Education in Decorating

Yesterday while studying my tax books browsing Blogland...
I came across this amazing post by Cindy at Cottage Instincts.
Did you see it? 

It was a fabulous post about finding your style... why you are drawn to certain things, etc.
She showed how she went through decorating books and made her fabulous notes...

Anyway- I was so inspired by her post that when I woke up this morning...
I ran right out piddled around for awhile and when it finally warmed up...

I headed out.
Off to the library I went.
In search of all the decorating books I could carry... (or find in our little library)

Isn't she pretty?

So, I found some decorating books...

and my warm blanket...

And because of this fabulous post by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors...

I got these too...

Oops... how did that little bottle get in there?

...probably to help me get through these wonderful easy to read,helpful books.

Seriously, if you missed her post about blogging... go read it!  I learned a LOT

...and made some new friends in the process!

Don't judge.

I haven't read it yet...

...and I LOVE 90210

And... apperantly, she dishes on some of the cast.

So, yes... blanket, book and glass of wine for me tonight!

Okay...

Go check out those two blogs I mentioned.

And...

...a New Year's Resolution...

I need to STOP putting salt on my French Fries from Wendy's....

Why do I do that?

They put those little salt packets in the bag.

...then I just can't help myself.

UGH!

~Amy

Sock it to me...

I'm an accessory girl.

...which means, I'm a sock junkie.

I love them, all of them...

okay, most of them.

and...

Because I said...

"This is ridiculous. Out of all the new socks I got last year, I only have one pair that is still mated. What happened?".

Santa Baby brought me 14 pairs of socks.

Love that Santa Baby!

I am going to see to it, that in a year from now, all 14 pairs are still together.

Oh sure, nothing wrong with wearing socks that don't match...

...if you are wearing tall boots.

But I'm the girl that would do that and then find myself in a situation in which tall boots would have to be removed.

There I would be...

...standing there with my red and purple argyle sock on the left foot and a pink and yellow polka dot sock on the right foot.

Exposed.

Yep, that is the kind of luck I have.

So I'm on a mission.

I know what you are all thinking to yourselves...

...we all have the same problem.

We all have that bag full of socks with no mates.

It's a part of life.

Forget it...

Those days are over.

I have photographed, cataloged, indexed... and put secret transmitters in every sock.

Okay, that's a lie.

The transmitter part, that is.

I couldn't figure out how to do that.

I was all set to post this...

and wouldn't you know...

...a sock has already gone missing.

It's true.

I wore my new pink fuzzy socks to bed last night.

...no, I don't normally wear socks to bed.

But is was 5 degrees below zero last night.

Do you know how cold that is?

It's cold enough to make you want to wear pink fuzzy socks to bed.

I woke up this morning...

...awww--- nice and warm toes....

...wait.

Why is my right foot freezing?

NO Sock.

Okay, fine.

It's just lost in the blankets...

...I searched, I ripped the bed apart.

I looked under the bed, under the pillows... IN the pillowcases.

Are you kidding me?

It's gone.

I have no other choice but to acknowledge that there is a Sock Snatching Fairy out there.

It's true.

All these years, we've been blaming the washer and dryer.

Unfairly.

So... a word to that Sock Snatching Fairy....

I'm on to you.

This is war.

My little Monkey lost his mittens...

Has everyone recovered from the Holidays?
I am ... happy??? to report that Monkey's Transformer count is at 6... I'll let you know the final tally at the end of the week, after all of his birthday extavaganzas.
In that quest for knowledge, I have taken it upon myself to learn all about the whole Transformer 'deal'... the good guys, the bad guys, etc. I won't bore you with it, but at least I can say that I've expanded my brain... (with useful information, when dealing with a little Monkey)

So... I'm the bad Mom.
Yep, it's true.
Have you seen the kids sitting on the bench during recess...not allowed to play because they don't have on all their snow gear?
Poor little Monkey had to sit on the bench one day because we forgot his mittens.
I know.
I felt terrible.
At least he had company... apperantly, I'm not the only bad Mom out there. (Thank goodness)
It's just that... well, in the rush of getting off to Preschool...sometimes things are forgotten.
And can I just say... what is with all the lost hats and mittens at school???
Where are they running off too?
I even had another Mom tell me that her son's coat went missing at school.
Um... how?
Anyway- I made a little ... thing... to help out.
I took a scrap of ribbon left over from Christmas.
Hot glued some clothes pins to it.
Tacked it up over his little shelf that holds his snowpants, coat and backpack.
This is temporary, but I think I'll make it a little more permanent for next year.
Paint the clothes pins, and put them on a piece of wood. Make it a little more... substantial.
But for now, this will get us through until the glorious days of Spring arrive.




