HAPPY St. Patrick's Day!!

I love green day! After a LONG and cold winter, I love all the green in my house! It means spring is coming and I am SO ready!!

Obviously we made shirts...




(How cute is this necklace?!? I have one too!! LOVE them! They are my new addiction!)

We made some teacher gifts.


We HAD to start the day off with Lucky Charms and a Green Smoothie!

Here is the recipe, as per several requests...
spinach (2 cups? Enough to fill the blender)
8 ounces plain yogurt
1 cup pear, peeled and diced
1 banana, peeled and chunked
1/4 cup honey
1 cup ice cube, crushed
6 green kiwi fruits


*Combine the spinach, yogurt, pears, banana and honey in a blender. Pulse until smooth and blended.
*Add ice cubes one at a time and process until smooth.
*Slice kiwifruit into halves and spoon fruit into the blender with the rest of the smoothie. Pulse until just blended.

We had yummy green snacks all day... pears, kiwis, guacamole (with lime chips, of course), spinach pops (froze the left over smoothie) and what was left of the Lucky Charms.

For dinner we had artichokes (son's request/pleading), spinach ravioli with pesto and sour melon slushies. I promise it tasted better then it looks.


I can just tell you how much I love watching my 4 year old dive into those artichokes!! She does great! I LOVE that my kids will try new foods ~ and 8 times out of 10, they LIKE it!!

For dessert... mint brownie pie ~ YUM!!!!



At our house we have made an arrangement with Mr. Leprechaun. He comes to visit, but doesn't play tricks. He leaves treats. Green ones. Today he "hid" the stash until Dad came home and we could go through it all together. What a nice Leprechaun!!



"I'm am so lucky to have what I've got
And if you reflect we've all got a lot.
So let's honor St. Paddy the whole day through
May luck find your path and no one pinch you!"

Happy GREEN Day!

Getting ready...

for Valentine's Day!!

I know it will surprised no one when I say we had a very "Valentiney" day last year.


Cinnamon Rolls with HOT PINK frosting, RED strawberries and a PINK shake for breakfast.

Pasta, grilled chicken and RED sauce for lunch.

RED Pepperoni pizza (a bit of a tradition for us, not sure where it started), a salad with extra RED tomatoes, PURPLE onions & RED peppers and RED juice for dinner.

Dessert was Oreo cookie pie with RED, PINK and PURPLE sprinkles.

I will remind you that we are focusing on the VALENTINEY colors... NOT the carb-over load my family received.

I am planning this years meals now. Well, aside from pizza for dinner... again, it's tradition!

I am searching for "manly" pictures to put on my boys shirts. Yes, I am making them shirts. I think it will be the last year they will let me. Boo. Last year I bought them some.


I know, I am the cheesest mom EVER. I am OK with that.

I ♥ love!

I have had SO much fun playing this year.
I still have a HUGE to do list, but I am slowly ticking items off.

I don't have to say how much I adore The Wood Connection.
(I do. SO MUCH!) Most of my projects (OK, all) came from them.

So... wanna see??


I love black and red for V-Day. Plain, simple, black and red.


"I ♥ U"


Love this Cherry Red Glittery Heart!


AH! Puppy love. Who doesn't remember writing A+H or A♥H all over their notebooks? When did that stop? I had to bring it back and I am glad I did. Love it!


LOVE how these 3 hearts turned out!! I found them at the DI for $1!! (I wasn't sad to paint over the blue and mauve. Not at all.)


I could never leave out the dangles...


I failed in getting pictures of my ornaments. My camera broke. Boo! Think of the dangles, but on a shelf :).

I have slacked at posting the last few months. Need an excuse? I started an Etsy shop (which I have to admit I don't love. I like playing, but add in the pressure of pleasing someone else, mixed with a time frame and the fun is gone for me.), have 3 kiddos, a sick father in law and no one really reads this. But I like a place to organize my crafts... vent a time or two... plus I follow/stalk A LOT of blogs. It is part of my daily routine. I am just fine with this arrangement.

August Crafts

I have to confess, I picked up this unfinished watermelon trio for a friend who mentioned she was looking for some. I thought they were cute, but I didn't love them. She decided she didn't "need" them (who really "needs" watermelons?). So I kept them and played.


And now... I ADORE THEM! I know... How could I not??

This picture doesn't do them justice. The watermelons are BRIGHT red, not pink at all and the seeds are all glittery. I can't help but smile when I see them. Yes, I am just that cheesy.

(I should also add, my friend changed her mind after seeing them. She SO needed some!)


I am really liking my dangles


and ornaments for this month too...


Happy August!!

4th of July!

I think this month might be my favorite! The sun is shining and I LOVE everything about the 4th of July!!

Plus my home is now patriotic and filled with colors that are so bold and bright and happy! Just what I needed!!

Here are a few of my latest creations...




I have also been able to fit in a few other projects too.

Like this (of course it is from The Wood Connection)



and this (I got the idea from How Does She.)


I also want to make this. So cute!!

Now I just need to come up with a wreath idea I totally love...

June Crafts

I am having so much fun with these.

May Crafts

I am still thrilled with the dangles! I loved how May's turned out.



