Scrap Photo Album Cover

I'm so excited, I have family coming for a visit this week all the way from El Salvador! I wanted to give them something to remember us by. They do not have any pictures of our family, so I decided to give them an album full of family pictures. I wanted to personalize the album, you know, make it a little more special. Here's what I did.

First, I began with a very plain, very cheap 4x6 photo album. You could probably pick something up like this at any dollar store.

Next, I covered the album with scrapbook paper, make sure to cover the album while it is closed to make sure that the paper will fit on the album. After gluing the paper to the cover, I distressed the edges using chalk inks. Then it was time to embellish.

I made the family banner flags by cutting out a 1" by 1 3/4" strip of paper, I folded it in half length-wise, then diagonally cut the end off from the open side.

unfold the strip of paper, and you have a banner. I then distressed the edges of each banner piece with chalk inks. I used chipboard stickers to spell "family" on the banner pieces.

I followed the same process to make the "photos" banner. Then, I folded the banner to make it look more 3 dimensional.

I used letters stamps for the word on the banner. Once again, I distressed the edges of the banner using chalk inks.  

The completed Album! The dragonfly and flower are rub-on transfers from My Minds Eye. I really want to make more of these albums, so much fun. I think that they would make great Christmas gifts for family. Sssh, don't tell.

Blessings,

Tuna Noodle Casserole

It has seemed to me that most people have a love/hate relationship with tuna casserole. Some people just love it, or they really dislike it. I would belong to the latter group. As a child, the thought of having tuna casserole would fill me with dread while my sister would be absolutely elated. As an adult, I came to realize how economical tuna casserole was. It was something that I began to make out of necessity, that same old recipe using the can of cream of mushroom soup. I could not take it any longer, there had to be something that tasted better! So I began toying around with different recipes, choosing what I liked from one, and discarding what I disliked from another. I'm sharing with you the final result, something that I've come to enjoy. I no longer dread tuna casserole. This is also my go-to dish when preparing something to give to a sick loved one. I take it to them in an aluminum pan that the person can just throw away when finished. Yes, this is the perfect hospitality dish. I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I do, and make it for someone that you love.

What you will need:

3-4 cups uncooked country style noodles (pictured)

1 can Campbells cream of celery soup

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1-2 cans water packed tuna (depending on your taste)

3stalks finely diced celery

1/2 onion finely diced

1/2 red bell pepper finely diced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

Lawry's garlic salt

black pepper

Begin by boiling the noodles until almost cooked through, about 20min.

While noodles are cooking, heat about 2tbls. oil in a large skillet, add the diced vegetables along with the garlic salt. ( I don't measure the garlic salt, I just add what looks right.)

Saute the vegetables until the onions are opaque. Next, add the cream of celery soup, heavy whipping cream, and tuna to the vegetable mixture. heat through. Then season to taste with black pepper, and maybe more garlic salt. Then add this cream mixture to the cooked, and drained country noodles. Transfer the mixture to a 9x12 casserole dish, top with the grated cheese and Panko bread crumbs. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 25min. or until the center is bubbly, and cheese is melted.

MMMMMMMM. so yummy!

" Use hospitality one to another without grudging."

1 Peter 4:9