Thank You Card for Special Neighbors

I really do love the condo development where I have settled. Being across the street from the beach certainly has its perks and that is amazing. But in addition to being surrounded by the beauty of God's creations, I have also met some of the nicest people ever.  This development is a mix of owners who live her full time and people who come for varying lengths of time to get away, a month at a time. Many of the people who visit come year after year, so even tho they are only here for a month or so, friendships are formed.  It is really pretty wonderful.

One of my part time neighbors are also owners, but they rent their condo about half of the year and when its not rented they come and stay a few weeks at a time.  They are a great couple who hope to retire in about five years and live here full time.  He is the cook in the family and is always appearing at my door with a new creation to share.  He and his wife are so thoughtful. The last time they were here, they brought be a beautiful orchid plant.  So I made them a special thank you card that was decorated with a lovely orchid designed by Marcella at Power Poppy!

I am still working on my coloring skills with pencils, markers and watercolors, but am determined to color more and accept the imperfections in my work as I learn.  That's a big step for me! Pin It Now!

Chocolate Crinkle Sprinkle Cookes

These cookies were made as a special treat for my grandson, Carter.  When it was my oldest son Scott's birthday, we met for dinner at a fabulous Mexican restaurant in San Clemente which was about half way for each of us. And I just didn't see how I could show up empty handed, so after dinner we made a trip to the car to get the surprise for Carter!!  He was SO happy!  Scott didn't quite understand why HIS son got the special present, but he felt better when Carter shared!! :)

CHOCOLATE CRINKLE SPRINKLE COOKIES
adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

1 c. (142 g) flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 c. organic cane sugar
1/3 c. vegetable oil (I prefer to use Spectrum canola and coconut blend)
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract (I like to use Mexican vanilla in chocolate recipes)
1/2 c. rainbow sprinkles (or more depending on how generous you are with the sprinkles!!)

In a small bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together.  Set aside.

Beat together the sugar, cocoa and oil until thoroughly blended with an electric mixer.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat thoroughly.  Beat in the vanilla.  Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour a little at a time, just mixing until combined.  Stir well with a rubber spatula to be sure all of the flour is incorporated.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment and place the sprinkles in a small shallow bowl.

Shape the dough into one inch balls.  Roll each ball in sprinkles and place on prepared sheets, about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on the cookie before baking.

Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies have spread a little and appear set.  They will remain soft and chewy in the center. Do not overbake.

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them to a wire rack.  They will keep up to one week in an airtight container.


These were a huge hit with my grandson!!  Score two points for Grammy! :)  Definitely fun to make as well and you could use a variety of colored sprinkles to fit any occasion imaginable!

Pin It Now!

Granddaughter's Graduation Card (how could that be??!!??)

This week my granddaughter, Kendra, graduated from high school.  I can still SO vividly remember the day she was born and holding her in the hospital when she was just hours old.  Where in the world has all of the time gone?

Kendra graduated "young" at 17, but she is ready to conquer the world. I love talking with her about what she wants to do and how excited she is about college.  I hope she will never be TOO busy to stop sharing some of her experiences with me. And now that she has her driver's license, I am hoping with all of my heart that she will be able to drive down here during the summer and spend a week with me at the beach. We would have so much fun!  I can dream........... :)

I wanted her graduation card to be different than the run of the mill graduation cards and I hope I achieved that. I think it is one of my favorite cards for sure!

I love the saying - it is from the Flutterby collection from

Crafter's Companion

I made a rounded mat and centered the butterfly on the mat and cut out just the inside. Then I cut the full butterfly out of incandescent card stock in black to use as an outline when I was done.  I put a piece of  contact paper (double sided adhesive works well too) behind the cut out butterfly and glittered each portion using a straw so I could pick up a small amount of glitter at a time. 

Congratulations, Kendra. I am so proud of you!

Pin It Now!