Regrettable Food

I don't know if it was a cultural thing at the time, or that my parents started out as zero income students, but my mom definately got creative with our food. Picture a hot dog sliced lengthwise, topped with a scoop of mashed potatoes and some shredded cheese, then baked and served with ketchup and a side of jello with some canned fruit mixed in. Did anyone else eat like this? Tonight I dumped a pack of Costco flautas into a casserole dish, poured over some canned enchilada sauce (Macayo's) and a few handfuls of cheese and cooked it till the cheese was all melty, and it was good! But it reminded me of those dinners, and of James Lileks Gallery of Regrettable Food. He has a collection of old cookbooks and food ads and his comments that are really funny. (I got that jello picture above from his site.) I had to save this ad from the Sunday paper a few months ago because I thought it was pretty funny.
Mmmm- give me some of that Slurpin' Dunkin' Wholesome fun!

The best magazine

I finally got to get into my favorite magazine- Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and I thought these were pretty cute! I read this magazine cover to cover- it only comes every other month though but it's so exciting when it comes! It's always full of great projects, beautiful ads, and informative interviews with all kinds of different artists. And now I just have to share one more Easter page! We had a cute party last year and I had a lot of great pictures that needed to be scrapped!

My Weekend

Ok, first of all, if you are at all interrested in digital scrapbooking, or photoshop, you must check out my link on the sidebar here to SpragueLab! Every Friday she does a tutorial on how to do something in Photoshop, and this week was how to re-color things and it has just opened up a whole new world to me! Suddenly every digital paper I have, every ribbon, flower, element etc, can be made to match any page I'm doing! How cool is that? I did a couple pages from Easter last year that I was happy with. I recolored a few things I had to match and it was so fun! That was the high point of my weekend, the low point was giving breathing treatments to my poor little sickie! She's had a cough for a while, and then Thursday woke up with a fever and acting really sad so I took her in and discovered she had 2 ear infections, and some other kind of infection that was giving her some breatheing trouble. She has been a pretty good sport but she hates sitting there with that thing on her face.Finally, I had to post these pictures because it's so funny. Miss B is my little crafty girl and today while I was taking a nap, she made these "decorations" for the house

They are filled with little toys and candy and she couldn't wait to do a "family line" where we took turns taking something out of the cups. I wonder how long I have to keep them up... She is so cute and creative though.

Cute video- catchy song!

Sam sent me the link to this video: http://joansowards.com/somepostman.html It's about a mailman stealing the LDS missionaries love letters and it made me remember a band I forgot about long ago- The Presidents of the United States of America- I like them!
The girl who teaches Beehives with me is the girlfriend- it's cute. I think I may have to go download the song from iTunes.

I'm an analytical...

One time I heard someone say "Oh I hate analyticals." Because they just think things to death, and can never make decisions and ACT. And I thought that was rude, because suddenly I realized was an analytical! And it drives me crazy. I have been working on things, but I want them to be PERFECT and they aren't and I can't decide what to do about it. I purchased the wood and paper to make the word SPRING 2 months ago... then I realized it would be 6 feet long, and I don't have a place to hang a 6' long spring decoration! So I decided to do HOP. (you know, like the Easter Bunny hops) But, that doesn't make as much sense on spring paper as it would on easter paper- you know with eggs etc. So I can't decide what to do. Those letters aren't glued on yet...Next, Target decided they weren't sucking enough out of me with just a $1 section, so they also added a bunch of $2.50 items that were so stinking cute! They are all painted wood, and cute, but I thought how much cuter they would be Mod Podged with some pretty paper! But I'm having a hard time decideing which items will go in which room, and what papers I will use!One decision I did make, I found this shower curtain that I absolutely adore! And bought some pretty bright pink towels to match for the girls bathroom. I've had the same shower curtain since we got married, nearly 9 years ago, because I could never really find something I loved. Now I'm worried when we have our next kid (not any time soon) it will be a boy, and he won't like the pink towels. Totally ridiculous! This is my reality check- I am analytical and a little crazy.
PS- We got my "smokin' deal" table tonight, opened the box and there's a big crack about 1/3 of the way across the top. :-( It's still totally functional, and I really love it other than the crack! They don't have any more though so I can't exchange it. I'm really bummed but I'm thinking if they give me a good enough discount, I may just keep it anyways.

Guadalupe

So if you drive down Priest, south of Arizona Mills Mall, you will pass through Mexico! It is the craziest thing I've ever seen. One minute you're in a totally metro shopping area, and then for 1 square mile, it's Mexico- colorful shops, people walking around, this old church etc. And then suddenly, it's back to Tempe shopping and apartments. I never knew that's what Guadalupe was. It was very interresting.

