Exciting news! Application sent Jan 25th!!!!

This came from the from the Sept. 2009 issue of the Canine Courier: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Newsletter...

We are excited and proud to announce the introduction of
our fifth program: Autism Assistance Dog Guides.
Spearheading this new initiative is Chris Fowler, who has
worked with over 300 families that have children with autism.
In 1996, he co-founded the first autism service dog program
and for several years has helped other schools worldwide
train dogs to assist families living with autism. “His guidance
and expertise will make a tremendous difference in the
advancement of this program, and will allow us to help even
more Canadians each year” says Sandy Turney, Executive
Director.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the country and is estimated
to affect more than 1 in 150 people. This new program will provide Autism Assistance
Dog Guides to children 4-12 years of age, providing calming relief in high anxiety
situations and reducing the stress commonly experienced in public places.

This is the programme we have applied to for an "Autism Assistance Guide Dog" for Noah. It was quite an involved and extensive application with documentation and support from our physician, Noah's Occupational Therapist and his Resource Teacher in addition to written statements from us and descriptions of Noah's needs. We also had to include 3 character references including our veterinarian. We are very excited to let you know that we sent it on its' way to Oakville, ON via registered mail on January 25th.

So now we wait for an assessment of our application.

Noah is the sweetest little guy, we just adore him and want the best for him.... for him to be able to enjoy life & be safe....

See article here: Info about Autism Assistance Dog Guides of Canada

Too many more details to add right now... let's just get past this first hurdle! So exciting!

Please pray that Noah will be seen as a good candidate for a special friend- an Autism Assistance Dog Guide to help him. Thank you...

Noah Adam Scott age 7 1/2, December 2009
Photo by Tammy Pyette

More information you'll enjoy reading...very encouraging:

1] Siblings with ASD and their Autism Service Dog

2] Article about an Autism Service Dog and a little girl

Much love and THANKS,

~

New cards...

Here is a sample of some of the cards I created to fill some card orders.

I had 2 orders for 20 birthday cards each! These were such fun to do!

And... as the icing on the cake, on Jan 27th, I was so thrilled to be given Kudos of the Day over at Sisterhood of Scrap for these "guy birthday cards!" Made my day let me tell you!

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Carrot-pineapple Muffins

"Cooking with Carla" (Carla is my friend from Sisterhood of Scrap) is having a Make it Monday Blog Carnival again today!

Share a recipe on today's theme....and link it on Carla's Blog... she will visit, and I bet others will too!

The theme Carla has chosen today is BREAKFAST!

Here is a recipe for some delicious carrot-pineapple muffins that the kids, Peter and I all just LOVE. My mom used to make these all the time! I am going to make some this week as Kate, my dear daughter in Grade 10, is writing exams. This will be good energy food!

CARROT-PINEAPPLE MUFFINS

Source: A lady from our Church in Riverview, NB- 1985

Ali's NOTES: These muffins make a delicious breakfast food, and a nice healthy dessert or sweet snack, and are an easy way to tempt kids into eating more fruit and vegetables! Substituting Whole-Wheat flour for white flour also helps increase the nutrient content.

These muffins are not low fat but the fat can be reduced if you like by substituting unsweetened Apple Sauce for part of the oil called for. Weight Watchers gives instructions on how to do this, I believe (amounts to use, etc... I always go look it up when making these, LOL!) Buy canned pineapple when it is on sale and save it for when you want to make these muffins!

Often, I substitute equal amounts of freshly grated Zucchini in place of the carrot. Do not peel the zucchini! Be sure to add the nutmeg if using Zucchini- more flavor this way!

Makes about 18 muffins- recipe doubles well.

These freeze well.

Oven at 350 F

INGREDIENTS~

2/3 cup white sugar

2/3 cup oil (I use canola oil for baking)

2 eggs

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp mace (optional) OR allspice (opt), OR Nutmeg (opt) OR ground cloves (opt)

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup coarsely grated fresh carrot OR freshly grated Zucchini (unpeeled)

½ cup crushed pineapple in its’ own juice (spoon into the measuring cup right out of the can, do not drain the can first)

METHOD:

Mix as usual for muffins. Do not over mix.

Bake 18-21 minutes til top springs back when a muffin is lightly touched with fingertip..

