Yummy Corn chowder

  I made this recipe the other day and it was super yummy!!  I put it in the crock pot and just let it go.  I know soups aren’t always … {Read More}

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Afters with no Befores

Do you ever get so excited to start a project that you jump in and forget to take pictures?  I do that all the time.  I know bad!!  So I have some … {Read More}

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Thrifted Desk Redo

As promised here is the tutorial for my red desk.  I love how it came out.  Here is what I started with: I got this desk at the thrift store for … {Read More}

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It’s a crafty Christmas…lifesaver necklaces

We are making these cute little necklaces for my nieces and the girls friends.  It seems every time someone comes over to play and they see them … {Read More}

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Not your ordinary dye job

I know what you are thinking but you would be wrong.  No I’m not talking about hair but these: So now that we have that settled lets see if we … {Read More}

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How to get large prints for CHEAP!!

I have seen this around the blogosphere quite a bit so you might have already seen this tip.  But in case you haven't, it is too good not to … {Read More}

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It’s a crafty Christmas…

Every year, we have 32 people to buy presents for NOT including us and our children.  That’s A LOT!!  We end up with 8 family parties scattered … {Read More}

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Easy Bun

  This is one of my favorite go to hair styles.  I do this easy bun to finish a bunch of hair styles.  And believe me it is easy to do!!  … {Read More}

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How to color the tips of your hair

My girls recently had crazy hair day at school.  We decided we wanted to try out a temporary color on their hair.  By temporary I mean it washed out … {Read More}

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Cheesecake

I LOVE me some cheesecake!!  Yummy, Yummy, Yummy!!  So over the years I have tried A LOT of recipes for cheesecake and here it is, the very best one … {Read More}

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Most popular posts of 2011

Last year, before I started my blog I was an avid blog reader.  Still am.  One of my favorite posts was where bloggers listed their most popular … {Read More}

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My spring Mantle and pinwheel tutorial

I have a pretty dark mantle.  And that's ok because it is full of things I love.  But it wasn't very cheery.  It's perfect for fall but I wanted to … {Read More}

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Free Printable…Valentines

It seems like forever since I have done a free printable. {really it's only been since before Christmas but that seems like forever ago} And since … {Read More}

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Flower bun with woven ribbon tutorial

To everyone coming over from Blogelina,  Grab a comfy chair and have a look around.  I would love it if you would sign up for my rss feed, … {Read More}

flower bun with ribbon weave
Nov 10, 2011

Thankful Thursday {Blog friends}

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These thankful Thursday posts seem all the more appropriate with Thanksgiving coming up.  Today I am so thankful for good blog friends.  One of the things I have been most surprised about when joining this blogging world is the people I have met.  Everyone is so supportive and open and nice.  I have made some really good long term friends in a short time.  It seems blogging brings people together quickly.  What a nice surprise!!

So today I wanted to introduce you to 3 of my bloggy friends that have awesome blogs!!

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Alicia @ Little Sprinkles of Fun is such a great person.  She is a Kindergarten teacher so her blog has lots of ideas for educational crafts.  If you have little ones, you have to check out her blog!!  She also has great ideas for us mommas.  Plus she is about the most supportive friend I have!!

My World - Made By Hand

I’m sure you all know Jessica from My World made by hand.   She is the co host of our Totally Tutorials Tuesday linky party.  I love reading her blog.  It seems like every time I read it, I find myself thinking OOH I want to do that.  She has such unique ideas that you will want to do!!

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If you don’t know Jamie @ Crafty Scrappy Happy you should.  She is current winner of American Crafter and going on to win One Month to win it.  Her projects are exploding all over blog land.  And everything she does is straight from the heart.  My kind of girl!!
 
There you go, 3 blogs to follow and get some great inspiration!!  Thanks for reading!!
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Oct 20, 2011

Thankful Thursday~~Fall Weather

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I don’t have a favorite season {you know me and favorites}, but I do love to have a change.  It’s probably why I love year round school so much.  You get tired of going to school and you get a break, you get tired of being home and you go back.  For me it’s so much better than going to school for such a long time and then having a long summer break.  But I digress…

SO I’m loving the change in the weather.  I am thinking of snuggling up with a warm blanket.

