PK's Parlor

Another Year

2012-01-02T23:33:00.001-07:00

Happy New Year! I began 2012 by teaching a workshop on self reliance for my church.

With so many things on my plate right now, I was really begrudging this assignment, but this topic couldn't have come at a better time. You see, as someone who tries to navigate life by herself, I needed to be reminded of this simple truth:

Being self reliant doesn't mean you're on your own.

Below is one of the quotes from my workshop, and I absolutely love it. I love it so much that I printed, laminated and passed it out as bookmarks for my students' scriptures. (This way that little reminder is always nearby.)

“God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.” ~Neal A. Maxwell

Happy New Year!

P.S. I also love the image above. What are your new dreams?

Bella Who?

2011-11-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

On Nov. 18, Megan and I got dressed up in our finest winter attire for the opening night of Breaking Dawn. Looks like Megan's personal invite from Edward arrived just in time!

Since it's a tradition to pose in front of the Twilight movie posters, we kindly asked two strangers to step aside so we could get up close and personal with Edward and Jacob. Oh, wait...Jacob's not on this movie poster! Just that skinny Bella chick. Luckily, we figured out a way to enhance the poster...

When you're snuggling with a cold-blooded vampire, it helps to wear layers!

Now it's Megan's turn to cozy up to her favorite leading man!

Our finest winter attire had another purpose this night. As soon as we snapped these photos, we walked outside and were greeted by the first snowstorm of the season. It was a slow process driving home, but it's not every day you get your picture taken with with a sparkly vampire. Go Team Edward!

~PK

Your Humble Servant, Edward

2011-11-14T22:24:00.004-07:00

It's hard to believe it's been two years since Megan and I posed in front of this movie poster. As underground Twi-hards, we've seen all of the Twilight movies together. So what if the acting is so-so and the median age of most audience members is 14. We enjoy our Team Edward vs. Team Jacob rivalry too much to care what critics or our parents think. And by parent I mean my dad. I can guarantee my 56-year-old mother will be sitting with us on opening night! I probably should adjust that median age, huh?

So when I came across this entry for Paper Crafts magazine's annual World Card Making Day Contest, I knew it was meant for a higher purpose. It was meant to be Megan's invitation to the next Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn!

FYI: I only called dibs on this card after it didn't make the final cut in our contest. Jolayne Harris, for what it's worth, I think you card is fang-tastic!

Jolayne even included two bite marks on the inside of her card!

To draft the invite's text, I downloaded a font that looks exactly like Edward's handwriting. And just how do I know what Edward's handwriting looks like? You'll have to read the books to find out!

My phone number has been blurred to protect Edward's privacy. You wouldn't believe how crazy fans get these days!

With just 4 days 'til opening night, Megan better rsvp soon! If not, Edward might think she's switched to Team Jacob!

~PK

This Dog's Life...in Costume!

2011-10-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Lexus as a witch for Halloween, 2005 (The pumpkin belly belonged to her former mommy who was about to pop!)

It's that time of year again...Halloween! Lexus looks forward to Oct. 31 every year! Forget Valentine's Day or Easter. This holiday is all about Lexus' favorite past time: dress up!

First a witch, now a devil...I'm starting to see a dark theme here.

Desperate to reinvent her image, Lexus went for a more playful costume for Halloween, 2008.

The pink wig was so much fun, Lexus went on to wear the most iconic wig of all time for Halloween, 2009. Unfortunately, the force was not with her that year... Princess Leia doesn't have whiskers!

So maybe this year Lexus will embrace her inner ogre. At least the whiskers can stay!

What do you think Lexus' best look has been? If you have any costume ideas for Halloween 2011, we're all ears!

~PK

Charlie's Angels

2011-10-07T08:00:00.005-06:00

Weddings always bring out the Angels - Sept. 30, 2011
(And yes, our mom's nickname just happens to be Charlie.)

Laurie is wearing another original creation by Gwen B. Smith. It's based on this Elie Saab dress worn by Angelina Jolie.

One of these is not like the others. Red heel, red heel, cheap heel.

But who needs Christian Louboutin when you're an Angel?

~PK

Have a Coke and a Smile

2011-08-29T08:00:00.003-06:00

Girls Week 2011 officially begins today! Joining me in beautiful McCall, Idaho will be all my favorite girls:

Grandma
Mom
Two sisters
Two aunts
Three cousin-in-laws
Two toddlers

Looking forward to lots of Cokes and smiles!

~PK

Kids Say the Darndest Things

2011-08-17T11:24:00.001-06:00

Photo courtesy of Cristi Dame Photography

When was the last time a kid cracked you up with something they said? I just love how their little minds work.

My all-time favorite kid quote came from a girl who lived across the street and used to play with my younger sister. She had an adorable page boy haircut, bright blue eyes and way too much charm for a five-year-old. (She reminds me of another munchkin who's always making us laugh.)

I asked her one day, "Katie, how did you get to be so cute?"

Without missing a beat, she said, "God made me that way."

She said it so matter-of-fact, who was I to question her?

So, when I came across these cute greeting cards from Pelican Press, I just had to snatch them up right away!

What's the last funny thing you heard from a kid?

~PK

Cooper Smith - Head of Class

2011-06-03T08:00:00.003-06:00

Meet Cooper Michael Smith. My 17-year-old cousin graduates from high school today. Sniff, sniff.

In the words of his poetic father, "We be so proud."

Coop, I'm proud of you too. Go ahead and walk tall today. After all, you have quite the yearbook picture to live up to. :)

~PK

Mimi's Magic

2011-06-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

First came Gigi. Then came Mimi. This mother/daughter duo most definitely know their way around a sewing machine. (Sadly, I did not inherit this gene...despite the purchase of a child's sewing machine, a few lessons and the determination of one resourceful grandmother. Sorry, Gigi.)

Mimi is the mother of my five male cousins and the grandmother of McCall, who is quite the "Little" munchkin...

Photo courtesy of Cristi Dame

...and the recent additions of Nixon and Elise, who both just turned one this spring. Let's just say Mimi loves spoiling her granddaughters, but she still knows a thing or two about boys, as evident in Nixon's new superhero nursery:

Photo courtesy of Cristi Dame

Mimi has some crazy sewing skills! I wouldn't doubt if she is Superman's long lost sister. Click HERE to see more pictures of Nixon's new superhero digs. Can I just say I love the addition of Wonder Woman to the cast of characters on the wall? Plus, it looks like the room is agreeing with Nixon...he's already perfected his man of steel stare...

Photo courtesy of Cristi Dame Photography

To read more about Mimi's one-of-a-kind creations, visit her Etsy shop, Mimi's Magic.

~PK

An Incredible Lady...An Incredible Life

2011-05-19T22:21:00.007-06:00

We said goodbye to this special lady, my grandma, on Feb. 10. Today would have been her 90th birthday. And while her frail little body was no match for her indomitable spirit, in the end, she said goodbye on her terms and left as sweetly as the evening sun setting in the West. We still miss her and I'm sure we'll continue to miss her for a very long time.

Since she chose to be cremated, we decided to take our time in planning her memorial service. We wanted it to be a grand tribute that would be fitting for a woman who spent most her life serving others. So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to share some of the stories I told at her memorial.

My earliest memories of Grandma include sitting at the piano with her as she warmed up her voice to countless show tunes she had sang countless times before. Now as an adult, I recognize that this was her way of saying, "I’m still a vocalist. I still have a song in my heart, and I will always perform – no matter if my audience is 5,000 serviceman at a USO camp show or my three-year-old granddaughter."

Before she joined the USO in 1942, she lived in Hollywood and sang professionally.

As I grew older, my sisters and I would look forward to our yearly birthday phone calls where Grandma would serenade us with her special rendition of the Hawaiian birthday song. Even if we happen to miss her call, she would leave the whole song on voicemail and what a treat it was to play it back when we had a quiet moment.

In addition to her birthday phone calls, Grandma was also known for her correspondence. Whether these letters were handwritten or typed on her trusty typewriter, you could always count on a sweet note to arrive in your mailbox exactly when you needed it the most, like this one:

“Hi Sweet Kelly…I have many projects and chores to do, but nothing tops the list more than sitting down at the ol' typewriter and sending a note to my sweet girl, to tell her how much she is loved.”

In these letters, she would always include photocopied quotes and newspaper clippings. Sometimes these photocopies were her aerobics class schedule at the local rec center…other times they would be more “newsworthy” items like the time she dressed up in her WWII uniform and sang “God Bless America” at the grand opening of a Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Of course, this made the local news. But then again, Grandma always made the news.

Once I entered college and decided to pursue journalism as my course study, a big thrill was to have one of my articles published about Grandma’s USO experience. It was a "fluff" piece I turned into my editor with no expectation of ever seeing it in print. You can imagine my surprise when I walked on campus on Veteran’s Day and picked up a copy of our school’s newspaper. Yep, this little "fluff" piece was staring me right in the face on the front page. Needless to say I had the best time calling Grandma that day to say, "I hope you're ready for the spotlight again."

In reading Grandma’s memoir of her USO experience, I know she viewed her stay in Cassino, Italy in 1944 as a special highlight, mainly because the men—who were so close to the fighting—needed the entertainment so badly. She wrote, “The men practically all had beards and most of them were sitting on the ground in the mud. Some were on top of trucks, and when I looked again, they were even hanging and sitting in the trees. I remember singing Embraceable You and saying, ‘Come to mama, come to mama,’ when a GI fell out of a tree in a swoon. Some of the men told me later that the Germans were sitting on top of the hill. They didn’t want to fight anymore – they wanted to see the show.”

And what a show Grandma gave us throughout her 89 years of life. So it’s no surprise that she picked Feb. 10 as the day of her final performance. As I was writing her obituary a few weeks ago, I came across that iconic photo of her from Cassino, Italy in 1944. I’ve seen it countless times over the course of my life. On a whim, I turned the photo over. On the back, in Grandma’s perfect penmanship, was the date “Feb. 10, 1944.” It seems she chose to leave this world on the very day she gave her greatest performance to a packed crowd of 5,000 servicemen, exactly 67 years ago.

She closed her memoirs by saying this about her USO experience, “You feel good down deep inside of you because you know you won’t be forgotten when you have finished because you are giving a part of you to somebody who needs you. When you looked at the shining eyes and the eager, boyish faces, and when you heard the music of their laughter and the thunder of their applause, you forgot all about the leaky tent and loose boards on the stage. You never felt so completely full in all your life. This was success.”

Indeed.

So when it came time to send out the invitations to her memorial, this iconic photo once again played a part in the extraordinary life of Norma A. Squires Smith:

One of my favorite quotes is: "A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." Grandma, thank you for sharing your life's song with me and those who were blessed to know you. Your stage will always be waiting for you, your voice will always be remembered.

All My Love,
Your Sweet Kelly

Love is a Battlefield

2011-05-16T07:00:00.003-06:00

Believe me, believe me, I can't tell you why

But I'm trapped by your love, and I'm chained to your side

You're making me to go, you're begging me to stay

Why do you hurt me so bad?

We are young, heartache to heartache we stand

No promises, no demands love is a battlefield

Pat Benatar, thanks for providing the soundtrack to Lexus' latest mood swing. And Rafiki...he gave as good as he got.

~PK

The Cruise Chronicles - Final Day at Sea...Finally!

2011-05-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the final installment of The Cruise Chronicles! Would you believe our party of Smith-Dame cruisers have been shipwrecked on a deserted island these last six months? No wonder there's been no updates on this little blog!

It's rumored this group of hippies caught the eye of a casting director and they've been filming the 4th installment of the Pirates of Caribbean franchise. You'll have to see if Johnny Depp has a new crew when Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides hits theaters on May 20!

In the meantime, let's catch up with our favorite cruisin' family. It all began with one helluva a dance party!

Why dance poolside when you can dance IN the pool!

Even hippies like to shake their booty to a good beat!

The next day was a sea day for our adventurous sailors. With no tropical ports to visit, the fun must be created on board. From basketball to rock climbing to fun poolside contests, let's just say the youngest Dame created quite a name for himself in the Men's Sexiest Leg competition:

Here's our group of contenders. From young to old, they all flexed and strutted their sexy legs.

And the last one to walk the catwalk...my cousin, Taylor. I think he had a strategy for going last.

Because before you knew it, off came the board shorts!

And out came his red, white & blue speedo and a film camera!

But in the end, victory went to this man, who was crowned Sexiest Geriatric Legs! Better luck next time, Taylor!

After his very public defeat (videos are still being circulated!), Taylor and the boys joined forces in a rousing game of dodgeball. Let's just say balls we're literally flying everywhere!

First comes the self-assured thumbs up...

But after a few close calls, it's time to pow-wow...

Feeling victorious, it's time to play ball!

Watch out, Sexiest Geriatric Legs! Here comes the infantry!

Sadly, they lost. Good thing there's the Beach Olympics!

After our day of sport, we cleaned up and gathered in a lounge to pay tribute to Gigi, who graciously paid for 19 of us to go on this cruise. After telling our favorite Gigi stories, we presented her with our final gifts: a watch engraved with, "We love you more & more, as time goes by" and an 10-minute video (Thanks, Brent!) set to the soundtrack of Sleepless in Seattle. (If you remember, Jimmy Durante's As Time Goes By is among the classics on this soundtrack.) Then we donned our Smith-Dame cruise t-shirts (Thanks, Uncle E!) and sat for our official cruise portrait:

One thing I know for sure: we are family...as time goes by!

~PK

The Cruise Chronicles - Day Three at Sea

2010-10-27T00:50:00.000-06:00

Feeling groovy, mon?

It's only fitting that our third day aboard The Majesty of the Seas would find us in the most righteous island in the Caribbean...the Bahamas, baby! We also chose this day for our own special theme night. With 19 travelers, you either go big or go home. We went big and pulled out the bell bottoms, the tunics, the peace signs and for the men...the most ridiculous wigs. Who knew hippies had so many accessories?!

