My Garden and a visitor

I love Spring.  

I love when the cold weather just can't stick around because Spring is pushing its way in.  No more freezing nights, please.  

I love watching the little flowers pushing their way out of the ground and the buds sprouting on the trees.

It's such a nice time of year.

I love that it is warm enough to go outside and play without bundling ourselves up in millions of layers. 

I love Spring.

Spring came with a bit of a vengeance this year.  One morning we woke up and it was suddenly too warm to have our heaters on!  We had a few weeks where it was close to 80 degrees every day!  It was fantastic! (Of course, now that I say that, it hasn't gotten near that warm in the 2 weeks since.  Winter puts up it's own little fight.)

I watched the 2 little tulips and 2 daffodils I have in my garden start to grow and I also watched the weeds come out of nowhere!  I was super excited to plant my garden.

Now, when I talk about my garden, let's be clear that it's not much.

See.  It's basically just a strip of dirt in front of my house.  I couldn't stand to leave it just dirt, so I try to prettify it up every year.

So, I took my shovel to those weeds and tried to clear out some room for my tulips and daffodils and for whatever other flowers or plants I may choose to plant.

I ignored a lot of the debris and stuff.  That was too much work for me.  But I did try to break up the big, hard dirt clods.  One of them gave me a bit of a start.

Do you see it?  It's pretty well uncovered in this picture, but when I hit it with my little shovel it honestly looked like a clump of mud.

Here's a closer picture.  

Little Toad didn't like being shoveled much, but he was very patient with me.  He moved out of the way and then watched me get rid of the weeds all around him.  Because he was so nice, I decided to let him stick around and eat all the bugs.

So, here's my end result.

These are some wild onions that I found growing in the corner by the porch.  They may or may not stay.  I haven't decided yet.

These are O's pansies. 

And L's next to the tulips.

I also planted some lilies, but I don't expect them to make an appearance until summer.

And here is one of my favorite sprouts.

She can't seem to help posing when I pull out the camera!

Artsy-Fartsy Mama Quiet Flip Book: Tutorial Featured

One of my very favorite blogs (and bloggers) is Lindsay over at Artsy-Fartsy Mama.  She is very talented and I enjoy spending time at her blog.  There is so much there to be inspired by!

Last summer, she introduced this fantastic little project she had just finished.  I fell in love completely and instantly!  I knew (with every ounce of my soul) that I wanted to make one too.  I e-mailed her and asked her if she would be willing to send me a copy of the pictures she used.  She is such a talented designer, I knew I wouldn't be able to find something else I loved as much.

She was kind enough to write me back and tell me she was working on a pattern.  YIPPEE!  So, I waited patiently for the pattern (which is now on sale for $10 on her blog) and bought it as soon as I could.

It is a great pattern.  I had absolutely no problem following it.

Here's my cover:

I love embroidery, so this project was perfect for me!  

Here is a sampling of some of my pages:

Fun, right?  

I followed her pattern pretty exactly without changing much.  I may have changed a color here and there, but then I got nervous and went back to the pattern.  =)

I have never tried the coloring technique before, but I think it turned out great!  Seriously, I loved this project.  

(Can you tell?)

So, head on over to Artsy-Fartsy Mama and enjoy the inspiration available!

Thanks, Lindsay!

Magnetic Activity Book

Ok.  I know, I know, I just posted a project.

But, seriously, I've been so excited to get these finished and show you that I'm just not going to wait.  =)

Here are my sheets of steel from Mindy Mae's Market all laid out and shiny.

Don't they just give you tingles?

Here is another project I used them for:

This is an idea that has been in my head for a long, long, long time. Really long.

I just couldn't quite figure out how I wanted to do it.  I'm still not sure if this is what I wanted, so there may be some tweaking later on, but for now, this is what we've got.

It's a book.

It looks pretty ordinary, right? 

Except you can't really tell that the green closure flap there, is magnetic.  woo!

Now, if you open it, this is your first glance...

Keep opening, though.  There's more.  (And this is where it gets really exciting!)

It is an activity book!

There is a big pocket to hold big things and, of course, the fancy magnetic page.

That's where the action would happen.

Then, of course, 4 smaller pockets to hold even more magnetic fun!

Here now, is where I need some advice.  I am trying to figure out what activities to fill those beautiful pockets with. 

I've already started working on some magnetic paper dolls (which are awesome, by the way...keep watching for that post!), but what else might a 3 (almost 4)-year-old and 2-year old enjoy? 

What would you do?

Thanks, friends!

P.S. This is also being linked up at Embracing Messy.

I'll be linking up with my normals as well!

Organizing my Pantry

I'm so excited about this project!

I have spent the majority of this week reorganizing the shelves in my kitchen/pantry.  I've been aching to do it for months, but haven't had the energy.  Yay for nesting!!

One of my most anticipated projects was inspired by this pin: 

This is such a great idea and it sent my mind spinning in all sorts of fun and organized directions!  I got myself some simple baskets, but then I couldn't figure out where to go from there.

Then I discovered Mindy Mae's Market.  Awesome place, by the way!  Lots of great supplies at great prices!  There, I found these 4 x 6 sheets of steel.  

You know I love all things magnetic, right?  You did know that, didn't you?  

Well, you do now.

Oh boy!!!

Here's what I did. 