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Yummy soup:

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Sweaters:

 

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Fall colors, leaves, cuddling and snuggling…..Need I go on?  I am LOVING this weather.  Till it snows and then I will LOVE the Peach on earth of Christmas season.  And then the first blooms of spring.  And the lazy days of summer….

What is your favorite season??  

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Oct 13, 2011

Thankful Thursday

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My cousin is coming to stay with us.  Arriving tonight.  And I am so thankful today for their visit!!  I absolutely LOVE when they visit!!  She has three adorable boys.  I don’t know what it is, but when my girls and her boys get together, they behave so well.  We never hear any fighting or whining.  It’s AWESOME!!

I have been wanting to do a family rules sign for the landing on our stairs.  And this seemed like a perfect time to do it.  So here is what I came up with:

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I have seen these signs all over blog land and I LOVE them.  I used sayings that mean something to my family.  This is sized to an 8×10 but I am going to do it much larger.  However with the move and the bridal shower I threw last sat.  And the company today, I haven’t gotten mine made yet.  {are you tired of the excuses yet?}  But I will make it.  And I will show you when I do.  For now, If you would like one for yourself, please click on the image above to download it.  I would love to see what you do with it!!  IF you need a different size just leave me a comment.  Thanks!!

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Sep 29, 2011

Thankful Thursday

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We get the keys to our home today!! 

I am SO excited!!  It has been a very very long road.  We never would have made it without help.  And we had the best help available.  So today I would like to thank:

  • First and foremost my Heavenly Father who worked some major miracles and taught me some great life lessons and I will be forever grateful for his guidance.

  • My Family for putting up with me.  My immediate family for helping me through all the stress.  And offering me love and support the whole way.  And my Mom and Dad who let us move into their basement when we had to move from one house before we could close on the other.  It has been a great experience staying here for 2 mos.  And I am sad to leave. 

  • My Realtor.  This lady has become a friend.  She is absolutely the best realtor out there hands down!!  She looks out for the client and not her commission.  We walked into one house that I was in LOVE with.  And she looked around and said there is mold in this basement and it’s been here a while.  I wouldn’t feel good about about selling you this house.  And I was heartbroken.  She could have had a sale.  As we were leaving the listing realtor showed up and said yeah we know about the mold in the basement, it’s not a big deal Just wipe it off with a cloth so it will pass inspection.  I was shocked.  This experience made me realize what a great realtor we had.  She would give up a sale before she put my family in harms way.  And that says a lot about character.  She also really knows her stuff and puts in the time for her clients.  But best of all, her current promotion is buy a house with me and I will pay your first mortgage payment.  So a week after closing she is going to come over and give us a big fat check.  How awesome is that??  If you are in the market for a Realtor, I would be THRILLED to refer Joell to you.  Please contact me or click here to see her website.  I can promise you, this is one decision you won’t regret!!

 

  • My mortgage lady.  Talk about a professional.   She finagled things in ways I still don’t know how she did.  Every time I talked to her, things got cheaper.  Now that is my kind of mortgage!!  She did things that put us in the perfect position to go to underwriting and get our file pushed through as easily and quickly as possible.  I am VERY pleased with the work she did.  If you need a mortgage, click here to work with Julie.  I’ve had people say to me I can’t buy a house I don’t have a down payment, or I have bad credit.  Let me tell you, if there is a way to make it work, Julie will do it.  So give her a call.

Thank you for letting me ramble on.  I am going to go pack and move now.

{I was not given any compensation for recommending these ladies to you.  I just think they deserve any referrals I can send them and you won’t find better help.}

 

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Sep 15, 2011

Thankful Thursday–Lessons Learned

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I have not done a Thankful Thursday post in a LONG time.  I know.  Shame on me!!  Because the truth is I have so much to be grateful for.  And I have been feeling so blessed lately.  Just not blogging about it for some {probably lame} reason.

So for Thankful Thursday today I may get a little sappy.  Please bear with me.  We have had a pretty rough year, but it hasn’t felt like it.  And I know that is because my Heavenly Father has been walking with me every step of the way.  I never EVER thought I would say I am thankful for the hard times, but I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned.  I have come out of this time with more maturity.  I have learned who I want to be as a person and how I want to treat others.  I have learned to have faith and trust and I couldn’t have been given a better present.