If you're still looking for a fun and affordable costume for Halloween, this is a theme that can be enjoyed by the whole family. From my cousin's four-year old daughter to my 76-year-old grandma, we all channeled our inner hippie chick (or dude) and had a blast doing it! Plus, who doesn't love a family that proudly embraces the mantra of peace and love?

But before we donned the bell bottoms, we spent the day touring the beautiful Atlantis resort in Nassau.

The impressive view from our ship.

The view from the actual property.

For those guests of the resort, this is their playground.

Thirsty? Why not paddle over to this seashell bar for some refreshment?

Below the property, there's a floor to ceiling aquarium. Here I'm communicating with a few of my friends.

Too bad my friends didn't think so highly of my sister.

If you were willing pay $135 or sneak pass security (like my cousin here), you could walk underneath sharks...

...or float in a tube down their lazy river. (Boys, what would Gigi say?)

While the boys were being boys, us law-abiding girls found a throne inside the Atlantis to rest our poor feet. Sometimes being royalty is such a bore.

Always thinking about fashion first, McCall's Papa paid for her to get her hair braided in Nassau. This look proved very effective for our theme night later that evening!

We Are [A Hippie] Family!

If these two crazy kids ever get married, wouldn't this make a fun engagement photo?

The Love Children

The Dudes. If you look closely, you'll see McCall's toy poodle peeking out of Ryan's jumper pocket. Doesn't he look like a creepy pedophile? Kids, stay away from this hippie!

Gigi, I think it's time you take away the creepy mustache!

Papa, Mimi and their love child, Taylor

Nice wig, Brooks! Or should I call you Ron?

As hippies go, my parents are pretty G-R-O-O-V-Y!

So there you have it! This day was the highlight of the trip for me. It's not often you can play dress up with 19 of your favorite people and actually get away with it. These pictures are definitely going in the family archives! Especially the group shot...this one I actually put in a shadow box, added a few groovy embellishments and said, "Happy birthday, Dad!"

Stay tuned for the final edition of The Cruise Chronicles...our last day aboard the ship was all about fun games (boys will be boys) and a special (top secret!) tribute to our matriarch Gigi.

"Sea" ya soon!

PK

The Cruise Chronicles - Day Two at Sea

2010-09-24T09:00:00.000-06:00

Day two aboard The Majesty of the Seas found the Smith-Dame clan docked at Royal Caribbean's private island Coco Cay. This is the view from our little piece of paradise. A girl could definitely get used to this. (I'm seriously thinking about making this my screen saver!)

What's great about traveling by ship with a large group of people is everyone can separate after breakfast and do their own thang until dinnertime. Most of us elected to get off the ship and soak up some rays on Coco Cay. With a gorgeous palm tree-lined beach, there was plenty to do for those who just couldn't relax on a reclining chair. And since the ages of our party ranged from 4 to 76, there was always someone to either chill or play with. And that's my kind of vacation!

The view of our floating buffet from the beach. Looks small, huh?

I called this picture Three and a Half Men.

Don't the Dame Brothers look good in pink? (I'm so pretty!)

If you look past the white flesh, there's a sun worshipper in there somewhere.

Thanks to my sister for snapping this photo. While I went in search of some lunch, the boys went in search of some friendly sport. They found it in Coco Cay's 2010 Beach Olympics.

They came. They saw. They conquered. The Larger than Life team walked away with gold medals. These medals will become accessories for the boys later that night at our one and only formal night.

Little McCall enjoys some down time with her Mimi (check out Mimi's pretty nails and pedicure...she actually had little white flowers painted on all of her toes! Hmm...McCall likes this look!)

So we try to recreate it on her later that afternoon. (Unfortunately, we had to stick to a solid base coat because silly PK forgot to bring her self-adhesive nail flowers! And no, they don't sell them on the ship!)

But enduring 15 minutes of pampering really tuckers a girl out! (I love that she minded me and actually kept the toe separators on. This is one girl who takes her beauty routine very seriously!)

And it paid off! Isn't McCall adorable with her black velvet dress, embellished flats and soft curls? The poodle purse is actually a gift from Cousin Holly. Long story short...Holly and her girlfriends refer to themselves as The Poodles. This all-blonde, all-manicured group of Texas socialites even go on trips together...Poodle Palooza was in Scottsdale this year!)

The infamous GQ ad. Sporting their shiny new medals, the Olympians strike a pose.

Brent and Holly make a grand entrance into the dining room.

And Gigi finally makes an appearance! Flanked by 9 of her 11 grandchildren and her only great-grandchild, her smile says it all!

Don't Laurie and my older "sister" clean up good?

Even a Poodle-in-Training demands superior service from her wait staff.

I won't even tell you how long we had to wait in line for this picture! But it turned out alright. Back row (from l. to r.): Taylor Dame (cousin), Jeff Smith (dad), Cooper Smith (cousin), Kelly Dame (uncle), Collin Smith (cousin). Middle row: Brent Hendrix (Holly's boyfriend), Eric Smith (uncle), me, Laurie Smith (sister), Holly Smith (sister), Cristi Dame (Brooks' wife), Brooks Dame (cousin), Ryan Dame (cousin). Front row: Carter Smith (cousin), Bonnie Smith (aunt), Gwen Smith (Gigi - grandma), McCall Dame (Ryan's daughter), Evelyn Dame (Mimi-aunt), Kathy Smith (mom). If you look closely, suave Brooks dangles his gold medal by his side! We gave him so much heat for that!

If you think we look like a nice, respectable family here, wait for day three when we break out our hippie garb for our own theme night! (We actually had other passengers come up to us and say, "Were we supposed to pack hippie costumes?) We also enjoy a fun day at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas (where Poodle Holly finally finds an acceptable throne to sit upon). And a couple of my medal-winning cousins decide to test their strength and luck once again...too bad it didn't have the same outcome!

"Sea" ya soon!

Happy Birthday to One Groovy Chick!

2010-09-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

So what if he's your nephew...you still got it, girl!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

The Cruise Chronicles - Day One at Sea

2010-09-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

When we last left our story, the Smith-Day clan had spent a fun-filled day at Epcot Center in Orlando. The next day, all 19 of us would board Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas for a five-day sail to the private island Coco Cay, The Bahamas and then back to Port Canaveral, Florida.

My mom is what you might call a seasoned cruiser. I think this last one was her 12th cruise to date. Since she now has Royal Caribbean V.I.P. status, those of us who were smart enough to board with her, were able to bypass the long security lines and get on the ship much quicker.

What does one do once you board a floating buffet? You head straight to the food! Luckily, it's not very hard to find. You pretty much follow the crowd and you'll end up either in the dining room, one of the cafeterias or poolside. My 12-year-old cousin Carter couldn't believe that you could literally get food anytime you wanted it. Let's just say he was never far from the soft-serve ice cream machine or the pizza bar...which were open 24-7.

Our floating buffet...The Majesty of the Seas

Since we had a few hours to kill before dinner, most of us headed straight for the pool to work on our tans. I, of course, first purchased my soda pass, which essentially kept me caffeinated and happy for five straight days. Here's McCall playing "squishy face" with Uncle Brooks, one of her many dads on this trip.

Busy little McCall soon tired of Uncle Brooks (or maybe it was the other way around!), but luckily Mimi (her grandma) came prepared for such moments of boredom. She whipped out this cute felt fish that required some stitching around the gills. Once completed, it was time to put on a puppet show!

Good thing my sister's boyfriend Brent was nearby and could take up the post of McCall's third Daddy. He was such a good sport, especially when her puppet started punching him in the face!

Before you knew it, it was time to clean up for dinner. It was a casual night, which meant we could basically wear whatever we wanted. My cousins Carter and Taylor sort of have a bro-mance going on, despite their 12-year age difference. I think it has something to do with being the youngest in their families. Regardless, these two were roommates and loved every minute of it! Here they are modeling their dinner attire, which includes "Ski or Die" hats.

And then came the hot dog. I literally walked past Cooper's room and was greeted by this...vision in mustard. Little did I know how popular Hot Dog Boy would be that night. Let's just say Cooper came out of his ~~shell~~ bun.

The proud parents of Hot Dog Boy, my Uncle Eric and Aunt Bonnie.

After dinner, we met in the lobby for a 70's Dance Party. (Too bad our own hippie night was scheduled for Wednesday night...that would have made for some great photos!) But no complaints here...The Village People kept us entertained!

I think my sister Laurie was a little confused by the combination of oiled-up YMCA dancers and her cousin's hot dog costume.

But we managed to get our 70's groove on!

And even my mom got out on the dance floor to do the fist pump, ala Jersey Shore-style!

Once The Village People left the floor, Hot Dog Boy did his thing! The best part of the night was when the DJ thanked Oscar Meyer for sponsoring the dance party.

Hot Dog Boy was admired by many cruisers of the female persuasion!

But Hot Dog Boy wasn't the only one with the moves! Cousin Brooks and his wife Cristi enjoyed their first night without 5-month-old Baby Nixon, who stayed behind in Miami with Cristi's family.

Two thumbs up for our first day at sea!

And thus concludes day one aboard The Majesty of the Seas. Stay tuned for day two at the private island Coco Cay, where the Dame boys compete in The 2010 Royal Caribbean Beach Olympics and actually medal! McCall also gets her very own poodle and we all dress up in our finest garb for our one and only formal night. Gigi also reacts to The Cruise Fairy, who somehow finds her way into Gigi's cabin and leaves behind little gifts with cryptic notes that all end with, "As Time Goes By..."

"Sea" ya soon!

The Cruise Chronicles - Epcot Center

2010-08-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

It's been a month since I returned from the 2010 Smith-Dame Family Reunion, otherwise known as "19-somewhat-crazy-somehow-related-people-surrender-all-cellular-devices-to-sail-the-high-seas-for-a-five-day-adventure-where-we-saw-everything-from-sting-rays-to speedos."

Now that I've had time to organize my photos (and borrow a few from Facebook!), I'm ready to share the good (groovy hippies), the bad (stomach flu at Epcot) and the very ugly (a red, white and blue speedo).

Let's begin our story in sunny Orlando, where a trip to The Mouse (or his friendly neighbor, Epcot) is a not only a blogable event, but a mandatory stop for all Smith-Dame cruisers. Just don't tell 54-year-old Aunt Kathy that there's a person in the Mickey costume. She takes all things Disney very seriously...

...so seriously that she presents our two princesses (31-year-old Holly & 4-year-old McCall) with princess t-shirts and tiaras - even before we board the shuttle!

This is when PK starts to feel...not so hot. Despite a good night sleep and a light breakfast (granola bar and a Coke), I start to feel the onslaught of stomach trouble. (And just so you know, I begin every morning with a granola bar and a Coke, so it's not the sudden rush of sugar to my system!)

Once we enter Epcot, both princesses pause in front of what McCall later labeled the "shiny, metal ball."

Disney theme parks really are the happiest places on earth. Here's 18-year-old Collin in a sweet moment with McCall.

But how can you not smile with this cute little munchkin?

Collin, your secret is safe with me. No one will ever know there's a teddy bear lurking inside.

Right about now I literally run for the nearest bathroom and spend the next hour or so becoming very acquainted with the park's nicely-maintained facilities. The family went on a bunch of rides, and we later met up for an iced-cold Cola with my new boyfriend.

By the time lunch rolled around, we heard there was a Royal Banquet Hall where all visiting princesses could dine in their best garb. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be...they charged a whopping $35 a head, so we took our royal party to a cafeteria in America and settled for a $10 hamburger.

But it wasn't a total loss...princesses were everywhere in America! Here's princess-struck McCall and Snow White near her famous wishing well.

And then McCall and Daddy got to meet enchanting Belle and the mean old Beast.

As we roamed from country to country, we stopped in Canada so McCall could peek her face out of a totem pole. By the afternoon, I "think" I'm recovered from my earlier stomach issues.

Around 4 p.m., we were blessed with a quick rain storm. It helped cool down the humid temperatures and gave us an excuse to duck into a store. Here's 12-year-old Carter giving McCall a lift.

Sadly, the happiest place on earth could not make my stomach happy. Realizing our day of fun was wrapping up, McCall quickly faded into my lap while we waited for the shuttle. This girl can literally fall asleep anywhere!

Once back at our hotel, I quietly returned to my room and stayed there for the rest of the night. The family took advantage of the remaining daylight hours and played in this cool pool.

And once McCall woke up from her nap, she magically turned into The Little Mermaid. Since her actual middle name is Ariel, she's always been fond of water and now apparently slides, too!

And that wraps up this edition of The Cruise Chronicles. I have so many fun stories and pictures to share from the rest of our vacation. Stay tuned because I'll be devoting individual blog posts to each of our days on the ship.

"Sea" ya soon!

Newton's Third Law of Motion

2010-08-13T09:00:00.000-06:00

There's really no point in fighting it.

You go to enough weddings and sooner or later it's bound to happen.

Even if you try not to make eye contact...

Even if you position yourself in the very back of the group...

Even if you stare at the ground and mutter to yourself, "Please not me..."

There's really no point in fighting it.

If the bride tosses the bouquet right at you, (and you're wearing 3-inch heels), you pretty much have to go with, "For every action, there's an equal an opposite reaction." And all I can say to that is: Isaac Newton really knew his stuff!

But then again, yellow roses have always been my favorite.

Maybe Mr. Newton had nothing to do with it...

Maybe the bride secretly knew my weakness for said flower...

Maybe I was a goner from the moment I stepped out on the dance floor...

The only conclusion I can come to is this: I really hope my future husband's name is NOT Isaac.

PK

My Clever Girl

2010-07-28T19:41:00.001-06:00

I just returned from the 2010 Smith-Dame Family Reunion, a.k.a. "The Cruise". I have so many stories and photos to share, but my to-do list is a mile long this week. Stories and incriminating photos will just have to wait! But this particular story just had to be shared right away...

While I was mindlessly floating on our party ship, Lexus spent a week with a friend 0f mine from church. Mary Ann has a chihuahua named Lexi (what are the odds!), so the two pups became best friends and shared everything from food to toys to the coveted spot on Mary Ann's couch.

