Life is ever changing.
This is just reality, we know things will change we know things will keep evolving we know that life never (or at least rarely) stays the same.
I have been away from the blog for a while but I have been very busy!
Robyn was in the hospital again last week (He was admitted early in the morning on Good Friday and was there until the Wednesday after) so much of my time was eaten up traveling back and fourth with him, and trying to keep the kids out of the Easter chocolates...
However other big changes are happening too...
I have recently started course for Event and Wedding Planning!
Its taking up a lot of my time... (not that I mind) and I am loving it! I plan on opening my own business when I finish the course and that too will take a lot of my time.
SO I have decided to take some more time away from the blog... I am going to leave the blog up here so that anyone who wants to look around can come by and see what I have posted and so that I can come back to it when I'm ready... and I do plan to return.
You may also see another website or blog from me in the future with a bit more of a party/event planning theme to it...
With that decision in mind I am going to close the Facebook page and I am closing the blog for comments and if you are reading this and would like to comment on something I have done or if you have a question please feel free to email me or find me on Pinterest or Twitter!
marsh dot emm @ gmail dot com
I have had a lot of fun with this blog and it has gotten me through times when I just wasn't sure I could keep going... So thank you to all of the people who liked what I have made, the things I've had to say, and who have followed along with me on this supper fun journey!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Kids Bedroom Organizing!
So as of late I have realized just how messy the toys in the kids room and play room are.... OK so many people have pointed it out to me and I have recently come out of denial... (Its not just a river in Egypt you know.)
So I was determined to show said people that I could organize the toys and keep the toys off the floor with some help from Delaney!
So off to the Dollar Store I went! Because well, I love a sale, and lets face it they have something to solve every problem at the dollar store... right...
I picked up this dandy little paper towel holder that you mount to the underside of your cupboard for $2 and screwed that baby to the ceiling (into a stud of course...)
Then I hung this toy holder that they already had on there and filled it with toys...
VOILA! Problem solved for just $2!
Love a Dollar Store problem solver! What are your favorite Dollar Store problem solvers? Share in the comments you never know your problem solvers might just help me out!
So I was determined to show said people that I could organize the toys and keep the toys off the floor with some help from Delaney!
So off to the Dollar Store I went! Because well, I love a sale, and lets face it they have something to solve every problem at the dollar store... right...
I picked up this dandy little paper towel holder that you mount to the underside of your cupboard for $2 and screwed that baby to the ceiling (into a stud of course...)
Then I hung this toy holder that they already had on there and filled it with toys...
VOILA! Problem solved for just $2!
Love a Dollar Store problem solver! What are your favorite Dollar Store problem solvers? Share in the comments you never know your problem solvers might just help me out!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Chronic Diesease
I am wife to a man with a chronic disease. Robyn had Crohns Disease which I have mentioned before and I have gone into some details about before as well...
What I don't think I have ever really gone into is just how it effects our family and truly how it effects me as not only the wife but as the mother too...
Its hard not knowing when your spouse will be debilitated by pain, when your spouse will be confined to a hospital bed on IV steroids, when he will be able to eat, when he will be able to rest without fighting pain all night... but you know that all of this WILL happen. Its a matter of time before you have to watch him wince in pain as his digestive system attacks its self and makes every meal more difficult than the last.
I will never know personally how it feels to have this disease, I will never understand how he copes with it all everyday, I will never truly know the pain, but I certainly have my fair share of the worry I have my share of the pain, and most of all I have more than my share of the stress.
As wife and stay at home mother I have my role here in the house of making sure that the house is clean, the laundry is done, the meals cooked and the children and the husband cared for. Crohns throws a monkey wrench in the works of my life. When Robyn is admitted to hospital (and he has been twice in this past month) I have to split my time. I have to split time between our home and the hospital, I have to split time between him and the kids, I have to split time all the time. I have to plan even more in advance than I normally would because I need to plan what will be made for all meals, who will watch the kids, how I will get to the hospital, when I will get back. I have to plan what night am I going to stay late at the hospital so that I can get home early another night, I have to plan what he needs and what I have to bring to him, I have to plan when I am doing the laundry so that I can bring home his dirty cloths and get it cleaned and back to him. All this while taking care of me too... and lets just say that I am the last to get cared for in these situations...
I sleep less soundly when I am alone in our bed, I crave more sleep and admit to rolling over and trying to sleep in a little even knowing the kids are awake and ready to start their day. I have to find things to completely capture my attention throughout the day so I am not calling for updates every ten minutes. I have to be busy all the time to distract myself from feeling helpless in his struggle, alone in our relationship because his concentration is on his health.
Back when it was just us, me and Robyn, when we had no kids, no rings, nothing but each other I could spend every moment he needed me in the hospital next to his bed, and I did. I would go to my college classes and then straight to the hospital where I would do my assignments and homework with him and stay as late as the nurses would allow. Back when it was just us, I had no idea what to expect and foolishly thought that this was rare and that hospitalization was an occasional thing and once you were better you were better and that was it. Back when it was just us, it didn't matter if the laundry was done, it didn't matter if the supper was cooked it didn't matter that no one was at our home at any given hour...
Now though with our little family in tow, I must do all of those things. I must make sure that the family is taken care of and that things run smoothly with Robyn in the hospital. I must help the kids not to be afraid of the IV and the big hospital room, the Doctors and the patients that may share that room with Daddy. I must ensure that both the kids and I are taken care of at home to make getting "better" his only priority. No matter how long he is "better" for.
What I don't think I have ever really gone into is just how it effects our family and truly how it effects me as not only the wife but as the mother too...
Its hard not knowing when your spouse will be debilitated by pain, when your spouse will be confined to a hospital bed on IV steroids, when he will be able to eat, when he will be able to rest without fighting pain all night... but you know that all of this WILL happen. Its a matter of time before you have to watch him wince in pain as his digestive system attacks its self and makes every meal more difficult than the last.
