I heart Pinterest

I love Pinterest. If you are crafty, a foodie, love decorating, parties, gift giving, photography, or simply love to see other peoples ideas, than Pinterest is for you! In the past months, I have tried more new recipes, with many successes, and new crafting ideas, gift ideas and found some great encouragement. Today, I even made a new wreath for Christmas out of plastic ornaments... Really something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and just haven't.

So if your crafty, or want to be, check it out. I'm sure you'll find something that will inspire you!

Marinade...

Let the marinating begin!

I received my vanilla beans, bought 1 gallon of vodka and a clear glass jar at my local Walmart (where I was panhandled INSIDE the store -- but that's a different story for anothere time) and went to work! And now my lovely concoction is marinating in a dark kitchen cabinet until it is turned into baking goodness! Yum!

Have you ordered your supplies yet??

Have you ordered your supplies to make homemade vanilla for your Christmas gifts yet?? I have! I just ordered my vanilla beans and my decorative jars. Next will be a stop at my local liquor store to purchase the vodka and to get a couple of glass jars for the marinating. Then, we will have liquid gold to give to our friends and family for Christmas. I think I will even adorn it with a ribbon and home printed label like the ones above... I can hardly wait. I will post my results when I'm done!!

Let the holiday planning being!! :)

Happy Birthday, Kiddies!!

Last month, we celebrated "birthday month". With Daddy's birthday, Finn's birthday and Penny's Birthday all in one week, we ended the week with a small gathering with just a few little friends to enjoy ice cream and cake. It was a wonderful little party for my little tots. It's theme, as you can see, was Mickey Mouse!! I was glad to find something that the kids could agree on for a theme, and was fairly easy to pull off!!

We were hoping the messiness of the birthday cake would get better after the first year, but since "Messy" is Penny's middle name, I think we'll be dealing with it for a while!
Here is Penny with her most exciting gift... Her Princesses from Aunt Andrea and Isabella
And Finn LOVED his Lego's from Grandma and Grandpa.
Finnegan also got Mrs Dursts Birthday Bag to bring home when he returned back to school on Tuesday. It came with a book, a birthday bear and a small prize.

Happy Birthday, babies...

My Beauty!

Seriously, is anything more beautiful that this sweet little darling?? I think not... Ok, I'm a little biased.

What a sweet little girl she is. And oh, so spunky!! But you would never know from this picture!!

Sweet Savings...

I went to Target this past week and made a killing on some great deals!!

• Covergirl Lip Balm: $6.49
• Covergirl Mascara: $4.24
• Suave Kids Shampoo: $2.94
• Suave Kids Shampoo: $1.89
• Suave Shampoo: $1.84
• Suave Conditioner: $1.84
• Bio True Contact Solution: $8.79
• Dove Men's Deodarant (2 @$3.99); 7.98
• Extra Gum (2@$.99): $1.98

Coupons Used:

• Covergirl MFC $8/2
• Covergirl TC $1/1
• Suave Kids MFC BOGO
• Suave Shampoo MFC BOGO
• Suave Shampoo TC $.50/1
• Bio Tru MFC $1.50/1
• Bio Tru TC $2/1
• Dove Men's Deodarent MFC $2/2
• Dove Men's Deodarent TC $.75/1
• Extra Gum MFC: $1/2
• Extra Gum TC: $1/2

Total Spent: $14.80

• Covergirl Lip Balm: FREE
• Covergirl Mascara: FREE
• Suave Kids Shampoo(2): $2.94 (One Free)
• Suave Shampoo/Conditioner (2): $1.34 (One Free)
• BioTru Contact Solution: $5.29
• Dove Deodarent (2): $5.23
• Extra Gum (2): FREE

Our Baby Girl...

Yes, It's her birthday too!! On Friday, our baby girl, turned 2. And I can hardly believe it... well, some days I can believe it. She is such a different little girl from our sweet first born. She has spunk, and a mean streak. She's rough and tumble, and doesn't put up with anything from anyone... and yet isn't a weenie. She falls and doesn't cry. She hits her head or is stuck and doesn't whine. But she's also stubborn, and has a definite mind of her own, and she's not afraid to use it. She doesn't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time and isn't entertained by television or anything that requires concentration. However, she has been excited and entertained by coloring books and crayons... that is if she isn't eating the crayons in the mean time. And she is still the messiest eater I know.

I'd always dreamed of having a daughter... a daughter who was prime and proper and lady-like. Well, that is probably the farthest thing that she is. But she's a delight. She laughs even more than Finnegan ever did at this age, and makes the silliest faces. She loves to pray and gives lots of hugs and kisses (but only on her terms).

So, needless to say, we have our hands full. (And any suggestions in bringing up a stubborn child with love and with Christian values is always welcome). But in any light, we are blessed by our baby Sweet Pea, Penelope.