There is supposed to be another pair of mittens hanging there... but they are... um... in transition. Yes, that is where they are.
Ahem... okay, fine. They are currently ... missing.


The little black shelf is a garage sale find. I painted it this fall (right before school started)
It is hung at his level... as he is responsible for hanging up his coat, backpack, and snow pants.
The little shelf normally holds his show and tell bag.




Can you believe that I had green and red tacks?
I know... how random.
(See... this is why I don't ever get rid of anything)
...which makes Hubby crazy, by the way.
Giggle.



I am linking up to Susan's Met Monday and Kimba at A Soft Place to Land

Hopefully, there will be no more "Monkey sitting on the bench".

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!
Monkey is snuggled in bed.
Sleeping?
Not yet.
Too excited for what tomorrow holds.
We've checked the Santa tracker...
...won't be long!

Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas.
~Amy



FZXDY3TCA67E

I love it...what is it?

We have officially entered, "Christmas Break".
Monkey had his last day of Preschool for the year... and when I picked him up, I was handed a package from his teacher.
I knew immediately what it was.
Yep, I was right.
Inside contained one of those little ... Christmas creations that we all made as children. It doesn't matter the project, we just know its one of those... things that our kids make that we will treasure forever.
This is our first Christmas creation.
It hit me.... no matter how many times I change my Holiday decorations, this one thing will always be set out.
You all know what I'm talking about... you walk into a house and see how gorgeous their home is decorated... then you look closer...and you see these odd little, mangled .... well, you're not sure what it is... but, its... something. We then assume one of their kids made it.
Yep, I finally have my very own.
It happens to be a pinecone stuck into some sort of hard substance... painted.. and then some gold ribbon glued to it.
Lovely.
And then.... I pull out this item...



A cookbook!
Hooray for Teacher... how did she know that I collect cookbooks?
This cute little book is now my very favorite, to be treasured always, cookbook.
It is full of recipes from 3 year olds!

I'm swooning.... and giggling.

Can you read that recipe?

Mac & Cheese

You'll Need:

3 or something eggs

Directions:

We burn it and stuff. It gets hot and stuff.

~Jacob (age 3)

Here's another one...

Hamburgers With Dad

You'll Need:

this many ketchup

this much mustard

hamburger

buns

Directions:

Grab the buns. Grab the hamburger. Grab the mustard and ketchup. Grab the buns and put it on top of them.

~Boston (age 4)

To help with your Holiday baking...

Chocolate Cookies

You'll need:

sugar

what my grandma has, it was tasty

Directions:

Cook 'em when they ding.

~Will (age 3)

See ladies... I don't know why you get so stressed over your Holiday baking. It's very easy. Just get what Grandma has. It's very tasty!

Here is my son's contribution.

Pizza

You'll need:

2 pepperoni

1 sausage

2 cheese

3 crust

Directions:

Cook it 10 minutes. Put it out of the oven. Cook another pizza.

~Monkey (age 3)

He got it sort of right... we always make two homemade pizzas.... one sausage and one pepperoni...

Isn't this the cutest little project?

I hope the other Moms enjoyed it as much as I did.

Now get your fanny back in the kitchen!

~Amy

Where IS that table?

Hubby and I did some soul searching this weekend. It sort of happened by accident...but, it happened. We are going to 'take back our house'.
Yep.
Before we had Monkey, our house was always decorated, projects were completed... there was no clutter. I LOVE... and I mean, LOVE to decorate. However, if you asked me today what style I decorate in... I would have to say--- Hotwheels, trains, dinosaurs and books.
Yep.
We let Monkey take over the house.
Not just a few rooms.
The. Whole. Entire. House.
Sigh.
Anyway- just wanted to let you know that we are going to share our truth... even when it's ugly.
And of course, we can't totally blame Monkey for everything... like for instance what I am about to show you.
It's my fault.
All mine.
I take the blame.
Okay- I know we can't be the only house in America where this has happened...
See this?



Yes, its our table... oh, you don't see it?
Right... because it is under several loads of laundry.
Hey- score a point for me=== the laundry is done.
But, with all the running around we've been doing, the laundry has landed here.
I haven't seen the table for about a week.
It's true.
Oh, what's that? Yes... my missing bottle of Modge Podge. Guess that means I can finish up some of those 'projects' now!



