Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday dear Mom,
Happy Birthday to you!

Chuck wanted to put a picture up of you. I told him you would kill us!! Have a great birthday and I am looking forward to dinner tomorrow.

Snow Fun!

We ended up with about a foot of snow. After seeing all of the ice to the south of us I am so grateful that it was just snow. It is very pretty and we have been enjoying it.


I thought this picture really showed how deep the snow was.


Megan was sitting in Chuck's tire rut.



After some fun in the snow it was time to head in for a nice warm bath and dinner. After dinner we made some snow ice cream.


1 gallon snow (you remove the top layer of snow and scoop the snow from the middle of the snow fall)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs vanilla
1 can evaporated milk + regular milk to make two cups

Mix snow, sugar and vanilla. (I didn't measure the snow I just eyed it and had extra snow available) Then add milk. Depending on the mixture you may need to add more milk or snow to get the correct consistency. Enjoy!

Let It Snow!

That is exactly what it is currently doing here.


It started yesterday afternoon and is still snowing. We woke up to a beautiful 9 inches of snow. It is so beautiful! We could possibly have another 3 inches by noon, so this will be a snuggle in kind of day.

We made the cookies yesterday...


so I think today we will make a nice pot of soup and serve it with toasty grilled cheese tonight. Yum!

Grammi & Grandpa (my parents) stopped by with a pair of snow boots for Megan yesterday afternoon. Saying she loves them is an understatement! She is currently walking around in her PJ's and her snow boots! I guess a trip to stomp around in the snow is in order today.

Wishing you all a safe, warm & cozy day!

Bacon Muffins

I have been looking for make ahead breakfast items. Chuck has to be at work at 6:30 each morning and isn't ready to eat until after he arrives at work. He mentioned that he is getting bored with the normal fare so I have been on the look out for something different.



6 bacon strips, diced
2 cups baking mix
2 tbs sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup milk

Cook bacon and drain. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry just until moistened. Fold in bacon. Bake at 400* for 13-15 minutes. Yields 9 muffins.

These were tasty and unique. Not something that we would eat weekly, but definitely something I will make again. These would be awesome served warm with eggs and fruit. Enjoy!

Recipe from February 2009 Taste of Home Simple & Delicious.

Happy Homemaking Monday

On my bedside table:
Revealed by Tamera Alexander

On my TV:
Disney
Tonight will be Jon & Kate Plus 8

On the menu for tonight:
Pizza Casserole & Salad

On my To Do list:
Laundry
Reading
Vaccum
Tidy up house
Babysit

New recipe I tried last week:
Oatmeal Cookie Pie

In the craft basket:
Valentine wreath

Looking forward to:
A wonderful evening with my family.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
Spray measuring cups/spoons with non-stick spray before measuring sticky things like peanut butter, honey etc so they slide right out. I should have taken my own advise when I measured out corn syrup for my pie! lol

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Putting My Husband First by Monica @ The Homespun Heart

Favorite photo of the week:

Could Megan "cheese" any harder!

Lesson learned the past few days:
Don't leave the bathroom to answer the phone if you leave a tube of toothpaste on the counter and your two year old daughter alone with it!

On my Prayer List:
My husband

Devotional, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11

This is something new that Sandra @ Diary of a SAHM is hosting. Be sure stop by and wish her a great Monday!

Oatmeal Cookie Pie

Did you know that today is National Pie Day? I had no idea until Mrs. U mentioned it last week. She had a wonderful idea to have everyone make a pie to celebrate. I made an Oatmeal Cookie Pie.



Graham Cracker Crust

1 1/2 finely crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup sugar
8 T melted butter

Combine all ingredients and pat into pie pan.

3 eggs
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 T melted butter
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 T flour
1 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt

Beat eggs, corn syrup, brown sugar and butter. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into crust and bat at 350* on a baking sheet for 45-59 minutes or until center is set.

Great served with fresh whipped cream. You could also add 3/4 cups raisin if desired.

Be sure to visit Mrs. U over at Making A House A Home to see some wonderful pies. Oh, and this really does taste like an oatmeal cookie! Have a great weekend!

List

Megan loves to write and draw. Lately she has been asking for pen and paper to make a list. Here is one of her list.


Me: "What is on your list?"

