Help Me

So, I am in need of some serious designing help!  When we bought our house we fell in LOVE with our sunroom...a.k.a the other living room, the playroom, the back room, the workout room, the studio, and now the craft room.  It has been all these things & it is the room whose purpose continues to change on a seemingly regular basis.

The dilemma: Can you guess what it is??  If you guessed: THE WINDOWS!!! You are CORRECT!  

We have 9 of them...yes NINE!  PLUS a sliding glass door that goes out to our patio.  

See our house was built in the late 50's (I believe) and then later on they decided it was too small and added this lovely sunroom-which I have a love/hate relationship with.  I LOVE the extra space, the windows, the brightness however since we have lived in our house we have done EVERYTHING with these windows!  See for yourself!

When we first bought our house a sweet old lady lived her & bless her heart-she painted the sunroom a yellow color...yep ceiling & all.  The blinds were even a yellow color.  They obviously had to go!  So, broke as a joke when we first moved in my mom came to visit & bought me these curtains to hang for the time being.  No I didn't always twist them together...I did actually put up tiebacks, haha.

 This is what they looked like closed.  Man that is a lot of fabric!

So, we went curtain-less for a little while after we bought NEW blinds!

 I'm telling you this room has been EVERYTHING!

When it turned into "the studio" when my folks relocated to west texas from NY while looking for a place of their own...we made these valances that went the length of the window.  I used a PVC pipe rod & we put finials on the ends.  It also worked for the time being.  (yes that's my awesome dad)

Then we scored this awesome purplish, velvet, couch & knew the red curtains had to go.  I bought a bunch of sheers & I like that it is light, bright & airy but it's just so boring.  I love color, patterns, texture! 

I took all the sheers down & the windows sit bare with only blinds-that have just been washed I might add-talk about a chore!  Let me remind you I have NINE windows in this ONE room!  I need some help!  What can I do to make it feel warm, cozy & inviting but not feel like the wall has been swallowed with fabric?

Low-Fat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I totally came across this recipe from skinny taste!  Seriously, I LOVE this website!  I know it still might be in the 90's here but I am trying desperately to feel the fall despite the heat!  What better way then with food!  I am totally going to make these this week!

(picture from skinny taste)

Low-fat Pumpkin Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 12 • Size: 2 cookies • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 171.4 • Fat: 5.0 g • Protein: 1.4 g • Carb: 34.7 g • Fiber: 1.5 g • Sugar:25.4 g
Sodium: 113 mg

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.  Line two cookie sheets with non-stick silicone baking liners such as Silpats (I highly recommend for best results) or lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. 

In a large bowl, combine the flours, baking soda, salt and pumpkin spice; stir to blend. In another bowl, whisk the sugars, butter, egg white, pumpkin puree and vanilla together until light and fluffy.



Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in two additions until the batter is very well blended. If the batter looks more “crumbly” than smooth, add just a drop of water at a time (ONLY if needed) until it smooths out.


Drop by level spoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets.  

Bake 8 - 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, and let them stand 5 minutes before removing the cookies from the pans to cool on wire racks.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Just read the title can it get ANY better?  How conforting, right?  Well, my NEW favorite website for cooking dinner is Skinny Tatse.  We are all about eating healthy these days.  I came across this recipe & made it for dinner last week.  It was ah-mazing!  SO yummy!  Not to mention filling!  It's low in calories too!  It makes a big pot of soup.  We didn't even need bread with it-obviously there's nothing like a nice chunk, of warm french bread to dip into your soup-but hey we are counting calories here!

