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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Top posts for 2011

Hello Friends!!  Man have I missed you all.  I have very much enjoyed all of my family this holiday season, but sure did miss blogging!  I am not going to be back in full force just yet, but I wanted to pop in every now and again to blog a little something. :)

I have been loving all of the top ten posts that I have been seeing lately.  So I thought I would do one for myself. :)  Here are the top posts that I have done for 2011!  I hope you enjoy what you see, and maybe will see something you didn't even realize I had done and like it.  I will count down to the most viewed. 

Number Ten

Number nine

Number eight

Number seven

Number six

Number five

Number four


Number three


Number two


Number ONE

So did you see anything new that you love?  I sure hope you did! 

Thanks so much for reading.  Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For the little girls.....

Source: flickr.com via Mary on Pinterest

For the little boys....

And for Everyone....

Merry Christmas Friends!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Simple Things

If you remember this post from last week, then you know I am trying to become more of a Proverbs 31 Woman.  Since I have been more aware of this, I have been much more aware of my kiddos.  I have also been spending more time with them.  So, here are a few pictures from the past few days! 
 Riley and I had a blast playing Barbies in her room the other day!  Well, Riley had a blast...I had a mess on my hands taking off and putting on Barbie's and Ken's clothes.  lol

My oldest, Luke, has NO fashion know how at ALL!  He definitely takes after me, poor boy.  While getting dress for school, he decided that these jeans were fine for him to wear.  Yep, they are his BROTHER'S!  Hello??  Luke??  You awake??  His answer...I didn't realize they were so short.  Really?  He wears a 7 while he brother wears a 5.  He didn't notice that they didn't fit in the waist, crotch, length, nothing?  LOL  Kids!

I look forward to capturing many more memories and special times with my kids while I am being present in life. 

PS!  With Christmas one week away, and me changing the way I live and look at life, I am going to take the next week or so off from this hear blog!  No worries, I WILL be back!!  Hopefully before New Years.  But, I want to be present for this time, not typing up posts.  I'm sure you will be seeing me around at YOUR blogs, though!  Looking and commenting on all of your cuties. ;)
Have a great day!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tortillas, Cinniman, Strawberries, Whipped Cream.....YUMMY!!

So, I don't show food things on here very often.  I {LOVE} to eat, I'm just not very "original" in the kitchen as I have said many times before!  :)  BUT, today, I am a GENIOUS...in my opinion of course. HA! 

On the way home from the gym I was thinking of something that I can make for dessert for after lunch.  LOL  I know....doesn't really help my time at the gym right?  But I feel that the whole point in going to the gym and working out is ONLY so that I can eat WHAT I WANT!!  LOL  That's normal, right? 

Anyway, back to my story.  I wanted something sweet, but {kinda} healthy as well.  I mean, I just got done at the gym!  HA!

Here is what I came up with:
Wheat Flour Tortillas (cut up into pizza slices)
butter (melted)
brown sugar
strawberries
whipped cream

Here is what I did:
Melt butter and brush over tortialla slices.  Rub brown sugar over buttered tortillas.  Put strawberries and cream on top.  EAT!!

Here are some pictures for you.  It's the only thing that wont add to the hips!


They were loved by all!  The kids and hubby all ate 'em up!  :) 

Do you  make up desserts?

I like to party over here!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Spotlight Sponsors

I have been meaning to do a THANK YOU post spotlighting my fabulous sponsors for this year!!  With this year being my first blogging year I had not idea what to expect.  Thankfully, I have met some AMAZING women with AMAZING shops to help me out!  Here are my fabulous Sponsors!  If you have a minute, please stop by and check them and their shops out...you will not be disappointed! Promise

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Johnny in a Dress has a fabulous shop, here!


Erika from Thrifty and Fabulous! (Sorry, I need to get the NEW button for her..lol)



Andie from Crayonfreckles!

Thank you all SO MUCH for hosting Giveaway's on Christy's Cuties!!  I can't wait to work with you next year...hopefully! ;)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Chocolate Peppermint Shake

Chocolate Peppermint Shake......also known as HEAVEN in your mouth! ;)  Yes, I did give this new name to the shake....ME....not the kids! HA!

Here is what you need:
2 cups of milk
Few scoops of Vanilla Ice cream
2 Candy Canes
1/2 cup of Chocolate Chips
 Super easy to make.  Add all ingredients into your blender, and blend!  Make it as thick, or runny as you like your shakes to be.  The directions above are perfect for our family. ;)  Add into a glass, and you have Heaven in your mouth! 

