MY FAVORITE FORM OF EXERCISE...

I was in the bathroom trying to make sense of the 11 pairs of tights I had brought with me (grey, dark grey, heather, black or polka dot? Too many decisions.) when a lady came up and asked if we were part of a school or organization. I told her I had just invited some friends to come skating. 

"Wow. You have A LOT of friends." and then she slammed the door and left me and my tights to ourselves. 

She's right, I do! I'm very blessed through and through to have a group of kids and now, adults ;) to encourage me, annoy me, quiz me on the boy I was with and protect me from bugs, creeps and oncoming traffic. 

Ice Skating on an 80 degree day is magical on many levels. Everyone is in a particularly good mood because they're not dying of sweat on a December day and then there is christmas music which basically prohibits any leftover chance of sadness. Last year was a surprise party for me, but this year it was just for fun, for everyone.

And for the record, I decided on heather grey. I thought you'd like to know.

Ice Skating is actually a terrible way to catch up with people if you happen to be terrible at ice skating. But none of my friends happen to be terrible? How did all these florida people end up being so good at ice related activities?? I guess it comes with the territory of having to survive 80 degree winters (as I have already mentioned once, which proves how challenging they can be.)

My little @jenncmayes never ceases to bring so much sunshine into my life. She was my first passenger and was with me when I wrecked my car (long, stupid story. we were all safe!) and also there for my exciting rendition of the Sugar Plum Dance in the popcorn aisle after Ice Skating (which I'm sure the security guards will enjoy replaying over and over again.)

 You know, I'll be honest, life has been really weird lately. There's been a lot that I can't write about, talk about, or even really like to think about. But  December 15th (thanks to good friends and winter coats and christmas music) felt just right, like life was returning to the normalcy I've been desperately missing...even if just for 3 hours.

Moral of the story: ALL IS GOOD IN THE HOOD.
Especially because I didn't fall flat on my face.

T is for Tulip

I ended up getting flowers after all! And oh my, they are ever little pretties!
A month or so ago, we watched a Globe Trekkers (yes, I love those) on the Netherlands. Of course, it was filled with tulips. I hadn't had fresh flowers in a very long time, and since then I'd been wanting tulips.Now I have some. And I adore them. My sweet mother didn't even have to ask to know I wanted tulips.

I've decided that I either need to grow flowers or invest more money in them because I really had forgotten how much I love flowers.
I am so ready spring now.

And more flowers .

And more tulips.

Last Minute Valentines

When I say Last Minute, I mean it. Today, I decided to stop procrastinating for and get my AHG Valentines done. Unfortunately, I was lacking any idea's. I just started going and working, re-doing and testing. Finally I got what I wanted.Yes, they are simple. Yes, my hand looks awkward. But seriously, aren't they a tad cute. Here's what I did: 1. )Used card stock and stamped all over then with a heart and pink ink. 2.) Printed happy valentines day on the paper, I got six per sheet. 3.) Cut out all (these are super original valentines, no 2 are alike. I didn't cut any of them evenly. That's what I like about them, they are all unique and different.) 4.) Spray painted the edges and back a metallic gold.


Painting the edges really helps this. I was not super careful about it getting on a little of the card, so some gold is on the front. It looks vintage and I like it. (the back is like the envelope flap, which you'll see in just a sec.)

I was not planning on doing envelopes, but by the time I finished all my valentines, I was in love with the metallic spray paint and so I decided to try a few envelopes.
First, I used the heart bookmark shape to paint the hearts across it. Then I decided to spray the flap too.

And those are my valentines. I rather like how they turned out. Really simple, but sweet. What are your valentines like?

Make your Mailman happy

Did any of you celebrate Thank your mailman day? I did and I got the most greatest results. This is what I made for our mailman


Yes. I called her Mrs. Mailman. I'm sure she rather liked it. I was worried that maybe she would be gone that day and a man would replace her - he'd be horrified to be called Mrs. But! I was relieved of my fears when I found this
I seriously have a thing with car/truck visors. When I was growing up, my grandparents kept my alien pictures. Now, my notes on Mrs. Mailmans visor. I'm continuing a tradition. Plus! I am old enough to say "When I was growing up!" That is so amazing.

I get amazed easy. I hope you celebrated and thanked your mailman or Mrs. Mailman. If you didn't you should do it tomorrow, I know they'd appreciate it.

Sweet Stuff

I love February. I love most everything about it. First of all, pink is widely excepted. So is dessert and yummy things to eat. By this time, everyone has forgotten about their new years resolutions to eat healthy and such and goes for the good stuff....pie, cake, cupcakes, cake pops. And you like the new background? Yeah, me too. Reminds me of a cupcake store. Okay, I need to change the subject.

For the 13 days leading up to Valentines day (and on Valentines day.) I'll be showing you 14 things I love. They all vary quite a lot. It wont be super thrilling, but it will be fun to share with you the things I love.

She is just the sweetest.

Fangs

Every now and then, the pups pull out their fangs. Its their most popular weapon.

I am serious, I would die if I didn't have these puppies. They are constantly entertaining me.

Bacon....Chocolate?

Have you ever tried Bacon Chocolate? I have, and it does taste like bacon. It also smells like a dog treat. I usually never venture from my norm of milk chocolate, but I had to try bacon chocolate. After all, I'm a pig predator! While I'm not sure I'll get it again, it was fun to try. Bacon bits can go on salad and baked potato's, but chocolate? I'm still not convinced.



