Hello Muddah Wrap Up!

First of all...I know, I know! This post has been a long time coming. I've been meaning to share some photos with y'all and tell you all about the fun we had at the Hello Muddah Crop (2011). The popular consensus was that everyone had a ball, ate themselves silly and want to do it again next year! So, watch for announcements for Hello Muddah 2012. But in the meantime, enjoy a few photos from our camping crop!

This is a group shot of almost all of our campers. What an amazing group of ladies!

The REAL Florida. We all loved this state park and (most) of the Rangers!

The park is just so very beautiful. Lots of ladies were inspired to take amazing photos.

There were just TONS and TONS of deer wandering around camp. In fact, Dawn saw a heard of 20 and Julie almost got run over by a group of "bolting" deer.

The morning Nature Walk was popular.


A few of the cabins in our group.

Some clever gals made signs for their cabin doors.

Getting cozy in the bunks! It felt just like summer camp...only in the winter!!

The much dreaded shower. It was all open screen at the top and quite chilly first thing in the morning. Most of us smarties, waited for the afternoon for taking our showers.

This is the room where we cropped at dusk. My favorite part of any crop is just listening to all the chatting and laughter coming from the crop room. And you could really hear the fun from outside!

Miss Barbara, Julie, Deanne & Kim looking cute as ever!

BethAnne's work space filled with goodie bags and snacks.

One of the buildings built in the 1920's by the CCC-this one we used for our Talent Show.

The audience waits for the Talent Show to begin.

Dawn, Tracy & Pam, AKA "The Scrappie Chicks" showed us how to take care of a pesky man in "Goodbye Earl"!

Stacey and I lip synced to the song, You're Timeless To Me, from the Hairspray soundtrack. No! I have not gained more weight...it was TWO pillows! Thankyouverymuch!

"If You're Chilly, Then You Should've Put A Hat On It!" An original song performed by these three cuties!

Stacey and I spent a couple of days just shopping for the groceries! Here I am with the first load we took to the park.

My spice central!

Lydia serves up some Meatball Subs.

Aahhh! That Pumpkin Bisque! Bliss!

It takes a BUNCH of food to feed all these hungry women! Especially when it's mac & cheese! I made Stacey "photo bomb" the shot so I could get perspective on just how big that pan was!

Lunch al' fresco. Bueno!

Tracy samples the super yummy Sticky Banana Bread Pudding.

Lydia and her fire! It sure was a thing of beauty!

Jo warms up herself and a marshmallow by the fire!

The perfect s'more!

A group of volunteers packed the amazing goodie bags.

This is the most amazing goody bag EVER! Each camper created something different, but all done in the same color scheme/theme so that we could all have some handmade embellishments for our albums. There were also lots of godies, like custom made cookies, cocoa kits and very handy hand warmers.

Lance Anderson from Rusty Pickle poses with Miss Barbara after one of his many classes!

This is one of the cool projects that Lance brought to teach. He is such a wonderful teacher!

The cute project that Stacey taught in one of her class.

Stacey taught a VERY full knitting class. Some gals caught on rather quickly...some, like me, were cussing!

PJ's and scarves were haute cotuer at this crop!

Such sweet gals!

The suspension bridge is a popular spot for a photo opportunity.

Hello Muddah Crop Classes and Schedule

Hello there all you lucky campers! Time has come to announce the class line up and a "loose" schedule of our weekend. I wanted to give you a loose schedule so that you know how to plan any "extra curricular" events you have planned on your own. Please note that the classes are "hard times" and that all others are "soft times" and could change if I need to.

Class registration is starting today. To register for class all you have to do is email me with the classes you want to take and then put a check in the mail for the total amount for the classes to me.

