Praying for Will

I know that this blog is usually about decor, craft, family stuff, but my heart has been heavy with the sad news about a fellow first grader at Wyatt's school. His name is Will and he was seriously injured in a fall that could have happened to one of my children in my home. I believe that prayer works and I will admit that my prayer time has been minimal if not non existent, but I feel the need to keep this boy in my prayers.  I hope that anyone who reads this post will also pray for Will.
Here is his CaringBridge site.

Oliver +S Doll Carrier

A few months ago at the library I checked out this oliver + s book.

Many cute patterns, but the one that caught Madeline's eye was the doll carrier.  I like the pattern because it is fairly easy to follow and the carrier is adjustable so Madeline can carry a variety of "friends".  This project was free because I used scrap fabrics and I had traced the pattern and scanned the instructions.  The only modification that I did to the pattern was add buttons as opposed to Velcro.  If you are looking for a doll carrier this one is a winner in our book!

Mmmm Fall Baking

I saw this recipe on Oopsey Daisy and I love anything with pumpkin and chocolate is a bonus!  

I do not like making muffins because it takes too long so I used a bundt pan. I substituted applesauce for the oil as suggested in the recipe and I thought that it tasted delicious!

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturdays! Last year they were not appreciated as much as they are now that Wyatt is in school full time. I love the laziness and sleeping in. I do not clean or grocery shop on Saturdays. This is a day for playing, reading, and fun projects.  Madeline has been dying for me to make a baby doll carrier and I think that is what we are going to do as soon as I finish my hot chocolate! This morning we made blueberry waffles.  My kids do not like the blueberries whole so I use my Ninja and a little apple juice to blend them before adding to the batter.  I was wondering if this method would work for strawberry waffles?  I guess I can try and see!

Walking Tour

Yesterday we took a walk around our neighborhood and I brought along my 70-300 lens for fun.  

Here  are a few of my favorite things...

LOVE this wood door on my neighbors' house. It also has an interesting story.

The crooked picture was bothering me so I used the straighten too in Picnik. Love that tool!

This garage door is from the same house. They just installed it last week and I love the carriage accents!

Luke is a mean riding machine.

I chose this picture because I love the blur of the leaves and the look on his face.

Madeline smiling, which is so much better than whining.  Her new hobby.

Gorgeous petunias.

Awesome barn that backs up to our division.

Edgy, Madeline's Webkinz and testing out different wb settings.

More "testing" with sooc shots.

Not really sure how I feel about the wb settings.  Is there where a custom balance may work better?


Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Photo Book Gift

A few weeks ago I completed my 2010 photo book from Shutterfly and received it in the mail. I love our photo books and found a place in the family room to store them for easy access. When Shutterfly sent me a free 8x8 book code I thought making Matt's parents a book would be a good idea for Christmas. Here is the book I created for them and I only paid the cost of shipping woohoo!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Glam Gourds

Every fall I pick up a back o' gourds at the grocery store. I love the fall colors and imperfections. The kids love the warty ones. One thing I knew I wanted to try was Rub n Buff.  I love that stuff and a little goes a looong way and it only takes a minute or two to make a transformation!

Pioneer Woman Actions

I finally downloaded the Pioneer Woman actions for Photoshop Elements using the uber helpful Texas Chicks video.  I decided to try my hand at some of the actions. All before shots are straight out of the camera (sooc).  I can't really say that I have a favorite because I like them all!

Before

Boost

Softness

Before

Lovely

Soft & Faded

It's Beginning to Look Like Fall

Although it is still in the 80's here in Indiana I am itching for FALL! I could not wait to get some fall decor up and here is what we have so far.  I am waiting to hit the pumpkin patch for mini pumpkins and gourds.  I found the fall printable here and printed it on houndstooth scrapbook paper.

