Honey Chicken.......

I found this on Becoming Betty. We tried it out last night. It was so yummy! A lot like Pei Wei or PF Changs. It will be on the rotation!

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
3 or 4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lemon or orange juice
1 Tbs. soy sauce

*In a plastic bag, combine flour, salt and flakes. Add chicken to bag and shake to coat. Pour 4 Tbs. melted butter into a baking dish. Add chicken, turning to coat with butter. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, honey, juice, soy sauce and remaining butter. Pour over chicken and bake for 25 more minutes. Serve over rice.

80's YUCK!!!!

Okay so I will be honest I watch too much TV. Especially the dumb silly teeny bopper shows. So sue me I think it is fun! BUT one thing I can't get past is the 80's coming back in full force. I mean eeeewwww wasn't it bad enough the first time!!!


We live right around from a high school and TONS of kids park in my neighborhood and watching these kids in there outfits are just wrong. Seriously wrong.


*Courtney Love is so played out....flannel eew. (I know that is 90's grunge but still)

*Neon....honestly who looks good in bright orange or bright yellow?? I went to by Noah some quicksilver shirts for school but they were all screaming eighties!!!

*Sunglasses....the funky ones with the lines across them.....double barf.

*tight pants....yuck the acid wash neon ones NASTY.
I went to one of my favorite stores New York and Company usually I keep my distant because I want everything but this time it was all big button up tees and leggings. I mean really yuck.


Ihope this trend doesn't last too long. I was over it the first time!!!!

I want this!!!

I think this is adorable. I am just sad that I didn't find it before our vegas trip this weekend. It would have been perfect. I wonder if I could re-create it. We will see. But I will be sporting it very soon!

Fall JOY

Can you feel it?? I get so excited for September. I love all things fall.




Now the real question is when can the decorating??? The store have started so why can't I? I am thinking next week. I can't wait to pull out all my fall decorations and of course my Martha glittered pumpkins. We definitely need another glitter night girls!!

Things I find JOY in this time of year........

Back to school.....we have had a LONG summer from surgery to every illness known to man I am ready. I love taking Noah back to school shopping, and yes I realize it is only preschool (I can't wait for the real thing) I went to Target and WAlmart with a few friends who were buying their kids back to school goods....I am not going to lie I was jealous! I love new pens and crayons...nerdy I know!

Getting dark earlier......My kids are in bed by 7:30 every night. And it helps when it is fully dark.

Usually it gets cooler..........we will see usually this doesn't happen until October I can't wait to break out sweaters and jeans!

Fall scents...Yankee candle is one of my favorite stores!! And I love their pumpkin cinnamon yum yum!

Pumpkin.........I love the trader joes pumpkin bread add chocolate chips....SO yummy! Breads, bagels, bars, muffins....mmmm diet what??

Soup.....Jeff hates soup for dinner but I love a good soup with some sourdough bread!

Did I mention DECORATIONS??? When can I start them again???

Get excited it's almost here!!!!

Ice Cream in a bag!!!

We did this for family night a few weeks ago after talking about Pioneers. The boys loved it! We found that putting all the ingredients in the bag and then using a #10 ten for food storage worked faster and the boys loved kicking the can! We added chocolate syrup yum!!

1 gallon size ziploc bag
1 pint size ziploc bag
ice
rock salt
1/2 cup half and half
1 Tbs. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Fill gallon-size bag half full of ice and 6 Tbs. rock salt. Put half and half, sugar and vanilla in small bag. Seal and place in large bag. Seal large bag. Shake it up for about 10 minutes until mixture becomes ice cream. Enjoy! You may want to double the ice cream. This recipe only makes about a 1/2 cup

Oh and I used whole milk not half and half...didn't want to go to the store!

Summer Lovin.....

I love summer. Although it is a little hotter right now than I might like. I love the lazy summer days by the pool or the beach. Here are a few of my favorite summer things......

Nic' Sticks found here
I picked one of these up at Target and did the cutest french manicure. I think I need to get a hot pink for some funky french nails.

Salads since my gallbladder surgery I haven't had anything fried or fast food. I think that is pretty good. Especially since I was a fast food junky!!! This salad is my favorite from CPK the Waldorf Chicken Salad with no cheese and balsamic dressing. Mmmm....so good!

Fruit....I am loving costco they have such great fruits that are so yummy and fresh!


and of course fruit dip!!!

True Lemon.....I put this in my water. So refreshing!




Lands End beach bag.....I take this thing everywhere. Next year it will definitly need a new one! I wonder what color I will get!



Knit Dresses....since surgery I have been wearing lots of skirts and dresses so comfy I will be so sad when I can't wear them and I have to get out my jeans once summer ends.

Reeses Mcflurry at McDonalds.....not something I eat often.....not that I wouldn't want to!!!


Hope you are enjoying summer!!!

EIGHT.....

I am so lazy and bored this afternoon that I am doing this tag I found on Sarah's blog. The heat just zaps me and I want to lay around all afternoon. So if you are bored then do this it is fun!

8 Things I look Forward To.....

1. Ryder's first Birthday this weekend!
2. Everyday 6:15 when Jeff walks through my door.
3. Picking up some new hobbies this summer.
4. The OC fair next week!
5. Jeff being completely done with school and CPA tests!
6. Buying our own house someday that I can fully decorate.
7. Finding new bedding for our bed.
8. Sawyer getting out of the terrible/terrific two stage!!!!!!

8 Things I did yesterday........

1. Ate a Sprinkles cupcake!!! mmmm so good.
2. Went to Target and Old Navy....found another cute dress!
3. Did LOTS of Laundry from our trip.
4. Wrestled with boys who wouldn't take naps!
5. Caught up on blogging and blog reading.
6. Got my favorite salad at CPK
7. Date night with Jeff at the Sawdust Festival and FINALLY got my toe ring!!
8. Put my registration sticker on my car bc I forgot two months ago!

8 Things I wish I could do.....

1. Go away with Jeff sans children.
2. Buy a house
3. Loose MORE weight (but eat what I want...too bad that won't happen)
4. Get a puppy Jeff says no way. I want it sooooo bad.
5. Get organized.
6. Get caught up on my scrapbooking
7. Find my missing Modbe bathing suit and Bobbi Brown lip gloss/blush.
8. Cook some more exciting meals.


8 Shows I watch....
(These are some I am currently watching)
1. So You Think You can Dance
2. Bachelorette
3. Army Wives
4. Jon and Kate Plus 8
5. Lost....Jeff and I are starting over...so fun
6. Real Housewives....any season did you see NJ that is some GREAT TV
7. Cake Boss....I can't believe what they come up with
8. Tori and Dean

and Sarah added this one...

8 Things I like to eat and drink...
Since my surgery sadly I can't eat much...good for my diet though!

1. CPK Waldorf Chicken Salad...with no cheese or celery with the balsalmic...SOOO good!
2. Sprinkles cupcakes
3. Watermelon
4. Sourdough bread....even though I sneeze everytime with the first bite!
5. Cheese...I LOVE Cheese!
6. cucumbers/tomatoes with Ranch dip!
7. BLTA sandwiches
8. Ice cream....or milkshakes

Have fun!!

Did you watch?????

I did and it was so sad! I have always been a fan of the show. I read Kate's book multiple blessings. I must say I am a Kate fan. Yeah she may be a shrew not always having the nicest things to say. But I am pretty sure if I had 8 three year olds on any given day I would not be happy if I saw myself and the things I would have said.
She has to run a tight ship to not create chaos.


Really I feel bad for Kate I could sense the sadness she felt and she knew she wasn't perfect and I really feel like the last few episodes have really showed her trying to be nicer or maybe she is just under far less stress the sextuplets are no longer babies, they no longer have financial burden. I think that can definitly change a persons demeanor. On he show Jon said he was excited about his future that he was only 32 and had a lot of life to still live. Him and his UGLY earings didn't seemed that fazed by the whole situation and was just happy to be rid of Kate and the kids. I hope she and the kids find some sort of happiness she really seems like she has a good grasp on the reality of the situation. ahhh those poor kids!!!!