THURSDAY
12 pm-Registration begins
1 pm-Lunch is served
3 pm to ??-CLASS; Knitting 101 with Stacey
6 pm-Mocktail Hour & Appetizers
7 pm-Dinner is served
9 pm-Stampin' Up Make-N-Take

FRIDAY
8 am-Morning Nature Walk
9 am-Breakfast is served
10 am-CLASS; Perpetual Calender with Stacey
1 pm-Lunch is served
2-3:30 pm-CLASS; Camping Layout with Lance from Rusty Pickle
4 pm-Afternoon snack is served
4-7 pm-CLASS; Rustic Journey 2 Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle
7 pm-Dinner is served
9 pm-Ghost Stories and/or Sing-A-Long around the campfire

SATURDAY
8 am-Morning Nature Walk
9 am-Breakfast is served
10 am to 1 pm-CLASS; Panama Jack Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle
1 pm-Lunch is served
2-5 pm-CLASS; Way Cool Pop Star Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle
4 pm-Afternoon Snack is served (we will bring it to you if you are in class!)
6-7:30 pm-CLASS; Jungle Love (you can take a dinner break and finish class up after you eat!) with Lance from Rusty Pickle
7 pm-Dinner is served
9 pm-Talent Show (!!)

SUNDAY
9 am-Breakfast is served
11 am-Group Photo taken by Leisa Rice
1 pm-Lunch is served
5 pm-The party's over....



Knitting 101 with Stacey-$10Thursday, 3pm to ??
Beginner knitters will learn how to slip knot, cast-on, knit/purl and bind-off. You will get a demo during the first part of class, then you will be "let loose" to practice and work on your own. Stacey will be available throughout the weekend to work with you one-on-one to help you hone your knitting skills.
Class kit will include a set of knitting needles, yarn and printed instructions.
Students will need to bring scissors and a pen to take notes.

Perpetual Calendar with Stacey-$25 Friday, 10 am to 1 pm
Create an everlasting calendar using the Echo Park's "Life is Good" line. You will cover boxes and decorate with flowers, bling, die cuts, buttons and more. Each box will attach to the board with a magnet. Inside each box you can tuck a slip of paper with special journaling (prompts included) or a treat. You'll make boxes and month toppers in this class. Students can use their own magnetic frame/board & paints or purchase an upgraded "kit" for $25 that will include crackle paint, foam paint brush, clothespins and the magnetic home decor frame.
Students will need to bring along with the basic supply kit, dry adhesive, liquid adhesive, ruler, glue dots, pop dots & black pen with thin, journaling tip.

Camping Layout with Lance from Rusty Pickle-$17Friday, 2-3:30 pm This fun layout is specially sized for our album orientation and is done in browns, greens, rust and mustard. Great colors to compliment our album. Lance will walk us through a pop up tent and fire pit that is super cool! You will love adding this to our weekend album!
Students are asked to bring along with the basic supply kit some brown distressing ink.

Rustic Journey 2 Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle-$40 Friday, 4-7pm The beautiful chip board album takes "altered" to a whole new level. The pages of the album hold tons of creative tags and Lance will walk you through page after page and trick after trick as you create this travel album that you can use for either photos from your latest travels or your favorite "life moments".
Students are asked to bring to class along with the basic supply kit, wet and dry adhesive, red "wonder" tape and brown and black inks.

Panama Jack Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle-$40 Saturday 10am-1pm Lance tells me that this is one of their most popular classes and it is perfect for us Florida folks. This album is full of really cool scrapbooking flips and folds and pop ups. This is the perfect album for your favorite beach photos or from a recent tropical get away. It is done in blues and browns and even has a pop up tiki hut on one of the pages-a real showstopper!
Students are asked to bring to class along with the basic class kit, brown distressing ink.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IErw57gGY3c

Way Cool Pop Star Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle-$40 Saturday 2-5 pm
This has got to be my favorite one! It is so cool...honest! This 12x6 format, ring-bound album with both chipboard and acrylic album pages is done in all black and white with bold graphics and way-cool ayings. With the black and white color scheme you can leave it as is or (like I'll do) add some bright, fun colors! This album is full of the "Lance" touches with pockets & flips. This album would be perfect for a kids, 'tweens or teen album or for an adult "fun" event or friends album. You will be adding your own personal touch through out the album with lots of added embellishments, color and doodling, while creating a practical, yet very "COOL" keepsake. I cannot wait for this one!
Students are asked to bring assorted coloring pens or mediums to class along with a basic class kit.