Can you see the small flakes of chocolate and candy canes??  LOVE!  I may or may not have had two glasses of it.  By may or may not...I definitely mean that I DID have two glasses! ;) 

Enjoy!  Have a great night!

Giveaway over on One Artsy Mama

Hey Hey!!  I hope everyone is doing GREAT today!!  I know I sure am.  I am over at One Artsy Mama today joining in on her BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!


If you like Christmas Ornaments...then you need to head on over and celebrate, too!  She is giving away SEVENTEEN!!  That's right!  And yours truly is even giving one away over there ;)

So, hope on over and see what you can score!

YAY!!  Happy Birthday Amy!  I hope it is the best yet!  Thanks so much for letting me celebrate with you!

Pinterest Make Me: {The Messenger Bag}

Good morning everyone!  Today I wanted to show off a Messenger Bag that has been on my list for months now!  Of course, it was one of my "Pins". ;)
It came from Noodlehead!

Well, I needed to make something for a gift for a cousin to buy for someone.  I thought of this and hoped that it would be perfect!  I started out by trying to follow their step by step directions, but started with a belt for the strap.  This is what I started with:

I got the "folds" backwards, and had to put the shorts material on the inside, rather than the outside.  But I do like it better with the darker material on the outside.

I used bias tape for the flap. {The Inside}

{The Front} I do love it!  I plan on making my oldest boy one to carry his Bible and church workbook in. :)


So, what do you think?  Look ok?  Thankfully, my cousin liked it, too!  I am seriously loving this handmade holiday thing I've got going on this year!  I love it!!

I like to party over here!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Proverbs 31

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a good wife, and mother, and friend.  Yes, I love my husband, and I support him.  My kids are my life, literally, since I am a stay at home mom.  But, I could do better in all areas of being a good wife and mother.  While looking around on Pinterest the other night I seen a pin that had Proverbs 31 under it.  It was like a light bulb went off in my head.  Below is what The Message has for Proverbs 31.

 10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

While reading this, I was happy at all of the areas that I do.  I do sew.  I do cook.  I do clean.  I do lend a hand at times.  But, after reading this a few times, I see areas where I need help.  Help that I know will not come from anywhere other than God.  At times, I am "too busy" for my kids.  I want to stop that.  I want to savor every moment with them.  I want to put the computer away, and let them sit in my lap.  I want to color with them.  Play dress up with them.  Have patience with them. 

As for my husband.  Of course I love him.  But, there are times when I am not generous with him.  Times when I am "too tired" to do that one small thing that he asked of me that day.  I do not want to be spiteful of him.  Times when I feel like I have had a bad day, and don't finish cleaning or making supper.  I want to be a better housewife.  I want to put myself aside, and be a Proverbs 31 wife.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Giving

As mentioned the other day, I am making some donation baskets for a few things.  This basked was made for the local YMCA.  They had a silent auction and booth fair.  I believe that it is good to give back, when you are able to.  I have never felt like I had enough talent to give things that I have made, but after giving a few handmade gifts and such I am getting brave.  Here is my finished basket.

I put in a painted sign, three zippered pouches, 1 hair pin, 2 shirt pins, 2 crayon rolls (one for boy and one for girl), and some sugar hand scrub. (Tutorial for the hand scrub is coming soon. Its so EASY!)

Here is a closer shot of the inside.

Since I have never given a donation basket I am not sure how I did.  What do you all think?  Is it better to pack it out, or do a "hodge podge" basket?  Have you given any donation baskets before?

I like to link up here!

Have a great day!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

A plan...the Slim-Fast way

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm going to get a little vulnerable here for a minute.  K?  As some of you know, my hubby is currently away for school.  No worries, we are almost finished. :)  But, while he's been gone I have realized that I have to get my eating/workout schedule in check.  I tend to be a yo-yo dieter/exerciser.  I will go a few weeks doing awesome and losing some weight while eating right and working out, then I will fall off that wagon and go completely opposite of that.  I have been on this train for years, since having my third child.  And I am sick of it.

I know I have to get my food, snacking, exercising, and weight in order and soon.  I mean the holidays are right around the corner, and we are going to be busier than ever.

The New Creamier Slim-Fast shakes come in four different flavors#  They have Strawberries and Cream, Rich Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and French Vanilla!  YAY!! I chose Strawberries an Cream.

