Saturday, December 06, 2008

Christmas Organizer

A few weeks ago, I was pleased to find a blog named Controlling My Chaos. It's filled with great ideas and it even inspired me to create my own Christmas organizer. It was so, so fun to put together.




I even used my Fiskar's "Threading Water" border punch to create tabs for my dividers.


I will keep my organizer accessible throughout the year so I can add ideas as I find them.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Wedding Anniversary

John and I celebrated eight years of marriage earlier this week! People always warned me that the first years were going to be difficult, but they weren't. Sure, marriage takes a lot of work and we have to adjust as our lives are constantly changing. But, I really have enjoyed these years with my husband. I am so blessed to be able to share life's joys and trials with my best friend.

John, I look forward to what the future holds for us. You are a wonderful husband to me and father to our two, beautiful girls. Thank you so much for making my dreams come true.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Book Review - "My Little Girl"



I am excited to get the opportunity to write book reviews on my blog for Thomas Nelson Publishing. My very first review is for "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of its illustrations. The illustrator, Julia Denos, does a remarkable job in capturing the facial expressions shared between the two main characters, a dad and his daughter. The authors, Tim McGraw and Tom Douglas, add to the illustrations well by helping the reader feel and experience the relationship and adventures the characters have together. Katie-girl reminds me a lot of my two little girls - messy-haired princesses who like to get prettied up, but still enjoy getting dirty outdoors. This book is a reminder that the relationship between a father and daughter can be richly nourished simply by spending an ordinary day together. The story did keep the attention of both my five-year-old and two-year-old daughters and I was happy to share it with them as it stressed the importance of love within a family. Their giggles and smiles as I was reading the story made it obvious that my girls were reminded of the times spent with their daddy and they will probably enjoy the story even more when he reads it to them.

Overall, this is a feel-good story and many daddies and daughters are sure to relate to the characters. The last page where readers can share their own stories is the cherry on top for this sentimental story.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

October Recap

Hello, friends. Before we get to the end of November, I want to share some October photos. It was a busy month and I'm honestly glad it's over. I have promised myself to make November and December as simple as possible so that I can enjoy my family during this special time of year.


Storybook Character Contest at Emma's School
She won first place!


Two Little Tinkerbells
I had so much fun decorating their treat cauldrons with paint pens and ribbon.


Treat Packages
These were fun to make. I got the idea from here.


Pumpkin Carving
Every year, we carve pumpkins, roast pumpkin seeds and watch "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" while munching on our roasted seeds.


Fall Fest at Emma's School


Spice Pumpkin Kisses
The recipe is here.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Oh, I Just LOVE This Gal!


I have enjoyed Faith Hill's music for several years and I heard that she has a new Christmas album. So, I casually headed over to iTunes and decided to just check it out...not purchase it. Good grief, we just finished Halloween! I was just...just curious.


Ok, so I ended up purchasing it and I have been listening to it for the last couple of hours. I know, I know! I realize it is not Christmas time, but I can't help it! It's beautiful. "A Baby Changes Everything" is especially moving.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Fall

I'm beginning to decorate our home for fall and added a couple of new touches this year. I really didn't want to spend too much so I headed to Wal-Mart. I got a hand towel for the bathroom and a large pumpkin spice candle for our fireplace mantel. Then, I embellished both with some ribbon. It all added up to less than $10. I really loved how they turned out!



I made this last year in a class taught by Jennifer Stewart . It was neat to pull out and see pictures of my girls from last year - it is such a warm addition to our home.



Tuesday, September 02, 2008

This and That

I played with my sewing machine this past weekend and tried a simple project. I just did a little heart applique and then embellished with a ribbon and button. The shirt is for Lilly and she thinks it looks "fritty" (pretty).



I just HAVE to share these Lillybean photos with you. She was "reading" to me and the next thing I knew, she was daintily crossing one leg over the other while pointing her toes. I laughed and laughed and when I pulled out the camera, she told me, "No, don't tay my chitchure."
Oh my, I love that little girl.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

And so it begins...

Emma began her first day of Kindergarten this morning and we are so proud of her. I know that many people have been praying for her as she begins this new chapter in her life and I want to say that I felt those prayers this morning as I was dropping her off. Thank you so much. She walked into the school feeling confident and excited. I can't wait to pick her up from school. Lilly and I prepared some cupcakes for a special afternoon snack.






Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Oh, I love it!