There we go... much better.
I'll decorate the table for Christmas... oh, probably Christmas Eve!



Since I found my Modge Podge... I should start cracking on the gift for my MIL
... if only I could find my glass of wine.

~Amy

I am hooking up with Susan for Met Monday!

My Scientific Experiment...

I really wanted to post something about the Holidays…
So here is a picture of one of my little tables.
The big pictures are of my Mom and Dad… their Senior Pictures. The smaller is of one of my Grandmothers. I love these three pictures, and waited a long time to have them in my possession.
Okay, moving forward…




What did I do today…
Not a whole lot. Monkey’s gymnastics class was cancelled. (Yea! We didn’t have to go out in the freezing cold this morning)!
Hubby took Monkey to Preschool this afternoon (and is picking him up!) That’s another, “Hooray!”.
I did a few things around the house. Laundry, dishwasher…. Ya know, the usual.
Guess what else I did?
I hopped in bed for two hours while Monkey was at school and I cut up a shirt.
No! Not to wear… I’m a little old for the trendy, ‘cut and destroy your $70 tee shirt’ look.
Which, by the way… What is with the $70 tee shirts? I mean, seriously!
Anyway, I cut up a shirt… but, I’ll tell you about that later… like when I finish the project.
Yes, I know… must be nice to lie in bed!
Yes, it was.
Thank you. I was in bed because it hurt to walk… why????

Because I thought I should start working out.
That Jillian from “The Biggest Loser” tried to kill me last night.
I made it through… only because I swore at her. That DVD went on FOREVER.
Like… 20 minutes … how OUTRAGEOUS!
The nerve.

Anyway- to my anonymous friends out there that read this… I know you’re thinking…
Why is Amy working out? So not her style!
Clearly its not my style because nothing fits any longer.
For the past several years, I’ve blamed it on the shrinking effect.
Know what I’m talking about?
That … scientific thing that happens when you place your clothes in the plastic storage bins.
Ya know? You pack up your sweaters and put them away for the summer… then when you open up the bin a few months later, they are too small….
Clearly, something is happening in those bins. Something… scientific!
Okay- so not really. The clothes aren’t shrinking… I’m just getting bigger.
Fine.
There it is.

I do have a another reason for working out… my mom has lost another 8 pounds!!! And, she has once again, been able to back off some of her diabetic meds. A few months ago, she was on the brink of going on insulin shots… and now today, she has turned it around! And for the first time in years, her blood pressure is GOOD!
I’m so proud of my Mom!
Anyway- gotta run.
Jillian is screaming her head off.
Who started that darn DVD again?
UGH!

Snow Day!

I had written this a few days ago… and just realized I didn’t post it!


We are having a blizzard in Iowa. I don’t mean it’s snowing, I mean- a real, old fashioned blizzard. There is ice, snow, and serious wind.
And I couldn’t be happier.
Do I like the cold, and driving in the snow? Of course not.
However, there is something magical about a ‘snow day’.
So many of my friends are doing the same thing today… cooking hearty food, a load or two of laundry, perhaps an organizing project that hasn’t been tackled… and spending time with their children and husbands.
Why does that always happen with snow days?
I’m not a psychologist, but I have my ideas about it…
A snow day is a free day.
There are no rules. There are no schedules. No deadlines, nowhere to be, and nobody to answer to.
A snow day is a free day.
We stayed in bed a little longer today.
Instead of breakfast, we had brunch.
There have been movies, games, laundry, cooking and many laughs.
There were a few tears… that is inevitable when living with a 3 year old.
The tears were quickly wiped away when the promise of cookie decorating was put in front of him.
Christmas cookies? Absolutely not. Christmas cookies are a tradition he has with Grandma. And a tradition I have with some of my girlfriends.
And this is a snow day… no rules. We made dinosaurs, dog bones, skulls, and okay--- we threw in a Christmas tree. (We had green frosting, what’s a mom to do?)
There is a pot of soup on the stove.
My house feels warm and cozy… and safe.
It’s gorgeous outside, but you can see the cold.
Iowa is pretty again.
Everyone knows that I love Iowa… but I will admit, there are a few weeks in the year when Iowa isn’t at her prettiest. Those would be the weeks leading to snow… and the weeks following the snow.
Have you ever been to Iowa while she is under her winter blanket? It’s breathtaking.
A red barn in a sea of white. Quaint little shops with the old fashioned sign that have real evergreen garland swags with a dusting of snow hanging from their awnings. Groups of children sledding down a rolling hill. Simply beautiful.
Tree branches covered in ice that glitter in the sun. The scarlet red of a cardinal against the beautiful green of an evergreen and the crisp white snow. Nature at her finest.
Seeing smoke coming out of a chimney will make you feel warm and cozy.
I could go on and on.
Or I could tell you about the harsh winter and why it is bad….
But that is not for today.
Today is a snow day, and that makes it wonderful and magical.
Today, my friends… Iowa is closed for business.

