Back to School Feast and. . . .

Main Course : Grilled Chicken w/Lemon Basil Pasta-- to die for

Side: Grilled Artichokes

Side: Jello Magic Mousse

Drink: Archer Farms Sparkling Peach Cider

Dessert: Dimples Cupcakes-- heaven in your mouth!!!!

Chore Chart

Told you I was C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!!!

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Yes, today was my first day back to school!!!! :o{

I'm exhausted, but if I weren't I would be making one of these cute

Chalkboard Clipboards.

You can find the tutorial on

Little Birdie Secrets

Maybe next summer.

I did end my summer break with a big crafting bang.

It included, mod podge lettering, table skirts, classroom curtains,

hemming pants, shortening apron straps, a darling nursing cover,

and

the cutest chore chart

EVER MADE

ok, I may be a little biased on that one :0}

Only problem is, I didn't take pics of any of it.

It was a mad dash to get it done and out the door, pics were the last thing from my mind.

If I have a spare moment I might take a pic of my cute chore chart.

But then you would see how desperately insane I am.

Wish me luck for another fabulous year of

Angelic 8th graders :0)

Black Friday Hangover

Am I the only one who is now paying the price, a day later?

What great buys made it worth it?

A Kitchenaid was finally invovled in my purchases.

It's just a linen closet

photo courtesy: Martha Stewart Website

Martha states,

"In the ideal linen closet everything is visible. Everyday items are easy to reach, and seasonal items, such as baskets of beach towels, are on the top and bottom shelves. It saves time to group linens according to size and the room they're used in; the stacks are spaced apart, which allows linens to breath and allows you to find what you need easily."

Unfortunately, I came down with a nasty bug Thursday evening, and I've been under the weather. Not fun.

Even more not fun, being home when your husband decides he's going to clean and rearrange the linen closet.

If you can't stand anal retentive people, please stop reading NOW! I am anal retentive and you will officially hate the monster that I am by the end of this post.

Now, initially the linen closet would not cause disharmony in my home. While we have been known to argue over the "proper" way to fold towels, never before has the linen closet been the cause of contention.

Before I begin, a few facts you must know:

*my husband was raised in a house full of boys, who were in charge of their own laundry (don't get me wrong, his mother educated him on proper folding and storage technique, he just decided that technique doesn't matter, technique takes too long.)
*I used to pride myself in being a domestic goddess
*I can no longer claim that title, but I think my husband officially can :o)
*I have been known to have minor freak outs/panic attacks when things aren't in order
*No I have not been clinically diagnosed yet

Friday morning, feeling as though I am on deaths door, lying on the couch with a 102 temp and my husband says, "oh, yeah, I've been meaning to clean out this hall linen closet." (Definitely one of the the selling features in my home, I ♥ good storage spaces-- don't mess w/my storage spaces.)

In my fever induced stupor, I moan, "Anything you want dear."

Five minutes later, in a moment of clarity I realize what has just occurred. All my white folded linens were just piled into an old plastic comforter bag and thrown to the top of my linen closet. I swear I heard a, "bombs away!" as they flew to the top shelf.

I find myself, craning my neck to see where he places every last washcloth, and dictating his every move. Even worse, when he leaves to carry towels to the upstairs linen closet I sneak over to refold and replace things. When I hear him coming I fly back to the couch and commence my moaning.

I sound despicable don't I.

Eventually we argue. Of course we did. Here he was helping out and I was undermining everything he was doing. Unfortunately, I do that a lot. Not one of my best features.

As we argue I blame him. I blame, that he has changed every aspect of my life blah, blah, blah. I can't even have my linen closet the way I want anymore, blah, blah, blah.

He argues that I am not grateful. In my heart of hearts I know he is right.

He is right, because moments earlier as I was experiencing a panic attack refolding the towels and moving sheets back to their rightful shelf, I was asking myself, WHY???? Why, am I home sick, and stressing over sheets on a shelf?

Going back to work has been one hell of an adjustment.

I know that I am not the only woman in the world going through this.

It's not his fault. Its not mine. Its not the President's.

It's life.

It's a linen closet. And bless his heart, he was doing it for me.

A few things I've witnessed in my husband in the last few months,

• He is one of the most versatile, roll with the punches people I know


• He is an AMAZING dad


• He is a great cook


• He can get ALL of the laundry done in one day. Meaning, washing, folding and putting away. A feat I could rarely accomplish by myself.


• He would do anything for anyone


• He has unshakable faith


• He continues to love me even when I am at my worst

I'm sure there's so much more, that I could have seen or noticed, but I have been too worried about how my towels were folded and the dust on my baseboards to realize. While I'm away, he's home putting together the pieces I leave behind every morning.