It felt sooo good to do something creative, and it came out so well. I made an "E" for Emma's room and I love it so much I want to marry it. Lilly, of course, will have one made for her room, but the store didn't have an "L" in stock, today. My inspiration for this precious creation came from here. Instead of sewing together several pieces of paper, I just slapped on one piece and called it a day. The project did not take long at all!
Who knows...I might even eventually make the other letters of her name.

Sooo...

I went to a Pampered Chef party last night and purchased these.



I think my kids will have a lot of fun decorating with them. They will be great for Christmas cookies this year.

I have really been in a blogging and crafting slump. When I was at the party last night, my sweet friend, Emily told me how much she enjoyed reading my blog. I felt so encouraged and it inspired me to post. I even started a cute, little project for Emma's room. I can't wait to show you the finished product! Thank you, Emily! :)

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Wow!

OK. I just made a really yummy meal for my family, and they all went bananas over it. Hello!! I've known about this recipe for a while and never thought to make it until this week. I could not believe that the preparation was so easy. If only I thought to take a picture of it before everyone inhaled it. Oh well...maybe next time. :)

Pampered Chef Taco Ring

Ingredients
1/2 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
1 1.25 oz package taco seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp water
2 8 oz pkgs. refrigerated crescent roll dough
1/2 head lettuce, shredded
1 med. tomato, cubed
1 cup (225 ml) salsa
sour cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine meat, seasoning mix, cheese and water in bowl.
Arrange crescent triangles in a circle on a baking stone or pizza pan, with bases overlapping in center and points to outside (there should be a five inch diameter circle in center).
Spoon meat mixture over rolls.
Fold points of triangles over filling and tuck under base at center (filling will not be completely covered).
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Fill a ramekin with salsa and place in center of the ring.
Mound lettuce and tomato around the salsa.
Garnish with sour cream.
Cut and serve.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Forgive Me

So sorry I haven't been blogging more. Emma will be starting Kindergarten this fall and I'm just trying to savor every moment. It will be the first time she is away from me every day, all day. When my little girl steps into the classroom of her new school on the first day, I don't know how life will be from then on. Will I still know everything that is going on in her sweet, innocent mind? Will her cheery personality change? Ugh, I try not to think about it too much.

It has been glorious these last five years with my little princess and we have had so much fun! One of my favorite things to do with my girls is to take them to our local library. Fortunately, there are always so many fabulous programs at our library and I have built a lot special memories while being there with my girlies.

Here are Emma and Lilly enjoying a play at our library. As you can see, they are having a blast.



Lilly just lurves her sister. Hehe

Saturday, June 28, 2008

HOT, HOT, HOT

We are in the midst of one HOT summer weekend. So, we have the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" mentality. We're off to have an evening cook-out by the lake.

Here are a couple of pictures from our fun trip to the beach. Hope everyone has a great weekend!


Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Arboretum Photos

A few weeks ago, the girls had some photos taken at our local arboretum by an up-and-coming photographer. As you can see, she did an amazing job and you can see more of her work at Amy's Joyful Image. These photos are such beautiful treasures. Thanks so much, Amy!

I have so many gorgeous pictures, but here are just a few.








Friday, June 06, 2008

New Layout


I was finally able to do some scrapbooking during naptime this week and it felt wonderful. Everyone needs a creative outlet.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

More Hair

I am having so much fun with this blog.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Check it Out!

Look at this fun hairstyle! Lilly FINALLY sat long enough for me to fix her hair. I got the idea from here.

It's so cute, I can hardly stand it!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Another Birthday, Another Banner

When Lilly turned two years old, I made her a birthday banner. Here is the one I made for Emma's birthday.


Emma had a fabulous time with her friends and family at her inflatable bouncer party.
Here she is with her sister and cousins - what a good lookin' group!


Emma said, "My cake is gorgeous!" Hee-Hee. My daughter is such a cutie.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Brand New Room

Emma is enjoying her new birthday bedding set from Target. She chose it herself and I am absolutely ecstatic with her decision. Isn't everything adorable?




We have had these precious wall decorations for a while and I love how well they match her bed.


We've had this flower frame for a year, but never really knew where to put it. John placed a picture of Pickles in it and set it next to her bed. She loves it!


Now that she is five years old, we are having her make her bed every day...so far so good. She does it surprisingly well and seems to take more pride in her new room...maybe too much pride because she flipped out yesterday when she noticed I was sitting on one of those little pom-poms on her bedspread. Apparently, I was "smashing" it.*sigh*