From Online To Real Life

Since I started scrapping back in 2003, I never thought I'd meet people with the same interests as me. On Two Peas, I fell in love with Laura Vegas' work and eventually found her blog. From there we emailed back and forth. Always encouraging each other.

Later on, through Laura, I "met" Carla. Over the years we graduated to exchanging Christmas cards, texts and playing Words with Friends. ?;);:;;;  ;

Eventually, Laura and Carla got to meet in real life while filming an info-mercial, so cool. I was happy for them. Since Laura lives in California, Carla is in Illinois, and I'm in New Jersey, I didn't think the chances of us meeting would ever be good. 

Fast forward to this summer.

We were planning our trip to Disney World for the end of August, as usual, when I found out Carla was going to be in Florida about an hour away from us at the same time! We crossed our fingers we would be able to meet up during the trip. 

On her last day Carla took a detour from going to the airport to come to our hotel to meet up. (We don't rent a car there). We had spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon water park but left a little later than expected. We made it back to the hotel just before she got there, so Joe and the girls went back to they room to shower up and I had to meet Carla looking like a hot mess in my bathing suit. LOL! Oh well! We got to spend twenty minutes together and she got to meet Joe and Gianna back at the room. We had Joe take our pic on the balcony with the castle in the background. Perfect! 

A week or so after getting home, Laura was going to be in Connecticut, I found out it's about 45 mins away from me. After texting back and forth with Laura, we figured out when the best time would be. I had to make it a quick visit since my father-in-law was coming over later the same day. I asked Joe what the possibility of meeting up with her were and after some back and forth we decided to take the ride together. 

I met Laura at the hotel (Joe took the girls to eat, so we could have "girl time") and we walked over to Starbucks for drinks. If you know Laura, she is all about Stabucks! I admitted to her I have never had their coffee and wouldn't have the first clue how to even order!!  Lol! (I happily got a hot chocolate.) She then filled me in on the convention and showed me where she taught her class. I've never been to a crop never mind a weekend getaway so I took it all in!  She got to meet Joe and the girls when they came back to pick me up, and Marissa took some pics of us.

It was so great to finally meet both Carla and Laura! After so many years and emails, it was great to finally talk in person! Now to one day actually scrap together! LOL! 

Garlic And Oil Pasta

Vampires BEWARE!  This recipe is for garlic lovers.

LOTS and LOTS of garlic!!

I like to double the recipe, but will share the non-doubled recipe to keep it simple.  Either way, it ends up super delicious!  Another bonus?  It's a fast recipe, doesn't take long to cook!

Garlic and Oil Pasta

1/4 cup Olive Oil                          15 lg Garlic cloves (chopped)

1/4 tsp Hot Pepper Flakes            1/4 tsp Salt 

1/4 tsp Black Pepper                    Parsley to taste

Boil water for pasta. (Cavatelli pasta recommended)

Heat oil in skillet, add garlic, red pepper, parsley, salt & pepper.  Cook until garlic is tender, about 5 minutes.  

Drain pasta into large bowl.  Add garlic mixture, toss together and serve.

Enjoy!

Sausage Peppers and Shells Pasta

I am one of those people that take pictures of their food before taking a bite.  

There, I admit it.  

I am also pretty addicted to Instagram.  

Think I admitted that one before...maybe once or twice.

The other week, I posted a few dinners and was requested to blog the recipes.  I thought, "WHY NOT?"  It will give me something to post! LOL!!

So if, you're looking for something to make, here you go!

Sausage, Peppers & Shells

1 1/2 lbs Pasta Shells                    2 lg Onions 

1 1/2-2 lbs Italian Sausage            1 1/2 cup White Wine 

6 Bell Peppers                              6 1/2 tsp Chopped Garlic

Olive Oil                                       1/4 cup Parsley (dried)

Cut sausage into bite size pieces. Cook in a large frying pan, using no oil, stir occasionally.

Cut peppers and onions into long slices. Cook together in a separate frying pan (with a lid) with just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.  Let simmer, toss occasionally.

Boil water for pasta.

After the sausage has cooked awhile, drain the grease, then add the wine.  Let simmer.

Cook peppers til tender, then add garlic, simmer.

After sausage has soaked up most of the wine, add to peppers.  Mix well then add the parsley.

Drain pasta and put into serving dish (THIS MAKES A LOT, USE A LARGE DISH).  Top with sausage and peppers, stir together and serve.

This is even great the next day....think I'll have to make it again soon!  ENJOY!

Back To School Shopping Mom Style

In celebration of the girls going back to school yesterday, I decided to take the day and have fun. 

I went shopping without having to bargain on how long we'll be in the store. 

No whining. 

No asking if I was done yet. 

No asking if I could buy them something.  It was SO nice!! 

I hit Target first. I had to return somethings so technically I had to go! 

Then of course I bought this stuff: 

Couldn't pass up the American Crafts 6x6 pad on clearance! They're my favorite papers too...the fact that I already own a few of the same pad is meaningless!! And they had The American Crafts Halloween line too! More cuteness! The sequins are fabulous!!  Of course the NCIS DVD's aren't scrapping related exactly, but I love to watch them as I scrap! 

From there I hit Dunkin Donuts for a large coffee, light and sweet, pleaseandthankyou, and headed off to Michaels. 

I've been coveting the Midnight Edition of Project life for awhile. I saw most of the products were on sale 40% off but this didn't   look marked down. I put it in my cart knowing I had a coupon, it rang up $17.99! YES!! I got the MAMBI pocket pages since they were Halloween themed and so cute too! (Don't mind my toes or the lack of vacuuming in my scrap room!) 

 From there I was headed home until I realized I'd be passing Home Goods which is conveniently next to TJ Maxx...and you know you can't go to one and not the other!! 

Found some organizing bins for my pantry at Home Goods (no pic) then I hit TJ Maxx. 

I didn't see much throughout the store until I hit the stationary section. They had a ton of Amy Tangerine & Dear Lizzy date stamps but I already had them and they had some Studio Calico wood veneers. I picked up 2 package since they're so cheap and saw these two paper pads. Loved the Snippets colors!! Going to use these for my pocket pages! 

From there, I finally did go home. Then of course, I had some organizing and rearranging to do for my new goodies!! 

It was a great day!!

First Day of School 2013

Today marks the day that many mothers celebrate...and it's not Mother's Day.

It's the FIRST day of SCHOOL!! 

Marissa is now in 7th grade. As nervous as she was last year, this year she went off to middle school confidently. Love that. 

Gianna started 4th grade. We're all hoping for a great year for her! And having her BFF in class helps, of course! 

Funny, without any prompting from me, they both wore some purple! Lets hope for a great year!!

Captured Life 2013 Week: TWENTY-EIGHT

I know it's September, but let's just pretend it's July...work with me! ;)

For my pages this week, I changed things up a little.  I kept all the pictures to the large pockets and matched up the journal pockets with matching papers.  I also added stamped days of the week to make it a no-brainer as to what goes with what.

I kinda liked how it came out.

This week was also Gianna's birthday party with her friends, so of course there's going to be an insert, or two!  Kept it pretty simple to help make it go faster.

Just got back from Disney.  We had a great time!  Seems to be harder to leave Florida with each trip.  We are all agreed on moving there if given the opportunity!  So now, the luggage is emptied, the laundry is sorted, and my bed is calling me.