I Learned Something New {Camera SD card}

   When I purchased my Canon Rebel XS back in December 2009 I just grabbed the first SD card I saw because I was so EXCITED about using my new camera! Last week the card was not working- a  bit of the plastic broke off and I did not have a back up.  I know that photographers carry several SD cards, but I download almost daily so I have not seen the point of two, until now. I ordered a new card on Amazon and have not had a camera since the 6th. I am having withdrawals. Even my the camera on my phone is broken!  I called my techie brother who suggested this SD card:

  The difference between my card and the suggested card was the "class" the class is the transfer speed.  If I had read my camera manual I would have found out that I was supposed to have a class 6 or higher. I was using a class 2. The higher class cards are helpful in the areas of burst mode, action shots, and low light situations and I am prone to all of those.  I am anticipating my delivery and I will let you know if I notice a difference.

Remembering

I went to NY back in 1997. It was my sister and best friend LaNae's senior trip and I was able to tag along. It was a blast!  We did all the tourist things and shopped, and shopped.  This is a crummy picture of the towers. I am glad that I have this picture and that we had the opportunity to take the long scary elevator to the observation deck. Ten years ago I was getting my first grade classroom ready for the day. It was my first year teaching. I was single and living with a friend and my whole life ahead of me.  Ten years later I am married to my high school sweetheart with three kiddos, a mini van and a house. I am so thankful to be an American and to live with the wonderful people who picked up the pieces of this disaster and managed to carry on. Thank you America! 

Home Wrecker

Wyatt came home with this paper today.  It looks to me like it says, "My mom is a home wrecker".  I read this aloud and Wyatt said in his annoyed voice, "homemaker".  Now I know for a fact that his teacher told him to write this when he said, "My mom does not have a job".  Ha! Are you crazy?!?! Also I despise the label of homemaker, housewife, domestic dive, etc  How about mom and wife. Why is stay at home mom not the norm and I feel that I have to interject that I do have a college degree and I did have a "real" job, but I am putting things on hold to be a..... homemaker?

Moving on, I do think that it is funny that his illustration shows me doing laundry and Wyatt sitting on the couch watching tv. At least it is accurate. Matt's illustration is cute too. Matt works at Lowes and he is wearing the red vest taking money from a customer with a shopping cart. I do not know where daddy's pants are. I hope he wears them at work.

Home School Snap Shots

   This is week three of our "home school" and it has been going great. We are working on letter recognition, letter sounds, pre reading skills, and writing our name correctly. Right now we are spending an hour a day and Madeline is asking to do her work. She call me "teacher, which I think is a little funny.  

Color sort using my sewing buttons. 

Create your own handwriting worksheet with this website.

Remembering the "Judge" and other Random Thoughts

It has been a long week. I know it is only Wednesday. My grandfather passed away last Thursday and we went to the memorial service last night. He was a great man who was loved by many and will be missed.  September 11th is fast approaching and I just want to remember to take the time to love and cherish my family and friends because life can be so short. At the old casa I had a wall vinyl that said, "Cherish Life's Wonderful Moments". I wish that I had one here that just said "Cherish Life's Moments" as a daily reminder. Today I am cherishing my sweet Wyatt and his Rocker hair do. He got a haircut Sunday, but the 'hawk was fun for awhile.

Someone was Baking!

Hoop skirts were flying in the kitchen this weekend. Mine to be specific. The family drove up from Alabama and I thought that I would try my hand at a few recipes that had caught my eye on Pinterest.  I am still in love with Pinterest. Here is my page if you would like to follow and I would love to follow you too!

Cake Pop recipe that looked too good to pass up! These things are TDF in the words of my step-mother! I ate too many.  We eliminated the stick making these balls as opposed to pops.

Source: tatteredtulips.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Here are mine

Another recipe that was yummy and perfect for Sunday breakfast was this Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread.

Source: joythebaker.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Here is mine

I have also been having fun with Picnik.  If you have not checked out this photo editing site,  you need too!  I am thinking that a premium account would be a perfect Christmas gift for others (I mean myself...)