A little crafting

In my last post I talked about feeling crafty...wow was my last post really that long ago! I swear I get busy and start running around. I then start a few blog post a month that never get published. I think of things to blog about all the time, but when I come to type it out it never goes as planned. Life takes over and I get side tracked and before I know it it's been almost a month since my last post. I wish I could say I've been up to something brilliant, but in all honestly I've just been running around doing mommy and wifely duties, which I guess in itself is pretty brilliant.



Oops back to the subject at hand...crafts. So I've been feeling crafty. I've been to Michale's twice in the past week. I have purchased things for two wreaths, and for some magnets I plan to make. The magnets are taking me a little longer to get together because I can't find the magnet sheets to work on them. They will be used for some organization I plan on doing, but more on that in a later post.

In my last blog post I posted a picture of a cupcake liner wreath that I loved. The one shown was specifically for Valentine's day, but I ended up buying different liners, and it will now be my Easter wreath! I had so much fun making it, and found it to be super peaceful and calming. No fear baking is not taking a back burner to crafting, but it is nice having a calming hobby that won't expand my waist line as well!

It took me a few tries to figure out how to bunch up the cupcake liners but after a quick discussion with Jess I got it down!






It was beautiful and lovely and sat on my table for two days as is. It was lacking something but I wasn't sure what to add. I finally made it back to Michale's today and this is what I ended up with...







I am in love with the finish product. Of course I had to add butterflies to it. I almost walked out without the butterflies, but on my way to the register I saw all their spring bouquets on display and saw butterflies in them, and just knew they were SOMEWHERE in the store. I did one more walk through and found them! They add a special touch to the wreath don't you think! I will hang it up tomorrow, but I'm already sad that it will have to come down after Easter. I'm already trying to figure out how I will store it so I can use it again next year!

Feeling Crafty

I have been bitten by the crafting bug! It all started last week as I was looking for something cute to send with the kids to their teachers for Valentine's Day. I could have run for something cheap at the store but I knew I wanted to make them something cute. So off to google I ran...I searched high and low until I ran across some shuffles with candy attached. I then ran down to my local Michale's store and couldn't find the shovels that they used so I improvised, and created my own design.



These little beauties started my creative juices flowing, and now I'm on the lookout for something else to create. I ran across a few crafting blogs while I was looking for the prefect Valentine's gift to make, and since then I have ran across a few more.

Now if you know anything about me you know I LOVE cupcakes. I think I have an obsession with cupcakes to be honest. I love everything about them! But as much as I love cupcakes I also love the cupcake liners! A quick google search and you will see that there are tons of designs out there. So when I ran across this project today I knew I had to make it!


picture via Tatertots and Jello

I'm more then positive I'm going to do pastel colors for the spring time! Its such a cute and cheap project and I can't wait to get started on it!

Then I ran across something even cuter when I was searching for more cupcake liner wreaths. This one isn't actually cupcake liners but paper bag cut outs! I love the colors in it, and if I actually play around with it and do teal butterflies it would go perfect in our bed room...perhaps on our closet door!


picture via MaryJanes and Galoshes

The possibilities on these cute wreaths are endless! I can't wait to get started on this craft! I have ideas for all the seasons and holidays! I'll keep you posted and let you know how they turn out! I may be running to a craft store tomorrow so I can begin asap!

#57 Learn to make homemade icing

I did it! I finally completed a task on my list! Tonight I made Pumpkin Whoopie Pies for a friends husband and the icing came out perfect! I have tried making icing at least twice before and each time it comes out this horrible yellow color and looks more like a glaze then a thick icing. Well after asking around I realized it was because I've been using stick country crock and not BUTTER! So tonight I made that one single change and it was perfection!



I will most likely still grab a tub of store bought cream cheese icing every now and then, because I actually like the flavor more! I do look forward to working with the recipe...perhaps adding some cinnamon next time! However I'm proud to say I've accomplished my first task!

Are you ready for some football??

Truth be told I'm not! While I enjoy watching the commercials and half time show I'm just not a fan of the game itself. I do have to say that I'm a HUGE fan of the snacks that super bowl bring! I must admit I'm bummed we aren't having the game at our house this year, but Bryan then mentioned that I could still bring something to our friends house, and this got my brain churning.