And then the magical snow day turned into two more snow days… by day three, Monkey declared, “I’m going to Grandma’s.”
Agreed.
I shipped him off to Grandma’s.
There, he enjoyed another magical snow day. The kind you have at Grandma’s house!

The streets are now plowed, the stores are open, and we’re getting back to the daily routine.

…there seems to be quite a few “Mom’s Night Out” events going on this weekend….
Must have been those three crazy snow days that have made us crave margaritas!

Please Read... this is serious.

To my blogging friends and family...
I haven't posted in awhile because I am freaked out about what is happening in our community...
There have been a couple of attempted child abductions in surrounding towns, and it has happened in our town tonight.
I have decided to remove some posts and pics on my blog.
There are warnings out there about what we are publishing on the internet, and frankly---- I'm a little freaked out.
The attempted abductions haven't been linked to blogs, or anything (yet) but more of random children outside alone.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep a close eye on your children. Have the 'Stranger Danger' talk with them.
For awhile, I'm going to keep this blog to my junking finds, creations, etc.
Family--- I'll possibly start another personal blog that will be locked.
~Amy

Have you done this?

Hello!!!
I’m back.


I’ve been sooooo busy.
Projects?
No.
Vacation?
No.


I’ve been busy with…
a box of Kleenex
a bottle of cough syrup
lots of water…
and my bed.


I had a nifty little summer cold that knocked me down for several days…
…but I’m back!


Today for Outdoor Wednesday I am going to show a few pics of gladiolas in my garden.
I think they are so beautiful, especially when bunched together.

The colors are always so bright.
Now, only if I could find all the glads in my gardens…
Oh, here’s a few...

...and I LOVE this pink one.
Where are all of my glads? I plant hundreds of them...
I space them out, and plant them every two weeks...
for constant blooms.



Where are they???????

WHAT is that growing out of the Pepsi crate?

Over there, under the bench...

do you see it?

It can't be...

It is...

Here are my glads...

don't they look lovely?

How in the heck did I NOT plant all of my glads?

How did I NOT notice they weren't growing in the gardens?

Please tell me I'm not the only one that has done this!?!?!

For more Outdoor Wednesday, head over to Susan's

blog, A Southern Daydreamer.

What is wrong with him???

It is so hot and humid today. Heat index of 110 degrees…
…who on Earth would be out playing softball in this heat?

Oh, that’s right…
…Hubby And The Morons

They say its for a charity.
…which it is.
I say, just give money.
…clearly, I don’t understand the ‘rules’.

Apparently, Hubby has forgotten about the surgeon saying, “No more softball.”.
…but I remember.

I remember clearly.

…sitting in the waiting room during his surgery, a nervous wreck…
sitting with him in recovery…
and the doctor going over the pictures of the surgery,
and saying, “No more softball”…

Hubby can claim that he was medicated,.
…but I have witnesses.

So, while Hubby played softball…
… I did this.

It is ‘tax free’ shopping this weekend in Iowa… I mean, what’s a girl to do?

I’m sure Hubby will be treating himself to ice packs and heating pads when he gets home.
…so I treated myself to these.

I know what you're thinking.

...Amy, you don't run.

True.

...but maybe I would consider it with these hot little kicks.

One of my dearest friends, Emily, is visiting from Texas.

...she was my partner in crime today.

And so was her little girl...

The Fabulous Miss K

...don't you love her jewels?

She spotted the bling in every store...

...girl after my own heart.

Emily and I did pretty good...

...we didn't even go into the Coach store.

I know!

Hubby is home.

...I guess he survived.

And now there is talk.

...about the 'old gang' getting a team back together for the fall league.

...looks like I'll be hitting up the Coach store, afterall.

