Liebster Blog Award...

I just received my first blog award...So exciting right?! Debbie from Debbie Uncharted  recently awarded me The Liebster Blog Award. I'm so flattered she thought of me! The German word "Liebster," translates into English as "Beloved" or "favorite." This award is given to new, up and coming bloggers that have less than 200 followers. I'm very excited to get this award and can't wait to pass it on!

In order to accept this award, you must...

1.  Link back to the person who gave it to you.

2.  Post the award to your blog.

3.  Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers.

4.  Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know they have been offered this award.

5.  Share 5 random facts about yourself.

Here are my 5 picks, to pass on this sweet award to...

1.  With Passion and Love

2.  Carrie's Experimental Kitchen 

3.  Polkadot Notebook

4.  A White Barn 

5.  Romantic Whites

My 5 randoms facts about myself...

1.  Absolutely love to take an afternoon nap.

2.  Love looking for sea glass and sea shells.

3.  I always have way too many projects started at one time.

4.  I drink coffee every morning, while reading my emails.

5.  Love anything and everything pink.  

Hope you stop by for a visit ~ to my 5 picks and leave a comment for them. They would so love it...

Bright, Pretty and Definitely Fun...

Have you ever heard of Catherine Isabel Audrey Kidston or shall I say Cath Kidston? She is a British designer and author who resides in London. She is known for her pretty floral patterns, which I am totally obsessed with these days...

Do you LOVE her as much as I do?! Have a great weekend...

XoXo,

 

I'll Love you forever...

A few days ago while working, I received the sweetest text from my oldest daughter, Lindsey. This is what she said, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living. My baby you'll be... I saw that on Facebook and thought of you."

Four days later, and a cup of coffee I now realize where it came from! I used to read this children's book to her over and over and over again! She loved the sweet little story, and every time I read it, I had tears in my eyes...

This is a touching story of a mother who goes through many phases of life with her child. She starts with a sweet and cuddly infant, to a grown married man, and all of the phases in between. Although some of the phases would have her pulling her hair out by the end of the day. Each night she would sneak into her sons room and cradle him to sleep by singing "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." Finally the time comes when the mother calls her son to come for a visit. She is now very old and sick. When he arrives she tries to sing the song to him, but can not finish. He goes to her and picks her up, cradles her in his arms and sings the song to her. That night when he returns home, he sings the same sweet song to his new baby daughter.

Lindsey & Rob March 2012

Thank you Lindsey for always always being a sweet girl, you are my heart and the love of my life...
I'll Love You Forever, Mom
 Ps. This is a "Must Have" book, for every new mother!
XoXo,
 

How To Make A Basic Envelope...

I spent way too many hours on Pinterst today, and found lots and lots of fun things to make and do. So I'm going to share a fun, fast and very easy craft with you. I have lots of pretty shopping bags that I just keep saving, because well... one day I will find a project for them ~ really I will! The original site for making the envelope came from Country Living, and here is the template you will need to print.

Once you print your envelope template ~ the directions are on the center of that. The only thing I did differently was use Mod Podge instead of a glue stick. Mod Podge is a waterbase sealer, glue and finish for all surfaces. I use it for all of my paper projects, and it has not failed me yet.

I tried to print some fancy address labels to put on my new envelope, but that turned into a disaster! Oh...how I wish I could navigate easily around the computer. Basically, I'm an idiot when it comes to electronics. All electronics. UGH!

There are lots of possibilities for what you could use ~ scrapbook paper, gift wrapping, wall paper, the brown bags from the grocery store and of course all those shopping bags you save like me. I know you do!

 You could make your own envelopes for birthday parties, baby showers, thank you cards, teacher gift cards, just a good ole fashion letter. and weddings. Hhmmm... guess that would depend on how big is the guest list, or at least how ambitious you might be...
XoXo,

Simply Spring...

This really is my favorite time of the year. It's like a new beginning, a fresh start so to say... It's a time to clean out and get somewhat organized. It's opening all your windows and letting that fresh air breeze through. It's planting/playing in the yard, maybe designing a new pathway through the garden, it's all the pretty flowers in bloom or maybe just the sound of the afternoon rain on a tin roof...