Oven at 350 degrees F in muffin cups sprayed with Pam.

Cool on wire rack before packing in containers for freezer.

~

Sharing a cookie recipe today!!!!! YUM: Cookies!

Today my friend Carla (who is also a founder of the wonderful Sisterhood of Scrap forum, ) is having a Cooking Blog Carnival!

The theme today is COOKIES! Here is a recipe I developed when Daniel (now 9) was little. He liked to help me bake, so I named this recipe after him!

Dan-Dan Houdini-Man Cookies

(A recipe by Ali & Daniel MacDonald)
Makes about 5-6 dozen cookies

These freeze really well. Can make ahead!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup softened margarine

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten with a fork

3 teaspoons vanilla flavouring

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 1/4 cups shredded or flaked coconut (I use no-name brand, but whatever’s on special is great.)

1 (300 g) bag butterscotch chips (Any kind, Smart Choice butterscotch chips work well. I get them at Foodland!)

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

METHOD:

Cream margarine & sugars together.

Add eggs & vanilla and mix.

Add flour, soda & salt. Mix again.

Add oatmeal & mix.

Stir in the coconut and the butterscotch chips by hand. ***This will make a pretty thick batter- don’t worry.*** It's OK!

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (we use Pam spray).

Bake at 350 for about 9 minutes.

Cool on cooling rack.

Store in airtight container once totally cooled.

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"Scruffy Posies"

Yep, I am back with the topic of recycling old jeans again!

I created this project as an "Altered Item" design team member for Create-it GREEN's January 15th Design Team Reveal.
Remember:

NEVER throw out an old pair of jeans... the denim is SO useful!

So... here are TWO ways I used denim to embellish a scrappy layout this week.

1. Make "Scuffy Posies" (c)

I made 6 different types of "Scruffy Posies." They're listed over at Create-it GREEN.

2. Make a Denim Border strip:

It's so easy to make this!! Go to Create-it Green and check out my explanation of how to do it!

Here is the layout I created with clusters of my "Scruffy Posies" and the denim border strip.This is my middle sister Mary and her spouse Gil way back in 1999.

The BasicGrey "Boxer" collection patterned paper asnd the cream grosgrain ribbon across the bottom portion of the layout is from Savvy'n Sassy.

Remember to check out ALL the projects at Create-it GREEN!

I must say, it was "quite" a wonderful reveal day- many fun and beautiful projects: well worth checkin' out!

Thanks for poppin' by Lovingly Created!

~

Our First Design Team Reveal!!

The Create-it Green Design Team has revealed its first batch of projects! Mine was a layout incorporating my Scruffy Posies and some denim circle trim that I made! Curious?? Here is the link so you can go see too!

Enjoy!

Scruffy Posies and Denim Circle Trim

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January 2010 Guest Sketch Artist is up!!!!!!!!!

Our Guest Sketch Artist over at Sketches: Creatively Yours has been posted! I am sooo excited! Come see!

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Happy Sunday everyone!! Here is a Digital Scrapbook I just made of the kids playing in the snow... Play and enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

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RAK over at Sketches: Creatively Yours!

Check it out!!

All welcome!!!!!!

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Daniel is SO funny!

He is always up early, usually drawing, writing stories, creating comic books ("graphic novels") , or designing a new Board Game.

He is a HOOT. Never stops learning. Some of the things he comes out with make me giggle.

This AM, he was drawing and told his big sister Kate: "I am using news-leaf because I couldn't find any tracing paper! "

I think he meant "LOOSELEAF!!!!"

~

My word for 2010....

Ali Edwards always encourages scrappers to choose one little word for the upcoming year that they will use symbolically as a touchstone-- to strive toward. Here is her post about this concept.

My word for 2010 will be HELP.

Help others, help causes like Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness and animal protection and welfare, help my kids and be a helpmate to Pete.

I did a few things re: HELP- ing over the past 72 hours

-I wrote a letter to all my friends explaining re: the situation for adult cats needing forever homes at the Animal Care Centre (shelter) here in Kings County. I encouraged them to consider adoption.

- We allowed Kate to adopt an adult cat from the shelter.

- I sent in a letter to Noah's school principal asking her to sign a form regarding getting an Autism Service Dog for Noah.