 

I like the idea of Slim-Fast cause who doesn't love a shake?  I mean, really?   shake for a meal, yes please! ;)  They have a great plan where you level#  The 3#2#1 plan lets you choose#  If you chose level 1, which is where I am starting, then you would supplement one shake for one meal#  For level 2 you would substitute a meal for a hake, and have a Slim-Fast Snack#  For level 3 you would use two shakes in the place of two meals, and a Slim-Fast snack#

Today was my first day on Level 1 of Slim-Fast#  I had a good breakfast, but was starving y lunch time#  I opened my shake, and started drinking it very slowly#  I must admit, I started drinking it so slow because I really was not expecting it to fill me up#  I was thinking how in the world is this going to work with me being so hungry??  I didn't believe it would work, so I wanted to savor each drink#  lol  However, after I was half way done I could definitely tell a difference in my hunger pains# Then when I finished I was full, but not "stuffed" like I normally feel when I over eat#  Yep, I'm hooked#

My next thought was, there is no way this will keep me full until dinner#  I will be starving and want to snack#  Nope!  Of course when it was time for dinner I was hungry, but I did not feel any differently then when I eat a regular meal.  Slim-Fast shakes have totally won me over.  Now snacks.....I am a TOTAL SNACK eater#  I love snacks.  Chips are my FAV!  Do you understand me when I say FAV?  I mean, I could eat the whole bag at one time, if I let myself.  Not kidding.  I also love chocolate and candy#  That's right, I am in no way a snack snob.  I will take anything.  Next week I plan on buying some of the Slim-Fast snacks that they have available.  I will let you all know how that goes as well#

I also plan on keeping up to date with Slim-Fast products through their Facebook page.

So now that I have put myself out there, and my journey to become a healthier person, please be nice and don't leave any hate mail#  ;)  it takes a lot of courage to come out about things so personal#  Ya know?  And I would love to know if any of you have ever tried Slim-Fast?  Did you like it?  What was your experience with it?

What's even better is that you can buy Slim-Fast products at Wal-Mart, Target, and most large Grocery stores.

*I was given a coupon to purchase my first set of Slim-Fast shakes in order to post my experience.  All opinions are 100% mine, and I will never lie about my experiences to promote a product I am not completely satisfied with.

Visit Sponsor's Site

Saturday, December 10, 2011

A New Direction.....

Hey Lovelies!
When I started this blog, I had barely ever even read a blog.  I knew that I loved to craft, so that's what I started it for.  To show off what I do.  But, lately I've been feeling "pigeon holed" into only blogging about crafts.  Now I realize that I would like to branch out.  I have found some amazing blogs such as Eisy Morgan, or I a momma...hear me roar. (And I'm sure many others) These ladies blog about crafts, and life.  They are constantly making me think about new things, and are making me want to be a better person in between all of their craft posts where they share things from their life.  I want this blog to be a place where I can share all kinds of things.  I'm not sure about the name, I may be changing it soon.  Or maybe possibly making a "tag line" to go under the name.  But, I have something on my heart that I need to share.  You all are so great about being supportive, and I feel most of you are my real life friends (even though we've never actually "met".)  So....You can be looking for this blog to be changing in the way it's written, and the content it holds.  I hope and pray that you all stick with me on my journey to figure out exactly what I want to do with this hear blog of mine. ;)  Pretty Please?  With Sugar on top??

Family Life

A few weeks ago my hubby had to leave for a school.  This is definitely the hardest thing I have had to go through thus far, and I'm sure it is him as well.  This particular school will not let us have any form of contact for three whole weeks.  Three weeks doesn't seem like that long of a time, but when you have spoken almost every day to the love of your life for 12 years....three weeks with no contact is hard.  Thankfully, he will be home in a few short days now. 

While packing, the boys wanted to see just how heavy dad's gear was.  Here is my honey getting it packed.

This is Luke, our oldest at 8 years old.  He's the basketball player in the family, so pretty tall and lanky. ;)

This is Kaleb at 5 years old.  He is our football player, so he handled it great!

I love moments like this.  They are always so interested in their dad's job, and I am so grateful that they like to be involved as much as they can.  I think it makes it easier on everyone.

Have a great day, everyone.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Snowman Kit

A few weeks ago I was asked if I would like to do a donation "gift" for our Church's ladies brunch.  Of course I did!  I felt so blessed that they actually think things I make are worth giving out at such a great event.  And honestly, I didn't even realize that our Pastor's wife (Hi Jennifer) knew I had a blog or made things often.  HA!  How could I say no? ;)  I know that most of the things I tend to make are "people specific" and I get so worried about having the "perfect" thing to give.  I knew I had to come up with something that most people would like, not just accessories.  Ya know??