I spent way too much time looking through my masses of cute scrapbook paper and finally picked out the designs I liked.  I cut two 4" x 3/4" pieces and two 6" x 3/4" pieces.

(can you see me?)

I Mod Podged those around the borders of the steel sheet.  

insert picture here...

(heehee, just kidding.  Someone forgot to remind me to take a picture of that.)

While those were drying, I dug out these cool glass marble rock things...

...and more cute scrapbook paper.

I cut the paper to fit on the flat side of the rock... 

...then Mod Podged the life out of them. 

Prepare to get messy...and prepare for the 3-year-old in your house to be worried about that mess and your fingers getting stuck to everything for the rest of your life.

Let them dry and DONE!  Almost.

Next, I took my itty bitty, super-duper strong magnets and hot glued them to the paper side of the rocks.

While the hot glue gun was out and smoking, I also glued my sheets of steel to the baskets (and, once again, no picture...but I'm sure you can picture that one)

Put your fancy magnets on the pretty steel and look at what you have! 

Oooo, pretty!

Here's what I am going to do with them:

For each recipe I have planned, I will make a list of the ingredients and print it out.  (The ingredients in the fridge or freezer is in italics...side note: I think I need a basket in the fridge.)

I may or may not glue them all to scrapbook paper.  That all depends on my mood.

Eventually I will have a nice little collection of recipes and their ingredients, which should make my menu planning easier.  I can even sort them into categories!  Slow cooker recipes, favorite recipes, chocolate recipes....Oh!  I'm so excited.

Anyway, once I have done my shopping, I can put these little cards on my baskets...

...and then load my baskets with the ingredients I need for the week. 

This should help with a few things:

1) Now the Mister will know what food is claimed, so he won't eat something that shouldn't be eaten.

2) I am hoping this will help me keep better tabs on what I have in my pantry...to help prevent waste.

3) I'm going to feel super awesome when I go to prepare dinner and pull my little basket out with all the ingredients ready to go!  Super Mom, what?!

Seriously, I'm so excited!

By the way, Embracing Messy is holding a craft competition that I am linking this up to.

I'm also linking up with my usuals.

Secrets Revealed!

Ok.

Have I kept you in suspense long enough?

Sorry about that.  Once again, the week got away from me.  I can hardly believe it is Thursday already!

So, I'll stop stalling.  We went to the ultrasound on Monday and the baby looks amazing!  He was kicking and squirming all over the place.  I could see his little stubby fingers wiggling.  He is already very active!  And, yes, he is A BOY!!!!!!

I'm a little surprised.  My dad had predicted that I would have all girls and I secretly believed him.  

Apparently he was wrong. 

It will definitely be an adventure!

Now, thank you to all of you who voted.  

Here is a list of those who guessed right!  

Take a minute, ladies, and relish the joy of your name on the winner's list.

 I feel that I have to point out that my sister, Erin, is on that list.  I believe this is her first correct guess ever!  Congratulations on that one, Erin!

If I was rich (and had lots more time) I would send you all some candy.  But I'm not, so I had to pick just one.

Number 3 is Luanne!  Congratulations, Sister!

Once again, thank you all!  I guess I'd better start gathering some boy baby crafts and supplies and necessities.  Any ideas what I can make for a boy?

Pink or Blue?

I know, I know...this seems a bit sudden.

I mean, really, I just told you there is a new baby coming and now it's already time to find out what kind of baby I'm cooking!

Well, it's sudden to you...I've been waiting for this moment for a few months now.

That's right.  It's ultrasound time! 

Just for fun, I like to take votes and guesses.  What do you think it will be? 

Here are some facts that may or may not help:

• The fetal heart rate hasn't dropped below 140.
• I was sick, but not super sick; mostly just nauseous. 
• I am exhausted.
• I was starving during the first trimester, hungry now, but food has no appeal. 
• I am craving fruits and salad more than chocolate (who'd have ever guessed I would prefer anything over chocolate?!).
• The Chinese calander is predicting a boy.
• My instinct says it's a boy (but, please, don't put much stock in my instincts.  I've guessed boy with both of my girls!)
• I will win the race for a boy on The Mister's side of the family if it is a boy.  So far, we have only girls on that side.  I think I would win some awesome bragging rights or something!  =)

Ok.  I hope that helps.

Guess away! 

You have until Monday at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern)...Well, a little after that.  You have until I get home and get on my computer and announce the winner.


Oh, and I should mention, that I will put those who guess right into a drawing for a small prize (candy counts as a prize, right?)!  Good luck!

Strawberry Sprite Floats

Strawberries. 

Mmmmmmmmmmmm....

I haven't been able to get enough of them lately.  I walk by them in the grocery store and I just can't seem to stop myself from putting them in the cart!

O loves them just as much as me (L likes them sometimes, but mostly just gives them to me...sweet girl!), so we have been having them with our meals a lot.

The other night, inspiration struck...

Let me share with you.

I took a few strawberries and coarsely chopped them up.  

I put them in a bowl and sprinkled a little bit of sugar on top (to bring out the juices).  Then I let them sit for about 20 minutes (to bring out the juices =)).

After dinner, I put a scoop (maybe 2) of vanilla ice cream into a cup. 

(You know where this is going, right?)

I put a generous spoonful of strawberries on top...

And then poured Sprite over the whole thing! 

Oh yeah.

It was good.

I'm linking this up with some of my favorites!