Thursday, September 30, 2010

15 Years and counting

15 Years ago I married this guy...
I was passionately in love with him...
We met and married within 6 months....
Had a Honeymoon baby 9 months later...
We were young, in love and pretty broke...

I married this young Marine with a plan to live our lives madly in love, raise beautiful children and hold hands for the rest of our lives....

It really was the most beautiful day you could ask for...
I can still remember the feeling I had in the limo on the way back from the church.
It was like I was full - ready to BUST I was so happy!

It was perfection...
Married in the Historic Church where my parents were married.
HUGE reception with all our friends and family on the farm I grew up on.
Every picture of that day is filled with smiles and laughter...
It was beautiful, and I was so happy!

15 years later we are still living with Passion...not always the kind we started out with, but none the less, Passion.
We are raising four beautiful children...
And I am still completely full ....

Thank YOU Jerry Buhaj!
Happy Anniversary Honey!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wednesday Whimsy

I was playing around with my photo software the other night and discovered the cutest effect!

The original picture looked like this....she really did have a butterfly on her finger. It landed on her finger while we were watching a soccer game. Pretty cool....


Off to do real work now....

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sweet Mother of Treasure Hunting!!!

She was smiling on me today!!! I mean...really smiling on me! I have been in search of a Vintage typewriter for some time now....not an all out treasure hunt, just keeping my eyes open. I found one 2 weeks ago but it had a hefty price tag - heftier than I was willing to pay after seeing multiple small children banging on the keys while I was in the store - so I passed on it.

Today my mom and went to check out a new spot...we were thinking of renting booth space to unload some of our treasures. We did some hunting and then stumbled upon a yard sale in the back of a thrift store!
Lucky for me, I have some finds to show on Southern Hospitality....it is her last week...boohoo....

I was browsing and finding some GREAT treasures! I almost walked right past it...but something about the case caught my eye. Maybe it was the $2.00 price tag....did I mention I am super thrifty when I treasure hunt????....but whatever it was, I cracked the case and Seriously, JUMPED!
I grabbed it off the table so fast I think I almost knocked my mother down! Look at it...isn't it beautiful!!! It isn't perfect, but darn close! Who needs perfect when you just want it for fun!!

Everything in the above 4 pictures, cost me a total of $22.00!!!
Then there were the Antique Mall finds...not quite as cheap but not too expensive either! Remember...I am pretty cheap when I am treasure hunting!
I scored LOTS of treasures this weekend (Thursday-Sunday).....
Vintage Jewelry box
Vintage mirrored dresser tray
BEAUTIFUL milk glass vase
Tea cup and saucers for tea sets
Multiple pieces of Rhinestone bling
Planters....and more planters....and more planters (all vintage)
Trim for my Silver Bella Swap
Wade collectibles for my kids
Fireking bowls
hankies
Pictures!!!
These are terrible pictures....but pictures! I just realized that my big camera is not working with our new laptop???

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Spanky & the Nose

I have a little problem...

See it????

My nose piercing has some sort of little gross bubbly blood blister going on....it barely looks like anything in this picture, but I assure you, it has gotten WAY worse than this! I couldn't bear taking a picture of it...YUCK! I am hoping it will get better in the next day or so!

I went to see Spanky....he pierced me....I asked if I could take his picture, he said NO....

I didn't argue...
So, what is the problem??? Too much cleaning, irritated the site and he said I am a little "stressed" and that can cause issues with healing....

Good advice Spanky!
Monday, September 20, 2010

Weekend Treasure Hunting

I am jumping in on a little blog I found recently. I love seeing everyones thrifty finds! Unfortunately, I read this morning that next week will be the last time that she is doing this for the year....sigh.....always late to the party!!
I have a few favorite "Treasure" spots that I like to visit on a regular basis and we hit them over the weekend.
Honestly, I like to go on Thursday - before all the 9-5 people come out on the weekend! Sorry...being a bit greedy....lol.
These three little treasures are actually a 2-parter because I am changing them up to fit into Lily's room. She is totally loving horses right now and wants to start taking Riding lessons (thank you!!!) So...I just rearranged her room this weekend and added these pieces. I will show you the after picture tomorrow....you will be suprised!
The one picture is painted on canvas (easy to pop out of that gross frame) and the other two cost me $1 each!