While I thought I had brought back all of Lexus' belongings, I forgot one crucial thing: the puppy gate! And I didn't realize this until I was leaving for work on Monday morning. Hmm...what's a girl to do? No time to swing by Mary Ann's...Wait a minute! What about your IKEA bookcase? All you have to do is push it in front of the kitchen walkway. Surely Lexus isn't smart enough to figure out there's actual openings in it...you've got books and stuff in them. Right?

WRONG!

This is what greeted me when I came home Monday night. This and a scampering dog who realized she'd been caught! (There was also the lovely bouquet of one of her presents!)

Yep, my clever girl figure out that all you have to do is push your nose a little and boom...total freedom! They say the Italian Greyhound breed is known for their clever ingenuity and now I believe it! Needless to say, a phone call to Mary Anne was placed that very night and Lexus is now safely (and securely!) back behind her puppy gate...that is until she and her pet monkey Rafiki devise their next breakout!

A Little Silliness

2010-07-08T09:00:00.000-06:00

I just love summertime...especially since its long, carefree days seem to practically beg for a little silliness. Which is why Paper Crafts is having so much fun with our July Gallery Challenge entitled: "Matt, Brad & Chip: The Boys of Summer". In this two-week challenge, we're looking for projects that incorporate mats, brads and chipboard.

And since every challenge needs a little inspiration, my fellow Texan, Matthew McConaughey offered to pose with his favorite magazine...just to show his support for our cause!

Thanks, Matthew!

Let me know if you're interested in a subscription...I know people!

#1 Dad

2010-06-16T18:39:00.000-06:00

Last Saturday, we hosted our monthly card group at Doodlebug's headquarters! (It helps to have friends in high places...thanks, Brady! And to Andrew for all the yummies!)

While Brandy will be showing our swapped cards next Thursday on the Paper Crafts Connection blog, I just had to show off the card I made for my dad for Father's Day. (Disclaimer: I assembled this card, but all the pieces can be found in the Go-to Sketches Card Companion Kit.)

This card follows Kim Kesti's sketch on p. 98 of Go-to Sketches. The banner comes pre-printed with the sentiment "Bon voyage". While this is a lovely sentiment, I decided to change it to "#1 Dad" for Father's Day. And because my dad is an airline pilot, it's even more sentimental.

Hopefully dear ol' dad likes it and doesn't ruin the surprise by reading my blog before the card arrives in the mail!

P.S. My rub-ons didn't come with a "#", so I fashioned one together by trimming four "l's"!

Circle of Strength

2010-06-06T23:45:00.000-06:00

Years ago, my mom gave this poem to my grandma and grandpa and each one of their four children as a Christmas gift. Not only did it hang in my parents' home, but I loved going to my aunt's and uncles' homes and seeing it there.

"Our family is a circle of strength and love…
With every birth and every union the circle grows…
Every joy shared adds more love…
Every crisis faced together
Makes the circle grow stronger."

~Author unknown

And even though cancer once again touched our lives, our matriarch said, "I'll show you." Then she got up and went to the beauty shop for a cut 'n color. But not before we continued the Memorial Day tradition of putting flowers on her husband's grave...and his parents'...and her parents'...

"Our family is a circle of strength and love..."

PK

Xanax, Please!

2010-05-22T01:24:00.000-06:00

I love my dog, but I will not be getting a "Mommy & Me" tattoo on my ankle anytime soon. Of course, judging by the "eyes" on this dog, perhaps its owner didn't have a choice!

Can anyone say doggie Xanax?

Oh, So Fine at 89!

2010-05-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

Today is my Grandma Norma's 89th birthday. It was a little over 66 years ago that she stood on this stage in Italy and sang to thousands of serviceman as a USO performer. (If you look closely, you can see a few men sitting in the trees hoping to get a better view of this 22-year-old songbird.)

And here she is last November on Veteran's Day. Her assisted living home hosted a special program to honor all veterans. She sang I'll Be Seeing You with my mom and sister and then showed off her storyboard of photos, newspaper clippings and memorabilia.

And to prove she can still sing after all these years, here's a short video of her serenading the tulips at the Dallas Arboretum.

Happy birthday, Grandma!
PK

The Lex Mop

2010-05-06T22:14:00.000-06:00

What does a girl do when she spills half her spaghetti dinner ALL over the kitchen? After uttering a profanity or two, she quickly reaches for her new revolutionary cleaning agent.

"Oh, Lexus..."

I LOVE spaghetti-all-over-the-kitchen day!

Forget the Swifter...Lexus can reach all crevices.

This totally beats my boring Kibbles and Bits!

Have a messy spill? Forget paper towels and expensive cleaners. Call 1-800-LEX-MOP for your free, 30-day trial. If not completely satisfied with the results, just return the Lex Mop - no questions asked. Disclaimer: In addition to cleaning up messes, Lex Mop is known to make a few, too!

Short and Sweet

2010-04-30T00:27:00.000-06:00

I couldn't let April pass by with just one blog post, so as we near the end of the month, here's my second! Short and sweet...but then again so are these little ones. Meet the newest members of the Smith/Dame family:

Nixon Bradley Dame (born Feb. 17, 2010):

Nixon arrived a few weeks ahead of schedule, so he only weighed 4lbs. 15oz. My cousin Brooks (seen here) is 6ft. 5in. tall, so Nixon has a lot of catching up to do before he can wrestle with dad. Good thing his momma is an amazing photographer and can capture every sweet moment.

Elise Evelyn Dame (born April 19, 2010):

Elise was born to Brooks' younger brother Todd and wife Melony just last week! Named after her Mimi Evelyn, she definitely takes after the Smith side of the family with those cute, chubby cheeks. Looks like big "brother" Bentley (seen here) greeted her homecoming with a wet, sloppy kiss!

Welcome little ones!
PK

My Little Easter Bunny

2010-04-05T00:33:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a great Easter. I spent some quality time with the family this weekend and ate way too much Easter candy. Although, on a holiday like Easter or Valentine's Day, I'm convinced the calories don't count. Just like I know the Easter Bunny is real.

Speaking of the Easter Bunny...I've been known to dress Lexus up in various costumes. Here's a picture from when she was a puppy. That was back when she'd let anyone put just about anything on her and you didn't have to worry about losing a finger in the process.

While Lexus enjoyed a costume-free holiday, her cousin Charles Woodrow didn't fare as well. (Yes, in my family, we even give the dogs middle names. Lexus' middle name is Victoria. She's named after the evil (but beautiful) vampire in Twilight who likes to BITE people!) My sister went all out with Charlie's wardrobe this year. I guess he had to look his best since he was attending some black-tie canine affair. Judging from his expression, it was a complete bore!

Sorry about your luck, Charlie! Maybe your momma will make it up to you by burning this picture.

PK

Handsome Men's Club

2010-03-09T21:53:00.000-07:00

It's not easy dating a guy who belongs to the Handsome Men's Club, but I've found that love has no boundaries.

Right after the Oscars on Sunday, Jimmy Kimmel hosted a special show that featured several of this year's nominated actors. Amidst this all-star line-up, he aired a 9 minute 26 second skit that had me hitting rewind on my TiVo over and over again. As you might surmise from the title, it's a club of handsome men. Jimmy plays the president and there's a lot of hot Hollywood men. A lot. If you haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil the juicy plot, so that's all I say...for now.

But rest assured, it's now a permanent link on my blog. Any time you want to drool at 20 gorgeous men, you know where to go! (And if you're guy reading this, there's lots of laughs, too! I promise you'll like it, Dad!)

Enjoy!
PK

All the Single Ladies!

2010-02-20T00:36:00.000-07:00

Beyonce's hit song was not played at my cousin's wedding last week, but it would have been fitting. As this picture clearly shows, all the singles ladies had their "hands up". Well, most of them...my uncle snapped this photo during the bouquet toss and then e-mailed it to me with this reply:

"PK, I'm disappointed to see how little effort you were putting out. You have to stick your hand out if your going to catch the fly ball at the park."

While I agree with his assessment, this old lady wasn't about to go head-to-head with the "drill team" in front of me. And don't even get me started on my cousin's four-year-old daughter McCall. She was out for blood! And that determination paid off! She actually caught the bouquet!

I guess I should take comfort that while I'm almost twice the age as most of these girls, I can still fool people. A few days before the wedding I was in Forever 21 trying on some sparkly outfits. I had a girlfriend with me, so I was frequently coming out of the dressing room to get her opinion. One such ensemble elicited this response from the sales girl: "Oh, my gosh! That is such a pretty dress! Are you going to your high school's Sweethearts Dance, too?"

The only response I could give her was: "Why, yes I am!"

Got to love today's youth! If they're not running you over to catch a bouquet, they're kissing your you-know-what to make a sale!

Something a Little More...

2010-02-02T23:03:00.000-07:00

While I was out in Anaheim last week for CHA, my sister Laurie was down in Oceanside taking some photos of the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Moffat. Just imagine an adorable family of three frolicking on a California beach at sunset. I saw some of the unedited images and they're simply stunning. While I don't have those beauties to show you, I do have the Moffats when they were in Texas a few weeks ago, just 48 hours after they officially said "I do."

I'll be the first to tout Laurie's photography skills, but there was definitely something magical in the air. Especially since Texas was experiencing below normal temperatures and "the air" was literally 17 degrees when Debbie and Jonathan took to a quaint little farm for their shoot. I'll let you be the judge if it's really good photography or something a little more...

Debbie posted these pictures and more on Facebook. It was so fun to read all the comments, either complimenting them as a gorgeous couple or my sister's photography skills. I've known Deb's mom for many years, but I never grow tired of her frankness. Her comment on this barn picture was: "Nice place for a rendezvous." And I'm sure it would have been if my sister hadn't been standing 10 feet away!

Congrats, Moffats!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm a couple weeks late with this declaration, but the party is still going on in my head, so that counts, right?

I'm almost 100% recovered from my month-long bout with bronchitis. Not fun. Since my Christmas tree and decor never went up, I didn't have the dread of taking them down after the New Year. (Maybe that's why I'm still celebrating!)

I spent the holidays in Texas and enjoyed eight blissful days with my friends and family. I also frequented all of my favorite restaurants (sometimes even more than once!) and almost polished off a whole carton of my favorite ice cream - Blue Bell's White Chocolate Almond! (Oh, so sinful!)

In early December my middle sister moved into a swanky townhouse in downtown Dallas. Since she has a lot of space to fill, we had so much fun shopping for furniture, rugs and accessories. And the icing on the cake was she got to put up her Christmas tree with all of her beautiful decorations.

Here's all of the Smith girls in front of Holly's tree.

Here's a better view of the tree behind us.

And while I was home, the two puppies finally got to meet each other. My dad was nice enough to fly Lexus home for me (one of the perks of being a pilot - free puppy travel!), so she got to spend some quality time with her cousin Charlie, an Iggy that my sister adopted last year.

Even though they never quite got on (no worries about a love connection here!), it was fun to observe their similar mannerisms. We took them to a puppy park one afternoon and my mom snapped this adorable shot:

Some say that the dogs aren't the only thing that look alike in this picture!

The two pups are actually being featured on the Paper Crafts Connection blog today. Yesterday was National Dress Up Your Pet Day, so I thought I would tie that holiday into our new special issue Card Creations: Start to Finish, Vol. 2. I'm not sure if I pulled it off, but we'll see. Since I'm giving away a few issues of the aforementioned magazine, hopefully people will participate in my crazy little challenge. If you're interested in seeing what it's all about, click on the link above.

Happy New Year!
PK

While the Cat's Away...

2009-12-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

I've literally lost a week of my life. Sicker than sick last week and I have nothing to show for it - except for two visits to the doctor (and maybe a few less pounds on the old bod...the one good thing of a stomach virus I've decided).

While most people are relishing this festive time of year, I'm trying to play catch up because I've lost a critical week. A week where the holiday decor should have gone up and the Christmas shopping should have been started, if not finished.

But just when I started feeling sorry for myself, I was given this little unexpected gift, a treasure really. I was looking through my files, trying to find some picture that would spark a memory and hence a blog post (because let's face it, anything can be a blog post these days), and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a video shot by my 11-year-old cousin dear!

Carter and I in simpler, happier times...

Huh, I think to myself. When did Carter have access to my laptop? Oh, right...when I stayed with him and his brothers a few weeks back while his parents were at a trade show. But then, how did he figure out my password to login? I'll have to figure out that mystery later.

So, since the boy wonder was obviously having fun and using MY property to do so, what's a little look-see, right? I mean, if he was smart enough to figure out HOW to record, he's obviously smart enough to figure out HOW to delete. Too bad he forgot that crucial step...

Merry Christmas, Carter! Oh, and I'm only showing the video that DOESN'T have repeated foul language in it. Just wait until Mommy sees the other three!

PK

P.S. Cart-man, you're probably wishing you hadn't turned down my Facebook request, huh? Payback is a &*%$#! (But you're already familiar with that word, aren't you?) :)

Nobody Puts "5-Star" in a Corner

2009-12-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

My little sister just posted some more pictures from her Splendor in the Grass photo shoot with my middle sister Holly, who we affectionately call "Hollywood" or "5-Star". The 5-Star nickname actually refers to her preference for "5-Star" restaurants and hotels. Hey, when you're 30, flirty and fabulous, you got to have some standards!

It seems"5-Star" is channeling her inner princess/goddess in these pictures. After all this attention, she just might start referring to herself as "10-Star"!

I love that Laurie was able to not only capture Holly's flare for the dramatic, but she also captured the essence of her - a happy, confident girl who lives life to the fullest. To see larger pictures (and many, many more of them!), click on over to Laurie's photography blog, Life Through a Lens.

I Heart In-N-Out Burger!

2009-11-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to In-N-Out! Can we take your order?"

Thursday, Nov. 19 marked a very happy occasion for me. My little city of Draper, UT is finally on the map. Yes, I'm happy to report that Draper is the home to In-N-Out store #282 (c'mon, only a true fan would know valuable information like that!).

