Happy Scrappy Christmas

Well I've decided to hand make our Christmas cards this year. I've been working on them for a few days! I can't do anymore to them until I get the photos I ordered to go in them.

Here's a little teaser as to what they will look like.













EDIT: Here's the final product!

Birthday Week

Well, it's happened, I've hit the big 3-0. It doesn't feel any different than being in my 20's, and I'm not one of those people who thinking of of their age as a bad thing. I figure when you get older you've gotta stay positive and keep the philosophy of "You are only as young as you feel". Which is playing as HUGE part in my life right now. I've been on the "Path for Health Success" since June and I've lost almost 30 lbs, between Weight Watchers (which I have stopped) and this great website called myfitnesspal.com . I had joined it a while ago, but didn't know anyone on it so I closed my account until a few friends of mine joined.

So back to the Birthday. My birthday was last Monday the 18th. The Hubbie and my friend Amanda, threw together a Surprise Birthday Party for me, on the 16th. It was great to see so many of my friends there. I was a little disapointed with some of my friends, not because they didn't show, but because when they were contacted about the party they didn't even respond back. I know that many of them wouldn't be able to make it because they live no where near me, but that's not even the point. There were only 2 of them that responded. I know I'm not the best friend, but when it's someone's birthday, and I can't be there, I make sure to at least send them a Birthday Card and a Birthday Text... So I was a little bummed to say the least.

Like I said, the hub's and my dear friend Amanda, threw me a surprise party. It was at Bubba Gumps. It was so much fun to just sit and hang out with everyone. I was surprised to say the least. They even went out to this AMAZING bakery and bought me a "Death by Chocolate" cake. It was AMAZING! After that we walked around Cannery Row, in Monterey and had a blast! We tried to go get some after party drinks at this new place that opened up, however... it was SO BUSY!

The party continued into the week. On Monday, my actual birthday, someone had leaked to my students that is was my birthday. They all came in with big hugs and nice manners for the day (along with some gifts). It was really sweet. I made some birthday Cinnamon Rolls for them and they LOVED IT! At the end of the day, I thanked them for making my day so special and now that I know how GOOD they can be I expect it everyday. HA!

So all in all it was a great birthday. The buffet in my dinning room is covered with birthday wishes from my thoughtful friends and family.

Welcome to Online Shopping!

As many of you know I am a Willow|House Consultant. I have some exciting news.

Welcome to online shopping. Now you don't have to host or be invited to party to place an order. Check out my website and place an order at anytime. Also check out Willow|House Outlet.

Also we've got a great deal going on. Spend $40 and get any item $40 or less for half price. I've got a typed up list of all the items $40 and under if you'd like me to send it your way.

Here is the link to my website so you can check it out!

http://staceyrapp.willowhouse.com/

Monterey Greek Festival

Every Labor Day Weekend the Greek Church here has its Festival, and every year since living here I have attended. This year was no different. I went two out of the three days this year (bad Greek Girl, I know). And now I am bringing all of the fun, food and dancing to you, here, in picture form, so enjoy.


Welcome to the Greek Festival.







Any guesses as to what's in the bag? If you're Greek you know if not... think about the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.... ring any bells? Any guesses?



"and there you go". Cook baby cook!



Meal #1 of the weekend, a lamb sandwich and salad. Y.U.M.



After meal number one I walked around a bit and thought it was funny that this older gentlemen was running the Greek Beer and OUZO booth.



Meal number 2 of the weekend: The Sampler plate including: pastichio, domades, (moussaka, but the oven wasn't working so they gave me double pastichio)Cabbage rolls and a roll. You'll be happy to know I didn't eat the roll.


Walked around a bit more. Checked out the craft booths a bit, looked up at the flags.



Day 2, another pig for the spit.


Next meal (oops forgot to photograph before digging in) was Souvlaki and salad. (The hubbs ate the bread).


Watched some Greek dancing.



OOPS again, this was a Gyro.


Bought some Greek Chocolate, Greek Gum and OUZO flavored candy.


Making Loukoumades (Greek Donut holes). First you make the dough.


Then you fry them up.


Then you stick them in a LARGE bowl and mix them with Greek Goodness.


And there you have it! Loukoumades anyone?


Before leaving I had to pick up some Greek cookies to share with some of my co-workers. Y.U.M.

Thank you Greek Festival for allowing this Greek Girl to have a little OPA in her weekend!

This and That

Random list of facts:

*Lost 18 lbs. since July.... very excited about that.