Isn’t it funny how you grow and learn?  And sometimes you look back at your younger self and cringe a little because they haven’t learned some of these lessons yet.  I hope I can employ them in my life always and not forget.  And let me tell you, blessings and treasures do come!!  So if you are having a hard time, hang in there.  There is light.  And if I can do anything to help please let me know.  I truly mean that.

I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures to go with this post but let me leave you with a music video that sums things up:

What are you thankful for today??

P.S. I am blogging over at my good friend Lesa’s blog Notes about Music Notes today!!  I made this printable for the occasion:

Click on the image to download.

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Jul 14, 2011

Thankful Thursday

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I am so Amazed at the wonderful people out there in blog land.  I have had some amazing people offer to guest blog for me as I’m going through this stressful time.  And I can’t thank them enough.  One of the major surprises I had when I started blogging was how nice and helpful everyone is.  People who don’t even know you are so willing to help you out.  And it seems with one email you are fast friends.  This medium isn’t super competitive and I couldn’t be happier that I started blogging.  I wouldn’t have met some seriously amazing people!  So a BIG thank you to everyone who offered to help me out and those that gave wonderful words of support!!!! 

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May 26, 2011

Thankful Thursday

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Today I am SUPER thankful for my sister!!  She is always there to support me.  Do any of you have a sister like that?  Someone you can call up and they say ok what can I do to help you?  You need this, oh sure no problem.  Well I have 3 sisters like that.  {that’s right I’m 3xs lucky}  But today I want to tell you about my sister Angie. 

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Isn’t she gorgeous?  She is a very creative person and such an artist!!  She does Modeling, painting, graphic design and she’s a total computer nerd {it’s a good thing}  She is always willing to draw or paint or run around with my girls.  They think they are SO special because their Aunt Angie plays with them.  And when she draws with them she always has the best stuff {paper you can wash and reuse how cool is that?!} 

She has started a blog with all her art work on it.  It can be found here:

Art by Anji

Here are some of my favorite paintings done by her:

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It would make me so so happy if you guys would go check out her art blog and become a follower.  She is such a great artist!!

Here are some of my favorite Modeling photos of her:

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I have been so blessed to have such AMAZING family!!  Angie I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do for me!!!!! 

What are you thankful for this Thursday??

Oh and Don’t forget to go check out Art by Anji and become a follower.  You won’t regret it!!

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Apr 28, 2011

Thankful Thursday 3

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Today I am thankful for my oldest daughter “Love”. 

maddie

There never was a more helpful child.  Or a more Loving child.  She is always willing to throw her arms around my neck and not hurry off to play.  She also watches out for her sisters with such care.  It’s amazing to see her take her little sister and get her shoes and coat on her and take her little hand and walk outside to play together.  Makes my heart melt.

So why do we call her Love?  This girl is the most loving.  She writes me love notes all the time.  Here is one:

Love is also an amazing artist.  For Halloween last year she decided to go out and draw a picture of our house.  Then she came in and decorated the picture for Halloween.  I was blown away.  She’s only in 3rd grade.  She did such a great job:

maddies drawings

It took us quite a while to get Love here and we know our family would not be the same without her!!  Thanks for your sweet loving personality!!  Mommie loves you so so much!!

 

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Apr 21, 2011

Thankful Thursday 2

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Are you liking the Thankful Thursday posts?  I hope so.  I know it has helped me to think of all the good in my life.  I am of course so so so thankful for my children but I wanted to take a break from the mushy I love my family posts for a minute so I can be mushy about something else. {hehe}

**As a disclaimer, this post is long and incredibly lovey dovey.  But it had to be done. Please take the time to read through it.  It’s worth it.  You will discover some new blog crushes!!**}

Today I am thankful for you guys!!  {and this isn’t some ya ya everyone likes their followers, I truly truly mean it}  I have been so over come with everyone’s comments.  You guys have been so kind and encouraging.  I can’t tell you what it means to me!!

Especially with Book Club.  Reading is a passion of mine and it was a little  scary to start an online book club.  I was worried that no one would read along {I am still a little worried that I will be having a conversation with myself at the “meeting”}  But there has been such a positive response.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

I reached out to some of my blog idols and was so lucky to have some really great ladies help me spread the word about book club. 