As someone who used to live in California and be a frequent visitor, let's just say I've been waiting for this for a very long time. The anticipation has had me dreaming of the day when I could get in my car, drive 2.4 miles and order my very own #3, plus a chocolate milkshake (made from real ice cream, thank you very much!).

So I was so happy when my Pisces Sister suggested we do a "drive-by" around lunch time - just to see the odds of actually getting a #3 on opening day. Rumor has it one guy spent the night in the drive-thru just so he could be the first customer. That's some crazy devotion!

As you can see, the line was pretty l-o-n-g, but once we got in line, we were on a mission!

Our total wait time was about 1 hour, 30 min. But the time literally flew by...thanks to all the smiling In-N-Out employees who walked up and down the line of cars and kept us entertained. This was our favorite. Meet James. He's an All-Star.

James travels around the country and opens stores with Berto, who's another All-Star. We got James' autograph. He's a super star!

Here's our partners in crime - Joannie and Brenda. We nicknamed them: "Hot 'n fresh, just like the burgers!"

So very close! And so worth the wait!

I should probably mention that once we got back to the office, poor Megan dropped her bag of food and lost some of her precious french fries. But, being the fans that we are, this didn't phase us at all. The three of us were more than willing to share our fries with Megan...that's what James would've done. After all, we may not be official "All-Stars", but we're definitely official fans!

Long live In-N-Out!
PK

P.S. I was needing a reason to go back to the gym. I think I just found it!

P.P.S. Have you heard whisperings of In-N-Out's "secret menu"? Guess what? It's not a secret! Click HERE to see it!

Feeling Great at 88!

2009-11-16T00:24:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: The following post contains disturbing images. Parental discretion is advised.

My grandma Norma is quite the character. As this picture so clearly illustrates. Her assisted living home recently held a masquerade ball in honor of Halloween. She was so excited to dress up (this vintage gown has been hanging in her closet for over 50 years), that she had my sister go out an buy her a new black bra. I think someone broke curfew that night!

While at the ball, she met, dined and waltzed with Mr. Pierce, a.k.a. The King of England. They're special friends.

We didn't realize just how "special" until my sister snapped this incriminating photo. I'd like to blame the alcohol on this one, but apparently only prune juice was served that night.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if the 1920's flapper smuggled some in. It is Prohibition after all. And I'd be willing to bet the King of England there's no prune juice in Mr. P.I.M.P's plastic goblet.

Long live dress up!
PK

Princess Lexia

2009-10-28T18:04:00.000-06:00

In a galaxy far, far away, there lived a beautiful princess named Lexia. She knew she was meant for greater things, but her evil master, the dreadful Darth PK, insisted on dressing her up in ridiculous costumes. The dark lord even made her put her long locks up in these donut-shaped buns. Is there no humanity in the world?

Where is the handsome Han Solo Charlie? Princess Lexia could really use a strong, fearless warrior to protect her right now. On second thought, considering Han Solo Charlie is known to pee on himself when scared, perhaps Princess Lexia should find comfort in the arms of Guapo Skywalker? Who cares if he's her long lost brother!

Stay tuned to see if Darth PK reigns triumphant on All Hallow's Eve. Will Princess Lexia remain a prisoner in her restrictive tunic or will Guapo Skywalker swoop in and save the day?

Who should Princess Lexia be with?

Han Solo Charlie

Guapo Skywalker

One clearly looks more masculine than the other.

That's all I'm saying.

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

2009-10-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

This is Beau Travis. He's the son of my sister's good friend Natalie Pulliam. Laurie, the budding photographer, recently headed out to Weatherford, TX to capture a few candid shots of this happy little guy. Slurping watermelon in overalls...this is what little boys are made of.

Giggling with Boomer the dog...this is what little boys are made of.

Making mud pies in nothing but a diaper...this is what little boys are made of.

Keep smilin', Beau Travis!

So Many Reasons...

2009-10-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

There's so many reasons why I adore this man...

1). He doesn't wear any deodorant. It's a little gross, but he's THAT confident that his natural smell is a-okay. Gotta love that!

2). His "I-am-from-Texas-and-proud-of-it" accent is so sexy!

3). He has a ice maker in his house that just dispenses crushed ice - just like Sonic. If you know anything about Texans, we take our ice very seriously!

4. He made no apologies for the whole "neked bongo" incident. And it's "neked", not "naked".

5. He sures knows how to pick some good reading material!

Thanks to Miss Stace Hasegawa for uncovering Matthew's hidden obsession!

PK

Sweet Looli

2009-10-08T09:00:00.000-06:00

My mom recently e-mailed me this cute story from one of her friends...

"An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar:

'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:

'He lives in a home with six children, two under the age of three...he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'"

Got to love those sweet pups!
PK

Splendor in the Grass

2009-10-06T09:00:00.000-06:00

My little sister Laurie is getting to be quite the photographer (if I do say so myself!). She recently brought my middle sister along to a location she was scouting for an upcoming photo shoot. Since Hollywood is always ready for her close-up, Laurie took a few hundred pics of our starlet - just to make sure the area was the ideal choice for her next shoot. When Laurie posted this picture of Holly on her blog, I knew she was on her way to the big leagues.

If you look closely, you can see the outline of a mirror. What's being reflected in the mirror is actually the grass BEHIND Holly. And it just happens to match up with the grass in the foreground. Isn't that amazing? To see a larger image of this incredible picture, hop on over to Laurie's photography blog.

Needless to say, the ever-humble Holly has already posted this picture on Facebook and is relishing the fact she is the subject matter for such a talked about piece of art. She's also now acting as Laurie's booking agent, so if you would like to make an appointment, you must first go through the appropriate channels. Ah, isn't fame grand?

Keep clicking, lil' sis!
PK

Happy Birthday, Pops!

2009-10-04T23:20:00.000-06:00

With all of the WCMD festivities this weekend, I had to postpone my birthday post for my dear ol' Dad. His birthday was on Friday and although he did receive a phone call (with presents on their way via my sister), I thought I would dedicate an entire post to the man who used to butcher my bangs as a child...

Lucky for me, hair magically grows back and I now go to a trained stylist for all my trims (no offense, Dad). But at least when I come across a picture like this one (or all of my school yearbook photos), I have fond memories of sitting on the bathroom sink while Dad trimmed my bangs and put "pretties" in my hair. The only question I have after all these years is "Where was Mom?"

Happy birthday, Dad!
PK

It's World Card Making Day Somewhere!

2009-10-04T00:36:00.000-06:00

Happy WCMD! I've technically got 24 minutes left on 10/03/09 (yes, I'm the eternal night owl), so I thought I would do a quick post to commemorate this special day.

I intended to get to my friendship cards that I owe for card group, but I found myself working on different project. My sister Holly recently returned from an amazing trip to Greece. As I was looking through all of her pictures, it occurred to me that I had never done anything with the pictures from our trip to Cabo San Lucas a year ago. (Holly is a pharmaceutical sales rep and won a free trip to Cabo. Since she and her boyfriend were broken up at the time, I was the lucky one who got an all expensed trip to paradise!)

Since the weather had turned remarkably cold here all of the sudden (is it too much to ask for six weeks of perfect fall weather?), I've been longing for those balmy summer days when the only decision I had to make was: Do I feel like a Coke or a pina coloda right now? Tough life, I know.

The view from the balcony of our hotel room.

Here's Holly and I soaking up the sun on a party boat.

Here's one of the landmarks of Cabo - El Arco (The Arch).

Needless to say, after a week of party boats, snorkeling, spa massages and yes, those sinful pina colodas, I owed my sister big time. I'm pretty sure I sent her a little care package of all her favorite things - Walgreen's gift card, Mojito-flavored gum, Santana CD, etc. After today's inspiration from World Card Making Day, I can add this gift as a final token of my appreciation...

So even though it's a cover to a mini album, you could totally make this into a card. And if you ask me, that's really the heart of World Card Making Day - finding inspiration to create something tangible, heartfelt and then sharing it with someone you love.

Speaking of sharing, there's a HUGE giveaway over on the Paper Crafts Connection blog! You've got until midnight on Monday, Oct. 5 to leave a comment and be entered to win one giant jackpot of a prize! Disclaimer: It's not a trip to Cabo, but definitely right up there!

Happy WCMD!
PK

May I See Your Dessert Menu?

2009-09-28T00:17:00.000-06:00

Photo courtesy of Land O'Lakes.com

If you know me, you know I have quite the sweet tooth. I always ask to see the dessert menu at restaurants - even if I'm completely stuffed and couldn't possibly eat another bite. I guess I just want to see what I'm missing. And if I deem it just too good to pass up, I usually talk someone into sharing it with me. After all, life's too short to go without dessert... don't you agree?

Since I'm always on the lookout for new desserts to try, when my mom forwarded THIS recipe to me, I knew I had to share it. Bread Pudding=Yum. Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce=Sinful. (I thought I would include the nutritional information below, but maybe you should read it after you eat/inhale the bread pudding... there's no sense in ruining a perfectly delightful recipe!)

Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

Bread Pudding:

4 cups (8 slices) cubed white bread
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups milk
1/4 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Sauce:

1/2 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup LAND O LAKES® Heavy Whipping Cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine bread and raisins in large bowl. Combine milk and 1/4 cup butter in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted (4 to 7 minutes). Pour milk mixture over bread; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in all remaining pudding ingredients. Pour into greased 1-1/2-quart casserole. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until center is set. Combine all sauce ingredients except vanilla in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil (5 to 8 minutes). Stir in vanilla. To serve, spoon warm pudding into individual dessert dishes; serve with sauce. Store refrigerated.

Nutritional Facts:

(1 serving, 3 tablespoons sauce); Calories 490; Fat 26g; Cholesterol 125mg; Sodium 300mg; Carbohydrate 58g; Dietary Fiber 1g; Protein 6g

To Ski or Not to Ski? That is the Question.

2009-09-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

I've never been an adrenaline junkie. You know, the type that likes to bungee jump, sky dive or rappel down 40-foot walls dressed in Army fatigues.

Well, I actually did do the rappel thing when I was in college...but that was for a reporting assignment and back then I would do practically anything to get published. Yes, even join BYU's Army ROTC for an exhausting day of field training exercises. (Hey, I made my grandpa proud!)

This is the infamous wall I rappelled down.

Did I also mention I threw a grenade (no pin) and climbed under a barbed wire fence (on my back)? Okay, maybe I am a little more adventurous than I give myself credit for. (If you'd like to read the full story and have a chuckle at my expense, here's the link.)

So while I was on vacation last month, I was given the opportunity to water ski. I’ve never really embraced skiing - either the water or snow version - but I'm always up for a challenge, even if it means I will mostly likely end up on my butt - which usually happens in both instances.

But like I said, I like pushing my body to do things my mind puts the brakes on. So what if I'm older and out of shape? Age is only a number and your body is a miraculous sum of many parts. I just wish my toes liked freezing cold temperatures!

Here I am all suited up and ready to water ski. I just dipped my toes into the 65-degree lake water and my sister snapped this reaction. What was I thinking? Instead of easing my way in, limb by limb, I ended up diving in. Much like a band-aid, it's sometimes best to just go for it!

Once submerged, the cold water isn't so bad. You just hope the skis are set to match your foot size. My dad likes to joke that with size nine feet, I already have built-in skis!

Once the skis are on, it's time to untwist the rope and align yourself straight behind the boat.

Point your ski tips up and then there's only one thing left to do: PRAY!

After two failed attempts, I finally got up! Five minutes later, I finally surrendered to my wobbly legs and aching back, and dropped the rope. And yes, I ended up on my butt!

Here's to all you adrenaline junkies out there! Thanks for letting me step into your exciting world every now and then. I may not stay long, but I sure have a good time while I'm doing it!

PK

P.S. What's the most adventurous thing you've done lately?

Happy Birthday, Big Sis!

2009-09-13T23:31:00.000-06:00

Mom and me in Sundance, Utah, 2007

"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

Happy birthday to my big "sis"!

Love,

Farewell to Summer!

2009-09-02T00:53:00.000-06:00

"What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my period of grace." ~Ellen Goodman

Until we meet again,

The Return of The Little

2009-08-25T12:03:00.000-06:00

About a month ago, my cousin Ryan called me on a Saturday night. He was flying through Salt Lake City on his way home to Phoenix. He had a very tight connection and wasn't sure if he was going to make it. If he didn't, he wanted to see if I could pick up him and his three-year-old daughter McCall (The Little) from the airport.

I was selfishly praying to the airplane gods that Ryan would miss his flight. I don't get to see McCall very often, so it's always a treat when this "little" ray of sunshine comes for a visit. She's still convinced I'm "babysitting" HER dog Lexus, so whenever she is in town, I try to reunite the two of them (whether Lexus wants it or not).

Luckily, the airplane gods were on my side that night. To celebrate we went to Baskin Robbins for late night treat. (You can always count on Auntie PK to feed your children sugar right before bedtime!) Here McCall is showing me what color her cotton candy-flavored ice cream turned her tongue! Yum!

Even though McCall claimed she was finished with her ice cream cone, when Daddy went to throw it away, out came the water works. (I'm sure being tired had nothing to do with it!)

But the tears quickly dried up when we pulled up to GG's (Great-Grandma's) and McCall got to walk HER puppy down the steps and into the building.

As always, McCall has lots of hugs for her GG!

Ever the jealous sister, Lexus climbed up on GG's lap to stake her claim. Notice the left paw.

But the highlight of the night came when Daddy let Lexus lick the rest of his ice cream bowl. (I guess his shake at Baskin Robbins didn't quite satisfy his cravings.)

But the highlight of my night was when both of my girls climbed up on my lap for a snuggle!

Then it was time to go bed because this "little" traveler had a early flight the next morning. After a quick pat on Lexus' head, McCall skipped down the hall to dream some sweet dreams of cotton candy-flavored ice cream and puppy kisses.

See ya soon, McCall!
PK

Snakes. Why'd it Have to be Snakes?