(picture from skinny taste)

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Gina's Weight Watcher RecipesServings: 9 • Serving Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pt • Points+: 4 pts Calories: 169.2 • Fat: 1.2 g • Protein: 18.5 g • Carb: 21.2 g • Fiber: 2.3 gServings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 bowl (1-1/2 cups) • Old Points: 5 pt • Points+: 6 pts Calories: 253.8 • Fat: 1.8 g • Protein: 27.7 g • Carb: 31.9 g • Fiber: 3.4 g 


  

• 1/4 cup flour (to make gluten-free use 2 tbsp cornstarch instead)
• 2 cups water 
• 4 cups fat free milk
• 1 large celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 medium chopped onion
• 8 oz sliced baby portabella mushrooms 
• 2 chicken bouillons
• fresh ground pepper
• pinch of thyme
• 10 oz frozen classic mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, corn)
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed small
• 16 oz cooked chicken breast, diced small
• salt

Create a slurry by combining 1/2 cup of the cold water with flour in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Set aside.Pour remaining water and milk into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, chicken bullion, thyme, fresh pepper, frozen vegetables and return to a boil. Partially cover and simmer on low until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove lid, add potatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and slowly whisk in slurry, stirring well as you add. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until soup thickens, adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.  




yummy!  enjoy!

Dallas Trip

Friday morning we busted out & took off to Dallas with some friends for the weekend to go see a concert.  (our brave & amazing friends kept our kids with them for the weekend here)  We drove out in our fabulous minivan-hey-don't knock it unless you've had one-they are awesome!  Jessi & I got to lounge in the back seats, watch Bridesmaids & Couples Retreat-hilarious!  The guys drove, listened to us laughing, & navigated us to Dallas in the front!  It was fabulous.  We got to eat at a yummy restraunt that night-Chuy's-fab-u-lous!  It really was yummy!  I might of just had a few swirly, fruity drinks, with salt on the rim.  Yup-2 to be exact!  (for me that's a TON, ha!)

We took off for the concert-Matt Nathanson, Train & Maroon 5.  It was ah-mazing!  I seriously don't love concerts but this was so much fun.  We had lawn seating-another fruity drink-and friends.  It was great!  Saturday & Sunday pretty much consisted of eating & shopping.  We went to a pretty suh-weet dinner & movie joint.  The kind where you eat while you watch a movie.  Can it get much better than that?  Sunday we finally came home & rescued our friends who had been keeping our kids busy all weekend long.

It's so nice to get away with your spouse & without your kids.  BUT there's nothing more that I wanted to do when I go home was to hold them, kiss them, snuggle them, & hang out with them.  I missed them SOO much!  We had such a good time!

Comment Sale

Thursday night I celebrated hitting over 500 fans on my Papercutz facebook page with a comment sale. (if u don't like my page---you should!)  I felt like a little goal was met.  I got to have my very first comment sale which went great!  I have to admit though when we first started the sale I kept adding pictures and saw that no one was commenting on ANYTHING.  My heart kind of sank.  I started to get nervous, slightly disappointed.  My husband came out to see how things were going and I was like ummm, it's a slow start, but people are probably just getting on now but it's fine--the famous--I don't care.  But inside I was cringing from the thought of failure.

Little did I know-once I hit the refresh button I noticed that my page actually had exploded.  People were commenting on EVERYTHING-I just needed to refresh the page-ummm can we say, duh!  That boost my adrenaline and I was super excited to keep posting pictures.  It ended up being so much fun & such a success!  I can't wait to do it again!

I WON!

I won!  I won!  I WON!  Yes I am doing a giddy little happy dance!  I actually won something!  Look at this fabulous collection I won over at Take Heart!  I am super excited!

I am more excited to see God's provision in there life!  They raised $2,000 EXACTLY what they needed for their first payment!  If you want to be a part of helping Danielle & Caleb bring home their baby please visit her page & make a donation.  Every little bit helps!  Even just $5.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:19

To Cut or Not to Cut

I totally have some hair envy.  I'm not coordinated enough to do those cute braids, or tease my hair and my hair is REALLY long now...it gets all tangled underneath when it is down so I don't wear it down very often!  It takes SO LONG to dry & straighten or put a comb through!  So, needless to say it doesn't happen unless it's for something special.  I have been missing the days of my cute short hair.

 short = work

...EVERY...SINGLE.....DAY!  The thought of actually having to DO my hair everyday makes me cringe!  I do love the fact that I can just throw it up-which is how it is most days!  Boring!

This was from a couple years ago.  I was ummm....8 months preggers here!

I found all these suh-weet LONG bobs on Pinterest....