I will never know personally how it feels to have this disease, I will never understand how he copes with it all everyday, I will never truly know the pain, but I certainly have my fair share of the worry I have my share of the pain, and most of all I have more than my share of the stress.
As wife and stay at home mother I have my role here in the house of making sure that the house is clean, the laundry is done, the meals cooked and the children and the husband cared for. Crohns throws a monkey wrench in the works of my life. When Robyn is admitted to hospital (and he has been twice in this past month) I have to split my time. I have to split time between our home and the hospital, I have to split time between him and the kids, I have to split time all the time. I have to plan even more in advance than I normally would because I need to plan what will be made for all meals, who will watch the kids, how I will get to the hospital, when I will get back. I have to plan what night am I going to stay late at the hospital so that I can get home early another night, I have to plan what he needs and what I have to bring to him, I have to plan when I am doing the laundry so that I can bring home his dirty cloths and get it cleaned and back to him. All this while taking care of me too... and lets just say that I am the last to get cared for in these situations...
I sleep less soundly when I am alone in our bed, I crave more sleep and admit to rolling over and trying to sleep in a little even knowing the kids are awake and ready to start their day. I have to find things to completely capture my attention throughout the day so I am not calling for updates every ten minutes. I have to be busy all the time to distract myself from feeling helpless in his struggle, alone in our relationship because his concentration is on his health.
Back when it was just us, me and Robyn, when we had no kids, no rings, nothing but each other I could spend every moment he needed me in the hospital next to his bed, and I did. I would go to my college classes and then straight to the hospital where I would do my assignments and homework with him and stay as late as the nurses would allow. Back when it was just us, I had no idea what to expect and foolishly thought that this was rare and that hospitalization was an occasional thing and once you were better you were better and that was it. Back when it was just us, it didn't matter if the laundry was done, it didn't matter if the supper was cooked it didn't matter that no one was at our home at any given hour...
Now though with our little family in tow, I must do all of those things. I must make sure that the family is taken care of and that things run smoothly with Robyn in the hospital. I must help the kids not to be afraid of the IV and the big hospital room, the Doctors and the patients that may share that room with Daddy. I must ensure that both the kids and I are taken care of at home to make getting "better" his only priority. No matter how long he is "better" for.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Happy Birthday Hubby!
Today is Hubby's 33rd Birthday!
I am so excited to have our little annual family celebration!
We always make a cake, blow up balloons, hang a banner and have a great little family party together! I am extra excited because this year I am giving Robyn a gift that I have wanted to give him for a while but in one way or another it wasn't possible or it was not available at the places I had looked...
This year we are giving him a "DAD" ring...
This may sound silly to some and many men who don't wear jewelry may turn their noses up but this is something that Delaney and I have searched for for quite some time...When we picked up this lovely little gift for him I suggested that we have a look around and see what one was best for her one and only Daddy!
When we went into the first store I did all the talking and I made sure that I was clear on what we were looking for, a "DAD" ring in white gold, stainless or titanium, and something in a size 10. After not finding what we were looking for in the first store we left letting the lady know that we may come back. In each store after Delaney walked up to the lady at the counter of the store and said "I am looking for a Dad ring for my Daddy's Birthday..." and then she took over...
In a way I am so glad that I waited to get this gift for him so that Delaney can have the memory of giving it to him, the memory of shopping for it and the feeling of being all grown up and getting her Daddy his Birthday gift!
I hope you have a lovely Birthday Robyn and that you enjoy the day as only you can!
I am so excited to have our little annual family celebration!
We always make a cake, blow up balloons, hang a banner and have a great little family party together! I am extra excited because this year I am giving Robyn a gift that I have wanted to give him for a while but in one way or another it wasn't possible or it was not available at the places I had looked...
This year we are giving him a "DAD" ring...
This may sound silly to some and many men who don't wear jewelry may turn their noses up but this is something that Delaney and I have searched for for quite some time...When we picked up this lovely little gift for him I suggested that we have a look around and see what one was best for her one and only Daddy!
When we went into the first store I did all the talking and I made sure that I was clear on what we were looking for, a "DAD" ring in white gold, stainless or titanium, and something in a size 10. After not finding what we were looking for in the first store we left letting the lady know that we may come back. In each store after Delaney walked up to the lady at the counter of the store and said "I am looking for a Dad ring for my Daddy's Birthday..." and then she took over...
In a way I am so glad that I waited to get this gift for him so that Delaney can have the memory of giving it to him, the memory of shopping for it and the feeling of being all grown up and getting her Daddy his Birthday gift!
I hope you have a lovely Birthday Robyn and that you enjoy the day as only you can!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Tell the Truth Thursday! School!
Delaney's has finally had her first day of kinder-start! (that's like pre-school in our area...)
I am so excited for her to FINALLY go to school. I have had a few Momma friends ask why I'm so excited, aren't I a little sad, don't I wish she were still a baby? My answer... not really.
I am a little sad that she is growing up so fast and becoming so independent so quickly but isn't the point of having children to raise them and watch them grow into happy, successful, productive members of society? Isn't part of the joy of being a parent watching your child discover the things that make them happy or sad, the things that are their strengths and their weaknesses.
She started kinderstart back in January and she loves it!
She will be starting regular (french immersion) kindergarten in the fall but for the winter leading up to their first year of school they have one session a month where they go to school with some of the kids that will be in their class and get use to the school atmosphere. (Its only for one hour one day of each month so it is a bit of a pain in the behind for us parents!)
She has already made a few friends little S is in her dance class so she already knew her, it was so lovely for them both to have a familiar face on the first day, and little A is the cutest boy you ever saw (you know besides Max) he is super shy and sticks close to his Momma but I'm sure he will adjust fine in the fall.