Hooked on Heirlooms

It's an Heirloom Party!

Many of us have beautiful treasures passed down by family and friends...

Our house is full of wonderful items given to us by my family

and Hubby's family...

I think as I continue this wonderful blog journey,

you will be introduced to many of the heirlooms around my house...

...so, instead of showing those today,

I thought I would show you a few that are still at my parents house.

None of them hold any real monetary value,

but they hold priceless memories...

These are two bowls that my Mom uses every Sunday evening for Family Dinner.

They belonged to her Mom... who used them in the same way...

...some day I will use them when I take over Sunday Night Family Dinner.

This is a pie plate that belonged to my Great Grandmother.

It is in my Mom's kitchen, carefully guarded!

It's so strange, on my Mom's side, several of the women collect floral dishes...

not a specific type, or a particular dish...

...just pretty plates with a rose, or a darling bowl with pansies...

This next item is the one that holds the most childhood memories for me...

...it is a big book of nursery rhymes, and fairytales that belongs to my Dad.

He has had it since he was a boy...

when I was growing up, he spent many hours reading

to me from this book.

As I learned to read, I then spent many hours reading from it...

...you can tell that it has been read over and over again...

My Dad now reads to my son from this wonderful book...

...some things never go out of fashion!

The last item to show you is a small vase that belonged to my Grandma.

It was given to her by my Dad...

...when he was a small boy, he found this at....

are you ready---- a garage sale!

I KNOW!

(it's in my blood!)

I love the top of this...

...it has its own flower frog!

I hope you enjoyed my heirlooms...
...if you noticed, I didn't even take them inside my house to photograph.
...my Mom threatened (with love) that if anything happened to them...
...so I unpacked them, photographed them, wrapped them back up...
and Hubby placed back in the car, ready to be returned to the MOM
tomorrow morning!

To see more heirlooms go visit Marie at
Emma Calls Me Mama

http://emmacallsmemama.com/2009/07/heirloom-party-2/

and to see what else people are 'hooked on' - visit

http://hookedonhouses.net/

~Amy

Thrifty Treasures...Seeing RED

A few thrifty treasures... Head over to Kimm's at http://reinventedkb.com/ to veiw other great posts for Thrifty Treasures!

And forgive me for not having any 'after' photos... its raining... laundry is piling up...

but, next week.... I promise... I will have some made over trash...

I had a great garage sale day on Friday... the weather was perfect, there were several sales... so Monkey and I got our change and headed out.

This first picture is of a cute RED headboard we got for $1.00

...this won't be its final resting place... but I stuck it here for now.

Then we came across this RED beauty... again for $1.00

...Monkey test drove it, deemed it to be a winner... and here it sits... stop looking at the weeds in the flower bed.... you know I've been on vacation... it just can't be helped.

Found this little pair of metal wall candle holders for .25

Super cute!

And I LOVE this little pot... complete with faux moss... 25 cents!

We came across another sale that had jeans for $1/pair... found 3 pairs of Levis for Hubby to wear to work. That man will get a rip or hole in his work jeans within the first 2 hours of wearing them..... ugh! I would show you a picture of the jeans, but they are hanging on the line... in the rain. Yes, in the rain.... oh, I didn't tell you that the dryer.... my beloved Harvest Gold Maytag dryer from '73, stopped working? I loved that dryer... and now I'm sure his partner (the washer) will be sad and decide to leave me too... I tell ya, all my friends have new fancy washers and dryers... and laundry centers....

not me..... I NEVER talked bad about my Harvest Gold babies... I never cheated on them and daydreamed of the new fancier versions. R.I.P to my Harvest Gold baby... yes, you are going to be replaced w/ a fancy... shiny... new... updated... computerized model.... but you won't be forgotton. And remember- you went on your terms. I stayed loyal to you.

Have you ever had one of these?

I finally tackled a few little projects that needed to get done! And I'm thrilled to be participating in my very first Monday Metamorphosis!

My first little project is for my darling niece, Jenna. She is having her very important 10th birthday next weekend....

I picked this little message center up at a garage sale.... ever had one of these?

Yep, very 80's posh! I transformed it for Miss Jenna... complete with chalkboard paint.... as if!

Of course... you aren't seeing the whole gift.... this will be adorned with lots of new jewelry for her big birthday! (and maybe a gift card pinned to it too!) Hope she likes it!!

My 2nd quickie project was this little bread pan I plucked out of a 'free box' from a garage sale.