So I've been thinking about taking the plunge, what do you think??  I kind of like the shorter bangs though.  Scary to think about cutting my bangs!  Thoughts??

Under Construction

Please pardon my craziness-my blog is under construction!

Please come back soon & check out the new layout!  

The Sweet Life

Ahhh the kids are in bed, the house is cleaned, and my husband is not home!  It amazes me how when he leaves & I know I am on my own for the night how my laziness turns off & I jump into this crazy mommy mode!  I mean all of a sudden the door shuts & I am cleaning the house, doing laundry, bathing kids, getting snacks, reading bible stories, threatening them one more time if they don't go to bed I am turning off the light!  Maybe it's like a challenge.  How much I can get done before he gets home.  I was home all day today,while Lily was at school & I didn't have that same motivation, weird!

My favorite part of tonight-besides going to bed with a clean house-and getting to read the bible story before bed (usually daddy's job)-was that I leave Gabe notes in his lunch box every day.  I actually printed off these fun cards that I can just cut & toss in his lunch.  Tonight while doing laundry I found it inside his shorts pocket...along with his napkin  :-)  It just touched my heart.  To think that he saved my little love note & carried it with him in his pocket for the rest of the day.  It made me smile...maybe even a little tear to my eye.  So what if he's a slight hoarder & wanted to add it to one of his many collections.  I will dwell in the fact that he didn't just dump it in the trash when cleaning up from lunch.  He took the time to fold up his napkin & put his note in his pocket.  Precious!

I am so glad that I send him little notes in his lunch every day.  I know one day sooner than I am hoping he will out grow it & won't want momma to send him notes anymore in his lunch.  Tonight my heart rejoices-I am blessed beyond measure!

One Sweet Love

Today my sweet friend Danielle from Take Heart is hosting a fundraiser for the adoption of their one sweet love.
She will be having several bundles of FABULOUS items that you can go & bid on.  She has some amazing stuff that people have so kindly donated.  So, please swing by & show her & her family some love as they try and bring home their little one!

Never Forget

A heart of gratitude for those who served our country on this day-our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones.  Many prayers have been spoken.  May we never forget!

What I whipped up....

I FINALLY finished this little 3-tiered display to hold all of my lovely punches that I use all the time!  Instead of them all being piled into a bucket on my work table I came across this original idea on Pintrest.

(Pinterest)

I did score some of those lovely old baking pans at an estate sale recently but could only find the bottom two.  So, I waited a few weeks, visited the antique mall and still nothing!  I got impatient and decided to do this...

I added a pail I already had and I actually LOVE it!  I can put all the small punches in it & stand them up!

Here it is all filled up!

I already had the candle sticks-the clear glass ones-I primed & painted them-used E6000 to attach them to my pans & voila!  How fun, right?  I can also take it to my shows & use it as a display piece too!  

Dreaming of A Reading Area....

So, Gabe has to read every night for school and gets bonus credit for reading over the weekend.  I have come across several reading tents and I love them.  I have wanted to create a special reading area in our house for a long time.  A little retreat space where my kids can snuggle down into some soft, plush pillows and look at books.

Tatertots & Jello

Ana White

Grograin

Somethings Hiding Here

They are all so dreamy!  I think the first one would take up less space in my house and would fit nicely in a corner.  But, we shall see what I come up with! 

Baby it's cold outside....

Yes, I said it-it's cold outside!  I got to put jeans on, a sweatshirt, and flip flops (of course because I LOVE them) to bring Gabe to school this morning.  I even blasted the heat in the van to get the chill out of the air. Gabe got to rock his new black pants, and his black sweater to school today!  (actually, he was dressed in ALL black today-got to love uniforms, lol)

(i know terrible pic-sorry)

I mean this is how fall is suppose to be, right?  Hope you enjoy your fabulous, cool morning!  I know I am!

Back to School Dinner

I was too anxious to post first day of school pictures that I never posted our back to school dinner pictures.   Let me just say I was SO excited to have a back to school family dinner.  We talked about expectations, new responsibilities, schedule, breakfast and lunch ideas, hear about Gabe's excitement, fears about the upcoming year.  Such a good idea.  Here's what we did....