Delaney has been so excited for school and she really shines when she is there, sure like all kids she has to be reminded that she has to sit on her bum and that she has to listen to madame, but hey she is only 4!!!
To tell the TRUTH I am not only OK with her going to school I couldn't be happier... I was a little worried about her... she has never gone with anyone other than family by herself, she doesn't go to daycare or a babysitter she is home with me all day and with the exception of her brother and the short period when I was sitting for her friend G she hasn't had much one on one time with other kids her age. But if the last two sessions of "school" are any indication of how she will do I think we are in the clear!
Whats your school truth? Does your local school have a program like this? Give me all the details in the comments!
I am so excited for her to FINALLY go to school. I have had a few Momma friends ask why I'm so excited, aren't I a little sad, don't I wish she were still a baby? My answer... not really.
I am a little sad that she is growing up so fast and becoming so independent so quickly but isn't the point of having children to raise them and watch them grow into happy, successful, productive members of society? Isn't part of the joy of being a parent watching your child discover the things that make them happy or sad, the things that are their strengths and their weaknesses.
She started kinderstart back in January and she loves it!
She will be starting regular (french immersion) kindergarten in the fall but for the winter leading up to their first year of school they have one session a month where they go to school with some of the kids that will be in their class and get use to the school atmosphere. (Its only for one hour one day of each month so it is a bit of a pain in the behind for us parents!)
She has already made a few friends little S is in her dance class so she already knew her, it was so lovely for them both to have a familiar face on the first day, and little A is the cutest boy you ever saw (you know besides Max) he is super shy and sticks close to his Momma but I'm sure he will adjust fine in the fall.
Delaney has been so excited for school and she really shines when she is there, sure like all kids she has to be reminded that she has to sit on her bum and that she has to listen to madame, but hey she is only 4!!!
To tell the TRUTH I am not only OK with her going to school I couldn't be happier... I was a little worried about her... she has never gone with anyone other than family by herself, she doesn't go to daycare or a babysitter she is home with me all day and with the exception of her brother and the short period when I was sitting for her friend G she hasn't had much one on one time with other kids her age. But if the last two sessions of "school" are any indication of how she will do I think we are in the clear!
Whats your school truth? Does your local school have a program like this? Give me all the details in the comments!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Have you been here? Hello Cuteness!
I love blogs... Which is one of the reasons that I started my blog...
Anyway...
I love blogs and I love finding great ones, and this one is a GREAT ONE!
At one time this blog was found at Anything but perfect... but recently its been re-branded and they have moved here to Hello Cuteness!
More like Hello A-FREAKING-DORABLE!
Its amazing the little printables available there...
Including the calendars that I use...
She has created so many cute printable calenders and charaters that it is down right hard not to love them!
Stop by and have a look at!
And yeah they are full of Cuteness!!!
Anyway...
I love blogs and I love finding great ones, and this one is a GREAT ONE!
At one time this blog was found at Anything but perfect... but recently its been re-branded and they have moved here to Hello Cuteness!
More like Hello A-FREAKING-DORABLE!
Its amazing the little printables available there...
Including the calendars that I use...
She has created so many cute printable calenders and charaters that it is down right hard not to love them!
Stop by and have a look at!
And yeah they are full of Cuteness!!!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Party Time! Library Baby Shower!
Earlier this year (yes I am aware that it is only March but this party took place in January so give me a break!) I helped plan a party to celebrate that Best Friend is expecting her first baby!
As a little background on Best Friend and her Hubby I should tell you that they are both post secondary teachers, they are both supper geeky and supper fun! But most of all they love love love books! I mean LOVE books, Best Friend got encyclopedias for Christmas last year and she was so excited, I mean thrilled... that's how much they love books!
So when planning a shower for their little bundle that is soon to arrive what else could I do other than a library theme!
Best Friends mom provided a lot of the decor as she had picked up most of it at a big party store in Florida during her last trip down south! (It is my dream after seeing what was brought back and hearing about this store to go there and shop for every party I will ever plan!)
So here you have it the Library Baby Shower!
These super simple centerpieces are simply my kids books straight from
their bookshelves at home, I stacked them and used a bull dog clip to
put the quote on top written on a library card!
I added the expectant parents as the authors on the library cards and made the due date the babies due date of course and then I used them for everything from the centerpiece toppers to the game cards. (we played Baby item Price is right! Daddy Knows best and the more traditional games like guess the baby's birth time and weight)
I knew exactly what kind of cake I wanted to use for this shower and after trying to make it perfect and with only fondant I resigned to the fact that well... it wasn't going to happen, but I still got the look I was going for. (hardest part of this cake was trying to make sure that one breast wasn't too much bigger than the other... it was a riot!)
Best Friend and her fabulous Momma did up the favors and the poem from one that I had posted on my Pinterest party idea board and it came out so cute! I love the tiny Chinese food boxes and I think that the poem on the scroll really worked with the theme.
We also had the guest fill out wishes for baby cards (see link below) which I think was the sweetest part there are so many nice comments on them for both Best Friend and Baby J to read and re-read over the years!
To top this off I had written a poem for the invites which let the invited guests know that rather than bring a card we wanted to build a library for the baby and to bring a book! (so not my original idea but it worked for us!) I just have to share... (please if you like it use it but be sure to credit me or at least don't say that you came up with it in your brilliant little head... thanks!) We did most of our inviting on Facebook, which I know to some is considered tacky but hey it worked for us, so I don't have any photos of the invites to share.
Or if you are one to shop till you drop
At Toys-R-Us is where you should stop!
(fill in info here!)
We hope you will join us at this her first party
We will have lots to do so please don't be tardy!
Find the items that I used through the links below!
Library Cards
Wishes for Baby
If you would like the printable for the games that I used please email me or leave a comment and I will gladly email you the word document to personalize and print for your showers!
