The Star Spangled Banner

The Defense of Fort McHenry by Francis Scott Key

20 September 1814

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines on the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Top 5!!

I'm excited! I made a card last week for the challenge at THIS site and it was was chosen as one of their TOP 5!! Yay!!

Now on to do this week's challenge!

Make some Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS
1 box Devils Food Chocolate Cake Mix
1/4 cup oil (follow package instructions)
1 cup water (follow package instructions)
3 eggs (follow package instructions)
1 package flat-bottomed ice cream cones
Optional Toppings: chocolate cookie crumbles, sprinkles, chocolate chips
Consider Substituting: 1/3 cup room temperature brewed coffee for a robust, gourmet flavor.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, milk, coffee, butter and vanilla extract. With an electric mixer, blend the ingredients on low speed just until incorporated.
3. Once mixed, beat the mixture on high speed for 2 minutes. Add the eggs, then beat on high speed for an additional 2 minutes.
4. Transfer the batter into a container with a pour spout (a liquid measuring cup, for example), then carefully pour the batter into each ice cream cone, filling each 2/3 of the way full.
5. Place the cones on a cookie sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Frost with Creamy Marshmallow Frosting (see recipe below) and decorate with your choice of toppings.

Creamy Marshmallow Frosting

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg whites
2 cups (one 7-ounce jar) marshmallow cream topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Boil 6-8 ounces of water in a medium-size saucepan. In a small heat-proof mixing bowl, combine the sugar, egg whites and water, then place the bowl on top of the saucepan to create a double boiler.
2. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture until soft peaks form. Add the marshmallow cream and continue beating into stiff peaks. Remove from heat.
3. Blend in the vanilla extract on low speed. Use a spoon to frost your Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes.

Shopping Organizer

When I visited Enchanted Cottage in May, I saw the cutest little organizer that they had on display.  It was made out of a small tin container.  Here is a picture of it:

So, I bought a couple of the tins and decided to try to make one myself.  I finally finished both of them and have mailed them to my niece and my nephew’s girlfriend to thank them for their hospitality while I was in Austin last month.  I hope they can use them.  I thought they turned out real cute.  I may have to find a tin and make one for myself!!

Deal of the Week

Every week during the month of July, Stampin' Up! will offer one discounted product as a "Deal of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. This week's deal is 30% off the Scallop Edge Punch ($10.99 sale price!) So, if you've been waiting to purchase this punch, now is the time!

Check out a sample using the punch HERE!

Today's the Day!

You can order from the new Stampin' Up catalog today! Get your new goodies NOW!!

This week’s Monday Mailer

It’s the end of June and I have mailed out my last June Monday Mailer.  Unfortunately, I was not as lucky on the receiving end of my Monday Mailers and only received one card.  My partner was busy and says she will be sending my cards later so I’m being patient!

Here’s my card:

I used the stamp set, Fresh Cuts.  The Fresh-Cut note card is embossed with the polka dot Texturz Plate.  I stamped on Rich Razzleberry (new in color) paper with white craft ink and embossed it.  The flower is punched with the Boho Blossoms punch and sponged with white craft ink.  I used the new polka-dot grosgrain ribbon (Rich Razzleberry) on the side.

This is the inside of the card:

50 Life Lessons

I ran across this article by Regina Britt, a columnist, and thought it was great. Perhaps you will too.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

blog candy alert

Last day for Blog Candy HERE!

Dual Challenges

I did another card tonight to meet the criteria of two challenges!  And, I have to brag, I just love this card!!  The sketch is another one from Stamping 411.  The colors are from a new one I found called Color Throwdown using Kraft, Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette .... how could I resist?

This card uses Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze and Parisian Breeze DSP.  The stamp set is from Hero Arts, Feather Gras.  I cut out all those flowers and the flourish/stems.  The circles are from the Nestabilities.  The scallop punch is Martha Stewart and I used little gemstones in the center of the flowers.

It has been so hot and humid here the past few days.  We didn't even want to go out on the boat today because of the humidity.  We've been back in NC almost 3 years and this is the first time we have encountered that awful humidity that we both remembered about the Carolinas.  Hopefully, next week will be better!  So we had to busy ourselves today finding things to do inside!  We picked my Mom up about noon and went to the movies to see Pelham 123.  It was very good if you like action flicks!  I love Denzel Washington and Travolta.  After the show, we drove to the mall so I could get my sunglasses tinted a little more and Sonny actually went shopping!!  That never happens, but he needed shorts and a belt.  (The belt he was wearing he has had since  before we were married .... in 1973!!  Think he needed one???)  When we left the mall, we headed to Friendly's Restaurant in Huntersville where we all 3 had ice cream sundaes.  I know, not quite Weight Watchers, but it sure was good!  When we took Mom home, Sonny & I planted a couple of gardenia bushes for her.  Then, we headed to Michaels (and Sonny to Dick's).  Michaels shelves were pretty bare.  I think they are getting ready to put the fall merchandise in .... can you believe it??  We were going to take a spin out on the lake when we got home, but by that time is was 6:00 pm and Sonny said he felt like we were back at Ashley's we had been on the go so much today.  So, we just had dinner (I was smart and put pork ribs in the crockpot this morning!) and watched a couple of shows on tv.

Hope your weekend is good and you are keeping cool!  We keep reminding ourselves it could be worse .... we could still be in Texas where it is still 90 degrees when you go to bed!