little footprints and handprints.....around the tree

I love decorating the Christmas Tree as a family! Each year while we hang each ornament on the tree we discuss "who" made what ornament, "when" did they make the ornament, "where" we got the ornament from (we buy a Christmas ornament every year on our family vacation.) However my favorite part of decorating the tree is when we get out our tree skirt! Our Christmas tree skirt is so precious to me, because each year since the birth of each girl each Christmas we capture their footprints, and hand prints on the tree skirt in paint. Below is a picture of my now "(9 year old baby footprint)

The girls go over the whole tree skirt finding their footprints when they were to little to get a hand print, finding each of their prints and laughing at how much they have grown.
So even though when guest come into our home and they look at our tree they see only the decorations, and lights. When I sit down with a cup of apple cider by the fire at night, my eyes are on the tree skirt underneath the tree thinking about how quickly time is passing and how spending time with each of my daughters really is the best gift I can give myself! Below is a current picture of my girls. See how Big those feet have gotten!
Hope you are taking time during this busy Holiday season to make time for those in your life that really count!

Baby it's cold outside!

Well the weather is down in the 20's here in Oklahoma burr!! So it is time to wrap up so you won't get a chill, but what does a fashionable gal do on a budget. Well while surfing the blogosphere I found the cutest blog -Mymamamadeit which showed step by step instructions on how to make all these cute scarves out of sweaters. So I decided to start with some old shirts and move up to sweaters just to make sure I could do it.

SO I started with an older shirt and a old tshirt I had, I followed the directions on cutting up the "sweater" for both shirts, and sewed! Woo Hoo! and what to my wondering eyes should appear two new scarves to be worn during the year.

I can't wait to try the heavier thicker sweaters I have!!!

If you have not found my mama made it blog- check her out she has tons on other cute sewing projects as well! The lady is a "Refashion" queen!!!

Say What?????

I was sipping my coffee and watching one of my shows when I heard a commercial be aired on CBS -commercial. This commercial tells our husband or significant other that if you love your wife you should schedule her a "pap smear" for Christmas. "Say what?" this is the worse suggestion ever! In fact I am pretty sure many men could end up injured or sleeping on the couch if they follow this commercials advice. I advised my hubby if I received a "pap smear" appointment for Christmas that he would be receiving a "prostate exam" for Valentine's day.


The second crazy thing I have seen lately (my disclaimer: I love William Sonoma). However when I was browsing their latest magazine and saw that they were selling "crushed" peppermint candy as "peppermint snow" and marketing it for $10.50. I had to laugh. Personally I only use crushed peppermint once a year in my holiday baking. I can buy a bag of "peppermint candy" from $1.00-$2.00. It takes about 15 Min's to unwrap a bag of candy, 2 Min's for me to whip out my rolling pin and smash those little candies into pieces. It is a great way to relieve stress!

Now, it may be said that the person who first saw grated cheese in the grocery store probably thought a similar thought as I had about the crushed peppermint.

Well those are my two observation that I have noted this last week. I hope you are enjoying this holiday season! Lovingly preparing for the holidays, taking a deep breath and remember not to get crazy!

Oh the Weather outside is frightful...

I love fall, and I love the winter season! Why? You may ask? No, it is not because I am a snow skier, I love that it gets too cold to go outside, and that it gets dark earlier so all my family gathers together in the evening. As one of my favorite songs this time of the year says "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, as long as you love me dear, let is snow, let it snow, let it snow!"
Well if the weather outside is frightful, you better have warm hot chocolate and yummy warm food. One of my favorite things to fix this time of year is soup. My favorite soup (besides potato soup) is Mexi Soup!

Mexi Soup

2 skinned, and boned chicken breast
3 T of vegetable oil

*cook chicken in hot oil in a large pan, stirring often. Once cooked, cube or shredded chicken.

1 med onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
1 (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed & drained
1 (15 ounce) diced tomatoes
1 (4.5 ounce) can of green chiles
2 cups of water
1 can condensed nacho cheese soup
2 T of lime juice
fajita seasoning packet
3 T of flour

*after chicken is shredded or cubed add the garlic and onion to pot to saute. Once done add flour, and 3 T of fajita seasoning, and add the reset of the ingredients -simmer until warm, stirring often!

I serve this with shredded cheese, sour cream, and strips of tortilla I have fried up earlier in the day, or chips I have bought from the store if in a hurry.

I love this warm soup! With a Mexican taste, and I love that this soup is made from staples!!! So even if you get caught in a winter storm you can have all the ingredients right in your pantry!!! I hope everyone has a lovely holiday season! Remember we get to choose our attitudes and thoughts so choose an attitude of Thankfulness over this Thanksgiving holiday!

Free christmas cards!!

www.freebies4mom.com has a link to fuji films they are giving away 50 free photo cards. Her site list the promo and details for the offer. However the offer expires this SATURDAY! Please make note of this, because the date has changed.

I was so excited, and a little worried that for some reason this would not work, however I got on line, designed my christmas card, uploaded my photos, and ordered- I input the promo code and up came my total- free!!!!

