Fall Decorating

I love fall. I love the colors, the crunchy leaves, the cool chill in the air.  I also love the fact I live in Colorado and get to watch the leaves on the aspen trees change from my house.  I love sweaters and boots and I live for the day that Starbucks brings back the pumpkin spice latte.  My days are filled with football and hot cocoa, playing in fallen leaves and taking pictures of all the colors. 

In honor of my love of fall and all things fall decor, I have created a treasury of Etsy items for fall time home decorating.  The treasury can be found here and here are some of the highlights from it. And everything is from Etsy because I have decided I am supporting local and independent businesses this holiday season

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Is it winter?

So, we have reports from the news that tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to be under a blizzard warning here in Denver! After so many years here that really isn't all too surprising to me - but it does make me excited for the holidays - playing in the snow, sledding, snowmen, hot chocolate, cookies.... you get the idea.  Plus this is the first year that Squeaky can really enjoy the snow, last year she was still too little.  And to top off the blizzard warning, I stopped to get coffee this morning and was thrilled to find that it's that time of year where Starbucks is back to stocking Peppermint Mocha's and the red cups that are the pinnacle of the holiday season in my house. I guess this means I need to start decorating!

Meal Planning #3

I think I am just going to move this blog to being posted on Monday mornings since for some reason I can't seem to get it out on Thursday recently.  How was your last two weeks? How is your meal planning going? I am also changing this to just just showcase one week at a time to simplify shopping on my part.

We are doing good here in my house.  I do now have a toddler who has decided that the only things she wants to eat are tortillas and cheese or hot dogs (I thought they didn't do that until they were two), which has made things a bit more on the challenging side. 

Halloween is just around the corner... Indoor decor & Linky Party

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love all the decor that comes out for it (much better than I usually like Christmas decor). I love witches and vampires, spiders and bones, blood and goo.  Here's a little round-up of some super cute Halloween projects to help spice up your indoor decor this year! 

♥♥♥ - Paint your pumpkins instead of carving them this year for a more chic look.  Then pile them in/around your fireplace to give it a rustic feel.

Meal Planning #2

Ok I know this post is about 4 days late, I apologize.  I have been slacking off in my blog.  I have a whole bunch of blogs half done that I really need to add pictures too (the worst part is I have the pics, they are edited, they just aren't added into the posts yet).

Anyway - how's your meal planning going?  Our first week went great! I did realize when I went to the store that first Sunday that I was not going to be able to buy all my produce and have it keep for the two weeks, so I modified my grocery list and left off the produce for week two and picked that up the following Sunday. 

Week two didn't go as well as week one for us.  We ended up with some unplanned out of town guests at my parent's house on Thursday and Friday we had a party to go to that I had forgotten about.  So you'll see our Thursday and Friday meals on this week's menu. Let's get down to the meals!

Menu Planning

I have never been one of those incredibly organized, my-house-is-perfect, prim and proper moms.  I want to be, I strive to be, but let's face it, it isn't going to happen.  I try to be as organized and neat as is possible with 2 kiddos and working a full time + job, but sometimes housework falls by the wayside or dinner is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  I know my kids aren't really suffering for it and they would rather blow bubbles and play peek-a-boo with me anyway than worry about cooking a 5 course meal, but something inside me wants to be that organized (if you ask the Man it's my OCD). 

Advice to New Working Moms

I just found the most amazing article here.  It is a ton of excellent tips and advice for new moms just going back to work, but I think it's also a great resource for moms on their second (or third or fourth) baby who are going back to work.  I have alaways been a working mom, and didn't really have a hard time going back to work after Peanut was born, but for some reason after Squeaky was born I found it incredibly hard and hearth wrenching for me to go back to work.  I wish I had this article then.

A Fall Wreath

Forgive me in advance - I had a camera "mishap" - just prior to starting this project. So, unfortunately all I have right now are cell phone pictures, edited as best as I can get them, but I will try to get a pic of the finished wreath with the hubs' camera tonight to get up for you.

And now, on with the show....

It's Thursday....

And that means it's time to get out and mingle! Click on the buttons below to get in on all the action and check out some new reads to refresh you for the end of the week.




 

Also, stay tuned tomorrow for some new items going into the shop over the weekend and an update on my home organization project!

Peaches...

I am about to have an abundance of peaches.  Every year my parents order peaches from a local lady who sells them for family that runs an orchard in Palisade, Colorado.  Every year my parents go on vacation around labor day. Every year the peaches they order come in while they are gone and I have to pick them up and do something with them (OK maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but it feels like it).