But what do you take to someones house? Something low maintenance, something that can be served cold, and something that you can make at home or the night before of course! I learned the hard way you DO NOT want to make your husband wait when a game is coming on!

Now I know that the group would be expecting cupcakes from me. Cupcakes I can do, but when I think of football I want snacks...cupcakes can come after halftime! A couple of day ago I saw a picture of something I wanted to try! I knew from just the picture that it would be amazing. I patiently waited for this blogger to post the recipe and it finally went up.


Chicken Enchilada Roll-ups


Picture Via Annie's Eats

This recipe fits everything I'm looking for! It can be made the night prior to the party and it can be served cold! Not to mention they look pretty tasty!

of course I could always go the route of a dip! Everyone loves dip and it's so easy to scoop out on your plate and go. I have heard many wonderful things about

Buffalo Chicken Dip


Picture via Rachael Ray

I love that this is so much less messier then actually eating buffalo wings!

Now we come to dessert! Like I mentioned before I know everyone will be expecting cupcakes! I ran across a picture the other day and looked up the recipe. This "cake" makes me a little nervous because I'm not sure I could pull it off because we have to travel with it!

Football Cupcake Pull-aparts


Picture via Betty Crocker

Aren't they cute! My mind is turning wondering how I can transport them in one piece...did I mention I wish we didn't have to travel for this party!

Of course I could always go an easy route...and make something that will actually travel something like these cute...


Football Oreo Truffles


Pictures via Bakerella

These truffles come from the amazing Bakerella! Can I just say that I have tried a few things from her website and have loved EVERY.SINGLE.ONE! I also know this group loves Oreo balls because I have made them before for them!

Now you guys will just have to stay tuned to find out what I'm going to make for Game Day!

Heavy

I go into this week with a heavy heart. This past year has brought me to my knees. At my lowest point this year I didn't know if it would ever be possible to pull myself back together. This week has me reliving the smallest details. The tiniest things most people wouldn't remember my brain won't let me forget. I can tell you what I wore a year ago tomorrow and can probably tell you everything I wore for the rest of the week up until that horrible day I went into the hospital. I can probably tell you what I was doing minute by minute. This is not something I'm proud of..in face it's something I wish my mind would let me forget. You see I can't forget...I can't forget because it's my last precious moments with her. This racing heart as much as I hate it I know it stems from my pain and anxiety of what next week holds.

We should be planning a first birthday party, and instead I'm wondering what I can do special to memorialize her. I plan to make cupcakes...not to watch her crumble in between her little hands but so we can think of what might have been. I will not hold my child this day, but hold her urn in my hands. I will not see her giggle in delight at all her gifts, but imagine her sitting in God's lap on this day smiling down on us. I have missed out on what would have been her first year of life, but I know she hasn't missed out on seeing us. I often wonder do I make her sad or disappointed in me with my tears, does she hate to sit and watch me cry? I know she must because I know that when I'm feeling down I don't see signs from her. I know she only comes around when I'm in a good place...

So baby girl just for you..I will try my hardest to be in a better place this next year...Mommy loves you honey.

Wishing

I have been bad with blogging again. It's not that I don't have tons of thoughts running through my mind the truth is I have way too many. Way to many thought to begin pin pointing. Way too many thoughts running through my mind to even make sense of them. You see February is coming up....where this month once just brought my birthday it now brings my daughter's birthday, and the anniversary of her death. Believe it or not I'm doing well...or the best you can be doing in a time like this. You learn how to face the days again, but the thought of big days bring about the same sadness. Currently my thoughts are filled with memories of my last moments with her in my tummy. The memories of us learning each other as I began to feel her move around more. Memories of being excited that we would soon find out what we were having and beginning to look forward to shopping and a baby shower the spring would bring. These days were never meant to be.

But you see as I live through these sad days that make my heart heavy I also have so much to look forward to. 2010 has me hopeful...I feel like this is our year. I know at some point this year we will bring home our forever baby. I have faith in us and in God that it will happen. We have put up with way too many storms and it's our turn for happiness.

101 in 1001

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as new year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

* Start Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
* End Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2012



My list...