The tables have definitely turned. I can honestly say I have questioned why many times. I think I know at least one reason. So that I can chill out, and enjoy the beautiful blessings I have been given. First and foremost, one of the greatest husband's around.


Okay, enough sucking up. He doesn't even read my blog. Will one of you email this to him. I'm sick, and want to sleep in my own bed now. :D

I'm Going. Are You????

Last Minute {Card Idea}

Little Birdie Secrets

Saves the day once again!!!

If you don't have a card for {Father's Day} yet,

Check out their tutorial.

Quick easy and done in five minutes,

with stuff you probably have lying around.

I made one, super easy and CUTE!

I Told You. . . {Projects Begetting Projects}

As you could surmise, cleaning the craft room left me frustrated with a few things, namely my ribbon. I have tried numerous things to enhance my organization sanity. Unfortunately I always had the same dissatisfied results-- ribbon everywhere and not where it should be. See the ribbon hanging on the wall in the picture above. I saw that at Michaels and fell in love. Dylan said what he always says, "I can build that for you." I love and hate that phrase. I love that he can, I hate that its on his schedule and not mine. Our schedules are years apart.

So, after being frustrated again with the ribbon, I scoured the Internet for ideas that {I could build}. I found this idea and of course made my own little adjustments. I am pleased with how it turned out.

1. An old frame sitting in my closet
2. Two cafe curtain rods via TARGET
3. A little screwing {he he} Dylan helped with that part {he he}
4. Two nails {come on now}
5. Slide your ribbon on!!!
6. Woo hoo!!

Another project I completed yesterday. Is a great {Father's Day Gift} I am also very pleased with how it turned out. It was Shandi's idea and my design. Those are indeed my four year old's footprints. She has quite large feet-- those come from me-- poor kid.

A Few Down & A Few More To Go

{Dresser}- Check-- much better if I do say so myself

{Craft room}- Check. I know there were a few of you concerned for my saftey.

I'm still here with no injuries. It was a multi-day process.

I am waiting for Rochelle to come and beautify it for me.

Her's was the first craft room I ever fell in love with.

I did clean the closet.

Dylan's says it looks like ordered chaos :D

I could not believe how much fabric I have accumulated/had passed down to me.

I took a few hours just to fold and put it all away.

Whew! I finally have a clean space to cut fabric again. Without sitting on the floor.

Here is your sneak peak

{Claire's Desk}

Glad to see a little progress was made last week.

Gotta keep truckin' along!

Plenty more to do.

As we progress I am reminded of projects begetting projects.

Ever multiplying and NEVER done!

And So It Begins. . .

My Summer List. . . That needs to be completed by July 1st.

1st- Clean and organize the train wreck of a craft room.

2nd- Refinish Claire's dresser, that we have had since she was a baby and have had on the list to do since then too-- We will see if it gets done this summer.

3rd- Refinish "the desk." We bought oops paint last night for 5 bucks to paint it. my goal is to see how little I can spend refinishing it. It looks as though I will be using leftover fabric from a commissioned piece I did a few months ago, for the seat.

4th- piece and sew my quilt. I bought this for me for Christmas, with the intention to do it this summer. I really want it done before July.

5. Paint a wall size map of United States Westward Expansion.

6. Sew curtains for my classroom

7. Go through and put together at least my first six weeks lesson plans.

8. Can a HUGE burlap sack full of pinto beans-- I have a feeling this is going to take DAYS!!!

and because I have been working, my house has totally been neglected, so think of all the cleaning I have to do too.

I love being over scheduled :D Now on to that craft room. I can't do anything else until its done.

I ♥ FREE!!!

Doing Relief Society visits tonight we passed this on the curb.

For the first time ever I had the guts to go back later and ask if they were getting rid of it.

They were.

FREE!!!

Can't wait to start this summer project!!!

Looks Cute, Right????

NOT!!!!Not so cute, when its eaten your

beautiful flowers

and

tomato plants

Oh, those wascally wabbits!!!!

I've been researching humane ways to get rid of 'em.

Dylan is in need of a hair cut--

we will be trying the human hair method first.

My last resort is

FOX URINE!!

♥'s To Mom For Real This Time

Hiatus

I Love Blogging

I really do

and

I feel Blogging has

changed my life

in

good ways and bad.

I'm at that stage

where I'm wondering

how full time working moms

keep up with blogging???

My juggling act isn't running so smoothly.

When I walk in the door

at

5 p.m.

We all have food on our minds

then some quality time with

that weird little kid that runs around here

rounded up with mounds of guilt

over which daily chore

to half ass complete

or just ignore.

Yeah mom, I said half ass.

I've been thinking I'll just wait it out

and let myself get into this groove

then I realized

by the time I get into the groove

it will be

Summer Break

and then I can start

blogging regularly again.