2009-08-03T22:58:00.000-06:00

You've heard of the movie Snakes on a Plane, right? Well, here's a sneak peek at its sequel, Snakes in a Laundry Room. We just finished filming this past Saturday, so look for it in a theater near you before the year is out. It's going to be huge blockbuster! Especially the scene where the unassuming girl comes home to her little puppy and discovers this thing wrapped around the control knob of her water heater. The look on her face is so life-like! It's absolutely priceless!

So the plot thickens when the girl picks up the phone and dials the after-hours maintenance hotline for her apartment complex. After listening to a two-minute recording telling her to stay on the line if it is in fact an emergency, a very annoyed operator picks up the call:

Operator: "After-Hours Maintenance. What is your emergency?"

Girl: "Yeah, hi there, um... there's a snake in my house."

Operator: "What did you say?"

Girl: "THERE'S A SNAKE IN MY HOUSE!"

Operator: "Well, then that is a emergency, isn't it?"

The operator then assures the frantic girl that maintenance is on their way and that she should in no way attempt to pick up or remove the snake from its coiled position. You think?!

Frantic girl then calls all her friends and family (who are mostly asleep) to share her most disturbing news. Most of them tell her to get the hell out of there, but frantic girl doesn't want to leave Slither alone - especially when he could slither away to some new hidden place.

But luckily after only an hour's wait, the maintenance man and his very enthusiastic teenage son arrived at frantic girl's doorstep with a bucket and long, snake-wielding tools in hand. Frantic girl even overhears the kid say, "This is so freakin' cool, Dad!"

The climax of the movie occurs when teenage boy reaches for Slither with his pincher tool and Slither sneaks behind the water heater! After shouting out a profanity (which I can't reveal since this is a PG-13 movie!), the kid flexes his muscle a bit and moves the nearby washing machine to get a better look. Once he does, he discovers a drainage hole coming from the apartment above. But since Slither entered the laundry room from this hole, he slithers back in before the boy can utter more profanity. Seeing the predicament, frantic girl suggests a coat hanger and quickly goes to retrieve one from her closet. After that, things happen very quickly! Coat hanger is inserted, Slither darts out with a vengeance and kid snatches up his prize with his bare hands!

Then the dad (the actual maintenance supervisor) contributes to the evening by taking out his phone to snap a few pictures. Slither doesn't like the flash, so he once again escapes the clutches of his captor. Luckily the kid has quick reflexes and traps Slither with his menacing tools.

Once inside the white bucket, Slither thrashes about and his eyes begin to glow an eerie red. As the boy carries Slither away, the movie ends with this caption: "Where is Samuel A. Jackson when you need him?"

END CREDITS

Director's Note: No reptiles were harmed in the making of this movie.

See you at the movies!

Welcome to Paradise!

2009-07-29T23:47:00.000-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to join my mom and grandma in gorgeous San Diego for a little vacation. We stayed at Paradise Point Resort & Spa, which is located right on the ocean and next door to Sea World.

Anyone fancy a swim?

Considering my grandma is 88 years old, she did extremely well with all the traveling. It must have been that cool California air that agreed with her so much.

Here's a view from our beachside bungalow.

Same view at sunset.

Here's a view from Nick's at the Pier Restaurant in nearby Ocean Beach.

I basically invited myself along for this trip. My mom planned a little reunion with many of my grandma's nieces. I was definitely the youngster in this crowd, but it was great to hear all the old stories and look at the black and white photos everyone passed around.

Cute picture of my grandma and her niece Nancy.

We even enjoyed a Sunday dinner at cousin Sondra's house. Since the weather in California is consistently consistent, everyone relaxes outside on their beautiful patios, complete with...

REAL lemon trees!

Here's a group picture of all the cousins.

Back row: Frankie, Sondra, Barbara

Front row: Nancy and my mom

Although our last day was a little overcast, I still managed to snap this cute shot of mommy dearest on the beach. Did you know that sand is a natural exfoliant for the feet?

Since mom and I were both born in the Golden State, we'll always be just a couple of California Dreamin' gals!

Until we meet again...

So long, Paradise!
PK

Groovin' Tunes!

2009-07-22T01:15:00.000-06:00

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing during their Soul2Soul II Tour in 2006.

Just got back from my much needed vacation in San Diego! I had a fabulous time with my mom and grandma, and reconnected with some amazing ladies I haven't seen in a very long time. I'll be posting some pictures of us frolicking in "Paradise" in the next couple of days!

While I was trying to stay relatively "unplugged" on my vacation, I did get online to do a little something for me... something I've been meaning to do since I launched this blog almost a year ago!

I ADDED A PLAYLIST OF MUSIC! AND IT'S CALLED... PK'S PLAYLIST!

I so love visiting blogs and learning a little bit more about people through their music. So I've compiled 50 of my all-time favorite songs. A LOT of country (I am from Texas, after all), but I've also thrown in a good mix of current popular hits like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, John Mayer, JT (Justin Timberlake), KC (Kelly Clarkson) and a couple of my favorite songs from the Twilight Soundtrack!

Happy Listening!
PK

P.S. If you're interested in building your own blog playlist, go to www.playlist.com. They have a million songs to choose from and it's absolutely free!

Will the Real PK Please Stand Up?

2009-06-25T00:28:00.000-06:00

Just when I thought my nickname was special and unique to me alone, my girlfriend returns from her honeymoon in Sun Valley with this picture. To make matters even worse, I'm not even that great of a skier!

The only perk is perhaps they offer discounts to those with the name "PK", which is great, since I love to ski so much!

Regretfully,
The Artist Formerly Known as PK

Happy National Pink Day!

2009-06-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Happy National Pink Day! Did you even know such a holiday existed?

Since we celebrate all these weird holidays at work, I'm actually bringing in these pink cupcakes for all of my co-workers to snack on. (This is what happens when caffeine enters my bloodstream after 7 p.m. - I become a baking fool!)

If you want to see some pretty pink projects from Paper Crafts latest special issue Card Creations, Volume 7, head on over to our Paper Crafts Connection blog today. We're also giving away some yummy pink product, so be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.

And be sure to tell us what you think of our pink outfits. We even got our designer Matt to don this flirty color! He must know my cousin who goes around saying, "Pink is pimp!" Of course, this is what you would expect of an 11-year-old. I guess Matt is just a highly-evolved man of the 21st century!

Here's to pink cupcakes!
PK

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

Dad was slightly annoyed he was left out of my There's No Place Like Home - Part 1 post. That's what you get when you're taking all of the photos, dude!

And since I can't spend today with him (I'm really going to miss that German chocolate cake!), here's a collage of my favorite photos of dear ol' dad. Bet you didn't know he was Indiana Jones!

Hope you enjoy your day, Dad!

Love,
PK and Lexus

Beef Cuts and Gravy

2009-06-19T00:45:00.000-06:00

Although Lexus didn't get her fantasy day bed for her birthday, she did get to blow out a candle in her favorite can of dog food - Beef Cuts in Gravy!

She's usually afraid of fire, but the luring aroma of artificial beef soaking in imitation gravy was just too good to pass up. I think we singed a few whiskers, but she needed a trim anyway. Rafiki likes a clean shaven woman!

Lexus, as a belated birthday gift, I promise to take you to the "spa" (aka Petsmart) this weekend for a lavender-oatmeal bath and a bag of Greenies!

Lexus' Birthday Wish

2009-06-18T00:29:00.000-06:00

Lex-Pup's 49th birthday is tomorrow!

She was leafing through one of my interior design magazines and absolutely fell in love with this sunny day bed. She said she's waited almost 50 years to have a bed like this one. A place where her and Rafiki can lounge in the sun, sip pina coladas and flip through more interior design magazines!

Can anyone make her dream come true?

I sent this request out to my family and this is how they responded:

Ryan: "Lex-Pup obviously does not know we are in a recession."

Bonnie: "Collin is sooooo in! You know how much he loves that dog!"

Brooks: "Lex needs to learn to be happy with an old blanket and a crate. Send her up North and her Northern cousins will get her in check."

Debbie: "I will drink some water out of the toilet and lick clean McCall in her honor."

Collin: "You've gone off the deep end if you think I care about what that rat wants for its birthday."

Collin, Lexus apologized for that time she kissed you with tongue. She just couldn't help herself!

Happy birthday, Lex!
PK

There's No Place Like Home - Part 2

2009-06-16T23:58:00.000-06:00

During my recent trip home to Texas, I just had to capture on film the "larger than life" attitude that most of its 20+ million residents exude on a daily basis.

Here's a few of my favorite quotes about The Lone Star State:

"I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here just as soon as I could." ~Texas bumper sticker

"Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas." ~Senator William Blakley

"If a man’s from Texas, he’ll tell you. If he’s not, why embarrass him by asking?" ~U.S. journalist John Gunther

And here's some pictures that really do sum up the phrase "everything's bigger here."

How's this for a Texas greeting? Not quite sure if she's advertising food or something else, but she sure is friendly!

Texans take their alma maters, football, and their big cars very seriously. Case in point.

Texans also take their food very seriously. And we don't mince words. This here is the "Big Ass Burger", as it appeared on the menu. My uncle ordered it and made no apologies for finishing it. If your appetite isn't quite as big, they do offer the "Half Ass Burger".

While I was home, we visited Bubba's Chicken Restaurant for some good ol' Southern grub. Everyone is served biscuits, buttered corn, green beans and mashed potatoes. You then get to pick your entree. We all ordered the sinful fried chicken and chicken fried steak. We were joined by Bubba himself, who is a permanent fixture at many of the larger tables. My cousin Carter cozied up to him and even shared a root beer float with this old timer.

I think Bubba wrote this sign that hung above our table.

And after all of our good eats, we retired to my mom's house to celebrate Laurie's birthday (again!) with a homemade cake and Blue Bell ice cream - a staple in every Texan's freezer. We couldn't find a number seven candle, so we had to improvise with seven single candles.

With so much good food resting in our bellies, it wasn't long before Laurie and her pup Charlie snuggled up for a late afternoon nap.

This is the Texas I know and love!

There's No Place Like Home - Part 1

2009-06-15T23:00:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I flew home to The Lone Star State for my youngest sister's 27th birthday. My middle sister used her sales rep connections and got us a dinner reservation at the new restaurant 560 by Wolfgang Puck. Housed inside the 560 foot-tall Reunion Tower, the restaurant offers 360-degree views of downtown Dallas as the dining room actually revolves!

View of Reunion Tower from the street.

View of downtown Dallas from our table.

I had my own little "reunion" as I snapped this picture of the Dallas skyline. I worked in the tallest building you see here for three years. My work commute is much different now!

Cute picture of me and the middle sister, Holly. Prior to dinner that night, we were ladies of leisure as we lunched, shopped and got matching mani's and pedi's.

Sexy picture of the mama. I'm pretty sure you'll find this on Match.com!

With our bellies full of non-seafood (560 specializes in sushi...a big no-no for ALL of the Smith girls!), we posed outside while good ol' dad brought the car around.

A vertical view of Reunion Tower at dusk. During the holidays, the lights randomly blink like they're set to Christmas carols!

Yes, these are Christian Louboutin's pumps. Sadly, not mine. The middle sister let the birthday girl wear them for our evening out on the town. When she kicked them off that night, I just had to squeeze my size 9 foot into these 8 1/2 beauties. Ssh! Don't tell Holly! (And just in case you're wondering, they're the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn! Beauty is pain, people!)

Laurie, I hope you enjoyed your high society birthday!

Love,
PK

P.S. Part 2 is much more my speed. Stay tuned!

88 Years Young!

2009-05-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

There are so many things I love about my Grandma Norma. I love that she greets each day by reading a selection from The Daily Word and then warms up her lovely sopranic voice by singing scales. I can still hear her say, "Your voice is a muscle. If you don't use it, you lose it."

It's that same voice and determination that carried her through World War II as a USO performer to the many stages she's since stood on. One poignant memory was seeing her don her WWII uniform in 1992, 50 years after she first wore it, to sing a duet with my Mom in a production of South Pacific. Seeing the two of them perform and then clasp hands as they took their final bow was truly amazing.

And she continues to amaze us all even though she recently lost her beloved partner of 47 years.

So on this day, her 88th birthday, I'd like to honor a lady who has sprinkled her special brand of grandmotherly love and opened my eyes to all the wonderful things life has to offer. And Grandma, just in case you missed today's Daily Word, I pulled it for you:

Divine Order - May 19, 2009

All is in divine order. I know this truth; I live this truth today and every day. Divine order is established in my life. The spirit of God is working in and through me to guide my ways and light my path. All my circumstances and experiences are brought into a harmonious balance.

I put God first as I go within for guidance. Therefore, my decisions are made with confidence and faith. In the silence of prayer, I clear my mind and refresh my spirits so that my thinking is constructive and illumined. I remain open at all times to receive what God is offering me.

The indwelling spirit of God is both my motivation and my inspiration, encouraging me to look for and expect good. I meet every experience with this expectation and with the understanding that all is in divine order.

"You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways."--Job 22:28

Happy birthday to someone whose light will always shine!

Love,

No Business Like Show Business!

2009-04-27T01:41:00.000-06:00

So I'm super excited about the upcoming release of Matthew McConaughey's new movie Ghost of Girlfriends Past! As many of you know, I have been a die hard fan of this SMA (Sexiest Man Alive) since he first graced the cover of Vanity Fair way back in 1996.

But you may not know that Matthew and I starred in our own little movie called The Web Site Planner back in 2001. Since it was a parody of that other movie he did with JLo, it went straight to video, but what do I care! I made a movie with Matthew freakin' McConaughey!

So it seems the movie business runs in the family. Steven Spielberg recently saw my dad on a plane and approached him about doing the fifth installment of Indiana Jones. (I guess Harrison bowed out due to arthritis.) Anyway, here's the cover of an upcoming Entertainment Weekly featuring my Dad as Indiana Jones! It's going to be the biggest blockbuster of the summer!

Who says dreams don't come true in America?

