Baking Along

This year I decided to challenge myself to some new adventures. I am crafting again. I am expanding my geocaching trips. I joined a new book club and I am participating in a monthly "Ladies Who Lunch" group. I am also following a baking challenge on King Arthur Flour website. Today was my first step into the later.

King Arthur Flour produces a blog called Flourish. Each month they publish a recipe with tips and tricks to teach you to bake up a storm called #Bakealong. This month the recipe is Pizza Party Buns. It was a lovely yeast bread recipe that smelled heavenly even as it was rising. While the recipe called for unbleached  bread flour, I only had all purpose in my kitchen. Also my yeast was slightly out of date, but still rose wonderfully. Here are my results:

Hubby says we will need to make more in the future. I guess they were a hit.

Until next time...

A Christmas Card Layout

I have been collecting and bundling my received Christmas for years now with every intention of creating a scrapbook layout with them. I have a friend who does this every year and it's usually one of my favorite layouts this creative lady makes. After not scraping for a number of months, maybe even years, I was inspired to create this after seeing her layout today. I fussy cut images and words from my cards. I made a pocket for the page with the collage of images and inserted photo cards, personal notes and images from the cards that did not really match the layout I created. My paper is My Mind's Eye Vintage Christmas.

Thanks for the inspiration Lynn!!

Until next time...

Back To Planning Happy

Now that the book challenge is over, its time to hop back on the craft wagon. I started using my first Happy Planner this past summer. But I have been a few months behind. I use my planner for journaling, a little scrapping, and sharing events. Mostly I do this for myself because it's fun!!! I am going to share a couple of pages here with you.  I am trying to use up little odds and ends of embellishments and papers from my huge stash as I downsize and declutter this year.

Speaking of decluttering, I am also challenging myself to downsize the amount of "stuff" we have in our house. I am following Home Storage Solutions 101 with their 52 week declutter suggestions. Just 15 minutes a day to a less cluttered life. And I really need some decluttering. We started in the kitchen this month. I have been making sure I am adding at least one thing to the donation box everyday even if I don't get to complete the daily guidelines. My hubby has already pointed out how much neater the kitchen looks without all the paraphernalia all over the counters. I can't wait until we clean out the cabinets. There is stuff in there that has not seen the light of day since we moved into this house four years ago. I am hoping less stuff  will lead to less stress in our lives. For now though, I need to get to bed.

Until next time...