Be Prepared and a little Digi

Hi! Wow what a week we've had. We had a huge storm come through our town on early Monday morning. We had just laid down at midnight when it really hit. At about 12:30 we heard a loud noise. We both jumped out of bed and looked out the windows. I had never seen wind blow that hard or rain come down so hard. The sky was flickering with lightning and we had no power. It was eerie and kinda scary. After the worst past we shined our flashlights outside and noticed some branches down. We could hear other neighbors yelling down the road and sirens in the distance. The next morning we still had no power and went out to assess the damage. We had a huge branch on top of our roof. Thank goodness it didn't cause any damage. Other houses weren't as lucky. There were trees down all over the city and lots of damaged property. Crazy what a strong wind will do.

I had just finished our tornado emergency kits. We did learn that even with that we're not as ready as I thought we might be. There is a lot to think about in an emergency. Who is going to grab which kid? What about our phones? Our storm cellar had 2 feet of water in it and since the power was out the sump pump didn't work. Great. Do we want to sit in 2 feet of nasty water during a tornado? And what if we were trapped down there? Lots to think about. We definitely need more flashlights and a generator would be handy too. We were without power for about 32 hours and were able to salvage most of our food. I did end up throwing a lot away.

Anyway, I just wanted to share our experience with you so you can think about your situation at home. Are you prepared? If something happened, whether it be a huge storm that knocks out power for a couple of days or a devastating emergency, would you and your family be okay? We are so grateful we had Aaron's parents here to help with the clean up. I am 9 months pregnant now and not a ton of help. We survived. I'm in an air conditioned house with Internet. We take for granted all our blessings in a blink of an eye we could lose it all. Just something to think about.

Okay, I do have a page for you this week. This template comes out on Monday the 4th. It is by Linda Roos of In the Making Designs. I love her clean lines and beautiful kits. I used her Valpolicella kit for this. I'm just digging grey lately. Find her stuff here and pick up these templates on Monday. Super handy and very versatile.

Full Credits Here.

Have an awesome Thursday!!!! :)



Oreo Layer Dessert...

...Or should I say HEAVEN!?  I used to make this dessert all the time years ago.  I haven't made it such a long time, because believe it or not, I got Oreo Layered OUT!  I made it so much because it is just so dang yummy.  My love for the stuff is back.  I promise this time I won't make it on a weekly basis and eat half the pan each time.  This is such a great summer time dessert.  It is so fluffy and delicious.  Give it a try!

Oreo Layer Dessert

1 pkg of regular Oreos

1/2 c. of butter

1 lg box of instant chocolate pudding

2-8 oz cool whips

8 oz. of cream cheese, softened

1 c. powdered sugar

Crush the whole package of cookies either with a food processor, or in a bag and a rolling pin.  Save a 1/2 c. to sprinkle on top of dessert when it's done.  Pour remaining crumbs in a 13x9 pan.  Melt butter and pour into crumb mix.  Stir it up good and press crumbs in bottom of pan to make a crust.  Make chocolate pudding according to package directions and let it setup in the fridge.  In a mixing bowl blend cream cheese until nice and smooth and then add powdered sugar, mix.  Then fold in 1-8 oz thing of cool whip.  Top oreo layer with cream cheese mix, then pudding, then your last 8 oz thing of cool whip, and then sprinkle remaining Oreo's on top.  Cover and refridgerate until ready to serve. 

Hope you enjoy this dessert as much as my family does.  Have a great Wednesday!

Menu Monday

Here's another addition to our Menu Monday!  I think this is so fun.  I have to be honest...last week got busy, so there were a couple of nights I didn't cook.  :o)  Please tell me I'm not the only one that says, "I am not cooking tonight!  It's a grab and growl night."  My kids love it because they mostly get to eat crap like hot pockets, corn dogs, cereal, or ramen.  So here's hoping I actually stick to the menu this week and actually follow through with it.  Oh, and Moni won't be posting with me today.  She had a BIG storm roll through her lil' town in Missouri last night and they are without power.  Just glad it wasn't a more serious storm and that she and her family are fine.

Monday
Cowboy Calzones

Tuesday
Simply Done Chicken Legs with mashed taters and gravy

Wednesday
Softball games, so probably grab and growl night.  :o)

Thursday
Tinfoil dinners

Friday
Chicken Taco Pasta

Saturday
Meatloaf and Augratin potatoes

Sunday
Taco Salads

Hope you all have a fun week.  And welcome to all our new followers we got over the weekend!  :o)  Don't forget to like us on facebook, and your input is always appreciated.  I'm thinking we'll do a fun giveaway soon!  Yay!

Jessica Sprague Bloghop (Stop #38)

The bloghop has officially ended. Thanks so much for making it a great success!!!

Welcome to The Giant Blog of Cooking, Crafting, and Other Activities! We are so glad you are visiting our blog as part of the Jessica Sprague 4th Birthday Bloghop. We hope you take a second to look around. We share recipes, crafty goodness, and of course lovely Digital creations. We love our giant lil' blog and love sharing what we love. :)

If this is your first stop on the bloghop you need to go to the lovely Jessica's blog to start off. You are in for a booty of Digi goodies. I can't wait!

I'm so excited to share with you a printable hybrid bag.

This is a fun little bag perfect for a quick little thank you gift or thinking about you gift. You can perfectly fit some homemade treats or whatever. This bag is made using IKari's Perfect Packaging template and the beautiful digital paper and elements from today's bloghop.

This freebie is in PDF format so you DON'T need to know photoshop to use it. Just print, cut, and put together. Easy! And so cute. :) It will be available to you along with all the other freebies until Sunday June 26th, 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Don't miss out!

Enjoy this fun goodie and keep on going on this Bloghop! There's still more!!!!

If you are in the right order you came from the talented Mindy's Blog.

Next you are headed to the gal that got me hooked on Digi, Rachael's Blog. Enjoy!!!

Come again!!!!

Peach Cobbler

It's officially Summer! So this is a perfect recipe to start the summer off. I saw some peaches at my local grocery store and I was a little wary at first feeling like it was too early for peaches. My son loves fruit and begged for one so I grabbed a few. They were delicious! My mind of course started to think about peach desserts. Mmmmmm. Peaches.

I'm a big Peach Cobbler fan but not really a big fan of the canned peaches, cake mix kind. It's okay, but I found it usually way too sweet for my liking. I was willing to use fresh peaches and a cake mix but came across a  recipe from Paula Dean. Oh Paula. Her and I could be friends. Seriously, between all that butter and that Southern drawl, I love that lady.

This recipe has lots of good ratings and I'll have to agree. It's a keeper. It had the perfect peachy sweetness and I liked the texture of the cake. Yum. If you have the peaches and a little extra time this recipe is so worth it.

Weak sauce photo. Sorry. This was what was left. We loved this stuff!

Peach Cobbler
4 cups peeled, sliced peaches

2 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup water
8 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups milk
Ground cinnamon, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place in oven to melt.

Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

We had this with vanilla ice cream the first night. The next night I warmed it up and drizzled evaporated milk on it. My sweet Grandma used to serve it that way. Definitely comfort food for me.

Enjoy!

Source: The Food Network (Paula Dean)

Broccoli Salad

Back in the day, I worked in my local Deli.  I truly loved that job and that is where I learned to really LOVE to cook.  I made some great friends there, and I also remember a few of the recipes of some of the things we made there.  This Broccoli Salad is one that we used to make.  It was my favorite!  We would put the premade coleslaw dressing in it though.  So, if you don't want to make your own, you can definately get the premade crap. :o)  I, on the other hand, wanted to make my own.  And i'm glad I did, because it was even better from what I remember it being.  My husband thought it was gonna be gross, but he was pleasantly surprised.  He had 3 helpings! The flavors all go so well together and I love all the different textures.  A great recipe to bring to a BBQ or any kind of summer gathering.  I'm taking it to my family reunion this weekend.

Broccoli Salad
10 c. fresh broccoli (3-4 BIG bunches)
1 c. raisins
1/2 c. red onion, chopped
1 pkg of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. sunflower seeds
4 Tbsp sugar
6 Tbsp white vinegar
2 c. mayo

In a big bowl combine broccoli, raisins, and onion.  In a smaller bowl combine sugar, vinegar, and mayo and stir until nice and smooth.  Pour on top of broccoli mix and stir until everything is coated.  Refridgerate.  Before serving, stir in the bacon and sunflower seeds.

You can add more raisins, sunflower seeds, or onion if you'd like.  It just depends on your taste.  I didn't add as many raisins, because I knew my Dad didn't really care for them.  And I didn't add as much onion, because my husband doesn't like them.  :o)  PICKY PICKY!

See you tomorrow!!

Digi Day

This is the big week for the Jessica Sprague Birthday Bloghop! I hope you've set a little time aside this weekend to gather up some major goodies. Not only will you get a huge collaboration kit but you'll get multiple quickpages, hybrid goodies, and embellishment clusters. Huge! The party starts Friday night!

Last weekend I finally got to do the Speedscraps. They were so much fun! If you haven't had the chance to hit one. This weekend is your last chance. Join them in the general forum Friday at 9pm EDT and Saturday at 2pm EDT. This is what I was able to get done in my allotted time frame for each speedscrap.

Full Credits Here.

Full Credits Here.

Man I love this scrappin' stuff! Both of these layouts were completed following 7 rules in a little over an hour. It's stressful but fun and challenging. 

Oh, and don't forget the birthday sale is still going on. That ends Sunday the 26th. Jessica is also announcing a new class to start in July on Sunday! If you put Jessica and new class in the same sentence then I am there! Can't wait for that announcement.

Okay, have a great Tuesday! Remember Bloghop goes live Friday night! Don't miss it!

Menu Monday

We are jumping on the bandwagon and sharing our weekly menu with you. A big reason we are doing this is cause Erica usually texts me with "dinner?" and I respond then say "you?". For some reason we care about what each other is making. I occasionally hit this blog for new menu ideas so hopefully we can be an occasional resource to you for your own menu.

If we can link it to a recipe on our blog or a recipe on the web we will for sure. Anyway, enjoy our weekly set up!

Monica
Since I am two weeks from having a baby I am keeping things pretty simple. I will throw out a disclaimer right now that I am in no way a gourmet cook. My recipes are usually simple prego or not with the occasional "out there" recipe. I love tried and true recipes and enjoy trying new things occasionally. So with that being said, I try really hard to always offer a vegetable or salad and a fruit with all my meals. So I may just post an entree but there is almost always a vegi and fruit with my dinners. Just so you know. :)

Monday
Tofu Stirfry with Rice

Tuesday
Huevos Rancheros

Wednesday
Banana Pancakes

Thursday
Baked Potato Bar
Fresh Broccoli and Cheese

Friday
Tacos
Spanish Rice
Vegi

Saturday
Family will be here, Out maybe?

Sunday
Grilled Chicken with Mango Black Bean Salsa
Homemade Rolls
Crisscross Potatoes
Green Salad

No links for me today, sorry. But I definitely have some ideas for future recipe posts. If you every want a recipe, shoot us a message. :)

Erica
Monica?  Simple?!  I would be doing mac and cheese, ramen, or corn dogs every night when I was about  to have my babies!  You are doing amazing! 

I'm with Moni on the veggie or fruit thing.  I will mostly just be posting the main entree, hoping you will know that my kids do eat some healthy food too. 

Monday

Tacos with Spanish Rice

Tuesday
Sloppy Joes and Chips

Wednesday
Lemon Butter Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Noodles

Thursday
Cowboy Calzones...recipe to come!

Friday
Grilled Steaks and Dutch Oven Potatoes  (My sweet hubs usually cooks at least once a week and this is his favorite one to whip up.)

Saturday
We have a big family reunion this day, so I think we will keep it simple...like...corn dogs?  lol...Now THAT is simple!

Sunday
Meatloaf and AuGratin potatoes

And there ya have it!  Now you know what we are eating all week long.  I got a few yummy recipes coming up, and I'm really excited to share them with you.  They are awesome!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day weekend.  I know we did.  Here's to a fun and exciting week!  And hopefully we'll be introducing you to Monica's new baby boy or girl soon.  I can not WAIT!!!!!

Oh, and feel free to share your weekly menu with us.  We always like new ideas.  :o)

Friday Favorite

I've seen a lot of fun blogs lately. I can't get over at how many beautiful crafty talented people there are out there. I love the blogging community and the hundreds of ideas available to us. I've been looking for chore chart ideas and I think I know what I want to do but just haven't crossed that off my list yet. In my search I found a cute blog called The Crafting Chicks. They are a group of friends that share the blog posting all their gorgeous crafting ideas. If you're feeling like you need a project then head on over and check it out! Here are a few things that caught my eye.


 I love this idea! It is a summer merit badge program! Check out the post here, but in general it is a list of tasks for your child to learn to earn "badges" for the summer. Love it!

Here is another fun summertime post with ideas on keeping the kids busy.



They have lots of cute Father's Day ideas on their home page. I love this little board. I think my kiddos would love to draw dad a picture or write a little note to him.

They feature a lot of other crafters and blogs too. Seriously, their blog is a plethora of ideas. Check it out!!! Have a happy Friday! I love Friday. It's movie night at our house! :)

Night Owl S'More Treats

I love to make treats that are easy to throw together and that the kids...and me will love. These were just down that alley.  They were easy and OH SO YUMMY!  Thanks to my friend Kelsey at A Spice a Day I am now addicted to this stuff.  I had to send half the pan home with another friend just so I wouldn't eat it all.  I have no self control when it comes to sweet things.  :o)  These tasted just like S'Mores.  And if your children are already bored with their summer, get them in the kitchen to help out with this treat.  Please tell me I'm not the only Mom that has a kid that says I'm bored about 50 times a day?  She is getting better because I threatened more chores if she said it again.  Bahahahahahahaa!  Anyway...try this!  TODAY!

Night Owl S'more Treats
9 c. Golden Graham Cereal (I used the Malt O Meal brand)
3/4 c. light corn syrup
3 Tbsp. butter
11.5 oz bag of milk chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
3 c. mini marshmallows

Measure your cereal into a large bowl.  Butter a big cookie sheet.  In a medium saucepan put your corn syrup, butter, and chocolate chips in and on med heat melt them all together stirring constantly.  When it's all smooth take it off the heat and stir in your vanilla.  Pour over top of cereal and stir it to coat the cereal with the chocolate.  Pour in marshmallows and stir all together.  Pour mix onto buttered cookie sheet and press down with your hand.  Now enjoy it and try not to eat the whole pan.  :o)

Source-A Spice a Day

Have a happy Wednesday!!!

Digi Day

I'm so overly nerdy excited about all that's going on over at JessicaSprague.com. I know you probably get sick of me but I can't help it. Digi scrapping and all that goes with it just makes me giddy. Well, like I said last week, June is celebration month! We're celebrating the websites 4th birthday. Today starts the birthday bash sale. Here is your chance to sign up for some of those classes you've been wanting to take.

•35% off of all digital products

•30% off of Up & Running with Photoshop and Photo Editing: Good to Great Workflow (July is our Beginner's Open House)
•20% off of all self-paced online classes (including Digi: In Deeper-brand new to self-paced! Woot!)

Also, don't forget the speed scraps every Friday and Saturday. These are a fun way to challenge yourself and stretch your photoshop muscles. Plus you get a freebie! I'm hoping to get in on this Friday's. See you there?

And don't forget the big blog hop coming up. This is huge! I've seen some sneak peeks and you really don't want to miss this. So much FREE awesome stuff! (See I'm a nerd! Sooo excited!)

Here are all the little details. :)

Okay, phew I need to take a breath. Here is my layout for the week featuring LivE Designs Ez-pz template number 8. They really are a cinch to put together. Find them Here!

This photo was taken by my sis-in-law Jamie the day after my baby girl was born. I have always loved this photo and am so glad I finally have it in a book. Oh they grow too fast. (Sorry, mommy moment) *Sigh*

Hope you are having a wonderful week. My week has been busy with my list of so many things to do to get ready for our little arrival. Mostly nesting and neglected projects. I've been working on a Father's Day gift this week too. Can't wait to show you! :) Have a wonderful day!

P.S. Don't forget the sale!!!!

Hummus

I remember the first time I tried Hummus.  It was in the Liffy's family kitchen with tortilla chips.  I had never had ANYTHING so delicious.  I think I ate a butt load, and then was embarrased afterwards for eating too much. :o)  I think my sister got that batch from Costco.  Ever since then, whenever anyone goes to Costco, I have them get me some Hummus.  Well...no one has gotten any for me in a loooooong time, so I thought I would make some on my own.  I'm happy I found an easy enough recipe to hurry and whip up.  It was pretty dang good.  And if I rememeber right, then I think it might beat the Costco kind.  I need to do a comparison, so if anyone is going to Costco, make sure to bring me some home to compare.  The first batch I made, I added too much garlic.  I was burping garlic for a week.  Yum!  Let's just say I didn't get too many kisses from the hubs.  He's not a fan of garlic.  *lol*  The next time I made it, I didn't add as much and it turned out perfectly.  If you are not too into the garlicky flavor then don't add as much.