Little rusty... I'm not baking any banana bread in it anytime soon...

instead, I thought it needed a little paint...

Do you like? Just a fair warning now--- I have a 'black and white thing'.... it goes WAAAY back to when I was a little girl. I heart all things black and white! Remember the perfume, Exclamation! In the glorious black and white bottle ??? Well... I sprayed and sprayed that stuff... just so I could get a new bottle.... 6th grade was a very big year for me... 3 bottles alone... (and a cute little boyfriend!)

This bread pan is now going to hold...... well, I'm not sure, but something.... I'm working on a new 'wall' display at the bottom of my stairs... you can bet this will be worked into the new display!

My third quick project for the day is this lovely lady... I found her at a garage sale for $1.00... and while she is a beauty... I really brought her home for the frame...

BECAUSE.... while in Portland last week, Hubby and I were walking in the Nob Hill District when this glorious Black and White VELVET paper jumped out and PULLED us into the store..... I used restraint and only bought one sheet... and here it is in its new frame....

(I warned you about my love of b&w)

NOW you see the inspiration for the new b&w wall..... I could look at it allllllll day!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

~Amy

Watering the garden with a football

I WILL get something accomplished today…
The weather is so beautiful here. Not at all like the regular July hot and humid weather we normally have in Iowa. Because it is a mild 73 degrees today, I have NO excuse to not weed the garden! The Hubby and Monkey are outside watering everything…. which somehow includes tossing a football around… hmmm???
I better get out there!

Floral Arrangement from the Kitchen

I got this trio of cheese graters at a garage sale. (25 cents) They are super cute holding flowers. The flowers are actually in baby food jars! (I use baby food jars all of the time for different things!)
At night, I put battery operated tea lights in the base and the light shows through the little holes!

Flowers from my Dad's garden!
I just love JUNK!

I've linked this up to Becky at Beyond The Picket Fence for her first party!

The Joy Of A Clean Fridge

Sooooo….. Been back from the trip since early Saturday morning… and the suitcases are still sitting in the middle of the dining room- unpacked. Taunting me every time I walk by… they are really ticking me off! The suitcases must not be harassing anyone else, because the Hubby and little Monkey seem to have NO problem walking past them over and over… Augh!!! What is it about traveling that gives you such a hangover? I cannot seem to get motivated. I loaded the dishwasher, but just couldn’t bring myself to unpack those darn things. When packing one of the big suitcases, Hubby discovered my shiny silver flats that I had been looking for FOREVER! They were still in there from a weekend trip we took in November. After the discovery, I had to change of a few of the outfits I was taking so that I could wear my beloved shoes…Hubby made a few remarks about if I loved the shoes so much, why had I left them in the suitcase to begin with… Of course, I am now realizing that I have a suitcase unpacking disorder. There is no other explanation for it. Wouldn’t you agree? Surely, I am not alone in this???
On a positive note- Monkey’s suitcase came home w/ all clean clothes, thanks to my parents! That was such wonderful news when we went to pick Monkey up from G & G’s…. “by the way- we did a load of laundry last night, and all of his clothes are clean”………… Thanks Mom and Dad!
And------- our dog sitter cleaned out our fridge. I don’t mean, she threw expired stuff away- I mean CLEANED it out…. Took everything out, scrubbed it… wiped everything down. Amazing. When we got home very early Saturday morning, she told us, and I’m telling you---- there might have been tears in my eyes! I was so tired from traveling, and possibly delirious…. and when I looked in that fridge, I was beside myself! That is a job that I despise…. and one that I had been putting off! Thanks so much to Aunt Penny for not only taking such good care of our fur babies, but for scrubbing down the fridge, I couldn’t have asked for anything better!

Menu Planning Monday!

7-13-2009

I'm participating in my first MPM!!!

Breakfasts will consist of: cereals, fruits, and most likely a donut here and there for Monkey!

Lunches will be- soups, mac & cheese, BLTs and grilled hotdogs.

I'm also going to try to throw in: a batch of homemade veggie dip, and a Peach Cobbler! (We'll see!)

Monday- Breakfast for dinner! Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

Tuesday- Homemade Pizza (Monkey loves to make his own mini-pizza now)

Wednesday- Cheeseburger Potato Soup and homemade bread

Thursday- Leftovers!

Friday- Grilled Chicken Breasts (marinated in Italian Dressing) and Potatoes on the grill w/ Sweetcorn!