You can put THAT in your dishwasher????

So I found this article today on Real Simple.  A list of things you CAN put in your dishwasher, along with a list of things you really should not put in your dishwasher. 

Get out there and mingle!!!

Today your goal is to go find some new and inspiring blogs to follow! Join with me in the blog hop hosted at Joy in the Jumble or go out and find your own blogs to follow (let me know what they are so I can get in on the action too though). You can link up to Joy in the Jumble's blog hop by clicking on the button below. Happy searching!

To see or not to see...

So the time is rapidly approaching where we get to find out the gender of The Bump... 

Back School Cool

While browsing the internet yesterday I found some adorable craft ideas that are so cute and sweet and back-to-school perfect that I just had to share with all of you!

Things I want (or need) to do...

I have decided that I need to make a list of all the things I need/ want to get done before baby #3 (from now on referred to as the Bump) gets here - if you're counting down, it's only another 146 days.  This may be nesting, but really it's more the thought that when I have 3 kids, I'm going to have ZERO extra time to do a whole bunch of random stuff.  So without further ado, here's the list:

Sewing Room

I really need an extra 5 hours in a day.  I have so many fun projects that I want to do and normal, every day chores keep getting in the way.  Tonight I am tackling the jungle, aka. my front lawn, before my HOA has a fit because it looks something like this:

And no, that isn't my actual lawn, even though I feel like it is.  I also want to get my sewing/craft room (or the garage, as The Man prefers to call it) functional so I can make all my cute projects sometime this century.  Until I can do any of this - here's a sneak peak at my first up project, once everything else is done of course...

The Amazing Butterfly Award

I'm feeling special because I received a lovely award from Nicole of Craft My Soul. Please visit Nicole's blog. She's got lots of amazingness there, check it out.

Name your favorite color - Fuschia, definately

Name your favorite song - Rise by Shawn McDonald - there's something about it's simplicity

Name your favorite dessert - Ummm - I really like to bake and make desserts, but I'm not a huge fan of eating them.

What wizzes you off - People who don't know how to drive!!!!

When you’re upset you - Cry or ignore you

Your favorite pet - I love all my pets - but the coolest one ever was my hedgehog, Mase

Black or white - Black, I have small children & white shows stains

Your biggest fear - Heights, hands down

Best feature - My dimple??? I have no idea

Everyday attitude - Mellow

What is perfection - God

Guilty pleasure - Trashy magazines

Here are the 10 fabulous blogs I am awarding 

1. Hill We Are

2. The Ross Family

3. Increasingly Domestic

4. A Law Students Journey

5. aPearantly Sew

6. During Quiet Time

7. My Sparkle

8. Giggles, Glitz, and Glam

9. I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar

10. And just because we finally got one here in Colorado .. Ikea Hackers

If you received an award from me

Here's what you have to do if you would like to play along and award a few of your favorite blogs

Link to the person who awarded you
Answer the questions above
Award 10 other bloggers the Butterfly Award

Hope you all like your award!

I know, I've been missing for a bit...

... But I have been crazy busy!

The Man and I have taken over a larger role in our Children's Church due to some outside events and have been spending a lot of time there.

Plus it was summer, so I have been spending time enjoying the sun as much as possible with the little ones. 

And, for the big announcement...

Last minute Mother's Day gift ideas....

For all those procrastinators people still searching for the perfect gift for their mom this year, here's some ideas for you...

Cinco De Mayo - What's for dinner???

So now you have all your party decor made up for the fiesta tonight, but what are you going to serve? Personally I love the taste of fresh squeezed limes, so that has to be included on anything Mexican I make. I was thinking of hitting up Chubby's and picking up some tacos for the family, but all these recipes and photos have me thinking I'm making my own steak tacos tonight.  Here's some inspiration for the rest of you.

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Cinco De Mayo!!!

I love any reason for a party! Since I'm working today and unable to decorate or party for Cinco De Mayo I thought I'd try to inspire all the rest of you to add a little mexican celebration into your day!

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Giveaway!!!

So I have joined up with Dominique of Fall Child Photography for a Mother's Day giveaway! She has some super cute stuff to give away for one lucky mommy to have an awesome Mother's Day and it doesn't matter where you live, anyone can enter this giveaway!

So head on over here and check out the blog, then enter to win some fabulous stuff!

New Items in the Shop

Ok so I have more to get up tonight (hopefully), but for right now there are a couple of new pendants hanging around in my Etsy Shop. 

