Lisa's Blog

We're back from our Hawaiian cruise and I'm back from QVC. It seems like a long time since I last wrote.

Here are a couple of photos of us on Christmas day in Hilo on the Big Island.



We hiked across a volcano in the rain (it finally stopped in the middle of our hike). It really was great--we loved it!




We had a wonderful time on our cruise--even though we didn't see very much sun! As we landed in freezing cold weather in Salt Lake City on January 1st, my hubby said, "I'll take 80 degree warm rainy weather over freezing cold snowy weather." Our favorite island was Kauai--lots to do but not overly populated. (Loved hanging out with our neighbors and dear friends, Dana and Garrett Lyman and their family.)

Christmas was definitely different being away from home. A good different. But, I realized it doesn't matter where you celebrate the holidays, as long as you're with the ones you love. And--I didn't have to worry about baking, cooking, wrapping a lot of presents, finding places for toys, throwing away wrapping paper and boxes, etc. It was a nice break!

On Christmas Eve, we read the Christmas story, then opened our handmade gifts. Everyone was so creative and we'll definitely do it again next year. It was a lot of fun! Here's what everyone got:

Steve gave his daughter, Stefyn, a frame and plate he painted. The frame said "Love is not a feeling, it's an ability" (quote from Dan in Real Life) and the plate said "When life gets hard you can hardly stand, kneel."

I gave Kade the September Kit of the Month travel album of our trip to England, Scotland and Holland.

Stefyn wrote me a very touching poem which she framed and surrounded with photos.

Kade made Collin pajama paints--complete with his name stitched on the front. (Thank goodness he learned how to sew in a sewing class in 8th grade--I don't sew.)



Collin adhered a mini scrapbook page that said "I Love You" to a hot chocolate mug for Brecken.

Brecken made Sage a rice bag with her name on it plus painted an adorable tea set and flower bank.




Sage painted Steve an "I Love You" pen, pencil and Tootsie Roll Pop holder.

Several of you asked for the other "12 Days of Christmas" ideas. Here they are and HUGE thanks to who our secret Santa was!

(Chocolate covered orange sticks)
"On the fifth day of Christmas
Chocolate covered orange things
Seemed like straightened golden rings"

(Hot chocolate)
"On the sixth day of Christmas
Geese are asleep. Snow's all around
A good time for hot chocolate
Drink it by the pound."

(Clementine oranges)
"On the seventh day of Christmas
A swan in the tropics reclines
Amidst the grapefruits, oranges
and juicy clementines."

(Chocolate milk)
"On the eighth day of Christmas
Eight maids went a milking
But with those Christmas cows
Chocolate milk was a flowing."

(Dried Mangos)
"On the ninth day of Christmas
Dancing ladies salute
They're in a festive mood
For some delicious dried fruit."

(English Toffee)
"On the tenth day of Christmas
English lords went a leaping
To and fro, high and low
It's English toffee they're seeking."

(Homemade Cookies)
"On the eleventh day of Christmas
Winter cold had pipers shaking
They'll warm by the fire
With cookies after baking."

(Cute snowman and Christmas Tree decorations)
"On the twelfth day of Christmas
We drummed right through our list
And after twelve gifts
We hope we will be missed."

"So have a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year too.
We are friends who think you're grand
But you'll never know who!"

A few other things:

Someone asked where I get all my jeans. My favorite jeans are Lucky brand (you can buy them at Buckle or Lucky stores), ModBe and American Eagle.

Also, be sure to get the January Kit of the Month. Definitely worth it's weight in gold and it's going fast. I can't wait to give it to Steve for Valentine's Day.

I guess that's it for now. Tomorrow is Steve's birthday so I've got to go get balloons and few little surprises plus prepare for Family Night.

Have a great Monday.

Lisa

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to share a little clip about the Greatest Love Story Ever Told. It's the story about how Steve and I met! Okay--so you have a pretty great one yourself but to go along with this month's Kit of the Month (it celebrates love stories) we decided to record ours. Just press the link below.

View kit minisite (be sure to click on "idea gallery" to view my video)

For those of you who haven't purchased the Greatest Love Story Ever Told Kit of the Month, let me just warn you that it's going fast. There aren't a lot remaining. Robin Johnson did a wonderful job designing the kit--it's fresh and fun. Plus, it was really easy to put together. I created one for Steve for Valentine's Day (you can see it in the gallery under this month's kit of the month) but also plan to duplicate it four times--one for each of my children. I want them to remember long after we're gone how, why and where we fell in love! I'm also making one for my parents and in-laws.

Next week I'm hosting a neighborhood girls night out and we're making these books! I showed it to a few of my friends, they loved it, so I decided to have a "Greatest Loved Story Ever Told" scrapbook night. They are all giving them to their husbands for Valentine's Day too.

