Link A Day

How was your weekend?  Mine was pretty lovely.  Just really relaxed.  Awesome!  It rained here for a bit  at the beginning of the weekend which was fantastic!  It cooled us off and the rest of the weekend was perfect weather.  We had burgers, visited graves and had the flag up- all the traditional memorial day stuff.  I love visiting the graves with my family.  My parents always have great stories- plus without them I wouldn't be able to find 3/4 of the grave sites.  And now onto this week!  I am only 27 for a few more days and I plan on enjoying them.  Yay birthday week!  And now a few links!    


What are your plans for this Memorial weekend?  I plan on spending the whole weekend outside.  At least as much as I can.  These little orange tea lights would light up the night so nicely!  And I bet they smell so good when they are lit!

I need to read this article with 4 ways to break the sugar habit every freaking day.  Before bed and the moment I wake up.  I have got a real issue with sugar.

I am in love with this video.  I want to be a dancer but since I am not I lust after dancing videos on Youtube.  This Anthony Lee guy is pretty much genius. 

So I know that Oprah has talked about this mighty list but it really is rad!  I am on the cusp of doing my 28 before 29 list and I love the inspiration.  Now the real question is do I scramble to get some stuff done on my 27 before 28 list or just enjoy the last few days of 27ish glory?

This is such a pretty little way to add some class to a messy bun!  I am partial to messy buns.

This post over at MerMag is pretty boss!  She made a list of things to keep in mind when creating with your kids.  It is something that I need to keep in mind when we are working on projects with the kids.  It can get pretty out of hand real fast.  So go check it out and then bask in the awesome that is her blog!

Speaking of needing to curb my sugar intake....  Does this not look heavenly?  Strawberry shortcake bars?! 

Fill In The Blank

1.  The best surprise ever would be,   a whole heap of money gifted into my bank account.  I know that money isn't everything but having the ability to completely pay off some medical bills would bring a lot of peace to me.  That is why I think that money can buy you happiness!  Or at least a moments peace of mind    .

2.      This is a hard one!  Either of the kids being put in my arms or marrying Nick   is my most favorite memory .

3.  The hardest, but most worthwhile thing I've ever done was     having kids for sure!  It is hard getting them here and hard to take care of them at times but it is the best thing I have ever done  .

4.  The best part of my day is   the time between when the light goes off and Nick and I fall asleep.  We laugh and talk about our dreams or our day.  We are able to just enjoy each other- in many ways ;)  heehee!  .

5. Something I like that most people don't is       your mom o'clock.  I don't have a good answer to this one.   .

6. Something I am willing to fight for is     my faith and my family.  Or the last maple buttercream donut at Harmons.  That is for realz!  .

7.  Something you might not know about me is   I wear mens deodorant.  I like the way it smells on my skin.  Don't knock it until you try it .

linking and image taken from here

Finally finished art piece!

I have had this project on my to-do list for about a year.  Yeah a year.  I have had the procrastinator confession before right?  I bought the print on 20 x 200.  I wanted to take the masculinity of the skulls and pair it with something a but more feminine.  Hence the floral fabric covered photo matte!  I also painted the frame with a quick coat of gold paint.  

I took this:

and this:

and made this:

I need to get a better picture of it but you get the idea.  I really love how it turned out.  And it only took a year and about 30 minutes to get it done!

Sunday Songs

Love this song!

Link A Day

Do you sometimes have moments were you sit back and think back over the last year and think something has got to give!!  I have had a few moments like that over the last week.  It has been a rough year already.  I gave myself sometime to feel bad, sad and then mad but it is time to take my year back!  2012 is going to be my year whether it likes it or not!  SO now to focus on some great links that will make me happy!

There was a little girl in our neighborhood that would strip for the ice cream man.  Literally.  It used to send him over the edge- he would be yelling at her to stop and she wouldn't.  Eventually he would speed by where he knew she would be.  Poor guy.  His truck wasn't nearly as cool as these!

This print from Urban Outfitters makes me think of Nick. When I think of Nick I smile!