The Our House Pendant is bright and vibrant.  Pendant comes as shown (without the flower it's sitting on of course, the flower is now dead) without a chain, but can be shipped with a chain for a minimal additional fee.

The Pink Posies Pendant is also available as is, with no chain, or with a chain added for a minimal additional  fee 

Kids Clothes Week Challenge

I know I already sew baby/ kids clothes all the time (or most of the time), but last year I saw this and really wanted to participate, but found out about it too late. So this year, I'm in!  For 7 days, from May 9-15 I will be spending at least 1 hour every day sewing little munchkie clothes, I'm so excited! So in preperation for this I am picking up some new material, I'll show you when I get it. And if you would like to join me check out elsie marley, sign up, and grab the button.

The Hendrix Experience

So as I was perusing the internet and being bored less than productive, I decided that I need more Jimi Hendrix in my life.  I need more time with my guitar to play Hendrix and to teach it to Peanut (who, by the way, already tries to play left handed and over his head).  Since I can't play right now, here are some Hendrix inspired finds for you to enjoy.

I want this onesie from youngpunks for miss Squeaky. Wouldn't she be adorable in it!

I have a strange love of obscure silver pendants. This one is from silver999's shop.

 Or how about this tribute guitar.

 And I love this guitar strap! Isn't it amazing!

And this pick bracelet is to die for!

And wouldn't this notebook be perfect to keep track of all your projects!

Ok, I should probably go be more productive now. Look for other inspired post throughout the week!

Fun stuff on it's way!!!

So I went a little crazy at the fabric store a week ago. I went in to buy a zipper and some thread, and left with about 12 yards of fabric. Whoops!  That's okay though, because it allows me to make a new skirt pattern that I have been wanting to try out.  Here's a little sneak preview of some of the skirt fabric.

Finished skirts will be in the shop by Saturday (weather pending, need to get some shots this weekend).  I'm also adding a new dress design and some pendants.  Aprons are next on my list as I have decided to make this a whole suzie-homemaker line, with my own little twist and I'm super excited for all the upcoming new items!

Also, keep your eye out for a Mother's Day give-away that I will link every one to as soon as it is posted. Great things to come!



Whoops! My bad!

So I have completely slacked off and stopped my 30 day challenge. Sorry to everyone who was following it, I have just been following my heart in another direction.  I have been putting a lot of time into two directions that I feel God is pulling me. One is in designs for my shop and getting it fully up and running, not just half way like it has been. The other is still a secret under lock-and-key, but hopefully I get to fill you in on it soon!

Also I have been schooling the boys in my NCAA bracket at church. I'd like to give a big shout out to VCU from Friday night for clinching my win for me and for putting to shame everyone else.  Here's a screen shot of the breakdown as it was yesterday...

As you can see, I blew them out of the water.  We actually had 26 participating brackets (some people put in two, which is why you see the numbers after some names) so the breakdown for winning is pretty awesome; 1st place takes home $195 and 2nd place takes home $65. 

I have decided that I am going to take half of my winnings and donate it to something I feel very strongly about.  I am giving this $$$ to Heart 2 Home Ministries which is the mission of my friends Rick and Patty.  They are down in Mexico ministering to a poor community and doing wonders with God's work.  Currently they are helping with constructing and running a day care for the children of the women who work at the dump outside Puerto Vallarta, so that these children can get an education and hopefully break the cycle of poverty that runs rampant there.  Personally, I am trying to assist them in getting enough money so that they can purchase a Djembe, which is a type of drum, for their worship team.  Right now their worship team consists of Rick and a local that he is teaching to play bass guitar.  As an ex-drummer I am passionate about having a rhythm section, and this isn't going to cost them a whole heck of a lot, my winning should cover 1/3-1/2 the cost of the drum.  If anyone else feels compelled to help out, either with the drum or with the misitry, please visit their website, check out what they are doing down there.  Rick and Patty are more than willing to answer any questions you may have, just message them.  And if you want to donate, the donate button is on their homepage, just make sure you put a memo on the form if you want your donation to go to a specific thing (like the Djembe) so they can slate the $$$ towards that. Thanks so much guys!!!!

The 30 day challenge - Days 18 & 19

I totally slacked again yesterday in the blogging department.  I wasn't slacking in the everything else department though, which is where all my blogging mojo went...

So here's yesterday and today for you all to enjoy.

Day 18 - plans/dreams/goals you have...

Right now I have no plans, dreams, or goals really (that's probably why I was slacking yesterday, I didn't want to write that I have nothing). 