Our little shower went over very well everyone had a great time, complimented the theme and asked where did you get the library cards!
Hope this gives you some inspiration for your parties in the future!
As a little background on Best Friend and her Hubby I should tell you that they are both post secondary teachers, they are both supper geeky and supper fun! But most of all they love love love books! I mean LOVE books, Best Friend got encyclopedias for Christmas last year and she was so excited, I mean thrilled... that's how much they love books!
So when planning a shower for their little bundle that is soon to arrive what else could I do other than a library theme!
Best Friends mom provided a lot of the decor as she had picked up most of it at a big party store in Florida during her last trip down south! (It is my dream after seeing what was brought back and hearing about this store to go there and shop for every party I will ever plan!)
So here you have it the Library Baby Shower!
I added the expectant parents as the authors on the library cards and made the due date the babies due date of course and then I used them for everything from the centerpiece toppers to the game cards. (we played Baby item Price is right! Daddy Knows best and the more traditional games like guess the baby's birth time and weight)
I knew exactly what kind of cake I wanted to use for this shower and after trying to make it perfect and with only fondant I resigned to the fact that well... it wasn't going to happen, but I still got the look I was going for. (hardest part of this cake was trying to make sure that one breast wasn't too much bigger than the other... it was a riot!)
Best Friend and her fabulous Momma did up the favors and the poem from one that I had posted on my Pinterest party idea board and it came out so cute! I love the tiny Chinese food boxes and I think that the poem on the scroll really worked with the theme.
We also had the guest fill out wishes for baby cards (see link below) which I think was the sweetest part there are so many nice comments on them for both Best Friend and Baby J to read and re-read over the years!
To top this off I had written a poem for the invites which let the invited guests know that rather than bring a card we wanted to build a library for the baby and to bring a book! (so not my original idea but it worked for us!) I just have to share... (please if you like it use it but be sure to credit me or at least don't say that you came up with it in your brilliant little head... thanks!) We did most of our inviting on Facebook, which I know to some is considered tacky but hey it worked for us, so I don't have any photos of the invites to share.
Our favorite stories stay with us as we grow,
Both ____ and ______ love to read as we know!
So when planning a shower to greet Baby _____
There was no better theme for us to go with!
Lets build a library fit for this girl,
bring a book in place of a card, lets give it a whirl!
Write your message just inside of the cover
for Baby _____ to read and discover.
In just a short time she will learn how to read!
What a smart little girl and you helped plant the seed!
Join us for a game or two or three
and if a treat you'd like to bring please do check with me...
Were inviting you to share in the baby shower joy
Help us shower this baby and remember its NOT A BOY!
Meet us at the Hotel from 1 until 3
The beautiful Momma to be you will see!
Need help with a gift well that is just a snap!
If you prefer give your computer keys just a tap...
Online number: (fill in info here!)
Both ____ and ______ love to read as we know!
So when planning a shower to greet Baby _____
There was no better theme for us to go with!
Lets build a library fit for this girl,
bring a book in place of a card, lets give it a whirl!
Write your message just inside of the cover
for Baby _____ to read and discover.
In just a short time she will learn how to read!
What a smart little girl and you helped plant the seed!
Join us for a game or two or three
and if a treat you'd like to bring please do check with me...
Were inviting you to share in the baby shower joy
Help us shower this baby and remember its NOT A BOY!
Meet us at the Hotel from 1 until 3
The beautiful Momma to be you will see!
Need help with a gift well that is just a snap!
If you prefer give your computer keys just a tap...
Online number: (fill in info here!)
Or if you are one to shop till you drop
At Toys-R-Us is where you should stop!
(fill in info here!)
We hope you will join us at this her first party
We will have lots to do so please don't be tardy!
Find the items that I used through the links below!
Library Cards
Wishes for Baby
If you would like the printable for the games that I used please email me or leave a comment and I will gladly email you the word document to personalize and print for your showers!
Our little shower went over very well everyone had a great time, complimented the theme and asked where did you get the library cards!
Hope this gives you some inspiration for your parties in the future!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Tell the Truth Thursday! I'm a Whovian!
I have a confession today... I love the Doctor....
Silly I know that you can get lost in a show and love it but I do.
However I find that people who are not whovians are constantly looking at me like I'm crazy, like why would you watch a show about an alien and companions flying around in a blue box...
Well the answer to that can be summed up in a video... a short video from Craig Ferguson!
I have a sick kind of an obsession with Doctor who! Its just something about this show and the characters that makes me happy... it lets me escape and live the excitement for a little while.
Silly I know that you can get lost in a show and love it but I do.
However I find that people who are not whovians are constantly looking at me like I'm crazy, like why would you watch a show about an alien and companions flying around in a blue box...
Well the answer to that can be summed up in a video... a short video from Craig Ferguson!
So this Thursday my TRUTH is that I am a nerdy, Si-Fi Geek who loves the Doctor!
Yep I'm a Whovian!
Are you a Whovian too? Feel free to follow my Doctor Who board on Pinterest!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Photo Friday! Snow Day!
It's another snow day in my neck of the woods!
Hope your warm and safe at home (with power too!)
Hope your warm and safe at home (with power too!)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Tell the Truth Thursday! Honesty!
We have heard it our whole lives...
Honesty is the best policy!
I don't always practice this everyday but I do my best...
I have posted about telling the truth and nothing but the truth before when I posted I hate liars! so you may already just how important being honest it to me.
What you may not know is that this is one of the corner stones to my relationship with my husband... I know that many people say they are honest with their husbands but lets really think about it... do you tell your husband everything? Do you tell him when he is at his worst? Do you let him in when your upset and cranky?
So my TRUTH this Thursday is that I tell my hubby the truth all the time! If I think it he hears it! If its good, bad, happy, or lets face it just plain ugly.... he hears it!
