I'm speechless!

I open my mailbox to find yet another parcel awaits me. I've been totally spoiled over the past few months with parcels from my blog friends - first it was JanMary in Ireland, then Cicero from BC and now from my blog friend Betty - all the way from Paraguay!


Betty has been so patient to answer my ever pesky questions about her corner of the world and it was particularly touching to me that she included some home-made jam. She'd tried to explain what the flavor was like on her blog, but now I get to try it myself. I'm AMAZED it made it all the way here, unharmed! Why, I've sent items here within our own province which has not survived so nicely.

LOVE the little hat, Betty, it lives on my keychain now. Did you make the angel? Is there a story behind it? I will treasure it, thank you.

I'm sure your hand made jam gives me a much better taste of the fruit than anything I could buy here. Who knows, one day its not inconcievable that I might taste it right from the trees! Turns out we have a friend in common who is not so far away from you!


My friend Amalia was very excited when I showed her these photos, she says the chocolate is VERY good, and I can now attest to this!

As I said Betty - I honestly can't find the words to thank you for your generosity. I'm so blown away by how thoughtful and kind my blog friends are. (Miles is so incredulous too, by all your generosity, my friends!)

Betty has a blog HERE where you can find tons of interesting facts about Paraguay, her family, great recipes and some funnies too. Its a must-favorite blogsite.

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I'd like to thank Amy for sharing her blog header with us - she used my Worship the King Mini Kit. I think this is so wonderful - your girls are too cute! Why not stop into say hello to Amy today and you might just learn some new 'baby language' while you're HERE.

If you've used any of my elements or kits and would like me to feature you on my blog, just send me a jpg along with the credits and I'll do my best to post them here.

Lovely Loaf... not my own

What a great looking loaf - but I can't take credit for this one. This loaf Eileen's first attempt with the basic recipe for Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a day. I tell you, I believe this recipe is almost NO FAIL! Eileen is experimenting with freezing her dough now too - you can visit her by clicking HERE to keep updated on how this goes.

I had the opportunity to show this technique to a young lady the other night - she's never made bread in her life. I'm so excited to see how she does. She and her husband were here for dinner and enjoyed the bread sticks I had made. (sorry, no picture, they got eaten too fast!) I used the recipe for the peasant bread for them - everyone agreed they were delish!

To find out more about this amazing recipe - and to enter a contest for the full cookbook...

Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day Cookbook
a GREAT Christmas present idea!

You can WIN THIS - just visit the OFFICIAL website by clicking HERE and leave a comment for Jeff and Zoe, with your own personal "bread" experience. They will choose two names at random to win! Besides this, they have a FABULOUS recipe for BAGELS using the Master Recipe ... need I say more?

Good Friends!
credits: KimB's Lloryn Kit (slightly recolored)

I just wanted to share a layout I made of Betty's beautiful daughter. I saw this photo on her BLOG and could not resist making it into a full layout. Doesn't she have the most incredible eyes?

Betty always has such interesting blog posts - she's in Paraguay and has educated me on her corner of the world. Just click HERE to visit her today!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Mr. Miles and I drove up to Kelowna, a city 2 hours (usually 2 hours) north of here, only right now its a three hour trip due to a highway closure about 2/3 of the way up from here on highway 97. In a spot undergoing road upgrading a whole section of mountain has developed a fissure and is threatening to collapse. Glad they are taking care of it.

I'm sure not used to the city. I can't seem to focus in all the busy-ness. At any rate, we had some wonderful visit time with our daughter. We had breakfast together and then afterward shopped at a store next door. When we were leaving, something caught my eye ...

An Old Friend!

If you follow my blog you would know that we have a new van - my 50th birthday present. Our old van was sold to a lady in a small community north of us. Actually, its located on THIS side of the highway repairs, so to see our old van in Kelowna was quite a surprise! What are the chances too, of in a city of 109, 000 we would be RIGHT there to see it? I'm still laughing!

We had a bit of excitement on the way home. One block from home, our headlights failed! The switch was stuck on! Praise the Lord it was so close to home - I'd have hated to spend an unplanned night in Westbridge or Rock Creek... or out in the middle of nowhere!

My man is not mechanically inspired, but he stepped up to the plate and got it sorted. We've ordered a new switch and will have to be tricky with getting around the next few days.

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BIG NEWS!

The Sophia Sarducci Shop, where I sell my digital scrapbooking kits, is closing its doors. Ah, don't weep for me, Suzanna, it has been SUCH a wonderful place to be. I can't say enough positive about my bosses and co workers. Sophia was the first ever shop I've sold at, and I believe I was directed there through my blog, through the Lord. I'd not went looking, and had prayed to find the perfect place, and Sophia was perfect for me. My boss Saxon was so hugely encouraging to me every step of the way - I hope you will all visit her when you can as she is selling at Scrapbook Elements (click HERE)- I wish her every success!

Now, the GOOD NEWS -

from now to November 15th
EVERYTHING
in the Sophia Sarducci Store
is 50% OFF

EVERYTHING
including COMMERCIAL USE...

so, treat yourself to some early Christmas shopping
by clicking HERE!

Thank you all my faithful customers for your support over this last year. It's been amazing!

Me? I'm thinking on perhaps joining a shop (or two) in January - will keep you posted. In the meantime I'm a bit digi-burned-out and need to regroup. This will be a welcome break for me!

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An Award - For Me? Awwwwwwwwww!

Poor Betty, this I send you a big MUAH and a super big BEAR HUG for this award, but gurl, I'm going to be honest with you - the award stops here. Ha ha! I have a very busy week ahead of me so I'm going to (blushingly) accept this award but not forward it at this time, simply don't have time. But I thank you from the very bottom of my heart! It means a lot, specially coming from you - I find your blog a wonderful, informative window into your part of the world.

I've only been visiting Betty for a month or so, but I've learned so much about Paraguay through her good blog posts! The reason I'm so interested is because I have a good friend who comes from, and does missions to, Argentina, which is next door to Paraguay. Though my friend tells me about some things, Betty takes the time to write extensively, answer my MANY questions and even includes photos! Yes, I pester her almost daily!

And today is Betty's two year blog birthday. And like all us strange blog people, we seem to GIVE things away on our birthdays, rather than the opposite! So, if you have a moment and would like to learn something new about a new place, why not stop in and say CONGRATS and hello and even...

WIN ME - at Betty's blog!

Ah, what is it you ask? Well, you will have to go over to Betty's and pester her like I do - she's got an explaination and a CONTEST to win these items on her blog.

Thanks so much Betty - I'll eagerly await to see who wins. To visit Betty's blog just click HERE!

*****

its SOMEBODY'S birthday tomorrow...
check back here tomorrow to find out WHO
(and there may even be a digi download in celebration!)