- I started filling out the forms for the Autism Service dog (16 pages!)

- I completed my volunteer form for the Shelter.
~

Blogged over at Create-it GREEN!

I just posted a quick 'n easy project over at Create-it GREEN... Pop on over and check it out if you like! Here is the link.

Have a wonderful day all!

~

"Daniel, you crack us up!!!!"

Here is a brand new Lo created last night for my DT work at Creatively-Green! The pics was taken before bed one night in January 2007.

Information about this layout...

White Cardstock (CS): unkn. brand
All patterned papers are Piggy Tales: Little Boy Blue Collection (Creatively-Green Scrapbook Store)

Yellow paper is reverse of one of the patterned papers (Piggy Tales also).
Scalloped circles cut from Galley opening invitations using a scallop punch by EK Success (TY Deanne!)

Clay Artz spotted star embellishment: Creatively-Green

Ink: Ink it up! in chocolate Brown by Darice.
Doodles: Chestnut coloured AC Slickwriter.
Lettering: BasicGrey "Two Scoops"

Based on a Sketch by artist Deanne Burton, posted on her "Just my Sketches" blog and created Feb 15, 2009. The sketch was turned one quarter turn to the right for this layout.

Thanks for looking everyone!

~

New layouts!

Have been working on some layouts for my Design Team work at Creatively-Green. Love it! It's a lot of fun using the wonderful papers from several Piggy Tales collections! I always say I am a HOG for Piggy Tales' designs! LOL!

Here is a LO I created yesterday. It's called "Snugglin' with Dad" and ifeatures a pic of Noah at 4 1/2, (Fall 2006) with Pete.

Information on this layout:
TY to friend Heather R for the red Lego Brad.
Silver star brads: unkn.
Mini brads: bazzill
3 turquoise buttons: TY to friend Helen H.
All lettering BasicGrey (Two Scoops)
ALL Patterned papers: Piggy Tales: from Creatively-Green store.
PP's are part of the Chicken Little, Little Red Riding Hood, and Little Boy Blue Collections. Red solid mat on photo is reverse of one of the pp's- from Little Red Riding Hood Collection.
Bright white background is slightly shiny/slick in texture and from unkn source. Notebook paper downloaded free from internet

The second layout I have to show you today is called "45 Years: love you"- these are my parents in law, Chris and Doug, in 2007. They have a wonderful marriage.

Information on this layout:

100% recycled cardstock: from C-G store
Patterned papers are Piggy Tales (Little Red Riding Hood collection) from the C-G store
Red corrugated flower from C-G
Buttons: from Frenchy's and friend Helen H.
Yellow script lettering Pink Paislee
White gel pen: Uniball signo
Numbers: Flair


This layout is based on a sketch by D. Burton at her "Just my Sketches" blog, posted on Feb 15, 2009.

Thanks for peeking at these 2 new creations, everyone!
~

Reassessed my layout goal

I have reassessed my goal of doing 225 layouts this year! (I had aimed pretty high.) I have 143 completed as of this morning, Sunday, Dec 27th...and feel that since I did 146 layouts last year, that 150 would be a reasonable "reassessed goal" for layouts!

I started my cards business and then made a whole whack of cards for that... So... creating new layouts was set aside for a little while. In the year 2009, I have completed 221 cards... so I am happy litle camper. For someone who was not a dedicated cardmaker that is pretty good.

Anyway, Here is my scrapbook ticker for 2009... It still says 225 as a goal but that is OK! Isn't that horse cute? LOL! Thanks for visiting.



LOL ~

This 'n That!!

We have had a lovely Christmas day here with the children! They are so much fun! It was a grey day so we just stayed inside and enjoyed the lights on the tree and sharing gifts and laughs. We had a DVD that was a "roaring crackling fire..." That was very neat! We couldn't listen to the sound effects due to Noah's noise sensitivity but it made for a nice ambience anyway, seeing a "fire" there! LOL

After supper we played games with the older 3 children. Mousetrap and Rak-O were great!
A few things to show you tonight...!!

~Create it-GREEN Blog~

Over at the Create-it GREEN blog, I posted a card that I made by recycling part of a pretty envelope we received from my in-laws with a Christmas card in it.

