It's Friday!

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

I'm going on a date with my hubby tonight. We are going with friends to that culinary school restaurant, then to the musical "All Shook Up."

Just had to put a smile on your face. I was with a bunch of family in Ohio this past weekend. My nephew's family drove several hours to be with us. Upon their return, they noticed how dirty their van got. It was all white with winter muck. The next morning Rob was walking out the door when he told his wife, Tamra, to come look at their van.



Their daughter, Miciah, had written the entire alphabet on the van! It is now a traveling advertisement for literacy!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Lisa

I'm Back from QVC and Very Cold Ohio!

Just got back late last night from Ohio. I made a detour on my way home from Philly (where QVC is located) for several days to see my sister, Carolyn Thacker, and my friends Kim Wilson and the Laudenbachers, plus loads of nieces and nephews. Okay--love Ohio but it is absolutely FREEZING there right now! I spent a lot of time in front of my sister's fire place! Had a great time all in all.

Carolyn made this cake for me the first night I was there. She said our mom used to make it but I don't remember it from our childhood. It was out-of-this-world yummy!

It doesn't quite look like this (the frosting is more like a glaze) but just had to post this photo from Stephanie Jaworski.



Here is the recipe:

Lemon Velvet Cake
recipe from Clarine Downs

1 lemon cake mix
1 pkg. instant lemon pudding
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water

Mix together and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. (Carolyn used a 9 x 13 pan.)

Icing:
1/3 cup orange juice (undiluted)
2 c. powdered sugar
2 T. vegetable oil

Use long fork and stick cake all over. Spoon juice over cake while hot. Cool and enjoy!

I also recently read this story and wanted to share it.

Two Wolves

One evening an elderly Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serentiy, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Hope you're off to a good week!

Lisa

I'm off to QVC!

See you on QVC February 18th:

1-3 p.m. (EST): Preserving the Past (I'll be featuring the Slice from Making Memories)

7-9 p.m. (EST): Creating Keepsakes. Lots of NEW products in these two hours!!

Have a great week!

Lisa

Valentine's Day Winners!

It's been another emotional day. I spent the morning and half the afternoon at a funeral of a dear neighbor from my childhood. It was a beautiful service and a wonderful celebration of life for a great man. It actually was a neat way to spend Valentine's Day.

Just had to share this photo of Sage when she came home from school with her valentines bag. I might have to have a contest to give some of those patterns away. They are too cute! And check out Sage's necklace! Kolette Hall gave it to me a few years back and I just love it!



Steve and I had a wonderful time with friends last night at a culinary school restaurant. It was French cuisine and it was fun tasting different types of food.

Here was are--Steve's showing off his valentine! And check out my hubby--he's lost 25 pounds since Christmas on Weight Watchers. (Sorry about the purple type--I have no idea why it's linking to Sage's photo!)



I got this tear-jerker valentine from my 18-year-old son, Kade.



It was on my pillow when I got home last night. Just had to share what it said inside:

Dear Mom,

Happy Valentine's Day! I love you and am grateful for all you do for me. I am so thankful for how much you love me. Everything you do for me is out of love and sometimes I take it for granted. I am sorry for this. Remember what love really is all about. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son." I can't quite comprehend how much Heavenly Father loves me, but I know He does! And you and Dad have taught me this. Thanks you for always being a good example and teaching me about this happy message. I love you!

Love, Kade

Kade is a senior and will only be in our home for seven more months before he's off to real life. I'm feeling very sentimental right now!

Wanted to leave you with this breathtaking antique window that my pal, 19-year-old scrapbooker extraordinaire, Michael Lazorchak, sent me.



Michael was driving by his neighbor's house when he saw an old window on the curb ready to be thrown out. He slammed on the brakes, drove his car in reverse and took the window home. After reflecting for a few days what to do with it, he decided to collect photos from my blog and create a 2008 year in review of the Bearnson family inside the panes of the window. On the back is a month by month synopsis of what happened in our lives along with a beautiful song from the musical Rent. Words can't describe what I felt when I opened the package with this amazing gift in it. Pure and utter joy. It is hanging front and center in our home and reminds me of all the goodness in my life--both with my family and wonderful friends like Michael Lazorchak.



Here's the photo Michael took of it before he sent it:



Okay--so here are the winners to the contest.

Chelsea & Manuel

lkhull

And--want to add one more. I like to give a little something to the first person who posts. So, Angie at 12:28, you get a prize too!

Please send you snail mail address to Vivian at vgrothe@ckmedia.com and I'll get the kits sent out.

Also, check out Kerri Bradford's blog. She has a fun giveaway plus gives a sneak peak at some QVC items that will featured on February 18th!

Enjoy your red day! Thanks for spending the week with me!

Love, Lisa

P.S. Happy Birthday to dear Tresa McKenna! Love you!

Making Memories "Love Notes" Giveaway Plus the Heart of True Champions!

