Good Bye 2012

My creative scrapz in review of 2012:  various cards, invitations and scrapbooks created throughout 2012.  I'm looking forward to more creations in the new year.

Other changes I'm hoping to implement in the new year is regular posts on here with new themes to keep me organized and motivated to post.  Be on the look out for:

In the kitchen-my adventures with food and restaurant reviews

All things handmade-various projects that I hope to work on throughout the year including paper crafts, crochet, jewelry and other crafts that I may explore

Wilder zoo-updates on my lovable pets

Project Life-weekly update on a new to me scrapbooking style I want to try out for 2013 to help me stay focused and complete an album by the end of the year.  Inspired by Project life started by Becky Higgins. 

Ugly Paper Challenge-Will return when I start this up again with scrapbook.com

I may add others as they come up through out the new year!

Wishing everyone a safe and festive New year!

Happy Holidays!

Started off the Christmas season with the annual Amica Christmas Party near Barrigton, IL with Pat and his parents.  Its always a good time seeing the organs played.  Instead of the regular concerts, this year the organ accompanied a couple of silent films-christmas themed of course.  The night ended with food, drinks, and a ride on the indoor carousel.



I've had mixed feelings for the holidays this year, honestly really not feeling them at all.  Cut down my own christmas tree from a local farm-something I started last year and will do so again.  I did make the best of it and hung out with friends downtown, hunting down mushroom ornaments to add to my tree in honor of my mom-one tradition I will continue well into the future.  Christmas eve dinner was the first time I cooked a Polish traditional dinner by myself and it was delicious, and the Christmas Day dinner that followed was also enjoyed by all.  The highlight of the season for me was hand crafting a christmas wreath for my mom-something I hope will become a new tradition for each passing holiday.

Of course the pups enjoyed thier Christmas Bones:

The Holidays were bitter sweet this year but I know surrounding myself with friends and family is what made them a happy experience that I hope will grow as the years go on.  Maybe next year we will acutally get snow!!

Happy Holidays!

Pumpkin Spice Donuts...

 I've been on a pumpkin kick lately-pumpkin pancakes, waffles, etc.  I tried my hand at homemade pumpkin spice donuts using this recipe I pinned from Pinterest.  I didn't have any baking powder on hand so I used 1/2tsp of baking soda instead and all is yummy!

Chipboard Geocaching album...(Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, I got together with some friends and I worked on a geocaching chipboard album.  Using some goodies I found at this summers scrapbooking expo in St. Charles-I decided to go with a fall/nature theme that complimented the photos.  Exploring state parks in the fall with friends is always a great adventure guarenteed to provide beautiful sights.

I love scrapping with others-exchanging ideas and getting inspiration from eachother.  This is still a work in progress and I will update with a future post when it is complete.

New Traditions

Candles lit to honor my mother on All Saints Day...I look forward to lighting these candles again on saturday at the cemetary when I get a chance to visit her.  A new to me tradition that I will always look forward to in years to come.

Happy Halloween!

Scrappy and Lady waiting with goodies for our lil' visitors this year :)

Its one of my favorite days of the year.  Creepy decorations, scary ghouls around the corner.  The cool crisp air and all the kids dress as their favorite characters going door to door saying "Trick or Treat" for some yummy candy. 

Unlike most years, decorations were not hung around the house but I'm staying in the Halloween spirit just the same with some classic horror movies (my favorite genra):  It, The Shining and others since this weekend.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Waiting for 2012 to be over...

I am hoping to get back into the groove of regular blogging to help clear my mind.  This year so far has defintily been a challenge and a struggle.  I am thankful for my friends and family that  have been by my side through all of the ups and many downs that 2012 has thrown in my path.  I can honestly say you guys are the reason why I can be where I am today, stay strong (even if its a struggle) and live each day without regrets and look forward to the future.

A short recap of why I have been greatly absent on my page here and why I feel its best for me to carve out some time back on here for reflection.

Pats's motorcycle accident recovery/surgeries into this year have kept us busy but I am ecstatic to say that he is doing amazing-his attitude and view on life has greatly impacted me and how I look towards the future.  He has been so strong through all of this, very determined to get better and move past this horrible event and get back to "normal". 

Back in the middle of May my mother was diagnosed with renal failure, and spent many weeks in and out of the hospital.  At the end of June she came to live with me so that she could start regular kidney dialysis.  Things began to improve and I saw my mother once again enjoy life and nature around her--in the backyard and strawberry picking at a local farm.  Things did not always remain great and she often had to be hospitalized.  This took a toll on her as well as me, being her caregiver-it was difficult to watch my mother deteriorate and be in constant pain.  On September 25 my mother passed away in the hospital due to heart complications.  May she rest in peace, it helps knowing that I was by her side (as difficult as that experience was) and that she is no longer in pain.  The support from family and friends during this very difficult time has been my inspiration to stay strong and help me get through this. 

Pat and I recently purchased our first rental unit and we are in the process of remodeling the apartments and getting them ready for future tenants.  This has been a great undertaking that has kept him up late into the night mudding and painting walls.  It has been a learning experience and a true test of my patience with all of the small details that go into remodeling run down apartments, but I look forward to the finished project.

My scrapping and crafting has taken a backseat for most of this year.  I have been able to get out and scrap with friends and attend the big scrapbook expo in St. Charles.  I look forward to organizing my scrappy room soon and get back into my crafts.  I have a couple of new projects that I want to start first thing in January to help me to hopefully stay on track with my scrapbooking and memory keeping.

I'm not usually one to say I can't wait for something to be over, but with all of the chaos of 2012 I truely look forward to the end of this year and the fresh start of 2013.