The Wood Connection also came out with "Shadow Box Ornaments" that match the Dangles set every month. I haven't done the shadow box but love, LOVE, love the ornaments too!

Earth Day

What, you don't celebrate??

You should.

(Yes, I jump on any excuse! I have limited time before my children forbid it.)

OK, this one I normally don't, aside from reading The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, when I remember.

The ideas came after cleaning out the pantry. See if I do that again...

I was a bit overwhelmed at the number of plastic bags I had. Lots and lots just doesn't cover it. I have issues throwing them out I guess. We do use them as garbage can liners and Sophie (the dog) bags.

But I think I bring in WAY more then I take out... I have "invested" in the reusable bags that are all the rage. I forget them in the house or even in the car. Oops. I think I have used them twice...

I decided we needed to do something for Earth Day, since it is so highly publicized this year.

First, I decided to make a wreath. An all recyclable wreath. Husband asked if I was serious. I was.


My oldest LOVED it (He is my "save the Earth little man")! I think it took a LOT of time and it is NOT cute, but it makes me grin.

I used WAY too many Walmart bags, and yet still have more. After today I am taking them all, wreath included, to the recycle bin.

Then I made the kids more shirts.

Really, I did.

(If I add that I LOVE them, would it make it seem less weird? Cause I do... SO MUCH)





Husband's response to the shirts? "Did you recycle, reuse, or renew anything in the making of them???"

Nope.

I bought new shirts, used toxic paint and I'm gonna do it again...

For dinner we are going veggie... and dirt pudding for dessert.


I just realized they will be in NON-earth friendly plastic cups.

Shoot.

Let's say this "save the planet" thing is a work in progress for me...

This morning the plan was to take the kids on a walk after school and pick up rubbish in the neighborhood. It is snowing. Hard. We are changing plans. Maybe pulling out the colored paper... sorry trees.

We are also taking the kids to see Oceans ~ the boys are SO excited!

Happy Earth Day!

Easter

So, Easter is over.

I didn't accomplish all I had planned. Shocking.

I did however make the kids cute Easter shirts.


That should totally count for something... right??


I also fell in love with, and made, these cute dangles from The Wood Connection.



Yes, I am doing one for every month. I am so excited!!

Easter Ideas

Tomorrow we take down the green and put up the spring!!

I am so excited to get started on my Easter crafts. I do wish we had a little longer to prepare and enjoy.

I loved these cute carrots I found at Sassy Style.


and I liked this nest idea I saw at May's Homemade.



Plus I have a few ideas of my own... now to get them done before Easter is over!

St. Patrick's Day

IT'S GREEN DAY!!

The kids woke up to their green gifts a-waiting.


Of course I HAD to get new green shirts, but this year I made the ones for the boys. I think they turned out pretty cool!! (I got the idea HERE. Who knew bleach could be so fun?!)



I knew Miss Diva would refuse to wear one, so I found a green one with pink on it for her.


They also got hooked up with LOTS of green treats and toys.

For breakfast we had Lucky Charms and green fruit salad (Green grapes, apples and kiwis).

The boys came home to spinach smoothie pops - I mean green popsicles (don't tell my kids the other name) for an after school snack. So yummy!



We had green tortellini with pesto, parsley garlic bread, spinach salad (with green peppers, green onions, sugar peas, avocado, cucumbers with green Ranch dressing and green juice for dinner. I did shake things up with dessert... Pistachio Almond ice cream, usually we have Lime sherbet.

I know, I am a wild one!

We had a very fun green day!

Starting Over

So, how do you re-start a blog? I started this blog for the first time in 2008. This past year has been a difficult one, many changes and realizations. I stopped blogging for over a year. During this time I have realized that I am a better mom with a project... something that is just for me. When I first started this blog I wrote an introduction. Since this is a starting over, I felt I could re-post...

I have a family blog, dedicated to the kids, but this is for me. Problem is; I don’t know how to do just me...

I am a SAHM (can't believe I gave in and used that) of 3 wonderful, perfect, precious and VERY buggy kids. I have 2 boys (10 and 8) and a girl (3). I adore my children! I live for my children. I have lost myself in my children. Am I sad? No! I won't change a thing, but I do feel like "I" need to change. I sometimes feel like I am "just a Mom" and I hate that feeling! (Yes, I used "I" 14 times!)

Here is the thing; I can’t write, I am not sure how much I dare share and I know NOTHING about computers. So what am I doing? Writing for myself. I am trying to focus on me, and only me, minus the parts about the kids! Through this process I hope to improve my writing, see the treasures in daily chaos and find out what I want to do with my life. This is for me. My journal. My way of making changes to truly grow, improve and learn each and every day!

So if you stumble upon this blog, I would love to have you along for the ride. I could use all the help I can get!

So here we go… I am a wife, a mom of 3 and a blogger!! This is me!
(For those of you counting, "I' was used 33 times!!)

I love Flickr.com - Thanks hownowdesign

My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult


I have start out by venting a wee bit… I was unaware of how this book ended until I had just a few more chapters left. I started reading reviews from Goodreads... never again! I read a review that TOTALLY gave it away. Aahhh! A bit of advice when it contains a spoiler, say so! Especially right at the beginning of your review! I couldn’t miss it!!! Buggy, buggy Amy...

