A Happy Birthday Celebration Scraptacular and One Heavy Pound Cake!

Today (11-20-2010) we celebrated Anna's birthday by having a scraptacular scrap-a-thon, hosted by Kelley and myself.  Marian came in from Winterville, and Anna's friend, Stephanie, whom she works with, came from only a few houses down.   My Grandnieces, Tessa and Johanna and, of course, Trey were here.  Plus, Anna and Marian's step-sister,  also named Stephanie, from Winston Salem.   Toni, Anna's 'newest' sister,  joined in our celebration of Anna also.  Thank you, Toni, for coming and thank you, Vincent, for staying with the children while Toni was here making original, colorful, and all around wonderful, card creations...from one claiming not to be creative!   ( We have  3 new scraping partners to join in our scrap-a-thons now, Toni, and both Stephanie's.  And what talents they are!  How fun it is to see one another's creations and learn so much from everyone's handiwork!    I am sorry I did not take pictures of each card and album page...I will try to remember to do that when we are together again.)
The only thing to mar the day was that we missed Wendy.  She usually is the star out-shinning all of us with her ability to turn out page after page  of memories for her photo albums. This is the first girl's day she has missed being with us.  She will have to attend our next scrapping day so it will be truly complete.

....Let them eat......CAKE!

Now, a word to the wise. When shopping for key cake ingredients always make sure the left hand knows what the right is doing! ( That is if you are lucky enough to know your left hand from your right. Wearing your wedding band is a big help in this category. ) Check all labels during both trips to the grocery. Actually, checking labels over and over again could possibly save that second trip for those of you that are not dyslexic! At any rate, read all product labels while on the shelf, in your hand, and once again as you near the register. It probably wouldn't hurt to double check again as you place your groceries in the car. Needless to say, I now have plenty of self-rising flour.

Self-rising flour does not make for a pretty pound cake. But Boy, does it taste good! Thanks for leaving it with me Anna!  

Toni, what are you whispering to Anna?

Another word to the wise.  When you move the oven racks in your oven in order to accommodate the large cake pan be sure they are level...that is double check the rack's position making sure the sides of the rack are held in place on the corresponding side shelves which hold the rack level.  This makes for a nicer appearing cake for presentation.  Not to mention this will also eliminate shouts of, " That's not fair!  Her piece is bigger than mine!"

And, our lesson for the day comes from Trey and Foo-Foo Kitty as they relax and enjoy their reunion.  Proving, once again, love is best and  IS  ONLY when shared!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO TREY FOR ALL OF HIS LUGGING ANG CARRYING FOR THE OLD LADIES AND TO MARIAN FOR HER ORGANIZING AND SETTING UP OF THE ROOM AND SAVING THE DAY BY BRINGING IN THE ALL PURPOSE FLOUR!  ALSO WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO KELLEY FOR HER WONDERFUL CREATIVE MEMORIES DOOR PRIZES.