Before I talk about the contest, I just have to show you some really happy things that have come my way this past week. Yesterday I was having a hectic day and was wondering how I was going to make 25 valentines with Sage plus decorate a fun box/bag to put them all in. My dear friend, Lori Chadwick, showed up at my door around 3:00 p.m. with this adorable bag for Sage's valentines. (It's a pattern by Pebbles in my Pocket.) You should have seen Sage walking out the door this morning with her bag--she was so proud. Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Lori!



Another friend, Jen Skillings, brought by this container filled with fresh planted flowers. She got it at Costco! Love it!



Lori also made me this cute container filled with yummy chocolates. Love using scrapbook supplies for all kinds of crafts! So clever!



You might recognize this cross-stitched heart from Becky Higgins blog. Her mom is a friend of mine and she's created several cross-stitched items for my home. This is one of my favorites (Becky has one too) and reminds me of my dear friend, Vicky!



This valentine makes me cry. Collin looked up on the internet how to make origami hearts and I love the results. And his note is so heartfelt.



Don't ask me how she does it, but Virginia Laudenbacher's card is a work of art. Virginia is the mom of Lezley, my friend who unexpectedly passed away last June. Virginia has made Lezley's artistic legacy go on.



Cute Pam Taylor wrapped scrapbooking paper and ribbon around a candy bar:



She also created this cute Valentine's Day book to put all my photos in.



It was made with the new Making Memories Love Notes products.



I was at Making Memories yesterday and saw the whole Love Notes line and fell in love with it. I'm going to take all this stuff and split it into two kits. So, I have two kits to give away!

Leave me a message by tomorrow night and I'll choose two lucky winners! Speaking of Making Memories, I love their Slice digital cutting machine! I am featuring it on QVC on February 18th in the Preserving the Past hour from 1-3 p.m. (EST). I also have a Creating Keepsakes show with David Venable from 7-9 p.m. that evening.

Just wanted to close with the heartwarming story of true champions. Last night my son's 9th grade team played their final game for the 3rd place title. The night before, the starting players decided to have the players on the bench start the game the next day. They didn't care about winning or losing--they just wanted these wonderful athletes to get the chance to play. I was in tears when after the first quarter, the score was this (our team is the "visitors"):



Here is the final score:



Not only did they win the game, they showed the spirit and heart of true champions! Contratulations to the entire Timberline 9th grade team for a stellar season, providing such great entertainment and for being such good examples!





I will post the winners tomorrow night along with my final Valentine's Day thought!

With love,
Lisa

Just some Purely Happy Photos!

The real date: Thursday February 12th!

This:



Plus this:



Equals pure happiness! This is one of my favorite goodies on Valentines Day!

I've got a really packed day! Meetings with SEI and Making Memories (be sure to tune either Friday or Saturday for a fun Valentines package giveaway from Making Memories), lunch with friends, a visit from my friend, Lori, Collin's final basketball game, creating valentines and a valentine's day box with Sage and Brecken, plus parent/teacher conference at the middle school. Wish me luck!

Until tomorrow!

Stay Warm.

Lisa

More Valentines Ideas!

The date today is actually Wednesday February 11th! (Not sure how to change the date above.)

Fun Valentines stuff today!

First of all, I'm simply in LOVE (no pun intended) with the new Big Shot Express by Ellison (Sizzix). It is electric so you simply have to press a button--no more cranking! The pop-up dies are so darn cool. Karen Burniston is the mastermind behind them and they are really unique and creative. Check this out--instant pop-up hearts and other cool stuff.



I helped 40 girls make pop-up valentines for "empty nesters" in our neighborhood and they all had such a great time and it was so easy!



I am featuring the new Big Shot Express and some cool pop-up and embossing dies on February 18th at 7 p.m. EST.

Okay--I think this is my new favorite fruit.



My family loves them too. I have an open pantry/fridge policy--my kids and their friends can eat whatever they want. However, a few weeks ago I had two cartons of raspberries from Costco out in the back of my car. I hadn't had a chance to take them in the house along with other items before one of Collin's basketball games. I was at the game with my family when Brecken went to fetch something in the car. That night when I went to use the raspberries for a scrumptious dessert, there were just two empty containers. When I questioned Brecken, she said she couldn't stop herself from eating them all when she went to the car. She reminded me "You always say to eat whatever we want." Okay--I couldn't fault her for that. I had to settle with frozen strawberries in the dessert instead!

Talking about scrumptious Valentine's Day desserts, here's the one I'm making this weekend. I've never made it before but it sounds amazing. And how can you go wrong with brownies, raspberries, whipped cream and chocolate chips?