Cupcakes are so in...

There was an article in the paper this week about cupcakes and by the time I was done reading it, I was trying to think of an excuse to make some. Miss B asked me the other day if she could do a lemonade stand, and that was it! Today we had a cupcake and lemonade stand and the neighbors (mostly cousins) came over and it was fun! Apparently, cupcakes are the latest food fad- who knew? I've never thought they were all that yummy to eat, but they sure are cute. Check out this cupcake blog: Cupcakes Take the Cake.
And did you see, I have a coupon code! Mark from Pink Milk was gracious enough to give anyone who sees this on my blog 10% off their purchase this month with the coupon code WannabeCrafter. So go check it out and save! Thanks Mark.

Pink Milk

Do you watch Charlie and Lola? (or read the books for that matter) I saw this site, Pink Milk, over on Prints & Patterns and was so excited! It's the cutest show and Pink Milk sells tons of the merchandise. I bet I can steer Miss B towards a Charlie and Lola party- isn't this the cutest?

Extreme Makeover- Mailbox Edition

We gave the mailbox area a little makeover today.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I'll be heading back out to Home Depot to get a little more gravel. I think the mailman was happy with it too.

Old Spice

Have you seen this Old Spice commercial?
http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2007/01/would_you_buy_o.html
My grandpa is Old Spice- it's his natural scent, and he always told us things "will put hair on your chest" as if it was a good thing...

I love JC Penny's!

I was planning to redo my kitchen table somehow, (I was kind of chickening out on the resin top part though) but I was looking at JC Penny online outlet and found a great looking table for $99! Delivered to the store for free! I am so excited. It was out of stock online, but my wonderful, smart husband suggested I call and sure enough, they had it! And in black which wasn't even shown online. Picture this in "distressed black"
SO do you need a table? JC Penny has a lot of great stuff on clearance right now, and you can get free shipping with the code ONLINEFS through March 14th. How about this HUGE 36" clock for $89?
Or this great mirror? (also huge and $89)
Or this great large painting for only $59!
And finally, how about these cute red dishes! Only $99 for 72 pieces- 12 people!



Who knew JC Penny had such great stuff? For such great prices...

Enough of that- I hope I haven't sent anyone on a shopping spree- it was hard for me to not buy any of that stuff but I think it helped sharing them here :) I have to show a couple scrapbook pages I did last night because they turned out so cute! I used the Spring Chick kit by Dani Mogstad and a couple templates I downloaded somewhere... The templates helped me learn how to do some cool new "tricks."

Happy Birthday Ashley!

March is the month for birthdays and today is Ashley's! And it's a milestone one, no she's not turning 20, or 40... We've been friends for nearly 10 years but the only photos I have of her are from when she was pregnant with Christian, at Lake Powell, 7 1/2 years ago. (should I have posted those?) But what would a birthday tribute be without embarrassing photos? Have no fear, SAM was friends with Ashley before I was! So we have these! The stud on the left is mine now.And here's one more- Ashley is in the middle between Louie and Sam.The best word to describe Ashley is dependable- she is a great friend who will always do whatever she can to help you if you need it. I don't know what we would have done without our weekly Sunday dinners at her house for the first 3 years of our marriage. Now we look forward to Friday nights, usually spent playing progressive rummy with her and Kyle. I hope you had a great birthday Ashley!

Free Samples in honor of Joy

Today is my friend Joy's birthday- happy birthday Joy! (I don't think she reads this, but she is one of the sweetest, kindest people I know, and a wonderful mother, and she loves coupons and getting a good deal like me.)
Click HERE to get a coupon for a free Mountain Dew Blue Shock Slurpee from 7-11! (you know you want one...) I hope the link works.
Also, a coupon for a free drink and chips from Quiznos if you buy the Prime Rib on garlic bread sandwich. I don't know if I'll do that, but maybe Sam would like it? HERE is the link for that one if interrested.
Then there's this free digital scrapbooking kit with some cute stuff in it HERE. And have you checked out the free samples from Walmart? I feel like I'm getting a present in the mail when a free sample arrives. They usually have some good ones and they change frequently, click HERE to see what they've got now.
How about a free Old Spice Shaver! You have to sign up for the Old Spice Shaving Crew but that's what Hotmail accounts are for. HERE is the link to that one.
And finally, for a free sample of Dove clear deoderant, click HERE. As a special bonus you can watch an animation of a girl taking her shirt off and then putting it back on inside out.
That's all for tonight- I have cleaned out my junk e-mail and can sleep peacefully.