So, I started blog hopping.  I do love Pinterest, but, blogs also need some love right? :)  I ran across The Fickle Pickle, and found this...
So cute, right?  Who wouldn't love a kit to dress up their snowman?? 

Off to Hobby Lobby I went. And here is mine!

I put my "carrot" on a kitchen skewer.  I thought it would be much easier to stay into place.  And I used all black stones for the eyes and the mouth.

What do you think?  Could you think of a few hundred people that would like to get this?  I may make a few more to gift for Christmas!

I like to party over here!

Oh, and we're getting SO CLOSE to Christmas!!  YAY!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

What I'm giving...MEN!

Men.Men.Men.  They are definitely the HARDEST to buy gifts for.  I mean, men don't "shop".  They only ever do "man stuff" and I don't DARE buy things for their "hobbies".....because I wouldn't get the right thing.  So, what am I giving the men in my life this year?  I'll show you!
Dad
Kindle Cover! Seven Sisters has a great tutorial for one over on Skip to my lou.

Father in Law
The hubby has him a surprise, so I don't want to ruin it.  ;)  Plus, I didn't make it. Ha!

Brother In Law
Tie T-Shirt from The Idea Room....oh no, I'm totally not playing. ;) He will totally wear it, too!

Mustache Shirt from the bold banana etsy shop.  This will be my favorite one. ;)

Husband
Last but certainly not least!  We need to spruce up his VOLS game room.  This has been on my list of things "to-do" for a while now.  What better time then Christmas to get started, right?  So, here are my top picks!

Vols Print from BandaPrints Etsy Shop.
Source: etsy.com via Bailey on Pinterest

Vols Subway Art from I love it all Etsy shop.
Source: etsy.com via Lesa on Pinterest

Do you think Men are the hardest to buy for, too?  What are you giving the Men in your life?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Hoo are you?

I have totally missed the Hoo are you posts!  I know you have too, right?  Right??  I thought so! ;)

Here are this weeks questions and answers!
1. Is all your Christmas shopping done?
NO!  It's driving me nuts too!  I am never this far behind, and my daughter is the only one done.  I'm not even done with making the gifts that I am making to give. :/

2. Do you decorate for Christmas and if so when?
Yes!  It's the best.  I love to decorate, and so do my kids.  We put everything up either Thanksgiving night, or the day after Thanksgiving.

3. Do you bake during the Holiday season?
I'm trying to get better about it this year.  For Thanksgiving I made ALL of the sweets for my families meal.  And I'm doing better about making more on normal nights at home.  But, I'm not the best at baking, so it's a big step.

4. What are your favorite smells of this time of year?
Turkey and Dressing, Sugar Cookies, Peppermint Mocha Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Apple Pie....you name it, I like it.  Don't really have a favorite "one".

5. What are your favorite things to do during the Holiday Season?
Our town has a Riverwalk, and every year they deck it out in Christmas lights.  LOVE IT!  We also watch Christmas movies all the time.  On Christmas Eve I read Twas the Night Before Christmas to my kids when tucking them into bed.  


I would love to hear your answers!  Come join the in the fun over at Night Owl Crafting.

NightOwlCrafting

Pinterest Make Me {Wreath}

It's Wednesday!  That means I have been working on a project from Pinterest.  ;)  Of course, it has to be Christmas related.  Love!!  I seen this wreath on Pinterest, and knew I needed one.

It is from Better Homes and Garden site.
Source: bhg.com via Christy on Pinterest

What's even better is that I found everything I needed at the Dollar Tree. Woot Woot!  Below is what I started with.

Wrap the cream ribbon around your wreath tightly, hot gluing it on each end to keep it attached.

Hot glue the snowflakes on however you would like.  I slightly overlapped mine on each side.

Attache your coordinating ribbon that you would like to use, I used green.  And then I added a bow at the top.  Below is showing it hanging on my door, but with the front door being white, it didn't quite stand out like I wanted from far away.

So I moved it onto an old mirror we have in our living room!  I like it much better in here.  However, I have horrible lighting in the living room, so sorry for the awful picture quality.  It really does not give it justice.  But, I am very happy with it in real life!! :)

What have you made off of Pinterest lately?  Or do you just like to "pin"?

I like to party over here!

Thanks for reading!