Valentines Brownies Ganache

Brownies
Ingredients:
1 box Kodiak Cakes' Big Bear Brownies (or other favorite brownie)
2-3 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, separated
Heart-shaped baking molds, muffin tins or other individual sized baking pan
Method:

Prepare brownie batter as directed. Fold in 1 cup raspberries. Spray baking molds or pans with cooking spray. Fill baking molds about 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out slightly moist. Cool completely before removing from pans.

Ganache
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
12 ounces milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
Method:

Heat cream on low heat just until it starts to bubble. Remove from heat, and instantly add the chocolate chips. Wisk until thoroughly mixed. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
Drizzle ganache over brownies on individual plates. Top with remaining berries. Optional: serve with ice cream or top with whipped cream.

Makes about 12 individual brownies.

Brownie Tips

Always hand stir brownies (Keeps from over-mixing, and reduces air in the batter which will result in a cake-like brownie. We want fudgey chewey, not cakey.)

Don't over-beat the batter (Activates the gluten in the wheat, which results in a tough brownie. We want melt-in- your-mouth texture, not tough!)

Don't over-bake (Dries the brownie out - better to under-bake and let them set up. Brownies are done with an inserted toothpick comes out slightly moist.)

Use convection if you have it (Cooks faster, and crisps the outside while leaving the middle soft and a bit gooey - reduce baking time by 10-12 minutes.)

Cool completely (Will stick to individual sized pans, or will stick to knife, but if you want a hot gooey brownie, go for it.)

Stay tuned for tomorrow's idea on love!

Sincerely,
Lisa

P.S. Collin's team won their game last night in a nail-biting game. They played against their biggest rival team. They were down by almost 10, then somehow came back. Thirty seconds to go and we were down by two. Collin ran down the court, threw a weird underhand shot and somehow made it which tied the game and put it into overtime. In overtime, it was tied and our team was fouled with zero on the clock. Collin's buddy, Aaron, missed the first free throw but made the second. We one the game by one point! Tonight is the next game! I'll let you know the results!

Today's Valentines Ideas!

Some dear neighbors threw a fun birthday party for me a couple of weeks ago. At the event, they had different "stations" of some of my favorite things.

I LOVE sugar cookies. So, at one station Cherie got these cool sugar cookies (they are soft with a harder icing):



and we decorating them like this:



You simply take your "love" scrapbooking stamps, dip them in red food coloring, and stamp right on the cookie! We all took a "to go" container of cookies home to our kids. So much fun!

We also had glitter put on our toes.



This is so simple to do at home. Buy a top layer of nail clear nail polish and apply it to each toenail. Next, take a fine glitter and sprinkle it over each toe. (Martha stewart has a large set for around $20.00 at Walmart. Make sure you buy really fine glitter.) Brush extra glitter off each toe. Finally, apply a final coat of clear nail polish over the top. So much fun!!!

Until tomorrow, give someone you love a great big hug!

Lisa

P.S. Collin won his game by 12 points! The championship tournament continues. Another game tonight against our biggest rival team!

Love Is In The Air Week!

Valentines week is one of my favorites. I love all the decorations in the colors of pink and red. I love the sentiments and yummy food. I'm going to share a "love" idea or two each day leading up to the 14th. (Some of them I got in the mail this week!)

I have a big curtain rod over french doors in the main room of my house. I love hanging hearts of all sizes and mediums on the rod and valentines in each pane.



Until tomorrow, hope your day is filled with love and laughter.

Lisa

P.S. My son, Collin, is playing in a big basketball championship game tonight! Good Luck, Collin!!

A Weekend to Remember!

Last Saturday was a beautiful day. Not only was the sun shining here in Utah Valley, our youngest daughter, Sage, shared a wonderful occasion with many family members and friends.

Sage was baptized and became an official member of our church. This is a big day in our religion. It's a day when promises are made--both on the part of the person getting baptized and on the part of our Heavenly Father. Our oldest son, Kade, was able to baptize Sage which really was a tear jerker. These two have such an incredible bond and are inseparable with each other.

Thanks for letting me share. I love hearing about your baby christenings, Bar Mitzvahs, weddings and all the other special things you share as a family.

Yesterday I did something I haven't done in years. I braved the cold weather (which actually turned out pretty nice) and took three beginner skiers skiing! I really had a blast and they all did great!

Check out the views from the Alta ski resort. Simply breathtaking.

Hope you're having a fantastic week. I met with Ellison today and was blown away by their latest Big Shot electronic machine with the pop-up die collection by Karen Burniston. Really cool stuff! I am presenting these products on February 18th on QVC!

Stay warm! Spring is only a few weeks away!

Love, Lisa

P.S. My friend, Pam Gebhardt, had us over for birthday dinners on Sunday. Check out this cool cake her daughter, Kara, made:

P.S.S. Just had to put a smile on your face. I went to dinner tonight with my mom, dad and four sisters. I thought we were having a great discussion and that my dad was enjoying himself.

Then I looked over at him and this is what he was doing!!! Too many hormones around that table I guess. Love you, Dad!