I received an email from the website the very next day! Letting me know that my cards had been printed and have been shipped- they have not arrived yet, but the should some time later this week. If you have not taken advantage of this deal you should before it is gone!

couponing

I love to save money.....especially on those items that you have to buy and are disposable ..like food. However at times I get busy and lazy and forget to do the coupon dance, of cutting, filing, and searching. However I have recently found a new way of couponing (as I like to call it). Thanks to my friend Jayna she told me about this blog www.moneysavingmom.com.

Wow! I probably am the last person to find this blog, but if you have not heard of it, GO THERE!!! It matches up coupons and sales each week for Walgreens, CVS, Target, and tells you "print here" or what "date" (key part here) that the coupon was in the Sunday paper. So no more cutting and filing by alphabetically order -killing yourself and zapping your time. You just write Sunday Nov 15th and drop those coupons from the Sunday paper and when you need to find a coupon you just look behind the date in the file. Simple! and such a time saver!!!!! As well as money saving!

Money saving mom's blog also list other great deals found on the web so you do not have to spend your computer time searching.

I have found a few other great money saving blogs: www.couponingtodisney.blogspot.com
http://savingcentstogether.blogspot.com

I hope you enjoy, and save time while saving money!

time management.....help mom advice needed

Crafting, decorating, couponing, reading, dancing, exercising, facebooking, blogging,cooking, bible study,...these are a few of my favorite things. However I have learned that even though all my children are in school full time, I still only have so much time for me. As a stay at home mom I still need to do the laundry, make the meals, do the dishes and bless my family by having a clean home for them to come home to. There fore I am learning time management. I can do all things that I enjoy but I have to make time for them, and learn how to balance them. That can be tricky!!! So I am turning to all the moms that I respect at in blog land and I am asking how do you do it?

How do you other moms in blog land schedule or manage your time where you have a balance life and still make time to do the little extras you enjoy???? I would love any tips that you have- I feel I can do several things well, but not all at the same time. Help......!!!!!! Please share any advice or tips you have.

Friends - Celebrating with one another!

You know I love my family, and my friends! I currently live in a small town where a group of us mom's have gotten together and made a "mom group". The only requirement of belonging is that you have a child attending the school in our small town. Well you can guess how very different we all are then!!! Some of us are nurses, stay at home mom's, some had a child graduate from High school this last year, two of us are currently pregnant, some are stay at home mom's, some are neat freaks, some don't know how to pronounce let alone use that contraption called an "Iron". However we all celebrate with each other all the small things, big things, I had to post a few pictures of us girls on a late night raid "decorating" a girlfriends yard who was turning 40! Woo Hoo!!! She is 18 with 22 years experience!!!

So here are some of my partners in crime -as we decorate trees with crepe paper in our friends favorite color "red"
We use our craftiness and lovingly "decorate" the yards of all our Young friends when the celebrate "milestone" birthdays such as 20, or if any of us every reach the age of 30/40 (don't you love living in the land of denial, if you have not tried it -you really should!)

To Modge Podging and beyond!!!

I warned all of you girls that I have gone off the deep end when it came to Modge Podging. Well while redoing my middle daughter's bedroom, she has built in bookcases that frame her bed. They were white! Yes, that bland color that any funky 9 year is not impressed with. So what is a mom to do...

Well this tight wad mom was at Target and found some wrapping paper on clearance for $1.84 a roll. So I bought 2 rolls and came home cleared off her shelves, and started to modge podge the wrapping paper on. It is not perfect- the paper is too thin to lift and smooth - but I liked the funkiness of the imperfection as it covered. Once dried I went back over the wrapping paper modge podged shelves with Varnish - I put 2 coats of clear varnish on. Now these book shelves are an original -just like my daughter, Paige! (Below is a picture of the bookshelves from a distance-sorry that you can not see the print as well as in the picture above)

I'm back to Modge Podging!

I know my family wishes that I had never found this amazing stuff!!! I simply can not decorate any area in my house without whipping out a jar of Modge Podge. (Between you and me I have started to water down Elmer's glue with a little water, and add a little varnish and off I go!)

The dresser from my middle daughter's room- had no "Personality" so I had to do something about it! After all my middle daughter had been paying attention while I madeover her sister's room in Zebra (see older post). So I started with a plain white dresser (see picture at bottom of post) I painted the top and sides of all the drawers and dresser "Hot Pink!" Well if that does not have personality I'm not sure what does.
Then I modge podged my beach fabric onto the dresser drawer fronts. I had read somewhere to fuse them to wonder under before modge poding. I so So wish that I had not done that step!!! It made it harder to modge podge!!! (The desk was much easier to do because I skipped this step) I just trimmed the fabric and modge podged on. Then added the dresser drawer knobs of my choice.
The middle daughter loves her "new" coordinated furniture! I ofcourse love the price (fabric $15.00 sheet from Target, Dresser drawer knobs $9.99 Target, self made modge podge from Elmer's glue that I bought during back to school shopping for .20 cents a bottle - I used 2 bottles, with some left over. So total price to coordinate a desk, a dresser, and a tv stand $26.00) Now that is my kinda of decorating.

What is better than a good time with friends?