Hummus
1-19 oz can of garbanzo beans
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp cumin
juice from 1 lemon
1 Tbsp olive oil
3-6 Tbsp water
salt to taste
more olive oil to drizzle on top when it is done
and a dash of paprika

In a food processor add your beans, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, olive oil and 3 Tbsp of water.  Process ingredients until a nice puree.  If it's too thick then add more water a Tbsp at a time until it's the right consistency.  I only added the 3 Tbsp to mine.  Taste it and then add salt if you'd like to.  Process again.  Put into a serving dish and drizzle olive oil over top and sprinkle some paprika over it.  Serve with tortilla chips, veggies, or cut up pitas.  DELISH!  :o)

Have a great week!!!

Source-Food and Whine

4th of July Cupcakes

I know this seems a little early, but it's nice to start getting some ideas for all those BBQs coming up. Cupcakes are still a really "in" thing and I love to make them and give them away. There is a great satisfaction in screwing up ones diet for the day with a scrumptious cupcake. Sorry Josh. :)

I am throwing in a little digi here. These adorable cupcake flags will be available on Monday over at JessicaSprague.com. They are by Elle's Studio. I've showcased her stuff before. She has some fun, easy hybrid projects that anyone can do. Also, no photoshop skills required. Her files come in an Acrobat format so all you do is print, cut, and put together. Aren't they so cute?!

These cuppies are nothing fancy. I know you've seen the "tie die" or "rainbow" cupcakes all over the web. They are super simple and make a fun cupcake to celebrate an event or holiday. When you're in a hurry there is nothing wrong with a cake mix. Don't tell me otherwise or you'll be in for an arm wrestle. I prefer Duncan Hines mixes, they just seem more moist. If you want to doctor it up a bit, go for it.

Mix up your batter, then split it in however many colors you want in your cuppie. Mix in your food coloring. You can use the drops, I use Wilton Concentrated Gel Icing Colors. Next you layer them in your cupcake wrappers, spread the batter with each addition for a more level look. Then bake according to directions. I told you it was easy. :)

Just a hint, red is a hard color to master. When you are mixing red into a white frosting or batter you inevitably get pink no matter how much red you seem to put in. If you're not careful you can change the consistency of the batter or frosting and change the taste. Yuck! To get a good red, start by making your batter/frosting a darker color. You can dye it a dark pink using a pink gel or in this case I added cocoa powder to the batter. It does change the taste of your batter, but chocolate? No problem for me. ;) Then add in a good red color. Wilton has a Red/Red gel that works great.

Let me know if you make these, I would love to see your version! Have a great Thursday!!!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

I love fast and easy meals, and this was definately one of them.  Plus my family gobbled it up.  So on my list it goes.  The recipe calls for green onions, but I left them out.  I knew if I put them in Jason wouldn't eat it.  I think it'd be awesome with them in, but we gotta keep them honeys happy! :o)

Sour Cream Noodle Bake
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained
15 oz. can of tomato sauce

8 oz. egg noodles

3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/4 c. cottage cheese
1 to 2 c. Shredded cheddar cheese (I like a lot of cheese, so I used just about 2 cups)
1/2 c. green onions, chopped (use less or more for your taste)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Brown your hamburger in a frying pan.  Drain off grease and add your tomato sauce.  While the beef is simmering start boiling your noodles.  Strain and set aside.  Mix together your sour cream and cottage cheese together.  Stir in green onions and I put lots of pepper in mine.  Then add your noodles and mix well.  In a 8x8 casserole dish pour in half the meat sauce on the bottom, then half the noodle mix, a layer of cheese and then repeat layers topping with cheese.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake 15-20 minutes or until your cheese is good and melty.  :o)  Enjoy with your favorite green salad and some garlic bread.

Source-The Pioneer Woman

Digi Day

There is a lot going on at JessicaSprague.com. June happens to be the websites 4th birthday and there are a lot of fun happenings to celebrate! First off, every Friday and Saturday for the month of June a CT member is hosting a Speed Scrap. Here is the flyer with the details. They are a fun way to challenge your scrapping skills and get a freebie in return.

Also, JessicaSprague.com is hosting a bloghop! Some may remember me participating last year. Check out the flyer below for info. and get excited to gather a load of goodies including a mega kit, multiple quick pages, and some hybrid goodies. You really don't want to miss this. :)

Cool right? Lastly, the annual birthday sale starts Monday June 13th and lasts through the 26th with everything on sale! The only exception is instructor led classes. Here is your chance to sign up for some of those self paced classes! Woo hoo!

Alrighty, here are my layouts for the week. This one is a new template by LivE Designs. It's a super versatile template. Pick it up HERE!

Full Credits Here. :)

This one is another featuring products by Kitschy Digitals. I love her stuff. So fun, so beautiful!