I decorated our table with school supplies that I already had on hand.

Used library card pockets to hold our utensils and napkins...

My sweet 1st grader!

 My little display in my FABULOUS tray that has SO many possabilities...

I even printed off a free banner on-line and hung it up...

Our menu was Gabe's pick which was ultimate nachos!  Fun night, can't wait to do it again next year!

Fabulous Sunday

As I'm sure most of you know Texas has a HOT HOT HOT summer with more than 60 days in the 100's and TODAY we were only in the 80's and it feels SO cool outside.  We even had a few sprinkles.  I finally got to wear a hoodie & jeans.  It makes me crave fall so much!  I miss that about NY-the crisp fall air, the smell of coldness, the leave changing, hot apple cider, apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin patches...I could go on and on about what I miss and love about the fall.  Today, I opened up all our windows in my craft room, and got to work on a few orders while my youngest napped and my oldest went to grandma's today for a little bit.  I enjoyed my hot cup of coffee and the cool breeze that blew through the house.

Here's a little sneak peek of what I have been working on this weekend.  My camera is busted so I only have my iPhone to use for now-so I apologize for the picture quality.

What better way to get ready for fall than a fabulous wreath?  Now available in my shop.

I received a custom order to make up something to send to a college student who loves the outdoors, hiking, nature...etc.  So, what better collection to use than The Green Stack by DCWV.  It's 70% recycled paper with adorable patterns and designs!  I made these things with it...

Mini Name Banner

Monogrammed Journal

Monogrammed Notecards

I love getting custom orders where I can be free to do whatever I want to do!  Today couldn't get much better-creating in fabulous cool weather!

God's Masterpiece

In my small group I have been leading we are going through Ephesians.  Today we landed on Ephesians 2:10, For we are God's masterpiece, as one of our scriptures and it's something I think many people struggle with.  The thought of being a masterpiece of the most high God-me?  Have you seen my post baby body?  Have you seen what is hidden in my heart of hearts?  The answer is YES!  He has created us in his image like it says in Gen. 1:27.  Like this little clip says, God doesn't make junk.  I shared it with my group today and it has a good message and a great reminder.  I hope you check it out!

Lily's First Week of MDO

As school kicked off last week Lily was VERY disappointed that she wasn't going to be able to go to school.  I have tried to get her into MDO last year but the one we wanted filled up so quick and she never got in.  I just decided to keep her home-which I loved-most days.  :-)  I tried that same school again and still no luck-boo.  So, last Monday I started to call around and finally was successful with Cornerstone!  So, she started last Wednesday!  One of the things she needed was a napmat.  Well, I wasn't going to send her with a cold, plastic nap mat.  So, I went that night & bought all the supplies to create her a cover for it.  Let me just say it is SUPER fabulous!  I followed this tutorial and whipped this up for her.

I mean I want to lay down and nap on it.  I LOVE that it rolls up!  Lily calls this her knock knock-translated into nap mat, lol.  

Here's a little snap shot of what it is like to get a decent picture of Lily.

Well, there she is all dressed in her new Hello Kitty shirt, pig tails, backpack (a.k.a. pack pack), and dora sneakers!  She is READY for her first day of school-maybe a little too ready.

She went right in, put her stuff away, and waved bye Mom, bye Gea, climbed up in her chair and started coloring.

She was so confident, so independent, so secure, she was fine, she did fine, she did great.  Well, except she didn't take a nap.  She laid down but never fell asleep.  :-)

I cried all the way to Sam's club thinking how big my sweet baby girl already is.  It hurt that she didn't need me, she knew she was going to be fine.  Gabe would drag it out, hang on me, need one more hug, one more kiss, a little more reassurance...but not Lily.  It was a bittersweet kind of day.  I was so proud of her, and how brave she was carrying all her own things in, walking into her room, saying hi, and going right over to her table to color.  So bitter-sweet!  We survived our first day at MDO!  I am glad she only goes 2 days a week.  :-)