I love an evening with good friends it really does not matter to me what we do- meet for dinner at a restaurant, meet for a chick flick movie, or spend the evening at one of my dear friends house. I think I just enjoy the connection of spending time, laughing and trading stories with dear friends who in some cases are similar to me, and in other ways very different from me. I have laughed so hard, I have cried, at other times as good friend have shared a struggle or something deeply sad -but a friendship is forged.

The only thing that I enjoy more than an evening with friends is a reminder of the evening such as a "party favor". Party favors are not necessary, but isn't it fun to see an item, or use an item given to you and reflect back on the good time you shared! My very favorite "party favor" is from Amy over at "Simply Amy"
She made each of us "Mom's" a Cd, with fun songs from SheDaisy "God bless the American housewife" to some fun songs from some movie we had seen together. Amy labeled all the CD with a cute cover and saying: "A good friend is better than therapy!" (Can I get an Amen!)

I went home listening to the CD thinking about all my good girlfriends, I have since then added it to my Ipod, and every time I play that play list I reminded how blessed my life really is!!!

oldest daughter starts middle school - say what?

Well I have been off the grid lately (for about 2 weeks, I had to have last minute fun with the girls before school started, get 3 girls ready to start school, and then get caught up on everything I had put off - sorry! I am back!)

Well my oldest daughter Kaylee started Middle school last week - ahhh!!!! I don't know how this happened. I honestly don't. It seems like it was just yesterday that Hubby and me marveled at this amazing creature that God had brought into this earth and were scared to death that we were responsible for raising this precious bundle of joy. Well I guess a lot has happened in the last 11 years, the problem is that I still feel very young. So let's stay in the land of denial. Ok. Now that we have all agreed on this. Kaylee went to school, and came home with a homework assignment for moi'. Yes, you heard right I have homework. I am to write about my precious oldest daughter (did I mention that she started middle school) ok with just a little bit of attitude. So I thought that would be a perfect blog back. So thank you for indulging me.

Kaylee is my oldest daughter of 3 girls. Kaylee is at times a classic first born, she is a perfectionist, an over achiever (we shall see if this trend continues thru adolescence), organized, responsible, and believe it or not after all those down to earth qualities she is a dancer, a good creative writer, and an amazing cook.

Kaylee loves to cook, and to try new food. Kaylee and I recently watched the movie Julie/Julia she was fascinated about cooking schools, and Julia Child's having a cooking show. It is funny to try to describe how Big Julia Child's really was to someone who is growing up with the food network, and such stars as Rachel Ray, Paula Deen, and other fab. chefs that are household names.

Kaylee is a typical (I think) tween- her friends are becoming a much more important part of her life. Kaylee can text at amazing speed, she has a facebook page. Kaylee loves middle school life. The variety of kids in each class is fun, and she loves having an assortment of different teachers who all teach in different ways with different personalities.

Our family stresses the importance of education. Kaylee so far has pushed herself to succeed, Kaylee's personality seems to be challenged by competition. I would go as far as to say she thrives in competitive setting to challenge herself. I however do worry that at times she is to hard on herself. I think at times this is a side effect of her being such a perfectionist. I remember when she was in kindergarten I had to buy 2 boxes of valentine's day card so that she could perfectly center her name, and the receiver's name on each card. (I really did try to tell her "it's ok, it does not have to be perfect" but laid back is not a word I would use to describe this amazing girl)

Kaylee can usually tell you who sang any song that she is familiar with. Kaylee also is one of the youngest in her grade, her birthday is August 17th. So Kaylee turns what age everybody else is the week school starts. (some kids we have found are 2 years older than Kaylee if they had a growth year) Kaylee is somewhat short or tiny for her age. My mother is 5 feet, and Kaylee takes after her in a lot of ways. However my father is 6'3" and her sisters take after him. So Kaylee and our 3rd grade daughter are almost the same size.

I think she is a wonderful girl! I love being around her, and hearing her views of life. I am so excited to see her grow and mature in wisdom and beauty this year. Kaylee is our first born, so in a lot of ways we are learning how to be parents with her. So far she does not seem worse for wear. However we are probably more strict, and less lenient than some of her friends parents. However a lot of her friends are the baby in their family and she is our oldest, and we are still learning.

I hope you enjoy having Kaylee in your class this year! I also hope this has helped you get to know her, or at least understand how we see our daughter.

New web site

Hey girls! Well I have found a new website (at least to me!) sugarstacks. It is a wonderful website that shows how much sugar is in a food or beverage item through pictures of the food item with stacks of sugar cubes next to the item. I was shocked at some of the item, and okay not so shocked at other.

However I know I have always said I am a visual learner and figured someone else out there in blog land might find this interesting as well. See ya'all tomorrow!

Random Projects-modge podged coasters, and canister make over

Well "project Amy" is back! At least that is what my hubby has proclaimed, and since everybody is scared I might start painting them, maybe it is true. Well here are some pictures of some random small projects that I have done the last few days. Some are better than others, but all were fun to work on!