How cute!

Look how cute this is! I didn't make it, just found it online. Click on it to see a gallery full of them. You could use it to store recipes, cards, a gift or just stick on a shelf somewhere. I love it.
I think I need to stop thinking of things to make and start actually doing something! Today I'm feeling ambitious. My table needs an extreme makeover but I'm afraid to tackle such a big job. My vision is painting it white, and then cutting a sheet of cute wallpaper to fit over the top and then pouring some epoxy resin over it to make a hard smooth plastic on top. Are you scared? I can't find pictures of anything like it online but it looks really cool in my head. I need to do it before the real summer heat hits though because that's an outdoor project for sure...

The difference between men and women

Doesn't this look like such a GREAT movie???
This time it was Sam's turn to choose the movie so I suffered through it- literally. I like a movie that I can relate to in some way, I need to be able to at least imagine that it could be real but Nicolas Cage, selling his soul to the devil, turning into a firey skeleton, riding a flaming motorcycle... nope, I can't do it. I need to love the characters at least. Anyone up for Music and Lyrics? or how about Because I Said So?

Happy Birthday Phattie

Today is my long time friend Lindsey's birthday! Here are my top 10 memories of our friendship- and a couple pictures that had me laughing my head off today :)



1- Monopoly club in the guest house.

2- My boyfriend and I broke up and then you guys hooked up- and we stayed friends.

3- Girls camp with braids and you showing off the Monkey and Lizzard.

4- Playing checkers at Coffee Talk- and shopping for clothing there.

5- Going to lunch in Lukes bug, and the Bad Corsica. (Park 'n Shop and Pizza Hut)

6- Sadies with Luke and Hyrum

7- Our "family photo" and riding in the blue & grey Bronco. 8- Special GNO's with our matching t-shirts. (Shauna, I have looked at this picture at least 10 times tonight and you make me laugh every time- even as I am typeing this!)
9- Our trip to Disneyland and Oceanside with your family- wow we were hotties!!!
10- Your mom being funny, and cooking really good food, your dad always rolling his eyes at us and wearing cool shoes, your awesome cruncy ice, 90210 Night, Seth always running past us and wearing Suns hats, loves and breakups, sleepovers, the Pink Adobe Casa, and I know I've gone past 10 things, but I got on a roll- I love you Lindsey- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Reading time

Here is my very favorite book to read with the girls right now, Big Sister and Little Sister by Charlotte Zolotow:I cry every time I read it and the girls don't know why but it is just such a sweet story about a big sister and a little sister, and I kind of think the girls look like my girls.
The other one we're into right now is Oh, What a Busy Day by Gyo Fujikawa: It's one that I loved when I was a little girl, and I forgot about it until my mom told me about Gracie loving it. I think it's out of print right now but my wonderful sister Beth found it for me for my birthday. (Thank you Beth!) It's just full of the random things kids do everyday and has really beautiful illustrations. I love them all but here's an example of one favorite: I just want to crawl into the book and sit there.

Ok and it's been a couple weeks since I did a "reality check" so here it is:

This is Miss B's February reading log. We are supposed to read 15 minutes a day, everyday, and she colors in one heart each time we do. February is over, and that's as far as we got- 13 hearts. I don't know why it's hard for me to do it. I noticed last time I was in her class that a lot of the kids are reading better than her and I am sure it is because we aren't reading enough at home. Ok, so that's my reality check, I hate to admit it but I don't read to my kids every day- I would like to though, I am working on it.

The happiest place on earth

We just got back from Disneyland last night and I did a photo show of the highlights for you. I love Disneyland- it is so beautiful and magical, but I learned a few lessons this time.

1- Disneyland is much easier when you have a 1:1 ratio of little kids to adults. Miss E was still in my tummy last time and she was easier to manage that way.
2- Kids love it, but they equally love going to the park, or riding the carousel at the mall, or watching movies in the hotel room, so I will not feel like a bad mother if we don't go back for a few years. (but I will miss it!)
3- When taking a toddler to Disneyland, it is absolutely not a waste of time to leave for a few hours in the afternoon for naps, and in fact, if you do not have naps, the rest of the day may feel like a waste of time.
4- Giant swirly lollypops work like magic to keep kids happy through one more long line before dinner.

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There were a lot of people there but I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes for any ride, and they were all good enough to wait 20 minutes for. Sam and I got to take turns on the California Screamin roller coaster and that was really fun too. We found good food in Disneyland this year- Cafe Orleans, especially their Mickey Beignets- heaven!