FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY

Are you on Facebook!!?? Have you been thinking about it!?? Maple Memories has a FB page and we would love for you to become a fan!!! We're giving away prizes to 2 lucky fans, so head on over to our page. We would love for you to invite friends to enjoy our Facebook Party as well!! HAPPY MONDAY!!

DAD

One day I was visiting Beki's blog when I saw an adorable DAD picture hanging on the wall in the background of one of her pictures. I thought it was the cutest idea and decided to try it with my kids for Father's Day. I liked it so well that I took some pictures for friends as well. Here are some that I came up with...I just love them!! THANKS FOR THE GREAT IDEA, BEKI!!

Goodwill Party

Sarah over at Thrifty Decor Chick had a post recently about a Goodwill Party. Since "refurbishing" has caught my attention recently, I decided to join in!! Last Saturday was our city wide garage sale, so I headed out early to find my "masterpiece". I came across this tissue box. It was heavy duty, not a cheap plastic. It had a pattern that I liked. It had potential. So I figured it was worth the risk at the 50 CENT asking price!!!

I started off by spray painting it black.

BUT, it need something more. I dipped the END of a small paintbrush in some white paint.

And then added some white dots and dashes.

Here she is in all her glory!! I loved the way it turned out and can't wait to put it in my new craft room. Still debating whether to use it as a Kleenex holder or flip it upside down and stick a plant or topiary in it! I'll let you know what I decide!!

Friday Feature - Bella Casa

Today our Friday Feature is Bella Casa, an Italian Restaurant in McPherson. I remember when this first opened and everyone was buzzing about the new restaurant in town. I asked where it was located. "It's in the bowling alley", came the unexpected response! Yes, it is attached to the bowling alley!!!

When I think of an Italian Restaurant, I think of "fine dining." I don't know what you picture in your head, but this probably isn't the interior that comes to mind!

It doesn't take long to get past the fact that it's in a bowling alley AND the decor isn't "typical" when they bring you a basket of warm bread and a menu full of the most delicious sounding food. The bread is amazing!!! Seriously, I could down a whole basket as I'm reading through the menu choices!!

Here are the descriptions for a few of my favorites.
"Joe's Special" - Chicken sauteed with garlic, mushrooms and spinach cooked in a white wine cream sauce.
"Chicken Alfredo" - Fettuccini pasta sauteed in a homemade white , Alfredo sauce.
"Manicotti" - Pasta stuffed and rolled with ricotta cheese topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. (That's it in the picture below.)

If you've been there, what's your favorite dish!?

There are so many wonderful menu items to choose from. My husband says you can't go wrong with the Lasagna (he orders it everytime!!). They also have "Daily Specials" that aren't on the regular menu. My Dad ate with us the other day and had a Steak and Shrimp Scampi combo. Just look at all those seasonings!!! And, yes, he thought it was weird that I took a picture of his food...welcome to the blogging world, Dad!!! ;)

This has become a favorite restaurant for many groups that stay at Maple Memories. They also have carry-out pizza. I haven't tried it, but the last time I was there people kept coming in and leaving with pizza boxes, so it must be pretty good!!

Bella Casa

900 West Kansas Ave

McPherson, KS 67460

(620)245-5104 * (620)245-5106

Catering Available

Business Hours:

Tues - Thurs 11AM - 9:30PM

Fri - Sat 11AM - 10PM

Sunday 11AM - 9PM

CLOSED MONDAY

Beth Moore Event in McPherson

**The weekend of Aug 28-30th is still available at Maple Memories. This would be a great opportunity for your Bible Study or Women's Group at church. Enjoy Beth Moore and on your "off" time, fellowship together while scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, making jewelry, or whatever else you would like to do!! We can even work out an early check in or late check out!!**

LIVING PROOF LIVE WITH BETH MOORE...

On August 28-29, Beth Moore is bringing Living Proof Live to her hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Thanks to simulcast satellite technology, she'll spend that weekend here in McPherson, KS too. The same soul-stirring worship, the same life-changing teaching--right here, in real time. Living Proof Live is a weekend you'll never forget.

August 28th: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm - Doors open at 6:00 pm

August 29th: 8:30 am - 12:00 noon - Doors open at 7:30am

Limited Seating. Advance tickets are available at the church office for $20 per person or you can purchase at the door for $25 (this includes BOTH days). Stop by the office (M-F, 8:30a-5p) or mail a check/money order (payable to NHEC). Please include name(s), address(es), and phone number(s) of those who will be attending - your tickets will be mailed. Questions? Call 245-0303 or email nhec@sbcglobal.net.

Invite your friends, your neighbors, your daughters, your sisters -- any women you may know! Each message from Beth focuses on scriptural teaching and a love for God's word to become alive and active in each participant's heart. You won't want to miss this!

2009 Trends in Scrapbooking

I stumbled across the following list of predicted scrapbooking trends for 2009 on Scrapscene.com. What do you think!!? Have the predictions come true? What has your "trend" been this year!?

