Quickie!

Just popping in quick to let you all know about FIVE fun giveaways on a great blog I follow (BTW, one of the products being given away is mine!)

Check them all out HERE!

The Zoo!

 

(Important Note:  The creepy 'stache my husband has is only a weekend thing for his softball tournament!)

Love that skyline!

We missed Sparky the seal, but got to watch some other fun creatures!

Lovin' some Root Beer float!

Some of the sweetest pictures ever!

It's way past nap time, but a ride on the carousel is a must!

Sleeping hard after a great day at the zoo!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

DIY Wednesday--Tea Cup Pin Cushion

 

 Another great DIY discovery (Thank you Pinterest)!  With a quick trip to the thrift store, this one only cost me $1.80 and took about five minutes!

What you need:

Tea cup

12 X12 square of fabric

Scissors (to cut excess fabric)

Glue gun

Fiber stuffing

Rubber band or hair binder

For now this will be hangin' out catching all the pins in my sewing area, but if i ever WHEN I get a school counseling job, this'll go on my big girl desk and hold my thumb tacks!

Tea cups are so fun!

Tuesday Tunes- Priscilla Ahn

Ok, I'm really diggin this chick.

SALE SALE SALE!

Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease.

 Well, baby boy has a case of the 'Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease'.  He's had it for about 3 or 4 days now, except dum dum mommy thought it was just fever rash at first.  Then the bumps got worse and blistery and I knew it was definitely not just a fever rash, so we went to urgent care yesterday and they diagnosed him with HFMD.  Unfortunately there is not much to do for him besides wait it out.  I THINK we may have gotten the worst over with, but I can't speak too soon.  Last night he seemed so uncomfortable trying to get to sleep---just cried and cried--I felt utterly helpless.  His spots seem to look a lot worse than they are--they don't seem to bother him and luckily he just has one or two tiny sores in his mouth so he is still eating ok.  It sounds so scary to say my baby has a 'disease'!  This disease should only last about five more days though if we are lucky---and lucky enough not to get it ourselves!  Here are a few pictures of what this whole HFMD looks like on him.

 My boy always almost always has a smile on his face though! My little trooper!

Please send up some prayers for Everett!

To keep or not to keep

So yesterday I was searching the medicine closet for our thermometer (baby boy is a little under the weather) and while searching, I run into these guys:

I almost forgot about them. 

So I almost threw 'em out because it's kind of gross that they are like tiny time capsules filled with my pregnant pee, but at the same time I think I haven't parted with them because they remind me what an exciting moment it was so see a plus sign (and then a couple weeks later another--just to "make sure")

Is that weird?  Am I the only one that has kept them?

Thoughts?

A change'll do you good.

I know, I know....I JUST changed the layout of my blog not more than a couple weeks ago but, I just wasn't fully satisfied.  I like the simplicity of the white background and it gives me more freedom to do fun things with my banner and pictures such.

I promise--no more drastic changes......at least not in the near future :)

Life is an art project my friends---I'm just tryin to get an A.

DIY Wednesday--Laundry Soap

Can this still count as a DIY if I didn't DIY myself---seems to happen a lot--sheesh.  Well, in my defense, it's been a pretty crazy week!

I wanted to post about this one though because I am very excited about trying it myself to save some money on detergent and as soon as I am done with my current jug of laundry soap, I am going to give it a whirl!  I was at Target getting the supplies for this but then the guilt monster struck me with an arrow and reminded me about how we are so tight on money right now, so I could not justify spending it on my DIY project this week.  It would have been about $8-$10 though.

So HERE is a great link to how to make it and even the breakdown of cost and how beneficial it is in the long run!---Don't worry visual learners, it's got pictures too!

Please go try it and let me know how it works for you and your family! I can't wait to try it!

Tutorial here: Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent

Tuesday Tunes

I had to blast this one in the car yesterday.  'Cause sometimes you just need to hear that it will all be alright.

Crank it and enjoy the retro video!

