Beneficial Thinking

1. School of Scrap from Snaps and Snippets
   As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I've taken on the 100 sheets of paper by mid-October challenge. Thanks again S for this great challenge!
2. How-To Make Fruit Leather Roll-Ups from Marta Writes
   I'm not sure how I feel about leaving my oven on all day, even at such a low temp, but it has to be better than buying "fruit" roll-ups from the store!
3. Yum from Teresa-Bug
   I really need to start eating yogurt again, I just got sick of eating the same kind all the time and haven't been able to find a replacement. I'll definitely head over to Trader Joe's to try this out. 
4. The Great Pantry Makeover from Decor Chick
   I love, love, love the use of the carousels! My pantry isn't anywhere near as big, but hopefully I can make mine this organized too. My first step will be changing out the wire shelving for wood shelving!
5. Kitchen Pantry Makeover from House of Smith's
   What an awesome job... and pretty enough to leave the door open all the time! Would not have thought to put a design behind the shelves and make the pantry as pretty as a room.
6. Picture Window Project from House of Smith's
   I love this idea, and the ease of changing out photos. Right now I have some frames that make it easy to switch out a picture, but if they aren't a certain size or a certain orientation it just doesn't work. This will work no matter what!
7. What's For Lunch? How About Some Humble Pie? from Fill Up Your Mug and Sit Awhile
   Don't think this needs an explanation. Worth the read.
8. DIY Wood Alternative, Paper Flooring! Leather from Remodelaholic
   Not sure if I'd ever ever have the guts to do this to my floor, but the final product looks great!
9. Back to School, Back to Lunch: Lunch Box Ideas from Wendolonia
   I love all the Bento information that I have gained through keeping up with the Wendolonia blog. This was just the first of a series of helpful blog posts this week about lunch packing.
10. Tortellini Pasta Salad from Our Best Bites
    Another quick and easy meal to try... although may have to add meat for my hubby.

I'm always up for a good challenge. So, when S from Snaps and Snippets challenged her readers to a race to use 100 sheets in her post School of Scrap, I dove right in.

Here are my first creations, 10 cards that were inspired by the desire to share my son's artwork. Now that they are created, I just need to write in them and get them mailed, which for me is the hard part!



Used:
- 5 colored cardstock
- 3 white cardstock (mostly for the inside of the card to write on)

8 sheets down, 92 to go!

I served this on a bed of lettuce with peaches, almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Marinade Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 15-ounce can sliced peaches, lightly drained 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 tablespoon honey 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 2 halves if the breasts are huge) pounded out Directions Place the peaches in a food processor and process to a smooth puree. Add the oil and honey and process briefly to blend; transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces and close, squeezing out the air. Chill for 15 minutes (or you can do it the day before). Prepare the grill (gas grill at medium; charcoal grill arranged for indirect heat), heat a grill pan over medium heat, or preheat the broiler. Remove the chicken pieces from the bag and place on a plate. Season lightly with salt and pepper and transfer to the grill. Cover and cook until charred underneath, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook until charred and firm when poked with a finger, 4 to 5 minutes more.

Three books down, nine to go to reach my goal for the year. [Re: 52 Things To Do In 2010.] What's even better... all three books have been great reads!
Run Like a Mother by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

I just want to start this book review off by thanking Cathy Zielske for blogging about this book (and inspiring me to start running).

Although I have no desire to run a marathon (at this time), as a beginner runner, I feel like I get it now. I am not afraid to lace up my Nike shoes and go for a run any more. Even though I have runner friends, this book opened a whole new world to me. I feel like I'm in on the secret now and I am confident to go out on a run.

Thank you to Dimity and Sarah for sharing your stories with me. Their lighthearted, straightforward writing style made me feel like I was one of their friends. If you are a runner, want to be a runner, or know a runner, you should pick up this book.