Family Pics

We had our family pics taken a couple weeks ago by my friend Charlee.  She did a great job...us not so much! My two little boys would NOT cooperate but we did come up with a few keepers.  

The whole crew...Tyler would not look at the camera and Peter's face is a little obscured but overall I am really happy with it.

 Me and my hubby. 

 My four dapper boys.

 My 3 sweet girls.

Aprons for sell!!!

I have had many requests for my aprons, so I have decided to sell some this month 

to supplement my Christmas fund! :)

They are all reversible.  I can make them with a pocket or without.  Also, I can monogram on the pocket.  The sash can be tied in the back or wrapped around the front and tied.  The pics below are of two that I just made and sold for a lady who taught a scrap booking class and wanted scrapin' momma on the pocket.  I can do pretty much anything embroidery wise on the pocket.  

Just contact me with any questions! 

For a plain apron with no pocket it is $20.  

For an apron with a pocket $22. 

For an apron with a monogram $25.

Down To Earth Granola

This is seriously my favorite recipe for granola. I cannot claim it, it is my dear friend Trish's recipe!

4 cups old fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups sliced almonds

1/2-3/4 cups brown sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4-1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup oil (I use coconut oil)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups raisins, craisins, or mixture of dried fruit

Bake 300 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. (I cook it at 250, my oven just cooks it too fast at 300 and I tend to burn it) 

In a bowl mix oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In a saucepan warm oil and honey.  Stir in vanilla.  Carefully pour liquid over oat mixture and stir with a spoon.  Spread on a 15x0 baking sheet.  Bake per instructions above.  Cool completely, then add raisins or other dried fruit.

**I usually use less brown sugar and more honey.
This recipe is very versatile.  I have added wheat germ, other spices...really whatever you think of you can probably add to it.

Super Saturday

Gratitude vinyl

(you provide 8x10 frame & scrapbook paper)

$1.00

SUPPLY LIST FOR GRATITUDE DRY ERASE BOARD

This is such a fun, quick and easy project to make.  You just need to grab an 8x10 frame or something close to those measurements and a piece of your favorite scrapbook paper.  You can get frames at the Dollar Tree and paint them if you want a specific color.  I have also seen great bargains at Savers and Goodwill.  I don’t know about you, but I had a bunch just laying around in the basement just begging for a re-purpose!  Also, this is the time of year to get dry erase markers on clearance to make your gift complete!  A final note – if you want to embellish your board you can bring a 2”x18” or thereabouts scrap 

of fabric and I can show you how to make rolled flowers to glue onto the board.

 Chocolate Magnet

(everything provided)

$1.75

 Nativity Ornament

(Everything provided)

$2.25 

SUPPLY LIST FOR SHADOW BOXES

You can select a 5x7 or 8x10 or even a square 6x6 or 8x8 shadow box.  I have found that the most economical place to get them is at Michaels.  They even sell a 3 pack of the 8x10s or a 4 pack of the 5x7s.  These run 19.99.  If you use a 40% off coupon you obviously save lots.  Also, if you just watch the ads, they frequently are 50% off which ends up being $10 for your 3 pack or 4 pack.  They also have 5x7s sold individually which come in white or black.  These cost a little more but are much wider and can accommodate pretty large bells.  If you are making the “Let it snow” box then it doesn’t matter the depth of your shadow box.  However, if you are making the “Jingle all the way” box then you need to pay close attention as to the depth of your box and not get bells that are bigger than your box.  Again, I purchased bells 1 package at a time with 40% or 50% off coupons.  You could always bring your kids with you and each have a coupon so that you can purchase everything in one stop.  Wal-mart also has bells reasonably priced in your basic brass and silver colors in several sizes.  You will also need a piece of scrapbook paper (something snowy for the Let it snow box or something Christmasy for the Jingle all the way box).  Lastly, you need to go back to your sign-up after you purchase your shadow boxes to let me know if you want small or large, white or black vinyl.  The “small” will fit the 5x7s and the 6x6s and the “large” will fit the 8x10 and the 8x8 boxes.  I would assume you would only want white vinyl if you purchased a white box.  

Jingle All the Way Shadow Box 

Vinyl Only

$1.50

Let it Snow Shadow Box 

Vinyl Only

 $1.50

Believe Pennant Banner

(Everything provided)

$6.00

Etched Name (for a loaf pan you provide)

**Etching cream will only be available the day of super Saturday

$2.75

Kitchen Towel Holder

(Everything provided but the towel)

$2.75

My pinterest challenge...homemade detangler

I saw a recipe on pinterest for homemade detangler.

I put the link to the pin above, but let me say I tweaked it.  It was a bit to greasy for my liking.  Her recipe called for 1 part conditioner to 5 parts water.  I ended up adding quite a bit more water...like I filled my 8oz. spray bottle up halfway with water to the 1 T. of conditioner.  So, what do I think of the conditioner...AMAZING!  I am so glad I did this because my bottle of suave conditioner was only a dollar and some change.  It will last forever!  I let my girls pick out the conditioner scent and it smells yummy!  This pinterest challenge was a winner!!!! YAY!!

Charity is 13

Time is flying, she was my little girl and now she is already 13!  

Some fun things about Charity.

1.  She has an amazing voice!

2.  She loves to draw.

3.  She loves to write.

4.  She is a great big sister. (most the time;))

5.  She enjoys reading.

6.  She loves buttered popcorn...the microwave kind only!!

7.  She plays the piano.

8.  She can bake a pretty mean loaf of bread.

9.  She is a great friend.

10.  She has a compassionate heart!

11. She has a very jovial laugh!

12.  She is starting to enjoy doing genealogy.

13.  She always takes up two cushions of the couch with all of her stuff that apparently she always has to have with her...her purse, a few books, her phone, and who knows what else!

Charity, you are a beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father and I am so glad you are a part of our family.  You are helping me to grow as a mother and I can't wait for when you are older and we can be the best of friends!  Love you lots!!

Tyler has one hard head!!

This little guy hit Gracie in the face with his head (on accident of course!!) and knocked her front tooth out.  This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, the tooth was loose already, but by the volume of her scream and how long she cried I am pretty sure it hurt.  You can see the mark above her lip...yeah, that is where her tooth went through her lip. I guess not her lip but well you can see above her lip.  So it was an exciting day yesterday!