The Create it-GREEN blog is always full of ideas and really cool crafty projects that are kind to the earth. You can check it out HERE. Be sure to become a follower! It's a great source of inspiration!

~Creatively-Green "Art Supplies with a Conscience" Store~

Next, Here is a Christmas card I made for the girls at "Can-Do Hair and Nails" where I get my nails done! The cardstock is 100% recycled- Creatively-Green carries it.

[A note about the clock...Thanks to Carla R. @ Sisterhood of Scrap, where I help moderate the SOS Forum... In March, when I was a Guest Designer on the SOS Blog, she and her sisters Deanne & Susan sent this set of clock stamps to me. They are by "Just Cr8" -- and I LOVE them! They were perfect for the card I made.]

Below is a birthday card I made for my Mom.

Supplies:
Creatively-Green felted flower is made from wool sweaters, and felted by hand
Patterned paper is from Piggy Tales sold by Creatively-Green
Cardstock is 100% recycled and is sold at C-G
Stamp: Anita's 2002 Sugarloaf inc
ink: Inkadinkado, black
Watercolour pencil: Kimberly by General's, [Primary Colours #700- 6AP: #716 Heliotrope]
Buttons: Frenchy's button bin and my friend Helen H. (TY)
Fiskars border and embossing punch: Eyelet Lace

Today, I was honoured to post the final installment of the Eco-Friendly Holiday Project Countdown on Creatively-Green's Blog. Please feel free to check out all the details here! Here are some photos of the treat jars I wrote the post about.

The recipes for their contents are on the C-G Blog!
Thanks to my dear friend Pam Sandy who made the table runner for me from Moda's Figgy Pudding fabric as a birthday gift back in September... it's so beautiful, I need to take a pic SOON so you can see the whole thing! Pam is so creative!

Our "jaunt"~

The 2 layouts below are a pair I created for an album I am making about our 15th Wedding Anniversary "Jaunt" across the Annapolis Valley. Pete and I went for a day-long drive, stopping anywhere we wanted to, and taking photos of EVERYTHING that we could ever remember saying "We really ought to take a photo of that," about!!!! These photos were taken about 15 minutes from home. They show details of an old building that we had always wondered about the original purpose of.

The layout above was created using inspiration from a wonderful sketch created for the May 2008 Scrapbooker's Club House Celebrity Sketch Extravaganza by "Katie the Scrapbook Lady" (Katie Nelson).

Unfortunately, the SBCH Forum, and with it, all the sketches from the Extravaganza are now gone, but I have many of the sketches in an SBCH Celebrity Sketch Extravaganza folder from the time spent organizing the event. Here is the LO Sketch I used to inspire the LO above. Thanks so much Katie! I was really excited to use this Sketch again!

Layout Sketch created by Katie Nelson, "Katie the Scrapbook Lady" for the SBCH Celebrity Sketch Extravaganza, May 2008

Pages 1 and 2: A building on Highway #1 in Aylesford, Nova Scotia. In this area, we call Highway #1 "the old highway."

All patterned paper: Piggy Tales sold by Creatively Green
All Cardstock is 100% recycled Creatively-Green CS
Pearlized raffia ribbon (tied onto the keys) - Creatively- Green
Skeleton Keys: Creatively Green vintage Die Cuts
Felted flower: Creatively Green
Clock stamp: Just Cr8

This layout, called "Lucky Lucie," is based on a sketch by Deanne Burton. The sketch was posted at Sisterhood of Scrap on June 27, 2009. Thanks Deanne!

Supplies:
pp: Piggy Tales; "Peter, Peter pumpkin eater" Collection- couldn't keep her, item #126
(*Paper edges were distressed with 150 grit sandpaper)
Owl: Clay Artz from Creatively-Green store
C-G gallery invitations made into flowers
Pearlized raffia ribbon used to stitch the flower centres in brown and green
Semi circle and leaves created with C-G cardstock
Journaling block created by flipping over the PT patterned paper to the gold [solid] side
Font: Tabitha
Title lettering; BasicGrey
Title numbers: Flair
Chocolate brown ink- "Ink it up!" by Darice
Black ink- Inkadinkado
Howling wolves: Regal Greetings & Gifts punch (paper from my scrap bin: BasicGrey) Black pen: CM, fine tip

Nauguahyde eyelet trim; unknown brand, Atlantic Fabrics

Adhesives: Large Glue Dots, Pritt gluestick, Make it Special photo splits

(some of...) The pets:

Peter took some cute pics of 2 of our cats yesterday. Tootsie was licking Jessie's face. Isn't that sweet? Tootsie is a LOT younger than Jessie-- he is about 13, we think., and has slowed down a LOT. Tootsie is only 2 1/2. She is looking out for the old fella.

