~Mr. Not Too Shabby~

I couldn't resist sharing what my husband made me for Valentine's Day. I was utterly impressed with this beautiful bouquet and, tongue in cheek, think it should be featured in Romantic Homes craft section!

{A husband is a guy who tells you when you've got on too much lipstick and helps you with your girdle when your hips stick.}

He used chocolates dusted with fairy pink sprinkles and pink candy foils. Silver tinsel rods and ballet slipper pink paper to create the cone. Adorned with delicate tissue paper tag and cut glass green leaves.

{pictures do not do these cuties justice}

{take notice to the scalloped, delicate petals}

{goat card i made him~we have two goats instead of dogs}

{cards my kiddos made with daddy's help~purse even has a working buckle}

{from my sister~lilly pulitzer pencils and cookies}

Happy Monday all!

~Cupid's Jig On My Heart~

{cliffs of mohr, ireland}

My husband and I have have been happily married for 12 years in April. He was my high school sweetheart since I was 16 for a total of 16 years together. That is officially half of my life. I think at some point we all ponder on the things that could have/should have done in life and think how we would change or improve them so that it would have had a better or different outcome. I would have finished college, all three times I started! I would have been nicer to my parents and not given them such a hard time as a young adult. There are things about me that I would change...I'm scattered to say the least. I procrastinate...constantly! I don't like to make commitments because that way I don't let people down when I don't fulfill them. Artistically, my mind runs in all different directions always thinking of ways to improve or change things just to make them more beautiful. Focusing is a huge issue for me. It drives my husband nuts because he is as square as a box!

All this being said, I have to say that there is one thing that I am utterly, undeniably, whole-heartily committed to and that's My Michael. Meeting and marrying him, was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. He's my rock when things are smooth and when they suck. He stabilizes me. Loves me. Holds me up. Respects and honors me. During these past 16 years we've camped and traveled, hiked around Ireland together, we discovered our favorite town named Lewes, laugh at each others oddities and just have fun together. We've experienced together the passing of 3 parents, 5 grandparents, a very much loved brother-in-law, seen the miracle of birth with 7 nieces and nephews and 3 wonderful children of our own. In 16 years, we've lived a lifetime, and I can honestly say that it has felt like a day.

At sixteen, I had no vision of what I wanted my life to look like except that I wanted it to include Michael. And it does. And it will until death do us part.

~Happy Valentine's Day~

I truly hope each and everyone of you have a wonderfully blessed day.

xoxo

{added blessing one}

{added blessing two}

{added blessing three}

{from my michael}

{valentine treats for my friends: whipped cocoa milk bath and candies}

{homemade bon bons}

Snowed In with Ava Rose

The Ava Rose collection is one of my favorite fabric lines. I received a quilt from my mother's friend, Kathy. I instantly fell in love! The soft hues of aqua and pink are my favorite color combination. So sweet~especially for St. Valentine's Day. After seeing a lovely post by One Ripe Peach, I had a spark of inspiration for a Valentine tribute of my own.

{first attempt at ruffle edges}


{one of my favorite Bible verses}



{the finer details}

{sweetly hanging above my couch}

This is crafted from paper, fabric, crepe paper, glitter, my printer, Singer and glue. It also features mica glitter dots and a vintage ear bauble under the verse.

~xoxo~

~Easter Parade~ Nostalgic Wreath

I am already starting to think about Easter. How bad is that? We're not even past Valentine's Day yet! I'm posting pictures of a wreath I made. I made one the other year to sell, so I thought I'd do another. These are so fun to do. I love collages and putting a little of this and a little of that together to create something beautiful.

ENJOY!

~xoxo~

Apron Appeal~Rockin' Ready to Cook

{Me hanging my wash...or not.}

I never thought much about aprons before. I've always seen them as dull, dark, fruit print covered. Navy, hunter, burgundy or worse~brown. Nothing says yummy like a big dirt ball blowing up in front of you and sticking all over your clothes~blah! Unless paired with another bright color, brown should be reserved for the dirt on the ground you walk on...not clothing! Anyways, I discovered a whole new realm of aprons.

A couple of years ago, as I was skimming through magazines it came to light that aprons (in my mind) have been given a bad rap. Now, I love to see a bright, cherry kitchen with splashes of color from an apron, old or new, hung somewhere in plain sight. Not only are they a fashion accessory, but they also represent to me home and mom. More specifically, a mother's love. Hence the saying, tied to a mother's apron string. Now that I have two boys of my own, I don't see this as necessarily a bad thing. Of course, they are only 1 and 5!

The snow is coming down as we speak, so to brighten up the afternoon, here are some textile fancies!

We all scream for Snow Cream!

Here is Southcentral PA, snow abounds everywhere~and there's more coming! The last time we had a decent snow year was in 1996. I know these things well. It was my senior year and graduation got pushed back to the end of June. This time around I have 3 little children, two old enough to want to go out. Luckily, my husband loves the snow and is more than happy to take them out. After 20 minutes of finding clothes in the right size (notice I didn't say matching), and 20 minutes of dressing everyone they clomp out for a whole of 30 minutes. Anyone with children know what I'm talking about! Well...since I am inside my 83 degree house, what to do? Snow cream time! We ate this for dinner two nights in a row now.

Snow Cream

Now there are a multitude of recipes for this. My favorite is this: 8-9 cups of snow (If I have to actually remind you to get nice clean snow, don't bother trying this recipe.), 1 can of sweetened condensed milk and a Kool Aid pack.

All I do is mix in a big tub the snow and sweetened condensed milk. I serve in small bowls and sprinkle with Kool Aid. My favorite is Tropical Punch. Not too much, or it will be bitter. Stir and it's a tropical paradise in your mouth! Sweet and creamy. Just like rich, homemade ice cream on a hot summers day!

Cupcakes Galore!

Who doesn't love a cupcake? The prettier the better! My favorite flavor is coconut. Mounds of soft, sweet coconut. I put these little ditties together to celebrate...today, I guess! My backdrop is from Jenny's Bakeshop~Everyday is a Holiday. I love her work!

If you are interested in the wrappers, they are available in my Etsy store.