See you at the movies!
PK

Roses are Red, Violets are Aqua

2009-04-13T23:34:00.001-06:00

My good friend Jeana announced on Feb. 12 that her and her sweetie Mark were getting married on May 30. The sneaky devil figured she would be expecting a Valentine's Day proposal, so he jumped the gun a couple days early and proposed when she would least expect it - a Thursday night!

The Happy Couple: Jeana and Mark

This past weekend Jeana and I helped our mutual friend Ann celebrate the big 30. When talk turned to Jeana's upcoming bridal shower, I immediately said, "I can design the invitations!" You can imagine my surprise when Jeana said, "And the shower is two weeks from today." Gulp.

But to tell you the truth, I thrive on pressure and there's nothing like a deadline to kick my butt into maximum creative mode. So I came home that very night and whipped up this gatefold invitation in Jeana's wedding colors - red and aqua.

This is why I love stamping! Just ink up your stamp and you can mass produce anything!

And here's the inside. I found the text online and thought it was perfect for a lingerie shower.

In case you can't read the first few lines, it says, "Toasters, blenders, and vases are grand gifts indeed, but let's give the bride-to-be something she'll really need!" Isn't that cute?

Now all I have to do is get a final headcount so I know how many of these lovely invites I get to make, address and drop in the mail by Wednesday (okay, maybe Thursday, but most definitely by Friday). Perhaps I should have started with that little bit of information, huh? Oh, well. As my uncle would say, "It's all for the cause." And this cause is well worth it.

Here's to Coke ('cause I'm gonna need it!),
PK

Cruella Deville

2009-04-02T22:25:00.000-06:00

My cousin Ryan was recently out to dinner with his three-year-old daughter McCall. While they were waiting for their food to arrive, Ryan and McCall were practicing her letters on the menu. They got to the letter "K" and Ryan said, "Okay, now what word has the letter "K" in it?"

Without missing a beat, McCall said, "PK!"

When Ryan called to tell me this last night, I immediately let out a big "Ah, that's so sweet! I can't believe she remembers me."

But before I could let this little bit of news go to my head, Ryan said, "Wait there's more..."

Apparently McCall followed up this declaration with, "I want to talk to PK. She took my puppy!"

Aha! The moment of truth. I remembered for being a puppy snatcher. Hopefully McCall hasn't seen that classic Disney movie starring a crazy woman named Cruella Deville. I can just see Ryan's next dinner date with McCall...

"McCall, what word starts with the letter "C"?

"PK?"

McCall and Lexus in happier times. October, 2008.

The Stowaway

2009-03-30T00:52:00.000-06:00

stow⋅a⋅way
noun: a person who hides aboard a ship or airplane in order to obtain free transportation or elude pursuers.

Up until now, my sister's dog Charlie hasn't shown a whole a lot of clever ingenuity - which is most definitely a trait of the Italian Greyhound breed. We just assumed he was more the lover, not the fighter type. In fact, my dad likes to say my Iggy Lexus is the smart and mean one and Charlie is the dumb and sweet one. That characterization rang true until Charlie did something very mischievous this past weekend...

Laurie was packing up her car for a little road trip. She was only going to be gone one day, but that one day was clearly too long for Charlie, who is quite attached to his new mommy. As Laurie finished packing the car, she went back in the house to say goodbye. She called for him several times but he never came to her - which is very unCharlie. She went back outside and called his name some more, but there was still no sign of Charlie. She was just about to really panic when she noticed two little eyes peering out from the TRUNK of her car!

Our clever Charlie had climbed in on his own accord and made himself a little bed amidst all the bags and clutter. He was apparently going along for the ride, no matter what his momma said!

And since Laurie is the budding photographer (she was actually on her way to a photo shoot), she whipped out her camera and snapped these priceless images!

Welcome to the party, Charlie! We were wondering when you were going to show up!

P.S. Lexus says now that you've shown some backbone and outsmarted the humans, you can be her boyfriend.

Spring Has Sprung!

2009-03-22T22:29:00.000-06:00

I love springtime. I always have. I love how every living thing seems to perk up and open its eyes simultaneously. Not to mention, springtime also signals that warmer weather is on its way. So even if we're not pulling out the flip-flops just yet, you know it's only a matter of time.

All last week on the Paper Crafts Connection blog, we were promoting our latest special issue Stamp It! Cards. Lots of fun, lots of free giveaways. Since last Friday marked the first day of spring, I had everyone leave a comment telling me their favorite spring-inspired quote.

Here's a few of my favorites:

"Spring makes me feel all flowery inside." ~Alyssa, age 5

"A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." ~Maya Angelou

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring." ~Bern Williams

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn." ~Hal Borland

“Close your eyes and do not peek, and I’ll rub spring across your cheek. Smooth as satin, soft and sleek, close your eyes and do not peek.” ~Eileen Fisher

And here's a few of my favorite springtime photos:

Holly and I at the Dallas Arboretum, March 2006.

Posing in front of my favorite flower, the yellow rose of Texas, Washington, D.C, 2006

My cousin's daughter McCall sitting in a field of Texas bluebonnets, April 2007

Celebrating my girlfriends' birthdays last spring (From left: me, Ann, Jeana and Andrea). Since Ann and Andrea share the same birthday (April 12), we all went to dinner to celebrate. Don't we look all spring-y in our pastel outfits?

Here's to lovely spring!
PK

Look Who's 30, Flirty and Fabulous!

2009-03-18T00:13:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday to our little St. Patty's baby who doesn't look a day over 28...well, maybe 29!

For each petal on the shamrock.
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

Hope you've enjoyed your walk down memory lane!
Love, PK

Best Birthday Card Ever!

2009-03-10T22:39:00.000-06:00

My sister Laurie has always had fun with her Hallmark greeting cards. I think she inherits this gift from my Dad. He's been known to stock up on discounted cards and then send them out on random occasions like half birthdays, June 25 (the other Christmas) and the ever exciting Tuesday.

So when my sister's card arrived this week, I couldn't wait to open up the envelope. Would it congratulate me on my recent adoption of a third world baby or pat me on my back for my successful completion of menopause. (I kid you not, we've covered both of these in the past!)

Luckily, she actually got the occasion right this time - my birthday. And while I appreciate the sweet and sappy cards from my Mom and Grandma, there's nothing like getting a card that makes you laugh so hard you almost wet yourself. I'll let you be the judge...

Inside: "Wishing you a great big happy birthday."

Maybe it isn't P.I.M.P. (Pee-in-my-pants) funny, but it sure struck a cord with me. Perhaps it's because I envision myself saying this one day. Considering I just went through menopause, it will be here before you know it!

Thanks for the belly laugh, Lou!
PK

Happy 75th Birthday, Grandma!

2009-02-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Gwen Buehler Smith - 75 Years Young

Four children + 11 grandchildren + 1 great-grandchild = A Lifetime of Priceless Memories

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Love, PK

Someday My Prince Will Come

2009-02-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Aunt Laurie called PK today to say she was adopting a handsome puppy named Dreamer. Since the news came on Valentine's Day, Lexus let out a sigh and said,

"Fairy tales really do come true."

Happy Cupid Day!

Are You Having Diva Day?

2009-02-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to be on the online crafting show Diva Craft Lounge. Hosted by Danielle Forsgren and Rayme Royale, the show literally has a global reach as they now broadcast in 95 countries.

With so many exciting things going on at Paper Crafts, we had no trouble filling the time - in fact I think we went over. We talked about the magazine's new blog Paper Crafts Connection and our new special issue Stamp It! Cards.

If you're interested in hearing me gab (and have 20 minutes to spare!), click here. If not, no hard feelings. Although if you're related to me, it's your duty to listen and tell me if I talked too fast, sounded nervous, nasally or Southern.

Have a Diva Day!
PK

Karma

2009-02-10T22:23:00.000-07:00

With all my recent car troubles (see bulleted list below), this little story brought a smile to my face. Now if only this karma could find my insurance rep, who so quickly (and gleefully!) denied my windshield claim.

"The goal of all inanimate objects is to resist man and ultimately defeat him." ~Russell Baker

PK's Car Woes (as of Jan. 4, 2009):

replaced front bumper (due to accident involving black ice)
replaced driver's side rear hubcap (unknown cause)
when leaned down to examine new hubcap, I noticed a undiagnosed crack in rear bumper ($#%@!)
oh, and the tire man said I had no tread on my front two tires (even though I bought said crappy tires less than a year ago)
replaced rear bumper (due to accident involving black ice)
when I picked up car from body shop (second time in two weeks), I noticed a foot-long crack in windshield that wasn't there when I dropped it off (due to "invisible rock chip" - at least that's what the insurance man is calling it)
replaced front tires (did I mention my old tires were less than a year old?)
still need to replace windshield (this will be my third windshield in 2 1/2 years)

"A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold morning; it's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them are hurt. God works in mysterious ways.

After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.

The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'

Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'

The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune.'

She hands the bottle to the man. The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.

The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'

The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'"

Isn't karma a funny thing?
PK

Selling with the Stars

2009-02-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of ABC's Dancing with the Stars since the very first season. I love how they can turn uncoordinated, washed-up stars into overnight dancing sensations with a little bit of training and a very good make-up and wardrobe department. And the spray tanning doesn't hurt either.

So you can imagine my total surprise when my own uncoordinated sister Holly (sorry, babe) announced to the family that she too was going to be on this hit reality show. Excuse, moi? How does a pharmaceutical rep from Dallas get on THE Dancing with the Stars? This girl has always been lucky (her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day), but c'mon!

Holly has always had a thing for fancy gowns!

Turns out, we were all mistaken. It wasn't Dancing with the Stars she was going to be on. It's Selling with the Stars. It's a new dance show sweeping the pharmaceutical industry. It's where attractive and toned reps battle it out to see which product performs the best under pressure. Holly just sent me a demo video to preview. I guess their pitching the networks next week. Can you imagine my little sis tango-ing her way to the top. In the world of pharmaceuticals, nothing is impossible!

Enjoy the show!
PK

P.S. In all seriousness, Holly spent last week in Las Vegas at her company's annual sales conference. They thought it would be fun to put this little video together to motivate everyone to sell. When it came to picking their star, Holly, who has some acting under her belt, was the obvious choice. They even flew her up to New York for the shoot. Like I said, nothing is impossible in the world of pharmaceuticals!

A Brand New Day

2009-02-04T23:05:00.001-07:00

I for one am super happy Mercury is no longer in retrograde (Jan. 11-Feb. 1). I blame this cosmic force for many of my recent mishaps.

Explained to me by Paper Crafts editor-in-chief (and budding astrologer) Jennifer Schaerer, when Mercury is in retrograde (essentially moving backward in the zodiac), things like communication and travel can suddenly turn topsy turvy and massive chaos ensues.

Lucky for me, we at Paper Crafts decided to launch our new blog on Feb. 2 - and so far, communication and travel on the World Wide Web has been pretty... well, normal. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come!

Speaking of good things... our new blog Paper Crafts Connection is off to a very good start! After building it stone by stone (or should I say link by link) it's nice to finally unveil it and have it be so well received by our readers. Now if we can just keep the momentum going!

Here's a preview of our new blog banner. We really wanted to stress the word "connection", so we came up with the idea of two cans connected by a string. It's just like the telephone game you use to play as a kid, except our version has you "connecting" through the magic of cyber space. We're also unveiling our new black and white team photos. Aren't we a cute bunch?

In addition to a new look, we've themed a few days of the week, so be sure to stop by for "Magazine Monday", "With the Pros Wednesday" and "Freebie Friday". We'll also squeeze in cool projects and sources of inspiration from our latest issues, as well as fun contests and giveaways. So what are you waiting for? Mosey on over to Paper Crafts Connection and tell me what you think. I'd love to hear your opinion!

Cheers!
PK

P.S. For all of you FRIENDS fanatics like me, do you remember the episode where Ross wants to move into Ugly Naked Guy's apartment? Conveniently located across from Monica's, Joey gets excited about the prospect and says, "Hey, then we can do the telephone thing! You know, where you have a can and we have a can and it's connected by a string." My darling Chandler then replies, "Or we could do the actual telephone thing!" Gosh, I miss FRIENDS!

Remember the Time When We Went to Buca di Beppo's...

2009-01-29T22:18:00.000-07:00

I just returned from sunny California where me and my Paper Crafts peeps descended upon the Anaheim Convention Center for the annual Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) trade show. While I have many funny stories to tell ("Remember the time when...) and a whole memory card of pictures to share, I thought I would dedicate an entire blog post to two gems I found in the ladies room of the Anaheim Buca di Beppo's.

If you've never been to a Buca Italian restaurant, they pride themselves on their generous "family style" portions and irreverent humor. They even have a table set aside for the Pope himself - just in case he should find himself in America and craving some good ol' fashion Italian cuisine.

So when me and the PC gals found ourselves at Buca's the other night (with the very entertaining gals from Technique Tuesday), I couldn't wait to go to the little girls room! Because even though the restaurant wall pictures are a tad suggestive, they're a bit more risque in the bathrooms. (I'm assuming this rings true in the little boys room, although I don't have actual, physical proof. Let me do some more investigative research and I'll get back to you!)

Aren't these great? Doesn't it make you want to go to a Buca's and take your own vintage photos? And if a good bra and padded underwear is all I need to catch a man, I better get shopping!

In Memoriam

2009-01-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

Robert Harold Smith (1919-2009)

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of the stars I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night."

~The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Thank you for being a loving husband, father and grandfather to all of us girls. Mom will always be your "Charlie" and we'll always be your "girlers".

Love,
PK

Don't Mess With Texas

2009-01-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

As I was watching all of the inauguration coverage from today, I had to smile at this e-mail that fortuitously landed in my inbox. President Bush had just uttered this sentence at a press conference in Midland, TX: "We are back in the state of Texas and we are here to stay."

So maybe W. isn't fading off into the sunset like we all assumed. Maybe he has big plans for the Lone Star State... or should I call it The Mighty Republic of Texas? I'll let you be the judge.