I love these little vintage ornaments....I don't think I will be keeping all of these. I have some plans for them! They were about to make their way out to a yard sale the Antique store was having. See....being early pays off!


Last but not least...I found these babies! No pun intended!! But the shoes are in their original box and even have the date of someone's christening!
The trim is vintage cotton lace! The trims only cost me .25 Cents!

I spent about $15.00 for everything....

Friday, September 17, 2010

Get Inspired

I am in love - feeling all warm and fuzzy - and Inspired!! You have to jump right over to Amy Power's blog and check out her Beautiful - Inpiration packed - ezine!! (I think "ezine" is the right word??)

There are quite a few adorable little projects in there! I will be making one of them this weekend with Lily, and more than likely the other little people in my life!

No more talking (or reading) go check it out!!

I think you will love it!
Thursday, September 16, 2010

Today and the ADD

Today I am seriously considering medication for my ADD...I am not joking! :)

I am laughing at myself, but I am seriously considering help...

Examples for the medical professionals....
While working on my second Swap box - which I am BUSTING at the seems to show you!

I decided that I HAD to rearrange Lily's room and make an entire side of the room a Play area for her because I kept having to step over her little pink table that she likes in the craft room...sketched out a plan..


Back to the craft room....where I decided that I couldn't possibly continue to work in there with all that yarn in bags distracting me (also tripping me)....so I needed to rearrange some stuff and put up more shelves...out to the garage to get some shelves (the wire kind, don't panic I didn't bust out real wood and saws)...




..While in the garage I spotted two wooden crates....decided to move my sewing machines to those and put books in the bottoms...Sidetracked once again!

..Today is Knit Night at my house so I needed to straighten the downstairs (mind you I am still rearranging the upstairs)....while putting away a tablecloth I spotted a plate stand that I thought FOR SURE I needed to spray paint Pink for Lily's room. Surely, she needed another spot to put her buttons and such. So out I went to spray paint....


.. Now I am sweating and need to shut the windows and turn on the AC again...pretty humid out there today...go to shut the windows and literally find 10 other things that distract me while on this task!


*Called my husband and tell him I think I am losing my mind....
Moved her because I am now convinced that she IS laughing at me...

*Decided I needed a Diet Coke to make it through the afternoon and the mental overload...got Lily dressed and started to leave..until my phone started acting crazy and I got distracted by the fact that I couldn't check my emails. Dropped the purse and jumped on the laptop....sidetracked!
What is wrong with me!! I no longer get on my kids about being sidetracked because - SERIOUSLY - that is like the pot calling the kettle black!!


In NO way do I think that ADD is a joke or am I making a joke about such a condition. I am simply acknowledging the fact that the way it affects me is sometimes funny and frustrating!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Little Summer Sunshine for your Plate

An apron full
We have depleted our garden, the dry summer was a bit rough on it and there is nothing left to harvest for the fall. We didn't get a single Squash this year! Last year we could have lived on Zucchini alone...and we practically did! Not a ONE this year! My little orange tomatoes did NOT seem to be affected by the blazing hot summer! I can't even begin to tell you how many tomato salads I made using them...they were soooooo good!

The weather is really starting to cool down but there have been a few warm afternoons to remind us of Summer or maybe hint to a Indian Summer. We took advantage of the yellow tomatoes that appeared to be the end of our veggies and threw them into a big yummy dinner salad!


This is one of my favorites:
Yellow Corn, black beans, pickled red peppers, tomatoes, red onion, romaine and Chicken. Everyone in the house loves it and the bright colors really do make it even more delicious!

Retail Therapy

Yesterday, I was sad....actually for the past couple of days I was sad, but yesterday I let myself be sad. I acknowledged that I was sad.