Thanks for visiting!

~

Blessings to you all...

I wanted to share a special card I made, since it is Christmas Eve.

My Mom and Dad-in-law sent us a Christmas card this month in a decorated envelope, showing the shepherds seeing the bright star over Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. I saw the beautiful image on that envelope, and could not bear to throw it into the paper recycle bin! Here it is:

Isn't it pretty?

Here is the card I made from the image.

Merry Christmas everyone.... many blessings for you all.

~

A Delicious Crockpot Recipe!

Meatloaf with Mushroom Sauce
(from "Faye"~This is an internet recipe Ali's big family pretty much all loves!!)

SLOW COOKER

Buy Extra-Lean Ground Beef in bulk and shape patties and meatloaves
just the right size for my family.(Use a fave recipe if you have one.)

Then wrap & freeze them.

METHOD (Ali's way... adapted from Faye's):

Simply mix 1 can of low salt Cream of Mushroom Soup & one HALF of an envelope of no-name Onion Soup Mix together.

Add 1 T Worcestershire sauce. Mix.

OPTIONAL: Drain a can of mushroom stems & pieces.

SAVE 3T of the juice from the canned mushrooms for later in recipe.

Take a frozen, formed meatloaf right out of the freezer.

Put 1/4 of the soup mixture in the bottom of your slow cooker, place meatloaf on top.
Throw in the canned mushrooms if using.

Pour the rest of the soup mixture over the top.

Cut up 4 good sized or 5 small potatoes in big chunks. No need to peel.
Throw them into the crock. No need to mix.

Add the 3 T of liquid you saved from the mushrooms.
If you forgot, or you skipped the mushrooms, it’s Ok, use hot water!

Cover and slow cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on the size of your meatloaf.

The meatloaf keeps it's shape & gravy and potatoes are yummy: All is really good.

Served with a green salad and maybe some peas, you can have a complete meal in minutes.

Any leftovers make great lunches at work. Peter loves taking this leftover as a lunch! Just reheat and enjoy!

~

Creating Green...

I have really been trying to create green lately! I wrote up a post for Create it-GREEN this morning! Here you go... Enjoy!

~

People and projects:

Before the Christmas Concert, Daniel and his teacher Mrs. F. had a chance to get their picture taken! Thanks Opa for the Santa Hat and TY George (our neighbour) for the fun Christmas bears tie!

Daniel and his Grade 4 teacher, Mrs. F.

Daniel and his wonderful Dad

Daniel's "Deer in the Headlights" look! My Goodness!

All 3 of us laughing at SOME hilarity or other! We laugh a LOT here, especially when Daniel is involved!

By the way... it was a humid day...yes, in the winter! My hair ended up a bit wavy- it's usually STRAIGHT or tucked behind my ears- nice and smooth!

PROJECTS:

I have been working like a busy beaver at some Design Team creations for the Creatively Green scrapbooking Store.

Here is a Weekly Planner (left) and my purse calendar (right) all customized using Piggy Tales papers from C-G and some of the awesome keys from the store. The clock stamps are from justcre8 and were a gift from SOS, after I worked as a Guest Design Team Member there in March 2008. Thanks girls! Large monogram: BasicGrey Phresh and Phumky. Small monogram: BasicGrey Motifica.

A couple of cards...




Some of my "Crooked Trees," the whole card is designed using BasicGrey products. Ribbon, Make it Special

The meaning of Christmas ... Luke 2:11. Enjoy this card done in shades of turquoise. I recycled the back of the envelope that my in-laws' Chrismas card came in. I loved that scene on the beautiful Blue! I distressed then inked the edges and BAM! It really added some panache!

Thanks for looking, everyone! HAve a GREAT DAY!!

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