A Proud Texan,
PK

********************************************************

Please note that Texas is the only state with a legal right to secede from the Union (Reference the Texas-American Annexation Treaty of 1848.)

We Texans love y'all, but we'll probably have to take action since B. Hussein Obama won the election. We'll miss you too...

Here is what can happen:

#1: Barack Hussein Obama becomes President of the United States, Texas immediately secedes from the Union.

#2: George W. Bush will become the President of the Republic of Texas (hehe).

So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?

1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. We will control the space industry.

2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.

3. Defense Industry - we have over 65% of it. The term "Don't mess with Texas" will take on a whole new meaning.

4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.

5. Natural Gas - again we have all we need and it's too bad about those Northern States. John Kerry will have to figure out a way to keep them warm....

6. Computer Industry - we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications--small companies like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Miconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.

7. Medical Care - We have the largest research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world, as well as other large health centers. Dallas has some of the best hospitals in the United States.

8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT (University of North Texas), Texas Women's University, etc. Ivy grows better in the South anyway.

9. We have a ready supply of workers. We could just open the border when we need some more.

10. We have essential control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.

11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an Army, but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an Army in 24 hours if we need one. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call the Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over Chuck Norris and a couple of Texas Rangers.

12. We are totally self-sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs, and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables, and let's not forget seafood from the Gulf. Also, everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food...

This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.

Now to the rest of the United States under President Obama:

Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Obama will be able to drive around in his big 9 mpg SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.

You won't have any TV as the Space Center in Houston will cut off satellite communications.

You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes, but since Mr. Obama has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas as long as you survive the 2000 years it will take to get enough heat from Global Warming.

Signed, The People of Texas

P.S. This is not a threatening letter - just a note to give you something to think about!

SLEEP WELL TONIGHT! THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU!

One Nation Under God

All in the Family!

2009-01-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

This past August we held the Smith-Dame Family Reunion up in the gorgeous McCall, Idaho. I've already posted a few pictures from this fun Labor Day weekend, but I recently got my hands on some more great ones, so I thought I would show off the photography skills of one Cristi Dame. Despite the chilly temperatures that day, she was able to capture a lot of love!

We were so cold, we were all in favor of huddling close!

The predetermined color scheme was red, orange and yellow. Somehow me and my sisters all picked orange shirts, even though they came off more red in the pictures.

The Not-So-Orange Smith Sisters

My dad was totally rockin' his orange t-shirt. He obviously went the casual route. If you want to see a classic picture of my parents, make sure to check out their engagement photo at the top of my blog. I think they look pretty good for 53 and 55! Ssh! Don't tell anyone!

Here's my aunt and uncle and three of their five boys. Photographer Cristi actually set up the shot and then gave the camera to Tanner's girlfriend Darlene (below).

Ah! The happy couple! My sly aunt made sure Cristi took plenty of pictures in hopes an engagement would be announced shortly thereafter. No hurry, kids - this perfect picture isn't going anywhere!

My grandma and her handsome grandsons - Tanner, Brooks and Taylor

And I saved the best for last! Here's a cute one of youngest grandchild (Carter) and my grandma.

Thanks again, Cristi! Your amazing photos will be treasured for years to come. Lexus will be more cooperative next time!

PK

The Big Bang of '09

2009-01-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

A week ago today I was in a pretty scary car accident. Rest assured, I'm completely fine and my car's injuries are relatively minor. I've never been in a serious car accident before, so this one really shook me to my core. And to think it all started with a beautiful Sunday afternoon drive...

I was heading up Provo Canyon, which I have to say, is one of the most picturesque drives in all of Utah. If you've ever been to or seen pictures of Robert Redford's Sundance, Provo Canyon is nestled right in this mountainous paradise. I've been driving up and down this canyon road since I was a freshman at BYU. My grandparents used to live in Heber (22 miles north of Provo), so I would frequently come up for Sundays dinners, long weekends or whenever I needed some space from my roommates.

Anyway, I digress... So when I woke up last Sunday to sunny skies and no snow, I decided it was a perfect day to go on a little "walkie-walk" (our family's term for some good ol' fashion me-time). I was enjoying my ascent up the mountain, as the roads were clean and clear. I had just reached Deer Creek Dam and the two-lane road began to bend and wind, curving to the mountain slope.

Suddenly I hit some black ice and completely lost control of my vehicle. I ended up swerving into the other lane and nearly hit an oncoming truck. Luckily, he was in control of his vehicle, so he was able to swerve and miss me. As I hit the brakes, I did a complete 360* and it occurred to me that the only way I was going to stop was if I hit something... hard. And I did. I came to a complete and abrupt stop once my driver's side came into full contact with a nearby snow bank. Thankfully, the deep powder of this bank completely absorbed the brunt of the impact so no damage was done to my driver's side. My front bumper is another story...

In my traumatic swerving and braking, somehow my front bumper completely came apart...

But at least my newly-repaired headlights were spared!

Once I came to my senses and realized I was, in fact, okay, I said a quick prayer of gratitude and then concentrated on the problem at hand - little me stuck in a deep snow bank. How do I get out? Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long. I nice couple stopped and fished me out with a rope and their 4-wheel drive truck. Their friends were nice enough to block both sides of traffic (and pick up bits and pieces of my former bumper).

Once I was out, I pulled over to access my damages. Then another couple stopped to ask if I was okay to drive, could they call someone for me, etc. Another man stopped and said he saw the whole thing from across the lake where he was hunting. He lifted my hood, checked the engine and then made sure there was no snow in my exhaust. I came across so many genuinely nice people that afternoon. If anything, it did restore my faith in humanity a bit.

So to all of you complete strangers who stopped to help, inquire and calm this frazzled driver, you'll never know how grateful I am for your selfless service. And a big thank you to my attentive guardian angel (who according to my mom was working overtime that day). I'll try to keep the rest of 2009 relatively safe and uneventful.

PK

Twas the Night Before Christmas

2008-12-27T01:32:00.001-07:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
My dog was going berserk; perhaps she saw a mouse!

My suitcases were packed and placed with care,
In hopes my ride to the airport would soon be there.

When out on my porch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Uncle Eric and his awaiting SUV were there.

Lexus had been drugged for our impending flight,
But a Xanax and Benadryl left her with plenty of fight.

As I reached for her collar and shouted in vain,
My temper got the best of me and out came these names:

Now Lexus, now devil dog, now bad spawn - you listen,
We have a plane to get on, so you better stop your hissin’!

So into your travel bag you go, my little beast,
Just be glad it’s not a cage or a crate at least.

Her eyes – how they mocked me with an angry glare,
Her teeth bared and biting; her nostrils so flared!

A vicious growl and a twist of her head,
Soon gave me to know I had everything to dread.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work,
Grabbed her by her neck, then turned with a jerk.

And laying my fingers aside from her mouth and nose,
I gave her a quick push and into the bag she dove!

Quick went the zipper, the triumph was mine,
We arrived at the airport and just in time.

But I heard her exclaim, as we soared through the night,
"You think you’ve won, but we still have a return flight!"

Please pray for me!
PK

Congrats, Grad!

2008-12-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend I flew home to Dallas for my sister's MBA graduation from Southern Methodist University (SMU). For the last two years Holly has had to juggle quite the busy schedule. By day she was the bubbly pharmaceutical sales rep and by night she played the serious graduate student.

Friday night we broke bread at Holly's favorite restaurant Hibicus. Luck would have it, there was a cancellation in one of their private dining rooms, so we were able to have a nice, quiet meal with the family and a few of Holly's co-workers (who were so nice to pick up the tab!) Thanks Derek!

One of the nice things about attending a smaller school (and graduating in December) is there was only 900 doctorate, masters and undergraduate students receiving their diplomas on Saturday night. We had no problem picking Holly out of the crowd and zooming in on her with Big Louise (my sister's fancy camera).

After a record-breaking graduation ceremony (only 2 hours!), the business school hosted a small reception for the graduates and their families. My Dad loved this because there was plenty of finger foods and drinks to go around. (Translation: he didn't have to pay for dinner that night! He also managed to stumble across the graduate t-shirt table and all I will say is "While the cat's away...")

We thought it would be fun to poke fun at the fact that I'm the only Smith sister who DOESN'T have her master's degree. Just call me "Underachiever PK". You can find me and my lame bachelor's degree cowering in the corner with all the other slackers.

Congrats, Holly! We're so proud of you!
PK

P.S. Holly, since I bought you a graduation gift, does this mean I'm off the hook for Christmas?

O' Christmas Tree

2008-12-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

A few years ago my practical dad thought it would be fun to use up his stash of luggage tags. Since he's been a pilot for over 20 years and spent a good deal of that time in and out of airports, he had amassed quite the collection.

So it was no surprise when I walked into his house and was greeted by his luggage tag tree. Tags and a random assortment of ornaments and lights (both indoor and outdoor). Hey, what do you expect from a tree decorated by a dude?!

Like I said, not a whole lot of design continuity here, but at least you get the idea.

It was really cute to see my dad gush over his tree. And it actually became a fun little game. He would have you go up to the tags and see how many airport codes you could guess right.

A few of them were no brainers like "DFW" for Dallas/Ft. Worth and "SLC" for Salt Lake City. And then there were those that weren't quite as obvious like "BWI" (Baltimore International Airport), "SNA" (John Wayne Airport in Santa Anna, CA) and "ORD" (Chicago O'Hare International Airport).

Here's a closer view of the tags. How many can you get right?

Happy guessing!
PK

Cowboys Don't Take Baths

2008-12-02T23:16:00.001-07:00

My sister Laurie recently started her own photography business called Laurie Ruth Photography. Since she's trying to build up her portfolio, often her friends and family members will pose for Big Louise (her camera). Below are some of her recent pictures:

Meet Beau Travis Pulliam. Beau Travis is 9 months old and the son of one of my sister's friends. He is betrothed to Ruby Belle Tarrant. (Yes, their parents are from the South!)

Ruby Belle was born two weeks ago to my sister's best friend. "Ruby" is after her maternal great-grandma and "Belle" is after her paternal great-grandma. Ruby Belle's dad is the biggest sweetheart in all of Texas. The day she was born he gave his wife a diamond and ruby necklace and said, "Dana, you're my diamond and our baby is my ruby."

Happy First Christmas, Ruby Belle!

That Beau Travis is a lucky boy!
PK

Forget the Pumpkin Pie!

2008-11-23T22:31:00.001-07:00

Photo courtesy of Recipes From 4EveryKitchen

A few years ago I was introduced to chef Nigella Lawson courtesy of The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was doing a cooking segment with Oprah and the two of them were discussing these little chocolate souffles Nigella had just pulled out of the oven. As a lover of all sweets - especially anything to do with chocolate - let's just say my taste buds were salivating.

And since you can find anything on Oprah.com, (I'm mean anything!), I typed "Choco Hoto Pots" into her search engine and was instantly rewarded with this sinfully delicious recipe:

Choco-Hoto-Pots
Recipe created by Nigella Lawson

Forget about the calories—just sit back and enjoy the decadence provided in this warm chocolate treat.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 - 6 servings

Ingredients:
Butter for ramekins
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup superfine sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Place baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400°F/200°C. Butter four 2/3 cup ramekins and set aside. (I actually find these so decadently sweet, that I use ½ cup ramekins and make 6.)
2. Using a microwave oven or double boiler, melt together the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the butter. Set aside to cool.
3. In a separate bowl, combine eggs, sugar and flour. Add cooled chocolate mixture, and mix until blended.
4. Divide mixture evenly among ramekins and place on baking sheet. Bake until tops are shiny and cracked and chocolate beneath is hot and gooey, about 20 minutes. Place each ramekin on a small plate with a teaspoon and serve, reminding children that ramekins and chocolate are hot.

I like to top my hoto pots with a generous serving of whip cream. If you're really feeling naughty (and who doesn't from time to time?), top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, then whip cream, and then drizzle chocolate or caramel sauce over the whole thing!

If you feel like making a unique dessert this Thanksgiving, you can't go wrong with these little pieces of chocolate heaven. And because you bake them individually, you can present each of your guests with their own ramekin. (Speaking of ramekins, I just saw them for $1 a piece at World Market and Pier 1 Imports. How's that for a bargain!)

Forget the pumpkin pie, people. Your guests will thank you!

PK

Turkey, Southern Style

2008-11-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

So a couple of years ago, my sister decided we needed to be more adventurous when it came to cooking our Thanksgiving bird. I guess she had seen some cooking show where they showed you step by step how to fry a turkey.

The chef claimed you hadn't really tasted turkey until you had tasted a fried turkey. With that statement uttered, my sister decided it was game on! She went out and bought all the necessary tools - deep fryer, oil, tongs, hooks, flame-retarded oven mitt and of course, the bird.

(Disclaimer! If you're a vegetarian or grew up on a farm where you named your little gobble-gobbles, the images you're about to see are graphic in nature.)

Here's Holly with her bird - pre-fryer. The secret to a moist bird is to inject it with marinades, spices and coat it with a special dry rub seasoning.

Here's my sister's boyfriend, my dad and Holly getting ready to lower our turkey into the fryer.

And a quick 45 minutes later, our bird emerged cooked (yep, it's supposed to look charcoaled!) and ready for consumption.

With her uncanny ability to turned anything into gold (or in our case, dinner!), Holly salutes her masterpiece.

And while her fried turkey was beyond juicy, I still enjoyed my mom's oven-cooked variety (our backup bird!) just as much. So go ahead and be adventurous. Just know, you can never take the turkey out of Thanksgiving. It will always be the star of the show. And the stuffing a close second!

Call Me Booch, James Booch

2008-11-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ms. Maxwell, aka Paper Crafts editor-in-chief Jennifer Schaerer recently posted a blog on the next installment of James Bond (which opens tomorrow!). In addition to being written in Ms. Maxwell's wickedly irreverent voice, it was supported by one very yummy picture of Daniel Craig. Danny Boy in blue swim trunks and not much else. Did I mention his toned physique? Yowza!