Well the first project I thought I would work on was creating some Zebra printed coaster to match my daughters new room. I can not remember if it was Lowe's or Home depot who advertise buying cork board coasters and modge podging fabric onto the coasters. Well when I was at Michael's the other day I asked if they had cork board coaster and was told "no" but I could buy a roll of thin cork board and cut it into circles. I thought that was a pretty good idea - that is until the tight wad in me saw that it was approx $9.00 for a roll of cork board. However on my way out of Michael's I passed their cute little (addictive) $ section and I spotted the above Rooster coasters. Cute, but not quite the look I needed, but I thought I bet I can modge podge on that! So you guess it, I bought a package and home I went to modge podge Zebra print scrapbook paper onto the coasters. One coat on the coaster, then apply paper directly onto coaster, then seal coaster with another coat of modge podge. Then for good measure I sprayed with a coat of varnish. Here is how they turned out:

Well that is all the Zebra crafts I have for now. My second project I decided to do, was when I was at Walmart in their craft section their rub on decals caught my eye. I simply love Fleur De Li's! What do you know they had some! So I grabbed them up not knowing for sure what I was going to do with them. I came home and was putting my groceries up and my eyes spied my boring, plain canisters. Yeah~ I felt like Fancy Nancy (Fancy Nancy is a character from a children's book series, who fancies everything up, she does not like plain!) So I came home, and spray painted the silver lids black. Then went to town rubbing on those decals.
Here is a picture of my finished canister set on my kitchen counters:

I love working on small projects around a house that personalizes the space to where it reflects the occupants personality!!! Thanks for letting me share my projects!

beat up hope chest to zebra coffee table

Hi ya'all! Well you know I have been redoing my tweens bedroom in purple and zebra print. It has been so much fun! I get to do all kind of crazy things and it is ok, because it is for a teens room. Well the first thing my tween said she wanted was a couch, futon, anything really for her friends to sit on and hang out on when they are over watching movies, or listening to movies or face booking whatever the case may be. So I was trying to be frugal (I have 3 girls remember and I got into this mess by allowing them ALL to switch rooms - so yep, this is only the 1st of 3 girls room I will be doing ~ call me crazy! I do! and did I mention I am going to try to have all of it done by the time school starts (yes, that sound you heard was me laughing hysterically)

Well first of all while I was brain storming I thought of an old hope chest I had before my hubby and I got married. It had set at the foot of our bed when we first got married, and over the years had been moved around and lost a sense of purpose ~ that yes, I do believe most furniture needs a purpose. Well, the forgotten (but loved) piece of furniture is pictured below, and yes it really was that scary. Yes, that was exactly what my tween thought at first too! I first brought it outside (for some reason no one likes me to paint inside) and took the lid off, well it was almost falling off.

The second step was I took the fabric off of the top, and painted the whole thing matte black. Top to bottom two coats. Then I painted a clear matte varnish over the whole thing. I let this dry (the paint took 24 hours which surprised me because it was really hot outside!) Then I took the top and replaced the foam padding and covered it with Zebra printed decorator fabric. How fun is that! I stapled gun the fabric to the top of the lid. The very last step was that I scotch guarded the fabric really really well.! I hope approve, my daughter does- she loves it!

Confession time: I think in the past I was too quick to get rid of pieces of furniture before I thought outside the box. Is anyone out there in blog land guilty of similar mistakes? What was your favorite save, or looking back what did you give up on to quick?

Zebra print dresser and mirror

Here is the project that I started on a previous blog: ta da! Finished!!! Yeah!!!

On the previous blog I showed how I modge podged decorative tissue paper on the above mirror - however when I went back to the store they were out!!! Ahhh!!! was my reaction! Then I stopped and thought about it, and scrap book paper for the dresser drawers would really be a better option since the drawers would be handled every day.

The dresser was off white and yellow. That I sanded down, and painted black (matte finish). Once the dresser was painted I removed the drawer handles and modge podged on the zebra print scrap book paper to each drawer front. Then I painted the drawer handles that were white and gold with black with settled into the lower area and made the drawer handles black and white - which I think really looks cool with the zebra paper.

A teenager will be using the dresser drawer every day with flat irons, and curling irons on top. So I put 3 coats of clear matte varnish on top of the dresser and sides that were painted black, as well as the drawer fronts and mirror.

This project is far from "perfect" but it was fun to do, and salvaged a piece of furniture that was to uncool for a teen room for approx $17.00. Yeah!!! I love when I can salvage furniture and make it fit in a room so perfect that someone would assume it was bought for that very room!

Summer Reading - Book Review

I love summer! Summer means to me staying up late, sleeping in, drinking sweet tea, and making a trip to the library each week for a new stack of books to read. I read a little bit of everything from Chick Lit, espionage thrillers, christian lit, historical books you name and I probably love to read it. However one of my favorite Chick Lit author: Hester Browne (she is the author of the "Little lady agency series") Hester Browne just released a new book called "Finishing Touches". What a delightful read!

"Finishing Touches" is a story about a girl named Betsy who after the death of her adopted mother returns to the Academy that her mother had ran for her entire life to try to save it from financial ruin. The Academy is a finishing school for the uber rich of society. It is a fun romance full of fun adventure filled with life's ups and down along with some helpful tidbits about being a lady. What a fun, lite summer read!