Megan: "Groceries."

Me: "What kind of groceries?"

Megan: "Peanut Butter."

Me: "What else is on you list?'

Megan: "Rest, bath (thinks for a really long time) play."

Sound a wonderful plan for the day. Do you think that I might be making too many list!?

Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday

It is that time again to share what I have been working on. The lights were put up in the kitchen and I can now officially say the ceiling is completely done. Yeah!


Now I am moving on to removing the wallpaper.


I was only able to get a little bit of it done today. It is not something that I can do for a long period of time with a two year old around. I will work on it as time permits and I hope to have it done by weekend.

We plan on doing our hallway ceiling the same way we did the kitchen. We have a very small hall so we should be able to complete it in a weekend. Since Chuck already had the saw out he went ahead and cut all of the boards.


I bet you thought you were done hearing about ceilings!!

I also be working on laundry today. Washing all of the bedding and a load of towels. I have been feeling the urge to craft and will try to work that in also.

Be sure to visit Leslie at My Country Home to what projects others are working on.

Happy Tuesday!

After a slow start to the morning I think I am finally ready to get moving. I hate to admit it, but as I write this we are still in our PJ's!

Yesterday was full and long. My sister and family were here until about noon so that threw our schedule off. I then had my afternoon kids and as soon as they left it was time to get ready to head to Chuck's dad and step moms.

They had been in Australia for the past two weeks and we were going over for dinner and to celebrate birthdays. It was lots of fun and we were out much to late for a Monday night.

All of the grandkids were there which made for much noise and laughter. Chuck's dad really likes to get the kids wound up. We also found out that there will be another grandkid this year! Chuck's step-brother Brian and his wife Brooke are expecting. It was so hectic that I didn't get all of the details. It does explain why Brooke left all of the action Christmas Day to go take a nap! I don't know when but Brian is being deployed sometime this year. I just hope that he will be here the arrival of his baby. The joys of being in the military.

On the schedule for today is: finish laundry, tidy the house, watch kids this afternoon and I am hoping to be able to take down wallpaper in the kitchen.

Have a great Tuesday!

Cell Numbers Go Public?

I received an e-mail yesterday from a friend. She was telling me that cell phone numbers are going public? What? Maybe I have been living with my head in the sand, but I had no idea this was happening.

Here is what Cathie had to say:

"REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing
companies and you will start to receive sales calls.... YOU WILL BE
CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222.

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your
time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the
cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a
different phone number."

I figured if I didn't have a clue about this that some of you may not have heard of this either. My cell number is only given out to a handful of people and I sure don't want to be receiving unsolicited calls. It took me less then a minute to have my cell number added to the no call list. It should take effect within 31 days.

Craft, Coat Closet & Kitchen Ceiling Update

This weekend was great and I feel like so much was accomplished. I have gone through everything in the living room, including the closet! Oh, it feels so good to sit in here and know that there isn't a messy closet or clutter stuffed here and there. Here are the before pictures of the closet.



And the after.



There is still a little more in there then I would like, but when you live in a smaller house you make the best of it.

While cleaning it out I did realize that I have too many project in progress or to be started. Until I get a few things accomplished there will be no more trips to Michael's or JoAnn's!

This is one way that I store my projects.


Once I have everything I need for a project I will place it in a bag and place it over a hanger. I then hang it in the closet and when I am ready I have everything I need in one place.

Megan went home with her Grandma (Chuck's mom) after church and we were able to finish painting the kitchen ceiling.


I think it turned out great and I can't wait to get the lights back up. The next step is to remove wallpaper.

I am off to start laundry. My sister and nieces will be coming over later this morning and then I have my babysitting kids this afternoon. Looks to be a busy day! Have a great Monday!

P.E.A.C.E.

As I was reading one of my favorite magazines, Country Woman, I ran across an article called Get Organized! by Sue DeRoos. Since I am in my organizing mode I immediately perked up. I thought I would share a part I found helpful...

"In a nutshell, these are Sue's tips to make PEACE with organization:

Put like items together
Elimate items you don't need, use or love
Assign a home for everything
Contain within designated spaces
Execute these steps periodically"

Sure these are common sense things, but I liked how she used the word peace to get the point across. I don't know about you, but I sure feel more at peace when things are organized.