*Portion control is/was my problem... so I've been doing well with that. Keeping track of what I eat and how much has been fairly easy.

*Got a Pedometer. It counts my steps, calories I burn, and tells me how many miles I've walked that day. It's GREAT!

*The Puppy is growing. He's almost 6 months and he's huge.

*The school year has started and I have 26 little ones under my wing.

Things are busy, but good.

Brownie Pillow Cookies

Brownie Pillow Cookies
From: Bakerella

These cookies are HUGE and look so good. I haven't bit into one just yet, but they smell out of this world.

1 package brownie mix
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 oz. bag miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used regular sized chips and I also used Milk Chocolate)


Make brownies according to package and let cool. Cut about ten 1 inch squares. Enjoy the remaining brownies. (I used a pan about 8 X 8)
For the chocolate chip cookie dough, beat butter with a mixer until creamy.
Add brown sugar and beat until smooth.
Add eggs, yolk and vanilla. Beat until smooth.
Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a medium bowl and stir together with a wire whisk.
Add flour to butter mixture and beat until combined. Stir in mini chips.
Let dough chill covered in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Use a measuring cup to scoop batter by the 1/2 cup. Since it’s chilled, you may need to pack it with a spoon. Then use the spoon to remove the dough from the cup and place it on parchment paper. Work quickly so the dough remains chilled or either prepare one cookie at a time so the rest of the dough remains cold.
After the dough is on the parchment paper, make an indention and place a 1 inch square brownie in the center. Press the brownie down gently and work the remaining dough around the brownie. You can use your hands to shape the dough into a ball.
During this step, I found it easier to use a piece of parchment paper as a work surface since the dough can get sticky and then I used another piece of parchment paper for the baking sheet. If your dough gets too soft, you can chill the rolled dough balls for a few minutes right before baking.
Prepare six cookies at a time using a large baking sheet (15 X 20) and bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes. Return the remaining dough to the refrigerator until time to bake the second batch.
Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.
Makes about ten cookies using a little less than a 1/2 cup of dough for each cookie.
If your cookies start to get too brown before they are done baking, you can place a sheet of aluminum foil over top for the last few minutes.

Birthdays

This past Saturday was my Niece's 3rd Birthday party. Her mom and dad rented a princess castle bounce house/water slide. The kids had such a blast! Here are some photos from the day's festivities.

Babies

One of my most favorite things to do is buy baby gifts. Baby clothes are so sweet and adorable. I just can't resist a cute little outfit! (I should start saving my pennies now My friend Melissa had a baby girl, Georgia, not too long ago and I wanted to send them something... a "Welcome Home Georgia" gift. So I bought little Georgia a sweet as can be outfit. She looks precious if I do say so.

Salad, it's what's for dinner.

I had the best, most simple salad for dinner tonight. It was really easy and quick, the perfect week night dinner.

I bought:

a head of Romaine Lettuce
a package of cut and cleaned little red and yellow tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, and
cauliflower.
Trader Joe's Greek Style Feta Dressing (used 1 table spoon)
(Croutons) I sprinkled on a few

*Cut up lettuce
*Cut up veggies
*Pour on dressing and croutons.
*Eat

SO, SO, SO, good and if you do ww it's less than 5 points.

Picture Post

As you know, I went up to Elk Grove for a funeral of a family member. In order to keep my emotions in check while driving, I decided to distract myself by taking photos as I drove. Here are a few of I5 I took.




My Pace Car. GREAT DRIVER!


I'd love to take a trip here.

End Photos of I5

This past Wed.-Fri. I went to a PLC conference (Educational) for work. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. I went with my Principal, and 3 teachers. We stayed at the Hilton hotel and got all of our meals comped. :) I learned how to make my grade level more of a team and not just a group in order to focus on how will be get these kids to learn and master skills we teach. Our seminars ended at 3 or so each day. That left the rest of the day for us to explore San Jose. We went to Santana Row, and walked around downtown.

I only took a few pictures.

We ate at a really good Mexican Restaurant on Santana row, where they make guacamole right in front of you.


San Jose Skyline



And now for some cuteness. Pudge is almost 5 months old. He is getting so big, really fast. Pudge is going to be a massive beast. Until then I'm just going to enjoy this puppy time.


Our little Pudge-scout


He loves to sit on my lap.... I don't know how well this will go over when he's 100 pounds. HA!



Sammy has adjusted to Pudge being around and constantly wanting to wrestle with him. He really has grown to love Pudge... just not when he can't lay on his bed.
"Get him off my bed"