Full Credits Here.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to summer. I know we are. We are spending a lot of time at the pool trying to escape the heat and waiting for this baby. 4 weeks people!!! :) Have a great day!



Bird Houses

If you go up to the family farm you will see bird houses on a lot of the fence posts up there.  Now, who is the sweet and thoughtful person who did all that work?!  My Daddy!  He is so crafty and likes to create things.  I think that's where Monica gets a lot of her creativity.  I get a little of it.  :o)  I told Dad to cut me and the kids some bird houses out of his scrap wood he has laying around and he gladly did it...after a few reminders.  I had Justy put them all together and then I had my sweet hubs screw them all together.  My good friend, Candis, came over and she painted one to take home too.  They all turned out super cute. 

Justy sanding off some of the rough edges.

Here's all the pieces.  If you are interested in the blueprint, I'll have to have my dad write one up.  Looks pretty simple, if you ask me!

Justy doing her BRIGHT paint job.  What a cutie!

And the finished product.  Mine is the one on the left, then Candis's, and then Justy's.  I think I want to add a dowel or a funky stick to put under the hole.  I had Jason hang mine up to the tree in my front yard.  I hope something takes residence soon.  :o)

Did you have a fun weekend?  Do anything fun?  We finally got spring/summer here and I wanted to spend my days outside in my garden or flower beds.  The baby limits my time outside, and that's why I probably enjoy it so much more now.  We had tinfoil dinners on the fire outside and just enjoyed each others company.  Here's to another fun filled and busy week!!

Paprika Chicken

I'm trying to make more chicken dishes and this is a new one that I really enjoyed.  My family enjoyed it too, so that's a double bonus.  You can throw it on top of rice, or noodles.  We went with noodles and it was delish!  Except next time I am gonna double the sauce mix.  We like lots of sauce on our noodles.  So, if you are like me, double it. 

Paprika Chicken

4 large skinless, boneless Chicken Breasts

1/4 c. chopped onion

2 Tbsp butter

1 c. chicken broth

1 tsp paprika

8 oz sour cream

2 Tbsp flour

Soften up your onions in the butter in a large frying pan.  When your onions are translucent add your chicken, broth, and paprika, cover and cook until chicken is cooked through.  Stir together sour cream and flour and add to your chicken mix and stir it in until it's good and thick.  Let it cook until heated through and pour it on top of noodles or rice.  Enjoy!

Have a great weekend!  And are you having trouble commenting?  Blogger has been acting silly lately, and I know that's why we haven't been getting very many comments....right?  :o)  Well, if so, then when it asks you to sign into blogger make sure that the stay signed in box isn't checked.  It worked for me.  I wasn't able to comment on anyones posts, and it was driving me batty!  See you next week! 

Source-Dash of Simple

Teacher Gift

Call me Mrs. Procrastintor. It is a label that has followed me forever so I wouldn't be offended. I know most of you have no use for this idea now that school is pretty much over but I wanted to share three things.

1. I found a great blog with lots of crafty ideas. I was excited to find it and wanted to pass on the goodness. It is called Skip to My Lou. I found this teacher gift idea here. If you are desparate for a quick idea, their are a million on the net and so many great blogs.

2. Don't be afraid to copy people. If you have a crafty bone in your body, even a little one, you can craft. If you're blogging give credit where credit is due. Sometimes I come up with an idea myself but mostly I'm a good copy cat. Everything can be adapted too. You've heard me complain about my lack of crafty supplies here in my town so I adapt a lot. This gift originally had a cute colored tin pot, twine, and a silk flower. I only bought the gloves, seeds, and pot and then used what I had on hand. The original idea had a chalkboard label which is a brillant idea but I grudgingly don't have a Silouhette so I make due with a mod podged paper label. Someday, people, someday. :)

For a quick run down, I printed out the label on regular computer paper and printed out the saying on a brown lunch sack. I crinckled the saying and distressed the edges then stapled it to a couple packets of seeds. I used hot glue to adhere the ribbon and the flowers and mod podged the label on. It was super quick and only cost about 5 dollars.

3. This boy who I adore is growing up on me. Today is his last day of 1st grade. He has grown so much this year. I am proud of him and love him so much. He is sweet, sensitive, inquisitive, and so smart. Now onto a summer of fun and loving having him home.

Beezie and his teacher. Love you bud!!

Have a happy Thursday!!! It's pouring rain here, hopefully you have some sun to enjoy! :)