Day 19 - nicknames you have and why you have them...

When I was a kid my nickname was kid - given to me by one of my best friends, I'm not even sure where he came up with it.  But that's what it was for a long time.  Now I really don't have any nicknames, unless you count mom, mommy, momma, and da (what Squeaky calls everyone)....

The 30 day challenge - Day 17

Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why....


For just one day I'd live to switch lives with this guy:

His name is Steven Furtick and he's the founding and lead pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. I caught part of one of his messages one night on some channel (I don't even know what it was) and I'm hooked.  He's charismatic and amazingly powerful in his message.  I want to be inside his head for one day, just to see what goes on there.  His church is the result of a vision planted in his heart by God when he was just 16. Now, at 31, he has an attendance of over 8,000 people.  I love the way God moves like this and I want to know what it's like to be used by God like that.

The 30 day challenge - Day 16

Another picture of yourself....




Wow they sure want a lot of pictures of me! Here's one from my 4th birthday!

The 30 day challenge - Days 13, 14, & 15

So I totally slacked off on my blog the past couple of days.  I have been super busy at work and outside of work with meetings and classes, and basically I forgot for a few days.  But I'm back in the saddle now so here are the days that are missing!

Day 13 - A letter to someone

Dear readers,

Thanks for being my readers, you guys rock! Also, if there is something you want to see on here that isn't on here already please let me know. I'll do my best to accommodate all requests =)

Sincerely,

Disco Lemonade

Day 14 - A picture of you and your family

I kid you not, this is the only picture I have of all of us that I am comfortable putting on here.  I now know there are no pictures of my entire family since Squeaky was born, we'll have to fix that.

Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play

My iPod is full of Christian songs mostly - so that's probably most (or all) of what will end up on this list. Here goes 

1 - Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble

2 - Belleau Wood - Garth Brooks

3 - Driven - Bret Michaels

4 - God of this City - Bluetree

5 - This is Halloween - Panic! At The Disco

6 - Jesus Freak - dc Talk

7 - He Reigns - newsboys

8 - Weather - Nick Baumgart

9 - Consuming Fire - Third Day

10 - California Gurls - Katy Perry

The 30 day challnge - Day 12

How you found out about blogger and why you have one.....

I'm not really sure how I found out about blogger to begin with.  I probably stumbled upon it at some point in my aimless internet wanderings. I know I have read many blogs in my life about a myriad of subjects.  When I truely started my Etsy shop and actually put items for sale in it I decided to start a blog to go along, it only seemed natural.  And so, my blog was born!

The 30 day challenge - Day 11

Another picture of you and your friends....

Super old school of me, Scoot, and the dog =)

The 30 day challenge - Day 10

Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad....


This question is funny to me. I don't have specific music I listen to when I'm in a specific mood. I just listen to music, whatever is on the radio.  Sometimes I change the channel, but only if I don't like the song that's on at that moment.  Sometimes I play my ipod, but it's the same stuff as the radio.  I think the reason I don't have specific music I listen to for certain moods is because I listen to all different kinds of music all the time.  I was raised in a house where music was huge.  Not just one kind of music though, all kinds of music.  And so now I listen to all kinds of music.  


There are a few situations, however, where I have to listen to a certain type of music.  If I am working out or cleaning I have to listen to music with a good strong beat.  I have found, though, that music with a strong beat comes in all genres.  I have been know to run to Kelly Clarkson followed by Irish drinking tunes or scrub bathrooms listening to UB40 and Prince.  


Mostly, though, I just like music!

I may be in the fire, but I know favor is coming. ~Joel Osteen

The 30 day challenge - Day 9

Something you're proud of in the past few days...

I'm proud of my squeaky - she's finally crawling! As you can see she has momma's attitude =)

The 30 day challenge - Day 8

Short term goals for this month and why....




Ummm......




My biggest goal for this month is to survive, oh and not kill anyone.... Isn't that good enough?


Realistically, I'd like to make more clothes to sell in my shop, spend more time with my monkeys and less time working (this probably isn't going to happen since we are missing a supervisor and the middle of a big move), and generally keep my house habitable.  If any of these will be accomplished is questionable at best.


I like to make a list of all the things I need to get done on my days off each week, rarely do those things get done. Oh well!


I did however already get one goal accomplished, dye my hair. Do you like it????

The 30 day challenge - Day 7

A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you...


Oh wow...there are so many people who have had huge impacts on me... I'm just going to put up a bunch of pics....

Ok, thats enough for now!