Saturday- Mexican Food! Tacos, nachos & burritos.

Sunday- Dinner w/ parents

Hopefully, we will stick with the menu this week!

Wishing you all a wonderful, stress-free week in the kitchen!

~Amy

Panicking all the way to Portland!

Happy 4th of July!

Old rusted motel chair that I spruced up a few years ago!

And our faithful lab that greats us at our gate when we come home!

Well, the sun is down, and our skies are lighting up! And we are once again missing all the fun, as we are traveling this holiday- for the 2nd year in a row! UGH! Not only do I have serious travel anxiety, but we are missing the great holiday of the summer! Monkey is already at G&G's for the week... and hubby is now walking around the house, lost w/o him! The dogs are going nuts because of the fireworks... and I'm hiding in here... typing away!

I'm trying to calm down and relax before heading to the airport. Flying is not the problem... the problem is being away from my home, my son... my comfort! I don't mind a few days... but anymore than 3 days away, I start to get a little panicky! It's not the pillow, or my bed... but the sounds, the feeling... the familiar faces that I miss when I'm away. Don't get me wrong- I love to go and do and see and explore.... just not for more than 3 days! LOL

Okay- hubby found me.... he is now giving me that look.... the look that means, we still have a few things to do... why are you blogging! ha ha.... I need to go find a few 'jobs' to keep him occupied for awhile!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend... I'll be panicking all the way to Portland!

~Amy

Christmas Jackpot and wounded pride!

Friday …. at last!
It’s been a day of mishaps, that is for sure! In order to get my main girl, G, to go junking with me, I had to promise to bring our fave junking food, PUFFS. The bakery at our local grocery store makes them… and we are ADDICTED! My darling hubby went to the store bright and early for me…. And NO PUFFS! AUGH!
In spite of that, we rallied and headed out. There weren’t a lot of choices today due to the holiday… I found some brand new clear ornaments (that will be painted or filled with treasures), a very rusted muffin pan and a cute little corkboard that will be darling with some new paint… spent $1.50. Hit another sale, nothing… and then- we stumbled upon a sale at one of our old elementary schools. The whole gym was full! They were wanting to unload it all… $3 per/bag! JACKPOT! I hauled 4 bags out of there. One bag was full of nothing but books… 57 books + 2 Wiggles DVD’s to be exact. That made each book/movie 5 cents a piece! I got books for my little monkey, my niece and a couple of vintage books to use for projects! Get this, 17 of the books were… American Girl! Score!!! I also hauled out a ton of Christmas items… many of them, brand new!
Soon after getting home, the hubby got called out for work. (poor guy got called out at midnight last night too). There go the plans to ‘get stuff done’ before vacation! I decided to forge on without him and went out to gather up all the pots of flowers. I thought I should put them in one location to make watering easier for our house/dog sitter…. All was going smooth, then- BAM! In my classic ‘ballerina fashion‘, I tripped over my own shoe and down I went. Picture- dirt flying.. my poor flowers wilting before my eyes… my dogs running over to me, trying to ‘help‘ me by licking my face….. sigh! I’m now sitting here feeling sorry for myself… no hubby to baby me… can’t even call my mom and whine to her because she’s out of town. Sniffle… I know- put on my big girl panties, and deal with it!
It has just started to rain. I’m not even going to lie- I’m secretly okay with it. The rain will force me to stay inside tonight and ‘get stuff done’! The hubby, informed me this morning that he has packed all of his stuff. Riiight! I got out my LIST and of course, he had missed several crucial items. (I’m now threatening to put the LIST on the bathroom door again!) I won’t give him too much grief though, because while I was out junking with G, he did laundry! I hope this vacation goes better than the preparation for it has gone! I’m told the shopping and food in Portland is wonderful… I’m sure hoping! I’ll be on my own all day while the hubby is in meetings!
I’m going to go and nurse my wounds from the fall… which really just consist of a scraped knee and some wounded pride!

I LOVE Shiny Brite ornaments!

And PINK... my signature color!

With all the goodies I crammed into my bags, I calculated each item

cost approx. 7 whole cents! 7 cents for a box of Shiny Brite... I'm in heaven!

Zippers, ribbon and an unopened bag of pink string beads...

I feel many projects coming on!

More treasures... hatboxes, snow picks, glittery snow...
what a bargain!


A brand new pillow to hang over a doorknob...
and a super cute dogbone basket!
Each item ... 7 cents!