I know that its a hard life being married to me, I mean come on I am a handful, but I feel that its better to be honest and tell him what I feel and what I think so that he has an idea of what it is that is bothering me and why. lets face it he isn't a mind reader and he needs as much help as possible.
I do my best to be nice but sometimes the truth isn't nice, I don't say things to hurt him on purpose, I don't want to hurt him but sometimes we need to hear those things too...
Maybe I tell him the truth because I need to get it out, maybe I tell the truth because I feel he needs to hear it, and maybe just maybe I tell the truth because I know its better for our relationship to tell the truth than to allow the issues as small as they may be to grow and become resentment.
What is your TRUTH this Thursday? Tell me your TRUTH in the comments, are you honest with your hubby or are you a tight lipped wife?
Honesty is the best policy!
I don't always practice this everyday but I do my best...
I have posted about telling the truth and nothing but the truth before when I posted I hate liars! so you may already just how important being honest it to me.
What you may not know is that this is one of the corner stones to my relationship with my husband... I know that many people say they are honest with their husbands but lets really think about it... do you tell your husband everything? Do you tell him when he is at his worst? Do you let him in when your upset and cranky?
So my TRUTH this Thursday is that I tell my hubby the truth all the time! If I think it he hears it! If its good, bad, happy, or lets face it just plain ugly.... he hears it!
I know that its a hard life being married to me, I mean come on I am a handful, but I feel that its better to be honest and tell him what I feel and what I think so that he has an idea of what it is that is bothering me and why. lets face it he isn't a mind reader and he needs as much help as possible.
I do my best to be nice but sometimes the truth isn't nice, I don't say things to hurt him on purpose, I don't want to hurt him but sometimes we need to hear those things too...
Maybe I tell him the truth because I need to get it out, maybe I tell the truth because I feel he needs to hear it, and maybe just maybe I tell the truth because I know its better for our relationship to tell the truth than to allow the issues as small as they may be to grow and become resentment.
What is your TRUTH this Thursday? Tell me your TRUTH in the comments, are you honest with your hubby or are you a tight lipped wife?
Friday, January 4, 2013
Photo Friday! Butterflies
You know when how it felt when you were young and you find that boy across the room looking in your direction and you think "Hey he's looking at me..." and your tummy goes all funny and you blush and feel extra pretty for the rest of the day... Butterflies right!!
Well I'm not talking about those butterflies...
OK so looking at this photo gives me butterflies that just make me want to smile and look at the world a little differently...
Happy Friday!
Well I'm not talking about those butterflies...
OK so looking at this photo gives me butterflies that just make me want to smile and look at the world a little differently...
Happy Friday!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tell the Truth Thurday! Changes....
Ok just the tittle of this post scares me....
And also reminds me of this
Crazy I know...
Anyway the changes that I am talking about are mostly blog changes... things have changed so much in my life in the last 2 years... (yep I'm just shy of my 2nd blogging year!) Our family has been changed from career loss, moving, adding baby #2, losing a very special family member, and lets face it just growing as a person and as a Momma...
Things have changed so much and yet I have just let the blog sit here in my corner of the blog-o-sphere and rot... well OK rot is a bit strong... I have been neglecting the blog and I keep coming back and giving lame excuses as to why I haven't been blogging and well I seem to have come to a conclusion that I need this blog, I need this space for me and that I need to change it up a bit because well I keep losing interest and if I'm not interested well how can you be interested??
So from here on out I am going to change up how this whole blog is going to work I am not going to be forcing myself to post a recipe every single Monday I am not going to be forcing a photo every Friday and if I just want to sit here and type well... I'm gonna!
I have been feeling very forced lately and while I want to post I feel that the blog is limiting me to crafts and food and well I'm more than that just like all of you. I will be working on a new "schedule" if you will over the next week or two that will include a few features, a few kids activities, a few recipes, a craft or two and maybe even a book review/post here and there too! (yes I've been reading!)
So if you will please rejoin me as I start to blog again and get back to the ideas that started this little place I call mine!
And also reminds me of this
Anyway the changes that I am talking about are mostly blog changes... things have changed so much in my life in the last 2 years... (yep I'm just shy of my 2nd blogging year!) Our family has been changed from career loss, moving, adding baby #2, losing a very special family member, and lets face it just growing as a person and as a Momma...
Things have changed so much and yet I have just let the blog sit here in my corner of the blog-o-sphere and rot... well OK rot is a bit strong... I have been neglecting the blog and I keep coming back and giving lame excuses as to why I haven't been blogging and well I seem to have come to a conclusion that I need this blog, I need this space for me and that I need to change it up a bit because well I keep losing interest and if I'm not interested well how can you be interested??
So from here on out I am going to change up how this whole blog is going to work I am not going to be forcing myself to post a recipe every single Monday I am not going to be forcing a photo every Friday and if I just want to sit here and type well... I'm gonna!
I have been feeling very forced lately and while I want to post I feel that the blog is limiting me to crafts and food and well I'm more than that just like all of you. I will be working on a new "schedule" if you will over the next week or two that will include a few features, a few kids activities, a few recipes, a craft or two and maybe even a book review/post here and there too! (yes I've been reading!)
So if you will please rejoin me as I start to blog again and get back to the ideas that started this little place I call mine!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Make It Monday! Chili Mac and Cheese!
So if you know me and I'd like to think that if you follow the blog you do know me... You know that I love cooking shows and shows that involve food... anyway I like Emerile lagasse and I know that a few years back he made an appearance on a particular show that was one of my guilty pleasures... on said show he made a recipe with the family called Chilli Mac and when I recently discovered that this show was on Netflix and I re-watched the entire show yes from season 1 right on through I remembered this recipe and when I heard Chilli Mac I thought wouldn't that be better as Chilli Mac and Cheese???