Kind of weird and completely awesome Chocolate Salami from Take A Mega Bite.  Have you guys seen this blog?  You should because it is pretty great.

My family is chock full of heart patients.  Yeah not something to brag about.  But this little tiny glass heart in a jar is so so rad!  Our hearts are delicate and amazing just like the little glass one.  Too cheesy?  I am not apologizing for the dorkiness that is me :).

I can not help but smile when I read this article about men skateboarding through a mid life crisis.  Nick used to skate everyday as a younger guy and now wants to start back up.  He is only 29- that is too early for a mid life crisis right?

I really loved this article about staying married.  I like all 15 pieces of advice that the writer gives.

I love this DIY painted t-shirt.  The possibiltiies are endless!

   

Fill In The Blank

1.  Something that is very near and dear to my heart is,   family.  I wish I had figured it out long before I did.  In the long run family is all you have.  I don't mean just blood relatives.  I have some friends that I don't consider friends- they are my family    .

2.     Good donuts are/    is good cause to celebrate .

3.  The most fun I ever had was     going to Hawaii with Nick.  We were so poor that we couldn't do anything but he makes everything more fun.  I about died when I saw the ocean.  It was my first ocean experience  .

4.  True friends are    super rad!  and hard to come by .

5. Something that makes me terribly happy is       when my kids tell each other that they love the other.  It does my heart good .

6. A good way to spend a sunny day is     in the garden and a trip to the park.  .

7.  My favorite celebratory food is   pretty much anything sweet  .

linking and image here

I am no professional!

via

That quote up there is from John Lennon.  Nick found a different version of it on the internet and text it to me one day with the message that he knew I would love it- he was right.  I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  I know that I am behind the times in figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life.  But that is exactly what I am trying to do.  Some aspects of my life are so perfect for me that I am content.  Not that any aspect is completely perfect but some are perfectly right for me.  Like I am pretty set on the family front.  We have our occasional disagreement but Nick is more than I could ask for in a husband.  And as for the kids?  They pretty much rock my world everyday.  I have been blessed with a fantastic little family.  I have some personal struggles to get over but that is for another post entirely.  

I am talking professional life here.  I know that I need to look into something that will make us more financially stable.  Which at this point almost anything would make us more financially stable.  Sad but true.  I feel listless and unguided.  I currently work in a retail store- ugh.  I hate it!  The more I think about it the more I think that I need to work for myself.  No one else bossing me around.  Telling me when to work.  No one telling me what they think that my time is worth.  I have an idea of what I want to do.  I want to make things.  I want to sew and paint and create.  However, it is really hard to take that first plunge!  I am feeling vulnerable and like I am not good enough.  What if no one likes my stuff?  What if I fail miserably?  

Well at least I would have tried!  I don't want regrets.  I have a freaking etsy shop empty and waiting for me to fill for pity's sake.  I understand that Etsy and craft fairs probably won't make me a millionaire.  That is not what I am looking for.  I am looking for some of my bills getting paid every month.  If all I was able to accomplish is having my t-mobile bill paid every month I would be content.  

I feel like there is no real point to this post except to vent.  I am sorry for that but it has helped me to really think about what I want.  Just like those writing exercises that you do in high school where you just write without thinking.   

What do you want to do when you grow up?  Are you already working at your dream job?     

Sunday Songs on Monday

Link A Day

Sorry for the late link post.  It was an excellent weekend around these parts and I couldn't bring myself to get on the computer.  We went hiking on Saturday.  It was our first mile of our 50 mile goal.  We took the kids along with us and they did beautifully!  Especially Lola.  She kicked all our butts up the hill.  Like she was yelling at us to hurry up.  Nicco went potty in nature for the first time.  He was not keen on the idea at first.  He wanted a real bathroom.  But Nick taught him how to be a mountain man and he decided he could handle it.  On the way back down we saw a desert king snake.  The kids thought it was awesome.  It really was a beautiful snake.  Also on the way down Nicco fell.  He had a tiny cut on his hand but with the way he was crying you would think that he had lost his arm!  After a band aid and a hug he decided to stop running down the mountain.  What an amazing experience!  I can't wait to go on another hike.  Linky time!