I missed The Java Stop yesterday and the day before that and the day before that....
It comes in waves....most of the time I am busy and enjoying being home doing home stuff..but some days I miss our cute little store and our fun customers. There were a few other emotions mixed in with that sadness...like frustration, and a few other others that I don't quite have names for.
I solved some of that with a little comfort food, a nice glass of wine and a little Retail Therapy!! HSN was having a 24 hour craft event starting at midnight last night! Needless to say - I fell asleep on the couch with the TV on and after many viewings, I bought......

The Cricut Imagine!! It seems pretty awesome...though they might have caught me at a vulnerable moment, after all I bought the Cricut Expression about 6 months ago. But this one actually prints - in color - and cuts and you can create your own colors and your own papers!

It is a Birthday, Anniversary and Christmas present all rolled into one!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Stash

Sunday it POURED here!! Great day to stay home and work in The Glitter Lounge , after all I have a million swap pieces to create! Instead...I changed out of my comfy flannel pants and grabbed my favorite girls and we headed to an indoor flea market/antique mall.

It was my first time there, it had such a variety, over 70 vendors! So many choices - almost too many choices - I will have to visit several times in order to get the full scope! To add to the excitement, it is also connected to an auction house! They are having an auction this Friday night and we had a chance to preview the set-up, OH the FUN!! There are over 20 boxes of costume jewelry, I think I counted 8 hat boxes that are FULL and a several sewing kits!

I came home with a small stack of goodies this time...a few postcards (which have to stay a secret for a while) a couple of really neat black and whites and of course.....a nice addition of trim for my Vintage Trim swap for Silver Bella!

There are about 20+ yards of trim in there! Mostly cotton, but there are also a few other pieces in there that are more of the polyester variety...one that looks like it would be a beautiful garter or edging on a vintage slip! Not sharing all of this stash! I am NOT getting too close with my picture because I want some of the details of these pieces to be a surprise! I am giving you a bit of a spoiler, here...you should see the fine detail of this one roll...it is all these teeny-tiny little daisies...so cute!

Hopefully, I will have a few goodies to share with you after the auction on Friday!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Preschool and Cupcakes

Today was Lily's first day of Preschool...it went off without a hitch....thank goodness!!!

There was a moment when I thought we had jumped back into the sinking boat of "I want to quit school!!!!"

When the older kids started she couldn't wait for her first day...then...after two weeks of the kids going and her not, she changed her mind.

The two days before school started were UGLY! Stressful and UGLY!

But, she went...with a smile on her face! She picked out her outfit (didn't like the one I picked out...), did her own hair, and actually walked into school ON HER OWN! Of course, I was by her side but she actually walked - on her own two feet - this time!
BIG STEPS HERE PEOPLE, BIG STEPS!!!!

When I picked her up, I took her to pick out a "Pillow Pet" and gave her cupcakes!She was so tired that as soon as we got into the car, she conked out!

Going to school is a good thing...

Love the icing on these cupcakes! I found the recipe here.... Fern & Feather

Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Today my girlfriend Kelly came over for a cup of coffee and some chit-chat...we have gotten together once a week since the shop closed, it has been really nice! I have enjoyed the time...Kelly and I met through "The Shop"...and she was one of the BIGGEST help when it came to close it down. Really meant a lot to me...

While she was over to day, on a whim she asked Lily if she could take some pictures of her...apparently there are complaints about too many pictures of Kelly's favorite subject...her ADORABLE little boy Joey, who is 6 months old. I want to eat him up every time I see him, and I tried too today! Clearly, if I had known that there would be photos, I would have taken the time to straighten my hair! Geez!!
These were a few shots she took while I was working with Lily on her new bike...thank goodness for hand-me-downs!
I love that smile!

