The Dog-Cat

Our newest non-human family member (don't tell her) is Belle, younger daughter's 3 year-old-adopted cat. But she must be part dog, because she does tricks. She begs. Oh yes, as soon as you spend more than 30 seconds in the kitchen, she is there begging for whatever you are working on. And you can get her to beg nicely for a treat. Really. Also, we caught her rolling over several times. And she sits under the table while you eat hoping for crumbs. She won't eat them, but she waits for them anyway.

The cat part of her is elusive. Just try to get a good picture of her. While she expresses some interest in the camera, she won't hold still for a camera shot.
 
Finally, we decided a bribe was in order, so that we could get her to beg for a snack.  It worked. Belle loves her snacks. You can even get her to eat the snack right out of your hand.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

Freebie Friday from My Memories

I have another exclusive quick page set for you from our friends at My Memories. I thought I'd tell you how I come up with the pictures for these pages. Usually, when I design a page, I have a picture in mind for it, so the page is totally designed with the picture in mind. With the quick pages, I look at the pages, how it is set up for photos, the colors and then pick the photos. Sometimes, like this week, that comes easy. Other weeks, it's a struggle. And since these quick pages are meant for use as two-page spreads, which I admit, I usually only do with these quick pages, it can be difficult.

But, as I said, this one was easy. My kids are crazy. Somewhere along the line they decided they were tired of the sweet sister photos and started hugging each other - viciously! You know, those are some of my favorite pictures. I've picked out some of my favorites for this two page spread.

 

Freebie Kit

 This is what I've done with the pages.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

Christmas Traditions

What more appropriate kit could I use for this week's My Memories Blog Challenge, than a Christmas Traditions kit I picked up on the Blog Train. This particular kit, "Sugar Plums" by designs by Krista really tickled my fancy. I love the colors of this kit and who wouldn't love that cute little gingerbread boy peeking out from behind the gifts?

Since most of my family's traditions center around food, I almost didn't enter this challenge. Then I took a look at the stockings hung from the mantle and knew I had my "tradition." You see, this is the first year in many years all the stockings and stocking holders have been in the same place. Our oldest daughter moved away from home and down to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2004. That year, I decorated dollar store stockings for her, her roommate and our younger daughter. Those are the large stockings on the left, which already came with embellishments - I only had to put their names on with foam letters and puffy paint. Their stocking holders - a kitty - Mandy - and a dog - Max were named for our former pets. The stockings on the right are mine and my husband's. I have wanted to get him a new stocking for years, but he loves his Goofy stocking.

This is also the first year since 2004 that we are all living in the same state. An old tradition in a new state.



Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational