Collection of my favorite sites + tutorial pages

I don’t know about you guys, but in my “favorites” bar on my computer is FILLED with craft sites (or just awesome sites) and tutorials that I want to try.  I’ve probably attempted some of them, but I have MANY to go!

I thought I’d share a few of the awesome ones! (click on picture for link)

This AWESOME shower curtain from A Little Lovely

This blog puts me in a good mood just looking at it! So colorful!!

And this cute garland is so happy looking!

Kara’s Party Ideas is a MUST-SEE site if you plan on throwing parties. SO MANY IDEAS, so little reasons to party!

Great idea for baby gift from Blueprint Crafts!

Grace Is Overrated journal pages…I. Love. These.

Naughty Secretary Club has been a fave of mine for a LOOOONG time. I have her book and it’s seriously inspiring!!

The CUTEST clothes EvEr from Persnickety!  I would dress my girls in these everyday if I could! (someday?)

There you have it! A sneak peek into my computer’s favorites! Hope you enjoy them and even try a few!

MIA + cookie decorating

I feel like I’ve been MIA lately. Maybe it’s because my mind really has been, therefore making it pretty hard to do ANYthing! But, I’m back for now and ready to do this happy post! :)

One of my sister’s recently had a baby…girl!  Third one, but just as precious as the other two!  Name: Victoria Kay. Yes, I love the name!  She knew ahead of time what she was having, making it very (too) easy to accumulate gifts for her!  One of the gifts I thought she’d enjoy was cut-out cookies!  I started cutting, all excited to decorate them so cute-ly.  By my 3rd pan of baking (with 4 more to go!) I wished I was done….ugh!  But I survived, with a little help from the Hubby and one of the princesses, so it wasn’t so bad.

♪ ♫ I get by with a little help from my friends…♫ ♪ (The Beatles)

My cookie cutters are from The Cookie Cutter Company. GREAT selection and low prices!

Right before I started, I was desperately trying to find any store that carried “Meringue Powder.” I called every store around here I could think of–to no avail. (We don’t have many stores around here…) So, again, improvise right? I looked up the Royal Icing recipe that did not call for meringue powder. (here). It actually tastes great and works well!

Come to find out a few days later that Wal-Mart DOES carry it in the craft/wedding section. (Gggrrrr! >:( @the walmart worker that said they didn’t carry it!)

Funny how I don’t remember it being so bad decorating cookies when I was little. But we had about triple the amount of help I have…hmm.

I started off strong, but by the end the cookies I did and my 3 year old did were pretty close in the running of most artistic. ;)

☺ Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!! ☺

(BTW- I’m a little jealous of LifeAsAWife…four WHOLE days on a mini vaca with just her Hubby and no kids. Sigh.  Someday soon it will be my turn!)

Happy Valentine’s Day! L.O.V.E.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

Yummy…

I so have NOT been keeping up on my end of the deal with blogging over here.  I could start listing off excuses about how we literally have been seeming to catch every bug that we come into contact with, or how the DH has switched up his schedule so I feel a little out of whack, but truth is I don’t have a good reason except that I really just think winter has set itself in deep with me this year.  I am finding it hard to get out of the slump of sitting on the couch with a bag of the lastest junk food that I have stocked in the cupboard. I’ve been out of touch lately.

So, I am heading out of town in a few days to get some alone time with the DH and to just have some good old fashion dating fun.  We are stopping by to stay with good friends of ours for a night or two, and going to catch a pro hockey game (my first!).

What does yummy have to do with all of that your thinking. Moving on. I can’t seem to post enough about food (can you tell its one of my passions lol). J does crafting and I seem to always post about food. Here is a very good Black Bean Salsa recipe.  It does take a little bit of time but TRUST ME, its worth it.

1 1/2 c. frozen corn, thawed                                             1 med. tomato, chopped
1 c. frozen peas, thawed                                                    1/4 c. chopped red onion
1/2 tsp. ground cumin                                                       1/4 c. lime juice
1/8 tsp. dried oregano                                                       1 T. Dijon mustard
1 T. olive oil                                                                          1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained            4 T. minced fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl, combine corn and peas.  In a skillet, cook cumin and oregano in oil over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Pour over corn mixture; stir to coat evenly. Stir in beans, tomato and onion.  In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice, mustard, garlic and salt. Stir in cilantro. Pour over corn mixture and stir to coat.  Refrigerate leftovers.

Hello, friend…(another) printable

I don’t know about you, but there is definitely truth to the old saying, “It is better to give than to receive.”  I LOVE giving gifts to unsuspecting people.  And, suspecting people too…

I created this little printable tag to stick in the gifts I give.

A cute, simple note to write on.

And along the same lines of “giving,” I have the free printable to share! :)

And here is the link to the free printable!    hellofriend

HAPPY WEEKEND, FRIENDS!