I think these pictures are beautiful...but where did THOSE thighs come from!!!!?????!!!!! I am not kidding when I tell you that tomorrow morning after I drop Lily off at Preschool, I am going to the gym! I have gained/shifted quite a few pounds over the past year...the stress of having your own business and a life that is only controlled by said business really does cause some issues!
Check out Kelly's page...she does beautiful work!
Thursday, September 2, 2010

Oatmeal "Cookies"

We have completed two full weeks of school, 3 Back to school nights and countless emergency contact forms!

Getting everyone out the door is a fun event in the morning, especially when some are a bit harder to wake up, a bit pickier in their choices of breakfast and the list continues! I usually do two hot breakfasts in the morning but having other options is always great!
One of my favorites, and I am happy to say, one of my kids favorites are my Oatmeal breakfast "cookies". They are more like a Power Bar without all the added preservatives! These are great for a grab and go snack too. During sports seasons we use these a lot! I usually pack them one of these and a small container of yogurt and they are off!
I pack them with all sorts of fruit and nuts! They are so simple I thought I would share them with you!
Similar to an Oatmeal Cookie...but I cut all the sugar in half and use a combination of whole wheat flour and white flour. I find that when I use all wheat they are a bit too dense...
2 sticks of Butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
*2tsp Benefiber* totally optional, but it works for us!
1 tsp cinnamon (I exclude this because I am allergic...)
3 cups oats (either quick cooking or old fashioned)
THEN, I add...
1 cup sliced almonds (which I toast lightly)
1 cup walnuts or pecans
1 cup toasted coconut
1 cup cranberries
1 cup raisins
and sometimes I add chopped up apricots
I use a regular size ice cream scoop and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. I use silpat sheets to prevent sticking and then store in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers. They normally don't last long enough to go stale!
After school, if it has been a good day, they get yummy treats like this, with a little extra hidden fiber in them!

Give them a try sometime!! Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Back to School Night x2

I have Back to School night - 3 nights in a row! Seriously....I can't believe it...that is a lot of teacher introduction!

It was funny, being in their schools and listening to the teachers and coming to the realization that all my children are growing up. Like, really growing up! I have a Freshman in High School! I honestly remember putting her on the Kindergarten bus as if it were yesterday!

Tonight, I went to the High School, the High School where I have sooooo many memories! Some really good, some really bad! I went to 3 three different High Schools so you can imagine there were some tough times there...

Tonight I pulled into the parking lot and had a rush of memories....coming out of the locker room after Field Hockey practice. The first time I saw all my old friends after I moved back to the area....meeting up with my boyfriend after his baseball practice...

Walking through the halls held so many similar memories...my first kiss...the nasty "mean girls"....the feeling of "needing to get out of here". High School is crazy!

I was also blown away by their workload! Good gracious!!! Aren't they just in High School!?! But, the world is so competitive, they need to get ahead of the game.

My son, Hayden who is in his last year of Elementary school is finally getting resources that are really going to benefit him. They are working on the Visual learning portion of things...finally!! We learn the same way...need to see it to believe it! Believe it or work through it...however you want to look at it!

Tomorrow I go to school for The Senator - The Brain - Mr. Smarty-pants! I am sure that I will be lost in the first 5 minutes of his teachers talking to me.

Wish me luck!

A little Wednesday Whimsy

I thought I would share a little project that I have had tucked away...nothing special, just a bit of Whimsy for you or your favorite little Fairy lover!
When my oldest daughter was younger she had her very own little Fairy garden in our backyard. The idea for the garden came from one of her little girlfriends, and we just expanded on it. We had so much fun with it...the Fairy would come and leave her little notes (written by yours truly) and Bree would leave notes back. It was super sweet!
Recently, I made these little containers of Fairy Fertilizer....because in order for your Fairy to find you she needs to see the sparkles! You'll remember that Lily covered Henry in Glitter so that the Sparkles could come down from Heaven and find him....


I will be listing these little cuties on Etsy today. Each one comes with a handmade vellum envelope filled with flower seeds and a little poem with instructions on how to use your Fairy Fertilizer! The glitter is REALLY sparkly in person, not quite as great in the pictures!