Starbucks ~ Excellent Customer Service

Wow, I'm so impressed with the customer service I received from Starbucks! I just called them to report that the lid to my Barista coffee carafe had broken. They are shipping me a new one, no questions asked, for free. I'm not just impressed about getting the part I need, the woman who helped me knew exactly what I was calling about and related to the inconvenience of not having a coffee maker up & running in our household. The part will be here in a week and our brewer will be good to go. In this day & age of poor customer service everywhere, I have to give Starbucks a gold star for their excellent service...they really did an outstanding job!

Pecan Pie Squares

This is a recipe I've made several times since December, it's so good! I've had many requests to post the recipe...thanks for the reminder Bridgette. The recipe is from my friend Chantel Cameron. If you end up trying it, let me know what you think.

Pecan Pie Squares

Base:

1/4 cup margarine (softened)

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

pinch salt

Filling:

1 large egg

1 large egg whites

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup pecan halves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In medium bowl, beat (I use my KitchenAid heavy-duty mixer) margarine and brown sugar until creamy. Add flour & salt and stir until well combined and crumbly. Press into a 8" x 8" pan that has been greased with non-stick spray. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until golden around the edges.

In the same bown (no need to wash it) combine egg, egg whites, brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just blended. Arrange the pecans evenly over the crust and pour the filling over the top. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes, until puffed and golden. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Makes 16 squares.

I often double the recipe and put in a 9" x 13" pan. Chantel says they freeze well, but I wouldn't know, they are eaten too fast around here. Scrumptous!

Park Playdate

Kelly, Dee-Ann & I recently rounded up our kiddies and visited the 'Pirate Park' in our neighbourhood. Here are a few photos taken by Dee...they are wonderful and I can't wait to scrapbook them. Thanks Dee, you're always taking great photos of our children!

Kyran, Kaeden, Ace & Scarlett

Dee-Ann has a BLOG!

I think some of you will be happy to hear that my friend Dee-Ann has started a BLOG! I'm so excited for her since she's been talking about starting one for such a long time. I love the name: *Sparkly Things*

Dee-Ann is one of my best friends and a great crafting buddy...we can often be caught staying up way too late drinking Dr. Pepper and snacking on popcorn, making masterpieces!

Hey Sis

Cute photo of my sister Amber...love ya!

I love Jim & Pam!

For all you Jim/Pam lovers of The Office (the show will seriously make you laugh):

the best video ever

Thanks to Kristina for the link!

Introducing: Charlie Jayde Craig

Born to our friends Cam & Tara Craig

Sister to big brother Brendan & big sister Jarilyn

We got our first look at this little cutie tonight...just 6 days old. We did a mini photo shoot (will have to go back in the daylight for another shoot) with the little announcement card I made up. Here are some more favorite photos.

The baby & I...it's been a while since I held a little one, brings back memories.

Scarlett was very interested in the baby...this meant, she is no longer the baby in our group of friends.

Monthly Card Class ~ March

Here are the 6 cards everyone was able to make & take at last night's "monthly card class". It was alot of fun to use all the new stamp sets from the SU Spring Mini catalogue...such cute stamp sets. I'd like to thank all my blogging friends for their inspiration while I was preparing these cards...you guys are great stampers!

The next card class is on Wednesday, April 4th (first Wed of each month)...if you're interested, I'd love to have you stamp with us. Email me at starrmercer@shaw.ca for more information.

We Just Got Back...

...from a trip to my hometown, Oxbow, Saskatchewan. My DH Cory prompted this spur-of-the-moment trip since work was slow. So we headed out on Thursday and stopped to visit our friends, the Allans who just moved onto an acreage near Medicine Hat. We stayed overnight and met Dawn's parents, toured their new home and went hot tubbing...we had a really fun time & their new place is amazing!

We arrived in Oxbow on Friday after driving on very icy roads for most of the trip. We stayed with my parents and had a wonderful time. We really wanted to go to Oxbow to check out my Dad's new ice-fishing shack (will be pulled off of the ice on March 15th) and to look at lots in my hometown, since it's so expensive in Calgary (don't worry, we're not making a decision anytime soon, just thinking about it). We did a wide variety of things while there and of course I took a ton of photos. So here's some snapshots of our quick little trip...thanks Mom & Dad for everything.

Pieter & Dawn; very steamy...in the hot tub that is!

