Family Time ~ Into the Woods ~ 4/14/15

The hubby called me Friday morning at work to tell me he rented a movie from the Redbox on his way home that morning.

In our house, family movie night needs certain things to be complete, so I made a quick trip to the store on my lunch break for the essentials.  Popcorn, Twizzlers and M&M's.  Yeah, baby!

Here are a few pre-movie pictures:

 Now, for the actual movie.  "Into the Woods"

                           

 Laken had been wanting to see this movie for weeks and it finally came to the Redbox.  You can check out the trailer below.

            

What did I think of the movie?  I hate to say it but I thought it was really strange!  The acting and singing were spectacular (the song did get a bit repetitive) but the storyline was just not what I was expecting at all.

Laken and the hubby liked the movie.  Kaylee didn't say one way or the other.  Typical teenager.

Although I wasn't a fan of the movie,  it was a great evening spent together as a family.

Have you seen "Into the Woods"?  What did you think of it?

What are some Movie Night essentials at your house?

I'd love for you leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit :)

Linking up Totally Terrific Tuesday,  Titus 2sdays, Unite, Share Your Stuff, Treasure Box, Do Tell Tuesday and Titus 2 Tuesday.

Make it Monday ~ Weekend in Stockholm ~ 4/13/15

This February, I was looking for a granny square to make and use up a ton of yarn from my stash.  I saw so many pretty patterns on Ravelry, but something about the "Weekend in Stockholm" really caught my eye.

I started working on it during a week that my husband was working 2nd shift.  The girls were doing there own thing and the hubby wasn't around so I basically crocheted every spare moment after work, dinner and homework.

This was my very first square.  Isn't it pretty?

One square multiplied into a total of 35 squares.  These were my first 16 squares.  I don't think I have any two squares that are exactly the same.

I finished up all 35 squares in a week flat.  Next was joining them together.  I didn't mind this process.  I really enjoyed watching it come together from individual squares to a whole afghan.

I decided to do a granny stripe border with a few of the colors I had a good bit left of.  The only thing I bought for this project was one skein of Aran for the border.

Looking at this picture, I realized that I didn't get a picture of the afghan after I added the final scalloped border in Aran.  It really sets it off!

You can see more about my project on my Ravelry PAGE.

If you stop by, leave me a comment so I can return the visit!!

Linking up to Making Memories Monday,  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.

Songs on Sunday ~ I Am Not Alone ~ 4/12/15

Hosted by Faith, Hope & Cherrytea

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I absolutely LOVE this song.  I could listen to it over and over.  It has helped me through some difficult times recently.  I love the verse that says "You fight my every battle".  My aunt actually bought the accompaniment CD for my daughter to learn and sing at Church.  I can't wait!

 

 

"I Am Not Alone"

When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I'm standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear

I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me

In the midst of deep sorrow
I see Your light is breaking through
The dark of night will not overtake me
I am pressing into You
Lord, You fight my every battle
And I will not fear

You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own

You're my strength
You're my defender
You're my refuge in the storm
Through these trials
You've always been faithful
You bring healing to my soul

I'm also linking up to Spiritual Sunday.

Saturday 9 ~What Time Is It? ~ 4/11/15

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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Listen to the song HERE.

 

1) This song asks, "Does anybody really care about time?" How about you? Do you pride yourself on being punctual? Or don't you really care? 

 
I usually have to be at least time if not a few minutes early.  I'm not a 30 minute early kinda girl but 5-10 minutes will work.

2) The lyrics refer to a stranger asking the time. When is the last time you conversed with someone you didn't really know? What did you two talk about?
 
I guess it would be yesterday when I met with a rep at work.  We talked about the Steelers, football, and of course work stuff.

3) According to the Top 40 tracker Tunecaster, this song knocked Tony Orlando and Dawn's "Knock Three Times" out of the #1 spot on the charts in January 1971. Are you familiar with "Knock Three Times?"

Yes, my mom used to sing it all the time!
 

4) Chicago is not only the name of the group but also of the midwest's largest city. Chicago is the proud hometown of such luminaries as Bill Murray, Michelle Obama and Derrick Rose. Does your town have any favorite sons or daughters?
S
adly not.  I live in a very small town and don't know of any famous people that have come from here.
 

5) The group Chicago was originally known as The Chicago Transit Authority, after the city's public transportation system. When is the last time you were on a bus or a train?  

In October, a group of ladies and I went on a trip to NYC.  It was my first time ever on the subway.  I can't say it was my favorite thing in the world but it was very convenient.

 

6) Four of the original seven bandmembers are still with the group … after 48 years! What's the longest you stayed at the same job?
 