Trust me on this one--it's simply wonderful!

Have Fun!
Lisa

Yesterday was a day I'll never forget. Ten-year-old Brecken insisted on making the birthday meal for all our December and January birthdays (Kade, Steve, Sage and me!) and invited both sets of grandparents over for the occasion. For weeks before the dinner, she planned the menu, made a grocery list, learned the best napkin folding techniques on the internet, etc. Saturday morning we went shopping, then I let her loose in the kitchen. She made the desserts on Saturday, then finished the main meal dishes on Sunday before and after church. Her menu was incredible:

Parmesan Chicken
Steak House Potatoes Au Gratin
Lacquered Citrus Salad
Fresh Cranberry Relish
Grilled Asparagus
Angel Pecan Pie
Southern Banana Pudding
Gourmet Chocolates

Everything was AMAZING and we were all shocked that a 10-year-old had made the meal! She even did a great job keeping the kitchen clean and washing dishes along the way.

We loved everything but our favorite dish was the recipe below. Just had to share:

Steak House Potatoes Au Gratin
from the kitchen of Brecken Bearnson
1 cup whipping cream (no wonder they're so good!)
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 large clove of garlic, pressed
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon butter, softened
3-4 medium russet potatoes
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine the cream, milk, flour, garlic, and pepper; beat by hand until well mixed. Coat the inside of a large baking dish with the softened butter. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/4-inch slices; quarter each of those slices. Arrange one fourth of the potatoes on the bottom of the dish. Pour some of the cream mixture over the potatoes. Repeat this layering step three more times. Cover the potatoes and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake another 40 minutes, or until potatoes are starting to brown on top. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the potatoes and continue baking for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese melts and potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Yields 6-8 servings.

Thanks, Brecken, for the wonderful early birthday gift!

Speaking of gifts, I was in my favorite cafe and bakery today and my cute friend who works there (I met her at the cafe but we bonded because she's a huge scrapbooker) gave me something incredibly yummy (and darling to boot!) for an early birthday present. So--stay tuned later on this week. I'm going to have a birthday contest for my big day and 10 of you have a chance to get the very same birthday present I got!!

Have a great Monday night. And--I'll announce the contest very soon!

Lisa

P.S. Another great part of the dinner was going around the table and asking each person what the best part of their day was and the best part of their week. Lots of interesting, fun information!

Just wanted to share with you my Greatest Love Story Ever Told album. It was a blast to put together and I'm making one for each of my children (I want them to always remember the details about mom and dad's love story) plus one for my parents and inlaws. I'm also giving these away for wedding gifts.

You can purchase this Kit of the Month here.























Forty ladies in my neighborhood are getting together tomorrow night at my office to make these for their husbands for Valentine's Day. I'm really excited!

Again--this is a great kit. Hats off to you, Robin Johnson, for creating this wonderful kit!

Lisa

My husband teases me every year that my birthday goes on for weeks. I agree that I'm one lucky gal--my hubby, children, friends, parents and sisters all spoil me (and I spoil them on their day). The spoiling has already began--and all from people I've met through scrapbooking! My friend, Lori Chadwick, brought by some incredibly delicious sugar cookies with purple frosting (from Smart Cookie--yummy), a hand-knit purple scarf (can you tell I love the color purple?), chocolate truffles, the movie Mrs. Potter (so good!) and the Beatrix Potter Collection book. Love you, Lori! Margie and Megan from Ohio dropped off Dear Lizzie popcorn and a cupcake along with a cute note. (I'm not even sure if you knew it's close to my birthday but I acted like it was my birthday and snarfed down that cupcake!). P.S. Margie and Megan--your photo and card are on my mantle! (Megan--call me--I misplaced your number!) Carrie Heaphy from Montana sent me a friendship necklace and my mom's favorite saying on a plaque: "Make it a Great Day!" Thanks, Carrie!

Now here's the cool part that I get to share with you. I have a FAVORITE place to eat lunch called "Food For Thought" in Draper, Utah. It's inside a little historic house and is a total chick place to go to lunch. They serve the most delicious homemade food, have adorable gifts and bakery items, plus they cater. You can check out their offerings at Foodforthoughtutah.com. They are located at 12640 South Fort Street (950 East) in Draper, Utah. Their phone number is 801/576-9161. When you go in, mention you read about them on this blog and they'll give you (that's right--free!) one of their yummy desserts!

Okay--so here's the fun news. One of the gals there, Tresa, is a big-time scrapbooker and we've become friends. When I was in the cafe on Monday, she gave me an ADORABLE, YUMMY early birthday present--a hot chocolate set. Included in this set: a cafe au lait bowl, hand molded chocolate bar, homemade strawberry marshmallows (yep--they make them there), a buttercream frosted sugar cookie and a hand-embroidered heart coaster.






