Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/27/14

The weather outside is::::

It was 32F when I left this morning to take the girls to school and go to work.  On my way home from work it was 81F!!!!  What a difference!  That is called Fall in Pennsylvania :) 

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

For breakfast I had a Chocolate Royale Slim Fast Shake.  Yumm.....

As I look outside my window:::

It is starting to get dark out.  After Saturday, this time of day will look like night!

Right now I am::::

Getting myself ready to get on the treadmill.  I'm waiting for my stomach to settle after eating dinner.

As I look around the house::::

I see that we've made some progress on the Fall To-Do list.

On today's to do list::::

Today was work.  I came home to supper already made by the wonderful hubby.  I still have the treadmill to get on, this blog post to finish, some straightening up to do and then a shower and relaxing.

Currently reading::::

I haven't read in MONTHS!!!  But that is about to change.  I've been feeling the urge to read.  I just need to pick out a good looking book from my shelf and settle in.

On the TV today::::

Dancing With the Stars

On the menu this week::::

No plan this week.

What I am creating at the moment::::

I want to pick out some yarn from my stash and make Laken a hat she requested.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

I actually baked this past weekend!  I made Banana Cake from scratch.  Delish!

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Please keep me in your prayers.  I'm feeling that yucky, scary tinge of depression settling in.  It seems like it does this time of year.  Thanks!

Make It Monday ~ Sew Pretty Circle Cards ~ 6/2/14

I've been wanting to try my hand at card-making.  I've always loved paper and had no trouble finding some scrapbook pads that I liked.  I just needed an idea.

I found that idea at www.crystelleboutique.com .  Cards that used my love of paper AND sewing!

Supplies:

6 - 12 X 12 scrapbooking pages
scissors
glue (stick and craft)
rotary cutter
quarter
sewing machine

First, using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut each page in half.  Then cut off 3" from one end.  You will then cut the 3" strip into a 1.5" X 6" strip.

Fold the 6 X 9 pieces in half.  I used a large crochet hook to get a really good crease.

On 12 of the 1.5 X 3 strips, use a quarter to draw six circles on the back.  I don't have any fancy circle cutter but if you have one, go for it!

I then cut all the circles out.

Use the glue stick to tack down 6 circles across the remaining 12 1.5 X 3 strips.

After all that cutting and gluing, I took a moment to admire my work :)

 I then ran the strips through the sewing machine to sew the circles on the strips.

Pretty string of strips!

Next, glue the strips onto the cards.

This made 12 Sew Pretty Circle Cards.  They are blank inside and can be used for any occasion.

Do you have any other great ideas for card-making?  I had a blast :)

Linking up to Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Met Monday, Much Ado About Monday and Monday's Musing and Making Monday.

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Tea Time ~ 5/30/14

Grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or your favorite drink
while I share a few things that made me smile this week :)

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~I was featured on Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday for these crescents!

Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents

~As promised here is the recipe for Cookie Monster Dessert!

My Mom and Dad's little dog, AJ, stayed the night with us Saturday while they went to a Pirate's game.  He was such a good puppy :)

~Memorial Day weekend was WONDERFUL.  Busy, but wonderful!  There will be full post coming about our Memorial Day but here is a shot I loved.

~We went to our local State Park for the first time this season.  Mom and I walked the Lakeshore Trail.  You can read more about that on my Weigh-in Wednesday post.

~Yesterday afternoon, it was rainy and dreary.  I couldn't go for a walk right away so I ended up taking a 2 hour nap!  It was splendid!

~I'll leave you this week with one of the best things about this week.  We stopped at the ice-cream stand for the first time this year.  I only got a baby cone but it was delicious!!

What made you smile this week?

Linking up with Friendship Friday, High Five for Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Heart Filled Friday, and Coffee Date.

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In the Kitchen ~ Cookie Monster Dessert ~ 5/29/14

Do you have any Cookie Monsters in your house.  I do and I happen to be one of them!  I loved the cookie bottom layer.

This would be a perfect dessert to make for a picnic or get together.

Cookie Monster Dessert

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) tube refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (12 oz) large  tub whipped topping, thawed and divided
3 cups cold milk
1 (4 oz) box instant chocolate pudding
1 (4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
chocolate chips for topping.