Modge Podge mirror for twen's room

All my girls decided the other day to switch bedrooms. I thought - what a great idea all the rooms will get "deep" cleaned without the girls be aware they had to clean-so I said "sure". Well little did I realize that this switching would be a little like the book, if you give a pig a pancake, or if you give a mouse a cookie. One thing lead to another, to another, to another and before you know it I am modge podging furniture and painting walls -ahhh!!

well the above mirror had been painted white and hung in my littlest girls bedroom for the last 3 years, however with the change (my only rule was the beds had to stay put in the room they were currently in) My oldest the tween
inherited the mirror and thought she would enjoy it - if it wasn't so plain. Her bedroom is being done in lavender and Zebra print. So I ran and purchased some Zebra tissue paper from Walmart in the gift wrapping area.

I modge podged the section of the mirror frame I was covering, modge podge the back of the tissue paper I was about to apply (Yes, I am particular, I would try to trace the shape of the mirror and cut the tissue paper to place in certain areas). After the tissue paper had been applied, and a few minutes had gone by where the paper wasn't just soaking wet and easily torn- I applied modge podge over the top of the applied paper to provide a protective coat. The whole project took about 2 1/2 hours to complete. Still trying to decide If I should apply a coat of lacquer over it.

(I started painting the dresser to match and have ran back to Walmart to buy more Zebra paper to modge podge the front of the drawers and ahhh!!! My walmart is out - ahhahhhh!!!!! So I am going paper hunting later today -when that project is completed I will post pic of it - wich me luck!!)

Real housewives of New Jersey

Well I have a guilty pleasure -what is it you might ask? Well it is pouring me a Coke Zero and curling up in my big comfy chair and watching Bravo's hit show "Real House wives of New Jersey". These girls are so much fun! Most of them are family oriented, some are very into mothering, some are very into decorating, some are into trying to balance everything in there life, and one I'm not sure I would be friends with if given a choice.

However since I love this show I decided to search the web and found that each of the housewives has a blog of their own that is on the Bravo network website. Which I was so excited to read-However I was horrified!!! Horrified I tell you when I started to read some of the comments left to these ladies!! It always amazes me how people find it so easy to be Rude and say things (well type things) that they would never say face to face to this individual if given the chance. How sad that people can not find the creativity to express themselves in a nice manner, and to tactiful get their point across!

Ok, I am getting off my soap box for now! I have been so very busy this week I can't wait to show you the pictures of all the projects I have been doing-I promise more will come ,but I do have to admit between projects, and my kiddos being home for summer I have not been blogging every day -it's down to about 2/3 times a week -sorry please stick with me.

Father's Day

Well I am going to blog today about 2 Fathers that I know personally. One is my own, the other Father is the man I am married to = the father of my children.

My Dad is a great Father - however I did not fully understand or appreciate how wonderful and unique he was until I got older. Why, is that you ask. Well I am the only girl in my family (While I was growing up - my parents have since adopted and I now have a younger sister). I was raised with all brothers - and did not really understand that some families separate the kids based on sex in different activities. For example, some of my girlfriend who have children of different sexes send the boys out with dad and the mom takes the girls - in about every activity! Well that did not happen while we were growing up, if my Dad was taking the kids to the movies, I went. (I have great memories of waiting to see the midnight showing of the Empire Strikes Back in a crowded Movie Theatre lobby). My Dad came to my gymnastic classes and watched my classes - just as much as he went to my brother's baseball and basketball practices. Now my Dad did do something with us each separately - my Dad always took me on a "date" once a year -so that I would know how I should expect to be treated by a boy out on a date! Also my Dad was verbal- he always told me he loved me, and wrote all of us kids notes on post it notes that he would decorate the bathroom mirror or the bar area of our kitchen where we would eat our breakfast, with encouraging notes if we had try-outs, or big test. I have since learned thru adult girlfriends that there Dad's only told them that they "loved them" on the day of their wedding. My dad told me he loved every time I got out of the car, or off the phone (Even in my teen years when I rolled my eyes) I now know how truly blessed I was and what a great gift it is to feel truly loved =even when you are acting unlovable or just feel unlovable! (My dad still remembers me every year on Valentine's day)

The second Father I want to blog about is my hubby! I remember when Brent and I got engaged my mom talking to me about Brent, and the seriousness of marriage -did I love Brent? Would he be a good father to our kids. and I remember telling my mom that I thought Brent would be good with kids- that he was kind, loving, patient, and funny. I also remember when we first got married Brent would go "I know no one will ever be as good as your dad is." Well who would have guessed 14 1/2 years later that we would have been blessed with 3 beautiful girls (all different in personality). Brent is a great Dad! He is not afraid to try to do ponytails, paint toes, listen to them talk about boys,(even though that can drive him crazy) he takes them to star wars, star trek as well as the the movies kid movies such as up, and the night of the museum 2. Brent takes time out each school year to go up and eat with each girl once a year just so they know he loves them and thinks that they are important. Brent is very protective of his girls and talks to them, and teaches that they are precious and boys should be respectful of them. Brent takes each of our daughters out on a date each year just like my dad with me. Brent is funny and his humor helps keep things from getting to serious in a hormone high house filled to the brim with girls. I love that Brent just like my Dad verbally tells his girls that he loves them at the end of each day. I laugh and tell him, do you remember how it drove you crazy that my dad had set the bar so high on how to treat his daughter. Well now you will one day have 3 son in laws that will go ugh! I know your dad is wonderful, and they will have to work hard to love your daughters like they should be loved and treated.