I was at a job for 2 years before I got married.  My longest "job" was being a SAHM for 10 years before returning to the workforce last year.

 

7) Lead singer Rob Lamm confessed that, at times, being in a band has been hard for him because he is by nature a loner. How about you? Are you more introverted or extroverted?
 

I'd have to say I'm an introvert.  I was extremely shy as a child and would literally hide behind my older brother.

 

8) This summer, Chicago will be touring with Earth, Wind and Fire. Have you seen/will you attend any concerts in 2015?

Just my daughter's band concert :)
 

9) Random question: What's the last mess you cleaned up?

 

We went camping, well "cabining" last weekend.  When we got back I had a mess to clean up from unpacking and tons of dirty laundry to wash.

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Tea Time ~ 4/10/15

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'm getting back into blogging!!!  After taking a very long, unplanned break from blogging, I realized how much I missed it.  I'm looking forward to the whole process of running a blog :)

~  We rented a cabin at Keystone State Park last Wednesday through Saturday.  It was a lovely time spent with family.  Even though it rained, we still had a great time getting outside and enjoying each other :)

~  While at the cabin, we played a game of 500 Rummy.  I learned to play cards from my dad so it is always fun getting together to try to out-smart each other :)

~  I finally made the decision to have my gallbladder removed.  This didn't really make me "smile", but it is a big relief to finally know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Hope I've made the right decision!  :)

~  I made a lot of progress on one of my current projects.  It is a granny square afghan with black trimming to make it look like stained glass.  Look for pictures soon.  I'm almost half way finished! :)

~  Both girls wore dresses to Church for Resurrection Sunday!  Our Church has a very relaxed dress style.  Usually, the girls will wear jeans and a shirt.  To have them both in dresses, especially Kaylee who is 13, brought a smile to my face :)

What made you smile this week?

Linking up with Friendship Friday, Friday Fragments, Five on Friday, Heart Filled Friday,  and OhHeyFriday

In the Kitchen ~ Cream Cheese Sausage Crescent Rolls ~ 4/9/15

I'm just getting back into blogging.  I love the way blogging helps me be creative in my cooking.  Finding new recipes to try is so much fun.  I haven't had time, since returning to the blogging world, to create anything new.  So I pulled this one from the archives.

Cream Cheese Sausage Crescent Rolls

Ingredients:

1 - 16 oz package of sausage, browned and drained
1 - 8oz package cream cheese, softened
2- packages crescent rolls

Thoroughly brown the sausage.

The heat from the sausage will help soften the cream cheese.

Mix it together well.

Put a heaping Tablespoon of the sausage filling on the crescent roll.

Roll :)  Place on a lightly greased baking sheet or use Parchment Paper like I did.

Repeat for all 16 crescent rolls.

Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

The family all agreed that these were yummy!

Enjoy and share!


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

Hodgepodge ~ 4/8/15

Joyce's Hodgepodgey Questions:

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?

All my crochet projects.  I have basket for each project that is in the works.  Right now I have 4.  My husband thinks it is too many to be working on and that I should finish 1 project before starting another.  He is so uncreative!

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti

So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?

I tend to aim too high and then crash and burn!  No, I have never seen the Sistine Chapel or know Michelangelo's surname. 

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?

I don't drink alcohol and personally think that beer stinks!  How do people drink that stuff.  I don't have any recipes that call for beer but I did enjoy some beer bread that a friend made.  I was surprised that I liked it.

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?

I traveled last weekend.  We rented at cabin at Keystone State Park for a few days.  It was lovely!

5. The value of _________________________is greatly overrated.

A title.  Yes, you've probably worked hard to get that title, but it doesn't make a person any better.  Everyone has value in his/her position and should be respected.

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?

Cold food.  I hate when the food comes out cold!

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.

"Oh, Lord My God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the world
Thy Hand has made"

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Random thought...it is good to back in the Hodgepodge game :)

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Family Time ~ Making the Time ~ 4/7/15

 

I started working full-time last June.

 

Almost a year.

 

It has been a struggle managing my time after being a SAHM for 10 years.  So many things went by the wayside.  Including blogging.  For some reason, I felt like I couldn't blog and spend the time with my family the way I "should". 

 

I miss it.  I miss blogging and writing and taking pictures and documenting our lives.  I miss participating in the link-ups and reading everyone's blog posts.

 

I have a plan.  A plan to blog yet not get over-zealous and fanatical.  (I have a tendency to do both.)

 

I hope it works.

 

In the meantime....  How do you work your blogging into your family time, work time, church events etc?

 

P.S.  We went camping this Resurrection Weekend and I didn't take a single picture or get a picture of the girls in their Sunday Best.  Shame on me :(

 

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

 

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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