It’s been a bit since I’e posted with my travel schedule.  Which by the way I’m working on a travel blog.  That will likely stay more current since I’m always on the road!  But in the mean time I thought I woudl share with you a few of my new favorite digital scrapbooking sites.  Some of the them have a great freebies if you’re interested in getting started with this fun hobbie.

The Sunshine Girls at Sunshine Studio Scraps have a new kit out.

Here are several other sites that I visit frequently that have great kits, freebies and tutorials to get you started.  Enjoy!

ShabbyPrincess

The Golden Girls Digital Designs

Peppermint Creative

Simply Clean Digi Scraps

Sweet Shoppe Designs

One of the other days was spent taking a walk down memory lane with mom & dad.  We went by their first apartment, first house and the churches they attended during their 7 years here in Memphis.  My dad kept asking me if I remembered but I was 3 when we moved and failed to retain much before the age of 5.  Although we did find out that I had a couple of memories related to dogs that came out of no where.  So we can apparently blame my slight obsession with Tank & Buckeye on Pepper, our friend’s Teddy & Gary’s dog that they had when we lived here, but more on them later. 

While she was here mom brought me a couple of old pictures of the house I scanned into the computer.

This was the house that my sister and I spent the first couple years of our lives.  Surprisingly the neighborhood looks great for it having been over 20 years since we’d been back.  But I’ll be honest with you…mom didn’t have any pictures of the house.  But the old car in front of it kind of makes it look like it might work huh?  So you weren’t fooled by my inexperienced hand in Photoshop?  Well I’ll keep working on it   But here’s what it really looked like sans the attempt to age the photo.

After driving around Bartlett and hearing a few fun stories we met my parent’s good friends Teddy & Gary for dinner.  It was wonderful to see them and get to know the sweet couple I have always heard about growing up but barely remember.  I was getting ready to add the picture of the 4 of them but mom has them   Oh well.  Have a good night!

OK so by now you’ve probably heard this at least a dozen time but I’m finally getting on to tell you about our fun night out and it’s still early enough in January to say it….so…Happy New Year!  Mom & Dad came home with us after our visit in East TN.  Instead of relaxing, napping all day, watching football and reading books like they had planned I forced them to go furniture & rug shopping with me (OK they volunteered) and drug them all over the Memphis area to spend some of our hard earned money on a comfy couch for our living room and furniture for our “keeping room” (for those not in Memphis, depending on your house it’s a hearth/casual family/sun room).  Mom and Dad helped us out with our rugs and from there everything just came together.  Once it’s delivered I’ll post some pictures.

New Year’s Eve came quickly so mom and I got all dolled up for out night out.  We went to Ridgeway Country Club for their party and had a great time.  They had tons of yummy food and 2 great bands (one for the more seasoned generation there and another more upbeat for the rest). 

 It was wonderfully done.  I even managed to get my hubby to dance with less help from Captain Morgan than is usually needed. ;-) In fact he needed hardly any motivation this year, and while he may not admit to the immediate love of dancing he had fun

We had a great time! 

The next morning Dave surprised us all when we woke up to the following scene.

Isn’t that the sexiest man you’ve ever seen?  There’s nothing better than a guy that can cook (at least breakfast anyway).

I hope you have a wonderful, happy & healthy 2009.

P.S. I miss you mom & dad, don’t stay away long!

We made it through the crazy holiday season and had a wonderful time with all of our family.  Here’s a glimpse into our busy December: (see our photos for more picts)

Nov 23-30     Thanksgiving in Mount Vernon, Christmas in Cincinnati

Dec 5             Collierville TN tree lighting                                          

We live in the most charming town!  With Dave on 3rd I decided to take a walk in the town square for the tree lighting on my own this year.  All of the public service people in Collierville including our firemen, police men and mayor were there to serve free hot chocolate and coffee.  When I got there the choir was warming up.  It was a huge choir of all the 5th graders from 4 different schools in the area.  I got some hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and checked out the gazebo where Santa would visit later.  It was the only part of the square lit with Christmas lights and kids were already begging to line up so they would be the first to see the man in red.  Then choir was lining up for their show so I stood on my tiptoes to look over the heads of the proud parents to see their show.  The array of Christmas carols was made complete with the Memphis twist of an Elvis impersonator singing Blue Christmas with the choir.  I took some pictures but none turned out as I didn’t go prepared with my good camera or a tripod.  So I’ll let you imaging the 50+ 5^th graders in Santa hats and a tall blond guy wearing a black wig and a white Elvis suit!  Our mayor stepped up after the carols to wish everyone a Merry Christmas when he was interrupted by a train whistle.  Steam poured out of the back of a near by train and out stepped who else, but Santa himself!  The mayor asked Santa to help him light up the square and together they flipped the switch.  To my surprise, not only the huge tree (see below) lit up, but every inch of the historical square was covered in lights. I met some friends towards the end who shared with me the glasses that were handed out to the kids.  When you put them on all the lights looked like snowflakes. Next year I’ll have to make time to go over and take some pictures of the magical setting. 

Dec 10           Tank’s 3rd Birthday

Dec 13           Point of Grace Christmas Concert 

Point of Grace is one of my favorite groups.  Their music is fun with a wonderful message and mom, anna & I have always enjoyed performing their songs.  I was delighted to hear they were going to be at a nearby church for their Christmas concert.  Their Christmas CDs are probably my most favorite this time of year with great renditions of classics and wonderful originals.  Dave took me out for dinner and the concert and even he had a good time .  Check out their website to hear their newest song that is breaking them into the hearts of country music lovers.

Dec 20           Christmas in Mount Vernon with the Parrs

Dec 21           Buckeye’s 3rd Birthday

Dec 23-27     Christmas in Kingsport

Dec 29-Jan 2 New Year’s week with Mom & Dad in Memphis (more of that to come)

I’m very behind on my posts for the holiday season so I’m going to attempt them in order. 

I had my second annual cookie exchange this year with my new friends and neighbors in the Memphis area.  It was a smaller gathering than last year in Canton but it was fun to get to know people a little better and there were lots of yummy cookies for us!  Click on the picture below for a link to the cook book on Picasa.  Anything from my kitchen was actually stolen from Dave’s mom.  Most of them are good cookies to make anytime of the year so try them out and enjoy!!

Cookie Exchange Cookbook

2007 Cookie Exchange Cookbook