I know many times on Father's Day the pastor at church will focus his sermon on the Father/Son relationship. However the Father/Daughter relationship should not go overlooked! That Father's play an important role in their daughters life. Father's leave a legacy to their daughters on how they should be treated! What is a more important legacy than love! We all need to know that we are loved! How special is that to know that even as we loose teeth, go thru puberty, or have our hearts broken, that we are loved just for ourselves! Dad's are wonderful things that bless our lives if you are lucky enough to have yours make sure you tell them how much you appreciate them!!

I love you Dad, thanks for always being there for me!

I love you Brent -thanks for being a Father that is always there for his daughters!

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Boiled Peanuts!!

The above is a picture of what a boiled peanut looks like. Why, you ask yourself am I blogging about boiled peanuts? Well I love reading christian novels by author Denise Hildreth. (some names of her books are: Savannah from Savannah, Savannah comes Undone, Savannah by the sea,). Denise's books Alas (so far at least) has a main character from the South - and in her books she describes the beauty and novelty of living in the south.

One such novelty Denise covers is "boiled peanuts". I for one had never heard of such a thing! So on our vacation thru several southern states while making our way to Florida - I looked for boiled peanuts. Yep, sure enough they sale them in convenience stores as well as side of the road (Yes, you heard me right) fruit stands. I had visions that they shelled the peanuts and boiled them like beans - but no! Notice the picture above they boil the entire peanut (imagine my surprise) They also come in 2 flavors 1)plain, and 2) Cajun

Here is a picture as I am about to try one. (Now I did have to ask how to eat them - I was unsure -do I eat the entire peanut shell and all - after all that is how they are cooked! I found out that the answer is no. You take the hot, kinda still wet peanut and tear the shell off of it, and eat the boiled peanut. The consistency of a boiled peanut reminds me along the same lines of a boiled bean - but with a totally different taste!
Well I tried the plain kind - and I would give it a 4 or just okay for flavor, but I would give it a 10 in trying something new. (next time I think I will try the Cajun flavor!)

Have any on you ever heard of boiled peanuts before? Did you like them? I encourage you to try something new, at least every 3 months! It keeps life interesting and fresh! (maybe even you!) What have you tried lately????

Sunscreen to Sunless tanners here is the scoop!

Ok, girls I am back from vacation and I am now in the know (of a few things). Two of the things that I am in the know about are 1)sunscreen and 2)the best self tanner in the world!

First off a word of warning about the new spray sunblocks: The new spray sunblocks do work, however a can of spray used for 2 people will last about 1 1/2 to 2 days, at least this has been my experience! Why do you need to know this - well for 2 reasons: one if you like to buy your sunblock before you leave home for your vacation you need to know that this spray can does not last as long as the old fashioned lotion sunblock. Also you might decide to use a combo method, what is that you ask? Well if you are a tight wad and do not want to spend $10.00 on a can of spray sunblock every 2 days but the convenience of the spray while on the beach is amazing -(you can spray over sand attached to the skin) You can start in the morning at home, or in the condo, or hotel with the old fashioned lotion sunblock
Then later in the day re apply with the more "costly" spray sunblock (The spray sunblock in more costly because it does not last as long as a bottle of the lotion)

Last but not least - let me share my new found secret! (Keep in mind that I am a Red head and have never tanned!!!) Oh I love my red hair, but I so hate being the whitest girl by the pool or on the beach! Well girls here is my new product - it is called "FAUX TAN" by Bare Essentials - it runs approx $22.00 and can be found at Ulta stores or Sephoria or online! This self tanner is to die for!!! Warning you need to wear gloves while applying this self tanner it is that good!!!! It gives a real "brown" look to the skin, not an orange color. As well as this product does not leave your skin smelling funky!!!! I am in love with this new product and I am not receiving anything for the products I have warned or bragged about today!

I hope this helps you all stay tanned and sunburned free! Spread the word, see ya all tomorrow!

vacation

gone on vacation - will be back to tell you my favorite new self tanner!  (let me tell you I went thru several of them until I found one that can make a redhead tan!  I have never been this color before!) as well as to review 2 hungry girl cook books!  (I have tried several recipes from 2 new books and I can't wait to share!!)  However I have frantically cleaned the house, painted all of the girls in my house (4 if you include me) toes, fingers, de haired, selftanned, and now got to go primp and run to the store for 4 last minute things and I will see you all when I get back into town!!!  Hope you all have a great week this summer and enjoy the beautiful summer weather and a glass of either sweet tea or lemonade!!  Be back next week!

diet update and the power of a good friend!