Here's a peek at the next tutorial for you all. I never thought I'd be smitten on bow ties, but then again, I never thought love and navy blue would ever be said in the same sentence.

And, With my big girl camera, I've been able to get some really cute shots of the neighborhood squirrels.
Okay, this is pushing it. I wouldn't say this is cute.

More like odd and abnormal.

I.Want.This.

This week Dad is traveling to a wonderful place that is home to a store filled with lovely little delicious things.

Can you guess what I'm talking about??Ohmygoodness - this sounds so divine! I am very interested in the frosting. It sounds heavenly.

And If I'm not being mean enough, here's a picture of it.

(I also love the skirt!)

I want that cupcake. Really bad.

What I would wear

There's a homeschool dance coming up and as much as I'd like too, I won't be one the attendees. But just because I'm not going does not mean I can't think about what I would wear...right? Okay, I make no sense.

I personally am not a fan of skimpy, teenage prom dresses. They are always, too tight, too short and sometimes fairly ugly. I prefer a little more elegant looking style.

I wish I had $200 dollars laying around so I could get this! Isn't it just darling? I love the color, and the bow is sort of weird, but with a cardigan and belt this would be extra adorable.This one I could actually think about buying, but it seems kind of silly to waste all my Christmas money on one dress. I love the layers of pleats on this one and while green is generally not my favorite color, I love this shade.

So that's what I'd be wearing if I were going. I get my new glasses today, I'll show you some pictures I'm sure!

Yarn Pops

This is my favorite - because it is all my own! All the other crafts I have made I have used other projects as the base, and then added some of my own to it. But this was created by my own genius! (Or lack of genius.)

I saw some clay lollipops that were adorable, and I really wanted to make them. But I didn't have clay, and buying clay when I only have one project in mind is not the most appealing idea. And considering I've got sweater fever, I decided to cancel that project.

But I still wanted some lollipops. And I came up with these.

In order to cut down on the amount of photos I use (See the pom pom post if you want an overload.) I made sort of a tutorial photo. Sorry about the pink, I see now it is not so easy to read.
I will give you a bit more detail about this. You want to start wrapping it, and leave the ends on the backside, don't wrap those. Also, twist and wrap, then glue. If your "rope" has unwind-ed, twisting before you glue it will help keep the shape and look of the lollipop. What I do when I get to the end is pull the end to the back and glue it on, and then add the stick. To keep the lollipop from loosing its shape, put some hot glue all over the back. You could also add a circle of fabric too.

Here are some other options, other than using these as a tree decoration or gift topper....
Have fun with it!

Let the celebration commence

This girl is a little older today.


And look who came to my party! These little princesses! I was so happy to have them.

Oh, and this little rug rat. You're always welcome.

I got the greatest gifts. Thank you wonderful family! I loved everything.

I couldn't get it open.
So much to add to my collection.

Now, I have 14 attendees attending my party and I am already hearing about groovy boots and tye dye . I am going shopping tomorrow to help Emily find the perfect garb.

Also, tomorrow I go out for birthday breakfast with dad. It is one of our greatest traditions. Every year, KJ and I pick a restaurant to go to with dad for breakfast. It's not always on our birthdays, but we strive to go very near it.

Happy Thursday chickabidies. Crafts come tomorrow - woot woot. :)

The big reveal!

The first Pink Christmas Craft, woot woot. It has to do with that pink rick rack I've shown you....

It's my stocking for the year! At first, everyone thought it would not be Christmasy in the least. But now that it is finished, it is the perfect mix of pink and Christmas.
First, lay out your rick rack on the stocking. I mixed a few different shades of pink to make it a little more fun, but it can be done with any color. (You could also sew the rick rack on with clear thread, but I was feeling kind of lazy so I went with a hot glue gun.)


Press it down.

Then, trim the end at the bottom of the stocking and put a tiny bit of hot glue on the end of the rick rack to keep it from fraying.

Then add the other 2 (or as many as you want!)

I added some rick rack flowers to the top with the leftover rick rack. I would love to show you how to make these, but I can't really even get them right.

This project was really fun and added a little pizzazz to a regular stocking. Rick rack is $1.00 a yard. I used 4 yards for this (You do the math), and it turns out to be pretty inexpensive.

If you make this a launching pad for another project or try this out, let me know! I would love to see what you create.

Here's what's coming...

Yeppers. Pink and Christmas. It is going to be so fun!

Almost time

Almost December - woot woot! (my trademark.) In my brain it's already December. The calender is being a little slow - I'm waiting for it to catch up.

Now, with Christmas coming, everyone is getting in their Red and green mode. I refuse to be drawn in! I personally despise Red, green and gold Christmas stuff. Why does Christmas have to be limited to those boring colors, I ask. If you have a out of this world reason, tell me. If not, no green here and red is going on a serious diet. I'm okay with red most times. But not always.


This is so cute. Please notice that there is a way to convey Christmas without smothering everything in Red and Green. I strive for pink perfection this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You all should be pretty confused by this thing here...
But I will reveal soon! I love it. It's Christmasy, and pink. Keep guessing, you'll stumble on the answer sooner or later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Ugh, I really want this. Give me liberty...or lip gloss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My friend sent me this. I really wish I was cool enough to come up with something like this by myself.

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing.
I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.
I believe in pink. I believe that loving is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."~Audrey Hepburn

Although, I probably wouldn't have said it as well as Audrey. I agree %100.