April 30, 2013

 I just wanted to write a little post about digital scrapbooking.  I've been using the My Memories program for about 7 year now.  I love it.  I upgraded this year to their new 4.0 version.  I've enjoyed all of the new things that this version can do.  I also enjoy the "Cover-to-Cover" group on Facebook.  I don't share on facebook, but I enjoy seeing what others are doing and how they are solving their problems - scrapbook-wise.

There are quiet a lot digital scrapbook artist that I follow on facebook.  There is so much talent out there.  I love looking in their various galleries and all of the papers and elements that they are producing.  I do believe it is an addiction for me.  Controlled addiction.

I have been printing my photobooks through the print service at My Memories.  I printed two books and then they must have changed printers.  The books are great quality and beautiful.  Last year at Christmas time I had a coupon for a certain discount at My Publishers so I printed two identical photobooks as gifts.  I didn't keep a book, but they appeared to be high quality and long lasting in construction.  For my youngest child's birthday Grandma and Grandpa gave him some clothes from OshKosh and with the purchase came a gift card for 1 free 8X8 book from Shutterfly.  I had an account with them that I had never used, but I couldn't pass this up.  I prepared a photobook for the child that the OshKosh clothes were for.  I love that book, as well.  Very well constructed, pictures are clear and beautiful. So I guess since all three of those options are a great deal - the actual cost of printing an 80 page book is usually cheaper through My Memories, unless there is a 70% off coupon at My Publisher. 

Some of the digital artists that I follow and have purchased from are:  Just So Scrappy, Scraps by Missy, Bella Gypsy, Aprilisa Designs, Word Art World by Jennifer, Blue Flower Scraps, Amber Shaw, Boutique Cute Doll, Pixelily, Brown Eyed Susan, Designs by Connie Prince, Created by Jill, Jen C Desgins, Granny Enchanted, Norimeoreason, Cinnamon Scraps, Dandelion Dust, Stella Jane Designs.  I will put a complete list on here.  Like I said there are some fabulous artists out there and they all have amazing Creative Teams.

If you are looking to join the digital scrap world there are quite a few resources on line.  Hopefully, you may find as much fulfillment in scrapping your life as I have.

Spam Recipes

Growing up my family would eat "Pizza Burgers"  a mixture of Spam and pizza like toppings.  I really enjoyed it as a kid, but for some reason the "taste" for it has not been passed on to my children.  My husband grew up on a Spam recipe called "Spam Casserole"  which is just a scalloped potato recipe with thin slices of Spam.  I've only made Spam Casserole 2 times in 23 years, it really is quite yummy and fairly easy to make.  I will include both recipes on this blog.  By the way, the Spam Casserole isn't a hit with my children either.  I'm figuring it is them and not the recipes, because I find them both quite good and filling.

Pizza Burgers
Spam (grated using a cheese grater)
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Can Chopped Olives
4 Green Onions - chopped (or cut into small pieces with kitchen shears)
1 Can Condensed Tomato soup
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed anise seed (optional)
Package of Hamburger buns

Combine shredded Spam, Cheese, olives, chopped green onions, tomato soup and spices.  Mix well.  Place 2TBSP of mixture on top of each hamburger bun half (open face sandwich style).  Place on baking sheet and bake at 350F for 10 - 15 minutes.

Serve with a vegetable of your choice and a fruit and you've got a well balance meal.

Spam Casserole

1 Container of Spam (slice into pieces)
6 potatoes (peeled and sliced into pieces)
2 Cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
Chopped onion - if desired, to your liking
White sauce:
1/2 Cube butter
1/4 Cup flour
     Melt butter add flour to make a paste
2 cups milk
    Add the milk to the flour paste a little at a time to make a sauce
Salt
Pepper
  Added to the white sauce to flavor
   Cook the sauce until think

In a 9 X 13 pan layer potatoes, Spam, cheese until pan is full.
Pour white sauce over potato, Spam layers.
Bake at 350F for 2 - 3 hours.

Just a few more recipes to add to the mix.  After all, it really doesn't hurt to try something new once in a while.