1. Small album projects will continue to be popular. They are time-limited, economical, incredibly satisfying—and they make super gifts.

2. Flock, fleece, and felt will go on adding interesting dimension and weight to pages. They provide great touch-ability and a down-to-earth feel as well.

3. Swirls and filigrees will make ongoing appearances in die-cuts, laser cuts, and inked images (stamped or hand-drawn). These fill the odd corner, direct the eye, and add a touch of sophistication. (Provide the perfect backdrop for flowers and gems, too.)

4. Doodling will rock on and on. Viva the scribble!

5. Hand-journaling will keep contributing a lovingly personal touch.

6. Interactive layouts will be given more attention, as paper engineering leads to a deeper level of involvement by the viewer and the creator both.

7. All things handmade will be hot, hot, hot. Nothing is perfect, but handmade is near enough to heaven for most of us.

Friday Feature - The Cake Lady

The Cake Lady. The name alone makes me feel warm and welcome. The owner, Michelle, is as nice as they come. Always ready to great you with a smile as she walks out from the back room, where she has been baking or decorating, when she hears you enter. She makes the most BEAUTIFUL cookies you have ever seen. Today when I went in, she had ice cream cone and flower shaped ones. (My girls go nuts over the pink flowers, while my son always eyes the BIG monster cookies!!) Her counter is also filled with muffins, cupcakes, biscotti, and candy.

Didn't I tell you her cookies were pretty!? She also makes cakes for any occasion. Is someone in your group at Maple Memories celebrating a birthday or having a baby!!?? What a great surprise to have a beautiful cake, cookie bouquet (these are DARLING), or diaper cake ready for her. Give Michelle a call at 620-241-9100 to place your order.

In addition to all of the great food items, "The Cake Lady" also carries gift items for everyone. Fashionable purses, monogrammed wallets, backpacks and water bottle holders for kids, jewelry, and KU and K-State items just to name a few. For those of you that have been to McPherson, you might recognize her building as the previous home of "The Old Muffin Factory". Fortunately for us, Michelle continues to stock the shelves of her store with the famous muffin mixes and pancake mixes from "The Old Muffin Factory." This pancake mix is a staple at my house!! Seriously, I ran out one day and made the kids pancakes out of Bisquick instead (not telling them). They each took a bite and looked up and me and said, "Mom, these pancakes don't taste very good!" TRUE STORY. You MUST pick up a bag when you are in town, or you can order it online at http://www.themuffinfactory.com/.

"The Cake Lady"

217 S Main

McPherson, KS 67460

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:30PM and Saturday 9AM - 3PM

CLOSED ON SUNDAY

One final picture to leave you with...the Pina Colada muffin I stopped in and grabbed for breakfast!!! Come on in, grab a muffin, some coffee or a cappuccino, and find a spot at one of the quaint tables. Ahhhh...WELCOME TO MCPHERSON!!

Teacher Gift

Each year, we give the kids' teachers end-of-the-year gifts as a thank you for all that they do. I try to stay away from "teacher themed" gifts and go for something FUN for THEM as a start to their SUMMER!! This year, I found these adorable SNACK tins at Wal-Mart. Don't you just love them!!!?? So cheery!!! I wanted to buy some for my pantry, but I resisted and got them for the teachers instead!!! My kids favorite Summer snack is S'mores...they LOVE them...could have them EVERY night if we would let them!! So, we packed the snack tin with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate candy bars...wrapped it in cellophane and tied a pretty bow!!! They were excited to give them to their teachers, along with a note telling them what they were thankful for. My Kindergartener wrote, "Thank you for teaching me about monkeys!" :) WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!!!

Another Giveaway...

from PamperingBeki!!!!! She is celebrating her 1000th post...can you believe it!!!?? 1000 posts!!!??? When that day arrives for me, I will definitely be having a giveaway of my own!!! At the rate I've been going, maybe Maple Memories should celebrate at 100 instead!! HA! OK, back to PamperingBeki's GIVEAWAY!! She makes the most beautiful hand stamped jewelry (I know because I just bought one and can't seem to take it off) and she is giving a custom necklace away to one lucky winner. Visit her blog for more information and just to snoop around...you'll want to be her friend. ;) You should also visit her Etsy store and look at all of the amazing things she has for sale!! Here's one like I bought.

I had the dates of the FOUR most incredible days of my life stamped on them...my wedding date and the birth dates of each of my 3 kids. I LOVE IT!!!! OK, now GO ENTER!!! Oh, and did I mention she is a KANSAS girl!!?? I love supporting the "locals"!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

Congratulations to SARAH B.!!!! You are the winner of the $100 Gift Certificate to Maple Memories!!!

When we started Maple Memories, our main goal was to provide a place for women to get away from it all. To relax, to spend time doing what you love, to create new friendships or build on existing ones, to spend a few days making time for YOU without thinking of all the other "stuff" that often consumes us. After reading your comments, I would say Maple Memories is doing just that!!! Thank you so much for your kind words...we feel truly blessed by each of you.