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Saturday, December 8, 2012

I AM HERE

Things have been a little "crazy" around here.
I take somewhat of a sabbatical every year around this time.

The last week of November
And
The first week of December

My mother died when I was 15...at the end of November
And
My daughter the first of December in 2008

....my mother was only 39
...my daughter only 17 1/2 months
...both to cancer
...both AMAZING people
...I miss them both like crazy
...it sometimes feels like yesterday
...and
...sometimes like many moons have past
...it doesn't get easier
...I have learned to cope
...what I can do
...what I can't do
...one day
...I will see them again
...oh how I long for that day

During this "crazy" time...
I have done a lot of reflecting
On
The
Past
And
What
Was.

I
Try to focus on the
Positive.

So
while this blog has not been updated.
It has NOT been forgotten.
But my mind has been occupied with two people I love and miss more than I could ever explain.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

CYBER MONDAY

i have never participated in CYBER Monday before.
i did today.
i felt like a thief.
i mean....i am sure the prices are already jacked up.
but.
i save some major cash'ola!
which makes this mama
HAPPY
HAPPY
HAPPY
and TheMan is HAPPY too!!!

we are almost completely done with our Christmas shopping.
we still have...
stockings.
and
family gifts

but....
mostly D-O-N-E!!!

Hurray for the (usual) Procrastinator!

*Would you like to know what ALL i got?
i started out with FREE twine from Pick.YOUR.Plum (i just paid shipping)
i ordered an AWESOME planner from Paper Coterie (50% OFF)
i ordered a floor length mirror and wall mirror and candle sticks from Kirkland's (free shipping and 50% off or 30% off)
buy ONE get ONE free was the deal at Kohl's on some Husky jeans for JackJack
Canvas People 80% off BIG canvas...score
AMAZON...50% off a tool bench i have had my eye on for JD and FREE shipping thanks to AmazonPrime
and
a few other miscellaneous things on SALE for Christmas and just because
3 blouses/Sweaters and 2 pairs of socks for me from AnnTaylor LOFT all 50%OFF!!!!
and my final score was at Office Max...
i have been needing a printer since the fire
and
i have had my eye on one...normal $150.
Today on Sale for $89. plus Free Shipping...
then in my LV wallet i found an O.M. card. it had $100 on it...
yup...
i got it for FREE and still have a $11 balance for next time!!!

i have to say i am pleased with my deals.
i saved a TON of money.
very thankful.

did you shop this CYBER Monday?















Friday, November 23, 2012

celebrate




















Today...
we celebrated this guy turning 8.

Tons of pictures
about
his
duck hunting
party
coming
next
week!!!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving.2012

Let us give THANKS for what we have.




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17-22

The Message (MSG)
16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

i am thankful for my family.
not just my kiddos...
but.
my amaZing husband. 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Cooking our Feast

Today.
The Day Before Thanksgiving.
I have been prepping
and
preparing
And
cooking our feast.

I am in charge of the
Dressing (my grandma's recipe)
Corn casserole
Green bean casserole
Yeast rolls
Peach cobbler
Blueberry cobbler
And
Pumpkin Pie

I am ahead of schedule.
And
happy to help prepare our feast
And
Enjoy the blessings I have been given.

I am going to bed tonight with a THANKFUL HEART.

Also...
You'll never guess where Mr. Turkey was found...
Yup...on the peach cobbler.
:)



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Elf on the Shelf

My son has been begging for an Elf on the Shelf for two years now.
I am finally giving in.
It's the BIG thing now, RIGHT?

To me it is a major faux pa to put ANY Christmas decor up prior to Thanksgiving!!!

With that said..
I needed a gift for Jack Jack to open on his actual birthday.
(Aka. Black Friday this Year)
It maybe kinda weird.
But...
That's how we roll.
Yup.
He is getting his Elf on the Shelf for his birthday.

HE is going to be super SUPER ExCiTeD!!!

So.
My Question For YOU!

Do you
or
Are you doing Elf on the Shelf with your kiddos?
If so...
What is your elf/you excited about getting into?

I have seen some ideas on Pinterest but curious what your favorites are.

Honestly.
I am excited to finally have an Elf on the Shelf, too.

Meet our Elf.
He is "nameless" for the moment.
More Elf pictures to come after 12.1.12!

Monday, November 19, 2012

SeRioUsLY

I should have known that today was not going to be an ordinary day.
I woke up to the sound of TheMan's shaving mirror shattering on the tile.

This is the second time this has happen in less than 4 months.