This face

I LOVE that I get to wake up to this face every morning!

Even if he has an insanely full diaper (which he did!) and a hungry belly--its still the same--excited shrieks and bouncing with some crazy flapping hands.

Seriously, you know that feeling when you have a crush and you are all giddy and gooey and melty inside and you don't think you can wait to see that person again?

Its like that X 10.

Color me giddy, gooey and melty.

I Love this kid!

God's voicemails.

God sends us messages.  Voicemails if you will.  As if to say, "Hey, I'm sorry I couldn't reach you today, but when you get this message, I'll be here to chat."

I've been neglecting to respond to God's voicemails lately, but I feel like all of His messages to me just came through and now, it's time to chat.

God's message to me is coming through death of all things.

Let me explain.

I have been bombarded lately it seems by numerous accounts of sudden deaths of distant relatives, tragic stories of disease taking over bodies, critical accidents and suicides. 

Death is not natural.  Yes, we are born into life and when our bodies fail us their is a natural cycle of exiting the earth now,  but it was not supposed to be that way.  Because of our sin and the fall of Adam and Eve, we are sentenced to feel the unnatural and overpowering despair that slips into our lives when witnessing and being surrounded by death.  Death is all around us and it's not natural.

Paul shares with us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:8 :

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

There it is my friends.  We are not home. We are not HOME.  It's so hard to ponder the idea of going through something so tragic to achieve something so wonderful and perfect--Home.

When someone I know is in the Lord ("In the Lord"-- what a silly phrase--wanna know what it means? Ask me!) and passes away while we are left here on earth in sadness and loss, I always wonder and try to picture what they are doing at Heaven's gate.  Are they shy and timid in the midst of God's presence?  Are they jumping for joy? Perhaps dancing a happy jig?  Maybe an immediate embrace with the Son of God to introduce them to their new Home.

Frankly, it gives me goosebumps, puts a lump in my throat and makes me giddy---because being on earth and dying is not natural.  Heaven is natural.  Being home with Jesus, kicking back and eating some awesome food is natural.  Dare I say I am excited to die?  Of course I am human and struggle with thoughts of leaving loved ones and my child behind and have internal selfish fits trying to hold on to those close to me who are clearly headed home.  But when God leaves you a voicemail, you gotta listen.

God's message to me is clear and now after so many voicemails it seems like a shout, and he sayin, "You aren't Home yet, so don't act like it! What are you doing on earth that is helping your preparation for Home?"  What am I doing?  Am I doing anything?  Am I doing enough?  What does He want me to do?

I got God's digits---I can hit him up anytime and chat.  And I do.  It's just those darn messages I miss sometimes---I'm a imperfect model.  God's got a perfect one waiting for me at Home though.  Awesome? Um, yes!

God has been using death and things related to reveal that life here on earth is not natural, nor guaranteed.  Not tomorrow, not tonight, not in two minutes. Not to act like I am home.  Rejoice in life and know that it is temporary and live it loving one another and sharing the good news. Nothing else matters.  NOTHING.  I know where I am going if death finds me, but how am I using that gift?  Am I keeping it to myself or am I sharing?  God has given me instructions and multiple voicemails--who am I to neglect them.

God is good news my friends!  He reaches us sometimes through the craziest ways and if he wants you to get the message, he WILL get your attention.  Sometimes death is God's way of redirecting me how to live while I am visiting earth.

If you are new to faith, wonder about some of the cheesy/weird jargon I used,  kickin' the tires of the whole God thing or out right opposed to Jesus and the Bible, I'd love to talk to you and share with you some pretty powerful stories of how God has revealed himself to me if you're interested---no bull and no pressure, but anytime you have questions or even want to vent, drop me an email. (P.S. Not and expert or anything--just love Jesus and He's taught me a thing or two.)


Do you have any voicemails?

Cool.