Jungle Love Mini Album with Lance from Rusty Pickle-$20 Saturday 6-7:30pm (photo in YouTube video below) This mini album is being designed JUST FOR US! I requested a mini album done up in a Valentine's theme using Rusty Pickle's line called Jungle Love and Lance is obliging me! This album will be done in pink, white, black and teal. It is full of fun sayings and all the things we love about the RP style...fun, fun, fun! This little album can hold photos from a special "love-ey" event or just special photos of you and your sweetie(s)!
Students are asked to bring a basic class kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVGckiC8LB4

OH! And PS! If you have not figured it out yet, Molly our wonderful masseuse will be on hand ALL WEEKEND doing massages. If you are interested please let me know if you prefer a chair or a table massage! Thanks!

Hello Muddah Crop Camp Menu

I'm posting the menu for the weekend crop that I'm hosting in January in north Florida. If this menu prompts anyone to sign up for the crop, just so you know...I am down to just a few seats left. You can read more about it in older posts under the title "Hello Muddah". It's gonna be a lot of fun and all the food will be home cooked! Yum-O!

Thursday
Lunch: Chicken Salad Sandwich, Chips, Sliced pears, Cookie
Mocktail Hour: Snowbird “Mocktail’, "TBA" Appetizers
Dinner: Dangerously Cheesy Baked Ziti, Cesar Salad, Garlic Bread & Apple Cobbler with Ice Cream

Friday
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Topping Bar & Assorted Danish
Lunch: Moroccan Pitas, Pumpkin Bisque, Cucumber Salad & Lemon Palmiers
Snack: Cheesy Popcorn & Brownie Bites with Marshmallow Frosting “Shooters”
Dinner: BBQ Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Peas, Dinner Roll & Sticky Banana Bread Pudding with Whipped Cream

Saturday
Breakfast: Yogurt, Granola and Fresh Fruit
Lunch: Meatball Subs, Cole Slaw, Chips & Rice Krispy Treats
Snack: Homemade Pita Chips with Salsa & Hummus
Dinner: Veggie Chili, Cornbread & Texas Sheet Cake
Late Night Snack: S’mores Kit

Sunday
Breakfast: Biscuits & Sausage Gravy with Hash Browns
Lunch: Mushroom Quiche & Garden Salad & Derby Day Strawberries

Hello Muddah Crop Location Shots

Notes from Camp...

Hello ladies,

We'll meet here for our next "Notes from Camp" update! Stacey traveled up to High Springs for me so that she could get some photos of our facility. You see, I had lots of questions and I didn't want to make the Rangers up there crazy with questions like, "Is there an ice cream scoop in the kitchen?" "What are the amps on the cabins?" or "What kind of pathway runs around the loop?" So off went Stacey on my recon mission! She took hundreds of photos and I found out all kinds off good stuff like, "Yes. There are two ice cream scoops including the "heat in your hand" kind!" "20." and "Dirt partially covered in leaves." So I have decided to share a few of the photos with y'all so you can get even more excited about our wonderful trip to the woods! Enjoy!

(Oh! And if you want to play along with the "I like a visual" game take out a piece of paper and a pencil and draw a pretty good sized, classic shape of a peanut, longways on the paper. Think Mr. Peanut laying on his side. At the top of the paper, just a little bit away from Mr. Peanut, draw a long wavy line.)

This is the outside of what is called, "The Dining Hall", but what we call, "The Crop Room". It is HUGE. Stacey found out that as well as having 2 giant fireplaces on either end of the room, they also have two big heaters on the walls. There will not be a problem with keeping warm in the crop room! (If you are playing the game, draw a medium sized square on the top outer ring of the peanut where Mr. Peanut's waist would be. This is the location of the Crop Room.)