Let cookie dough come to room temperature to soften.  Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread cookie dough into bottom of baking dish as evenly as possible.  Bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool completely.

In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.  Add in 1 3/4 cups of whipped topping and mix.  Spread over cooled cookie dough crust.

In a medium bowl, combine chocolate and vanilla puddings with the cold milk.  Mix together until smooth.  Let it sit for about 2 minutes until soft but still spreadable.  Spread over cream cheese layer.

Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding layer and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Keep dessert in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Enjoy and share!


Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday,  Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Creative Exchange, Create It Thursday, The Homemaking Party,   Project Stash and Home Sweet Home.

Weigh-In Wednesday ~ 5/28/14 ~ Week 7

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Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were

 doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.

Colossians 3:23

Monday, after our picnic, we went to our local State Park, Shawnee.  There is a lovely trail around the lake called Lakeshore Trail that is 3.5 miles long.  It is the local spot for 5K's.

While the guys fished (I planned on fishing but ran out of time), my Mom and I walked the trail.  Here are a few pictures.  It was a gorgeous day

Now for the weigh in:  I am shocked!  Even though I got 18 miles in, I wasn't very good with my eating plan.  I was just hoping not to gain when I weighed in this morning.  Imagine my surprise when the scale was down 1.6 pounds!

Not only did I lose 1.6 pounds but I'm now in a the next lower "10's" number if you know what I mean.  Some day I'll be brave enough to post my actual weight :)


Week 7 check-in:

Miles:  18
Total Miles: 92.5

lbs lost:  1.6
Total lost:  12.6

Food Plan:  It wasn't such a great week food-plan wise.  Gotta get back at it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Also linking up to Winsome Wednesday and WholeHearted Wednesday, Whatever Wednesday and Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday and Weigh-In Wednesday and Workout Wednesday.

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Family Time ~ Riding Bikes ~ 5/27/14

In an attempt to spend more time together as a family and get the girls out of their bedrooms, we've been taking evening walks/bike rides around the neighborhood.

Our youngest is 7 years old, and think that we should take her training wheels off and just let her go.  I don't think she realizes that she has to learn to balance before that can happen.

Here's a family shot with a silly face thrown in :)

Daddy staying close to the little one because she has a tendency to just tip over randomly!

Our oldest is almost 13 and likes to ride ahead of the rest of the family.  She always stops at the corners and waits for us to catch up though :)

I love this picture of Laken from behind.  Just look at those adorable pigtails!

Getting a smile from Kaylee is almost impossible.  So glad I caught this one!

Laken, on the other hand, loves to pose :)

We went full circle and once again made it back to Home Sweet Home!

Linking up to Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, and Titus 2 Tuesday.

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Make It Monday ~ DIY Beach Towel Tote ~ 5/26/14

Are you ready to hit the beach this Memorial Day?  I know I am.  In fact, I might be there right now!

I'll be taking along my new Beach Towel Tote to lug all our beach equipment.

Forgive me, but I don't remember where I saw this idea.  If anyone knows, please message me so I can give credit where credit is due.

Items needed:

1 Towel (Wal-mart)

2 yards Mesh Strap (Joann's)

Sewing Machine

Pins

Tape Measure

First, cut the mesh into 1 yard pieces.

Next, measure in 5" from the side of the towel and 2" down from the top.  Pin the strap in place.  Do this for all four corners/ends.

Use your sewing machine to sew the mesh securely to the towel.  I sewed a box and then made an "X" for good measure.  Do this for all 4 corners

Turn the towel inside out and pin up the sides.  Sew up each side about 2 inches from the edge.  You can go back over it for a second pass if you would like.

Turn the towel/bag right side out and there you go!

A super huge, beach towel tote that can be thrown right in the washing machine along with the dirty, wet towels.  (Special thanks to my daughter for modeling it even though she didn't really want to :)

I can't wait to give it a try!

Linking up to Making Your Home Sing , Inspire Me Monday, Merry Monday , Motivation Monday, Made By You, Met Monday, Much Ado About Monday and Monday's Musing and Making Monday.

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