So cute! I'd never heard of making hot chocolate like this--just gently heat 16 oz. of milk in a saucepan, then break the chocolate bar into pan and stir continuously until chocolate is melted. Place bowl of hot chocolate on heart coaster. Float a homemade strawberry marshmallow on top and enjoy with the buttercream frosted sugar cookie. WOW!

"Food For Thought" has generously donated 10 of these hot chocolate sets to 10 lucky winners. Just answer this question to win. "What is the one thing the Bearnson family ALWAYS does on every birthday?" Just a little hint--yes we do sing Happy Birthday but no it isn't the answer! Another hint--my parents also did this tradition in my home.

The good news is there are two ways to win. Post your answer by January 25th, 2008 (that's Friday night) 11:59 p.m. (or midnight's okay too) and I'll randomly draw 10 people to send these hot chocolate sets to. (Even if you don't get the answer right, you still get a chance to win just by guessing.) I'll read through your guesses and if you do get the answer right I'll put your name in for another special drawing. If I choose your name (I'll pick five of them) I'll send you the January Kit of the Month which is one of my very favorite kits ever (see my images of the kit below). I put mine together--photos, journaling and assembly--in just a couple of hours and I love the results. What a cherished memory for my family to have forever--a scrapbook that's dedicated to "Steve and Lisa's" love story. (Please know these are going very fast--it won't be long before they'll be sold out.)

Okay--so post your guess! I hope I get to send you a little surprise!

Lisa

P.S. Today was Sage's birthday and cute Brecken organized an entire tea party for her. It was a fun day!

Hey Everyone!

I'm having a FANTASTIC birthday! Thanks to everyone for playing my little game.

Your answers were great!

Yes--we sometimes make a fun cake for the special birthday girl or boy. This one was for Sage this year--of course Brecken made it!



Last year I hosted family birthday parties for Sage and Brecken and served food that started with either the first initial of their name or each letter of their name. This isn't a tradition but it was darn fun and I think I have to do it again. (Loved all your suggestions for a "L" for "Lisa" food party.) In fact, check out what my mom brought to my birthday lunch yesterday--a lemon merangue pie! My favorite and it starts with "L!"



It's tradition that my kids get no chores for the day but as a mom it's a little bit harder. My hubby makes sure I hardly have to do anything though!

So here's the big tradition that we ALWAYS do which I'm happy to say that many of you guessed!

It's breakfast in bed!!

Here is Sage on the 21st:



Here I am today (how lovely--a picture of me first thing in the morning!) showcasing my favorite smoothie complete with candles:




This is a great way to start the day!

It's 1:00 p.m. right now and I've already had a blast. Several of my neighborhood friends took me to brunch at Mi Mi's Cafe--yummy! (I'm stuffed--breakfast and brunch in the same day! But heck--it's my birthday, right?)



Kade is off on a day date for Preference, then tonight it's the whole tux and formal thing. His date's family has invited us over to their house to take photos before the dance. I'll put one on the blog!

Tonight it's off to dinner with friends from our last neighborhood.

Thursday I went to lunch with my friend, Cori Larsen, and went to Thanksgiving Point's Harvest restaurant. I always order the meat loaf there--pure comfort food for me.

Yesterday my sister Debbie hosted a birthday lunch for me, my sisters (minus Carolyn in Ohio), Brecken and Sage and my mom (Brecken took the photo and Sage didn't want to have her photo taken!).



She asked what my favorite dish is and I said meat loaf! I can't make a good meat loaf but love it (I know--I'm crazy!). So--she made an amazing meat loaf stuffed with blue cheese and cheddar cheese. Just had to share the recipe:

Ribbon Meat Loaf (from the kitchen of Debbie Downs)

3 slices soft bread, torn in pieces
1 c. milk
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. lean ground pork
1 egg yolk
1/4 c. minced onion
1 1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper, dry mustard, sage, celery salt and garlic salt.
1 T. Worcestershire sauce

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together bread and milk; mix in remaining ingredients. Pat one half of meat mixture in greased loaf pan. (9x5x3 inches). Cover with cheese filling (see recipe below). Spread rest of meat mixture over cheese filling. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes.

Cheese Filling

1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 T. water
2 slices bread, torn into pieces
4 oz. crumbled blue or shredded cheddar cheese

Combine egg white and water. Toss slightly with bread crumbs and cheese.

Last night Steve set up a massage, movie and dinner, then I came home and took a long, hot bubble bath and watched a recording of this week's American Idol.

Yep--I feel like a queen! I am so blessed. And--THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY! Something I haven't seen in months here in Utah.