Well I am sorry that I have not blogged this last week - the kiddo's have all had back to school parties, field trips etc..... Well back to the diet update - I was on the HCG diet - that I had cleared with my doctor, and was on along with 7 other women - I alone had side effects - scary ones! I fainted at Walmart last week, and had to come off that diet - ugh! Much to my frustration. So I took the last week off - I have gained 3 pounds in that time. and was very blue - sob!!!!

However I have a wonderful girlfriend named Amy (I am on the left side, Amy is in the middle, and our good friend Jayna is on the right!) Amy's is a blogger to by the way- you can check out her fab blog here. Amy is my opposite in allot of ways, she is Green I only recycle at the whining of my children, I love chemicals: bleach, acid cleaner for grout (Funny story behind that one!) Amy also cleans with natural cleaners she is wonderful, funny, creative, and a great encourager. Amy called me, picked me up from the floor (not literally I would not want to hurt her back!) and told me I could do this! I just needed to watch my calories, exercise and almost, (emphasis on almost) every lady struggles with her weight or watches her weight- and I could to.

Having friends like Amy sure makes life more bearable - I encourage everyone to invite a friend like Amy over when you are having a pity party - she is great guest to have at one!!!! Thanks Amy! Does anyone else have a special friend that they call when they are feeling blue or does any other lady out there struggle or watch her weight? What tips do you have?

Family Reunion

What a blessing! We had a family reunion this weekend on Brent's side of the family. It was so much fun! (and I am just an in-law! and I am saying this!)

The family reunion was held in Arkansas (my favorite state! I fell like an Arkansas girl at heart, and do pray that one day God will allow us to live there)

Our host and hostess were so kind, friendly and nice- they just welcomed us into their home, and we felt so at ease because they were so gracious!

Our hostess had a drink center set up on a serving table, then had the meat, and side dishes on the counters in the kitchen. Our hostess had a beautiful dessert table set up by the kitchen area. Food was plentiful-and different family members had brought old recipes, old pictures, and stories, as well as copies of the family tree to pass out to everyone as well as a cd burned with a sound recording from a past reunion that held some precious voices that have since gone to heaven and are no longer with us! How dear and touching to us all that this Aunt Jane and Bryan had burned a copy of the CD for us all to have!!!! Thanks Aunt Jane and Bryan!!!
Brent's family has some musical talent - It was so much fun, We had guitar playing and beautiful signing!!! (The above couple works in missions and you should of heard some of the arrangements for praise music - set to Jazz!!!! Beautiful - The guitarist also plays the piano)
<

2 of the musicians in Brent's family are from the band 3 penny acres - voted best new band for 2009 in Northwest Arkansas Music Awards -so you can only imagine what a good time we had listening to music, and they even included Mckenzie a new musician and let her play - she is a very new talented musican!

Here are some pictures- of some of the family visiting:looking at old pictures, and the family tree that had been printed out:
Clapping and dancing with the music:

The kiddos were dancing and eating cookies, and playing with their cousins!
And a good time was had by all!!! So we loaded back up and came home - with a more sense of our family heritage and the wonderful people who make up our family! (I wish my side of the family would do this - it was fun!)

Well here is a family favorite on Brent's side of the family, his Grandma Johnniie Blalock Rader's Best Refrigerator Rolls:

1 c shortening
1 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c boiling water
2 eggs, beaten
2 pkgs. dry yeast
1 c warm water
6 c unsifted flour

Pour boiling water over shortening, sugar, and salt; blend and cool. Add eggs. Sprinkle with yeast into warm water and stir until dissolved and add to first mixture. Add flour; blend well. cover and place in refrigerator at least 4 hours. Dough must be in large bowl as it will rises slightly in refrigerator.
**This may be kept up to 10 days in refrigerator and used as needed. About 3 hours, depending on room temp. before using rolls, roll into desired shapes. (I roll into rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and cut with biscuit cutter) place in a greased pan and allow to rise at room temperature to double in size. Bake at 425 degrees for approx 12-15 minutes. (I place rolls close together and let rise)

This is a favorite that my mother in law makes (just like her mom did) every holiday! Yumm!!!! Enjoy!

Gracie's bday

Well last week was my baby's birthday. Gracie turned 6 years old! Wow! I can't believe it. Gracie is growing into a beautiful, fun, smart girl! We celebrated by waking her up on her birthday and having a pancake breakfast. The birthday girl wanted her pancakes in a mouse shape. (Mickey mouse looking) which we were glad to provide her. I used kiwi's, chocolate chips and bananas to make the eyes, nose and mouth.

Gracie's bday fell on a school day so Daddy went up to school and brought her subway for lunch and ate with her in the school cafeteria. I brought cookies to hand out to her class for snack. That evening she had Daisy's (girl scouts) and we brought a birthday cake for snack, - then we went to dinner to our favorite Mexican restaurant - Los Cabos. Which had a live band playing, and tons of salsa - Gracie was in hog heaven! She and her sister (Kaylee) even got up and danced! Fun! Fun! Fun!