I made the boys some French Toast and Bacon for breakfast.
Yumm-o
I rocked out to Adele on Pandora.
Made our grocery list.

Then JD and I were off to go grocery shopping.
We went today to get all our needed supplies for Thanksgiving in hopes to beat the craziness later during the week.

Then it happened.
I got JD out of the car.
Shut the door.
Then.
I knew it.
I knew it just right then.
My keys.
My keys are in the car.
My keys are in my locked car.
My phone.
My phone is in the locked car too!

This is the second time this has happened in less than 4 months.

SERIOUSLY!!!

I thought....
Maybe...
Just maybe...
They had fallen in the diaper bag.
I looked.
I looked a hundred times.
But no.
They were in the car.

I went into the store.
Borrowed the phone.
Called TheMan.
Left a message stating how I needed him.

He couldn't find the spare.
So he watches JD while I ran in and did my shopping.
As soon as I was done.
My keys and phone were rescued!

I am thankful.

I think I want a slim Jim for Christmas.
Or
Maybe I will just go make a couple copies of my key.
One for TheMan
And
One for the house.

Now...
it's time for a Sonic break.
Then clean the house time.


Friday, November 16, 2012

My Style

I don't like to admit it...
But...
I am in my 30's.
I don't feel 3_!
Nor do I feel like I have birthed three kids.
Well...
Some Days i do'
My hips do.
And many more things do.

I have struggled with finding my style.
I am still looking for it.
But, I think i am getting closer.
Closer to finding the me I want to portray.

I use to dress up everyday.
This was about 8 years ago when I was working at the funeral home.
NOW.
I am a casual gal.
I love color and polka dots.
And I love black and GRAY's!!!
(And Grey's too)

I love jeans. A t-shirt. A cardigan.
And
A pair of Toms.

That's ME.
That's my Style. (I think)

I do like boho chic with a little earthy momma intertwined.
My style is a work in progress and probably always will be.
And. I am fine with that.

Here is how I treated myself today...
two new pairs!
(Because my gray ones finally have a hole... It's sad...I loved those shoes.)

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Girls Craft Night


Girls Craft Night was a Success.
This is the fourth or fifth Girls Craft Event i have hosted. 
i pick 3-4 crafts.
i get all the needed crafty materials. 
i post the event  on Facebook and invite my friends.
Then...we ALL get together and get our craft on! 

this time we created...
glitter canvas silhouttes
burlap door hangers (pumpkins)
magnet board and magnets
and mini wood bunting

 
i love seeing paint brushes in dirty water.
it says....creativity has happen.  


first a peek at the glitter silhouettes...
this is the one i created (inspired from Pinterest)
 
 
i love this grey and black chevron with the razorback.

 
my fabulous little sister did  this turkey... 

 
look in the back ground. 
Christi found inspiration in my studio.  

 
loving the teal/green background makes the manger scene really pop.

 
Go Hogs Go!  


Christi's Mon made this A-MAZ-ING manger. 
it really turned out spectacular. 
 
 
 
Savannah did her initial on her pumpkin door hanger.  

 
cousin love.
they had to be different with their door hangers.
actually.
my little sis had to use scraps.
and with that she made this adorable snowman.
i see a snowman like this on my door soon. 

 
my Neighbor...who is ALWAYS there when I need an egg or a cup of sugar.
polka dot cuteness....   

 










the magnetic boards with magnets... 
 
 
 
a few of the other girls showing off their wonderful creations.  
 
 
girls craft night was truly a wonderful time.
i love hanging out with these girls.
helping them be creative and make art.

i can't wait for the next one












Wednesday, November 14, 2012

WW

a photo which conveys a message that speaks for itself without using words.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Soon to be EIGHT!

My eldest child will be turning EIGHT next week.
He is my Thanksgiving baby.
I know all parents say this....but I can't believe he is going to be 8 already!

This past week I have been brain storming ideas for his party.

He wants a duck hunting party!

Not to be confused with the new craze Duck Commander.
We do enjoy that show.
But, he simply likes duck hunting and so does his dad!

They both love love love to blow on their duck calls.
Honestly, it gets annoying after about 5 minutes.
That's when I say, "boys....take it out side," and they usually stop.
but not always.

Planning a duck hunting party is not an easy task.
There is nothing.
I repeat nothing....that I could find besides some cake ideas and a few invitation ideas on the Internet/Pinterest.

Finally, my creativity kicked in and I made a plan with some awesome ideas.
I could not fine the brown/tan duck hunting camouflage for party decor.
But I did find some green subdue camouflage plates and stuff.