Scarlett & Dawn's parents; Noella & Henry

Kyra figure skating

Saw lots of friends; Alexa & Patty Avery

Papa's ice fishing shack (that he built)

Ace fishing for the first time...too bad they weren't biting

Scarlett enjoyed cuddling with Great Grandpa Krieger

...And Nana

Christa was soooo busy for the entire weekend; Figure Skating event on Saturday & in charge of the Fishing Derby on Sunday at Alameda Dam.

Playing outside in ALL the snow! (Ace, Kyra, Scarlett & Kelby)

Warming up with hot chocolate & marshmallows...acting goofy

Ace gettting told to stay out of Nana's bell collection

Gift Box & Cards by Dee

Here's a little project my friend Dee made on our Sunday crafting night. It's a gift for her daughter's school teacher & wife who just had a baby girl. Inside the tin are handmade thank-you cards, envelope & pen...what new parent wouldn't want a gift like that. Great job Dee, I love it!

Project details:

Paper: Three Bugs in a Rug - Tickled Pink; Rub-ons: Bo Bunny; Silver Tin: Michaels; Mono Metal Glue; SU Slit Punch; Black Cardstock; Tin Plaques

Beautiful NEW Paper

I picked up this beautiful new paper at my one of my LSS...it's by Treehouse Memories. I'm inviting a bunch of girlfriends to a spa day and think this is the paper for the invitation...I just love it & can't wait to use it!

Saturday Night Dinner Party

We had some great company for dinner on Saturday night. Our friends Scott, Tanya & their son Ethan and Adam & Jenny (expecting their first baby in 2 weeks). We love to cook & entertain for friends!

Pedicure Night

Wednesday night my friend Cheryl, who is a licensed estician, came over to do pedicures for 5 other girlfriends and myself. It was so much fun to sit around, chit-chat and have pretty piggies at the end. I'm thinking of holding one each month since Cheryl's prices are so reasonable...only $25 each. Next month we've found a massage therapist who charges $25 for 30 minutes. We plan to have her set up to do massages in my office...I could get used to this!

Anticipation...

Wow, what a line-up for TV tonight! I'm excited to watch all these Thursday night shows:

• THE O.C. - Series Finale! I'm so disapointed that this show is ending :( I feel so connected to this show since my husband & and the main character 'Ryan Atwood' share such similar childhood & teen experences.
• GREY'S ANATOMY - The most anticipated show of the year; the ending to a three-part episode tonight. Will Dr. Grey make it? I sure hope so!
• THE OFFICE - As usual, a must see for Thursdays
• OPRAH'S OSCAR SPECIAL - Candid interviews with some great celebrities...who could resist.

Happy Thursday everyone...enjoy the television!

Pink Runway Tote FOR SALE

I'm selling my virtually new PINK Making Memories Runway Tote for $45 (CDN). If anyone is interested, please email me or leave a comment. I absolutely love this leather tote, but have re-vamped my organizational style. I'd love to see it go to a good home!Details: Sling this stylish Making Memories Pink Runway Tote over your shoulder on the way to your next scrapbooking excursion. With spacious compartments and pockets galore, this high-function bag declares your chic sensibility. PINK tote color * Lined with PINK and white polka dot material * Made from faux leather that is water, tear and puncture resistant * Comfortable shoulder strap design * Compartments and repositionable zipper pockets for organized storage * Includes Making Memories exclusive Tote Charm set and one 12" x 12" plastic paper box * Package/bag dimensions 16”w x 15” h x 5”d

I've Got A Cuttlebug!

Today I picked up a Cuttlebug at Michaels for $70 (CDN)! This cute little machine is a personal die cutter & embossing system for paper. I'm so excited to use it, but I think it'll have to wait until the weekend. Needless to say, I'm so glad I splurged and got one...they are hard to find in our city, a hot little item. And you should see how interested my husband is in this new little contraption...I may find him using it before I have a chance to...ha ha.

Sunday Night Crafting

Last night my friend Dee & I got together to craft. She helped me finish our daughter's birthday thank you cards that have been a project on my 'to do' list for a month. Thanks Dee for your inspiration & ideas, it was great to get together again and craft. They are simple & quick to make, especially since the mini cards are pre-cut from the Stampin' Up! Winter Mini. Now I just have to sign, address & mail them.