Here is my families favorite Pancake recipe (They like it better than Bisquick)

2 eggs

4 tablespoons butter/margarine, melted

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tablespoon sugar

2 cups of flour

6 teaspoons of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

beat eggs, add milk and margarine - stir until fully mixed. Add dry ingredients mix well. Heat griddle -spray with Pam, then pour batter onto griddle, flip when pancake top is full of bubbles, let cook on other side briefly - then remove. Serve hot with syrup!

I hope you enjoy your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does!!!

Day 23 of my diet

Well I thought I would post an update on my diet today. It is now day 23 of my diet, and I have officially lost 17 pounds! WooHoo! I am down 1 dress size - yeah! I am very excited. This has been the best diet I have ever tried.

I have been trying some of the recipes that are on the HCG website - some have been good, some have been ugh! (The mock onion rings - not so good) but they have given me more variety and flavor in my diet - which is nice. When you are on a 500 calorie diet (no fats allowed) you really want what food you do eat to be flavorful. I have been having a hard time with eating all my protein it just seems like I get full half way thru but I have been making myself eat most of it.

My diet group met the other night it was so informative, they told me some things about the support website that I had not figured out on my own. Also it was encouraging - I am the newest newbie, and I am in the round 1 of my diet - so I am just beginning to see weight loss, but these other ladies have all lost 30+ which is encouraging to stay the course. Keep on, keeping on.

I hope I have more news to share with you all next week. You can follow my weight loss if you are curious even when I am not posting about my diet(because I love blogging about everything not just my diet) You can follow my progress because I installed this little handy weight loss tracker on the right side of my blog - I will update it daily if there is any change.

Decorative Picture Frames

I love to blog, but not only do I love to blog - I love to stalk! Yes, all my friends I have made in blog land, are so creative, and talented and share "how" they make or decorate a room! It's like running into your best friend and loving something she done and she is willing to show you how! One of the blogs I love to stalk is the happy homebody blog. If you have time you must go and view all her older post- she is amazing! The project I am about to tell you about I learned from her blog.
You first need to go to Michael's and look for the $1.00 picture frames (yes, isn't that cheap!) Then you need to paint the edges of the frame (inside and outer edge) Then you buy some pretty scrap booking paper (of your choice - to match any room- this is fun shopping!) Then you trace the frame onto the back to the paper that you want to cover your pretty little picture frames. Then cut out the pattern you have just traced onto the paper.
Then all that is left is to modge podge on the pretty paper that you have picked out to the front of the frame. It does not need to be perfectly lining up. (I usually bring a little paint from around the edges to the front just in case this happens!) Then once the modge podge dries it is ready to be used (You can glue a cute accessory on it if you would like!)

I hope you are as inspired as I was - I do believe I will be making these to coordinate with about ever room in my home (and no, I am not exaggerating!)

Warning: this is cheap and fun, and can be addictive - try at your own risk!

Happy Mother's Day

The above picture is of me and my mom (several years ago, okay 1990 it is my favorite picture of us together it was taken on a mom and daughter luncheon). The first thing you might notice is that my mom is very short, at least compared to me. I have been about this height (minus 1/2 inch since 6th grade) You should of seen the teachers face when my little momma showed up for parents conference - not only did she not have red hair she was shorter than me. (My father is 6'3inches - that explains allot). I do have my mom's nose, and her voice, and hopefully many of her other traits and character that you can't see in this picture. You see my mom was my role model.

My mom taught me how to give to other people, by bringing food to other people when they were ill and had deaths in the family. My mother taught me to be a good wife by loving my father and she kept dating him thru out there marriage (they are about to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this year and they are still dating, by doing so she showed me the importance of keeping romance in a marriage. My mom also was a stay at home mom, and would always "freshen" up before my dad arrived home at night - a little lip gloss, hair combed and a squirt of perfume. I still do that for my husband today.

My mother taught me how to be respectful by being respectful to her parents and her in laws. I remember my mom taught me how to be a hostess - while I was growing up my parents always had friends over for an evening. As well as I remember my mom made a dessert for the weekend. (A habit I still keep for my family) I remember her making chocolate cake for when her mother in-law came over to visit.

My mom taught me how to be a parent from being a loving, caring parent to me. My mom taught me how to be a home maker teaching me how to cook, clean, do laundry and the value of a clean home and how it does not take allot of money to make a home a haven for your family.

My mom taught me how to laugh with family game nights, movies, and creative dinners from different cultures. My mother is a very talented person she writes, and is very creative, crafty, she has been a leader in church and among her peer group. My mother taught me the "value" of a friend, and the important lesson that you can never have too many friends.

My mom showed me how to love my in laws thru loving her in laws, my grandparents, or by loving and accepting my husband, and my brothers wives. My mom showed me how to love God, by taking us to church, VBS, and making sure we did not skip! By praying in front of me, and talking to me about God.

Now my mom is not perfect, she hates going to the Dr, she always adds 1 inch to her height (she thinks we won't notice), she has told me before "because I am your mom" and now I say that occasionally to my daughters. (Even though I still roll my eyes as I turn around). For all these things that my mom is and what she has helped me to become (As well as being my encourager, confidant, and willing to tell me honestly how it is) I am so blessed to have a mom like mine! Thank you Mom - I love you!!!! Amy