Off the shelf inspiration

I thought I'd post some of my favorite books that are currently off the shelf [and on the coffee table] or on my "must get" list to check out:

Tricia Guild
In Stitches, Amy Butler
Bend the Rules
Printing by Hand
The Nest
Domino
Midwest Modern, Amy Butler
Little Stitches for Little Ones, Amy Butler
Sublime Stitching
the creative family
Apartment Therapy

Rise and shine

Love seeing this first thing in the morning. Normally the second he sees us he starts smiling and bouncing up and down. I think the camera threw him off a bit...

Fabulous Find Friday

I have been busy busy this week so I just have one fabulous find for this Friday...but let me tell you, it is FABULOUS! I think I might have just found our Mr. Martha. The one whose last name never needs mentioning. Matthew Mead's site and blog contain great ideas for entertaining, cooking and decorating. I can't believe I'm just now discovering him. The site is filled with beautiful photography and I love his clean and simple designs. Check out his portfolio to get even more decorating ideas. So, grab your cup of coffee or tea (or if you're in AZ a nice glass of ice water) and float through cyberspace for awhile on this site.

Homework

I've made a list of "homework" items to get done this week but I've also managed to come up with fun projects to distract me like this embroidery from Sublime Stitching. I love embroidery and just wanted something easy to practice on while watching the depressing news.

One of my homework items is to go through my stacks of magazines and clip out the pages I want to keep for future reference. We'll see how that goes as I tend to start re-looking through the mags and daydreaming about all of the inspirational ideas in them.

A little while back I saw a restaurant on the Food Network make a hamburger with an egg on it. I instantly wanted one! This weekend we decided to grill burgers and try this fabulous idea. We even tried it with crispy bacon to add to the goodness. I highly recommend trying this at home.

Beat the heat

Things have been busy in the Johnson household. We're enjoying the summer though and have been pleasantly surprised that it is slightly "cooler" than last year. In fact, it is hotter where my parents are at in Arkansas than here in Arizona. Who's laughing now!?!

Noah has gone through a whirlwind of changes within this past month from learning to crawl, stand, climb over things and even walk while holding onto us to getting numerous new teeth breaking through. Poor guy. I guess better all at once than to drag it out. I'm loving how Noah can crawl right up to me though and he'll even climb up us to give a big hug. So sweet. When Lucas comes home from work Noah spots him and gets a huge grin, then starts his long and eager crawl through the kitchen to greet his daddy. And I had to show this photo of Noah in his 4th of July onesie since I bought it to take with us to Minnesota and forgot it at home in the dryer! He's now getting to wear it for the 14th of July, the 20th of July and so on.

As for the adults in this family...not too many newsworthy things to share. I've discovered, or been sent, some coupon sites that have caught my eye so while I'm not the clipping kind normally (since they sit there never to be used once clipped) I might take a go at it again using some tips I've gained. I love the idea of saving money where we can and the whole "game" of it. We'll see how successful it is. And then of course just crafting and finding new ideas to utilize the little free time I have. Sometimes I daydream about how I'd go back to school to study fabric and textiles and such. Sigh.

Lucas, on the other hand, has been daydreaming about going hiking. He went this weekend for a short hike with a friend but the heat definitely makes it harder and cuts your day shorter.

Christmas...in July?

I could not believe my eyes when I actually saw this countdown to Christmas. The crafters are already getting their items ready for Christmas sales and travel plans are being made (unless you're having a staycation). Should I be among them? Perhaps.

With the cost of just about everything rising, I have a book with some inexpensive gifts ideas to give to your family and friends this year.

Make a scrapbook for your children, your parents or your spouse.

Copy your favorite recipes on cards and give to a newlywed, or to anyone for that matter. (I personally LOVE this idea!)

Coupon books are always great. Make one for your spouse or your children (i.e. This coupon is good for... one game of Monopoly, staying out an hour past curfew, for a dozen donuts).

Give something you own that a friend or relative has admired.

Write a letter to a good friend and let them know how much they mean to you.

Make a video of your children to send to relatives who live far away.

Baby-sit for a young couple whose date night funds are tight.

Have everyone bring something for dinner and just enjoy a meal together with great conversation.

Make sweet rolls for neighbors that can be baked on Christmas morning (recipe below).

Do you have any money saving tips for Christmas? I'd love to hear them.

Seven Months

Well, Noah is seven months old today...so what better way to be a month behind than to show you his sixth month photos that I just received! I was not at all planning to be involved in these photos, thus the shorts, but the photographer convinced me it would be cute with the blocks I had brought.

I really love to use Sharpie markers, however, I dislike that when I use them I need to make sure I have another sheet underneath to catch any bleed that might come through. Now, Sharpie has come up with the Sharpie pen that no longer bleeds through. Genius!

I've slowly been switching the different products my family uses. My latest switch has been with deodorant. I found Toms at our natural food store and really like it, and I really like the fact that it doesn't have any aluminum in it.

I like how these cups give the fun look of the disposable plastic ones, yet you actually keep them, wash and store them for your next party. Find them here.

Neat receipts for mac is a great way to store your receipts on the computer and would be especially helpful for business owners to keep their invoices in digital format.

Standing up

Can you believe we have a little boy who is crawling and standing up? He loves it and gets so proud of himself. I totally am not ready for this. And to add to it all, it appears his top two teeth have broken through and looks like the next two are on their way. He'll be eating steak and potatoes in no time.

4th of July family fun

Thought I'd share a few of the photos I had from our 4th of July weekend in Minnesota. It was hard to say goodbye and we miss everyone already!

The kids ran in the Mini Piggy Mile run. Lucas and Bonnie ran to help encourage the kids along. They did great! We told Lucas he could be Grant's bodyguard and take the kids out that got in his way. Afterall, what are uncles for?

We have a crawler

I tried my best to catch him in action. The past couple of weeks Noah has done some crawling and scooting around but I think by the end of this week he'll have it mastered. Today is also the second time I've caught him sitting up in his crib and looking over the edge once he's awoken from his nap, so we ended up having to drop down the crib as well. The house is definitely not ready for this mobile boy. And I had to include this photo of Noah once he got to me and how happy he was since he was so frustrated in the video.

Quick fix

One of my favorite "go-to" meals is one my mom turned me on to. I try to always have the ingredients on hand for a quick meal. All you need is...

1 13 oz bag of Barilla Three Cheese Tortellini
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups diced chicken

Cook tortellini according to package directions.
Combine tortellini, alfredo sauce, diced tomatoes and cooked chicken together in sauce pan. Heat through. Serve, and smile.