(PS can you name that show? 10 points if you can! haha)
And so My Chili Mac and cheese was born!
Here is the recipe... its easy....
Make your favorite Mac and cheese and also your favorite chili...
Here are my favorite recipes.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
2 TBSP Butter and flour
2 Cups Milk (at room temp)
2 Cups Cheese
1 TSP mustard
3 Cups cooked Macaroni
Start by making a rue with the butter and flour (melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the flour) cook the rue for a few minutes but don't let it brown too much. Add your milk and cook over medium heat until the mix thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Add the mustard and then melt in 1 and 1/2 cups of the cheese (or as much as you like) once the cheese is completely melted add the macaroni and mix through.
Mild Marsh Chili
(There are no measurements for this recipe as you can make it as saucy or meaty as you like and of course you can make a batch that is as large or small as you need!)
Ground beef or chicken (turkey works well too)
Onion
Mushroom
Carrots (cooked and pureed)
Diced tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Chili powder, thyme, oregano, basil
Brown ground beef or other ground meat. Meanwhile cook carrots in a med pot, once cooked puree and set aside. Once the meat is cooked add mushrooms, onions, carrot puree and can tomatoes. Allow the mix to simmer and then add tomato sauce and spices to your taste. Simmer and serve. As with all Chili and tomato sauce the longer it simmers the better it is!
Now that you have that all done!
Layer your mac and cheese in the bottom of a pyrex dish, top with chili and then one more layer of the mac and cheese, top with cheese and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. (The above recipe for Mac and cheese will have more than you need for the Chili Mac and Cheese so I make a dish of just Mac and cheese too... just top it with more cheese and pop in the oven!)
It comes out a little spicy, very cheesy and super tasty!
My whole family loves it! And I love that there are lots of left overs for quick lunches, plus there is also lots of options for supper chili, chili mac and cheese or just mac and cheese...
Hope you enjoy! Do you ever dream up a recipe from hearing about another? Tell me about it I'd love to give it a try just leave a link in the comments!
Happy Monday!
(PS can you name that show? 10 points if you can! haha)
And so My Chili Mac and cheese was born!
Make your favorite Mac and cheese and also your favorite chili...
Here are my favorite recipes.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
2 TBSP Butter and flour
2 Cups Milk (at room temp)
2 Cups Cheese
1 TSP mustard
3 Cups cooked Macaroni
Start by making a rue with the butter and flour (melt the butter in a sauce pan and add the flour) cook the rue for a few minutes but don't let it brown too much. Add your milk and cook over medium heat until the mix thickens and can coat the back of a spoon. Add the mustard and then melt in 1 and 1/2 cups of the cheese (or as much as you like) once the cheese is completely melted add the macaroni and mix through.
Mild Marsh Chili
(There are no measurements for this recipe as you can make it as saucy or meaty as you like and of course you can make a batch that is as large or small as you need!)
Ground beef or chicken (turkey works well too)
Onion
Mushroom
Carrots (cooked and pureed)
Diced tomatoes
Tomato sauce
Chili powder, thyme, oregano, basil
Brown ground beef or other ground meat. Meanwhile cook carrots in a med pot, once cooked puree and set aside. Once the meat is cooked add mushrooms, onions, carrot puree and can tomatoes. Allow the mix to simmer and then add tomato sauce and spices to your taste. Simmer and serve. As with all Chili and tomato sauce the longer it simmers the better it is!
Now that you have that all done!
Layer your mac and cheese in the bottom of a pyrex dish, top with chili and then one more layer of the mac and cheese, top with cheese and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. (The above recipe for Mac and cheese will have more than you need for the Chili Mac and Cheese so I make a dish of just Mac and cheese too... just top it with more cheese and pop in the oven!)
It comes out a little spicy, very cheesy and super tasty!
My whole family loves it! And I love that there are lots of left overs for quick lunches, plus there is also lots of options for supper chili, chili mac and cheese or just mac and cheese...
Hope you enjoy! Do you ever dream up a recipe from hearing about another? Tell me about it I'd love to give it a try just leave a link in the comments!
Happy Monday!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Tell the Truth Thursday! My kid cracks me up!
If you've been here before you know that my girl Delaney is 4! (Hard to believe but she is....)
Anyway she is one of the lights of my life! She is bright and thoughtful and happy and beyond funny!
Funny to the point that I've considered starting a twitter along the lines of "stuff" my kid says...
The other day she looks at me and says... "Anyways back at the bat cave..." I lost it! I have no idea where it came from why she thought she needed to change the subject but it was just too funny!
She is a complete HAM and brightens my day with her funny faces and sayings as well as her loving heart!
She donates her toys knowing that little boys and girls out there have less than she does without us asking and she lights up at the littlest surprises and screams "it's just what I always wanted!" No matter if she knows what it is or not.
Today while practicing her writing and sending a letter to her Nana she says to me "Momma I'm just sending some love..." Then started singing a made up song that went like this " these are the true hero's of my family! I have great friends who always help me!"
She is one of a handful of people in this world that I'd give up everything for and when I'm unhappy or sad (which seems to be a lot lately) she is there, she makes me laugh when I feel like crying, she makes me smile when I want to yell and she warms my heart when I feel the world is against me!
There is no one I love like I love her!
That's my truth this Thursday!
What's your truth? Do you have a kiddo that is a true ham? One that can make you smile no matter how down you are? Tell me all about them in the comments!
Anyway she is one of the lights of my life! She is bright and thoughtful and happy and beyond funny!
Funny to the point that I've considered starting a twitter along the lines of "stuff" my kid says...
The other day she looks at me and says... "Anyways back at the bat cave..." I lost it! I have no idea where it came from why she thought she needed to change the subject but it was just too funny!
She is a complete HAM and brightens my day with her funny faces and sayings as well as her loving heart!