1.Get Pregnant
2.Go to church at least twice a month.
3.Take an online course
4.Find a job Completed 5/10/10
5.Learn to knit
6.Take and Finish a cake decorating class
7.Stick to laundry schedule
8.Start scrapbooking for the kids
9.Take a cooking class
10.See the Nutcracker
11.Buy a house
12.Try a new recipe once a week.
13.Take up yoga
14.Take the kids to Big Bear to see the snow
15.Go wine tasting with the girls
16.Knit a baby blanket
17.Deliver a healthy baby
18.Read Gone with the Wind
19.Take a Salsa dancing class with the hubby
20.Start and finish a cross stitch project
21.Take a family vacation just the 4...hopefully 5 of us.
22.not log onto the computer for an entire day.
23.Go a week without gossip magazines and websites.
24.Come up with my own cupcake recipe.
25.Plan family nights once a week before the kids are too old for it.
26.Make it home for the holidays
27.Make a homemade pie for Thanksgiving.
28.Make a cheesecake.
29.Use the wii daily.
30.Decorate our house.
31.Make a baby name sign for our baby.
32.Mail out a birth announcement to our fertility Dr!
33.Clean out the clutter in our kitchen.
34.Buy new appliances once we get rid of the old ones.
35.Actually use our mountain bikes!
36.Visit my friend in North Carolina.
37.Go to a concert kid free!
38.Date night with hubby once a month.
39.Take more pictures.
40.Be more creative with my baking.
41.Spend a Sunday cuddled on the couch with the kids in pj's watching movies and vegging out.
42.Participate in a March for Dimes walk.
43.Go to a horse race in Del Mar.
44.Buy a piece of jewelry at Tiffany's in Beverly Hills.
45.Go to the midnight showing of Eclipse on the night it opens.
46.Buy something from Etsy
47.Knit us Christmas stockings.
48.Buy the kids Christmas ornaments.
49.Take new family pictures.
50.Host a Christmas party.
51.Plan a better Cookie Exchange.
52.Host a cupcake and wine party!
53.Read and participate in the Love Dare.
54.Make a painted pottery "Birthday" platter for everyone to use on their birthday.
55.Go a whole day with no yelling.
56.Put more effort into my blog.
57.Read at least 2 books a month.
58.Learn to make Sushi.
59.Learn to make homemade icing. Completed 2/5/2010
60.Buy and use reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping.
61.Drink 8 glasses of water daily for 3 weeks.
62.Make a birthday list.
63.Send out cards monthly for everyone on the birthday list.
64.Get involved with our local March of Dimes chapter.
65.Host a dinner party.
66.Keep wine stocked in the house.
67.Have a happy 6 month birthday for our baby.
68.Celebrate our baby's 1st birthday.
69.Take my vitamins everyday for a month.
70.Get a dog.
71.Learn Spanish.
72.Go to the beach at least twice a month during the summer months.
73.Buy a plant and not kill it.
74.Buy a new camera.
75.Have a picnic in the park. Picnic basket and all!
76.Actually try the recipes that I have cut out. If not used throw them out!
77.Learn to decorate sugar cookies with royal icing.
78.Learn to use fondant.
79.Learn to bake bread.
80.Buy a water pitcher so we can use less water bottles while home.
81.Sort through the kids rooms and donate stuff to Good Will.
82.Donate a toy to toys for tots.
83.Learn to make a yummy from scratch mac and cheese.
84.Enjoy the kids sports without talking on the phone or gossiping with the other moms.
85.Spend a day in the spa.
86.Get into the routine of making Sunday Dinners.
87.Get to know our neighbors.
88.Learn how to take a decent picture.
89.Take one picture daily for a month.
90.Read at least an hour a day for a week.
91.Clean the kitchen right after dinner everyday for a week.
92.Eat breakfast everyday for a month.
93.Read the bible cover to cover.
94.Enroll the kids in classes at the church.
95.Get more involved in the church.
96.Find a spot in our house for Bryanna's urn to sit.
97.Learn to sew.
98.Use the crock pot everyday for a week.
99.Go on a tour of the stars homes in LA.
100.Learn to bake my own Lemon Loaf...just like Starbucks!
101.Donate $1 for every task completed to March of Dimes in Bryanna's name.