My favorite things swap

I mailed my package to my partner for the swap I mentioned here. It's always fun getting to meet someone new through the blog world. She mentions she likes green so that is where I began.

Included in my favorite things were...
Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine
5 Gum that I discovered about 8 months ago. Stays fresh for a long time.

I used to always have painted nails. Since having a baby that isn't always the case any more but I sure do love snatching up the latest colors in nail polish.

I made this pin cushion out of one of my favorite fabric lines from Sandi Henderson. Sewing is becoming one of my favorite things to do.

I love all things paper so I decided to design a couple of cards to send. Since these cards are paired with translucent envelopes, I designed them so you can see the greeting on the front of the card through the envelope. Then just write the addressee's name and address below the greeting and in the mail it goes.

I love personalized items. I purchased the K from here and personalized it with Chatterbox scrapbook paper finished with an orange ribbon bow.

And topped it all off with a green bucket from the local craft store filled with fun colored tissue paper.

Hope she likes it.

Making strawberries

Had a great weekend of relaxing with the family. I actually had some time to puree some baby food. I think I'd really like to learn how to do canning. I know it isn't the same as pureeing baby food, but for just that moment I could pretend what it was like to live "back then."

I also got to get a little crafty this weekend over at Blissful Living Studio making this with Heather Bailey. You may remember me mentioning her here. She even made us her fabulous Pretzel Strawberry Dessert YUM! which you can download here. I snagged this picture of Kristin's (the owner) from her blog to prove I was there.

Have you checked out decor8 lately? I cannot believe I missed a content they had sponsored by Amy Butler Design. I would have loved to participate in this mood board contest. Maybe next time. Hop on over and check out the winning entries.

Wow! So many links for you to check out in this post.

Fabulous Find Friday

I have to say that I was blog surfing the other day and discovered another blog that does something called Friday Fabulous Finds! My jaw dropped. You mean I am not the only one to come up with this fabulous idea?!? Obviously not. At least my name is slightly different...

My six month old is just starting to learn how to use a sippy cup and I would love to have one of these. Aren't they cute? Find more baby safe products here.

I recently discovered this blog about organizing. I really enjoy organizing. Not only do I enjoy the result from doing it but also just enjoy reading ideas and looking at organized photos. Weird? Maybe.

And if you're into budget-saving ideas, check out All Recipes. They have some great, easy meals for under $10.

Hungry? Here is a blog that will make your mouth water even more for some delicious photos and recipes.

Unlike what we're told, it's not always what is in the package that counts

Well, I guess it's finally time to say good-bye to our 1993, 235,000 mile-driving, money-sucking Honda Accord. We really should have found a more affectionate name for her since she has previously been good to us until the past two months. Two days ago the a/c went out, again, and this time it looks like it is for good unless we purchase a whole new system (which is worth 2x more than the car). So now we're in the car shopping mode. Not a mode I really want to be in but here we are. We're praying that we'll find the right car for the right price soon. No a/c = No fun in Arizona.

Where did we go wrong here? I sure hope the package designers are getting paid well since Noah seems to love it more than the toy sometimes.

I did have to include a photo of him actually playing with the toy to prove he does like it. He is actually fascinated by the pop-up balls and I was shocked that he understood they needed to go back on the slide.
Can we say G-E-N-I-U-S!

It really is a love/hate relationship. Noah LOVES Bailey and Bailey is not quite sure about Noah. At the moment Bailey is content licking Noah's fingers and checking out all of his toys. The pop-up ball toy drove Bailey crazy.

A little window shopping from the couch

When it's over 100 degrees outside I tend to stay indoors and only venture out in an emergency or if the sun has started to go down. In doing this, I have realized that it is possible to never leave your home. Almost everything can be done over the internet or phone. I'm pretty sure that isn't the healthiest way to live but while I'm indoors for the day I thought I'd intrigue you with a little window shopping. (All of these photos are from the below personal etsy sites)

I really like personalized items...and when I stumbled upon CraftPudding I immediately wanted to purchase a stamp that looked like Noah. She had great ideas for using them to personalize books, stationery or even clothing using fabric ink.

And how cute are these bulletin boards from LittlePrettyStudio.

Looking for a way to update your walls without having to make it permanent? Holly has just the thing for you. I know it's been pretty popular to use the vinyl lettering in your home but I love the possibilities you can do with some of her wall art.

I used to do lampworking so when I saw these I knew that Pinks and Needles needed to be mentioned.

Happy shopping!

"You have to blog this!"

I really enjoy Sonic. We have two within a mile of our home and a third is in the process of being built. My husband, on the other hand, does not enjoy Sonic. Is that even possible?!? So I convinced him this weekend to go to Sonic for lunch. He actually agreed. We decided to go through the drive-thru since our little one was asleep in the car. After waiting for almost 10 minutes we finally pulled up to get our food. Can you imagine the conversation we had while waiting that long in the car for a restaurant my husband doesn't like?

In addition to lunch, we got an M&M and Oreo Blast. Don't these look good?

I scooped a bite out of mine and couldn't believe what I saw. Do you see the gigantic hole down the center of our Sonic Blasts where the mixer must have been? There was absolutely no ice cream in the middle or bottom and everything had been pushed to the top. We felt so ripped off. It's very rare but Lucas actually said the words, "You have to blog this!" While I still enjoy Sonic, I have to say I couldn't defend them too much longer to my husband who will probably never take me there again.


To end on a happier note, and add a little craftiness for today...here are pics of a pincushion I just made from BHG's Fast & Fabulous Quilting Ideas. Reminds me of a little wrapped present. I think it turned out kind of cute.

Imperfectly beautiful

Over here on this site we're challenged to show our imperfectly beautiful homes. I must admit even when I was taking the photos and looking at the messes I all of a sudden saw it was very difficult to not want to run and put something away before taking the photo.

But here is our home, our imperfectly beautiful living room. A place where our family has good conversation, watches movies, plays on the floor, folds laundry and just likes to "be." And thankfully when I got this challenge the room wasn't at its worst.

The chair that my husband was sitting in when he played with Noah on his lap a couple of hours ago.

The washed dishes that are still drying in the sink from our yummy lunch we recently had.

And the mound of books and magazines that I've been digging into. Can you tell what is going on in our life with books like Super Baby Food and The Vaccine Book?

It's kind of fun to look at the photos and realize all of the wonderful things you get to do with loved ones at home every day. Makes me appreciate what God has given me in a whole new way.