I want this Marilyn print from the HauteWhimsy etsy shop.  It is perfectly embellished and such an amazing picture of a beautiful woman. 

I love this DIY of a gold leaf bottle.  I have some colored bottles that need a bit of a sprucing up.

You have got to read this post from Sara at the Prairie Hen.  It is about getting up before your kids and having some quiet time to yourself.  I love this idea!

If you like fonts and typography then you have got to check out lost type co-op.  You can go over there and pay whatever price you think is fair for the fonts you want.  Awesome!  And it supports the artists- even more awesome!

If I wasn't so lazy I would totally make these home-made gold fish crackers.  HAHA!  I love the idea of knowing exactly what my kids are eating.

I love popsicles a lot.  They are one of my favorite things about summer.  Check out this awesome recipe for Berry Yogurt popsicles.

And my last link is for my fellow Star Wars geeks.  Star Wars characters in high fashion! 

Fill In The Blank

1.  On a scale from 1-10 the frequency with which I get sick is,   maybe a 2. I rarely get sick which is fantastic! I am nervous about the boy baby starting school in fall. I am scared that he is going to bring home some nasty bugs home    .

2.   The last time I felt sick was     I can't even remember!  I had a head cold in January or December I think    .

3.  The worst part about being sick is     everything!       because     being sick sucks! There is nothing good about not feeling well  .

4. When I am sick I like to be taken care of by     being left the eff alone!  I get ornery and mean and it is better for everyone if I am left alone .

5. Something I do to keep myself healthy is      I take organic vitamin/super food pills. They are awesome!  I can't stomach the powder super/green food.  It is so gross but the little pills are fabulous .

6. A secret remedy that I use when I'm sick is to     lots of fluid.  If it is a head cold I love using the netti pot.  I loves me some netti potting .

7.  One thing that always makes me feel better when I'm sick is    a shower and washing my sheets.  I have myself convinced that I can clean the sickness off of me and out of my sheets  .

linking and image taken from here

Lolas first haircut

So Lola decided to cut her hair. This is the first time I have had to deal with something like that. Nicco never cut his hair. I think that he loved the compliments about his long hair so much that he became very attached to his hair at a young age. He thought that having short hair made you a girl. That is probably my fault. Kept his hair long until he was old enough to have an opinion of his own ;). Not too mention that I told him I loved it every day.  Anywho... The other day I noticed that Lola had been too quiet for a minute too long. That is a common problem. When I called her name she came running up the stairs- with bangs. Yeah. So we told her not to cut her hair anymore and that scissors can be dangerous if used while not supervised. She told us that she wouldn't cut it again. To say we are a bit naive is a freaking understatement. Our first indication that we shouldn't trust our mischievous, conniving little 3 year old is that she wouldn't give up the location of the scissors. She was not about to show us to her secret stash of stuff.  She is keeping her mouth shut. That stash contains one of about all my pairs of shoes too. I should probably do some P.I. work and follow her...

SO continuing on.  The next day we got in the car and I noticed a little more of a "style" to her locks. Girl cut her hair again! Our conversation went a little like this:

Me: Lola did you cut your hair again?

Lola: Uh no

Me: Lola I can tell you cut your hair. Did you cut it?

Lola: Uh no

Me: I know you did. So did you cut it again?

Lola: Uh yeah

Me: You did a fabulous job but don't do it again!

And she actually totally rocked her haircut!! No whack job! I have heard some stories and seen some of the horrible things that kids do to themselves with scissors. Massacre. But my girl gave herself some bangs and some nice layers. It does need to be cleaned up a bit but really she kicked some serious booty. Both pictures are of her new 'do. I am a pretty proud momma! How do you get upset when all you feel is pride?

Hot hot dog relish

I love hot dogs.  I know that most people don't like them but I really really do!  As a matter of fact we probably eat them once a week.   So today I am sharing with you my favorite topping for hot dogs!  This is super secret stuff peeps!  