So instead of feeling like

I'm cheating on a good friend

I'm just going on hiatus.

That way I can avoid guilt.

To all my friends whom

I regularly discuss blogging

and we have our own

bloggy language

Sorry, if I have to ask what you are talking about

It's up to you --- Janie :}

to keep me informed.

I'm still here

and

if I feel like I have a minute to breathe

I'll stop in

and write a quick note

about:

kids

getting locked in lockers

thinking Cowtown is a rural city in Texas

and

Effective ways to clean out black hole binders.

See I've got great stories

just no time to share them

and not exactly the perfect forum to share them in

So if you want a good laugh

stop by my house

any Saturday

when I'm sittin' around in my bra foldin' a months worth of laundry

sprayin' febreeze to cover up the stench of the dirty dishes.

No mom-- that's not really what it looks like around here--

I really do clean my house like you taught me too-- sometimes :D

♥SWEET SPRING♥

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Really it is.

My garden is growing!!!

I could dance around the back yard and sing:D

♥ jAm, DiApEr BaG, and DuMb QuIz FrIdAy ♥

With our current situation

I've been trying to stock the pantry

before the funds run out

If I had been

PREPARED

I wouldn't be rushing to do it now

LESSON LEARNED

I am blessed to be

SURROUNDED

by many

Domestic Goddesses

whom I deeply admire

thanks for making

realize I can do this!

Thanks to Ms. Jennifer . . .

for allowing me the pleasure

of

designing her diaper bag

Hope you

LOVE IT!

You Are Blooming Flowers

You are an optimistic person by nature. In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future. if this is me, i need to be a little more like this You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions. very me! You have an artist's eye. You are always looking for beauty in the mundane. yep You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color. i like to think so

What Part of Spring Are You?

Layered Mint or Orange Fudge For Brianne

To Die For!!!!!

SERVES 36 , 1 3/4 pounds
1 1/2 teaspoons butter, softened
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup vanilla chip or white chocolate chips
3 teaspoons peppermint extract -----i also used orange extract for a separate batch and it was good. :D
1-2 drop green food coloring

Line a 9-inch square pan with foil; grease the foil with butter and set aside.
In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and 1 cup milk over low heat; cook and stir for 5-6 minutes or until smooth. Remove from heat.

Add vanilla; stir for 3-4 minutes or until creamy.

Spread half of the mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm. Set remaining chocolate mixture aside.

In a heavy saucepan, melt vanilla chips and remaining milk over low heat; cook and stir for 5-6 minutes or until smooth (mixture will be thick). Remove from heat.
Add peppermint extract and food coloring; stir for 3-4 minutes or until creamy. Spread evenly over chocolate layer. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm.

Heat reserved chocolate mixture over low heat until mixture achieves spreading consistency; spread over mint layer. Cover; refrigerate overnight or until firm.

Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut fudge into 1-inch squares. Store in the refrigerator.

© 2008 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved. http://www.recipezaar.com
Share your experience with others, and post your comments on the recipe. Type 200317 in the Search box at the top of Recipezaar, to get back to this recipe easily.

Janie was right when. . .

today she told me i was OCD--

its 3:48 a.m.

the house is quiet

except for the occasional

hammering

or

sewing machine

okay

so maybe it sounds like santa's workshop over here

the combination of procrastination and OCD are a sad, sad thing. i remember this AMAZING lady in our ward growing up-- she could sew anything, but always waited until the last minute, and stay up all hours of the night. i even remember that for one of her daughters' wedding she didn't finish her other daughters bridesmaid dress-- it was not sewn but held together with pins. i remember judging and thinking why would someone be like that-- now its ME! if only there were more hours in the day-- or if only i would learn that i am not superwoman, moving the piano by myself is NOT a good idea, and i need to quit having all this ambition-- cause my old stinky body can't keep up with my ambition any more :D when will i learn.

i only pray that it will all be worth it come saturday

come see why this crazy lady has been staying up all hours of the night :D

************update****************

i finally forced myself to plop into bed at 5:30 this morning-- only to be rudely awakened by the sun at seven-- when i woke up-- if was as if i had slept a full eight hours-- what is wrong with me?????

For the crafty bow and tutu girls :D

stretchy lace

ribbon

I Know You Are Going To ♥ This Place-- I Do

Tip Junkie

just featured this blog

and I am in

LOVE

its

FULL

of all the tutorials I have been looking for.

I hope you love it as much as

I DO

I Need Your Help!!!!

1.

2.

3.

I won a giveway!!! On this blog's Free Fabric Friday. Shocker, because I never win anything. Problem is I can't choose. I've narrowed my choices down, please let me know which one you like the best. I want to make either an apron or bag with it.