Ok, today I feel cool.  You see, this wonderful blogger/artist Victoria of Garden of Eden Designs just featured an interview with me on her amazing (no really--UH- Mazing!) blog!  It was so fun to do!  Her blog, art and personality are fantastic and I feel so honored to be featured!  Please go and check out the interview and pictures right here right now! :)

This means my coolness factor goes up a few notches right?

Happy Hump Day.

DIY Wednesday--rice filled eye pillow aka: hot/cold pack

These little things are a necessity and are a cinch to make!  I often even use mine as a cold pack because its flexible and isn't so cold against my skin. 

Here's what you need:

Fabric
Ribbon
Sewing machine
Rice
Scent (dry) of your choice (ex. mint, peppermint, lavender, jasmine, etc)

**Please pardon my pictures, they were taken in my sewing area in the basement and are a bit dull (if you look closely though you can sneak a peek of my new revamped area!)**

 You can make these really as large as you desire, it is the same process, just more fabric and sewing if you go bigger.  For this I cut two identical pieces of fabric (about 5 X 9) and one chunk of ribbon about 6 inches long.  I plan for about an inch extra on each side of my fabric.  Also, the ribbon, if you are wondering is something I found useful when the pack is hot--I sew it in and use it as a little loop handle so I am not playing hot potato with my eye pillow. (btw--eye pillow and hot pack are the same in my mind)

Any kind of rice will do--the cheaper the better!

 For this project, I was fresh out of lavender, so I opted for mint.

 Begin by placing the two pieces of fabric 'right sides' together.  If you desire you can draw light lines of where you would like to sew.  I did this so you could hopefully get a better idea.  Begin to sew down one of the long edges first.  ( you will be leaving one of the short edges open to put the rice and scents into).

 When you get to your first short edge, lift up one of the pieces and place you ribbon in as shown--so the folded edge is facing inside the fabric and the edges are flush with the edges of your fabric.  once you have placed it in the middle, place the fabric back on top and sew your line (I usually sew over the ribbon part back and forth about 3 times).

 Only a few steps left!  I am finished sewing my 'U' shape--leaving the top open. 

 Now, cut the excess fabric from the sewn sides down to about 1/8 inch.

 For a little added security, I like to do a zig zag stitch along the side.

 Turn it right side out now and make sure you poke out the corners and sides as much as you can.  And because I am OCD I like to iron it at this point.  Who doesn't like crisp pressed fabric! (ugly ironing board, right?)

 Alternate filling the pack with rice and then mint (or whatever you choose) until it is mostly full.  I ended up using about 2 cups of rice and 4 tablespoons of mint.

 Once it is filled (leave about 3 inches unfilled), turn in the edges of your open side like so.  Turn them in at least 1/2 inch.

 Sew that sucker down 2 or 3 times!

 Done! And it only took about 15 minutes!

                                                              Silly boys!

Put it in the freezer to your desired temp for a cooling effect or put it in the microwave about 1-2 minutes (if small) for a hot pack!

These make great gifts too!

Tuesday Tunes-Amos Lee

Today's Tuesday tunes are brought to you by my all time fave Amos Lee!  I absolutely adore him and his music.  Today seemed like the perfect day for some Amos. So, please just turn it up, sit back and enjoy his latest single.

That's not enough for you now is it? Me either.  Here's another :)

YUM!

 

I cooked dinner tonight.

I don't cook often (even with the cool menu I made), but when I do, I almost treat it like an art project that I want to master and mold into something perfect!  This sandwich was sooooo perfect, I just had to show it off!

Whats in it?  Well it is bad enough to give you a heart attack just by looking at it, but at least you'll have a smile on your face from a yummy sammy!

It has:

Ciabatta bread with some butter spread on

Leftover chicken breast I shredded and then warmed up in the skillet with some olive oil

BBQ sauce (Famous Daves) I added to the warming chicken

Leftover bloomin onion from a concert/fair we went to last night :)

Ranch dressing

A 'special' homemade sauce slathered on the buns (sour cream, dijon mustard, honey mustard, chilli powder and pepper)

Seriously bad for you. But it's ok to have heart attack worthy food every now and then.