So while I'll be joining my girlfriends tomorrow night for our OO7 drool fest, I thought I would share some pictures of the next James Bond. You know, in 2o years when Daniel's face starts to sag a bit and his piercing blue eyes lose their hypnotizing effect. Sorry ladies, but it's bound to happen!

Meet my cousin Carter Smith, aka The Booch. A couple of years ago, Boochie was all about the pellet guns. His mom wouldn't let him have a bb gun, so pellets were the next best thing. I came over for a visit one day and found him lining up empty Coke cans for target practice.

What I found so interesting was his complete and absolute concentration. They way he held the gun, they way he cock his head - he literally became this little kick ass 8-year-0ld.

So Daniel, beware! Carter is coming for your job in 2028! In the meantime, me and Ms. Maxwell will enjoy Craig's "startlingly luscious iteration of an icon".

Poetry, Jennifer!

I've Been Tagged!

2008-11-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

Brandy J tagged me the other day and since I don't want to break the chain and have seven years of bad luck (get it - seven questions, seven bad years of luck!), here we go... (BTW, this was really hard!)

1. I've never broken a bone.
2. I made the varsity tennis team when I was a sophomore in high school.
3. I worked for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and scored a ticket to the Closing Ceremonies.
4. I'm very selective when it comes to dairy products. No to cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, mayo or anything that remotely smells like it was purposely left out to curdle, ferment or be the by-product of a bacterial culture. I do however enjoy ice cream, whip cream, milk (only with cereal), ranch dressing and cheddar cheese. I know, it's purely psychological!
5. Even though I was raised in the Lone Star State, I didn't get into country music until I moved to Utah for college. Some of my first country albums were Clint Black's Greatest Hits, Mary Chapin Carpenter Come On, Come On, and Shania Twain's The Woman in Me.
6. Most people go to the grocery store when they run out of milk, eggs or bread. For me, it's when I get down to my last two Cokes.
7. I'm definitely a creature of the night. My internal biorhythms really do perk up at about 4 p.m. and from then until about 12 a.m., I feel the most alert and productive.

I tag Laurie, Deb, Cristi, Mel, Kalyn, Susan, and Jennifer!

Don't break the chain people!
PK

World War II Remembered

2008-11-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

In honor of Veterans Day, I'd like to share a newspaper article I wrote about my grandmother some 11 years ago at BYU. It was a "fluff" piece I turned into my editor with no expectation of ever seeing it in print. You can imagine my surprise when I walked on campus on Veterans Day and picked up a copy of The Daily Universe. Yep, this little "fluff" piece was staring me right in the face on the front page. Needless to say I had the best time calling my grandma that day to say, "I hope you're ready for the spotlight again."

LDS Singer Looks Back on USO Experience

By P. KELLY SMITH

Universe Staff Writer - 13 Nov 1997

Every year on Veteran's Day, we as a nation set aside a day of remembrance for those servicemen and women who fought to keep the freedoms we enjoy today. One such LDS veteran is Norma Squires Smith, who served in World War II as a singer overseas in the United Services Organization, (USO).

From singing in the tabernacle at age 11, to throwing baseballs with David O. McKay's son, Smith's career as an entertainer has taken her far and wide, leaving behind memories of a lost but not forgotten time.

Smith, now 76 and residing in San Jose, Calif., went from singing in a nightclub in Hollywood to performing before soldiers in North Africa and Italy. Many of these performances were within three miles of the fighting and in front of crowds of 5000 servicemen.

From an interview in her home she said the nostalgia about WWII has led her to wear a replica of her USO uniform to entertain veteran groups today. Smith recently had her picture and a plaque of her experiences overseas, go up in the war memorial room of Hollywood High School, where she attended in 1936.

Smith was only 21 when a call from a talent scout came offering her a position in the USO. "The possibility of going overseas gave rise to a series of emotional reactions and I was asking myself: can I leave my home and parents and face the unknown?" Smith said.

But before she knew it she found herself saying, "yes" and getting fitted for her uniform and getting shots for typhoid and tetanus.

"The FBI ran a complete security check on me, had me fingerprinted and told me that if I were captured by the enemy, I would be treated as a POW-Capt. status," Smith said.

Smith said she knew she would be in dangerous circumstances, but wanted to do her part for the war effort. The USO shows ran from October 1941 to June 1944, with her travels taking her through Alaska, North Africa, Italy and England.

The USO provided nearly 124,000 shows to 71.4 million men.

Her first impression of the war was of the poor, weary servicemen in the Aleutian Islands, near Alaska, where she was first assigned.

"Most of these men had not seen a woman, yet alone a white woman, in 18-20 months, so they were quite happy to see us."

As the war came to an end, so did Smith's life as a traveling performer. "Everyone wanted to forget the war and get on with the rest of their lives. Now everyone is so nostalgic about the war and so interested. Everyone wants me to sing again in my uniform -- so I do," Smith said.

Last year she attended a reunion for the 487th bomb group. She was in London celebrating their 100th mission 50+ years ago. She's also been in the production of the play "South Pacific" in which she added a touch of authenticity, as she sang the same songs she did during the war.

From a little girl singing in the Tabernacle to making history with the USO, it is no wonder her life has come full circle. And it's no surprise that 50 years ago, some GI cast his eye on a blond-haired soprano, whose voice helped soothe the angst and heal the soul.

Happy Veterans Day, Grandma!
Love, PK

Happy Birthday, Lone Star!

2008-11-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

The year was 1996. I was 20 years old. I went to go see a little movie called A Time to Kill. From the first time this newcomer appeared on screen, I was completely hyptonized. And even though there's been some rough patches along the way (two words: naked bongos), in the end, this is one cowboy who will always get my vote!

Vanity Fair Magazine, 1996

The Web Site Planner, 2001

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Love your #1 fan,

Gone Hippie!

2008-11-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

We take Halloween very seriously at work. We start planning our team costume months in advance and no detail is left to chance. This year we decided to be bell bottom wearin', flower exchangin' hippies. And boy was it a G-R-O-O-V-Y display of love, friendship and world peace!

We even went outside and communed with nature for a bit. Luckily the weather was still righteous enough for us to take our shoes off, clasp hands and sing a little song.

Then we just had to lay down and take a little nap. We were so tired after ingesting Stace's "magic" brownies. I just have to get her recipe!

Even Lexus joined in on the fun. A big thanks goes out to Carolyn Jolley who was brave enough to put Lexus in her pink halter top and jean skirt. And thanks to Jennifer who graciously allowed Lexus to sit on her lap for over an hour!

Can you believe this angelic face actually had the nerve to bite Jennifer's daughter's fingers? Sorry Mini Me! Lexus must have had one too many of those "magic" brownies!

Here's Lex and I with one of the scariest criminals on Die Cut Row - One Eyelet Hoeppner. (Since our office is so close to the state prison, Megan's team came dressed as inmates. Truly I think Megan came up with this idea so she could curse at us and get away with it!)

And here's Lex and I spreading our message of world peace and everlasting doggie kisses.

Hope you all had a groovin' Halloween!
PK

Up to No Good On Mischief Night

2008-10-30T23:16:00.000-06:00

I was watching Miss Kelly Ripa today and she mentioned that Oct. 30 is known as Mischief Night. She said growing up in her hometown, the kids would warm up for Halloween by pulling small pranks like tee peeing houses and overturning cars on their local bank's front lawn.

While I've spent the night wrapping treats for my co-workers and putting together my Halloween ensemble, I did have a momentary lapse in judgment. Call it mischief, call it curiosity, but I just couldn't wait any longer. The temptation was just too great.

So I gave into it... and before I knew it, my poor little dog found herself tied, velcroed, and coiffed for the big day. There was only one little problem... Halloween is not until tomorrow!

My sister Laurie bought Lexus this hot pink wig. I thought it would look cute with her Daisy Duke halter top and rhinestone-encrusted jean skirt. Just so you know, I never got the halter top on her!

And just for fun, I tried on her Shrek costume. I can't decide which costume she looks more scared in! Good thing I didn't pull out her Princess Leia ensemble. Those buns would have never stayed on!

So here's to a productive Mischief Night. I can't wait to see what's in store for Halloween!

Let's Dish About PC Gourmet!

2008-10-29T00:39:00.000-06:00

As a magazine editor, I have the privilege to experience an issue in all of its glorious stages. From concepting it, to the day Brenda (our exceptional editorial assistant) plops the magazine down on my desk, it never gets old. Maybe that's because there's always another one coming down the pipe!

And since we're always trying to make each and every issue better than the last, when it came time to come up with our book idea for the year, we all unanimously said, "Let's do another PC Gourmet!" And so we have! This time it's a 176-page cookbook packed with over 50 scrumptious recipes and 100 complementary projects!

And since I'm all about sharing the love of food, here's an exclusive PC Gourmet recipe and project from our uber talented Paper Crafts Pro Alisa Bangerter:

Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits

This is a perfect recipe to pull out if you are short on time because there is no rolling or cutting. The cheese and garlic add extra kick to a plain biscuit, and kids love them. They are the perfect accompaniment to serve with soups or stews, and are great served with a salad.

INGREDIENTS

2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

And if any of you are feeling crafty, here's Alisa's cute tag that's perfect for All Hallows Eve:

Enjoy Halloween Tag

SUPPLIES: Cardstock: (ivory) Dye ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color wash) Stewart Superior Corp. Color medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3" x 4 1/2"

1 Make tag from cardstock. 2 Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk. 3 Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere. 4 Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape. 5 Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edges. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads. Attach ribbon with brad.

Like what you see? Want to see more paper crafted yumminess? Make sure to visit Paper Crafts' online store where you can purchase your very own copy of PC Gourmet. Did I mention they make great holiday gifts? How easy is that!

PK

P.S. BTW, if you're related to me, there's a good chance Santa is bringing you a copy!

Daisy Duke, Here I Come!

2008-10-24T23:52:00.000-06:00

Lexus is so excited for Halloween! Since we're just a week away, she wanted me to sneak peek a portion of her costume. Who knew they made hot pink wigs for dogs? Since I know many of you are wondering how it stays on, it has an adjustable elastic strap that fits snugly under her chin.

If you think this is adorable, wait until you see the entire ensemble! Lexus told me she really wanted to go back to her rural Texas roots, so her wish is my command. Make sure you check back with us next Friday for the big reveal! (Think Jessica Simpson in The Dukes of Hazzard! You know, if Jessica had hot pink hair!)

PK

P.S. Does anyone know if they make toenail polish for dogs? It has to be fast drying!

Name That Editor... Me!

2008-10-22T21:52:00.000-06:00

I wrote about my recent promotion a few weeks ago. While I'm settling into my new role quite nicely, there's one thing that's still missing... my title.

Technically it's "editor", but since that doesn't quite encompass all that I do, we've put together a little contest where our readers will decide my new title!

Yes, I "doctored" this little photo. It use to say "Celebrate World Card Making Day"!

To get our readers' creative juices flowing, I suggested a few names like "Web Wonder Woman", "Paper Crafts Cyber Girl", "Gallery Goddess", and my favorite..."Mistress of the Message Boards"!

And although the contest has only been going on for a day, the proposed titles are flooding in! Some standouts are "Super Cyber Specialist", "Cyber Czar", "Web Crafter Extraordinaire", "Digital Diva, and my favorite... "Queen of America"! (We're voting for a president in a couple of weeks. I wonder how hard it would be to add "Kelly Smith, Queen of America" to the ballot.)

And since this is a democratic society, we're accepting all title suggestions until next Monday, Oct. 27. From there, voting begins and my new title will be announced on Election Day, Nov. 4. To join in on the fun and perhaps win some cool prizes, visit Paper Crafts web site.

And check back here on Election Day. Maybe my dreams of becoming "Queen of America" will come true!

PK's Parlor

Another Year

“God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.” ~Neal A. Maxwell

Bella Who?

Your Humble Servant, Edward

This Dog's Life...in Costume!

Charlie's Angels

Have a Coke and a Smile

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Cooper Smith - Head of Class

Mimi's Magic

An Incredible Lady...An Incredible Life

Love is a Battlefield

The Cruise Chronicles - Final Day at Sea...Finally!

The Cruise Chronicles - Day Three at Sea

The Cruise Chronicles - Day Two at Sea

Happy Birthday to One Groovy Chick!

The Cruise Chronicles - Day One at Sea

The Cruise Chronicles - Epcot Center

Newton's Third Law of Motion

My Clever Girl

A Little Silliness

#1 Dad

Circle of Strength

Xanax, Please!

Oh, So Fine at 89!

The Lex Mop

Short and Sweet

My Little Easter Bunny

Handsome Men's Club

All the Single Ladies!

Something a Little More...

Happy New Year!

While the Cat's Away...

Nobody Puts "5-Star" in a Corner

I *Heart* In-N-Out Burger!

Feeling Great at 88!

Princess Lexia

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

So Many Reasons...

Sweet Looli

Splendor in the Grass

Happy Birthday, Pops!

It's World Card Making Day Somewhere!

May I See Your Dessert Menu?

To Ski or Not to Ski? That is the Question.

Happy Birthday, Big Sis!

Farewell to Summer!

The Return of The Little

Snakes. Why'd it Have to be Snakes?

Welcome to Paradise!

Groovin' Tunes!

Will the Real PK Please Stand Up?

Happy National Pink Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Beef Cuts and Gravy

Lexus' Birthday Wish

There's No Place Like Home - Part 2

There's No Place Like Home - Part 1

88 Years Young!

No Business Like Show Business!

Roses are Red, Violets are Aqua

Cruella Deville

The Stowaway

Spring Has Sprung!

Look Who's 30, Flirty and Fabulous!

Best Birthday Card Ever!

Happy 75th Birthday, Grandma!

Someday My Prince Will Come

Are You Having Diva Day?

Karma

Selling with the Stars

A Brand New Day

Remember the Time When We Went to Buca di Beppo's...

In Memoriam

Don't Mess With Texas

All in the Family!

The Big Bang of '09

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Congrats, Grad!

I Heart In-N-Out Burger!