I'm off to eat a few more Hershey's Cherry Cordial Kisses and Ferrero Rondhoir (sp?) dark chocolates. (These are evil, Lisa Anderson!)

Hope you're having a great day as well.

Lisa

P.S. I'll post the 10 Hot chocolate set winners and the five "Greatest Love Story Ever Told" winners on my blog on Monday! Thanks to Food For Thought for your generous donation!

I've felt a little sad today. I woke up and could hardly move. I started a new exercise routine over a week ago and my sore muscles just kicked in. I then looked outside to the nastiest day ever. It was cold and blizzardy--and as the day progressed I couldn't even see a few feet in front of me. I got the kids off to school, heated up a rice bag that I got last night from my friend, Janette, put it on my neck and left shoulder and just laid miserably in bed. I then started to sob.

A very amazing man who was the president of my church for the past 13 years passed away last night and I was overcome with sadness--he's had a major impact on me my entire life. But then something miraculous happened. As I reflected about this man's life (Gordon B. Hinckley), my tears turned from sorrow to joy. He lived an exemplary life for 97 years and endured to the end despite the death of this wife almost four years ago and recent cancer treatments. I thought of the glorious reunion that is taking place with his wife (they were married for 67 years) and his parents and other family members who passed before him. I reflected on the wonderful talk he gave several years ago where he introduced our family to the six "Bs:" Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, Be Prayerful. These words of wisdom are on plaques in several rooms of my home and are constant reminders on how we should live. I then thought of my own wonderful father who is 80 years old and is failing in health. He was too sick to go to my birthday lunch and I haven't seen him for over a week. I thought about how life is so short--we never know when it's our time to go back to our heavenly home.

So--you know what I did? I braved the horrible weather and took a trip over to my parents house to give my darling dad (and mom) a hug and tell him how much I love him. Needless to say I think I made his (and my) day.

Here's my challenge to you! Do the same thing today. Make an effort to get in the car, pick up your phone or write a letter to tell those you love the most how much you care for them.

Okay--change in gears. Thanks again to all of you for playing my birthday contest.

Here are the ten random winners (all of your were entered in this portion of the contest) of the Food for Thought hot chocolate set:
Brenda--zachwalker18@hotmail.com
Lori--Scrappin' A Princess
Regina
Stacy--bitewing@comcast.net
Stacy--Maine626
Sheilab
Amberrs--Ambers Scraps
Stacy-SSatmg
lenea
Krobin2100@aol.com

Here are the five random winners who guessed my family tradition of breakfast in bed (they will be sent "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" January kit of the month):
mom2twobiscuitheads@hotmail.com
Leeza898@yahoo.com
Alison--A little bit of us
Martha (7:26 a.m.)
3qtguys

Congrats to our winners. Please contact Angela at angeladash@gmail.com and give her your snail mail address.

And stay tuned for some fun items that are coming your way.

Sincerely,
Lisa B.

I am so excited about all the fun items that are coming your way. Just wanted to give you a sneak preview.

1. Hurray! One of my favorite people in the whole world, Stacy Julian, just authored a brand new book--Photo Freedom.



Beware--this isn't another idea book. It's a life-changing book full of liberating advice (like how to organize your piles of never scrapbooked photos), practical ideas that make memory keeping fun and humorous "Stacy Style" tidbits scattered throughout the book. Plus--the beautiful photos are eye candy! Really--this is one book you have to get, then devour.

I even signed the Scrapstrong pledge at the beginning of the book--Steve Bearnson was my witness--that I'd read the entire book and be successful using and adapting Stacy's Library of Memories system.



Thanks, Stacy, for the inspiration.

2. Another favorite person, Becky Higgins, has done it again by creating an amazing School Kit - the February Kit of the Month. I love this kit so much that I've already pre-purchased four of them--one for each of my children. I've been waiting Kade's entire life for something like this--meanwhile carefully saving from year to year all his photos and memorabilia in a plain, boring binder. I can hardly wait to get them so I can quickly and easily organize all my kids school years in this beautiful, wonderfully organized way. Be sure to order it on February 1st. I have a feeling these are going to go fast.

Here is Kade's 10th grade year--and he did all the journaling himself. This kit is so easy, you could have your child do the entire thing. Every year includes four pages, a page of stickers and chipboard and a memorabilia pocket.





3. We have a HUGE day on QVC coming up on Monday February 4th. I kick off the day at 12:01 a.m. with an amazing Today's Special Value--a 9,000 piece kit from Cosmo Cricket. Let me just say WOW! This is the coolest kit I've ever seen and the designs will put a huge grin on your face.

I guess that's it for now. I'll see you on the 4th and thanks for all your support.

Lisa B.