Hot hot dog relish

1-2 medium onion chopped

5 Roma tomates chopped

1/4c to 1/2c pickled jalapenos

Saute the onions until they become translucent.  Add chopped tomatoes and cook until warm and softened.  Last but not least add jalapenos and cook until hot.  Spoon over hot dogs and enjoy!

Difficult stuff right?  It is so simple and so good! We like it hot so we usually add at least 1/2 cup jalapenos.  Oh and I have also thrown in some garlic and that is a great addition.  All of the measurements are to taste.  But I do always use the 5 tomatoes.  It makes enough for probably a whole 8 pack of hotdogs.  It all depends on how messy you like your hotdogs.       

Sunday Songs

I love this band!

Link A Day

We are getting straight to it this week.  I have nothing to say ya'll!  Nuts.


I really love this Book of Notes!  It is lovely and thoughtful and I might need to make one to send to someone this month.  It is my goal to send 3 things snail mail after all!  And it would be so easy to customize.

While I am on a mail kick- I should make cute notecards like these.  It makes it easier to send cards when you have a bunch sitting and begging to be sent.

This idea for watercolor name painting is simple and rad!  My kiddos would love it.  And I love it because it kills two birds with one stone- teaches them to start recognizing their name and keeps them entertained.

I am a cheap skate- for real!  So I really want to make this dry shampoo and see how it works out.  Dry shampoo can get crazy expensive!

This post at Honest to Blog is perfect!  I am myself and I am a walking contradiction.

I am a frequent visitor to Prairie Hen.  It is awesome!  She is doing a restyle project where every month you restyle something different.  FUN!!  She is hosting it with Amy from Buggie and Bean.  May's item is a book.  Head over there to check out all the details.

I am not the best seamstress to say the least but I really want to make this summer frock for Lola from over at Freshly Picked.  With all the step by step pictures and instructions I think that I may be able to manage it.  It is really detailed!  I can only imagine how long that took to turn into a tutorial! 

Fill In The Blank

1.  My bedtime routine includes,   watching a couple episodes of whatever show we are currently obsessing over, then brush teeth, talk and giggle in bed with Nick until we fall asleep     .

2.   I am     nervous for Nicco's kindergarten registration today.  He is growing up really fast and it is freaking me out a bit.  I will be the crazy crying mother that is holding on to her child who is trying to escape on the first day of school    .

3.  I can't stand     miso soup       because     it seperates!  WTF people?!  That is not how I want my food to behave  .

4. My idea of relaxation would be     working in the garden on a warm and sunny day .

5. If I had an extra $50, I would      buy the crochet toms I want.  Or a skirt .

6. The best thing about a bloggy friend is    they don't give you a funny look when you tell them you have a blog!  They encourage and sympathize in the best ways  .

7.  A recipe I've been dying to try is   this one for Shrimp Pad Thai  .

linking and image taken from here

May Goals!

I have been having major guilt over not getting my monthly goals done.  Not good!  I have been so so upset with myself.  I started feeling like a total failure because I wasn't ticking things off my list.  I was acting like a crazy person.  In the long run that was making it even more difficult for me to focus and get things done.  That is until I realized that I am setting goals for myself to keep me on A track not the only track that will make me a success!  It gives me a soft guideline for the things I want to get done.  It isn't a make it or break it kind of situation.  It was suppose to be a fun little project.  They aren't suppose to be putting major pressure on me!  The only person I am disappointing is myself which sucks but in the grand scheme of things it isn't going to make or break me or my family.  Not too mention that I am really the only one who cares in the long run whether I get them done or not.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  Sometimes having fun (or bathing them regularly) with the kids is WAY more important than getting pretty much anything done.  What I am saying is that I need to taking a whopping chill pill!  So with that in mind-here are Mays goals:

*change my name to Hemingway.  I have only been married for 5 years so it might be time!

*make a pin-hole camera

*send three things snail mail

*continue working on our quilt and hopefully finish

*start kids quilts

*plant the vegetable garden

*buy a paint by number and start it

*make a dream catcher

*start Home Ec course

Oh and I got a couple of things done in April- posts to come!