It's Our Blizzard Baby's Birthday

Today we celebrate Bethany's birthday, thanking God for the gift of her life and for all His blessings to her.

Bethany was born between blizzards on an early morning when the wind chill was 40 degrees below zero. Her doctor made it to the hospital in his Wrangler, snow boots and down coat just in time to catch her--I couldn't have waited a minute longer.

Birthday dinner today will be Bethany's favorite lasagna, steamed veggies, an Italian-dressed salad, garlic bread, and lemon meringue pie decked with candles. Our DD has a long way to go before she'll need the fire extinguisher.

Best wishes, Bethany, for a fabulously full-of-great-things new year of your life!






Bethany at 7 months and at 2 1/2 years
with her same big, sparkling hazel eyes, bubbly personality, and sweet, caring smile!

Prepare to Get Mooned on January 10

Are you a sky watcher? Get ready for a treat! Not only are Jupiter and Venus still bright in the southern sky, but also we'll get "mooned" again soon in a special way. (Tell me you didn't moon someone at least once in your teen years! Woohoo!)

Here's the scoop straight from NASA:

A second "perigee" moon of this season will appear tomorrow night in the sky. Perigee means "the point of closest approach." This evening the moon is larger and brighter in our Midwest sky than it was in December when the first perigee moon appeared for our winter 08-09 season. Tomorrow should be an even more awesome site. Get your cameras and tripods ready! (Photo credit: Ron Hodges)

Okay, scrappin' friends, I'm already thinking some great moon shots would make a beautiful "Stardust" papers layout ... let's get snappin'!

Unforgettable Gift Set

I used the CTMH "Unforgettable" Level 2 Paper Packet, Stickease, Fancy Cut Botanicals, Clear Sparkles, Sassy Strands, Square Window Charm, and a lot of Liquid Glass for these items--Close To My Heart's Memory Keeper Box, 9 x 9 inch accordion album, and birthday card.

Colors of papers and inks are Juniper, Sorbet, and Cocoa. Stamps are from the sets of Adorning Corners, Say It In Style, and Special Friendship. Ribbon is Sheer Elegance. The card design is a template in CTMH CEO Jeanette Lynton's Originals book.

This is a good example of how easy, fun, and simple CTMH products are to use!