This said, the review below contains NO spoilers!!

I absolutely loved and hated this book at the same time! I got so wrapped up in the story that I HAD to keep reading just so I would have some resolution. Even though I knew the idea of the book before I read it, I wasn't prepared for what an emotional and intellectual battle it would be. At one point I was sitting on the couch holding my 2 year old (who was trying to watch cartoons) and sobbing... what would I do in the same position?? Jodi Picoult took such a controversial issue and wrote in a way that I had to think about it. The conflict alone is what makes this book fascinating.

I also liked how the story was told from the characters' points of view. Knowing what everyone was thinking and where they were coming from added even more drama and definitely pulled at the heartstrings.

I really liked Sara’s thoughts when she said; “I realize then that we never have children, we receive them. And sometimes it’s not quite as long as we would have expected or hoped. But it is still far better than never having had those children at all.” I took many lessons from this book; NEVER JUDGE! Who knows what I would do in the same situation. Cherish each and every day. I am so grateful for the health of my family. Most importantly, it brought a greater awareness of the blessing that come from my faith. I can’t imagine going through a trail such as this, not knowing there was a greater purpose, a plan and a loving Father in Heaven to turn to. This book gave me another reminder that I am truly blessed.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens


The time is at hand to admit… I had never read this book until now. This was my first! I have seen many cartoons, movies and plays retelling this classic story, and though it was hard to read without picturing Scrooge McDuck, Jimmy Cricket and all the rest of the Disney gang (Truth be told, the characters did fit! How scary is that!!), the book is always better.

Once I put the cartoon aside I loved reading Dickens’s words. His descriptions are vivid and fun and there is really nothing like the way he can tell a story. All through out my reading I kept thinking of the Christmas song: "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." One specific line…

There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories
of Christmases long, long ago

Is this linked to Dickens? Who really tells ghost stories if not. Regardless, I liked the connection. “A Christmas Carol” is a classic and a tradition for a reason.

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

A few years ago a good friend gave me the cutest Blessing Mix just before Thanksgiving. Each year since, we have been giving these blessings to our family and friends. We do it as a FHE and let the kids fill the cellophane bags as we talk about each item…


Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.

We type up the description above on a cute tag, closing with…

At this time of year as we count our blessings,
we would like you to know that WE COUNT YOU!
Thank you for blessing our lives.

I found a great website here that has a tag ready to be printed. So cute!

Pecan Crusted Pumpkin Pie

I know, YUM! My Mother in-law found the recipe 7 years ago and this has become our traditional and only pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, Christmas and any other excuse we can come up with. For some reason both sides of the family consider it mine and I get to make them every year/time. It is an easy recipe and makes your house smell SO good, how can I complain?? This recipe makes 2 of the best pumpkin pies you will ever eat. After one bit you will not be able to go back to the original, boring, every day pumpkin pie. I do have a confession - the picture isn't mine. The pie never lasts long enough to take a picture...

1 (30 oz.) can Pumpkin Pie Mix
1 (5 oz.) can Evaporated Milk
3 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 pkg Yellow Cake Mix
1 C Butter, melted & cooled slightly
1 1/2 C chopped Pecans
Carmel Sauce
Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 (9") pie pans with waxed paper. Mix together the pumpkin, milk and sugar. Beat in eggs, salt and cinnamon. Pour into pans. Sprinkle dry cake mix over the top. Distribute chopped pecans over cake mix and drizzle melted butter over all. Bake 1 hour. Chill for 2 hours on wire rack. Carefully run a knife around the edge of pan to loosen. Invert, remove wax paper. Chill. Cut pie into slices. Top with whipped topping and drizzle with Carmel sauce. Stop drooling and eat!!



Flickr thanks - Racingmix

The Other Boleyn Girl

by Philippa Gregory


I enjoy historical fiction. I like fact mixed in with story. In this case there was a lot of story. I realized I didn’t know much about this period in history, so it encouraged me to do my research. That is always a good thing.

I do have mixed emotions about this book. I felt dirty reading it. It was a lot of “soap opera” that was a bit overwhelming at times. It does contain sexual content, which shouldn’t have, but did throw me off.

I felt like the author did a good job building anticipation, but once we came to the “big finale” it just ended… without much emotion or fanfare.

Overall, I thought it was well written and well researched, I just can’t promise I will read the next book in this series any time soon.

TGI Tuesday (almost)

OK, so the cartoon made me laugh! In truth, I am on the Conservative side, but I don't consider myself a Republican. I don't know what I am - Independent I guess. I like to pick and choose from all political parties.

I do struggle to separate my moral and religious beliefs from issues facing the world today. I vote based on those beliefs. This election, let's use Prop 8 for example, I keep hearing how it shouldn't be based on moral or religious views, that is being racist. What? That makes no sense to me. I fully believe in marriage being between one man and one woman, how can I then vote against it?

There are so many issues being dealt with this year. It is scary and a bit overwhelming... I AM sick of the elections and can not wait for Tuesday to come!