I don't think he will notice.
I do know The Man will notice.

I am excited to see how it ALL comes together.
As long as there is cake and ice cream I know Jack Jack will LOVE IT!!!


Saturday, November 10, 2012

BBB

I am a sucker for Banana Bread.
But NOT just any type of Banana Bread.

I LOVE Blueberry Banana Bread!!!!

Every Year (for the past 6 years or so) the kiddos and I pick blueberries at a local farm.
I usually try to get 2 gallons.
I always bring a belt and strap a bucket to each hip.
I become a crazy blueberry picking woman.
My goal is to pick as many as quick as I can...because my kids have a small window of happiness.
I seem to always have one too small to walk around and explore so I am pushing a stroller as well.
anyway.
I pick, wash, sort, dry and then freeze the berries in baggies.
I freeze 2 cups of berries in each bag, so that I don't really have to measure when baking!

Yesterday, I had some ripe bananas and decided to use them the best way I know how....
BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAD!!!

It turned out fabulous as always...except that one time when I forgot the baking powder and it was flat as flat could be.
Like a brick.
flat.
I think I cried because of the waisted blueberries.

Since, I have raved about the BBB, I will share the recipe with YOU.

Blueberry Banana Bread
1 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten
3 Tbsp. milk
1 cup blueberries

I don't separate the dry and wet.
I simply through everything in a large mixing bowl and mix with a wooden spoon. Adding the blueberries last, after the batter is mixed well.
Grease a loaf Pan.
Bake @ 350* for 50-60 minutes.
It usually takes the whole 60 minutes to pass the toothpick test!
and
I love eating it warm with butter and a good cup of coffee!

ENJOY!!!

(Recipes was found from "Supper's on the Table, Come Home" cookbook by Rachel Masters)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

WW

Wordless Wednesday.

a photo which conveys a message that speaks for itself without using words.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Thankfulness

November has officially arrived!

The time change did not and is not settling very well with the little one.
I am not used to getting up for a couple hours in the middle of the night to "play"!!!
But, I am thankful I have him.
Even though I am super tired I find JOY in his early morning smiles and giggles.

For the past 3-4 years we have made a thankfulness tree!
Every year it is different.
This year Jack and I cut out leaves with my Silhouette Cameo.
Then, the man, jack and I made a list of 7 things each of us were thankful for.
Next, we used letter stamps and stamped on our words!
Lastly, I jumped (climbed) over the fence in our backyard into the field and found a branch.

Placed it in a Mason jar with burlap.
Punched holes in the leaves.
Strung them on jute twine and draped it around the branch.

Here is some pictures of our final product!


Friday, November 2, 2012

Girls Craft Day

just two weekends away and i will be hosting another Girls Craft Day.
i usually have them in the morning all day long.
i get all the materials and crafts together for the girls.
then, they show up at my house and get their craft on!!!

it is fun crafting all day long but this time i am trying something different.
we are doing a girls craft evening for only 4 hours.
the girls usually bring a finger food or snack.
this time we will also be serving wine (since it will be in the afternoon). 
i am also making the pioneer woman's yummy sangria for an added treat.
yumm-o

we will be doing 4 crafts (in 4 hours) this time.
a glitter silhoutte canvas
a round magnetic board & magnets
mini wood bunting
and
a pumpkin burlap door hanger

i have almost everything purchased and ready to go.
the more i go upstairs into my studio/craft room and look at the stuff the more excited i get!

i will post pictures of the girls and what all we create afterwards.

for now here is a glimpse inside my studio...which is still a work in progress!


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween...

Happy Boo 2 YOU Day!!!
I am really enjoying Halloween this year.
We carved pumpkins.
We have brain stormed and prepared the boys costumes.
Both boys are excited and ready to go trick or treating!
Jack is going to be an Oomph Loompa, off of the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
JD is going to be Elvis.
I can't believe how adorable the both turned out!!!

Since...I was in the Halloween Crafty Mood, I painted two 8x10 canvas! They really look great around the house!

Happy Candy Getting Day...ENJOY!

Monday, October 22, 2012

finding joy in colorful things

we recently had a house fire.
a year ago...recently!

the man (my hubby) has worked his regular job and re-built 95% of our house on his own.
i am super happy to be HOME.
although decorating and getting the house to feel like home again is another story.

but for today...
i walked around the house looking for color in mundane spots.
i miss a lot of the things i once had but i find joy in colorful things.
here are a few Instagram pics of random colorful things around our house.