Chuck is off today so I am off make breakfast and then start painting my kitchen ceiling. Have a great weekend!

Cozy Day

We are experiencing some cold weather. The news is saying that today and Friday will be the coldest days we've had in two years. Great days for staying home nice and cozy. Megan and I spend a very relaxing day... a little laundry, a little reading and a little cookie making.

After reading Katy's post yesterday I had to bake some chocolate chip cookies!

There were snow showers for most of the day and Megan was begging to go outside.


Chuck and Megan bundled up and headed out for a few minutes. They were out for about 10 minutes. I think it took more time to get ready then they spent outside.
Well worth it because she had so much fun!

They were greeted with a warm cup of hot chocolate, with marshmallows of course, and fresh baked cookies.

Hope you are able to spend a warm, cozy day with those you love!

Still on Clutter Patrol

I am close to being done with the living room. I just have the big job left, the closet. As with most things it usually isn't as bad as you think.

Chuck's step-dad was given a wonderful kitchen for Megan. We managed to find a place for it in the living room. I added a couple of baskets on the hutch to hold all the important kitchen stuff and a basket in a "cabinet" above her refrigerator.

I then moved on to the shelves under the tv cabinet. I removed some toys that she is too old for and added a basket to hold some of her books. I am very pleased with the way this turned out. I was tired of seeing books falling off of the shelf. Sorry when I first started I forgot to take before pictures.


The next area is my constant trouble area.


I removed a stack of magazines to go through and just left a couple of catalogs, two devotionals, the book I am currently reading. Return to Holly Springs by Jan Karon. The gift bag is holding my learn to knit and crochet things. Since this is a constant battle I might have to remove the basket if I can't keep it under control.

Oh and the blanket you see peeking out from behind the couch is the blanket we use for Megan in the car. That is the only place to keep it where I remember to grab it!


Megan had fun with marshmallows during her afternoon craft time. She was placing marshmallows on a snowman. Did you know that if you wet a marshmallows it will stick to the paper. Actually Megan would lick it and stick it to the paper.

Of course there were lots of marshmallows making it into her tummy!

I am off to start my day. Hopefully I will get the closet taken care of today. Have a great day and for my friends nearby, stay warm!

Happy Tuesday!

Thank you to everyone for the sweet birthday wishes! I had a wonderful birthday. I had planned to just drive-thru Chick-fil-A on the way to my sisters, but she called and I was joined by her and my parents. Now that is a great way to start the day!

The stenciling in my sister's hallway went really quick. I was even able to help her hang her decor and family pictures down her stairs. Sorry, no pictures because I forgot my camera! I then headed to my parents while Megan spent the afternoon with my sister. I had some quiet time on the computer. Sweet!

We all meet up again for dinner and cake at my parents.


This is the cake that my nieces decorated. Sorry, I know they picture is terrible. I forgot my camera and all the pictures from my parents camera looked this way. I thought it was really sweet of them.

After being away from home most of yesterday I am looking forward to being home and getting a few things done. Have a great day!

Library Bags, A Gift & A Birthday

I hope that everyone had a fabulous weekend. Mine was nice and relaxing. I spent a little time crafting and made monogram library bags for Megan and myself.

Mom had given me these canvas bags. She purchased them for a $1 at a discount craft store and had given me some left over fabric from a blanket she made. I used Word to print out the letters. I used the font Coppers Black size 500. After cutting out my letters I used Heat & Bond Adhesive to attach them.

A simple, inexpensive craft. I am so pleased with they way they turned out that I am thinking of making these bags to use a gift bags for Birthdays/Christmas presents.

We have the most delightful neighbors. She is in her 70's and he is in his late 80's. Due to a stroke over a year ago he is bedridden and is not really able to communicate. Chuck and Megan go over to visit with Bill and it is the highlight of his day. We received a call over the weekend asking Chuck to help out with something (he has become her handyman) and saying that she had a gift for Megan. She crocheted Megan a blanket!


I think handmade gifts are the best!!

Today is my birthday. All I will say is that I am thirty-something! I am heading over the my sister's house to stencil her upstairs hallway. I just might treat myself to breakfast at Chick-fil-A on the way. This evening we will be going to my parents house for my birthday dinner. Wishing everyone a great Monday!