She donates her toys knowing that little boys and girls out there have less than she does without us asking and she lights up at the littlest surprises and screams "it's just what I always wanted!" No matter if she knows what it is or not.
Today while practicing her writing and sending a letter to her Nana she says to me "Momma I'm just sending some love..." Then started singing a made up song that went like this " these are the true hero's of my family! I have great friends who always help me!"
She is one of a handful of people in this world that I'd give up everything for and when I'm unhappy or sad (which seems to be a lot lately) she is there, she makes me laugh when I feel like crying, she makes me smile when I want to yell and she warms my heart when I feel the world is against me!
There is no one I love like I love her!
That's my truth this Thursday!
What's your truth? Do you have a kiddo that is a true ham? One that can make you smile no matter how down you are? Tell me all about them in the comments!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Have you Been Here? What Meegan makes!
Have you been to What Meegan Makes yet?
You should!
Meegan is a FAB blogger she is funny and lets face it she has great taste!
I just love all the blues greens and whites (and well all the colors) she uses! And as a Mom, Grandma, former Wedding decorator and all around creative person she has such great projects that save money and look so cute!
Meegan also has her own feature... The "Monday Blues"! Basically her love of blue has her asking facebook followers, Twitter followers and blog followers to email her a photo of a favorite blue item in your home and she will share it on her blog and brighten up your Monday with the BLUES! I love it and I sent her my blue... (look for the watering can!) early on so pop on by and share you blues or just look at the pretty blues she shares week to week!
She also posts awesome things like Twelve Under $3 Christmas Decorating Ideas!
I seriously loved this... and may have had some similar inspiration as well!
And every Friday she shares her Favorite pins of the week!
Could it get any better???
Pop over and follow Meegan you wont be sorry!
Plus Meegan is her very own DOT COM and all...
You should!
Meegan is a FAB blogger she is funny and lets face it she has great taste!
I just love all the blues greens and whites (and well all the colors) she uses! And as a Mom, Grandma, former Wedding decorator and all around creative person she has such great projects that save money and look so cute!
Meegan also has her own feature... The "Monday Blues"! Basically her love of blue has her asking facebook followers, Twitter followers and blog followers to email her a photo of a favorite blue item in your home and she will share it on her blog and brighten up your Monday with the BLUES! I love it and I sent her my blue... (look for the watering can!) early on so pop on by and share you blues or just look at the pretty blues she shares week to week!
She also posts awesome things like Twelve Under $3 Christmas Decorating Ideas!
I seriously loved this... and may have had some similar inspiration as well!
And every Friday she shares her Favorite pins of the week!
Could it get any better???
Pop over and follow Meegan you wont be sorry!
Plus Meegan is her very own DOT COM and all...
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Oops another unplanned vacation...
So it seems that I have taken an unintentional blog vacation... for the last MONTH!
Holy cow I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post... but here I am back at it, well sort of...
I am so sorry that I haven't been posting but if it makes you any happier I have been writing in my journal somewhat regularly... It seems that when I am writing in my journal I have so much less time for my blog... The blog to me is about sharing my projects and getting my Momma self out there, as well as sorting out my thoughts when it comes to being a Momma. So I keep my journal to sort out my not Momma thoughts like things that happen in my everyday crazy not Momma part of my brain... things that happen with Robyn, things that happen with friends and family that I deem too private to share with... well.... the ENTIRE WORLD!
(I know the entire world isn't reading right now but once its out there you never know who is gonna log on and take a peep into my world through my bloggy windows... )
So once I feel a little down or upset I turn to my journal for comfort and to sort out how I feel... and then the blog suffers a hit because I've used all my writing abilities on my journal or I'm just too drained emotionally, physically or mentally to sit here and write out what is happening in my head that pertains to crafting or Momma-hood.
Another big drain on blog content is as I'm sure is the case with many bloggers is Christmas... between the busyness of the season (Christmas parties, parades, sing alongs, and tree lightings) and the gift making and cookie baking its just such a difficult time to blog. I don't want to spoil the surprise of the wonderful gifts I'm giving to my family and friends or the super cute items I am working on for Robyn and while I don't mind showing off what Im making for the kids, because lets face it at 1 and 4 they aren't exactly logging onto the blogosphere and checking out their gifts, but I don't want to show the whole world until they get it so its a little fun for Delaney to show off what she got from Momma and well its nice for her to brag that her Momma Made It! (it is after all how I named the blog!)
Either way I know its my own fault... I am making excuses I know that I am...
So here I go again thinking about the blog and how I have it laid out and how I want it to be and what I need to change to make it more me or more intriguing not only for those of you lovelies that are here reading whatever may happen to fall out of my head but also for me to want to keep posting and for me to have a nice little place for things to fall out of my head!
Happy Weekend Friends!
See you back here tomorrow... I hope!
Holy cow I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post... but here I am back at it, well sort of...
I am so sorry that I haven't been posting but if it makes you any happier I have been writing in my journal somewhat regularly... It seems that when I am writing in my journal I have so much less time for my blog... The blog to me is about sharing my projects and getting my Momma self out there, as well as sorting out my thoughts when it comes to being a Momma. So I keep my journal to sort out my not Momma thoughts like things that happen in my everyday crazy not Momma part of my brain... things that happen with Robyn, things that happen with friends and family that I deem too private to share with... well.... the ENTIRE WORLD!
(I know the entire world isn't reading right now but once its out there you never know who is gonna log on and take a peep into my world through my bloggy windows... )
So once I feel a little down or upset I turn to my journal for comfort and to sort out how I feel... and then the blog suffers a hit because I've used all my writing abilities on my journal or I'm just too drained emotionally, physically or mentally to sit here and write out what is happening in my head that pertains to crafting or Momma-hood.
Another big drain on blog content is as I'm sure is the case with many bloggers is Christmas... between the busyness of the season (Christmas parties, parades, sing alongs, and tree lightings) and the gift making and cookie baking its just such a difficult time to blog. I don't want to spoil the surprise of the wonderful gifts I'm giving to my family and friends or the super cute items I am working on for Robyn and while I don't mind showing off what Im making for the kids, because lets face it at 1 and 4 they aren't exactly logging onto the blogosphere and checking out their gifts, but I don't want to show the whole world until they get it so its a little fun for Delaney to show off what she got from Momma and well its nice for her to brag that her Momma Made It! (it is after all how I named the blog!)
Either way I know its my own fault... I am making excuses I know that I am...
So here I go again thinking about the blog and how I have it laid out and how I want it to be and what I need to change to make it more me or more intriguing not only for those of you lovelies that are here reading whatever may happen to fall out of my head but also for me to want to keep posting and for me to have a nice little place for things to fall out of my head!
Happy Weekend Friends!
See you back here tomorrow... I hope!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Photo Friday! Movember!
I know it's not Friday but this was too good not to share!
Happy Movember friends!
Be sure to donate to friends and family who are raising funds for men's health!
Happy Movember friends!
Be sure to donate to friends and family who are raising funds for men's health!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
All Grown Up... Sort Of...
Max was born in August 2011...
That is 15 months ago now...
Yet it seems like so much longer and so much shorter at the same time. He has already started to walk, he has had is first hair cut, he has said his first words, gotten his first tooth and has stolen the heart of everyone he has met.
It hurts my heart a little that he is 15 months old, it makes my heart smile a little too though because, well how lucky am I to be the one and only Momma this boy will ever have...
He seems so grown up and yet I know that there are so many things he is yet to experience and while I know I haven't done everything "right" I know that I am here and I love him and that will shape him into the man he will be...
That is 15 months ago now...
Yet it seems like so much longer and so much shorter at the same time. He has already started to walk, he has had is first hair cut, he has said his first words, gotten his first tooth and has stolen the heart of everyone he has met.
It hurts my heart a little that he is 15 months old, it makes my heart smile a little too though because, well how lucky am I to be the one and only Momma this boy will ever have...
He seems so grown up and yet I know that there are so many things he is yet to experience and while I know I haven't done everything "right" I know that I am here and I love him and that will shape him into the man he will be...
Monday, October 29, 2012
Make It Monday! Pizza Casserole!
Your on Pinterest right.... Of course you are!
Well if your not following Momma Made It! pop over now and click the little follow button.... I'll make it worth your while!
Anyway....
If your on Pinterest you may have seen this recipe floating around over there and if you haven't here you go... your welcome! (see already worth your while!)
So I Pinned that Pin a while ago and like most other things on Pinterest I said yeah I'll go back to that and actually make it... except I DID!
And here is how it turned out!
I know right YUMMY!
Both the kids loved it and the hubby well it was Pizza in a bowl what can I say!
I did make a few adjustments to it as I used spiral pasta instead of the bow ties like the recipe says, and I didn't add the ham or the onion due to some picky eaters in our house... oh and I used the all natural peperoni you can buy at the deli (which is why the peperoni on mine is little wedges, it only comes in the lager slices so I just quartered them...)
So if you think this looks yummy stop drooling at the screen and hop on over to Cully's Kitchen and check out this awesome recipe that your family will love! (PS there will be left overs!)
Do you have a family favorite that I NEED to Pin? Leave me a link in the comments and I will be by to check it out ASAP!
Happy Monday Friends!
Well if your not following Momma Made It! pop over now and click the little follow button.... I'll make it worth your while!
Anyway....
If your on Pinterest you may have seen this recipe floating around over there and if you haven't here you go... your welcome! (see already worth your while!)
So I Pinned that Pin a while ago and like most other things on Pinterest I said yeah I'll go back to that and actually make it... except I DID!
And here is how it turned out!
I know right YUMMY!
Both the kids loved it and the hubby well it was Pizza in a bowl what can I say!
I did make a few adjustments to it as I used spiral pasta instead of the bow ties like the recipe says, and I didn't add the ham or the onion due to some picky eaters in our house... oh and I used the all natural peperoni you can buy at the deli (which is why the peperoni on mine is little wedges, it only comes in the lager slices so I just quartered them...)
So if you think this looks yummy stop drooling at the screen and hop on over to Cully's Kitchen and check out this awesome recipe that your family will love! (PS there will be left overs!)
Do you have a family favorite that I NEED to Pin? Leave me a link in the comments and I will be by to check it out ASAP!
Happy Monday Friends!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Photo Friday! First Family Trip in the Boat!
Robyn's Grandfather has a boat its a nice boat but in the almost 10 years we have been together I have flat out refused to get into the boat as well I am afraid... ok not so much afraid of the boat more so afraid of 1) Throwing up in the boat and B) Drowning... both very rational if you ask me...
Either way if you ask any mother can the kids go in the boat and she says yes you better bet your behind that no matter how afraid she is she will be going with you because 1) She will refuse for her children to do something for the first time without her there if she can help it and B) Her children will not drown without her...
So on our last rip out to visit Robyn's family we went for a trip in the boat and it was FABULOUS!
So for this Photo Friday I have just a few of the 170 photos that I did take! Enjoy!
Well as you can tell neither of us drowned and even better I didn't throw up either!
Happy Friday Friends!
Either way if you ask any mother can the kids go in the boat and she says yes you better bet your behind that no matter how afraid she is she will be going with you because 1) She will refuse for her children to do something for the first time without her there if she can help it and B) Her children will not drown without her...
So on our last rip out to visit Robyn's family we went for a trip in the boat and it was FABULOUS!
So for this Photo Friday I have just a few of the 170 photos that I did take! Enjoy!
Well as you can tell neither of us drowned and even better I didn't throw up either!
Happy Friday Friends!
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