Teacher Gifts

I made these to give to Noah's preschool teachers. I found this idea on a blog....which I can't find......but I thought it was so cute and easy. I wrapped a magazine around a beach towel...the note on it said have a relaxing summer!

Share your teacher ideas or gifts. I try and come up with something besides the usual.

Picture Frame Craft

When I first came across this craft I couldn't wait to make it. It was so simple and because I had most of the stuff at home it only cost 5 bucks.


I bought the poster board frame at Target. They have ones that are larger and ones that have a bit nicer of a frame. I knew I was going to be putting magnets on the back to put on my fridge. I have been using it for to do lists, menus and shopping list. I LOVE it. And maybe my sweetie left me a few love notes on it. (which made my day)
Here is all you need......

Remove all packaging and take frame a part like you are putting a picture in it. Cover the cardboard with a piece of fabric.....you need enough fabric to wrap and glue around the edges. Fold over and hot glue. (you don't need much glue if it is too thick it will be hard to slide the frame back over it.)



Here is the end result.....I ended up re-doing it with different fabric. That print was to too busy and You couldn't see the dry erase markers very well. So I would recommend a simple pattern and not too dark. I need to grab some heavy duty magnets I glued some on the back but it is not staying as I would like....but I LOVE it.

New Moon.....

Have you seen the trailer??? I am so excited. I know totally dorky but I am I can't wait for November.

New Moon was by far my favorite of the books. I need to re-read it. I think I may start.....and I am not going to lie watching the trailer kinda of made me like Jacob....a little. I have ALWAYS been team Edward. But maybe once I re-read it I will change my mind.

I know these are beyond cheesy but I am still looking forward to it. Who's going with me???

Jean Skirt.....

Okay for the record I must say I DON'T SEW!!! This is my very first project that I found online and then attempted myself. SO forgive me for the horrible pictures and even worst the horrible out come. I thought that this would be REALLY easy. Ya know. Not for me. It took me HOURS. Jeff was so funny when I told him that I was cutting my jeans and making a skirt he was like just go by the skirt I am going to end up buying you a new pair of jeans and the skirt.

I am so stubborn and wouldn't give up I spent too many hours to count on this....it is wearable but not in front of anyone who can sew. And if I find that perfect jean skirt I will be purchasing it.
So for all you sewing goddesses I am sure your version would take half the time and turn out so much cuter!!! Good luck!!!

Project in the works.......

I have been on the search for the perfect jean skirt. BUT I refuse to pay 50-60 bucks so I am making my own. I found a great tutorial HERE (It's toward the bottom)

I have ripped the seams out and just waiting to sew it while the babies nap. Wish me luck! Pictures to come!!!

Need a Getaway??

My darling friend Charise is hosting this scrapbooking/craft boutique. I want to go more than anything.....I just have to convince the hubby. It sounds like so much fun. Just thinking of all the scrapbooking makes me giddy. Maybe that is what I should do today instead of cleaning. Hmmmm. For more info click HERE I can't even wait!

Spring alingaling time......

I don't have girls but it doesn't mean I can't make some great things for my own hair. I love making these flower clips. They easily clip to a head band or go great with a pony tail. I bought the clips at the beauty supply store and found flowers at the local craft store on sale of course and went a little crazy. I have a flower to match almost any color. I used scrapbooking jewels for the centers you can get really creative and use buttons but I was going for cheap here. Happy Spring!

WELCOME

As a mom I feel like I am always searching for ideas wheather it be how to make something,ideas for teacher gifts, sales, the list goes on. I decided that I like to comment and write blogs so I am going to dedicate this blog to the random things in my life that has helped me find a little joy in the never ending journey of motherhood. I promise lots of pictures lots of fun. Come back often and feel free to send me your ideas or tips. All moms know it takes a village to raise a child and I personally believe it takes fun to keep you sane!!! Here is to finding JOY!!!