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Hope you have a happy Sunday...
XoXo,
 

My Life List...

I have never been much for making lists. Well... up until recently that is.  In fact, I used to think these people were just a little crazy, that had to have a list that told them what to do and how to do it. I have even known people that their lists have lists!

 Now... as I am getting ssshhhhh! a little older. Well... Maybe a lot older. Eeeekk! I seem to be one of "those" people with said list. Ok... I will admit, it is very satisfying, fun and calming to cross off the items, and when I saying crossing off I get a colorful pen and cross away. I'm realizing that I'm getting much more done because of this list! It's just plain fun crossing off the items such as... Wash the dogs, clean the porch, laundry, make cupcakes for Lindsey's birthday dinner, Make tissue pom-poms for Sharron's baby shower, clean out refrigerator. Ok I will stop there, but you get the picture.

Then I started thinking... I should have a Life List, aka Bucket List! It would be fun to have an ongoing, hopefully one day I get to do this list! So here are 50 things that I would love to do one day...

My Life List...

1. Start writing my life list (March 2012)

2. Take a photography workshop

3. Learn to play the piano

4. Rent an apartment in Paris for two weeks

5. Rent a cabin for the summer

6. Put all of our photos in beautiful scrapbooks

7. Plant a fabulous garden

8. Read all of the Bible

9.Take dance lessons

10. Go to Martha's Vineyard

11. Skydive only once with my sweet friend Michelle, so scary! (January 2010)

12. Organize my house
13. Organize my life
14. Publish a children's book
15. Take a hot air balloon ride
16. Milk a cow
17. Learn calligraphy
18. Volunteer in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving Day
19. Go on safari in Africa
20. Go dog sledding (February 2012)
21. Have lunch in a French cafe
22. Go shrimping again
23. Wear a fancy hat to the Kentucky Derby
24. See San Francisco (August 2011)
25. Learn to sail
26. See the Northern lights
27. See Niagara Falls
28. Make sure my girls know just how much I love them!
29. Ride a camel in the Sahara Desert
30. Learn Italian
31. Buy a sailboat
32. Go to church
33. Drive across America
34. Become a pastry chef
35. Make a quilt out of my girls' baby clothes
36. Learn to crochet
37. Be a fabulous Grandmother, not too soon!
38. Be a good person always
39. Hang gliding with Michelle (January 2010)
40. Eat healthier foods
41. Buy red cowboy boots (February 2012)
42. Procrastinate less
43. See Phantom of the Opera again
44. Buy and learn to use Photoshop
45. Design a font
46. Swim with the dolphins
48. Read all of the self-help books I have bought through the years
49. Spend two weeks in Italy with Michelle (July 2008)
50. Stay in a bungalow in Bora Bora

If you have a Life List... I would love to see it, or if my list inspires you to make one, please let me know!
XoXo,

Pasta with Prosciutto and Spinach...

While on my girl's trip to Aspen, this was one of our very yummy meals Susan made for us. Thank you Susan and Susan for being the chefs of our fabulous trip! Such a fast and easy recipe, not to mention delicious... 

 Ingredients...  

Serves 4  

 1 pound dried thin spaghetti

 1 pound fresh spinach, coarse stems discarded, leaves washed and dried

 1/2 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

 5 chopped garlic cloves

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves

 3/4 cup olive oil

 1/2 cup pine nuts

 sea salt/fresh ground pepper to taste

  fresh grated pecorino cheese

Directions...

In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a boil for the pasta.

Cut spinach leaves into thin strips (I didn't do this. Yes...sometimes I'm a little lazy).

In a large heavy skillet cook prosciutto, garlic, basil, oregano and pine nuts in 1/2 cup olive oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain in a colander. Return pasta to kettle and toss with remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, prosciutto mixture. Season pasta with sea salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with fresh grated pecorino cheese. 

 XoXo,