Easter is one of my favorite holidays and it gives me a good excuse to indulge in some new, beautiful things to spruce up my home. Here are a few cute ideas I just love!
There are so many great ideas out there! From little Easter cookies, to hand painted eggs, the possibilities are endless.
To see more of the things I love about Easter, and to get some great DIY ideas, visit my Easter Board on Pinterest! Have a wonderful and blessed Good Friday!
Until next time,
{ 1 comment }
I woke up this morning to the most amazing sunrise outside my kitchen window. I grabbed my camera and a cup of coffee, and spent some time just snapping whatever caught my eye, and quietly reflecting back on 2011.
2011 was a pretty amazing year. Lots of little milestones and lots big ones too! I learned some new things about myself and about others. I let go of some unhealthy friendships and in return, gained some new ones that will surely last a lifetime.
I made a business plan at the beginning of the year, and stuck to it like glue. The hard work and dedication paid off.
I surrounded myself with things that bring me joy and attended events that changed my life.
I learned to let go and to take deep breaths much more often.
I learned that the ability to forgive is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself.
I learned that no matter how much time goes by, I can go home and be embraced by all of the people that really do love me.
I learned that I did a pretty good job raising my kids, and all the things I thought I should’ve done differently? They just don’t matter.
I learned that change is good and I will remain a work in progress.
I learned to make time just for me and not feel guilty. It’s okay. Really.
I learned to fall in love all over again with my best friend, husband and soul mate.
I learned that I am a lot stronger than I think. The things I thought would kill me, didn’t.
I learned to never take my health for granted again. I started moving more and sitting less.
I learned that I had forgotten just how much I love to be outdoors. In the garden. At the beach or in the mountains. This world is a beautiful place.
I learned that giving is so much better than receiving and the smile it brings to someone’s face is priceless.
I learned that I am in no way, shape, or form ready to semi-retire, and it is unlikely I will ever fully retire at all. I love my “jobs” way too much!
I learned that just when I thought I couldn’t take care of one more dog or cat, my heart found a way to let them in. They love unconditionally.
I learned that I love my life and I intend to live it out loud!
I learned that the saying “God is always with you and through Him all things are possible”, really is true.
I wish you, your family and all of those you love, a very healthy and Happy New Year!
Until next time,
{ 0 comments }
I woke up this morning feeling pressured. Not sure if it was because the temperature was in the 60′s or because one of my trees is already beginning to change. Regardless, it hit me that tomorrow is September 1st. September 1st marks the start of my favorite time of year. First and foremost, it’s my birthday “month”. Secondly, football starts, which means I get to start cooking chili, corn bread, hearty stews and actually attempt to bake… Again.
It also means that it is time to start sewing, paper crafting, stamping, card making, and scrapbooking. There is nothing I love more than staying in my p.j.’s all day and crafting, but this year things are different. This year I am in N.C. Now that might not sound like a big deal to you, but believe me, it is.
I have to tell you, the people in my town are flat-out crazy. I’ve cautiously observed them over the past 10 years and didn’t come to this decision lightly. Evidently the madness begins on September 1st with the beginning of the entire towns transformation. From pumpkins and haystacks to beautiful lawns covered in fall displays. Contests for the best decorated business in town; baked goods that make you gain 10 pounds just looking at them and every possible craft creation you can think of. As this is the first time I will be spending the entire season here, I decided it was time to get ready and get moving. There is no way I’m gonna be left behind.
I drove into town, walked into Michael’s and immediately got dizzy. Are you kidding me? I mean seriously people, what the heck? I walked up and down every aisle. There is Halloween stuff, Fall stuff, Thanksgiving stuff, Christmas stuff and New Year’s stuff. Martha Stewart has apparently jumped on the band wagon and I spend quite a bit of time checking out her items. This woman is a little nutsy too… I’ve never seen so many punches, papers, and every possible coordinating item in one place in my life entire. I flipped through her magazine to get some ideas and eventually walked away, thoroughly disgusted, and without one of her items in my cart. She makes it look so easy but I know there has to be a catch. I know for a fact that there is when it comes to her baking ideas.
Eventually I bought some Beacon’s 3 in 1 Craft Glue and a couple of other things I don’t need, for a total of $18.00. I have never gotten out of Michael’s for less than $100.00. Then I drove home and took a nap. Naps are good. They’re an escape from the realities of my life and I when I wake-up, I usually have a clearer head and better perspective. Thank goodness I did this time time too.
I decided to just apply the K.I.S.S. principal. I looked at myself in the mirror and reminded myself that I am not Martha Stewart. I could just “keep it simple stupid” and take this time to enjoy myself. So what if my cards aren’t perfect and my edges are a little crooked? Who cares if my fabric pulls or I got my dirty fingers all over the white part of the card I created? Will the world come to an end if I use the scarecrow that’s been in the garage for 10 years or if I just buy colorful flower pots at Lowe’s rather than plant a garden that rivals the Biltmore? I doubt it.
So, if you keep reading this blog over the next few months, you are sure to see lots of beautiful photos from around town and most likely, some not so great photos of my simple stupid creations. You might even get to see some of my cupcakes with the hideous green frosting or a pillow that looks like it’s seen better days, but that I just completed.
This year I’m going to stamp and glue and sew and cut-up paper and make cards and scrapbook pages and try to bake… Again… And most of all, I am gonna have a ball doing it! Until next time…
{ 0 comments }
My middle child turns 22 today. It is the first birthday I have ever missed and I am feeling kind of low.
Like most 22 year olds who are living on their own for the first time, all she wants is a gift card to Target so she can buy food and curtains.
So on Monday, I went online and ordered her the gift card and a few extra little things. I paid extra for shipping to make sure it got delivered today.
Yesterday, Target emailed me to let me know they are having problems converting to their new computer system with UPS and my order will not be delivered until later this week. Seriously? My kid will have nothing to open on her birthday? What a nightmare. Completely unacceptable.
Birthdays are a big deal in our family. Actually, it is customary that none of us actually call it a birthday, but rather we celebrate our birth month. I have always made a point of making it a very special day nevertheless. I decorate, make a cake, cupcakes or whatever the child wants, and we either go out to dinner or my DH cooks their favorite meal. I take lots of pictures, encourage them to invite their friends and always try to make it a day to remember. Usually, I’m successful.
As clearly this was not going to be a day to remember if the poor girl got nothing from her mommy, I decided to make a little gift box for her. I added a picture of the Target Dog with a list of the gifts that will be arriving in shifts over the next few days.
A trip to the local UPS store, who now along with Target, is not one of my favorite places to do business with, told me it would cost $59.53 to get the four-ounce box to her today. And yes, that is the price for late afternoon delivery. For delivery before 10:30 a.m. it was over $70.00! Anyway, I handed over the debit card and told them to go ahead and ship it out. Major lesson learned.
Next time I will be sure to have the gifts wrapped and sitting in my closet to be taken out for the birthday child on their big day. Target is not be on my list of places to shop, at least until Christmas rolls around, and UPS has permanently lost a customer to the poor, struggling, good old-fashioned, United States Postal Services. Until next time…
{ 0 comments }
