This is what today represents in our family.

Yep, this little boy from Greenland, New Hampshire and this little girl from Salem, West Virginia met in Oct. of 1960 during Dad’s freshman year at Salem College in Salem, West Virginia. They both grew up with the same nickname “Dickie” and both had a dog named “Poochie”.

When Dad would see Mom around town he would call Mom “Nugget”. Mom says it was because he couldn’t remember her name. Dad says differently but in Dad’s defense Juanita wasn’t a very popular name back then… just in case Mom is right wink wink.. every once in a while Dad still signs cards to his “Nugget”.

Anyway, they ran off to Deep Creek, Maryland on Tuesday, June 4, 1963 and got married (decided to follow another couple’s footsteps as that is where their friends went to get married). Mom wore a black dress because that was the only one she had that she could roll up tight and not worry about it getting wrinkled because you know… she was sneaking it out of the house. What a little rebel. Well that night Dad called her house to tell her Mom and Dad that Juanita would not be coming home tonight. Grampa asked why… Dad told him they got married that day. Well Grampa wasn’t too thrilled. He said, “Well hell” LOL, that still makes me giggle, handed the phone to Grammy where she just giggled and said, “I knew it was coming. You should have told me. I would have bought you a dress.” Aren’t Moms great! Well Grampa got over it and the rest is history.

Three kids and 6 grandchildren later… they are still happily married.

Happy 45^th Anniversary, Mom and Dad.
We love you!

Lisa, Alan, Terri, Ansley, Belinda, Kelly, Amanda, Brittain, Madelyn and Isabella!

“Bird Nest Cupcakes” are now on the table. It never quite feels like Easter without some bird nest cupcakes. My Mom taught me how to make these when I was little and I have loved making them ever since. All you need is a cake mix, white icing, flaked coconut, green food coloring and jelly beans. Super easy!

Wishing you a Happy Easter.

Really has its perks! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. When I was one month shy of turning 6 years old I received the best doll ever for Christmas!!! Her name was Sketchy. I loved this doll so much. I remember playing with her and being so excited about the pictures she and I created. Mom and I cannot figure out what happened to her as Mom is not the type to give away a prized possession so we figure she must have gotten misplaced during a move. Over the years I have searched for her on eBay hoping to find one in good condition. Sometimes I would get lucky and find a nice looking Sketchy doll but no easel. Or I would find one but she was in very poor condition. She looked loved but not loved by me.

Well a few weeks ago I did another search and BAM there is a Sketchy Doll still in the original box. I told Dad a.k.a Santa I could not believe I found her and he bid on her. We missed out on that one BUT I did another search the very same day and BAM there is ANOTHER Sketchy Doll listed in even better condition. I could not believe it and was thinking what are the odds of this happening? So, Dad bid on her and just a few minutes ago I became the proud owner once again of Sketchy!

I cannot believe I will have this doll. I plan on putting her up in my scraproom to look at everyday. She brings back some of my fondest childhood memories. I plan on creating a mini album of my journey with Sketchy. It took 39 years to complete this journey but it was so worth the wait.

Below are some photos of me getting ready to open my Sketchy Doll on Christmas Eve and holding my Sketchy Doll Christmas Day. Yep it was 1970… the clothes and decor crack me up.

“Notice my brother Richard wearing his cowboy attire and his Dallas Cowboys football helmet.”

This is on the way to my house.

Here is a fun “Getting to know you” Christmas questionnaire. My sister sent this to me so I thought I would share it with all of you. I am making a few ornaments that I will share with you tomorrow. They are easy and fun to make. Oh and this is for my friend Patti…. you will be happy to know it will be 80 degrees here in Frisco tomorrow! It was only 7 degrees at her place last night. Talk about put another log on the fire.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper… Terri and Ansley are not trustworthy for gift bags!
2. Real tree or artificial? We have an Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Every year is different. Ours is going up this weekend.
4. When do you take the tree down? If you look in the Winter Issue of Scrapbooking and Beyond you will discover that last year it was MARCH!
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but my Dad’s is my favorite.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? When I was around 4 or 5 I got a Baby Etchn Sketch Doll (the name is something like that) I loved that doll and wish I could find one.
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No
8. Hardest person to buy for? My DAD! Sorry Dad but it is true.
9. Easiest person to buy for? Ansley
10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Honestly, I have never received a gift I didn’t like.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, I feel some things should be done the “old fashioned” way and mailing Christmas Cards is one of them.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? December and yes I tell myself every year that I am not going to wait until December to start shopping and here I sit once again with not a gift purchased.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Never
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Mom’s Peanut Butter Fudge and my Chewy Chocolate Chip cookies and Pecan Sandies
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Every year has always been white but this year Ansley has talked me into C7 colored lights like they have on the trees in Hollister, one of her favorite stores.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Holy Night is my absolute favorite and it doesn’t matter who sings it.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Have traveled every year but I’m trying to talk my Mom and Dad into coming up here this year!
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Well of course I can.. you know my Dad is Santa don’t you?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Neither, I have a really cool vintage glass topper that the girls cannot stand but I LOVE!
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? When the girls were little we opened one on Christmas eve and the rest Christmas morning, now we celebrate on Christmas Eve. I love the room dark with just the glow from our tree and a few years ago it actually snowed here on Christmas Eve. It was the most magical Christmas ever and one I will never forget.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Rude people just don’t get this at all. I understand we are all stressed but being rude certainly doesn’t make it any better.
23. What is the “silliest” family tradition you do, or miss doing? We don’t have one that is really silly but I do usually have one of the girls on some sort of crazy treasure hunt to find their gift. Not sure who my victim will be this year.
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? I think the long thinly cut silver tinsel that was supposed to drape down from the trees branches to look like icicles
25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? I love both
26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Sugar Cookies to me, Gingerbread is for Houses
27. Do you like Fruitcake? NO

So this year Ansley REALLY wanted to have a pink forest. Thanks to my Mom and my Sister it is complete. They found what I believe is the only 4 ft. pink tinsel and pink lit tree out there. Mom paid more to ship the tree to Ansley than she did to purchase the tree. Ansley is still decorating it but as you can see it will have glittered snowflakes, white boa garland and snow on the branches… YEP, she is my child!

The one iridescent tree really bugs me in this photo but during the day and at night it looks so pretty and does not stand out as much as in this photo. I’m just going to have to cover it up with my finger when I look at this photo.