enjoy!

Now to end with more thanks...to Charlene of My Heart's Ease for so kindly and surprisingly featuring me on her blog tonight. Such nice things were said, and I was very touched...thank-you so much, Charlene! Her blog is another wonderful place to stop awhile and visit--always filled with beauty and sweetness. Go soon and say hello!

This crafting blog world is such a beautiful place! I have met so many generous-hearted, loving women over the last few months--I'm very grateful to you all for touching my life as you have. Thank-you, all!


I'm so thankful for the men and women who have served this country and given us the freedoms we enjoy today. Those that are fighting this very day, and those that have fought for us throughout all the past generations...we would not be who we are today if not for them and their service and sacrifice...Thank-you.

Last of all, I'm so thankful to God for this beautiful earth and the glorious sunset tonight--WOW! I'll just leave you with these images, and wish you all a good night and sweet dreams....and I'll see you all tomorrow!



29 comments:

  1. Aww Julie thank you so much for my award and your kind comments. You are so very generous. x x x
    What a lovely post - stunning creations (as always) and another yummy recipe, things to reflect on and some more beautiful blogs to visit - thank you.
    I too just LOVE the crafting blogging world, such lovely people and such talent to discover, and how amazing that they are all available at the touch of a button - marvellous!
    Bye for now. xxx Anne xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think your blinkie "Just add glitter and stir" Is very appropriate for this post!!

    I end up stiring glitter into my custard, the cereals and the kids juice cups!!
    Boy does it get everywhere...still all good fun huh?
    Love Ruth xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Those sunset photos are just beautiful! And the cherry desert looks so yummy :)

    Rose

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aaawww thanks Julie for the award! I think YOU have one of the best blogs around!! I will post the award with great honor!

    I feel so bad you are not feeling well. I wish I were closer and could lend you a hand! Get well soon! I can't believe you rummaged up the strength to make this awesome cherry dessert ... cherry is my FAVORITE and I will be making this dessert soon.

    Your card is beautiful and the photo amazing! Yes, God is Good and blesses us each day in one way or another. Today he has blessed me with your friendship and I thank him for that! Take care ... get rest and feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW Julie, a two day double hitter. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Julie,
    I linked my way over from Ticking and Toile so wanted to say hi. Glad to see you’re on the mend, so far knock on wood I’ve been healthy this season. Nice blog!
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your Santa card, Julie! Santa flying over the glittery, snowy village - so picturesque, and you can never go wrong with plaid!

    I make that cherry dessert too, 'cept I put a can of crushed pineapple in with the cherries and chopped, buttered pecans in with the topping. As my kids like to say, "Try it - you'll like it!" :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh no, Julie dear, I'm truly sorry to hear that you've been struck ill. I hope that the nasty bug packs up and jumps ship right away, and that you'll soon be on the mend.

    Thinking of you & sending endless healing hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  9. I tell you girl you are amazing. Feeling down and still producing amazing cards and goodies to boot. Love the sunset pics...we have some amazing ones in Sacramento too. Your right GOD is so good and the nature around us is such evidence of his creation.
    My nephew is in afganistan right now fighting for what he believes and protecting our freedom!

    Hugs,
    Pammyjo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely post, Julie, as always! I'm glad you're starting to feel better. That card is so adorable and clever - Santa flying over the glistening village - LOVE IT! And... I was amazed to see yesterday that Texas Sheet Cake comes in white!! I'll have to try it, although the urge to add chocolate may be overwhelming (the chocolate version is an absolute staple at our July 4th celebrations!) TFS!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hope day 3 finds you feeling maybe a bit better...it's universal right now, isn't it?

    How can you not thank our creator for that fabulous sunset!

    What a lucky youth group...I used to make something similar which became known in my family as 'Julie's cobbler' Bless my grandma who used to call on me at least once a year because "I just can't find that recipe".

    The card is beautiful and I MUST add that Snow Village punch to MY collection!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very beautiful card! All that shimmery, sparkly glitter is so eye catching! Cuuute punch! :) TFS

    ReplyDelete
  13. love the card and that cherry dessert looks yum! Gorgeous pics as well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. OH Julie! Thanks so much for the gift! I'll have to do some thinking about me before tomorrow's post! :D

    Keep fighting that bug off!!

