My Lucky Year--Wayne County Fair

Hi Bloggers! Well, it was a good year for me at our local county fair. I took Best of Show with my Wizard of Oz charm bracelet and Judges Special Award for my scrapbook made from a recycled chewing gum box and formica samples. I have to thank Laura on YouTube followthepapertrail for the idea.

The competition was much tougher this year as we had many people from the bigger cities in our area compete.

Anyway "Toot Toot Toot" (Me tooting my own horn).

The First Swappers Videos!

The partners were Anna and Brigitte

You both were great swappers!

Cookbooks for a Worthy Cause

I am on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Nebraska Humane Society near Norfolk, Nebraska. We are in the process of raising funds for our very first nonprofit shelter. We've had land donated and now need to raise funds for the building and operating costs.

We have for sale these wonderful cookbooks. They are spiral bound with beautiful laminate slick pages. The total size of the book it 5 1/2" x 7 1/2". It's size makes it so compact and easily stored. It contains not only people recipes but pet food/treat recipes as well!  The cost for these are $10 plus $3.00 S/H to anywhere in the US.  All proceeds go to the building fund.  This shelter is a 501(c)(3) charity and is not funded in anyway by tax dollars.

Set of 2 Extended Cutting Pads for Cricut For Sale!

Have you been patiently waiting Cricut to come out with the extended cutting pads so you can use your Stampin Up Bigz XL dies all in one cut?  I'm tired of waiting so I created my own.  These are the same material used by the Cricut company.  **These are not made by Provo Craft**

You will receive one set of 2 clear extended plates (die in photo not included).

$24.99  FREE USA SHIPPING!

Last Chance Bottle Swappers!

Hi Swappers,
I've sent out all the returned questionnaires I've received so far.  I've also been careful to check my spam folder.  If anyone has not received their partner's information please email me right away so I can get you paired up.  I have quite a few that wanted to participate but have not returned the questionnaire, therefore I'm hesitant to partner these people just in case life has gotten a little crazy and they don't have time to participate this time.  I do hope to have another swap soon if everyone has a good experience!! 

Remember....your postal worker is probably going to have a puzzled look on their face when you mail the bottle but assure them, it is ok!  :)

Bottle Swap Questionnaires Have Been Sent

Hi Bottle Swappers!

I've gotten all the questionnaires emailed out to everyone that I have received a participation request.  If there is anyone that has not received theirs please email me at bottleswap@joannmckenzie.com as soon as possible and I'll get it right out to you.

Procrastinators.....you still have time to get in if you wish.  I'm allowing a little extra time because of the holiday.  Many people have Monday off and are probably gone from their computers for the weekend so please be patient.  I'll be sending you your partner's information as well as their questionnaires. 

If you have any questions at all regarding the swap please do not hestitate to contact me.  If you have something come up and need to bow out or be late, don't be afraid to email me as well as your partner so we can all stay informed and I'm sure everyone is flexible enough to provide a little extra time.  Please Please Please don't flake.  Everyone is so excited about this little "Christmas in July" event, we don't want anyone to be disappointed. 

I hope everyone is having a safe and happy 4th of July Weekend!!

Last Call Bottle Swappers USA only please

Please email me directly to bottleswap@paperpiazza.com so I have your email address, your full name, and postal address.  I have the short questionaire ready for you!  I'm so excited!!!!  It will be Christmas in July!

Bottle Swap Update

Hi There Swappers!

I'm working on the swap partners right now. I will be emailing all of you a short questionaire of your likes and dislikes so your partner will get them with your mailing information.  That way we don't have to go back and forth checking blogs, etc. 

I'm so thrilled with the response and have been putting stuff together for my partner all month!

If any of you do not happen to get a questionaire in the next day, please email me so I can get it out.  You know how things can happen and I certainly don't want to forget anyone!

If anyone needs to drop out, please do so now.  No hard feelings, there will be other swaps.

Ready...Set...Swap!

Recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I've had a number of emails requesting the recipe for my Pineapple Upside Down Cake that is made in a cast iron skillet....so here it is!

1/2 cup nuts chopped (I used pecans)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices
5 Maraschino Cherries, drained
1 package (18.25 oz) Yellow Cake Mix
Water
3 Eggs
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.  I also put a cookie sheet or pizza pan on the rack to set the skillet on while it bakes to prevent dripping.
Spray cast iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray, making sure to coat sides well.
Melt butter in cast iron skillet on rangetop, add brown sugar and stir until bubblly. 
Drain pineapple, reserving the juice; set aside.
Arrange pineapple slices and cherries in skillet, sprinkle nuts on top. 
Add enough water to pineapple juice to make 1 1/3 cups liquid. 
In bowl combine cake mix, liquid mixture, eggs, oil and whisk until well blended.  Pour over fruit mixture and bake 35-40 minutes or until cake test comes out clean. 
Allow to cool 5 minutes.  Carefully run knife around sides of skillet.  Place cake plate on top of skillet and invert (this may take two people).

Bottle Swaps

If you love to swap, there's a new type of swap out there that is so much fun!  Bottle Swaps!  I received my first last week and it was like getting a treasure! I can't even imaging what the postman thought when he delivered it!

If you're interested in be part of a 2 liter bottle swap send your name and address to:  bottleswap@joannmckenzie.com by July 1st.  Deadline for the swap to be mailed will be August 1st.

In the comments section and/or in your email please specify your likes and dislikes to help your partner fill your bottle with things you love.

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Radiothon

Please call and donate today to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital!

Each year Norfolk, Nebraska raises phenominal amounts of funds for this wonderful cause.  You can join in and be a partner in hope.

US92

St. Jude's

Memorial Album of Poetry

My very goo friend Melia just lost her father a few months ago.  Richard was a very unique individual and wrote some very lovely poetry which is unique in itself in rural Nebraska!  Shortly after he passed, I offered to help retrieve his poetry from his computer and compile it into  something all family could share.  Melia has been my friend through thick and thin so I decided to make her a small album showcasing some of his poetry.  She loved it so much and showed it to her mother, Myrna who also enjoyed it.  Myrna celebrated her 80th birthday this week so for a gift Melia had me create a similar album for her.  It was so much fun making the album as ecletic as Richard's poems.

Altered Rolodex/Password Keeper

I had a wonderful time altering this Rolodex that I found at the Goodwill for $2.  I normally use a larger rolodex for a place to store my passwords to websites, etc. but decided I wanted one that was smaller and easier to stash away. 

I used K & Company papers and a lot of Sticky Strip!   This particular Rolodex has straight angles so I didn't have to deal with curved tops or sides so the paper adheared beautifully.  If I happen to come across another sometime I'll alter it and put it up for a giveaway.

 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I thought I would give you just a window into my kitchen to show you the yummie pineapple upside down cake that I made this weekend.  It was gooey heaven!  I make one of these for one of my best friends every year for her birthday so a little practice in between time never hurts. 

I make my cake in a cast iron skillet in the oven.  I have never had anything turn out so pretty and good almost every time.  If you'd like the recipe just leave a comment and I'll post it, or if you have a great one, post it in the comments section.

Back to the world of paper....

You made the trip!

I welcome all of you to my new blog address. If you have not already subscribed to the new one http://paperpiazza.blogspot.com   please do so.  The old Blog will remain in place and look much like the new one for awhile.  I will post several reminders on the old blog to hop on over here to the  new one. 

It's a new year and I want to make some changes for a fresh and updated look!

Thanks much!

JoAnn