Favorite "Blog" Friday

I am all "giddy" with excitement to share with you my Favorite "Blog" Friday. I have been blogging with her since I started my own blog. Her decorating talents with vinyl letters to polka dot painting will amaze and inspire you~

Buzzings Of A Queen Bee

This year, her family has grown with a new son. But, being pregnant and giving birth has not stopped this "mamma". She is still decorating and making things around her a bit more "pretty"~

She has the talent to take something normal and simple to something beautiful~

Every post she writes draws you in and after reading it~ you are pretty confident you could do that to...almost at the "snap" of a finger!

Also, her recipes that she shares on her blog are a true delight and makes you want to roll up your sleeves and start "stirring"...

With her cooking and decorating every holiday she makes special with the simplest of things-{she can make a pumpkin look like a work of art...}

Today, grab a cup of tea and head over to Buzzings of A Queen Bee...you will be inspired and glad you visited this darling blog~

Doing the mundane things~

Soon it will be a one year from this....read about here. It has been a year of growth and inner-contentment in so many ways. I always dreamed of a big family...many more than 3 but that was not in my life plan. There are some days that the "loss" is so raw it hurts.

My youngest is starting school this coming Fall....it brings tears to my eyes. I have been mothering for over 10 years~ now "what?".

That is how I feel...my identity...my every day has been mothering...changing diapers..cutting up cheese and cutting off the tops of gogurts...playgroups...morning snuggles and afternoon coloring....

I have two degrees and 4 separate certifications but I don't want that right now! I still want to be home in the afternoon...I want to be available when the school nurse calls or they need a chaperone. But, I am worried about the every day mundane things...doing it alone without a little hand to hold....

This is me today.

What Makes Me Think of Summer~

We have 7 more days of school left. I have been on a flurry to get that last bit of organization...cleaning done. I know than less than 7 days I will spend almost every hour at the pool or wherever else my kids and I dream of. Plus we have 3 weeks of guests staying with us right after school gets out...I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I am more excited than the kids!

I can't wait for late summer nights....drips of popsicles (outside, please)...smell of suntan lotion and chlorine in the hair...cold pasta salads and strawberry lemonade...bathing suit strap "lines"....bare feet....trips to my parents lake cottage in Michigan~ aahhh...

What makes you think of summer days?

P.S. Look who came for a swim!

Her VERY first Pool Party!

My youngest had her first very own "Pool Party". We invited her preschool class over....I think my daughter changed her bathing suit three times in anticipation.

She has been blessed with such a wonderful group of children....they are all very sweet and seem to have formed wonderful friendships this year! I know my daughter will miss seeing them everyday.

Even her preschool teacher came for a bit...

I also made an ice cream sandwich cake...Ever Made One Before??? It was very good and some of the moms couldn't guess what it was....so Easy Peasy!!!

12 ice cream sandwiches...layer four...put chocolate cool whip on top with crushed Whopper candies...continue till you have 4 layers...wrap in reynolds wrap and freeze!

Oh yum!!!

To all My Dear Readers~

Happy Memorial Weekend! This holiday before we sit down and take a bite out of our hot dog or heat up the grill. Talk with your loved ones about the meaning of this Holiday-

Let us pass it on to our children that our soldiers died for the freedom of the red, white and blue!

It's the least we can do~

"Let's Just Talk:Economy"

Today, I have a new feature called

"Let's Just Talk"

It will be on all kinds of topics from politics to cleaning the grocery cart before you push it! I will throw out a question or topic and you leave a comment on your own personal thoughts.

First...one...ReAdy???

Do you see the "economy" getting better? If yes, why? If no, what would you do to improve it?

What is in your Neighbor's Garbage?

Okay...those close to me know I have a "thing"..okay~ "addiction" to looking and driving around my neighborhood looking at houses. There are some amazing homes! Around 6:50 am after taking the kids to the shuttle...I took a quick trip down one of our cul de sacs~

There in the garbage I saw these....

However, I was in my night shirt (short)...there was no WAY I could get out of my car plus they weighed a ToN!

So I hurried home....met my husband at the door {who was hurrying to get to work in his shirt and tie}....in my NICEST way I ask...

"Mr. Sandy Toes...one street over..down the cul de sac are these amazing plant containers...could you grab them for me?". I didn't think he would do it but 5 minutes later they were on my driveway {THANK YOU!!!!}.

Within 10 minutes of delivery...I had my sandpaper and can of spray paint out and went to work!!!

2 hours later ran to get some "ferns"

Ta-da!!!!! Have you looked in your neighbors garbage lately????

Sleepy and Painted...

My little one had a busy day outside and at her end-of-the year school picnic. I think she visited the face painting station at least 4 times! She fell asleep with her paint on her face and a big bow in her hair.

I swept her up and put her in her bed.

Going to bed at night with face paint...that is what "childhood" is all about~

p.s. I was so "pooped" I think if my face was painted...I would of gone to bed with it on, too!

Our Day Trip...

We went to the special butterfly show downtown.....they were beautiful. My daughter and I were a bit "jumpy" when they flew around us. She warmed up to the idea of the butterflies landing on her hands, however, I was a bit timid. My daughter's little friend who came with us was very brave...which boosted my daughter in holding a butterfly, too!

I enjoyed looking at the beautiful butterflies....

It was fun when they released new butterflies...perfect example of God's amazing creation...

Saturday, already???!!! Well, today I am sharing another family favorite that I make all the time...even my kids like it! Ammmaazzinnng! I love a good Mac n Cheese..this is homemade but so easy! I make this when I have moms over with kids with a side of fruit and bread.

Easy Homemade Mac n Cheese

2 cups of elbow noodles

1/4 cup butter

1/2 t salt and pepper

1/4 cup flour

1 3/4 cups of milk

10oz block of sharp cheese

5oz block of cheddar cheese

Cook elbow noodles; Melt butter and add salt and pepper and flour until smooth; Keep stirring and watching! Gradually stir in the milk and stir till thick; Add cheese in cut up blocks until completely melted; Pour sauce over cooked noodles in casserole pan and back for 350 for 30 minutes. Sometimes I double this recipe to fill an entire 9 by 13 pan! Oh..enjoy!!

Favorite "Blog" Friday

I am thrilled to write about this Friday Favorite Blog. Every time my computer is pulling up this amazing blog...I wait with great anticipation to be inspired. This blog is full of "home" inspiration and ways to make it beautiful.

The Shabby Nest

What is completely amazing about this blogger is that she makes her amazing "projects" look easy and gives excellent "tutorials" on how to do it.

Every season her home is full of simple but beautiful decorations...she can make "candy corn" a work of art where you "whoooo" and "ahhhhh"!

Look at her boys bedroom....

Her bathroom.....

This is just the beginning of her wonderful blog and designing inspiration.

Her latest projects have been using "numbers" on furniture. I must blame her for my latest trip to Hobby Lobby b/c some of my stuff was just aching for a "#" to be put on it.

The Shabby Nest also has a wonderful etsy shop where you can buy some of her amazing creations!

If you are one of the few who is NOT following her or visiting this blog....head over there now! You will be inspired Today!