Curtis and I have made up an imaginary menu for a future bar/restaurant we'll have (dreaming!)--and this has just been added!

Hmm, now what to name it?

Green thumbin' it!

 

That's right, I officially have a green thumb.  I forgot to share about my recent endeavors in container gardening. Ok, well I guess I purposely neglected because I was afraid I wouldn't produce anything, but now that my little cucumbers are blossoming, I can show 'em off like a proud gardener!

I let one wear my wedding ring for a sec so you can see how teeny weeny they are!

I love my little cukes!  I am excited to see how yummy they taste!

How are all of your gardens/plants doing this year?

DIY Wednesday--Shelby's Re-purposed T-shirt Shag Pillow

Today's DIY  is brought to you by my friend and fellow crafty mama Shelby from Jelly Beans and Polka Dots! I have known her since college and have always found her style and crafty skills to be so inspiring! Seriously, she's amazing!

Recently she made a super cute shag pillow---out of a T-shirt!  Now, c'mon people--if you are like me you have about 10 too many hanging around anyways.  This is a great way to re-purpose them! (she also has another tutorial for T-shirt bibs on her blog!) Yay for Recycling! :)

Here is a little glimpse---a teaser perhaps---of the super cool end result.

Is that not awesome?

I think I am going to steal some of Curt's T's and do it. I know, I already confessed I have about ten too many ,but I haven't found a good way to break up with them yet. Don't judge.

So please go check out the full tutorial on the t-shirt shag pillow HERE and show some love to my dear friend!

Have fun!

New Look!

It's still me...just a new look here on the bliggity blog.

I have been so inspired lately by all of the fun blogs I read and run into---soooo much cooler than mine!  I have impressed myself a bit with my new skills in making banners, buttons and html coded tabs, but still, I got a long ways to go!

So I hope you enjoy this new look.  Knowing me I'll switch it up again in no time, but for now I think it is quite lovely!  If you and your bloggy self have any tips or hints on how to make it cooler (like how to make my tabs into cool buttons!), by all means share!  And if you know about all this html business, for goodness sake, help!!

You may also notice that I have removed my music player.  It was a little hard on my little computer to load it up and made things quite slow.  So, from now on I will go back to "Tuesday Tunes" to bring you all the latest and greatest (in my mind) that I encounter and love.

So many changes around here.....just wait until you see my new revamped craft area in my basement---so exciting!  Still waiting on one more thing to make it perfect, but I promise I will post before and after pics when it is finished!

Ok, this mama's gotta go to bed!  Stay tuned for DIY Wednesday!

Happy 235th Birthday America.

What a weekend.

The smell of bug spray lingering on my skin, the sunburn from sitting in an open stadium and the corn I am still finding between my teeth remind me how good it was.

The hunny and I went to a Twins game.---Since you asked....Twins won! :)

Ready for the day in red white and blue!

Yes, I took a picture of my red, white and blue k'bob's. And yes they were tasty.

 

Uncle Curtis was a hit....and between the sunburn and the running around, is sure to be sore tomorrow!

Puppy's got a boo-boo.  Between this, getting an electrical shock and the booming fireworks, Pup had a rough day.

Young love.

Homemade ice cream with a lot of helpers!

Baby boy and his grampa

First fourth of July---first fireworks!

I am pleasantly surprised by Everett's reaction to the fireworks.  I anticipated tears, screams, shrieks and fits.   Baby boy just sat still, sipped his bottle and soaked it all in like it was nothing more thrilling than mommy's happy dance.  I heard screams, fits and shrieks, but not my kid.  Nope. I always assumed I be the mom of that baby--maybe because I was when I was little.  Or maybe because he freaks out and cries when I blow my nose or use my magic bullet.  But fireworks and my kid, pssh, no big deal. I like when he surprises me like that.  My kid rocks.

What a great weekend..
Now, please excuse me while I floss the remaining corn out of my teeth.

Happy 4th to you all!