Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Traditional Scrapbooking to Faithbooking

It’s hard to believe how much scrapbooking has changed since I picked up my first camera in third grade and began recording the days of my life. That same year I created my first scrapbook album on a newsprint album bought at the dime store. I decorated the pages with photos, cartoons from the newspaper and acid-filled stickers. Now over 40 years later I am still an avid photographer/ scrapbooker. Over the years I have taken thousands of photos and created over 100 scrapbook albums for my family and friends. During this same time photo preservation has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry of which Creative Memories is the leader.

Today we actually have 3 types of albums to choose from. The first, and still my favorite is the Traditional Scrapbooking album using photos, memorabilia, stickers & lots of journaling from the heart. The second type consists of a PicFolio album into which you just slide your photos and journaling boxes for a quick & easy way to display your most recent photos. The last style, and quickly growing to be the most popular for Creative Memories customers is the Digital album. With Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus Software, you don’t need much more than your photos, a computer and your favorite chair to create the perfect photo book. These books make great gifts for any event including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Graduation.

But the latest trend in scrapbooking called Faithbooking is what has me the most excited. Faithbooks can be created using the Traditional, PicFolio or the Digital album. Faithbooking is a way for Christians to record their beliefs. Through the use of favorite Bible passages, journaling, & photos you can create a serene layout that can help you in your daily meditation. It has been said, “that the true tests of faith come not when life is easy but when challenges abound.” Use your Faithbook to reflect on the struggles you and your family encounter and how your belief in God gives you peace during these troubled times. What a great gift to pass down to future generations!

Walk with God!
Terri

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Crop 'Til You Drop by Terri



My Easter Crop starts in just 30 minutes and I can’t wait! I am really looking forward to 7 un-interrupted hours of scrapbooking! I’m still debating which scrapbooking project to work on, but I think it will be Aunt Juanita’s heritage album. I have so many projects in progress – sometimes it’s a little overwhelming!

The best thing about my crops is the time spent catching up on the lives of my customers who have become dear friends over the last 8 years. Besides working on our albums & visiting our time will be spent sharing ideas, learning the newest scrapbooking techniques, eating yummy treats and watching great movies. Most of us find that the only time we have dedicated exclusively to scrapbooking is crop time. We will be working in Terri’s Scrappin’ Spot (named by Lori), otherwise known as our formal living room/dining room.

Jerry & I created Terri’s Scrappin’ Spot two years ago when I was told by the Legacy church staff that my ladies could no longer crop at the building. The Legacy Elders had decided that only activities directly connected to a specific ministry could be held on a regular basis in the building. Strangely enough several members & non-members still have regularly scheduled events at the building. I know of two other Creative Memories Consultants that currently hold their meetings at the building. It saddens me to know that the “rules” only apply to some people.

To create Terri’s Scrappin’ Spot we removed all the traditional furniture from the room. Next we bought 6 drafting centers complete with drafting tables, comfy chairs & project lights and placed them around the room. Then we brought in Dad’s old Light Table, and a couple cabinets to hold my stock and our supplies. Last of all we mounted a TV on the wall and brought in a DVD player and VCR. Then we were all set to open our home to my customers.

The second best thing about my monthly crop is being able to cook yummy treats for my “ladies”. This month I am baking a delicious semi-homemade Coffee Cake. It’s hard to believe such a simple recipe could turn out so delicious. For lunch I am serving my version of Taco Salad. It is a favorite of my family, friends & customers! Last of all, for dessert I made Chocolate Éclairs. Besides tasting great this light dessert is “legal” only 3 pts on Weight Watchers. I thought I’d include the coffee cake recipe for you to bake for your family. It is perfect for a special Sunday morning treat. Just toss all the ingredients in a Bundt pan right before going to bed. Cover with a damp towel and head to bed. In the morning just stick it in the oven and you’ll have a gooey treat that tastes like you’ve been slaving over it for hours! Enjoy!

Christmas Day Coffee Cake

Ingredients:
16 to 18 unbaked frozen dinner rolls
1 (3-ounce) package regular butterscotch pudding mix, not instant
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
Directions:
The night before place frozen rolls in well greased Bundt pan. Sprinkle dry pudding mix over rolls. Sprinkle brown sugar over pudding mix. Sprinkle chopped pecans over brown sugar. Pour melted butter over all. To prevent the dough from forming a hard crust while its rising overnight, cover with a damp towel or tightly wrap with plastic wrap. Let rise overnight at room temperature, about 8 to 10 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Turn pan over onto a serving platter to remove. Serve by pulling apart chunks with forks.

Walk with God,
Terri



Friday, April 10, 2009

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies by Terri

This photo is of some of my Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
that we served in the "Sweet Buffet" at Lori & Jon's wedding.

When I was in High School my mom began working as a bookkeeper for Kimball Oil Company in Ft Worth. While mom was working there she and her fellow co-workers would occasionally exchange recipes. My Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie started as one of these recipes. Mom worked with a young woman who grew up in a "Carny" - one of those carnivals that traveled from shopping center to shopping center across the country. Patti shared the "carny" version of Chocolate Chip Cookies. Over the last 35 years I have altered the recipe so much that I'm not sure Patti would even recognize it if she saw it. Jerry claims I just like to make each recipe my own, changing ingredients to accommodate our family's likes and dislikes. Mom says that no one makes chocolate chip cookies as good as mine. I just like to say that it’s all in the recipe. One that has been perfected over time. I really think the final change I made was the best. I switched one bag of regular Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips for a bag of Tollhouse Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. Now you get chocolate chips in every bite. Yum-o!

I love watching the reaction people have when they try this cookie for the first time! I'll never forget the first time Jerry's brother Dale tried one. He slipped the first cookie from the container hoping no one was watching, bit into it, and then grabbed a handful. Almost as if he couldn't believe they were so delicious! His reaction is a common one. The cookie has just the perfect blend of gooey chocolate chips & nuts.

I thought you might like to try making this treat for your family. But first I must warn you - once they've tried it - you'll be making it often.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
From the kitchen of: Terri Fonville

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups softened butter
1 1/3 cups Crisco
2 cups light brown sugar
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs (Fresh eggs work best!)
4 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
6 cups flour
1 - 12 oz pkg. Toll House Mini-morsels semi sweet chocolate chips
1 - 6 oz. pkg. Toll House Semi sweet chocolate chips
1 - 6 oz. pkg. Toll House Premier white morsels
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:
Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, soda and salt. Stir well. Gently fold in chips and nuts.

Place dough in the refrigerator and chill thoroughly approximately 2 hours before baking. (I try to make dough a day ahead to allow it to chill thoroughly.) Drop by ice cream scoop onto ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.

Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes (depending on your oven).
Note: I place mixing bowl back into refrigerator to keep extra dough chilled while waiting for cookies in the oven to bake. I always double this recipe – these cookies disappear so quickly!
Walk with God!
Terri

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Awesome God! by Terri







Have I mentioned lately what an Awesome God we have?
It is so easy to be overwhelmed by the the little trials
That satan throws into our path
To distract us from our daily walk with God.
My knees grow sore from time spent in prayer.
Then when I am ready to give up -
The unexpected happens.
It's almost as if God is saying H - E - L - L - O !
Did you forget something?
I am always here for you!
That's when I am reminded
What an Awesome God we have!

It reminds me of my favorite verse: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you" declairs the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Walk with God!

Terri