I wanted to let you know about some really awesome blogs out there that have supported our Book Club.  If you are not following these ladies, please do.  There is a reason they are my blog idols!!

Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts

This lady is the Coolest!!  Sugar Bee Crafts is the home of the famous Modge Podge shoes.  I mean seriously who thinks of these amazing ideas?  Mandy that’s who.

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Holly @ 504 Main

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Holly Is such a sweet lady.  I’m super excited about her White party.  White crafting, white sewing even white baking.  If it’s white {or a shade of it} you can link it up on her site.

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Jessica @ My world- Made by hand

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This lovely lady was the first one to jump on board for book club.  I am honored to call her my friend. A sweeter lady you will not find. Go check out her blog, you will spend hours reading.  It’s that good!!  Watch for an upcoming giveaway!!
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Wendy @ Craft Goodies

Wendy finished in 2nd place on One Month to Win it.  This lady has some mad skills!!  You have to check out her Mississippi Mud cake.  Yes Please!!
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Mandy @ Tidbits from the Tremaynes
 
You know those blogs that you would read even if they didn’t have great tutorials.  This lady is one of those.  But she does have great tutorials.  She was the season 2 champ on Crafting with the Stars.  You have to check out her kids say the darndest things on her sidebar.  And her header is so hilarious.  And her Craft this button.  And…
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Rachael @ Lovely Crafty Home 
 
 
Lovely Crafty Home

Rachael is the kind of friend everyone wants to have.  And come on, I mean anyone that can make Brown Paper bags look amazing as flooring is a craft genius!! {brown paper bags, I’m not kidding go check it out}

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Tam @ Sew Dang Cute Crafts

 
I used to be scared to sew.  Before I started reading Tam’s blog.  She cured my fear of my sewing machine.  Nuf said?  Nuf said!!
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Kristen @ Kristen Duke Photography 
 

I wish I had her skills with photography.  She has the most amazing photos ever!!  And great tutorials too.  Some day, when I buy me a fancy schmancy camera, I will get her say no to auto eBook so I can learn to be an amazing photographer like her!!

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I know there are many more bloggers out there that have been amazing and helped support Book Club.  I’m sure I’ve forgotten someone and I am sick over that.  But know that if you have supported me and I have not specifically thanked you in this post that it was inadvertent.  That I am truly thankful for all the love and support I am getting!! 

And for my followers and fellow Book Clubbers, you are the reason I do this!!  Thanks for your encouragement and kind words!!

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Apr 14, 2011

Thankful Thursday

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I try to always remember my blessings.  Because I truly have so much to be thankful for!!  And I’m not just saying that.  Plus I feel better when I think of what I have and not what is missing in my life.  So on that note, I have instituted Thankful Thursdays.  I’m not promising every Thursday to be thankful for something {hehe}  But this will be a pretty regular thing.  Hopefully as you are reading through your blogs, you will see this post and remember some of your blessings.  Hopefully it will lift your day a little.  And hopefully it will not ruin your diet as it is 100% calorie free. Winking smile

So of course for my first ever Thankful Thursday I have to blog about my family.

family

I have been blessed with the most amazing hubby ever!!  Words cannot explain how awesome he is.  For example, shortly after our youngest was born he comes to me and says, “Do you think we can move the bassinet to my side of the bed so I can get up with her in the night?”  Seriously.  He said that to me on his own!!  And he had the full time job.  I was the stay at home mom.  That example expresses how truly loving and generous he is.  I have never once heard You want to do what?  Or rolling eyes at one of my cockamamie ideas.  And come on, he gets up with the kids every Saturday morning and lets me sleep and they clean house before I wake up.  Seriously he cleans house!!  Says it all.  But the absolutely best thing about my hubby is that he is committed to our family and committed to having a great relationship with me!!  We both are in it for the long haul no matter what and that makes us work hard to make sure we still love and like each other.  I couldn’t do it if I didn’t have someone who was willing to keep working and loving every day!!  I have had a lot of people tell me I am lucky or ask where to get a man like mine.  And I have to say why thank you.  I am truly lucky and I know it!!  And hopefully I show him that I know it.

I know it was kind of a given that I would blog about my family on my first ever Thankful Thursday.  But seriously I would be worried if I didn’t.  Wouldn’t you??  What are you thankful for this week?

 

I’m linking to these awesome blogs!!

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