    What a beautiful sunset! I miss good sunsets in the winter. With the mountains right here...the sun is gone so early in the day that it's rarely pretty this time of the year. But we have good ones in the summer! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, that must be the easiest cake ever! :-)
    It's all beautiful, Julie, cake, card, sunsets, sentiments for our military men and women who keep us safe.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congratulations on your award! How sweet!!! But I was stopped short when I saw the recipe & photo for cherry dessert. Now I can't wait to taste this! Sooooooo delicious! And your Christmas card is absolutely lovely! Thanks for sharing and, finally, since you were born in Boston, I must tell you that my grandson is a student at Harvard and will graduate in May!

    ReplyDelete
  17. congrats on your blog awards. they are so deserved. your blog is so warm and hospitable. i would love to join you for a hot drink, sweet treat, and crafty time.

    everything looks lovely. the martha stamp is too cool! how did i miss that at my almost daily trips to michaels! LOL beautiful.

    xo
    elyse

    ReplyDelete
  18. wow so much goodness here today Julie! Despite you're not feeling very well! I do hope you feel better soon. Lemon and Ginger tea would do you good. Just steep the peel of half a lemon plus the juice along with a slice of fresh ginger in a mug with some boiling water. Add a tsp of honey and sip away to your hearts content! Works wonders" Congrats on the award and many thanks for your passing it on to me! I am truly honored and humbled that you would think to give it to me! Am loving this latest card. You do the prettiest cards! I always do one for my boss each year. (what can you buy a millionaire for Christmas...nothing! so I always make them a card by hand) Anyways, I shall steal a few of your ideas, if you don't mind! That cake looks so scrummy! The heck with living here, I'm on my way over there!!!! Have the plates and forks ready and waiting! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Julie,
    I'm sorry to hear that your not feeling well either! Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog, I hope you feel better soon too.
    Your card is beautiful and the cherry dessert looks super yummy!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. fascinating post, thank you. And what a lovely colourful award. I always wonder who creates these things ? Have a lovely weekend

    ReplyDelete
  21. Julie, Thank YOU for finding me because now I have found you and your fabulous blog. OOOH so chock full of goodness and goodies! I hope you are feeling better today :)
    XO
    Kerry
    aka itsaheartthang
    aka thegraphicaddict

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great post Julie! I love that MS punch, I'm going to have to look for that. I love the way you used the different glitters on it...beautiful!

    Your cherry dessert definitely looks like something that would be a hit in my house. I'll have to try it.

    And your sunset pics are gorgeous! There's not much that's as amazing as a beautiful sunset!

    Have a great weekend...I hope you're feeling better Soon!
    Hugs, Debi

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a gorgeous sunset! Congratulations on your lovely award! ALL of your cards are just so beautiful, including this one! I love that tiny sparkled village trim! I'm stealing your Cherry recipe, it looks really yummy! Have a great weekend! ...I love period movies too! Paulette ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Julie,

    Now I know why I like you so much, Julie, we were both from Boston and now live in CA! How funny is that?!? You are so amazing! Cooking cherry desserts and photographing sunsets, LOVE that! You are a lover of life, I can tell! Thank you for all of your lovely comments on my blog, Julie! You're a doll!

    Michelle :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Julie, I just wanted to zip by to wish you an immensely lovely weekend, and to that you're in my thoughts. I really hope you feel better soon, sweet soul.

    Thank you so much for each and every one of your beautiful comments.

    Huge healing hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  26. dang Julie..I totally LOVE your blog and I really enjoy coming here! WOW..Just please keep healthy and POSTING STUFF!!! he he he :) big hugz, Jane :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Julie! Your Christmas card is excellent...beautiful art! I also love the sound of your cherry dessert...sounds like the perfect dessert for those of us who spend too much time at the art table! Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous photos as well..colors are awesome. Hugs, Gayle.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love your new punch, and the layers of disobedient glitter couldn't be more perfect!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. congrats on your blog awards. they are so deserved. your blog is so warm and hospitable. Work from home India

    ReplyDelete