These are two photos that made my Lunch Lady's heart sing! A mass of HUGE pots and a dinner bell. *sigh* I will be a jolly cook for y'all!

Let's call this Restroom Facility #2. There is a men's side and a woman's side. They have pottys, showers stalls and a bank of sinks inside. One of the veteran camp croppers has suggested that we put off showering in the morning and do it in the afternoon. That suggestion is greatly appreciated! (For the game, draw a medium sized rectangle on the outer loop of the peanut at the bottom part of his waist-directly across from the Crop Room/Dining Hall. That is Restroom Facility #2)

This is one of the Leader Cabins. The actual cabin name is Highland Hammocks. You can see that you can drive right up to the cabin. Some of them are a little more set back, but you can get pretty close to all of them. (OK, head to the inside of Mr. Peanut's head and draw a small rectangle where his brain would be. That is Highland Hammocks Cabin. Draw another rectangle to the right of Highland Hammocks, still inside the loop. This is The Infirmary, another Leader cabin.)

This is Ranger Dave, the lovely gentleman who gave Stacey and Joe the grand tour. He is walking on one of the paths around the loop. In front of Ranger Dave is another Leader Cabin called Paynes Prarie. These cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s'. These are such cute and rustic cabins! (Imagine Mr. Peanut's two legs. The right leg would be towards the top of the page and the left towards the bottom. Now draw a medium rectangle, jutting out like his right leg on the outside of the shape. There you have Paynes Praire Cabin.)

These are two of the Scout cabins. I do not know which two, but you can get an idea of what they look like. Some are close together like these two, some are a bit further apart. In fact, one is at the very far end of the loop, set a bit further off in the woods. I do not have anyone bunking there just yet. That might be the "time out cabin" for naughty campers! I just crack myself up! But you can see here also, that you can drive your car close to the cabin if you want. (Our Mr. Peanut will only have a right leg. Sorry dude. I do want you to draw Restroom Facility #1 where you imagine his hip would be. This will be towards the bottom of the page on the outer loop and to the left of Paynes Prarie Cabin. Now put three X's in between Restroom Facility #1 and Paynes Prarie Cabin. Now continuing on the bottom, outer loop make 10 more X's moving along past Restroom Facility #2 and ending up with the last X where Mr. Peanut's head and top hat would be. Those are all the Scout cabins. They do all have cool camp names, but you'll find those out later!) Moving on!

This is a very cute campfire ring. Can't you just imagine all the ghost stories we could tell around it in the evenings? I'll meet y'all there around 10pm! (Head down to Mr. Peanut's guts. Draw a medium rectangle on the inner loop, kind-of where his right hip would be. This will be across and slightly higher up the body from the Restroom Facility #1. This is called the Handcrafts Pavilion. Now, in front of that, still on the inner loop, draw a small circle. That is the Campfire Ring. Remember 10pm!)

This has got to be my favorite building in our camp's campus. It is called the Rec Hall. It has wooden floors, wooden, swing-out windows, wooden rafters and totem poles all along the inner walls. It is just the cutest building and is where we'll be holding classes and maybe something else that is in the works! Very exciting stuff, make sure to watch for those "Notes from Camp" emails! (Pretend that you are walking away from Mr. Peanut's hip and the Handcrafts Pavilion. Over the loop, away from the Dining Hall and towards that wavy line. That wavy line is The Santa Fe River. Draw a medium square between the river and the Dining Hall. That is the Rec Hall.)

And finally on our camp tour this is the view from the Rec Hall. There is a glorious wrap around porch and this is looking off the back and right at the flowing Santa Fe River. This is where you could walk to the 1930's suspension bridge or just sit and soak up the beauty.

I hope that you have enjoyed our little tour. There are still a few things that we didn't see on our tour like the BBQ Pit, the Concession Stand or the spigot. Why Stacey took a photo of a spigot I'll never understand. But, please, let's give three cheers to Stacey for making this tour possible! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-hooray! Hip-hip-HOORAY!!!